The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Naslundforever]

When will Suzuki ever get to play with good vets on his line? He must still wake up to Kovalchuk dreams.

I liked the bottom 9 last night and habs have plenty of bottom-middle 6ers coming up to fill another line. Habs need an all-star or 2;

I wonder who’s redundant and worth anything. Bunch of picks thrown in there… Get a 1C or 1RD so the new guys have someone to lean on and not all our hopes and dreams to carry. Feels like next summer and not over the season.

 

[Sorinth]

Slaf was in his D+1 and D+2.

I don't think "be patient and shut up" is the right response when commentators, correctly, identify that Newhook (D+6) and Dach (D+6) are underperforming.

We have one 1st line and three 4th lines and we're rather shit and it has partly to do with Dach and Newhook -- two players specifically acquired by Kent Hughes -- not performing well. "Be patient" is an irrelevant response to this line of discussion. Hughes spent valuable assets acquiring them.

Dach's coming back from a big injury, so there's hope he can break through that mental barrier... but he's also had many other big injuries and he's basically the archetypical glass man now only he doesn't have the history of production other unlucky, brittle players like Hall, Gaborik and Havlat had. Be patient he will... return to form? He's never had a good season in the NHL. Newhook, same thing or even worse.

Time will tell? They're underperforming today.

There are plenty of examples of players taking until their mid-20s before putting things together. Being patient is just as valid an opinion to have as yours.

But honestly it feels like you're just looking to play the victim here.

 

[digmor crusher]

If we ever want to win a playoffs series some day I think that Dach and Newhook should not be in the top 6 and that Caufield should be on the 2nd line. Reasoning being is that a team with a top 6 that plays a physical and defensive game would eat these guys up. And instead of Dach trying to be a 30 goal 70 point guy, which he probably will never be, he should model his game after Adam Lowry. He would be more valuable to us playing that role imo.

 

[LaP]

Dach and Newhook aren't looking good this season. Nobody can debate that. However, both have shown much greater potential than what we're seeing now – especially Dach – so the question is how long we invest in their development and recovery, and at what point we cut bait. Dach looked like a top C pre-injury; I'd give him time to work his way back because the payoff could be huge. Newhook..... still not sure if he can become as good as his flashes. At some point his body of work will make his case for him.

The team is in the process of finding its groove. Hopefully the same is true for these two guys.

Not much more tbh. Dach and Newhook will be 24 in january so by the end of the year they will be very close to be "as seen on TV". I always said that at 25 you can safely give up on a young player and it will very rarely come back to bite you.

They are both one year away fomr that. I'd say if they don't show more in the 2nd half of the season a decision will have to be made. Do we keep them for the bottom 6 moving forward or we try to salvage a part of what we paid for them.

 

[Miller Time]

If we ever want to win a playoffs series some day I think that Dach and Newhook should not be in the top 6 and that Caufield should be on the 2nd line. Reasoning being is that a team with a top 6 that plays a physical and defensive game would eat these guys up. And instead of Dach trying to be a 30 goal 70 point guy, which he probably will never be, he should model his game after Adam Lowry. He would be more valuable to us playing that role imo.

I'm sure similar things would've been said of a team with Reinhart, Vearhage, Bennett & M.Tkachuk before they hit their mid-late 20's...

In fact, each one was given up on by their respective teams/GMs before being assembled by a GM who saw something the others missed (yes, Tkachuk left in a major trade after a career year because he wasn't going to sign beyond UFA status.... But a year earlier when he wanted to sign long term as an RFA, his GM didn't think it worth making the commitment).

Both those guys have the potential to be top 6 players on championship caliber teams, IF, and it's a big if, they are able to hit the upper end of their respective ceilings... Wether they will or not won't be known for a few years yet, and fortunately our GM was smart enough to get them extended on very manageable cap hits taking them to 25-26 as RFAs.... By then it will be much clearer and a far safer bet as to wether or not they are worth making part of our core as we transition toward contention.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If we ever want to win a playoffs series some day I think that Dach and Newhook should not be in the top 6 and that Caufield should be on the 2nd line. Reasoning being is that a team with a top 6 that plays a physical and defensive game would eat these guys up. And instead of Dach trying to be a 30 goal 70 point guy, which he probably will never be, he should model his game after Adam Lowry. He would be more valuable to us playing that role imo.

I don't think you're giving enough credit to Caufield. He mugged Drai in the corner last night and then laid up a perfect pass for a goal. He's a lot more rugged than you think he is. That being said, you need to pair him with the right players. He's a premier goalscorer and goals are what wins games. Kane, MSL and others have shown that small guys can contribute big goals and I have no doubt Caufield will be able to do it as well. But he has to be with the right linemates.

Newhook's the kind of player who can play in the top six. Good enough to do it when he's playing to his capabilities. But he's not going to lead a second line. He'll very likely wind up being a 3rd liner here and that's a good thing.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Montreal Canadiens are No. 1 in TSN's annual NHL team ranking of U-24 players | TSN

Bolstered by a group of five players born outside Canada, the NHL's all-time Stanley Cup leader has a core of young players projected to be as strong as or better than any in the league.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Montreal Canadiens are No. 1 in TSN's annual NHL team ranking of U-24 players | TSN

Bolstered by a group of five players born outside Canada, the NHL's all-time Stanley Cup leader has a core of young players projected to be as strong as or better than any in the league.

www.tsn.ca

The team list for the Habs is so wrong though.

Roy and Caufield too high, Hutson and Reinbacher too low.

 

[Miller Time]

Montreal Canadiens are No. 1 in TSN's annual NHL team ranking of U-24 players | TSN

Bolstered by a group of five players born outside Canada, the NHL's all-time Stanley Cup leader has a core of young players projected to be as strong as or better than any in the league.

www.tsn.ca

Future is bright

 

[salbutera]

Future is bright

Gotta wear shades

 

[junyab]

“It’s an embarrassment of riches,” Button says, “and a reason to be patient with the franchise rebuild.”
AMEN

 

[JianYang]

I'm an Oiler fan first, but I've always liked the habs since you guys knocked off Calgary in 86 (and stopped Wayne from winning his cup outside of Edm in 93).

As fun as this team is to watch at times, I hate to say this strangely reminds me of the Oilers rebuild v1.0 (but done properly).

The talent of Suzy, Caufield, and Slaf remind me of when we were running Hall, Eberle, and RNH (plz don't hate me). They might have been good enough up front if we had a Norris caliber Dman and/or Vezina goalie. But Hall and Eberle were both top-10 scorers at some point.


Even though I've lived here in Montreal, for 18 years, I've only watched a handful of games this season (2 and 6-year-old), I feel like this team is 1 elite piece away from being a contender.

Suzy is a damn good player, but I get the feeling if he were the #2C, the Habs would be a contender. I'm a huge fan of Gulhe. Watched him back on the Oil Kings. He still has time to get there.



I know it sucks being year 4 of a rebuild, but you gotta ride this out till you get that elite talent, and it's likely going to come in the draft. Every 3-4 years you'll get a MacKinnon or McDavid. The absolute worst thing you guys can do is speed this up or rush it.

I think you make some good points bit a couple things:

This rebuild started the moment gorton was hired which would be November or December 2021. We are not at year 4.

As for mcdavid, he's certainly not coming in a draft every 3 or 4 years. He's a much rarer talent than that.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Montreal Canadiens are No. 1 in TSN's annual NHL team ranking of U-24 players | TSN

Bolstered by a group of five players born outside Canada, the NHL's all-time Stanley Cup leader has a core of young players projected to be as strong as or better than any in the league.

www.tsn.ca

thx. don't post this on the main prospect board, there will be the usual river of diarrhea from the regular cast of diarrheic trolls

 

[WeThreeKings]

thx. don't post this on the main prospect board, there will be the usual river of diarrhea from the regular cast of diarrheic trolls

I don't touch the main board.. it's like the Reinbacher or Slafkovsky threads here. Toxic most of the time.

 

[HuGo Sham]

I don't touch the main board.. it's like the Reinbacher or Slafkovsky threads here. Toxic most of the time.

I'm obviously too sensitive - and naive, lol
but there's a level of decorum..respect? I expect even on an anonymous chat board.
There's a level of connection here, as posters have gotten to know each other virtually for years.
But the level of shittiness, meanness..sanctimoniousness - on the mainboard towards habs fans is just gross. It's predertemined trolling by people, there's not even any room for discussion.
It's crazy how something as meaningless as sports, our great distraction can bring out the worst in people. The facelessness only exacerbates the problem

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I'm obviously too sensitive - and naive, lol
but there's a level of decorum..respect? I expect even on an anonymous chat board.
There's a level of connection here, as posters have gotten to know each other virtually for years.
But the level of shittiness, meanness..sanctimoniousness - on the mainboard towards habs fans is just gross. It's predertemined trolling by people, there's not even any room for discussion.
It's crazy how something as meaningless as sports, our great distraction can bring out the worst in people. The facelessness only exacerbates the problem

The main board is a swamp unparalleled on HF. Its level of immaturity is unmatched.

 

[LaP]

I think you make some good points bit a couple things:

This rebuild started the moment gorton was hired which would be November or December 2021. We are not at year 4.

As for mcdavid, he's certainly not coming in a draft every 3 or 4 years. He's a much rarer talent than that.

There's one McJesus every 20 years at best.

 

[morhilane]

The main board is a swamp unparalleled on HF. Its level of immaturity is unmatched.

You know, I think swamp are actually pretty mature ecosystems. But decomposition is usually accelerated in those.

 

[HuGo Sham]

The main board is a swamp unparalleled on HF. Its level of immaturity is unmatched.

truth

 

[Benstheman]

The team list for the Habs is so wrong though.

Roy and Caufield too high, Hutson and Reinbacher too low.

I think it’s pretty spot on. Maybe switch Demidov and Caufield but Demidov still needs to prove himself. The only major change I would make is Reinbacher at 5, maybe even at 4.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I think it’s pretty spot on. Maybe switch Demidov and Caufield but Demidov still needs to prove himself. The only major change I would make is Reinbacher at 5, maybe even at 4.

not enough space to mention everybody on the TSN graphic is a good sign

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Here's my Cup Winning Core

Caufield-XXX-Demidov
Slafkovsky-Suzuki-XXX
XXX-Dach-XXX
XXX-Beck-XXX

Need to see more from Roy, Hage, etc

Hutson-XXX
Guhle-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-Mailloux

Probably too generous with the prospects here

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I think it’s pretty spot on. Maybe switch Demidov and Caufield but Demidov still needs to prove himself. The only major change I would make is Reinbacher at 5, maybe even at 4.

Hutson will beat them all, maybe except Demidov.

And Roy is too high.

 

[barbu]

Sure, bust is a word i personnaly would never use



Are you actually saying that only Hab's fan are like that, cause all i see in this world is impatience and complaint

 

[Sorinth]

Here's my Cup Winning Core

Caufield-XXX-Demidov
Slafkovsky-Suzuki-XXX
XXX-Dach-XXX
XXX-Beck-XXX

Need to see more from Roy, Hage, etc

Hutson-XXX
Guhle-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-Mailloux

Probably too generous with the prospects here

If Dach can't find a spot in the top-6 whether it's at center or wing, then I don't expect him to be here long enough to be part of a cup winner. And similarly I don't see Mailloux sticking around to be on the 3rd pairing, either he'll figure things out and become a top-4 guy or he won't and will be traded.

In any case when talking cup winning core you can usually just drop the bottom-6 F, and bottom pairing D because they just aren't core players. And although I'm fine with penciling in Demidov for a top-6 role, with Reinbacher I'd hesitate to do the same. He has everything needed to be that top-pairing RD, but D are generally just harder to project then F and with the injury trouble it makes his projection have even more variance.