I can agree that the trades look bad, but Dach was on pace for a 58-point season on a team so thoroughly devastated by injuries. It will be hard to evaluate that trade over the short term if he finds a bit more growth in the Canadians organization and hovers around that 60 point mark over his career. Unless Nazar breaks through into the NHL like a bat out of hell, or Gavin Hayes does likewise, that trade could end up being a wash long-term.

I actually think the Canadiens are going to win the Newhook deal even if he never exceeds third-line production. Losing the high second round selection stings a bit but towards the back third of the first round is when you start consistently finding middle-six to third-line talents.

We, especially as fans that are so much more zoomed in on the salary cap and the draft, need to be very careful about making sure we aren't overvaluing draft picks and prospects right out of the draft. It's new toy syndrome. If we look back to the 2018 draft between picks #20 and #40, I can pick out five players (Miller, Sandin, Samuelsson, Romanov, McLeod) in that range that meet or exceeded third line/bottom pairing quality. In 2017, there were also five (Thomas, Chytil, Yamamoto, Oettinger, and Robertson; jury still out on Frost) players in that range that exceeded that same benchmark. Only Thompson, Kyrou, and DeBrincat clear that same hurdle in 2016. Everyone else picked in that range is either a bottom-of-the-roster piece or won't be an NHL regular. I think Montreal did fine moving the Florida first for Newhook, the additional second was a bit gratuitous.

Can the Leafs have Xhekaj?

I really hope no one votes no on this one.

My issue with the signing is that they didn’t take Michov. It just seems like Hughes and Gorton has done everything they can to minimize the impact of their top picks. After all, the five guys taken immediately after Slafkovsky are all better than the former #1 overall pick. Then you have the Dach and Newhook trades where Montreal overpaid for non-premium talents. Franchise looks like a mess rn imo.

Talk about the kettle calling the pot black!

How much did you guys pay for Romanov?
I don't follow the Islanders but are you telling me your team doesn't have any bad contracts?
And you know for a fact that the 5 picks taken after Slafkovsky are better based on what information? Do you have a crystal ball?

I'm sure your franchise isn't in a mess! Are they the favorites to win the cup this year? Are you even positive that they will even make the play-off this year?

Every team in the NHL has flaws, at least Habs fans know that we are in a rebuild and most have embraced that fact.

Does anyone know, does this mean he CANNOT go back to play in Europe?
Essentially he either plays AHL or NHL, or can he actually play in Europe(not Russia) while under contract?

My issue with the signing is that they didn’t take Michov. It just seems like Hughes and Gorton has done everything they can to minimize the impact of their top picks. After all, the five guys taken immediately after Slafkovsky are all better than the former #1 overall pick. Then you have the Dach and Newhook trades where Montreal overpaid for non-premium talents. Franchise looks like a mess rn imo.

Talk about overreacting.

Those "5 players taken after Slaf" haven't played more than 12 combined games in the big league so there's no basis for comparison.

The Dach trade was a piece of art for anyone who's been paying attention. 58 points pace as a 21 y.o. on the most injured team is awesome, much more than what can be expected from a #13 pick.

Newhook is still up in the air, but as BeterChiarelli said, the odds of getting an NHLer in that pick range are slim.

David........ Reinbacher
-Price

because Reinbacher is the safe pick while Michkov is the franchise star or bust pick.

Jiricek, Nemec, Cooley, Wright and Gauthier have all shown more than Slaf has in their draft + one year. Also there are late first round picks that pan out all the time, so I have to disagree with you there.

i mean, cant really compare nhl stats and minor stats. slaf was playing on the 4th line, who knows how dominant he would have been if he played in the ncaa for examples.

If you look at Slaf’s Draft + One year compared to the players select 2nd through 6th, there’s a reason that Slaf has the worst looking comparisons according to the models out there. Byron Bader has been sounding the alarm on him all season long.

i know slaf is far from a safe pick and i share the concern. however i know the model really well and i could go in depth on why i dont think it really matters much in this specific case. (i also think its very flawed for other general reasons). i think as soon as next year we might have a way clearer view on how they all comapare.

I agree to a point. I’m not hating on Montreal, but I do think their fans deserve better.

My issue with the signing is that they didn’t take Michov. It just seems like Hughes and Gorton has done everything they can to minimize the impact of their top picks. After all, the five guys taken immediately after Slafkovsky are all better than the former #1 overall pick. Then you have the Dach and Newhook trades where Montreal overpaid for non-premium talents. Franchise looks like a mess rn imo.