How about Anderson for a 2021 conditional 3rd which upgrades to a second if he plays more than 3/4 of the season. If not the Jackets add a 3rd.

So you want a 3rd sent instead... with the ability to upgrade to a 2nd... but also a 3rd going to MTL? Let's assume he doesn't play... then the thirds cancel out and MTL gets an asset for nothing.

I think you're underselling Anderson. Columbus had a 2nd on the table for him at the deadline and didn't even consider it. With the 4.5 mil you had remaining here, I'm sure they'd sign him before they made that trade.

No I want Anderson for a 3rd which upgrades to a second to Columbus if Anderson plays more than 3/4 of the season. You are right I was distracted when I wrote that Columbus adds a 3rd lol.

And play him where though? 4th line? That's bound to only harm his value more. I don't see any teams out there paying any more than a 2nd for a guy coming off perhaps the worst fallback of anyone this past year.

That would be a good deal for the Habs.

3rd line, maybe the 2nd. His "fallback" was completely injury related, so if he's healthy, there's no reason the think he's not as good as he was 2 years ago. He brings a ton of value as a guy who can play anywhere in the lineup and is a huge part of the PK

Lilja is already signed KHL.... he wasn’t even with the team in the bubble (from what I read). But with that’s cap room Columbus would just bring Anderson back and see if he can raise his value by the deadline and trade him then or if we have a decent shot we could always keep him.