Edited Dec. 6, 2021 at 4:05 p.m.
I agree (sort of - I think), there is no need to go full rebuild and blow everything up otherwise you'll end up like OTT, BUF, or even EDM who was bad for a long time before they got McDavid.
1. Sell Chiarot.
- This is a must, they need cap space for next year and Guhle looks like he could be an internal replacement.
2. Sell the valuable depth.
- For me, this is Lehkonen and Jake Allen. Lehkonen could get a 2nd round pick from a contender if the habs retain salary, his RFA status is a bonus for any team trading him since they will keep his rights. Habs already have too many wingers and Byron is coming back, if they can get a 2nd for Lehkonen and not have to resign him next year do it. As for Allen, I think they could also get a 2nd round pick and clear out salary for next year. The team isn't good enough to justify paying > $13M in goaltending, the habs either live or die with price anyways so sign any cheap backup or play Primeau more next season.
3. Sell the pending UFA's.
- Trade Kulak, Perreault, Wideman, Paquette, etc. for late picks (4 - 7).
4. Lottery Pick
- Odds are the habs get a lottery pick this season. The question for me then becomes do they trade it for Lafreniere (might speed up the rebuild?).
5. Hockey Trades (only if it makes sense).
- Makes some moves to reshape this roster. For me this involves moving a LW (Hoffman, Toffoli, Drouin - if they acquire Laffy) and/or a RW (Armia, Gallagher, Anderson) which will allow them to reinvest salary into another area of need (Center and RD). Then I'd also consider trading Petry, only if Gorton could reverse the trade he made with the Jets. Jets fleeced him for Pionk + a 1st for Trouba... can he trade Petry for a young NHL RHD + a pick?
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Norlinder,
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