I know it has flaws but looking for feedback to improve it. Also debated on trading for Max Domi but his numbers did not impress me this year and the price would be high

I like it.
couple small tweaks could be the little overpays in Backlund and De Haan
The Shaw trade probably deserves a 3rd instead of a second.
The NYI trade makes sense but Alzner's contract is horrendous

I know, I wanted to hold salary but not for 4 years lol, I may make it like hold 500k....does that help at all?

No "need" to move one of Alzner or Shaw based on that cap projection. If anything, retain on Alzner. I'm comfortable with Shaw at $3.9M, even if he's on the 4th line, and the return on either, along with a potential cap dump, don't help us if we are keeping these players and going for it.

Drouin didn't have chemistry with Pacioretty initially, but put Drouin on the RW with Backlund between them, and that could work. Drouin and Pacioretty have a better understanding of each other's game now, so they could be due for another try.

That leaves the potential for a return of the EGG line. They've had some success in the past, and aren't as green as they were before.

With Danault, Lehkonen, and Hudon, as well as Shaw, Byron, and Scherbak, two strong lines should be possible, leaving us with an above average 3rd line threat and a 4th line that looks more like a 3rd line. If the top 2 lines are able to produce consistently with that layout, we should have ample secondary scoring.

Should also be room for a "budget" veteran D signing as well. Rather than counting on Morrow, Boqvist, and Juulsen to have an immediate impact. Someone like Franson or Beauchemin, who can provide good value, but won't hurt to lose if someone proves ready to step up.

Stastny could be a plan B signing as well, in place of Backlund.

Overall, I like the possibilities here, I'd just make a few minor tweaks and hope for the best.

I was thinking of moving both as them alone provides like 8 million in cap space to move around. I can bring shaw back and leave Alzner traded but id rather keep the pick and prospect I think. I can look into a veteran D-man but looking at the defense now, id be comfortable starting with that lineup next season. It wont win us a cup but its a step in the right direction. I looked at Stastny and agree he would be a good plan B.

Is that roughly what you had in mind? Can also Bury Froese and move someone else in there or like you said bring back Shaw

kai you are just a bad MTL fan

shaw has improved so now he's worth less then we paid
go away that is just unreasonable given CHI hasnt been a contender since he left

**Claps**

i couldnt argue that logic

i think Boqvist would have an immediate impact but he's weak defensively like Subban or Burns he's more like a 4th winger and needs to be eased in
so he doesnt get crushed by the pressure of become a turnover machine .. so your points valid

move out Petry not Alzner


Dehaan -Weber
Alzner-Jerabek
Mete-Boqvist (develop their chemistry from the bottom up keep them together knowing top 4 is solid and if someone get hurt instead of mix matching elevate third )
Benn


Eller coming back is great for chucky's development his advanced metrics literally went into the negative when his mentor Coach Eller left and Chucky started having Discipline issues.


Pathes-Backlund-Drouin
Eller-Chucky-Gallager
Hudon-Danault-Shaw
Lehkonen-Byron-Scherbak
Froese

Kupari and Evans need to be developed at the AHL if not they will require waivers like DLR and Andrighetto making it hard to bring them up and down as needed for their development .
ease them in and as people step up trade Patches and Byron for picks and prospect because Larry Carriere has bust 4 first rounders on us so far and depleted our stock we need to fix that or face
a complete rebuild top to bottom

Gotcha, what team would take on petry...or more like what would he allow Montreal to trade him to? Also petry should be worth what? A 1st and a prospeCT or is that too much? Was thinking of moving petry as he has gotten a lot better as of late and is a good 3rd d-man vs alzner who is more of a 4th.

Aside from Scherbak to the 3rd line, because Lehkonen and Danault are better suited to protect him defensively, while still being able to produce, looks good to me.

Having Shaw in over Froese would be even better. If not, pick up a quality 4th liner that can handle heavy dzone starts, faceoffs, and push the puck in the other direction.

do a cap hit for cap hit with DET for Decline Dekeyser who has nose dived sign signing his 5m 5 year contract.
its win win plus his recent success makes it easier to move him

we could move him out for more but assuming we get Boqvist he has to go ,Adam is the real deal and a solid offensive threat MTL needs
Alzner could help anchor Jerabek because he has wicked offensive skills but is nervous because he's been rotating partners and doesnt
want to leave his partner alone on a 2v1 so he plays boring hockey but give him Alzner and watch him succeed.

Dekeysers speed will help distract the opponent from Shea coming in late for a slapper.
the issue we have is when Shea is on ice he has no peers on his team to play at top pair but
Dekeyser could be solid