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Post by folatre on Sept 7, 2024 20:57:20 GMT -5
I see what you mean, but I think it is harder to defend in today's NHL because the game is way faster and the refs are whistle happy so hooking and laying the lumber are not really primary tools in the d-man's tool box. Plus, those editions of the Canadien had Roy in net.
I am not averse to trading Matheson while his value is high, but doing it literally right now before the season would probably make it harder for the Habs to progress at all in the win-loss column. And I think management wants that this season.
My interpretation of Hughes' comments regarding Hutson is that he certainly believes in the kid. But also reading between the lines I would say it suggests 11-7 is not in the cards to be regular occurrence. So, yes, Hutson will have to prove that he is an NHL d-man.
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Post by Cranky on Sept 8, 2024 13:07:00 GMT -5
My interpretation of Hughes' comments regarding Hutson is that he certainly believes in the kid. But also reading between the lines I would say it suggests 11-7 is not in the cards to be regular occurrence. So, yes, Hutson will have to prove that he is an NHL d-man. A solution to the 11-7 is to use a defensemam as a forward, Byfuglien style. But what a mess that would be in line jugling. It's better to use Hutson as a full time defenseman even as a 12 minute third pairing. But...another problem arises. Our best defensive defenseman with Hutson is Savard or Guhle, which are the last players that we want to limit ice time. This is why I'm a bit skeptical about Hutson. Will his offense be so amazing as to bend the team to fit him in? Or just put him in the AHL to grow and adapt while we put in Mailman who has a full set of tools. A mistake here and there is a lot less painfull then organizing Hutson musical chairs. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 8, 2024 14:55:24 GMT -5
Some stuff from Broussard... 40 players are there... lots of excitement
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 9, 2024 11:12:27 GMT -5
As part of opening night, they put in a new scoreboard, looks amazing, the light show should be awesome on opening night, love the flame... 24 stars around the logo... attention to detail http://instagram.com/p/C_s10Lex8Pg |
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Post by folatre on Sept 9, 2024 18:15:48 GMT -5
Very cool. The atmosphere in that building when the Habs are cooking is unsurpassed.
One thing that I noted in the schedule that I really dislike (thanks Bettman/Daly) is that Montreal only plays Boston three times this season, one frickin' game at the Centre Bell and it is not even a Saturday night.
I get it that bumping the season up to 84 games requires negotiations with the NHLPA, but if we are stuck with the reality of an unbalanced divisional slate (four games against five rivals, three games against the other two), then why the frick can't the NHL at least protect the key rivalries (Original Six, geographic).
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 9, 2024 18:27:03 GMT -5
Very cool. The atmosphere in that building when the Habs are cooking is unsurpassed. One thing that I noted in the schedule that I really dislike (thanks Bettman/Daly) is that Montreal only plays Boston three times this season, one frickin' game at the Centre Bell and it is not even a Saturday night. I get it that bumping the season up to 84 games requires negotiations with the NHLPA, but if we are stuck with the reality of an unbalanced divisional slate (four games against five rivals, three games against the other two), then why the frick can't the NHL at least protect the key rivalries (Original Six, geographic). Key rivalries have nothing to do with growing the game in the US which is all Count Buttula cares about... |
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Post by Tankdriver on Sept 9, 2024 22:02:17 GMT -5
Personally I wish preseason was only 3 or 4 games. Players come to camp in shape now. No need for those games. Rookies can play in the AHL and prove they deserve a call up. I'd also increase regular season to 84 games but start mid September: 32 (2 x western conference), 24 (3× metro) 28 (4× east)
When expansion hits that's when it gets difficult to balance out.
35 x2 is 70 games add another 8 for your division for total of 78? If you add 16 for your division then you are pushing 86.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 10, 2024 2:54:55 GMT -5
Personally I wish preseason was only 3 or 4 games. Players come to camp in shape now. No need for those games. Rookies can play in the AHL and prove they deserve a call up. I'd also increase regular season to 84 games but start mid September: 32 (2 x western conference), 24 (3× metro) 28 (4× east) When expansion hits that's when it gets difficult to balance out. 35 x2 is 70 games add another 8 for your division for total of 78? If you add 16 for your division then you are pushing 86. preseason games are big money makers. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 10, 2024 5:49:29 GMT -5
Personally I wish preseason was only 3 or 4 games. Players come to camp in shape now. No need for those games. Rookies can play in the AHL and prove they deserve a call up. I'd also increase regular season to 84 games but start mid September: 32 (2 x western conference), 24 (3× metro) 28 (4× east) When expansion hits that's when it gets difficult to balance out. 35 x2 is 70 games add another 8 for your division for total of 78? If you add 16 for your division then you are pushing 86. preseason games are big money makers. Players don't get paid for playoffs (other than bonuses if applicable), what about preseason? |
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Post by Skilly on Sept 10, 2024 8:59:52 GMT -5
preseason games are big money makers. Players don't get paid for playoffs (other than bonuses if applicable), what about preseason? I believe the calendar year for players salaries starts on July 1, and runs until the end of the regular season |
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Post by Andrew on Sept 12, 2024 11:30:31 GMT -5
A preview of the first PP unit? No real surprise if things unfold that way. Matheson is the veteran coming off a 62 point campaign. The PP1 QB spot is his to lose according to how NHL teams tend to operate.
We'll have the makings of a good second unit with Dach, Newhook and Hutson.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 12, 2024 12:25:41 GMT -5
I'm still beating the 'trade Matheson' drum. This PP is a perfect example. It sucked. Matheson, despite getting a lot of his points on the PP, just doesn't quarterback it well. He mishandles pucks, giving the box a chance to reshape itself, he doesn't get shots through well, and it took him effing forever to learn to pass to Slafkovsky. That alone is cause enough for me to move him along. Anyone who can't see that good things were happening when you gave that kid the puck, doesn't deserve ice time. My only explanation is that Matheson is fully entrenched in the "Union veteran's creed' where seniority overcomes talent.
Yes, he made the occasional spectacular rush resulting in a goal (2, 3 times?) but how often did he create 2 on 1's against or completely be out of position, or be watching an attacker in front instead of tying up his stick? Way more often than 2 or 3 goals for. His value won't ever be higher. Grab a first and prospect for him while we can and open up another LHD spot for Guhle or Struble.
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 12, 2024 12:52:58 GMT -5
I can see them moving Matheson and keeping Savard, giving him a short-term deal and then he joins the coaching staff like Byron.
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Post by Cranky on Sept 12, 2024 13:12:54 GMT -5
Unless there is a vlear overpayment Hughes is very unlikely to move anyone of significance until he sees if we got replacements.
Move out Savard...but then Hutson may be affected.
Move out Matheson but then the anemic power play gets another blow before it has a chance to improve.
Just too many unknowns to trade. Wait until November.
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Post by seventeen on Sept 12, 2024 14:37:18 GMT -5
Unless there is a vlear overpayment Hughes is very unlikely to move anyone of significance until he sees if we got replacements. Move out Savard...but then Hutson may be affected. Move out Matheson but then the anemic power play gets another blow before it has a chance to improve. Just too many unknowns to trade. Wait until November. I also think it's too early to trade Matheson, as much as I'd like to. At the latest by the TDL, though, we should have a much better idea about most of our defense kids. |
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Post by Skilly on Sept 13, 2024 12:51:36 GMT -5
A preview of the first PP unit? No real surprise if things unfold that way. Matheson is the veteran coming off a 62 point campaign. The PP1 QB spot is his to lose according to how NHL teams tend to operate. We'll have the makings of a good second unit with Dach, Newhook and Hutson. Radical thought The second PP be Dach-Newhook-Hutson-Mailloux and you rotate one of Suzuki-Laine-Slaf to stay on the full 2 mins. By that I mean, the first PO Slaf goes 2 mins, the second PP Suzuki goes 2 mins , etc |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 13, 2024 13:04:24 GMT -5
A preview of the first PP unit? No real surprise if things unfold that way. Matheson is the veteran coming off a 62 point campaign. The PP1 QB spot is his to lose according to how NHL teams tend to operate. We'll have the makings of a good second unit with Dach, Newhook and Hutson. Radical thought The second PP be Dach-Newhook-Hutson-Mailloux and you rotate one of Suzuki-Laine-Slaf to stay on the full 2 mins. By that I mean, the first PO Slaf goes 2 mins, the second PP Suzuki goes 2 mins , etc Even more radical, put hutson as a forward and bring on Arber |
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Post by Skilly on Sept 13, 2024 17:54:13 GMT -5
Radical thought The second PP be Dach-Newhook-Hutson-Mailloux and you rotate one of Suzuki-Laine-Slaf to stay on the full 2 mins. By that I mean, the first PO Slaf goes 2 mins, the second PP Suzuki goes 2 mins , etc Even more radical, put hutson as a forward and bring on Arber I hate using 4 forwards on a PP. especially on both units. It's probably one reason they get so many short handed goals scored against, and the 5 on 3 was atrocious. They've been trying the 4 forwards trick for how long? 2-3 years? And it hasn't worked. I hear lots saying the PP hasn't been the same since Markov , but guess what? They didn't use four forwards then. So while Lane has quick hands, he can still be a defense on the 2nd PP. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 13, 2024 18:04:40 GMT -5
Even more radical, put hutson as a forward and bring on Arber I hate using 4 forwards on a PP. especially on both units. It's probably one reason they get so many short handed goals scored against, and the 5 on 3 was atrocious. They've been trying the 4 forwards trick for how long? 2-3 years? And it hasn't worked. I hear lots saying the PP hasn't been the same since Markov , but guess what? They didn't use four forwards then. So while Lane has quick hands, he can still be a defense on the 2nd PP. Newhook-dach-Hutson Xhekaj-mailloux is what I'm saying, that is radical, let Lane get loose |
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Post by seventeen on Sept 13, 2024 22:22:12 GMT -5
Even more radical, put hutson as a forward and bring on Arber I hate using 4 forwards on a PP. especially on both units. It's probably one reason they get so many short handed goals scored against, and the 5 on 3 was atrocious. They've been trying the 4 forwards trick for how long? 2-3 years? And it hasn't worked. I hear lots saying the PP hasn't been the same since Markov , but guess what? They didn't use four forwards then. So while Lane has quick hands, he can still be a defense on the 2nd PP. Didn't Matheson fumble the puck a lot at the blue line on the PP, leading to shorthanded goals? Just speculating. |
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Post by Cranky on Sept 13, 2024 22:39:45 GMT -5
Newhook-dach-Hutson Xhekaj-mailloux is what I'm saying, that is radical, let Lane get loose You mean... Newhook-dach-Laine Xhekaj-mailloux X and Mailman? Huge upside if they don't score, they just beat them up. I can't wait to see those two together. Mailman breaking into the zone and X unleashing 108mph shots. Even if he misses, a few of them hitting goalies and defenseman will start to freeze them. Weber shot did that and X shot is already as hard/fast and getting harder/faster. Only a month to go.... |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 14, 2024 8:02:05 GMT -5
Newhook-dach-Hutson Xhekaj-mailloux is what I'm saying, that is radical, let Lane get loose You mean... Newhook-dach-Laine Xhekaj-mailloux X and Mailman? Huge upside if they don't score, they just beat them up. I can't wait to see those two together. Mailman breaking into the zone and X unleashing 108mph shots. Even if he misses, a few of them hitting goalies and defenseman will start to freeze them. Weber shot did that and X shot is already as hard/fast and getting harder/faster. Only a month to go.... No I mean radical, Hutson on the half wall Newhook-dach-Hutson Xhekaj-mailloux |
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 14, 2024 8:19:59 GMT -5
This is how you get ready for hockey
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Post by Skilly on Sept 17, 2024 16:09:51 GMT -5
Tell me that Arber didn't star in The Mighty Ducks, .... I dare ya!
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Post by Willie Dog on Sept 20, 2024 13:46:56 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Sept 20, 2024 16:52:17 GMT -5
It's my opinion that by game 3, Gallagher will have replaced Anderson on the 3rd line. Spoken like a true shorter of Anderson stock. Gallagher was supposedly looking really fast and good in today's scrimmages.
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Post by folatre on Sept 20, 2024 18:13:05 GMT -5
I think St. Louis saw some decent chemistry for Gallagher with Evans and Armia in the final quarter of last season. Basically the way I see it, the two bottom six lines will over time log approximately the same minutes. It will just vary night to night in terms of which one has better jump and three zone presence.
Not that they are the best PKers in the league (because if they were Montreal would not be bottom quintile in penalty kill season after season), but the reality is Evans and Armia are really important to the Habs at this juncture. They are on the PK1. Vincent is going to have put a serious emphasis on sharpening the penalty kill chops of kids like Beck and Reinbacher because they will be counted on in 2025-26 with the Habs.
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Post by habsorbed on Sept 20, 2024 22:05:33 GMT -5
I think St. Louis saw some decent chemistry for Gallagher with Evans and Armia in the final quarter of last season. Basically the way I see it, the two bottom six lines will over time log approximately the same minutes. It will just vary night to night in terms of which one has better jump and three zone presence. Not that they are the best PKers in the league (because if they were Montreal would not be bottom quintile in penalty kill season after season), but the reality is Evans and Armia are really important to the Habs at this juncture. They are on the PK1. Vincent is going to have put a serious emphasis on sharpening the penalty kill chops of kids like Beck and Reinbacher because they will be counted on in 2025-26 with the Habs. Ya, I don't see it as a 3rd and 4th line designation. But on paper those are best bottom 6 we've had in a long time. Then agian, the cap hit for the bottom 6 has got to be the most for any team.  But if Gally and Anderson can find their former form, Armia plays like he can, and Roy takes the next step we might have the best bottom 6 in the league.  |
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Post by IamCanadiens on Sept 21, 2024 8:29:46 GMT -5
Not that they are the best PKers in the league (because if they were Montreal would not be bottom quintile in penalty kill season after season), but the reality is Evans and Armia are really important to the Habs at this juncture. They are on the PK1. Vincent is going to have put a serious emphasis on sharpening the penalty kill chops of kids like Beck and Reinbacher because they will be counted on in 2025-26 with the Habs. That last statement is exactly what gets me excited about the PK moving forward. Winning draws is huge for that and if Beck can continue that dominance at the NHL level the Habs are in great shape. Reinbacher is so smart and responsible and he'll be a pillar of strength on the PK in the future. It's agonizing to see the skills of those 2 and know they're probably better off in Laval this year. Love watching the development of these young guys but I know I need to temper my expectations. |
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Post by seventeen on Sept 21, 2024 12:43:39 GMT -5
That last statement is exactly what gets me excited about the PK moving forward. Winning draws is huge for that and if Beck can continue that dominance at the NHL level the Habs are in great shape. Reinbacher is so smart and responsible and he'll be a pillar of strength on the PK in the future. It's agonizing to see the skills of those 2 and know they're probably better off in Laval this year. Love watching the development of these young guys but I know I need to temper my expectations. I got into a debate on twitter with someone who asked to predict Slaf's production this year. Guesstimates topped out in the low 70's but most were around 60'ish. I threw out 35-55-90, because I think he's going to do it. Naturally, the replies were sarcastic and when I replied "See you in April" (which is fair because I could be way off base too. It wasn't a challenge), the other guy came back with "Yeah sounds good. Won't see you in playoffs for sure". What's hard dealing with some twits on Twitter, is that they don't acknowledge the possibility, even if it's a 10% outlier, that it's possible and not hopelessly ridiculous. I peg Slaf's highly increased production at 50/50 if he stays healthy. Training camp comments like "dominating" when thrown out by more than one pundit, are to be respected. That first line, in the last 41 games of the year, produced 53 goals. Double that and you get 106. I not only think that's possible, I think it's likely. Caufield's shoulder wasn't really completely healthy till the last 10 games or so. And Matheson wasn't passing to Slaf nearly as often as he should have on the PP. Not to mention the added experience from the kids on D and the better offensive talent back there with the additions of Hutson, Engstrom and Mailloux (not necessarily all together of course). To completely ignore the possibility of a 90 point season from Slaf and a playoff spot for the Habs is just closing your mind and expecting everything for everyone to turn out exactly the same as last year. Foolish. I could be completely wrong of course, but what the hell, go big or go home. |
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