Official Tank Thread

[WeThreeKings]

I was to young to remember pre Crosby hockey era (started following NHL with Crosby/Ovechkin debut) but how could Pens have tanked for Crosby, wasn’t 2004-2005 a lockout?

Weighted lottery based on playoff results in the last 3 seasons or something.

But he was always going to Pittsburgh, the franchise was going to fold without that lottery win.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

I think I want Schaefer, we have some solid depth and elite skill upfront even though we still need another top forward, but we don’t have the elite number 1 d prospect. I know this probably pushes Guhle to the right long term and that bugs me but you deal with that issue later if need be

 

[Runner77]

The scarcest target is a top line C and those are typically a tough get if you don’t draft and develop them.

Just look at how the Habs have not had one in over 30 years. Even now, many are suggesting that Suzuki profiles as a 2nd line C.

So, I’d pay special attention to any BPA C that can be had and slot any extra C, on the wings. Habs are not going to get too many shots at a top 5 pick — they need to address their longstanding issue regardless of what Hage develops into, even if early returns on him are good.

 

[The Real Timo]

The scarcest target is a top line C and those are typically a tough get if you don’t draft and develop them.

Just look at how the Habs have not had one in over 30 years. Even now, many are suggesting that Suzuki profiles as a 2nd line C.

So, I’d pay special attention to any BPA C that can be had and slot any extra C, on the wings. Habs are not going to get too many shots at a top 5 pick — they need to address their longstanding issue regardless of what Hage develops into, even if early returns on him are good.

And here I thought that Dach and Newhook were it... bah... what do I know... At this point I have very little faith that even if Habs get another top pick it will be something that will finally tip the scale in the right direction... never mind waiting another 3 years before they start being anything. Rebuilds are stupid and have as much chance to succeed as any other approach to building a team.

 

[Habs]

Barkov would own the City if we had him here he is far more than just a good player.
A 6'3" beast of a center with 725 points in 745 games played a PPG rate since year three.
Hard Heavy tough to play against Selke trophy winner.

He's a star player, I know this. He isn't a superstar, he does not carry the same drawing appeal as the players I mentioned at all. Our company season tickets go into very high demand when 'superstar players' come to town, nobody is excited to see Barkov nor are they willing to pay more when he comes to town.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

And here I thought that Dach and Newhook were it... bah... what do I know... At this point I have very little faith that even if Habs get another top pick it will be something that will finally tip the scale in the right direction... never mind waiting another 3 years before they start being anything. Rebuilds are stupid and have as much chance to succeed as any other approach to building a team.

Thee is NO other approach to building a championship team when you are starting with the pile of crap HuGo did.

 

[teamfirst]

Thee is NO other approach to building a championship team when you are starting with the pile of crap HuGo did.

There is no such thing as ''No other approach''

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

There is no such thing as ''No other approach''

There is when you have very few assets to retool with and a plethora of trash to move out.
If you had a good team like Pittsburgh and gave up at the right time you can retool on the fly by moving Corsby's and Malkin's for a boatload

 

[themilosh]

They don't have a single 'superstar' just a bunch of good hockey players that are big, tough to play against, and care a whole lot.

The key being BIG and tough.. Vanilla players simply do not excel in playoffs.. let's also not ignore they got both Sams fir pennies on the dollar, Tkachuk in a brilliant move of recognizing an over-hyped internal player and pulling the trigger at the best possible time.

Their management team under Zito is Aces.. Hugo has that in him we're just not there yet...

Take a look at our top 5 scorers in the AHL and their age.. and compare it to Laval circa 2020.. it's startling just how enept our system was under mb; bunch of non-contributing joyrneymen AHL plugs with a sprinkle of a rookie (ylonen et al).

Under MB, both Mailloux and Roy would be on the Habs being benched by MT.

To rebuild from the ground up started with the Rocket, and they are young (10-2-0). Learning our system, not just putzing around.

Our Core is NOT Suzuki.. he is (and will be) the elder statesman when we become a perennial powerhouse.. Slaf, Demidov, Reinbacher and whomever we draft this year is Hugo's core..

 

[Miller Time]

The scarcest target is a top line C and those are typically a tough get if you don’t draft and develop them.

Just look at how the Habs have not had one in over 30 years. Even now, many are suggesting that Suzuki profiles as a 2nd line C.

So, I’d pay special attention to any BPA C that can be had and slot any extra C, on the wings. Habs are not going to get too many shots at a top 5 pick — they need to address their longstanding issue regardless of what Hage develops into, even if early returns on him are good.

Thing is, this rational likely played a role in the Kotkaniemi pick... (which I didn't disagree with, to be clear).

At top 3-5, I think you have to go with the player you think will have the biggest impact (including from the pov of hardest to fill). By default, that should bump up Cs, RDs, and the odd generational caliber G prospect...

But, you hate to pass on a Tkachuk or Q Hughes in thr process, so pure ceiling + psychological profile (character/values fit) should drive the boat imo

I think that's how KH are operating, and why we ended up with Slaf - RB - Demidov rather than Cooley/Wright - Mickov - Catton/Yaremchuk

 

[salbutera]

The scarcest target is a top line C and those are typically a tough get if you don’t draft and develop them.

Just look at how the Habs have not had one in over 30 years. Even now, many are suggesting that Suzuki profiles as a 2nd line C.

So, I’d pay special attention to any BPA C that can be had and slot any extra C, on the wings. Habs are not going to get too many shots at a top 5 pick — they need to address their longstanding issue regardless of what Hage develops into, even if early returns on him are good.

We’ve been through this drill before, other than Pocket Rocket and Lemaire this org hasn’t drafted & developed top-2Cs in its entire existence - it’s just not in their DNA for whatever reason.

Their only success w top line Cs is once via UFA (Le Gros Bill) or via trade (Mahovlich, Smith, Walter, Muller, Damphousse, Suzuki maybe Dach)

 

[Spring in Fialta]

We’ve been through this drill before, other than Pocket Rocket and Lemaire this org hasn’t drafted & developed top-2Cs in its entire existence - it’s just not in their DNA for whatever reason.

Their only success w top line Cs is once via UFA (Le Gros Bill) or via trade (Mahovlich, Smith, Walter, Muller, Damphousse, Suzuki maybe Dach)

You're forgetting Koivu and Plekanec. Both of these guys were top-6 centers for a very long time.

 

[Chili]

Sooner or later the Habs may draft a mega hyped young player and I pity that kid. The expectations will be through the roof. Saw it playout with Doug Wickenheiser at the time. Guy Lafleur used to say there was no pressure on him when he joined the Habs, he was just expected to replace Jean Beliveau (as if that was possible). He struggled some the first three seasons but what helped him was being surrounded by a great group of veterans and other young emerging stars.

btw Henri Richard and Jacques Lemaire were not drafted. The only Hall of Fame centre the Habs have drafted is Guy Carbonneau who was allowed to develop without the expectations of carrying the team.

 

[HabsCode]

We’ve been through this drill before, other than Pocket Rocket and Lemaire this org hasn’t drafted & developed top-2Cs in its entire existence - it’s just not in their DNA for whatever reason.

Their only success w top line Cs is once via UFA (Le Gros Bill) or via trade (Mahovlich, Smith, Walter, Muller, Damphousse, Suzuki maybe Dach)

Im wrong

 

[bsl]

Yes, most teams have to draft top 5 multiple years within a 5 to 7 year period to get a generational talent. That's how it was for the caps, pens, oilers, and avs.

Wrong. Pens drafted Sid. Malkin. And fleury 3 straight years if not mistaken. Habs need a generational player. Tank next year too.

The Pens certainly made no bones they were going to get Sid no matter what, even sat their good players and goalie to make sure they tanked for Crosby. I hate that franchise so much

So do I.

 

[bsl]

Nah. Superstars sell tickets when they come to town. People could care less about either of those two, but they will pay more to see Crosby, McDavid , Ovy.. the league only had a few 'superstars' the rest are just really good players. Barkov isn't marketable, he is a 'star player' but no 'superstar'. I think our opinion of 'superstar' is way different.

I remember being at a Habs home game and Mario Lemieux just calmly drilled a wrister 30 feet in 1 second. Top corner. For him it was just yeah. That’s A Superstar.

 

[26Mats]

Wrong. Pens drafted Sid. Malkin. And fleury 3 straight years if not mistaken. Habs need a generational player. Tank next year too.


So do I.

Wrong. the Penguins drafted top 5 five years in a row when they got Crosby.

Thinking we can draft top 5 three years in a row and if we don't get a generational player we're unlucky is just not how it goes.