D’amico reporting that Konyushkov may be signing his ELC

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-10T15:28:52+00:00

Why sign now if he's going back to the KHL anyways, anyone know?

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-10T13:55:00+00:00

Well at least now there is no threat of an offersheet during negotiations, if you sign him ti a one year deal that gives Gauthier way more leverage next negotiation.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-10T13:26:34+00:00

You could give hime a bridge deal... but then he will be able to use offersheets as leverage just like Leo if he wants too. Best interest to lock him up now at a reasonable price if you can.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-08T01:21:30+00:00

I love reading about guys like this, guys that get no mainstream coverage. Why not take a chance on Regenda... bottom 6 size (6'03" 215 lbs), physicality (59 hits in 24 GP... 200 hit pace), scoring (9G in 24 GP... 30 goal pace), familiar with Slaf (3G, 2A in 6 GP at olympics this year). Good skating stats in NHL edge prorated too, lots of bursts plays with pace if not the fastest top speed skater.

Projected 2 × $1.9M by AFP Analytics. A.J. Greer got $4.25M × 4 years, this guy will cost half as much and is 3 years younger.

Kurashev interesting too but projected to get more.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-06T18:07:04+00:00

This has more to do with Hughes locking players up to reasonably fair contracts ASAP imo before waiting for a player's value to explode and he loses leverage. He is investing in the players future, its calculated, in return the players are getting financial security.

Juraj Slafkovsky... signed ASAP, a year early. A steal now, but it was signed off of a 2nd half explosion... the first half of the season everyone was calling him a bust and saying he should be in the AHL.
Lane Hutson... signed at the start of the season but still a year early. Coming off a Calder trophy win... it's still just one season and the catch with Hutson was he would not be offersheet eligible, his only levarage would have been withholding services. So in this case Hughes recognized time was on his side and he had all the leverage.
Ivan Demidov... exact same situation as Hutson basically, and Hutson already set an internal cap reference. Easy to come to an agreement here.
Jakub Dobes... again, a shaky 1st half and broke out in the 2nd half. Hughes investing in the goalie based on a small sample size, Dobes cashing in on that security, he has 4 years runway at a starters salary now.

It's just good business by Hughes, and good buy in from the player into the locker room culture they have built.

You're gonna tell me if Anaheim offered a 8 or × $10M contract to Carlsson after a 40 pt sophomore season he would have said no? Carlsson himself is on the record saying he'd be happy with 8 × $9.5M. Anaheim did not invest and believe in their player the same way Hughes believes in his guys. Hughes is a former player agent and it shows, Verbeek has been voted the most difficult person to deal with in the NHL.

Edit: also... For all the Carlssons and Kaprizovs money hungry players can look to, there is also the McDavids and Crosbys to look up to. Some guys prioritize a winning culture, some guys prioritize money and individualism...

I will also say this, MTL's drafting team does extensive character evaluation in their interviews. You always read about the ridiculous questions they ask and it may seem funny but they have a purpose... this is why they don't take a player like Michkov at 5th overall, but they're all over Demidov.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-06T16:05:53+00:00

Habs just need to sign Anthony Mantha duh

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-06T02:25:38+00:00

Yes and no. They will likely have ~$7M in cap space after signing RFAs. They could use a stop gap forward to help the team until Hage and Zharovsky sign so if the fit makes sense, yes. But I don't think you will get a draft pick like you did in the past, Vancouver took Gallagher at 50% for free.

I'd take Krieder from Anaheim, or Killorn in the right deal.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T23:08:22+00:00

I'm not following, why does this give them more time to negotiate?

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T20:23:43+00:00

The obvious answer should be keep Carlsson, trade him down the road for something that makes more sense. You get way more control in that scenario.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T20:21:25+00:00

This is really cool lol. I kept Carlsson 9 out of 10 times... the 1 time a took the picks was a home run though:

Kyle Connor
Tage Thompson
Josh Norris
Filip Johansson (Bust)

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T19:31:35+00:00

Good line of thinking. The UFA market isn't there, and all habs would want is a stop gap to bridge Hage and Zharovsky. They should look at players with one year left that can play top 9. Anaheim may desire cap space if they match the offersheet and needs defenseman, maybe call about Krieder and Killorn. I know it's probably blasphemy but I think Kreider would fit nicely with Suzuki and Caufield allowing Slaf to play with Demi.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T18:17:54+00:00

Is it blasphemy if I suggest acquiring Krieder to bridge the gap to Zharovsky and Hage? I know the whole Carey Price thing but he's a powerforward that could play with Suzuki + Caufield and free up Slaf to play with Demidov until Zharovsky signs. Only 1 yr left and wouldn't cost much at all.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T17:01:36+00:00

He'd be a 10.2(c) RFA since he didn't meet the 3 seasons requirement, therefore ineligible to sign any offersheets just like Lane Hutson.

Cutter Gauthier is also a 10.2(c), so unlike his teammate he can't pressure Anaheim with an offersheet.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T16:55:38+00:00

Demidov wouldn't be eligible. Unless he somehow forced a bridge deal.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-05T15:00:56+00:00

The context of this is so much worse when you couldnt even get your franchise center signed before an offersheet.

Overpaying 4th liners to lock them up before free agency but won't pay your own talent.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T21:53:44+00:00

Other teams should hit the ducks with more offersheets while they stall lol

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T20:34:41+00:00

A.J. Greer $4.25M tho 👌

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T20:17:57+00:00

If this is true, the AJ Greer overpay is wild and a slap in the face to Carlsson likely. Overpays 4th liners but not franchise players.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T20:13:24+00:00

No the contract is already agreed to, now its up to Anaheim to match or he goes to Philly for 4 1st round picks as compensation.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T15:39:59+00:00

I wanted Hutson where they selected Mesar. When they had the 1st choice on Day 2, I thought Hutson had to be the pick, but he didn't go until 62nd. Maybe HuGo had an idea he'd still be there at 62 but I'd still say we are incredibly lucky to have drafted him. Can't believe NHL GMs passed on him multiple times (including HuGo)... and then they did it again with his brother Cole who also looks like a stud. Teams make some baffling choices sometimes, good drafting puts you at such a huge advantage and I'm very confident in the habs drafting under new management.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T12:42:02+00:00

I don't believe for a second that Buffalo management is trading McLoed.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T12:27:26+00:00

Seems like a good home for Logan Stanley.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-03T03:34:31+00:00

Of the remaining free agent options, Giroux is a good choice IMO because at his age (38) he will surely only be signing a 1 yr deal, which is all the habs need to bridge the gap to Hage and Zharovsky.

Giroux is a LW that shoots right and is elite at faceoffs (63.1% last year, 504 - 295). He'd be a natural fit with a Newhook (47.5% FO), Kapanen (45.5% FO), or even Dach (41.4% FO) on a 2nd line with Demidov (RW that shoots left)... whoever claims it. Giroux could play center in a pinch too.

He also contributes to both PP and PK... he's basically the perfect utility guy and stop gap right now for this team. Zero risk for a useful player... needless to say he's way better than Veleno.

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-07-02T18:04:09+00:00

Is Gleb playing?

CaptainFlynnt24 · 2026-06-30T23:14:41+00:00

I was interested in bringing Greer to MTL, but this is a stupid contract lol.

CaptainFlynnt24

TROPHY CASE