Line Combos: Lineup for 2024-2025

[Nedved]

Fun to play along, if it were me, I’d run:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Newhook - Dach - Laine
Roy - Dvorak - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher
Pezzetta

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Savard
Xhekaj - Barron
Struble

Montembeault
Primeau

If that second line can stay healthy - and that’s a HUGE if - then the Habs would finally have some secondary scoring to help out the first line.

the top 12 is decent, considering where we were a couple years ago, and this doesn't include beck and demidov who I think will be on the habs full time in a couple years. maybe even earlier for beck.

our d still has a lot of holes and simply not good enough...yet. we need reinbacher to become that top pairing guy and mailloux to become a pp specialist/number 4/5 guy.

looking at this, if we stay healthy, maybe a wc spot is possible with this line up. if dach or suzuki goes down for a couple months the season is over.

 

[schwang26]

It’ll be interesting to see which if any of the 3 D make it. Hutson, Reinbacher or Mailloux. It’s highly possible that they all go down and the Habs grab the next Kovacevic off waivers to fill in for the time being. He did a good job on the bottom pairing. I’m sure at least one will be up at some point.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

It’ll be interesting to see which if any of the 3 D make it. Hutson, Reinbacher or Mailloux. It’s highly possible that they all go down and the Habs grab the next Kovacevic off waivers to fill in for the time being. He did a good job on the bottom pairing. I’m sure at least one will be up at some point.

Honestly I think Kent Hughes and MSL will let them decide with how they play in training camp. With the exception of Reinbacher, I see them sending him to Laval. I could see Barron on the bottom pairing, or placed on Waivers if he flounders. After Savard is eventually traded, I could see Reinbacher come up if Barron isn't hacking it. But like I said, the ball is in mailloux and hutsons court

 

[CHfan1]

the top 12 is decent, considering where we were a couple years ago, and this doesn't include beck and demidov who I think will be on the habs full time in a couple years. maybe even earlier for beck.

our d still has a lot of holes and simply not good enough...yet. we need reinbacher to become that top pairing guy and mailloux to become a pp specialist/number 4/5 guy.

looking at this, if we stay healthy, maybe a wc spot is possible with this line up. if dach or suzuki goes down for a couple months the season is over.

For reference this was the final lineup before Montreal made the coaching change in 2022:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1490795010471694346

 

[junyab]

Two interesting scenarios:
1) everyone stays healthy and we make the playoffs
2) we have massive injuries and pick bottom 5 again

Both scenarios are exciting to me. I just hate the middle of the road scenario where we win a bit more but end up out of the playoff race.

 

[Paddy17]

Balanced scoring is where we are heading guys !!! Both of the top two lines looks great.

We need to stay healthy and we will surprise other teams..................remember we had a ton of one goal losses. Turn some of those into wins, and we are good to go!

We used to have a team with three 3rd lines. Now, we might have one with two first lines!

 

[schwang26]

Honestly I think Kent Hughes and MSL will let them decide with how they play in training camp. With the exception of Reinbacher, I see them sending him to Laval. I could see Barron on the bottom pairing, or placed on Waivers if he flounders. After Savard is eventually traded, I could see Reinbacher come up if Barron isn't hacking it. But like I said, the ball is in mailloux and hutsons court

It is but they’re going to want them all getting a lot of ice time and working on their games. They still need to work on things. That probably means Laval. Of course I’m sure we’ll see them at some point.They’re going to give Barron an opportunity as well. They won’t just waive him.

 

[schwang26]

Two interesting scenarios:
1) everyone stays healthy and we make the playoffs
2) we have massive injuries and pick bottom 5 again

Both scenarios are exciting to me. I just hate the middle of the road scenario where we win a bit more but end up out of the playoff race.

I think they’ll definitely be in the mix for at least part of the season. Anything can happen with any team. There’s always over achievers and under achievers. It’ll be interesting to see where they are at the deadline given how many vets might be on the block. Do they hold on to them if close to a playoff spot or make moves regardless? That could certainly affect their position. Biggest factor is health. I truly think this is the first year we’ll see big results from everyone.

 

[schwang26]

For reference this was the final lineup before Montreal made the coaching change in 2022:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1490795010471694346

Well on the way to a first overall!

 

[kyne]

It is but they’re going to want them all getting a lot of ice time and working on their games. They still need to work on things. That probably means Laval. Of course I’m sure we’ll see them at some point.They’re going to give Barron an opportunity as well. They won’t just waive him.

For once perhaps, there is absolutely no sense of urgency about the three kids (Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux) making the big show.

I view Barron as an offense first defenseman who simply needs to play often to get better. I hope MSL plays the daylights out of him and Arber, and mistakes be damned.

 

[ahmedou]

We got a TOP 6!

I repeat we got a TOP 6!

 

[waitin425]

For once perhaps, there is absolutely no sense of urgency about the three kids (Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux) making the big show.

I view Barron as an offense first defenseman who simply needs to play often to get better. I hope MSL plays the daylights out of him and Arber, and mistakes be damned.

We now have room for two of those three. Mailloux is ready IMO. We can move Guhle back to his natural left side.

Matheson - Savard
Guhle - Mailloux
Hutson - Barron
Xhekaj

Eventually Rein moves up and bumps on of Matheson or Savard. If Matheson gets traded for a haul...

Next year

Guhle - Mailloux
Hutson - Rein
Xhekaj - Barron
Savard - depth on right side and leadership

 

[nyhabsfan]

We now have room for two of those three. Mailloux is ready IMO. We can move Guhle back to his natural left side.

Matheson - Savard
Guhle - Mailloux
Hutson - Barron
Xhekaj

Eventually Rein moves up and bumps on of Matheson or Savard. If Matheson gets traded for a haul...

Next year

Guhle - Mailloux
Hutson - Rein
Xhekaj - Barron
Savard - depth on right side and leadership

If we are competing for a playoff position at the trade deadline, Savard is staying otherwise he will be traded at the deadline or his contract expires in the off-season.

Next year Savard will be gone either way. Struble is still in the mix and to me he is a very good 3rd pairing LD will potential 3-4 upside. Let the competition begin.

 

[nyhabsfan]

2025-2026 is when we could have 3 legit scoring lines.

Caufield ---- Suzuki --- Demidov (May not start there right away)
Liane ---Dach--Slaf (The new Legion of Doom... all over 6'3 and 220 lbs)
XXX----Newhook--Roy (XXX can be a prospect/ 2 1st rounders in 2025 / Free Agent)
Gallagher---Beck----Anderson (Xhekaj and Tuch and others waiting including Hague)

For the first time in 30 years we will have Real depth that can certainly do damage.

 

[waitin425]

If we are competing for a playoff position at the trade deadline, Savard is staying otherwise he will be traded at the deadline or his contract expires in the off-season.

Next year Savard will be gone either way. Struble is still in the mix and to me he is a very good 3rd pairing LD will potential 3-4 upside. Let the competition begin.

Savard is a depth RD though. True we can keep Guhle on right side, but I would consider resigning him to short term small cap hit to keep him on the right side. Our RD depth would be ...

Rein
Mailloux
Barron
Savard

left side depth

Guhle
Hutson
Xhekaj
Struble
Engstrom
Konyushkov
***assuming Matheson is traded***

we need to target RD in next draft

 

[26Mats]

Savard is a depth RD though. True we can keep Guhle on right side, but I would consider resigning him to short term small cap hit to keep him on the right side. Our RD depth would be ...

Rein
Mailloux
Barron
Savard

left side depth

Guhle
Hutson
Xhekaj
Struble
Engstrom
Konyushkov
***assuming Matheson is traded***

we need to target RD in next draft

Konuyshkov is an RD.

I would still go BPA. Whichever player we draft likely isn't an impact player until many years down the line anyways.

2025-2026 is when we could have 3 legit scoring lines.

Caufield ---- Suzuki --- Demidov (May not start there right away)
Liane ---Dach--Slaf (The new Legion of Doom... all over 6'3 and 220 lbs)
XXX----Newhook--Roy (XXX can be a prospect/ 2 1st rounders in 2025 / Free Agent)
Gallagher---Beck----Anderson (Xhekaj and Tuch and others waiting including Hague)

For the first time in 30 years we will have Real depth that can certainly do damage.

Why not 2024-2025 with the 3 legit scoring lines:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Dvorak
Roy - Newhook - Armia
Gally - Evans - Anderson
Pez

 

[Nedved]

For reference this was the final lineup before Montreal made the coaching change in 2022:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1490795010471694346

Not sure how I tuned in for so many games during that year. wow.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It’ll be interesting to see which if any of the 3 D make it. Hutson, Reinbacher or Mailloux. It’s highly possible that they all go down and the Habs grab the next Kovacevic off waivers to fill in for the time being. He did a good job on the bottom pairing. I’m sure at least one will be up at some point.

Engstrom is ahead of all 3 in terms of already playing against men in the SHL. Most of us are not considering that he might the option with Savard if we choose to bring Hutson along slowly and not rush him. I'm not a fan of penciling in Hutson based on his offensive ability alone. That's spoiling the kid and I don't consider that good development (if he struggles defensively and we have to demote him later). Look up Kotkaniemi and Mete for example.

This is a real possibility for next season.
Matheson / Guhle
Engstrom / Savard
Xhekaj / Barron
Struble

Things would get real interesting for the 25/26 season when Hutson, Reinbacher, and Mailloux are also ready. Savard is likely gone but there would still be some clutter to sort out.

I can see one of Engstrom or Struble being traded at some point down the road... Especially if Guhle moves back to LD. The maturity of our D is a major factor to our advancement. Our forwards can produce all the office possible but if we are not a strong team defensively, we go nowhere.

When Matheson and Savard are both gone, our D shuffles around even more.

 

[Mudz]

I would love to see them try Laine-Dach-Armia as the 2nd line, big possession game, boost Armia stats and trade him at the deadline

Plus there's the Finn connection. And the I was down with no confidence and I'm back.

On a hockey level, I've a read a Columbus fan saying Laine need someone to carry the puck for him (Dack) and to retrieve the pucks (Armia strenght and Dach too). Plus Armia likes to sit his big ass in front of the net, perfect screen for Laine.

Hopefully Armia and Savard aren't traded tho, I hope MTL will be in the mix.

 

[Bee Holder]

How I see the PP lines for the 2025-2026 season:

PP1
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Demidov-Hutson

PP2
Laine-Dach-Newhook
Matheson-Mailloux

 

[Mudz]

top 6 25-26:

Laine-Suzuki-Demidov
Caufield-Dach-Slaf

 

[BLONG7]

Engstrom is ahead of all 3 in terms of already playing against men in the SHL. Most of us are not considering that he might the option with Savard if we choose to bring Hutson along slowly and not rush him. I'm not a fan of penciling in Hutson based on his offensive ability alone. That's spoiling the kid and I don't consider that good development (if he struggles defensively and we have to demote him later). Look up Kotkaniemi and Mete for example.

This is a real possibility for next season.
Matheson / Guhle
Engstrom / Savard
Xhekaj / Barron
Struble

Things would get real interesting for the 25/26 season when Hutson, Reinbacher, and Mailloux are also ready. Savard is likely gone but there would still be some clutter to sort out.

I can see one of Engstrom or Struble being traded at some point down the road... Especially if Guhle moves back to LD. The maturity of our D is a major factor to our advancement. Our forwards can produce all the office possible but if we are not a strong team defensively, we go nowhere.

When Matheson and Savard are both gone, our D shuffles around even more.

Don't think Savard will be in Montreal next year.....I would think Reinbacher or Mailloux takes that spot.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

It is but they’re going to want them all getting a lot of ice time and working on their games. They still need to work on things. That probably means Laval. Of course I’m sure we’ll see them at some point.They’re going to give Barron an opportunity as well. They won’t just waive him.

I meant in the scenario where Reinbacher, Hutson and Mailloux force their way on the team, Barron would probably be waived but that's pretty much an impossibility. But Hutson and Mailloux making the team is definitely a possibility. Less than likely but still possible. If Barron does disappoint early on tho, don't be surprised if he gets moved one way or another by years end

 

[Habs Halifax]

Don't think Savard will be in Montreal next year.....I would think Reinbacher or Mailloux takes that spot.

I believe Savard will be gone as well but you never know... We might be in a playoff chase (bubble group) and decide to keep him for the rest of the season. Or he is traded at the TDL. Chances he returns on a value contract? Low. I'm not 100% Savard is not with us next year. More like 80% he is not.

Anyways, I do think we will shuffle things around. Savard is the logical guy to have with Hutson but with no Savard, I do wonder how we shuffle things around. Not sure Reinbacher or Mailloux will be ready for heavy min's but we will know a lot more after this year.

Next season (25/26) will be more pressure to make the playoffs so I think that's when we start that point where we have less guys learning on the job in big roles.

 

[Egresch]

Everybody is talking about PP units, but what about PK? I am little concerned about it as we do not have a lot of suitable guys.
Last season we had
PK1: Matheson - Savard - Evans - Armia
PK2: Guhle - Barron - Suzuki - Dvorak

We can keep it going, but we will be in trouble year later when we could lose 4 out of 8 pieces. Do we even have suitable players in the pipeline? I see Beck, Kapanen maybe Roy? Should we try to integrate Xhekaj instead Matheson and Roy instead Dvorak. Should we extend Evans and Armia?