Habs Fan in Edmonton

Not really interested in Roslovic, would rather save the cap space for other opportunities that might pop up during the season. He was a healthy scratch in many of Carolina's playoff games, 14 points in 45 playoff games, .5pts/game during the regular season, only marginally better than Dach's output. I would rather go with Dach and wait for other opportunities.

Good question. On one hand Reinbacher is only 20 and hardly played last year so you would think some time in Laval would be good for him. On the other hand Savard retired and the Habs traded Mailloux which means they expect him to be a regular at some point. I think it depends entirely on what kind of camp he has. If he has a mediocre camp then he likely heads to Laval with one of the lefties playing the right side to start the year.

Agreed, once the Habs acquired Dobson it became clear that one of Mailloux/Reinbacher would be a trading chip and the Habs decided to keep Reinbacher. Mailloux will get a better opportunity to play and grow in St Louis.

Good post. I have watched some clips of this guy and he certainly has potential. Has a big frame and some good hands. Obviously the Habs are really high on him as they traded up to get him (like Zharovsky). The Habs COULD end up with some gems in this draft even though they traded their 2 first round picks.

Yes, hopefully he hears all the talk about the Habs needing a 2c and uses it as motivation but if he can't stay healthy than he is useless. Time for Dach to get serious.

I was referring more to their picks at 81 and 82. They took Mooney at 113 and by then Schmidt was gone so impossible to say if they preferred one to the other.

I was also hoping they would grab him with one of their 3rd round picks, talented player and was all over the place in mock drafts, Mckenzie had him at 47. I guess the Habs decided that Pickford and Radkov were more to their liking or perhaps the position they played had something to do with it.

I assume you meant AHL and I would agree, a player has to earn a spot at the NHL level. Show the team you really want it and are ready.

I think it's almost make it or break it time for Roy. He has spent 2 full years in the AHL and he hasn't impressed me at all during his stints with the Habs. I am much higher on Beck and Kapanen. There is a spot open at training camp, time for one of them to step up.

Didn't ZZ top write a song about him "I'm just looking for some Tuch"

In a perfect world an organization could go hard for the cup without sacrificing a bit of the future but in reality you can't do both.

Yes, there will come a time when the Habs are a serious playoff contender (maybe in 2-3 years) and Hughes will be looking for that extra player to push them over the top. It may not work but the goal is to win the cup so you have to take a shot when the time is right.

I understand what you are trying to say. Teams like Tampa and Florida and Toronto have traded all their 1st round picks recently and into the near future. They did this to make a run at the cup, Florida has been successful but this strategy of short term gain will undoubtedly lead to some longer term pain as their prospect pools start to dry out. So far Hughes has been very strategic trading picks. I trust he will continue to be strategic and build a team that will be competitive and fun to watch for years to come.

That's the key, Dobson is 25, Bolduc is 22. Hughes has been receiving players back who fit the age of their core while selecting players in the draft (ie. Demidov, Hage etc) who have high end potential. Not every move will work out but Hughes is sticking to the plan. I expect the Habs could pass the Leafs within a couple years as their back end will be so much better.

I didn't have much interest either. Not good enough for top 6 but not a grinder either, better ways to spend 2.75 million.

Ehlers signs with the Canes, no big surprise. Carolina Hurricanes sign former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers to six-year, $51 million deal | TSN

Yes, otherwise we will eventually end up with players having 3 digit numbers.

That is correct, a team might just decide to stand pat instead and save the cap room for the trade deadline. I know Commandant has mentioned Roslovic before. I wonder if the fact he is unsigned means a lack of interest or he is asking too much. I think he would be a marginal upgrade but maybe on a 1 year deal?

The danger with that is that one team might get tired of waiting and say "screw it" and go in a different direction, then he is left with one choice. I don't think with Ehlers that it's all about the money.

Interesting that Ehlers hasn't signed yet. You would think he wants to go to a contender that obviously must have cap room. Carolina fits the bill, so does Winnipeg. I thought the Leafs would take a run at him to replace Marner but they would have to do some juggling to have enough cap room.

If Ken Holland is trying to turn the Kings into the oldest team in the NHL then he is well on his way. Looks like desperation to me.

No good ones anyway. No point in trying to put a square peg into a round hole.

Excellent post, agree 100%. There just wasn't the right 2C available so why waste assets on a center that will make you marginally better. Hughes used assets to substantially upgrade the defense and this will pay long term dividends. Rome wasn't built in a day but we are getting closer.

I very much doubt it and not interested. Don't want to overpay for a winger who is talented but not overly physical. Also not really the cap space to pay him without moving other assets.

I would also love to see them get a left hand center to complement Suzuki but Duchene resigned in Dallas, Tavares resigned in Toronto and my personal favourite who I think would be perfect, Bo Horvat, was not likely not available or cost too much. Hughes just played the hand he was dealt. Maybe a surprise to come.