I like the Desharnais, Matteau trade, but the JVR trade would depend on the position of our pick. (If we get a Top-3, no deal, If we have the 9th, yes)

Overall, as a MTL Canadiens fan, I like this direction.

I don't know if Toronto would be in though, they would probably say that it's not enough X1

I like the trades, but as Number Man said I doubt the leafs say yes unless there's a better prospect thrown in there. I have a feeling that if JVR was on the market they'll be many teams which should create a bidding war, in that case that offer won't be enough, but should be enough to create a discussion. I'm just not quite sold that Okoposo signs for anything less than 6.5, maybe even 7. IIRC the islanders offered him a contract at 6 and he only declined because he wanted to see how much he would get in fa. So if its around 6 he'll probably just sign with with the islanders.

Could be any defenceman from the AHL squad next year, so OK with Hanley, Dietz or Parisi if Ellis and his 15 goals is not their man.

I think the offer for Okposo is fair, but if we need to put another $750k in, we can replace Weise with a $750k winger.

This approach allow for keeping both Eller and Emelin. If Danault or DeLaRose takes a huge leap forward in 2016-17, we might be able to trade Eller for another asset next summer. Same with Emelin if Beaulieu and Barberio develop very well.

Why would Toronto give up JVR a 30 goal scorer with a cheap cap hit for the 9 overall pick and a low end prospect. Okposo is going to get more than 6.6 million on the market. Your cap space would never work (!

OK, pulled out of JVR sweepstakes.

I think this is the first pick swap with EDM I've liked in these arm chair GM rosters. I'm sure they'd prefer a more NHL ready dman, but upgrading Yakupov into Plekanec? That's really palatable if I'm Chiarelli.

As for Shipachev, that seems like a low salary to me, you have the space to offer him another million so it's not a big deal.

Increased salary for Shipachev to $2,000,000. Edmonton needs a guy like Plekanec, Habs take a chance on a cheaper guy who may possibly boom....or bust. Eller fills the defensive need, with help from Danault, Mtchell and eventually DeLaRose, and Pleks' scoring is replaced and MORE, by McGinn, Brouwer, Shaw and Yakupov.