Max Pac Options - Variation #3288

One reason I think that these prospects might be made available in exchange for Max P is that in each case they are not the top prospect in the system. Anaheim would consider Sam Steel and Troy Terry more valuable over next few years than Larsson or Comtois. Kings would have Vilardi and Clague at top of their prospect lists, and in Dallas Heiskanen and Nichushkin are probably the untouchable young guys. Might as well consider those prospects off-limits.

One thing that seems to be lost in determining a "fair" trade value for Max is the fact that no matter where he goes, he will be playing with far less pressure and almost certainly better centres. He's compiled big stats while being the focus of attention in the toughest market in hockey from a media point of view. Look at how successful Kessel has been since he has been removed from the Toronto spotlight. So if UFA over-30 players like Rick Nash, Paul Stastny, etc. when moved at the trade deadline in recent years all attracted mid to late first round picks as part of the trade package then Pacioretty should attract the same if Bergy is patient.

The prospects listed above as trade options were drafted anywhere from mid 1st round to mid 2nd round (Honka 1-14, Kupari 1-20, Larsson 1-27, Comtois 2-50), and none are proven at NHL level yet. So there's quite a bit of risk on Habs side, while Max is a proven commodity.

Enlighten me as to how we could possibly take on Pacioretty for that price, given that a) we don’t have the cap to take him as is even with the 1.5M retained, and b) we have no way of resigning him the following season with the team we have right now.

This isn’t a mock comment, I’m actually curious to hear a scenario

It's a good question. I figure that the Habs have planted multiple ideas with potential trade partners as to who they'd be interested in as the key prospects/players to make a deal, and they are now in a holding pattern. So let's say LAK holds their training camp, and it turns out that one or more prospects are ready to take a roster spot. Maybe Paul Ladue or Kale Clague on defense, maybe Vilardi as a 4th line forward. If that's the case they get back in touch with Montreal and can work out additional pieces to make the cap work out on both sides.

If one of the young, inexpensive defenders is ready to play top 6, then LAK asks Montreal to take back one of Forbert, Muzzin, Martinez on defense with cap hits ranging from 2.0M and 4.0M. If the Kings would rather move a surplus forward to make space and create more playing time for Pacioretty it could be one of Pearson, Clifford, Thompson or Lewis. I don't know the Kings lineup that well, to understand which of these may be considered too much cap hit relative to their current contribution. But ultimately the Kings can suggest a few secondary players to help balance the cap issue, and then some secondary pieces can be added to the trade to balance it out for both sides. Make sense?

LA was the #1 team defensively last year, but was middle of the pack on offense. So I would think if they were shedding some salary as part of a deal with the Habs it would come mainly off the defense. That's likely why Muzzin was a piece of the rumoured trade with MTL that fell through at the draft.

My key point was really about which prospects Montreal could/should realistically target as the central piece of a return for Max P. and which teams could benefit from having him.

The question of how to sign him longer term is a bit different. If the Kings like his contribution this season and it helps in the post season, it might mean a buyout of one of the older forwards next summer depending how productive they were this year. Alternatively, one of the lower budget teams might take on the contract.

I don't see if playoff teams rising a lottery pick for pick so Carolina and New Jersey say no. Canadiens best hope is come January a contender needs a LWer and he might go for a late round first and middling prospect.
Don't see why the Atlantic teams would be out of the running in a trade. Sure isn't going to hurt the Habs this year. First thing for a better return to get Max playing healthy and well.

Makes most sense to have top-3 or top-5 lottery protection on those picks for NJ and CAR. I think they are both teams on the rise with a critical mass of young talent moving up. Assuming they continue on last year's trajectory they may both make the playoffs and the picks would be in the 15-20 range of first round.