Line Combos: HABS 2024 LINE UP

[Habricot]

I like what I saw of RHP with Suzuki and Anderson last year. I think its the best way to raise Anderson's stock before trade deadline. I would go with..

Newhook, Dach, caufield
RHP, Suzuki, Anderson
Slafkowski, Monahan, Gallagher
Heinemen/Armia, Dvorak, Evans

Matheson, Kovacevic
Ghule, Savard
Xekhaj, Barron
Harris, Mailloux

 

[Belial]

Did we give up on Trudeau?

Why? Do you think he'll make the big team this year?

He'll be in Laval...

 

[Sorinth]

I expect Newhook to get a look on the Suzuki- Caufield line too. But then, why not Slafkovsky/RHP - Dach - Monahan?

Looks good, also gives Dach support in the faceoffs when he needs it. Pretty sure Monahan will get opportunities to produce/be showcased

I would think they will continue to want to take it slow with Slafkovsky. So I think it more likely he starts on the 3rd line but if he plays well the 2nd line is well within reach, and longterm Slaf/Dach is a duo I'd like to see.

 

[tinyzombies]

Been trying to keep track of a style chart. This doesn't mean it's their rating, it's their style of play. So if someone is a capital S for shooter it doesn't mean they are Caufield.

 

[26Mats]

While Dvo is out

Caufield Suzuki Heineman
Slaf Dach Newhook
RHP Monahan Anderson
Gallagher Evan's Ylonen
Pez

Let's not let Hoffman and Armia hold the youth back.

 

[RationalExpectations]

if you want a top 5 pick , Suzuki and Caufield will need to be missing 75% of the season or it aint happening.

We have more chances with that CGY 1st

Do you think CGY in the West is getting less points than MTL in the East ? Seems overly optimistic ... A few young guys will need to exceed expectations for this to happen.

 

[HuGort]

I would play Dach at center all season. He needs the experience as a center. If they see him as future center?? could play Dach on wing Monahan as #2 center.

Newhook on left wing with either Suzuki, or 2nd line with Dach. According to who he plays better with. RHP probably gets top 6 minutes. Anderson back on his natural right side playing 3rd line minutes.

Dvorak is good defensive center gives about 45 points. Pezetta plays more minutes on 4th. Division tougher as Lucic and Reeves added. Take some strain off of Wifi.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I would play Dach at center all season. He needs the experience as a center. If they see him as future center?? could play Dach on wing Monahan as #2 center.

Newhook on left wing with either Suzuki, or 2nd line with Dach. According to who he plays better with. RHP probably gets top 6 minutes. Anderson back on his natural right side playing 3rd line minutes.

Dvorak is good defensive center gives about 45 points. Pezetta plays more minutes on 4th. Division tougher as Lucic and Reeves added. Take some strain off of Wifi.

Question. What's more important. Dach becoming a 80-100 pts forward or a top 2C around 60 pts?

I don't mind Dach either playing with Suzuki/Caufield or your idea with Monahan. I can see several different things we can try and I'm sure MSL will.

The first sign will be at camp. They pair up guys with what they think will work to start. I think Newhook gets paired up with Dach.

 

[Vachon23]

I would probably try to start if everyone is healthy:

Monahan-Suzuki-Caufield
Newhook-Dach-Anderson
Slaf-Dvorak-Hoffman/Armia
RHP-Evans-Gally

Guhle-Savard
Matheson-Barron
Xhekaj-Harris

 

[tinyzombies]

I doubt they break up the top line or the second line - both were doing well. This is the balanced lineup anyway:

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slaf-Monahan-Anderson
Newhook/RHP-Dvorak-Gally
RHP/Newhook-Evans-Armia
Pezzetta

Guhle-Mailloux
Matheson-Barron
Xhekaj-Harris-Kovacevic (rotation into the lineup, X against tougher teams)

CARTER HART
Montembault

Calgary first rounder, Allen, Hoffman and Savard traded. If Beck wins the job in camp, Dvorak can be moved.

 

[tinyzombies]

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Slaf - Monahan - Dach
RHP - Dvorak - Anderson
Pezzetta - Evans - Gally
Heinemen, Armia, Hoffman


Matheson - Barron (top RHD is a very weak spot)
Guhle - Savard
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Harris - Kovacevic

Obviously if this happens, we're gonna be a bubble team. I hope you are right (except for Pezzetta on the third line, don't know about that).

 

[26Mats]

Interesting that we only have 3 European players on the team: Slaf, Ylonen, and Armia.

Is that the lowest in the league?

 

[Mister Hab]

When the heck are we going to have a LONG-TERM solid big/tall/two-way #2 CENTER??!! (Kirby Dach). When?!

Instead of a short-term #2 center (Monahan).

I get it (boosting Monahan's trade value...I'm all for it...experienced #2 center...Monahan), but Dach will have to get lots of CENTER experience sooner than later, no? I want Dach as our no.2 center. He has lots of solid two-way potential...I mostly hope so for playoffs. TWO-WAY centers are SUPER important in playoffs.

Anyone...anyone can play well with Suzuki and Caufield (Pezzetta can get 40-50 pts playing with Suzuki/Caufield...Ylonen can get 50-60pts+ playing with Suzuki and "Goal" Caufield...zamboni or popcorn guy can get 30-40pts playing with Suzuki/Goal Caufield,etc,etc). I want to see Dach as our 2nd line CENTER (two-way center). I hope it happens.

Newhook, Dvorak, Evans, and eventually Owen Beck can all friendly-compete for 3rd and 4th line center spots.
And, let's not forget...Jake Evans as our 3rd line or 4th line center in playoffs...he's very smart/trust-worthy defensively (and valuable for the PK). Beck may one day (2-3 yrs from now?) have two-way no.2 center potential....but one day at a time. No rush.

For 2025...2026...if we're gonna make the playoffs...and win...Dach as our no.2 two-way center is a VERY IMPORTANT factor to our success. (Prepare him now/sooner than later..not later...so he's ready for playoffs...if we make it in 2025 or 2026......................or 2024!?!).

 

[Naslund]

I think this is what they have in mind at the start of the season, with Dvo out.

Caufield-Suzuki-Hoffman
Anderson-Dach-Newhook
Gallagher-Monahan-Slafkovsky
Armia-Evans-RHP
Ylonen
Pezzetta

Note:
1. Armia and Hoffman are interchangeable on these lines. Hoffman is not going to finish the season in Montreal, and Armia as well, maybe.

2. Slafkovsky may play with Suz and Caufield at some point. It will depend on the progress he makes. Don't think it will be this year that he makes it on the first line though.

3. I think Heineman has the best chance to make his way onto the lineup, among the AHL crop. It may not be at the beginning of the year, but he will play with us at some point, especially Hoffman is traded at the deadline.

 

[26Mats]

I think this is what they have in mind at the start of the season, with Dvo out.

Caufield-Suzuki-Hoffman
Anderson-Dach-Newhook
Gallagher-Monahan-Slafkovsky
Armia-Evans-RHP
Ylonen
Pezzetta

Note:
1. Armia and Hoffman are interchangeable on these lines. Hoffman is not going to finish the season in Montreal, and Armia as well, maybe.

2. Slafkovsky may play with Suz and Caufield at some point. It will depend on the progress he makes. Don't think it will be this year that he makes it on the first line though.

3. I think Heineman has the best chance to make his way onto the lineup, among the AHL crop. It may not be at the beginning of the year, but he will play with us at some point, especially Hoffman is traded at the deadline.

I think you're probably right. But I'd have RHP in the top 9 ahead of Hoffman and Gallagher. MSL was front row seat for the RHP show last year. I think he'll get his shots in preseason to beat out vets. And it may be Slaf who starts on the 4th line.

I can't believe we'll play Armia and Hoffman over Ylonen. Ylonen needs to play to get confidence and comfortable at the NHL level.

 

[Rapala]

Why? Do you think he'll make the big team this year?

He'll be in Laval...

I was wondering why a couple of people didn't have him anywhere on either roster.

 

[Rapala]

Caufield-Suzuki-Hoffman

GTFO you want @Rapala to lose his shit.

 

[ML16]

Opening Night Roster (without further trades) :

Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
Newhook - Dach - Ylonen*
RHP - Monahan* - Slafkovski
Hoffman* - Evans - Gallagher
Pezzetta, Armia

Matheson - Guhle
Harris - Savard
Xhekaj - Barron
Kovacevic*

Montembeault
Allen

IR : Dvorak / LTIR : Price

Traded by TDL 2024 : Hoffman ; Kovacevic ; Monahan (and, maybe, Ylonen if cheap contracts fetch a premium because of the cap crunch.)

Post-TDL 2024 Roster :

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovski
Newhook - Dach - Roy
RHP - Dvorak* - Anderson
Heineman - Evans - Gallagher
Pezzetta, Armia*

Matheson - Savard*
Guhle - Barron*
Xhekaj - Harris*
Mailloux

Montembeault
Allen*

Traded by TDL 2025 : Allen; Armia?; Dvorak; Savard (and hopefully one of Harris/Barron will be sent in a package for a RW1. If such a player is acquired and Slafkovski/Roy both pan out, this could also open a window to sell Anderson.)

Caufield - Suzuki - RW1
Newhook - Dach - Slafkovski/Roy
Roy/RHP - Beck - Anderson
Heineman/RHP - Evans - Gallagher
Pezzetta

Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Guhle
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Harris/Barron

Montembeault
Primeau/Dobes/Trade

 

[Andy]

With Dvorak in the lineup
Caufield Suzuki Anderson
Newhook Dach Monahan
RHP Dvorak Slafkovski
Gallagher Evans Hoffman
Extra: Armia

Matheson Savard
Harris Savard
Xhekaj Harris

Extra: Kovacevic, Wideman

Until Dvorak Returns from injury:
Caufield Suzuki Anderson
Newhook Dach Slafkovsky
RHP Monahan Hoffman
Gallagher Evans Armia
Extra: Ylonen

Matheson Savard
Harris Savard
Xhekaj Harris

Extra: Kovacevic, Wideman​

 

[Mister Hab]

Maybe (maybe only?!)...maybe Slafkovsky joins his buddy Mesar in the AHL...for 10-15-20games? (mostly to make room for our many forwards for 10-15-20 games). Or, Slaf will most probably start with our Habs:

AHL LAVAL...SLAFKOVSKY - BECK - MESAR
HABS...Slaf-Dach-Monahan...or...Slaf-Newhook-Gallagher.
EDIT: Beck will be with the Juniors for another season! (not in AHL). Looking forward to Beck in the 2024 WJC!!



Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
Hoffman - Dach - Monahan
H-Pinard - Newhook - Gallagher
Pezzetta - Evans - Armia
Ylonen
Dvorak (injured?)

Habs in BOLD: trying to raise their value before a trade...won't be easy but also possible (especially Monahan...Monahan just has to stay healthy ; same with Hoffman...healthy and produces!).

P.S.: and if you really wanna BOOST Hoffman/Monahan's value for 1-2months...put them/him with Suzuki+Caufield!! (Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan/Hoffman). We'll get a 1st rnd pick for Monahan after only 1-2 months of him playing with Suzuzki and "Goal" Caufield!! and maybe even for Hoffman...if he gets HOT with Suzuki/Caufield). Then again...Monahan playing with Dach and Slaf/H-Pinard will also boost his value, imo.

 

[Belial]

Maybe (maybe only?!)...maybe Slafkovsky joins his buddy Mesar in the AHL...for 10-15-20games? (mostly to make room for our many forwards for 10-15-20 games). Or, Slaf will most probably start with our Habs:

AHL LAVAL...SLAFKOVSKY - BECK - MESAR
HABS...Slaf-Dach-Monahan...or...Slaf-Newhook-Gallagher.




Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
Hoffman - Dach - Monahan
H-Pinard - Newhook - Gallagher
Pezzetta - Evans - Armia
Ylonen
Dvorak (injured?)

BOLD: trying to raise their value before a trade...won't be easy but also possible.

Beck can't play in the AHL this upcoming season, it's NHL or another junior year for him.

 

[Mister Hab]

Darn it...should have known that, thanks.
(I was thinking the WJC will be great for Beck...should have known another Junior year was coming up for him).

Alright then...Slaf - __?__ - Mesar for 10-15-20 AHL games as an option...to make room for our so many Hab forwards. But, still...I see Slafkovsky starting the season with our Habs on our 2nd or 3rd line (but I could be wrong?).

Actually looking forward to Hutson (USA) and Beck (Canada) and our other Hab prospects in the 2024 WJC.

 

[Belial]

Darn it...should have known that, thanks.
(I was thinking the WJC will be great for Beck...should have known another Junior year was coming up for him).

Alright then...Slaf - __?__ - Mesar for 10-15-20 AHL games as an option...to make room for our so many Hab forwards. But, still...I see Slafkovsky starting the season with our Habs on our 2nd or 3rd line (but I could be wrong?).

Actually looking forward to Hutson (USA) and Beck (Canada) and our other Hab prospects in the 2024 WJC.

I think you're right. I can't see them sending Salfkovsky to the AHL.
He'd have to be the worst player during the camp for that to happen.

 

[26Mats]

With Dvorak in the lineup
Caufield Suzuki Anderson
Newhook Dach Monahan
RHP Dvorak Slafkovski
Gallagher Evans Hoffman
Extra: Armia

Matheson Savard
Harris Savard
Xhekaj Harris

Extra: Kovacevic, Wideman

Until Dvorak Returns from injury:
Caufield Suzuki Anderson
Newhook Dach Slafkovsky
RHP Monahan Hoffman
Gallagher Evans Armia
Extra: Ylonen

Matheson Savard
Harris Savard
Xhekaj Harris

Extra: Kovacevic, Wideman​

Observation: you're going to throw in the towel on Ylonen once Dvo comes back? Why not send Wideman to Laval, or another vet that has no future with the team?

I thought Ylonen's speed meshed well with Evans's. Hopefully he gets a shot there. But that's my top 9 with a healthy Dvo.

(also, I think you mean Guhle in one of the places you put Harris twice, and Barron in one of the places you put Savard twice).

 

[Belial]

Observation: you're going to throw in the towel on Ylonen once Dvo comes back? Why not send Wideman to Laval, or another vet that has no future with the team?

I thought Ylonen's speed meshed well with Evans's. Hopefully he gets a shot there. But that's my top 9 with a healthy Dvo.

(also, I think you mean Guhle in one of the places you put Harris twice, and Barron in one of the places you put Savard twice).

How many teams send established vets to the American League?

It's just something that doesn't happen!

Some of you should stop with all the Armia/Hoffman/Gallagher to the minors stuff...