Player Discussion Kirby Dach: Welcome to Montreal part 2

[Lafleurs Guy]

No Caufield is not a game breaking player in this league all though he will be a really good goal scorer

Just not at the same level

What does the term “game breaker” mean to you?

 

[Vachon23]

What does the term “game breaker” mean to you?

Someone who can control the game, control the pace of the game.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Someone who can control the game, control the pace of the game.

That’s not what I think of when I hear ‘gamebreaker’.

Traditionally a ‘gamebreaker’ refers to a scorer who can put the puck in the net when you really need it.

 

[Ezpz]

That’s not what I think of when I hear ‘gamebreaker’.

Traditionally a ‘gamebreaker’ refers to a scorer who can put the puck in the net when you really need it.

I'd agree. Matthews is pretty garbage 60% of the time but I'll take the guy who can pot 60 any day. He's nowhere near the selke like Leafs fans believe. He's definitely a gamebreaker. Same goes for Stamkos in the past. Or Kovalchuk, though Kovy could control the play too. To me what that guy is describing is Rick Nash, who was decidedly not a gamebreaker. To me gamebreakers are guys who win games on their own.

Malkin is probably the best modern example of a guy who just turns it on and has a 4 point night when he's angry. I can't think of another star who has as many pointless or minus games as Malkin yet he's far and beyond a point per game player and possibly the best playoff performer of his generation after Crosby (who honestly is 20 points ahead mostly due to the years they went out in the first round and Malkin didn't turn it on or played injured, in all their long runs Malkin has frequently outperformed Crosby). That's what a gamebreaker is to me though. Tage Thompson would be another more recent example. To me the PPG or near PPG guys who consistently put up 1-2 points every game or two like Suzuki, Tavares, Kopitar, Thomas, or Hischier are not gamebreakers, it's the guys who win the games on their own but may be less consistent.

 

[Redux91]

Someone who can control the game, control the pace of the game.

That's game manager lol

 

[Andrei79]

Chicago would of probably been where Montreal picked. Or if they kept Debrincat, where Philly picked. They also wouldn't be as likely bad this year where they want another top 3 pick to add to their roster.

Why ? If they keep Dach, they're not signing Max Domi who produced about the same. It wouldn't have changed anything for them.

 

[ClydeLee]

Why ? If they keep Dach, they're not signing Max Domi who produced about the same. It wouldn't have changed anything for them.

Domi who was and is terrible defensively and always was known to be a trade deadline piece. No, not the same and also Domi still with Dach on the team equally in likelihood signed. Especially since he wanted to go there to play for Luke Richardson again.

 

[Goldthorpe]

Dach is a guy who will make the habs win because he's so good at controlling the puck and bringing it to the offensive zone, this just ends up creating chances for everyone.

Caufield will make the habs win because he can score at any time. His line can be so-so all game long, but all he needs is a good look to score and there's nothing much the other team can do.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

That’s not what I think of when I hear ‘gamebreaker’.

Traditionally a ‘gamebreaker’ refers to a scorer who can put the puck in the net when you really need it.

I don't think "gamebreaker" has as much to do with being clutch as it has to do with overall skill. Imo it has more to do with having an elite skill set that allows a player to create their own scoring chance score at any time in the game. A player who is dangerous at all times and the opposition takes special precautions to defend.

I don't view Justin Williams as ever being considered a "gamebreaker" and he certainly was never defined by the term but scored more huge goals than almost anyone else. A gamebreaker should be a player who terrifies opposing defenders when they are one on one with them due to a combination of stickhandling and shooting skills.

Of course this is a silly, uber subjective conversation similar to the "superstar" discussions and there is no actual correct answer. I just believe that the description that I offered is closer to what most people think of when they hear the term "gamebreaker". They think of exciting, flashy players who can turn the tide of a game all by themselves, and not guys who bang in rebounds or deflections at timely moments even if they do it alot like Williams and Pavelski.

Someone who can control the game, control the pace of the game.

A game breaker scores goals though...it is more about moments than it is about overall play imo.

 

[Scriptor]

Caufield has 50+ goal potential. At any given time he can find the back of the net from almost anywhere. That's not a game breaker? He is not a really good goal scorer, he is an ELITE goal scorer. No, he doesn't control the flow of the game, but Kirby Dach absolutely can be that type of #1 centre.

Of course Dach isn't at the same level of Getzlaf right now, but he absolutely has that type of ceiling. Watching him play right now and develop confidence it truly feels like the sky is the limit for Dach.

Don't forget the Habs factor.Anyone on the teams automatically 40% worse than they appear because nothing Goodman come to the Habs for some that have been disabused after losing for thirty years now.

Until, 2003 the Habs had not gone more than 7 years without winning a Cup. Now, it's been thirty years!

For some, everything CH sucks.

How can Caufield become a game changing winger? Trade him any other team, basically.

It's horrible reading some assessments about certain Hab players from a contingent of alleged fans.

As much as Hab fans are known to overvalue their players, the reverse also happens in spades.

Caufield hasn't proven it yet, but,oncehe reaches the 50-goal mark (should he get there), if that's not game-changing talent,Idon't know what is!?

Kirby Dach, as seen in the third period and overtime Wednesday against the Laughs,has the talent, size and bite to dominate a game for stretches of time. It's a question of demonstrating this with a higher level of consistency, but when/if he does, that's game-changing skill.

Suzuki might not have that oomph factor, but he surely has the upside tone a PPG C that delivers the business like clockwork (no, not bowel movements), something that can keep games in reach on a consistent basis, without being a game-changer per se.

Hutson definitely has elite, game-changing upside. Guhle and Reinbacher may become steadying forces of the future on the Habs' blue line, but they won't be prototypical game changers.

Mailloux, with his size, skating, mean streak, powerful shot and offensive IQ, could become a game changing element as well, especially if he harnesses enough defensive acumen not to be a game changer in favour four opponents?

Some see a Brent Burns in Mailloux. If he ever comes close to that as a ceiling, he will also be a game changing element.

 

[the valiant effort]

That zone entry on the 4 on 3 in OT where he took a full skate around the zone in full upright stance, as if he was marking his territory, was absolutely beautiful. Very Eichel-like.

All the good thing aside, I am still trying to understand how this screencap at around 0:18 of the video didn’t result in Caufield getting a good look. They galaxy brained that PP to death

 

[Habs Halifax]

Caufield, Suzuki, Dach are our best young pieces. Dach has closed the gap slightly when you look beyond points. And I'm sure Dach has a good production this year if he plays a full season. If Dach becomes a 80+ center in his prime, we are in great shape with these 3.

Slaf, Newhook, Guhle, Xhekaj are the next waive. Can one or more of them catch the top 3? Not sure but it's possible with Slaf. I love how we added Newhook's energy and speed.

Matheson & Anderson are the vets still in their prime.

Ylonen, RHP, Dobes, Farrell, Heineman are solid depth.

Reinbacher, Hutson, Roy, Beck, Engstrom, Mailloux are the best from the ones not in the NHL. We got a lot more but those 6 are a notch ahead of the others.

 

[BLONG7]

Caufield, Suzuki, Dach are our best young pieces. Dach has closed the gap slightly when you look beyond points. And I'm sure Dach has a good production this year if he plays a full season. If Dach becomes a 80+ center in his prime, we are in great shape with these 3.

Slaf, Newhook, Guhle, Xhekaj are the next waive. Can one or more of them catch the top 3? Not sure but it's possible with Slaf. I love how we added Newhook's energy and speed.

Matheson & Anderson are the vets still in their prime.

Ylonen, RHP, Dobes, Farrell, Heineman are solid depth.

Reinbacher, Hutson, Roy, Beck, Engstrom, Mailloux are the best from the ones not in the NHL. We got a lot more but those 6 are a notch ahead of the others.

Future is bright guys!!

 

[Essenege]

I’m fully sold on Dach. I think he becomes our no1 center. More speed and better possession game then Nick.

You need your first line to do exactly what the Dach line did against Toronto…playing in the ozone, cycling the puck. Creating multiple scoring chances cycling instead of one and done is the way you dominate the opposing line…denying valuable ozone time to opposing line.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Future is bright guys!!

Yup. We are loaded with young players due to the draft power we have had for several drafts now. Lots of guys with very good development resumes.

If we bat 1/3 with our prospects, we will exit this in very good shape. Then Hughes can work on filling any holes with trades or key UFA's. He's already started this with the Dach and Newhook trades and he recently talked about the risks of signing 28, 29, 30+ UFA's.

I really like Hughes vision. What we need is growth with our youth and for circumstantial situations to present themselves so we can trade for guys we need using areas of organization strength.

Creating draft power was step 1. There are many positive ripple effects that come with this

 

[KevSkillz4]

Caufield, Suzuki, Dach are our best young pieces. Dach has closed the gap slightly when you look beyond points. And I'm sure Dach has a good production this year if he plays a full season. If Dach becomes a 80+ center in his prime, we are in great shape with these 3.

Slaf, Newhook, Guhle, Xhekaj are the next waive. Can one or more of them catch the top 3? Not sure but it's possible with Slaf. I love how we added Newhook's energy and speed.

Matheson & Anderson are the vets still in their prime.

Ylonen, RHP, Dobes, Farrell, Heineman are solid depth.

Reinbacher, Hutson, Roy, Beck, Engstrom, Mailloux are the best from the ones not in the NHL. We got a lot more but those 6 are a notch ahead of the others.

I think Guhle can be at the same conversation of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach. Slaf and Reinbacher have potential to be in the same tier aswell!

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Guhle can be at the same conversation of Caufield, Suzuki and Dach. Slaf and Reinbacher have potential to be in the same tier aswell!

I'm not sure with Guhle yet. I do think he is a top 4D and a good one but can he be a top pairing guy who can QB a PP? We will see. I'm a big fan of Guhle's game but I see an all around type.

We are going to have to wait a bit yet on Guhle. Top 4D vs Top 2D. That's where I'm undecided today

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Dach will be our 1C. He shows flashes of dominant play using his size, speed and puckhandling ability. The bonus is that he forechecks and backchecks effectively using his long reach to disrupt plays or steal the puck.

He will be our #1 C either this year or next. Whether he's a PPG player relies on having similarly talented linemates. Put Caufield on his wing and he has a chance at 70 - 80 pts IMO.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Our most well rounded player, I agree.

But I think Caufield has become our best player and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. There’s no doubt he’s somewhat one dimensional but his goal scoring ability cannot be ignored. He’s so consistent too.

Yeah I haven’t watched a ton since the cup run and even if the rest of Caufield’s game doesn’t come to fruition (I certainly wouldn’t bet against him) he’s still likely gonna be a premier goal scorer in this league and that’s more than fine.

I think him and Suzuki are gonna have a revolving door of linemates this year. Hopefully they can find that missing piece. At some point they will I’m sure.

If Monahan can be torn from the 3rd line (maybe when dvo gets back?) he’s the most likely candidate. I could see it being Roy or Heineman at some point as well. Too bad Anderson is so inconsistent but I’d be open to giving him a somewhat extended look there. Some guys put it together a bit later. Doesn’t always happen but Anderson does seem to have shown a commitment to getting better.

 

[Mrb1p]

Dachs identity was always that. Hes never gonna shoot enough to put up 100 + but im sure he has ppg + in him. Him and Suzuki are a top 10-15 center duo in the NHL.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Dachs identity was always that. Hes never gonna shoot enough to put up 100 + but im sure he has ppg + in him. Him and Suzuki are a top 10-15 center duo in the NHL.

Agree with you. I think that Suzuki and Dach can be solid two-way PPG C's. Suzuki will score a little more per season, because he is more a shooter than Dach. But Dach will put a little more assists, he looks a little better passer than Suzuki in my eyes. Even if Suzuki is really good aswell. Perfect combo, Habs are in good hands for many years to come!

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Don't forget the Habs factor.Anyone on the teams automatically 40% worse than they appear because nothing Goodman come to the Habs for some that have been disabused after losing for thirty years now.

Until, 2003 the Habs had not gone more than 7 years without winning a Cup. Now, it's been thirty years!

For some, everything CH sucks.

How can Caufield become a game changing winger? Trade him any other team, basically.

It's horrible reading some assessments about certain Hab players from a contingent of alleged fans.

As much as Hab fans are known to overvalue their players, the reverse also happens in spades.

Caufield hasn't proven it yet, but,oncehe reaches the 50-goal mark (should he get there), if that's not game-changing talent,Idon't know what is!?

Kirby Dach, as seen in the third period and overtime Wednesday against the Laughs,has the talent, size and bite to dominate a game for stretches of time. It's a question of demonstrating this with a higher level of consistency, but when/if he does, that's game-changing skill.

Suzuki might not have that oomph factor, but he surely has the upside tone a PPG C that delivers the business like clockwork (no, not bowel movements), something that can keep games in reach on a consistent basis, without being a game-changer per se.

Hutson definitely has elite, game-changing upside. Guhle and Reinbacher may become steadying forces of the future on the Habs' blue line, but they won't be prototypical game changers.

Mailloux, with his size, skating, mean streak, powerful shot and offensive IQ, could become a game changing element as well, especially if he harnesses enough defensive acumen not to be a game changer in favour four opponents?

Some see a Brent Burns in Mailloux. If he ever comes close to that as a ceiling, he will also be a game changing element.

I agree with all this and yet I still think Slaf could end up being our best forward in a few years. I can’t guarantee that but it’s possible.

And from what I’ve seen from Newhook I don’t think he’s far off our top 4. We’ve hardly seen the best from him yet. He’s just getting started.

If Monahan can stay healthy, you still have Roy and Heineman knocking at the door. I think we’re in tremendous shape up front for years to come. It still remains to be seen but I never subscribed to the notion that we desperately needed a Michkov.
If our top guys reach their ceilings I think we’ll have plenty of firepower up front.

Never mind the incoming D.

 

[the valiant effort]

Pathetic. I give up

 

[Habs4Life]

Dach will be our 1C. He shows flashes of dominant play using his size, speed and puckhandling ability. The bonus is that he forechecks and backchecks effectively using his long reach to disrupt plays or steal the puck.

He will be our #1 C either this year or next. Whether he's a PPG player relies on having similarly talented linemates. Put Caufield on his wing and he has a chance at 70 - 80 pts IMO.

Not if hes injury prone which hes proven to be so far.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Pathetic. I give up

Saw the clip of him talking to staff and then limping to the dressing room. Looks bad. He was pointing to the outside of his right knee.

At least he was walking on his own though, but we can’t always glean much from that. Some guys walk around on a major tear too.