Coaching is a serious problem.

[junyab]

People have short term memory though...

The general consensus in the discussions here this summer was that the team would definitely be battling for a PO spot. Then everyone got blown away with the trade for Laine! Suddenly Montreal had a top 6 with the return of Dach and the progression of Joshua Roy (forgetting that they lost Monahan...).

Even suggesting that Montreal would pick top 10 again next Spring and that they should consider trading Savard, Armia or Evans at the deadline would get you ridiculed..

Funny how things can change quickly!

Cuz everyone was still drunk on Demidov and had an over abundance of positivity.

For a PO spot we had needed absolutely everything to go our way, and no one was being realistic about the probability of that outcome.

 

[Andy]

The general consensus in the discussions here this summer was that the team would definitely be battling for a PO spot.

Was it though? I do not recall this at all.

I do remember some people saying that it could be possible in theory if key players took a step in their development and that the Atlantic isn't as strong as it is perceived to be. But, I do not remember anything resembling a consensus at all.

 

[Habs]

Was it though? I do not recall this at all.

I do remember some people saying that it could be possible in theory is key players took a step in their development and that the Atlantic isn't as strong as it is perceived to be. But, I do not remember anything resembling a consensus at all.

the usual homers thought they would, the rest of us never thought were were close to a PO team lol.

 

[Andy]

the usual homers thought they would, the rest of us never thought were were close to a PO team lol.

"the usual homers" is not a consensus though.

I think most people believed that the team would be moving out of the lottery ranking and into the bubble area. And a few of us mused (including myself) that if certain players hit the next step in their development (Dach, Slaf, Guhle) along with addition of Laine that POs wouldn't seem like such a farfetched idea

 

[1909]

Matheson is playing like a top pairing D on the 32th worst D in the league!!! On playoffs teams he isnt on any of the PP, isnt on the top 4 and playing below 20 minutes a game like the rest of his career.. Guhle and Hutson are already better with 10 years younger. He's doing the best he can but hes in the wrong chair big time.

Also please give me a better argument than his 60 points last year. Is Bouchard or Hyman top players at their position for having a good season with the leagues 2 best players on the PP? Absolutely not

Hyman was a glitch in the Matrix….

 

[Sorinth]

Matheson is playing like a top pairing D on the 32th worst D in the league!!! On playoffs teams he isnt on any of the PP, isnt on the top 4 and playing below 20 minutes a game like the rest of his career.. Guhle and Hutson are already better with 10 years younger. He's doing the best he can but hes in the wrong chair big time.

Also please give me a better argument than his 60 points last year. Is Bouchard or Hyman top players at their position for having a good season with the leagues 2 best players on the PP? Absolutely not

It's kind of ironic to say Matheson's points don't mean much because players like Bouchard and Hyman have a lot of points because they play with the league's best players on a team with one the best PPs. You do realize Matheson doesn't play with McDavid or Draisaitl level talents or on a team with good PP that he could leech off of right?

 

[Habs]

"the usual homers" is not a consensus though.

I think most people believed that the team would be moving out of the lottery ranking and into the bubble area. And a few of us mused (including myself) that if certain players hit the next step in their development (Dach, Slaf, Guhle) along with addition of Laine that POs wouldn't seem like such a farfetched idea

We didn't fix the blueline, or the 3rd 4th lines... the goaltending was still going to be sus, and we still had no experienced assistant to replace Super Burrows. How were we going to be better? Laine? Sure maybe we score another 30 goals, but he isn't going to move the needle either way.

 

[Hacketts]

We didn't fix the blueline, or the 3rd 4th lines... the goaltending was still going to be sus, and we still had no experienced assistant to replace Super Burrows. How were we going to be better? Laine? Sure maybe we score another 30 goals, but he isn't going to move the needle either way.

-We have Lane Hutson this year.
-We have Kirby Dach this year
-Our PP/PK are legit this year so far.
-Heineman adds another dimension to our 4th that we didn't have last year.
-Our 3rd line has been our most consistent line, and both our "vets" are playing solid hockey.
-We lost by the most 1 goal games in the league. Laine, Dach, and Hutson will move the needle in the regard.

I'm not saying we're going to make the playoffs, especially with the inconsistency of our D, and you're right that our goaltending is suspect. We definitely have question marks on this roster.

BUT

If we can stay healthy, we can be a much better team this season.

 

[Paddyjack]

Is your arguments that we have a good defensive squad that should be able to be as good as those from other team and are ready to be a PO team?

Is Barron a top 6 NHLer D? Cause he is now.
Is Hutson a veteran that won't do any mistakes?
Did we just lose our best d for the last 4 games.....which shouldn't be our best D at his age to begin with ?
Is Savard a Top 4 D on any team in the league....cause he is here.

Logan Mailloux has 5 NHL games experience
Lane Hutson has 10 NHL games experience
Jayden Struble has 60 NHL games experience
Justin Barron has 101 NHL games experiecne
Arber Xhekaj has 102 NHL experiecne

What in the hell are expecting from this young defensive squad?
Being Flawless ?

I believe MSL needs help on Defense teaching, but yeah, why would a star forward player with pee-wee coaching experience needs better support teaching Defense system to a quad younger than Iphone invention. The insanity really. It's not like the problems in defense started by day one when Guhle/Savard/Matheson were in the lineup, and obviously the various vets we have on forward cannot help with that system, it's all on the youngish D guys for sure.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

the usual homers thought they would, the rest of us never thought were were close to a PO team lol.

I think I remember one or two poster predicting the playoffs.

Most people are predicting 80-90 points. Improving on last year but not making the postseason. I have us around 85 points. I don’t think that’s unrealistic.

 

[salbutera]

Cuz everyone was still drunk on Demidov and had an over abundance of positivity.

For a PO spot we had needed absolutely everything to go our way, and no one was being realistic about the probability of that outcome.

Not necessarily… everyone simply assumes Atlantic division is stacked w powerhouses when in reality many are trending downwards like TBay and Bos combined with maturity of some of the other traditional also rans like Sens, Det and Buf. All this leads to much more parity which is presently on display w the standings.

I don’t see any team running away w Atlantic this year and 5-teams from the division qualifying for the playoffs

 

[Team_Spirit]

At least he's in shape, best exercise.

He's kinda coasting on the way down tho

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850312635969151381

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We didn't fix the blueline, or the 3rd 4th lines... the goaltending was still going to be sus, and we still had no experienced assistant to replace Super Burrows. How were we going to be better? Laine? Sure maybe we score another 30 goals, but he isn't going to move the needle either way.

The D is a collection of rookies and youngsters. We knew it would be ugly and it will be.

The 3rd and 4th lines don’t really need fixing. They’re fine for what they are. Goaltending? So far so good.

The big question mark is Kirby Dach and the second line. If he can regain his form that’s a huge plus. His recent games are encouraging. Hutson will help and CC seems to be back.

Put it altogether and I think we’ll improve. Not enough to make the playoffs but that’s okay.

 

[Gaud]

People have short term memory though...

The general consensus in the discussions here this summer was that the team would definitely be battling for a PO spot. Then everyone got blown away with the trade for Laine! Suddenly Montreal had a top 6 with the return of Dach and the progression of Joshua Roy (forgetting that they lost Monahan...).

Even suggesting that Montreal would pick top 10 again next Spring and that they should consider trading Savard, Armia or Evans at the deadline would get you ridiculed..

Funny how things can change quickly!

When the habs management said their goal is to be in the mix, i took that to be "better than last year, but dont expect being in teh playoffs". That being said, I think a team can both make a run for the playoffs and be in the bottom 10.

 

[Habnot]

Matheson is playing like a top pairing D on the 32th worst D in the league!!! On playoffs teams he isnt on any of the PP, isnt on the top 4 and playing below 20 minutes a game like the rest of his career.. Guhle and Hutson are already better with 10 years younger. He's doing the best he can but hes in the wrong chair big time.

Also please give me a better argument than his 60 points last year. Is Bouchard or Hyman top players at their position for having a good season with the leagues 2 best players on the PP? Absolutely not

I never said Matheson was a Norris candidate, but I was responding to your assertion that he isn't even a top 4 - why is absurd by any metric.

 

[Gaud]

Same thing happened to Brisebois years ago. It was frustrating to watch him get heckled

Drouin - omg was that toxic for the kid.

 

[PhysicX]

The D is a collection of rookies and youngsters. We knew it would be ugly and it will be.

The 3rd and 4th lines don’t really need fixing. They’re fine for what they are. Goaltending? So far so good.

The big question mark is Kirby Dach and the second line. If he can regain his form that’s a huge plus. His recent games are encouraging. Hutson will help and CC seems to be back.

Put it altogether and I think we’ll improve. Not enough to make the playoffs but that’s okay.

The vet line is doing great, which is surprising and refreshing to me. Main issue now is figuring out the compositions of lines 1-2 and 4.

Slaf or Dach - My vote is for Slaf to remain on the first, and give Dach the center responsibilities back.

Dach with whom until Laine returns, if ever this season? Armia doesn't fit at all, Newhook is not ideal either. Is it Roy's spot to be recalled into later this season? Newhook-Dach-Roy or Heineman maybe...

Anderson-Evans-Gallagher you keep intact for now

Fourth line... Kapanen should go back to Europe, he's not ready. Armia and Heineman on the wings with Dvorak centering?

 

[Tyson]

Drouin - omg was that toxic for the kid.

Yeah I felt bad for Drouin...and they put him at center

 

[Gaud]

So back to back wins = coaching fixed = thread closed?

Probably should keep it out for next time haha
MSL is all about philosophy and creativity - letting people express themselves, surpassing expectations in areas that would normally be stifled by traditional roles imposed by regular coaches.

It's not going to work for all. It's not going to make sense to a lot of TV experts. Hell , it doesnt always make sense to me. He is inexperienced and it shows, but i think there are areas where improvement shows too - look at the powerplay. I think Evans is doing way better than ever.

Yeah I felt bad for Drouin...and they put him at center

in a way i can blame management for unrealistic expectations - we basically gave away a first pairing D for a Center/winger.. its not unreasonable to expect a 1C in return.

 

[Gaud]

I think I remember one or two poster predicting the playoffs.

Most people are predicting 80-90 points. Improving on last year but not making the postseason. I have us around 85 points. I don’t think that’s unrealistic.

pretty much.. i really cant see "being in the mix" meaning anything else than "close but no cigar" to management.

 

[The Real Timo]

pretty much.. i really cant see "being in the mix" meaning anything else than "close but no cigar" to management.

Kinda like Philly last season.

I don't see Habs making da playoffs. I want them to because I am sick of the "rebuild" but they're not gonna. And I think the main reason is because coaching stuff is trying to fit the square peg into a round hole. They do NOT have the right players to play that hybrid whatever system. as everyone says, they have a ton of rookies and rookies need "simple and structured".

 

[Tyson]

Probably should keep it out for next time haha
MSL is all about philosophy and creativity - letting people express themselves, surpassing expectations in areas that would normally be stifled by traditional roles imposed by regular coaches.

It's not going to work for all. It's not going to make sense to a lot of TV experts. Hell , it doesnt always make sense to me. He is inexperienced and it shows, but i think there are areas where improvement shows too - look at the powerplay. I think Evans is doing way better than ever.


in a way i can blame management for unrealistic expectations - we basically gave away a first pairing D for a Center/winger.. its not unreasonable to expect a 1C in return.

Yeah but he was a winger

 

[dcyhabs]

I think I remember one or two poster predicting the playoffs.

Most people are predicting 80-90 points. Improving on last year but not making the postseason. I have us around 85 points. I don’t think that’s unrealistic.

I expect them to generally trend toward 85 points but have injuries and streaks cut 10 points or so off of that. At some point they have to stop getting top 5 picks, sign some vets, and win some games, but, unless Laine comes back really hot I don’t see it being this year.

They should clear some players this year, and they have a few guys who should be able to fill spots by next year. They’ll want to try to make Demidov’s entry positive as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get someone during the season with the intention of keeping them, and I expect active buying next summer.

This year is already a roller coaster, and it would be good to see some hope, but some of the high picks are pretty tempting, too. I don’t see the team being healthy enough to win, and I really don’t want to see more long term injuries.

 

[Sorinth]

When the habs management said their goal is to be in the mix, i took that to be "better than last year, but dont expect being in teh playoffs". That being said, I think a team can both make a run for the playoffs and be in the bottom 10.

To support your point the 10th last placed team at the TDL last year was NJ with 66 points, sitting at 8th in the East was Tampa with 72 points, and Washington the team that eventually did make it as that last playoffs was at 67 points. So yeah if you are near to that bottom 10 spot you are likely considered in the mix.

 

[VAN-HAB]

so, are we making the payoffs. I haven't watch a game this season, are we better than last season?