General 2025 Off-Season Discussion Thread

[Kennerback]

Bring Dvorak on a 2 year max contract since I doubt we find a legit #2 center without overpaying, which I dont think this team is just ready yet. Trade Matheson and bring a guy like Ceci or Gabrikov.
Trade for Klapka or Rempe.

I think we could sign Dvorak for a discount, as he loves it here.

 

[Shutdown]

the guy who started this thread wants Demidov to gain 30 lbs lol

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

2nd line wing can be a next year issue. Laine is fine as a stop gap and if he gets healthy maybe he stays.

Acquiring two 2nd liners and a top 4 D can be too much in one offseason and Laine can be on our 2nd line another year.

I wish Patty the best of luck with his health but he’s not reliable enough to pencil into a critical Top 6 role, I’m not sure if iI’d really even have him on PP1 anymore as it’s become predictable to defend

 

[ahmedou]

Bye bye GDF HFHabs 2024/2025!

Welcome to General 2025 Off-Season Discussion Thread!

 

[Sorinth]

We have at least one superstar in Suzuki, two potential mega superstars in Hutson and Demidov. We have three other legit top roster players in Guhle, Caufield, Slaf.

A wild card in Laine. Really don’t know what to expect.

So we need to build that solid playoff supporting cast.

Laine isn't the only wildcard, feels like we are in a situation where if we can go out and get a real big name then we won't hesitate, but if the only viable options are mid tier guys then even if technically an upgrade we might just stick with internal options and bet on potential.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I honestly have no idea how you think this, he literally single handedly gave up 4 A+ chances in the first 40 minutes of last night's game. There is no contending team in the league that would want such an unreliable player in their top 4, none.

Bouchard etc.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I think quality 2nd line center, RD and backup are the biggest needs. No idea who'd fill those needs and defer to HuGo, but if they can land the right players to this core, I think this team has shown they can go very far next year.

Cole Suzuki Slaf
Laine 2C Demidov
Gally Dach Anderson
Heineman Kapanen Newhook
Gorilla

Hutson RD
Matheson Carrier
Xhekaj Reinbacher
Struble

Monty
BackupG

Habs a huge amount of riches and cap to get this done. It comes down to pro scouting that identifies the right players to slot in. That will be the biggest determinant of a successful offseason.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

For the first time since they have been in montreal MSL, Gorton and Hughes will have pressure , if they miss the playoffs some or all of them will get fired

Not a chance. If they miss the playoffs it will because of something out of their control like injuries, officials etc.

 

[DAChampion]

I think quality 2nd line center, RD and backup are the biggest needs. No idea who'd fill those needs and defer to HuGo, but if they can land the right players to this core, I think this team has shown they can go very far next year.

Cole Suzuki Slaf
Laine 2C Demidov
Gally Dach Anderson
Heineman Kapanen Newhook
Gorilla

Hutson RD
Matheson Carrier
Xhekaj Reinbacher
Struble

Monty
BackupG

Habs a huge amount of riches and cap to get this done. It comes down to pro scouting that identifies the right players to slot in. That will be the biggest determinant of a successful offseason.

Gally-Dach-Anderson might make a lot of sense as a third line, good job.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I think quality 2nd line center, RD and backup are the biggest needs. No idea who'd fill those needs and defer to HuGo, but if they can land the right players to this core, I think this team has shown they can go very far next year.

Cole Suzuki Slaf
Laine 2C Demidov
Gally Dach Anderson
Heineman Kapanen Newhook
Gorilla

Hutson RD
Matheson Carrier
Xhekaj Reinbacher
Struble

Monty
BackupG

Habs a huge amount of riches and cap to get this done. It comes down to pro scouting that identifies the right players to slot in. That will be the biggest determinant of a successful offseason.

And some of the players they identify being available. There are a lot of idiot GM's out there that will keep players they should be trying to trade.

 

[le_sean]

Bring Dvorak on a 2 year max contract since I doubt we find a legit #2 center without overpaying, which I dont think this team is just ready yet. Trade Matheson and bring a guy like Ceci or Gabrikov.
Trade for Klapka or Rempe.

This team needs to overpay for a 2C. They are ready to take another step forward. You can’t just halt this type of momentum and you can’t just ask Suzuki to perform at that level again.

 

[Kennerback]

I wish Patty the best of luck with his health but he’s not reliable enough to pencil into a critical Top 6 role, I’m not sure if iI’d really even have him on PP1 anymore as it’s become predictable to defend

He would have needed Demidov on the right half way. Caufield was unfortunately miscast there.

 

[Canadienna]

Write out our projected future top6 and future top 4, and it's clear that we're missing size and physicality.

Guhle will get better at it, Slaf will get better at it. But outside those two? Not a ton in the top4/top6. Reinbacher/Dach have size, but they need to stay healthy let alone terrorize the opposition.

And Andy is getting older. Even Matheson can play with an edge.

It's not enough to have a bottom 6/bottom pair with toughness. They need to be on the ice.

That's a priority this summer imo, and might require making some player for player trades.

 

[Kennerback]

Write out our projected future top6 and future top 4, and it's clear that we're missing size and physicality.

Guhle will get better at it, Slaf will get better at it. But outside those two? Not a ton in the top4/top6. Reinbacher/Dach have size, but they need to stay healthy let alone terrorize the opposition.

And Andy is getting older. Even Matheson can play with an edge.

It's not enough to have a bottom 6/bottom pair with toughness. They need to be on the ice.

That's a priority this summer imo, and might require making some player for player trades.

I agree. Unless we're talking about super elite talent stay away from smaller players. Get 6'2+ players.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

HuGo essentially need to replicate Bill Zito’s 2021 off-season:

- acquire 2 top6 players including a Centre (Reinhart + Bennett)

- acquire top-4 Dman (Forsling)

Zito’s acquisition cost for those 3-players? 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + Heineken

Good luck to HuGo…

Need to capitalize on the GMs panicking.

SEA, TOR (possibly), BUF, VAN, etc.

 

[Maitz]

Buyout Laine, Sign Duchene 3yrs, draft 16-17th overall, a center and a big winger or potential 4th D, sign 2 botton 6 big body winger.

 

[That Habs Fan]

I'd keep Dvorak if he takes a good deal. Something changed in him halfway through this season. I know this will sound borderline insulting but he even looks different in interviews, the acne etc...is gone, and he just looks like a man. I think he fully matured in more ways than one.

 

[Kennerback]

Buyout Laine, Sign Duchene 3yrs, draft 16-17th overall, a center and a big winger or potential 4th D, sign 2 botton 6 big body winger.

Would Laine really need do be bought out? A team that has no PP, even more if it needs to reach cap floor, might not find him useful?

 

[Sorinth]

I think we could sign Dvorak for a discount, as he loves it here.

We could easily sign Dvorak, but whether we should is debatable. Personally I wouldn't sign him, if we acquire an actual 2C then I'd prefer we go with Dach/Newhook as the 3C, and even if we strike out, I'd probably still prefer Evans as the 3C, and Beck/Kapanen as the 4C.

 

[Canadienna]

I agree. Unless we're talking about super elite talent stay away from smaller players. Get 6'2+ players.

Agreed, though not as a hard and fast rule. Some slightly smaller guys still bring it.

I'd love for us to find the next Barbashev for example. They paid a pittance for what he's brought.

 

[Kennerback]

We could easily sign Dvorak, but whether we should is debatable. Personally I wouldn't sign him, if we acquire an actual 2C then I'd prefer we go with Dach/Newhook as the 3C, and even if we strike out, I'd probably still prefer Evans as the 3C, and Beck/Kapanen as the 4C.

It depends how close we think Beck is to become an NHL regular.

 

[Maitz]

Would Laine really need do be bought out? A team that has no PP, even more if it needs to reach cap floor, might not find him useful?

With Demidov in Caufield spot and Caufield and Laine spot I think it's way more dynamic. Honestly Laine experiment was good for a few months but if your main goal is to make the playoffs and go far, Laine shouldn't be on the team

 

[Captain97]

I wish Patty the best of luck with his health but he’s not reliable enough to pencil into a critical Top 6 role, I’m not sure if iI’d really even have him on PP1 anymore as it’s become predictable to defend

I agree I like PP1 with Demidov, then I'd build a PP2 around Laine + crash the net for rebounds.

Suzuki
Laine - 2C - Newhook/Heineman
Matheson/RHD

I think the RD would be important for the Laine 1 timer it's easier to make the pas Righty to righty

 

[Maitz]

Agreed, though not as a hard and fast rule. Some slightly smaller guys still bring it.

I'd love for us to find the next Barbashev for example. They paid a pittance for what he's brought.

I would love a player like Barbashev, I didn't look at the upcominh UFA but I am confident we could find players like Barbashev Duhaime Carrier to fill the bottom 6 over Dvorak, Armia and Pezzeta. Let's face it our bottom 6 production killed us in playoffs, being good defensively isn't enough

 

[Canadienna]

I would love a player like Barbashev, I didn't look at the upcominh UFA but I am confident we could find players like Barbashev Duhaime Carrier to fill the bottom 6 over Dvorak, Armia and Pezzeta. Let's face it our bottom 6 production killed us in playoffs, being good defensively isn't enough

Filling out the bottom 6 with some more toughness and talent - good but not enough.

I brought up Barbashev because he came right into Vegas' top 6. You need the toughness throughout the lineup not just in the bottom6/bottom pair.

We don't need Barbashev himself, we need to identify the next Barbashev.