No

Because?

Ahhhhh... Pulling some strings here I see... It's hard to say yes, but it's also hard to say no, me personally, I'd say no

Can Barron run our powerplay?

I would want the Habs to do it if it was on the table. PPG defensemen in the playoffs do not grow on trees!

Not sure. He's not bad... But he's a work in progress.

To be honest, it's that draft pick that pulls me to almost saying yes to the trade, but losing Bouchard is what makes me say no, Bouchard is too valuable for the Powerplay on the team

I don't think the value is off by a ton but circumstance dictates that Edmonton says no.

Bouchard is a more active piece in helping Edmonton win a cup in the next few seasons. Barron might be able to hang with bottom-pairing minutes this season and of the options available at #5 that MIGHT be able to be injected into the NHL immediately, Edmonton would be virtually boxed into taking Zach Benson. I don't think there's a sweeping discrepancy to what Benson or Holloway would be able to do in terms of production next season (later in their careers absolutely Benson > Holloway) which doesn't really support the trade-off IMO.

It's a damn interesting proposition but I think if Bouchard stays long-term, Edmonton is best suited keeping their powder dry here.

I view Barron as a two way Defenseman With more of a defensive game in his tool box, he's not bad, but he's also not the answer, not right now anyways

He would cook.

I wonder if Bouchard looks towards on offer sheet though. One of the things I like about this deal is, you don't have the cap space to sign him long term, but he has earned that long term deal. Is he really gonna be ok with a bridge?

Benson is probably gonna fall, and he's probably gonna the steal of the draft in the redraft. If the current Habs weren't so damn small, I would want the Habs to draft him.

I would not do this if I were Hughes. Montreal could either get a high scoring forward or Reinbacher at #5 (who could be close to Bouchard). Yes, Bouchard is a RHD and had 0.5 ppg, but that was on the Oilers team that scored at will, especially on the power play ( I am aware that Tyson Barrie played on the first unit power play for most of the year until the Ekholm trade, which is when Bouchard got the bump).

Then the trade is giving up Barron for Holloway and pick #56. Holloway was on pace for 15 points on a team with Connor and Leon. That's not great. I know he played well with Caufield in Wisconsin, but still.

I believe Hughes would take a lot of heat for trading #5 and not getting a more identifiable star back.

Depends on the flavour of the bridge. I'm partial to a one-year deal to capitalize on the cap going up next year. I can't see the young man opposing a single year deal.

A big offersheet probably sees Bouchard cash a $42M/7y contract. He'll of a lot of money. But I think Edmonton could likely afford $56M/8y the following year. Is ones loyalty worth $14M? I'd think so.

Hey KM, appreciate your perspective! I would counter your point by saying 0.5ppg in the regular season, true, but 26 points in 28 playoff games (17 in 12 this year). When you look at that compared to a player like Lafreniere for example, it's a pretty stark contrast.

Some players get you TO the playoffs, and some players get you THROUGH the playoffs. Bouchard does both, and I am convinced he can do more in the regular season given an increased role.

If you made this deal and he hits 60 points in each of the next 8 years, do you think any Habs fan feels sore about it?

I want to be clear that I don't believe in offer sheets really. GMs would need to make good trade offers before going down that route. I have offered a trade here that "if turned down" the Oilers GM could not be too mad if his player signed an offer sheet. This is a deal that values the player fairly and gives a return that Holland can sell to the fan base.

Anyway, I think Bouchard is way better than Reinbacher and anyone who sees things differently is really grasping at straws.

Yeah, 60 points per year is a lot better. (It goes without saying). Then it would depend what the other pieces do. It’s an interesting proposal.