Official Tank Thread

[teamfirst]

You'd basically have to be bottom 2 in the league to guarantee ourselves one of the prospects that are massive needle movers, 3rd last if you believe in McQueen.

I don't see us sitting there when all is said and done.

I do if they keep MSL the tank commander in place for all season

 

[rahad]

Luck of the draft lottery. From 2018 onwards, it's been Dahlin, Hughes, Bedard, Cellibrini that were considered impact guys. Then you also had Laf, Power, Wright/Slaf and this year with Hagens are excellent players but not franchise altering guys.

Yeah. Is kinda annoying knowing Franchise/generational players like Gavin Mckenna and DuPont are coming in 2026 and 2027.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yeah. Is kinda annoying knowing Franchise/generational players like Gavin Mckenna and DuPont are coming in 2026 and 2027.

Well the Florida Panthers disposed of McDavid and Draisatl.. Matthews can't get out of round 1.

Sometimes it's better to be a deeper team than a team reliant on that superstar.

There's more ways to win in the NHL than the NBA.. just gotta build a deep ass team.

 

[StreetHawk]

Yeah. Is kinda annoying knowing Franchise/generational players like Gavin Mckenna and DuPont are coming in 2026 and 2027.

A GM/team is only going to be in the bottom 3-5 for so long before they get axed. Detroit's window to to bad was 2018-2022. Ended up with Zadina, Seider, Raymond, Edvinsson, and Kasper. With the highest pick at 4. Montreal has been last, 5OA and 5OA with Slaf, Reinbacher, Demidov and whoever in 2025. Not exactly killing it either. Hughes has been GM since halfway through 21/22 season. Ana with Zegras, Drysdale, MacTavish, Carlsson, Sennecke in the top 6 (with Mintyukov at 10 in 2022). Still trending towards bottom 5 again this season.

 

[Habs]

it's like the most obvious written in the stars type bullshit and there's nothing we can do about it, even if they finish like 27th they're getting him 100%, infuriating

The Penguins are scum of the earth

THEY CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IIIIIT

 

[Kennerback]

Even 1OA Players in great years can slump. Bedard 13 points in 17 games with 3 goals. I don’t know that he would help us that much right now. We have so many holes up and down the lineup and in nets. A solid team top to bottom is better to win a Cup. Plus we have Demidov on his way.

 

[junyab]

Even if Pens get him somehow, they're counting that as being Year 1 of the rebuild. If we still suck then, we could have a chance but have a better prospect pool.

I'd rather be in our position this year, then then Pens 2 years from now.

 

[StreetHawk]

Even 1OA Players in great years can slump. Bedard 13 points in 17 games with 3 goals. I don’t know that he would help us that much right now. We have so many holes up and down the lineup and in nets. A solid team top to bottom is better to win a Cup. We have Demidov on his way.

Hughes and Gorton have to figure out how to build up the roster. Kids coming in alone isn't going to fix everything with all of this losing. The young "vets" of Caulfield, Suzuki, and whomever else, how are they going to come out of this losing environment to lead the other youngsters?
They need to replace their 2 veteran Dmen with guys who are better defensively. That is going to take cap space/money and/or assets to get that kind of quality as MTL isn't a destination spot for free agents at the moment.

 

[Kennerback]

Even if Pens get him somehow, they're counting that as being Year 1 of the rebuild. If we still suck then, we could have a chance but have a better prospect pool.

I'd rather be in our position this year, then then Pens 2 years from now.

Penguins will be years from competing for a Cup. Ultimately I want a Cup not a bright and shiny object like Matthews.

 

[Kennerback]

Hughes and Gorton have to figure out how to build up the roster. Kids coming in alone isn't going to fix everything with all of this losing. The young "vets" of Caulfield, Suzuki, and whomever else, how are they going to come out of this losing environment to lead the other youngsters?
They need to replace their 2 veteran Dmen with guys who are better defensively. That is going to take cap space/money and/or assets to get that kind of quality as MTL isn't a destination spot for free agents at the moment.

If we tank I want a player that will be a pillar but I don’t expect him to change the team if we can’t build a supporting cast.

 

[Runner77]

I’m thankful we don’t have relegation. This team would be pushed down so hard we’d be playing in peewee.

We’d have a decided advantage thanks to a coach who has dominated that level.

Atm i'd say there's a pretty good chance Martone will go 1st. It's a better top 5 than 2022 imo. Martone potential is higher than Slaf. Hagens is also a better prospect than Cooley imo. I'd put McQueen in front of Wright as a prospect too.

Basically, we miss out on the top 4 Cs in the 2023 draft because kulture and now we’re at the bottom again but in the wrong draft year.

 

[rahad]

Well the Florida Panthers disposed of McDavid and Draisatl.. Matthews can't get out of round 1.

Sometimes it's better to be a deeper team than a team reliant on that superstar.

There's more ways to win in the NHL than the NBA.. just gotta build a deep ass team.

Why can't you have both? For every Edmonton/Toronto example . You can say the same for Chicago and Pittsburgh. Team can build around one or multiple superstar. Florida has probably the worst example to give. They have a rooster full of superstar. Barkov (#2) both Sam (drafted top 5), Tkachuk and Ekblad.....

Draft a superstar and build the team around him. Like Florida did with Barkov.

Bergevin failed to build a team around Carey Price

 

[themilosh]

We’d have a decided advantage thanks to a coach who has dominated that level.


Basically, we miss out on the top 4 Cs in the 2023 draft because kulture and now we’re at the bottom again but in the wrong draft year.

top 5 this year is very strong, and will be a huge add to our top 6. Clearly we wont be targeting Martone or Schaffer (though I would be happy with either) as we desperately need a C - so my guess is we are coming away with either Hagens or Misa - and both will be a huge sigh of relief for all the pain we endure this year.
I got my first glance at Misa when he was 6.. It was just a house league team I was coaching and i remember telling my wife Ive NEVER seen any kid (Ever) read the game better than him. He was analyzing routes while other kids were just looking for the puck.

 

[Runner77]

top 5 this year is very strong, and will be a huge add to our top 6. Clearly we wont be targeting Martone or Schaffer (though I would be happy with either) as we desperately need a C - so my guess is we are coming away with either Hagens or Misa - and both will be a huge sigh of relief for all the pain we endure this year.
I got my first glance at Misa when he was 6.. It was just a house league team I was coaching and i remember telling my wife Ive NEVER seen any kid (Ever) read the game better than him. He was analyzing routes while other kids were just looking for the puck.

I keep seeing posts about how the McKenna draft is supposed to be better.

 

[LaP]

Even if Pens get him somehow, they're counting that as being Year 1 of the rebuild. If we still suck then, we could have a chance but have a better prospect pool.

I'd rather be in our position this year, then then Pens 2 years from now.

They would have to either trade Crosby or be lucky at the lottery. I don't see a Crosby lead Penguins finishing botttom 3 in 2025-26. Bottom 10 sure but bottom 3 nope. All conspiracy theories about the lottery being rigged went to the garbage when Arizona did not get Matthews.

 

[Stive Morgan]

Well the Florida Panthers disposed of McDavid and Draisatl.. Matthews can't get out of round 1.

Sometimes it's better to be a deeper team than a team reliant on that superstar.

There's more ways to win in the NHL than the NBA.. just gotta build a deep ass team.

You need both.

Habs have lacked a "game-changer" player since Subban imo. Suzuki and CC are ok but I don't expect either of them to step up or get the boys amped when when the time comes. Both have shown to be streaky and inconsistent. Slaf is our best bet and he looks pretty good. (have to see Demidov in NA first before I can judge him but he looks good as well)

I'm hoping Guhle turns into that sort of Markov/Weber type of leader we need on D as well. Pretty sure he's worn a letter at literally every level of hockey he's played (including international) so it seems like it's in the cards.

 

[Habs7631]

I keep seeing posts about how the McKebba draft is supposed to be better.

McKebba?? Who’s McKebba?

Damn guys, we’re already analyzing the 2031 draft?? I don’t want us to tank for so long.

But then again, if it’s supposed to be a strong draft.... Count me in.

Nan but seriously I think we’ll be kinda bad next year too. Maybe not top 4 bad but I could see like #7-12.

 

[HabsCode]

McKebba?? Who’s McKebba?

Damn guys, we’re already analyzing the 2031 draft?? I don’t want us to tank for so long.

But then again, if it’s supposed to be a strong draft.... Count me in.

Never heard of the famous McKebab?

 

[G0bias]

As long as we get that top3 or so gamechanger this year, to add to Demidov, that should give us a proper foundation to start building around.

These two might even bump Suzuki and Caufield down a line and put everyone in the right chair.

Add Hage and the other 1st this year to the mix and the team could potentially be rolling 3 dangerous lines.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

I keep seeing posts about how the McKebba draft is supposed to be better.

I dunno if that is true on the whole, and anyone who says this IS true, unequivocally, is a lying son of a bitch.

McKenna is legit though. Superb talent.

 

[Shred]

it's like the most obvious written in the stars type bullshit and there's nothing we can do about it, even if they finish like 27th they're getting him 100%, infuriating

THEY CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IIIIIT

Dubas mandate was clear: demonstrate beyond all doubt that a rebuild is necessary then acquire McKenna / DuPont.

 

[McGees]

From all our tanking - We only have 1 single player playing right now from when we started the rebuild.
It takes time for all those picks to make the league and then develop and then be able to carry team.
No need to panic or expect us to really get better until they all start joining the team.

*edit we have 2 players, sorry Lane.

 

[Runner77]

McKebba?? Who’s McKebba?

Damn guys, we’re already analyzing the 2031 draft?? I don’t want us to tank for so long.

But then again, if it’s supposed to be a strong draft.... Count me in.

Nan but seriously I think we’ll be kinda bad next year too. Maybe not top 4 bad but I could see like #7-12.

Mckebba is how auto-correct spells McKenna — apparently it works with a shish kebab influenced algorithm.

 

[26Mats]

From all our tanking - We only have 1 single player playing right now from when we started the rebuild.
It takes time for all those picks to make the league and then develop and then be able to carry team.
No need to panic or expect us to really get better until they all start joining the team.

*edit we have 2 players, sorry Lane.

Dach, Newhook, Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Xhekaj, Struble, Heineman may all be part of the rebuild. But they can't carry the team at this stage in their careers.

 

[Habs]

I hope the kids in the next draft are better than Fantilli / Calrsson .....