Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[SlafySZN]

Monahan needs to be re-signed for a few years to grow chemistry.

Who plays well enough with Caufield and Suzuki to help those two take another step forward in their development?

The only thing that enables all three of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach to take another bigger step forward in their development at the sametime is Caufield - Suzuki - Dach as a line, IMO.

Dach need to take a step as a center.

 

[SOLR]

this summer he has worked on his shut ; Habs specialist Tim Turk was able to find wrong posture/movement so they worked to change that. It should help him to score more than before

I mean, a pre-schooler could have found a wrong posture on that shot.

 

[Scriptor]

Dach need to take a step as a center.

Yes. Doesn't need to be at the start of this year, though. Dach is still only 22 and other big Cs have played wing early in their careers and returned to that position where they later excelled. Confidence gained while playing with Caufield and Suzuki will only help him take a step up at C later on, IMO.

Both are not mutually exclusive.

 

[G0bias]

Monahan is a fine RW complement to the CC-Suzuki duo for now.
Maybe not as good as Dach but still much more offensively capable than Anderson. Could also take faceoffs on his strong side.

Letting Dach continue his work at center, this time with much better wingers than Drouin and Hoffman.

CC-Suzuki-Monahan
Slaf-Dach-Newhook

personally i'd give CC-Dach a shot, but otherwise this is how i hope MSL sees it

 

[Team_Spirit]

They try real hard to get juicy Flyjin stories but Kirby is too smart to slip.

 

[Scriptor]

I personally can't understand why Fans are baling on Suzuki after he has consistently improved over the last three years, with no genuine reason to anticipate that he will plateau at his latest level of production with a better team behind him and the better wingers on his line.

Giving Caufield to Dach would leave what that is comparable for Suzuki? Let's not start treating Suzuki like we did Plekanec in the past, with a rotating cast of wingers, always looking for new chemistry that often never came.

You want to try Caufield with Dach? Play Dach on RW again with Suzuki and Caufield.

Play a 2nd line of Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook

Play a 3rd line of RHP - Dvorak/Evans/Beck (next year) - Anderson

and a 4th line of veterans on their way out

Armia - Evans/Andersson - Gallagher

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook
RHP - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher
Ylonen, Pezzetta

The Suzuki line seeks to bring the level of play of the team's best three forwards to a new, higher level at the same time, building up their confidence as legitimate, quality first line players.

The Monahan line provides a skilled, quality veteran at C for both Slafkovsky and Newhook. It increases Slafkovsky's TOI in quality game situations and tests his tool kit both offensively and defensively. Newhook adds speed and scoring to the line, leaving two passing options for both Monahan and Slafkovsky.

The Dvorak line relies developing chemistry between RHP and Anderson to bolster Dvorak's production and trade value at the same time. Dvorak, despite not producing higher than his career .5 PPG rate, provides good puck possession, solid F/O skills and a net front presence that will complement RHP's nose for traffic and Anderson's physical play for a solid cycle game that can provide secondary scoring.

If nothing else, the 4th line can provide solid puck possession and TOI spent in the offensive zone, applying pressure on opposing Ds and adding some complementary goal production in the process.

If these players are the ones making the opening night roster,I believe this is the way to maximize both the team's strengths and the younger players' development for the start of the season.

The individual progression of the younger playerscan help bring about some changes along the way as the season also prgresses.

Unless a player like Roy or Heineman surprise at camp (the two most likely, IMO) and make the starting roster for the 2023-2024 season?

Then, I'd play things differently, all as a means of helping Slafkovsky find his game more as a power forward, with the emphasis on him taking the game to the opponent. It would also allow Dach to develop sooner at C.

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan
Slafkovsky - Dach - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

If it doesn't work out for the Suzuki line, or the Dach line, right off the bat, we could return to:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

 

[1909]

I personally can't understand why Fans are baling on Suzuki after he has consistently improved over the last three years, with no genuine reason to anticipate that he will plateau at his latest level of production with a better team behind him and the better wingers on his line.

Giving Caufield to Dach would leave what that is comparable for Suzuki? Let's not start treating Suzuki like we did Plekanec in the past, with a rotating cast of wingers, always looking for new chemistry that often never came.

You want to try Caufield with Dach? Play Dach on RW again with Suzuki and Caufield.

Play a 2nd line of Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook

Play a 3rd line of RHP - Dvorak/Evans/Beck (next year) - Anderson

and a 4th line of veterans on their way out

Armia - Evans/Andersson - Gallagher

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook
RHP - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher
Ylonen, Pezzetta

The Suzuki line seeks to bring the level of play of the team's best three forwards to a new, higher level at the same time, building up their confidence as legitimate, quality first line players.

The Monahan line provides a skilled, quality veteran at C for both Slafkovsky and Newhook. It increases Slafkovsky's TOI in quality game situations and tests his tool kit both offensively and defensively. Newhook adds speed and scoring to the line, leaving two passing options for both Monahan and Slafkovsky.

The Dvorak line relies developing chemistry between RHP and Anderson to bolster Dvorak's production and trade value at the same time. Dvorak, despite not producing higher than his career .5 PPG rate, provides good puck possession, solid F/O skills and a net front presence that will complement RHP's nose for traffic and Anderson's physical play for a solid cycle game that can provide secondary scoring.

If nothing else, the 4th line can provide solid puck possession and TOI spent in the offensive zone, applying pressure on opposing Ds and adding some complementary goal production in the process.

If these players are the ones making the opening night roster,I believe this is the way to maximize both the team's strengths and the younger players' development for the start of the season.

The individual progression of the younger playerscan help bring about some changes along the way as the season also prgresses.

Unless a player like Roy or Heineman surprise at camp (the two most likely, IMO) and make the starting roster for the 2023-2024 season?

Then, I'd play things differently, all as a means of helping Slafkovsky find his game more as a power forward, with the emphasis on him taking the game to the opponent. It would also allow Dach to develop sooner at C.

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan
Slafkovsky - Dach - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

If it doesn't work out for the Suzuki line, or the Dach line, right off the bat, we could return to:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

Very doubtful that we can see Roy or Heineman in MTL for the start of the season. You have 14 other guys with one way NHL contracts (except Slaf) in the line up. Of course Dvorak will miss some time, and other injuries might occur during the Camp. Heineman is the one who's more ready. Lias Andresson could step up too. Farrell could surprise too. Gallagher on a 4th line is pure waste in every senses.

 

[Kaladin]

Well its clearly working since he was on pace for twice as many goals as he had in his previous best goalscoring season.

On pace for when it comes to goals for streaky goal scorers is a bit misleading but fair enough. Dach has hovered exactly between 7.7% and 7.9% as a shooting percentage in the NHL prior to the Habs. Last season was 13.1%. If he can sustain that jump it'll be impressive let alone further improvement like some fans in here are expecting.

 

[SlafySZN]

On pace for when it comes to goals for streaky goal scorers is a bit misleading but fair enough. Dach has hovered exactly between 7.7% and 7.9% as a shooting percentage in the NHL prior to the Habs. Last season was 13.1%. If he can sustain that jump it'll be impressive let alone further improvement like some fans in here are expecting.

13% is a pretty normal shooting percentage.

 

[Kaladin]

13% is a pretty normal shooting percentage.

Cleary not for Dach.

 

[Mudz]

Cleary not for Dach.

Yes it is. That's what working on something and improving means. 13% is not RHP level.

 

[DAChampion]

13% is a pretty normal shooting percentage.

It's actually quite high.

 

[SlafySZN]

It's actually quite high.

It’s approximatively where any player should stand. A tid bit higher for shooters like Caufield.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Articles have come out pretty much every summer Dach has been in the NHL talking about him working on his shot lol. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

I’m not sure why you keep going on with this. He was pacing for 20 goals. Absolutely respectable number and he’s working to improve on it.

Dach need to take a step as a center.

If we want him to develop as a center they should consider putting CC on his wing to start the year. If they can get him going early, he’ll develop confidence. Then they have the option of being CC back with Nick or leaving him there.

I personally can't understand why Fans are baling on Suzuki after he has consistently improved over the last three years, with no genuine reason to anticipate that he will plateau at his latest level of production with a better team behind him and the better wingers on his line.

Giving Caufield to Dach would leave what that is comparable for Suzuki? Let's not start treating Suzuki like we did Plekanec in the past, with a rotating cast of wingers, always looking for new chemistry that often never came.

You want to try Caufield with Dach? Play Dach on RW again with Suzuki and Caufield.

Play a 2nd line of Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook

Play a 3rd line of RHP - Dvorak/Evans/Beck (next year) - Anderson

and a 4th line of veterans on their way out

Armia - Evans/Andersson - Gallagher

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook
RHP - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher
Ylonen, Pezzetta

The Suzuki line seeks to bring the level of play of the team's best three forwards to a new, higher level at the same time, building up their confidence as legitimate, quality first line players.

The Monahan line provides a skilled, quality veteran at C for both Slafkovsky and Newhook. It increases Slafkovsky's TOI in quality game situations and tests his tool kit both offensively and defensively. Newhook adds speed and scoring to the line, leaving two passing options for both Monahan and Slafkovsky.

The Dvorak line relies developing chemistry between RHP and Anderson to bolster Dvorak's production and trade value at the same time. Dvorak, despite not producing higher than his career .5 PPG rate, provides good puck possession, solid F/O skills and a net front presence that will complement RHP's nose for traffic and Anderson's physical play for a solid cycle game that can provide secondary scoring.

If nothing else, the 4th line can provide solid puck possession and TOI spent in the offensive zone, applying pressure on opposing Ds and adding some complementary goal production in the process.

If these players are the ones making the opening night roster,I believe this is the way to maximize both the team's strengths and the younger players' development for the start of the season.

The individual progression of the younger playerscan help bring about some changes along the way as the season also prgresses.

Unless a player like Roy or Heineman surprise at camp (the two most likely, IMO) and make the starting roster for the 2023-2024 season?

Then, I'd play things differently, all as a means of helping Slafkovsky find his game more as a power forward, with the emphasis on him taking the game to the opponent. It would also allow Dach to develop sooner at C.

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan
Slafkovsky - Dach - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

If it doesn't work out for the Suzuki line, or the Dach line, right off the bat, we could return to:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Anderson
RHP - Newhook - Roy/Heineman
Armia - Dvorak - Gallagher
Evan, Ylonen, Pezzetta

I might put Slaf with Suzuki. Suzuki is a vet and he can help bring Slaf along. May put Monahan there too.

I’m sure the lines will change a lot anyway.

 

[Scriptor]

It just makes more sense to use the season that we have Monahan for skilled, top-6 depth as a means of insulating a top-line of Caufield-Suzuki-Dach in the hopes they simultaneously have a breakout season; Suzuki producing 75-80 points, Caufield scoring 40 goals and Dach accumulating 60+ points.

Meanwhile, Monahan and Anderson are perfect veterans to take Slafkovsky under their wing as a big-bodied, power line.

Newhook can Center the third line.

How this doesn't seem like a goodideatofans on this forum, I fail to understand.

Stoke the fire while the iron is hot and help all three of Caufield - Suzuki - Dach produce to thier best while playing together, as Slafkovsky gets mentorship from Monahan and Anderson in his sophmore season.

 

[G0bias]

It just makes more sense to use the season that we have Monahan for skilled, top-6 depth as a means of insulating a top-line of Caufield-Suzuki-Dach in the hopes they simultaneously have a breakout season; Suzuki producing 75-80 points, Caufield scoring 40 goals and Dach accumulating 60+ points.

Meanwhile, Monahan and Anderson are perfect veterans to take Slafkovsky under their wing as a big-bodied, power line.

Newhook can Center the third line.

How this doesn't seem like a goodideatofans on this forum, I fail to understand.

Stoke the fire while the iron is hot and help all three of Caufield - Suzuki - Dach produce to thier best while playing together, as Slafkovsky gets mentorship from Monahan and Anderson in his sophmore season.

They already said Newhook was going to play in the top 6 rather than the 3rd line minutes he was getting in COL.

 

[Kaladin]

Yes it is. That's what working on something and improving means. 13% is not RHP level.

I’d have to see him sustain it for more than one year to agree with that vs the prior three years of data.

I’m not sure why you keep going on with this. He was pacing for 20 goals. Absolutely respectable number and he’s working to improve on it.

I bring it up because people keep bringing that article up. And it’s increasing expectations around here that Dach is going to come in and produce more than 20+ goals this year when the fact is if he’s able to sustain almost doubling his historical shooting percentage that in itself would be impressive. Someone’s got to be realistic around here.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I’d have to see him sustain it for more than one year to agree with that vs the prior three years of data.

We’re talking about an 22 year old player. Again, nobody is expecting him to be Brett Hull. But there’s obviously been improvement and your posts talk as though there hasn’t.

I bring it up because people keep bringing that article up. And it’s increasing expectations around here that Dach is going to come in and produce more than 20+ goals this year when the fact is if he’s able to sustain almost doubling his historical shooting percentage that in itself would be impressive. Someone’s got to be realistic around here.

Don’t confuse negativity with being ‘realistic.’

Dach is working on a weakness. That’s it. He’s been working on it for a while and last year saw some results. No more, no less.

And I don’t think it’s unrealistic to think he can crack 20 goals. If he doesn’t then I think everyone here will be disappointed on that front.

 

[ReHabs]

And I don’t think it’s unrealistic to think he can crack 20 goals. If he doesn’t then I think everyone here will be disappointed on that front.

A serious forward player (read: impact player, reliable player, elite player, core player, whatever you want to call him) should pot 20 goals. Kirby is developing and has untapped upside so we're not at a point of knowing what his baseline really looks like. I think he has it in him to pot 20 goals given the TOI and opportunities he will recieve -- and, as stated, he's working specifically on his shot. That's all good and right -- it's nice to see evidence of players taking development head-on and especially one like Dach who was a high-pedigree prospect coming into the draft. He's a serious hockey player who is taking his career seriously -- all good and right, indeed.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

RHP on the fourth is plain wrong. He brings so much offensively and is not big enough for the 4th. He needs to play more than 10 minutes a night.

I love how he's been playing when in the top 6 and he would be excellent on the 3rd with a good center (Beck?) and a finisher like Roy in due time.

Florian/Pezz/Davidson kind of player is what I envision on a 4th. Big, skilled enough, take no sh*t, tires the lines they play against and can dance when needed. I don't like to see defs fight, too rare and few between good ones.

I like option 2 best too but if Dvorak goes and we get a Tatar (Andersen breaking out on the wing?) or the like for the 2nd, i'd love to have Money center the 3rd line to give that good center to RHP this year.

You made an entire line with players who may have no long term future with the Habs at all.

RHP, Beck, Roy. I guess we never learn on these boards, if I had a dollar for every time we made a lineup of prospects only to see it miss majorly I’d be rich.

 

[26Mats]

You made an entire line with players who may have no long term future with the Habs at all.

RHP, Beck, Roy. I guess we never learn on these boards, if I had a dollar for every time we made a lineup of prospects only to see it miss majorly I’d be rich.

While it's true that most prospects don't make it, we can't generalize the norm to particular individuals.

When our current crop of young D weren't yet in the NHL, many said: "no way more than one or two will make it. I remember when everyone was saying Dietz, Thrower, Morgan Ellis, and Lernout would be studs. And none were NHLers. And almost all the D prospects from that pool failed to sniff the NHL. Fast forward to last year and all of Guhle, Xhekaj, Harris, Barron, and, Romanov were in the NHL, Hutson is an elite prospect, and Mailloux and Engstrom are promising.

For sure there will always be Norlinders and Josh Brooks that look good early only to fade. But each pool and prospect are different and can't be judged based on past prospects.

 

[DAChampion]

RHP, Beck, Roy. I guess we never learn on these boards, if I had a dollar for every time we made a lineup of prospects only to see it miss majorly I’d be rich.

The Habs farm system is stacked in potential middle six forwards and top four dmen, so I think it's fair to expect some successes in those areas.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

The Habs farm system is stacked in potential middle six forwards and top four dmen, so I think it's fair to expect some successes in those areas.

I do expect some successes. In particular, Hutson and Mallioux, but I’ve never seen a single line of prospects work out, ever. It just doesn’t happen and it won’t this time either.

To say it’s stacked, I disagree. We are loaded on D, most of the forwards will not make it or be marginal contributors imo.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

You made an entire line with players who may have no long term future with the Habs at all.

RHP, Beck, Roy. I guess we never learn on these boards, if I had a dollar for every time we made a lineup of prospects only to see it miss majorly I’d be rich.

They may not have long term futures with the Habs but they will be NHLers. If they aren't on the Habs they will likely have been used as trade chips to add missing pieces.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

They may not have long term futures with the Habs but they will be NHLers. If they aren't on the Habs they will likely have been used as trade chips to add missing pieces.

Haven’t heard this before either!!