why would the wild do that they might as well make the pick and strengthen their prospect pool especially considering they aren't looking to compete this year.

This is at the TDL. I think they do want to compete in 2024-25. They have the players for it.

To be honest if not for their cap issues, they should be in the playoffs this year.

While I agree MTL should explore trading Matheson, I don't think Minnesota would be willing to trade a top 10 pick for 2 years of Matheson before he is UFA... as you said they have cap issues adding $5M even if Matheson is worth that would be challenging.

I like the idea of moving up in the draft. I think the Wild would need more in order to do this though. Maybe add Mesar????

Depends on how they see their team. Are they rebuilding? Are they ready to compete?

If I have their core 5 players (EK, Kaprizov, Boldy, Rossi, Faber) on the Habs, I would not be looking to the draft to strengthen my team, but the trade and UFA market. That is a heck of a young core. They need some good vets around.

I like the idea
With 2 top 10 ish habs could get guys like barkly catton and Tij iginla

Mathesson and first it's very expensive

I think those are great targets!

I am not moving Mesar, but I get the idea. I think Mesar will go much higher in the redraft 3 years from now.

Between Roy, Farrell, and Mesar, I see Mesar as the only top 6 forward (the others are middle 6)

Shouldn't the Habs be giving their players and fans "hope" for next year. By trading NHLers for possible NHLers just extend a non playoff streak.

I wanted the Habs to keep Monahan and add a player like Hertl or Lindholm.

Now it's pretty clear that if they can be healthier, the Habs will be equivalent next year to this year or even worse. They need to wait for their kids to mature. Might ask well go fishing for a few more kids. Habs are gonna be a bottom 3 team in 2025 if they do this and maybe they pickup a Michael Misa.

There are other forwards turned D that the Wild can look to sign that doesnt cost a 1st round pick.

While this would be a very typical short-sighted move for the two-headed idiot team of owner Craig Leipold and GM Bill Guerin…they would prove to be even dumber to make this myopic move!!

Minnesota is currently in the top 10, They're not making the playoffs. So i doubt they have any interest in Matheson.

1. We aren't trading out of the top 10 when we've only been there 8 times ever and twice since 2011. While this isn't an amazing draft, we'll get a much better chance to improve our pipeline in the top 10 than we will with Winnipeg's pick. We need that high draft pick.

2. We can't take that type of money on next year. That's nearly half our cap space with just 14 players on the roster. The only reason we can function this year is because Spurgeon is on LTIR.

OIC. 1 more year of cap hell for you guys and then you can rise like a Pheonix!

I agree in your situation, you need to wait 1 more year before acquiring players, so keeping your pick makes sense!