HF Habs: The official 2023-2024 tank thread

[Kwikwi]

Armia can only score until March 8th. Then ...

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Well, Buffalo & Columbus won. That's good news. Buffalo & Minnesota are 6 pts up on Montreal.

Ottawa after very briefly passing Montreal is now falling behind. They're 3 points back now, still with 2 games in hand.

Arizona is 3 pts back with a game in hand.

CBJ is 8 pts back with 2 games in hand.

Montréal's next game is Tuesday @ Nashville, who are really freaking hot right now. Ottawa doesn't play again til Wednesday when they're @ Anaheim. Hopefully, a winnable game for the Sens.

 

[Andrei79]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

 

[montreal]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

people said that last year. Their RW and Goal Dif says they are among the worst teams in the league, there's a lot of bad teams but who knows what kind of leaps the young players will take vs regress. I think Hughes knows it's going to be another tank year and then it gets interesting as you have a bunch of UFA's coming off the books after next season.

Unless Slaf has a big jump in production, or Dach who I saw before the season started were suggesting that not only would he be the Habs best player but that he was last year. I didn't agree but if Dach can match Suzuki then that would be huge.

Going to be an interesting year for sure since there should be so many of our top prospects in Laval (hopefully).

 

[salbutera]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

Wouldn’t shock me if they threw a boatload of $$ at Stamkos on a 2-year deal

 

[Nicko999]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

We are destined to be forever in that 5-8th range for the foreseeable future.

When you look at RW/ROW/goal differential, we are clearly the 3rd worst in the NHL. The team is simply overachieving with stupid loser pts in typical Habs fashion.
We are not even better than last season.

The way to get out of this loop is to get lucky with Celebrini or to make a major trade (which people will hate).

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

The only way they end up in the bottom 10 is if Dach goes down early again and other key players miss time. And they don't make any additions to the NHL roster other than calling up players from the AHL.

 

[rahad]

Wouldn’t shock me if they threw a boatload of $$ at Stamkos on a 2-year deal

I did not notice it has Stamkos last year of his 8.5m contract. I'm 90% sure is going to resign with Tampa Bay. Don't see him leaving the warm of Florida for the cold of Montreal.

The only way they end up in the bottom 10 is if Dach goes down early again and other key players miss time. And they don't make any additions to the NHL roster other than calling up players from the AHL.

Pittsburgh and Caps are also in the decline. I can see us making the playoff in 2026. Probably another top 10-14 pick next year.

 

[Canadiens98]

We are destined to be forever in that 5-8th range for the foreseeable future.

When you look at RW/ROW/goal differential, we are clearly the 3rd worst in the NHL. The team is simply overachieving with stupid loser pts in typical Habs fashion.
We are not even better than last season.

The way to get out of this loop is to get lucky with Celebrini or to make a major trade (which people will hate).

I do understand the disappointment, but I don't think it's all doom and gloom.

Caufield has had a down year imo. We went the whole season without Dach. 3 months without Newhook, and we have a lot of garbage on the roster making money that will be spent elsewhere if not this summer, then likely the one afterwards.

We have Reinbacher and Hutson who if everything goes to plan will be NHLers and hopefully, capable of contributing on a team that can actually aspire to make the playoffs.

Slafkovsky is the real wild card. I don't think he's shown me enough to suggest he'll definitely be a 1st line winger but he's shown enough for me to not lose that hope (as long as he remains consistent and I know the past few games haven't been his best).



I do think the biggest problem this team has (which has remained unchanged from last season and will continue to affect us next season) - Money that is being spent poorly, and we can only thank Bergevin for that.

 

[Nicko999]

I do understand the disappointment, but I don't think it's all doom and gloom.

Caufield has had a down year imo. We went the whole season without Dach. 3 months without Newhook, and we have a lot of garbage on the roster making money that will be spent elsewhere if not this summer, then likely the one afterwards.

We have Reinbacher and Hutson who if everything goes to plan will be NHLers and hopefully, capable of contributing on a team that can actually aspire to make the playoffs.

Slafkovsky is the real wild card. I don't think he's shown me enough to suggest he'll definitely be a 1st line winger but he's shown enough for me to not lose that hope (as long as he remains consistent and I know the past few games haven't been his best).



I do think the biggest problem this team has (which has remained unchanged from last season and will continue to affect us next season) - Money that is being spent poorly, and we can only thank Bergevin for that.

Caufield I fully expect to be better next season. He should be scoring 30 goals minimum. He has been way off.
Dach is a non factor since you cannot expect him to play a full season. The games he plays consider it a bonus.
Other than that, it hasn't been too bad with injuries. Newhook missing 2 months was the biggest one. The whole 1st line and the top D have played all 61 games so far.

Reinbacher and Hutson are still in juniors (or Europe) and whoever promising, it remains to be seen what impact they will have. Both have question marks.

Slafkovsky is literally the only youngster that has developed this year. He has been the biggest positive this season.

At the end of the day, all this wouldn't matter too much if I trusted our scouting staff to draft the best players. I do not trust them one bit. Once they show results, then I will feel a bit more optimistic.

 

[Heffyhoof]

This is likely the last tank season. I can't see them picking any higher than 10-13 next year barring unexpected regression from some players, which isn't impossible. The question I find Im having is, if they don't get one of the high end forwards, will management try a quantity for quality trade ? Will they try signing veteran help ? Really wonder how they'll approach this offseason.

I hope not. Reinbacher, Hutson, Mailloux, this year's pick, and even Roy won't properly be ready. Only Roy should see steady NHL time unless Montreal has a very happy surprise. The team won't be battling for bottom 5, but another top 10 pick is very likely and that's hoping Dach can play more than 20 games.

 

[HuGort]

Gauthier isn't that small. He's Suzuki-Roy size. He plays a hard, gritty game. He's more a bottom 6 prospect (3rd/4th liner), but I would prefer him over Howard.

I don't know Gauthier but maybe worth a look. His stats don't blow my doors off. Usually those kind of players hockey smarts will make them good players or not.

 

[26Mats]

Caufield I fully expect to be better next season. He should be scoring 30 goals minimum. He has been way off.
Dach is a non factor since you cannot expect him to play a full season. The games he plays consider it a bonus.
Other than that, it hasn't been too bad with injuries. Newhook missing 2 months was the biggest one. The whole 1st line and the top D have played all 61 games so far.

Reinbacher and Hutson are still in juniors (or Europe) and whoever promising, it remains to be seen what impact they will have. Both have question marks.

Slafkovsky is literally the only youngster that has developed this year. He has been the biggest positive this season.

At the end of the day, all this wouldn't matter too much if I trusted our scouting staff to draft the best players. I do not trust them one bit. Once they show results, then I will feel a bit more optimistic.

I'd say Struble and Xhekaj took positive steps at the NHL level, as well as Newhook.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I don't know Gauthier but maybe worth a look. His stats don't blow my doors off. Usually those kind of players hockey smarts will make them good players or not.

I can see him developing along the way as Benoit Brunet (without the injuries) or a Brent Gilchrist. Strong, two-way 3rd line or 4th line type, which frankly we need in the system. Howard is more of a one-way offensive type, who has a higher bust factor. If Gauthier doesn't end up top 6, he can still play bottom 6 with his game.

 

[NORiculous]

I don't know Gauthier but maybe worth a look. His stats don't blow my doors off. Usually those kind of players hockey smarts will make them good players or not.

Julien Gauthier?

There was an analysis on his time with NYR and the conclusion is that he made everyone he played with worse.

So… not sure what your intention with this move would be but I don’t think that is the type of move Hughes will go for.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Julien Gauthier?

There was an analysis on his time with NYR and the conclusion is that he made everyone he played with worse.

So… not sure what your intention with this move would be but I don’t think that is the type of move Hughes will go for.

Ethan Gauthier, the TB prospect.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Arizona plays their game in hand on us today at 1 pm against the Washington Capitals.

Washington is 6-2-2 in last 10, while Coyotes are, uhmmmm, 1-8-1, but they are coming off the high of actually winning a game! Sure, it was against the Sens, but it still counts!

A win, if they can manage such a rarefied result, moves them within a point of Montreal.

Jets @ Sabres. Jets are 8-2-0 and are leading their division now. Sabres are 7-3-0. A Sabres win puts them 8 pts up on Montreal, while helping to stall Winnipeg's continued rise to #1 team in NHL, and a guaranteed pick no higher than #28. Go Sabres!

 

[Michoulicious]

Always shitty OT/SO points... Anyways, this is not the worst draft to pick #8-9 instead of #4-5.

Same range in quality if prospect.

Might have to draft a D, though... But I am ok with it.

 

[xposbrad]

Caufield I fully expect to be better next season. He should be scoring 30 goals minimum. He has been way off.
Dach is a non factor since you cannot expect him to play a full season. The games he plays consider it a bonus.
Other than that, it hasn't been too bad with injuries. Newhook missing 2 months was the biggest one. The whole 1st line and the top D have played all 61 games so far.

Reinbacher and Hutson are still in juniors (or Europe) and whoever promising, it remains to be seen what impact they will have. Both have question marks.

Slafkovsky is literally the only youngster that has developed this year. He has been the biggest positive this season.

At the end of the day, all this wouldn't matter too much if I trusted our scouting staff to draft the best players. I do not trust them one bit. Once they show results, then I will feel a bit more optimistic.

If we had Ryan Leonard or Michkov in the system, I wouldn't be so concerned about us finishing as low as possible this year. Instead we drafted a stay at home dman 5oa???? Reinbacher, who wasn't a player we needed, and on most lists is now ranked lower than several of the forwards we passed up on.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If we had Ryan Leonard or Michkov in the system, I wouldn't be so concerned about us finishing as low as possible this year. Instead we drafted a stay at home dman 5oa???? Reinbacher, who wasn't a player we needed, and on most lists is now ranked lower than several of the forwards we passed up on.

He's not a stay at home defenseman. He's a two way defenseman. And yes he is a player we needed. We needed a big smooth skating right shot defenseman who can command his own end of the ice.

What we don't need is another left shot defenseman or another offensive defenseman. Certainly not more than we needed someone of Reinbachers caliber on the right side

And who cares what stupid rankings are , none of those list makers are watching Swiss league and they are overrating production in other leagues like always. Gabe Perreault can easily falter in the NHL, rating him ahead of Reinbacher is just a silly exercise by hockeydb scouts

 

[windycity]

man, Ottawa is sucking so hard. I had hopes they'd pass us but have my doubts now. Was hoping we might pick 4 or 5 but more likely 7-8

 

[Adam Michaels]

Desired results for tonight:

- ARI win vs. WSH: ARI win moves them 1 pt behind.
- BUF win vs. WPG: BUF win moves them 8 pts ahead. MTL will have a game in hand.
- ANA win vs. VAN: ANA win moves them 7 pts behind.
- MIN win vs. SJS: MIN win moves them 8 pts ahead. MTL will have a game in hand.
- PIT win vs. EDM: PIT win moves them 8 pts ahead with 2 games in hand.

*MTL will remain in 26th place, but ARI has a chance to get to 1 pt behind. ANA has also slowly started to slowly creep closer. Even though the chances they beat VAN are slim, it would make them someone to start looking at. While everyone has a chance to create some more separation.*

 

[CauZuki]

Desired results for tonight:

- ARI win vs. WSH: ARI win moves them 1 pt behind.
- BUF win vs. WPG: BUF win moves them 8 pts ahead. MTL will have a game in hand.
- ANA win vs. VAN: ANA win moves them 7 pts behind.
- MIN win vs. SJS: MIN win moves them 8 pts ahead. MTL will have a game in hand.
- PIT win vs. EDM: PIT win moves them 8 pts ahead with 2 games in hand.

*MTL will remain in 26th place, but ARI has a chance to get to 1 pt behind. ANA has also slowly started to slowly creep closer. Even though the chances they beat VAN are slim, it would make them someone to start looking at. While everyone has a chance to create some more separation.*

While I did enjoy the 2 last games ,
the loser points have been messing with the tank but at least our ROW is still terrible!!

Arizona up by 2 , hopefully they can finish strong!

 

[The Great Weal]

Arizona 1 point behind now, they've got 4/6 points in their last 3 games just like us.

 

[vokiel]

I was thinking.. Imagine the Lightning, Penguins or Caps winning the lottery.

There would be an army of bad losers trying to change the lottery once more.