HF Habs: Montreal Canadiens Hockey Ops - Part 3

Gaylord Q Tinkledink

Registered User
Apr 29, 2018
33,975
37,332
So, they have Pezzetta sitting for 13 games straight. Not like he's amazing, but it's not like players haven't played like shit and deserved to be scratched to give him a game, or two.

They won't waive him, likely because they know they'll lose him.

They won't trade him because ???

They won't play him over others who deserve to be sat.

So... what's going on here?

It makes me worry when it comes to big decisions.

I mean, they had a bunch of d and they traded one. Now the Habs have youngsters who sit and sit and sit because the GM and co couldn't decide to trade another young d, which is understandable because they're Ll studs...

Last year they didn't want to waive Primeau because they'd lose him.

Didn't want to trade him.

So they basically had him in the press box missing out on development time.

Now the dude would likely struggle to stop a beach ball and if he has any value it's a 7th rounder. I guess the silver lining is the Habs get what they used to draft him with

The team is looking for players with a bit of an edge after they had a great opportunity to land some via free agency.

The two trades they did to acquire youngsters on team's on the outside looking in so far haven't worked.

The youngsters in Laval started off well and are now slowing down a bit, so we'll see how that goes.

The habs later round picks where you would like to hit, or get something tangible doesn't seem to be happening. Thorpe is looking not too bad, but overall the prospects stat lines are kinda weak. (Should use Flo hockey )

Pretty much every young player on the NHL has regressed. There's no NHL comparable for guys like Hutson and Heineman to compare to, so at least the Habs have thar going for them.


Is this like one of those drawings an artist does where they draw it upside down and you're like "hah, you call yourself an artist that doesn't look like anything" and then BAM then turn it right side up and it's a masterpiece.

Is that how the Habs are right now, just waiting to be flipped to show off this masterpiece, or is it just a scrambled mess of garbage and Hughes and Gorton have no idea what they're doing.


I'm trying to be patient and give it some time.

While they've made some good moves, there's a lot of things that look concerning at this point.

You're not going to bat a thousand, but I feel they're creeping in on batting below .500 and for baseball that's fine, but for GM moves... that's no bueno
 
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Tyson

Registered User
Mar 1, 2007
50,384
73,269
Texas
So, they have Pezzetta sitting for 13 games straight. Not like he's amazing, but it's not like players haven't played like shit and deserved to be scratched to give him a game, or two.

They won't waive him, likely because they know they'll lose him.

They won't trade him because ???

They won't play him over others who deserve to be sat.

So... what's going on here?

It makes me worry when it comes to big decisions.

I mean, they had a bunch of d and they traded one. Now the Habs have youngsters who sit and sit and sit because the GM and co couldn't decide to trade another young d, which is understandable because they're Ll studs...

Last year they didn't want to waive Primeau because they'd lose him.

Didn't want to trade him.

So they basically had him in the press box missing out on development time.

Now the dude would likely struggle to stop a beach ball and if he has any value it's a 7th rounder. I guess the silver lining is the Habs get what they used to draft him with

The team is looking for players with a bit of an edge after they had a great opportunity to land some via free agency.

The two trades they did to acquire youngsters on team's on the outside looking in so far haven't worked.

The youngsters in Laval started off well and are now slowing down a bit, so we'll see how that goes.

The habs later round picks where you would like to hit, or get something tangible doesn't seem to be happening. Thorpe is looking not too bad, but overall the prospects stat lines are kinda weak. (Should use Flo hockey )

Pretty much every young player on the NHL has regressed. There's no NHL comparable for guys like Hutson and Heineman to compare to, so at least the Habs have thar going for them.


Is this like one of those drawings an artist does where they draw it upside down and you're like "hah, you call yourself an artist that doesn't look like anything" and then BAM then turn it right side up and it's a masterpiece.

Is that how the Habs are right now, just waiting to be flipped to show off this masterpiece, or is it just a scrambled mess of garbage and Hughes and Gorton have no idea what they're doing.


I'm trying to be patient and give it some time.

While they've made some good moves, there's a lot of things that look concerning at this point.

You're not going to bat a thousand, but I feel they're creeping in on batting below .500 and for baseball that's fine, but for GM moves... that's no bueno
3 years into the rebuild I am starting to have serious doubts about Hughes, Gordon and MSL, serious doubts.
 

Andrei79

Registered User
Jan 25, 2013
16,518
30,705
3 years into the rebuild I am starting to have serious doubts about Hughes, Gordon and MSL, serious doubts.
Same here. I was optimistic about this season as they were, as I found they properly evaluated their anticipated outcomes up to now. However, they've completely missed the mark regarding where this team would be this year and that's concerning. You can be wrong, but not to this degree. One of the things that also concerns me is that the players they've specifically targeted (Dach, Newhook and Barron) have not panned out at all.
 

Tyson

Registered User
Mar 1, 2007
50,384
73,269
Texas
Same here. I was optimistic about this season as they were, as I found they properly evaluated their anticipated outcomes up to now. However, they've completely missed the mark regarding where this team would be this year and that's concerning. You can be wrong, but not to this degree. One of the things that also concerns me is that the players they've specifically targeted (Dach, Newhook and Barron) have not panned out at all.
Whoever is doing the pro scouting needs to be replaced...
 
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Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,458
17,405
Same here. I was optimistic about this season as they were, as I found they properly evaluated their anticipated outcomes up to now. However, they've completely missed the mark regarding where this team would be this year and that's concerning. You can be wrong, but not to this degree. One of the things that also concerns me is that the players they've specifically targeted (Dach, Newhook and Barron) have not panned out at all.
Bit early to say they haven't panned out at all...

Newhook had a very good 1/2 season last year en route to a career best output.

Barron, for all his inconsistencies, remains one of the top dmen from his draft year.

Dach, despite all the injuries, is still top 10 production-wise from his draft year.


None have excelled, but none have been complete busts and all 3 have played the best jockey of their short careers with us.

I'd say it's 12-18 months too early to start talking about their ceilings and whether or not the cost of acquisition was worth it in hindsight.
 

Shred

Registered User
Nov 1, 2005
1,399
924
You can be wrong, but not to this degree.
The only reason they could be wrong to this degree is if they didn't actually believe it and the message was just hopeful thinking relayed from above. I don't see any personal benefit for Hugo to claim we would be in the mix before the season starts.
 
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Treb

Global Flanderator
May 31, 2011
29,763
30,591
Montreal
Same here. I was optimistic about this season as they were, as I found they properly evaluated their anticipated outcomes up to now. However, they've completely missed the mark regarding where this team would be this year and that's concerning. You can be wrong, but not to this degree. One of the things that also concerns me is that the players they've specifically targeted (Dach, Newhook and Barron) have not panned out at all.

What is wrong to "this degree"?

They are 5 points from a playoff spot while Laine has yet to play a game.
 

The Gr8 Dane

L'harceleur
Jan 19, 2018
13,823
27,489
Montréal
Some of us told everybody another top 5 pick this year would be great ,alot of ya'll decided to slot Dach as a cup winning 2C and Roy in the top 6 in your cup lineups down the line this off season , that's on you guys.

Fooled again , as always. Stop overrating our guys , be more objective and you'll see where we are in the standings is no surprise
 
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417

Sheeeeeeeeeeeit!!!!!
Feb 20, 2003
52,503
30,441
Ottawa
Same here. I was optimistic about this season as they were, as I found they properly evaluated their anticipated outcomes up to now. However, they've completely missed the mark regarding where this team would be this year and that's concerning. You can be wrong, but not to this degree. One of the things that also concerns me is that the players they've specifically targeted (Dach, Newhook and Barron) have not panned out at all.
How did they miss the mark when they never really discussed anything firm beyond some vague reference to "being in the mix" that everyone took to mean a specific goal?

Did the team do anything roster-wise to make you believe they thought this team would be a playoff team this year?

Because 'the mix' didn't mean actually being close to the playoffs.
"in the mix" is intentionally vague...they literally said they just HOPE to be playing meaningful games late in the season.

The organization knows exactly where it is and where it's going.

When offseason moves begin to be more ambitious, the messaging will be firmer and they'll be no doubt as to what the expectations are.

"in the mix" = "Hey we don't really have high expectations, but we hope you hang in there with us and keep supporting the team during this transitional phase".
 

eklund the clown

Registered User
Dec 28, 2010
2,304
2,600
3 years into the rebuild I am starting to have serious doubts about Hughes, Gordon and MSL, serious doubts.
I have serious doubts about MSL.They had a chance to get a real coach who speaks french and they passed.If they really wanted to push this thing along they should have hired Montgomery.If that wouldn't have worked then we could say Hugo may be an issue.It seems we have some very talented players but 80% of them are not playing up to their potential.That is usually a coaching issue.What exactly has MSL done since he has been the head coach?Most of the time the players look like they don't have a clue or like they don't give a shit.
 
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The Gr8 Dane

L'harceleur
Jan 19, 2018
13,823
27,489
Montréal
I have serious doubts about MSL.They had a chance to get a real coach who speaks french and they passed.If they really wanted to push this thing along they should have hired Montgomery.If that wouldn't have worked then we could say Hugo may be an issue.It seems we have some very talented players but 80% of them are not playing up to their potential.That is usually a coaching issue.What exactly has MSL done since he has been the head coach?Most of the time the players look like they don't have a clue or like they don't give a shit.
There's only like 4 teams with a worst roster than us on paper. Why are we expecting to be in a wildcard race or something
 

eklund the clown

Registered User
Dec 28, 2010
2,304
2,600
Well not sure we are ready to compete for a wildcard spot but where is the improvement of our younger players?I am too lazy to make a list right now but if someone wants to go for it.Even when a player is doing well in Laval they bring them up here into this system and they are invisible.
 

Leto

Registered User
Feb 16, 2023
1,014
2,163
How did they miss the mark when they never really discussed anything firm beyond some vague reference to "being in the mix" that everyone took to mean a specific goal?

Did the team do anything roster-wise to make you believe they thought this team would be a playoff team this year?


"in the mix" is intentionally vague...they literally said they just HOPE to be playing meaningful games late in the season.

The organization knows exactly where it is and where it's going.

When offseason moves begin to be more ambitious, the messaging will be firmer and they'll be no doubt as to what the expectations are.

"in the mix" = "Hey we don't really have high expectations, but we hope you hang in there with us and keep supporting the team during this transitional phase".

Local media lost their sh*ts when Gorton said he didn't want to say the ''p-word'' the year before.

Part of me wish they were open about how painful the process will be, so there is no ambiguity about the long-term plan. Obviously, they can't bluntly say they'll finish at the bottom of the standings for 5+ years.​
 
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417

Sheeeeeeeeeeeit!!!!!
Feb 20, 2003
52,503
30,441
Ottawa
Local media lost their sh*ts when Gorton said he didn't want to say the ''p-word'' the year before.

Part of me wish they were open about how painful the process will be, so there is no ambiguity about the long-term plan. Obviously, they can't bluntly say they'll finish at the bottom of the standings for 5+ years.​
Sure but if you just look around the NHL teams that have gone through a similar process and are still in that process, it's not difficult to figure out.
 

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