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Post by IamCanadiens on Oct 8, 2023 15:24:19 GMT -5
Well we know Slafs will be with the team. The goal he scored against the Sens showed skill and awareness - me like. And it's fair to say he is ahead of Wright in his development. Wright was cut by Kraken today and sent down to AHL team in Coachella. Ouch!  Wonder how much of a gut punch it was to Wright to drop to 4. For someone who was touted like he was, it may be too much to overcome for a kid. Or maybe as Hugo suspected, he wasn't the real deal. There were some posters on here suggesting Slaf should be sent to the AHL. But when Seattle actually does it, it is somehow proof Slaf is ahead of Wright? He very well may be ahead of Wright in development progression, but I'd like to point out Slaf has 10 points in 39 games, the worst production of any #1 overall forward, in their first season, EVER. Wright has 2 points in 8 games. They have the same ppg. And Wright is still only 8 points behind him ... ... let's not shower Slaf with laurels yet. He and Wright are both way behind where they should be on their development paths I disagree that they are way behind where they should be. It was a weak draft year and they were 18 year old kids. As an aside I'd be curious to find out how many of those #1 picks played at 18. Additionally, a big reason Slaf was chosen was the club's long term projections of all the prospects. We've only observed some very preliminary results. |
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Post by folatre on Oct 8, 2023 15:33:38 GMT -5
At some point during camp, I thought perhaps Norlinder was starting to occupy the inside track on being the Habs 7th d-man, though now it appears Barron will stay in Montreal. Lindstrom failing to distinguish himself probably comes as no surprise to Wings or Habs fans.
Primeau has not done anything in the NHL thus far, but to be fair playing goalie for Montreal in the post-Cup run seasons has been a terrifying proposition with shoddy team defense bleeding high quality scoring chances, near top of the league in penalties, and almost dead bottom in PK. Maybe Hughes has some intel about a team or two hoping to grab Primeau on waivers. Who knows. But, yeah, I think three goalies on the roster for any extended period of time makes little to no sense.
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Post by seventeen on Oct 8, 2023 17:33:19 GMT -5
There were some posters on here suggesting Slaf should be sent to the AHL. But when Seattle actually does it, it is somehow proof Slaf is ahead of Wright? He very well may be ahead of Wright in development progression, but I'd like to point out Slaf has 10 points in 39 games, the worst production of any #1 overall forward, in their first season, EVER. ... let's not shower Slaf with laurels yet. He and Wright are both way behind where they should be on their development paths Not to disparage your overall point, that both Slaf and Wright are behind a lot of other top picks in early development......but..... Joe Thornton, 1997-98, 55 games, 3-4-7. July birthday, so very young...18. (Blame my recall on the fact I used to read every page of the NHL guide containing all the current players and draft picks of every team, several times over, trying to find guys who were paid little attention but kept getting better). Slafovsky is literally 3 months older, calendar wise, but the bulk of the season would have been played at the same age. In addition, he had to get used to a new language, new country, larger ice surface and much longer season, which meant more frequent games and less recovery time than he was used to. That's a lot of change to acclimate to. Joe Thornton turned out ok. Let's have patience with Mr. Slafkovsky. My guess is that he still looks awkward for a year or so, but puts up a few more points, and then it will all come together in an epiphany moment (start of a playoffs?) and we will be happy with the pick. As a side note, Hal Gill was on that Bruins team and nearly outpaced Thornton with 6 points. Imagine the consternation in Boston. The same goes for Reinbacher. At least he doesn't have the language issue, but the other changes are there. Sending him back was smart, I think. The season in Switzerland ends earlier than here (depending on both playoffs, I think), so there may be a chance for him to have some games in Montreal and/or Laval in April. That would be a great development. |
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 9, 2023 1:39:45 GMT -5
There were some posters on here suggesting Slaf should be sent to the AHL. But when Seattle actually does it, it is somehow proof Slaf is ahead of Wright? He very well may be ahead of Wright in development progression, but I'd like to point out Slaf has 10 points in 39 games, the worst production of any #1 overall forward, in their first season, EVER. Wright has 2 points in 8 games. They have the same ppg. And Wright is still only 8 points behind him ... ... let's not shower Slaf with laurels yet. He and Wright are both way behind where they should be on their development paths I disagree that they are way behind where they should be. It was a weak draft year and they were 18 year old kids. As an aside I'd be curious to find out how many of those #1 picks played at 18. Additionally, a big reason Slaf was chosen was the club's long term projections of all the prospects. We've only observed some very preliminary results. I've seen them both play in the NHL and every now and then i see Slafs' potential, including the goal against the Sens and his ridiculous strong skating. Meanwhile, with Wright, I don't even notic ethe guy. Slafs is clearly ahead of Wright. it's possible Wright catches up but don't see it. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 9, 2023 7:56:39 GMT -5
I disagree that they are way behind where they should be. It was a weak draft year and they were 18 year old kids. As an aside I'd be curious to find out how many of those #1 picks played at 18. Additionally, a big reason Slaf was chosen was the club's long term projections of all the prospects. We've only observed some very preliminary results. I've seen them both play in the NHL and every now and then i see Slafs' potential, including the goal against the Sens and his ridiculous strong skating. Meanwhile, with Wright, I don't even notic ethe guy. Slafs is clearly ahead of Wright. it's possible Wright catches up but don't see it. The work Slaf did in the offseason will help him this year, he just needs to make sure he does not put himself in a vulnerable position... the skating is there, the shot is there, we just need the smarts to be there. |
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Post by IamCanadiens on Oct 9, 2023 10:50:10 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 9, 2023 11:31:39 GMT -5
Not sure how Barron beat out Norlinder, but oh well. |
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 9, 2023 12:04:29 GMT -5
Not sure how Barron beat out Norlinder, but oh well. Barron has been a disappointment so far. I liked what I saw when he first arrived but he's actually become scary to watch - way too many dumb plays. This may be his last stand. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 9, 2023 12:06:01 GMT -5
Not sure how Barron beat out Norlinder, but oh well. Barron has been a disappointment so far. I liked what I saw when he first arrived but he's actually become scary to watch - way too many dumb plays. This may be his last stand. Maybe he'll be part of a package to Arizona... |
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Post by seventeen on Oct 9, 2023 12:48:24 GMT -5
Not sure how Barron beat out Norlinder, but oh well. It's the usual. 1) Hughes made the trade for Barron, giving up a favourite, Lehkonen, while Norlinder is a Timmins draftee. There's a personal investment being protected. Hughes has avoided that much of the time (eg. waiving Armia) but it is so tempting. 2) They want to give Barron as much rope as possible before declaring him a loss and swapping him with Norlinder. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 9, 2023 13:20:35 GMT -5
Not sure how Barron beat out Norlinder, but oh well. It's the usual. 1) Hughes made the trade for Barron, giving up a favourite, Lehkonen, while Norlinder is a Timmins draftee. There's a personal investment being protected. Hughes has avoided that much of the time (eg. waiving Armia) but it is so tempting. 2) They want to give Barron as much rope as possible before declaring him a loss and swapping him with Norlinder. I also think Barron has more cache amongst NHL people... when the trade was made for Dach, the draft panel mentioned the habs could move Romanov because they had a good D prospects pool and they mentioned Barron... I wonder if he'll be part of a package if he struggles... |
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Post by folatre on Oct 9, 2023 13:49:41 GMT -5
I think you guys are right. Basically Barron is the better prospect and current management brought him into the organization. The interesting thing is to see how long it makes sense to carry Barron as the extra d-man if he is only getting a game here or there.
No big surprise that Heinemann starts in Laval despite having a solid camp.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 9, 2023 20:31:54 GMT -5
A little cap gymnastics to maximize the ability to use Dvorak’s LTIR. Tomorrow, expect to see Xhekaj called up and Armia assigne to Laval, as well as Price moved to in-season LTIR.
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Post by PTH on Oct 9, 2023 23:14:28 GMT -5
... and they mentioned Barron... I wonder if he'll be part of a package if he struggles... Or even if he doesn't. BC used to mention how young Dmen were a highly valued commodity, and if management has faith in Mailloux and Reinbacher, Barron might well be tradeable, for a Romanov type return, if he's playing well. Imagine adding a Dach/Newhook type of winger, a potential top 6 RW to this already solid group of young forwards... |
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 9, 2023 23:56:56 GMT -5
You have to wonder what goes through a player's mind when they're put on waivers. Armia was probably, "WTF, I'm an NHL player" and like Droun believed he should be in the line up. And then a few hours later, they find out that no other team believes they're worth their pay. Must be sobering. Anyone think this will get Armia's juices going? Or are you like me and see him back in Europe by Xmas?  |
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Post by seventeen on Oct 10, 2023 0:10:55 GMT -5
Barron follows the same strategy the Habs keep employing. Find a kid who was highly regarded at the draft, and has not performed to expectations and try to get him (cheaply if possible) and develop him. Barron is a defenseman I liked a lot as a U-18 player. Back then he was considered defensively strong with some potential offensive abilities over time. That seems to have done a 180 though he still hasn't produced a great deal offensively. The issue today seems to be his recognition of developing plays in the defensive zone and adapting to them. This is Reinbacher's strength. Reinbacher is already ahead of Barron and likely to be Montreal's top RHD. Who is going to be there on the 2nd a third pairs after Savard and Matheson are gone? What if one of those guy s gets injured? Are Norlinder and Harris up to the task of playing on the right? So many questions and not many answers at this point. A trade seems to be inevitable in order to alleviate the logjam and maybe improve the right side. We haven't even touched on Engstrom and Hutson.
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 10, 2023 0:19:23 GMT -5
Barron follows the same strategy the Habs keep employing. Find a kid who was highly regarded at the draft, and has not performed to expectations and try to get him (cheaply if possible) and develop him. Barron is a defenseman I liked a lot as a U-18 player. Back then he was considered defensively strong with some potential offensive abilities over time. That seems to have done a 180 though he still hasn't produced a great deal offensively. The issue today seems to be his recognition of developing plays in the defensive zone and adapting to them. This is Reinbacher's strength. Reinbacher is already ahead of Barron and likely to be Montreal's top RHD. Who is going to be there on the 2nd a third pairs after Savard and Matheson are gone? What if one of those guy s gets injured? Are Norlinder and Harris up to the task of playing on the right? So many questions and not many answers at this point. A trade seems to be inevitable in order to alleviate the logjam and maybe improve the right side. We haven't even touched on Engstrom and Hutson. I'm all in on Hutson. He is leaps and bounds ahead of any D prospect we've had in years. The only concern is his size. But even if he doesn't grow, I believe the NHL has changed enuf that he will be a force, even if he is on the 3rd pairing but plays PP minutes. While i like Guhle and Reinbacher, and they are probably surer prospects to be top 4 if not top 2 dmen, Hutson is the only one that has Norris potential. |
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Post by PTH on Oct 10, 2023 0:21:49 GMT -5
You have to wonder what goes through a player's mind when they're put on waivers. Armia was probably, "WTF, I'm an NHL player" and like Droun believed he should be in the line up. And then a few hours later, they find out that no other team believes they're worth their pay. Must be sobering. Anyone think this will get Armia's juices going? Or are you like me and see him back in Europe by Xmas? Back in Europe would mean his cap hit is gone. I don't think that will happen, he's not making 3.4M anywhere else, but we can dream... |
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 10, 2023 0:28:21 GMT -5
You have to wonder what goes through a player's mind when they're put on waivers. Armia was probably, "WTF, I'm an NHL player" and like Droun believed he should be in the line up. And then a few hours later, they find out that no other team believes they're worth their pay. Must be sobering. Anyone think this will get Armia's juices going? Or are you like me and see him back in Europe by Xmas? Back in Europe would mean his cap hit is gone. I don't think that will happen, he's not making 3.4M anywhere else, but we can dream... That's one of the drawbacks to having the farm team in Laval, i.e Montreal. If Armia was sent to St John's or Hamilton, he might start to question whether he wants to stay to collect his $3.4 if he could get $2 million in Europe. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 10, 2023 3:35:22 GMT -5
I think the Habs run with 3 goalies to start the year. I think the forward position is the most intriguing. Ylonen can't be sent down without going on waivers, Heineman should stay, but unless a bunch of players are put on the IR someone is going down. I wish it was Armia but can't see it. Forwards that are a lock (9): Suzuki Caufield Gallagher Anderson Monahan Newhook Dach Evans Pearson On the IR: Dvorak Bubble: Armia Pezetta Ylonen Forwards that can be sent down: Slafkovsky Harvey-Pinard Heineman Suzuki Caufield Gallagher Anderson Monahan Newhook Dach Evans Pearson Slafkovsky Harvey-Pinard Pezetta On the IR: Dvorak Bubble: Armia Ylonen Forwards that can be sent down: Heinema That gives us 12 forwards They have to keep Pez... he works hard, brings an edge and plays so much better than Armia... Joel has become Drouin... an offensive black hole... Better than Armia is the definition of faint praise. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 10, 2023 5:06:56 GMT -5
You have to wonder what goes through a player's mind when they're put on waivers. Armia was probably, "WTF, I'm an NHL player" and like Droun believed he should be in the line up. And then a few hours later, they find out that no other team believes they're worth their pay. Must be sobering. Anyone think this will get Armia's juices going? Or are you like me and see him back in Europe by Xmas? Armia might agree to a contract cancellation... which would be amazing |
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Post by Polarice on Oct 10, 2023 8:10:18 GMT -5
Armia cleared waivers....They are saying he is going to be sent down.
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Post by folatre on Oct 10, 2023 8:59:49 GMT -5
Armia most certainly would not walk away from $3.4 this season and next. In fact, in real dollars, $8.6 million remains to be paid on the contract, so Armia will hang on no matter how he feels about it.
Keefe is not known as a a big line matcher type coach, but one has to wonder if he sees an extra special exploitation opportunity in the event St. Louis plays Pearson and Gallagher on Monahan's wings, as was reported from Habs practices over the last two days. That is a really slow trio.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Oct 10, 2023 12:28:49 GMT -5
Josh Anderson earns spot on Canadiens'
No. 1 line to start seasonStory by Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette One of the big questions heading into the Canadiens’ training camp was who would start the season on the No. 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. We got the answer at practice Monday in Brossard. Josh Anderson, come on down! Heading into camp, Anderson was a leading candidate to play with Suzuki and Caufield. Other options included Kirby Dach, Sean Monahan and Alex Newhook ... ... St. Louis said the decision to keep Ylönen over Heineman came down to experience. Ylönen has played 52 games with the Canadiens over the last two seasons, while Heineman has yet to play a game in the NHL. St. Louis added that doesn’t mean Heineman isn’t ready to play in the NHL, but he will have a “better chair” and more ice time in Laval to develop. St. Louis said the decision to keep Barron over Norlinder as the seventh defenceman was made for similar reasons. link
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Post by seventeen on Oct 10, 2023 13:03:29 GMT -5
There was an article on Anderson yesterday comparing last year's Anderson (runaway freight train) to end of season Anderson, who Marty had worked with and was learning to use his speed when called for and to work with his teammates more. It has made a difference. Josh is not the same player (thankfully). If only Julien and Ducharme had believed that learning doesn't stop at the NHL level, we might not have wasted several of Anderson's years.
Also of note is that during preseason, Suzuki's face off percentage was slightly above 50%, a level much higher than in the past. Seems like he's been working on that part of his game.
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Post by habsorbed on Oct 10, 2023 13:55:00 GMT -5
We'll see if Josh sticks. Still not convinced he has the aptitude and passing skills to play with the two wizards. I'm thinking Newhook will be on #1 line in a month or so, or maybe Slafs.
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Post by Willie Dog on Oct 10, 2023 14:34:39 GMT -5
Josh has a good shot, he needs to be a beast along the boards and in front of the net and be ready at any moment for a pass.
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Wonder how much of a gut punch it was to Wright to drop to 4. For someone who was touted like he was, it may be too much to overcome for a kid. Or maybe as Hugo suspected, he wasn't the real deal.
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