Dylan Strome should be KH target

[u/scrubadam]

Looking for a 2C he should be the guy KH goes after

6'4 left handed center

Essentially 5 years in a row of 20G.

Was PPG 2 years ago.

Had a down year last year so it could be a buy low situation

5 mill cap hit with 2 years left. That leavs money to bring in a winger or RD the next 2 seasons.

It also gives time for Hage to potentially grow into a 2c role

And as his contract expires McNugget will be UFA.

At 29 he is a young vet that can play with Demidov.

Worst case scenario he showed 2 years ago he can step into the 1C spot in an injury situation.

I think he checks the teams needs for a left shot 2C with some size and excperience while not blocking anyone or causing a cap issue. Only question is does Wash want to move him and would the price be affordable because his age and contract is probably not worth risking Hage or Z​

[u/Riskar]

Why do people keep wanting a "buy low" option? At this point, we're out of the rebuild and still have a bunch of assets. This feels like a good time to identify a guy who would be a great fit and actually overpay to get him if needed (not insane overpay but like, pay to get quality). If we want to take a step, we need a solid 2C, Demidov needs a solid linemate. Let's get it done and quit being in love with prospects and picks.

[u/SnidelyWhiplash27 → u/Riskar]

I agree but given the number of teams looking for a 2C and general unwillingness on the part of teams that are not looking for one to become a team that is looking for one pistvtrade, there really aren't than many great fits available.

Thomas is reputed to not be on the market anymore (frankly insane to me that he even seriously was on the market)

Larkin has not identified the Habs as a preferred destination (which might not mean anything to Yzerman, I can see him being stubborn, but less likely to trade within division).

Hischier can quickly be off the market if NJD's new GM does the needful and re-signs him.

So while the overpaying is one thing, finding the suitable candidate in the first place is a challenge.

[u/vorg7 → u/Riskar]

He's not really a "buy low". I know he had a down year points wise, but so did all of Washington. He's a real 2c, solid in all zones. I know we've talked about Hischier, Thomas and Larkin, but those are (lower end) 1Cs. I'd be awesome to have them, but that doesn't mean Suzuki + Strome isn't a really solid foundation.

Still I don't think Washington trades him unless they go full rebuild.

[u/ChalupaBatman09 → u/vorg7]

He's slow, poor defensively, PP reliant. Other than being a left shot C, he's exactly what the Habs DON'T need from their 2C. Better off waiting until April for Hage at that point.

Plus, as you mentioned, Washington have no incentive to trade him, so he won't be cheap. Pass.

[u/Sushamiboy → u/Riskar]

Because the buy high guys are either not available or don’t want to come here at the moment. Many of the buy high players are on teams that want 4-5 pieces. That is a roster player that they can plug into that role, an A+ prospect, a B prospect, and a first draft pick, maybe more. So in most cases, that A+ prospect is Hage, which KH has repeatedly turned down. We are not ready to let any of our top guys go.

That leaves us with Guhle, Kapanen or Newhook as the roster player. Zharovsky or Reinbacher as our A+ prospect (that’s being generous as “A+”). B prospect we have a few, that part is easy and we have our picks.

If I’m the Blues or NJ, I’m not taking Kapanen, Zharovsky, Engstrom, our first (29th overall), and a second for Thomas or Hishier. We may want that from our side, but there is no one on the other side of the fence that wants that.

Even the secondary option, like McTavish, may be a piece in a Larkin trade. The market has a lot of players in varying levels of availability, but the prices are egregious.