2C or not 2C?

[Kennerback]

If he never had his unending string of injuries, IMO Dach would have worked with Demidov.

 

[Sorinth]

Do Cozens and Byfield get to be rated by their best 23 game span?

Or even a more simple question, does Dach play remotely similar to Byfield or Cozens?

If they are producing at a pace, get injured, come back and produce at a lower pace for 20-30 games before getting back to that original pace for 20+ games then yes.

 

[CzarDemidov]

If they are producing at a pace, get injured, come back and produce at a lower pace for 20-30 games before getting back to that original pace for 20+ games then yes.

Dach never produced at any consistent pace at any point in his career. You’re picking and choosing.

 

[Sorinth]

Dach never produced at any consistent pace at any point in his career. You’re picking and choosing.

How many consecutive games do you consider enough to say that's a consistent pace?

 

[LaP]

As Hamlet famously said, “We’re F***ed.” We cannot be serious cup contenders without a legitimate #2 center.

Others have argued that the same holds true for the right side of our D. But at least we have Rein-O and Mailloux in the pipeline who might hit and, though not ideal, a left D can play on right side.

I love Beck but can’t see him as a true 2C and while Hage might get there, he is too young to fit Suzy’s window, ie by the time he’s a 2C, Nick will likely be too old to be a 1C.

Sure we can wait for the Demigod, Hage, Fowler, Slaf window, but a playoff series win this decade would be nice.

I just don’t see how we get it done. Overpay? Sure. But Bennet? Does he even get to free agency and can you bet 7 years on him? RFAs? Sebastian Aho says Hi. Does anyone trade a quality center in his 20s? Even for 3 first round picks (ours, Calgary’s and the one coming for Evans and Armia)?

The Prince of Denmark and I would love some optimism. Neither Rosencrantz nor Guildenstern can play down the middle.

You don't have any choice but to wait for Demidog and Hutson. You're not winning anything if those two don't develop. We are about 2 years away from a cup window. For now we should sign a stop gap on the UFA market imo. If it's possible to acquire a 26 years clear as day old top 6 center via trade do it but don't overpay for a guy 28+ years old that will be a mistake we are not there yet. If we can't find a match for a trade for a guy 26 and less then sign a stop gap on a 2-3 years contract.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

Give up the same, Who would you rather have Crosby or Horvat?

 

[calder candidate]

We have need in the top 6 but with Demidov it more of a uncertainties with Dach and Laine, but this team as made the playoffs without them so I still think you can start the season and give them a chance and you can always make a adjustment during the season if a opportunity come up and we have the momentum and asset to jump on most opportunities or buy at the deadline.

The biggest issue is RD Reinbacher isn’t stepping in a dominant top 4, he probably won’t have a impact like Hutson… Mailloux almost regressed… Carrier is more than adequate but we aren’t building the D around him…

To me we probably need to be more aggressive replacing and upgrading on Savard that is the player that will have more impact during the game. If Reinbacher over performs you can always cut Carrier minutes, we can use
We need Someone that is good defensively ideally big, great skater, physical and play PK… easier say than done. Even if we need to try a way to improve the top 6 between Dach Laine Demidov Newhook and even splitting up CC Suzuki and Slaf there is a way to figure something that can work and when it doesn’t you can address the situation, the RD situation is hard to solve now and it won’t get any easier or cheaper during the season or the TDL as opposed to a top 6 where you have more options.

So I’m looking for a 2C but I wouldn’t handcuff myself to a 32+yo for big money long term, or over paid for a guy can might be able to do the job in the same way I might be a little more aggressive to find a RD.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

We need certainty on the 2nd line and Dach/Laine cannot provide that

It’s time to ante up and mortgage the future to get some guys that can contribute now imo

We have our core pieces, fill out the rest through trades and FAs

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

We have need in the top 6 but with Demidov it more of a uncertainties with Dach and Laine, but this team as made the playoffs without them so I still think you can start the season and give them a chance and you can always make a adjustment during the season if a opportunity come up and we have the momentum and asset to jump on most opportunities or buy at the deadline.

The biggest issue is RD Reinbacher isn’t stepping in a dominant top 4, he probably won’t have a impact like Hutson… Mailloux almost regressed… Carrier is more than adequate but we aren’t building the D around him…

To me we probably need to be more aggressive replacing and upgrading on Savard that is the player that will have more impact during the game. If Reinbacher over performs you can always cut Carrier minutes, we can use
We need Someone that is good defensively ideally big, great skater, physical and play PK… easier say than done. Even if we need to try a way to improve the top 6 between Dach Laine Demidov Newhook and even splitting up CC Suzuki and Slaf there is a way to figure something that can work and when it doesn’t you can address the situation, the RD situation is hard to solve now and it won’t get any easier or cheaper during the season or the TDL as opposed to a top 6 where you have more options.

So I’m looking for a 2C but I wouldn’t handcuff myself to a 32+yo for big money long term, or over paid for a guy can might be able to do the job in the same way I might be a little more aggressive to find a RD.

Top 2 center in short supply. Going to have to overpay. Montreal may keep it status quo and see what comes available at deadline. Maybe another Carrer deal. Instead of overpaying now.

 

[Erika]

The Habs will need to overpay. They don't have a choice. Every teams in the league knows they need a legit 2C.

Getting a young 2c, 25 years old and under that fit this timeline is the most important thing is absolutely crucial for Demidov's development. They can't screwed up.

For that, Hughes and Gorton will have to do anything and I mean anything... including overpaying severly to get it done. Just do it, there's plenty of assets to trade.

I would give anything to get a Anton Lundell caliber player.

To Florida
 Dach
Beck
1st pick 2025 Calgary
1st pick 2026
Mailloux

To Montreal
Lundell
4th pick 2026

 

[BLONG7]

We need certainty on the 2nd line and Dach/Laine cannot provide that

It’s time to ante up and mortgage the future to get some guys that can contribute now imo

We have our core pieces, fill out the rest through trades and FAs

We have a ton of assets............time to use some of them, to take the next step.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The Habs will need to overpay. They don't have a choice. Every teams in the league knows they need a legit 2C.

Getting a young 2c, 25 years old and under that fit this timeline is the most important thing is absolutely crucial for Demidov's development. They can't screwed up.

For that, Hughes and Gorton will have to do anything and I mean anything... including overpaying severly to get it done. Just do it, there's plenty of assets to trade.

I would give anything to get a Anton Lundell caliber player.

To Florida
 Dach
Beck
1st pick 2025 Calgary
1st pick 2026
Mailloux

To Montreal
Lundell
4th pick 2026

This is f***ing insanity.

 

[CzarDemidov]

How many consecutive games do you consider enough to say that's a consistent pace?

At least two seasons of similar looking production in the same position.

His best season he played shotgun next to Suzuki as a winger. It was a 50ish point pace iirc.

 

[Vachon23]

The Habs will need to overpay. They don't have a choice. Every teams in the league knows they need a legit 2C.

Getting a young 2c, 25 years old and under that fit this timeline is the most important thing is absolutely crucial for Demidov's development. They can't screwed up.

For that, Hughes and Gorton will have to do anything and I mean anything... including overpaying severly to get it done. Just do it, there's plenty of assets to trade.

I would give anything to get a Anton Lundell caliber player.

To Florida
 Dach
Beck
1st pick 2025 Calgary
1st pick 2026
Mailloux

To Montreal
Lundell
4th pick 2026

Love Lundell and I think he would be a great fit but that’s way to much, go for a bigger fish is you want to give all this

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

We're missing a 2C and a 3C for next season.

Evans and Beck can fight for 4C, while Dach is back to LW.

Suzuki
Crosby
Malkin
Evans

 

[JianYang]

You definitely want a 2C. Problem is that so do a bunch of other teams and supply isn't great.

Thankfully, the Habs have more capital to try and make a trade work than in a very long time. It would still be a difficult task to find a great solution but at least they have assets to try.

 

[JianYang]

Crosby is what 38?

Pittsburgh is going nowhere. Maybe put a massive package together… We have two firsts. Mailloux, Roy, Matheson, Kappenen, Mesar, Engstrom, Struble… He’d probably want to come here too. And Pittsburgh tanks hard for MckEnna

If crosby leaves; it will be a situation where he will have a short list of teams he would like to play for, and i would imagine there's enough mutual respect between the Pens and Crosby that the organization that
will do their best to accommodate.

In these situations, it's not so much about making an insane offer. It's just about where Crosby wants to play and then the trade itself isn't quite the same hurdle.

Regardless, this is all premature talk until we actually hear that Crosby would entertain the notion of leaving.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

If the Pens do trade Crosby, he's the obvious target... but frankly Malkin would also be a great fit.

I have this strong feeling that Malkin is on a rapid decline. Too many knee injuries catching up to him. My bet is will produce 3C numbers next year. I would love to see Crosby though. I suspect he still has three years in him. Still out produced Suzuki if I’m not mistaken

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Dach never produced at any consistent pace at any point in his career. You’re picking and choosing.

He was most consistent as a winger with Suzuki and Caufield. 2C is still a grind for him. Injuries make it near impossible to be consistent.

 

[Hockeyfan200]

The Habs will need to overpay. They don't have a choice. Every teams in the league knows they need a legit 2C.

Getting a young 2c, 25 years old and under that fit this timeline is the most important thing is absolutely crucial for Demidov's development. They can't screwed up.

For that, Hughes and Gorton will have to do anything and I mean anything... including overpaying severly to get it done. Just do it, there's plenty of assets to trade.

I would give anything to get a Anton Lundell caliber player.

To Florida
 Dach
Beck
1st pick 2025 Calgary
1st pick 2026
Mailloux

To Montreal
Lundell
4th pick 2026

Lundell like Crosby isn't getting traded for picks, and prospects along with Dach dude, Florida loves him and he's a big piece to their team, and help played a big part in eliminating Tampa and helping them win championship last year. It's simply not happening. Nothing you offer will convince a yearly contender like Florida to trade their two-way stud.

 

[Hockeyfan200]

Love Lundell and I think he would be a great fit but that’s way to much, go for a bigger fish is you want to give all this

He's also simply not getting traded. Florida has used him in big roles every playoffs including this one. He has also scored and was amazing defensively this 1st round against Tampa. He's everything that their coach love.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If crosby leaves; it will be a situation where he will have a short list of teams he would like to play for, and i would imagine there's enough mutual respect between the Pens and Crosby that the organization that
will do their best to accommodate.

In these situations, it's not so much about making an insane offer. It's just about where Crosby wants to play and then the trade itself isn't quite the same hurdle.

Regardless, this is all premature talk until we actually hear that Crosby would entertain the notion of leaving.

You make an insane offer and tell the Pens to talk to Crosby about it. You don’t wait to hear if he may want to leave. You create the conditions for a trade. Obviously it’s up to him.

You’re right it will probably never happen. But make the offer.

 

[JianYang]

You make an insane offer and tell the Pens to talk to Crosby about it. You don’t wait to hear if he may want to leave. You create the conditions for a trade. Obviously it’s up to him.

You’re right it will probably never happen. But make the offer.

Then do you go back on your word and reduce the offer substantially once you have their attention?

I think there would be smarter ways to communicate your interest without putting all your cards on the table.

 

[Sorinth]

At least two seasons of similar looking production in the same position.

His best season he played shotgun next to Suzuki as a winger. It was a 50ish point pace iirc.

Well given Cozens' two seasons of similar production tops out at 47ish points I'm not sure why you responded to my months old post. You seem to be agreeing that type of acquisition is a project/gamble where we would be hoping they break out.

 

[Miller Time]

I have this strong feeling that Malkin is on a rapid decline. Too many knee injuries catching up to him. My bet is will produce 3C numbers next year. I would love to see Crosby though. I suspect he still has three years in him. Still out produced Suzuki if I’m not mistaken

No doubt that he is, and if it declines more it's unlikely that he'd continue playing past next year...

But he played almost 18min a night on Pitt, and was quite strong to start the season. I think in the 15-16min/night usage we'd likely deploy him (swapping out Newhook's time at C), he's more likely to be able to keep his performance up later in the season.

I'd prefer Crosby as well, but Malkin would be a very solid stop gap option imo