2026 NHL UFA/Trade Thread

[worm]

I agree however I would try McTavish if the price is right.

Ya. As a backup plan.

I'd also be fine with a deadline add

 

[Krustchev]

I agree however I would try McTavish if the price is right.

A Larkin for McTavish + deal makes sense for all concerned, and Larkin's list apparently now includes the Ducks too.

 

[Krustchev]

Ya. As a backup plan.

I'd also be fine with a deadline add

The Habs need an actual 2C by the start of the season, not by the deadline. The Atlantic is going to be even crazier next season with Florida back . . . the Habs are not assured of a playoff spot.

 

[CH1]

Maybe. I wouldn't force fit something. If you can make a Thomas work. Great. If not, let Hage develop.

So have Evans as 2C all of next year?

 

[Krustchev]

So have Evans as 2C all of next year?

Or Kapanen. No can do.

 

[CH1]

I know it's tough to land a capable C but it's basically HuGo's only job this summer

 

[Rolex]

So have Evans as 2C all of next year?

I think if they don't land someone like Thomas, they will circle back to getting an older center with 1-2 years left (like O'Reilly).
It's definitely not their #1 plan, but they probably would rather have ROR as 2C, as opposed to Kappy-Evans-Dano as 2C.

Having said that, they still have 2 months to figure things out...and draft is around the corner.

Problem now is that the whole league know Habs are desperate for a 2C.....Hughes has to balance the urgency of 2C, versus wanting to play the wait game until other teams' start lowering their ask

 

[CH1]

I think if they don't land someone like Thomas, they will circle back to getting an older center with 1-2 years left (like O'Reilly).
It's definitely not their #1 plan, but they probably would rather have ROR as 2C, as opposed to Kappy-Evans-Dano as 2C.

Having said that, they still have 2 months to figure things out...and draft is around the corner.

Problem now is that the whole league know Habs are desperate for a 2C.....Hughes has to balance the urgency of 2C, versus wanting to play the wait game until other teams' start lowering their ask

Meh.. 15 teams are looking at getting better at C. That's the problem. It never changes. That's why guys like Kotkaniemi go 3rd overall

And HuGo have been looking since they got here. Dach was one of their first big moves.

Time is now up

 

[Habsy]

I know it's tough to land a capable C but it's basically HuGo's only job this summer

That’s why I said overpay for Thomas. They may not want to trade him but a good deal could change their minds. Hage, Guhle and two firsts is a good deal.

 

[Habsy]

I think if they don't land someone like Thomas, they will circle back to getting an older center with 1-2 years left (like O'Reilly).
It's definitely not their #1 plan, but they probably would rather have ROR as 2C, as opposed to Kappy-Evans-Dano as 2C.

Having said that, they still have 2 months to figure things out...and draft is around the corner.

Problem now is that the whole league know Habs are desperate for a 2C.....Hughes has to balance the urgency of 2C, versus wanting to play the wait game until other teams' start lowering their ask

I see it differently. The league now sees that the Habs are willing to pay for quality and won’t pay high for average to meh.

 

[lecoqsportif]

The Habs need an actual 2C by the start of the season, not by the deadline. The Atlantic is going to be even crazier next season with Florida back . . . the Habs are not assured of a playoff spot.

FLA will definitely be back.

I’m skeptical about Boston.

 

[lecoqsportif]

Meh.. 15 teams are looking at getting better at C. That's the problem. It never changes. That's why guys like Kotkaniemi go 3rd overall

And HuGo have been looking since they got here. Dach was one of their first big moves.

Time is now up

For Dach?

Or for HuGo?

Both, I suppose. That means we make an expensive move.

 

[Krustchev]

For Dach?

Or fur HuGo?

Both, I suppose. That means we make an expensive move.

A move that will result in some "pain" amongst the fanbase.

 

[GEEMAN]

He’s not the finished product.

I sense there is too much expected of him. 21st pick is usually middle 6.

I got my copy of the Hockey News Hockeys future

Hage was ranked # 9 in the world

Frondell and Hagens are the only 2 centers ranked ahead of him and he doesnt take a back seat to those 2 IMO

Habs have not drafted and had this talent at C in eons

You dont piss away this type of player right now , work around anything else but keep Hage

 

[lecoqsportif]

I got my copy of the Hockey News Hockeys future

Hage was ranked # 9 in the world

Frondell and Hagens are the only 2 centers ranked ahead of him and he doesnt take a back seat to those 2 IMO

Habs have not drafted and had this talent at C in eons

You dont piss away this type of player right now , work around anything else but keep Hage

How does he go 21 then?

 

[Rolex]

I got my copy of the Hockey News Hockeys future

Hage was ranked # 9 in the world

Frondell and Hagens are the only 2 centers ranked ahead of him and he doesnt take a back seat to those 2 IMO

Habs have not drafted and had this talent at C in eons

You dont piss away this type of player right now , work around anything else but keep Hage

Not sure Hage will play center at NHL level...

He'll probably be a winger that drives the play....Kucherov and Kane style (not saying he'll be as good as them)

 

[Rolex]

I see it differently. The league now sees that the Habs are willing to pay for quality and won’t pay high for average to meh.

Well said....

We have 1 shot at getting this blockbuster trade right....if we are giving away a significant package, it needs to be for a Thomas-like 2C....

But the only way this works is if Thomas asked for a trade, and tells Blues he wants MTL (like Dobson did)....otherwise, we are gonna start the year with Krusty's favorite in-house 2C (Evans)

 

[CH1]

For Dach?

Or for HuGo?

Both, I suppose. That means we make an expensive move.

I meant HuGo (if Dach had worked we’d be golden)

But yeah Dach’s next contract offer will be interesting

 

[Krustchev]

How does he go 21 then?

That's happens more frequently than you might think. How did Martone fall to 6?

 

[CH1]

Robert Thomas went to #20