ch_nl

DIVERSITY! Oldest in the draft 2019: 1. Arsen Khisamutdinov (21) 4. Rafael Harvey-Pinard (20) Tallest in the draft 2019: 3. Kieran Ruscheinski (198 cm) Shortest in the draft 2019: 1. Cole Caufield (170 cm)

Had a good time. Seems like Lekhonen are finally getting the bounces he deserves. Also, is Petry playing with a soft stick? His shoots fly high, and it seems he has more power?

At the Bell for tonights game! Have a good feeling. Maybe time for the powerplay to come to life?!

Max Domi! What a game so far!

Give Weise some time. He was great last time. Maybe he thrives when under the pressure of playing in front of the most dedicated fans in sports. ... and if that’s true, this is a steal.

How is Kronwall a cheapshot? (!) Anyway, for me this has been the most interesting season since the playoff-run-versus-the-Rags-year. Here’s a few reasons; Kotkaneimi proving me wrong, as I was hoping for Zadina. Jeff Petry is awesome. (Better than Weber) Drouin is showing glimpses of eliteness. Price is Vezina-good again. Danault is Selle-good. Paul Byron and Mete’s speed. Tatar is an imorove over Pacioretty. Didn’t see that one coming. Lekhonen and Armia looks to ”break out” anytime soon. If one of them reach potential this team looks like a team that could upset a better team in the playoffs.

Gallagher getting the hattrick tonight? Looks sharp!

Was in Montreal two weeks ago an saw the Buffalo game at the Bell and I haven’t been this excited by Habs player since Kovalev. Max Domi is working hard, and seems to be at the right place at the right time. My new favourite Hab! Also Drouin is showing a more and more mature game!

All seems to be OK with letting Zadina pass? Im a bit confused by this?

I don’t mind the trade. Galchenyuk never reached full potential with this team. Domi is cheaper, less talented, bit seems to work harder and thus giving the team a more ”stable” second line winger? And if this move is utilized to allocate funds to a elite center, then it could actually be beneficial. Yes, I still dream of a Tavares signing.

I love this signing! Alzner been some kind of favourite for a long time. Now losing Emelin doesn't feel bad at all. Habs just got better, now it's just time to convince Markov to take a cut, and be a part of a team that can make it all the way. Then sign Radulov. Then solve the Galchenuy-case. If it will be by sign-n-trade or (Duchene?) or give him a last chance to play center with Drouin as linemate. And if it doesn't work figure out a trade as time goes by.

Nope, we're better team without Kostitsyn. Toronto can have him. We already have two nice "projects" in Kassian an Holloway. Both thoose are good bets!

Yeah, I agree. I think you're undervaluing this addition. Holloway has been a top scorer in every team his whole career. Strange he never got the chance with the Kings as he lead the Manchester Monarchs in scoring during his two full seasons in the AHL. He did the exact same thing in Sweden. MVP one year. Three seasons. Three finals and two cup won. Same thing in Switzerland. Missed a few games, but had the same point-per-game ratio as the top scorer Martin Pluss. SHL, former Elitserien could be said to be equal to the AHL. NLA in Switzerland is slightly below, but not that far. If the Habs finds a way to get max out of Bud Holloway he will be a top six forward. As I said earlier. Give him a full season and I would expect about 15 goals and 20 helper from this guy. This is not a prospect, but a pro that's used to north american hockey.

Interesting indeed! Bud has been considered the best american player outside the NHL for many years. Followed him close during his years in Skellefteå AIK. 15 goals and 20 assist could be expected I think. Would fit both on a second line or third line.

Everyone here seems convinced that we need a fist line RW. But we have Gallagher! Give him the right center and his stats will improve. We have loads of second line candidates, but what really differs the Habs from the other contenders, is that we lack the first line center. In the eastern conference all other teams entering the playoffs had a center with more point than Plekanec. I love Plex, but he is not a first line center. A great second liner, but a mediocre first liner for a team that's one of the best in the east. In my opinion, it's a first line center that's the key to us making it to the finals! All other ingredient are there!

Interesting. He missed the WJC due to injury. I Think he dropped a lot because of that. Will be follow him Close this season as he's lacing up for AIK in the Allsvenska.

Just finished looking at this years UFA. None strikes me as an upgrade. But, here's an idea: Sign Richards as the new 2nd line center. (Brad or Mike!) Then trade Plekanec and Jared Tinordi to team that lacks a defensive minded 2nd line center for a top line scoring center?. How about Logan Couture?

What I meant when I wrote "Pro" was something else. American are more well behaved. The know what to say, they know how to behave. Take one of my countrys most beloved athlete Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He was immature, egoistic but loaded with talent as a youngster. He even spoke of himself in third person! Now, he one of the worlds best. The one that saw the talent and didn't let the other spoil it are considered heroes today. Just listen to Connor McDavid. He sound like a pro. Media-trained. Used to journalist. Some europeans aren't. Like Kylington and I'm shocked that he slipped to 60th. It's true he sometimes makes dumb moves in his backend, but he always go for the offensive option. That's why he's spectacular. Like Subban in a way. I guess the future will show, but my bet is that Calgary will be a better team in a few years.

Why would they have Kylington on their "do-not-draft-list"? If it is because he's unpolished, they're right, but that's what the draft is all about? Are scouts really afraid of players that's not pro by the age of 18?

A few years ago I was sitting here and wishing for Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He was outstanding in the Swedish second league, the Allsvenska. He was selected long before we could get him, but still... Just got up, and start reading about last night draft. I had hopes that Oliver Kylington would be selectable when Habs turn came. He was. But passed on. The whole first round. I saw him play twice last year. And this guy is something special. He was ranked 1st midseason! I wouldn't have been surprised if he would have been taken 3rd overall!

I was surprised. Almost chocked. And then, after some thinking, this might be a good trade after all. The reason why we dealt for Moen in the first place was because his playoff abilities and the fact that he had won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim. A playoff player, in other words. But then came Prust. Two years younger, a bit tougher and Moen spent more time off the ice. Prust or Moen? They both bring the same kind of game, maybe Moen is a bit more useful on the PK. Montreal is a contender this year. Sergei Gonchar has that experience. He has also been assistant captain for a respectable amount of his NHL career. Twice he's been the top goalscorer among defencemen. It seems like he's a class act. Sure, he's overpaid, but that was Moen too. I just think that this team needs Gonchar more than Moen.

Habs in red and Caps in white. Why?

A very American perspective. Outside the US, the Habs, Rangers and Bruins would be on top. Maybe the Red Wings, Blackhawks, the Old Senators and perhaps the Blues would be up there as well. Canucks, Pens, Panthers and Sharks at the bottom.

Saw the last game versus the Bruins in the end of the regular season. The Boston team nailed the Habs. It was almost embarrassing. Crazy-Krejci, Lucic and Bergeron always seems to play better and harder when the Canadiens are on the other side. Also, I don't get the new Playoff-Tree. Boston won the conference and get's to play the last seeded wild card, the Red Wings. Pens finished second and face the best wild card. Check. 3. Tampa 4. Montreal 5. NY Rangers 6. Philadelphia And yet Tampa play(ed) Montreal and Rangers got Philly? Why? Because of the divisions? And now we are waiting for the Bruins or the Redwings? Could someone please explain?

Looking forward to the Boston game tonight. Didn't see the last one, so this will be my first "Vanek game". Just wanted to comment on that trade as well... It's a steal! Sure, Collberg did put up some numbers at the Juniors, but I imagine Bergevin saw the same thing as I. Collberg won't make it to the NHL. He played on a line with fellow teammates from Frölunda Wennberg and Johnsson whom in my opinion has much more upside. Im not a pro scout, but I have seen him play enough to be determined in my opinion. A career Swedish Hockey Leauge player. Not an impact player in the NHL. Jacob de la Rose, on the other hand will most likely center a third line in the NHL. Anyway, with that said, the Vanek trade is one of the best acquisition in years. Habs now has all the ingredients to be a contender. A great goalie, a Norris winner and a prime goal-getter.