Speculation: Who should be the Habs target for 2nd Center?

[Naslund]

I think it will be Dubois. We need size and strength, and this is likely a buy low opportunity. He's not the top candidate, but he may be the most likely.

 

[Tyson]

If the Habs can't find a suitable 2nd line center I am ok with Kapanen on that line next season.
Also, as a fan I have no desire to seeing Hage or Zharovsky moved until we truly know what we have with these prospects.

 

[vokiel]

If the Habs can't find a suitable 2nd line center I am ok with Kapanen on that line next season.
Also, as a fan I have no desire to seeing Hage or Zharovsky moved until we truly know what we have with these prospects.

Same here, I think the rookie ran out of gas this season. He played close to 90 games this season, his highest amount previously is in the sixty range.

Hopefully, he takes that to heart, and starts next season in better shape.

 

[Xirik]

not trying to be rude or argue but does anyone have the stats for Kapanen when he was away from Demidov or any of the 1st line players?

 

[Nicko999]

not trying to be rude or argue but does anyone have the stats for Kapanen when he was away from Demidov or any of the 1st line players?

Pretty much 0's all across the board.

 

[Naslundforever]

Pretty much 0's all across the board.

Still did better than the jabroni centers that scored none with him 5v5 in the playoffs

 

[John B]

I'd like to see the Habs bring in a veteran second liner. The team needs some more veteran influence on the team.

 

[Dichow Stopper]

I think it will be Dubois. We need size and strength, and this is likely a buy low opportunity. He's not the top candidate, but he may be the most likely.

Dubois is like the neverending story.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Pretty much 0's all across the board.

Demidov helped Kapanen the same as Paccioretty helped Desharnais.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Dubois is like the neverending story.

Dubois is not a popular choice, not mine, but he's among the most realistic trade that could happen this summer.

 

[montreal]

With the talk of the big names not being on the table, just for fun since I know it won't happen but no harm in throwing something really wild out there. What if the Sharks get desperate to contend next year, I believe there was talk at the draft that if Will Smith fell to them he would be the Habs pick. He's going to get a massive pay day, but I wonder if they could put together a package that could prey on their desperation, say something like Dobes or Fowler, Guhle, both Xhekajs, etc..

I know it will never happen as I'm sure SJ is very happy with Smith and I would think not that many Hab fans would really want to see us pay the price it would cost to get him while adding another smallish forward. I don't know how good he is on draws though as I recall when watching him when he was teammates with Fowler, I had wondered if he would end up a winger in the NHL if his team was a contender down the road.

What would make fans even more mad is that if this were to happen and say somehow they were able to get Zharovsky out of his contract, I would love to see them go with,

Slaf Smith Caufield
Zharovsky Suzuki Demidov

I know it's a sin around here to even suggest breaking up the line but going into the draft I really thought Smith was going to drop to us and that he would be our pick. I thought a Smith-Caufield duo while very small would look great together. But I haven't watched him at all since his BC days and in the end I'm just bored and having some fun here as we know it's never going to happen.

 

[Kent Nilsson]

With the talk of the big names not being on the table, just for fun since I know it won't happen but no harm in throwing something really wild out there. What if the Sharks get desperate to contend next year, I believe there was talk at the draft that if Will Smith fell to them he would be the Habs pick. He's going to get a massive pay day, but I wonder if they could put together a package that could prey on their desperation, say something like Dobes or Fowler, Guhle, both Xhekajs, etc..

I know it will never happen as I'm sure SJ is very happy with Smith and I would think not that many Hab fans would really want to see us pay the price it would cost to get him while adding another smallish forward. I don't know how good he is on draws though as I recall when watching him when he was teammates with Fowler, I had wondered if he would end up a winger in the NHL if his team was a contender down the road.

What would make fans even more mad is that if this were to happen and say somehow they were able to get Zharovsky out of his contract, I would love to see them go with,

Slaf Smith Caufield
Zharovsky Suzuki Demidov

I know it's a sin around here to even suggest breaking up the line but going into the draft I really thought Smith was going to drop to us and that he would be our pick. I thought a Smith-Caufield duo while very small would look great together. But I haven't watched him at all since his BC days and in the end I'm just bored and having some fun here as we know it's never going to happen.

He’s a winger.

 

[Dichow Stopper]

Dubois is not a popular choice, not mine, but he's among the most realistic trade that could happen this summer.

Dubois would be a decent stopgap, but the problem is that he can be a very frustrating player to watch and I’m not sure things would go well in Montreal.

If many assets are traded to land a top forward and hopefully an upgrade on RHD, I could live with Dubois as the 2C (if we can actually find a way to fit him under the cap).

 

[Runner77]

I'd like to see the Habs bring in a veteran second liner. The team needs some more veteran influence on the team.

Moneyhands for me.

Respected teammate when he was here and should be affordable.

 

[vokiel]

It will be Kapanen. Hopefully, not for lack of trying.

We'll just have to hope for McDavid next season.

 

[Habssince89]

PLD has no heart. I don't like his chances playing under the pressure of Montreal.

 

[JianYang]

Man I would have to possess deep intel on Petterson to consider him. You know, a locker room source. Like multiple red flags.

I see pettersson better off in LA where they have to fill the kopitar hole. The kings aren't showing signs that they want to build all over again, and are desperate enough to take the chance on him.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I've got bad news for you: it isn't just Larkin who isn't coming to Canada. Hischier is likely staying in Newark. Crosby would rather stay comfy in Pittsburgh than move in order to try and win. He's got his Cups and gold medals. He's good. McDavid wants to win but he's going to a tax free market in the US (Florida, Tampa, Dallas,Vegas)

The reason why McTavish makes sense is because he doesn't have a no-trade he can invoke. He has no power over where he goes. Of course, this also makes him desirable around the league. Every have-not, smaller market team that can never attract top tier talent is going to be in on McTavish and one or more of them will grossly overpay to get him. His dad works for the Sens. He grew up in Carp. Ottawa has as much of a chance of getting him as the Habs do. And as much as the Habs may like him, are they willing to overpay? Not sure.

I think they'll have to go the veteran stop-gap route: Strome, Trocheck, etc. who can hold the fort until Hage is ready for prime time.

McT sucks. That’s what makes him undesirable.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Moneyhands for me.

Respected teammate when he was here and should be affordable.

He would be great but after watching the Johnny Hockey episode on Primes Face Off series (season 2 episode 2) I just don’t see him leaving Columbus, maybe if the Gaudreaus moved first.

 

[Guess]

2 years of Crosby (I guess 2 years before he retires) doesn't garanty Habs areb winning the Cup. That being said, a big name like him means Habs will give someone like Hage or Zharowsky. Both of them have 18 years of career coming. Unless Pens ask for Kapanen or Beck and few picks later than a first and I doubt they wil accept. Many teams will target Crosby if he's available. To me Crosby is a big forget him. And for Kadri, he's not getting any younger, he's not half the player he used to be, another forget him in my book.

To be honest, those big names well past the age of 35 are big forget them in my book. They are big names that are filling pages if threads and very popular in discussions of Marinaro and other sports podcast of the web.

Let's concentrate on younger centrers including top defensive centers that can be usefull in the PO. 31 teams are a vast territory with plenty of potential for centers.

Crosby would be a massive add, he's amazing at faceoffs left handed, a tremendous leader who can rally the team and bring his work ethic (he's the one who got Matheson to be such a gym rat), and no I don't think we need to trade Hage or Zharovsky to get him since I doubt he will leave for whatever team, he will choose his destination.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Crosby would be a massive add, he's amazing at faceoffs left handed, a tremendous leader who can rally the team and bring his work ethic (he's the one who got Matheson to be such a gym rat), and no I don't think we need to trade Hage or Zharovsky to get him since I doubt he will leave for whatever team, he will choose his destination.

1. Pens made the PO.
2. He's a legend, Pens will ask who if it's not Hage or Zharowsky?

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

PLD has no heart. I don't like his chances playing under the pressure of Montreal.

There are not that many centers available and who wants to play for an high taxes Canadian team. Like it or not, PLD is among the rare centers who have a chance to land here.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

McT sucks. That’s what makes him undesirable.

Posters here waste energy on a player who is barely better than Dach. I would prefer wait for Hage or Zharowsky. I think there are other centers who are low profile but better suited for the Habs. Bring Horvat any day before McT.

 

[xposbrad]

Honestly, considering the cost to acquire any of those players and the cost of extending Nico make those players not even worth it (I would want a complete player if I am giving up multiple 1sts + prospects). Thomas is soft, and doesn't shoot. Nico is going to get like 10m+ and I am not sure he's worth that, and Larkin will cost a lot also. I would roll with what we have and upgrade for a winger and dman who are more complete players, ie. they hit, they score, they are gritty. Then upgrade C next year or wait for Hage. We have 3 holes, we can fill 2/3 this year and not do something stupid.

 

[xposbrad]

Postere here waste energey on a player who is barely better than Dach. I would prefer wait for Hage or Zharowsky. I think there are other centers who are low profile but better suited for the Habs. Bring Horvat any day before McT.

McT is average, but without his 2 minutes of PP time, he's going to be very unproductive here. He's not even an upgrade on Kap, and he makes 7m, so I can't see KH going for him.