Beck brings a completely different energy to the game than Oliver Kapanen and yes it's one that we sorely lack.
There’s no one here who is a bigger advocate of Beck’s potential than this writer. I find it somewhat interesting that until just recently there was a prevailing sentiment that Beck had limited offensive upside and would only be a career bottom six NHLer. That sentiment seems to be unravelling.
Looking at last 7 or 8 Cup Winners. They all had big physical mobile defense. Something I would really focus on in off season.
A wise approach. As I have previously noted: our supposed depth at defence is somewhat illusory.
Fiddler has potential with Calgary pick. This offseason I would sign Poink and try trade for Andersson. Veterans on right side who play well structured game. They should fit in well, good for Reinbacher development also. More Guhle back to his natural side, he'll be better D.
Hughes as an upgrade on Primeau can help a little with no real developmental downside
Hughes is a solid, calm, face the shooter style goaltender who can make the routine or expected save but has limited athleticism that would allow him to make the high-light saves. But after watching Primeau leak 5 goals on 15 shots, I would gladly take the expected save type of goalie. I would agree that Hughes presents as a little bit better option at this stage. But we're not winning long-term, with either.
I don't think any fair minded observer would call Xhekaj or Mailloux mobile at this stage of their respective development. When you add Savard, who is hardly mobile and Hutson, who has a bit of quickness but is routinely overpowered in the defensive zone, you can see why this defensive corps and consequently the team is struggling.
I doubt they re-sign Dvorak, so there should be a center spot left. And basically just Beck/Kapanen to fill it.
Engstrom is not forgotten. But after a strong start, Engstrom's game regressed significantly until his last game. But from this writer's perspective, Engstrom, is at best a 2nd pairing defenceman. maybe even that is wishful thinking. He's far more mobile than Mailloux, but is often overpowered in his defensive zone. What is promising, is his ability to avoid the forechecker and create time and space to exit the defensive zone by either skating the puck out or passing. Also impressive is his ability to walk the line at the offensive blueline and make a positive play under pressure. Engstrom has some upside, but he's no star in the making. I wouldn't be surprised if at the upcoming draft, unless we're drafting 1 OA, Hughes goes defense with his first of the two 1st round picks.
Well, I would agree. I think that 2025 draft is as overrated as the 2024 was underrated. I think Montreal will draft in the top 5 or at least close to it. I also think that a lot of teams will be seduced by the slew of forwards that are jockeying in the projected top 5 (Hagens, Martone, Misa, McQueen, Frondell, Ryabkin and Spence). I think no one will challenge Hagens at 1OA and the rest are all a toss up, at least as I write. Over the next 6 months things could change. And change drastically. But I think its reasonable to foresee that Schaefer may be available when we draft. But if necessary, this may be the time to use our wealth of high picks to move up a couple of spots to secure a player that Hughes identifies as a game changer for the team. But only if management believes that Schaefer can be that all so illusive No. 1 defenceman. We certainly don't have such a prospect in our system currently.
The last few years defensemen have been risers throughout the season, I wonder if something similar happens this year, maybe another euro defenseman a la Reinbacher.
