Montreal will not trade a young, cheap, promising center in Kotkaniemi for an older, overpaid, defensively unreliable center in Kutnetzov, especially when Kotkaniemi is part of the future core in Montreal and they don’t have much cap space to work with. If they were to spend money, it would be for a mobile PMLD or an offensive LW. Drouin is probably available though.

Value is there for Kuz... It is a big risk and losing KK make me scared but I think Kuz would fit perfectly in MTL.
I would pulled the trigger if I am Bergevin! Good job

Kuznetsov was actually a lot more effective defensively this season after meeting with Laviolette. Kuzy wanted more ice time, and Lavy told him he needed to be better defensively, and he was. His defensive performance measured by Evolving Hockey was actually pretty comparable to Kotkaniemi's, but Kuznetsov was much better offensively. A lot of it is probably more role oriented for KK, but having Suzuki and Kuznetsov as your 1-2 punch in MTL would be pretty deadly.

Kuzy might be better than KK but KK is 21 and Is going to be way cheaper. I much rather keep KK and just hope that he can reach his full potential soon. Habs won't trade KK for Kuzy

I mean, no arguments there. I'd honestly rather keep Kuznetsov.

It's a tough trade, I think it just comes down to would Montreal think they'd be better off with KK or Kuzy. I'd be fine with either But i rather keep KK considering he's only 21

Yeah, I think it comes down to what Montreal wants in the next 2-3 years. Weber, Petry, and Price aren't getting any younger. If Bergevin thinks the window is in the next couple of seasons to win a Cup, I think a Kuznetsov for Kotkaniemi trade makes sense.

VAN decline.