Post-Game Talk: Who are these guys? Habs stamp out Bolts 5-2!

[BLONG7]

He’s not a 3C. I don’t get why people are falling for the insane shooting percentage. He’s not a good enough playmaker to be a 3C unless we were the 2008 Penguins with Crosby and Malkin as our top two centres. But our centres are Suzuki (barely PPG) and Dach (30 points). You don’t pay a guy playing way over his head when he’s shown nothing remotely close to this for his first 5 seasons. He’s not Sean Couturier.

But he is.........currently proving you wrong. You don't think he can keep doing it, but you do think Kap or Beck can?
Danault thinks he is a 2C but we know he is a 3C............Evans has moved the goalposts, from 4C to a 3C and it's very evident.
Something to think about eh........

 

[le_sean]

But he is.........currently proving you wrong. You don't think he can keep doing it, but you do think Kap or Beck can?
Danault thinks he is a 2C but we know he is a 3C............Evans has moved the goalposts, from 4C to a 3C and it's very evident.
Something to think about eh........

He is not proving me wrong. He's proving some people are gullible.

Yes, I think those two players, who have the draft pedigree and have shown far more at their young age than Evans did, can provide more in that 3rd line centre spot.

 

[Tyson]

Habs have so many picks in the drafts coming up that trading Savard imo won't happen unless it's a trade that is simply too good to pass up which I don't expect. Who cares about adding a 3rd round pick for Savard? Savard isn't being moved, maybe not even Dvorak who is also playing some really good hockey currently.

 

[schwang26]

Nobody would have predicted the habs would play the best back to back games they have played in many many years.

It wasn’t even that they won but how they won. They dominated both games, seriously it was a strange feeling watching that lol, not being nervous or worried. They dominated the third period of both games.

Let’s see what happens in Vegas, another top top team.

What I didn’t like is that the first line still isn’t really producing, especially Suzuki. Caulfield seems to be stuck at 17 forever, and the PP has stopped scoring. It’s great to see the second line finally scoring, but without that 4th line, this team would be screwed. People really want to trade Evans and Armia, but if they’re flirting with a playoff spot come deadline, I really don’t know what they’ll do. If Evans get dealt, you can probably kiss the playoffs goodbye. (And please, no one try to sell me on Beck taking over this year)

 

[JianYang]

But he is.........currently proving you wrong. You don't think he can keep doing it, but you do think Kap or Beck can?
Danault thinks he is a 2C but we know he is a 3C............Evans has moved the goalposts, from 4C to a 3C and it's very evident.
Something to think about eh........

I like Evans and I can understand the argument to keep him, but the comparison to danault who has done it for years and to call him some plain old "3C" over those years.... not so much

 

[schwang26]

As I posted I expected 4pts out of final 3GP in Dec - there are no dominant teams in the NHL this season is the beginning of a transition phase

I said in preseason one of Bos /TBay won’t make the playoffs (see prediction thread) - the Atlantic isn’t this powerhouse many have been stuck to

You obviously aren’t going to admit that the odds of them winning one let alone both were slim, so I guess we need to believe you have a crystal ball or something.

 

[Rapala]

Weak bottom to our conference and getting to .500 definitely puts us in the conversation and creates a dilemma if we maintain it approaching TDL.
The thing that I can't get over is how we've cut the goal diff by 16 in such a short period of time.

A neutral diff and .500 hockey were the goals I hoped we could reach as a team and would permit us to dream of the playoffs next season.
Heck can a 1A/1B goaltending tandem a reliable minute munching RD and the equivalence of gaining a new 2C in Kirby Dach push us over this year.

I love the confidence the team has in Dobes. It reminds me of how I felt about Sam when he was coming into his owm.
The players always know.

 

[le_sean]

I like Evans and I can understand the argument to keep him, but the comparison to danault who has done it for years and to call him some plain old "3C" over those years.... not so much

Danault proved even more than that. At the very least the Kings knew they were getting an elite 3C.

At the very most, you’re getting a mediocre 3C with Jake.

 

[JianYang]

What I didn’t like is that the first line still isn’t really producing, especially Suzuki. Caulfield seems to be stuck at 17 forever, and the PP has stopped scoring. It’s great to see the second line finally scoring, but without that 4th line, this team would be screwed. People really want to trade Evans and Armia, but if they’re flirting with a playoff spot come deadline, I really don’t know what they’ll do. If Evans get dealt, you can probably kiss the playoffs goodbye. (And please, no one try to sell me on Beck taking over this year)

Well, that's the nice thing about being healthy. You are less reliant on certain guys, and you can have other options to pick up the slack when needed. If player x is not producing, player y picks up the slack. When player y dries up, player z chips in, and player x starts producing a bit more again.

On a team level, the PP has cooled off recently... but the PK has picked up again, and goals for/against ratio has been excellent.

Having all the players and special teams humming at the exact same time is closer to catching magic in a bottle than being a normalized sort of thing....its just about having more ways to win instead of relying on a very specific recipe night in and night out that gives you a better chance to have a run like the Habs are currently on.

 

[salbutera]

You obviously aren’t going to admit that the odds of them winning one let alone both were slim, so I guess we need to believe you have a crystal ball or something.

Of course not…but my point was the Habs lineup when healthy was / is not as dysfunctional as many in fandom believed it to be.

Just as team with those “elite talents” are not that great a team either because modern NHL success is all about 4-line / 6D / 2G depth.

Fandom mocked Anderson & Gallagher from the get go but didn’t realize as part of a sum of parts roster construction, they makeup a high end 3rd line vs any NHL teams opposition, same it seems w 4th line.

 

[Gillings]

View attachment 953330

I've been reading and hearing this my entire life.

Demidov is coming baby, and hage!!

 

[BLONG7]

I like Evans and I can understand the argument to keep him, but the comparison to danault who has done it for years and to call him some plain old "3C" over those years.... not so much

Agree to disagree......no worries.

He is not proving me wrong. He's proving some people are gullible.

Yes, I think those two players, who have the draft pedigree and have shown far more at their young age than Evans did, can provide more in that 3rd line centre spot.

Gullible.........that's the Kings GM....lol
No worries, we can agree to disagree. I am giving us all something to think about.
Only HuGOo has the goods to make the final say.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Hell yessss sir

 

[BullLund]

Second line has been playing quite well now in last two games. :O

It feels like there's more space on the ice now for Kirby and Newhook, after Laine's powerplay goals. Laine often has several people chasing after him, even though he hasn't even found his footing quite yet in 5on5 play. It's just the hype from his goals that seems to have defenders over-reacting to every move he makes, not wanting to be the next guy featured in a Laine highlight.

This was how he scored a bunch of assists on Columbus, by drawing a bunch of guys on him and then passing to the player that's free. That's how he can remain a productive player for Montreal in between his patented goal scoring streaks.

 

[ReHabs]

Habs have so many picks in the drafts coming up that trading Savard imo won't happen unless it's a trade that is simply too good to pass up which I don't expect. Who cares about adding a 3rd round pick for Savard? Savard isn't being moved, maybe not even Dvorak who is also playing some really good hockey currently.

There is the element of letting the guy play for a contender and for his new contract and/or to chase the Cup. Savard is not on track to get a new contract right now, he's looking cooked.

I otherwise agree that a mid-draft pick is essentially worthless but the Habs need to manage assets as best as possible considering most of these players (Savard, etc.) are not in any way relevant to our competitive near-future.

 

[Goalfield13]

People get hung-up too much on labels. Evans is, and has always been, a quality bottom 6 player. That's enough for me to want him on this team.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Since Laine's return:

Habs are 8-4-0, 8th in the NHL
Out of those 8 wins, 6 were RW, good for 6th in the NHL

Scoring 3.42 goals per game, 8th in the NHL
Allowing 2.67 goals per game, 12th in the NHL

22.9% on the PP, 12th in the NHL
83.7% on the PK, 12th in the NHL

Since Carrier's acquisition (small sample):

Habs are 4-1-0, 1st in the NHL
Those 4 wins are RW, 1st in the NHL

Scoring 4.40 goals per game, 3rd in the NHL
Allowing 2.20 goals per game, 6th in the NHL

PP is not good at 16.7%, 22nd in the NHL
But the PK at 93.3% is 5th best in the NHL

30 shot on goals per game, 8th in the NHL

I started calculating since their 7-5 win in BUF because that's where I feel they started to win more often than they'd lose. Habs have played 19 games with that game included. They've gone 11-7-1 in that span for 23 pts out of a possible 38. They've been playing .605 hockey the last several weeks. And 8 of their 11 wins were in regulation.

In fact, in those 19 games, Habs are 12th OA. And they're +8 in goal differential (64 GF vs. 55 GA).

They've had the 16th best PP since then. Middle of the pack, but not bottom third. And they've had the 5th best PK in that span. Their FOW is 50.1%, which is middle of the pack.

Kent Hugues gave up Justin Barron and Jordan Harris for them.

And got a 2nd round pick in the process, as well

 

[Adam Michaels]

Habs have so many picks in the drafts coming up that trading Savard imo won't happen unless it's a trade that is simply too good to pass up which I don't expect. Who cares about adding a 3rd round pick for Savard? Savard isn't being moved, maybe not even Dvorak who is also playing some really good hockey currently.

I think it will all depend where Habs sit closer to the TDL. Because right now, everything is going real well. But by February, they might be back down in the standings and it will become evident they will be sellers. If they continue to be in the mix and by the TDL, they're just 4-6 pts out of a playoff spot, they might hold onto some guys.

However, I do think they'll still move guys even if they are a few spots behind. They might not move everyone they intended to trade. But I don't think they will stand pat. They have 4 pending UFAs in Savard, Dvorak, Armia, and Evans. They won't hold onto all 4 even if they are just a few pts behind a playoff spot.

And at the moment, every single one of these guys is bringing it. Savard may be on the third pair, but the way he's helping Xhekaj steady his game shouldn't go unnoticed. And Savard's work on the PK is always on point.

 

[Sorinth]

There is the element of letting the guy play for a contender and for his new contract and/or to chase the Cup. Savard is not on track to get a new contract right now, he's looking cooked.

I otherwise agree that a mid-draft pick is essentially worthless but the Habs need to manage assets as best as possible considering most of these players (Savard, etc.) are not in any way relevant to our competitive near-future.

Savard might not be relevant to our future ambitions, but the flip side to keeping him is that Xhekaj is. And although 20 games isn't make or break for his development, it will be a hurdle if he loses that stability and has to start covering for a partner like Mailloux who is prone to making mistakes.

Doesn't seem like it would be worth destabilizing Xhekaj's play to finish the season for a 3rd round pick, but if somehow Savard can get a 1st then that risk makes more sense to take.

 

[Goalfield13]

I think it will all depend where Habs sit closer to the TDL. Because right now, everything is going real well. But by February, they might be back down in the standings and it will become evident they will be sellers. If they continue to be in the mix and by the TDL, they're just 4-6 pts out of a playoff spot, they might hold onto some guys.

However, I do think they'll still move guys even if they are a few spots behind. They might not move everyone they intended to trade. But I don't think they will stand pat. They have 4 pending UFAs in Savard, Dvorak, Armia, and Evans. They won't hold onto all 4 even if they are just a few pts behind a playoff spot.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Habs be both buyers and sellers at the TDL. If Beck continues to play like he has in the AHL, I think they would trade Dvorak and replace him with Beck pretty easily.

If there is a RD that has a bit of term left that is on the block, I can see Hugo trading for them.

It will be an interesting TDL for sure if the Habs are IN DA MIX!

 

[morhilane]

They've had the 16th best PP since then. Middle of the pack, but not bottom third. And they've had the 5th best PK in that span. Their FOW is 50.1%, which is middle of the pack.

PP is getting lower, because the Habs are barely getting 1 per game since they started to play very well and they usually don't score on the first one they get...and since it's the only one they get.

And when they get a lots of PPs and are leading by a lot, MSL reward players instead of using the first wave too.


edit: MSL doesn't appear to really care about those type of stats or padding his best players goals/assists total like some other teams.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

That would be the point. You trade Evans for a 1st because you have his replacements already. Then you have three 1sts, two 2nds and two 3rds this draft. That’s before trading Savard and Armia. The team would have the ammunition to get a big upgrade either at 2C or D

Trading Evans is the easiest decision ever. He’s shooting 30%. He’s never played like this at any point in his career. You have a couple players that can replace him in the system. Strike while the iron is hot.

Those players will not be as good as Evans for years, you don't just walk into the NHL and play that way. Expect a huge learning curve and years for them to adapt.

 

[Goalfield13]

Those players will not be as good as Evans for years, you don't just walk into the NHL and play that way. Expect a huge learning curve and years for them to adapt.

Having Suzuki and Evans on the team is incredibly important to support all these young Cs coming in. It's like we didn't learn the lessons of this very season. We need vet support. I am not worried about Beck eventually replacing Evans, but you can't count on that right away. Sign Evans now, and if the kids can fill his shoes later on, just trade him!

 

[Runner77]

Took them a looooong time to see that. They should really check this board more often. The wealth of observations and feedback they can rely on to make decisions is staggering. It's almost criminal they don't utilize all this intellectual capital that is available here free of charge.

They over estimated Primeau. The market didn’t want him either, not even for free.

 

[Goalfield13]

They over estimated Primeau. The market didn’t want him either, not even for free.

They also overestimated Barron. Look how Carrier has helped this team in his place. Night and day.