The Arizona / Utah trade solves multiple issues for MTL. It clears up LD for Guhle and Hutson, while still having PLENTY of depth with Struble, Xhekaj, and recently added Engstrom in the mix. It adds highly sought after Crouse for middle 6 scoring (I personally like the idea of a Crouse - Dach - Slafkovsky line. All are giants that can skate, hit, and score), it upgrades Barron with a waiver exempt Lamoureux, so there is no sacrifice to the Habs RD depth, and adds and early 2nd that can be flipped for another Dach/Newhook type deal.
For my fellow Habs fans that say MTL still needs vets on their blue line, fear not! Habs sign free agent Brett Pesce to a 5 year $32.5mil ($6.5mil aav) deal. Having Pesce continues to insulate the young D core and ensures MTL doesn't need to rush Reinbacher, Mailloux, Lamoureux, etc. It also allows MTL more leeway to move Savard (if needed) if Reinbacher is ready to make the jump. I also like using the Slavin comparison for Guhle, so why not get him Slavin's former partner. A match made in heaven!
I also brought back Toffoli for that veteran presence in MTLs top 6, but another alternative could be Marchessault.
I'm keeping the 3C spot vacant for this thread, but there a plenty of options for what can be done for that vacancy:
#1 Habs draft a center who proves at camp they are NHL ready... *cough* Lindstrom *cough*
#2 Hughes makes another Dach/Newhook trade (candidate for a 3C could be Rossi from MIN)
#3 Beck or Kapanen claims the spot with a strong training camp.
#4 Newhook stays at Center and frees up a spot on the wing (options could be Mesar, Heineman, or a rejuvenated Anderson)
#5 Habs re-sign Monahan
#6 Habs keep both Evans and Dvorak as their bottom 6 Cs (Boring...)
Cap space still isn't a concern with Armia, Dvorak, and Savard all coming off the books, $11.35mil aav, at the end of the season. Add the $7.6 in cap space MTL currently has in this ACGM, MTL will have about $19mil in cap space to re-sign Slafkovsky and Guhle to contract extensions for the following season.
i dont think bill armstrong is in any rush to trade lamoureux
True, I'm just going off the assumption that the owner in Utah will want to speed up the process to be competitive. Barron and Lamoureux are actually fairly similar prospects (both former 1sts, both played for Canada at the WJ), but Barron is older and more NHL ready. The big difference is Lamoureux is waiver exempt, Barron isn't. But the difference in value between Crouse and Matheson more than makes up for it imo.
Quoting: Lancebmx
Matheson isn't worth that.
The only reach is the early 2nd rd pick. Matheson is way more valuable than Crouse. Tried to make up the difference with swapping Barron with Lamoureux and adding a pick. If anything, the pick should be downgraded or removed.
True, I'm just going off the assumption that the owner in Utah will want to speed up the process to be competitive. Barron and Lamoureux are actually fairly similar prospects (both former 1sts, both played for Canada at the WJ), but Barron is older and more NHL ready. The big difference is Lamoureux is waiver exempt, Barron isn't. But the difference in value between Crouse and Matheson more than makes up for it imo.
The only reach is the early 2nd rd pick. Matheson is way more valuable than Crouse. Tried to make up the difference with swapping Barron with Lamoureux and adding a pick. If anything, the pick should be downgraded or removed.
Yeah like Barron is not unvaluable, and there is a gap between matheson and crouse, i just dont think they would be looking to speed up their rebuild in that way. Maybe they buy a couple guys in exchange for some of their second round picks or sign some FAs with their capspace though
True, I'm just going off the assumption that the owner in Utah will want to speed up the process to be competitive. Barron and Lamoureux are actually fairly similar prospects (both former 1sts, both played for Canada at the WJ), but Barron is older and more NHL ready. The big difference is Lamoureux is waiver exempt, Barron isn't. But the difference in value between Crouse and Matheson more than makes up for it imo.
The only reach is the early 2nd rd pick. Matheson is way more valuable than Crouse. Tried to make up the difference with swapping Barron with Lamoureux and adding a pick. If anything, the pick should be downgraded or removed.
I don't think an offensive defenseman going into his 30s is worth more than a physical two way forward entering his prime. I get Matheson has played quite well while in Montreal and has been a good leader and all that, but his defensive play isn't great and honestly they probably give PP1 to Durzi. Or if they really wanted to, sign Gostisbehere again to play a similar roll. Arizona has alot invested in Crouse and I don't think they want to move him at all.
Also with Barron, just because he is "NHL ready" doesn't mean they are going to trade a very good, very big, young RHD for an older lesser version.
Utah can easily sign a LHD if they want to go that route. They also have Kolyachonok who seems ready, that's 3 LHD on the roster.
It's very difficult to find players like Crouse, teams covet them alot.
I don't think an offensive defenseman going into his 30s is worth more than a physical two way forward entering his prime. I get Matheson has played quite well while in Montreal and has been a good leader and all that, but his defensive play isn't great and honestly they probably give PP1 to Durzi. Or if they really wanted to, sign Gostisbehere again to play a similar roll. Arizona has alot invested in Crouse and I don't think they want to move him at all.
Also with Barron, just because he is "NHL ready" doesn't mean they are going to trade a very good, very big, young RHD for an older lesser version.
Utah can easily sign a LHD if they want to go that route. They also have Kolyachonok who seems ready, that's 3 LHD on the roster.
It's very difficult to find players like Crouse, teams covet them alot.
Literally every ACGM I'm seeing has teams signing freakin Brady Skjei to $6-$7mil aav deals (complete overpayment imo). The free agent market for offensive LD is incredibly weak this year. Which will most certainly lead to teams overpaying for Gostisbehere as well. If MTL make Matheson, with his $4.8mil aav, available for trade, there will absolutely be a highly competitive market for him. I have no idea where the whole "Matheson has defensive issues" thing came from, but it's false. Matheson literally was top 5 in assignment difficulty this year, and MTL defensive struggles were definitely not due to Matheson. Is he a shut down Dman? no, granted. But he's certainly not a bad defender.
You make a fair point for Crouse, and I said as much in my description. Crouse if available would be highly sought after if made available as well. But Matheson is still a much more valuable asset for what both provide at the salaries they make. Paying $4.3mil aav for Crouse I'd say is market value or at most a slight overpayment. Matheson at $4.8mil aav is a bargain.
Lamoureux hasn't proven any more than what Barron did at the same levels... Is he bigger and younger? yes. but to say Barron is a lesser version is false. If anything, there should be injury concerns from Lamoureux. The difference in value is simply due to age and waiver exemption.
Selling? If anything, they are buyers in this case.
Shoot me offers for both Xhekaj's... I'd consider it lol MTL does seem pretty committed to them though...
Hmm, I think Utah want to move the entertainment marketing meter and Crouse does that but Matheson...mehhh...Utah will want the big time on ice characters I think...
Hmm, ya I don't think the Canadians part with the brothers Xhekaj and Utah has some sandpaper guys already.
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