2026 NHL UFA/Trade Thread

[CH1]

Did any of the media outlets ever say what Habs were offering for Knies at trade deadline last season ?

Rumour was

Zharovsky, 2 first rounders and a D prospect (not Rhino)

 

[Rolex]

Rumour was

Zharovsky, 2 first rounders and a D prospect (not Rhino)

would have been great....and unlike others, i wouldn't have played Knies with Demi, but rather with Suzi-Cole

but Kreider is 3 times cheaper, and we can walk away next summer

 

[GEEMAN]

No.

You go to war with a guy like Matthew Knies in the playoffs

The guy like Marcinko will prove to be a soft, useless Russian long term.

Knies and KM you go to war with , CC may get you to the playoffs not through it

 

[GEEMAN]

Rumour was

Zharovsky, 2 first rounders and a D prospect (not Rhino)

prospect was Engstrom and Trev sent in the trade after the deadline

 

[GEEMAN]

I think Knies was often rumored in deals because he was their only tradable chip

Absolutely like all other young stars who dont have trade protection

 

[GEEMAN]

So, McDingDong? Coz he’ll be the only GREAT available in the next couple of years.

Yes CMD 6x 25 whatever it takes , no issue with the best in the game over a decade and future Mount Rushmore

 

[Sal_Butera]

McDavid won’t sign w Habs

 

[GEEMAN]

McDavid won’t sign w Habs

for me the gap is closer than some think

Contender for 5 years
great cap
youth
will be crowned kind of the city with statues

No other team can offer what we have from a total package

 

[legoalie]

Knies and KM you go to war with , CC may get you to the playoffs not through it

i wouldn't bet against CC, he will figure it out..

 

[GEEMAN]

i wouldn't bet against CC, he will figure it out..

He better this year , our depth players carried the load with Dobes

There is no way this can happen again expecting 3rd-4th liners carrying the offence and scoring the big goals.

 

[legoalie]

He better this year , our depth players carried the load with Dobes

There is no way this can happen again expecting 3rd-4th liners carrying the offence and scoring the big goals.

In the playoffs you need depth and we got it.. KM has not played a NHL playoff game so saying you go to war with guys like him is speculative ..

 

[GEEMAN]

In the playoffs you need depth and we got it.. KM has not played a NHL playoff game so saying you go to war with guys like him is speculative ..

Your depth cant be your better players

Me takes my chances with a 210 pound moose over Cole who was useless

 

[Sal_Butera]

View: https://x.com/nhlxforum/status/2104735404045828191?s=46

Probability of injury to “older lineups” usually outweighs veteran experience factor, moreso this season w 2 additonal games added to the schedule…

 

[Sal_Butera]

View: https://x.com/friedgehnic/status/2104910977439261008?s=46

"Montreal was aggressive all summer, trying to make it work. But no one they offered excited Columbus as much as Knies. They were creative at the end, trying to involve third teams to either eat Blue Jackets salary or include more palatable players. As for the extension, I do think the Canadiens would have done the six years, $12.5 million AAV Toronto did — even if it altered their tight salary structure."

 

[Sal_Butera]

for me the gap is closer than some think

Contender for 5 years
great cap
youth
will be crowned kind of the city with statues

No other team can offer what we have from a total package

IF McDavid leaves Edm, he’s going

New CBA bonus change from 90% to 60%, and not being an American resident, going to an team is his best maximization play

 

[legoalie]

Your depth cant be your better players

Me takes my chances with a 210 pound moose over Cole who was useless

CC was not the only one that was shut down, both 1 and 2 lines were..

 

[lecoqsportif]

Slaf disappeared after being KOed, he was probably injured. Demidov seemed to be the most active, but if recall correctly they were constantly pinned in their own zone. The lack of a 2C hurt.

Kreider should help create space. Need Slaf to play big, but not to get into fights. We have Florian for that.

In the playoffs, we need Florian and Bolduc to get nasty.

 

[lecoqsportif]

New bonus rules hurts Canadian teams.

 

[lecoqsportif]

I doubt the Habs will have the giga star in this contention window. We’ll be more like the Canes, Blues, Vegas and Boston (2011) - very deep and hard to play against. Will be adding Hage, Reinbacher and Fowler.

 

[Sal_Butera]

I doubt the Habs will have the giga star in this contention window. We’ll be more like the Canes, Blues, Vegas and Boston (2011) - very deep and hard to play against. Will be adding Hage, Reinbacher and Fowler.

Agreed - Unless a player w trade protection limits their destination to Mtl, à la Dobson, drafting / development and shrewd UFA / waiver pick ups are the only option.

Gorton’s Massachusetts connections to Boston colleges will play a key role w more & more CHL players going NCAA route.

NCAA UFAs..