Pre-Game Talk: Countdown thread to 24-25 Season (T - 6 hours)

[vokiel]

With the knee injury we witnessed last night would Kent Hughes now try and trade for a Zegras type? Or has that ship sailed

I couldn't care less what he does this season, the guy's moves are proving to be the wrong ones, so the less he does, the better.

 

[Tyson]

I couldn't care less what he does this season, the guy's moves are proving to be the wrong ones, so the less he does, the better.

Well it's not his fault Laine got hurt after all. Would you rather have Bergevin trying to to a "reset"?

 

[SwiftyHab]

“If Laine is out long term, it changes so much of what the Canadiens were planning for this season. The second line becomes less dangerous. The depth of scoring becomes less deep. The second power-play unit becomes less competition for the first unit. And for Laine, he would have another mental hurdle to clear when he has already cleared so many in such a short period of time.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5802409/2024/09/29/patrik-laine-injury-potential-loss-tests-young-canadiens/?source=user_shared_article

Every article today is the same

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840248954061238771

 

[Draft]

With the knee injury we witnessed last night would Kent Hughes now try and trade for a Zegras type? Or has that ship sailed?

I think the ship has sailed on Zegras.

1) We don't know the extent of Laine's injury. There's a possibility he can contribute this season. Additionally, the LTIR situation is a bit murky if he's not done for the season. Not to say there are cap issues but I think management would be careful about overages for next season if using all of Price/Laine LTIR. Hopefully know more tomorrow.
2) Demidov and Zegras are competing for the same role. It looks to me like Demidov will be here next season and Zegras would be a long-term acquisition.
3) Big hole at RD, especially with Guhle and Reinbacher injured or injury prone. Personally, I'd rather use assets to address that than for Zegras.
4) We have Roy, Kapanen, Farrell, Heineman, and Beck all looking like they're NHL-ready in different roles. Not ideal but filling Laine's spot internally is possible.

 

[vokiel]

Well it's not his fault Laine got hurt after all. Would you rather have Bergevin trying to to a "reset"?

I'd rather have a competent GM, not a corporate lackey.

The injury is not what hurts, it's the heartless reaction of the team that does. Now everyone in the league knows there won't be any serious consequences before they decide to run Shrimp Hutson, or Kapanen, or Caufield, or... The team is filled with players who don't care, and they're dumb enough not to understand why we'll have Tank threads popping sooner than later.

If you've seen, they cut the guys with heart. I guess it's more dangerous in Laval than in Montreal.

 

[Tyson]

I think the ship has sailed on Zegras.

1) We don't know the extent of Laine's injury. There's a possibility he can contribute this season. Additionally, the LTIR situation is a bit murky if he's not done for the season. Not to say there are cap issues but I think management would be careful about overages for next season if using all of Price/Laine LTIR. Hopefully know more tomorrow.
2) Demidov and Zegras are competing for the same role. It looks to me like Demidov will be here next season and Zegras would be a long-term acquisition.
3) Big hole at RD, especially with Guhle and Reinbacher injured or injury prone. Personally, I'd rather use assets to address that than for Zegras.
4) We have Roy, Kapanen, Farrell, Heineman, and Beck all looking like they're NHL-ready in different roles. Not ideal but filling Laine's spot internally is possible.

All good points

I'd rather have a competent GM, not a corporate lackey.

The injury is not what hurts, it's the heartless reaction of the team that does. Now everyone in the league knows there won't be any serious consequences before they decide to run Shrimp Hutson, or Kapanen, or Caufield, or... The team is filled with players who don't care, and they're dumb enough not to understand why we'll have Tank threads popping sooner than later.

If you've seen, they cut the guys with heart. I guess it's more dangerous in Laval than in Montreal.

No team toughness and it's frowned upon to defend a teammate. The MSL style

 

[The Real Timo]

With the knee injury we witnessed last night would Kent Hughes now try and trade for a Zegras type? Or has that ship sailed?

So that he can get injured too?

All good points


No team toughness and it's frowned upon to defend a teammate. The MSL style

Is t this why Gorton got fired? He refused to bring in tough guys after beat down rags received from capitals?

 

[PavelBrendl]

Whoa whoa, wtf is going on? I miss one game and wake up to find out that Reinbacher and Laine are already dead? Jesus f***ing christ, man.

 

[The Great Weal]

Xhekaj got fined $3,385.42

 

[SwiftyHab]

Here’s my take on a positive spin:

We are still net positive a Dach and a Hutson from last year.

That’s a 2nd line center and an offensive d man that can quarterback a PP if we let him.

 

[HomaridII]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840433287409418492

 

[morhilane]

At least ACLs get fixed up np now but fractured ankles if that's indeed the case are no joke for hockey players, what a f***ing drag man

Reinbacher was also seen sporting a knee brace after the game, so looks like it's not a broken ankle.

 

[Redux91]

Reinbacher was also seen sporting a knee brace after the game, so looks like it's not a broken ankle.

Interesting
Hopefully just a lil knee sprain, 4-6 weeks maybe
Still pretty bummed for him

 

[OnTheRun]

Reinbacher was also seen sporting a knee brace after the game, so looks like it's not a broken ankle.

It looked very much like Slaf injury during his rookie year, he fell awkwardly on one leg, so all his weight ended up on one knee.

 

[Habs]

So that he can get injured too?


Is t this why Gorton got fired? He refused to bring in tough guys after beat down rags received from capitals?

It was certainly a factor, he's a p***y like MSL and hates tough players.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

So Beck was sent down, as was Luke Tuch.

It looks like we'll start with the same team as last year but with Dach & Hutson as additions. Still an outside chance that Mailloux and/or Kapanen make the team.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I'd rather have a competent GM, not a corporate lackey.

The injury is not what hurts, it's the heartless reaction of the team that does. Now everyone in the league knows there won't be any serious consequences before they decide to run Shrimp Hutson, or Kapanen, or Caufield, or... The team is filled with players who don't care, and they're dumb enough not to understand why we'll have Tank threads popping sooner than later.

If you've seen, they cut the guys with heart. I guess it's more dangerous in Laval than in Montreal.

Xhekaj responded right away.

Also, overall I'm happy with Hughes. Bergevin left behind some terrible contracts, a horrible cap situation, and an awful team.

We're going to be down to Anderson and Gallagher after this year, as far as terrible contracts. They'll be down to 2 years. Hopefully, we can move Anderson with retention.

 

[vokiel]

Xhekaj responded right away.

Also, overall I'm happy with Hughes. Bergevin left behind some terrible contracts, a horrible cap situation, and an awful team.

We're going to be down to Anderson and Gallagher after this year, as far as terrible contracts. They'll be down to 2 years. Hopefully, we can move Anderson with retention.

X isn't making any difference. The team is injury-riddled every season and every season they seem to be ran over by anyone. Add the stupidest coach hirings of the franchise, and potentially some of the dumbest gamble trades and then management of those gambles and it's clear.

Well it has always been clear for me, since Molson became the owner.

 

[HomaridII]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840448276694176242

 

[Hannibal]

This team lacks toughness, hard to play against, identity player. Especially on that bottom 6. This team has no identity.

It’s time that M.Net GM get creative and make this team tough to play against. A team that will push back when the opposition take liberties.

Thank god X is there. Just hope MSL will not neutered him completely.

 

[vokiel]

This team lacks toughness, hard to play against, identity player. Especially on that bottom 6. This team has no identity.

It’s time that M.Net GM get creative and make this team tough to play against. A team that will push back when the opposition take liberties.

Thank god X is there. Just hope MSL will not neutered him completely.

Now that he got fined, I bet corporate does it regardless of who's coaching. Not like anyone defended X right?

 

[Kents polished head]

This team lacks toughness, hard to play against, identity player. Especially on that bottom 6. This team has no identity.

It’s time that M.Net GM get creative and make this team tough to play against. A team that will push back when the opposition take liberties.

Thank god X is there. Just hope MSL will not neutered him completely.

Jesus Christ man what exactly did you expect.

Xhekaj almost pulled a Todd Bertuzzi on the guy who did it.

Slaf and Anderson both dropped the glove.

And that's without even accounting for Pezzetta who would have started chasing had he been dressed.

I'm all for team toughness, and this is precisely what we witnessed yesterday.

Not sure what you expected else.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

X isn't making any difference. The team is injury-riddled every season and every season they seem to be ran over by anyone. Add the stupidest coach hirings of the franchise, and potentially some of the dumbest gamble trades and then management of those gambles and it's clear.

Well it has always been clear for me, since Molson became the owner.

There has been no gamble trades. The only one was Laine, and we didn't need Harris.

I'm not sure what you're saying, you want team toughness, but apparently X isn't it. OK, whatever.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Jesus Christ man what exactly did you expect.

Xhekaj almost pulled a Todd Bertuzzi on the guy who did it.

Slaf and Anderson both dropped the glove.

And that's without even accounting for Pezzetta who would have started chasing had he been dressed.

I'm all for team toughness, and this is precisely what we witnessed yesterday.

Not sure what you expected else.

Yeah, other team's fans feel we're low key tough (in other words, tougher than people think). We have Xhekaj, Guhle, Pezzetta, Struble on the team. Anderson can mix it up when he wants. We have Xhekaj Jr & Tuch in minors.

Slafkovsky looks like he's ready to roll, and not get pushed. Dach can get mean.

HuGo is improving team and organizational toughness. Plays like the Laine one just happen because the guy didn't want to get beat. It has nothing to do with toughness.

 

[vokiel]

There has been no gamble trades. The only one was Laine, and we didn't need Harris.

I'm not sure what you're saying, you want team toughness, but apparently X isn't it. OK, whatever.

Having one individual or two filling the role isn't toughness. The team needs to play in the right mindset and they aren't, so they get run over in preseason games.