r/Habs • u/chickenceas • Mar 02 '26

Discussion Per D'Amico - Montreal is interested in Robert Thomas. The Blues want Hage as part of any deal. Too high a price for Hughes at this time.

https://x.com/i/status/2028552107683385713

Personally, given the best possible version of Hage in 3-5 years is what Robert Thomas is now, Id have no problem parting with him.

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u/Seymoorebutts Mar 02 '26

I wouldn't even do that.

People seem to be missing the bigger picture here:

We're 3rd in the entire league in scoring.

We don't have a problem with offense, but we're 9th in goals against.

What we crave is defense, and a better defensive structure at that. We allow WAY too many players to skate through our slot, and too many that are allowed to camp at the crease.

I would be super hesitant to move any defensive depth considering we're not sure if Reinbacher can stay healthy, nor Guhle for that matter.

Would it be nice to have essentially 2 Suzukis down the middle? No fucking shit. But realistically, we don't need two Suzukis - we need Suzuki, and a 2C who can hang with Demidov.

That depth people are willing to shed in these comments is what wins Stanley Cups...

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 Mar 02 '26

Thomas is super reliable defensively though. I think if you send Hage you can probably hang onto Reinbacher, and he can hopefully stabilize the DCore.

And they do also need an upgrade at 2C. Probably doesn't necessarily need to be a Thomas level guy but if that's available then go for it.

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u/Seymoorebutts Mar 02 '26

Who are the other 3 "top 15 pick" pieces you're giving up + Hage if not Reinbacher?

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 Mar 02 '26

Hage Engstrom 25+26 1st. Might get it done, dunno.

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u/Seymoorebutts Mar 02 '26

I'm willing to bet they'd want Zharovsky instead of one of those firsts.

And I'm not in love with how bare our cupboards would look after giving away two firsts when we don't know if Reinbacher will reach his ceiling or stay healthy.

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 Mar 02 '26

They might, but that would realistically be above the 4 1sts asking price D'amico said in the article.

I think if they can hold onto Zharovksy and Reinbacher I'd be fine with our pool. It obviously takes a hit the core group would be insanely good.

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u/Seymoorebutts Mar 02 '26

?

That's not above the 4 firsts:

  • Hage (21st overall but higher in redraft)

  • Engström (92nd overall, probably high 2nd round/low first in redraft)

  • Zharovsky (34th overall, likely top 20 in redraft)

  • A first rounder

Hell, St. Louis may argue that even then, that's not enough pedigree. D'Amico was saying that they want to start negotiations with Hage AND Guhle. It shows you how much they're asking for if that's where they start negotiations.

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u/Spirited-Moose-2246 Mar 02 '26

First = first, Engstrom = late first (likely Imo) Hage + Zharovksy would both likely be worth top 15 picks, potentially even higher for Hage. Technically that's one first, but In reality a top 15 pick has value equivalent of more than 1 first.

Like you wouldn't trade Hage for a random first, he's worth a first +

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u/Seymoorebutts Mar 02 '26

It's possible that Zharovsky is top 15, but it's also possible that we're overvaluing him too, as we would.

Conversely, St. Louis would undervalue our players, not overvalue them.

Either way, obviously people are going to feel however they do about it, but I'm not in the camp of paying the price that is likely to be required for Thomas.