Playoffs Positivity Thread .......... Re-Poll, option to change your vote is open as of Jan 7

[schwang26]

Huge trade for a piece we need that is not over the hill and comes with term. He actually said he could use acquired 1st in a trade to improve the team.



Lets face it... many of us are too afraid to be gullible and say we get in the playoffs. I kind of like it this way... fly under the radar a bit and let them prove to us they can do it. If not, no big deal, they accomplished the transition up the standings and the younger players start to understand what it takes to get in and how much work is required.

Huge trade for what in e

Huge trade for a piece we need that is not over the hill and comes with term. He actually said he could use acquired 1st in a trade to improve the team.



Lets face it... many of us are too afraid to be gullible and say we get in the playoffs. I kind of like it this way... fly under the radar a bit and let them prove to us they can do it. If not, no big deal, they accomplished the transition up the standings and the younger players start to understand what it takes to get in and how much work is required.

Huge trade for what in exchange is what mean. A first won’t fetch a big name player. They aren’t getting a top 6 or RD puck mover for that.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Huge trade for what in e
Huge trade for what in exchange is what mean. A first won’t fetch a big name player. They aren’t getting a top 6 or RD puck mover for that.

I don't now who that is and when that player we are not talking about becomes available. Bud, we got Laine and a 2nd for Harris. All I know is things change and what we see today will not be what we see on draft day. Teams take different directions all the time and you never know who gives Hughes a call.

It's not just one first. Go back and read the trail. It's several 1sts and we would have 3 of them if we can get it for Evans.

 

[schwang26]

I don't now who that is and when that player we are not talking about becomes available. Bud, we got Laine and a 2nd for Harris. All I know is things change and what we see today will not be what we see on draft day. Teams take different directions all the time and you never know who gives Hughes a call.

It's not just one first. Go back and read the trail. It's several 1sts and we would have 3 of them if we can get it for Evans.

Columbus wanted to dump Laine and that could still not work out. Sure there’s a chance of a biggish move but again, I’m betting Hughes isn’t giving up multiple firsts for a player just for the chance of getting into the playoffs. These are moves that veteran teams make. Plus as I said, Evans isn’t replaceable yet so I can’t see him getting traded if they’re in the mix. Montreal is more than 1 guy away from making noise and so far he’s done pretty well sticking to the plan. Anything is possible though. Someone had brought up Detroit as an example of thinking you’re farther ahead than you are.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Columbus wanted to dump Laine and that could still not work out. Sure there’s a chance of a biggish move but again, I’m betting Hughes isn’t giving up multiple firsts for a player just for the chance of getting into the playoffs. These are moves that veteran teams make. Plus as I said, Evans isn’t replaceable yet so I can’t see him getting traded if they’re in the mix. Montreal is more than 1 guy away from making noise and so far he’s done pretty well sticking to the plan. Anything is possible though. Someone had brought up Detroit as an example of thinking you’re farther ahead than you are.

Where did I say we are giving up multiple first just at getting a chance of playoffs? I said we could move multiple 1sts for a player that fits our core. Got to wait for the right circumstance and if it don't come on draft day, we keep our draft picks and shoot for more grade A's. Grade A prospects we can use on future trades.... when? When the right circumstance is there for us.

 

[schwang26]

Where did I say we are giving up multiple first just at getting a chance of playoffs? I said we could move multiple 1sts for a player that fits our core. Got to wait for the right circumstance and if it don't come on draft day, we keep our draft picks and shoot for more grade A's. Grade A prospects we can use on future trades.... when? When the right circumstance is there for us.

Sorry. I misread. You said huge trade near the draft not the deadline. That’s what happens when I should be working instead of posting!

 

[ahmedou]

My answer to the pool:

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Do you believe yet?

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Let's turn this POLL around, surely more of you believe than this!! The option to change your vote is open!!

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Montreal: 3 pts back of TB for 3rd (they have 2 games in hand); 2 pts back of Bruins in WC1 (we have 3 games in hand) & 1 pt back of WC2 (with 1 game in hand).

Detroit has won 6 consecutive games & have passed Ottawa. The new coach hire is definitely working for them.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I believe but I won't change my vote !

 

[Chili]

The Habs after 41 games...

2023/24 17-18-6 113 goals for 140 against 40 points
2024/25 20-18-3 125 gf 138 against for 43 points

So the Habs have 3 more points than at this point last season.
Elsewhere in the division Ottawa is +8 with one game to play to reach 41 games (41pts vs 33pts last season), Tampa is +3pts with two games to play, Leafs are +4, Buf & Det are both -3pts from last season, Florida is -6pts and Boston is down 13 points from last year after 41 games
Bottom line Habs are moving positively within the division.

Last season the Habs played 26 ot/shootout games and were 10-16
This year they are doing much better, not as many games going to ot and they are 6-3

They are hot right now and gaining confidence in close games.

 

[OldCraig71]

I changed my vote. We are making the playoffs!

 

[OneSharpMarble]

I hope the guys are getting a taste for winning and bonding during this insane run. This is the kind of stuff that when times get rough will keep teams together and working. Love beating all these strong teams.

 

[Lshap]

I voted against making the playoffs, because we're due to cool down and another team or two will likely pick it up. If we somehow make the playoffs – great, but that's not the goal this season. Developing the skill to win is priority #1 for me, followed by the resilience to come back after a bad goal and/or game.

I'll be happy with 80-85 pts. Anything more is a bonus.

 

[vokiel]

We have some players double shifted at the moment. This risks provoking a down turn. Cross fingers that it happens at the same time as the February break for playoffs' sake, otherwise it'll bite.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

f*** it, I’m saying yes.

 

[Tyson]

If the Habs are in the mix I think they sell no one and maybe make a small trade to improve the team. Hughes isn't deviating.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Bruins @ Panthers, 1 PM - keep losing Boston, thanks.

Sens @ Pens, 4 PM - just don't want a 3-point game here, but Pittsburgh freaking lives for them this year. They lead the league.

CBJ @ St. Louis, 7 PM: no Monahan is a tough break for CBJ. I would like them to make playoffs actually.

Detroit is off today.

 

[DAChampion]

Wild card race ranked by point percentage.

 

[vokiel]

If the Habs are in the mix I think they sell no one and maybe make a small trade to improve the team. Hughes isn't deviating.

They should sell anyone planning to test free agency. That's GMing 101 when not a contender, or the lack of is dumbass GMing 101, when being a bubble team hurts for several seasons in a row. I'd rather have the greenie GM take the difficult decisions, than avoiding them, like trading Barron.

 

[Tyson]

They should sell anyone planning to test free agency. That's GMing 101 when not a contender, or the lack of is dumbass GMing 101, when being a bubble team hurts for several seasons in a row. I'd rather have the greenie GM take the difficult decisions, than avoiding them, like trading Barron.

What about the other 19 players busting their asses to make the playoffs, what message do you send to them? Sorry guys we need more 4th round picks?

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

What about the other 19 players busting their asses to make the playoffs, what message do you send to them? Sorry guys we need more 4th round picks?

We currently are in a winning culture mind set, the players want to win and have expressed that.

 

[Tyson]

We currently are in a winning culture mind set, the players want to win and have expressed that.

%...help them build a winning culture

 

[vokiel]

What about the other 19 players busting their asses to make the playoffs, what message do you send to them? Sorry guys we need more 4th round picks?

The message you send is the same sent to every player every season on every team. Pull your own weight within the team and double it when necessary.

Also: Selling high should not prevent the GM from buying low. An hypothetical example: We get a 1st for Evans, we spend a 2nd Nico Sturm. Improving draft assets and keeping the boys frosty.

They can also sell and replace from the farm, which is what it is there for. Armia goes, Davidson or Tuch or both come up (black aces means more spots anyhow.)

 

[Tyson]

The message you send is the same sent to every player every season on every team. Pull your own weight within the team and double it when necessary.

Also: Selling high should not prevent the GM from buying low. An hypothetical example: We get a 1st for Evans, we spend a 2nd Nico Sturm. Improving draft assets and keeping the boys frosty.

They can also sell and replace from the farm, which is what it is there for. Armia goes, Davidson or Tuch or both come up (black aces means more spots anyhow.)

Sorry but you need a solid mix of good veterans and Hughes actually said that in mid season press conference. Davidson or Tuch are exactly where they belong...not in the NHL. A rebuild includes surrounding your young players and attempting to build a winning culture, how is this not obvious?