Getting rid of the Campbell contract and clearing cap space

I've had this trade in my head for a while for the Habs and Edm

Edm: Primeau

for

Campbell
1st 2024
2nd cond 2025(If Edm makes conference finals in the next 2 years, then the pick becomes 1st)
3rd 2026

MTL are trying to get rid of bad contracts, not add more.

Maybe in 2 years.

I dont think they are trying to get rid of bad contracts, I do think they are aligning their rebuild with the timeline of these contracts expiring. In 3 years Anderson, Campbell, and Gallagher will be off the books, that's $17M they could use to add an impact player either through trade (with the many assets they will have accumulated by then) or just through free agency to join their prospect that should be fully developed at that time.

Personally, this isn't enough to take Campbell, but if MTL can get 2 1sts out of this, somehow I'd consider it.

Anderson I think might get a buyer who thinks they can "fix him". and with the cap rising, his deal will be a little bit more digestible. Gallagher I agree, we are stuck with him.

I don't even think two 1st's would make Hughes go for it. I'm guessing MTL will want to compete in a year or two, having Campbell's contract on top of their other bad contracts (Gallagher) will only make things harder. When Hughes acquired Monahan for a 1st, the intent was always hoping he'd turn things around and they gave him the opportunity. If it didn't work out, well it was just one year left. I don't see them giving Campbell that opportunity, it's Montembeault's net, and most likely a younger goalie will back him up. And if they do, and it doesn't work out, well now it's MTL stuck with his deal.

Edmonton will just wait until summer and buy him out if that's the ask. No thanks.