Quoting: F50marco
Frankly who cares about production, he's been on a number of teams now and left each one with a sour taste in their mouths. I want no part of PLD and its officially buyer beware with him. Not worth the risk. I was totally on board bringing him in this past offseason but seeing how he's been in LAK, Im glad they didn't get him.
Anderson can be bought out if we're at that point with him. Not only are the Habs paying top dollar for PLD here, they're also taking on massive risk. there's no need. They're probably drafting a center this year, getting Dach back next year and are still a lottery team/non playoff team. The right play here is to be patient and if anything add through free agency where the only really costs are overpaying cap, which the Habs have oodles of so its not a huge burden.
I don't disagree with you on UFA, but every time I suggest bringing in players like Monahan, Toffoli, Marchessault, Reinhart, or even trading before the TDL for Hertl, I get tons of pushback from the same crowd complaining that those players will become an albatross before their contract is up.
Essentially the fans around here only value young players, and only if you can trade for them by offering a bunch of Bs and Cs for an A+ and then severely underpay the player.
Like Harris, Armia, and WPG's 1st for Boldy is ever gonna freaking happen?! You need to give something to get something. You always need to manage your risk, but sometimes risks pay off. Dach & Newhook deals were risks. They are working out (ish). I think PLD could work out too. I don't believe that he's a Prima Donna, if I did I would not trade for him.
I think you are wrong about them being a bottom feeder team next year. They will make moves this offseason and push for the playoffs.