Post-Game Talk: Habs defeat Isles in OT in Laine's debut

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

and would be smart to want to extend here.

That's the rub though. Will he want to stay here? I think he would, but most importantly, for how much? He might price himself out in the end and get traded for a huge haul at TDL next season. It is fundamental for our future that Hughes initiates negociations somewhere between next July and the end of the year.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I'm more worried about Slaf, at least Dach is cheap. That 8million/yr is going to look pretty silly if our golden boy doesn't start being the power forward they are paying him to be.

This is a significant concern as Slafkovsky has really regressed from his excellent season last year. To me, Slafkovosky has stopped moving his feet and is trying to play a more cerebral game. He isn't driving the play this year. Someone should sit down with this kid and watch tapes of his play last year and advise him that it was because of his elevated play last year that he was offered that gaudy/rich contract.

Both he and Dach have been the real disappointments this year. Dach has an excuse coming off major knee surgery. Some players never do fully recover. What's Slafkovsky's excuse?

 

[Habs]

This is a significant concern as Slafkovsky has really regressed from his excellent season last year. To me, Slafkovosky has stopped moving his feet and is trying to play a more cerebral game. He isn't driving the play this year. Someone should sit down with this kid and watch tapes of his play last year and advise him that it was because of his elevated play last year that he was offered that gaudy/rich contract.

Both he and Dach have been the real disappointments this year. Dach has an excuse coming off major knee surgery. Some players never do fully recover. What's Slafkovsky's excuse?

Slaf doesn't even look like the same player, not near the energy at all. I really agree with you about his 'feet stopped moving' , he looks slow and his shot never hits the net. He isn't in the slot for one-timers either, is this a coaching plan? This is why MSL troubles me, I don't think he's putting the guys in the right spots to succeed

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

This is a significant concern as Slafkovsky has really regressed from his excellent season last year. To me, Slafkovosky has stopped moving his feet and is trying to play a more cerebral game. He isn't driving the play this year. Someone should sit down with this kid and watch tapes of his play last year and advise him that it was because of his elevated play last year that he was offered that gaudy/rich contract.

Both he and Dach have been the real disappointments this year. Dach has an excuse coming off major knee surgery. Some players never do fully recover. What's Slafkovsky's excuse?

Maybe he isn't 100% healthy

 

[1909]

The problem is that neither Dach nor Laine have the skating style/quickness to be effective centers in the NHL. Both are much better wingers. Better to find that elusive center elsewhere than trying to fit the proverbial square peg into a round hole.

Right now, I would put Newhook between Laine and Dach, and switch back Slaf on the Suzuki-Caufield line.

 

[The Real Timo]

And when was that? when he got injured? nobody could foresee that Dach would be that bad until he played this season. Given that there are no C available right now, can't blame KH either for not acting right now. So you are left with one option, ride Dach all season (or until a better option comes along) and see if he either turn it around or you need to get a C next summer.

Yes. Your presumed #2 center is out for a season. Not a stretch to assume that he won't come back the same for the next season. So... yes, then. You make the move then and if your injured #2 comes back just as strong you have 3 good centers. If not, you have 2. But doing nothing and doing hail mary was stupid.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Right now, I would put Newhook between Laine and Dach, and switch back Slaf on the Suzuki-Caufield line.

Makes sense. Someone with speed/quickness has to play with Dach and Laine.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Maybe he isn't 100% healthy

It may well be a factor.

But it must be obvious now to everyone who's watching that Slafkovsky of 2024/2025 is not the same player as Slafkovsky of 2023/2024. It's not even close.

 

[Andrei79]

This is a significant concern as Slafkovsky has really regressed from his excellent season last year. To me, Slafkovosky has stopped moving his feet and is trying to play a more cerebral game. He isn't driving the play this year. Someone should sit down with this kid and watch tapes of his play last year and advise him that it was because of his elevated play last year that he was offered that gaudy/rich contract.

Both he and Dach have been the real disappointments this year. Dach has an excuse coming off major knee surgery. Some players never do fully recover. What's Slafkovsky's excuse?

He had an injury early in the year. I thought he played well last night though, a lot more involved physically. Let's also not forget around the same point last year posters wanted him in the AHL.

 

[sampollock]

love the dach slaf PL line
big line... let's get going boys

 

[Runner77]

Slaf doesn't even look like the same player, not near the energy at all. I really agree with you about his 'feet stopped moving' , he looks slow and his shot never hits the net. He isn't in the slot for one-timers either, is this a coaching plan? This is why MSL troubles me, I don't think he's putting the guys in the right spots to succeed

Did we not hear reports about how much hard training Slaf had done in the off season and how he had brought his weight down, which was supposed to help his performance this season?

Just goes to show how so many other things can derail a player and not to put any stock in the type or extent of training players are reportedly doing.

News flash: most other players work their asses off when training, so don’t trust slow news day filler trash.

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf should have had Dach’s spot on the 1PP. It’s a moot point as Laine is back. On 5 on 5 he could have had better linemates but I think just moving his legs more and shooting more would have done a big difference.

 

[OldCraig71]

First time I enjoyed watching a game this season. Our goaltending was great, defence actually looked in control, and the forwards played well despite being up against a hot goalie. They actually looked like they were playing structured hockey and not just skating around like zombies.

We're back in the mix!

 

[BLONG7]

Did we not hear reports about how much hard training Slaf had done in the off season and how he had brought his weight down, which was supposed to help his performance this season?

Just goes to show how so many other things can derail a player and not to put any stock in the type or extent of training players are reportedly doing.

News flash: most other players work their asses off when training, so don’t trust slow news day filler trash.

The kid seems to be getting punished by his coach......................We ALL know he produced with Suzuki and CC, and should be put back there.......give Dach and Laine a kid like Heinamen and have Newhook go down to the 3rd line.....

Our best 1st line is Slaf, Suz, and CC...................we all know this, now Marty, let's go.

 

[Yoor]

He didn't stick with it.
Heineman would need a 5 game trial to allow for their individual games to mesh.
From what I saw last night he's currently a better play maker than Newhook.
He's certainly far better along the boards tying up plays and winning puck battles.
Suzuki's line is at it's best when they have a good fore check and are able to force turnovers.
They are one of the only lines that does create confusion particularly with Hutson out there.

I agree he also has a decent shot and isn't afraid to let it rip. I would love to try him out there for a few games more.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

We're back in the mix!

 

[Yoor]

I'm more worried about Slaf, at least Dach is cheap. That 8million/yr is going to look pretty silly if our golden boy doesn't start being the power forward they are paying him to be.

If you watch him he just doesn't seem to want it or something...last half of last year he was a beats in the corners and on 1 on 1 battles, right now he is either not really getting to the dirty areas or skating hard...i wonder if he has a lingering injury because otherwise how do you explain the drop in effort?

 

[tazsub3]

his demeanor is so relaxed lol
I didnt notice much of a difference between his OT goal celebration and his Molson cup one

Hahaha you are right , but there was a couple of plays were showing a less then relaxed demeanor might have been benificial .
Though I accept that he is like that and it has some negative but many positive

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

otherwise how do you explain the drop in effort?

 

[schwang26]

If you watch him he just doesn't seem to want it or something...last half of last year he was a beats in the corners and on 1 on 1 battles, right now he is either not really getting to the dirty areas or skating hard...i wonder if he has a lingering injury because otherwise how do you explain the drop in effort?

I totally agree although I noticed him more last night. I think Laine will definitely rub off on Slaf and get him out of his rut. Once Laine gets his legs back, he’ll pull the other 2 along.

 

[bsl]

Problem is that currently there isn't a right guy for the second center chair. And Evans playing better than Dach so I would put the less wrong guy in that chair. At least fewer defensive gaffs. Sigh. Hughes had 3 years to fill that chair and we aren't any closer than before.

Hage

 

[Sorinth]

If you watch him he just doesn't seem to want it or something...last half of last year he was a beats in the corners and on 1 on 1 battles, right now he is either not really getting to the dirty areas or skating hard...i wonder if he has a lingering injury because otherwise how do you explain the drop in effort?

A simple explanation would be that his responsibilities/expectations have increased dramatically and he's worried about making mistakes rather then playing on instinct which causes hesitation that is misconstrued as lack of effort.

Honestly though there's no way for us fans to know one way or the other and it's almost always a combination of multiple things that add up rather then just one thing.

 

[bsl]

I'm more worried about Slaf, at least Dach is cheap. That 8million/yr is going to look pretty silly if our golden boy doesn't start being the power forward they are paying him to be.

See nichuskin. Val. Took till 25 to break out.

 

[Paddyjack]

If you watch him he just doesn't seem to want it or something...last half of last year he was a beats in the corners and on 1 on 1 battles, right now he is either not really getting to the dirty areas or skating hard...i wonder if he has a lingering injury because otherwise how do you explain the drop in effort?

And the funny thing is, before camp he himself mentionned that it is how he developped his game. So he knew it made him successful. But he is not doing it this year for sure, very weird.

 

[Don D]

Right now, I would put Newhook between Laine and Dach, and switch back Slaf on the Suzuki-Caufield line.

Good to try anything and everything. Newhook does not impress.
Teams do not give up on first round talent without examining the player first.
As has been posted by others, Dach, Barron, Newhook were "let go" by an astute management team in Colorado and one that was rebuilding with young players in Chicago