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Post by The Habitual Fan on Jan 27, 2022 14:39:41 GMT -5
I would be taking bids on Lehkonen at this trade deadline. We can always sign defensive forwards on the cheap during the off-season. As for Gallagher, if we can't get anything good for him, then why not just keep him? I think the locker room will need some semblance of leadership during the rebuild. Unless of course he just wants out, which is entirely possible. Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Lehkonen is a 3rd line checking winger and while I'm fine keeping him, I would sell high on him if we can. Gallagher we can't sell high on so rather than eat salary to get rid of him, he's part of the leadership group that you need for at least the next couple of years. And is Dom coaching himself out of a job or what? To me the most concerning part of the tank is the failure to really improve ANYONE on the roster, and I'm thinking mainly about Nick Suzuki. He's on pace for 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points over 82 games. That's a MASSIVE disappointment in terms of where he needs to be given that extension. The young guys should be playing at a high level. Losing sucks, but they are too early in their careers to be going though the motions. The fact that either Dom can't find a way to get Suzuki going or Nick is suffering from the same malaise as the rest of the team are both bad. These guys should be trying to impress the new bosses. Since Dom has come on board the team has no system or identity, which is what I think the problem is with Petry. He was arguably the best defenseman the past three years, but when Dom was hired he had a rough 2nd half last year. I don't think he knows how the coach wants him to play and he has been vocal about the team not having a plan. There are several guys that are having down years but Petry is more evident. Therrien and Julien had systems. Guys on the ice knew who to cover, how to break out or when to pinch in, now it is just a scramble every night. They can't generate offense and they give up 40 shots a night. That is on the coach. |
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Post by Scotty D on Jan 27, 2022 15:57:55 GMT -5
I'd be ok with the bgal trade with the Canes and even kk one... but under no circumstances do we send bGal to boston...I couldn't stand to see him in the horrible jersey Lafleur in Quebec/NYR, Naslund in Boston, Robinson in LA, Roy in Colorado, Plekanec in TO, i'm sure we've seen and been fine with a hell of a lot worse especially if the return is worthy lol |
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Post by Scotty D on Jan 27, 2022 16:07:30 GMT -5
Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Lehkonen is a 3rd line checking winger and while I'm fine keeping him, I would sell high on him if we can. Gallagher we can't sell high on so rather than eat salary to get rid of him, he's part of the leadership group that you need for at least the next couple of years. And is Dom coaching himself out of a job or what? To me the most concerning part of the tank is the failure to really improve ANYONE on the roster, and I'm thinking mainly about Nick Suzuki. He's on pace for 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points over 82 games. That's a MASSIVE disappointment in terms of where he needs to be given that extension. The young guys should be playing at a high level. Losing sucks, but they are too early in their careers to be going though the motions. The fact that either Dom can't find a way to get Suzuki going or Nick is suffering from the same malaise as the rest of the team are both bad. These guys should be trying to impress the new bosses. Since Dom has come on board the team has no system or identity, which is what I think the problem is with Petry. He was arguably the best defenseman the past three years, but when Dom was hired he had a rough 2nd half last year. I don't think he knows how the coach wants him to play and he has been vocal about the team not having a plan. There are several guys that are having down years but Petry is more evident. Therrien and Julien had systems. Guys on the ice knew who to cover, how to break out or when to pinch in, now it is just a scramble every night. They can't generate offense and they give up 40 shots a night. That is on the coach. NO doubt here in my mind but all indications are we are stuck with him till seasons end (technically a few months ago) the massive overhaul of this organizations off ice programs is to me anyhow of more importance than the replacement of a coach. The new guy might or might not be the type of guy they want to fit into the new system the team will build when they actually solve a few of the other scouting, development, analytics, and a few other positions. I think it would be unwise to spend too much energy focused on the on ice product until the proper pieces are in place that can evaluate just exactly what we truly have to work with and come up with a plan to build a system that can emphasize those strenghts to build on. Lets face it this whole organization is basically like any city road from spring to fall. UNDER CONSTRUCTION. |
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Post by habsask on Jan 27, 2022 16:55:32 GMT -5
I would be taking bids on Lehkonen at this trade deadline. We can always sign defensive forwards on the cheap during the off-season. As for Gallagher, if we can't get anything good for him, then why not just keep him? I think the locker room will need some semblance of leadership during the rebuild. Unless of course he just wants out, which is entirely possible. Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Lehkonen is a 3rd line checking winger and while I'm fine keeping him, I would sell high on him if we can. Gallagher we can't sell high on so rather than eat salary to get rid of him, he's part of the leadership group that you need for at least the next couple of years. And is Dom coaching himself out of a job or what? To me the most concerning part of the tank is the failure to really improve ANYONE on the roster, and I'm thinking mainly about Nick Suzuki. He's on pace for 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points over 82 games. That's a MASSIVE disappointment in terms of where he needs to be given that extension. The young guys should be playing at a high level. Losing sucks, but they are too early in their careers to be going though the motions. The fact that either Dom can't find a way to get Suzuki going or Nick is suffering from the same malaise as the rest of the team are both bad. These guys should be trying to impress the new bosses. I'm skeptical respecting Gallagher's leadership value. Where is it with helping the young guys play better. This is when he should be showing it, so where is it? Just my 2 cents. Cheers |
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Post by Boston_Habs on Jan 27, 2022 18:11:10 GMT -5
Don't disagree, habsask. While we all want them to "tank" for the high draft pick, it looks the entire team is checked out. Ideally in these situations it's the players policing each other and holding everyone accountable as opposed to Ducharme yelling in the dressing room. Players need to respect that good or bad they are paid to play the game.
Nobody is looking good this year from Bergevin on down.
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Post by folatre on Jan 27, 2022 20:48:52 GMT -5
Based on Gallagher's reaction to the questions about a rebuild and the new post-Bergevin era, I would surmise that he does not want to stick around. However, like a lot of vets around the league with elevated AAVs and a lot of term, he may be "trapped" so to speak by his contract. Look at what happened to Suter and Parise, Billy Guerin tried to trade them but there was literally no way to retain enough to make the high AAV and crazy term digestible for any club.
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Post by Skilly on Jan 28, 2022 19:29:03 GMT -5
I shouldn't have dismissed Kravtsov and Lundqvist that quickly, because it's still possible they will turn into NHL players, but I don't think either would move the needle for what the Habs need. A #1 pick who reaches his potential would fit that need. Without my crystal ball, I don't know if Lafreniere will manage that. My suspicion, though, is that because Dolan has made it clear he wants to win now, the development side of the equation that might have been there with Gorton and Davidson has been moved aside in favour of actions that deliver immediate gratification. That's why, if I put myself in Chris Drury's shoes, I might think that a playoff ready guy like Lehkonen and a high first round pick (even if it is in a weak draft, but casual fans don't know that) might placate fans and Dolan into believing it is a worthwhile move. CAP wise, it isn't a big difference especially if some of Lafreniere's bonuses are easily reached. I would do that myself, especially since Lafreniere is a Quebec kid. I think there's talent there, and proper development will draw it out. Worth a shot, anyway. Of, if not Lehkonen, how about Brendan Gallagher? Or, as was suggested by Lori10Habs in a tweet today, offer Gallagher to Carolina for KK (seriously). That was her second trade idea with Carolina. The first was to offer Gallagher for Ryan Suzuki, Ethan Bear and Jake Gardiner (salary dump). Another idea, and these all involved Gally, was to send him to Boston for Jake Debrusk, a 2nd round pick and the Bruins choice of a salary dump (to make the CAP work). I believe salary retention of some kind was alse a necessity in these deals. They're not bad ideas and they are at least realistic as to their basic framework. I'd be ok with the bgal trade with the Canes and even kk one... but under no circumstances do we send bGal to boston...I couldn't stand to see him in the horrible jersey If KK were to ever return, Dom would have to be gone beforehand. |
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Post by Skilly on Jan 28, 2022 19:31:34 GMT -5
If the Habs retain a quarter or a third on Gallagher, then I do believe he has some value in the marketplace. I would not get carried away and think a first round pick or a top prospect is coming back in return. But those ideas from Lori10 are not too off the wall, maybe aside from Kotkaniemi returning. I was not really suggesting Montreal should want to acquire Kravtsov or Lundkvist. Yes, there is the angle with Gorton and his familiarity with Rangers' prospects. But my thought was simply that the Rangers will be buyers and young unestablished players will likely be the currency New York uses to buy. I think they want a centre who can help control flow and create more 5v5 as well as maybe a rugged LHD who can help kill plays in their own end. It was only last year that some felt Gallagher was worth TWO first round picks. I disagreed then, and I disagree now too. I don’t even see us getting a first rounder for him. |
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Post by Skilly on Jan 28, 2022 19:36:43 GMT -5
I would be taking bids on Lehkonen at this trade deadline. We can always sign defensive forwards on the cheap during the off-season. As for Gallagher, if we can't get anything good for him, then why not just keep him? I think the locker room will need some semblance of leadership during the rebuild. Unless of course he just wants out, which is entirely possible. Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Lehkonen is a 3rd line checking winger and while I'm fine keeping him, I would sell high on him if we can. Gallagher we can't sell high on so rather than eat salary to get rid of him, he's part of the leadership group that you need for at least the next couple of years. And is Dom coaching himself out of a job or what? To me the most concerning part of the tank is the failure to really improve ANYONE on the roster, and I'm thinking mainly about Nick Suzuki. He's on pace for 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points over 82 games. That's a MASSIVE disappointment in terms of where he needs to be given that extension. The young guys should be playing at a high level. Losing sucks, but they are too early in their careers to be going though the motions. The fact that either Dom can't find a way to get Suzuki going or Nick is suffering from the same malaise as the rest of the team are both bad. These guys should be trying to impress the new bosses. If Nick Suzuki wasn’t Canadian, he’d be playing on the third line until he “proves” he can be productive |
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Post by Skilly on Jan 28, 2022 19:48:18 GMT -5
Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Lehkonen is a 3rd line checking winger and while I'm fine keeping him, I would sell high on him if we can. Gallagher we can't sell high on so rather than eat salary to get rid of him, he's part of the leadership group that you need for at least the next couple of years. And is Dom coaching himself out of a job or what? To me the most concerning part of the tank is the failure to really improve ANYONE on the roster, and I'm thinking mainly about Nick Suzuki. He's on pace for 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points over 82 games. That's a MASSIVE disappointment in terms of where he needs to be given that extension. The young guys should be playing at a high level. Losing sucks, but they are too early in their careers to be going though the motions. The fact that either Dom can't find a way to get Suzuki going or Nick is suffering from the same malaise as the rest of the team are both bad. These guys should be trying to impress the new bosses. I'm skeptical respecting Gallagher's leadership value. Where is it with helping the young guys play better. This is when he should be showing it, so where is it? Just my 2 cents. Cheers I’m skeptical too habsask. If Gallagher was ever going to show us how good a captain he can be , this would be the year Speaking of Gallagher, we will see just how much "captain" he has in him this year. He will likely be on the third line. |
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Post by PTH on Jan 28, 2022 23:07:47 GMT -5
Agree on both counts. If a player doesn't slot among the top 6 forwards or top 4 defense, then those are the guys you can always find on the market or in a (well run) development pool. Meh. I think that way of thinking makes sense if you have high-end talent, and the key problem has always been how to acquire it, without exceptional drafting, tanking to get high picks, or being a UFA hub like NYR and Toronto. If you can't have those high-end players, the route to success is depth, and guys like Lehkonen can be a part of that. Not saying he shouldn't be moved, under our current circumstances, just that middle-range talent on the lower lines is likely going to be our path to success in the future. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 8, 2022 14:17:49 GMT -5
Not sure if there is a better thread to park this as this is a pretty good interview with Hughes and covers lots of stuff we chat about across a number of threads. But, it does give a broad cross section of what Hughes is working on as his priorities and broader philosophies on a number of matters.
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Post by jkr on Mar 8, 2022 19:26:06 GMT -5
I was surprised how open he was about trading Chiarot and Petry. I was expecting him to come out and say it. I was also surprised to read that Price may play this year.
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Post by habsorbed on Mar 9, 2022 1:15:44 GMT -5
I was surprised how open he was about trading Chiarot and Petry. I was expecting him to come out and say it. I was also surprised to read that Price may play this year. No big surprise for me. Chariot's a free agent and knows he's being traded - maybe come back this summer. Petry has asked to be traded so Hughes is clear tha the will accommodate Petry if he can get a good return. As for Price, the mantra has always been he'll play this year. Smart money says he will not. But Hughes will tow the line as he has no choice. Having said that, Hughes is still a breath of fresh air compared to the former blow hard who thought he was sooo clever, and in the end was no more than a dolt who fooled the naive owner for 9 and a half years. |
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Post by mikeg on Mar 9, 2022 10:04:01 GMT -5
Hughes is definitely a breath of fresh air, love the transparency and honesty, I hope this is a permanent thing with him and not a PR move to win back some doubters before going back to the Iron Curtain of transparency.
Regarding what he said; I was very surprised by his candor with Petry and Chiarot, it's just weird to hear it. At first I found it disrespectful but on the other side I think it's wonderful that we and the players know where he is thinking.
It certainly sounds like he wants to keep Lehky though, and only deal him if the right offer comes along, I would just love to know what that offer would be.
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