Untouchables..

Xhekaj isnt being traded.
Going to the game last night and seeing the jerseys. I was just reinforced in my belief that he's a solution not a scapegoat or means to an end going forward.

I truly doubt Hughes pulls off a Bergevin power move ala Subban. This team needs fan favourites otherwise tickets sales will plummet eventually even with a waiting list because this team aint close to competing for a playoff spot and the fan base will become apathetic much like the Buffalo Sabres whom have half a building, a lot of nights!
That Sabres team is soft as butter, they got manhandled by the Ducks after coming home watching the game last night at the Bell Centre.
The Sabres are absolutely a heartless group that got outshot 19-2 in the 2nd period vs an AHL caliber Ducks roster with a rookies leading the way at center, on defence in Zellweger and Carlsson.

DO NOT BECOME THE SABRES AT ALL COSTS.

Struble is simply the perfect bottom pair D, same as Kovacevic.
There is no rush to trade either as their pedigree wont allow them to seek much return. Both are physical, needed presences that can take the load of guys like Guhle, Reinbacher playing pk.

That leaves Barron, Harris as the clear trade chips. Barron offense and pedigree along with handiness makes him attractive but he hasnt fit on a team looking for a identity and with Guhle playing the right side, he's become redundant with Mailloux's physical potential being greater than Barron and you have the rock solid options of Guhle/Reinbacher on the right not to mention the Russians coming around 2026.

Savard's leadership right now is needed. You don't deal him unless a team targets him with a big offer. That offer is bigger than a late 1st.
I'm talking at least the same the Bolts paid with a 1st plus 3rd but preferably an B+ prospect. He's only making 3.5M for top pair shutdown D that blocks everything in sight. His blocks blow every defender in the league away per game and he's contributing offensively at a better rate than ever higher than guys like a RHD such as Liljegren in Toronto whos suppose to be this great puck mover in transition according to Leafs fans.

Evans simply has zero offense and can probably be had for less. Edmonton would probably offer a 4th, let's say.

Dvorak despite the broken narrative he's a cap dump here BUT with a year of term @4.45M with strong center play with a flair for offense on the PP in the bumper and young enough to contribute, will easily be in demand. The Hawks signed an older Jason Dickinson to a long term contract at the same AAV so Hawks fans and other trolls can get bent with that current cap reality.

Monahan and savard aren’t gonna return 1sts

Says random guy on the internet with zero evidence. Same as Chiarot and Lehkonen in 2022, huh?!?
It's called opportunity cost. There are very few sellers with desirable assets. Supply/demand. And it only takes one team to offer the right price. Whether you believe 1sts are worth McDavid prices or Goodrow prices. It doesnt matter because some GMs will offer a Tanner Jeannot return. It takes one team not 31 other teams to make 1 offer.
That is simple.

When it's all said and done, #GoHabsGo should end up with 2 first-round picks for Sean Monahan. One to take him from #Flames, another one back for his play now.Deep dive on the state of Monahan's game, potential suitors and recent trade comps.Link: https://t.co/FikRdh4m54 pic.twitter.com/AX5vBzeViC

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 22, 2024

I understand OP put any team, but also mentioned in that Frank article was how his foot speed is an issue. Therefore he would not be a match for the Avs. It's why RyJo is an issue.

Good for the Avs but there are 30 other teams so even in that argument whether correct or not, Monahan is definitely going for a 1st plus. No one cares about his foot speed. He aint McDavid, he's a complementary piece. That is such a non sequitur argument that shouldnt even be acknowledged. Its so obvious at this point when you have legit insiders like Seravalli whom predicted the Chiarot return and not lets say Eklund, that denying it, well, is getting to be triggering for Habs fans. And, borderline trolling especially when you are nit picking one simple statement in an entire argument. Its dishonest arguing and typical from a lot of you Avs fans atm that gush about 5on5 numbers yet you will all have nothing to say when he gets traded like a certain Finnish top6.

Foot speed might not matter to the Habs, but it is for cup contenders. It's how the Avs and multiple other playoff teams run their system, it won them their cup. Every player needs to be able to keep up( and provide more if you're spending a 1st on them). Mona does not PK and he is not a 1st pp guy outside of the Habs. Good luck getting a 1st for him. No troll, its just water under the bridge.
Edit: you can't say no one cares about foot speed, the guy you quoted stated it as an issue

All in sur Reinhart oh yah...
11 millions c'est overpay clairement, mais still c'est the one.
good job j'adore

I really like your comments. But you don’t answer clearly. Who is your top 6?

IMO
Guhle Reinbacher (lock)
Xhekaj Mailloux
Hutson Struble
(Kovacevic or Engstrom or Trudeau)

But I’m really not sure if Xhekaj and Mailloux could play top 4. And no others D prove us they can be top 4. Kent Hugues has to bet on what he believes.

Struble has the most top 4 potential currently (imo). I would put it between him and Hutson for the 2nd pair eventually.
The question is whether Hutson is closer to a Makar or a Barrie. (Assuming he proves NHL capable.)
If it's the former Struble becomes expendable (depending on how the right side works out) as long as Xhekaj is at least a strong 3rd pairing guy.

Barron is still in the picture on the right side. Petry didn't even reach the NHL until he was 23 and had a few ups and downs before becoming a significant contributor in Montreal. Barron is a few years ahead and the hope would be that he can be just a little better but much sooner. He's a few years away from being a 20+ minute player that can help on the power play. The temptation to trade him before he reaches that point has to be avoided. Even if he eventually busts.
Reinbacher will of course be given every opportunity and hopefully establish himself on the top pairing. At a minimum we need him to be top 4.
That leaves Mailloux as the only real competition with Barron for a top 4 role and PP pointman. They will overlap though they have different strengths, but there is room for both.

Kovacevic is the other one worth mentioning. I'd be very much on board with keeping him, and even trying him in a 2nd pairing role post Savard. Everyone on the right side of our defense still has developing to do, and while Kovacevic doesn't have a lot of NHL experience either, he has been playing at the professional level longer and he's stable enough to take tough minutes to lessen the burden on the others' development. If he can't handle that additional load, he's still a good option for the rotation to give the others some breathing room.

Ideal final picture looks like:

Guhle - Barron
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Struble / Kovacevic: Eventually replaced, but there's still value in keeping them for now. If someone doesn't work out as expected, they would slot back in until the next challengers emerge.