Edmonton isn't just tossing Barrie away that's a roster spot that will need to be filled and certainly not going to replace Barrie for the minimal cap savings this opens up.

Take Appleton out and its pretty close imo.

I don't see how a late 1st, some contending teams B-prospect and a 3rd at the trade deadline is a better offer than this.

Fair enough. I just checked and I thought the Oilers had more cap space than that - and Puljujarvi is still unsigned.

Take out Appleton and the protection and Chevy would discuss.

Appleton was just a toss-in, I didn't really have him as added value in the package, just a 12th forward to complete the roster but I'd be totally willing to scrap him and give that spot to Ylönen.

Take out Appleton and add Ylonen or Kidney to the trade, if you need to clear more cap add Drouin or Armia, probably Drouin though.

Sign some cheap league minimum guys to fill out the Habs lineup.

Meh I think that's already the most I'd be personally willing to give up. They're not in position to overpay for anyone, not yet.

Jets would be taking cap off your hands though.

Edmonton can't afford $3M bottom 6 players.
Barrie would just be a warm body. Can get that anywhere for less.
Montreal can't afford to move top RHD prospects.

Barron and a 1st is too much spent on a guy you can get for free in 2 years anyways.

There's no rush to acquire Dubois now other than the hype of people saying he's trying to force himself to Montreal and if that was the case, his trade value has fallen far bellow a top prospect and a 1st round pick in a very very deep draft next year.

Plus it's Hughes that traded for Barron. He could be more attached to him than other prospects, like Guhle

Romanov trade suprised us, but its bergy & timmins that were high on him. Thats a factor to consider IMO

So on this, maybe Hughes isnt as high on his prospects than Bergevin and could be more willing to move someone like Guhle (more than Harris, that was signed after some talk with Hughes to avoid Harris getting UFA).

But if it's Guhle, i dont want to see a 1st pick involved for Dubois

Look harder then.

Dvorak, Barron, FLA 1st > Late 1st, B Prospect, 3rd round pick

For an established top 6 center... of course they can.

As for Barrie, it's more a matter of redirecting some cap from the wings to the right side of the defense, while replacing Petry's production as I'm not entirely sold on Matheson being the do-it-all guy like Petry was.

I hope for Hughes' sake that he realizes Guhle's worth. He's the same age as Barron (even a little bit younger) and has captained Team Canada at the WJC and won a WHL Playoff MVP award. Barron, although slowed down by injuries, shouldn't be preferred over Guhle because of handedness.

PLD is the prototype the organization has been looking for ever since Vincent Damphousse. Acquiring him may shake up their initial plans a little bit, but that's because such a player shouldn't be made available in normal circumstances. I expect the Habs to do whatever they realistically can to bring him over.