HF Habs: 2023 Roster, Schedule & Standings Thread

[26Mats]

He should've been sold and not extended. This was the one year we should've tanked.

I agree with you. I would have sold to help the tank.

But on the whole, Allen hasn't been great this year. And you do need decent goaltending when developing young prospects.

It is a tough balance between developing the youth in a competitive, winning culture and tanking to get those generational top 5 picks that the vast majority of cup winners have had.

 

[ReHabs]

I agree with you. I would have sold to help the tank.

But on the whole, Allen hasn't been great this year. And you do need decent goaltending when developing young prospects.

It is a tough balance between developing the youth in a competitive, winning culture and tanking to get those generational top 5 picks that the vast majority of cup winners have had.

I know he's not been great, he's not even been good -- which is why the games he does steal are so frustrating. He's stolen at least 6 points that I can think of -- it would've meant we were dead last in the Atlantic and 2nd last in the East if it wasn't for that.

 

[Habs Halifax]

He should've been sold and not extended. This was the one year we should've tanked.

Yeah, ruin the current youth development on the NHL roster cause you have Bedard fever. Good plan and it's all Allen's fault now? First it's Monty and now Allen? .

Taking a 1st to get Monahan was also dumb right? Monahan helps us win

Sorry but tanking is for childish minds who have big dreams that are not probable. Bedard would be nice but fans will never understand. I bet you there is a fair chance the Blackhawks end up in a waive of talent similar to our waive in the end. 4th pick vs 7th or 8th. Stupid Blackhawks... Should have traded Kane earlier eh?

I'll think more about a possible tank in Jan. I said Dec/Jan a few months ago and now that Dec is half over, we need to see more cause we are higher in the standings than expected. That's basically how Gorton and Hughes are looking at it (believe it or not) and many others as well.

Yzerman was dumb to move up in the standing this year. He should have tanked for Bedard.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Desired results for tonight:

- FLA regulation loss to CBJ: it will bring CBJ within 6 pts of MTL while keeping FLA where they are.

- BUF win vs. LAK: it will bring BUF back to within 2 pts of MTL
- NYI win vs. BOS: NYI win and FLA regulation loss would put NYI 6 pts ahead of FLA.
- TBL win vs. SEA: TBL win and FLA regulation loss would put TBL 7 pts ahead of FLA.
- DET win vs. CAR: DET win and FLA regulation loss would put DET 4 pts ahead of FLA.
- NSH win vs. EDM: NSH win would put them within 1 pt of MTL & FLA.
- WSH win vs. CHI: WSH win would put them 4 pts ahead of MTL & FLA (no point caring about CHI).

- PHI vs. COL: PHI win would put bring them back with 3 pts of MTL & FLA. COL win would put them 2 pts ahead of MTL.
- ARI vs. SJS: ARI win will bring them within 6 pts. SJS win will bring them within 5 pts.

As many games as possible in OT/SO would be ideal as even the teams losing picking up a loser point could still serve the purpose.

 

[ReHabs]

Yeah, ruin the current youth development on the NHL roster cause you have Bedard fever. Good plan and it's all Allen's fault now? First it's Monty and now Allen? .

Taking a 1st to get Monahan was also dumb right? Monahan helps us win

Sorry but tanking is for childish minds who have big dreams that are not probable. Bedard would be nice but fans will never understand. I bet you there is a fair chance the Blackhawks end up in a waive of talent similar to our waive in the end. 4th pick vs 7th or 8th. Stupid Blackhawks... Should have traded Kane earlier eh?

I never said the Monahan trade was bad.

The fact is Allen is not a good goalie but he's been stealing games. If you can't deal with that observation in the Tank discussion then maybe you shouldn't read these comments.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I will say that after watching Calgary.. I'm glad we have a future 1st.

That team is middling.

We have an option to take their 1st in 2024 if it's between 20 & 32. Hughes should definitely pass on that and wait until 2025.

 

[morhilane]

Either he gives up 5+ goals or he’s making close to 40 saves a game. While his overall stats aren’t good, he’s still stealing games, like the two against Calgary and two against Detroit. Like last year down the stretch he was pulling ridiculous games out of his ass to make what should have been an easy journey to worst team in the league, to coming down to a last game miracle victory by the Coyotes to determine draft odds. That’s a potential difference between picking 1st or picking 4th, depending on the lottery.

And this is just Allen. Now Montembeault goes from worst goalie in the NHL last year to good 1B.

Allen didn't steal last game against Calgary. xGF were 5.98 for the Habs and only 2.86 for the Flames as I already mentioned. The goalie playing well over his head last game was Markstrom, not Allen. As for Detroit, Allen lost the first game against them, he clearly didn't steal that one...

Allen played 11 games last year under MSL, he won 4 of them and got injured again. 4 wins on 11 games is a losing ratio. It's a winning percentage in the .300 which is usually how you end up dead last...

You want to know a secret? Allen has 9 wins and 10 loses this season so far.

 

[26Mats]

I know he's not been great, he's not even been good -- which is why the games he does steal are so frustrating. He's stolen at least 6 points that I can think of -- it would've meant we were dead last in the Atlantic and 2nd last in the East if it wasn't for that.

Yeah, I'm much more on the side of tanking.

Everyone was laughing at Chicago in the off season. No one will be laughing at them in June when they get one of Bedard, Fantelli, Carlsson, or Mishkov.

We too easily forget that Pittsburgh, Washington, and Colorado were the laughing stocks of the league for multiple years in a row when they were at the bottom of the league for multiple years in a row. But that enabled them to get the Crosbys, Malkins, Ovechkins, Backstroms, MacKinnons, Rantanens, Landeskogs, Makars, etc... that you build cup winners around.

Even Tampa got Hedman, Stamkos, and Sergachev (via Drouin) that way. Not sure they win either of their cups without those 3, as well as they drafted in later rounds. And some of those later round picks they got by trading vets for picks anyways.

 

[waitin425]

Yeah, I'm much more on the side of tanking.

Everyone was laughing at Chicago in the off season. No one will be laughing at them in June when they get one of Bedard, Fantelli, Carlsson, or Mishkov.

We too easily forget that Pittsburgh, Washington, and Colorado were the laughing stocks of the league for multiple years in a row when they were at the bottom of the league for multiple years in a row. But that enabled them to get the Crosbys, Malkins, Ovechkins, Backstroms, MacKinnons, Rantanens, Landeskogs, Makars, etc... that you build cup winners around.

Even Tampa got Hedman, Stamkos, and Sergachev (via Drouin) that way. Not sure they win either of their cups without those 3, as well as they drafted in later rounds. And some of those later round picks they got by trading vets for picks anyways.

I hear ya....and yes it would be nice to get top 5 this year (hoping that Florida's pick is that)

But.....

our young core of Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Guhle and Xhekaj are killing it. We have potential studs coming in Hutson, Mailloux, Beck and Mesar. There is value in winning for these young guys as it creates a winning culture.

I don't think we will ever have a consistent top 10 point producer in the NHL or legit NHL Superstar on the scale of Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, MacKinnon or Matthews. But that is okay. We are still putting together some nice pieces that will go a long way towards challenging for a cup. With our draft capital coming in the next couple of years we may still have a Superstar. I am praying that the Russian/contract factor drops Michkov into our laps.

 

[le_sean]

Allen didn't steal last game against Calgary. xGF were 5.98 for the Habs and only 2.86 for the Flames as I already mentioned. The goalie playing well over his head last game was Markstrom, not Allen. As for Detroit, Allen lost the first game against them, he clearly didn't steal that one...

Allen played 11 games last year under MSL, he won 4 of them and got injured again. 4 wins on 11 games is a losing ratio. It's a winning percentage in the .300 which is usually how you end up dead last...

You want to know a secret? Allen has 9 wins and 10 loses this season so far.

Detroit, Seattle, whatever.

Don’t care about xGF. Only reason it was so high is because of the 4 min PP in OT. Habs have been hammered by xGF all season and still pull out victories.

Like @ExpatHabs says, it’s a matter of either he stinks or he’s incredible. There’s no in between. It’s not beneficial for a team in our position. He’s not getting traded and we don’t need the extra points. It would be fine if he was a 22 year old goalie of the future. But he’s simply a 32 year old 1B.

 

[Gustave]

We have an option to take their 1st in 2024 if it's between 20 & 32. Hughes should definitely pass on that and wait until 2025.

Ok, but what the other…. 16 conditions

 

[ReHabs]

I don't think we will ever have a consistent top 10 point producer in the NHL or legit NHL Superstar on the scale of Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, MacKinnon or Matthews. But that is okay. We are still putting together some nice pieces that will go a long way towards challenging for a cup. With our draft capital coming in the next couple of years we may still have a Superstar. I am praying that the Russian/contract factor drops Michkov into our laps.

Every Cup Winning team has a superstar level scorer or an incredibly deep line-up with multiple stars. Even if you don't like tanking, you have to admit this hopeless year is a big chance to get a highly rated prospect.

 

[26Mats]

I hear ya....and yes it would be nice to get top 5 this year (hoping that Florida's pick is that)

But.....

our young core of Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Guhle and Xhekaj are killing it. We have potential studs coming in Hutson, Mailloux, Beck and Mesar. There is value in winning for these young guys as it creates a winning culture.

I don't think we will ever have a consistent top 10 point producer in the NHL or legit NHL Superstar on the scale of Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, MacKinnon or Matthews. But that is okay. We are still putting together some nice pieces that will go a long way towards challenging for a cup. With our draft capital coming in the next couple of years we may still have a Superstar. I am praying that the Russian/contract factor drops Michkov into our laps.

I like our young core a lot. I would feel more comfortable if we could get one of those studs in this upcoming draft. But we'll see what happens. Monahan being out I think really weakens us. We probably can't finish below Anaheim, Chicago, and San Jose. But the other teams we may be able to catch. I could see Columbus, Buffalo, and Ottawa catching us. Philly is more challenging after the Couturier loss. And then there's Nashville, Vancouver, and St. Louis who hopefully not only catch us but Florida as well. Two top 10 picks would be unreal, but that's probably a pipe dream.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Ok, but what the other…. 16 conditions

I don't think Hughes has finished reading them yet.

 

[waitin425]

Every Cup Winning team has a superstar level scorer or an incredibly deep line-up with multiple stars. Even if you don't like tanking, you have to admit this hopeless year is a big chance to get a highly rated prospect.

That is debatable.

Blues - 2019
Kings - 2014 and 2012
Bruins - 2011
Ducks - 2007
Hurricanes - 2006
Lightning - 2004
Devils - 2003

You get the picture.

Our current crop can reach the depth levels of those Stanley Cup winners above.

Suzuki, CC, Dach, Slaf, Guhle, Xhekaj, Hutson, Mailloux

could reach the levels of ....

ROR, Tank, Pietro, Schenn, etc
Kopitar, Doughty, Carter, Williams, etc.
Kopitar, Williams, Brown, Doughty, Richards, etc
Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, Chara, etc
Selanne, Kunitz, Pronger, Niedermayer, Getz, Perry, Etc
Staal, Williams, Stillman, Brindamour, Frantisek Kaberle (?), etc. lol
Marty, Stillman, Richards, Lecavalier, Dan Boyle, Kubina
Elias, Langenbrunner, Gomez, Rafalski, Neidermeyer.

Our missing piece is probably a goalie at this point, which can be had anywhere in the draft with a little luck.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I never said the Monahan trade was bad.

The fact is Allen is not a good goalie but he's been stealing games. If you can't deal with that observation in the Tank discussion then maybe you shouldn't read these comments.

There is always someone ruining our tank eh .

We should send Caufield to the AHL cause he might get hurt in the NHL. Helps our tank and he can learn how not to get hit like that again?

 

[the valiant effort]

06 Canes and 19 Blues are the most pukeworthy cup winning rosters of all time

 

[Habs Halifax]

We have an option to take their 1st in 2024 if it's between 20 & 32. Hughes should definitely pass on that and wait until 2025.

Flames core is 30+ and yeah, take the later 1st. Imagine if Hughes gets a lottery pick from both the Panthers and Flames?

 

[morhilane]

There is always someone ruining our tank eh .

We should send Caufield to the AHL cause he might get hurt in the NHL. Helps our tank and he can learn how not to get hit like that again?

For some of these people, the Habs should trade everyone and get the Lions to play in the NHL to make sure the team gets the #1 pick.

While I'm here, thinking that overplaying Allen is them trying to lose more games. I don't see why they are doing it otherwise, he can't play that many games and his play level never supported that rhythm in the past either. Also, Monty has been better, even the journalists and TV analysts where pointing it out.

 

[26Mats]

For some of these people, the Habs should trade everyone and get the Lions to play in the NHL to make sure the team gets the #1 pick.

While I'm here, thinking that overplaying Allen is them trying to lose more games. I don't see why they are doing it otherwise, he can't play that many games and his play level never supported that rhythm in the past either. Also, Monty has been better, even the journalists and TV analysts where pointing it out.

MSL seems to trust his vets until the young guys prove multiple times they're better.

Hoffman still gets certain opportunities over Slaf, although that's slowly changing...we'll see what happens with Montembault IF he continues to play well. Monty wasn't so good in that 7-6 OT loss to Vancouver.

 

[McGees]

I love Xhekaj but he is not a core piece.
Mailloux and Hutson can’t be considered anything more than prospects right now.

We need AT LEAST another star forward and top pair QB D plus a goalie. Will have to hope the scouts have luck on their side cause we won’t be getting one of the big 4 and probably not even the top 10 picks.

 

[waitin425]

I love Xhekaj but he is not a core piece.
Mailloux and Hutson can’t be considered anything more than prospects right now.

We need AT LEAST another star forward and top pair QB D plus a goalie. Will have to hope the scouts have luck on their side cause we won’t be getting one of the big 4 and probably not even the top 10 picks.

Xhekaj is a fine 2nd pairing defencemen right now.....a year after stocking shelves at costco. He has lots of potential to still grow.

Guhle is a top pairing and a core piece going forward.

I've watched a lot of Mailloux this year and he is a top pair QB in every sense of the word. If his development curve continues....that is most definitely his ceiling in the NHL.

Hutson is a unicorn wrapped in an enigma. He could be the most prized possession of all if he continues his development and grows just a little for us. I can't wait to see what he does in the WJHC.

And finally, although Barron took a step back this year, he is also on the right path to being at worst a bottom pair dman top potential 2nd pairing.

 

[le_sean]

Xhekaj is a fine 2nd pairing defencemen right now.....a year after stocking shelves at costco. He has lots of potential to still grow.

Guhle is a top pairing and a core piece going forward.

I've watched a lot of Mailloux this year and he is a top pair QB in every sense of the word. If his development curve continues....that is most definitely his ceiling in the NHL.

Hutson is a unicorn wrapped in an enigma. He could be the most prized possession of all if he continues his development and grows just a little for us. I can't wait to see what he does in the WJHC.

And finally, although Barron took a step back this year, he is also on the right path to being at worst a bottom pair dman top potential 2nd pairing.

Xhekaj is not a 2nd pairing defender. You have some real rose-coloured glasses if you think that.

Mailloux is not a top pair anything either. He can’t defend.

 

[ReHabs]

There is always someone ruining our tank eh .

We should send Caufield to the AHL cause he might get hurt in the NHL. Helps our tank and he can learn how not to get hit like that again?

Caufield is relevant to our future. Allen is not.

How do you not understand this.

Our current crop can reach the depth levels of those Stanley Cup winners above.

Suzuki, CC, Dach, Slaf, Guhle, Xhekaj, Hutson, Mailloux

If Hutson is the next Scott Niedermeyer and and Mailloux the next Chris Pronger — maybe the Habs will have relevant and good enough depth. But this is yet another case of a Habs fan counting our chickens before they bust.

It’s improbable that all your listed players remain relevant and good and part of a competitive Habs team… AND are better than other teams in the NHL.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Xhekaj is not a 2nd pairing defender. You have some real rose-coloured glasses if you think that.

Mailloux is not a top pair anything either. He can’t defend.

Yeah he's not a 2nd pairing guy RIGHT NOW. That could change though. Harris and Xhekaj could at 24-25 be top 4 D easily. I think they have a higher ceiling that various 2nd pairing D around the league. Even if one of them becomes a third pairing anchor, PK specialist, that's still valuable. Mailloux, I'm kind of with you. I've never been a huge fan of his overall game. I think if developed right, he could become a PP specialist that can be sheltered 5 on 5 but that's still a liability. I think Barron could probably develop into a good 4/5. Guhle has proven he'll be elite for a long time. Just gotta find him a partner. As for Hutson, he could be special if he grows a bit to like 5'10-5'11 and over 160-70