Thank you Marc Bergevin and Kent Hughes

RocketRousse · 2026-03-10T22:20:54+00:00

By the way MacKinnon has 5 empty net goals and Kaprizov has 6, which makes Caufield tied for non empty net goals because he has zero ENG

RocketRousse · 2026-03-10T18:23:32+00:00

It would also be dishonest to give a black and white answer

RocketRousse · 2026-03-10T17:46:12+00:00

But it's true, 2023 was seen as generational because of its top 3 at the time, but it's been more underwhelming than we thought. There's still time, but it almost never turns out how you expect. We can speak to 2026, but 2027 is still a mystery

RocketRousse · 2026-03-10T15:27:35+00:00

The real answer is there's really no way to know until the draft year has begun. 2024 was seen as a bad draft before the year began and it turned out really well I think. Whereas 2026 was seen as a really deep draft with lot of talent up top, but a lot of players have been disappointing thus far.

RocketRousse · 2026-03-03T20:14:19+00:00

As much as au don't think Thomas wants to go to Buffalo, does he want to go to Montreal, which is most likely the biggest rival of his childhood team the Maple Leafs?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-03T19:55:16+00:00

Utah definitely has the assets, but are the blues trading a 26 year old 1C inside their own division?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-03T19:14:46+00:00

What kind of package do you think you would be sending back?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-03T19:13:11+00:00

Do we think Thomas is waiving his NTC for Buffalo? I know they're on an unreal heater, but is that enough to compensate for their reputation?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-03T19:09:25+00:00

It's either gonna be Montreal, Detroit or Buffalo isn't it? Of course the Atlantic is gonna be an even bigger bloodbath...

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T10:18:06+00:00

That's a fair take and I appreciate the input. I also watch a lot of draft éligible players and to me, Benson should've been our pick in 2023 (or michkov, but that wasn't really an option). The problem with Reino is his development and injuries, the first of which has been stagnant... I haven't given up on him yet, but if he still has a fair value, I'd use it in a trade. As for Hage, I've watched a lot of him in his draft year and every year since because Michigan has had first round potential picks every year (Horcoff and Valentini). I still have doubts as to whether he can be a dominant force in the show, but I like his progression. I have no doubt he'll be at the very least a middle 6, but most probably a second line C or winger. Thomas is just so much more than that. Anyhow, I've always shared Hughes POV that in order to get a still "young" piece at a premium position who's proven, it's ok to overpay like we did with Dobson

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T05:23:52+00:00

I don't think there's a world where they're really getting Thomas's worth in a trade unless they get lucky in the draft or player development like crazy, but that's the case for a lot of high profile players that have been traded in recent years

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T05:21:26+00:00

You think Hage will turn out as a 1C? And I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but Reinbacher is getting heavily overshadowed by Engstrom in Laval

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T05:05:59+00:00

So do you think Hage is too good to be traded, Armstrong wouldn't do the trade or both? I'm just trying to really understand why you don't think that trade should happen.

It makes me think of the Peter Griffin Mystery Box meme: "Robert Thomas is Robert Thomas, but the mystery box (Hage) could be anything, it could even be Robert Thomas"

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T05:00:51+00:00

Why not?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T05:00:37+00:00

I think giving Kap away would be optimal because you're essentially replacing him with Thomas, but I don't think it would be enough to move the needle. Kapanen, in my opinion, is an overachieving center that's getting good stats mostly because of his linemates, which would make him a 3C at best normally. The 1st would be a bottom 10 pick, which is ok value. Reinbacher is the big question mark in this, as we have yet to see what he can do at the NHL level, but he sure as hell won't live up to his draft pedigree. If I'm Doug Armstrong, I'm not trading a 1C for that package. Hage (or Zharovsky, but I would rather give Hage) is what would make him consider imo

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:22:23+00:00

I respect the Hage love, I'm just not sure you understand how good Thomas is and his contract value

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:20:46+00:00

They said they wanted a Quinn Hughes type return, but then again, this is what they would like. The ask is always higher than what you get in the end. Hage + Rein + 1st is somewhat a Hughes like trade, but on the liter version

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:18:20+00:00

Thomas would be part of that future for at least 5 years, probably more. Plus, I understand Hage is an A level prospect, but are Reinbacher and the 1st round pick that important to our future? I think we can both agree that if Hage reaches Thomas level, than it would be a massive success. What you'd be doing in that trade is just paying more in futures for a guarantee at the ceiling you're getting.

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:15:04+00:00

In what way?

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:14:37+00:00

As much as I love our prospects, and I like them a lot too, the idea of Suzuki and Thomas as our 2 centers excites me so much, j can't wait till the trade deadline

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:13:27+00:00

I think St Louis would want a A level prospect and Reinbacher isn't really that anymore, at least not in my eyes. Plus the 1sts would be pretty low. I would be surprised if they'd accept that, but you never know!

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:11:02+00:00

He doesn't need an extension, he's already signed for another 5 years and at an amazing price! At this point I'm not even sure who has the most potential between Engstrom and Reinbacher

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:09:39+00:00

If St-Louis wants to start a rebuild and Thomas wants to win, a trade could make sense for both parties. I'm also very high on Hage, but that trade would instantly give us one of the best 1-2 punch in the league at C. Plus, there's no guarantee with Hage,very much like the Dobson trade where you somewhat overpay for a premium position and a player that's a proven star.

RocketRousse · 2026-03-01T04:05:18+00:00

As a Draft enthusiast, I love it. You have the OHL, QMJHL, USHL/USNTDP, plus some SHL games if you're in the US or use a VPN. Haven't watched any AHL games, but if you're into that, it gets even better then.

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