I don't think the Ducks want to give up a top prospect plus a first for a UFA.

Very optimist trades, but if Bergevin can pull it off I'm all for it!
In terms of the alignment, I wouldn't put a rookie as your #1 C.
Maybe keep Drouin for a year as 1C and move Steel to #3.
Shaw (if he ever plays again!) could go back to the wing

If Max agrees to sign as part of this trade, it's a good deal for both teams. If there's a risk of it being a one-and-done, you'd have to take something out or add back future considerations.

Petan for Schlemko and McCarron seems almost crooked. I would say add in Byron or Hudon with the Jets throwing back a 4th. That's fairer.

Watching the WJHC, all I could think about was how good Steel would look in La Sainte Flannelle.

Wouldn't break my heart to see McCarron get a chance somewhere else, and the Habs have a half-dozen guys just like Schlemko.... so, yeah. Let's do it.

Like Believer says, it's only a deal if Max is locked up. In that case, it's a really good deal for Anaheim.

So you habs fans have faith that you already have enough talent on your team?

No we tank out for next year 1 OA pick in Lafreniere

Well, if Habs fans are saying that it's a really good deal for the Ducks, then they better go out and do it!

Honestly, If Max is locked up, what's he signing for? If the value that you guys have in your head is that he's worth a 1st rounder and the Ducks top prospect, then his contract will probably be north of $6.5/season. Where is that going to fit with the big contracts that the Ducks already have? They already have a solid top 9, who gets bumped out of it? Silfverberg? Kase? Also, this pretty much guarantees that you won't be able to re-sign Henrique next year as well. And Montour? How are they going to pay him?

It's a good deal for Montreal. It's a very bad, short sighted deal for Anaheim.

Add that Pacioretty agrees to resign with Anaheim right after the trade

What if it was a sign-and-trade, so Montreal held back 2M for 5 years?

I would imagine that the NHL would have a lot of issues with that, but could be wrong. Even adding 4.5 at this point would put them into very dangerous waters when it comes to the cap over the next few years. Is he an upgrade for a year? Sure. There's just no way he fits in long term without then having to lop off a Montour, Gibson, Manson or Henrique, That's a lot to give up to get a guy that's not having a career year.

Steel is the Duck's only center prospect. No way they trade him. I also don't think he'd be the cost for Pacioretty. IMO, a Kessel trade is a close comparable. Kessel got a first, B+ prospect, but the Leafs retained AND gave up a second. So, I'd think a B center prospect+1st for Pacioretty is the cost. Might be a lowball, but I'm just looking at comparables. You guys don't HAVE to trade Pacioretty and a team doesn't HAVE to trade for Pacioretty.

Not sure you're right that the Habs HAVE to trade Max. He doesn't want to leave, though he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. I bet he would be happy to stay if he could give up the "C" to Weber -- or share it. If the Habs move Galchenyuk for a younger roster player (Sam Reinhart, maybe) and use that $2M+ savings and add it to the $16M they already have, they could afford to pick up a couple of pretty good UFAs, including a centre in the here-and-now. But you're right that there's probably no keeping both Max and Galchenyuk.

Steel is #17 in the Hockey's Future ratings. Definitely a good spot. Last year, that was Honka from Dallas. The year before that it was Anthony Duclair. In 2014, it was Mirco Mueller; and 2013 it was Mika Zibanejad (Silverberg was 18th). You get the drift. I am sure Sam Steel will be a fine hockey player, but not sure he's the second coming of Steve Yzerman.

We all do it, overrate our juniors. I am absolutely sure Ryan Poehling will be the next Patrice Bergeron. Joni Ikonen has future-Saku-Koivu potential.... With luck, they'll be fine pros, but as the adage goes, "many a slip twixt cup and lip." A lot can happen. The bird in the hand is often the better move.

Geez, do you just keep these old magazines kicking around the apartment?

Close. iPad.

Read my post again. I said they don’t have to trade him.

Indeed you did. My apologies.