Renting

Don't think the Habs will be going down the Kassian road again.

MTL Laughs and hangs up the phone. a 5/6 Dman, a 4th line player, and probably a 20-32 1st round pick wont do it. But then again, Oilers will probably be bad again since they have no defence.

Habs would take the Edm 1st alone, I suspect. Kassian has 2 years at $2M and he'd be no more disruptive than Pacioretty is being. I also think Benning is being undervalued in this. I forget what I saw over the summer, but his advanced stats are pretty impressive.

this right here^ especially given how low the value of paccioretty is atm and how good benning actually is

Just a personal observation regarding your proposed trade of Kassian:

Zack Kassian started his career as the 13th overall draft pick in 2009. In 2012 he was traded to Vancouver (essentially in exchange for Cody Hodgson) which gave him a change of scenery and a chance to play with the Sedin Twins. That opportuntiy didn't turn out as planned and in 2015 the Canucks off-loaded him on Montreal, along with a 5th round pick, in exchange for Brandon Prust. later in 2015, after mandatory treatment for substance abuse, Kassian was shipped to Edmonton in exchange for Ben Scrivens, a goaltender the Oilers didn't need,or want (and it turns out Montreal didn't need, or want, him either). The fall from grace must have been painful, he went from being a highly touted draft pick to playing right-wing on the fourth-line in a city that had learned to hate him during his days in Canuck's colors. Back in the day, Kassian in Oiler colors seemed about as likely a Jim Peplinski joining the Oilers in the 80's. When Kassian arrived in Edmonton, there was an uproar among many fans, particularly those who had not resolved their utter disgust with the Kassian/Ganger stick-swinging incident. Personally, I have learned a great deal of respect for Zack Kassian since his arrival in Edmonton; he's faced the frustration of knowing the disappointment of organizations and fans who expected too much from him, he's dealt with personal demons that almost cost him his career, and he's faced the music, made the necessary changes in his personal life, and accepted the role he's been given by his coach and management. Many feel he is over-paid for the role he plays, and the way he plays it, and few acknowledge that he accepted less salary than he was entitled to under the rules regarding an NHL RFA Qualifying offer.

I don't think it would be fair of the Oilers to send Kassian back to Montreal, the guy deserves to be treated with more class than that. He may be paid more than many think he should be, and he may still be an inconsistent performer, but the guy has character and I believe he's demonstrated integrity as well. It seems Montreal is where he hit bottom, it would simply be cruel to send him back there.