MTL can't retain on 3 contracts, they only have 1 retention spot left. You're also well short on value here.

Xhejak = late 1st
Monahan = late 1st
Monty retained = 2nd

Taking ob Cambpells contract = 3 first round picks or equivalent prospects

So you're still short on value coming back to MTL

If I'm the Habs I seriously consider that offer. I would ask that you replace Fanti and one of the 2nds with Holloway. You aren't dressing him anyway. Then I think the deal makes sense.

If I'm the Habs, I don't mind paying Campbell to play in Laval and be a callup in case of injury. Considering how excited I am to see Mesar, Beck, Hutson turn pro, I can't help thinking that if we pick one guy with those picks who turns out to be as good as any of those, we are OK. In this case we get 4 chances and could pickup 4 good players.

Habs can't and won't do that trade, we are already retaining on Petry and Edmundson therefore we can only retain on 1 more player this year, that's why we can't. Why we won't is cause our players already have enough value that we won't retain unless we get a premium back, this isn't that since the breakdown is as follows

Campbell costs 2024 1st + Bourgault to dump
Monahan without retention will cost a 1st + 3rd or B prospect adding retention brings that to a 2nd
Montembault costs a 2nd without retention, with retention it brings it to probably something like 2nd +3rd or 2 2nds
Xhekaj costs a 2nd without retention and similar to Monty you add a 2nd or 3rd for retention.

However whether you agree with that assessment the Habs aren't looking to trade these players, want to be in the playoff chase down the stretch and are reportedly working on an extension for Monty and considering extending Monahan, therefore unless you meet our price we will just keep those players

Canes pass.

Would take a lot more than that for the Canes to trade Pesce

I know it was already mentioned, but Habs only have 1 retention left.

Precedent was set with the Marleau trade. Canes got a 1st for taking on a contract with 1 year left. The price will be hefty for a contract with 4 years left. I don't think two 1st rounders is out of the question.

History would suggest that, if he can stay healthy, the Habs could get a 1st+ for Monahan.

Montembeault is tougher to predict. It depends if an extension is part of it. Assuming it is, my guess is that you're looking at a 2nd rounder (maybe more since it's likely a late 2nd).

First of all, I don't think the Habs have any interest in trading Arber. No need for that. Now, some will disagree, but I think Xhekaj is also fetching a 1st. He's 22 and under team control for a while. He is exactly what a few teams are missing. Toughness without sacrificing skill. He can play. Since he's entered the league, he's top 50 in Goals/60 and has a higher Pts/60 than guys like Doughty, Romanov, Ekblad, McDonagh, Parayko. He's a good fighter and hitter, but I think underrated as an overall player.

So the summary as I see it:

Taking on Campbell: Two Firsts
Monahan: 1st
Xhekaj: late 1st
Montembeault: 2nd

I don't think Oilers do that, and I don't think MTL moves Xhekaj. But who knows. Crazier things have happened, especially when teams are in panic mode.

summed it up perfectly

I would argue that the cap being frozen has contributed to the value of cap space. With the cap set to rise by 8.5M over 2 years, there will be less scarcity and so the price to acquire cap relief "should" come down.

Retaining half a million (on top of not having enough retention spot) is just silly. Just dump Foegele.