The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Lafleurs Guy]

The team list for the Habs is so wrong though.

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

Caufield has so much potential. I hope he can keep scoring this season. Really would like to see a 40+ goal year

 

[Toene]

The 2025 UFAs crop is absolute trash. 2026 looks better but a lot of those names are going to be re-signed before they hit free agency. Looking kind of bleak. We may need to trade valuable assets to address the biggest weaknesses.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The 2025 UFAs crop is absolute trash. 2026 looks better but a lot of those names are going to be re-signed before they hit free agency. Looking kind of bleak. We may need to trade valuable assets to address the biggest weaknesses.

Our asset base isn't strong enough for us to start trading our most valuable assets. Our biggest weakness IS our asset base, for now. It still needs to be shored up before we go down the road of trades, where your asset base doesn't really move. Just displacing one hole for another. Or more likely, overpaying to get a specific player, shortening our asset base. We just aren't there yet, and if we were to go down to that road too quickly, I foresee a future middle of the pack team where we'll always be short somewhere because we didn't stack long enough and don't have the ammo to make the team truly great.

Now, I'm not saying there are no trades to be made, but simply that we still don't have the horses to think sideway moves (in terms of asset base) will fix our biggest holes. In all likelyhood, we would be giving up more to get specific players. We're just not there yet.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

The 2025 UFAs crop is absolute trash. 2026 looks better but a lot of those names are going to be re-signed before they hit free agency. Looking kind of bleak. We may need to trade valuable assets to address the biggest weaknesses.

I'm not so worried about a 2C as I am a 1RD ,

We have plenty of assets to fill the 2C spot eventually , top 4 RHD is a little harder, really need Rainman to become one

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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

 

[Egresch]

The team list for the Habs is so wrong though.

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

I understand Caufield is scoring now, but AA is overrated heavily. People say Slaf is not playing well, but all his stats (other than goals) are better than Caufield already. Hits, blocks, takeaways, giveaways, Corsi...
Demidov, Hutson and Slaf has potential to be elite, Caufield not really.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I understand Caufield is scoring now, but AA is overrated heavily. People say Slaf is not playing well, but all his stats (other than goals) are better than Caufield already. Hits, blocks, takeaways, giveaways, Corsi...
Demidov, Hutson and Slaf has potential to be elite, Caufield not really.

Disagree.

Caufield has shown he can be among the best goalscorers in the league already. Yeah, somewhat unidimensional but that doesn't matter when you have elite goalscoring ability. Once this team gets it's shit together and can actually sustain some offensive pressure his numbers will get better. As is, he's already among the league's scoring leaders and has demonstrated an ability to pace for close to 50 per 82. That's elite.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I understand Caufield is scoring now, but AA is overrated heavily. People say Slaf is not playing well, but all his stats (other than goals) are better than Caufield already. Hits, blocks, takeaways, giveaways, Corsi...
Demidov, Hutson and Slaf has potential to be elite, Caufield not really.

I see both of them as A.

Slaf has his own shortcomings. Both could reach a higher level.

Only double AAs I see are Hutson and Demidov. We need more.

 

[Sorinth]

Was a definition given of what is a triple, double, single A?

Just skimming through other teams players rated AA and I do think Caufield belongs in that group. Some of the mor established guys are Lucas Raymond with a career high of 31 goals and 72 points and Matt Boldy with 29 goals and 69 points which is pretty comparable to Caufield's 28 goals and 65 points, especially given that was considered a "down" year for him.

That said I could certainly see an argument that Slaf, Hutson should be at the same level as Caufield, but that probably means bumping those 2 up to AA rather then dropping Caufield down to A.

 

[BLONG7]

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

This is great to see and hear from others....................that said, a little more patience is needed.

I understand Caufield is scoring now, but AA is overrated heavily. People say Slaf is not playing well, but all his stats (other than goals) are better than Caufield already. Hits, blocks, takeaways, giveaways, Corsi...
Demidov, Hutson and Slaf has potential to be elite, Caufield not really.

Last year, CC was $hit on for low shooting percentage, and not scoring...............too many assists.

This year, higher shooting perventage and more goals, and gets $hit on again??

The guy is becoming like Suzuki, a more complete 200ft player. Hard to not like what we see from CC.

 

[Captain Mountain]

The 2025 UFAs crop is absolute trash. 2026 looks better but a lot of those names are going to be re-signed before they hit free agency. Looking kind of bleak. We may need to trade valuable assets to address the biggest weaknesses.

Montreal's close to the point where they can (and probably should) trade valuable assets to address weaknesses (if those guys are even available). They're not going to have room for all their prospects to develop, have excess picks and will likely be in a position to add to both with pending UFA who play positions and styles in demand at the deadline.

They just need to be smart in who they target.

 

[Toene]

Our asset base isn't strong enough for us to start trading our most valuable assets. Our biggest weakness IS our asset base, for now. It still needs to be shored up before we go down the road of trades, where your asset base doesn't really move. Just displacing one hole for another. Or more likely, overpaying to get a specific player, shortening our asset base. We just aren't there yet, and if we were to go down to that road too quickly, I foresee a future middle of the pack team where we'll always be short somewhere because we didn't stack long enough and don't have the ammo to make the team truly great.

Now, I'm not saying there are no trades to be made, but simply that we still don't have the horses to think sideway moves (in terms of asset base) will fix our biggest holes. In all likelyhood, we would be giving up more to get specific players. We're just not there yet.

Completely disagree. We have too many picks and prospects as it is. I would be comfortable trading away any first or second rounder except our 2025 first, as long as thr value is there. Package prospects, picks, and roster players to obtain a solid top RD or a 2C.

 

[LaP]

They just need to be smart in who they target.

Players under tha age of 28.

 

[Egresch]

Was a definition given of what is a triple, double, single A?

Just skimming through other teams players rated AA and I do think Caufield belongs in that group. Some of the mor established guys are Lucas Raymond with a career high of 31 goals and 72 points and Matt Boldy with 29 goals and 69 points which is pretty comparable to Caufield's 28 goals and 65 points, especially given that was considered a "down" year for him.

That said I could certainly see an argument that Slaf, Hutson should be at the same level as Caufield, but that probably means bumping those 2 up to AA rather then dropping Caufield down to A.

Players are labeled AAA (superstar), AA (elite), A (No. 1 goalie, top-pair defenceman, first-line forward) or B (tandem goalie, top-four defenceman, top-six forward) or C (backup goalie, depth defenceman, bottom-six forward).

 

[Mrb1p]

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

And the greatest refs in the world, hf mods, just tell you to don't take the bait lol.

 

[Mrb1p]

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

Ah yes upgrading on the 12th best center in the league, classic contender move.

 

[Egresch]

Disagree.

Caufield has shown he can be among the best goalscorers in the league already. Yeah, somewhat unidimensional but that doesn't matter when you have elite goalscoring ability. Once this team gets it's shit together and can actually sustain some offensive pressure his numbers will get better. As is, he's already among the league's scoring leaders and has demonstrated an ability to pace for close to 50 per 82. That's elite.

His shooting % is 26,7 and is trending to 52 goals. I would be really happy if he can score 40, that would be amazing, but it is obvious he needs a center who can do defensive duties (Suzuki/Evans) and ideally some big body (Dach couple years ago or Slaf) to reach that milestone. And that to me does not sound like elite.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Completely disagree. We have too many picks and prospects as it is. I would be comfortable trading away any first or second rounder except our 2025 first, as long as thr value is there. Package prospects, picks, and roster players to obtain a solid top RD or a 2C.

We've had very limited success going this route so far (Dach, Newhook) because those type of trades only come around once or twice per year because you can't force things and need to wait for the right opportunities.

We'll have a agree on what you refer to as valuable assets, because the ones you've named are not what I would refer to as such.

To me, valuable assets are top picks and grade A prospects. We have none to give.

 

[Egresch]

I see both of them as A.

Slaf has his own shortcomings. Both could reach a higher level.

Only double AAs I see are Hutson and Demidov. We need more.

I agree, I would rate Hutson and Demidov AA. To me, Slaf and CC are A while Slaf has higher potential to reach AA status.

Last year, CC was $hit on for low shooting percentage, and not scoring...............too many assists.

This year, higher shooting perventage and more goals, and gets $hit on again??

The guy is becoming like Suzuki, a more complete 200ft player. Hard to not like what we see from CC.

I am not $hiting on him, he is a top 6 player for me, but I do not see him as elite.

CC is nowhere near 200ft player and it is naive to think he ever will.
Takeaways 6
Giveaways 17
Defensive zone giveaways 5
Blocks 9
Hits 15

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

His shooting % is 26,7 and is trending to 52 goals. I would be really happy if he can score 40, that would be amazing, but it is obvious he needs a center who can do defensive duties (Suzuki/Evans) and ideally some big body (Dach couple years ago or Slaf) to reach that milestone. And that to me does not sound like elite.

Was Brett Hull elite?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I agree, I would rate Hutson and Demidov AA. To me, Slaf and CC are A while Slaf has higher potential to reach AA status.

I am not $hiting on him, he is a top 6 player for me, but I do not see him as elite.

CC is nowhere near 200ft player and it is naive to think he ever will.
Takeaways 6
Giveaways 17
Defensive zone giveaways 5
Blocks 9
Hits 15

Guy Lafleur wasn’t a 200 foot player. Neither was Wayne Gretzky.

Every player is different and has some kind of limitation - except maybe Gordie Howe - that doesn’t mean you’re not elite.

Cc has shown the potential to be a borderline superstar player. But he’s never been healthy enough to do it in one season.

No he’s not a power forward and is limited defensively from that perspective. But he doesn’t give up and has good success stealing pucks - just did it to Drai last game.

If you think CC has the potential to be a 50 goal guy, then that definitely qualifies as an elite player. If he can do that with regularity then he’s a superstar.

The potential is there. Whether or not he can realize it we have to see. But he’s at minimum a AA prospect player.

 

[LaP]

Was Brett Hull elite?

Hull was absolutely 100% elite.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Ah yes upgrading on the 12th best center in the league, classic contender move.

would we not be contenders with a better center than Suzuki?

Not hating on Suzuki at all

 

[Mrb1p]

would we not be contenders with a better center than Suzuki?

Not hating on Suzuki at all

Ya wed be contenders with two better centers than him too.

 

[Naslundforever]

Ya wed be contenders with two better centers than him too.

What about 20 better centers but one of them has to play in nets?