Post-Game Talk: Habs lose to Toronto

[OldCraig71]

Maybe the mistake was handing out some big contracts a bit too early because what we have as a first line isn't going to lead us to cup contention. If the goal is to win a cup, we need three first line players and a talented first pairing defenseman. The future might be bright(it always is lol) but the present looks like a glorified AHL team.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Maybe the mistake was handing out some big contracts a bit too early because what we have as a first line isn't going to lead us to cup contention. If the goal is to win a cup, we need three first line players and a talented first pairing defenseman. The future might be bright(it always is lol) but the present looks like a glorified AHL team.

To be fair, Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky are making what you could consider second line money with the cap being where it’s at. Those contracts are actually very good unless they decline for some reason.

 

[Runner77]

Maybe the mistake was handing out some big contracts a bit too early because what we have as a first line isn't going to lead us to cup contention. If the goal is to win a cup, we need three first line players and a talented first pairing defenseman. The future might be bright(it always is lol) but the present looks like a glorified AHL team.

Locking up those players was not a bad idea considering how the cap is going up and how those salaries will lag against eventual market comparables.

What irks more is that this team still needs talent on the first line, as you’ve stated. I personally want to see a couple more talented Cs added.

 

[OldCraig71]

Locking up those players was not a bad idea considering how the cap is going up and how those salaries will lag against eventual market comparables.

What irks more is that this team still needs talent on the first line, as you’ve stated. I personally want to see a couple more talented Cs added.

To be fair, Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky are making what you could consider second line money with the cap being where it’s at. Those contracts are actually very good unless they decline for some reason.

Well, that's fine but how long will it take us to draft and establish 3 first line players? 5 more years?

 

[morhilane]

How did Pezzetta go from a somewhat competent 4th liner to a player totally written off like this?

He was bad last year. Pezz only had one season where he looked competent.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Maybe the mistake was handing out some big contracts a bit too early because what we have as a first line isn't going to lead us to cup contention. If the goal is to win a cup, we need three first line players and a talented first pairing defenseman. The future might be bright(it always is lol) but the present looks like a glorified AHL team.

8 mil per is not first line money. It's top 6 money. By the time we're competitive, it'll be second line money. There's no problem with the contracts as we need them for the intervening years and for when we finally compete.

 

[SwiftyHab]

If any of you watched antichambre last night or read Basu or Engels this morning, it’s getting clear that the press has turned on the nonsense excuses coming out of MSL and the players

Canadiens must raise emotional engagement, effort level to end losing streak

The level of emotion simply isn't where it needs to be for the slumping Canadiens. If that doesn't change soon, things will just get worse.

www.sportsnet.ca

“They better face the truth and change it, or it’s going to be a seventh straight loss in Buffalo on Monday.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5911161/2024/11/10/canadiens-loss-maple-leafs/?source=user_shared_article

Are the Canadiens sufficiently self-aware? Are they evaluating themselves in a lucid, honest way?

It’s hard to say they are. And until that happens, it’s hard to see how they will grow.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Well, that's fine but how long will it take us to draft and establish 3 first line players? 5 more years?

We don't need 5 more drafts, as 2023, 2024 and the next draft haven't come to fruition.

The mistake most people make is not seeing the timeline for what it is. Most prospects start breaking out between 20 to 23 years old. Who we drafted in 2022, our first rebuild draft, are 20 years old right now. Let's say our last big draft is 2025, those players won't fully breakout until at least 2027, if not 2030 when they'll be 23 years old and the rest (2022 to 2024 draftees) will be between 23 and 26 years old.

How good we draft (and luck) will determine our timeline.

 

[OldCraig71]

We don't need 5 more drafts, as 2023, 2024 and the next draft haven't come to fruition.

The mistake most people make is not seeing the timeline for what it is. Most prospects start breaking out between 20 to 23 years old. Who we drafted in 2022, our first rebuild draft, are 20 years old right now. Let's say our last big draft is 2025, those players won't fully breakout until at least 2027, if not 2030 when they'll be 23 years old and the rest (2022 to 2024 draftees) will be between 23 and 26 years old.

How good we draft (and luck) will determine our timeline.

I will have to start looking for some series to watch I guess because I don't really have the stomach for what I am seeing from our players.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I will have to start looking for some series to watch I guess because I don't really have the stomach for what I am seeing from our players.

I really liked Monsters season 2 (the Menendez), Tulsa King (yeeeeah I'm corny), the Penguin, liked season 2 of ROP and HOTD, waiting for season 2 of Squid Games (xmas), season 5 of Stranger Things, the end of Cobra Kai, season 6 of Handmaid's tale, season 3 of Your Honor, season 2 of Lucky Hank. I'm probably forgetting some. I killed some time this summer by watching the entire coast guard hearings for the OceanGate debacle.

Oh and definitely waiting for Vince Gilligan's next project to come out, Wycaro.

 

[zx81]

I finally get what is the rebuild.
We are rebuilding the Buffalo Sabers.

Next step is to move the team to Buffalo and forget about it.

 

[Rapala]

They keep saying Habs are the seond youngest team this season. Who is the youngest?

We will see if the youngest team can kick our ass tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Runner77]

Well, that's fine but how long will it take us to draft and establish 3 first line players? 5 more years?

Better drafting. Hire more and better scouts. Keep amassing picks and use them to upgrade to higher picks. Target undervalued assets on counterpart teams. Some luck.

 

[Rapala]

i know people are on NS but he can’t carry 15 slugs night after night every year. Team is absolute trash around him.

This mess is a 100% Hugo.

If there is one guy I'm going to cut some slack it would be Suzuki.
I have a feeling if Marty keeps the dynamic duo split we will start seeing the old Suzuki emerge.
The thing with Marty is his changes tend to last 1 period.

 

[waitin425]

We need Hage to be the Equivelant of Wyatt Johnston and be our needle in a haystack #1 centre. I wanted a RD next draft, now I want a second crack at a #1 c entre. Give me Hagens.

We also needle Demidov to be a superstar 100 point winger.

Laine or Slaf will be a fine #1 LW.

Laine - ***** - Demidov
Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Newhook - Dach - Gally
Heinemen - Evans - Kapanen

f*** it.


We still need a RD as well.


Ughhhh.....we suck

 

[Rapala]

If any of you watched antichambre last night or read Basu or Engels this morning, it’s getting clear that the press has turned on the nonsense excuses coming out of MSL and the players

Canadiens must raise emotional engagement, effort level to end losing streak

The level of emotion simply isn't where it needs to be for the slumping Canadiens. If that doesn't change soon, things will just get worse.

www.sportsnet.ca

“They better face the truth and change it, or it’s going to be a seventh straight loss in Buffalo on Monday.”

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5911161/2024/11/10/canadiens-loss-maple-leafs/?source=user_shared_article

Are the Canadiens sufficiently self-aware? Are they evaluating themselves in a lucid, honest way?

It’s hard to say they are. And until that happens, it’s hard to see how they will grow.

They aren't and they've been mimicking the coach for weeks now.
There are as many excuses flying around out there as we find in here which is scary.
People have said all along they wanted a direction the management pointed one way and we are going another.
What Marty should be saying is we've been shit all year long and now it's time to refocus our goals.
I mean I think the Leafs had the 4 goals they needed in 20 shots. The quality of the chances we are giving up is a joke.

 

[teamfirst]

Perhaps you tuned out after the 2nd



Nah.

Meh.

 

[L4br3cqu3]

Team is struggling big time. St-Louis inexperience totally shows, it was a gamble from the start with him, but well, the honeymoon phase is over, he needs to adapt, but I'm not sure he has the proper surroundings for that, unless 'Grillo' can do magic with whatever he's doing... (lol)

Pascal Vincent will be the new headcoach in the near future (hopefully not too near, I like what he's doing with Laval).

My interest in watching full games came back when we traded for Laine, it got back to what it was last season when he got hurt (middling interest, at least the team was fun to watch last season, even if we lost most of the time), to basically none right now. I often put the game on the background while I do something else.

I mean, I'm not angry or anything at the team, I'm on the apathy spectrum. I only care about the good young players we have and hope they keep developing, but while last season I could see them trying, this season, not so much.

I'll just stick with the apathy/patience thing I have towards the team, it's a rebuilding process, it's not like I can influence in any ways. So I'll wait, and do something else in the meanwhile.

 

[Rapala]

Hughes completely misjudged this line-up and how losing some of the players would affect the team. Trading Kovacevic was another mistake. And I knew it at the time too.

The idea of keeping lefties to play that right side is a puzzler for sure.
Also the lack of natural toughness on any given 5 man unit is scary bad.
Before the season started I was very concerned with Matheson/Hutson playing our top 2 LD positions.
I can't say that sentiment was wrong at this point the balance of this club is off way off.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

 

[Rapala]

To be fair, Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky are making what you could consider second line money with the cap being where it’s at. Those contracts are actually very good unless they decline for some reason.

The point is they are playing like fat cats. We know what they are worth when they are actually trying.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Latendresse said he would look like a hard worker on this squad

*we laugh but it's sad*

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855450832327598108

 

[eklund the clown]

Well i am afraid to say it and maybe i shouldn't rehash old things but we lucked out when we got Hughes because not only is a good GM but can speak french and Gorton who is also great president/GM doesn't have to speak because of Hughes.Unfortunately when it comes to head french head coaches about the only ones available are washed up hasbeens who have been recycled many times.I liked Marty when he started because nobody cared and knew we were tanking.I mean which NHL team hires a coach that has never coached before?And now some are saying to hire Vincent who just got fired in Colombus.Same old baloney here.We can't find a decent coach because of language issues.31 years and counting.Something has to give here.

 

[Runner77]

The idea of keeping lefties to play that right side is a puzzler for sure.
Also the lack of natural toughness on any given 5 man unit is scary bad.
Before the season started I was very concerned with Matheson/Hutson playing our top 2 LD positions.
I can't say that sentiment was wrong at this point the balance of this club is off way off.

Handedness will need to be addressed for Cs and Ds in particular but not at the expense of drafting lesser players. Some trades and a lucky UFA signing when the team moves on to a competitive cycle, may do the trick.

 

[teamfirst]

Lol, Toronto media having fun with Montréal média yesterday

TORONTO | « Êtes-vous en train de me dire que vous êtes pris pour regarder ce club-là pendant 82 matchs, a demandé un confrère de la Ville-Reine au deuxième entracte. Ils n’ont aucun talent, ils n’ont pas cœur.»

The worst about it is that he was not wrong