GDT: Habs at Leafs (Now, Monday)

[schwang26]

Funny, two games ago, many here were smugly saying how poor the Leafs' prospect pool was. Now they see the Leafs as having a soon to arrive juggernaut of talent. The reality is their prospects aren't nearly as good as some here think, nor is our pool as void as some here now fear. I believe that while we will be incrementally better this year, we still will be drafting in the top 7. The silver lining is that 2024 is a very good year to be drafting in the top 10. Very good indeed.

Like others have said, health is a huge factor. I think 10th if health holds (and Monty)

 

[Habs Halifax]

For f*** sake why they playing Monahan with freaking garbage Gallagher!!! Anybody but him.

I don't think the Habs are at the same point as us fans with Gallagher. We are probably going to play him on the 4th line but they will be giving him a top 9 spot. He's got to play somewhere... regardless of how much we think he has digressed.

I personally don't mind a RHP / Monahan / Gallagher 3rd line. Worth trying.

Also, I don't think we should be getting all tied in a knot about preseason lines.

Like others have said, health is a huge factor. I think 10th if health holds (and Monty)

Heading into last season, several said bottom 5 for sure. We finished 5th with historic injuries.

Heading into this season, I feel the general consensus is 5-10 range. My personal range is 8-12.

However, it's hard to say how much growth happens with the youth and combined with a potential healthier roster.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Out of my surgery after 6 years waiting win this one for me

Half the process done we keep going . I'll try to watch on my superb 12 inches 240p tv

What was the surgery for? Hope you’re doing well.

 

[Habs]

I'm even more negative about this year's team than last years lol. Injuries starting to pile up in cupcakeville, so you just know they will keep Slaf here (worst thing possible) finish near dead last, and draft the wrong player again. Good times.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Out of my surgery after 6 years waiting win this one for me

Half the process done we keep going . I'll try to watch on my superb 12 inches 240p tv

What were you in for?

 

[Rapala]

Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
RHP - Dach - Slaf
Pearson - Monahan - Gallagher
Heineman - Evans - Ylonen

Norlinder - Savard
Xhekaj - Kovacevic
Harris - Mailloux

Allen
Primeau

I thought we liked Monahan.

 

[The Real Timo]

What was the surgery for?

His superb 12 inches

 

[The Great Weal]

Armia really injured already? f***ing hell we got one more year of this guy as well

 

[Rapala]

For f*** sake why they playing Monahan with freaking garbage Gallagher!!! Anybody but him.

It's just a typo they got the third and fourth line wingers inverted. No Doubt.

 

[Naslundforever]

Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
RHP - Dach - Slaf
Pearson - Monahan - Gallagher
Heineman - Evans - Ylonen

Norlinder - Savard
Xhekaj - Kovacevic
Harris - Mailloux

Allen
Primeau

Evans has 2 stud wingers here, would be nice if he showed some emotion for once in his career, if only for the poor guys trying to make the big show.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Armia really injured already? f***ing hell we got one more year of this guy as well

Would hurt more if we had him at a time when we wanted or expected to make the playoffs and go on a run.

Do you think that is next year? I don't. I think Gallagher is the biggest problem because the term overlaps when Dach needs a new contract and at a time when our compete window opens.

What I am saying is that Anderson was quoted as the one scoring and I merely mentioned he is scoring at a lower PPG than Hoffman who was supposedly done and useless. I don t especially like Hoffman‚s game but Anderson is widely overrated on those boards. People should stop saying size and skating are strength when he obviously can t help the team with those strength. He is paid as a 2nd liner whereas he is a one trick winger with tunnel vision.

Would you just look at it... Anderson tried with Suzuki and Caufield. You should call MSL and tell him he is crazy. You have context into how Anderson can't keep up. I think MSL would love to hear from you on what you have to share?

Projected lines for tonight's game...
Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
RHP - Dach - Slaf
Pearson - Monahan - Gallagher
Heineman - Evans - Ylonen

How long will he hold that position? Not sure... I can see them also trying Monahan, Dach, and Newhook on that line too.

Personally, I hope they create stability after their tinkering process is over.

 

[TheYardMachine]

Its going to be a tough one for our defense without Guhle and Matheson

 

[Skip Bayless]

That third line winger combo gave me retina cancer.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I'm even more negative about this year's team than last years lol. Injuries starting to pile up in cupcakeville, so you just know they will keep Slaf here (worst thing possible) finish near dead last, and draft the wrong player again. Good times.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Out of my surgery after 6 years waiting win this one for me

Half the process done we keep going . I'll try to watch on my superb 12 inches 240p tv

Hope it was a success. Get well soon, sir

 

[schwang26]

I don't think the Habs are at the same point as us fans with Gallagher. We are probably going to play him on the 4th line but they will be giving him a top 9 spot. He's got to play somewhere... regardless of how much we think he has digressed.

I personally don't mind a RHP / Monahan / Gallagher 3rd line. Worth trying.

Also, I don't think we should be getting all tied in a knot about preseason lines.



Heading into last season, several said bottom 5 for sure. We finished 5th with historic injuries.

Heading into this season, I feel the general consensus is 5-10 range. My personal range is 8-12.

However, it's hard to say how much growth happens with the youth and combined with a potential healthier roster.

It's not all youth anymore. I mean, they're young, but have experience. It's very reasonable to predict Suzuki, Caulfield, Dach, Newhook all have career years. (Yes I know that might not be much for some.) I see Anderson having a solid year too.
Pretty much all the D were hurt last year, so career years for them too. I can see Monty having his best numbers too.

 

[habsfan891]

Mailloux still being here after Lavals camp has opened is surprising to me

 

[CHfan1]

Do you think that is next year? I don't. I think Gallagher is the biggest problem because the term overlaps when Dach needs a new contract and at a time when our compete window opens.

I expect Gallagher will either be on LTIR or the Habs will have used a buyout on his contract by that time (the 2026-27 season when Dach needs a new contract).

 

[CheldishGamibno]

Dear god I MISS DROUIN!!!
GO HABS GO!

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's not all youth anymore. I mean, they're young, but have experience. It's very reasonable to predict Suzuki, Caulfield, Dach, Newhook all have career years. (Yes I know that might not be much for some.) I see Anderson having a solid year too.
Pretty much all the D were hurt last year, so career years for them too. I can see Monty having his best numbers too.

Fair but we are still on the young side with Suzuki under. I do however agree about the potential in growth which is basically my point I was making prior to.

I don't see reason to be negative about these two statements (Below). It's not like we are saying we are going to be in the playoff mix for sure. Far from it.

Youth taking steps forward and more health.
+
Vets being more healthy and better than last year

 

[morhilane]

Anderson with CC/Suzuki why are they even bothering, they know it never works long term.
Pearson/Monahan/Gallagher aka the Cripples line

Evans's linemates should make him look good I guess.

I guess RHP/Dach/Salf start the season together, this is their 3rd pre-game.

That defense.
Norlinder doesn't have the cardio to play with Savard.
Xhejak/Kova might end up the 3rd pair this season.
Harris will have to carry Mailloux defensively, but not a bad pair.

I'm really starting to think that Mailloux will start in the NHL.

And at Armia already injured. Not way people change my mind. It was self-inflicted to avoid the waiver wire.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I expect Gallagher will either be on LTIR or the Habs will have used a buyout on his contract by that time (the 2026-27 season when Dach needs a new contract).

Hard to say. I expected a rebound season from Gallagher last year but it didn't happen. I know some posters don't like hearing it but now we wait to see how he looks this season. With better center depth and more health, it's possible Gallagher can get back to 20 goals and 40 pts. I'm not going to hold my breath. haha

One thing I will say is if Gallagher turns into a 4th line player and he agrees he has digressed to that level, I'm pretty sure he will be open to LTIR with all the injuries he has faced in his career adding up to it. Doubt he wants to grind on the 4th line at this stage of his career. Not even sure he can demand a trade because who's going to trade for that contract? Gallagher knows the situation I am sure.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Mailloux still being here after Lavals camp has opened is surprising to me

He deserves it , good for him , he's beating out like 5 other dmen in camp lol

 

[GrandBison]

Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
RHP - Dach - Slaf
Pearson - Monahan - Gallagher
Heineman - Evans - Ylonen

Norlinder - Savard
Xhekaj - Kovacevic
Harris - Mailloux

Allen
Primeau

6 years ago nobody would have suspect that would be a pre-season 3rd line on a bottom five team.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Mailloux still being here after Lavals camp has opened is surprising to me

Agreed.

He’s been fine, but what concerns me about him is he still has a ton to work on defensively and he needs to get more reps in because he’s missed a lot of development time.

He’s a perfect fit for Laval this year, both for his development and the team.

I figure it may just be the team trying to immerse him in the atmosphere and building relationships with the rest of the team since he hasn’t partaken in previous years. Making up for lost time if you will.