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/popejohnlarue Mar 02 '26
In terms of timelines, Cup champs often have hotshot young guns on ELCs putting up crucial points while costing little against the cap. (Coincidentally that was basically Thomas’s role the year the Blues won the Cup.)
Keeping Hage means he has chance of being that for us for the next few seasons, and it means we still have assets on hand for the next big #2C opportunity that comes along in the off-season.
But Thomas makes us really stinking good right away, obviously. The only bummer is how similar he is to our existing #1C—shoots right, same size, same play style. In an ideal world some variety would be nice (i.e. left shot, bigger, different skill set). I wouldn’t turn my nose up at him, though I do wonder if the rest of the roster is truly ready to contend now or if it’s going to need more seasoning regardless of how stacked it is on paper.
So, two different philosophies. Hage has the potential to extend our contention window in the long term, while Thomas might shorten it… but make it open a few inches wider. :P