Post-Game Talk: The Habs played? San Jose scored 4 in the Bell Centre, so they must have.

[Habs Halifax]

You’re right we have a lot of dead wood in our lineup and that’s not just the expiring contract’s. I’d say outside of our 4 young forwards & 4 young D everyone else is a tradable asset +/-.
The player’s helping now Monahan, 3 veteran D and Monty have proven we can win at about .500. but yeah, too many pedestrian player’s. I’m supportive/optimistic because the young guys obviously have talent we need to build on that by moving those player’s that are helping us win now….but be warned it will get ugly when Monahan & the D are traded.

No doubt about it... players like Gallagher, Armia, Dadonov, Evans are just not helping with secondary scoring and all 4 of them have in the past.

I actually think Slaf would have more offensive numbers if we had better 2nd and 3rd lines. Growing pains and this might be for the best cause it means we finish .450 - .500 winning % vs .500+.

Next season will bring different challenges with expiring contracts like Drouin, Dadonov, Byron. Monahan is likely to be traded if Gorton/Hughes stick with the long term plan. Add Anderson and Hoffman as possible trades as well. Possibly 6 guys gone from that forward group and we might replace them with 3 rookies and 3 depth signings. Next season might be back to bottom 5

 

[BLONG7]

I think this is a factor of MSL trying to give him confidence and avoid the obsession on his poor play at the moment. MSL is clearly not going to throw players under the bus in front of the media like some past coaches we had.

New management is trying to establish a new culture. Kicking someone when they are down holds zero value but it's been done over and over again in Montreal and then we wonder why players avoid Canada?

Great point...............that being said, it's hard on the guys morale when Allen plays like a sieve to open every game and let in softies...........it's like he is not ready? Nervous?
In the big scheme it doesn't matter where we finish, but you can bet this version of the habs, especially MSL does not want a bottom 5 finish like last year.

 

[MasterD]

I’m right here, this game doesn’t change the fact, this seasons Habs team is not a bottom-5 roster. I will stick to my preseason prediction, they will end up picking in the 11-17 range.

That’s not making the playoffs.

 

[expy]

Next season will bring different challenges with expiring contracts like Drouin, Dadonov, Byron. Monahan is likely to be traded if Gorton/Hughes stick with the long term plan. Add Anderson and Hoffman as possible trades as well. Possibly 6 guys gone from that forward group and we might replace them with 3 rookies and 3 depth signings. Next season might be back to bottom 5

A good position to be in for a rebuild to free up tens of millions of dollars in salary cap.

 

[StCaufield]

There has to be something we can do as a united board to make that Armia/Slafkovsky swap permanent.

We will not tolerate no for an answer.

Yeah that’s called sending Slaf to Laval.

No doubt about it... players like Gallagher, Armia, Dadonov, Evans are just not helping with secondary scoring and all 4 of them have in the past.

I actually think Slaf would have more offensive numbers if we had better 2nd and 3rd lines. Growing pains and this might be for the best cause it means we finish .450 - .500 winning % vs .500+.

Next season will bring different challenges with expiring contracts like Drouin, Dadonov, Byron. Monahan is likely to be traded if Gorton/Hughes stick with the long term plan. Add Anderson and Hoffman as possible trades as well. Possibly 6 guys gone from that forward group and we might replace them with 3 rookies and 3 depth signings. Next season might be back to bottom 5

Gallagher has been fine. Not for what he’s making per year but he’s much better than the last two seasons. He’s been close to the old Gallagher

 

[Habs Halifax]

A good position to be in for a rebuild to free up tens of millions of dollars in salary cap.

As long as we don't spend it on more Hoffman's and Armia's. If we have 6 guys that are gone via expiring contracts or trades (Monahan, Anderson, Hoffman, Drouin, Dadonov, Byron)... I am not sure we replace them with 6 rookies. Probably signing 3 guys and inserting 3 rookies or something like that.

Our cap space flexibility we gain in the years to come needs to be horded for a bit for the right pieces... weather that be raises to guys exiting ELC or UFA signings.

Yeah that’s called sending Slaf to Laval.


Gallagher has been fine. Not for what he’s making per year but he’s much better than the last two seasons. He’s been close to the old Gallagher

I'm not the type to attack a player obsessively but Gallagher has not been fine. He's working hard and slightly better than last year but he's really getting smothered with his poor skating. He's making some really bad passes in critical areas which is a concern. That's what happens when time and space is taken away. Gallagher is also not winning many battles along the boards either.

At this stage, Gallagher is a fringe 3rd liner paid as a top 6F. I don't see this trend changing cause he's not going to improve his skating in 30+ years. I guess we are stuck with it for 4 more years.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Great point...............that being said, it's hard on the guys morale when Allen plays like a sieve to open every game and let in softies...........it's like he is not ready? Nervous?
In the big scheme it doesn't matter where we finish, but you can bet this version of the habs, especially MSL does not want a bottom 5 finish like last year.

It would hurt more if we actually thought we were a playoff team. I know MSL and the players are going to push for it but they have to know deep down that it's not probable at this stage of the rebuild.

I think the players like Allen a lot and will defend him. We get that. However, he's been below his average self since the Wings game. He's not as good as the Wings game but he's not as bad as the last 5 games either. Truth is in the middle and Allen is going to have to battle through it. Monty should get more starts while Allen gets his confidence back.

 

[StCaufield]

As long as we don't spend it on more Hoffman's and Armia's. If we have 6 guys that are gone via expiring contracts or trades (Monahan, Anderson, Hoffman, Drouin, Dadonov, Byron)... I am not sure we replace them with 6 rookies. Probably signing 3 guys and inserting 3 rookies or something like that.

Our cap space flexibility we gain in the years to come needs to be horded for a bit for the right pieces... weather that be raises to guys exiting ELC or UFA signings.



I'm not the type to attack a player obsessively but Gallagher has not been fine. He's working hard and slightly better than last year but he's really getting smothered with his poor skating. He's making some really bad passes in critical areas which is a concern. That's what happens when time and space is taken away. Gallagher is also not winning many battles along the boards either.

At this stage, Gallagher is a fringe 3rd liner paid as a top 6F. I don't see this trend changing cause he's not going to improve his skating in 30+ years. I guess we are stuck with it for 4 more years.

From one haligonian to another I agree about his passing but that’s never been there for his career and his skating at least to me is waaay better at least speed wise. His edges were always average and board play can improve. He just needs to stay around the net more in my opinion

 

[Habs Halifax]

From one haligonian to another I agree about his passing but that’s never been there for his career and his skating at least to me is waaay better at least speed wise. His edges were always average and board play can improve. He just needs to stay around the net more in my opinion

You're not wrong about his below average passing ability in his entire career. This might be an issue of him missing Danault and Dvorak not being the right center for him. But to be fair, Danault is one hell of a 200' center. Very comical looking back today towards the statement from some fans where they said Gallagher is making Danault look better. Team would be in a better place today if we didn't sign Gallagher, Hoffman, Armia and retained Danault. At the very least, we should have played hardball with Gallagher contract negotiations. Bergevin crying when announcing the deal says it all.

I'm not concerned that much. As long as Gallagher's cap hit don't complicate retaining talent or signing a key UFA if they become available to us. 4 more years so maybe the last 2 seasons could be an issue in terms of cap structure and building a contender.

How a Gallagher buyout looks after 2 more years with 2 left. $7M of Molson's money

 

[Whalers Fan]

As long as we don't spend it on more Hoffman's and Armia's. If we have 6 guys that are gone via expiring contracts or trades (Monahan, Anderson, Hoffman, Drouin, Dadonov, Byron)... I am not sure we replace them with 6 rookies. Probably signing 3 guys and inserting 3 rookies or something like that.

Since the team will still not likely be a contender, some of that cap space next year may also get used for another short term cap dump acquisition, similar to Monahan and Dadanov this season. One has been useful in the lineup and got the Habs a 1st round pick, the other while not useful on the ice did get the team out of Weber's LTIR contract.

 

[beowulf]

Only got to watch bits and pieces of this one and was not impressed...meh young team, mistakes will be made and they will be inconsistent at times.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Since the team will still not likely be a contender, some of that cap space next year may also get used for another short term cap dump acquisition, similar to Monahan and Dadanov this season. One has been useful in the lineup and got the Habs a 1st round pick, the other while not useful on the ice did get the team out of Weber's LTIR contract.

Good point and that's possible. However, if the cap grows to $85M, a lot of teams end up with more wiggle room so the price to take the contract becomes less than the Monahan narrative.

Not saying it's impossible and circumstance plays a huge factor. It just becomes less probable with a growing cap. Flat cap is how we ended up with a 1st to take Monahan. Will GM's spend that cap growth all at once and screw themselves over? That's possible too

Only got to watch bits and pieces of this one and was not impressed...meh young team, mistakes will be made and they will be inconsistent at times.

Result could have been different if they tied the game in the 1st. It's not like they didn't have scoring chances. Bounces didn't go their way and it gave the Sharks more confidence as the game got deeper. Once the Habs opened up to try to tie it, Sharks scored.

This is why it's so tough to predict where the Habs finish. We have won and lost games like last night.

 

[MXD]

Slaf definitely shown he could use some icetime on the Top-6.

And Matheson definitely shown he should join the scratch rotation.

 

[rik schau]

Thank you Montreal for improving my English vocabulary,now I know what inept,listless and pathetic mean.lol.

 

[Tyson]

I have seen several teams so far this year go on long losing streaks...we may have a nightmare road trip ahead.
The signs are there.

The vets are simply not up to the job.

 

[admiralcadillac]

I honestly think the real problem is that you don't really watch other teams play.

And the way you talk it's like this team gets physically dominated night in and night out!

Dach and Monahan might not be physical but they will not shy from contact and who exactly on this team right now is really avoiding contact in your opinion?

I understand that you would love to be the aggressor but you're not necessarily soft if you're not the aggressor.

I'm not seeing us being physically dominated or intimidated out there!

He 100% doesn’t watch other teams play, or maybe even the Habs themselves.

This toughness talk is garbage most teams are filled with jelly now not jam

 

[rik schau]

Only got to watch bits and pieces of this one and was not impressed...meh young team, mistakes will be made and they will be inconsistent at times.

You didn't miss much,sad to say.

I have seen several teams so far this year go on long losing streaks...we may have a nightmare road trip ahead.
The signs are there.

The vets are simply not up to the job.

Nor is the coach imo.

 

[MXD]

I have seen several teams so far this year go on long losing streaks...we may have a nightmare road trip ahead.
The signs are there.

The vets are simply not up to the job.

To be fair, most of the vets shouldn't be expected to do more than what they're actually doing.

 

[rik schau]

To be fair, most of the vets shouldn't be expected to do more than what they're actually doing.

Yes they should,that's why they are paid handsomely.

 

[Tyson]

To be fair, most of the vets shouldn't be expected to do more than what they're actually doing.

Zero points in 12 games for Armia
Dadonov 2 points in more games.
Gallagher 3 goals in 22 games.
I don't agree

You didn't miss much,sad to say.


Nor is the coach imo.

The coach needs to raise the bar with these vets and Hughes needs to start jettisonning some of these guys.
Pitlick is rotting in Laval while several useless vets get a free pass.


Habs were better on D with 4 rookies than they are right now.

 

[calder candidate]

The result isn’t great but it doesn’t reflect the actual game… we just were able to score on our chance and everything when in on there side…We had the best chances Pezz miss like 2, Gallagher hit a post and miss one, Anderson had chances, Caufield had a few chances we just could convert.

I’m not sure why this first goal wasn’t offside since you could clearly see space between the skate a blue line while the puck was still touching the blue line and the player had possession…

Again Slaf finishing with less than 12min…even if he had over 3 min of PP. He need more ice time, he need more touches in game, he is doing better in some way but he is also more hesitant in other aspect which is normal when you are only playing 10min a game, I rather he play 120% making mistake than 95% not making mistake, it isn’t because he isn’t making mistake that he is learning, I would say that right now he is learning to be avg the way he is being deployed that how you end up with Armia vs. Rantanen type player.

 

[rik schau]

Zero points in 12 games for Armia
Dadonov 2 points in more games.
Gallagher 3 goals in 22 games.
I don't agree


The coach needs to raise the bar with these vets and Hughes needs to start jettisonning some of these guys.
Pitlick is rotting in Laval while several useless vets get a free pass.


Habs were better on D with 4 rookies than they are right now.

I'm with you but perhaps it's as simple as trying to showcase vets to get max return,taking priority over winning,don't know,just seems like it.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The result isn’t great but it doesn’t reflect the actual game… we just were able to score on our chance and everything when in on there side…We had the best chances Pezz miss like 2, Gallagher hit a post and miss one, Anderson had chances, Caufield had a few chances we just could convert.

I’m not sure why this first goal wasn’t offside since you could clearly see space between the skate a blue line while the puck was still touching the blue line and the player had possession…

Again Slaf finishing with less than 12min…even if he had over 3 min of PP. He need more ice time, he need more touches in game, he is doing better in some way but he is also more hesitant in other aspect which is normal when you are only playing 10min a game, I rather he play 120% making mistake than 95% not making mistake, it isn’t because he isn’t making mistake that he is learning, I would say that right now he is learning to be avg the way he is being deployed that how you end up with Armia vs. Rantanen type player.

So the new offside rule is breaking the plane, like it is for a touchdown in football. So even though his skate was off the ice, the heel of his skate was still touching the plane of the blue-line while the puck was brought over. It was onside but worth the challenge.

 

[BLONG7]

It would hurt more if we actually thought we were a playoff team. I know MSL and the players are going to push for it but they have to know deep down that it's not probable at this stage of the rebuild.

I think the players like Allen a lot and will defend him. We get that. However, he's been below his average self since the Wings game. He's not as good as the Wings game but he's not as bad as the last 5 games either. Truth is in the middle and Allen is going to have to battle through it. Monty should get more starts while Allen gets his confidence back.

His save % the last 5 starts is beyond awful.
Time to spend some serious time with the goalie coach...........and let Monty carry the load, he is killing the kids, and his potential trade value.

To be fair, most of the vets shouldn't be expected to do more than what they're actually doing.

Our vets...................are pure garbage. Gally, Drouin, Armia, Dadonov................over 20M right there......pure garbage, sory to be so harsh, but man, they are pure bad....
So yes, they can be better, but they are not.......brutal.

 

[Aces on the road]

Not happy with St Louis

Starts with going with Allen over Monty
Then Jackeye scratched

Then an awful PP with zero adjustments

Player usage

Why is Anderson getting close to 18 minutes to skate around like Conway or should i say Spazway of the mighty ducks? Multille games now

Armia almost 16 minutes to do nothing

Matheson 25 minutes to struggle?

Just a lot of head scratchers

1st line sucked most