Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
Calgary will make you a much better offer for Couts (not that he will ever waive his NMC once it kicks in)
Zary + Valimaki + 1st + Monahan as a base?
I doubt Montreal has any interest at all in moving futures when they are rebuilding
You're not wrong, the diff between Dvorak and Couts is a solid RD prospect (PHI would have jiricek and Barron) and some later round picks, but maybe MTL doesn;t move (but I think a Suzuki, Couts, number 1 pick down the middle is a great team)
Always have a space for nice prospect in Zary and a 1st, but not sure Valimaki adds much (good youngster, just not sure where he'd fit: in the above I've moved Sanheim to give York 2LD time and acquired solid vet 3 LD to partner with youngster at RD). So while I think Valimaki has a NHL future, just not sure he is as "valued" in Philly where they have ample young LD, (right now: Provorov, Sanheim, York and both Zamula/Hogberg looked good in limited time).
And while I think a healthy Monahan is just as good, if not better, than Dvorak, I think the health/cap/contract length diff between Dvorak and Monahan works against CGY.
Maybe Zary, a 1st (or maybe a 2nd), Dube and Monahan (if PHI can get a 3rd party to retain and Monahan is healthy) would work. PHI would need a roster player (Dube or Monahan) and then Zary/the pick work for futures, but ultimately Couterier has good value and the pieces would have to work.
Couldn;t talk you into some kind of Tkachuk rights for Couterier?