Speculation: the 4 rookies of 25 --26

[Goal Caufield50]

out are Savard, Dovrak, Armia, Evans, Pezz

in is Mallioux, Demidov, Kappy, Beck


evans may resign but i doubt it. looks like 4 rookies

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[DAChampion]

The bored thread.

 

[26Mats]

out are Savard, Dovrak, Armia, Evans, Pezz

in is Mallioux, Demidov, Kappy, Beck


evans may resign but i doubt it. looks like 4 rookies

HuGo may try to sign a vet RD to a 1 year deal until they're sure Mailloux and Reinbacher are ready, and won't be rushed.

Also, HuGo may try to trade for a bonafide 1st pair RD and 2c. So it's a little premature to say how many spots there will be for rookies.

But yeah IF those were the forward subtractions, and IF There were no forward additions, have to think Demidov, Beck, and Kapanen would replace Evans, Armia, and Dvo. On D, I think Struble would beat out Mailloux and they'd go 2 LD's on the right side though. But I expect there to be a trade for an RD.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I'm not sure Mailloux is with the team next year. He might still be in Laval.

I think Demidov, Beck & Kapanen are the only sure things.

 

[McGees]

All signs are they are trying to trade some assets, like multiple 1sts / prospects for someone ready to make an impact immediately.
Doubt it is all rookies, and highly believe they acquire someone via trade/FA

 

[CAUFIELD]

2C is the most doable via UFA . Dach relegated to 3C would be ideal

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Could be Reinbacher instead of Mailloux, and could be Roy instead of one of Beck/Kapanen (Newhook would be playing center in that case)

 

[Habs13]

I don't think Mailloux or Roy are ready

 

[habstradamus]

HuGo may try to sign a vet RD to a 1 year deal until they're sure Mailloux and Reinbacher are ready, and won't be rushed.

Also, HuGo may try to trade for a bonafide 1st pair RD and 2c. So it's a little premature to say how many spots there will be for rookies.

But yeah IF those were the forward subtractions, and IF There were no forward additions, have to think Demidov, Beck, and Kapanen would replace Evans, Armia, and Dvo. On D, I think Struble would beat out Mailloux and they'd go 2 LD's on the right side though. But I expect there to be a trade for an RD.

I take KH at his word when he said, a few weeks ago, that getting younger is not the recipe to success. His cupboards are full of assets. He will use them to stock up on mature and ready players based on needs. The youngster will spend time in the minors our be used as trade chips.

 

[HuGort]

out are Savard, Dovrak, Armia, Evans, Pezz

in is Mallioux, Demidov, Kappy, Beck


evans may resign but i doubt it. looks like 4 rookies

Usually somebody has great camp and makes team. Could be Reinbacher

 

[Scriptor]

All signs are they are trying to trade some assets, like multiple 1sts / prospects for someone ready to make an impact immediately.
Doubt it is all rookies, and highly believe they acquire someone via trade/FA

You'd think it would be their intention to look at the UFA market for a solution at C, at least as a stop gap. Whether that can be done remains to be seen. Regardless what happens, I doubt that the Habs go with TWO rookie Cs to start the year, but they might, if caught between a rock and a hard place.

It would have to be Dach, or Newhook, at 3C.

I'd lean towards Newhook to ride out his contract because I think there is more to get out of Dach at RW in the top-6, as seen before when playing with Caufield and Suzuki.

 

[26Mats]

I take KH at his word when he said, a few weeks ago, that getting younger is not the recipe to success. His cupboards are full of assets. He will use them to stock up on mature and ready players based on needs. The youngster will spend time in the minors our be used as trade chips.

He also said last summer he didnt want to sign a vet RD to block a young guy.

I still think getting assets to try to get a top pair RD and a top 6c would make sense. Those really are our only two needs. Could also sign Matthew Olivier if he hits the open market.

It will be interesting to see if HuGo bring back Evans, Armia, and/or David Savard on a one year deal. I think they would like to bring back Evan's, but he's priced himself out.

 

[Scriptor]

Usually somebody has great camp and makes team. Could be Reinbacher

Everyone, I think, would be more secure if Reinbacher played with the Habs, starting next year, even if eased in on a 3rd pairing alongside Xhekaj, behind Guhle - Carrier and Hutson - Matheson.

Most are pretty sure that the Habs will move on from Matheson by the trade deadline next season, so the hope would be that Reinbacher could move up the depth chart by the and play alongside Hutson by then. Mailloux, if he is to be ready to play full time in the NHL should take over on the third pairing alongside Xhekaj at that point, with another 2/3 of a season in the AHL behind him.

Reinbacher is the key in the short term, but Hughes will need to find an NHL calibre, top-4 RHD for the longer haul. Carrier is fine as a stop gap, as demonstrated this year while playing with Guhle, but he will be better as a depth D with a better RHD playing with Guhle if the team is to become a contender.

 

[Scriptor]

He also said last summer he didnt want to sign a vet RD to block a young guy.

I still think getting assets to try to get a top pair RD and a top 6c would make sense. Those really our only two needs. Could also sign Matthew Olivier if he hits the open market.

It will be interesting to see if HuGo bring back Evans, Armia, and/or David Savard on a one year deal. I think they would like to bring back Evan's, but he's priced himself out.

Those really our only two needs.

I don't believe the Habs are only two players away from the end of the rebuild.

The two glaring needs, maybe, but not the only two needs.

Now, I'm not saying that other needs won't perhaps be filled from within, but the lineup of forwards needs to be completed beyond Suzuki (1C), Caufield (top-6 winger), Slafkovsky (top-6 winger) Demidov (top-6 winger TBC), Newhook (bottom-6 C/winger), Heineman (bottom-6 winger) and Beck (bottom-6 C TBC).

That's only 7 forwards out of 12 regulars and one 13th forward.

I don't think that the 13th forward is a concern because we have a plethora of choices that could adequately fill that spot in the lineup, or we could easily sign an UFA to play that role.

Dach is the enigma, because it's hard to think the has will play him in a bottom-6 role rather than move on from him if he doesn't find a role in the top-6 at C or on the wing. I believe that he could well have greater odds of finding a spot in the top-6 on the wing than of Laine being re-signed by the Habs in that capacity, which is why I didn't consider the Finnish forward.

That's still only 8 forwards out of 12 and the remaining hole at 2C that desperately needs to be filled.

Anderson and Gallagher are there for two more years on the bottom-6, but they need to be replaced when the team looks to start not only making the playoffs, but going deep in the postseason. I'm not sure if resigning Anderson at a more reasonable Cap hit for two or three years as a role player wouldn't be a good idea when his current contract is up? The experience, speed and size for a checking line wouldn't hurt? Plus, Anderson seems to have accepted and bought into a new role as a forechecker and a contributor on the PK that can bring complementary offense with between 10 and 20 goals and around 25-30 points.

In the short term, we are up to 10 forwards with these two veterans, but we need to plan to have mature replacements ready to make an impact in the bottom-6, bringing energy and defensive awareness to the table shortly and offering an opportunity for secondary/complementary offense.

There are still two holes to fill, maybe three, if Dach doesn't pan out in the top-6.

So, still short a long term bottom-6 C and another bottom-6 winger, plus maybe a top-6 winger, plus two bottom six wingers within two more years.

On D, we need one RHD, if Reinbacher pans out. That's the good news.

So, still a lot of ^plauers missing from an eventual contender -- AND that's if all the prospects mentioned above pan out (Demidov, Reinbacher, Beck)!

Hopefully, we get some of these roster spots filled at a high level from within the system (Kapanen, Hage, 2025 pick, F. Xhekaj, Thorpe, Tuch, Mailloux, etc.), but that remains to be seen?

 

[26Mats]

Those really our only two needs.

I don't believe the Habs are only two players away from the end of the rebuild.

The two glaring needs, maybe, but not the only two needs.

Now, I'm not saying that other needs won't perhaps be filled from within, but the lineup of forwards needs to be completed beyond Suzuki (1C), Caufield (top-6 winger), Slafkovsky (top-6 winger) Demidov (top-6 winger TBC), Newhook (bottom-6 C/winger), Heineman (bottom-6 winger) and Beck (bottom-6 C TBC).

That's only 7 forwards out of 12 regulars and one 13th forward.

I don't think that the 13th forward is a concern because we have a plethora of choices that could adequately fill that spot in the lineup, or we could easily sign an UFA to play that role.

Dach is the enigma, because it's hard to think the has will play him in a bottom-6 role rather than move on from him if he doesn't find a role in the top-6 at C or on the wing. I believe that he could well have greater odds of finding a spot in the top-6 on the wing than of Laine being re-signed by the Habs in that capacity, which is why I didn't consider the Finnish forward.

That's still only 8 forwards out of 12 and the remaining hole at 2C that desperately needs to be filled.

Anderson and Gallagher are there for two more years on the bottom-6, but they need to be replaced when the team looks to start not only making the playoffs, but going deep in the postseason. I'm not sure if resigning Anderson at a more reasonable Cap hit for two or three years as a role player wouldn't be a good idea when his current contract is up? The experience, speed and size for a checking line wouldn't hurt? Plus, Anderson seems to have accepted and bought into a new role as a forechecker and a contributor on the PK that can bring complementary offense with between 10 and 20 goals and around 25-30 points.

In the short term, we are up to 10 forwards with these two veterans, but we need to plan to have mature replacements ready to make an impact in the bottom-6, bringing energy and defensive awareness to the table shortly and offering an opportunity for secondary/complementary offense.

There are still two holes to fill, maybe three, if Dach doesn't pan out in the top-6.

So, still short a long term bottom-6 C and another bottom-6 winger, plus maybe a top-6 winger, plus two bottom six wingers within two more years.

On D, we need one RHD, if Reinbacher pans out. That's the good news.

So, still a lot of ^plauers missing from an eventual contender -- AND that's if all the prospects mentioned above pan out (Demidov, Reinbacher, Beck)!

Hopefully, we get some of these roster spots filled at a high level from within the system (Kapanen, Hage, 2025 pick, F. Xhekaj, Thorpe, Tuch, Mailloux, etc.), but that remains to be seen?

Yes there are question Mark's. But there are a lot of young candidates in the system to fill the question marks. And two of the major question Mark's are Laine and Dach. I'm really hoping we see them healthy next year, and playing with Demidov, with Newhook moving into a bottom six role. Or, if HGo get a 2c this summer to play with Laine and Demidov, would be sick to see a 3rd line of Anderson - Dach - Newhook.

At this point I suppose HuGo are looking for upgrades at every position they can find one. But where else do you see an area of need aside from a 2c, a top pair RD, and perhaps an upgrade on Laine in the following present and future depth chart:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach/Hage - Demidov
Newhook - Dach/Hage - Anderson/Kapanen
Heineman - Evans/Beck - Armia/Gallagher/Roy
/Xhekaj/Tuch/Mesar

Hutson - Matheson/Reinbacher
Guhle - Carrier
Xhekaj - Savard/Mailloux
Engstrom, Bogdan

Monty/Fowler
Dobes/Russian prospect
Primeau/Miller

 

[waitin425]

Demidov, Beck and Kappy likely to start with the big club.

Reinbacher starts if we don't acquire a RD. We have no other options.

Mailloux will be up and down and we may trade him at some point.

Finally, after the NCAA season Hage arrives in Spring of 2026 for the playoffs.

Cole - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach - Demidov
Heinemen - Newhook - Kapanen
Anderson - Beck - Gally

Guhle - Matheson
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Carrier
Mailloux

Insert Hage anywhere an injury occurs. He could hit 2nd line for Dach right out of Michigan if needed.

At the end of the season we will have some decisions to make with Dach and Laine. Laine will not be worth more than 7 million for what he has been bringing. Dach is worth max 4.5 mil. He probably wants a short deal to get him to UFA.

2026/27

Cole - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Hage - Demidov
Newhook - Dach - Kapanen
Heinemen - Beck - Anderson
Gally

Guhle - Nemec
Hutson - Rein
Xhekaj - Mailloux

 

[BLONG7]

out are Savard, Dovrak, Armia, Evans, Pezz

in is Mallioux, Demidov, Kappy, Beck


evans may resign but i doubt it. looks like 4 rookies

Reinbacher, not Mailloux.

I don't think Mailloux or Roy are ready

They have been passed by others......

 

[Scriptor]

Yes there are question Mark's. But there are a lot of young candidates in the system to fill the question marks. And two of the major question Mark's are Laine and Dach. I'm really hoping we see them healthy next year, and playing with Demidov, with Newhook moving into a bottom six role. Or, if HGo get a 2c this summer to play with Laine and Demidov, would be sick to see a 3rd line of Anderson - Dach - Newhook.

At this point I suppose HuGo are looking for upgrades at every position they can find one. But where else do you see an area of need aside from a 2c, a top pair RD, and perhaps an upgrade on Laine in the following present and future depth chart:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Dach/Hage - Demidov
Newhook - Dach/Hage - Anderson/Kapanen
Heineman - Evans/Beck - Armia/Gallagher/Roy
/Xhekaj/Tuch/Mesar

Hutson - Matheson/Reinbacher
Guhle - Carrier
Xhekaj - Savard/Mailloux
Engstrom, Bogdan

Monty/Fowler
Dobes/Russian prospect
Primeau/Miller

Personally, I don't see Dach at C, period. He sucks in the dot and doesn't produce enough offense to make up for it. His defense also sucks, which makes him playing C on the third line even less likely than sit might on a purely offensive 2nd line.

Dach's future in the NHL -- never mind just Montreal -- is on the wing. In the most ideal situation, it is as a top-6 winger. Otherwise, Dach will need to reinvent himself as a bottom-6 winger, which I'm not certain he is willing to do right now. Might have to really hit the bottom of the barrel for that to be triggered.

I also don't think that Newhook brings enough to be in the top-9 of a contender's roster and he sure as hell isn't a 4th line player/grinder. here's another player that might need to reinvent himself as a bottom-6 player, but, apart from being fast and having a little bit of remaining offensive upside, he lacks hockey IQ, defensive awareness and physicality.

Newhook amounts to an okay place filler on a rebuilding team. Not horrible, but not really good either. an average player on an average team, not a meaningful role player on the bottom-6 of a contender.

On the positive side, I think that beck has the qualities to play on a third line at C in the NHL, and reducing him to 4th line duties in any projections clearly undervalues either the quality of player he is, or his ambition as a player. I honestly don't think that Beck would be/feel appreciated if relegated to having a career as a 4th line C. He's not just a defensive, F/O machine. Maybe in his first season at the NHL level, but he should be able to stake a claim to the 3C role quickly after that.

Hage's future at C is that of a 2C, if he is to play C at the NHL level, not that of a 3C. IMO, he will fare better on the wing, even if I sincerely hope he does become a 2C at the NHL level.

I'm less optimistic than most to se Laine in the top-6 for the long haul, but a see him with complementary line mates on an exploitation 3rd line with two speedy complements, one that also plays physical hockey and retrieves loose pucks in Heineman and with a C like Beck who keeps the puck more often than not in the dot, plays a quick, N/S style of game with a bit of a nasty side (we will eventually see more of that from him as he secures an NHL job). Beck and Heineman can cycle the puck back to Laine to exploit his one real skill -- his shot. They can also add the defensive dimension that Laine lacks to this 3rd line. Laine can then also act as a PP specialist form the majority of his goals/points, without costing the team at even strength.

That leaves us with a top-6 spot at C and at wing to fill. Maybe that is where Hage* ends up, as a 2nd line winger (RW), because he plays a fast, N/S style of game that better lends itself to playing wing. Also, as a winger, he might be only two years away, not three, or more, as he would be at C.

The hole at 2C is still quite present and, even if the solution lies somewhere at the 2025 draft, we are not seeing it play out in Montreal before three to four years from now, maybe five.

Hughes news to find a short to medium term solution, at least, outside the organization, ideally via the free agency market, to keep as many valuable draft assets as possible and to avoid touching the team's core in a trade for a 2C.

Sure, there a re many players to try in different roles to arrive at a solution within the next three years, but, outside of Demidov* (and that still needs to be confirmed at the NHL level*), there doesn't appear to be many blue chip candidates to fill these vacant roles.

Caufield - Suzuki - Demidov*
Slafkovsky - XXX - Hage*
Heineman - Beck - Laine/Roy*
XXX - XXX - XXX

I'm not too keen on Dach and Newhook's medium to long term futures in Montreal and Roy really hasn't been able to translate his AHL production to the NHL level. Will he ever?

Maybe Dach succeeds in emulating his production level from his stint on the Caufield - Suzuki - Dach line of yonder year. I'd be the happiest fan because that would allow for the following lineup without Laine, in the likeliest advent that he doesn't get re-signed/extended by Hughes:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Slafkovsky -Kapanen - Demidov*
Heineman - Beck - Hage*
XXX - XXX - XXX

Can Kapanen become a two-way C on a second line. He appears to have plenty of offensive upside to Goa along with solid defensive play in the highest Swedish league. It is too premature and excessively hopeful to slot Kapanen in as a 2C down the line, but what a find that would be, if it came to materialize!

Rounding out the roster with 4th line players appears to be the easiest of tasks for the Habs given the candidates in the pipeline; F. Xhekaj Tuch, Thorpe, etc...

Plus, there will be interesting picks from 2025, I'm sure...

Yet, lots of serious question marks for the top-9, even if we think there are a lot of plug and play forwards? Nothing set in stone, really and we could be several players away, still.

 

[Deebs]

It will be interesting to see if HuGo bring back Evans, Armia, and/or David Savard on a one year deal. I think they would like to bring back Evan's, but he's priced himself out.

The only one I could maybe see is Evans and that's a really low percentage. Armia is too inconsistent and Savy should ride off into the sunset after a solid career.

 

[26Mats]

The only one I could maybe see is Evans and that's a really low percentage. Armia is too inconsistent and Savy should ride off into the sunset after a solid career.

rumor was they're negotiating with Armia. In fact didn't Armia say that?

 

[Deebs]

rumor was they're negotiating with Armia. In fact didn't Armia say that?

Not sure....he's a decent penalty killing player but we wouldn't lose anything by moving on from him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'm not sure Mailloux is with the team next year. He might still be in Laval.

I think Demidov, Beck & Kapanen are the only sure things.

If Roy isn’t with the team -and it’s looking less likely that he will be- then they need to maximize the asset and trade him. He’s too good to just sit in the AHL.