Maybe that's true but I don't think the media will see it that way. I think there's real pressure probably more internally too. Going by what I'm reading on here most Habs fans believe Suzuki is an elite #1 center, Montembeault is a legit starter, Hutson is going to be Quinn Hughes and will compete for the Calder. Dach is a legit top 6 center and Guhle is a legit future top pairing d man same level as Sanderson, Seider, Power etc. Not to mention Caufield, Slafkovsky, Newhook and now Laine.I don't think so. Habs D are still too young. They will take a beating next year but possibly in 2 years they will make a turn.
Not even a Habs fan but your schtick is sad.What are you trying to say here? The Habs were the only team to call and got this awesome steal?
No one wanted Laine for a reason
There's zero pressure in Montreal at least for another 2 years. Fans understand they are in the rebuild and just enjoying watching the player development. This is a perfect environment for Laine. He doesn't have to do anything. Like Gallagher and Josh Anderson, he can massively under-perform and it doesn't matter.Maybe that's true but I don't think the media will see it that way. I think there's real pressure probably more internally too. Going by what I'm reading on here most Habs fans believe Suzuki is an elite #1 center, Montembeault is a legit starter, Hutson is going to be Quinn Hughes and will compete for the Calder. Dach is a legit top 6 center and Guhle is a legit future top pairing d man same level as Sanderson, Seider, Power etc. Not to mention Caufield, Slafkovsky, Newhook and now Laine.
Right up there with the "Why didn't my GM beat that ? I'd have easily offered this slightly worse/better player of completely different position and slightly/much bigger the contract, that me and our fan base grossly over-rate."Worst type of post on HfB I swear
Of course he's not a perfect player otherwise we couldn't have him for free... He has a top 10 shot in the league and he's huge. Of he can be serious about hockey it will be a great move. If not it's not the end of the world because the next 2 years aren't/weren't our optimal window.
wonder if he'll play the point on the PP
Harris wouldn't been traded but Canadiens overstocked on D.
If anything it will encourage them , Laine got the help he wanted in the end + got out of somewhere he did not want to be , then again it won't be a cakewalk hereGoing in the player assistance program definitely hurts player’s value. It shouldn’t but it does. Hopefully this doesn’t discourage players from entering the program.
If you go check those posts, most of them are under the condition of retention and/or him being able to play a few months to regain some value.Hughes has just spiked on Habs haters like nobody's business. CBJ fans had me convinced Laine had value. Now its entertaining to read the narrative change due lessen the fleecing.
Hughes is a god.
I'm also curious how he fits in since Caufield usually lines up in the same spot on the PP in which Laine has had most of his success. I wonder if they switch Caufield to the bumper position. I think he'd actually do great there. Suzuki on the half wall, Slafkovsky in front of the net/gathering pucks in the corners, Matheson at the point, Laine in his office for one-timers, and Caufield in the bumper like Brayden Point. I think that could be a pretty potent PP. It would be better if Matheson were a righty.wonder if he'll play the point on the PP
and a huge contract for two years. $20 million locked up between Gally, Anderson, and Laine is not going to be fun for Hughes. Until other contracts are off the books it will harder for him to do his usual wheeling and dealing.Even if its zero, the Habs got a 2nd. lol
I agree. As soon as Laine made it clear he wanted out, it tanked his value. I think that's why Waddell was so open and honest in his message to the media. He knew he was getting fleeced and wanted to make it clear there was nothing he could do about it but just make the deal and get him out of dogge.If you go check those posts, most of them are under the condition of retention and/or him being able to play a few months to regain some value.
The situation has changed when it's become apparent Laine just wanted out at all costs and Waddell/ownership refused to retain.
That changes everything.
No one cares about the capspace as we aren't using it for at least 3 years. Habs still have 9M in capspace after Price goes on LTIR.and a huge contract for two years. $20 million locked up between Gally, Anderson, and Laine is not going to be fun for Hughes. Until other contracts are off the books it will harder for him to do his usual wheeling and dealing.
And the Hab's could have used that cap space to get other players via trades/UFA/offersheet.I agree. As soon as Laine made it clear he wanted out, it tanked his value. I think that's why Waddell was so open and honest in his message to the media. He knew he was getting fleeced and wanted to make it clear there was nothing he could do about it but just make the deal and get him out of dogge.
No one cares about the capspace as we aren't using it for at least 3 years. Habs still have 9M in capspace after Price goes on LTIR.
Habs are rebuilding an more than willing to take gambles on players like Laine (or Monahan). The last gamble turned into 2 x 1sts. Hughes just leveraged his cap for longterm gain.
This is just brilliant GM'ing.
Luckily Waddell is in the situation where it doesn't feel like a "sunken cost" he's simply doing whats best for the team and moving on.I agree. As soon as Laine made it clear he wanted out, it tanked his value. I think that's why Waddell was so open and honest in his message to the media. He knew he was getting fleeced and wanted to make it clear there was nothing he could do about it but just make the deal and get him out of dogge.
They can still get other players via trades/UFA/offersheet. They have 9M in capspace when Price is LTIR'd and they have >15M coming off the books next offseason (Dvorak/Armia/Savard + retained cap/dead cap).And the Hab's could have used that cap space to get other players via trades/UFA/offersheet.
Yes they opened up an avenue to get some more "trade currency" but they also shutdown a different path for awhile.
Is robbery allowed in the nhl??