Speculation: Has The Habs Stanley Cup Window Officially Opened

[Lshap]

"Stanley Cup Window" isn't an official badge, it's a location. We're in the final-four. That means we're there.

Unexpected? Sure. The window may not budge for years, but then the weather changes and it suddenly pops open. Enjoy the breeze.

 

[Rapala]

"Stanley Cup Window" isn't an official badge, it's a location. We're in the final-four. That means we're there.

Unexpected? Sure. The window may not budge for years, but then the weather changes and it suddenly pops open. Enjoy the breeze.

Habs Flags snappin' in it

 

[Runner77]

As for the window, I disagree. It's open. When you have PK and Price playing like they have, with our depth, I don't see how our window isn't open.

Two players don't a team make, as great as they might be. Pittsburgh has Malkin, Crosby, a "real" first line, more talented players than we do and what happened to their window. Let's wait and see.

 

[sharks9]

Probably 3-5 years. If we get eliminated against the Rangers and don't make the finals over the next 3 years, I'd start to get worried.

 

[Lshap]

Habs Flags snappin' in it

Yeah baby! Those flags are like a Masonic pin. Everybody on the road passes each other, sees the flag and nods quietly. One city under Price, indivisible....

 

[Rapala]

Probably 3-5 years. If we get eliminated against the Rangers and don't make the finals over the next 3 years, I'd start to get worried.

I'm worried now

 

[ChikN]

As long as our pro-scouting continues to be as effective as it was this year we could be in a very good spot for years to come.

 

[Kriss E]

Two players don't a team make, as great as they might be. Pittsburgh has Malkin, Crosby, a "real" first line, more talented players than we do and what happened to their window. Let's wait and see.

Pittsburgh is always considered a cup contender, but yes, two players don't make a team, which is why I mentioned our depth.

We have a window this year that might close as soon as it's over. Vanek adds a new dimension to this team. If we don't re-sign or replace him, we'll lose a big piece. If we do though, with PK, Price, and Max, on top of all the other depth guys, we certainly are in it.

 

[Bullsmith]

I think MB took a gamble on the road to the finals being a crapshoot this year. He loaded up and it's paid off enough to be a win even if we don't go farther.

Let's see how the rest of the playoffs go. Right now we certainly have a decent shot at going to a final. Winning the cup may be another question. We'll find out if we get there.

 

[thewall]

to think we drafted in the 3rd spot in 2012.. 2 years later we will draft between 27th & 30th... Hopefuly we will pick last!

 

[Rapala]

Pittsburgh is always considered a cup contender, but yes, two players don't make a team, which is why I mentioned our depth.

We have a window this year that might close as soon as it's over. Vanek adds a new dimension to this team. If we don't re-sign or replace him, we'll lose a big piece. If we do though, with PK, Price, and Max, on top of all the other depth guys, we certainly are in it.

This year IS very special and there is no reason for it not to continue to be very special.
The Guys on the ice have every reason to believe they can continue this journey.
The lightning in a bottle sentiment is very valid. This is one of the reasons i asked the question.
We seem to have the beginnings of a very solid core. What have the deadline acquisitions done for the Brass in helping identify the core needs going forward.

 

[Brainiac]

I think MB took a gamble on the road to the finals being a crapshoot this year. He loaded up and it's paid off enough to be a win even if we don't go farther.

Totally agree with you there. Even if we lose to the Rangers, the experience it gives to everyone is invaluable. Nobody will be complaining about Price not being able to win in the playoffs.

However, I wouldn't say that we are in a cup/contending window. We're not there yet. Depending on what happens in the offseason, Pens and Bruins will most likely still be a notch above us. But that could change, of course.

I'd say we're more or less a #3-4 team in the east, but potentially on the rise, especially if we re-sign Vanek.

 

[Rapala]

I think MB took a gamble on the road to the finals being a crapshoot this year. He loaded up and it's paid off enough to be a win even if we don't go farther.

Let's see how the rest of the playoffs go. Right now we certainly have a decent shot at going to a final. Winning the cup may be another question. We'll find out if we get there.

This crapshoot being the first shot across the bow?

 

[BaseballCoach]

I have a theory that any team that wins the Stanley Cup needs at least one future Hall of Famer. Carolina Hurricanes are the only team I can think of who've won a Stanley Cup without a Hall of Famer.

The question is: are there any future Hall of Famers currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens?

Potentially, two at least. Of course winning a Stanley Cup enhances their reputations.

 

[Brainiac]

And on a somewhat related note, I'm really looking forward to the beginning of next season, when everybody and their mother will still predict a #9-10 finish for the Habs.

 

[Rapala]

And on a somewhat related note, I'm really looking forward to the beginning of next season, when everybody and their mother will still predict a #9-10 finish for the Habs.

Don't forget Luongo to get Team Canada's nets.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Habs have some interesting decisions coming up. Can they re-sign all of markov, vanek and subban? probably. but does Gionta stay?

would like to see the habs move moen for a pick

i think Beaulieu and Tinordi are both here next year + weaver over cube and murray

I think Andrighetto and DLR are knocking on the door...

i also think habs should deal/sign an enforcer type - i don't think Conor Crisp is ready

 

[Rapala]

Habs have some interesting decisions coming up. Can they re-sign all of markov, vanek and subban? probably. but does Gionta stay?

would like to see the habs move moen for a pick

i think Beaulieu and Tinordi are both here next year + weaver over cube and murray

I think Andrighetto and DLR are knocking on the door...

i also think habs should deal/sign an enforcer type - i don't think Conor Crisp is ready

More like HUGE decisions if that window is a reality in the near future.

 

[Mathradio]

Yes; then again how long it remains open depends on how Galchenyuk, Beaulieu and Tinordi progress.

 

[Rapala]

Yes; then again how long it remains open depends on how Galchenyuk, Beaulieu and Tinordi progress.

Price at the top of his game the most critical piece of most SC runs Goaltending.

 

[That Habs Fan]

Yes, yes it has.

IMO the window will stay firmly open considering Patches, PK and Price are all still quite young, and we have Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Beaulieu & Tinordi still nowhere near their peak (heck, the last two aren't even NHL regulars yet). The only key piece I see us losing or steeply declining is Markov, who's shown he can be useful in a different way than we expected (Gio is hardly a key piece any longer).

 

[macavoy]

Totally agree with you there. Even if we lose to the Rangers, the experience it gives to everyone is invaluable. Nobody will be complaining about Price not being able to win in the playoffs.

I'd say we're more or less a #3-4 team in the east, but potentially on the rise, especially if we re-sign Vanek.

Two very good points here. The biggest reason why we are a better team is because of Vanek, he draws so much attention that it opens up everything for our other lines and makes us have depth.

If we lose Vanek, we take a big step backwards and are dependent on Galchenyuk developing and replacing his numbers. My goal for this year was to win one round and get a taste of success in the playoffs. We've done more than that.

Everything from here on out is gravy and fun. All this discussion and arguing is missing a very important point, like Carey Price said during the 2nd intermission last night, ENJOY THE MOMENT.

Let's all start enjoying this more instead of debating so much.

 

[Rapala]

Two very good points here. The biggest reason why we are a better team is because of Vanek.

Not totally convinced this is the case. Vanek or the type of piece he represents.
There are players out there who can do much of what Vanek does and other things besides.
Vanek is pure O and an eggs all in the same basket kind of gamble.

 

[macavoy]

Two very good points here. The biggest reason why we are a better team is because of Vanek.

Not totally convinced this is the case. Vanek or the type of piece he represents.
There are players out there who can do much of what Vanek does and other things besides.
Vanek is pure O and an eggs all in the same basket kind of gamble.

But your missing the point, there are very few Vanek type players out there. He isn't replacable. Who is available this year via UFA that could replace the pure offence that Vanek represents?

 

[Rapala]

But your missing the point, there are very few Vanek type players out there. He isn't replacable. Who is available this year via UFA that could replace the pure offence that Vanek represents?

UFA is only one venue.
Vanek did more for us by balancing out our lines spreading out our scoring in my mind than just putting up points. This is what i Mean by HUGE decisions in the near future. Fans are helpless with regards to the Window we hear about it and speculate about it but ultimately the Brass decides if it even exists.