The state of the Habs Rebuild - The Next step

[Miller Time]

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.

Sam Bennett would be such a great fit if only we can find a way to get him signed without it being at a stupidly inflated cap #

 

[Goalfield13]

Sam Bennett would be such a great fit if only we can find a way to get him signed without it being at a stupidly inflated cap #

How much would you be willing to pay?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

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.

Need a 2nd line centre.

 

[Miller Time]

How much would you be willing to pay?

Tough call given his age, play style & injury history...

Doubt he'll take less than 6-7year term and I'd be hesitant to commit to him for that long at UFA premium cost.

But on a 3-4year deal, I'd be more comfortable paying a bigger $ premium (4@8M$... Not sure if that gets it done )

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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.

Owen Beck fits that mould.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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

Newhook is an interesting player. I think he’s been better than his points indicate but it won’t be surprising if we move on from him. We’ll see how the 3nd half goes. Love the speed but it doesn’t mean much if you have zero finish. What’s happened with him this year is so remenicient of Higgins. I just couldn’t figure out how a guy with so many chances never got a point or scored…

 

[HuGo Sham]

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.

Sorry meant he’ll turn pro in two years, but I don’t think he’ll be ready to step into a 2C role

 

[LaP]

Do people realize there's only 6 spots in a bottom 6?

Newhook should be pushed down the lineup by Demidov next season.

So we currently have

Anderson
Gallagher
Heineman
Newhook

Signed for next season as bottom 6 player. But people want to sign Evans, Armia, Bennett, Youppie, Capitaine Bonhomme probably too ...

Since all those contracts will be at least 2 years but realistically more like 3 then it means Beck will spend 4 years in the AHL. I think he'll have to go thru waiver before that ...

 

[Sorinth]

Do people realize there's only 6 spots in a bottom 6?

Newhook should be pushed down the lineup by Demidov next season.

So we currently have

Anderson
Gallagher
Heineman
Newhook

Signed for next season as bottom 6 player. But people want to sign Evans, Armia, Bennett, Youppie, Capitaine Bonhomme probably too ...

Since all those contracts will be at least 2 years but realistically more like 3 then it means Beck will spend 4 years in the AHL. I think he'll have to go thru waiver before that ...

Well there's 8 spots when you include the 13th and 14th forward who still tend to get 50ish games in do to injuries. Same goes for the 7th D, they will end up playing a bunch of games, so you will want someone who can play a regular shift.

 

[Scriptor]

Sorry meant he’ll turn pro in two years, but I don’t think he’ll be ready to step into a 2C role

Hage still has a lot to learn

 

[Scriptor]

Do people realize there's only 6 spots in a bottom 6?

Newhook should be pushed down the lineup by Demidov next season.

So we currently have

Anderson
Gallagher
Heineman
Newhook

Signed for next season as bottom 6 player. But people want to sign Evans, Armia, Bennett, Youppie, Capitaine Bonhomme probably too ...

Since all those contracts will be at least 2 years but realistically more like 3 then it means Beck will spend 4 years in the AHL. I think he'll have to go thru waiver before that ...

The top-6, at least to start the year, looks like it will be:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Demidov - Dach - Laine

Not too shabby if everyone stays healthy and Dach plays a more consistent game.

PP1 looks like:

Caufield - Suzuki - Laine
Hutson - Demidov

PP2 might look like:

Slafkovsky - Dach - Heineman
Matheson - Newhook

Bottom-6, we're not able to move Gallagher or Anderson, IMO, so they play together on one line, maybe with an extended Evans as the C. Beck likely centers Heineman and Newhook.

Under this likely scenario, Hughes need to move Armia and Dvorak, even if I'd prefer to keep Armia over Gallagher, personally.