The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Hannibal]

One thing for sure, next f***ing draft i want size and grit. No more f***ing Farrel, Kidney of this world. We have a shit load of those players.

 

[ReimanSum1908]

There is no next step - you stay the course because the rebuild is only half over.

What did people think was going to happen, here? It was always a five-year rebuild, and we just started year three.

 

[The Great Weal]

Martone + Desnoyers and call it a day

That would be fantastic, but we would have to make some massive trades to make it viable.

Suzuki/Demidov/Martone/Desnoyers/Slaf are probably the 5 forwards we would definitely keep in this scenario. But how many of CC/Dach/Hage/Roy/Laine do you keep? Especially given how besides Laine, Suzuki would be the only forward with a ton of NHL experience. Keep in mind that the defense would be Hutson, Guhle, Reinbacher, Mailloux, and Engstrom which is extremely weak in comparison.

 

[Habs]

Yes by posting something stupid you had me respond to it.

You're not the edge lord you think you are, though.

You really need to chill , you cute little Kent MSL defender till the end. It's just a message board.

 

[Vachon23]

That would be fantastic, but we would have to make some massive trades to make it viable.

Suzuki/Demidov/Martone/Desnoyers/Slaf are probably the 5 forwards we would definitely keep in this scenario. But how many of CC/Dach/Hage/Roy/Laine do you keep? Especially given how besides Laine, Suzuki would be the only forward with a ton of NHL experience. Keep in mind that the defense would be Hutson, Guhle, Reinbacher, Mailloux, and Engstrom which is extremely weak in comparison.

I would make a move for a RD with experience and for the forward, all this is very hypothetical.
Laine is not someone I necassey see as a long term solution

 

[Sorinth]

You really need to chill , you cute little Kent MSL defender till the end. It's just a message board.

Lol. Who is triggered by who.

 

[Habs]

Lol. Who is triggered by who.

You make no sense, as usual.

 

[StreetHawk]

I would make a move for a RD with experience and for the forward, all this is very hypothetical.
Laine is not someone I necassey see as a long term solution

Based on Reinbacher missing a large chunk of this season, it will be tougher for him to be NHL ready in 25/26. Barron hasn't exactly taken a step forward yet. So, with Savard a ufa, at this point, they just can't swap his spot in for a kid. They need to bring in a vet to replace his spot in the lineup. Need some stability back there.

It may have to be via trade over a free agent signing.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Reinbacher would likely flirt with NHL time this year if not for his unfortunate injury. Suzuki, Caufield, and Guhle are not youngsters any more -- the Habs didn't start with zero prospects.

The tanking phase, ie Management Shrugs Its Shoulders After Losses, should be over but as long as the fans don't mind, management won't mind losing for longer.

The point is not that they started with nothing and this is ultimately your blindspot, along with other people, where you fail to realize that what we had wasn't close to righting the ship by simply developing them. Even with them on board, we had multiple holes to fill and it would take more than 3 drafts 1- to get the players we need, 2- to let them integrate the lineup and develop, which there are only two of so far, Slaf and Lane. This doesn't come even close to re-establish a solid asset base. This nonsense where you decided its enough is pure fantasy and irrealistic.

Even with Laine, Dach, Newhook, Slaf and Hutson added we're still far from done. Still need to add more talent and that talent needs to be developed.

Before Bergevin left, our asset base was already subpar and our D was very old and the most problematic of our components. It's still problematic today and one would be foolish to expect that kind of problem to be fixed in 3 years time.

We've only added two players from our first draft. They are still very young. This isn't even close to enough to fill the holes.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

One thing for sure, next f***ing draft i want size and grit. No more f***ing Farrel, Kidney of this world. We have a shit load of those players.

Lol we're destined to draft James Hagens so the whole board will go nuts because we have too many small players. Those damn hockey gods.

You make no sense, as usual.

Guys.....

Ahum...


Get a room

 

[Trenbohabs]

The point is not that they started with nothing and this is ultimately your blindspot, along with other people, where you fail to realize that what we had wasn't close to righting the ship by simply developing them. Even with them on board, we had multiple holes to fill and it would take more than 3 drafts 1- to get the players we need, 2- to let them integrate the lineup and develop, which there are only two of so far, Slaf and Lane. This doesn't come even close to re-establish a solid asset base. This nonsense where you decided its enough is pure fantasy and irrealistic.

Even with Laine, Dach, Newhook, Slaf and Hutson added we're still far from done. Still need to add more talent and that talent needs to be developed.

Before Bergevin left, our asset base was already subpar and our D was very old and the most problematic of our components. It's still problematic today and one would be foolish to expect that kind of problem to be fixed in 3 years time.

We've only added two players from our first draft. They are still very young. This isn't even close to enough to fill the holes.

It's fun when you're not here to troll people. Good arguments.

If it was of my I wouldve traded Caufield or Suzuki like the hawks did for the biggest draft since 15 years in 2023. Getting a top 3 pick in that draft wouldve changed the team completly. Now we are stuck with no number 1 center. This team might make the playoffs in the 2026-2027 season and might have a cup run around 2030-2031.

Lets have a real talk here, Suzuki was named captain by kind of default, hes not a true captain, his personality is really shitty and his engagement does not represent a good captain. He will be our 4th best forward when we make it to the last 4 in playoffs and he will be a 70 pts producer at best.

 

[The Real Timo]

Habs are not dead last in TSN power ranking - Winnipeg Jets knocked off the top; Montreal Canadiens hit rock bottom in NHL Power Ranking | TSN

Now, not that I particularly care about TSN and their rankings, but... tell me if you disagree.

Sigh. So sad.

 

[Habs]

Guys.....

Ahum...


Get a room

Are you trying to invite yourself in again?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Are you trying to invite yourself in again?

In? I'm still trying to get out!

 

[ReHabs]

The point is not that they started with nothing and this is ultimately your blindspot, along with other people, where you fail to realize that what we had wasn't close to righting the ship by simply developing them. Even with them on board, we had multiple holes to fill and it would take more than 3 drafts 1- to get the players we need, 2- to let them integrate the lineup and develop, which there are only two of so far, Slaf and Lane.

Okay, I have a proposition. First let's find out the topics with which we are in accord and agree:

1. "They didn't start with nothing" which = they started with some valuable players/prospect that would've otherwise been necessary to pick-up during the rebuild.

2. "There were multiple holes to fill on the roster" = the roster they inherited needed significant churning

3. "and it would take more than 3 drafts..." = it takes time before the products of the tank, specifically them, are contributing to the roster

I agree with all three statements.

I think where we have issue is, as always online, with the definition of Rebuild and the definition of Tank. I didn't say the rebuild is over, you interpreted that from what I did say, which was: "The tanking phase, ie Management Shrugs Its Shoulders After Losses, should be over". Not the same thing mon chum, not the same thing.

This doesn't come even close to re-establish a solid asset base. This nonsense where you decided its enough is pure fantasy and irrealistic.

Even with Laine, Dach, Newhook, Slaf and Hutson added we're still far from done. Still need to add more talent and that talent needs to be developed.

Before Bergevin left, our asset base was already subpar and our D was very old and the most problematic of our components. It's still problematic today and one would be foolish to expect that kind of problem to be fixed in 3 years time.

We've only added two players from our first draft. They are still very young. This isn't even close to enough to fill the holes.

I did not say the rebuild is over. I said Tanking should be over. It is my opinion, you're welcome to disagree with that statement, but your comments above are basically irrelevant to my sentiment.

I don't even disagree that we shouldn't be buying (which is what you imply with "solid asset base"). I don't disagree that we're still far from done. I don't disagree that we need to add more talent, or that we need a better 'asset base', and that it's a longer-term process. And obviously I don't disagree that two players from the 2022 draft could possibly fill all our holes (forgive the innuendo).

You're welcome to disagree with me on the tanking comment but I don't see the arguments that lead one to think the Habs 1) intended to tank this year or 2) even should have planned to tank this year.

Suzuki is in his D+8. He and the rest of this roster need to start playing with different expectations. MSL literally said this today. HugoMo said "in the mix" over summer. They traded for Laine. I don't think I'm out to lunch when saying the tanking phase is over. You're welcome to change my mind.

 

[ReHabs]

Just want to highlight that no rebuild by any team starts with zero prospects/young NHLers. So it doesn't make sense to say we didn't start at zero so our rebuild should be shorter/faster then other successful rebuilds, because those successful rebuilds also didn't start at zero.

Please see my reply above. I never said the rebuild is over, because it clearly is not over: we are not remotely close to being "Buyers".

 

[puckeater]

We have yet to draft the team we are going to have holding up a cup. Put lots of players in the system and see how things go. Cut the chaffe and retain the keepers. It’s not rocket science but you need luck on your side and an eye for talent projection. And time.

 

[ReimanSum1908]

In? I'm still trying to get out!

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in.