Almost every habs team I see posted has one of these things:
1.) Plekanec being drafted by Vegas and pretty much guaranteed there is a poster who says something like "There is absolutely no way Vegas takes plekanec unless Montreal gives them something else."
2.) Someone actually listens to these posters for some reason and gives up ridiculous things such as multiple draft pick and/or prospects!
Rather than comment on every thread I decided to make this one for anyone who cares enough to read or discuss it.
A couple things to consider...
- The link below is a Vegas mock draft that has plekanec chosen in 3/4 drafts.
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19015985/nhl-vegas-golden-knights-mock-draft-based-players-left-unprotected-their-teams
- Plekanecs contract is not nearly as bad as it is made out to be. He only has 1 year left which makes him a more attractive option than every overpaid player available that is on multi year deals.
- The other players available to Vegas are:
Emelin @ 4.1 mil for 1 year
Benn @ 1.1 mil for 2 years
Davidson @ 1.45 mil for 1 year
Mitchell @ 1.2 mil for 1 year
Montoya @ 1 mil for 2 years
Monteal has lots of defenseman available, but it seems like there are more options at that position seeing as most teams only get to protect 3. I think it is unlikely Vegas opts to take Emelin, Benn, or Davidson when players like Brodin, Demers, Gorges, Sbisa, Dillon, Cole, Schenn, Burtuzzo, etc. are the best option on there teams. Thats 9 D man who are either better (or equal but more likely to be chosen due to them being the BPA on their team) or cost less than what montreal has to offer.
Its quite the opposite when you look at the list of centers Vegas could select ... (Plekanec, Smith, Eller, Kruger, Raffl, Shaehan, Lowry, Nolan, etc.) and 5 of those players can also play wing. Plekanec is arguably the top Center of the above mentioned players.
- If Vegas does not take Plekanec due to cap reason it is likely because they've taken a bad contract from another team because they were offered picks/prospects etc. If that is the case Montreal has absolutely no reason to get involved in that considering Plekanec was their best centerman in playoffs and just had an off year. (The 2 years before he matched Duchene's production and Duchene is apparently worth more than Galchenyuk, Beaulieu, a 1st Round pick and hudon, cuz NO SERGACHEV NO DEAL.)
- Montreal, who already has a big weakness at Center, should absolutley not be trading picks and prospects just to ensure Vegas takes him in the draft. If they take him good, if they don't that's ok.