Probably both teams say no, LA are picking up PLD so they will want to make a push, whoever Montreal gets at 5 is at least 2 years out. Montreal sees the potential in whoever they can get at 5 in the most stacked draft in a decade and don't trade away the potential that's there.

I haven't checked every roster, but Quinton could be the youngest player on any NHL roster. With that in mind, we aren't ready to give up on him yet. We'll give him the same amount of time as the Rangers have given Kakko and LaFreniere.

I think what you guys do with nos. 5 and 31 will be the main stories coming out of Wednesday night. Good luck!

I think it depends on who is there at 5. If Michkov goes in the top 4, and Smith or Carlsson are there, I think LA says yes. But in that scenario, Montreal says no. All other scenarios, LA says no.

Fair enough. Admittedly I haven't really watched many of these prospects, so just going off of what I've read nobody the Habs are linked to at 5 really excite me, and I'm still a believer in the potential Byfield has shown in junior days, but yeah, removing a cheap contributor from their lineup for a guy who probably won't be there for two years doesn't make much sense for LA. Would be a long-term bet for them but they're going for it now.

Yeah, especially considering it takes longer for bigger guys to develop. Still think he's gonna be a stud.

And thanks!

Gorton and Hughes say no.

Will Smith, Michkov or Carlsson all likely have higher ceilings than Byfield.

Byfields size is definitely a positive add, but I don't see the Habs risking this.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking too.

Man that’s a tough one. If I’m being honest only way I would do this deal if I were the GM is if we waiting to see if Matvei Michkov is available. I’d take Michkov over Byfield in MY OPINION.

I agree on the assessments of those three players. This post was made under the assumption that Smith and Carlsson are gone and the Habs aren't comfortable taking Michkov.
Been scrolling through Habs Twitter too much and seeing too much negativity towards the prospects of them picking Michkov at 5... now I'm bracing for the worst.

Yeah in this scenario he's available at 5 but the Habs aren't comfortable taking him, so then it would come down to LA's management comfortability waiting for him to come over in 3 years.

I dont think the trade helps either team's timeline. I dont see the same upside Byfield had at the draft. He's a legit NHL'r but he wont come close to the promise that was projected. He dominated kids as a much bigger player. In the pros he cant use his size to the same degree. Hes a top6 but I dont think an elite difference maker

Just for a little context, Byfield is the same age now that Caufield was when he joined the Habs for their playoff run in 2021. He's still way too green to give up on as a prospect, let alone a 2nd overall 20 year old. Let him develop and in a few years we can look back and go "We suggested we trade him???"

Habs fans can be special at times, the Habs are not Dubois away from a cup, so, they likely miss the playoffs again next year as the young D develop, and Montembeault tries to prove he can be a starter.

Waiting on Michkov is probably the best thing, him coming over at 21 and developed into a possible Kaprizov/Panarin style player is exactly what the Habs need in the long term.