Playoffs Positivity Thread

[Trabdy2]

It's impressive what this team's done to turn things around from the start of the year. We're getting a lot more out of quite a few players and we're so much stronger defensively. We're getting the puck moving in the offensive direction quicker and it's giving our guys more energy and time to be creative and dynamic on offense.

Job well done to get back in the race. It's nice to be playing meaningful games at this time of the year.

The fact that we have some solid draft capital this year and a prospect pipeline with guys like Demidov, Hage, and Reinbacher, gives us a lot of optimism for us to sustain and improve in the next few years.

 

[salbutera]

 

[CzarDemidov]

Well, despite being in a playoff spot, the Canadiens are still only 4 pts up from drafting 5th overall again. 6 pts back of 4th.

Still a long way to go, but I like cheering for the team again.

It must be the contrarian in my brain but I threw in the towel by Dec 1st when we were dead-last and the tank thread came up and prepared myself for a ~top7 draft pick. With Dach, Slaf, Newhook, and even Guhle under-producing I felt like they weren't ready for the test this year. Despite the undeniable long-term benefits for a team playing well enough to get "in the mix" think I prefer the high-draft-pick outcome than to squeak into the playoffs (or more likely: squeak just short of making the playoffs). I want to be carried by the young players wherever we go, up or down.

I think I was wrong and I'm trying to come to terms with that. If the team (incl. the coach) has actually improved its performance and has found a way to close out games, to come back in games, to not lose games in the first period... I think that's better than drafting high. I'm happily rooting for wins though because life is short and this is more fun.

But due to Reinbacher's injury and Slaf coming from a bad draft year and despite Hutson's incredible turnout I still think we *are* short at least one top5 prospect. Taking Demidov for granted, a bit too much is riding on Hage. Another top prospect would be super good. I kinda really want to sell Evans for a bounty too, and Armia/Dvorak/Savard too.

OH well.

Anyone else conflicted like me?

 

[BergevinBurner]

I'm willing to bet he's going to be a 90+ point center in a few years when Demidov's on his line.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Carey Price better start getting back to game shape. We're gonna cap circumcise the league so hard in the playoffs. Oh and Demidov too.

This.

This is the dream.

 

[Hope Of Glory]

Let's not forget the Carrier acquisition amongst all the positive. Having another defenseman that doesn't need babysitting really stabilized our D.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Say the Habs make the playoffs and Demidov comes over, who sits in the lineup?

I'd say Dvorak should sit but that means putting Newhook at center, and then we'd have no good left shot faceoff men.

Gallagher would make the most sense after that since he's faded massively since the beginning of the year and doesn't provide any special teams value.

Dvorak sits. Newhook centers that line.

 

[MaynardJames]

I'm willing to bet he's going to be a 90+ point center in a few years when Demidov's on his line.

I expect Demidov to be the first center so i'll be willing to bet with you.

 

[ahmedou]

I've been in HFHabs since 2017... But it's one of the first time in HFHabs (in 2024) that I see playoffs positivity vibes from us!

We're the most vocal fans of the NHL. And we're the most real fans of the NHL. We care about our team so much. That sometimes I feel like it's negativity. But it's more constructive criticism at the end of the day,

So seeing positivity from time to time is a good vibe!

 

[Guy Larose]

Does anyone wanna change their vote? Lol

Should I unlock the option to change votes?

I'm sure the Poll would look very different had it been started today instead of a month ago lol

Nope, I voted yes and sticking to it.

 

[sampollock]

would be good to get a better pick, but making the playoffs is a huge boost for the club

 

[Frankenheimer]

I've been in HFHabs since 2017... But it's one of the first time in HFHabs (in 2024) that I see playoffs positivity vibes from us!

We're the most vocal fans of the NHL. And we're the most real fans of the NHL. We care about our team so much. That sometimes I feel like it's negativity. But it's more constructive criticism at the end of the day,

So seeing positivity from time to time is a good vibe!

A lot of the negative stuff is not objectively constructive. It's a coping mechanism, but in full view of everyone else. I get the need to immediately operate with the worst scenario in mind to deal with disappointment, but much prefer to save tank talk for February/March when the stakes are obvious. And honestly, a lot of the bashing this fall, particularly of MSL, was mean spirited and in bad faith.

 

[salbutera]

would be good to get a better pick, but making the playoffs is a huge boost for the club

Why so we can play the low probability game of that player becomes an NHLer pet alone impactful one?

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Why so we can play the low probability game of that player becomes an NHLer pet alone impactful one?

We should trade the picks for a veteran RD to play with Hutson. We also need a star veteran top 6 left shot player

 

[morhilane]

I went the check the advanced stats since the Holiday break. Habs went from the bottom of the leagues in those stats to the top 5-10.

Sometimes teams go on a good win streak but their advanced stats stay shit, not the case here...and October/early November was so trash that the season overall stats haven't caught on yet (still bottom 5-10).

 

[Goalfield22]

Dvorak sits. Newhook centers that line.

Dvorak will be traded by then and replaced by Beck. Newhook can eat hotdogs in the stands with Pezz.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Dvorak will be traded by then and replaced by Beck. Newhook can eat hotdogs in the stands with Pezz.

I'm cool with Beck. But I'd take Newhook over Armia. I don't think anyone trades for Dvorak. I'd trade off Armia though.

And we can always bring up Roy...

 

[Goalfield22]

I'm cool with Beck. But I'd take Newhook over Armia.

In the playoffs!? That's where Armia plays his best, man!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

In the playoffs!? That's where Armia plays his best, man!

You think we're re-signing him?

 

[Goalfield22]

You think we're re-signing him?

No?? Armia in the playoffs in a contract year is where you are getting the most out of him. Just use him for OUR playoffs and move on.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

You think we're re-signing him?

Not at that cap hit. If he accepts less then sure, a 2 year deal would be good as a stop gap.

 

[Goalfield22]

Not at that cap hit. If he accepts less then sure, a 2 year deal would be good as a stop gap.

I would prefer he is an own rental and move on from him, to be honest, but a short-term deal at a decent cap-hit would be nice. I think he will have a good playoffs and command a decent contract, though. I don't want to be stuck with him again.

 

[Don D]

Impressive about the win last night:
The Montreal goalie did not dominate but simply made a few key saves.
It seemed like the "old" Habs were primarily winning when the goalies were superhuman.
Good to see the team playing with more confidence and not relying on one player to bail them out.
Keep it up!

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THEIR VOTE:

This poll was started a month ago and things have changed drastically since then. If the poll was started today the results would probably be much different. Currently 40 Yes and 122 No. For those who want to change their votes I have turned on that option. Enjoy!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would prefer he is an own rental and move on from him, to be honest, but a short-term deal at a decent cap-hit would be nice. I think he will have a good playoffs and command a decent contract, though. I don't want to be stuck with him again.

Why not just deal him? We’ve got Newhook and Roy we can bring in. Armia returns assets… win/win