HuGo is a Boss GM
Joined: Dec. 2021
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I was listening to a great Podcast on the Athletic about this today and they made some compelling arguments as to why this deal probably gets done next off-season.
1) Habs are gonna be terrible regardless next season
2) Lots of money coming off the cap next season for the Habs
3) Habs won't give up an unprotected 1st for the 2023 season but they may for the 2024 season (after the 2023 draft)
4) There's a bit of an "is PLD for real?" factor. It's always scary to think you paid for someone after their best ever season. Will they repeat/improve/decline? Another season at 60+ pts will cement PLD's identity
5) Habs will get a better draft pick in 2023 without PLD
6) Habs will know "who Dach is?" if they plan to include him in the deal, or if he plays so well they no longer need PLD (however unlikely)
The only compelling reason to do the deal now is:
The Jets may drop their ask because Chevy just wants to put this mess behind him. But he was not that way with Laine, Trouba, Kane ... so why would he do that for PLD?