Post-Game Talk: Winless in Minnesota est. 2011

[OldCraig71]

If he's a winger, then we really need to go get a 2nd line center. Newhook is not that and I don't think he ever will be. I'd have Newhook on the wing.

We can trade one of them along with pick(s) and prospects and get a center and bring up Roy as a replacement or leave things as they are and draft in the top three. We have seen what the Habs have been with weak center depth for the last 20 years. I think it's the most important position on the ice.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The habs just can't seem to put it all together...............even in their wins, albeit not many this year, have they played a good overall game? Maybe the 4-1 win over the Senaturds.....?

We were good against Buffalo. Our goaltending made it closer than it should’ve been.

 

[OldCraig71]

Marc Denis said something worrying about Dach during last night broadcast. Something along the line that Dach was almost cheating, showing lazy habits especially when far away from the puck and off camera (line changes, backchecks, etc.). Denis and Houde agreed that something was off with him and his level of interest in the game. I would have kept Monahan just to groom him, as Money was a hero to Dach and a very positive influence.

Also, I want Hutson to man the first PP. At least 50% of the times. I can't explain why we shouldn't especilally when the first unit members (especially Dach and Matheson) are not getting the job done.

I have been seeing the same thing, there is little attention to detail and it drives me nuts seeing him cruise back to the bench, it reminds me of Desharnais lol.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We can trade one of them along with pick(s) and prospects and get a center and bring up Roy as a replacement or leave things as they are and draft in the top three. We have seen what the Habs have been with weak center depth for the last 20 years. I think it's the most important position on the ice.

I still think it’s wrong to not put Dach at center now. Just play him there.

Also, I get that MSL wants to preserve hierarchy of more vet players but in the dying minutes of a game where you need a goal you HAVE to put Hutson out there. I don't care if he's a rookie...

 

[expy]

I still think it’s wrong to not put Dach at center now. Just play him there.

Also, I get that MSL wants to preserve hierarchy of more vet players but in the dying minutes of a game where you need a goal you HAVE to put Hutson out there. I don't care if he's a rookie...

Hierearchy should be based on skill and points, not veterancy.

 

[JustAHabFan]

I am really worried about Dach. He kept missing pass, fumbled the puck, losing puck with the slightest pressure.

 

[OldCraig71]

I still think it’s wrong to not put Dach at center now. Just play him there.

Also, I get that MSL wants to preserve hierarchy of more vet players but in the dying minutes of a game where you need a goal you HAVE to put Hutson out there. I don't care if he's a rookie...

When the coach takes a player who was penciled in to be the second-line center and moves him to wing on the first line displacing the league's top scorer to the second-line, well, that is a red flag. We have 46 goals for as a team and Caufield has 12 of them and Dach has 1 lol.

You don't make that change unless things are bad. I am not throwing Dach under the bus but it's a drastic move especially for a team so starved for goal-scoring. It won't continue and I expect Caufield back with Suzuki on Saturday. Dach's next stop is the press box.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

When the coach takes a player who was penciled in to be the second-line center and moves him to wing on the first line displacing the league's top scorer to the second-line, well, that is a red flag. We have 46 goals for as a team and Caufield has 12 of them and Dach has 1 lol.

Sure. But there are unusual circumstances here. Dach is coming back from a long layoff.

You don't make that change unless things are bad. I am not throwing Dach under the bus but it's a drastic move especially for a team so starved for goal-scoring. It won't continue and I expect Caufield back with Suzuki on Saturday. Dach's next stop is the press box.

I would've put Dach in between Slaf and CC. To me, that's how you get him going. If he STILL can't produce after 10 or so games? Then it's a different conversation.

 

[morhilane]

The team knows it too they f***ing know it and it will lead to more frustration and more lack of effort.

I've been suspecting for a little bit that the morosity on the team might be in some part related to Matheson's usage (vs Hutson). And probably Dach too, even if the boys wants him to succeed. Players aren't stupid and some were already annoyed by Matheson at the end of last season.

Suzuki clearly wanted to play with Hutson in his little chat with Celebrini pre-season (it's in some behind the scene video), but he's still stuck with Matheson most of the time...

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Hierearchy should be based on skill and points, not veterancy.

Yes and no.

You don't want a rookie walking in and being handed everything. It can rub guys the wrong way and you do want to make the players feel they have to earn it to a certain extent. I'm fine with him on PP2 for example. He actually makes it a lot more dangerous and we have a duel threat.

That being said, I think Huston's shown his value. He's easily been our most consistent offensive threat and it's crazy not to put him out there late in the game. They can have him and Matheson but Hutson should be out there no matter what. Dying minutes of a close game you play your best players, hierarchy be damned.

 

[OldCraig71]

Sure. But there are unusual circumstances here. Dach is coming back from a long layoff.

I would've put Dach in between Slaf and CC. To me, that's how you get him going. If he STILL can't produce after 10 or so games? Then it's a different conversation.

Well, to your point, he should be centering the 3rd or 4th line. He could get up to game speed against lesser competition unless he isn't comfortable at center.

One thing you are missing is the defensive requirements of playing center. With those two as wingers Dach would face the top line from opposing teams meaning the defensive requirements would be much tougher.

 

[expy]

Yes and no.

You don't want a rookie walking in and being handed everything. It can rub guys the wrong way and you do want to make the players feel they have to earn it to a certain extent. I'm fine with him on PP2 for example. He actually makes it a lot more dangerous and we have a duel threat.

That being said, I think Huston's shown his value. He's easily been our most consistent offensive threat and it's crazy not to put him out there late in the game. They can have him and Matheson but Hutson should be out there no matter what. Dying minutes of a close game you play your best players, hierarchy be damned.

Normally I'd agree with the rookie thing, but Hutson is CLEARLY the highest offensive danger on the PP for the Habs (and actually not only on the PP). If the coaching staff was serious about wanting to improve their scoring chances, he'd be there.

The only conclusions we can deduce from the current PP setup is that:

1. The coaching staff is trying to force certain players to 'get better' by giving them ice time with less opposition on the ice
2. The coaching staff is trying to 'showcase' certain players for scouts (and failing to do so)
3. The coaching staff is completely clueless

 

[Rapala]

We played much better defensively, it was probably one of our best efforts of the season. The real issue is the drop-off at center after Suzuki, Evans is a 4th line center and Dvorak is awful. That guy would struggle to put up 30 points in the AHL, he makes so many bad mistakes at both ends of the ice. We would be much more competitive with a 50 point NHL center behind Suzuki.

It was I remarked about it after the first period. We actually played something resembling hockey between the lines.
We also did a good job of it in the second as well just that one Dvorak/Hutson blunder that ended up in the back of our net.
At the same time I agreed with Marc Denis that if you are going to play that style of game it will limit our O chances so you have to take advantage of every icing and get offense on the ice. I see opposing coaches do it ALL THE TIME to us...

and they aren't usually struggling for goals.

 

[Habs]

When the coach takes a player who was penciled in to be the second-line center and moves him to wing on the first line displacing the league's top scorer to the second-line, well, that is a red flag. We have 46 goals for as a team and Caufield has 12 of them and Dach has 1 lol.

You don't make that change unless things are bad. I am not throwing Dach under the bus but it's a drastic move especially for a team so starved for goal-scoring. It won't continue and I expect Caufield back with Suzuki on Saturday. Dach's next stop is the press box.

our coach is a little sack of clueless shit

 

[morhilane]

I just looked at the game TOI.

Why was Dach the most played forward?
Why/How did Matheson play 7 more minutes than anyone else?

MSL either is totally clueless or was told by Hughes to crash and burn the season. That's abhorrent bench usage.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Well, to your point, he should be centering the 3rd or 4th line. He could get up to game speed against lesser competition unless he isn't comfortable at center.

One thing you are missing is the defensive requirements of playing center. With those two as wingers Dach would face the top line from opposing teams meaning the defensive requirements would be much tougher.

I get it. But if you want to spread out the offense, this is how you do it. You put Newhook with Suzuki and you bring up Roy. Now your lines are a little more balanced out.

Either Dach's going to be a center or he's not. Might as well use this year to find out.

Normally I'd agree with the rookie thing, but Hutson is CLEARLY the highest offensive danger on the PP for the Habs (and actually not only on the PP). If the coaching staff was serious about wanting to improve their scoring chances, he'd be there.

Still a rookie. Same rules apply.

The only conclusions we can deduce from the current PP setup is that:

1. The coaching staff is trying to force certain players to 'get better' by giving them ice time with less opposition on the ice
2. The coaching staff is trying to 'showcase' certain players for scouts (and failing to do so)
3. The coaching staff is completely clueless

The most obvious option is one you don't have listed, balancing out the two PP units. And it's worked well so far. 23 percent is good for 9th in the league.

Again, I have zero issues with Hutson on PP2. I like it actually as it gives us some balance there and the whole two minutes with the man advantage are dangerous... it's worked well.

What I don't like to see is when - late in a game where you're behind - Hutson doesn't get put on the ice. It's one thing to give deference to vets in everyday situations but when the game's on the line, you should elevate the guy who's producing. Rookie or not, Hutson should be out there when we need a goal.

 

[admiralcadillac]

The passes have been really atrocious. They just aren’t connecting.

How do you even coach that? It’s just a total mental disconnect. There’s a point where the players just need to play better.