Post-Game Talk: Gorton & Hughes End of Season Media Avail 9:30Am EST

[River Meadow]

thought it was interesting to hear Hughes say offensive talent (not surprising) and becoming more physical (size).
Adding Hutson to an already small team, is risky.
Guys have to go. Is there space for RHP? Maybe, but I suspect Ylonen is out, and I think they trade Harris - who has more value than some of us think.
I think a healthy Arber helps, and Mailloux makes the team.
I think the plan is to let Reinabcher play in Laval next year unless he completely blows people away in training camp.
Now I get the priority signings of Tuch and Florian.

So we likely draft Lindstrom?

OR....

SAM DICKINSON!

 

[jaffy27]

That's what I've been saying to people who want to sign a veteran forward (ex: Marchessault) to a multiple year contract. It will block Roy or Newhook from a top 6 role.

I honestly don’t see Roy OR Newhook in that top 6….they are 3rd line players who will fill in in top 6 in case of injuries/suspensions/etc….

I’d rather see Slaf/Suzuki with a Necas type trade and Dach/Caufiled with let’s say Lindstrom/Demidov/Celebrini.

That’s a real top 6 and very much in the reach of realm

 

[HuGo Sham]

So we likely draft Lindstrom?

I would say yes, if he's available.
Or Iginla.
either way, I think they'll let the pick cook in the minors and
trade for another, pro ready forward.

I also think they'll trade for a physical, 4th line forward. Take some of the burden off Arber. Pezz isn't the answer imo, but I think he stays for depth

 

[River Meadow]

I would say yes, if he's available.
Or Iginla.
either way, I think they'll let the pick cook in the minors and
trade for another, pro ready forward.

I also think they'll also trade for a physical, 4th line forward. Take some of the burden off Arber. Pezz isn't the answer imo, but I think he stays for depth

Or...

Sam Dickinson?

I'm looking at his highlights.

Checks a lot of boxes.

Great shot and offensive abilities too.

 

[Habs Icing]

What Letowski have done better then Burrows ?

A better hair cut?

 

[StCaufield]

False.

You really aren’t good at hiding the fact that you’re wrong with such a lame response

 

[Habs Icing]

Kent will "let it be written, let it be done"

Damn! A quote from the 10 Commandments movie

 

[StCaufield]

I honestly don’t see Roy OR Newhook in that top 6….they are 3rd line players who will fill in in top 6 in case of injuries/suspensions/etc….

I’d rather see Slaf/Suzuki with a Necas type trade and Dach/Caufiled with let’s say Lindstrom/Demidov/Celebrini.

That’s a real top 6 and very much in the reach of realm

I see Newhook as a second line player. Anything less is a massive overpayment in the trade

Someone want to give me a quick synopsis on the presser?

 

[Redux91]

Or...

Sam Dickinson?

I'm looking at his highlights.

Checks a lot of boxes.

Great shot and offensive abilities too.

Nah, we're good

 

[Habs Icing]

And another media press conference when they are not able to ask the REAL INFORMATIVE questions. Media always succeeds in looking dumb.

good presser... great answers.

It's almost like everyone was watching a different presser from everyone else.

 

[HuGort]

 

[jrom]

I see Newhook as a second line player. Anything less is a massive overpayment in the trade

Someone want to give me a quick synopsis on the presser?

HuGo said that they need to add physicality and improve the special teams.

Goal next season is to be “in the mix” e.g. aiming for the playoffs but they won’t shortcut it by signing a bunch of vets this summer.

 

[HuGort]

I have seen quite a few Habs GMs and I am not swayed by how smooth or articulate they are, which appears to impress people about HUGO.

What impresses me is having a good plan and walking the walk, while being competent in the plans execution. Hughes and Gorton are doing this.

I have certain views. I believe you must build through the draft, which means drafting most of your top players and having an abundance of players/ prospects / picks that you can trade for any missing pieces . These guys are doing that

Our GMs have consistently brought in defence 1st and only coaches who stifled individual play into a robotic system where the coach tried as much as possible to dictate every move a player made on the ice. And there was Ducharme lol. Last good coach we had was Demers, until MSL. HUGO was sharp enough to bring in a guy who believes in developing players. He may be lacking in some areas but scores high in the most important.

How many times did we talk about why we didn't have specialists working on players skating, skills etc. I mean one of the richest teams could afford it. We didn't. But now we have Nichols and people to help teach shooting, and this and that. We may be leading the league in this now and just a couple of years to turn it around because the smarts and will was there.

I think Hughes will give young guys as long a chance with us as he can. So I'm not sure trades involving our young Dmen this summer. By next summer yes.

I think he will use the Jets 1st in a trade. Maybe even to move our 1st up.

Something I was sick of hearing was Montreal fans don't care how we win as long as we win the Cup. Me, I call BS. So 3 decades of putrid play led by 2nd rate coaches has led to one Finals appearance, in 3 decades. Boring hockey. HUGO said right off the top they want yo win a Cup, but also Entertain the fans. Good God.

So far so good. They won't always be right, but they have the right big picture.

I thought Gainey was on the right path once. I still think if Koivu doesn't get stick in eye we win cup that year. We had Carolina up to that point. Then his daughter died, just like a different guy.

 

[26Mats]

Or...

Sam Dickinson?

I'm looking at his highlights.

Checks a lot of boxes.

Great shot and offensive abilities too.

Hughes confirmed in the presser today, the dman would have to be much better than the forward for them to take him.

It sounds like we're taking a forward. And there are a lot of good ones available.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I honestly don’t see Roy OR Newhook in that top 6….they are 3rd line players who will fill in in top 6 in case of injuries/suspensions/etc….

I’d rather see Slaf/Suzuki with a Necas type trade and Dach/Caufiled with let’s say Lindstrom/Demidov/Celebrini.

That’s a real top 6 and very much in the reach of realm

They are both 2nd line calibre. If Habs 6 players better they are a contender.

 

[Habs Icing]

Is it normal that I'm a little hard right now?

I don't know. What are your hands doing?

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Hughes confirmed in the presser today, the dman would have to be much better than the forward for them to take him.

It sounds like we're taking a forward. And there are a lot of good ones available.

Or when they take a d they will just tell the media he was much more talented than the forwards available.

 

[26Mats]

Or when they take a d they will just tell the media he was much more talented than the forwards available.

Anything is possible. I don't think they'll do it. Why say much better than just better? Especially after Lapointe was quoted earlier in the year saying management have been talking about this being a draft good in D, which is great because it means a forward will probably fall to us.

I'm all for taking BPA. But the D is set an Hughes said all teams around the league take into account need when asked about need versus BPA.


The D is set for the next 5 - 8 years if we can fit it under the cap:
Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Mailloux

 

[OldCraig71]

Ew. Never heard of him.


I want Celebrini

Dude, he's the Kenzie Lalonde of draft picks, just look away.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Or...

Sam Dickinson?

I'm looking at his highlights.

Checks a lot of boxes.

Great shot and offensive abilities too.

Agreed - they may go defence again...will be a fascinating draft night

 

[Runner77]

He's

Covfefe ...

 

[jaffy27]

Agreed - they may go defence again...will be a fascinating draft night

If they go D, they are also making a trade for a top 6

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Anything is possible. I don't think they'll do it. Why say much better than just better? Especially after Lapointe was quoted earlier in the year saying management have been talking about this being a draft good in D, which is great because it means a forward will probably fall to us.

I'm all for taking BPA. But the D is set an Hughes said all teams around the league take into account need when asked about need versus BPA.


The D is set for the next 5 - 8 years if we can fit it under the cap:
Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Mailloux

I don't like Guhle on the right side. If there was an opportunity to trade Matheson for a quality RHD i would do it.

 

[HuGo Sham]

If they go D, they are also making a trade for a top 6

for sure...
but I think they'll do that anyway -
and ultimately take the F at 5.
I think HuGo comes away with two F's on draft day...
a newhook / Dach type trade and catton/lidstrom/iginla

 

[1909]

The time to sign a hired gun is summer 25. Not this summer.

A guy like Duclair (who is still ony 28) could help on a second line next season. He's got speed, experience and offensive skills.