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Post by BadCompany on Nov 18, 2015 11:37:46 GMT -5
I would try that. Switch up Pleks and Chucky for a couple of games and see what happens. How can it hurt? It would give Chucky some real linemates and also get him out of the third line ice time rut that MT is giving him. Well, as Mattais pointed out, Max Pacioretty has 6 points in his last 5 games ... breaking them up now might disrupt the chemistry they've just recently found again ... like NWTHF, I'd be fine with giving Bud Holloway a shot ... the club has zero to lose ... Cheers. We also need to keep in mind that Galchenyuk is still on pace for 48 points, which would be a career high for him. Now granted 48 points doesn't exactly make me feel all warm and fuzzy, but that pace can change pretty quickly. If he gets two points tomorrow night that will jump up to a 55 point pace, thereabouts. So it's not like it's been a total disaster or anything. Especially considering this is his first year at center and all that. In fact, I would expect him to really start to pick up the pace down the back stretch of the season, as he gets more and more comfortable in his position. I'm still hopeful for a 60-65 point season. Now having said that I would be all for giving him a legitimate right winger. I mentioned Iginla, but apparently he has already told the Avalanche that he won't be waving his no-trade clause for anything this year, as he wants his family to have a little stability. So if we take that at face value he's off the market. Bergevin has shown to be an adept trade-deadline manipulator, but in years past he had the luxury of not really believing it was his team's time anyways. In other words if his buy-low strategy had of failed on guys like Vanek and Petry it wouldn't have been that big a deal, as he wasn't really planning the parade anyways. This year though, I think is different. So I don't know if the game of deadline chicken is the way to go. He might want to consider the all-in approach this time around, and get what he wants/needs without worrying too much about the cost. I'd love a guy like Duchene for example, especially as a winger for Galchenyuk (as opposed to his replacement). Don't the Avalanche owe us a Cup or two? One guy nobody has been talking about though, is Zack Kassian. I think Kassian's situation could have a big impact on what happens going forward. Is he coming back? I would assume he is. If he completes the rehab program and is cleared by the doctors to play then Bergevin will have no choice but to put him back on the team. If he doesn't I'm sure the NHLPA would file a grievance, and for that matter I think Bettman would be on the phone telling him to bring him back too. You can't have a guy finish the program, clean himself up, and then cut him. You'll never get any other player to enter into it. Would sort of defeat the whole purpose of the program, right? So with no other knowledge I think we have to assume that Kassian, and his cap hit (pro-rated of course), will be on the team down the stretch. The pessimist will groan, but the optimist in me says "what if a cleaned up Kassian actually lives up to his immense talent? Wouldn't that be peachy-kean?" Maybe Kassian is the winger Galchenyuk needs?
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Post by seventeen on Nov 18, 2015 12:17:50 GMT -5
So McGuire says there's no relief in Hamilton, huh? That makes me think there absolutely is. Some of the players down there shouldn't be immediately discounted. I'm not sure any of those guys have been given a real chance, other than a cup of coffee. Thomas and Andrighetto come to mind, though I don't personally think either is the answer. Holloway has scored everywhere he's been and while that doesn't guarantee he'll score at the NHL level, it's at least a promising possibility. The two I think have the best chance to help the Habs, though they might not be at the top of the 'seniority' list, are Hudon and McCarron. Both can skate, have good IQ's and decent hands. They've both proven they can score as well at the AHL level. I don't see any problem with giving one or both a 10 game try-out at RW on Chucky's line. Play them there and keep them there for 10 games unless they totally bomb out (an unlikely scenario). What's there to lose? Some of Semin's pride?
Hard to understand that guy, or reports coming out of Montreal. Some said he was not working hard, others said he was working hard, but then he doesn't show up for the optional skate on game day Monday. What idiot who's just been benched for a long stretch doesn't show up for the 'optional' skate? Sheesh.
Anyway, before giving anything away for someone we think is a top 6 winger, why not see if we have one in our own system? Seems logical to me.
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Post by franko on Nov 18, 2015 12:45:23 GMT -5
What idiot who's just been benched for a long stretch doesn't show up for the 'optional' skate? Sheesh.
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Post by seventeen on Nov 18, 2015 13:30:40 GMT -5
It was a rhetorical question, but thanks anyway for the reminder
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Post by Boston_Habs on Nov 18, 2015 16:14:52 GMT -5
I'd love a guy like Duchene for example, especially as a winger for Galchenyuk (as opposed to his replacement). Don't the Avalanche owe us a Cup or two? Lars Eller, Jarred Tinordi, and Nikita Scherbak or a 1st for Matt Duchene? Can he play wing? He's listed as a center. We wouldn't have much cap space (maybe they could take Semin off our hands as well) but could be the type of move you're talking about, BC. Pacioretty/Pleks/Gallagher Duchene/Galchenyuk/DSP? Kassian? Hudon? Fleishmann/DD/Weise Flynn/Mitchell/DSP/Byron
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Post by HABSINFL on Nov 18, 2015 16:58:29 GMT -5
I would like to try to get Duchaines from the AVS, it would be costly but we could put an exclamation point on winning the cup.
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Post by CentreHice on Nov 18, 2015 17:42:17 GMT -5
In keeping with BC's "Don't the Avalanche owe us a Cup or two?".....it sure would be ironic if a Duchene-to-Montreal trade occurred because there were irreconcilable differences with Patrick Roy... It's coming up on 20 years.....
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Post by 24in93 on Nov 18, 2015 21:26:10 GMT -5
They totally owe us. The deal should be done on principle alone.
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Post by CentreHice on Nov 19, 2015 1:43:45 GMT -5
I wonder if Tremblay still gets razzed/derided about that whole thing. I can't think of another move that cursed/dogged us for so long….we went into quite an abyss. Setting man-games-lost records in the late 90s didn't help….but you know what I mean. Always found a way to beat Boston, though! 2002 (which included Koivu's return) and 2004 were highlights of a dismal era. 2007 was the worst….losing 6-5 to the Leafs in the final game to miss the playoffs…stomached only by watching the Islanders beat the Devils the next day in a shootout, knocking out Toronto. I remember Cherry admonishing the Devils to start Brodeur…otherwise, "it wouldn't be fair" to the poor Leafs. Wish I could find that clip of that. Clemmensen played…. Had to re-visit this one. Isles held a 2-0 lead…until the Devils scored with just over 4:00 left. Can you imagine Leafs' fans…especially when the Devils tied it with 0.8 seconds left? THAT close to having their season end. Their hopes were up again….all the Devils had to do was get that extra point. But…then the shootout…and the Dubielewicz poke-check on Brylin. I do believe that's Dan Lacroix on the bench celebrating with Nolan.
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Post by UberCranky on Nov 19, 2015 4:45:14 GMT -5
One guy nobody has been talking about though, is Zack Kassian. I think Kassian's situation could have a big impact on what happens going forward. Is he coming back? I would assume he is. If he completes the rehab program and is cleared by the doctors to play then Bergevin will have no choice but to put him back on the team. If he doesn't I'm sure the NHLPA would file a grievance, and for that matter I think Bettman would be on the phone telling him to bring him back too. You can't have a guy finish the program, clean himself up, and then cut him. You'll never get any other player to enter into it. Would sort of defeat the whole purpose of the program, right? So with no other knowledge I think we have to assume that Kassian, and his cap hit (pro-rated of course), will be on the team down the stretch. The pessimist will groan, but the optimist in me says "what if a cleaned up Kassian actually lives up to his immense talent? Wouldn't that be peachy-kean?" Maybe Kassian is the winger Galchenyuk needs? I thought that a program like that was to save his life? Just saying..... Sure, give him a chance, but only if he is determined to make the most of it, which is up to him. Isn't it? We certainly are not going to have any room for ice graziers, less so after the trade deadline. One has to assume MB knew about the problems, but didn't think through the potential consequences.
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Post by BadCompany on Nov 19, 2015 9:49:32 GMT -5
I'd love a guy like Duchene for example, especially as a winger for Galchenyuk (as opposed to his replacement). Don't the Avalanche owe us a Cup or two? Lars Eller, Jarred Tinordi, and Nikita Scherbak or a 1st for Matt Duchene? Can he play wing? He's listed as a center. We wouldn't have much cap space (maybe they could take Semin off our hands as well) but could be the type of move you're talking about, BC. Pacioretty/Pleks/Gallagher Duchene/Galchenyuk/DSP? Kassian? Hudon? Fleishmann/DD/Weise Flynn/Mitchell/DSP/Byron I'd be cool with that, though I'm not sure it would be enough for Duchene. Plus it kind of opens up a hole on the left side, where Eller was. Still, I would do it.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 19, 2015 10:46:07 GMT -5
Lars Eller, Jarred Tinordi, and Nikita Scherbak or a 1st for Matt Duchene? Can he play wing? He's listed as a center. We wouldn't have much cap space (maybe they could take Semin off our hands as well) but could be the type of move you're talking about, BC. Pacioretty/Pleks/Gallagher Duchene/Galchenyuk/DSP? Kassian? Hudon? Fleishmann/DD/Weise Flynn/Mitchell/DSP/Byron I'd be cool with that, though I'm not sure it would be enough for Duchene. Plus it kind of opens up a hole on the left side, where Eller was. Still, I would do it. Cap space could become an issue ... Eller @ $3.5 million and Duchene @ $6 million ... that's a difference of $2.5 million with $2.567 million remaining on the current cap ... NHLNumbers.com refers ... moving Eller would create a void on the left side, yes, but it could also develop into a 'some lucky guy-Galechnyuk-Duschene' kind of line ... Cheers.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Nov 19, 2015 11:12:05 GMT -5
Duchene shoots left, but does he naturally play on the right side? Or do you want him on the right side because Galchenyuk shoots left?
I think you worry about filling that hole later. Like Dis said, if you start with a line of Galchenyuk and Duchene you can pretty much plug in anyone who can drive to the net and work in the corners.
You never get full value back for players like that, but it's not like Duchene has produced like Tyler Seguin. The Avs would get a versatile (yet enigmatic) player in Eller, a defense prospect who I believe is NHL material but has been victimized by a numbers game in Montreal, and whether it's Scherbak or a future pick that's not a bad haul for the Avs. Plus it gives them additional cap space to spend on a long-term deal for MacKinnon.
Still, it's a tough sell for Colorado. Why give up a 24-year old top 6 forward who is on a reasonable contract for the next 4 years? You have to believe that the need in Colorado is to add more quality depth to the roster. Last year was a big disappointment for the Avs and things aren't off to a great start this year. The timing could be right.....
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Post by Polarice on Nov 19, 2015 11:26:13 GMT -5
If the Habs are gonna make a call to NFLD, I'd be interested in seeing what McCarron could do on the 2nd line. He could play wing or Centre, wherever the felt he'd best be suited.
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Post by folatre on Nov 19, 2015 12:28:38 GMT -5
Semin looks finish. While I agree Galchenyuk is not producing at alarming low level (but 7 even strength points in 19 games surely is making him one frustrated hockey player), exploring alternatives need to start now. Flynn, Byron, or double shifting Mitchell are not real options. It is not fair to Galchenyuk to play a third line centre on his left and a 4th line guy on his right.
For me, logically Bergevin may try to acquire Duchene. He is clearly top 6 forward. However, this ambition would require Bergevin to go outside his risk averse building profile that we know since he was hired. Trading for Duchene means subtracting valued roster piece and NHL ready or close to ready prospects. A first round pick from a top club like Montreal is not highly significant.
I believe Colorado is not in a bad negotiating position. Something has to be amiss if Sakic and Roy see Eller, Tinordi, and a 2016 1st as good value for Duchene.
Is Kassian still a possibility? I hope that he is progressing to point where he can focus on hockey. But really, you know, Semin and Kassian both were represent top 6 fliers by GM who likes having team capable of staying top 3 in Eastern Conference for a number of seasons.
Maybe he will simply call someone up from the Rock. McCarron seems for me a year away. Hudon probably can keep up with pace and game situations in NHL, but not as top 6 from day one with need to produce offensively since the other winger is Eller who is not consistent offensive producer. Holloway? No idea. Thomas? No, he is AHL or fourth line filler. Andrighetto? Could be an offensive spark but he certainly doesn't profile as permanent top 6 piece.
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