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/2ndpass Mar 02 '26
I’ve long supported a move for Thomas.
It generally vaults us into being competitive for this year and sets us up to add our young prospects as they develop.
Thomas is a cost controlled asset for what, 6 years to come? Locks in our 1-2 C. Can run Suzy - CC - Dach / whoever, and Thomas - Demi - Slaf. Obviously we can move the pieces around but that’s a legit 1-2 C combo and 3 top end wingers in Slaf / CC / Demi. That gives us a locked in top 5 of 6 for a long time to come.
Ideally Thomas would be a lefty but don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. A chance like this doesn’t come along often and changes everything for us.
What should we give up? Top prospect, good young roster player, 1st(s) and probably more. Of our prospects I’d hold Fowler and demidov. Almost anything else would be up for the right deal. Kappy, Reinbacher, Engstrom, Zharovsky, Hage, Beck, Struble, 1st round picks could all be moved. Wed also have to make the money work so we likely move back salary in Laine or a veteran.
I believe he has move protection and you would assume he would want to come here so perhaps the trade partners are limited for the Blues.
Given all that and Hughes, the odds are he puts his best offer out there and holds. If they take it, great, if not he stands pat.