was just perusing the LA Kings roster. MB should definitely be calling up Dean Lombardi. Kings have some guys on that roster who could be expendable for them given their depth but would be very valuable in Montreal... Clifford, Nolan, Lewis, King. younger guys with somze size... better than Travis Moen and Ryan White.

i think youd have to keep diaz. markov i think will bring you the most return. hes knees aren't the same but his passing and hockey sense is as good as ever. a team that's really struggling on the pp would love to have him qb it. think about what markov could do for say chicagos faltering pp?
- munky123

I totally disagree with keeping Markov over Diaz. Unless you are resigning him after his actual contract, which make no sense imo.

this off season i would try to shed the most salary possible, considering we wont be contenders again this postseason.

So i would do the following:

1-Buy Kaberle out (of course)

2-Trade Markov to Detroit for Ouellet

3-Trade Plekanec (with a pick or prospect if necessary) for a big top 6 winger (i can see Stewart from St-Louis being available)

4-Draft Rychel (might be nhl ready), Morin, De La Rose and Subban

5-Sign Scuderi to a 3 year-10M$ contract.

was just perusing the LA Kings roster. MB should definitely be calling up Dean Lombardi. Kings have some guys on that roster who could be expendable for them given their depth but would be very valuable in Montreal... Clifford, Nolan, Lewis, King. younger guys with somze size... better than Travis Moen and Ryan White.
- DoubleDown

I agree. trading for a mean bottom 6 useful player would also be wise.

I totally disagree with keeping Markov over Diaz. Unless you are resigning him after his actual contract, which make no sense imo.

this off season i would try to shed the most salary possible, considering we wont be contenders again this postseason.

So i would do the following:

1-Buy Kaberle out (of course)

2-Trade Markov to Detroit for Ouellet

3-Trade Plekanec (with a pick or prospect if necessary) for a big top 6 winger (i can see Stewart from St-Louis being available)

4-Draft Rychel (might be nhl ready), Morin, De La Rose and Subban

5-Sign Scuderi to a 3 year-10M$ contract.
- soad_live

i could see Plekanec as a really nice fit in St. Louis.

i could see Plekanec as a really nice fit in St. Louis.
- DoubleDown

Yeah. They just lost MacDonald and only have Backes and Berglund as centers.

I totally disagree with keeping Markov over Diaz. Unless you are resigning him after his actual contract, which make no sense imo.

this off season i would try to shed the most salary possible, considering we wont be contenders again this postseason.

So i would do the following:

1-Buy Kaberle out (of course)

2-Trade Markov to Detroit for Ouellet

3-Trade Plekanec (with a pick or prospect if necessary) for a big top 6 winger (i can see Stewart from St-Louis being available)

4-Draft Rychel (might be nhl ready), Morin, De La Rose and Subban

5-Sign Scuderi to a 3 year-10M$ contract.
- soad_live

then i agree with you, cause i said keep diaz over markov but if pleks were to be traded id like to see if we can package a winger out of edm.
wishful thinking

then i agree with you, cause i said keep diaz over markov but if pleks were to be traded id like to see if we can package a winger out of edm.
wishful thinking
- munky123

hahaha yeah sorry.

good thinking

You put plek out and want steckel ?


Tabarna...
- WaterBoy

Then the $4+M you save can be used to get someone like Clarkson or Clowe. Plus, we'd get something back for Plekanec. If Eller becomes as good as Plekanec, I prefer him to Plek. If he doesnt then yes you probably keep Plek.

Then the $4+M you save can be used to get someone like Clarkson or Clowe. Plus, we'd get something back for Plekanec. If Eller becomes as good as Plekanec, I prefer him to Plek. If he doesnt then yes you probably keep Plek.
- Kotu

lots of IFs.

Plek is our #1 center. Give him wingers that can actually play the game if you want results out of him.

DD+ Eller = I couldn't care less. fringe 2nd line centers... Eller's got more upside defensively than DD... but he's not that gritty 3rd line shutdown center.

was just perusing the LA Kings roster. MB should definitely be calling up Dean Lombardi. Kings have some guys on that roster who could be expendable for them given their depth but would be very valuable in Montreal... Clifford, Nolan, Lewis, King. younger guys with somze size... better than Travis Moen and Ryan White.
- DoubleDown

Yup

I am with you, i would part with Diaz personally. I can really see a move with Dallas sending something like Diaz, White in exchange for Nystrom, Robidas as key components.

We lose offense but gain a better, tougher defender who'll play a year maybe 2 and then step aside just as our kids are ready for the. We'd also get a faceoff upgrade with Nystrom who is good on the PK and provides grit, size and toughness.

As for the draft. I rally want to see the team land Kirby Rychel.
- willey101

Trade up wth Buffalo at 16th or Columbus at 19th.

Grab Zykov.

That means that those three 3rd rounders are nice, but also potentially expendable.

those are 2nd rounders, but that's probably a typo

Seriously, the Habs have been throwing away draft picks in the past, and it did hurt their prospect pool. I think Bergevin will keep these picks (especially Calgary's and Nashville's), unless he's offered a pretty sweet deal he can't refuse.

That means that those three 3rd rounders are nice, but also potentially expendable.

those are 2nd rounders, but that's probably a typo

Seriously, the Habs have been throwing away draft picks in the past, and it did hurt their prospect pool. I think Bergevin will keep these picks (especially Calgary's and Nashville's), unless he's offered a pretty sweet deal he can't refuse.
- stinger67

Agreed.

But still...
Would be nice to see him package some picks and others for a decent player.

Agreed.

But still...
Would be nice to see him package some picks and others for a decent player.
- WaterBoy

no

How about Toni Lydman for a top 4 option?

UFA and wouldn't cost too much.

I totally disagree with keeping Markov over Diaz. Unless you are resigning him after his actual contract, which make no sense imo.

this off season i would try to shed the most salary possible, considering we wont be contenders again this postseason.

So i would do the following:

1-Buy Kaberle out (of course)

2-Trade Markov to Detroit for Ouellet

3-Trade Plekanec (with a pick or prospect if necessary) for a big top 6 winger (i can see Stewart from St-Louis being available)

4-Draft Rychel (might be nhl ready), Morin, De La Rose and Subban

5-Sign Scuderi to a 3 year-10M$ contract.
- soad_live

1- yes.
2- I don't see Holland going for that. And I don't think Montreal should add anything to a deal like this.
3- I'm not on board with trading Plekanec until Eller shows that he isn't a half-year wonder, and that he's not going to play scared after the Gryba hit.
4- Rychel, Mantha, Zykov. Once 2 go, I'm hoping MB starts talking trade with teams to move up. Offer 25 + a third to move up (depending on how far he's moving up obviously...) I also like Morin and De La Rose.
5- Fistric might be a cheaper and better fit for what we need, no? I want more meanness, even if it comes with a bit less skill.

How about Toni Lydman for a top 4 option?

UFA and wouldn't cost too much.
- DrRecchi

Why not ?

1st line: Scoring
2nd line: support scoring
3rd line: shut-down line
4th line: energy line/young players earning a spot

This is how the habs should be built

Agree that there's a lot of work to be done in Top-9.

Galchenyuk - Keep
Eller - Keep
Gallagher - Keep
Bourque - Keep
Pacioretty - Keep
Prust - Keep
Gionta - Out
Desharnais - Out
Plekanec - Out
Moen - Out

Hopefully Eller keeps progressing and slots in behind Galchenyuk. Then we can trade Plekanec and Desharnais. Otherwise Eller remains third line center and we keep Plekanec or Desharnais for our second line until we draft/trade for something better.
- Kotu

I agree with this except for Pleks, depending on the return, it would have to be for a #1 shut down D to play with Subban. I would also be ok with trading both Markov (over Diaz...for now) and Gorges, lesser on Gorges (depending on size coming back).

Hypothetically...Do you see Habs making a play with Pitts for Letang with Markov/Diaz++ going back? How about with Anaheim for Ryan and (DD +++ going back)?

1st line: Scoring
2nd line: support scoring
3rd line: shut-down line
4th line: energy line/young players earning a spot

This is how the habs should be built
- blarneylad

This model would be fine if Habs had a first line that was reliable and unstoppable (a la Sedin or Crosby, etc.) Habs don't have this and must rely on scoring by committee (a la Boston). They tried the hybrid of no superstar and your model in the 90s and 00s and it didn't work, so they need to go with this one:

1st line: Scoring (Galchenyuk)
2nd line: Scoring (Pacioretty-Plekanec-Gallagher)
3rd line: Support Scoring with a strong defensive game (Bourque-Eller-Gionta)
4th line: Energy line built with young players that also plays an important shut-down role. (Prust-White-Dumont)
Somewhere in a black hole: Desharnais, Moen

I agree with this except for Pleks, depending on the return, it would have to be for a #1 shut down D to play with Subban. I would also be ok with trading both Markov (over Diaz...for now) and Gorges, lesser on Gorges (depending on size coming back).

Hypothetically...Do you see Habs making a play with Pitts for Letang with Markov/Diaz++ going back? How about with Anaheim for Ryan and (DD +++ going back)?
- Puckers

I'm talking strictly from the MB point of view. I have no idea if Anaheim would accept such a proposal. This is the offer I make Anaheim for Bobby Ryan.

Markov+Desharnais+Diaz+3rd round pick 2013.

Do we think these guys could be regulars this year:

- Tinordi - I say yes
- Beaulieu - Maybe
- Kristo - No
- Dumont - Yes
- Pateryn - Maybe

Anyone else that could be a surprise and take a roster spot? Kristo? Collberg?

Do we think these guys could be regulars this year:

- Tinordi - I say yes
- Beaulieu - Maybe
- Kristo - No
- Dumont - Yes
- Pateryn - Maybe

Anyone else that could be a surprise and take a roster spot? Kristo? Collberg?
- Puckers

Not really.

I'd like to see MB go and get Brent Burns out of SJ. I wonder if Markov and a pick or two would do it? Other than that, they still need that elusive big centreman......maybe Markov and their first to Anaheim for Getzalf!! I know...keep dreamin'!!

I'd like to see MB go and get Brent Burns out of SJ. I wonder if Markov and a pick or two would do it? Other than that, they still need that elusive big centreman......maybe Markov and their first to Anaheim for Getzalf!! I know...keep dreamin'!!
- MadManPaddy

Burns is a forward.

Sucks at D.