Summer Poll - How will we do in 2024-25 based on the roster today?

[HabbyGuy]

 

[Beendair Donedat]

They will be bad but with some improvement from the future core group. This would include our entire current top line of Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and others like Guhle, and potentially Roy.

Dach, Xhekaj, and Newhook will be our swing men - can they stay healthy? If so, we have a second line that ideally take pressure off the top line to carry all the offense. If not, we likely continue to rely completely on one line and wallow in mediocrity. Xhekaj gives them a swagger that they simply don’t possess when he’s not in the lineup. He’s got all the tools to be a physical monster, and put up offense with his cannon shot. Needs to put it all together though, and stay healthy.

I don’t expect Matheson to repeat his career year offensively, but I would imagine he will continue to lead the offensive drive from the blueliners. Savard will be his usual consistent, overweight but steady self. I don’t know how Barron will do but if he’s able to eliminate some of his defensive blunders, he has great offensive instincts and a knack for scoring goals.

Our goalies are average at best right now. Some nights they’re terrific, other nights they stink worse than a wheel of Dutch Cheese. Consistency will be their biggest concern.

As far as the rest? I don’t expect anything from Gallagher at this point (the poor guy has given everything to the Habs), I fully believe Josh Anderson will have a bounce back season, and that Evans, Armia and whomever else they have manning the fourth line other than Pezz are average at best.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I don’t expect the PP to improve that much. The 1st PP will probably be the same

The power play improved last year once Slafkovsky was put on it. Dach is an upgrade on Newhook on PP1. Caufield Shooting Percentage should go up.

A PP2 of Newhook-Armia-Roy-Hutson-Guhle/Xhekaj should be better than last year PP2.

 

[yianik]

85 points, good for 22nd in the league.

Huzzah we have achieved mediocrity.

Now watch them win the Cup.

Yes, but unlike with Houle who locked us into mediocrity, we are just passing through.

Is it certain Demidov is not coming over this season ?

 

[WinterLion]

picking 3-8

 

[Lshap]

Slightly optimistic... I voted we just miss the playoffs. Habs end up with 85 points, picking 13th.

 

[WinterLion]

Just looking at the division I don't see how we don't finish last in our divison so bottom 5-7 Maybeeee DET could have a bad year but I don't see them dropping that far

exactyly

 

[B1g B1rd]

I see no reason to think they will do better than 22nd... 4 more wins because Dach will be there full season (I hope) and with him, we have a better 2nd line (Dach-Newhook- Armia/Roy) and PP. Hutson will give us some swagger on the PP but Matheson, likely, wont repeat his great season.

So we will pick up around 10th.

If HuGo is somewhat able to find a top 6, we could be a bubble team. But do we really want this?

To be honest, I think I would prefer they pick in the top 5 one more year.

 

[Essenege]

I don’t understand how we can look at the rosters of the Islanders, Capitals, Flyers, Pens, Sens, Buffalo, Detroit and NJD, and act like they’re in a different tier.

They all have huge question marks like the Habs. Barring another Dach level injury it will be much closer then people anticipate, there is 6 solid playoff teams then anybody can make it.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don’t understand how we can look at the rosters of the Islanders, Capitals, Flyers, Pens, Sens, Buffalo, Detroit and NJD, and act like they’re in a different tier.

They all have huge question marks like the Habs. Barring another Dach level injury it will be much closer then people anticipate, there is 6 solid playoff teams then anybody can make it.

I think New Jersey will improve a lot. They very likely make the playoffs.

We might squeak into 8th but a lot has to go right. I think we’ll finish with 84-90 points. We’d need at least 92 to make it.

All that being said, we could have injuries and tank.

 

[Sorinth]

Just looking at the division I don't see how we don't finish last in our divison so bottom 5-7 Maybeeee DET could have a bad year but I don't see them dropping that far

So you don't see how Ottawa can't just do what they've done over the past 5+ years and underperform even though on paper the rebuild was supposed to be over?

 

[Maitz]

So you don't see how Ottawa can't just do what they've done over the past 5+ years and underperform even though on paper the rebuild was supposed to be over?

Honestly, no

 

[rickthegoon]

Finishing with 87 pts , picking around 14th.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Likely finishing bottom 10. Would be insane if we win the lottery, and go into the 25-26 season with a top 6 of
Demidov - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Hagens - Dach


For the habs to make the playoffs this season, the following would basically need to happen:
- Stay very healthy
- Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf be an elite line all season
- Dach breaking out, and making the 2nd line a good one. Roy and Newhook taking the next step.
- Bottom 6 players like Gallagher, Armia, Anderson, Dvorak having good seasons
- Hutson having a calder trophy worthy rookie season
- Guhle reaching another level

 

[TT1]

honestly I think we can compete for a playoff spot if Dach and Newhook stay healthy

1+ year of experience/improvements for everyone and adding Hutson to run the PP could be big, if they can do damage on the PP that might be enough extra goals to get into the playoffs

 

[WeThreeKings]

Likely finishing bottom 10. Would be insane if we win the lottery, and go into the 25-26 season with a top 6 of
Demidov - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Hagens - Dach


For the habs to make the playoffs this season, the following would basically need to happen:
- Stay very healthy
- Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf be an elite line all season
- Dach breaking out, and making the 2nd line a good one. Roy and Newhook taking the next step.
- Bottom 6 players like Gallagher, Armia, Anderson, Dvorak having good seasons
- Hutson having a calder trophy worthy rookie season
- Guhle reaching another level

If we win the lottery - Frondell or Martone are the guys. Hagens is nice but redundant with Demidov.. adding another big winger or big center who can play wing would balance everything majestically.

 

[Gustave]

If we win the lottery - Frondell or Martone are the guys. Hagens is nice but redundant with Demidov.. adding another big winger or big center who can play wing would balance everything majestically.

Yup, size is the way to go. Gives us an out if Dach can’t get past health concerns too.

Unless an RD comes out of the woodwork during the season and climbs the rankings.

 

[Habs]

Bottom 5-8, goaltending and blueline is still sus beyond Arbs and Guhle. Health concerns will always be an issue till the beef up the 3-4 lines, which are horrific by NHL standards, just awful. We roll on 2 lines, how much is really going to change? Need some depth to help chip in , enough is enough

Need more size and grit, it's pathetic

 

[rahad]

Prepare the parade! We are winning the Stanley cup!

7th-12 max

 

[BaseballCoach]

honestly I think we can compete for a playoff spot if Dach and Newhook stay healthy

1+ year of experience/improvements for everyone and adding Hutson to run the PP could be big, if they can do damage on the PP that might be enough extra goals to get into the playoffs

How much more than 62 points do you think Hutson will get?

 

[schwang26]

I still think around 10th but I’m sure they’ll sell off some vets at the deadline, which could cause them to drop.

 

[TT1]

How much more than 62 points do you think Hutson will get?

I'm saying if Hutson is able to QB the PP from being 1 of the worst in the league to being top 10 that might be enough to get in, a good PP is production for everyone on the unit, not just 1 guy. Also you gotta remember that Caufield didn't do much on the PP last season, there's upside there too. Dach is a big piece on the unit as well.

We had the most 1 goal game losses in the league. Add Dach/Newhook and a good PP, that can be enough to swing a lot of those 1 goal losses into wins.

 

[StCaufield]

Bottom 3. Depth is horrible up front. If Slaf, Caufield, and Suzi get 120 points each then maybe a bubble team

 

[B1g B1rd]

How much more than 62 points do you think Hutson will get?

Thats the question... I dont think Hutson will make a big difference this year 24-25. Matheson will get maybe 45 and Hutson will get 35. Maybe... Imo. Next year, if we trade Matheson, again maybe, Hutson is a 70-75 pts QB which remains to be proven.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Likely finishing bottom 10. Would be insane if we win the lottery, and go into the 25-26 season with a top 6 of
Demidov - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Hagens - Dach


For the habs to make the playoffs this season, the following would basically need to happen:
- Stay very healthy
- Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf be an elite line all season
- Dach breaking out, and making the 2nd line a good one. Roy and Newhook taking the next step.
- Bottom 6 players like Gallagher, Armia, Anderson, Dvorak having good seasons
- Hutson having a calder trophy worthy rookie season
- Guhle reaching another level

Has a ring to it.