GDT: Kent Hughes Mid-Season Presser (11:30AM ET)

[Habs Halifax]

yup
so many feel the habs screwed up...
time will tell

I would not say so many. It's probably a loud and noisy minority

 

[Habnot]

Still don't get why people want to sign Armia. Recency bias i guess.

Because there is no one else that can fill his role in the short and medium term if you want to compete for playoff spot next year. Of course it depends on money and term, but there is no one in Laval that can play up and down the lineup and kill penalties. Evans and Armia are part of PK elites in NHL. This is an important role - you can't give it to a young rookie.

Already you will be integrating another 20 year old in the lineup next year - Demidov. That means you can slide Newkook into Dvorak role. Maybe add Engstrom or Mailloux - but that's it. KH said that they do not envision adding a lot of youth because that would be a regression.

The path of progression lies with the under 25's that are already in the lineup + Demidov and play important roles getting better. That is Suzuki, Cauflied, Slaf, Dach, Newhook, Heineman, Demidov, Guhle, Hutson, Xjeckia, Struble.

 

[le_sean]

Still don't get why people want to sign Armia. Recency bias i guess.

No there can’t really be people that want him back. Evans I get, centre, homegrown. But Armia? No please. It’s over.

Because there is no one else that can fill his role in the short and medium term if you want to compete for playoff spot next year. Of course it depends on money and term, but there is no one in Laval that can play up and down the lineup and kill penalties. Evans and Armia are part of PK elites in NHL. This is an important role - you can't give it to a young rookie.

Already you will be integrating another 20 year old in the lineup next year - Demidov. That means you can slide Newkook into Dvorak role. Maybe add Engstrom or Mailloux - but that's it. KH said that they do not envision adding a lot of youth because that would be a regression.

The path of progression lies with the under 25's that are already in the lineup + Demidov and play important roles getting better. That is Suzuki, Cauflied, Slaf, Dach, Newhook, Heineman, Demidov, Guhle, Hutson, Xjeckia, Struble.

Anderson was a bad PKer until this year and now he’s good. You can find someone to fill the role. There’s zero reason to bring back Armia. He has no reason to sign for 1 year. He’ll want 3+. No thanks. Heineman can learn to PK, Beck and Kapanen can do it too.

 

[Natey]

Kovacevik is doing great, but there's a real case for arguing that he wouldn't be doing that with us. NJ has a fairly vet heavy D group. Only L Hughes has less experience then him, and as we've seen with our own D groups, getting to play with a veteran helps a lot.

But Hughes can't really give that answer in a press conference.

It's more the fact that we were barely using him. In turn you can say that Hughes made a great decision to move him because MSL clearly didn't see anything more in him like the Devils see.

And while you say they have a vet heavy D - he doesn't play with the any of the 3 guys who have 650+ NHL games. He's mostly played with Siegenthaler who had about 300 games going into this season. They've formed a very good shutdown pair and have played nearly 29% of all New Jersey's ES minutes.

Weirdly, they tend to split them up on the PK... even though as a pair on the PK they've never been scored on in over 22 minutes. In fact, as a PK pairing the Devils have scored 1 goal and given up 0 against while they were on the ice together.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Because there is no one else that can fill his role in the short and medium term if you want to compete for playoff spot next year. Of course it depends on money and term, but there is no one in Laval that can play up and down the lineup and kill penalties. Evans and Armia are part of PK elites in NHL. This is an important role - you can't give it to a young rookie.

Already you will be integrating another 20 year old in the lineup next year - Demidov. That means you can slide Newkook into Dvorak role. Maybe add Engstrom or Mailloux - but that's it. KH said that they do not envision adding a lot of youth because that would be a regression.

The path of progression lies with the under 25's that are already in the lineup + Demidov and play important roles getting better. That is Suzuki, Cauflied, Slaf, Dach, Newhook, Heineman, Demidov, Guhle, Hutson, Xjeckia, Struble.

This season is the tipping point. In the past few seasons, we could afford to have guys learn on the job in the NHL. But now, we are looking to move up the standings and be competitive. Totally agree, we can't have our entire roster Suzuki and under in age. Guys like Matheson, Evans, and Armia are required. And even with Gallagher/Anderson overpaid, we can use them too. When we have unused cap space in a rebuild/transition, overpayment to Gallagher and Anderson is a non factor.

There is no way any one of us should be penciling in Beck, Kapanen, Roy, Mailloux or Engstrom, on our roster next year. They need to earn it by play on the ice. If they do, that means they are playing better than Gallagher, Anderson, Armia and we can bench them or unload them if we have too. Easier said than done but it's not impossible or ruining anything.

 

[Andy]

At the end of the day, fans just have unreasonable expectations.

I would really encourage folks to look around the league and look at how many roster spots are filled by draft picks of that team over the last 10 years and to further look at how many of those picks are actually consistent producers.

Expecting Guhler, Mailloux, Hutson, Struble, Kapanen, Hutson, Engstrom, Reinbacher, Beck, Hage, Fowler, Mesar, Slaf, Demidov, Davidson, Roy, Dobes, Florian, to all hit is completely unreasonable. You'll likely get 1-3 stars, 1-3 solid contributors, and the rest as tweeners.

And this has nothing to do with development, but just the averages. There is this crazy expectation that everyone has to be a contributor. It's just so dumb.

And to further add to this. Look at the Stars who are often cited as the best drafting team. In the last 10 years they've produced:

Hintz
Robertson
Johnston
Oettinger
Heiskanen
Harley

As regular, very productive nhl players. Then you have Stankoven and maybe Bourque who might contributors as well.

The expectations on the habs are wild as f***. This is over 10 years. We are expecting many draftees from like 2022-now to contribute and be ready with 2-3 years. It's nuts.

 

[Habnot]

This season is the tipping point. In the past few seasons, we could afford to have guys learn on the job in the NHL. But now, we are looking to move up the standings and be competitive. Totally agree, we can't have our entire roster Suzuki and under in age. Guys like Matheson, Evans, and Armia are required. And even with Gallagher/Anderson overpaid, we can use them too. When we have unused cap space in a rebuild/transition, overpayment to Gallagher and Anderson is a non factor.

There is no way any one of us should be penciling in Beck, Kapanen, Roy, Mailloux or Engstrom, on our roster next year. They need to earn it by play on the ice. If they do, that means they are playing better than Gallagher, Anderson, Armia and we can bench them or unload them if we have too. Easier said than done but it's not impossible or ruining anything.

Amen !!!

 

[ReHabs]

What you do is allow the players to earn their way into core spots (Hutson and Caufield). Demidov will be next. We have many others who should not be rushed (secondary parts).

Barron wasn't rushed. There just wasn't room for him at the rate he was performing. It's part and parcel of sports.

His PPG went down between 22-23 and 23-24 while his TOI went up over that span. He started this year on the back foot and couldn't step up. Happens. Not every prospect makes it with their first NHL team (or in this case, their second). Some don't make it at all. It's not a patience thing, it's a fact of sport.

You just wait for the next prospect attack after Barron. His name is Mailloux. Fans get emotionally attached to this idea that he will be a top 4D stud and want it to happen as fast as Hutson/Caufield. Those are anomalies. Exceptions to the general rule but the exception is not the rule.

You just wait for the comments made when Beck, Kapanen, Roy, Mailloux, Reinbacher, Hage, Fowler take too long to get to where we want them to be.

I will say 99% of our fan base supported the rebuild. But probably 25% of them don't have the patience for the rebuild and they are loud and noisy with their comments.

I think it's about time some of you understand the people here have two hobbies (among others): 1) the Habs, and 2) talking about the Habs.

Those of us who accept we're just here shooting the shit have no problem seeing a variety of opinions. I really couldn't care less to see dumb, strange, odd opinions. I don't care if someone is patient or insufficiently patient or too patient. I think MANY of you have really strange opinions about "patience" but who cares? It's fun to wade through this stuff. I hope Mailloux shuts up his doubters... or some other prospect takes his position and I never have to think about Mailloux again.

 

[LaP]

Bad time to do it.. 2 powerplay points, a pile of minuses, over his last 10 games.

Michkov could be the next Kovalev or the next Samsonov we'll know for sure in 3 years only. Not sure why people are in such an hurry to showcase their hot takes on the matter.

 

[Andy]

Michkov could be the next Kovalev or the next Samsonov we'll know for sure in 3 years only. Not sure why people are in such an hurry to showcase their hot takes on the matter.

Because the draft dudes on this board NEED to be right. It's been that way since I've been posting here. And they are unrelenting.

 

[LaP]

Because there is no one else that can fill his role in the short and medium term if you want to compete for playoff spot next year. Of course it depends on money and term, but there is no one in Laval that can play up and down the lineup and kill penalties. Evans and Armia are part of PK elites in NHL. This is an important role - you can't give it to a young rookie.

Already you will be integrating another 20 year old in the lineup next year - Demidov. That means you can slide Newkook into Dvorak role. Maybe add Engstrom or Mailloux - but that's it. KH said that they do not envision adding a lot of youth because that would be a regression.

The path of progression lies with the under 25's that are already in the lineup + Demidov and play important roles getting better. That is Suzuki, Cauflied, Slaf, Dach, Newhook, Heineman, Demidov, Guhle, Hutson, Xjeckia, Struble.

You can sign someone more reliable and more physical next summer. Luke Tuch gonna be 23 next season and Jared Davidson 23 too. They'll be ready when? Armia wont sign a 1 year deal. Signing Armia for 2-3 years basically means i don't believe in Tuch and Davidson.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

I like Kent Hughes, but dude will squirm his away from admiting to any mistakes.

The Barron signing and letting go of kova was a flop. You recognized he’s was no good and made a move. Let’s be real here.
Primeau was a mistake as well. The question being asked and he would refuse to acknowledge that he had to make a change.

And the staunch defense of Dach is clear favouritism.


He can still admit he f***ed up.

Cause he didn’t f*** up. He acquired a former first rounder RD, gave him the space necessary to prove his worth and when he didn’t he shipped him away. We didn’t know what we had in Primeau either, he’d been good in the AHL, he gave him a shot by trading away an asset we didn’t need for our rebuild in Allen and found out he wasn’t good enough. Not every young player you give a opportunity to will take the next step, but if you never give young guys a shot, none of them will take that step. He also made some space for Hutson, Heineman, Xhekaj and Dobes among others and these guys took the pole and ran with it. As for Dach, jury’s still out, let’s wait until the end of the season. Chicago also got rid of Debrincat and Hagel for almost nothing, so let’s not give them too much credit for quitting on any of their young players. So no, he didn’t f*** up, he wanted to see how good these guys were and they just weren’t good enough, that’s it.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

What the hell is the reporting talking about lmao

People were pissed Kent went to Russia??
Ffs

Basu and Godin, more Basu.

 

[Natey]

...young RD with pedigree always retain value longer. I assumed that was one of the reasons he wanted one in the Lehkonen trade.

And Kovacevic is a UFA and I'm not sure NJ wants to pay a 5th D 3+ mil a year, especially since L. Hughes also needs a new contract, and Nemec and Casey are in the AHL. Montreal should be in a position to try to get him back in the offseason if it was such a mistake.

My issue with some of the critiques of the Primeau and Kovacevic decisions is it seems based on the premise that this season was entirely or mostly about making the playoffs. And it very clearly wasn't, both in action and in messaging. Injuries have delayed it, but one thing Montreal has needed is to see young guys stake claim to spots so that they can figure out what the needs may actually be. It feels like there are much more important areas to critique and question.

Anderson could be argued to have been a mistake to keep, but he's one hot shooting stretch away from being that player anyways and he's been effective as a 3rd liner. I don't think Matheson's value is lower now than it has at any time he's been a Hab. Teams looking for top-4 D generally don't need a PP QB, so what he did last season doesn't really mean he would have been more valuable.

A 5th D? Why comment if you don't watch the Devils games at all?

If you look at the Devils, they are built in a very nice way. They don't overwork any of their D and they all play within about 2 1/2 minutes of each other per game.

Kovacevic has a very specific role with the Devils. He's a shutdown monster and leads their team on the PK.

He's got the 4th most TOI among D at ES and the 1st most among ALL on the PK. The Devils are also a very good team, so they don't need to overwork their shutdown pair because generally they win a lot of games with their high scoring.

And Anderson is one hot shooting stretch away ... no he's not. I've NEVER in my life seen a Habs player get so much leash from a fanbase. He's turned into a serviceable player this year if he was paid like $2M max. He's an overpaid guy who's filling a role because it's hard to get out of contracts like that.

 

[Habnot]

You can sign someone more reliable and more physical next summer. Luke Tuch gonna be 23 next season and Jared Davidson 23 too. They'll be ready when? Armia wont sign a 1 year deal. Signing Armia for 2-3 years basically means i don't believe in Tuch and Davidson.

So you let Armia walk and then overpay a UFA to maybe be as good as Armia or you have to hand the spot to a youngster that hasn't earned it? No thanks - that's what we finally stopped doing in the rebuild, no need to go back to that. It has to be merit based from now on because Habs won't have cap concerns for a while.

 

[sampollock]

Barron had to go... Nash is finding out
he is not that good

 

[LaP]

So you let Armia walk and then overpay a UFA to maybe be as good as Armia or you have to hand the spot to a youngster that hasn't earned it? No thanks - that's what we finally stopped doing in the rebuild, no need to go back to that. It has to be merit based from now on because Habs won't have cap concerns for a while.

Or just try Tuch or Davidson? Like i said they'll be 23. Most forwards start their prime around 23-24.

 

[expy]

Barron had to go... Nash is finding out
he is not that good

Fixed

 

[SpeedyPotato]

So you let Armia walk and then overpay a UFA to maybe be as good as Armia or you have to hand the spot to a youngster that hasn't earned it? No thanks - that's what we finally stopped doing in the rebuild, no need to go back to that. It has to be merit based from now on because Habs won't have cap concerns for a while.

The same people who are whining about trading away Kovasevic to give Barron some ice time will whine about losing Armia for nothing and trading away the young guy we gave his spot to if he doesn’t work out. It never stops with these people.

 

[BLONG7]

Yes, Evans is getting signed 100%, there's just not a single doubt about that

It's just curious what they do with Armia
I only want to keep him if 1 of Gallagher or Anderson are shipped off finally

One of those 3 should be gone..........that said, Armia could go ufa and Anderson could get bought out.........don't think there is anything we can do with Gally, but get him lessons in how to skate in quick sand....

 

[Habs Halifax]

Michkov could be the next Kovalev or the next Samsonov we'll know for sure in 3 years only. Not sure why people are in such an hurry to showcase their hot takes on the matter.

I seen J O'Neill talk about Michkov on Overdrive lately... his comments were he needs to find a way to be more consistent. Yeah, it's nice when he gives it and scores but the times when he is complacent does not go unnoticed by the coach and players.

Scoring a goal in a game but end up with a -2 rating

The same people who are whining about trading away Kovasevic to give Barron some ice time will whine about losing Armia for nothing and trading away the young guy we gave his stop to if he doesn’t work out. It never stops with these people.

We should hurry up and trade Evans for futures so that when Beck or Kapanen are not ready next year, we can blame that on our GM

 

[Captain Mountain]

A 5th D? Why comment if you don't watch the Devils games at all?

If you look at the Devils, they are built in a very nice way. They don't overwork any of their D and they all play within about 2 1/2 minutes of each other per game.

Kovacevic has a very specific role with the Devils. He's a shutdown monster and leads their team on the PK.

He's got the 4th most TOI among D at ES and the 1st most among ALL on the PK. The Devils are also a very good team, so they don't need to overwork their shutdown pair because generally they win a lot of games with their high scoring.

What the hell does watching the Devils have to do with knowing that:

1) Hamilton makes 9 mil a year with a partial NTC and NMC (1st D making 3+ mil a year)
2) Pesce makes 5.5 mil a year with a full NTC (2nd D making 3+ mil a year)
3) Dillon makes 4 mil a year with a full NTC (3rd D making 3+ mil a year)
4) Siegenthaler makes 3.4 mil a year with a partial NTC (4th D making 3+ mil a year)
5) Kovacevic is a pending UFA and would likely cost north of 3 mil AAV on a new contract (thus a 5th D making 3+ mil a year)

To say nothing of L. Hughes RFA status. I know how good Kovacevic has been in NJ and what role he plays, but thanks for assuming I don't.

And Anderson is one hot shooting stretch away ... no he's not. I've NEVER in my life seen a Habs player get so much leash from a fanbase. He's turned into a serviceable player this year if he was paid like $2M max. He's an overpaid guy who's filling a role because it's hard to get out of contracts like that.

Right, and he's ALWAYS been an overpaid player worth at most half his current AAV. The only difference between now and when he was allegedly worth something was goal scoring.

 

[montreal]

Barron wasn't rushed.

I don't know how anyone could have that opinion, he was 100% rushed. There was Zero reason to have him in the NHL as a 1st year pro.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Because the draft dudes on this board NEED to be right. It's been that way since I've been posting here. And they are unrelenting.

I remember being very high on B Tkachuk pre draft and several of those so called draft dudes influentially moved me off from liking him and liking Kotkaniemi. Never again... I learned a lesson from that.

Last season, I was really liking Iginla and Eiserman and felt that Demidov was too small and won't be available when we pick. I stood my ground until I found out Demidov's new height/weight and it was possible he might slip to us. I had Iginla very close to Demidov and several draft dudes tried to say he should be taken 10+ lol. Sucks that Iginla got hurt because team Canada could of used him (as well as Lindstrom).

Anyways, I 100% agree with your context.

I don't know how anyone could have that opinion, he was 100% rushed. There was Zero reason to have him in the NHL as a 1st year pro.

The other layer to this is fans obsessively wanting us to trade all vets for futures to "make room" for guys like Barron so we can rush him.

Same situation with Evans. Several think both Kapanen and Beck will be ready for 3C/4C next year. It's too early and bad timing for us. We are not rebuilding anymore. We are in transition years. Evans should stay as long as the contract makes sense.

 

[Sorinth]

It's more the fact that we were barely using him. In turn you can say that Hughes made a great decision to move him because MSL clearly didn't see anything more in him like the Devils see.

And while you say they have a vet heavy D - he doesn't play with the any of the 3 guys who have 650+ NHL games. He's mostly played with Siegenthaler who had about 300 games going into this season. They've formed a very good shutdown pair and have played nearly 29% of all New Jersey's ES minutes.

Weirdly, they tend to split them up on the PK... even though as a pair on the PK they've never been scored on in over 22 minutes. In fact, as a PK pairing the Devils have scored 1 goal and given up 0 against while they were on the ice together.

I guess it's semantics but in my mind 6-7 seasons and 350 games does make you a vet. He's basically double the games/seasons of Kovacevic. And that's doubly so because Carrier is at 254 games and is considered by everyone to be a vet.