By Discreet Expert of the Montreal Canadiens
I decided to take out my pen to create a balance between the podcasts which want to see the CH remain in reconstruction for the next 34 years and the sites which throw out transaction rumors everywhere.
It would still be surprising if the CH stripped down for Martin Necas, Trevor Zegras or Patrik Laine, but I admit that it makes for good topics of discussion.
Martin Necas has just had a less productive season than Jonathan Drouin
I love the Sortie de zone podcast presented by La Presse and 98.5, I am the most avid listener in my opinion. I fell in my heels when Antoine Roussel said over and over again that he would trade Cole Caufield for Martin Necas.
Summary of our experts’ offers for Martin Necas:
- Alain Crête: Michael Matheson and more
- Jean-Charles Lajoie: Arber Xhekaj and the 26th overall pick
- Jean-François Baril: 5th overall
- Antoine Roussel as Cole Caufield
- Marc-Olivier Beaudoin: Mike Matheson and 26th overall
“The grass is always greener in the neighbor’s garden” – Tale of Alphonse Daudet, 1887
In my studies in psychology, I quickly learned the concept of upward social comparison… In summary, human beings tend to think that everything is better next door… without remembering that appearances are always deceptive.
Jonathan Drouin: 56 points in 79 games +12
Martin Necas: 53 points in 77 games -9
Did you fall on your skull? Do you watch Carolina games???? Here, I purposely brought out Drouin. The two comparable play for league powers and don’t necessarily have access to TOP-3 minutes when everyone is healthy. You’re talking about Martin Necas way too much… for some reason I don’t understand, other than creating content (whatever I’m doing)… I’m keeping quiet.
Simple solution from the discreet expert: We don’t touch anything, we fish and our healthy finances will one day benefit us to keep our young people or attack the UFA.
I even heard that Necas and his father would like $8.8 million per year.
Mike Matheson is the National Hockey League’s best bargain
I’ve never relied on advanced statistics because it’s too complicated to decipher and I have to have several careers in addition to being a Montreal Canadiens expert. I have to say that everything I need in terms of statistics is in my Journal de Montréal. Goal, pass, more or less, let’s stay on base.
That’s why I opened my cell phone when I started reading proposed trades for Mike Matheson. We absolutely must keep it and here is my plea:
- Quinn Hughes: 92 points for 7.8 million = $84,000 per point
- Cale Makar: 90 points for 9.0 million = $100,000 point
- Erik Karlsson: 56 points for 11.5 million = $205,000 per point
- Mike Matheson: 62 points for 4.8 million = $78,000 per point
All this, without Elias Peterson, Nathan MacKinnon or Sidney Crosby.
The numbers speak for themselves, Mike Matheson is the most attractive bargain in the National League currently. When there’s a discount at the grocery store, it’s time to buy, not sell. I buy the idea of keeping Mike Matheson, he speaks French and wants to stay in Montreal. Lane Hutson has never played more than 39 games in his career… And removing the quarterback from our team would be dramatic for Suzuki/Caufield/Slafkovsky’s production.
We need to clean up our defense
I hear – and I believe wrongly – people say that the CH is “loaded” at the blue line and I do not agree with this statement at all.
A serious team aspiring to the Stanley Cup cannot have Jordan Harris/Jonhathan Kovacevic/Justin Barron/Jayden Struble on its starting six at the same time. And I won’t have you believe that Harris is a solid base to get a prospect from another club by grafting a 3rd round pick. The quartet named above will be defeated by David Reinbacher/Lane Hutson/Logan Mailloux/Adam Engstrom.
As this is probably the last year of our reconstruction… we will have to get back to winning and dream one day… at least before I die. We must ensure that precious ice time is given to those who are part of the solution, even if it means getting rid of certain contracts in the draft or even on waivers.
My prediction for the opening match:
- Mike Matheson – Logan Mailloux
- Lane Hutson – David Savard
- Jayden Struble – Justin Barron
It doesn’t cost much, we develop youth and we give Justin Barron one last chance… A fascinating former first round pick who will be able to flourish on the second unit of the powerplay.
I know… Where is Arber Xhekaj, halfway between the infirmary and the starting lineup? Justin Barron and Johnathan Kovacevic did not survive the Montreal summer.
Sorry Mathias, there will be no splash
I’ll make you smile, but the Montreal Canadiens don’t have the means to spend on free agents. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook are currently underpaid, Juraj Slafkovsky is already threatening the CH salary structure and Kaiden Guhle will soon go to the bank. Don’t forget that the 2024-2025 season will be one to see if Cayden Primeau or Samuel Montembeault can compete for the role of first goalie. The money will be used to keep everyone, pay for a goalkeeper and when the time is right, sign a superstar on July 1st. Doing it now would be pointless, we are still too far from a first-tier team.
The truth is hard to hear, the CH is not 1-2 players away from being a team that can compete with the Panthers or the Oilers. I would rather say that we should be able to eliminate two contracts (Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher) and bring in a No1 center, a No1 defender and a No1 goalkeeper.
In the meantime, who will we draft on June 28?
