What would you prefer - finishing top 5 or bottom 5 in NHL standings this season?

[Shad]

I voted to win. So many rebuilding teams don’t bother to create a winning culture once they have pieces in place and then you end up like Arizona and modern Buffalo.

At the end of the day, even with a last place finish, we only have a 30 something percent chance at Bedard so we may as well not even think about him.

 

[Zorro]

Definitely top 5! If we succeed, it will be a team effort not because 1 or 2 guys. And for those of you hailing bedard as the "answer". You know who is actual superstar? Mcdavid! And he's made it past the 2nd round ONCE in 7 years.

 

[JoelWarlord]

How is Bottom Five winning this poll lmao, the point of tanking is to get stars so you can contend. Jake Allen is our #1 goalie, finishing top 5 would mean we already have the superstars on our roster (not that I think that's actually a likely or realistic outcome or anything)

 

[26Mats]

So I know majority here wanted, and certainly even expected to tank. 2023 looks like a great draft, starting with Bedard at the very top but also a few others.

But so far to start the season Habs are looking pretty good.

So what would you prefer, assuming one of these two scenarios were to occur?


1. HABS finish bottom 5 in standings. This means we get a high draft pick.

2. HABS finish top 5 in standings. Unlike the past ~15 years, we don't exactly have a Carey Price to hide behind and make us look better than we are - so if we finish top 5 it's likely due to a lot of our young players taking big steps forward (Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, etc).

So what's your preference? Stick to the tank and bottom 5 - or would you rather a top 5 finish since it implies so much of our young core is improving way better and faster than expected - and also likely puts us in line for playoff success this year.

I went bottom 5 because teams can have good years and finish high in the standings when all goes well for them. But it doesn't mean they're well built teams for the playoffs or long term. Past Michel Therrien teams come to mind.

I really want a top 5 pick in this draft - for the future. I'd trade vets like Edmundson, Monahsn. Matheson, Savard, Anderson if 1sts were on the table to make that happen.

MSL and the early start have me worried.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

This year bottom 5 considering that talent available
Bedard/Mitchkov seen as near generational talent
Fantili currently 2ppg in the NCAA. On pace for a better season than Eichel had.
Leo Carlsson near ppg in the Swedish league

Next year, top 5

 

[JoelWarlord]

I went bottom 5 because teams can have good years and finish high in the standings when all goes well for them. But it doesn't mean they're well built teams for the playoffs or long term. Past Michel Therrien teams come to mind.

The only times we finished in the top 5 under Therrien were 12-13 in a shortened season where Gallagher and Galchenyuk stepped in as instant success, while Subban won the Norris, Pacioretty exploded, and all our other young players showed up, and in 14-15 where we had Price winning the Hart and Vezina at the absolute peak of his powers alongside huge contributions from Pacioretty, Subban, Plekanec, Markov, etc.

If this team somehow manages to develop a core equivalent to Price/Pacioretty/Subban/Plekanec/Markov in a single year I will have no concerns whatsoever. Subban and Price were among the absolute very best in the world at their positions, we're talking about a case where Caufield would have to score 50 goals while Guhle would be playing at a level where he becomes an arguable #3 best defenceman in the world after Hedman and Makar to have an equivalent core. This time around it would have to be far more skater dependent too, Guhle would have to be as good as prime Subban while Suzuki and Caufield would both need to be far far ahead of prime Plekanec and Pacioretty given we have Jake Allen who's just a solid veteran 1B goalie best suited to a 30-35 game workload as our starter and not the very best goalie in the entire world at the absolute peak of his prime.

 

[rik schau]

I voted to win. So many rebuilding teams don’t bother to create a winning culture once they have pieces in place and then you end up like Arizona and modern Buffalo.

At the end of the day, even with a last place finish, we only have a 30 something percent chance at Bedard so we may as well not even think about him.

Heard Bedard is looking for a home in Phoenix.lol

 

[26Mats]

The only times we finished in the top 5 under Therrien were 12-13 in a shortened season where Gallagher and Galchenyuk stepped in as instant success, while Subban won the Norris, Pacioretty exploded, and all our other young players showed up, and in 14-15 where we had Price winning the Hart and Vezina at the absolute peak of his powers alongside huge contributions from Pacioretty, Subban, Plekanec, Markov, etc.

If this team somehow manages to develop a core equivalent to Price/Pacioretty/Subban/Plekanec/Markov in a single year I will have no concerns whatsoever. Subban and Price were among the absolute very best in the world at their positions, we're talking about a case where Caufield would have to score 50 goals while Guhle would be playing at a level where he becomes an arguable #3 best defenceman in the world after Hedman and Makar to have an equivalent core. This time around it would have to be far more skater dependent too, Guhle would have to be as good as prime Subban while Suzuki and Caufield would both need to be far far ahead of prime Plekanec and Pacioretty given we have Jake Allen who's just a solid veteran 1B goalie best suited to a 30-35 game workload as our starter and not the very best goalie in the entire world at the absolute peak of his prime.

We won't develop a caore like that. Price was a huge part of that core and we have no Price.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Personally, a top-5 pick is my preference. And I think as the season progresses, the Habs will come back to normal. However, I can't say I'm not having fun so far after 4 games.

 

[waitin425]

How can anyone vote bottom 5? lol

"I hope we finish bottom 5, so we can get another prospect that will help us finish top 5"

Guys.....if we finish top 5....that means we already have our elite core moving forward. It will be on the backs of guys that will be here for years to come. Sure....Bedard, Michkov, etc would be amazing....but the point of getting those guys is to get to the top.

Let me ask another question.....

Stanley Cup this year or draft Bedard?

 

[MarioLeMoose]

We need a superstar to add to this core.

Another superstar, you mean? could never hurt to add another, but we do already have 2 superstars

 

[JoelWarlord]

We won't develop a caore like that. Price was a huge part of that core and we have no Price.

Yeah that's what I'm getting at. Finishing top 5 with Allen-Montembeault as our tandem would require some truly special development from skaters this year which would mean it's not a problem to avoid the top fo the draft.

 

[rik schau]

Bedard/Michkov or I am going to scream and cry so hard that I throw up

I did but because I saw the retro jersey.lol

 

[Captain Mountain]

The answer is clearly bottom 5.

First of all, they're far closer to being bottom 5 than top 5. Sure, they've started 3-2, but the underlying stuff points to this team not touching the playoffs. They haven't looked that good.

Secondly, the top of this draft class looks really strong and deep.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

we have Florida’s first right? Is it lotto protected?

And, yeah I’d prefer we get a top pick in a strong draft.

 

[26Mats]

Yeah that's what I'm getting at. Finishing top 5 with Allen-Montembeault as our tandem would require some truly special development from skaters this year which would mean it's not a problem to avoid the top fo the draft.

Or Allen catches lightening in a bottle like Halak did in the past, we have ver few man games, etc.. Finishing high doesn't necessarily mean good fundamentals. It may, but not necessarily. At any rate if we actually finish top 5 we can discuss it then!

 

[rik schau]

The answer is clearly bottom 5.

First of all, they're far closer to being bottom 5 than top 5. Sure, they've started 3-2, but the underlying stuff points to this team not touching the playoffs. They haven't looked that good.

Secondly, the top of this draft class looks really strong and deep.

Montreal has not played a team that has looked good either. The Dallas game will be a game of note.

 

[Trabdy2]

Next draft is strong and I don't think just one year (last year) of picking high gives enough to work with for a successful/contending rebuild. I'd rather us finish near the bottom this year.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

How can anyone vote bottom 5? lol

"I hope we finish bottom 5, so we can get another prospect that will help us finish top 5"

Guys.....if we finish top 5....that means we already have our elite core moving forward. It will be on the backs of guys that will be here for years to come. Sure....Bedard, Michkov, etc would be amazing....but the point of getting those guys is to get to the top.

Let me ask another question.....

Stanley Cup this year or draft Bedard?

Not necessarily. Veterans like Drouin, Monahan, Allen, Matheson, Dvorak, etc. could all have a career-best season and lead us to a top 5 finish. None of these players are part of the young core.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Top 5

I want to tank but if we're good, we're good.

Beside, we have Florida's pick, so in any case we should come out of the 2023 draft with some interesting prospects.

 

[Wats]

I'm a pro-tank guy but if Habs somehow magically finish top 5 in NHL, it means Guhle became a top pairing D like Seider + Harris became a good 2nd pairing D + Caufield is challenging for Rocket Trophy + Suzuki is in top 15 NHL scoring + Dach became a ~60 point guy + Allen/Primeau has become a legit starter + Anderson/Gallagher/Monahan/etc all having great seasons + Vet D all healthy doing good.

With Montreal being top 5, it means Florida has good chance at being bumped out of playoffs since Atlantic can only have 5 max teams in. Any time a team is top 5, they have something elite. Even Montreal had elite Subban/Price and sniper Prime Pacioretty.

 

[rik schau]

I prefer top 5 over bottom 5,just like the surgeons that operate on me. lol.

 

[zzoo]

For me, the answer is very clear and without any doubt. As for my life, I prefer that I suffer and study hard for my future, than going to party and have fun for few days/weeks then my future is screwed.

Let me ask you: for last season, do you prefer that we make Playoffs, or finish bottom 5 ?

 

[Canadienna]

Me trying to do the math on how many goals CC would have to score for us to be a top 5 team.

The answer is all the goals. He would score all of them.

 

[waitin425]

Not necessarily. Veterans like Drouin, Monahan, Allen, Matheson, Dvorak, etc. could all have a career-best season and lead us to a top 5 finish. None of these players are part of the young core.

Drouin = replaceable
Monahan = replaceable
Allen = replaceable
Matheson = replaceable
Dvorak = replaceable

Sure they could all have career seasons and help us to a top 5. But they are also pieces that can be found and replaced through free agency.

If we do get there it will be because Suzuki and Caufield lead this team. They already are.

And it would involve Arber, Guhle and Slaf earning their spots and contributing.

That would be absolutely huge moving forward.

For the record....Monahan and Dvo, although replaceable, if they have career years, I'd sign them and still consider them part of our group for the next 5 or so years. They aren't old.