HF Habs: 2023 Roster, Schedule & Standings Thread

[WeThreeKings]

They are who we thought they were. Not worried, feel like we still have a good shot at a top 5/6 pick. I didn't expect that Columbus would be so bad but hopefully this year we get the Devils/Oilers lottery luck.

Columbus is just decimated by injuries.

No Voracek
No Boqvist
No Werenski

They've missed Laine for periods and some others.

 

[waitin425]

Tampa Saturday followed by Arizona, Colorado and Dallas before Christmas. We could be in a tail spin by then.

Oh and Florida is in Jersey, in Boston, home vs Jersey and that at the Islanders. They could also be in a tail spin!

 

[HabzSauce]

On my first try. Dream scenario:

View attachment 622359

Brother I don't know if I was full on asleep/dreaming, or just imagining it right before I fell asleep....

But I too had this exact same image in my mind, with Habs winning #1 and FLA winning #3

 

[Habs Halifax]

Tampa Saturday followed by Arizona, Colorado and Dallas before Christmas. We could be in a tail spin by then.

Oh and Florida is in Jersey, in Boston, home vs Jersey and that at the Islanders. They could also be in a tail spin!

Panther tail spin . Lets go!

 

[waitin425]

Brother I don't know if I was full on asleep/dreaming, or just imagining it right before I fell asleep....

But I too had this exact same image in my mind, with Habs winning #1 and FLA winning #3

Wow! So obviously Bedard goes first.

Who do we want at 3? Either of Fantilli or Michkov? I would just hope for Fantilli. Too many centers is a good thing. Michkov could be the home run...but way too much uncertainty. If Anaheim takes Fantilli, then sure grab Matvei and wait for him to come.

Slaf - Fantilli - Bedard
Dach - Suzuki - Caufield

 

[xX SEYF Xx]

Brother I don't know if I was full on asleep/dreaming, or just imagining it right before I fell asleep....

But I too had this exact same image in my mind, with Habs winning #1 and FLA winning #3

I myself am going to do all my possible for us to win the lottery

I'm going to watch the lottery at les 3 brasseurs st-Catherine street
with the same colleague as last year, sit at the same table, order poutine, chicken wings, beer and hot brownie

I expect you all do exactly what you did last year
we can do this
cheers

 

[Habs Halifax]

Wow! So obviously Bedard goes first.

Who do we want at 3? Either of Fantilli or Michkov? I would just hope for Fantilli. Too many centers is a good thing. Michkov could be the home run...but way too much uncertainty. If Anaheim takes Fantilli, then sure grab Matvei and wait for him to come.

Slaf - Fantilli - Bedard
Dach - Suzuki - Caufield

I see no problem at all taking Michkov. Let him develop in Russia and he comes to the NHL starting his ELC at a later age. I see that as a positive.

If you believe his his age 21+ potential, take him.

 

[waitin425]

I see no problem at all taking Michkov. Let him develop in Russia and he comes to the NHL starting his ELC at a later age. I see that as a positive.

If you believe his his age 21+ potential, take him.

My top 3 for the draft is

1. Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Fantilli

But if given the choice between Fantilli and Michkov, I would take Fantilli. The current Russian factor, as bad as it is and Michkov's contract wouldn't drop him below 3 for me. As highly touted as Carlsson is as well, I see the top 3 of this draft as all potential Elite Superstars.

 

[Habs Halifax]

My top 3 for the draft is

1. Bedard
2. Michkov
3. Fantilli

But if given the choice between Fantilli and Michkov, I would take Fantilli. The current Russian factor, as bad as it is and Michkov's contract wouldn't drop him below 3 for me. As highly touted as Carlsson is as well, I see the top 3 of this draft as all potential Elite Superstars.

I would agree with that but I think based on the Russian narrative and KHL contract, he goes 3-5 range. Fantilli will go 2nd baring any collapse in his momentum.

Michkov is very gifted as well. 5'-10" and 148 lbs though. That's light! Very light. He's 2" taller than Hutson at the same weight. 148 lbs is what I can see on Elite Prospects but wondering if his weight is out of date?

There is a fair chance Michkov slips to 5. Russian factor, KHL factor, Size/Weight.

 

[DAChampion]

I would pass on Michkov. The hostilities between NATO and Russia are only going to worsen for the foreseeable future.

 

[26Mats]

I would pass on Michkov. The hostilities between NATO and Russia are only going to worsen for the foreseeable future.

Russian players will still come over.

We've done well with players that have fallen (Caufield, Mailloux, Hutson). Let's keep taking advantage of these types of situations.

 

[DAChampion]

Russian players will still come over.

We've done well with players that have fallen (Caufield, Mailloux, Hutson). Let's keep taking advantage of these types of situations.

This is a completely different situation.

 

[26Mats]

This is a different situation.

Very true. But even when players weren't allowed to leave Russia by law during the cold war, they escaped anyways. It may take a few years, like in Kuznetsov's case when he had good offers in the KHL, butbhe'll come over.

I think he and Slaf would be excellent together on opposite wings. Both can pass and score, and you Slaf balances put the height issue, as Dach does with Caufield.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Imagine winning the 1st or 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th or 5th) overall with the florida pick and picking between 5th or 7th with our pick.

I think I'd have my first heart attack

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I would pass on Michkov. The hostilities between NATO and Russia are only going to worsen for the foreseeable future.

I think Craig button had him at 5 on his list. Probably in part due to external situations

 

[Habs Halifax]

I would pass on Michkov. The hostilities between NATO and Russia are only going to worsen for the foreseeable future.

Nah... That's extreme worrisome thinking if you think Russian players don't play in the NHL again. Personally, I think his size/weight are more of a concern than the Russian factor.

Caufield, Michkov, Hutson. That might be as far as I am willing to go with skilled undersized players on a cup contending roster. Better have them surrounded with the right pieces.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Craig button had him at 5 on his list. Probably in part due to external situations

Yes, Button had him 5th. He may slip more than 5. Hard to guess. Not many fans talking about his weight at 148 lbs (Elite Prospects).

I'm curious, when was the last guy drafted in the top 5 who weighed less than 150 lbs? Fans talking about the Russian factor and KHL contract but his size is something to evaluate as well.

I googled it again and is he at 159 now? Still on the light side IMO for top 5 standards. I think he is but he better be elite at both skating and skill.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Imagine winning the 1st or 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th or 5th) overall with the florida pick and picking between 5th or 7th with our pick.

I think I'd have my first heart attack

Imagine watching the lottery show... Habs have the 7th spot and Panthers have the 12th spot.

They start announcing picks 16 and down and it falls in order all the way to 12th and Panthers/Habs card don't show up? Bang! We know we got at least #2. Then teams from 11-8 fall in line. Imagine what we will be thinking at that point before 7 is revealed?

 

[McGees]

Yeah Bedard and Carlsson in this case. Then you use Bedard as an RW.

I mean,

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slaf - Carlsson - Bedard
Rohrer - Beck (?) - Mesar
Roy - Davidson - Jackeye

Guhle - Hutson
Harris - Mailloux
Engstrom - Barron

Bjarnarson (1st from one of these assets this year)
Montembault

Draft some Ds in 2024, maybe a C. I'm guessing the best move with all the others assets will be to get a C in his prime to replace Dvorak/Monahan, and we'll have the assets for a very good one.
We already have options with Kidney, Farrell etc.

You forgot Gally, his contract ends in 2048.

 

[SOLR]

You forgot Gally, his contract ends in 2048.

If we get Carlsson and Bedard you bury Gally, cost of doing business. And then you buy him out when necessary vs. the cap.

 

[Colezuki]

I myself am going to do all my possible for us to win the lottery

I'm going to watch the lottery at les 3 brasseurs st-Catherine street
with the same colleague as last year, sit at the same table, order poutine, chicken wings, beer and hot brownie

I expect you all do exactly what you did last year
we can do this
cheers

oh no, I moved! I was on the couch in my old living room

 

[Essenege]

Panthers next 12 games (until half season mark)

2x Boston
2x NJD
Vegas
Dallas
Colorado
Rangers
Islanders
Detroit
Habs
Arizona

It’s a tough schedule, they could be under .500 at the midway point….realistically it will be hella difficult to make the POs in the East with a sub .500 record with 40 games to go

 

[Mrb1p]

Wow! So obviously Bedard goes first.

Who do we want at 3? Either of Fantilli or Michkov? I would just hope for Fantilli. Too many centers is a good thing. Michkov could be the home run...but way too much uncertainty. If Anaheim takes Fantilli, then sure grab Matvei and wait for him to come.

Slaf - Fantilli - Bedard
Dach - Suzuki - Caufield

You take Michkov, just the fact he gets a UFA contract three years later is immense for value on a contender. It means the Habs would have two first liners for 10 millions. Think of Makar/Mackinnon.

 

[Redux91]

This is great man
FIVE teams behind us only 3 points or less back
If we get lucky with SJ we can be bottom 5 by next WEEK baby

Then we just gotta stay the course and we just might get the gem we need to move forward with everything
Excited man lol
I got my fix for wins and youth shining lmao, now it's time for the real bidness baby

 

[SOLR]

Imagine winning the 1st or 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th or 5th) overall with the florida pick and picking between 5th or 7th with our pick.

I think I'd have my first heart attack

No more red wine for you.

Panthers next 12 games (until half season mark)

2x Boston
2x NJD
Vegas
Dallas
Colorado
Rangers
Islanders
Detroit
Habs
Arizona

It’s a tough schedule, they could be under .500 at the midway point….realistically it will be hella difficult to make the POs in the East with a sub .500 record with 40 games to go

Will be funny if they start selling hard without a 1st rounder in their pocket.