2nd Line Center Question

[The Last Red]

Option 1: keep Dach, center
- wait for off-season evaluation of:
—-dach
—-hage
—-draft position
…. Then Loop back over 3 options.

Option 2: keep Dach, wing
- internal bridge (Newhook, Beck, other)
- LT solution trade
- ST trade

Option 3: trade Dach for:
- LT solution
- ST solution
- other

Option 1 until the off-season.

Option 1. He was great two years ago. Give him the season to get back there. If he can’t, then move forward. Also, Suzuki is a lower end no. 1 anyway so the whole top 2 centers issue might need to be re-evaluated after the season anyway.

 

[LaP]

Option 1: keep Dach, center
- wait for off-season evaluation of:
—-dach
—-hage
—-draft position
…. Then Loop back over 3 options.

It's effectively possible our 2nd line center problem will be solved next draft.

 

[The Last Red]

It's effectively possible our 2nd line center problem will be solved next draft.

Too bad we still might have a first line center “problem” regardless.

 

[FerrisRox]

Too bad we still might have a first line center “problem” regardless.

What is the Canadiens first line centre problem?

 

[admiralcadillac]

You just ride it out with Dach, we have the rest of this year and all of next year to evaluate him. But even if he trends up and finds his game, I don't think that stops us from doing the things we need to do to have more depth and opportunity there.

There's Bennet on FA which I probably would avoid because I don't think he's really a 2C and the term and contract will probably be ugly.

Someone mentioned trying to trade for Malkin in the summer, that one I like because it not only gives some short term insurance and upside to the roster, but it also gives an esteemed generational Russian talent to help mentor and ease Demidov in to north america next season.

Yeah this team isn’t winning with or without Dach being ok at 2C so may as well ride the year out then evaluate.

 

[Habs13]

I'm wondering how much the injury is still bothering him. I'm not sure it's Dach being lazy as much as it might be his leg not being completely healed and ready for the speed of the NHL.

Personally, I'm not ready to give up on him. I still think he has a huge upside and it might take a while longer to get back to where he was prior to the injury in game two of last season.

 

[The Last Red]

What is the Canadiens first line centre problem?

You saw that I put quotation marks around the word, right?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Dach has slowly climbed up to 41%.

If he can get over 45% and stay there I'd be fine with him sticking at centre.

You can't have someone who isn't a rookie being at 30 f***ing percent

 

[Miller Time]

Combine option 1 & 2...

Let Evans and Dvorak walk (or trade them for assets at deadline), then aggressively pursue an option like Malkin who can upgrade the top 6 C spot immediately without giving up on Dach.

Slaf Suzuki CC
Laine Malkin Demidov
Newhook Dach Heineman
Anderson Beck/Kapanen Gally

That would be a pretty solid forward group to roll with next season imo

 

[Milhouse40]

Wouldn't be surprise thhat they start Demidov at center next year so......

 

[jrom]

Wouldn't be surprise thhat they start Demidov at center next year so......

I’ve read Demidov himself saying he likes to play at C. Is this a possible option or not really ?

Odds are next draft it’s again gonna be winger / undersized C / D by the time we get to pick…

 

[Weltschmerz]

Maybe Laine can play center for now.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

This keeps coming up in different forms so I figured I'd create it's own thread for it here.

The Canadiens came into this season pretty confident that Dach would be their number two. So far it hasn't worked out that way and as a result the entire lineup seems off. Posters seem split on what to do with Dach himself but while he works to get his confidence back, we still remain without a true number two center. So what route do we take?

Option 1. Stay the course. Wait for Dach to find his game and tough it out. This likely results in a high pick anyway so there's an extra benefit from going this route.
Option 2. Trade for a temporary fix. We could trade for a Monahan/Malkin type and ride them for a couple of years. We'd probably go up in the standings but they could help the youngters develop.
Option 3. Trade for a more permanent solution. In this scenario we get somebody who can fill in for years at the position.

In all of these scenarios, I like the idea of keeping Dach. I think he'll regain his form even if it takes time. At the very least he'd be great to have for center depth.

Tbh. I don’t think there were that many confident in Dach being a number two. There was some hope and a bit of optimism, but confident, I don’t think so. I remember many posters arguing with you about how weak our 2nd line is when discussing the Laine trade.

I think you ride it out regardless now. We will draft a center.

 

[Habs]

Who knows, I bet he plays with Laine and Anderson so how about we keep 1 line together the rest of the year? That's a huge friggen line, maybe some magic can happen if they can just stay together

 

[Balthazar]

The Canadiens came into this season pretty confident that Dach would be their number two.

Plan A was Dach and Plan B was Newhook.

 

[Naslundforever]

Draft 3 of them, sign a real good one one this summer, trade for one over the season… Get all the good centers. If Dach somehow also becomes a stud it is not a problem.

 

[Goldenhands]

TBH I dont think Dach can be a legit top 6 center at this point, I think the center position is too much asked for him, but I do think he can find his utility on the wing down the road as he was pretty good with Suzuki and Caufield last year.. So I wouldnt trade him unless we can package him to get a young and potent top 6 center back.

I like Hage as a prospect and think he has the tools to be a solid top 6, but Im not sure yet if it will be as a center or more in a winger role.

All that being said, we could be in a position to draft Hagens or Misa next draft, what would solve our positional need for the future.

As for next year, Im willing to live with another tough year to ensure the rebuild success personally, I would just fill the void with youth.

Out: Armia, Dvorak, Savard, Evans(?).

In: Demidov, Kapanen, Mailloux/Reinbacher, Beck(?), Davidson(?), Roy(?).

Engstrom is also knocking at the door, I guess he replaces Matheson at some point.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Ride out the season with Dach and committee, than draft Hagens first overall. There’s your second line center for a year or two, before becoming your first line center.

Or make a move at the draft and look for someone relatively cheap - maybe Morgan Frost?

Hughes won’t be doing anything this year, other than shedding contracts and acquiring more assets. It’s a write off already.

 

[Habby4Life]

Dach was bottom 2 in TOI at 5v5 in the last two games. I don't think Evans would bring anything to PP1, not sure why you want them swapped.

Does Dach bring anything? So at the least it would be status quo. Reward a guy who works hard every night.

 

[The Real Timo]

Plan A was Dach and Plan B was Newhook.

Both plans are terrible.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Tbh. I don’t think there were that many confident in Dach being a number two. There was some hope and a bit of optimism, but confident, I don’t think so. I remember many posters arguing with you about how weak our 2nd line is when discussing the Laine trade.

I think those people were the exception rather than the rule. Those debates were more centered around getting Laine and whether or not we needed him.

Regardless, I think it’s pretty clear the the Canadiens themselves felt he was going to be in that role.

I think you ride it out regardless now. We will draft a center.

Cool.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Plan A was Dach and Plan B was Newhook.

I don’t think Newhook was ever a viable plan. But you’re probably right that’s what the Habs may have thought if Dach needed time.

To me, Newhook’s the kind of guy who’s good enough to play top six as a complementary player. No way he carries a line.

 

[Habby4Life]

Tbh. I don’t think there were that many confident in Dach being a number two. There was some hope and a bit of optimism, but confident, I don’t think so. I remember many posters arguing with you about how weak our 2nd line is when discussing the Laine trade.

I think you ride it out regardless now. We will draft a center.

100%, went around and around with Dach, Roy, and Newhook being a brutal second line.

2C - not much they can do now. However, they better find one next summer and add veteran talent to the D core or next season will be once again over in mid November.

 

[Habby4Life]

Both plans are terrible.

Let’s face it, neither of these trades are stellar.

Newhook does what? Don’t see Dach being a 2c. Frankly, team would be better using the picks instead of Newhook and having Romo in the D core. Of course, it’s easy to say now but it’s Hugo job to get it right. Don’t think he did.

Lots of work must be done next summer or it will be ground hog day next November. They have to surround the young guys with quality vets who can contribute. They can’t just draft their way to being a cup contender.

 

[JianYang]

You ride it out, and don't make any panic moves. Focus should be how to get him going.

I don't think there is much of an alternative, regardless.