Is the Rebuild almost done? POLL

[waitin425]

What do you guys think? Are all the pieces we need to complete the rebuild in place?

I think we are one piece away from it.....and we have the draft/prospect capital to acquire our final piece.....a top 4 RD.

I am all for packaging pieces for a top 4 RD and at that point declaring the rebuild over.

Let's move forward with.......

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Demidov
Heinemen - Newhook - Armia
Anderson - Evans - Gally

Hage/Beck/Kapanen = Beck and Kap are trade pieces.....keep HAGE!

Hutson - *******
Guhle - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Carrier

Mailloux/Engstrom = are trade pieces

Monty - until traded
Dobes
Fowler

Picks - 2025 = 1st x 2, 2nd x 3, 3rd x 2, 4th x 2

Now is the time to pull the trigger and go all in with this roster. Tweaks can be made on bottom 6 when Hage arrives or through free agency.

Monty, Matheson, Beck, Kapanen, Maillux, Engstrom, all picks are available to score that final piece IMO.

What do you guys think?

Click to read more...

 

[WeThreeKings]

The rebuild isn't over but the asset accumulation part is over. They aren't going to trade Savard for a 4th round pick, where if they were in the bottom 5 of the league and that was the best they could get, they might pull the trigger.

They are still a piece or two away, counting Demidov is on the roster next year. But that doesn't have to be through the draft, it can be through using their prospect and picks to acquire that player.

 

[Naslundforever]

I hope they keep adding and trading until they bring back a cup and beyond.

No more losing on purpose and rooting to be the worst team in the league though. That’s a place for masochists and wannabe gm’s with access to public forums. Once in my lifetime was too much.

 

[Kennerback]

Rebuild is over. All the top talent will be in place next season. Now we need to tweak the bottom 4 and the D core to make sure we have everything for the Cup run. In other words we have our Bossy, Trottier and Potvins. We need our Nystrom, Langevin and Sutters.

 

[Nevins]

Slaf- Suzuki- Caufield
Laine- Hage ?- Demidov
Heineman- Dach- Roy? / Hage
Beck- Evans- Kapanen
Xhekaj

Hutson-Reinbacher?
Guhle- Carrier
Xhekaj - Mailloux/ Engstrom
Struble- Konyuskov

Dobes
Monty
Fowler

The second center (Hage), first right defenseman (Reinbacher) positions are uncertain because we don't know if they will be able to play these positions. The Habs also need to look for bigger and taller forwards(with talent).

 

[waitin425]

Slaf- Suzuki- Caufield
Laine- Hage ?- Demidov
Heineman- Dach- Roy? / Hage
Beck- Evans- Kapanen
Xhekaj

Hutson-Reinbacher?
Guhle- Carrier
Xhekaj - Mailloux/ Engstrom
Struble- Konyuskov

Dobes
Monty
Fowler

The second center (Hage), first right defenseman (Reinbacher) positions are uncertain because we don't know if they will be able to play these positions. The Habs also need to look for bigger and taller forwards(with talent).

Dach in my opinion is showing he is a #2 centre. He just needs to maintain this. I suspect he will. Ideally Hage supplants him and Dach becomes an elite #3 centre. Im really high on Hage.

Rein is a good pair for Hutson based on their play style. But Rein reaching top pair status is slightly more optimistic than Dach being a 2C. That is why I want to swing for a real 100 percent can't miss top 4 RD. Dobson or Andersson are my two targets.

 

[ahmedou]

The rebuild puzzle:

 

[ReHabs]

I'd love to see the arguments people made in favour of a rebuild this year in the tank thread re-evaluated. Not for "crow" purposes but to see if conditions changed or if the 6 weeks of success have really meant something is now different.

One thing is defining the players we already have:

Dach -- is he back and ready to be relied upon or is he still a bit of an unknown or is he unreliable and needs an alternative? This is a "piece".
Carrier -- is he a top4 dman (and thus we don't need to acquire another one) or is a bottom-pairing dman? This is a "piece".
Reinbacher -- does he count as a "piece" and pencilled in as one or (due to his injury) is he an unknown and we need to look at deputies and alternatives?
Slafkovsky -- impressions of the player aside, is he a core contributor ("piece") or is he a very good supporting player?
Laine -- is he a "piece" or a very good supporting player, do we intend to keep him?

I think we're short (at least) a 2C and top2 dman to this roster if we want to declare the rebuild over.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Dach in my opinion is showing he is a #2 centre. He just needs to maintain this. I suspect he will. Ideally Hage supplants him and Dach becomes an elite #3 centre. Im really high on Hage.

Rein is a good pair for Hutson based on their play style. But Rein reaching top pair status is slightly more optimistic than Dach being a 2C. That is why I want to swing for a real 100 percent can't miss top 4 RD. Dobson or Andersson are my two targets.

Honestly I’m loving the idea of having 3 scoring lines that are roughly playing the same and a 4 th line that can take a regular shift.

Why not keep the lines exactly the same and have Hage and Demidov on the same line as our “3rd line”? That’s a dynasty top 9 imo. Imagine replacing f***ing Dvo and Gally with Hage and Demi?? Lol

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

It's over in the sense that we have all the pieces we need already in house. Domidov changes this team dramatically.

 

[waitin425]

Honestly I’m loving the idea of having 3 scoring lines that are roughly playing the same and a 4 th line that can take a regular shift.

Why not keep the lines exactly the same and have Hage and Demidov on the same line as our “3rd line”? That’s a dynasty top 9 imo.

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Newhook
Heinemen - Hage - Demidov

??????????

That would be insanity. I don't hate it. Just think Demidov forces more ice time than typical third line icetime. And....he will do that before Hage arrives. Hage is an Oct 2026 arrival IMO.

 

[Mr Kot]

Hello habs guys. The pieces are there, once demidov is ready Suzuki is a perfect mentor to settle him and shelter him until he can take the top line duties. Your wingers are there, Slavkovsky power forward and Laine having a bit of a resurgence helps a lot. Reinbacher and Hutson are solid backend guys and the depth is looking great.

While I like Monty, I think it would be prudent to have a 1B just in case. The pieces are there and, as someone who has followed habs on the side, I am rooting for your push for a playoff spot. Will continue to follow habs as well.

 

[yianik]

The rebuild isn't over but the asset accumulation part is over. They aren't going to trade Savard for a 4th round pick, where if they were in the bottom 5 of the league and that was the best they could get, they might pull the trigger.

They are still a piece or two away, counting Demidov is on the roster next year. But that doesn't have to be through the draft, it can be through using their prospect and picks to acquire that player.

1. Maybe a 2C if Dach isnt it, but he still has the rest of the year to show he can be that player.
2. Maybe a Dman though as currently set up we can probably see how it goes. Or, we can try to go for a RHD with upside if not already a top 4.
3. Maybe a goalie. We need consistent reliability.

Is Nemec worth getting ? I dont see him as a reclamation project, just a guy who is developing but not good enough ( coach anyway ) to crack the line up in New Jersey. Price we could offer Evans ( hate to lose him ), Struble, Anderson and Calgary 1st. Nemec sets up next to Xhekaj after a stint in Laval to get used to the system. this allows the dvelopment of both Nemec and Reinbacher and if either is the real deal, we move Matheson in the future.

I dont want a project, like Dach, Newhook or Barron. That strategy was fine when we were amassing picks, prospects and reclamation type projects. We wanted a lot of darts. We are at the point and have assets to pay for a 2C or pay for a top 4 RHD, or who are at least at the cusp of being that.

 

[Kennerback]

I'd love to see the arguments people made in favour of a rebuild this year in the tank thread re-evaluated. Not for "crow" purposes but to see if conditions changed or if the 6 weeks of success have really meant something is now different.

One thing is how players we already have are to be perceived:

Dach -- is he back and ready to be relied upon or is he still a bit of an unknown or is he unreliable and needs an alternative? This is a "piece".
Carrier -- is he a top4 dman (and thus we don't need to acquire another one) or is a bottom-pairing dman? This is a "piece".
Reinbacher -- does he count as a "piece" and pencilled in as one or (due to his injury) is he an unknown and we need to look at deputies and alternatives?
Slafkovsky -- impressions of the player aside, is he a core contributor ("piece") or is he a very good supporting player?
Laine -- is he a "piece" or a very good supporting player, do we intend to keep him?

I think we're short (at least) a 2C and top2 dman to this roster if we want to declare the rebuild over.

Dach -- is he back and ready to be relied upon or is he still a bit of an unknown or is he unreliable and needs an alternative? This is a "piece".
I didn’t like what I saw early. I really like him now. I don’t know how good he can get. Not sure here,

Carrier -- is he a top4 dman (and thus we don't need to acquire another one) or is a bottom-pairing dman? This is a "piece".
Carrier as a top-4 RHD he is key. We need someone filling that position.The lower he is on the depth chair, the more impressive our team will look.


Reinbacher -- does he count as a "piece" and pencilled in as one or (due to his injury) is he an unknown and we need to look at deputies and alternatives?
He’s an absolute wild card for me.

Slafkovsky -- impressions of the player aside, is he a core contributor ("piece") or is he a very good supporting player?
Core. Love him more than most. Clark Gillies all the way. He’ll break open playoff games.

Laine -- is he a "piece" or a very good supporting player, do we intend to keep him?
He’ll always struggle with his transition play. He’ll need to buy in and limit his weaknesses. He’s also a bit of an oddball. But he’s a goal-scoring machine. I would absolutely keep him.

 

[417]

These are the kind of things the Ottawa Senators and their fans worry about, then they call press conferences to announce that their rebuild is over.

Who cares about a label, the team is competitive and fighting for a playoff spot right now. That's really all that matters.

When the Habs get to a point where there's no question that they're a perennial playoff team, then we can make grandiose declarations about the state of the rebuild.

 

[CAUFIELD]

Caufield-Suzuki-slafkovsky
Laine-Dach-Demidov
Heineman-Evans-Newhook
Anderson-Beck-Gallagher

Hutson-Matheson
Ghule-Carrier
Xhekaj-Reinbacher
Struble

Montambault
Dobes

This team is ready to compete for playoffs. Few postitiond we can use an upgrade to be contenders. We have the assets .

Hage + 3x 1st rounders (2025 and 2026), Mailloux , Fowler

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I'd love to see the arguments people made in favour of a rebuild this year in the tank thread re-evaluated. Not for "crow" purposes but to see if conditions changed or if the 6 weeks of success have really meant something is now different.

One thing is defining the players we already have:

Dach -- is he back and ready to be relied upon or is he still a bit of an unknown or is he unreliable and needs an alternative? This is a "piece".
Carrier -- is he a top4 dman (and thus we don't need to acquire another one) or is a bottom-pairing dman? This is a "piece".
Reinbacher -- does he count as a "piece" and pencilled in as one or (due to his injury) is he an unknown and we need to look at deputies and alternatives?
Slafkovsky -- impressions of the player aside, is he a core contributor ("piece") or is he a very good supporting player?
Laine -- is he a "piece" or a very good supporting player, do we intend to keep him?

I think we're short (at least) a 2C and top2 dman to this roster if we want to declare the rebuild over.

Dach needs to stay healthy. If it was just bad luck we’re golden.

Carrier would likely help being pushed down a bit. Amazing pick up but not perfect.

Reinbacher in the little we saw seems to be doing well. If the knee ain’t a problem, he’s virtually a right handed Guhle. Not identical of course but similar upside. Still have to see how he fares but the short stint last year in Laval was hugely encouraging. Flashes his hidden offense too. He could easily be an enormous add but even if he doesn’t hit his ceiling his floor would still make him an upgrade on big rig and even Carrier possibly.

If Slaf’s floor is last year Slaf then we’re fine honestly. He played better last year in the first half despite what points are saying. I’d say it’s highly unlikely this is close to what he’ll be in his prime. But he still is part of a top line that’s winning and not bringing it down. He could be so vastly improved in a couple years that that could be one of the best lines in the league. Probably not that far from that now.

I’d keep Laine. He’s too dangerous. But we’ll see. If he just keeps getting better and better through this season and next then it’s a no brainer.

All I’m worried about is health for most of these guys. We have an absurd amount of firepower once Hage and Demidov come in

 

[Kennerback]

These are the kind of things the Ottawa Senators and their fans worry about, then they call press conferences to announce that their rebuild is over.

Who cares about a label, the team is competitive and fighting for a playoff spot right now. That's really all that matters.

When the Habs get to a point where there's no question that they're a perennial playoff team, then we can make grandiose declarations about the state of the rebuild.

The Sens have nothing in the pipeline. Sens fans think their captain and best player Tkachuk might jump ship. How could they say their rebuild is finished? Has it even started?

 

[LaP]

A "rebuild" is never over in the sense that you must constantly build thru draft like Carolina does. We must avoid doing the mistakes of the past and give 6.5 millions to guys like Gallagher or the cap hell status is waiting for us. Keep drafting well. Keep rotating role players when they ask for too much. Don't fall in love with role players that's the kiss of death.

As for the real question asked here "Is this team a cup contender"? Not yet. Still need to confirm that Demidov is as good as we think he is. Still need to confirm that Laine's mental health problems are behind. If Demidov is the next Patrick Kane and Laine's okay then our top 6 is complete. Chicago won the cup with Handzus as a 2nd line center Dach along with Demidov and Laine should be fine.

We still need a top 4 RHD. Hutson and Matheson have been playing well together but i doubt it's a cup contending first duo. I like Matheson but we'll have to move on at some point and find a better partner defensively for Hutson. Hutson's the future and Matheson's the past. Maybe Matheson could work on a 2nd pairing with Guhle pushing down Carrier but i'm positive we need a 1st pairing RHD.

We'll have to rejuvenate the bottom 6 too. I know it's an unpopular idea but next season Armia will be 32, Gallagher 33, Anderson 31, Evans 29, Dvorak 29 and coupled with Savard who will be 35 that's a old bottom 6. This bottom 6 will need new blood sooner than later and that's something that must be planned. We don't want to bring in 2-3 rookies at the same time in 3 years gotta do it gradually one by one.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Newhook
Heinemen - Hage - Demidov

??????????

That would be insanity. I don't hate it. Just think Demidov forces more ice time than typical third line icetime. And....he will do that before Hage arrives. Hage is an Oct 2026 arrival IMO.

Forgot about Heineman! Haha that 3rd line could easily be our favourite.

Oh yeah I mean have those three lines play roughly equal time. Shorten and lengthen the bench as needed. Unless there’s a good argument against it…why not?

 

[yianik]

These are the kind of things the Ottawa Senators and their fans worry about, then they call press conferences to announce that their rebuild is over.

Who cares about a label, the team is competitive and fighting for a playoff spot right now. That's really all that matters.

When the Habs get to a point where there's no question that they're a perennial playoff team, then we can make grandiose declarations about the state of the rebuild.

My Dad used to tell me not to talk about doing something, to just do it and keep my mouth shut. You know, talk is cheap, action over words etc.

When we get there, we wont need to say a thing, it will be self evident.

 

[waitin425]

Forgot about Heineman! Haha that 3rd line could easily be our favourite.

Oh yeah I mean have those three lines play roughly equal time. Shorten and lengthen the bench as needed. Unless there’s a good argument against it…why not?

Newhook is the weakest link by far there. But with Laine and Dach he could be hidden I suppose. Particularly with 3 offensive units that are hell to match up against.

 

[Gustave]

I'd love to see the arguments people made in favour of a rebuild this year in the tank thread re-evaluated. Not for "crow" purposes but to see if conditions changed or if the 6 weeks of success have really meant something is now different.

As one of them, it’s pretty straight forward; if we are to be out of the playoffs to the extent we were in November (last in the East), might as well bottom out. If no changes were to be made of course. But things have changed now; the guys geled with the addition of Carrier, Laine, Dobes and growth of Hutson. No point in losing for the sake of a bigger prize on draft day.

I think we're short (at least) a 2C and top2 dman to this roster if we want to declare the rebuild over.

Couldn’t agree more.

As a fan, I hold no special place in my heart for « favorite pets as prospects ». If Hage and Rein can be traded for what we hope they become but in the « now » version, by all means. Say, as discussion purposes, you can get Robert Thomas for Hage ++ and Rasmus for Rein ++, pull that trigger 10 times out of ten. So ya, go for it if you can.

 

[417]

The Sens have nothing in the pipeline. Sens fans think their captain and best player Tkachuk might jump ship. How could they say their rebuild is finished? Has it even started?

Pierre Dorion held a press conference a few years ago announcing it was over

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Newhook is the weakest link by far there. But with Laine and Dach he could be hidden I suppose. Particularly with 3 offensive units that are hell to match up against.

For sure. It’s all about if he can be better. I think he can though I’m not 100% there. I think he’s been better as the season’s went on. He best part is we can afford him the patience right now while he gets some stability which he’s lacked for his entire career now. He’s got really good tools.

All 3 of them can be better and yet they’re still producing and we’re still winning. They could be vastly improved by next year as well.

Even with Evans as a C and Heineman, Demidov could likely do very well feasting on lesser competition