Are we heading in the right direction? 2025 Version

[Catanddogguitarrr]

But you are arguing they aren't coveting those things?

The Newhook trade isn't a move into that direction.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The Newhook trade isn't a move into that direction.

Not every player you acquire has to be a hulking player... you can still pursue that direction while picking up smaller skilled guys.

 

[Angler]

There are some pretty embarrassing takes in this thread. I mean, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there are 4 posters who actually believe the Habs are going in the wrong direction!? Of course they aren't contenders yet, and might not even make the playoffs next year, but they are certainly going in the "right" direction. They were the youngest team to make the playoffs and have already leapfrogged Buffalo, Detroit and arguably Ottawa in their rebuild. They have done this in fewer years than all of those teams as well.

It hasn't been perfect, but they are heading in the right direction.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The Newhook trade isn't a move into that direction.

The Newhook trade was made at a time when they still had to try to add speed and skill.

You can't fix everything all at once. You don't arrive at last place in the league with a lot things in place.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

The Newhook trade was made at a time when they still had to try to add speed and skill.

You can't fix everything all at once. You don't arrive at last place in the league with a lot things in place.

I agree with speed but skills, I have some doubts. So you say Habs acquire players who have speed will be small players? Big, physical and speedy players doesn't exist or are not wanted here?

 

[CzarDemidov]

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

Someone wrote he won the Stanley Cup. I might have missed something, I didn't noticed that player at the time.

I can imagine Newhook with Caufield in the locker room. Caufield with 40 goals but no SC. And Newhook snobbing Caufield, showing his shiny SC ring, lol. That's a joke, I don't think it could happen for real.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Someone wrote he won the Stanley Cup. I might have missed something, I didn't noticed that player at the time.

I can imagine Newhook with Caufield in the locker room. Caufield with 40 goals but no SC. And Newhook snobbing Caufield, showing his shiny SC ring, lol. That's a joke, I don't think it could happen for real.

This did happen I was there

 

[WeThreeKings]

I agree with speed but skills, I have some doubts. So you say Habs acquire players who have speed will be small players? Big, physical and speedy players doesn't exist or are not wanted here?

They acquired him because he was available and they believed they could tease more offensive upside out of him than he had shown in a bottom 6 role in Colorado.

Why does acquiring Newhook mean they didn't want someone who is big, physical and speedy?

 

[AHShadow]

I agree with speed but skills, I have some doubts. So you say Habs acquire players who have speed will be small players? Big, physical and speedy players doesn't exist or are not wanted here?

Big, physical and speedy players do not cost a 1st and high 2nd, which is why they went and got Newhook instead.

It's also why Wilson type players either rarely get traded or cost an arm and a leg to get.

HuGo's goal with both the Dach and Newhook trade was trying to get players that seemed to be underperforming and thought that putting them in a better role and system like the Habs would help them reach it.

Even though both trades seem bad in hindsight, the rationale from both trades is sound. I still think the Dach trade was a really good trade (and we saw glimpses of how it could've worked out). It just sucks he got injured two years straight. I do think we overpaid for Newhook at the time, but even then, at worst he was seen as a third line guy and his upside could've been a skilled top 6 player. And now, he could still develop into a good top 9 guy.

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

Would you have been ok with a first and late 2nd or early 3rd? If so, then we just slightly overpaid for a potential top 6 winger. As I mentioned above, I also think we overpaid, but it's not like we gave the farm for Newhook. You don't get big skilled guys for a 1st and 2nd either.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Would you have been ok with a first and late 2nd or early 3rd? If so, then we just slightly overpaid for a potential top 6 winger. As I mentioned above, I also think we overpaid, but it's not like we gave the farm for Newhook. You don't get big skilled guys for a 1st and 2nd either.

I wouldn’t have targeted a player who stepped down year on year with any first round pick. You pay the premium price for premium performance.

A mid 2nd? Sure, he’s a reclamation project.
2nd + 3rd or whatever, sure.

A 1st and very high 2nd is just not a good deal.

Dach is a bit different BECAUSE he allegedly brought size and skill to the table and when Dach played well he looked a lot better than Newhook ever looked for us because of the total package.

It’s not worth dwelling over but it’s hard to swallow Habs fans who won’t concede something as simple as this. It portends bad things if our fanbase immediately becomes homers over a 26pt/season bobo.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I agree with speed but skills, I have some doubts. So you say Habs acquire players who have speed will be small players? Big, physical and speedy players doesn't exist or are not wanted here?

Newhook was a depth player with upside. He was a mid first round pick who was developing in Colorado. We gave up 31st and 37th pick. Appropriate value for that kind of player.

He's shown flashes of being a top six player but after this year I think everyone would agree he's a bottom sixer. Good depth player. Has some speed. I think we should turn him into a prime penalty killer. It's exactly the kind of trade that you want your GM to make in this kind of scenario. You're getting good young talented players to fill out a lineup while trading excess picks. Not all of these moves will work out. We knew this before and we know it now. Entirely possible that the picks we gave up turn into something and this becomes a bad trade. As of right now though, it's hardly something I'd call a mistake.

The Dach trade was a great move. I was really concerned when we made it because of the wrist but that turned out to be nothing. Unfortunately the other injuries couldn't be predicted. A freaking shame what happened there because he was perfect for the 2nd line.

The one big mistake you can point to is us giving up on Kovacevic. That guy would look really nice on our blueline right now.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Newhook was a depth player with upside. He was a mid first round pick who was developing in Colorado. We gave up 31st and 37th pick. Appropriate value for that kind of player.

He's shown flashes of being a top six player but after this year I think everyone would agree he's a bottom sixer. Good depth player. Has some speed. I think we should turn him into a prime penalty killer. It's exactly the kind of trade that you want your GM to make in this kind of scenario. You're getting good young talented players to fill out a lineup while trading excess picks. Not all of these moves will work out. We knew this before and we know it now. Entirely possible that the picks we gave up turn into something and this becomes a bad trade. As of right now though, it's hardly something I'd call a mistake.

The Dach trade was a great move. I was really concerned when we made it because of the wrist but that turned out to be nothing. Unfortunately the other injuries couldn't be predicted. A freaking shame what happened there because he was perfect for the 2nd line.

The one big mistake you can point to is us giving up on Kovacevic. That guy would look really nice on our blueline right now.

That's 2 players who were projected 2nd line but finally turns into 3rd line. I agree about Dach injury there's some bad luck. We also have Laine who is uncertain on the 2nd line projection. I see 2 empty spots at 2nd line.

I could be optimistic and think that Armia and Dvorak are leaving, replaced by what Laval have best for bottom 6 lines but something tells me they will both be resigned for a cheap 2 years. The most safe and predictable stop gap availaible. I feel like there is a new cafeteria management but they will hire the same boring cooks I disliked and I know it will be boring for 2 years. Imagine Pezzeta is back too.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

I voted yes, but it’s a yes but they still have a lot of work to do

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

I voted yes, but it’s a yes but they still have a lot of work to do

Same for me except last second I voted no, lol.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

That's 2 players who were projected 2nd line but finally turns into 3rd line. I agree about Dach injury there's some bad luck. We also have Laine who is uncertain on the 2nd line projection. I see 2 empty spots at 2nd line.

Newhook was never a sure fire second liner. The hope was that he could be. And it like a possibility. But he failed his audition this year.

Dach is just a tragic story.

I could be optimistic and think that Armia and Dvorak are leaving, replaced by what Laval have best for bottom 6 lines but something tells me they will both be resigned for a cheap 2 years. The most safe and predictable stop gap availaible. I feel like there is a new cafeteria management but they will hire the same boring cooks I disliked and I know it will be boring for 2 years. Imagine Pezzeta is back too.

We’ll see. Armia is a lot of size to give up. He was hurt most of the second half. They’re going to transition slowly. A lot will depend on if they think Beck is ready.

Keeping some vets is no big deal. We’re the youngest team in the league right now.

 

[BLONG7]

That's 2 players who were projected 2nd line but finally turns into 3rd line. I agree about Dach injury there's some bad luck. We also have Laine who is uncertain on the 2nd line projection. I see 2 empty spots at 2nd line.

I could be optimistic and think that Armia and Dvorak are leaving, replaced by what Laval have best for bottom 6 lines but something tells me they will both be resigned for a cheap 2 years. The most safe and predictable stop gap availaible. I feel like there is a new cafeteria management but they will hire the same boring cooks I disliked and I know it will be boring for 2 years. Imagine Pezzeta is back too.

I think you may be getting ahead of yourself............Pezz? Back?? Armia and Dvorak and Savard (retiring)all gone..........could the re-sign Armia, maybe...........but you think they all come back? Not a chance.....

 

[Andrei79]

They acquired him because he was available and they believed they could tease more offensive upside out of him than he had shown in a bottom 6 role in Colorado.

Why does acquiring Newhook mean they didn't want someone who is big, physical and speedy?

I'll add that he was on a 22 goal 50 point pace last year. Dach was on a 50 point pace as well, then he looked like he brought his game to another level training camp + early season but got injured. Newhook keeps getting criticized left and right, but he improved his pace and defensive game this year. Next season will be very important for both players. There are a lot of these guys (Dach, Mailloux, Xhekaj and Newhook) that I wish would stay in Brossard this summer to be ready next season.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

And Dach could still turn out to be a good enough 2C even if he is no longer seen as potentially better than Suzuki as he was in his first year with us.

It’s not impossible. The injuries are worrying for sure but hell even without training he was almost turning it around before he got injured.

Would love for he and Laine to surprise. We’ll be tough to deal with if so

 

[Paradoxe]

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

If flipping him means a true second center, the time gap would have been a win, no?

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

The Newhook trade isn't a move into that direction.

He can easily be traded. Or kept in the bottom 6.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Since it’s hard to accept that it was a bad trade, now Alex Newhook the 26pt/season is a rational option for acquiring a skilled guy. Wow…

Please, no more trading first and second round picks to acquire “smaller skilled guys”! Please! I beg!

I guess you would have passed on a 31/37 for Caufield deal then, LOL.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I think you may be getting ahead of yourself............Pezz? Back?? Armia and Dvorak and Savard (retiring)all gone..........could the re-sign Armia, maybe...........but you think they all come back? Not a chance.....

Find a 2nd line center, play him with Demidov and Heineman.

Keep the first line intact.

Evans replaces Dvorak on the vet line. Call it Line 4 (hard to play against)

Our old second line is now a third line or exploitation line: Laine-Newhook-Dach

 

[Skip Bayless]

Yes, but a lot of work remains to be done to ensure the longevity of our competitive window.

The habs are in a bit of tricky spot because they have a lot of prospects and picks, but not a lot of roster players that can serve as assets in order to accelerate the rebuild meaningfully. It's not a bad spot to be in, but it needs to be handled with wisdom and PATIENCE.

It allows us to be trading partners with teams that are ready to tank. But teams that are ready to tank are often trading underperforming players who used to perform at a high level, or good players, but not their best players.

Once the habs will create that wheel of abundance, they will be able to build a truly enviable roster. So it is imperial, at this point in time, that they keep the focus on growth and development while also acknowledging the risen expectations over the last season.

It is a tough task to manage and to contextualize to the fan base because it is really possible that we spend the next year or two just being in the bubble; Waiting for Demidov, Reinbacher, Mailloux, Slaf to reach their potential, or at least come close to it.

But this year I felt like the intangibles of this squad were really strong. The leadership provided by Suzuki/Caufield and the older vets, the perseverance, the team spirit...

I think in the end, this is what propelled them to overachieve this season.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Yes, but a lot of work remains to be done to ensure the longevity of our competitive window.

The habs are in a bit of tricky spot because they have a lot of prospects and picks, but not a lot of roster players that can serve as assets in order to accelerate the rebuild meaningfully. It's not a bad spot to be in, but it needs to be handled with wisdom and PATIENCE.

It allows us to be trading partners with teams that are ready to tank. But teams that are ready to tank are often trading underperforming players who used to perform at a high level, or good players, but not their best players.

Once the habs will create that wheel of abundance, they will be able to build a truly enviable roster. So it is imperial, at this point in time, that they keep the focus on growth and development while also acknowledging the risen expectations over the last season.

It is a tough task to manage and to contextualize to the fan base because it is really possible that we spend the next year or two just being in the bubble; Waiting for Demidov, Reinbacher, Mailloux, Slaf to reach their potential, or at least come close to it.

But this year I felt like the intangibles of this squad were really strong. The leadership provided by Suzuki/Caufield and the older vets, the perseverance, the team spirit...

I think in the end, this is what propelled them to overachieve this season.

If we want to go that route, Matheson's available. Struble... Laine too. We have some players to trade with.