Well if it happens at the trade deadline you can't assume Max resigns with COL
Trade looks realistic, MTL could maybe obtain more but good overall

Heck no, 2 solid prospects and a 1st rounder. Avs are not in the business of giving up young assets for 30 year old guys especially long term extensions to them.
Train wreck of a trade and fit for the avs

You're likely right, it's not Sakic's style. But he might consider adding a key piece at the deadline if the team regresses a bit this year and it appears that they may miss the playoffs. Alternately teams like St. Louis, Calgary, even Edmonton might challenge for playoff spots and cause more road blocks for Colorado to repeat in the post-season.

The way I looked at it was Meloche was picked at #40 and he's way down COL depth chart for right D behind Barrie, Timmins, and Makar (not to mention Johnson/Cole). And Ranta was picked at 78 so he can't be considered a grade A prospect at this point, many several other wingers rated higher than him on COL roster and prospect pool. So the Habs aren't really swinging for the fences with that package.

I agree though it's more likely Sakic is patient and avoids any costly free agents until his squad is closer to peaking 2-3 years from now

I think the Habs would be lucky to get such a package, but it's worth asking for. They're trying to hit a double, not a home run...Joe Sakic is unlikely to bite though.

sorry my man you are just way off with your analysis here. First I said solid, not A prospect. Just Sampo just had an impressive showing with Finland this summer after the draft and is committed to play NCAA hockey, they aren't moving him. Meloche just came off a pretty decent first year of pro hockey in the AHL and will see NHL time this year as he probably is the first call up from the Eagles this year. He will be playing pro. hockey this year and important to the avs depth going forward.

Avs are not rental buyers, sakic is against that ever since Roy left, he was tired of him burning assets to try to cheat the rebuild to win now. The message is clear they are building within and wont be going after older players for short term success. Sakic said it last year, he said it this year.

They aren't moving a 1st round pick for a guy that will be 31 while playing through his 1st year of an extension contract. A 1st and 2 solid prospects with a high 3rd, closer to being a 2nd rounder is a gross overpayment from the Avs and wont be having any business in those sort of deals. The fit bw the teams is just not there. What the Avs are doing and what the Habs need to do, they just wont align

Avs are what would be considered in the final year of the transition period before their real clock starts to being legit contenders. Making the playoffs last year was found money and a head of schedule, this year will be the same, competite and stay the course, if playoffs happens thats awesome, if not, the plan of being ready by 2019-20 is still on schedule. Moving assets for rentals goes against the post Roy plans that sakic stated. So you are correct with the 2-3 comment, It was always about that when Sakic got full control and was able to build it his way

Thanks for the details. Agree with you on Ranta, I saw some of the games in Kamloops this summer and he looked solid. Hope the plan works out for Colorado, they are well on the way to a very solid team. That doesn't even take into account a likely top 5 pick next summer. More gravy.

I agree, it's not Sakic style at all ahah! But I meant that I feel like another team could maybe offer more (probably overpay) to get Pacioretty at the trade deadline. I don't really consider Ranta and Meloche "solid prospects" anymore so maybe that's why my opinion diverse.

Chances are that it doesnt fully pan out but when you start to see what they have built. could be early as next season 90% of their roster will be full of young guys that they drafted and developed themselves or young guys they acquired when the old guys will be Landeskog, MacKinnon, and Johnson. Its following the tampa model, so I dont see them moving from that now Sakic fighting for it for so long during the Roy/Sakic era

Sakic wanted to get younger... Not sign soon to be 30-year-olds looking for their last big payday. No thank you.

The Avs were extremely lucky to even make the playoffs last year. It took a 10 game winning streak and the STL blues sucking down the stretch (after they traded one of their core pieces for a pick) and still took us to the last game that we had to win to get in. A lot went right. Lots of players had career years (Mackinnon, Barrie, Mikko, Zadarov) It would take those same players playing at that same level along with Jost making a Mikko like jump from 20 points to at least 60 points. Varlamov not missing 2 months of the season as usual. Erik Johnson not finishing on the IR like he has the past 2 seasons.

I think the Avs are still 1 more year away before we can really be counted on going back to the playoffs. I actually fully expect us to miss the playoffs this year so if they were to trade the 2019 1st rd pick they better put some serious protections on it as it is very top heavy with Forwards and LH Dmen. Players we could use.

We can go into the 2019 offseason with 30+ million in cap room with only Mikko and Zadarov to resign that will cost over 4 million. The rest will be 3 million at the most and under.

I agree with you, following the patient course for another year or maybe two is the best move Colorado can make. They have lots of good pieces in place, and a few more high draft picks can only help. Since I'm a Habs fan, I can only dream of that depth of talent at this point. And do fantasy trades on Cap Friendly to pass the time....

Cheers, good luck this year and in the draft lottery next spring