Three moves to help the Habs

June 26, 2025

This is a segue from this week’s Basu & Godin Notebook podcast where the guys – Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin – played a little game where they took turns being the Habs GM. Each of them identified three off-season moves to improve the Montreal Canadiens for next season.

I want a turn!

But first, a recap of what the guys did.

Arpon’s three moves

Arpon’s first proposal was to trade for centreman Pavel Zacha, offering a young defenseman like Logan Mailloux or Adam Engstrom and picks. He also proposed two UFA signings – Radek Faksa and Nick Perbix. Faksa would be a low-cost addition of a big man for the bottom six, while Perbix is a big, right shot to play on the third pair of the D group. I love all three moves, and find them reasonably achievable, Boston-Montreal relations acknowledged.

Marc Antoine’s three moves

MAG’s first proposal was for Hughes to use his overpay on William Karlsson. I’m all aboard for Hughes to use that overpay, but only on the perfect piece and I’m not sure Karlsson is it. I’d prefer a bigger option to follow Suzuki at 2C. He also suggested trading for right-handed depth defender Ilya Lyubushkin on the premise that it would cost little and fill the hole left by Savard. MAG’s third deal was to trade Laine to a team in need of a power play weapon, with a view to clearing cap space.

Basu and Godin are gravity personified (said with affection). Whenever we’re tempted to let our Habs expectations rise out of the stratosphere, the guys are there to pull us back down to earth. But that won’t stop me from taking my turn on three moves to help the Habs.

Lori’s three moves

Guys, these moves are the opposite of gravity.

For my first move, I’m trading Kaiden Guhle and picks to the Chicago Blackhawks for the third overall pick. Chicago is reportedly open to trading the pick for immediate help, and the Habs want Caleb Desnoyers. Finding a top-four left-shot defender is generally easier than finding a top-six centreman, so I’m prepared to do that deal. I’m also more confident that Desnoyers can be a consistent core player than the oft-injured Guhle. With a Mike Matheson extension on the way, and Adam Engstrom’s development coming along nicely, this feels like a risk worth taking.

The second move steals Arpon’s package for Zacha and sends it to Calgary for Rasmus Andersson. Logan Mailloux, Alex Newhook and Calgary’s own pick should be enough to get it done, but we can add some lesser bits to get it done. This deal assumes Andersson is willing to extend in Montreal.

Finally, I’m using the overpayment on a three-year offer to John Tavares. JT must be able to dig up some Habs pyjamas somewhere. He brings immediate help and veteran leadership to support Suzuki, while allowing Desnoyers some development time. The gravy will be the Epic Decomposition of the Leaves when Tavares wins a Stanley Cup in Montreal. In the words of the great Kyle Dubas, “We can, and we will!”

Guys, I can no longer see Earth. Send help.