News & Notes XLIV: Revenge of the Seth

[A Star is Burns]

Alexei Kovalev: 'Slafkovsky Needs More Consistentcy, Demidov Must Be More Than Handsome'

Ex-Habs player Alexei Kovalev talks to RG about Montreal Canadiens, and forwards Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov

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He's got all the talent to break out and truly dominate. We've seen it in stretches. He does need to get rid of the dumb, unnecessary plays, though his reputation is going to get him some outcomes he doesn't deserve even if he does. Good health this year would be nice too. There are guys that have broken out at similar stages.

Even if he doesn't, he's an incredibly valuable piece to have, just not a sueprstar. I know he'll be a disappointment for a lot of folks if he doesn't become more, but he's still been a cornerstone of this franchise during theses really successful years and should continue to be so even if the next level isn't there.

 

[CandyCanes]

He's got all the talent to break out and truly dominate. We've seen it in stretches. He does need to get rid of the dumb, unnecessary plays, though his reputation is going to get him some outcomes he doesn't deserve even if he does. Good health this year would be nice too. There are guys that have broken out at similar stages.

Even if he doesn't, he's an incredibly valuable piece to have, just not a sueprstar. I know he'll be a disappointment for a lot of folks if he doesn't become more, but he's still been a cornerstone of this franchise during theses really successful years and should continue to be so even if the next level isn't there.

I still got optimism for Svech and think he’s got an 80pt season in him. I’d bet he hits that bench mark this year or next if he stays healthy. There’s absolutely stretches of play where he’s an 80 pt+ player, he’s just got to get rid of those 10-20 game slumps he seems to have every year.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Preds brought a lot of their veterans tonight. Going to be an interesting game.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Same.

 

[bleedgreen]

Same.

Rod didn’t take losing Skjei and Pesce lightly in any way. I’m sure he’s got himself worked up about the new squad but early summer he seemed pretty shell shocked about what this team now was.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Speaking of things that are said just about every year, and the player is still the same guy he's always been....

The difference maker for Necas this year will be opportunity. There’s no more “development” time left for him. He is a complete product, now it’s time to see what he’s got when his role and ice time isn’t in question.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

The difference maker for Necas this year will be opportunity. There’s no more “development” time left for him. He is a complete product, now it’s time to see what he’s got when his role and ice time isn’t in question.

Two seasons ago,
- he had 35 points 5v5 in his 71 point season 2 season's ago while his top 3 forward linemates were Svech, KK and Aho.
- he had 26 points on the PP while playing on the top PP unit

Last season:
- he had 32 points 5v5 last season while his top 3 forward line mates were Drury, Bunting and KK.
- he had 13 points on the 2nd PP unit.

Clearly his line mates last year were far inferior to those in his 71 point season, although he still scored almost the same points 5v5.
Being moved to the 2nd PP unit certainly impact his scoring.

 

[bleedgreen]

Two seasons ago,
- he had 35 points 5v5 in his 71 point season 2 season's ago while his top 3 forward linemates were Svech, KK and Aho.
- he had 26 points on the PP while playing on the top PP unit

Last season:
- he had 32 points 5v5 last season while his top 3 forward line mates were Drury, Bunting and KK.
- he had 13 points on the 2nd PP unit.

Clearly his line mates last year were far inferior to those in his 71 point season, although he still scored almost the same points 5v5.
Being moved to the 2nd PP unit certainly impact his scoring.

He’s in a good spot obviously this year as long as they keep him on pp1. As you’ve shown he drives play well 5v5, which does allow Rod to put him on the second line and create as much as he can. We get frustrated at his turnovers but people who force offense turn pucks over, and you need them to create so it’s ok. Defensively we’re a team that can recover from his turnovers, he’s usually in front of everyone when he does it anyways so there’s still four guys to get through and he generally back checks well.

I think he’s an easy 65 pts this year if he stays healthy, and he could be ppg.

My personal spotlight is pointed at Svech. It’s time or like others have said he is what’s he’s been and that’s what we’ve got. Which is still a pretty damn good player and someone who can be a handful in the playoffs.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Two seasons ago,
- he had 35 points 5v5 in his 71 point season 2 season's ago while his top 3 forward linemates were Svech, KK and Aho.
- he had 26 points on the PP while playing on the top PP unit

Last season:
- he had 32 points 5v5 last season while his top 3 forward line mates were Drury, Bunting and KK.
- he had 13 points on the 2nd PP unit.

Clearly his line mates last year were far inferior to those in his 71 point season, although he still scored almost the same points 5v5.
Being moved to the 2nd PP unit certainly impact his scoring.

The crazy thing is we have bounced around necas a ton trying to find him a line partner.

Svech was the only forward he played with in 22-23 that he played more with than without. That still was 524 and 363 without (before svech went down).

Aho, kk, turbo, and stas all played over 200 minutes with him that season.

He didn’t have a single forward he played more minutes than without in 23-24. While the linemates were inferior so were the matchups. After the original set with kk and bunting failed, he was banished to the 4th line. He eventually gained traction there and some chemistry with Drury. Then they both were promoted to the 2nd.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

He’s in a good spot obviously this year as long as they keep him on pp1. As you’ve shown he drives play well 5v5, which does allow Rod to put him on the second line and create as much as he can. We get frustrated at his turnovers but people who force offense turn pucks over, and you need them to create so it’s ok. Defensively we’re a team that can recover from his turnovers, he’s usually in front of everyone when he does it anyways so there’s still four guys to get through and he generally back checks well.

I think he’s an easy 65 pts this year if he stays healthy, and he could be ppg.

My personal spotlight is pointed at Svech. It’s time or like others have said he is what’s he’s been and that’s what we’ve got. Which is still a pretty damn good player and someone who can be a handful in the playoffs.

With the loss of TT, Skjei and Pesce from last year's team, and Guentzel from the team post deadline, the team will need to have Svech and Necas perform, and not have a drop off from Jarvis. KK will need to produce as well.

I still think this team can still be very good if the D can gel and be adequate, but the margin for error is less than it has been in the past couple of years.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

The crazy thing is we have bounced around necas a ton trying to find him a line partner.

Svech was the only forward he played with in 22-23 that he played more with than without. That still was 524 and 363 without (before svech went down).

Aho, kk, turbo, and stas all played over 200 minutes with him that season.

He didn’t have a single forward he played more minutes than without in 23-24. While the linemates were inferior so were the matchups. After the original set with kk and bunting failed, he was banished to the 4th line. He eventually gained traction there and some chemistry with Drury. Then they both were promoted to the 2nd.

The problem is that Necas doesn't really utilize his linemates as often as he should. Thus, the impact of finding someone he has chemistry with is less important than finding someone who can be defensively responsible when Necas' solo rushes up the ice wind up quickly going the other way

 

[chaz4hockey]

The problem is that Necas doesn't really utilize his linemates as often as he should. Thus, the impact of finding someone he has chemistry with is less important than finding someone who can be defensively responsible when Necas' solo rushes up the ice wind up quickly going the other way

RE: Necas--the glimmer of hope that I have is that he played a much more physical and defensively responsible game against the Rangers in LY's playoffs.

Now, will he continue that positive step or fall back to hero hockey in the search for O stats that get the next big contract?

 

[tarheelhockey]

The problem is that Necas doesn't really utilize his linemates as often as he should. Thus, the impact of finding someone he has chemistry with is less important than finding someone who can be defensively responsible when Necas' solo rushes up the ice wind up quickly going the other way

That’s what I take from his ES numbers being more or less the same regardless of linemates. He’s a creator who gets his points no matter what, but he also doesn’t elevate the guys skating with him.

This year we don’t have much of an option to bury him in the bottom 6. He needs to be out there for substantial parts of the game on the first or second line, and he needs to be a fixture on the PP. Meaning he’s going to be skating with the best linemates we have to offer. Meaning he needs to utilize them or we’re gonna have issues with others slumping if they get stuck with him.

 

[Svechhammer]

That’s what I take from his ES numbers being more or less the same regardless of linemates. He’s a creator who gets his points no matter what, but he also doesn’t elevate the guys skating with him.

This year we don’t have much of an option to bury him in the bottom 6. He needs to be out there for substantial parts of the game on the first or second line, and he needs to be a fixture on the PP. Meaning he’s going to be skating with the best linemates we have to offer. Meaning he needs to utilize them or we’re gonna have issues with others slumping if they get stuck with him.

Yeah and this is where I am with Necas. It's a put up or shut up year for him. Build chemistry and cement yourself on a Top 6 role on a contender for the long haul or we'll be looking to offload him by the deadline or next summer. Hero puck doesn't work with the Brindy system that relies on possession and setting up high danger chances. Going 1v3 in the offensive zone leading to quick turnover time and time again is the easiest way to get yourself a permanent residence in the RBA doghouse, which is where he's lived the last couple years. I hope he can stop it, because he has a ton of talent that we should be able to utilize, I just don't have any faith he can reign those tendencies under control anymore.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

That’s what I take from his ES numbers being more or less the same regardless of linemates. He’s a creator who gets his points no matter what, but he also doesn’t elevate the guys skating with him.

That's possibly part of it. The other part is with the weaker line mates came weaker competition. In 22/23, it was Necas-KK-Svechnikov and KK had 18G, 43P that season. In 23/24, when he's paired with Bunting (who couldn't figure out our system), Drury and a poorer version of KK, other teams weren't spending much time trying to stop them and they were more sheltered. So playing against easier competition is a component of why scoring didn't dip as much while playing with lesser line mates.

Still, he does try to do too much himself at times, there's no debating that. How much of that is just "that's who he is", vs. "There's not much elevating guys like KK and Drury". There's some of both IMO.

This year we don’t have much of an option to bury him in the bottom 6. He needs to be out there for substantial parts of the game on the first or second line, and he needs to be a fixture on the PP.

Agree

 

[bleedgreen]

With the loss of TT, Skjei and Pesce from last year's team, and Guentzel from the team post deadline, the team will need to have Svech and Necas perform, and not have a drop off from Jarvis. KK will need to produce as well.

I still think this team can still be very good if the D can gel and be adequate, but the margin for error is less than it has been in the past couple of years.

I found our other recent teams lacked a certain desperation at times that I found frustrating. I could see this version knowing it needs to keep the pedal floored if they want respect. I think that the pressure of being the leaders will be good for the top four guys as well as KK. It’s your team now, we go as you go.

 

[chaz4hockey]

I found our other recent teams lacked a certain desperation at times that I found frustrating. I could see this version knowing it needs to keep the pedal floored if they want respect. I think that the pressure of being the leaders will be good for the top four guys as well as KK. It’s your team now, we go as you go.

"I found our other recent teams lacked a certain desperation at times that I found frustrating"

Great observation.

Cup winning teams typically figure out how to push to the limit and often it takes experience/learning from other winning teams to do that (ie, Oilers always cite 1980's Islanders as teaching them what was required to win).

 

[WreckingCrew]

I found our other recent teams lacked a certain desperation at times that I found frustrating. I could see this version knowing it needs to keep the pedal floored if they want respect. I think that the pressure of being the leaders will be good for the top four guys as well as KK. It’s your team now, we go as you go.

I think that's largely my frustration with the team at times the past couple years as well. You could just TELL a lot of games, win or lose, were going to be a grind/struggle because "the plan" wasn't working and we'd just keep pushing it (dump & chase, perimeter play, dump from the point). Sometimes the talent would be enough to overcome it, or the defense and goalies to hold onto the game, but even wins can be exhausting that way. Seems like when we hit the conference finals other teams at that point are good enough, and coaches smart enough, to counter us without hurting their own game too much and we just don't have the extra gear or play-style to counter that counter. That first year was "you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone" but the team pushed and drove and fought for everything and honestly overperformed expectations until we kinda hit that experience/talent wall against Boston.

 

[Svechhammer]

Our team has always kind of taken on the attitude of the Captain.

When it was Brindy, grind your ass off, get to the dirty areas, outwork the opponent
When it was EStaal, it was a lot of chaos, and a team that peaked when it no longer mattered.
When it was the co-captain bullshit, it was a rudderless mess
When it was Williams, it was a never say die attitude.
Now that its JStaal, cool calm and collected all the time. Grind your ass off every play and never let emotions take over.

Once he hangs up, I do wonder where we go. If this kind of pattern continues, I think having someone like Aho lead the team could be a nice shot in the arm for the franchise.

 

[To Be Determined]

Once he hangs up, I do wonder where we go. If this kind of pattern continues, I think having someone like Aho lead the team could be a nice shot in the arm for the franchise.

I kind of half expect a staal to aho transition before staal retires similar to the way it jjst played out in toronto.

But that will be entirely up to staal - i can't see rba pushing for it after the way they bumbled moving from him to eric.

As much as i love slavin, i think the c will - and should - go to aho, unless he makes it clear he absolutely doesn't want it.

 

[Derailed75]

I kind of half expect a staal to aho transition before staal retires similar to the way it jjst played out in toronto.

But that will be entirely up to staal - i can't see rba pushing for it after the way they bumbled moving from him to eric.

As much as i love slavin, i think the c will - and should - go to aho, unless he makes it clear he absolutely doesn't want it.

Jaccob is a fine A and a good leader but I don't think he has "The Leader" qualities.

If the spots were good cop bad cop the bad cop would be the "Fire. Time to get your shit together" that Aho has and good cop would be "Its one game lets calm down" that is Jaccob Slain.

Honestly I think they would make a very good leadership team.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

The biggest problem in the playoffs is that our special teams have shit the bed, not the type of play that the Canes play 5v5 for the most part. For instance, we outscored the Rangers last year 5v5, but we gave up 5 PP goals and we scored 2 PP goals and gave up 2 SH goals on our PP. So a -5 on special teams.

Florida the year before, you might argue that, but it was two teams with goalies that played well and thus why it was so low scoring and al the OT games. We scored 4, they scored 6 at 5v5 and they scored 4 and we scored 2 on the PP. Just a tight checking game where we again lost the special teams battle.

Vs. NYR the year before, we scored 2 PP goals, they scored 6
Vs. TBL the year before that, scored 2 PP goals, they scored 7
vs. BOS the year before that, we scored 2 PP goals (and gave up 1 sh goal) and they scored 5 (and gave up 1 shorty).

You aren't going to win ECF or the cup when you lose the special teams battle every year.

The PP comes down to skill and those teams have more skill, so I can kind of get that. What I don't get is why our PK flounders so much in the playoffs after being top of the league each season.

 

[chaz4hockey]

The biggest problem in the playoffs is that our special teams have shit the bed, not the type of play that the Canes play 5v5 for the most part. For instance, we outscored the Rangers last year 5v5, but we gave up 5 PP goals and we scored 2 PP goals and gave up 2 SH goals on our PP. So a -5 on special teams.

Florida the year before, you might argue that, but it was two teams with goalies that played well and thus why it was so low scoring and al the OT games. We scored 4, they scored 6 at 5v5 and they scored 4 and we scored 2 on the PP. Just a tight checking game where we again lost the special teams battle.

Vs. NYR the year before, we scored 2 PP goals, they scored 6
Vs. TBL the year before that, scored 2 PP goals, they scored 7
vs. BOS the year before that, we scored 2 PP goals (and gave up 1 sh goal) and they scored 5 (and gave up 1 shorty).

You aren't going to win ECF or the cup when you lose the special teams battle every year.

The PP comes down to skill and those teams have more skill, so I can kind of get that. What I don't get is why our PK flounders so much in the playoffs after being top of the league each season.

Good points....I'd add that our Goaltending (x perhaps Freddie versus Florida) has been subpar versus the competition

 

[chaz4hockey]

Saturday's game could be impacted:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843391370138136899

 

[chaz4hockey]

Also:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843393079962939413