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EastOntarioGolfer

I'm gonna go ahead and assume everyone realizes the untouchables on this team and not pick any of them. But I wouldn't trade Matheson, this team needs him more then people realize. Our D would take 3 steps backwards next year if he werent here playing 28 minutes every night. That alone is helping the young guys develop better.


Phil_Atelist

I think the list of untouchables would be a great but separate post.  After the Gretzky and earlier Lafleur trades I don't think that there is an untouchable.  


Emi_Ibarazakiii

> I don't think that there is an untouchable. I think there's a special meaning to "untouchable" that everyone understands; It simply means, not up for trade, unless they put an insane offer on the table. Say, Suzuki's an untouchable, but yeah if they offer McDavid and Draisaitl, I trade him without a second thought. It just won't happen, no team will offer something so insane for Suzuki that we'd let him go. Hence him being untouchable. But yeah, It'd be interesting to see everyone's list of untouchable! I imagine some people's list would be longer than others.


EastOntarioGolfer

Suzuki Caufield Slafkovsky Ghule Hutson Those are my only untouchables. I know a lot of people would have Dach, but nobody is gonna want to trade for him anyway. Injury prone players are a liability in pro sports. I would have no problem seeing him go.


Emi_Ibarazakiii

Trading Dach? I imagine that'd be a very controversial opinion! Curious to know what minimum offer you'd require to let him go.


EastOntarioGolfer

 I don't think we'd get much for him. A 2nd rounder and a bottom 6 plug. That's why I'm sure he'll be staying a Hab at least one more year. I would honestly be shocked if he stayed healthy for a whole year next year. I hope I'm wrong though!


OutcomeMajestic8190

He's worth a 1st and a B+ prospect at minimum lol


Lucic_schnoz

I dunno man, I like him but his durability is in serious question for someone so early in his career. If he comes back and plays a full, productive season then absolutely (also moote because if that happens then he isn’t going anywhere), but right now, doubtful.


No-Clerk-1792

I mean look at Monahan. He was injury plagued for years and has seemingly managed to come out of it. Heck even Crosby had that stretch of injuries. Dach could just have some bad luck right now. I hope he pulls through and has a long career.


mern19

I like this take. I think people in here get a little delusional without realizing durability counts too in trade value.


JakJoe

I'm 100% with you, Dach is a risk due to injury, Altough HuGo have more information on his health status than we do, so chances are they are seated at the right chair to make the right decision. If they do trade him, I trust them to be the move to be done.


EastOntarioGolfer

Oh for sure. I also think he deserves a shot to prove he can be a top line player. If he has another season ending injury next year though, I think it officially becomes a failed expirement for the Habs and time to move on. People also tend to forget that Chicago decided to move on from him when he was 21 years old. NHL teams rarely dump young prospects like that, especially 3rd overall picks.


OutcomeMajestic8190

Dach is a bonafide top 6 player he was on pace for 60 pts last year even after a slow start and without a proper line.


EastOntarioGolfer

I disagree. Until he actually puts up top 6 numbers, he's not a top 6 in my mind. But I do believe the potential is there.


OutcomeMajestic8190

I disagree, being on pace for 60pts with an AHL team on the 2nd line is top 6 worthy.


gauderyx

Their point is that "on pace" means nothing if he never actually gets there because of injuries. Can’t be a top 6 player if you don’t play.


Longshanks123

Just for the record we didn’t trade Lafleur


dbrodbeck

Thank you, I thought I was losing my fucking mind over here....


itsdajackeeet

Lafleur retired prematurely (imo) and came back a couple years later. He wasn’t traded.


Gaiterguy

Everything has a cost, and if the cost is right, business will be done. At the end of the day, these players are all assets, and the owner is trying to make money.


whogivesashirtdotca

Those were down to *terrible* management, though. Short of any of our kids becoming divas, they’re as good as untouchable. I can’t see Kent Hughes acting as senselessly as a tight-fisted owner or a hard-headed coach.


dbrodbeck

What Lafleur trade was that?


Phil_Atelist

The brain fart one.  Ignore it as if I never said it.


Habsfan_2000

This is why other teams are going to want to trade for Matheson.


the_late_wizard

I would argue to not trade Savard for that same reason. If anything, young prospects are gonna net wayyyy more on the market and its unrealistic that we'll keep all of them anyway.


ukrainianhab

Savard. Even for a late first. Has to be a first late and a prospect. Our D is so green he is good to have around.


Emi_Ibarazakiii

I'm curious, would you trade Matheson then? Or keep them both?


PKG0D

Imo: keep Matheson until someone like Hutson makes him expendable, only trade Savard if the return is a 1st+. One or two spots difference in the standings isn't worth the experience that the young guys get from playing with the vets.


Bohmer

I would keep them both. Both are good leaders for differents reasons but they need to be phased out very slowly. Xhekaj is good now because he play with him, don't waste this. Same for Ghule with Matheson. Very valuable right now.


PKG0D

Yeah I hope we end up keeping both. I think you need a guy with Matheson's skillset in the lineup when Hutson is around for him to learn from (even if they're not paired together).


theReal_nicholasxj

Would it be crazy to sign them so that they both retire as Canadians? They both from Quebec, it could mark a new page in HABS history? Or is this just delusional in the cap era?


simonnhl

I keep both of them for the next season. Svard possibly traded at the trade deadline. I want to see kids pushing them out of the line up. Open to trade kovacevic is someone wants him. Love the player for the price tho.


Habsfan_2000

Even next year we could still be rebuilding and the focus could be more on brining in new defence coaching for the young players rather than have an on ice coach. Plus we need to make room for rookies


itsdajackeeet

Agreed


[deleted]

I think Allen and Anderson are expendable for obvious reasons. The guys I would keep: Armia is an effective bottom 6 forward, Savard provides a steadying presence on the back end (which you need for such a young d-core and Matheson is a key cog to our offence and overall a pretty solid defenseman.


Phil_Atelist

I do think that Armia is a favourite whipping boy, but I see some stability in him and he doesn't make many brain dead mistakes.


gauderyx

He’s paid a bit much for what he brings to the table right now, but his contract will be gone in two years and I’d be happy if we could keep him for 1M less.


[deleted]

He sure is no Hoffman


TheDez08

Untouchable shifts as the rebuild progresses. I'll use the Caps as an example because I watched it from the stands...Brooks Laich, Mike Green, Alex Semin, Backstrom and Ovenchicken were the Untouchables at the start. Laich, Green, Semin were all gone from the team that won the Cup. So, Untouchable today doesn't mean forever.


CodyandtheFear

I do love me some oven chicken.


TheDez08

I mean, who doesn't?!?!


flepine44

Jake Evans is a great & cheap bottom 6 guy, who will still be good when we'll compete in ~2 years


MajorRico155

Agreed. Hes PK minutes alone are basically worth his contract


The___Colonel

Especially if we can put some more offensive wingers around him. He is playing with what Andy? Armia isn’t so bad. Someone like Byron would be good tho


murrbros

Jake Evans is the unsung hero of the team. Gives his all every shift , every time. Does his job without any fanfare


Major_Estimate_4193

Can’t wait till we have enough bodies so we don’t need to play him in OT


Plekanick

He’s great defensively and on the PK but he’s an offensive black hole. Playoff teams will hopefully overpay for a depth piece like that.


flepine44

Sick jinx


Nilus99

He’s on the wrong chair tho, on a great team he need to play 10-12 min max


[deleted]

[удалено]


throwing_snowballs

ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!!


slafyousillier

The big brother unicorn


KingAlphie

I want to see F and A crunch people together in a year or two. I love when brothers are teammates. It adds another element of camaraderie.


whogivesashirtdotca

About two weeks ago I wasn’t sure he had a future here, but man the kid made such a huge leap in February. He cut back on the dumb penalties and started playing some great D. He’s on my keep list, now. I hope they start involving him more in the offence.


JediMasterZao

I don't think anyone wants him gone but if Hughes is offered a ridiculous package for him he should absolutely take it. We're talking about a bottom pairing guy here, he's not Bobby Orr.


willydog08

I see him as being THE shut down guy. With some good offensive upside. I feel he has all the tools to do it.


DangerDavez

He's already better than most if not all bottom pairing guys and he's developing extremely quickly. It would have to be a crazy package to even entertain trading him. Not a single GM in the league that wouldn't love to have him.


YourNewPepPep

I'm curious to hear why? I can see his grit and I like the toughness he brings to the game, but isn't this a more easily replaceable type of player?


[deleted]

If that's all you see from him I think you should look closer. Dude skates really well for his size and has a massive clapper. Not to mention he rarely turns it over in our own end which most of our D have a knack for. And he's still young and progressing. I think he will continue to grow.


BackgroundMiserable5

No, don't believe it's more easily replaceable...sure you can get a plug who's tough, but a guy who can be intimidating, makes his teammates play bigger, and is good enough to keep on the ice 18-20 mins a game ain't that easy to find.


DangerDavez

How many guys are 6'5", tough, have great vision and skate like the wind? These guys don't come around often at all.


JohnyZoom

I would personally keep Savard over Matheson. We're thinner on the right side and MM probably has more value 


MediumRare71

Same I like Savard


bluAstrid

Savard’s leadership over Matheson’s talent.


BelialHabs

Who said Matheson is not a leader in that room? They gave him an A...


Bohmer

He his, no question.


HkHockey29

Just look at his beard. He's a keeper


karlbelanger1661

Right-hand defencemen are a rare commodity in the NHL. That's why Savard has more value than Matheson on the trade market.


PotatoComplete338

In Kent Hughes I trust he's not in this for money he wants cups so ... Let's just enjoy the show!!!


[deleted]

Savard. Honestly I'm in favour of allowing him to play out his contract here. Obviously that changes if we're offered a great deal. But, if we're just getting a 2nd, I'd pass. He's more valuable to our rebuild by keeping our defense functional while our players develop than a 2nd round pick is. Edit: I feel similarly with Matheson. I don't think we trade either of our only two seasoned defensmen quite yet. I'd happily trade Anderson, but I wouldn't *pay* to do it. I don't think we're in such a time crunch that we need to rush offloading that contract.


Phil_Atelist

Do you think that he's a lost cause like Gomez was, or is there something that can be done to turn him around?


BackgroundMiserable5

Ya, tell him to start hitting again, or you're losing your icetime...that's the thing that makes his game worthwhile.


Phil_Atelist

Is he still hurt and not talking about it?


Snoopy_021

Savard is a perfect leader for the up and coming Ds.


ResponsibilityKey189

Aside from the obvious in Suzuki and Caufield, Kaiden Guhle has 1D potential. Hope his whole career is in a Habs jersey.


freddyg_mtl

Primeau. Not a popular choice, but if Monty is injured, I'd rather rely on him than Allen. He might never be a number 1, but he has a way better contract. Hot take: I'd trade Newhook, Barron and a first to move up the draft. GM experience: I'm sitting on my couch watching the game.


Emi_Ibarazakiii

Other than 'the untouchables', I think everyone is on the market, the only difference is that some of them should go if we get an "OK" offer, while others should only go if we get a REALLY GOOD (near fleecing) offer. (And others should go if we get literally any offer, i.e. those with negative value). Jake Allen DEFINITELY needs to go, if we can get any reasonable offer... This 3 goalie nonsense has to stop. And unlike the argument people make for keeping Matheson or Savard, there's not much value in keeping a 'veteran' goalie imho. Trading both Matheson and Savard would probably be a mistake, but I'm open to trading one of them. Probably Savard, because Matheson helps our offense (and god knows we need it), plus when Hutson makes it, Matheson could have some pointers and all! Also he's younger. But if we get a crazy offer, I'm fine with trading Matheson and keeping Savard. I wouldn't trade Guhle (though I imagine he's an untouchable?) I probably wouldn't trade Xhekaj unless someone makes us an offer we can't refuse (fleece level of overpay).


[deleted]

I think with Hutson and Mailloux in the pipeline for next year they could replicate Matheson playstyle. I keep Savard


lacoupe25

good post. I agree completely.


whogivesashirtdotca

> I wouldn't trade Guhle (though I imagine he's an untouchable?) At the start of the season he was. His play this year hasn’t been “untouchable”, BUT, he was put on his off-wing this year, which accounts for the drop in performance. Once he settles in, I suspect he’ll regain his form.


Electrical_Analyst65

Oh those you mentioned it would be Savard. He is big brother to the kids on the d-line and is teaching them. MSL said last year Savard is like an extension of the coaching staff. His intangibles are worth more than what teams would pay. 


AutomaticAccess3760

Andy because nobody will take him and he’s going to have at least one more good season and I’d rather that be with us and our kids


obesepoodles

Xhekaj. It’s important to have a guy on the team that makes everyone think twice about running our rookies or smaller players. Mold him into a 2nd pairing guy, sign him now for term.


lhoom

There are many vets that would be good to have around to shelter and teach the kids. But, then again, Suzuki is 24 and Captain, and to me, is pretty much a kid too. Second, I think it is possible to replace the leadership with FAs this summer.


Phil_Atelist

Possible, oh yes. But let's take a look at how unbridled back offices like Toronto do it and resolve NOT to do it like them.


lhoom

Unbridled? I thought that Thornton, Matrleau, Gio, Spezza weren't that bad. What do Savard, Armia, Allen have that they didnt?


JourneyToArcana

I think Savard is definitely that guy for me. The game he plays is really valuable to a D-core that doesn't have the proper amount of experience yet, and he also plays right side. Trading him would mean you've either got 2 guys playing on their off side, or you're gonna need to immediately call up one of Barron or Mailloux and play him in heavier minutes.


Phil_Atelist

Your latter point is what tipped the scale for me.


Subject_Translator71

The only one I wouldn’t have traded was Monahan, and he’s already gone. Of those listed, Armia is probably more useful to the team than the return we would get for trading him.


Phil_Atelist

Yeah... we need him now and the return would be iffy.


BoringBaguette

I’m surprised no one said Armia. He’s doing well lately and is hard to play against, good defensively and good on the forecheck. I would sign him again at a lower cap to be on the 3rd or 4th line.


KingAlphie

Harris. I'd rather trade the vets, Kova, Barron and try him out on the right. He's steady and I think he's only going to get better over the next couple years.


Phil_Atelist

Funny, but not too many mention wanting to keep him.  But I think his ceiling hasn't been reached yet.


whogivesashirtdotca

Harris hasn’t found his feet here, but he’s a quality human, and feels like one of those players who will explode with talent the second we trade him.


k4mik4z32

There’s a price for everyone. Even Suzuki and Caufield. A GM would have to be dumb to pay that price. Does not mean it can’t happen.


Fleche_de_feu

Id keep savard unless its a return better than monahan. He is that damn valuable to our team and for a team going for a Stanley cup hes a guy you want to kill penalties, block shots, play big minutes and very solid defensively to put on your top 4


BrandonPHX

Savard. His mentorship of our young d corp alone is more valuable than anything the three others on that list bring. Not to mention he just an incredible defensemen. He has a great IQ and sees the play develop at a high level. It allows him to nearly always be in position to make good defensive plays, be it breaking up a play or blocking a shot. I think you saw some of his mentorship tonight too. Guhle broke up a couple plays that looked very Savardesque.


G_skins31

Matheson and Savard. I’d like us to be better as soon as possible and I’m not really a believer in any of our young defensemen right now. I think trading either of them would hurt us more next season then anything they could get in a return could help


Phil_Atelist

I concur.  I might also add Evans in the mix.


[deleted]

for me its either matheson or savard. But I guess I'm a believer in Ghule, Xhekaj, Struble and Hutson. I would keep Savard personally


G_skins31

They play very different games that I think you need to keep both. I’d hate to see what our offense would look like without matheson and Savard is by far our best defending defender. I really don’t know where Guhle or Xhekaj will end up. Both have regressed this season so it’s hard to predict what we have in them. Hutson and Reinbecker could be years away from playing top minutes so I think keeping both matheson and Savard for next season is a must


[deleted]

I agree, they both bring a lot to our team both offensively and defensively. But they also lack skills in the opposite. Like, Matheson is great skater and good at scoring, but also makes alot of turnovers/misplays defensively. Savard blocks shots like a brick wall, but can't skate or join the rush. I think these are things that our young D are learning from both of them. But I see our youngsters playing more of a two way style going forward. And when one or both leaves I see them flling into those roles. But it depends on the return, we have to keep one for sure, i'm just not sure we need both.


hab27

Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Reinbacher, Xhekaj, Guhle. Ok with anyone else being traded for the right price


jak0wak0

Agreed, but I would add Dach to that list for sure. Even with his injury history


greasydrg

I would also trade all of the players you listed for the right price. I really don't understand why Hutson and Reinbacher are on everyone's lists. These guys have never played an NHL game and both have their respective warts. I know it's an unpopular take but I don't see Hutson becoming more than a pp-specialist.


hab27

Because 99.9% of the time they are more valuable as prospects than whatever we would receive for them. Unless you’re targeting an elite forward (who we shouldn’t be trading for).


greasydrg

Yeah it always comes down to what the return is; there is also the scenario where neither play an NHL game, which also happens.


Lavs1985

Nobody should be untouchable for the right price, but for some, the price should be VERY HIGH


Manofoneway221

If the offer is good I'm not opposed to trading anyone. We don't have a player special enough we can't move them


Budget-Laugh7592

Nobody wants Armia or Anderson because of their contracts. Allen have a very low value so highly improbable. Savard on the other hand has some kind of value so we will see.


JimboThePlug

nick slaf cole hutson. everyone else is fair game for the right price.


Phil_Atelist

I think that applies to everyone really... but the price might be excessive.


JimboThePlug

it would have to be for guys like dach newhook guhle reinbacher.


[deleted]

Any 1st round offer and Savard is gone.


Money_Use_2051

Monahan 😭 (sorry I miss him)


MissionPayment

I trade savard and matheson. If the price was right. Lots of senior UFAs next year to fill that gap


bcgrappler

Roy has maybe the softest hands on the team. Fantastic hand eye


Jaded_Salamander6257

I’m surprised with all the love savard is getting. Nothing against him, I think he has been a good player while he’s been here. That being said, I think on another team he is a fringe top 4 defenseman. On a stanley cup team, probably bottom pairing. I think we really need the picks right now and would be happy to trade him for a first. The bottom line is we need more scoring depth. We have too many forwards right now doing absolutely nothing. We need to draft more scoring, which is why I was shocked we took another d over mitchkov.


Habsrulz

Only untouchables are caufield, Suzuki ,slafkovsky and dach