The Martin St Louis Thread

[Lafleurs Guy]

Who's he going to play with? Evans? If so his impact will be minimal.

Slaf, Suzuki, CC aren’t slow. Demidov will help speed things up a little. Beck is coming, Newhook’s got speed… we’re okay on that front.

 

[Habs]

You are twisting this to make it seem like I am defending MSL! You said that Marty would only work with the little guys on the roster and I gave you an example of him working with Slaf last season instead of taking the advice of Hughes to send him down.

The result was that Slaf figured it out and played well for the last 40 games when he could have spent time in the minors. I am the last guy on this board to defend a coach or a GM for that matter but it is clear to me that we don't have the manpower/talent in the middle of the ice to help our wingers produce.

Jake Evans is 29 years old and just celebrated his 100th point in the league. Dvorak is 28 and his career high in the league is 38 points and to break it down even more, he has 17 points in his last 51 games. The 4th line is centered by a 27 year old career AHLer that just played his 11th NHL game with the Habs.

So, coaching is a serious problem? I am in a glass house here as well because I have criticized MSL for his decisions and I own it but Jesus Mary and Joseph, are you watching our guys trying to create offense? They struggle with passing at an NHL level and how exactly is that on the coach? Seriously? Basic ass shit that an NHLer should be good at.

I see no problem in being critical of the defensive structure issues that have plagued this team all season and that, in my opinion, is a coaching issue but Prime Scotty Bowman couldn't change the fortunes of 3 centers that have never done much at the NHL level.

The finger should be pointed at Hughes and Gorton for believing what they had on the ice was competent enough to keep the team "in the mix" which clearly it isn't. I get that we are rebuilding but winning games is also part of that process because the hope is to contend one day and that isn't just a switch that can be flipped. See Buffalo, see Ottawa, teams that haven't figured it out.

The key to a successful rebuild is to surround youth with useful vets who can bridge the gap while young guys are developing and not to throw a bunch of kids to the wolves in the toughest hockey market in the NHL. Coaching is not perfect but at least give the guy something to work with before firing him and starting over. End rant.

No serious franchise would keep this bonehead of a coach here when your future bid clearly regressing. If we were losing 5-4 I could care less. If we were losing but outshooting the other team , great. But to lose nightly and guys are lost , no system , no accountability and watching players with zero emotion? I pull the plug on the coach , he’s lost the room. I don’t want Demidov under Marty , Hage … none of them.

 

[The Last Red]

No serious franchise would keep this bonehead of a coach here when your future bid clearly regressing. If we were losing 5-4 I could care less. If we were losing but outshooting the other team , great. But to lose nightly and guys are lost , no system , no accountability and watching players with zero emotion? I pull the plug on the coach , he’s lost the room. I don’t want Demidov under Marty , Hage … none of them.

If he can’t fix some this soon, you needn’t worry about him being the coach next season.

 

[salbutera]

NHL is much tougher than the AHL, thats a lot of pressure for a kid.

True dat but that’s where the X factor comes into play …. high end hockey IQ players who’ve always “thought the game” have a significantly reduced adjustment period when moving up

That what allows the Bergeron’s, Suzuki’s & RORs to make the quick jump up to NHL at a young age vs those that were drafted way before them

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

No serious franchise would keep this bonehead of a coach here when your future bid clearly regressing. If we were losing 5-4 I could care less. If we were losing but outshooting the other team , great. But to lose nightly and guys are lost , no system , no accountability and watching players with zero emotion? I pull the plug on the coach , he’s lost the room. I don’t want Demidov under Marty , Hage … none of them.

I figure you've been a fan long enough to know that we aren't a very serious franchise and haven't been for many decades , I'm still giving Hughes his time before bunching him up with the other bozo's at the forefront of the habs woes in the 21st century but yeah the clock is ticking , not looking good this season , there's still time to right the rebuild ship though it's not all lost.

The only hope for the franchise is falling backwards onto a 100 point player by accident or something , maybe demidov. God knows , we have the worst luck when it comes to forwards

True dat but that’s where the X factor comes into play …. high end hockey IQ players who’ve always “thought the game” have a significantly reduced adjustment period when moving up

See Michkov , pure IQ guy.


Beck also has good IQ , understands the game well for a C , but I'm not sure he's a top 6 guy

 

[morhilane]

One qualifier, Max Lapierre keeps making the point that we are a slow team up front and that’s a big issue. He might be right that’s it’s a big issue. We are comparatively slow up front, can’t deny that.

Per NHL Edge, Armia, Gallagher and Evans are the only ones below league average speed among forwards, but they aren't covering less distance in a game than Anderson who's 90 percentile in skating speed.

People keep saying Dach is slow, but he's covering longer distance per 60 minutes than Suzuki and registered better top speed.

What they aren't doing fast is execution...and also too much puck-watching sometimes.

 

[Deebs]

What's truly upsetting to me is we just had roughly a week off and we didn't change our defensive philosophy. We're still running this horseshit quadrant hybrid defense. We had numerous practices where this could've been worked on and it's not like i would take very long. All these players have played a similar system throughout their hockey lives.

I like MSL, seems like a good guy, good mentor....but these smartest guy in the room vibes that I keep getting are wearing thin. Get back to basics and move on from there.

 

[tazsub3]

Rebuild phase is over, rightly or wrongly…. it ended once the owner uttered the words “the plan this year is to be in the mix for the playoffs” to kickoff the golf tournament. After which Gorton & Hughes were left with no choice but to follow suit w the bosses mandate “ in the mix”

He said that true , but they did not build the team for that .
I for one I am still insisting they tanking this year with full knowledge we will be bad . And the in the mix was to appease the fan base . But was just words and a hope to catch lightning in a bottle with the laine trade but after his injury , became clear they wanted to tank.
If they did not , they would have another goalie as backup to start, and they would have at least signed a stop gap 4th line center

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

The new assistant coach cannot be Guy Boucher. He found a job with the Avangard.

 

[Whitesnake]

Ranked number one in terms of players 23 and younger. We’re still in the early stages of a rebuild.

Disappointing year but we’re still on track in terms of the big picture. I have zero problem with our GM.

The coach? Everyone has a shelf life. MSL may have passed his. We’ll see on that front.

A list based on 2 guys. Button and Peters. I just don't buy any of those lists. Fun to read....but still. In 2016, we were 11th in best farm teams....here's what Hockey Writers had to write about us...

Top Prospects: Zachary Fucale, Charlie Lindgren, Mike McCarron, Sven Andrighetto, Nikita Scherbak, Charles Hudon, Tim Bozon, Will Bitten, Connor Crisp, Jacob De La Rose, Mikhail Sergachev, Phillip Danault, Daniel Audette, Noah Juulsen, Dalton Thrower, Victor Mete

The Montreal Canadiens, like other teams high on this list, are fortunate to have a solid number of quality prospects at each position on the ice. Up front, Montreal holds power-forward Mike McCarron, who at 6’6″, 231 pounds made his NHL debut last season. While he only scored two points over 20 games played with the Canadiens, McCarron showed considerable offensive promise at the AHL level, where he netted 17 goals and 38 points as a rookie. In addition to McCarron, Montreal also possesses 2016 third-rounder Will Bitten and former QMJHL first overall pick Daniel Audette.

Jets were No1...with prospects like Connor (true) and Patrick Laine. Yet, here's the list that also made them No1...Top Prospects: Eric Comrie, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, Patrik Laine, Scott Kosmachuk, Brendan Lemieux, Jimmy Lodge, J.C Lipon, Kyle Connor, Nicolas Petan, Jansen Harkins, Jack Roslovic, Michael Spacek, Chase De Leo, Josh Morrissey, Jan Kostalek, Sami Niku, Logan Stanley

And frankly, that's just me finding this under 2 minutes for one specific year...but imagine the other years....

Anyway, I don't think we are exempt from talent. I also think, personnally, that of all that list, there is a real chance that all those players are in the NHL at some point. I'm just not convinced tehat most of them will have the ability to play a key role. And frankly, when you start looking quality rather than quantity, I prefer the Ducks. Are we top 5? Yeah, surely. But again, I think it's mostly based on depth.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

A list based on 2 guys. Button and Peters. I just don't buy any of those lists. Fun to read....but still. In 2016, we were 11th in best farm teams....here's what Hockey Writers had to write about us...

Top Prospects: Zachary Fucale, Charlie Lindgren, Mike McCarron, Sven Andrighetto, Nikita Scherbak, Charles Hudon, Tim Bozon, Will Bitten, Connor Crisp, Jacob De La Rose, Mikhail Sergachev, Phillip Danault, Daniel Audette, Noah Juulsen, Dalton Thrower, Victor Mete

The Montreal Canadiens, like other teams high on this list, are fortunate to have a solid number of quality prospects at each position on the ice. Up front, Montreal holds power-forward Mike McCarron, who at 6’6″, 231 pounds made his NHL debut last season. While he only scored two points over 20 games played with the Canadiens, McCarron showed considerable offensive promise at the AHL level, where he netted 17 goals and 38 points as a rookie. In addition to McCarron, Montreal also possesses 2016 third-rounder Will Bitten and former QMJHL first overall pick Daniel Audette.

Jets were No1...with prospects like Connor (true) and Patrick Laine. Yet, here's the list that also made them No1...Top Prospects: Eric Comrie, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, Patrik Laine, Scott Kosmachuk, Brendan Lemieux, Jimmy Lodge, J.C Lipon, Kyle Connor, Nicolas Petan, Jansen Harkins, Jack Roslovic, Michael Spacek, Chase De Leo, Josh Morrissey, Jan Kostalek, Sami Niku, Logan Stanley

And frankly, that's just me finding this under 2 minutes for one specific year...but imagine the other years....

Anyway, I don't think we are exempt from talent. I also think, personnally, that of all that list, there is a real chance that all those players are in the NHL at some point. I'm just not convinced tehat most of them will have the ability to play a key role. And frankly, when you start looking quality rather than quantity, I prefer the Ducks. Are we top 5? Yeah, surely. But again, I think it's mostly based on depth.

Okay, say we’re not number one. Where would you put us?

Would you agree we’re deep in young talent? Cause that’s what really matters here

 

[OldCraig71]

No serious franchise would keep this bonehead of a coach here when your future bid clearly regressing. If we were losing 5-4 I could care less. If we were losing but outshooting the other team , great. But to lose nightly and guys are lost , no system , no accountability and watching players with zero emotion? I pull the plug on the coach , he’s lost the room. I don’t want Demidov under Marty , Hage … none of them.

We have no center talent after Suzuki and I don't know how changing the coach will fix that but continue on with that narrative. Furthermore, we have sucked at center for 30 years and this is a big reason why we don't contend for a cup.

Slaf, Suzuki, CC aren’t slow. Demidov will help speed things up a little. Beck is coming, Newhook’s got speed… we’re okay on that front.

You misunderstood what I was asking. Wingers need creativity from their center ice men and we only have Suzuki and Beck's impact is probably 2-3 years away.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We have no center talent after Suzuki and I don't know how changing the coach will fix that but continue on with that narrative. Furthermore, we have sucked at center for 30 years and this is a big reason why we don't contend for a cup.

We thought we had center talent….

You misunderstood what I was asking. Wingers need creativity from their center ice men and we only have Suzuki and Beck's impact is probably 2-3 years away.

Yep. Dach shitting the bed is a problem. I don’t disagree. But that’s different than saying we don’t have any speed. These are two different (even if related) issues.

 

[OldCraig71]

We thought we had center talent….

Yep. Dach shitting the bed is a problem. I don’t disagree. But that’s different than saying we don’t have any speed. These are two different (even if related) issues.

It must have been someone else who brought up our speed, it wasn't me. I am focused on one thing and that is getting better down the middle. Hell, if we had Leon Draisaitl he wouldn't be able to put up points playing with Evans or Dvorak.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It must have been someone else who brought up our speed, it wasn't me. I am focused on one thing and that is getting better down the middle. Hell, if we had Leon Draisaitl he wouldn't be able to put up points playing with Evans or Dvorak.

For sure. Going into this year I said so much depends on Dach. He was the key. And it’s no surprise that as he’s struggled we’ve collapsed. Make or break year for him as our second line center and he’s shit the bed.

As I’ve said for a while now, I’d play him there with our best wingers. Give him 20-30 games. If it doesn’t work trade for another guy in that role.

 

[habbubba]

This season after 21 games Montreal has scored less and given up more than last season and the season before it's the same story, progress! lol

And I've had enough of seeing Robidas playing Pictionary with the board after a d-man finishes a shift. f*** off with that,do it after the game,it just messes with the player during a game.

 

[sampollock]

If the players are young so fine, then habs need real seasoned coaches

 

[The Last Red]

A list based on 2 guys. Button and Peters. I just don't buy any of those lists. Fun to read....but still. In 2016, we were 11th in best farm teams....here's what Hockey Writers had to write about us...

Top Prospects: Zachary Fucale, Charlie Lindgren, Mike McCarron, Sven Andrighetto, Nikita Scherbak, Charles Hudon, Tim Bozon, Will Bitten, Connor Crisp, Jacob De La Rose, Mikhail Sergachev, Phillip Danault, Daniel Audette, Noah Juulsen, Dalton Thrower, Victor Mete

The Montreal Canadiens, like other teams high on this list, are fortunate to have a solid number of quality prospects at each position on the ice. Up front, Montreal holds power-forward Mike McCarron, who at 6’6″, 231 pounds made his NHL debut last season. While he only scored two points over 20 games played with the Canadiens, McCarron showed considerable offensive promise at the AHL level, where he netted 17 goals and 38 points as a rookie. In addition to McCarron, Montreal also possesses 2016 third-rounder Will Bitten and former QMJHL first overall pick Daniel Audette.

Jets were No1...with prospects like Connor (true) and Patrick Laine. Yet, here's the list that also made them No1...Top Prospects: Eric Comrie, Marko Dano, Joel Armia, Patrik Laine, Scott Kosmachuk, Brendan Lemieux, Jimmy Lodge, J.C Lipon, Kyle Connor, Nicolas Petan, Jansen Harkins, Jack Roslovic, Michael Spacek, Chase De Leo, Josh Morrissey, Jan Kostalek, Sami Niku, Logan Stanley

And frankly, that's just me finding this under 2 minutes for one specific year...but imagine the other years....

Anyway, I don't think we are exempt from talent. I also think, personnally, that of all that list, there is a real chance that all those players are in the NHL at some point. I'm just not convinced tehat most of them will have the ability to play a key role. And frankly, when you start looking quality rather than quantity, I prefer the Ducks. Are we top 5? Yeah, surely. But again, I think it's mostly based on depth.

The team best prospects lists/rankings are meaningless. You have to prove it on the ice, in the NHL.

 

[Habs13]

Why is coach so stubborn about not putting the top line back together? Slafkovsky obviously needs Suzuki and Dach to be productive and nobody else has worked out yet in that slot. So, put Slafkovsky back in a position to succeed. Put Dach back at center with Roy Laine who is due back any day now, keep Anderson, Gallagher and Evans as the third line and do whatever the hell you like with the leftover scraps on the 4th line that gets what... five, six minutes a game?!

Nah. Instead leave the first line without a clicking third element and put everybody else in the wrong chairs too and wonder why we can't score.

 

[OldCraig71]

This season after 21 games Montreal has scored less and given up more than last season and the season before it's the same story, progress! lol

And I've had enough of seeing Robidas playing Pictionary with the board after a d-man finishes a shift. f*** off with that,do it after the game,it just messes with the player during a game.

It's too bad we couldn't have kept Monahan and signed him to a 2-3-year deal, things would be different.

 

[habbubba]

It's too bad we couldn't have kept Monahan and signed him to a 2-3-year deal, things would be different.

Possibly,but with the shit luck Montreal has, he'd probably end up injured. Seems that this management team has selective gambling in them, and so far much of it has backfired.

 

[OldCraig71]

Possibly,but with the shit luck Montreal has, he'd probably end up injured. Seems that this management team has selective gambling in them, and so far much of it has backfired.

The easiest part of Hughes's job is behind him. Trading expiring contracts for picks is much different than building a roster that competes and wins games. Also, being saddled with the mess Bergevin left behind is making it tougher to repair things at the pace he would like to.

 

[habbubba]

The easiest part of Hughes's job is behind him. Trading expiring contracts for picks is much different than building a roster that competes and wins games. Also, being saddled with the mess Bergevin left behind is making it tougher to repair things at the pace he would like to.

Other teams have managed to shed undesirable players in the past but Montreal is going organically.

 

[1909]

The new assistant coach cannot be Guy Boucher. Her found a job with the Avangard.

Too bad. That’s the guy they needed to make sense out of that team.

 

[Habs]

We have no center talent after Suzuki and I don't know how changing the coach will fix that but continue on with that narrative. Furthermore, we have sucked at center for 30 years and this is a big reason why we don't contend for a cup.

lol you can still suck down the middle and score goals., the team has no system and certainly not one the players understand. We had no C's last year either and played much better. Why are we refusing to shoot the puck? Why are players lost? It isn't because we suck in the middle of the ice