I mean I agree in theory about unloading Hoffman but I’m very much against doing so if it costs us something. I’d rather just let another year run off his contract and then there is only one year left, and it’s much easier to trade especially with retention.

If you can give him away for free, sure, but it makes no sense attaching picks to him. He’s only got 2 years left, we won’t be competitive and there are other ways to unload space if you really need it.

The problem is if Price/Hoffman/Byron all play we cannot even sign Dach, let alone move players up and down from Laval

Well then I’d rather trade Dvorak in that case or someone else

You want to trade Dvorak, I'm ok with that! Don't much believe in Hoffman, but I like Dvorak as a stopgap.

Trading a late 2nd to move Hoffman is not attractive, but honestly the Habs have so many picks they can't possibly sign all these prospects.

Byron will probably be on LTIR all season long, there is our cap space. We don't have to pay to unload Hoffman. If we're lucky, we could even deal him at TDL for future considerations, or next year.

I mean ... I've heard he's injured... But is he retiring, because no one is saying that. Hughes cannot assume Price & Byron are on LTIR.

Hughes must have reports from Montreal doctors saying that Byron will miss a huge part of the season, otherwise a big contract would have been traded.

The Price situation is different, they must not have all the information. That's why Allen is still with the team. If Price is cleared, Allen will be traded. If he's not, Allen stays.

Either way, Hughes has some space to work. If both are ready to start, then I see Drouin being traded because he's the only one who shouldn't cost assets to move.

But that would be short-sighted. Paying a 2nd in the 55-64 range in 2024 to move Hoffman if you really believe you'll be able to trade Drouin for a pick in the 22-32 range in 2023 with salary retained at the TDL is not a good idea. I think Drouin convinces a few folks that he's part of the solution as a rental this season. Trade Hoffman... no will ever think he's part of the solution in the playoffs.

Yup, I agree, we shouldn't pay to get rid of Hoffman this season, especially if Byron is on LTIR. We can afford to wait next season at TDL, or even let his contract end if we don't get anything of value.

Well - I am not counting Byron out, which is why I advocate for trading Hoffman. I also want to make room for Ylonen to hopefully play. Hoffman is not a part of the future plans and he's in the way.

Ylonen will get some games this year when injuries occur, but he'll likely get a spot next year when Dadonov, Drouin and Byron's deals are over. Until then, I'd prefer to give Ylonen Top 6 duties in Laval with Slaf, Mesar, Mysak and Heineman. But sure, he's part of the future and Hoffman is not. I just don't want to pay to get rid of him since we don't have to rush kids up.