Mtl takes that deal

No... Neal had a great start this season but now he's returned in the cap dump category. We cant take that contract it would kill us on the long term and we'd end up paying something like a first to get rid of it. It's just a no. The only deal that MB would take is if you replace Neal with Gagner. Neal's negative value almost worth a guy like Broberg

Dang, hoping I could sneak that past you guys

I come from the perspective that Puljujarvi is worthless unless and until he proves differently, so I look at this as Broberg (a stellar D prospect) and Neal (a fading winger with a big 3-year cap hit) for Tatar (a very solid two-way winger with one year left on a friendly contract). Not being a scout, I can't tell you how close Broberg is to being a top-4 NHLer, but it might be close enough to warrant a Tatar-Broberg trade that is close to straight up. I can't see the Habs taking $18M of Neal for the possibility that Puljujarvi will ever return to the NHL, let alone become anything close to the player he was projected to become. I'll eat my words when Puljujarvi someday scores 30 for another team, but for now, I think the Habs should ask for Edmonton's #1 if they're going to consider taking Neal (Contrary to popular belief, I don't think the Habs will have cap problems in a year's time, as I think expansion will take at least one mid-high salary away and trades will take others. And it's not like any UFAs are ever coming to Montreal).

Yeah I get Pujujarvi isn’t high on many people’s list but he’s only 21 and to put it into perspective was put in the NHL way to early ( a lot like your Jesperi Kotkanemi) and it hurt his development but there for sure is a strong middle six winger there. Maybe not a 30 goal scorer but a guy that every team would want in there line up. Complete player who can skate and maintain possession of the puck with a really nice shot

Perhaps you're right, but there's at least equal reason to believe that he'll not return to the NHL because, frankly, it's too much work. Instead, Puljujarvi can easily transition into the KHL and make a very decent living, and he'll never have to worry about pressure, getting hit or evolving his game. Any GM who didn't take that into account would be risking too much. The Pens, or Tampa, or the Caps can take a risk that they can reinvent a player, but I don't think the Canadiens have that luxury right now.

Puljujarvi and his agent have stated many times that NHL is his only goal. He has no interest in going to the KHL.

Yeah absolutely lol, this whole Pujujarvi is soft idea is crazy to me.

Commitment has always been an issue with Puljujarvi, as has been ability/willingness to learn. Add to that a hip injury and there's not a GM in the league who is willing to wager very much on this guy, which is why he wasn't traded last summer or in the fall. At some point, the Oilers will have to accept a lot of water in their wine or Puljujarvi will be a KHLer next year.

The hip thing is no longer an issue. Scouts have been watching Jesse play for six months now, there's zero concern among NHL GM's about Jesse's hips.

That’s the funny thing about the “hip injury” yeah he needed surgery but without looking up the details it was a condition he was born with, he mentioned he had a sore hip for atleast half a year in Edmonton and no one listened until late late in the season. If that’s not reason to say F*** you I’m out idk what is

oilers hang up their phone

I honestly don’t know if they should, they probably do yeah the Broberg part is the tricky one because that’s Holland’s guy but how far away is he? 2-3?

And maybe that's why he's refusing to play for them anymore? We don't really know because nobody will say, but it's possible. If so, it doesn't detract from his value at all.

Yeah agreed, and after a year of playing in Finland, people have his stats, his NHLE, and proof that he’s skating with no hip issue. I honestly think there could be a bidding war this June at the draft

So here's the rub: a bunch of teams could issue Puljujarvi an offer sheet for around $3M and the Oilers would be hard-pressed to match it. So, that would net the Oilers a 2nd rounder. That's his value -- a mid-second-round pick. No one is going to pay more because there's little chance the Oilers would match.

The Oilers would absolutely match that offer. They’ve said before the issue has never been finding the money to pay for Jesse. If that was the route they took Jesse would be pooched cause that means he’s be playing in Edmonton which is not what he wants. Also I know they would have to drop money from somewhere but I think they’d be okay with that

Tease that out a little further: Oilers match and have one of three players: one who won't report and signs in the K; one who reports and is unhappy; or, one they have to trade, at which point the rest of the league knows the Oilers are stuck. So maybe it's then that you get your 2nd pick or maybe a so-so prospect. You're still getting basically the same return any way you slice it.