Who is Montreal drafting at #5 in your scenario? Someone to fill out the 2nd line or a D-man?

No idea. They are keeping me guessing.

The trade is about as good as the Jets can expect. But why do it?

My assessment of Beck is very similar to yours, and there's already Dach emerging, which begs the question why the Habs would want to blow the bank on PLD, especially if it doesn't include moving Dvorak out. And what about Monahan?

I'll try and answer your questions 1 by 1

Why do it?

I think you can assume with PLD that you are getting a 60 point player acquisition who "plays the game the right way". This is far from nothing.

There is also some small chance that Dubois has another gear and becomes another Zibanejad. Either way he makes this team better.

Finally in the top 6 you ideally want 3 or even 4 centers as we've seen in Tampa, there will be injuries and you need the center depth.

Beck vs Dubois

I know people dream about Beck becoming the next Bergeron, but to me it seems more likely he's just a good player who plays in a middle 6 role. Even if he hits his upside, he'll become a less good version of what Dubois is today.

Dach vs Dubois

You need both of the players AND Suzuki in your top 6 to win. Some days Dach plays wing. Some days Dubois plays wing. Suzuki may even play wing some nights. Giving MSL options and depth in case of injuries is what this is all about.

Where does Monahan fit in?

Monahan is a short term play, Dubois is a long term play. Let's assume Monahan is healthy all year (big assumption) and puts up his best season in 6-7 years (50-60 pts). I would not be supportive of the Habs signing him to a long term deal at 6M+. I think that would be the wrong move for the Habs both because of the injury risk and because he will be declining when this team is getting good.

The Monahan signing makes me wonder if that doesn't shut the door on a PLD to Habs trade or at least maybe indicates that whatever Hughes offer is for Dubois is what it is and he isn't willing to move on it.

What are you gonna do after draft day ?

Talk about free agency?

Oh no, you will try to sign UFAs ?

I think the offer will be significant, but since there is no home run deal we can offer Chevy... I have no idea what happens.

If the Habs trade Dach for Dubois 1-for-1 I would be pretty upset. But Dach is the only player Chevy would be able to sell to his fan base as a "we aren't rebuilding" move.

The truth is... The Jets should fire Chevy and rebuild. He's so irresponsible right now and he's going to doom that team to mediocrity for years with his approach.

Are you seriously trying to pick a fight with me on Capfriendly?

What, just wondering what goes through your head
You do that for fun or you really want them to make moves ?

I think it's interesting to try and predict what teams will pickup what players and comment on whether it was a good idea.or not.

No I do not want the Habs to sign any free agents in 2023. They need to keep the cap flexibility for 2024 which might be one of the greatest free agency classes in the history of the NHL.

Lots of chatter that the Jets owner is very involved in day to day hockey stuff so Chevy might just be taking his marching orders from above.

Yeah I get that. Whether it's the owner or the GM, the Jets should be in the business of trying to win, not just keeping buts in seats. It's disrespectful to the fans.