OffThePost.org

Marty St. Louis is here another three years. His good pal Stamkos is a UFA. Tampa Bay might have to move on from their captain for cap reasons. It sounds completely crazy, but do the Habs look at Stamkos this offseason? There's one thing to sign some old declining guy in his 30s, but Stammer is Stammer, and guys like Stammer typically don't want to come here, but he might.

_________________

The Zegras to Montreal rumours are so hot right now even The Athletic talked to Trevor about it. Verbeek said in his end-of-season presser that he wants a top 6 RW and a top 4 RHD this offseason, so in that regard the Habs probably aren't the greatest fit. But Montreal has two first-rounders to potentially move (the Monahan ones), so maybe a three-way swap like the Romanov-Dach deal can be pulled off.

If you believe where there's smoke, there's fire, this situation is at least a three-alarm.

_________________

Now that Tampa is out in the first round for a second consecutive season, the Stamkos UFA rumours will only get louder. He stayed on the ice longer than his teammates, so you get the sense this is the end for him in TBay. I've seen some Habs fans say Stammer isn't a fit/doesn't fit the timeline, but players like him don't hit the market often, especially ones the Habs have an "in" on. Maybe he doesn't fit, but you make him fit.

_________________

He's mostly a right-shot left wing these days. Certainly could help the power play, though I would be concerned if he bumped Caufield out of his spot there.

Great article by Arpon in the Athletic today about Montreal's "competitive window." Key quote:



That means the Habs will be looking to win Cup #25 in the last three years of Suzuki and Caufield's contracts. So lots of time to keep building, but I think to make that goal, they have to get out of the cellar next season and at least play some games with playoff implications.

_________________

Weird narrative going around that the Habs "lost" the Lehkonen trade.

Had they kept him, they'd be paying a forward 5M to score zero playoff goals, since they still wouldn't make the playoffs with him. The second round pick they got they haven't even used yet (2024 pick) and Barron is a 22 year old defenceman who hasn't played 100 games yet.

Colorado got what they wanted in Lehk, but that doesn't mean the Habs lost.

_________________

I can see why people would think that given how awesome Lehky is, especially in the postseason. Dude just knows what needs to be done. But Barron should be a legit top-four option, it just takes a bit for defensive prospects to get their footing.

Sadly if the Avs gotta shave $4 million off the roster, losing him is probably the best option. I'm absolutely against it but they'll have to do something once Toews' massive extension kicks in.

The Montreal Canadiens will pick fifth overall in the 2024 draft. Good outcome, the likeliest scenarios were dropping to 6th or 7th.

This means they'll all but get their 3rd favourite forward on their list after Macklin and Demidov. I think it's Tij Iginla, but we shall see.

Edit: The mood seems to be the Habs can trade down if Columbus takes Lindstrom at 4. Montreal can grab more assets and still potentially get Catton/Sennecke/Iginla/Connelly etc. in the teens.

_________________