We mostly agree just not on specific things. I just don’t think they want to commit long term/big money on a player outside the organization right now. In my opinion they have many things to clean up before thinking about this and be a real competitive team.
They might want him and you’re right. Who knows.
I don't know either, of course.
Dubois might not even be in HuGo's plans? Of course, my position is, irrelevant of the fact his name is Dubois, I don't understand why they wouldn't be; right demographics (age before anything, not location, but location, while it should not be the sole motivation, is a bonus that can't be ignored -- ignoring it would be dishonest), opportunity for a value deal because of his refusal to commit in WIN and his willingness to sign with the Habs (a rarity for that quality player at that age), a good complement for the long term development of the young, talented players already in the top-6, etc.
I'm less concerned with the long term because Dubois is a dual threat, big-bodied C that scores and sets up plays. He can easily be transferred to the wing should Dach and Suzuki provide better options at C, or should, via the draft, we acquire a superior C.
Once everyone is fully developed, the tale will be told and the depth at C will be easily established. With Suzuki, Dubois and Dach all viable candidates to produce on the wing as well, I'm not remotely concerned about how it will shake out in the next there or four years.
Hopefully, what we have, at that point, should leave us with a four-year window to compete for the Cup. Beyond that, it's up to HuGo, if they are still around, to continue drafting wisely and developing their prospects to keep the wheel of success turning.
What I'm more concerned with is, like everyone, the Cap hit. Since I don't believe we will end up landing a generational player worth 20% of the payroll, or even 15% of the payroll with his 12.5M Cap hit on a 81.5M Cap ceiling, I'm pretty much on board with what seems to be going down in Hab Land under Hughes.
It definitely looks like they are attempting to use Suzuki's Cap hit as an internal, individual Cap ceiling figure. Caufield's new contract will further expose that, IMO, and a contract for Dubois should not really extend beyond that internal cap ceiling, to remain credible.
Having three top-6 contributors in the same range will;l only keep downward pressure on upcoming talent in the system as the negotiate their second contracts.
It's a smart business model employed by TB with their 9.5M internal Cap, as it was when Crosby, in PIT, had agreed to match his sweater's number (8.7M) as a long term salary figure. If I'm correct, it had put unspoken pressure on Malkin to match that salary on his 2nd NHL contract.
I expect the Cap to rise near 94M over the next three, four or five years, as projected, I consider that the dead wood will rot on its own in a timely fashion to provide Cap space as needed, if it isn't moved beforehand, and I consider that the internal cap ceiling established, if done so successfully, will provide value contracts to move out for sizeable gains in future assets as the players become older veterans and we see younger talents developing into comparable replacements.
IMHO, there. is a lot less crises in the works, Cap-wise, if we acquire Dubois long term around Suzuki money.
