If I'm montreal GM I'd be looking for a trade without strings attached , i really wouldn't take back a 2 year contract

Fair enough

Hawks accept.

I don’t think forwards should be the preoccupation for the deadline, the defence is more shallow and should be prioritized.

Fair, I forgot to add retention on Blackwell, with an extra 600K Dallas would have about 1.3mil in cap space. Enough to acquire someone and a 2nd rounder to do it
Also can never have too much depth

I think the Habs take that deal. Faksa has the extra year but don't see that as a problem for MTL since they'll want NHL contracts that keep certain prospects in the AHL for some seasoning

CHI accepts.

Craig Smith is still in the NHL? I had no idea.

Don't think Dallas' 4th line should be the priority here. They have a solid top-12 forwards right now. Their top-9 can score as well as anyone in the league and their rotational 4th line of Steel, Smith, Faksa, and Dellandrea has done really well at being a sandpaper, grind-it-out kind of line that's tough for opposing offenses to play against. Don't think it would be wise for Dallas to spend all those assets to turn their one defense-minded line into a 4th scoring line, when it's not something they really need to do.

Defense is a must have at the deadline if Dallas wants to make a deep run this year. They cannot roll into the postseason with Hakanpaa or Suter playing top-4 minutes and expect to win a Cup.

Agreed, I forgot to add retention on the Blackwell trade, it would put the capspace to about 1.3mil, with retention they could trade Hakanpaa + a 2nd and get a decent upgrade but, I wasn't sure who exactly.
I changed the 4th because I look at the 3 guys added and think it's a line I wouldn't want to face with any other teams bottom guys. Monahan is a top6 center easily, Pearson is a vet that has won before and plays a decent 2way game when he isn't injured and honestly I have a personal hard on for Blackwell, I just love the way he plays.
Not sure who the target would be on defense. I have only watched 1 Dallas game this season so I can't tell you who's good or not consistently but in last years playoffs I liked Suter, Heiskanen and Lindell, Harley seems to have taken a jump in his development based off point production.
Would a guy like Tanev who is less mobile shut down complimentary but consistent top4 guy or would you want Dallas to go get guys like Fabbro\Carrier from Nashville (assuming they want to move a RD) that are more mobile but lack some consistentcy but could shine in the right role for the right team?

Agreed, he keeps them from rushing guys and you don't have a prospect centering the 4th line like Poehling back when he had high hopes