The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

What I said was we don't need a DREW DOUGHTY Norris winning Dman to be the RD1

Doughty isn't that anymore, so sorry for presuming you meant what he is right now rather than what he was.

 

[Theodore450]

The goal should be to find a 2C to play with demidov and Laine for next season. Maybe add another top 4 D to replace Matheson and help Hutson out

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It's because you unequivocally need someone better on RD ANYway in the long run, even with Matheson 'not playing so bad it hurts us' at the moment

It's not that there's a 'rush' to get rid of him in of itself
It's about the clock ticking on his contract, and there's a HUGE risk his buddy Kent simply re-signs him to above 6M for a guy who will ultimately be in the way of 'all' our LD's, and rely on him to be a RD into his mid 30's?
Ugh, can't happen
Better not happen

And it needs to be addressed THIS offseason.

I’m not opposed to a trade. I think you’re right in the long run.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I'm not sure, but I feel like this is a long running issue for you, you want Caulfield to get as much or more praise than Suzuki.

And that's a perfectly reasonable take. But I personally think Suzuki is the more valuable player.

Suzuki has been our best player since day one. I think there was an 80 game stretch split between two years where I’d have taken CC but year by year it’s been Suzuki and not really anyone else who’s close.
My belief in Caufield rests on his potential, always has been.

As for this year, I wouldn’t argue hard for him over Suzuki this season because Nick does so much for the club in terms of defensive play. Overall I’d give the edge to Caufield because of his goal scoring. He’s been really good this year.

My wish with Suzuki has always been that he’d shoot more. He has an amazing shot and doesn’t use it enough.

 

[morhilane]

Listened to Allan Walsh's latest podcast episode this morning. He is saying the new upper limit of the salary cap this summer will be of 97 m. Some food for thought, we should have plenty of $ available to us. Here's a link to the youtube episode. It's at 39:10 of the video.​

...

The cap can't increase by more than 5% per the CBA unless all parties agrees. It is way more likely that the cap next season is near the max allowed by the CBA ($92.4m) then it getting to $97m.

 

[CHfan1]

The cap can't increase by more than 5% per the CBA unless all parties agrees. It is way more likely that the cap next season is near the max allowed by the CBA ($92.4m) then it getting to $97m.

We’ll see but on Friedman’s last 32 thoughts column he said most people were predicting it would land around $95 million (which both parties would have to agree to).

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The cap can't increase by more than 5% per the CBA unless all parties agrees. It is way more likely that the cap next season is near the max allowed by the CBA ($92.4m) then it getting to $97m.

That depends solely on the revenues. If revenues are up accordingly, they'll go over accordingly.

 

[morhilane]

That depends solely on the revenues. If revenues are up accordingly, they'll go over accordingly.

Everyone needs to agree above a 5% increase in cap hit.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Everyone needs to agree above a 5% increase in cap hit.

And I did not contradict this fact.

You talked of likelyhood. Im telling you that likelyhood hinges on revenues, not their agreement. Their agreement always falls in line with the revenues, year after year.

 

[salbutera]

Listened to Allan Walsh's latest podcast episode this morning. He is saying the new upper limit of the salary cap this summer will be of 97 m. Some food for thought, we should have plenty of $ available to us. Here's a link to the youtube episode. It's at 39:10 of the video.​

I’m expecting cap ceiling to be $115M+ within 4-5 years. VGK, Sea and now Utah are bringing in significant revenue and I expect expansion into Houston & Atlanta within 3 seasons will boost even more.

Habs have most of their core locked up w Demigod, potentially Fowler & Hage, and maybe Heineken needing significant $$ in 3-4 years and should be able to easily fit within their cap

 

[morhilane]

And I did not contradict this fact.

You talked of likelyhood. Im telling you that likelyhood hinges on revenues, not their agreement. Their agreement always falls in line with the revenues, year after year.

They don't "falls in line", the amount is negotiated. Last season, it was 5.4%.

But the league never increased the cap by as much as 88 to 97 (10%), that's why 95m is considered the actual max possible, it's more in a line with previous >5% big increase.

 

[DAChampion]

Given the additions of Laine and (soon) Demidov, the Habs' top six will be complete. Leaving incredible competition for the third line in the near future:

Anderson
Beck
Evans
Future draftees
Gallagher
Hage
Heinemen
Kappanen
Koivu
Mesar
Newhook
Roy
Thorpe

Since I don't know how to rank these players, I listed them in alphabetical order.

 

[Essenege]

I’m expecting cap ceiling to be $115M+ within 4-5 years. VGK, Sea and now Utah are bringing in significant revenue and I expect expansion into Houston & Atlanta within 3 seasons will boost even more.

Habs have most of their core locked up w Demigod, potentially Fowler & Hage, and maybe Heineken needing significant $$ in 3-4 years and should be able to easily fit within their cap

With the CAD down this much?

 

[InsideLaine]

Given the additions of Laine and (soon) Demidov, the Habs' top six will be complete. Leaving incredible competition for the third line in the near future:

Anderson
Beck
Evans
Future draftees
Gallagher
Hage
Kappanen
Koivu
Mesar
Newhook
Roy
Thorpe

Since I don't know how to rank these players, I listed them in alphabetical order.

Holy crap this is a buttload of players. Sounds more and more like Evans and a couple of others could be traded for a good return, although I would be very shortsighted and trade for a 2nd line center who even becomes UFA this summer (a high profile rental). Are there any available? I know this sounds like a bad shortsighted move but we somehow can afford it weirdly enough.

And when I say 2nd line center I mean a SERIOUS upgrade on Dach and we go into a semi-contender mode already this season. No real downside to it imo. Its not like we would be doing a Columbus season 2020-2021 (if I remember years right) type of all in no matter the consequences type of mid-season move.

But for "semi-contending" this season we need a RHD as well right? That could cost us more than we are willing to shed... Unlss we do some semi-stupid moves.

 

[InsideLaine]

Holy crap this is a buttload of players. Sounds more and more like Evans and a couple of others could be traded for a good return, although I would be very shortsighted and trade for a 2nd line center who even becomes UFA this summer (a high profile rental). Are there any available? I know this sounds like a bad shortsighted move but we somehow can afford it weirdly enough.

And when I say 2nd line center I mean a SERIOUS upgrade on Dach and we go into a semi-contender mode already this season. No real downside to it imo. Its not like we would be doing a Columbus season 2020-2021 (if I remember years right) type of all in no matter the consequences type of mid-season move.

But for "semi-contending" this season we need a RHD as well right? That could cost us more than we are willing to shed... Unlss we do some semi-stupid moves.

And why would we even consider doing this; Do we need a longish post-season run already this season (that prepares us for next season's playoffs)? And I know Im jumping like 2 years ahead of schedule with this talk but.. I think we can do it, we are ahead of schedule (as far as Ive understood the plans and the projected situation vs the current situation correctly).

 

[BLONG7]

The cap can't increase by more than 5% per the CBA unless all parties agrees. It is way more likely that the cap next season is near the max allowed by the CBA ($92.4m) then it getting to $97m.

Agents............always love to jump the gun on the cap....

It is more likely to be that 92M area and the agents and PA all want it at 97M of course.........I wonder if it could be somewhere in the middle 94-95M??

The good side is the management we now have, manage the cap so well, compared to the Doneky years, so we are going to be fine there for years to come.
I think it comes down to is there a UFA out there, who wants to play for the Habs? Rantanen??

Holy crap this is a buttload of players. Sounds more and more like Evans and a couple of others could be traded for a good return, although I would be very shortsighted and trade for a 2nd line center who even becomes UFA this summer (a high profile rental). Are there any available? I know this sounds like a bad shortsighted move but we somehow can afford it weirdly enough.

And when I say 2nd line center I mean a SERIOUS upgrade on Dach and we go into a semi-contender mode already this season. No real downside to it imo. Its not like we would be doing a Columbus season 2020-2021 (if I remember years right) type of all in no matter the consequences type of mid-season move.

But for "semi-contending" this season we need a RHD as well right? That could cost us more than we are willing to shed... Unlss we do some semi-stupid moves.

The 2nd line C issue, is glaring for sure..........Dach has not grabbed a hold of that as of yet 40+ games into this season. His next 20 games are huge.

 

[morhilane]

Agents............always love to jump the gun on the cap....

It is more likely to be that 92M area and the agents and PA all want it at 97M of course.........I wonder if it could be somewhere in the middle 94-95M??

The PA is more likely to want it lower than 97m actually, thanks to how escrow works: Why NHL Players Hate Escrow

 

[Benstheman]

Agents............always love to jump the gun on the cap....

It is more likely to be that 92M area and the agents and PA all want it at 97M of course.........I wonder if it could be somewhere in the middle 94-95M??

The good side is the management we now have, manage the cap so well, compared to the Doneky years, so we are going to be fine there for years to come.
I think it comes down to is there a UFA out there, who wants to play for the Habs? Rantanen??


The 2nd line C issue, is glaring for sure..........Dach has not grabbed a hold of that as of yet 40+ games into this season. His next 20 games are huge.

We still have 40 games to go this season. We will have a way better evaluation of Dach and Laine for that matter, at the end of the season.

 

[Conflicted Habs fan]

Not sure if anyone has seen this yet but this video offers a good breakdown of the rebuild

 

[InsideLaine]

Not sure if anyone has seen this yet but this video offers a good breakdown of the rebuild

Thanks, will watch this later tonight!

 

[HuGo Sham]

I think Demidov replaces Newhook in the top 6 and depending on what happens with Dvorak (gone) or Evans, Beck gets a crack at making the team. Habs may also consider Newhook at 3C.
At D, again depending on what happens with Savard, I think Mailloux gets a shot...but they may try to sign another vet.

I think it's 100% guaranteed Reinbacher plays most of next year in Laval.

The position I'm most concerned about is 2C. Can Dach ever get or even stay fully healthy?

Hage is 3 years away. Maybe HuGo has a plan to use some of our many picks / prospects to secure a young 2C

 

[Kennerback]

Add Demidov, this team has enough talent. It needs tough blue collar players that can play hockey. My Islander analogy: Bob Nystrom, Brent and Duane Sutter. Basically a Cup winning supporting cast.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I think Demidov replaces Newhook in the top 6 and depending on what happens with Dvorak (gone) or Evans, Beck gets a crack at making the team. Habs may also consider Newhook at 3C.
At D, again depending on what happens with Savard, I think Mailloux gets a shot...but they may try to sign another vet.

I think it's 100% guaranteed Reinbacher plays most of next year in Laval.

The position I'm most concerned about is 2C. Can Dach ever get or even stay fully healthy?

Hage is 3 years away. Maybe HuGo has a plan to use some of our many picks / prospects to secure a young 2C

Hage is one season away after this one. Like Caufield, I think he will get 2 years in Div1 and move on directly to the Habs, so 26-27.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Hage is one season away after this one. Like Caufield, I think he will get 2 years in Div1 and move on directly to the Habs, so 26-27.

Yes but would be very optimistic to see him as a 2C on a contending team right after graduation in my opinion.

 

[salbutera]

With the CAD down this much?

ESPN deal + serious revenue being generated w VGK, Sea and Utah (and a new arena coming). Just Az to Utah is significant revenue jump in $$$