Was playing around with CapFriendly for a potential 2024-2025 roster to assess where the Habs’ most dire positional needs are upon completion of a guesstimative depth chart. [Core; Veterans; Hopefully traded; Rookies]
Centers : Suzuki, Dach, Dvorak, Evans, Beck*, Kidney
Left Wingers : Caufield, Slafkovski, RHP, Ylonen, Heineman, Farrell
Right Wingers : Dach, Anderson, Gallagher, Armia, Roy*, Mesar
Left Defensemen : Matheson, Guhle, Xhekaj, Harris, Hutson*, Engstrom*, Struble
Right Defensemen : Barron, Savard, Kovacevic, Mailloux*
Goalie : Montembault, Primeau, Dobes, Dichow
Considering this, the missing pieces would be:
- RW1/C2 : Depending whether Dach is ultimately used as C2 or RW1.
- RHD1 : Barron/Mailloux have interesting offensive upsides, but they both lack defensive acumen; a true first pairing RHD must thus be found, unless the answer turns out to be using Guhle as RD since the LHD pipeline (Hutson, Engstrom) appears so strong.
- G1 : The answer might be within the organisation as well - Montembault - but the Habs will in any event part ways with Allen sooner than later and finding another solid, perennial option in net is paramount.
And so, as for the upcoming draft, if we compute these needs and the candidates within the #5 range :
- Carlsson : Fills the top-6 C/RW requirement perfectly, enabling optimal top-6 flexibility with Dach.
- Michkov : Fills the elite RW admiradbly and provides, along with Caufield, a lethal 1-2 punch of scoring wingers on the top-6.
- Smith/Dvorsky : Fits the top-6 C need; likely means Dach plays RW.
- Benson/Leonard: Fits the top-6 W need, likely means Dach plays C.
- Reinbacher: Fits the RHD profile sought, likely means Guhle remains LD and that the Habs can engage in further « Romanov-trades ».
My humble conclusion for #5, in order of preference : 1) Carlsson; 2) Michkov; 3) Reinbacher; 4) Smith; 5) Benson/Dvorsky.
And if there’s a Dubois sign and trade deal at the draft (not involving #5 obviously!), then I’d go : 1) Michkov ; 2) Reinbacher.
