Not bad. I loved your comment sorry Buffalo, free to a good home! lol I do not see Rychel playing in front of Deslauriers. Your top 3 C`s are good. De La Rose`s defense is good but his face off`s need to improve. Do you leave Alzner in your top 4, when he plays like a 3rd pairing? But I like your ideas.

Thanks. Rychel's not there yet, but the potential is there. Obviously, he would have to earn that job, but there are options stacked like chordwood behind him. Plus you have Vilardi and Poehling coming along, who could push someone to the wings.

I kept Alzner because he and Carlson worked well together for all those years.

Meh....

If Carter is healthy, LA won't want to trade him. If he's not, Habs shouldn't want him.

You're slow to the draw today, TB. @F50marco beat you to it on the Islanders trade. I guess that one just makes too much sense for both teams.

I thought of the Washington connection too. I saw Oehling play this winter. He is the real thing. I would leave him at D1 for at least another year. He just turned 19 this past January, so does not turn 20 until mid season next year. But I think in 2 to 3 years he is playing #2 or #3 Centre for Habs.

But do u really want to give Carlson 8.2M? That’s a little much even for him. I guess it works, but I dont think Niemi should get over a mil either.

I forgot who said it yesterday, but they were arguing that Carlson would be more than Subban. I had been saying $7+ for the past six months. I figured I would just avoid the shitstorm and aim a little higher.

The problem is that the NCAA rules are horrible and if the Habs don't sign Poehling now, he'll be headed into his junior year and then all too many of these guys decide to stay one more year and become UFAs. That is why Gainey had to trade McDonagh all those years ago -- he was going to pull a Mike Van Ryn and simply not sign. Even though they can no longer just go to the highest bidder, he could opt to stay back in Minnesota or Chicago and there's nothing the Habs can do. Besides, he'll learn more in the AHL for a year than playing Div 1.

But to your point, Carter will fade slowly and/or move back to the RW. Vilardi should emerge as the #1C. Poehling will slip in one of the 2-3 slots, with either Danault or Chucky.

They want more for carter and they would not give up valrdia

Thanks. I'm surprised it's not enough: a draft pick that could be as high as #2 and likely no lower than #7, plus a solid D to insulate against having to trade Doughty (assuming he doesn't extend, which he says he won't), opening up about $3M in cap for the next 3 years. Kempe and Amadio have really rendered Carter expendable, haven't they? Petry, the wingers and the cap space for Carter seemed pretty fair. And the top-level first pick for Vilardi seemed reasonable.