Are we heading in the right direction? 2025 Version

[Emkay]

Feels like some people didn't read the question right... The answer is obviously yes and saying there's no way they can win a cup status quo completely whiffs on the actual question being asked...

 

[BergevinBurner]

Suzuki and Caufield steadily progressing, Guhle with another very solid season, Hutson with a historic rookie season and Demidov looking like a favorite for the Calder next year. We're certainly heading in the right direction. If Hughes can address our holes at RD and 2C and Slaf "arrives" next season, then we'll be well on our way to being a top 3 team in the division.

 

[swimmer77]

Life has gotten in the way of my hockey fetish. I did manage to watch a few games this year. I was pleasantly surprised to see them make the playoffs because that experience could be crucial. I feel giddy about the future. Lane Hutson has some jump. Montembeault has paid his dues big time. Suzuki hasn't lost his swagger. Admittedly, I'm still not crazy about MLS. Looking forward to next year nonetheless which will be here before we know it.

 

[dinodebino]

One vote for No.


We have a troll within ours walls, ladies and germs.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

One vote for No.


We have a troll within ours walls, ladies and germs.

He’s upset about Laine not playing the last couple games

 

[Tyson]

Considering the Dark Ages of Bergevin...hell yes we are on the right trajectory

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I have to guess @the doesn't like how Laine's being treated, as the sole no vote?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

He’s upset about Laine not playing the last couple games

f***er, you beat me to it

 

[Ezpz]

Probably the most unanimous vote since Galchenyuk was listed as our best prospect.

Theres literally no argument. Youngest team to ever make the playoffs, young guys are growing well.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

f***er, you beat me to it

You gotta get up preeetty early in the morning bucko

 

[NobleSix]

Absolutely. Don't see a valid argument to the contrary.

 

[holy]

HMFY

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Goldthorpe]

Laine isn't the issue, not having a good beefy 2nd D to complement him is the issue. But it's much easier to draft/trade a missing large stay-at-home D than it is to find a pure talent like Laine.

Could be Reinbacher, could be a RD FA, could be both to be honest.

For the second line center... it's going to be interesting what direction management will go. They could overpay for a top young player. They could seek out another reclamation project. They could trade away Dach, or any other of our players, or they could give him one last chance. They could try to punt the problem to next year with Hage will be out of college. So many options, and so many assets available in players and picks. Normally it shouldn't be as hard as finding a top center, but we'll see.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Laine isn't the issue, not having a good beefy 2nd D to complement him is the issue. But it's much easier to draft/trade a missing large stay-at-home D than it is to find a pure talent like Laine.

What his talent? Turnovers? Avoiding physical contact?

 

[puckeater]

I had little hope for MSL up until he called for the ‘flip’ and flip it did. He knows the job, the market and what the future holds and wants to be part of it. He adjusts on the fly and so does the team. Everyone seems to have bought in and some long term stability is at hand. Seems good to me so far.

 

[KevSkillz4]

For sure, it's the first time in my entire life (29 years old) that I see that type of talents in this team. We have 2 superstars talent with Demidov and Hutson. We have Suzuki, Slaf, Caufield, Guhle, Reinbacher, Dobes, Fowler... that's incredible core. Michael Hage is also coming, high potential.

We have assets to acquire top 6 C and make the team better.

We have a amazing management and great scouts after 3 drafts... they makes great selection.

 

[Goldthorpe]

What his talent? Turnovers? Avoiding physical contact?

Sorry I meant Hutson. Very confused sorry.

Patrick f***ing Laine... completely different beast, and yeah, forgot to talk about him. Well, it's simple: a contending team cannot afford to have a winger that suck at 5vs5 playing any kind of meaningful minutes. Laine shot may be better than Caufield, but Caufield is better in pretty much every other category, so offensively, Laine is redundant.

If I'm management, I'm telling Patrick Laine to really get healthy this summer, and really get in shape for the camp, because that's his career year and he's going to be evaluated against everyone. But I've lost hope. He is what he is, and cannot be part of our long-term plan.

 

[the]

I have to guess @the doesn't like how Laine's being treated, as the sole no vote?

I wrote my reasons a bit earlier. I would have preferred to keep adding to the core via draft for one final year. Another top 10 pick would have been nice. Maybe I’m overly cautious but I’m still seeing some holes that needs to be addressed mainly a 2nd line and #2 D.

Not a knock on management. They have done a phenomenal job. I just feel going from a bottom 5 team to being a playoff team all of a sudden with so many holes might set us up to being stuck fighting for a playoff spot instead of being a contender for the years to come.

The end of the summer will give us a better indication of where we are going. I’m just not sold on if we are in win now mode just yet. Feels like we skipped a step or two this season and I fear what the general sentiment would be if we missed the playoffs next season.

 

[Habs13]

I'm torn - yes, but... is my answer.

Yes, for the obvious reasons that we have a great young core with Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Guhle, Xhekaj and Demidov.

Good kids on the verge of making it in Beck, Heineman, Dobes and Kapanen.

But we are also going in two directions. Management are drafting big, nasty guys like Arber (undrafted) and Florian, Tuch, Thorpe, Protz, Davidson etc. but the coach won't let guys players play with edge or physically. So what's the story here?

Big, physically guys that.. have to play soft like wee Saint-Louis did?! That's an issue.

I'm also only semi-sold on management since Evans was retained. That's a mistake. I worry we make that same mistake again and sign Dvorak or Armia. Those guys need to be ejected.

Sitting Arber was stupid and it showed the second he got back into the line-up. Habs were way better from games 3 on.

Matheson is a problem. He has one more year left and this summer is a good time to start looking to move him. If (when because it's not an if) we are I'm a playoff chase come deadline, we keep Matheson and he becomes a UFA in July.

I reversed my thoughts on Anderson and Gallagher. Especially Anderson. He was a huge part of the playoff push and playoffs. He isn't a point getter snd never will be - but he brings something that is needed. With two years left, he stays until a guy like Florian, Tuch, Thorpe etc. are ready to take over.

Gallagher is Habs personified so he runs out his deal.

IF Hughes can bring in good players this off-season to replace Arma and Dvorak, I think he are good to go. I don't think we look to replace Dach or Laine yet - give them one last season to show they can stay healthy and produce.

Reinbacher starts in Montreal next season in place of Savard. He and Struble switch in and out as needed.

Roy, Kapanen or Beck take Armia's spot.

Oh and sign Luke Kunin to play bottom six center.

 

[HabsForHire]

Not if they keep going with that D core. I absolutely love Hutson but he doesnt have the acumen to be a no 1 dman. He's more of a no 2 / PP wizard.

Someone like Shea Weber who can munch big minutes. Slavin. Forsling. Seider. Sanderson. Morrissey.

Maybe we can hope Reinbacher become that but I doubt it.

dont worry, I'm sure our gm and staff know this. we need to get better and need legit veterans on D and foward

 

[Runner77]

One vote for No.


We have a troll within ours walls, ladies and germs.

It’s Mike chez Rona’s alter ego — Mike Charognard.

 

[Skip Bayless]

If @the doesn't end up the lone 'no' vote in this thread, it will be mission non-accomplished.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I wrote my reasons a bit earlier. I would have preferred to keep adding to the core via draft for one final year. Another top 10 pick would have been nice. Maybe I’m overly cautious but I’m still seeing some holes that needs to be addressed mainly a 2nd line and #2 D.

Not a knock on management. They have done a phenomenal job. I just feel going from a bottom 5 team to being a playoff team all of a sudden with so many holes might set us up to being stuck fighting for a playoff spot instead of being a contender for the years to come.

The end of the summer will give us a better indication of where we are going. I’m just not sold on if we are in win now mode just yet. Feels like we skipped a step or two this season and I fear what the general sentiment would be if we missed the playoffs next season.

Honestly this draft really sucks even at the top. If you're hoping your top 5 pick can be a 2C, it's not that strong. And let's say the habs get Desnoyers at #5. You're talking about a player who may be a good 2C in a few years. This team still needs veteran presence. Id rather have a 2C in their mid 20s than an 18 year old that needs time and opportunity just to develop (and its not even guaranteed they'll hit). The team doesn't need a #2 D per se, just a legit top 4 RHD. Which brings me to my next point. The 8 player profile (adapted from McGuires 7 player profile)

1C - Suzuki
2C - Hopefully acquire this summer
PF - Slafkovsky
S. W - Demidov
PMD - Hutson
2 way D - Reinbacher
Shutdown D - Guhle
No. 1 G - Fowler (hopefully)

The only hole in the profile is at 2C and the management as well as literally everyone in Montreal knows that's a major priority that needs to be solved soon. As previously suggested, they also need a top 4 RHD.

The cap situation is probably going to force the habs to use TDL to get short term players to complete their top 6. The habs also have enough young D and prospects to figure out the bottom pair for the next decade. The real concern is what is the bottom 6 going to look like. While I think they have the prospects to fill many of those spots, a few of the good ones will probably be leveraged in trades.

Until the habs start buying at TDLs and using Free agency in a meaningful way, I can't characterize them as being in win now mode. What they are is exiting a rebuild which is different. This post is getting too long but I'll finish it by saying that judging the habs rebuild in length to normal successful rebuilds is flawed because you have to account for the retool between the summer of 2018 to the fall of 2020.

 

[Runner77]

I don’t mind if the 1st round picks are packaged toward a player who can immediately help now but we’ve already done this with Dach and Newhook and the result hasn’t been great. Can Habs pro scouts be trusted to get it right next time?