Currently the best & worst rebuilds ongoing

[Llewzaher]

Arizona/Utah has been rebuilding forever

Arizona and Utah are in the 4th year of the rebuild

Armstrong thinks next year they should be able to make the playoffs via wildcard

 

[Joe Sakic]

I’ll tell you this, I know they’re not having a great season THIS year but I really think Anaheim is going to have a successful rebuild.

 

[TheGingaNinja]

I don't know about best, but the SJ rebuild is how you would want to draw it up I would think. Elite #1C (Celebrini), hopefully elite #1D (Dickenson) and a Franchse Goalie in the making (Askarov). Add in their slew of high draft pedigree supporting players all through the system,. You usually want to have those building blocks to really get your team going in the right direction.

Shows the importance of hitting on your picks, as well as getting those high picks in the right draft year, as all first rounders are not created equally.

EDIT: NJ did pretty well on theirs for a lot of the same reasons, although they didn't get the goalie right and it's haunted them for a few years.

 

[tnnr]

Pens are not in an official rebuild but Kyle Dubas has been a pretty stellar job accumulating picks and prospects..

 

[lakeshirts37]

Arizona and Utah are in the 4th year of the rebuild

Armstrong thinks next year they should be able to make the playoffs via wildcard

You cant be serious lol

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Pens are not in an official rebuild but Kyle Dubas has been a pretty stellar job accumulating picks and prospects..

Idk if serious...

 

[Barrie22]

I’ll tell you this, I know they’re not having a great season THIS year but I really think Anaheim is going to have a successful rebuild.

I would hope it is soon, they are already on year 6 of the rebuild and still a bottom 5 team. Much longer and they will have to start selling off the leaders of this rebuild and start all over again like buffalo.

 

[JD1]

Luck. It's better to be lucky than good.

In order to successfully rebuild, you need to suck at the right time, win the lottery, and have your picks pan out. Getting an all star out of nowhere really helps.

Exhibit A. Detroit. Yzerman hailed as a genius. They are awful 6 years into his tenure. Have never made the playoffs and they just suck. The lottery hasn't been kind to them

Exhibit B. Buffalo. Would they be in the middle of 13 years without playoffs had they won the lottery and got McDavid? Sure it's a shit show and it's not all jack eichel's fault, but I can't envision a world where McDavid has never been to the playoffs.

Exhibit C. Tampa. Herman. Stamkos. Kucherov out of nowhere. Legit cup contenders for a decade.

Seems to me that the only real successful formula is elite C, elite D and hang on to them. And you need luck to get these pieces.

 

[majormajor]

Sens, Sabres, Red Wings, Ducks, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks have all been mired in years of rebuilding and re-setting without landing on a playoff worthy, let alone cup contending core.

Utah, now that they have the ability to keep their assets, the Sharks and the Habs look to be on good trajectories to ice a contender around their respective U25 cores over the next 3-5 years. If they achieve that, those would be pretty successful rebuild timelines

I would take the U25 core of the Ducks and Jackets over the Habs. The only good center in the Habs org is a 25 year old mid-low #1C, they don't have any U25 centers of note. And only one D with high end traits, who is a bit tiny for playoff hockey.

The Ducks and Jackets are more filled out with high end guys at key positions.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I would hope it is soon, they are already on year 6 of the rebuild and still a bottom 5 team. Much longer and they will have to start selling off the leaders of this rebuild and start all over again like buffalo.

No they aren't. They didn't commit to a rebuild until Verbeek's first deadline, shortly after he took over in 2022. That's when they sold off Lindholm/Manson/Rakell, fully committing to the future. They may have been bad before that, but Bob Murray was in denial and had them floating in purgatory still trying to make playoffs.

This is year three of what Verbeek called a five season rebuild plan. They are right on track, if they can start to turn the corner in the next two seasons.

 

[Frank Drebin]

lol bruh that is entirely not true

Was sarcasm for comedic effect lmk if it worked

 

[JD1]

I would take the U25 core of the Ducks and Jackets over the Habs. The only good center in the Habs org is a 25 year old mid-low #1C, they don't have any U25 centers of note. And only one D with high end traits, who is a bit tiny for playoff hockey.

The Ducks and Jackets are more filled out with high end guys at key positions.

I think the Habs are arguably in the worst shape of the current bottom feeders

To your point, Suzuki is a low end 1C. They've got no other strength down the middle. Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows. He's in his prime.
.
Guhle isn't an upper tier 1D. Some pundits think he's actually bound to be a 2nd pair guy. And with Hutson I'll believe it when I see it. He's too small.

They just don't have the elite young talent that other teams do.

They've got some strength on the wings, but there's a reason people don't say "you build from the wings in"

 

[WarriorofTime]

I don't know about best, but the SJ rebuild is how you would want to draw it up I would think. Elite #1C (Celebrini), hopefully elite #1D (Dickenson) and a Franchse Goalie in the making (Askarov). Add in their slew of high draft pedigree supporting players all through the system,. You usually want to have those building blocks to really get your team going in the right direction.

Shows the importance of hitting on your picks, as well as getting those high picks in the right draft year, as all first rounders are not created equally.

EDIT: NJ did pretty well on theirs for a lot of the same reasons, although they didn't get the goalie right and it's haunted them for a few years.

Probably need a better Defenseman than Dickinson, nice guy to add to a mix but probably not going to be a guy that carries an entire D group. If they end up with Schaefer this year, that's huge.

 

[FiveTacos]

No they aren't. They didn't commit to a rebuild until Verbeek's first deadline, shortly after he took over in 2022. That's when they sold off Lindholm/Manson/Rakell, fully committing to the future. They may have been bad before that, but Bob Murray was in denial and had them floating in purgatory still trying to make playoffs.

Yeah, many "rebuilds" start several years after the first sucky season. A smart GM will see the warning signs early and tear it down after 1 bad year, but Murray dragged it out for 3 years trying to resuscitate an aging core that lacked high end performers. If he'd not been forced out, I'm not entirely sure he doesn't just try to re-sign Lindholm, Rakell, and Manson, and the Ducks would be in deep doo doo now.

They have what looks like 4 legit young NHL dmen in the lineup already, with several other good ones still on the way. Dostal looks like an impact starter. They have a number of highly regarded young forwards, particularly down the middle. But they're all so young ... Zegras is the only major piece over 21 right now.

 

[HuGo Sham]

I would take the U25 core of the Ducks and Jackets over the Habs. The only good center in the Habs org is a 25 year old mid-low #1C, they don't have any U25 centers of note. And only one D with high end traits, who is a bit tiny for playoff hockey.

The Ducks and Jackets are more filled out with high end guys at key positions.

no one knows how Reinbacher, Guhle or Hage projects yet. Demidov may be tried at C.
I wouldn't give up on Dach just yet and habs have like 7 picks in the top 50 next summer.
I would also say a point per game C is better than mid

 

[stevo61]

no one knows how Reinbacher, Guhle or Hage projects yet. Demidov may be tried at C.
I wouldn't give up on Dach just yet and habs have like 7 picks in the top 50 next summer.
I would also say a point per game C is better than mid

Well he's not a high end 1C when you actually compare him to the upper tier centers of the league. Not sure how calling him a mid tier 1C is insulting, he still called him a 1C regardless

 

[HuGo Sham]

I think the Habs are arguably in the worst shape of the current bottom feeders

To your point, Suzuki is a low end 1C. They've got no other strength down the middle. Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows. He's in his prime.
.
Guhle isn't an upper tier 1D. Some pundits think he's actually bound to be a 2nd pair guy. And with Hutson I'll believe it when I see it. He's too small.

They just don't have the elite young talent that other teams do.

They've got some strength on the wings, but there's a reason people don't say "you build from the wings in"

well since were arguing, I'd say some of the pieces on both those teams haven't proven much yet either. Is Lindstom going to be fully healthy or is this chronic?
Everyone, especially the usual non-habs fan experts have written hutson off...
We'll all let you believe it when you see it, beyond your belief being only an opinion.
Habs have tremendous, org depth and some terrific complimentary pieces like Beck and lots of young D beyond Guhle and hutson including Mailloux, Engstrom and Reinbacher.
Hage and Demidov were very good picks. Hage projects as a 2C right now. They have an elite goalie prospect in Fowler and several picks in the the 1st 3 rounds this summer.
They have slafkovsky and Caufield.

Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows

Well he's not a high end 1C when you actually compare him to the upper tier centers of the league. Not sure how calling him a mid tier 1C is insulting, he still called him a 1C regardless

how many proven high end C's are in the league? How many of them (1Cs) already) are on rebuilding teams?

 

[stevo61]

well since were arguing, I'd say some of the pieces on both those teams haven't proven much yet either. Is Lindstom going to be fully healthy or is this chronic?
Everyone, especially the usual non-habs fan experts have written hutson off...
We'll all let you believe it when you see it, beyond your belief being only an opinion.
Habs have tremendous, org depth and some terrific complimentary pieces like Beck and lots of young D beyond Guhle and hutson including Mailloux, Engstrom and Reinbacher.
Hage and Demidov were very good picks. Hage projects as a 2C right now. They have an elite goalie prospect in Fowler and several picks in the the 1st 3 rounds this summer.
They have slafkovsky and Caufield.

Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows




how many proven high end C's are in the league? How many of them (1Cs) already) are on rebuilding teams?

There isn't a ton which is why it's a highly sought after "you have to draft them" position. None of the actual rebuilding teams have a high end 1C yet, generally those types of players start to pull you out of the rebuild but a few teams have guys who potentially will become that. Bedard, Celebrini probably headline it and wouldn't be shocked to obviously see guys like Carlsson and Fantilli reach that status eventually

 

[TBF1972]

I don't know about best, but the SJ rebuild is how you would want to draw it up I would think. Elite #1C (Celebrini), hopefully elite #1D (Dickenson) and a Franchse Goalie in the making (Askarov). Add in their slew of high draft pedigree supporting players all through the system,. You usually want to have those building blocks to really get your team going in the right direction.

Shows the importance of hitting on your picks, as well as getting those high picks in the right draft year, as all first rounders are not created equally.

EDIT: NJ did pretty well on theirs for a lot of the same reasons, although they didn't get the goalie right and it's haunted them for a few years.

i think it's a little early to call any of sj's pieces as elite.

 

[waitin425]

I think the Habs are arguably in the worst shape of the current bottom feeders

To your point, Suzuki is a low end 1C. They've got no other strength down the middle. Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows. He's in his prime.
.
Guhle isn't an upper tier 1D. Some pundits think he's actually bound to be a 2nd pair guy. And with Hutson I'll believe it when I see it. He's too small.

They just don't have the elite young talent that other teams do.

They've got some strength on the wings, but there's a reason people don't say "you build from the wings in"

Believe it when you see it? See what exactly? Please elaborate on what you're waiting to see. You've only mentioned his size.

 

[HabzSauce]

I think the Habs are arguably in the worst shape of the current bottom feeders

To your point, Suzuki is a low end 1C. They've got no other strength down the middle. Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows. He's in his prime.
.
Guhle isn't an upper tier 1D. Some pundits think he's actually bound to be a 2nd pair guy. And with Hutson I'll believe it when I see it. He's too small.

They just don't have the elite young talent that other teams do.

They've got some strength on the wings, but there's a reason people don't say "you build from the wings in"

I don't completely disagree with what you're saying here. Hutson is definitely the real deal tho.

One thing Habs have going for them right now Is depth at all positions. No high end talent in their prospect pool outside Demidov and maybe Hage, but lots of quality bottom 6 talent that can help round out their team in the future. Same goes for their defence.

Habs have assets to make some good trades. Lots of draft picks and enough prospects that we can part from some and still be ok. It all depends on what trades they make. 2025 summer and draft will be huge for Habs.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I think the Habs are arguably in the worst shape of the current bottom feeders

To your point, Suzuki is a low end 1C. They've got no other strength down the middle. Suzuki is also 25. He's not in a rebuilding windows. He's in his prime.

This might make sense if Habs were in a spot where they were only just starting to acquire the pieces they need beginning now, but they've been drafting players for a couple years now.

Suzuki is 25, and signed for 5 years after this one on a good contract. As long as he doesn't fall off a cliff at a relatively young age, he's a ride through and should still be a good player as the Habs get better.

 

[Akrapovince]

I don't know about best, but the SJ rebuild is how you would want to draw it up I would think. Elite #1C (Celebrini), hopefully elite #1D (Dickenson) and a Franchse Goalie in the making (Askarov). Add in their slew of high draft pedigree supporting players all through the system,. You usually want to have those building blocks to really get your team going in the right direction.

Shows the importance of hitting on your picks, as well as getting those high picks in the right draft year, as all first rounders are not created equally.

EDIT: NJ did pretty well on theirs for a lot of the same reasons, although they didn't get the goalie right and it's haunted them for a few years.

Eklund and Smith are such nice high end pieces too.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I would hope it is soon, they are already on year 6 of the rebuild and still a bottom 5 team. Much longer and they will have to start selling off the leaders of this rebuild and start all over again like buffalo.

I am not convinced they picked the right players. Sharks have so far. In the Duck's case they would likley do better with a good coach.

This might make sense if Habs were in a spot where they were only just starting to acquire the pieces they need beginning now, but they've been drafting players for a couple years now.

Suzuki is 25, and signed for 5 years after this one on a good contract. As long as he doesn't fall off a cliff at a relatively young age, he's a ride through and should still be a good player as the Habs get better.

No point replying to someone who knows nothing about the Habs. Habs have a lot of depth down the middle. Beck, Kapanen, Hage, Evans, hopefully Dach. They are a couple of years away from having it on the NHL roster though.

 

[The Last Red]

I don't completely disagree with what you're saying here. Hutson is definitely the real deal tho.

One thing Habs have going for them right now Is depth at all positions. No high end talent in their prospect pool outside Demidov and maybe Hage, but lots of quality bottom 6 talent that can help round out their team in the future. Same goes for their defence.

Habs have assets to make some good trades. Lots of draft picks and enough prospects that we can part from some and still be ok. It all depends on what trades they make. 2025 summer and draft will be huge for Habs.

Jacob Fowler is not “high end talent?” Add him to Demidov, Hage and Reinbacher (hopefully) and you have plenty of high end talent not yet on the team yet. The success of the rebuild will come down to how well HuGo can build around the edges with trades and UFA signings.