I agree with the plan but some players will need waivers to go to the AHL like McCarron, Rychel, Lernout, Valiev. Do we take a chance to put them to waivers to send them ? You need a lineup of 23 players.

I think we should trade Benn right away and keep Lernout in the lineup to begin the year. Valiev/Schlemko depends of their camp.

might be so but if we could shed Schlemko contract might be better than Benn's.. he is reasonablely price and a good 7th def.. whereas schlemko needs to be in the top six and i dont think he is... if you are worried about losing lernout then maybe you need to lose someone but don't you only need to be down to 23 before the season starts , if so, just trade whoever doesn't have a good camp

Anyway Schelmko should passed through waivers easily so Lernout can stay in the 23 players lineup.

I know McCarron seems like a bust but I'm sure the Habs will try it like they did with DLR this year so I expect him to at least start the year in MTL. Maybe Andrew Shaw will begin the year on LTIR.

I wouldn't worry about the waivers. A claiming team has to keep them on their NHL roster all season in order to retain them. Gee if they aren't good enough to make the Habs, would other teams be interested? We have seen that there are very few waivers claims.

That Patches to LA deal has no legs now with the signing of Kovi. Kings have cap issues going forward and really don't need Max that badly.

very true about shaw so you start with McCarron in the lineup and you know injuries will hit so you will probably be able to keep him up

you might be right but i think kovachuk might be too slow for the nhl now a little bit like Jagr but if not la then maybe Brodie or another team with excess left def... or else just keep patches and try to sign him and trade him at the deadline

Why in every Habs post do people have Byron getting run out of town. Great player with speed who can play both sides and score!

I only wrote than because at the deadline he we be UFA and in line for a big salary increase.. if you aren't going to pay him then we could get a 2nd pick for him if he is having a good season... asset management... then if we like we could re-sign him in the off season... like plek last year.

I wasn't pointing fingers at you specifically but it seems as though everyone is getting rid of Byron. Even if you have to give him a raise to 2,500,000, not bad for a 20 goal scorer if he keeps it up as he is 29.
How many more years with that small frame can he go and remain effective?

I agree if it is reasonable and he wants to stay i would do it and forego the 2nd round pick..