Quoting: ricochetii
Makes sense with the added context.
I hate buyouts, but it wouldn't seem necessary, so Zaitsev could just be expensive depth. That's less of an issue.
Byron I kind of want to keep and re-sign cheaply once his contract expires. Character guy that likes it here and is a good team ambassador.
Anderson is tough. He's a threat for 20+ goals with a great toolset, but it seems that isn't quite acknowledged outside of Montreal yet. It's okay to say we gain value by moving him compared to Domi, but I feel like moving him now is leaving value on the table. I think he has a few great years ahead of him if we can optimize his usage, and will have more value down the road.
I'm okay with trading him in light of not competing for a few years, but I'd be very picky with the return.
The buyout isn't necessary, simply to accumulate as much cap as possible but if we need a warm body to play, we can use Zaitsev for the remainder of his contract also. Byron can be resigned by the way. Going to Ottawa means he wouldn't need to move from Montreal. He could straight up go play in Ottawa for the final year and help them try to make the playoffs, he's from the area too, and then resign a cheap contract with the Habs the following season to round out his career.
I mean what is the alternative? Keep him and play him on a team that is in full rebuild and expect his results to....get better? If we're rebuilding, we're going to be a bottom feeder for a couple years. There won't be much opportunity to improve his value in the coming seasons and we have no idea what could happen in those coming seasons. What if he has another major shoulder surgery?
If the Habs AREN'T rebuilding, then Im all for keeping him. He's one of my faves on the team but good rebuilds take getting a ton of good picks and prospects all within a 2-3 year time frame. The longer you spread it out the long it takes to put it all together. If the Habs are rebuilding, its 100% or don't bother. There is no half-azzing a rebuild. Perfect example? Jeff Gorton's NYR. 17-18 start of rebuild...21-22 one of the best teams in the league. Sure they got lucky with Laf and Kakko but they also got rid of everyone. Nash, McDonagh, Zuccarello, Hagelin, JT Miller, Grabner, bought out Shattenkirk, and anyone else who had value while they had it. Only guy who they held onto, probably because he didn't want to leave was Lundqvist. I see some major similarities here with Price too.
Anyhoo, I'm ready for a full on, get rid of everyone with value, rebuild. I want to see a 10 year core of Suzuki, Wright, Caulfield, Guhle, Bedard (Hopefully), etc. I'm done with Gallagher's and Weber's. I want fast, high end skill to dominate this team in 3-4 years time.