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Trying to pry the window open

Created by: jonh514
Team: 2023-24 Montreal Canadiens
Initial Creation Date: Apr. 18, 2023
Published: Apr. 18, 2023
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Targetting young players in trade instead of drafting

Could this team surprise and make the playoffs?
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
4$3,500,000
8$8,000,000
3$7,000,000
3$1,500,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
1$800,000
Trades
1.
MTL
  1. Lafrenière, Alexis [RFA Rights]
Additional Details:
Gorton gets a guy he vetted who is ready to take a Kirby Dach style leap forward
NYR
  1. 2023 1st round pick (MTL)
Additional Details:
5OA
Rangers elect to use the cap space to resign Tarasenko and draft BPA to help them better manage the cap
2.
MTL
  1. Dubois, Pierre-Luc [RFA Rights]
WPG
  1. Beck, Owen
  2. 2023 1st round pick (FLA)
3.
Buyouts
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2023
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the PIT
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
2024
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the COL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the EDM
2025
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$83,500,000$72,293,333$1,170,000$4,195,000$11,206,667
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$7,000,000$7,000,000
LW, RW
UFA - 8
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$7,875,000$7,875,000
C
UFA - 7
$3,500,000$3,500,000
LW, RW
RFA - 2
$8,000,000$8,000,000
C
UFA - 8
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,362,500$3,362,500
C, RW
RFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$5,500,000$5,500,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$950,000$950,000 (Performance Bonus$3,500,000$4M)
RW, LW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$4,450,000$4,450,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$6,500,000$6,500,000
RW, LW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,500,000$1,500,000
LW, RW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,700,000$1,700,000
C
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$800,000$800,000
C, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$897,500$897,500
LW, RW
RFA - 2
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$4,875,000$4,875,000
LD
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$275,000$275K)
RD
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,000,000$1,000,000
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$420,000$420K)
LD/RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,500,000$3,500,000
RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,925,000$1,925,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,400,000$1,400,000
LD/RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$925,000$925,000
RD
RFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$875,000$875,000
LD/RD
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$766,667$766,667
RD
UFA - 2
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$10,500,000$10,500,000
G
NMC
UFA - 3

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Apr. 18, 2023 at 8:05 a.m.
#1
Subbanator
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This team isnt a playoff team and worst in the long run.

This can't be rushed because MTL isn't just two pieces away, their two SUPERSTAR pieces away. And those type players only come by drafting, going by analytics that pick has to be a top 5 to safely get a star
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 8:13 a.m.
#2
jeremy clackston
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too much for laf but yeah makes sense
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 8:33 a.m.
#3
Go Habs Go
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What if Gorton was wrong on Lafreniere and essentially makes the same mistake twice?
I'd be okay taking that risk with a pick outside the top 10, but it's far from necessary to take a step ahead. That will come with better drafting and development first.

Dach was an acceptable risk by trading from a position of strength to acquire an additional 1st. We have a Florida and Calgary 1st to seek similar opportunities with, but we have to draft with our best picks.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 8:38 a.m.
#4
GM
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Would be interesting to see them fail a new prospect in NYR. I would do this cool
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 8:40 a.m.
#5
Josh Anderson Sucks
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Not sure id trade a top 50 pick for Laf at this point
Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:06 a.m.
#6
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HuGo is a Boss GM
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Quoting: Subbanator7667
This team isnt a playoff team and worst in the long run.

This can't be rushed because MTL isn't just two pieces away, their two SUPERSTAR pieces away. And those type players only come by drafting, going by analytics that pick has to be a top 5 to safely get a star


Thanks for your response.

I would counter that this team is a team that has all the components necessary to be a playoff team and just requires time and reps (keeping in mind that I think Monty is a fine goalie and I don't believe we need a Price to win the cup)

They will also have lots of prospects in the pipeline who will come up over the course of the next 2-3 years and challenge for spots or make it possible for them to trade players for assets as NYR have done with Dallas and now with Montreal (in my fantasy land).

Struble, Trudeau, Hutson, Engstrom, Mailloux, Roy, Mesar, Kidney, Kapanen, Dobes will all have a legit shot to make this team going forward and they will keep adding over the years.

Yes it's true this team will not have an Elite forward like McDavid or Bedard, but that isn't happening anyway and look at NYR. They have a good team and an Elite Defenseman and maybe an Elite goalie and a whole bunch of good-great players. They look like they can do some damage in these playoffs.
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:10 a.m.
#7
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I was initially going to crap all over this AGM.
But the more I look at it....it ain't so bad.
I'm completely against rushing rebuilds but Laf and PLD fit within the age group of a rebuild, specifically for the habs.

The only asterisk I would put on this AGM is ...
* let's see what LAF does in the playoffs this season. I don't think at this point he's worth a 5OA.
* DONT TRADE WIFI AT ALL
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:11 a.m.
#8
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Quoting: eazy_duz_it
too much for laf but yeah makes sense


Laf is 21 and has more points than Dach did at this point in his career. I am pretty thrilled to have Dach and actually believe he will continue to evolve to be a PPG player, especially if he's playing with a Dubois consistently for an entire season.

Laf could also become a PPG player given time. It takes players several years to adapt to the NHL. Laf is improving every season and I think given a top line role he could explode next year.

It's a gamble, but it fits exactly what the GM said they were looking for. A chance to accelerate things not just for 1 season, but for the long term.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:12 a.m.
#9
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Quoting: AG_sweden
Would be interesting to see them fail a new prospect in NYR. I would do this cool


Habs fans are so impatient. Half of them want to give up on Slafkovsky after 1 season as an 18 year old. Let's see where he's at at 21-22. I expect great things!
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:17 a.m.
#10
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Quoting: willinlisbon
I was initially going to crap all over this AGM.
But the more I look at it....it ain't so bad.
I'm completely against rushing rebuilds but Laf and PLD fit within the age group of a rebuild, specifically for the habs.

The only asterisk I would put on this AGM is ...
* let's see what LAF does in the playoffs this season. I don't think at this point he's worth a 5OA.
* DONT TRADE WIFI AT ALL


First off, thanks for the response and thanks for taking another look!

I understand the gamble, but there is also the other gamble: what will this team be in 3 years when Smith & Reinbacher (for example) are rookies.

Also what will this team look like in 5-6 years when Smith & Reinbacher are peaking? Suzuki will be... 29. Caufield will be 27-28? Matheson will be long gone.

I actually believe this team could grow into a contender... Maybe with the occasional free agent thrown in there.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:19 a.m.
#11
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Quoting: ricochetii
What if Gorton was wrong on Lafreniere and essentially makes the same mistake twice?
I'd be okay taking that risk with a pick outside the top 10, but it's far from necessary to take a step ahead. That will come with better drafting and development first.

Dach was an acceptable risk by trading from a position of strength to acquire an additional 1st. We have a Florida and Calgary 1st to seek similar opportunities with, but we have to draft with our best picks.


The way things are going in Calgary... It could be a top 10 pick in 2026.

Lafreniere is playing well in a 3rd line role. How many 3rd liners in this league have 16 goals and 39 points?
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:31 a.m.
#12
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Quoting: Kyle_Okposo_Lover
Not sure id trade a top 50 pick for Laf at this point


Based on what? Not trying to be harsh, but I think this is a fairly strange statement about a player who is following the progression curve ahead of most top 6 wingers in the NHL.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 9:54 a.m.
#13
Subbanator
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Quoting: jonh514
Thanks for your response.

I would counter that this team is a team that has all the components necessary to be a playoff team and just requires time and reps (keeping in mind that I think Monty is a fine goalie and I don't believe we need a Price to win the cup)

They will also have lots of prospects in the pipeline who will come up over the course of the next 2-3 years and challenge for spots or make it possible for them to trade players for assets as NYR have done with Dallas and now with Montreal (in my fantasy land).

Struble, Trudeau, Hutson, Engstrom, Mailloux, Roy, Mesar, Kidney, Kapanen, Dobes will all have a legit shot to make this team going forward and they will keep adding over the years.

Yes it's true this team will not have an Elite forward like McDavid or Bedard, but that isn't happening anyway and look at NYR. They have a good team and an Elite Defenseman and maybe an Elite goalie and a whole bunch of good-great players. They look like they can do some damage in these playoffs.


To put it simply, only one team has won a cup during the cap era without a superstar forward and that was St Louis.

Every other team has had at least one superstar forward and a super star defenseman.

I'm sick of being a playoff team, I want this team to be a legit contender for years to come and that only happens with multiple star players. Being a mediocre playoff team was fun with Carey leading the way but that time is over and this team needs a couple years in the basement in order to properly compete with the Buffalos, Ottawa's, NJ and even Detroit in the next 5-10 years
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:17 a.m.
#14
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Quoting: Subbanator7667
To put it simply, only one team has won a cup during the cap era without a superstar forward and that was St Louis.

Every other team has had at least one superstar forward and a super star defenseman.

I'm sick of being a playoff team, I want this team to be a legit contender for years to come and that only happens with multiple star players. Being a mediocre playoff team was fun with Carey leading the way but that time is over and this team needs a couple years in the basement in order to properly compete with the Buffalos, Ottawa's, NJ and even Detroit in the next 5-10 years


So... Let's examine it a bit ok?

Avs for example have:

Mack 1 OA
Rant 10 OA
Land 2 OA
Makar 4 OA
Byram 4 OA
Nichushkin 10 OA

They have other players, but can we agree this is their crop of truly high-end talent?

This Habs team would have:

Slaf 1 OA
Laf 1 OA
Dach 3 OA
Dubois 3 OA
Zuke 13 OA
Caufield 15 OA
Guhle 16 OA

Yes it's true that we don't have a Defenseman the caliber of Makar, but honestly who does? Maybe Hutson becomes that. Who knows?

But other than that, can we agree the talent from the high end of the draft would be there if we made these trades?
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:20 a.m.
#15
Josh Anderson Sucks
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Quoting: jonh514
Based on what? Not trying to be harsh, but I think this is a fairly strange statement about a player who is following the progression curve ahead of most top 6 wingers in the NHL.


Not good two ways, very inconsistent and if you go back and look at where his points come from, a lot of times he didnt even drive the play. Analytics and eye test prove he is a high risk, high reward guy. And in this draft I would much rather take a player like Musty, Bonk, But or one of the inevitable players who is projected top 20 who drops than to give up that pick for Laf. And I would 100% not give up a top 20 pick this year. You could convince me on a pick around 35 but thats it
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:25 a.m.
#16
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Quoting: Kyle_Okposo_Lover
Not good two ways, very inconsistent and if you go back and look at where his points come from, a lot of times he didnt even drive the play. Analytics and eye test prove he is a high risk, high reward guy. And in this draft I would much rather take a player like Musty, Bonk, But or one of the inevitable players who is projected top 20 who drops than to give up that pick for Laf. And I would 100% not give up a top 20 pick this year. You could convince me on a pick around 35 but thats it


And you are comparing him objectively to other 21 year old players in the league?
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:33 a.m.
#17
Josh Anderson Sucks
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Quoting: jonh514
And you are comparing him objectively to other 21 year old players in the league?


im comparing his potential, floor and history to what I expect to get out of someone in the top 50...

And ive seen more out of players like Perfetti, Jarvis, Schneider, Greig, etc.

Laf's floor is automatically making him not worth a 1st rounder. I would take Smith, Moore, Wood, ASP, Danielson, But, Heidt, etc before Laf every single time

That said, its well worth the risk of a 2nd rounder for the Habs, but 5th OVR is CRAZY
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Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:36 a.m.
#18
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Quoting: Kyle_Okposo_Lover
im comparing his potential, floor and history to what I expect to get out of someone in the top 50...

And ive seen more out of players like Perfetti, Jarvis, Schneider, Greig, etc.

Laf's floor is automatically making him not worth a 1st rounder. I would take Smith, Moore, Wood, ASP, Danielson, But, Heidt, etc before Laf every single time


Are you factoring in the 4-5 or so years it will take for the Habs to develop any of those players to the point Laf is at today and what that would mean for Caufield & Zuke to play with a player like Laf?
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:38 a.m.
#19
Josh Anderson Sucks
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Quoting: jonh514
Are you factoring in the 4-5 or so years it will take for the Habs to develop any of those players to the point Laf is at today and what that would mean for Caufield & Zuke to play with a player like Laf?


Laf could very well work out for MTL, but
A. MTL is not contending in the next 2-3 years
B. 5th OVR players dont take 5 years to develop, they take 0-1 to get to the NHL

A 2nd rounder is worth it, 5th OVR is not even close
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:40 a.m.
#20
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Quoting: Kyle_Okposo_Lover
Laf could very well work out for MTL, but
A. MTL is not contending in the next 2-3 years
B. 5th OVR players dont take 5 years to develop, they take 0-1 to get to the NHL

A 2nd rounder is worth it, 5th OVR is not even close


You think Smith is playing in the NHL in 2024?

Edit: and you think he will out produce Laf in 2024-25?
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:44 a.m.
#21
Josh Anderson Sucks
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Quoting: jonh514
You think Smith is playing in the NHL in 2024?

Edit: and you think he will out produce Laf in 2024-25?


The Habs arent contending in 2024-25 lmao so it doesnt matter. But id prefer Smith in 25-26 as a center making 950k to Laf making 3-4 as a winger

Plus another point, if MTL wants Laf, just offer sheet a 1x4.2 mil deal. NY cant match and its only a 2nd. And IK offersheets dont happen but the threat of one is good enough to weaken Laf's value.

And im not even saying Laf sucks, my entire point is that 5TH OVR IS WAY TOO HIGH. Look at what Debrincat got in a weaker draft, now imagine this stacked draft with a player who has proven nothing.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 10:47 a.m.
#22
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Rangers pass. Laffy is signing a new deal to stay in NYC.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 11:03 a.m.
#23
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Quoting: Onlyfairtrades1
Rangers pass. Laffy is signing a new deal to stay in NYC.


Can the Rangers afford everyone they need to re-sign?

I'd be happy if the Habs sign Tarasenko as a UFA on a 3 year deal instead. Doubt he'd be interested in MTL though, but it seems he's fit right in with the NYR. No way you sign Miller, Laf, Tarasenko and a few other role players this offseason.

Anyway
Apr. 18, 2023 at 11:06 a.m.
#24
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Quoting: jonh514
Can the Rangers afford everyone they need to re-sign?

I'd be happy if the Habs sign Tarasenko as a UFA on a 3 year deal instead. Doubt he'd be interested in MTL though, but it seems he's fit right in with the NYR. No way you sign Miller, Laf, Tarasenko and a few other role players this offseason.

Anyway


Rangers have limited cap space for sure, but not signing a 21 year old that is relatively cheap isn't the answer. Tarasenko was always just a rental. Kane on the other hand may choose to stay since NYC is where he wants to be. If Drury needs cap room, it will be Goodrow that gets traded, not Laffy.
Apr. 18, 2023 at 12:25 p.m.
#25
GM
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Quoting: jonh514
Habs fans are so impatient. Half of them want to give up on Slafkovsky after 1 season as an 18 year old. Let's see where he's at at 21-22. I expect great things!


Just because of McDavid, and Austen Matthews everything that isn't pouring up points directly is a bust. Not all 1OA is equal. cool
 
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