The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Sorinth]

There appears to be zero accountability for the players. That’s completely on the coach, irrespective of the quality of the team on the ice. MSL appears to have not yet fully transitioned from player to coach. Say what you want about Torts but he holds players accountable. MSL does not. That’s not a good thing.

On the flip side for decades we've had coaches who would bench our young guys for the slightest mistakes and as a result development often stalled with them. If Therrien was coach Hutson would be getting a max of 10min a game because he takes risks that would drive Therrien nuts.

There's a balance to be found, and it's certainly possible that MSL is too forgiving/lenient going to the other extreme is worse. But I would point out there has been benchings, bag skates, etc... so zero accountability is an exaggeration. On top of which we have to guess the reasons for certain decisions and it's clouded by our biases. For example, Hutson on PP1 could easily be a case of holding Matheson more accountable by taking away prime ice time, but it also could be rewarding Hutson. Unless we are privy to the discussions there's no way to know but I have little doubt that those who have this idea in their head that MSL doesn't hold anyone accountable will always dismiss the first reason.

And finally it's worth noting that last year the complaints about accountability were often directed at his handling of Gallagher and Anderson. This year both guys have been playing very well, so it seems like his approach did work.

 

[habbubba]

Finally – a reasonable answer!

And I'll be thinking of you persevering with a full plate come January. Although it will have to be from Grand Cayman while frolicking in a banana hammock in the sun and surf while drinking exotic tropical cocktails as if they are some sort of rejuvenating tonic, much to the embarrassment and dismay of my better half's disapproval. lol

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

There's way too many question marks/concerns with this management already when there's pretty much 0 expectations.

Whomever Molson keeps putting in charge to look for the next GM and whatnot seems to suck.

I hope in 5 years this is getting quoted and I'm getting clowned upon for questioning the current management, but I'm doubting that hard.

It's kind of sad when I've gotten more crow ready and it's cold.

In no particular order.

Habs shouldn't have traded for Newhook - so far right

Habs should trade Matheson - he's showing his suck even more and his points are dipping a bit, so far right.

Habs shouldn't trade for Laine because he's hurt. Half right, but his first few games have been productive on the PP. Pending

This prospect pool is overrated. Trending towards me being right with so many damn prospects doing nothing.
This one ties in with the above, but the Habs likely need a new scouting staff.

I'm hoping I'm just salty with this past draft.

Demidov, great, no-brainer pick.

Hage liked that(I wanted Greentree, but Hage is doing well)

The rest of the picks ? They're OK, or baaaaaaad.

How do you have 8 picks and can't land one that makes you go "damn, that's a nice season that player is having"

You have Protz, Thorpe and Sawyer that are doing ok/acceptable.

Hell, looking at the 2023 draft I'm thinking that's pretty disappointing already.

Reinbacher is hurt and can't defend his selection with his play, so he's neutral.

Fowler is playing well. A bit cautious because he plays on such a good team

Florian might eventually be a 4th liner.

Harris has cooled off.

Bogdan seems like he'd be a solid KHLer, but nothing much in North America.

Beck and Hutson are looking gooooooood.

Engstrom is very intriguing.

Mesar started off strong, but got hurt.

2022 at least looks like the Habs should get some players.

But man, the last 2 drafts... watching them and getting updates... there's not a whole lot to like.

Pro scouting seems weak.

They f***ed around last year with 3 goalies and now we have Primeau who can't save shit, but the team was worried about losing him on waivers.

Habs now have 2 d in Struble and Barron who keep lowering their value.

Habs have Pezzetta just sitting there because they don't want to lose him on waivers, but won't trade him and won't play him. Not that his value was high at all.

The Habs CLEARLY needed to add some size and skill. Skill would have been nice, but it's not easy and cheap. The size aspect was available in a bunch of players and they acquired.... None. Ziltch. Nada. Rien.

Pretty much every young player in the A started off strong and has regressed except for Beck and they did a bit, buy not as much, Davidson and Engstrom.

I was ready to give Dobes the back to job next year, but now I have doubts.

If I were Molson I'd give it until January 1st 2026 and then I'd start getting rid of people if things are still the same.

2024 might have just been a draft where the scouting staff just really shit the bed. Maybe the pre-season really threw everything off. Maybe Slaf will give a f*** again. Maybe Newhook will bring something to the team. Maybe with some of the shitty vets gone, better free agents will come in and help.


Let's hope things go better because the potential level of incompetence followed by what is perceived, at this point in time to be budding incompetence is such a piss off..