Newhook ainlt going nowhere. He was looking more and more confortable at the end of the season. Habs are not looking to subtract young forward they trying to add

Zegras isn't going anywhere without an impact piece coming the other way, and there isn't one offered in this proposal.

MTL already have small wingers. WPG already has a better puck moving LHD. 👌

A late 1st isn’t getting Zegras, easy as that

No from Winnipeg. No need for LHD.

Utah's Owners said there looking to model their build after VGK so i'd expect they'll make trades just the same
They're stock piled with youth prospects and pieces with players they can move under 25 and replace with UFA's and Bigger Pieces acquired via trade.
Matheson is a piece that fits who can log a lot of minutes until their young D catch up

He makes sense for their build
MTL would likely give up Matheson for McBain and a 2nd this year
McBain would give us Another Power Forward who is hyper Physical but doesnt take bad penalties to do it
Hughes was runner up trying to sign him and i think would consider him a value down the stretch.

Zegras isnt really needed
Caufield-Suzuki-Slaf arent being split up anymore then Lecavlier-Richards-MSL were in TBL
Newhook and Dach are looking for a RW like Kaliyev or Kakko or Holtz
We're also looking for a 3rd line Center for 2-4 years depending on Beck,Xhekaj,Kapanen, and Mesar's progress this year coming.
McBain ,Monahan or even using Newhook at Center targeting a Kaliyev on a low end and a Holtz or Kakko on the higher end would be alright.

But we have enough depth that Zegras a long term piece doesnt quite fit in long term
If we had a true undisputed #2 Center behind Suzuki i might feel different
But unless Florian Xhekaj keeps overachieving in the faceoff circle, defensively and overall as a 200ft player at the rate he has the last 2 years
Then i dont see anyone designed to step into that role just yet. Dach is a better winger then Center as he is better when worrying about just himself.
Florian Xhekaj is the opposite as he drives the play deep, recovers pucks then sets up in Gallaghers office using every inch of his massive 6'4 frame
It is possible that if we got Zegras-Caufield on either side of Florian Xhekaj that all 3 would succeed in high volumes

Florian is a real X Factor as he's a Pest , Fighter and Big Time Hitter who played top PK unit and didnt get that many penalties solo.
If he went he made sure someone went with him and they took the instigator more often then not. He plays a lot of mind games and personally while he molds his game after Brady Tkachuck he says , i see more Perry in him as he's not nearly as easily baited as Tkachuck is

MTL has an interesting year ahead of them
Especially with Kappanen's coming out party happening as 2024 seems to be his year
So i expect the Center Competition in Laval to be fierce cause Jared Davidsons already a lock leaving 3 Center spots for Kappanen , Kidney, Beck, Mesar, F.Xhekaj and Gignac leading them who also slots in as a Center but is more of a all around forward. Laval has gotten very crowded very quick as Marc Bergavins Picks turn Pro at the same time Kent Hughes picks do giving MTL an embarrassment of riches