Player Discussion Patrik Laine: wearing a regular practice jersey

schwang26

Registered User
Mar 15, 2022
4,588
4,422
I don't think they have any intentions of putting Laine at center, but it will be an interesting dilemma. Laine could have the same issues as as dach as he hasn't played much of all in a long time either.
Ya I think Dach goes back to centre with Condotta being returned to Laval. There’s really no choice (other than Newhook but he’s not a centre, really). My hope is that Laine gets them both going on the 2nd line. If Dach can’t be the Habs 2nd line centre, I have no idea what they can do. May have to trade or sign someone.
 

sampollock

Registered User
Jun 7, 2008
42,984
23,224
in my home
Our 2c situation is horrible, so for sure I could see him being the best option if he's able to get back to form down the line.

Right now I want to see Suzuki - Dach - Evan's- Newhook as our 4 C's. Newhook hasn't been good on the wing. He has speed and is bad along the wall. May be worth trying again at C.

Laine - Suzuki - Slaf
Caufield - Dach - Dvo (takes faceoffs)
Gallagher - Evans - Anderson
Roy/Heineman - Newhook - Armia
yup
KH has a HUGE job to find a #2 centre
 

Sterling Archer

Registered User
Sep 26, 2006
23,355
14,123
I think people are bailing on Dach way too quickly.

He's been off for a year and it takes time to get back to where he left off, which was a dominate top 6 center. He's still very young and I think once he gets some support from his line mates like a skilled scoring winger aka Laine back on his wing and gets back to mid season form, he'll be just fine.

He hasn't lost his size, ability or talent. Just needs time and help to get things going like they used to.
 

Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,426
17,349
1,000,000 question

no one trades a good #2 centre.
Reinhart, Vaerheage and Bennett were all trade acquisitions for the cup winning Panthers....

Eichel for the Knights

Kadri for the Avs

O'Reilly & Schenn for the blues

If anything, it's more accurate to say that cup winners usually acquire a top 6 C via trade.

Bolts are the only recent winners not to, and they added both Coleman & Goodrow via trade to help their C & fwd depth get across the cup winning line.

Accumulating a depth of high quality assets is step one... getting a young core to gel and push into playoffs is step two, rounding out and solidifying a strong core with key veteran trade acquisitions to push the core over the top is the last step.
 

26Mats

Registered User
Jun 23, 2018
33,414
25,788
does any one know who could be a good trade target (realistic please) to fill this hole.

- We probably should have signed Monahan to a huge/overpay cap hit but on a 3 year deal. Maybe this summer there will be a UFA like him?

- Hopefully Hage or Dach are the future at C.

- Best bet if they're not is our top 5 pick this year. But if MSL has figured it out defensively, we may not have a top 5 pick after all.

- But we've seen good c's traded in the past: Braden Schenn, Chandler Stevenson, Eichel, Ryan o'reilly, Sam Bennett. One just has to pounce on the opportunity when it presents itself and be willing to pay the price and/or be willing to take a chance on a player that's coming off a down year (ex: Danault, Sam Bennett).
 

1909

Registered User
Jul 6, 2016
21,281
11,804
The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?
 

Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,426
17,349
The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?

Odds are we'll see another injury before then... But if not, I imagine Pez to be the odd man out and Dvorak traded at some point
 

morhilane

Registered User
Feb 28, 2021
9,042
11,689
The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?
I think they will keep Condotta, he's doing a better job as the 4th line center then Dvorak was.
Pezz is probably getting waived.

Habs might be hoping Dach is out of his funk by the time Laine comes back. But Newhook might be the one demoted to run CC/Evans/Laine. Dvorak should be moved, but I don't expect HuGo to do so until the deadline.
 

BB88

Registered User
Jan 19, 2015
41,497
21,884
Reinhart, Vaerheage and Bennett were all trade acquisitions for the cup winning Panthers....

Eichel for the Knights

Kadri for the Avs

O'Reilly & Schenn for the blues

If anything, it's more accurate to say that cup winners usually acquire a top 6 C via trade.

Bolts are the only recent winners not to, and they added both Coleman & Goodrow via trade to help their C & fwd depth get across the cup winning line.

Accumulating a depth of high quality assets is step one... getting a young core to gel and push into playoffs is step two, rounding out and solidifying a strong core with key veteran trade acquisitions to push the core over the top is the last step.

Neither Verhaeghe or Reinhart have played C for Florida or were acquired as C’s

Bennett& Florida are though prime examples of finding players low price high reward players. They find the leftovers and turn them into gold
 
  • Like
Reactions: mdk

Naslund

Registered User
Jun 18, 2006
1,954
1,934
USA
The return of Laine will will create some movements in that line up. Will Condotta be sent down to Laval ? Will Pezetta be traded ? Who’s gonna center the 4th line ? Dvorak again ? Dach comes back at center ? Or Newhook ?
Interesting situation, with the Habs playing so well the last few games and all lines contributing. However, the logical thing will be to move Dach back to C and send Condotta down to the AHL. The real question is what will the lines be. I would be inclined to try something like that:

Laine-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Caufield-Evans-Newhook
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Armia-Dach-Heineman

Laine will be rusty, so he may not step in on the 1st line right away, but realistically, he should be a much better fit than Dach with time. People will freak out having Dach centering the 4th line, but this may be the best thing for him. I think he needs to relax and slowly get back into it, and there is just too much pressure for him at the moment doing this on the first two lines when his play is not up to par. We have to be patient with him, and Dach has to be patient with himself.
 

Miller Time

Registered User
Sep 16, 2004
24,426
17,349
Neither Verhaeghe or Reinhart have played C for Florida or were acquired as C’s

Bennett& Florida are though prime examples of finding players low price high reward players. They find the leftovers and turn them into gold

Yes, but both have played C.

Point is that cup winners often if not usually have a fewtop 6 caliber forwards, including C's, acquired via trade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Farmboy Patty

1909

Registered User
Jul 6, 2016
21,281
11,804
Indeed he looks very close to coming back. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s eyeing that November 27th game against…Columbus.
I just hope he won’t do a « Monahan » of himself, like Monahan did two years ago and was injured again because he wanted to play against his former team.
 
Last edited:

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad