GDT: Game 34: HABS @ BLUEJACKETS Dec 23, 2024 – 7PM ET. TSN2, RDS

[Kennerback]

At this point I wonder if Hughes is just looking for a veteran backup and will waive Primeau once he gets one. Primeau needs to play but also hasn't proven he should play (if the goal is to win hockey games).

Any signs that HuGo agrees, or is this just MSL doing the typical coach move of forcing the GM to react?

 

[BergevinBurner]

The next month will tell us, are contenders for a WC spot, or just pretenders for the WC spot....

We're going to fall back to the bottom of the league real quick next month.

We have a pretty terrible record against decent teams and our schedule between now and the January is brutal.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Any signs that HuGo agrees, or is this just MSL doing the typical coach move of forcing the GM to react?

I don't see him being allowed to do it if management doesn't agree.

 

[the]

When's the last time we had a forward be one of the 3 stars of the week? Probably Kovalev when he was here.

 

[waitin425]

When's the last time we had a forward be one of the 3 stars of the week? Probably Kovalev when he was here.

Slick Nick was last year. February 11th

NHL Records

records.nhl.com

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

It's Patrik's trial tonight. Force song for him.

 

[Kennerback]

We're going to fall back to the bottom of the league real quick next month.

We have a pretty terrible record against decent teams and our schedule between now and the January is brutal.

The games in the next 3 weeks will bring some answers, it’s basically a giant road trip. Habs are the worst NHL team on the road this season.

 

[donghabs98]

The games in the next 3 weeks will bring some answers, it’s basically a giant road trip. Habs are the worst NHL team on the road this season.

I personally expect to see us lose a bit over this next stretch but will be impressed with them come out of it with a .500 or more record. We aren't a good road team and will be going up against some real tough teams.

 

[morhilane]

Any signs that HuGo agrees, or is this just MSL doing the typical coach move of forcing the GM to react?

HuGo forced MSL to play certain goalies a few times last season, so it seems they agree that Primeau isn't doing his job if they haven't forced him to get his turn.

They also have a few options to deal with it after the Xmas break:
- waive Prime, recall Hughes or Dobes
- waive Prime, sign a free agent playing in another league for the rest of the season
- trade

It's not exactly urgent until the trip and crazy Jan schedule.

 

[schwang26]

People with the first name "Jet" can play any sport. It would even sound cool if he was a professional Curler.

Sounds like a 1950’s test pilot.

 

[Habs]

When's the last time we had a forward be one of the 3 stars of the week? Probably Kovalev when he was here.

Kenny Reardon in 49-50 probably

 

[waitin425]

When's the last time we had a forward be one of the 3 stars of the week? Probably Kovalev when he was here.

Kenny Reardon in 49-50 probably

 

[OldCraig71]

Kenny Reardon in 49-50 probably

I can vouch for this.

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

I'm borderline shitposting and spamming already, but please remember that if Monty ever gets hurt, and there are no reasonable back-up goalie available, Habs can just assign Patty to the goal, as he has some primordial experience. Should take about 4-5 mins to change gear...

Imagine sound levels...

 

[VT]

Laine was supposed to become one of the greatest goal scorer's of all time and getting traded to Columbus was going to be a fresh start for him and an opportunity to get back to his goal scoring ways after Winnipeg had ruined him with that 2way nonsense. Started out good with 3 goals in 3 games for Laine in Columbus, but with Tortorella there the focus was too much on 2 way play again and it wasn't long before Laine got benched. The following season wasn't good either as pretty much nothing changed and out of the 8 seasons Laine has played, his 4 worst goal totals were the seasons he played in Columbus with totals of 12, 26, 22 and 6 goals per season. Once this season is over Laine will most likely surpass the best goal scoring season in Columbus as he needs just 19 more goals in 49 games.

And don't get me started about the powerplay as it was absolutely terrible. You guys weren't even trying to make Laine score on the powerplay. His god like shot was totally wasted in Columbus! In 4 seasons in Columbus Laine scored just 18 powerplay goals. There's a good chance that Laine will surpass that total on the powerplay this year.

Overall you had Laine focus way too much on his overall game and ignored his strenghts. You had Hulk Hogan but tried to turn him into Ric Flair.

The only positive thing from the 4 years in Columbus was that Laine scored the most electrified goal in Columbus Blue Jacket history:

No player can just be a sniper, we don't live in the last century, even Ovechkin improved his play in the PO when he changed his game.

Laine proved he can play great defense, without the puck, improving his teammates. Unfortunately, even though the coaches and certainly his teammates (Jakub Voráček at minimum) told him to shoot more, he didn't do it. That's why Nyquist was moved to Laine and Jenner in the 2021/22 season (it helped, btw).

On a side note, Patrik himself didn't just want to be a sniper, for example he asked the coaches if he could play center.

Besides, we don't have a quarterback like you do Hutson. The coaches can't control that. Rest assured, he wouldn't have those stats with Matheson.

And, what is important:

2021/22, he was 2x injured, played only 56 games (26 goals - 38 goals in 82 games)
2022/23, he was 3x injured, 1 - COVID, played only 55 games (22 goals - 33 goals in 82 games)
2023/24, he had concussion, played only 18 games

Don't forget that he wasn't immediately fit after his injuries and psychical problems because of his father's death. He came to you after the NHPLA program with improved mental health.

It's also important to note that due to frequent injuries, our offensive defensemen didn't play much, especially in the 2022/23 season when Werenski was injured in 13 games, Bean in 14, and Boqvist also didn't play a full season, which made first pass, transition to OZ, a problem.

If you want to criticize a team, you have to compare the conditions. Because if I were to follow your logic, I can write that Montreal ruined Laine's 5v5 game, not noticing that he hasn't played in a year, hasn't had a full skating practice, and is playing with Dach, who has missed the entire season.

 

[FrankMTL]

Kenny Reardon in 49-50 probably

Now that's a hockey players face

Probably won player of the week for that mug alone.

 

[Kennerback]

HuGo forced MSL to play certain goalies a few times last season, so it seems they agree that Primeau isn't doing his job if they haven't forced him to get his turn.

They also have a few options to deal with it after the Xmas break:
- waive Prime, recall Hughes or Dobes
- waive Prime, sign a free agent playing in another league for the rest of the season
- trade

It's not exactly urgent until the trip and crazy Jan schedule.

Clear sign that they’ve crossed over from a development to a win first mindset.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Kennerback]

You know what would go over like a led balloon in the press scrum, asking MSL about Primeau.

 

[Habs]

Now that's a hockey players face

View attachment 950339

Probably won player of the week for that mug alone.

They were built differently back in the day lol

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Now that's a hockey players face

View attachment 950339

Probably won player of the week for that mug alone.

Good bet he was like 25 for the picture, but would be considered late 40s, early 50s nowadays

 

[waitin425]

They were built differently back in the day lol

This one of Gordie always impresses me.

 

[Rapala]

f*** it if he dies he dies

Even though it's three in four his work load had been far less than it once was so that has to help.

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

You know what would go over like a led balloon in the press scrum, asking MSL about Primeau.

If Montreal Canadiens have problems to get serviceable 2nd goalie, the problem lies solely at the front office and their scope of imagination. Just check and pick from Finnish or Swedish League top goalie of your liking, for example.

Not that hard.

 

[FrankMTL]

They were built differently back in the day lol

Probably worked a day shift at a factory before playing at night.

This one of Gordie always impresses me.

Impressive strength to go along with Justin Barron's neck.