If Montreal will take Joey, that's cool, but they aren't taking Allen back at full price; it's just not affordable for them. Not sure what 50% retention costs but it would have to be included.

Not interested in the late and future firsts for Zegras.

Avs ain't doing Allen without retention or some memo from the league that the cap is going up something like 7mil.

Overpayment for Z
Maybe Barron and Jets 1st

I agree
Only way i see it going down is a 3 way trade.
Not sure with who or how but i dont see MTL giving up their pick in the top 10
Might be able to find a 10th-15th OA pick via trade at best though in this years draft.

Zegras is great , i just dont see the point in trading for him now.
You trade for him in the final year of his deal as we're starting to contend
Right now we got another year of tanking at least the way our Goaltending situation is right now.

I'd almost prefer Max Jones for that very reason as he's on an Expiring Deal giving him a truly fresh start with no baggage coming into MTL
He can sign a Dach/Newhook 3-4 years deal for 3-4m or take the Show Me 1 years contract for 1-2m where he bets on himself to break out like many do in the NHL.

He'd be a cheaper player MTL could target who could make an impact here while offering something we dont have much of.
We're Rebuilding a guy like Jones makes more sense plus it gives you time to evaluate Zegras until his contracts about to expire
MTL might be in the Zegras Business by then looking to contend