Quinton Byfield is suddenly a trade name in Montreal, and the Los Angeles Kings' winless start is the reason why.
A fan poll posted Monday morning by @habsburners floated Byfield to the Canadiens for Zharovsky, Oliver Kapanen, Adam Engstrom and a 2027 first-round pick.
It pulled 3,013 votes and 46.5K views. The leading answer, at 45%, was that Montreal says no.
The pitch starts from the idea that Los Angeles is in real trouble. That part checks out, with the Kings sitting 0-4-2 and 32nd overall.
They've been outscored 25-12 over six games. Darcy Kuemper is stopping pucks at an .847 clip, and nobody wins much behind that.
Heading into tonight's game in Washington, Peter Laviolette's group opens a five-game road trip. The Islanders, Devils, Rangers and Blackhawks follow.
Home ice hasn't helped either. Los Angeles went 0-3-0 there before packing for the East.
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Ken Holland can't afford to sell Byfield at rock bottom
His own numbers give the sellers an opening. One goal, one assist through six games, and the goal came on the power play.
The rating stings more. Among Kings skaters, only Artemi Panarin's -7 sits below his -6.
But selling now makes no sense. Six games is the kind of sample a GM would laugh off in a contract negotiation.
Byfield is 24 and carries a $6,250,000 cap hit. Dumping him off this start is like selling your car after one flat tire.
This would be a bad trade for Ken Holland. Moving a young forward at his lowest value is the kind of deal that follows a GM around for years.
The claim that he's falling out of favor comes from the poster. Treat it as one fan's read of the bench, not locker room reporting.
On Montreal's side, the cost looks light on paper. Kapanen has dressed for one game this season, while Engstrom sits +2 across four.
Zharovsky isn't on the NHL roster at all. The real currency in the package is that 2027 first.
So why would Kent Hughes balk? The Canadiens are 4-3-1 with nine points, and they aren't the team in a hurry here.
Money matters too. Kapanen and Engstrom cost $942,500 and $896,666, so taking on Byfield's deal adds real weight to Montreal's books.
Forward minutes are opening up in Montreal anyway, with Ivan Demidov listed out until at least Oct. 31. Kirby Dach has a single assist through eight games.
The two clubs haven't met yet. The first look comes Nov. 23 in Montreal, a month from now.
If the Kings come home from the East still chasing a first win, Holland's phone gets busier. Whether he picks up for Montreal is another story.
Should the Canadiens give up a 2027 first-round pick for Quinton Byfield?
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