I don't think the hawks want to add that much salary, Gustafsson can probably net them a 1st at this point without a big contract back.

salary could be retained for shaw.. We have a lot of salary space

Consider lindholm and fowler to

Ducks may be bad, but they aren't moving their two stud LD men entering their prime.



Even with retention, he's not a very attractive piece.

True but no other prospects were left for additional trades but they are also great options!

On a top line he produces quite a bit and he is still young. This is just an idea of a trade. Other elements could be added tho im not firm on this specific return.

Shaw was Q's guy...Q's gone. Also, eating Shaw's salary only solves for half of it. The talent level needs to be sent back too. AND most of all...MTL should WANT to keep Shaw. ESPECIALLY if they have the cap space for him. He's a good piece to have in the playoffs.

***EDIT*** But I actually do think GUS is the PERFECT piece for MTL. $1.2M for a Power Play specialist that can play 23-25 ATOI. CHI was literally last place in PP% until he became their PP quarterback. The link below is his scoring chart for this year...note when Q was fired and how much of a "coincidence" it was that a new coach comes in and look at his scoring and look at their PP. Now 16th and rising fast.

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/gustaer02/scoring/2019/

Flyers say no

Gustafsson is not even close to being worth a 1st.

Sanheim is damn near untouchable. Ghost could probably be had but it would take an established RHD to do it.

We'll give you Noah Juulsen and a 1st for Ghost

Not even close. Juulsen is a 3rd pairing guy. We can find that for free in free agency.

Did Ryan Hartman get a 1st+? Did Brassard get a 1st++? Did MARTIN HANZAL get a 1st? Patrick Eaves get a 1st? Andrew Ladd get a 1st? Did GRIFFEN REINHART get a 1st? Did Vermette get a 1st? The answer is yes to all of these and Gus @ $1.2M is worth more than all of these.

ok

Gustafsson has 30 points on the back end on one of the worst teams in the league, ever since he was put on the power play the hawks have been scoring like crazy. Any defenseman at 1.2 for this season and the next at that rate of production is worth a 1st. Plus, he's 26 years old, entering his prime.

I don’t like any of these deals for the Habs.

I'll argue that Fowler could be had at the right price. Lindholm for sure is untouchable imo. but only issue with Fowler is his ridiculous NTC, 4 team trade list and that's it.... Hard to see Fowler waiving to leave California to go to the frozen snow pile that's now Montreal (gotta love Canadian weather..)

I think PHI (for the Sanheim deal), CHI, and STL all reject those offers.

100% PHI accepts that Ghost trade. I wouldn't do that deal if I were MTL. Lehky at the moment a middle 6 guy still with top 6 potential, an "A" prospect in Suzuki, a "B" prospect in Fleury whose stock keeps rising (and his playing time keeps going up in Laval as an offensive Dman), and a 2nd rd pick.... WAY too much.

All those players except Reinhart were all already proven players with playoff experience. Gus is only in his second year and is getting playing time because Chicago's d-core is weakening by the year.

He's getting power play points because Toews and Kane has been heating up in the past few weeks. He's -12 and is just feeding off Toews and Kane's play. Only getting playing time because the rest of the d core is poor.

This isn't a which came first...chicken or egg scenario. I very much like both Toews and Kane, but the facts are the facts. The Power Play last year (with Toews and Kane and no Gus) was 28th in the NHL. This year the PP started out in DEAD last. Yet again, with both Toews/Kane and no Gus. The only move that gets made is Gus replaces Keith as the PP quarterback...They're now #16 and rising FAST...Best they've had in 3 years. I would understand if you questioned Gus's defensive play. He would be better served with a stay at home Dman RD next to him, but Gus is driving the PP...not simply benefiting.

***EDIT*** It's actually very embarrassing for the Hawks in general though. To have both Toews and Kane that we all know have been a staple on the PP and be that bad for that long....yikes. BUT that's besides the point.