u/fortytwoanswers

Offseason trade rumours aren’t over… what’s your package for Marchenko? I think it’s gonna be something huge, something like Guhle, Zharovsky, 2 firsts, with Marchenko signed long term at 8x11M AAV

Losing Letowski sucks but Lalonde is a good move by Gorton/Hughes. He has experience, won two cups with Tampa, exactly what a young coach like MSL needs. And all love to MSL but we know the defensive side/PK isn’t his strongest, great idea to hire a defensive specialist. Leafs were brutal last year but still finished 8th in the league on the PK at 81.2%, which Lalonde was in charge of. Habs finished 18th at 78.2% — hopefully he can help here too. Love this addition to the staff.

With the Tkachuk news, I’m convinced Kent will take a swing of some sort for the top six. Pettersson has some huge red flags, but could be an answer that doesn’t cost Hage/Zharovsky/Reino and may be a good fit for this team.

He was on a 55+ pt pace on a brutal Vancouver team, is solid defensively, blocked the most shots in the league for centers last years with 108 (!), and Ryan Johnson is apparently willing to retain some salary. Pettersson at 8.5-9.5M AAV suddenly doesn’t look so horrible with the rising cap, he could definitely find his way back to 30+ goals/PPG with Demidov feeding him (and eventually Hage on his left?).

He’s only 27, fits the age group, and won’t have to be The Guy in Montréal, which may help with the whole media side of things that bothered him in Vancouver. If ever a locker room and leadership group could support a highly skilled guy’s comeback arc, it’s ours. Laine is an example of this team, coaching staff, and management group being good at the mental side of things.

Finally, we all know the Gally-Vancouver connection. Could that trade be something bigger? Just throwing this out there, idk what Vancouver would necessarily ask for but the framework of a trade could be:

VAN gets:

- Gallagher
- some combo of Engström/Pickford/Beck tier prospects
- 2026 1st, other picks if needed?

MTL gets:

- Pettersson (22-25% retained, ~8.7-9.05M AAV)

Who says no?

One thing is clear to me from last night - as compared to the Sabres top-6, we are severely lacking. All respect to Evans but we all know he’s not a 2C. Dach, on the other hand, has been amazing lately. I would love to see him with Demidov to try and get Demi some space and linemates to cook with offensively:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slaf

Bolduc-Dach-Demidov

If there are concerns about defense, change Bolduc for Slaf and put Andy on the top-line. Newhook also an option on the wing, same with Texier. Need some offensive balance in the top-6 next game!