2022/2023 Trade Speculation and Rumours

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I think you have all the right ideas. One key is in order to sell other teams on a possible bounce back season, you have to sell this off-season. If you have another #### season, no team will pay dick, and we'll be stuck with 8 year contracts paying franchise money. Sure it wouldn't be selling high by ridding ourselves this off-season, but the downside is significant if they hold those assets the way they're trending.

But why would Montreal pull the trigger this offseason and completely blow up their cap structure on a potential bounce back and also give up good value while doing so. Huberdeau would probably get a 8-9 million dollar contract this offseason if he was UFA.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I think you have all the right ideas. One key is in order to sell other teams on a possible bounce back season, you have to sell this off-season. If you have another #### season, no team will pay dick, and we'll be stuck with 8 year contracts paying franchise money. Sure it wouldn't be selling high by ridding ourselves this off-season, but the downside is significant if they hold those assets the way they're trending.

I think the fly in the ointment here is PLD. Seems like a foregone conclusion that he’s going to Montreal this offseason, or next.

Does that take Huberdeau out of the picture?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bonded

But why would Montreal pull the trigger this offseason and completely blow up their cap structure on a potential bounce back and also give up good value while doing so. Huberdeau would probably get a 8-9 million dollar contract this offseason if he was UFA.

Because a guy like him isn't available every year. Sometimes you have to make the move when the move is available.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Montreal isn't giving up any picks for Huberdeau. 10.5 a year for the next 8 years? Nope.

The Habs are a funny team. Montreal paid a good prospect in Sergachev and conditional picks for Drouin, and immediately signed him to a long term $5.5M contract. And sometimes their weird moves work out - Subban for Weber.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Can't quote but Gallagher + Anderson would just be for cap purposes. Hoffman would be the better deal for the Flames.

Why would Montreal give up more value than they'd need to?

Trades with large contracts are pretty rare. Subban for Weber and Kessel are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head. Kessel went to a contending team and got a late first and spare parts and that was with retention.

Originally Posted by Bonded

But why would Montreal pull the trigger this offseason and completely blow up their cap structure on a potential bounce back and also give up good value while doing so. Huberdeau would probably get a 8-9 million dollar contract this offseason if he was UFA.

Guessing at what the value of Huberdeau is to Montreal is a total guessing game. As I said I could be way off. But, I think it’s reasonable to think some salary is coming back. Hoffman makes sense because he’s a LHS top 6 forward. He makes sense for the Flames because he only has two years left and is probably a flippable asset. Certainly for TDL 2025. Also, Huberdeau, a natural playmaker, could see his number explode with Caufield on the opposite side. Especially under St. Louis. There’s good reason to think it would be highly appealing to the Canadiens and their fans. (Huberdeau jersey sales would be immense. I bet).

I would say the value of Huberdeau to Montreal, specifically, is huge.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Habs are a funny team. Montreal paid a good prospect in Sergachev and conditional picks for Drouin, and immediately signed him to a long term $5.5M contract. And sometimes their weird moves work out - Subban for Weber.

They are a bit weird. Are they rebuilding or trying to compete? What category did they fit into over the past handful of years? You could maybe argue both?

Suzuki and Caufield look to be enter their prime. I don’t know their system all that well but like I’ve mentioned they have had a lot of picks over the not too distant past. Have to think they have some kids coming. Coupled with Gallagher and some other vets, I suspect Montreal may have an appetite to make a splash and get themselves into the playoffs.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Habs are a funny team. Montreal paid a good prospect in Sergachev and conditional picks for Drouin, and immediately signed him to a long term $5.5M contract. And sometimes their weird moves work out - Subban for Weber.

Yeah but things have changed there.

[Toonage]

Huberdeau would be a hero in Montreal. Likely play well under St. Louis and sell a million jerseys. They'd love him. They'd also like to fleece Calgary if the Flames are scared of that $10M deal.

[Sylvanfan]

With Jeff Gorton overseeing things I think the Canadiens might exercise some patience. If they win Bedard in the lottery, they may become a bit more aggressive to improve sooner. But they'll also need 14 million dollars in cap space after his ELC in all likelihood for his next deal. Which will be tough since Caufield needs a new deal this year and they'd still have Gallagher and Anderson on the books for that year.

They might be using picks to shed those contracts as opposed to adding a big ticket like Huberdeau.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

With Jeff Gorton overseeing things I think the Canadiens might exercise some patience. If they win Bedard in the lottery, they may become a bit more aggressive to improve sooner. But they'll also need 14 million dollars in cap space after his ELC in all likelihood for his next deal. Which will be tough since Caufield needs a new deal this year and they'd still have Gallagher and Anderson on the books for that year.

They might be using picks to shed those contracts as opposed to adding a big ticket like Huberdeau.

Good points. My only counter is Gorton was the GM when the Rangers signed Panarin in the middle of a rebuild themselves. So it wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented.

Really comes down to when does a team look to take that next step. Sometimes outside circumstances can dictate (pressure from ownership or availability of a certain player). Further, cap projections for the next 3-5 years are a factor.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

With Jeff Gorton overseeing things I think the Canadiens might exercise some patience. If they win Bedard in the lottery, they may become a bit more aggressive to improve sooner. But they'll also need 14 million dollars in cap space after his ELC in all likelihood for his next deal. Which will be tough since Caufield needs a new deal this year and they'd still have Gallagher and Anderson on the books for that year.

They might be using picks to shed those contracts as opposed to adding a big ticket like Huberdeau.

They could shed those contracts with picks and get Huberdeau in one deal. Calgary could take on that salary to pick up the picks and give up Huberdeau.

Funny thing is, between Huberdeau and Kadri, I’d rather have Huberdeau here.

[CFO]

I honestly don't think Huberdeau is an issue. He didn't start out strong but after first 15 or so games he is solid. If the team had a better pp - I think a coach and structure. Guy would easily be a ppg.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I agree. With a competently run PP he would be closer to fge numbers we would expect.

Darryl's refusal to put huberdeau-lindholm-toffoli together has also robbed all three of additional points they could be sitting on right now.

I bet he's in around 75 points next season with continued 200 foot improvement.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Good points. My only counter is Gorton was the GM when the Rangers signed Panarin in the middle of a rebuild themselves. So it wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented.

I think the Rangers at the time had some money open up as they signed Panarin and Trouba plus had Fox join them that year. So they were definitely looking to make a move that season as they were getting to the end of Lundquist. But I think they didn't have much else on the books for long term deals.

Rangers are not a typical rebuild since it's a market that can attract any free agent plus other teams good draft picks.

I don't know what the market for Huberdeau would be. Big contracts with lots of term left don't get traded in this league. I think he will bounce back, but if he's a 75 to 80 point guy he's mediocre value at best. So do you hope for 5 yesrs of sub standard value but good production. Or do you try like he'll to get away from that contract at any cost? I personally might try to salvage the first 5 years.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think the Rangers at the time had some money open up as they signed Panarin and Trouba plus had Fox join them that year. So they were definitely looking to make a move that season as they were getting to the end of Lundquist. But I think they didn't have much else on the books for long term deals.

Rangers are not a typical rebuild since it's a market that can attract any free agent plus other teams good draft picks.

I don't know what the market for Huberdeau would be. Big contracts with lots of term left don't get traded in this league. I think he will bounce back, but if he's a 75 to 80 point guy he's mediocre value at best. So do you hope for 5 yesrs of sub standard value but good production. Or do you try like he'll to get away from that contract at any cost? I personally might try to salvage the first 5 years.

Yeah, they also got Panarin and Fox for basically free. If Huberdeau was a UFA I think the Habs would have signed him if Huberdeau wanted to go there. Giving up assets for a player signed to a 10.5 million dollar contract and 50 points I just can't see it. Would anyone want to take on Benn's or Seguin's contract onto the Flames and give up assets to do it. The only way it happens is if Huberdeau bounces back to 100+ points next year but then the Flames won't want to trade him. Best case is that he bounces back to a ppg player over the next three or four seasons and Flames cobble together a run. Otherwise, him and Kadri will be tank commanders as the UFAs walk.

[midniteowl]

Imagine being a Rangers fan, they are at a city that everyone wants to play for. Have no problem attracting UFA, most of the talented college draft picks from other team sign with them instead. But yet, the last time they won a SC was when Messyhead on the team 29 years ago. That broke a 45 years drought. I'll be so happy to see them (either on earth or 6 ft under ) have to wait another 45 years before they can sip on Lord Stanley again.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Bonded

They'd likely have no one to bid against. Calgary trades that contract just to get out from under it and go a different direction. The teams that Huberdeau would waive for and the teams that could fit him under the cap are limited and it might even just be Montreal and that's assuming Huberdeau even wants to go back and play in Montreal.

Huberdeau has already in not so many words said he wouldn't want to play in Montreal. It isn't happening.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Huberdeau has already in not so many words said he wouldn't want to play in Montreal. It isn't happening.

Yeah, I hadn't looked into it but that is kind of what I figured. Could have forced himself that way if he wanted. I am not even sure PLD wants to go there.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Huberdeau has already in not so many words said he wouldn't want to play in Montreal. It isn't happening.

Link please.

[Paulie Walnuts]

He said if Montreal wanted him they would have traded for him. I don't think that means he wouldn't go but that is what he said when he signed his extension