Problem is Montreal isn't a Crosby and Letang away from contention. They still need better goaltending and experience for their younger players. You can't cheat the latter.

I'm not so sure about that. Crosby is still a top 10 player in the league and Suzuki could do some real damage as a 2C. I did another post showing it from the Habs side. Take a look: Post

Not trading anything for Letang, his contract is not good. Crosby on the other hand, if not too expensive, it might be worth it

You’ll be lucky to get a second for malkin. Panthers absolutely aren’t giving up lundell for him.

Your 100% right. Agree with everything you did

That roster features at least 6 players that aren't ready for playoff hockey not counting the goaltenders, as well as several struggling players both performance and health wise.
We have to make the playoffs once, likely a few times, before we can go the distance.
Crosby and Letang aren't dragging us in and we wouldn't be ready for 4 rounds even if they did.

This!!! Florida instantly rejects.

Yeah I’m not giving up the 8oa pick for guentzel. Hard pass

I doubt the do the Crosby trade just because it's not the right time. As for the Letang trade, why wouldn't we just sign one of Klingberg, Dumba or Severson?

Because

1) None of those guys will sign with the Habs
2) Our GM knows what kind of person Letang is
3) Letang and Matheson have tons of chemistry
4) Crosby and Letang have tons of chemistry
5) Gars de chez nous factor which will help with the media side of the team

Not sure if you are trolling me sir, but I genuinely think these are the values for those players

Is he stagnating though? Will be be a star center in a few years, or like a 50-60pt center (which is good but not great).

Malkin will score 100 pts again with the Panthers

This was a mistake. Intended to trade the 2024 1st. Sorry about that.

Crosby would help the Habs hit the ceiling for Suzuki/Caufield/Dach/Slaf in a way Dubois will not.

We're gonna have 20 mil in cap.... no reason to tear down just get a GM who is half way competent and retool

I think this is really your very last chance to get value back for Malkin/Letang/Crosby ... Look at what Chicago got for Kane. Deciding to keep all your chips on the table will mean that when the Pens lose, they will lose big!

1. Klingberg is already reported as wanting to sign with the Habs last year.
2. Hughes proved at the draft last year that personal connections are not going to influence his decisions when he didn't select his son with the Habs 2nd pick of the first round.
3. Who cares about past chemistry if the player doesn't fit the timeline
4. Both are too old to fit our timeline.
5. Savard, RHP, Matheson, Montembault, Kidney and Roy are enough Quebecois to satisfy the media and if your making trades just to satisfy the media then you are already failing as a GM IMO the GM shouldn't be bending to the media or political preasure.

What exactly am I reading away that is so valuable though?

Allen has very little value on the market and I would prefer to keep Primeau
We are not signing Ylonen or Gurianov this offseason anyway, so trading their rights won't bring much back
The protected 1st in 2025 is the only thing of value and Letang will insulate Barron and Guhle while they develop their games.

That would be an absolutely wild trade. I can't imagine a scenario where Washington declines this unless they've already gotten a top 6 forward, and even then...

Nice to hear some positive feedback. I'm getting killed over here!

Yeah, I mean if its the 2023 pick as is in the ACGM, I think it becomes a harder sell but if the first is a 2024 1st as mentioned in the comments then I can't imagine why Washington would decline this, even though I think Mantha can be an effective player next year.

I am ok not getting Value for Crosby unless he wants a trade, If he wants to stay which he says he does then I think we owe him that, and there is now way Letang/Malkin leave if he wants to stay. 20 mill in cap space with only 1 top 10 player being a free agent, we're in decent shape if we get a new management teams. Deep free agency year too. We can retool and take a shot at another cup.

I hope you are right sir, because I think the Pens are gonna try, but I doubt they succeed.

I am leaving it there for posterity in case other posters read the comments, but yes I intended for it to be the 2024 1st.

Gotcha, just wanted to make sure.