So youve not listened to anything hughes has said since being hired because there is 0 chance he adds TWO badly undersized forwards to the group.

Guhle and a 1st for Rossi feels like an overpay, even with Armia as a cap dump in there

This is probably Marchessault's last big contract, so any team willing to offer more term than 3 years will probably win out on overall contract value despite your high AAV offer. Who knows, maybe he wants to go home and will take a contract with overall less value to do so, but I'd err on the side of more term at lower AAV if you really want to snag him on the free market (e.g., 4x5.5m).

True, but they’re also ALL young & unproven
I don’t see the Sabres making a deal like this

Also don’t think we target Dvorak

Just because the Sabres have a surplus, doesn't mean theyre throwing away prospects for free

Would you rank them like this?

Levi
UPL
Ratzlaff
Leinonen

It’s hard to rank them, bc young goalies are hard to project
BUT
In order of most likely to be our “franchise goalie” I’d say:

1A- Levi (showing promise but young & inconsistent)
1B- UPL (took a huge leap forward this year & currently our #1)
In a nutshell, UPL has surpassed Levi this season, but he only has 1 season of superior play- so Levi is still assumed to have the higher upside for the moment.
UPL has been GREAT after a rocky start this year though,
so if he repeats this year again next season then he’ll jump to the “1A” slot

Way too soon to say on the other 2, but from what I’ve read & their stats, I’d say they’re in the same tier at the moment
Still years away from finding out about either

Maybe Matheson/Xhekaj/Harris and the WPG 1st, could even use the CGY 2025 1st instead. Guhle is pretty much untouchable

Who knows what will drive Marchessault to make his decision, but I think this offer needs more AAV or term. As standing 6.5M in Montreal is less than 5.5M in Vegas and I don't think he wants just 5.5 from the Knights

Dang. Thats the first offer for Rossi I have seen that I think the Wild would actually accept. Guhle is a beast. I would hate to give up Marco, but getting back a top pair defenseman and a 1st is a pretty great return.

Yes, and I wouldn't trade Ratzlaff here. If they did this trade I would use Leinonen. Dvorak was half way decent before he went to Montreal.

Just to be clear Marchessault is not from Montréal, he is from Québec city. He was born, grew up and even played Q there until he was 21. I say all this because I find too many people just assume that if a player is from the province of Québec that they will automatically be willing to live and play in Montréal which I’m sorry to tell everyone, is not the case. I’m not saying he won’t sign with the Habs just that I don’t see Montreal having the inside track due to location.

Yes

wouldn't even do Guhle for Rossi 1 for 1.... swap to Boldy (granted Habs would have to add in that case) and I'll be ok with letting Guhle go.

Guhle would be a perfect defense partner for Faber... and Boldy is exactly what MTL is looking for.