I don't know if you are getting 6th OV value with Matheson. Maybe a pick in 10-15 range. I think there is good value to extract if you retain money on his last 2 years. There is probably a contender team that would bite on a puck-moving defenseman in his prime with 2 years left at a discount.
A contender team wil lnot be picking in the 6-15 range.
Matheson to NJ for the 10th, maybe? I don't think it would be enough for Matheson, IMO. However, I would offer Matheson + WIN 1st in 2024 VS #10 OA pick + Holtz.
Holtz, one of Lindstrom or Iginla with the 5th OA, plus one of Catton, Helenius, Eiserman, Sennecke, or Boisvert with the 10th OA pick.
Pack your bags and start heading towards Successville! The forward imbroglio has been addressed, with odds indoor favour of two of these studs becoming the real deal and one settling in as an excellent 3rd line player, for even more offensive depth.
Out: Matheson
IN: Holtz, Lindstro/Iginla, Catton/Helenius/Eiserman/Sennecke/Boisvert
Montreal signs a veteran, stop gap RHD on the UFA front during the offseason and Guhle returns to the left side as we wait for Reinbacher and Mailloux to mature.
Lindstrom - Dach -
Holtz
Caufield -
Suzuki -
Slafkovsky
Newhook - Catton/Helenius - Roy OR Sennecke/Boisvert - Newhook - Roy
Xhekaj/Tuch - Beck - Kapanen
Heineman
Goals from 5 out of 6 guys on the top-6. Playmaking from Dach, Suzuki, Slafkovsky and, to a lesser degree, Lindstrom.
The third line can have many looks.
The fourth line can be a shutdown line with definite offensive upside.