The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

This sounds a lot like hope and prayers.

The hockey Gods owe us and have started delivering.

This sounds a lot like hope and prayers.

If you're concerned about a quick turn around i would pump the brakes a bit. This is gonna take more time to fix.

 

[Leto]

I wouldn’t outright dismiss us getting a top 5 pick. The tough part of the schedule starts after Christmas.

It'll come down to the last game of the season. The margin between being ''in da mix'' and a top 3-10 pick is really thin. The top 3 was unreachable in 2023 and 2024, but we secured the 5th spot basically at the last game of the season in 2023 and 2024.

I'd say the top 3 is still realistic at this juncture of the season.​

 

[overlords]

They brought Breezer out to do f***ing mayo commercials

 

[Sorinth]

Dach and Slafkovsky should be job #1 for the staff. Both were acquired as key parts of the rebuild. Getting them back on track would be huge. Both are playing scared and nowhere close to where they were previously. Addressing that issue is exactly what development & coaching is about. Successful rebuilds work with players to get the most out of them. Failed rebuilds let struggling players flounder and move onto the next pick.

Dach is showing signs of life. Slafkovsky needs to engage without dishing off the puck when another player gets close. If these two players get back to where they were, this would be a different team.

I would even argue that Slaf is a clear priority #1. If Dach fails it hurts but we have options and his contract doesn't handcuff us. If Slaf fails that's not only a tougher replacement for us, it kills a ton of cap flexibility.

So that means Slaf on the top line regardless of how much the 2nd line struggles which kind of sucks for Laine but that's life in the NHL, it's not always fair.

2. Assuming Dach fails (and this is the assumption a GM has to make going into next offseason if Dach can't regain his form), we have one good NHL centerman signed for next season. If we want to avoid another wrecked campaign and make a step forward, the position will require some major restructuring.

The wrench here is what happens if Dach has a strong second half of the season. Like suppose he puts up 30 points over the last 40 games? There's still the risk that he's just very inconsistent and we might have a repeat, but I'm not sure spending assets to trade for a real top-6 center makes much sense either. Maybe going for a cap dump middle six guy like Henrique would be the way to balance the risk.

But yes if Dach doesn't turn it around then we should aim for a vet top-6 C.

 

[nhlfan9191]

It'll come down to the last game of the season. The margin between being ''in da mix'' and a top 3-10 pick is really thin. The top 3 was unreachable in 2023 and 2024, but we secured the 5th spot basically at the last game of the season in 2023 and 2024.

I'd say the top 3 is still realistic at this juncture of the season.​

I think you’ll start seeing some separation between the bottom of the league and bubble playoff teams in the second half of the season. Especially around and after the trade deadline.

 

[Archijerej]

The wrench here is what happens if Dach has a strong second half of the season. Like suppose he puts up 30 points over the last 40 games? There's still the risk that he's just very inconsistent and we might have a repeat, but I'm not sure spending assets to trade for a real top-6 center makes much sense either. Maybe going for a cap dump middle six guy like Henrique would be the way to balance the risk.

But yes if Dach doesn't turn it around then we should aim for a vet top-6 C.

I he does something like that, then it justifies continuing the experiment next season imo.

 

[GTA]

I would even argue that Slaf is a clear priority #1. If Dach fails it hurts but we have options and his contract doesn't handcuff us. If Slaf fails that's not only a tougher replacement for us, it kills a ton of cap flexibility.

So that means Slaf on the top line regardless of how much the 2nd line struggles which kind of sucks for Laine but that's life in the NHL, it's not always fair.

The wrench here is what happens if Dach has a strong second half of the season. Like suppose he puts up 30 points over the last 40 games? There's still the risk that he's just very inconsistent and we might have a repeat, but I'm not sure spending assets to trade for a real top-6 center makes much sense either. Maybe going for a cap dump middle six guy like Henrique would be the way to balance the risk.

But yes if Dach doesn't turn it around then we should aim for a vet top-6 C.

What would a vet top 6 C do for us - turn us into an average team? Suzuki + that player is not the center lineup of a true cup contender. If we want to become a Stanley cup contender, we need a close to elite center at a minimum. The only way to get that is to build through the draft - any bandage stop gap that prevents this is hurting the team by pushing us to the middle.

 

[TennisMenace]

I have to agree with one brother here….our rebuild primarily could be successful if these two guys would stop playing like dog Pooh, and start playing like 1st round draft picks. Slaf and Dach…

I’m at a loss for words for how and why these two guys are not progressing as we all would expect them too. Too bad we don’t have more than one Suzuki centering a line. I’m not opposed to trading for a proven #2 center should one come available. I can’t wait for Hage to claim that role….it may take several years. I’m over 70, so my time may be up before it happens. One never knows about these things, except the LORD of course. I’d love to see one more Cup before the lights go off. Don’t we all….cheers

 

[Sorinth]

What would a vet top 6 C do for us - turn us into an average team? Suzuki + that player is not the center lineup of a true cup contender. If we want to become a Stanley cup contender, we need a close to elite center at a minimum. The only way to get that is to build through the draft - any bandage stop gap that prevents this is hurting the team by pushing us to the middle.

No point in drafting potential elite players if you don't surround them properly when they come to the NHL. Demidov will need a center that's better then this season's Dach.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Then there is everyone else. Habs drafting anyone of those 4 would be a success. Anyone else will feel a bit of a failure.

Our pick will likely be closer to #10 than to #4 unless we win the lottery.

 

[Naslund]

Our pick will likely be closer to #10 than to #4 unless we win the lottery.

Im not sure. Habs are playing well lately, but the schedule until the end of January is really brutal. We have done well tanking in the last few years, I think we do it again and finish somewhere in the top 5. Evans, Armia, Dvo, and Savard will be traded at some point, which will signal to the team that we are done for the year.

 

[HabzSauce]

Im not sure. Habs are playing well lately, but the schedule until the end of January is really brutal. We have done well tanking in the last few years, I think we do it again and finish somewhere in the top 5. Evans, Armia, Dvo, and Savard will be traded at some point, which will signal to the team that we are done for the year.

I want a top 4 pick so bad. Get another stud in the pipeline and we will have as good a foundation as you can ask for.

 

[Nicko999]

Our pick will likely be closer to #10 than to #4 unless we win the lottery.

The fact we won a couple of games against crappy teams doesn't mean we will suddenly be in the mix.

 

[themilosh]

If the season ended today and we are picking 8th & 15th (desnoyers off the board at 7th) i judt go all out on RHDs:
Logan Hensler then Radim Mrtka (eff a trade), draft 2 RHDs and stock up.

With Demidov coming next year, and if Laine will sign for $7.5m × 8,

All Hugo has to do is go out and get a 2C, we have loads of assets to pull this off..

Fowler in the wings - this Habs team (while young) will be quite scary next year.

Sign Evans to become the 3-4c along with Beck. If Hage hits, wow.

RHD (weakness) now becomes:
Carrier
Reinbacher
Mailloux
Hensler
Mrtka

The value of this is unlimited.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The fact we won a couple of games against crappy teams doesn't mean we will suddenly be in the mix.

10th isn’t exactly ‘in the mix’…