GDT: Game 31: Buffalo vs. Montreal, Dec 17th., 7 PM | TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, MSG-B

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Conclusion: We have a tiny bitch team.
Buffalo has some real nice pieces — if they sour on some of them, it could bring in needed size as a by product.
 
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What I’m really hoping happens internally (if it hasn’t already) is a thorough assessment and stringent performance reviews of all pro and amateur scouting staff, just to ensure they have the right people on board, as Habs management will be looking to make critical moves leading into the summer months. 💀
I would love to know which scouts said 'no' to Michkov , on a hockey level and not a contract one. I'd really love to know
 
These ownership endorsements uttered in public, in the sports world, are more often not a kiss of death. If ownership really believed in the management/ players on hand, it would be implicit, it wouldn’t need to be said. 💀
so if i understand your point, Pagula explicitly expressed faith in management because he, in fact, has no faith in management.
 
I get that, but isn’t it a chicken-or-egg thing? Buffalo’s had three GMs post-rebuild(s) under Pagula, and every single one’s had the same result. Is it because the hockey people are bad, or is ownership meddling making them bad?

Well, I can tell you that from what I’m reading from Sabres fans on HF and reddit they do think Ownership are indeed the real problem so you’re probably right.
 
Buffalo has already let Reinhart and Eichel go...
The organization is simply in shambles...
I heard a story about somebody phoning them to inquire about buying season tickets.... No answer so it went to voicemail.... and then... no call back for 3 weeks!
 
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Well, I can tell you that from what I’m reading from Sabres fans on HF and reddit they do think Ownership are indeed the real problem so you’re probably right.
The Buffalo situation is interesting to me because hockey insiders have often pointed to Canadian team owners meddling as a big reason Canadian teams haven’t won the Cup since the Habs won it. Makes you wonder if the insiders are right - owners who just can’t resist getting in their own way.
 


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💀
 
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I would love to know which scouts said 'no' to Michkov , on a hockey level and not a contract one. I'd really love to know

Nick Bobrov, in an interview with Grant McCagg, said that Mishkov’s size played a role in the said decision because the Habs were already counting on the services of another “small” forward in Cole Caufield.

In Bobrov’s eyes, it was preferable to select Reinbacher because, in the past, only two clubs have been able to win with two small forwards in their line-up: the Devils (Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez) and the Lightning (Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson).
 
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Here are the numbers when I ran them at the end of November, includes every player who had played in at least one game (which included Reimer with the Sabres):

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]
Team
[/TD]

[TD]
Avg Age
[/TD]

[TD]
Avg Height
[/TD]

[TD]
Avg Weight
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Anaheim​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.52​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0143​
[/TD]

[TD]
197.72​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Boston​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.41​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.021
[/TD]

[TD]
206.03
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Buffalo​
[/TD]

[TD]
25.31​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0169​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.54​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Calgary​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.8​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0144​
[/TD]

[TD]
196.44​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Carolina​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.26​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0117​
[/TD]

[TD]
197​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Chicago​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.63​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0175​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.21​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Colorado​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.87​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0050​
[/TD]

[TD]
191.29​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Columbus​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.88​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0152​
[/TD]

[TD]
201.92​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Dallas​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.04​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.015​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.71​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Detroit​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.44​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0136​
[/TD]

[TD]
199.8​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Edmonton​
[/TD]

[TD]
29.88
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0128​
[/TD]

[TD]
199.28​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Florida​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.83​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0178​
[/TD]

[TD]
196.83​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Los Angeles​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.56​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.02.04​
[/TD]

[TD]
202.44​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Minnesota​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.11​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0044​
[/TD]

[TD]
194.59​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Montreal​
[/TD]

[TD]
25.27​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0096​
[/TD]

[TD]
204.19​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Nashville​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.35​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0085​
[/TD]

[TD]
196.38​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
New Jersey​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.78​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0159​
[/TD]

[TD]
196.89​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
NY Islanders​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.45​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0207​
[/TD]

[TD]
205.28​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
NY Rangers​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.63​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0156​
[/TD]

[TD]
201.76​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Ottawa​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.02​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0188​
[/TD]

[TD]
200.72​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Philadelphia​
[/TD]

[TD]
25.93​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0085​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.52​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Pittsburgh​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.33​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0090​
[/TD]

[TD]
194.27​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
St. Louis​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.81​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0138​
[/TD]

[TD]
200.62​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
San Jose​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.07​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0100​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.15​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Seattle​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.77​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0065​
[/TD]

[TD]
196.77​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Tampa Bay​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.48​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0113​
[/TD]

[TD]
198.22​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Toronto​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.73​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0198​
[/TD]

[TD]
205.13​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Utah​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.48​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0159​
[/TD]

[TD]
195.78​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Vancouver​
[/TD]

[TD]
26.93​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0133​
[/TD]

[TD]
193.74​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Vegas​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.5​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0197​
[/TD]

[TD]
202.60​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Washington​
[/TD]

[TD]
28.19​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0192​
[/TD]

[TD]
200.08​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
Winnipeg​
[/TD]

[TD]
27.83​
[/TD]

[TD]
6.0183​
[/TD]

[TD]
197.88​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Just a hare or two separating these two wabbits.
Interesting how there are only five teams shorter than us, but only three teams heavier. The Xhekaj effect I assume. Not many players are 250 lbs.
 
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I am guessing, Nick Bobrov
Interesting , I thought he was a big fan of… just read the article, what a stupid reason. Draft talent for god sakes , you can insulate and find size in the market

Interesting how there are only five teams shorter than us, but only three teams heavier. The Xhekaj effect I assume. Not many players are 250 lbs.
Savard is 350 lbs , it helps
 

Nick Bobrov, in an interview with Grant McCagg, said that Mishkov’s size played a role in the said decision because the Habs were already counting on the services of another “small” forward in Cole Caufield.

In Bobrov’s eyes, it was preferable to select Reinbacher because, in the past, only two clubs have been able to win with two small forwards in their line-up: the Devils (Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez) and the Lightning (Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson).
That answer makes some sense. In game one of the finals last June there was only one player on the ice under 6 ft (Evan Rodriques). It shows that they are paying attention to successful teams in the playoffs.
 
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If we win, Sabres probably lose the next 2 games after us (Leafs, Bruins) and we'll get some big trades from them that will be the first domino of trades until the deadline.

If we lose, good for the tank.

I'm OK with either scenario, but even tho I'm currently on the tank train (for the last time this year), I'll take an extra 2 points for some good delicious trades drama. 😋
 
I would love to know which scouts said 'no' to Michkov , on a hockey level and not a contract one. I'd really love to know
Again it would be character issues and Reinbacher's potential ceiling. Unless Michkov was only coming over if Phialdelphia drafted him.
It might be partially about size, or that might just be for the media, but I doubt that is the whole story.
 
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Again it would be character issues and Reinbacher's potential ceiling. Unless Michkov was only coming over if Phialdelphia drafted him.
It might be partially about size, or that might just be for the media, but I doubt that is the whole story.

Would the Habs be guilty of drafting by position of need in this case? I see similar intangibles like our Kotkaniemi pick. We went after Center/RD (which we "needed") and guys with size. Two guys who started the draft year at the back of the 1st round ish in ranking and made some gains as the season went along. I always wonder about these types of picks... late bloomers in the draft year but was not really on target for top 10 picks to start the draft year.

Yeah, I was playing pool in my league the night we took Reinbacher. I was like WTF! Several guys around me chuckled and my reply was, Habs will regret this for years to come! No offense to Reinbacher and KK but they both should have been picks around the 10-15 range. They both increased their value because they progressed during their draft year and yeah... they were Center/RD. In fact, they were Center/RD draft years where there was lacking talent in those areas (for those draft years). We reached... hard to fight that logic.

Still think the book is not written but doubt Reinbacher will have as much value as Michkov. Basically a 1st line forward talent vs a top 4D. I don't have Reinbacher as top pairing quality.

B Tkachuk and Michkov vs Kotkaniemi and Reinbacher. :confused:
 
Barkov was not the start of their rebuild though Gudbranson was in 2010. They drafted Huberdeau next in 2011 and then extended their window by trading him for Tkachuk.

That 2011-2012 playoffs participation was a total fluke. Their best scorer that year was Thomas Fleischman and their 2nd best Stephen Weiss (both middle six player as far as i'm concerned). It was a crappy team that made the playoffs on the back of top of the class goaltending.

Panthers draft history :

2010 3rd overall Erik Gudbranson
2011 3rd overall Huberdeau
2012 23rd Mike Matheson (the Jose Theodore cinderella run)
2013 2nd overall Barkov
2014 1st overall Ekblad

Their rebuild ended there but they made the playoffs in 2016 only but like you said started to win for real in 2020. Now i hope our rebuild will be faster but anybody expecting result after 3 drafts is out for launch big time.

People keep thinking it is a traditional rebuild, this is not, several supposedly core players are in their D+5-D+8 entering their prime.
 
We will win this game tonight and the usual suspects will come crawling outside and think we are making DA PLAYOFFS!!

The trade thread will be bumping after tonight with all sorts of wild suggestions to boost the team for a temporary playoff push.
 
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We will win this game tonight and the usual suspects will come crawling outside and think we are making DA PLAYOFFS!!

The trade thread will be bumping after tonight with all sorts of wild suggestions to boost the team for a temporary playoff push.

We will lose this game tonight and the usual suspects will come crawling outside and think we are DA SABRES or DA SENS!!!

The trade thread will be bumping tonight with all sorts of wild suggestions to tear the team apart for an even more egregious tank.
 
We will lose this game tonight and the usual suspects will come crawling outside and think we are DA SABRES or DA SENS!!!

The trade thread will be bumping tonight with all sorts of wild suggestions to tear the team apart for an even more egregious tank.
To be honest I don't see a scenario where the Habs win this game. Levi will start and play lights out and the Habs will give up at least 4 goals.
All is well in Habs land
 
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To be honest I don't see a scenario where the Habs win this game. Levi will start and play lights out and the Habs will give up at least 4 goals.
All is well in Habs land

It's two bottom teams playing one another, either team could win.
 
Sabres will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights, right ? We are at home and they are dropping their last 10 games. If we lose tonight, then .....
 
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