While I'm not the biggest fan of the notion that we "need to pickup PLD" because Quebec born players in Montreal go burrrr, it would help round out our top six to get him (IN FREE AGENCY). The team has long since had Anderson on the trade block even if Hughes won't admit it, someone would need to fill his spot in 3-4 years regardless of a trade.

I would be in the camp of still going after PLD even if we get Bedard Fantili.

It would solidify our top 6 as mentioned above for A DECADE!!!!

Suzuki, Caufield, PLD, Dach, B.Fantili.....

Everything else would be secondary plug-ins as we make our way to the cup.

Noticed you left Slafkovsky off, don't have faith in the kid?

Exactly, Question for you then.

If we get, lets say Bedard by lottery and than PLD through free agency. Would you consider trading a future 1st in order to get players who can fill in other spots.

What I'm mainly thinking here is how Montreal is severely lacking in RHD prospects, there happen to be two very talented RHD in this years draft (Sandin-Pellika & Reinbacher), and if our top six is locked in for the next decade we could trade the 2025 first we have in order to acquire one of those players and solidify the D-core?

Usually I really despise the idea of moving firsts like that during a rebuild but no guarantee those picks land us top 4-elite level defence talent, so why not move them to get the other pieces we need in this draft. Alternatively we could trade these picks to acquire otherwise unacquirable goaltending talent.

Yes.
Until he proves me wrong. Which I hope he does but with the aforementioned core signed....he would have to jump through some fiery hoops to make the others expendable and then have him become part of the core.

I think the "..." part kinda encomases Slaf. Anyone who has given up on him however can (The following words would break capfriendly terms and conditions). He's only 19, haven't even played since turning 19. I think why people are hard on him comes from his status as first overall, but he's not even 20, having to transition from European to American style of play, and the first overall from a rather weak draft class. Need to let him develop first before casting any judgment ya know?

Exactly
Drafting one of Bedard or Fantili would seriously reshape the habs mindset regarding the rebuild which would be lessened by 2 to three years.

Losing 1st rounders to shore up other holes just makes perfect business sense once you have your core established.

If I equate Habs roster players to Winnipeg Jets players, I have a hard time with the "Instant Cup Win" narrative:

Connor ~= Caufield (Connor has proven a lot more than Caufield at this point)
Suzuki ~= Scheifele (Scheifele has proven a lot more than Zuke at this point)
Dubois = Dubois
Dach ~= Wheeler (I think Dach on his best days will maybe hit the numbers Wheeler did in his best days)
Ehlers != Bedard/Fantilli

Are you saying Winnipeg was a Bedard away from winning the cup?

I would also say don't give up on Barron just yet.
He's gonna have a breakout season next year.
He's has all the tools for top pairing.
He and Guhle will be our D core for years

No Winnipeg was a St.Louis, Gorton and Hughes away from winning the cup

That sounds good, but I don't understand what you mean. Can you clarify?

Maybe you need to do your own research and find out for yourself what's wrong in Winnipeg

Totally agree, my problem is that Barron is our only RHD that will be here long term (Savard will probably get traded and Mailloux is a question mark (Hoping on him though)). We could use a guy like Reinbacher or Sandin-Pellika to fit in the second pairing with Hutson.

Agreed we can use them definitely.
I also wouldn't rule out Mailloux as a top 4 top PP specialist

He has just looked so good in the OHL. I feel like his approval into the league is just a formality at this point given what he's done to improve his character

Not sure where that response came from. You gave a cryptic answer that seems to elude to the fact that the reason the Jets have not won the cup is that they needed a different coach and a different GM/VP of hockey ops. I think Paul Maurice (when they were at their peak) has shown himself to be a great coach (Florida is kicking ass) and they actually have/had a good team, even if the players often don't want to stay.

How would the GM/Coach being different have helped the Jets to beat the Habs in 2021, or Vegas this year?