Projecting the Habs starting line-up

[JohnnyPipes]

This is tricky with 16 current forwards, so I'm making a few moves first
With salary retention and an underwhelming return we find Hoffman a new home.
Whether he clears or not, we try to send Pitlick to Laval.
It is also time to seriously consider buying out Armia.
I also even move Allen to give Primeau one last chance.
Now I have 13 forwards, 7 D, and 2 goalies and just need to figure out where to place them

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Newhook - Monahan - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher
Harvey-Pinard - Evans - Ylonen
13th forward - Pezzetta

Matheson - Guhle
Harris - Barron
Xhekaj - Savard
7th D - Kovacevic

Montembeault
Primeau

Click to read more...

 

[JohnnyPipes]

PS - I still think we will try Dach at center at different stages throughout the season, I just don't have him starting there with the line-up I envision... If Dvorak is moved rather than some of my projections, things could quickly change...
I also see a rotation on D, so Guhle won't always be on his off side, but I do see him and Matheson as our top 2 current defensemen so pairing them together to make room for both Harris and Xhekaj makes sense to me...
I also think we try to give Slaf some top 6 minutes at some point in the year, but not on day 1...
Last thing, I see lines 3 and 4 as interchangeable (which is not so good for Slaf while he's in a bottom 6 role, since I think our 4th will eat into our 3rd lines minutes)... I also see Pezz getting into his share of games, but with Cole, Newhook, Slaf, and RHP starting at LW for me, Pezz is the odd man out to start...

I don't think this line-up will get us into the playoffs, not unless Monty becomes a star, we stay healthy, and we overachieve... but I do think it gives us an exciting team to watch develop with plenty of youth waiting to join them in the upcoming years...
patience is a virtue, future is bright

 

[26Mats]

at some point in the season:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dvorak
Slafkovsky - Dach - Newhook
Harvey-Pinard - Monahan - Anderson
(maybe Slaf and Anderson swap spots and the Dach line is a speed line)
Gallagher - Evans - Ylonen
13th forward - Pezzetta

Guhle - Savard
Matheson - Barron
Harris - Xhekaj
7th D - Kovacevic

Montembeault
Allen

 

[HabbyGuy]

Pre season lineup.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Harvey-Pinard - Dach - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Gallagher
Evans -Dvorak- Pezzetta
Ylonen

 

[JohnnyPipes]

at some point in the season:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dvorak
Harvey-Pinard - Dach - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Newhook
(maybe Newhook and Anderson swap spots and the Dach line isn't too small & works)
Gallagher - Evans - Ylonen
13th forward - Pezzetta

Guhle - Savard
Matheson - Barron
Harris - Xhekaj
7th D - Kovacevic

Montembeault
Allen

trying to up the values of both Dvorak and Savard before the deadline - I see what you're doing here, if it gets us some 1st rounders and/or some top notch prospects I'm totally good with that plan
You must of kept the same moves as me other than Allen too... no Hoffman, Armia, or Pitlick, yet you still have Dvorak... at least we are dumping the same guys

 

[HabbyGuy]

I love that none of our lineups have Hoffman or Armia in them.

 

[Paddy17]

Why do people make lineups with players they don't like suddenly disappearing? If you want to make it your "fantasy" lineup, then fine. If you think it's a realistic lineup, don't make guys like Armia and Hoffman all disappear by magic.

 

[JohnnyPipes]

Pre season lineup.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Harvey-Pinard - Dach - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Gallagher
Evans -Dvorak- Pezzetta
Ylonen

Not so sure I like Newhook on the top line or on the right.... I like his shot as a secondary goal scorer on line 2 (although Cole can play either side if we did want to try them together)...
I do agree that in the pre-season, that will be a good time to use Dach at center and put one of our other centers on a wing, not so sure Evans is the one that moves over though - Monahan and Dvorak have less shelf life - I think Evans is our 4th line center for a few more years so we probably keep him in his role... I could be wrong... I like seeing other options and opinions... I also like you put pre-season with yours, to me that implies more experimenting...
Seems you also move the same forwards as me... that's 2 different replies with the same 13 forwards - I do like that

 

[HabbyGuy]

Not so sure I like Newhook on the top line or on the right.... I like his shot as a secondary goal scorer on line 2 (although Cole can play either side if we did want to try them together)...
I do agree that in the pre-season, that will be a good time to use Dach at center and put one of our other centers on a wing, not so sure Evans is the one that moves over though - Monahan and Dvorak have less shelf life - I think Evans is our 4th line center for a few more years so we probably keep him in his role... I could be wrong... I like seeing other options and opinions... I also like you put pre-season with yours, to me that implies more experimenting...
Seems you also move the same forwards as me... that's 2 different replies with the same 13 forwards - I do like that

Monahan's shelf life is actually why I see him as a fixture at center. As we're going to attempt to squeeze as much out of him as possible. And Slafkovsky looked most comfortable with him last year as his wing.

 

[JohnnyPipes]

Why do people make lineups with players they don't like suddenly disappearing? If you want to make it your "fantasy" lineup, then fine. If you think it's a realistic lineup, don't make guys like Armia and Hoffman all disappear by magic.

In the original post, I explained my plan...
Hoffman with retained salary and an underwhelming return finds a new home.
I'm ready to buy out Armia (or bury him in the minors if that's better for the cap).
I also try to pass Pitlick through waivers.

not magic - I had a plan - whether you agree with the plan is not my concern. give your projections if you see it differently...
I don't see us starting with 16 forwards, so something has to give.

 

[26Mats]

trying to up the values of both Dvorak and Savard before the deadline - I see what you're doing here, if it gets us some 1st rounders and/or some top notch prospects I'm totally good with that plan
You must of kept the same moves as me other than Allen too... no Hoffman, Armia, or Pitlick, yet you still have Dvorak... at least we are dumping the same guys

Hoperfully HuGo are also done with the useless vets.

Drouin and Dadonov got way too much ice time last year, and got us nothing. Let's not make the same mistake this year with Hoffman and Armia.

 

[KFlint]

We need more 23-24 lineup threads, more!!

 

[JohnnyPipes]

Monahan's shelf life is actually why I see him as a fixture at center. As we're going to attempt to squeeze as much out of him as possible. And Slafkovsky looked most comfortable with him last year as his wing.

good points... but I still see Evans pretty secure as the 4th center... perhaps Dvorak is moved to wing when Dach is at center... Dvorak might even get moved altogether if we get something for him and we keep one of the guys I try to get rid of (Hoffman or Armia)

 

[Gillings]

This is tricky with 16 current forwards, so I'm making a few moves first
With salary retention and an underwhelming return we find Hoffman a new home.
Whether he clears or not, we try to send Pitlick to Laval.
It is also time to seriously consider buying out Armia.
I also even move Allen to give Primeau one last chance.
Now I have 13 forwards, 7 D, and 2 goalies and just need to figure out where to place them

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Newhook - Monahan - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Dvorak - Gallagher
Harvey-Pinard - Evans - Ylonen
13th forward - Pezzetta

Matheson - Guhle
Harris - Barron
Xhekaj - Savard
7th D - Kovacevic

Montembeault
Primeau

Primeau one last chance? How old is he? How old is Montembault? How old was Tim Thomas?

Let’s just concert primeau to defense?

 

[JohnnyPipes]

We need more 23-24 lineup threads, more!!

This contributes how?
it's dumb posts like these that flood threads and cause people to start new ones fresh without the nonsense...
This is also the first thread I created and my first day as an actual member - so it felt better to start fresh rather than hunt down an out of date thread with thousands of out of date responses
if you don't like it - keep scrolling - no need to be a douchebag.

Primeau one last chance? How old is he? How old is Montembault? How old was Tim Thomas?

Let’s just concert primeau to defense?

I don't think he'd clear waivers, so I keep him over Allen - and you are upset cause I called it one more chance, lol
Primeau has been underwhelming as a pro even at the AHL level his consistency is not good - but he has shown flashes and is young enough that I give him this chance - but if he fails, yeah it's probably his last chance with us unless he can clear waivers and stay in the system.

 

[KFlint]

You are new here, the new threads that are duplicates are merged. Just take the time to look around for an existing thread on your topic, I’m just saying.

 

[Rapala]

Pre season lineup.

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Harvey-Pinard - Dach - Anderson
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Gallagher
Evans -Dvorak- Pezzetta
Ylonen

With Dvorak out to start the season Armia/Evans/Pezz are likely to be our fourth line.
Monahan also has a chance to play higher in the lineup once Dvorak returns if he's as good to go as he says he is.
Dvorak would start back on the 4th line Evans bumped to 3 and Monahan displacing either Newhook who slots down in RHP's spot or RHP directly.
The team was at it's best last season with Monahan in the top six and that is where his talent dictates he should play.
As far as Slaf being comfortable with him I don't really buy it Slaf has to get comfortable with himself first and foremost.

 

[HabbyGuy]

With Dvorak out to start the season Armia/Evans/Pezz are likely to be our fourth line.
Monahan also has a chance to play higher in the lineup once Dvorak returns if he's as good to go as he says he is.
Dvorak would start back on the 4th line Evans bumped to 3 and Monahan displacing either Newhook who slots down in RHP's spot or RHP directly.
The team was at it's best last season with Monahan in the top six and that is where his talent dictates he should play.
As far as Slaf being comfortable with him I don't really buy it Slaf has to get comfortable with himself first and foremost.

Ah yes, I forgot about Dvorak's availabilty to start the season. I can absolutely see Monahan to start as #2C and push Dach to Suzuki's wing to start.

While you may be right about Slaf's eventuality, I see no problem with putting him in his most comfortable chair as he still gets acclimated to the NHL. This just seems more prudent to me.

From my viewing it seems Monahan put him most at ease.

 

[JohnnyPipes]

You are new here, the new threads that are duplicates are merged. Just take the time to look around for an existing thread on your topic, I’m just saying.

none were on the first page of threads - I did browse before creating, but if it wasn't on page 1 I figured a new one was overdue.
don't know why that would bother you.

 

[Rapala]

Ah yes, I forgot about Dvorak's availabilty to start the season. I can absolutely see Monahan to start as #2C and push Dach to Suzuki's wing to start.

While you may be right about Slaf, I see no problem with putting him in his most confortable chair as he still gets acclimated.

I don't think Dach would go to the wing. I think Monahan would actually play with Suzuki on a wing and take draws on his strong side while helping in the Dzone. If they do decide to send Dach to the wing putting him back up on the top line makes the most sense. I mean we woudn't move him unless one or both of those top two lines were struggling.

 

[HabbyGuy]

I don't think Dach would go to the wing. I think Monahan would actually play with Suzuki on a wing and take draws on his strong side while helping in the Dzone. If they do decide to send Dach to the wing putting him back up on the top line makes the most sense. I mean we woudn't move him unless one or both of those top two lines were struggling.

Yeah that's fair... It's all conjecture at this point. There are many things they can and will try, I'm sure.

I just feel putting Slafkovsky in the best possible situation to succeed is imperative. He's a huge piece of our puzzle.

He doesn't need to put up huge numbers but he needs to improve and continue to build on his potential.

I still am not at a point where wins or losses are relevant to me. I just want to see continual growth.

 

[HomeAndHome]

Caufield - Suzuki - Anderson
Newhook - Dach - Hoffman
Slafkovsky - Monahan - Gallagher
Pezzetta - Evans - Armia
x Dvorak (may be questionable to start the season?)
x Pitlick/Ylonen
RHP to AHL as waiver exempt, but will be first callup with inevitable injuries.

Matheson - Harris
Guhle - Savard
Xhekaj - Barron
x Kovacevic
Send Wideman down

Montembeault
Allen

Hopefully during training camp, with all the competition up front, we see some extra jump from guys like Hoffman and Armia that they sorely need. And if they can't turn it up they can lose their spot to Ylonen or RHP.

 

[Rapala]

Yeah that's fair... It's all conjecture at this point. There are many things they can and will try, I'm sure.

I just feel putting Slafkovsky in the best possible situation to succeed is imperative. He's a huge piece of our puzzle.

He doesn't need to put up huge numbers but he needs to improve and continue to build on his potential.

I'm old school earn your stripes just like your captain did.

 

[HabbyGuy]

I'm old school earn your stripes just like your captain did.

If he weren't a kid from a different country and culture making a massive leap into the greatest league in the world I'd agree. It's one thing that they decided to bring him up this quickly, it's another to expect immediate dividends.

Slow and steady with Slaf. Just put him in the proper soil with plenty of water and sunlight.

Give him the best chance to grow.

That's my opinion.

 

[Rapala]

none were on the first page of threads - I did browse before creating, but if it wasn't on page 1 I figured a new one was overdue.
don't know why that would bother you.

No worries the moderators will do what they think is best. It won't affect the discourse one way or the other.