Guhle Poehling and a 2022 first is probably the max I would do if I'm Montreal

Why are playing Jones on the left? Why are we sending away two firsts when we need them more than we need Jones?

That doesn't work for the Jackets as a return for Jones, and frankly I don't see why the Habs would be pursuing him in any case given the RD depth up there.

The excitement of winning a round! Would also be entertaining to watch the team scramble to re-sign Jones, Suzuki and Romanov.

THIS! Exactly THIS! His line-up is 2 players short with only 1.1M$ of cap space left. PLUS, there's no big contract coming off the book, the next year, with those players needing big raises (Jones-Suzuki-Romanov). This exercice requires a little bit of foreshadowing....some seems to forget about that important fact

You beat me to it, Lenny7.

For argument's sake, let's imagine Seth Jones accepts a trade to Montreal and is willing to forego UFA for a solid long-term extension. The Habs could squeeze in his $6M cap next season by no re-signing Tatar and losing someone to Seattle. Then, in 22-23, they could trade Weber (assuming he doesn't just retire) as he's earning $1M a year for the next 3 seasons. There are a lot of cheap owners who would love a solid 5-6 Dman with lots of playoff experience. (I assume Weber would retire first, at which point his $7M cap goes back to the Preds to deal with).

It's not impossible for the Habs to afford Seth Jones, so what is he worth? Guhle and two late firsts? Assuming he'd re-sign before the deal is consummated, it's probably a pretty good deal for both teams.

Jones will get top money or term, probably not both. Romanov? I am not sure what kind of $$$ you imagine he'll get, but unless there is a marked improvement next season (year 3 of his ELC), he'll get a modest bridge that starts with a "2". Suzuki is a more interesting question. His numbers suggest a Domi-like contract, which is $5.3M. He'd get something close to that if the Habs can get 5 years of term from him. Otherwise, he'll get 2-3 years in the high 3s and go for the big number on his next contract.

I was pointing out the fact that in his projection, there wasn't any "provision", cap wise, for the salary increase of those 3 players.

I'm ok with what you're saying. I'm not foreshadowing a huge contract for Romanov, even with a great season next year. I'd say a 2x2.25-2.5 would be realistic, if he continue to develop.

For Jones, since he's willing to test the market, I doubt he'll settle for less than his true worth, which is between 8.25 & 9.25 AAV on a 7 years deal.

#14, now : I've seen enough of the kid and what he's capable of that I would throw max term right now! I mean, summer 2021, not after his ELC ends in 2022. Sign him NOW for max term and get yourself a HUGE bargain deal for the years 4 through 8 (maybe even starting year 3). GM'S have to take risks and that Suzuki kid is totally worth it.

Appreciate the convo and the feedback and agree about some creativity needed moving into future years. This is also keeping Drouin on the roster, when who even knows if he will be in the NHL next year, or on the Habs roster.

Heading into 22-23, the Habs have $12,078,691 in projected cap space. Assuming Jones signs for 7 x $9 million, Suzuki signs for 3 x $4.5 and Romanov signed for 2 x $2.5. As noted by others, I could see Weber retiring after next season when his salary goes down to $3 million and he will be 37. And its possible the cap increases for 22-23. None of these contracts would put Montreal in cap-hell. They would have to make some moves, but to get Seth Jones on your top-pair, a puck-moving dman who they need, it would be worth it IMO.