HF Habs: 2020 Montreal Canadiens Off-Season Thread part 3

[Sterling Archer]

He was almost about to do the impossible and carry this garbage team back into the playoffs spot when he scored against Toronto in Febuary.

Yes, I want the washed up Kovalchuk back because even at his advance age he was still able to pull some moves and create some plays than most players in our roster.

I’d prefer aiming higher than that.

 

[Le Tricolore]

He was almost about to do the impossible and carry this garbage team back into the playoffs spot when he scored against Toronto in Febuary.

Yes, I want the washed up Kovalchuk back because even at his advance age he was still able to pull some moves and create some plays than most players in our roster.

No he wasn't.

The idea of Kovalchuk was awesome. Seeing him score in OT against Ottawa and Toronto was really fun, no doubt, but if's the only help the Habs get in the off-season, the team will not be good at all. I wouldn't mind signing Kovalchuk to play him as a PP specialist, but your expectations for him are insane.

 

[Metallo]

There’s no “big push” and we are a mediocre team. If I’m going to watch a lousy team I want to be entertained and Kovalchuk was more entertaining in that 1 month than most of our players.

Kovalchuk will get us more points in OT or Shootout alone than any other scrub that Bergevin will attempt to sign.

You realize that the Habs where 4-1 in SO last year. He’s going to give them one more point.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

There’s no “big push” and we are a mediocre team. If I’m going to watch a lousy team I want to be entertained and Kovalchuk was more entertaining in that 1 month than most of our players.

Kovalchuk will get us more points in OT or Shootout alone than any other scrub that Bergevin will attempt to sign.

Thats not a really good argument for getting a player lmao

 

[the]

No he wasn't.

The idea of Kovalchuk was awesome. Seeing him score in OT against Ottawa and Toronto was really fun, no doubt, but if's the only help the Habs get in the off-season, the team will not be good at all. I wouldn't mind signing Kovalchuk to play him as a PP specialist, but your expectations for him are insane.

What is insane is people thinking that this team can actually compete. I'll take my eye candy and be satisfied with that until we get a new GM or by some miracle land a Superstar player.

 

[the]

Thats not a really good argument for getting a player lmao

Why not? For 2m I think we are getting a lot back compared to our usual scrubs that won't be able to contribute offensively.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Why not? For 2m I think we are getting a lot back compared to our usual scrubs that won't be able to contribute offensively.

Wasted 2m. 1- We don't need third liners. Having Kovalchuk on a top 6 means we are in big deep shit.
Hes no solution at all. Hes washed up. Id rather have Byron skating in OT. Kovalchuk was fun to watch for 10 games and thats about it.

 

[Gustave]

There’s no source saying that Kovalchuk signs here. I just like to point it out.

 

[Sterling Archer]

There’s no source saying that Kovalchuk signs here. I just like to point it out.

Thank god for that!

 

[the]

You realize that the Habs where 4-1 in SO last year. He’s going to give them one more point.

You do realize that Kovalchuk scored against Las Vegas and New Jersey in SO to make that record 4-1? Without him we might have very well be looking at 2-3.

 

[the]

Wasted 2m. 1- We don't need third liners. Having Kovalchuk on a top 6 means we are in big deep shit.
Hes no solution at all. Hes washed up. Id rather have Byron skating in OT. Kovalchuk was fun to watch for 10 games and thats about it.

In 82 games schedule of almost pure misery, those 10 fun games are always welcomed.

We already wasted money on a lot of useless players. Might as well give some more away to someone who might surprise us.

 

[Metallo]

You do realize that Kovalchuk scored both times against Las Vegas and New Jersey in SO to make that record 4-1? Without him we might have very well be looking at 2-3.

My point is that it’s a few points at best and you can’t credit them all to Kovalchuck. The goalie has to make a save and othe guys have to score for it to matter. SO is not what it was, now that it’s 3vs3 OT.

 

[the]

My point is that it’s a few points at best and you can’t credit them all to Kovalchuck. The goalie has to make a save and othe guys have to score for it to matter. SO is not what it was, now that it’s 3vs3 OT.

For 2m I feel it’s a really good deal if he can steal us a few points in OT and SO. I mean he wasn’t a liability for us defensively and did produce over 0.50 PPG between LA, Montreal and Washington so why not?

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

82 games of almost pure misery, those 10 fun games are always welcomed.

We already wasted money on a lot of useless players. Might as well give some more away to someone who might surprise us.

Let's give top 6 minutes to a washed up guy that will end with probably 25-30 points on a 82 games season

This is not a good solution at all. We are already old enough in the back and talentless in the front. Kovalchuk skating ability are mediocre also.

At this point Target Rakell , atleast he can skate and chance to get 30 goals and his value is a low atm

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Let's be honest here.

Bergy has one move remaining and that's to get a Top 6 RW.

Goaltending is set and so is the D.
Would I like a Top 2 LPMD sure, but Krug is the only option and I am not that sure he really is a top 2.
Plus he's on the smaller side and MB is looking for size on D.

The only glaring hole now to start next season is at top 6 RW.

Can't have Armia on the 2nd line.

Drouin - Suzuki - Top RW
Tatar - Danault - Gally
Byron - Kotka - Armia

Yes KK on the 3rd.
Let him prove that the 10 game sample wasn't an outlier and move his way up.

The Danault line is too just good to break up. I mean they can score and always play against the opposition's best lines.

If Laine is indeed inain Winni we have to give up big and get him.

Domi + Kulak + Brook or Juulsen + 2020 1st rounder

Winnipeg makes the most sense.

They get a 2C, a top 4 D, a Potential #4 D + a 1st rounder in a deep draft.

A hockey trade for both clubs.

I mean the players we are shipping out are pretty good, but ultimately redundant in Montreal.

Drouin - Suzuki - Laine
Tatar - Danault - Gally
Byron - Kotka - Armia

Suddenly this looks like a solid top 9.

Next year find a way to replace Tatar.
Trade Petry at the deadline for a nice haul.

Then worry about finding a replacement for Petry. Maybe a Dumba like D will be available next year.

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Kovalchuk for me is not an option.

Yes he did look good with the Habs last season however let's not forget that he went pointless his last 7 or 8 games I believe before the trade and he was already showing signs of slowing down.

With this team being all about speed, Kovi doesn't make much sense.

Besides he's at best a 3rd liner now. We need a goal.scorer in the top 6... Preferably top line RW.

 

[Metallo]

For 2m I feel it’s a really good deal if he can steal us a few points in OT and SO. I mean he wasn’t a liability for us defensively and did produce over 0.50 PPG between LA, Montreal and Washington so why not?

Maybe he’s worth it. Maybe not. The point is, that call should not be made by looking at SO. It’s close to irrelevant in today’s NHL.

If I where the Habs I would aim higher. You don’t build a winner through the bargain bin.

 

[JianYang]

There’s no source saying that Kovalchuk signs here. I just like to point it out.

They left on good terms, and while I don't remember kovalchuk's exit scrum by word, I do recall coming away with the impression that he would like to come back next year. Now that I think of it, I also recall either Engels or basu strongly inferring that Kovy would like to come back next year.

I think Bergevin has to look harder to fill in the winger void. Next year won't be friendly to kovalchuk. He will be one year older, and the season is probably going to be quite condensed, which makes it that much harder for his body to perform over the entire grind.

I can totally see MB making a move for Kovy though if whatever other ideas he has don't come to fruition.

But this is also pre pandemic news. A 37 year old guy who has all that financial security with a young family might just reconsider how badly he would like to continue his career with the new reality. He could just hang them up for good.

 

[Miller Time]

My dumb musing of the day I'll throw out... I want to trade domi to minny for Suter and a 1st.

Reunite suter and weber.

would not be a terrible idea, but i doubt there's any chance Suter would waive to come here, nor do i think the Wild would have any interest in moving him.

Unlike Weber, he's maintained near peak level of performance... seems more likely to follow the niedemayer/lidstrom path of only minimal decline through his late 30's. Would be a great asset, just don't see him being available or accepting Mtl as a destination if he was.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Let's be honest here.

Bergy has one move remaining and that's to get a Top 6 RW.

Goaltending is set and so is the D.
Would I like a Top 2 LPMD sure, but Krug is the only option and I am not that sure he really is a top 2.
Plus he's on the smaller side and MB is looking for size on D.

The only glaring hole now to start next season is at top 6 RW.

Can't have Armia on the 2nd line.

Drouin - Suzuki - Top RW
Tatar - Danault - Gally
Byron - Kotka - Armia

Yes KK on the 3rd.
Let him prove that the 10 game sample wasn't an outlier and move his way up.

The Danault line is too just good to break up. I mean they can score and always play against the opposition's best lines.

If Laine is indeed inain Winni we have to give up big and get him.

Domi + Kulak + Brook or Juulsen + 2020 1st rounder

Winnipeg makes the most sense.

They get a 2C, a top 4 D, a Potential #4 D + a 1st rounder in a deep draft.

A hockey trade for both clubs.

I mean the players we are shipping out are pretty good, but ultimately redundant in Montreal.

Drouin - Suzuki - Laine
Tatar - Danault - Gally
Byron - Kotka - Armia

Suddenly this looks like a solid top 9.

Next year find a way to replace Tatar.
Trade Petry at the deadline for a nice haul.

Then worry about finding a replacement for Petry. Maybe a Dumba like D will be available next year.

Let prove KK is 10 games are not a fluke

Puts him with Paul Byron and Armia. Cmon.

 

[26Mats]

Let prove KK is 10 games are not a fluke

Puts him with Paul Byron and Armia. Cmon.

This exact scenario is why I hope we sign Kovalchuk if we have 1 million in cap space after all other moves and it's looking like one of KK or Suzuki will get stuck with two, or even 1 of Byron, Lehkonen and Armia.

 

[26Mats]

Hearing all these reports about the details of how all these teams will have to get rid of players because of how bad their cap situation is. Really makes me wonder if there weren't better alternatives than using 8 million in cap space on a backup goalie and a 4/5 D - especially when our biggest need is at forward...

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

This exact scenario is why I hope we sign Kovalchuk if we have 1 million in cap space after all other moves and it's looking like one of KK or Suzuki will get stuck with two, or even 1 of Byron, Lehkonen and Armia.

Byron is just not a 3rd liner.

Lekhonen and Armia should be the third liners. Kovalchuk has no spot to play on this team. Let's move on , he's wasted money even at 1m. Id rather have a younger kid on the 4th line than having Kovalchuk

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Let prove KK is 10 games are not a fluke

Puts him with Paul Byron and Armia. Cmon.

Give him PP time, shelter him less, make him make his wingers better.

Hockey is not all about goals and assists.

You can easily see if a player is ready for more responsibility and ready for the next step by how he plays and how he matures on the ice.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Maybe he’s worth it. Maybe not. The point is, that call should not be made by looking at SO. It’s close to irrelevant in today’s NHL.

If I where the Habs I would aim higher. You don’t build a winner through the bargain bin.

Unless you win all your trades