Habs Fan in Edmonton

Interesting. I didn't know if the Knies rumours were just speculation or if there was some substance to it which appears is the case. Knies would certainly give the top 6 a big boost. Can't have too many big, physical, talented wingers in the playoffs plus his age would fit in well with the core. Obviously Treliving was looking at rebuilding if he was ready to accept this trade. I would do this trade for sure.

I enjoyed the debate about Gallagher. I sincerely hope I am wrong as getting out of that contract without having to give up anything would be a huge plus and give them more flexibility next year.

I don't think you need to use up 6.5M in cap space on an aging winger to get leadership. Anyway, we will likely know soon enough.

I would love to be wrong on this but again Gallagher scored 7 goals, is 34 and makes 6.5M/year. I just don't see anybody just taking this on without some sort of compensation as there has to be a better way for a team to use up 6.5M in cap space.

I hope you are right. You know the Vancouver market/culture better than I do.

100%, it will be tough to see him in another uniform, he has given so much! An absolute warrior and class act.

He had 7 goals and 23 points in 77 games and is making 6.5 million. We aren't getting anything back. Either we take on some of that salary or throw in a sweetener.

Sounds good to me. Maybe they will take Gallagher too? Might also have to throw in a 2nd round pick.

Newhook is a player that teases you. On some nights he is extremely impressive with his tremendous speed. Other nights not so much. He got off to a great start this year then unfortunately got hurt. Including playoffs this year he got 20 goals in 61 games, his best output so far. Has he turned a corner? I don't know but I hope so. The potential is certainly there to be a top 6 forward.

I really like Guhle but he has been injury prone and is an obvious trade chip to help get that 2C. As mentioned we also have Reinbacher and Engstrom coming up plus it will be interesting to see how Pickford develops. In my opinion defense is the least area of concern.

Agreed, in my opinion by far the biggest priority is a #2 center, someone who can work magic with Demidov. They aren't easy to find.

They are not paying Matheson to be a bottom pairing LD. It would be awesome if the top 4 was so good that Matheson was relegated to the bottom pair but I don't see any team paying 6 million/year in this salary cap world for a bottom pairing D. I agree that the Habs don't have a ton of physicality in the top 4 but they do have great mobility perhaps as mobile as any top 4 in the NHL.

Then who do you replace in the top 4 of Guhle, Hutson, Matheson and Dobson?

They need a 2C, they have plenty of mobility on the blueline especially with Reinbacher and Engstrom coming up.

Excellent post. A step in the journey for a young team. They ran out of gas. It's been frustrating but I am NOT going to dump on them tonight. The young Habs provided me with a lot of excitement and hope this year. I look forward to the future.