Habs Fan in Edmonton

I might be wrong on that, I just assumed he was for some reason, see him listed as a RW. Well, forget it then, just lost interest.

Maybe Rantanen wants to play with Patrick Laine? A second line of Rantanen, Laine and Demidov might be decent?

I didn't realize Mikko Rantanen will be a UFA after this year. You would think a 6'4" 215lb center who just turned 28 and scores 100 points a year will get a pretty hefty contract. I think the Avs have to do some shuffling in order to keep him. They just signed Blackwood to a 5M contract.

With Broberg and Holloway stolen by the Blues not much other than picks and maybe Beau Akey.

Good one! Made me chuckle. But also some truth to it.

Entertaining game but a tough loss. If Caulfield scores on that breakaway early in the 3rd it's a completely different game. It would have nice to go into the break on a winning streak with a tough road trip coming up. Hope Laine is OK. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all Hab fans! I have enjoyed your company this year!!

Thing have really gone south in Ranger land. You would think changes there are imminent. Panarin is 33, Zibanejad is 31, Kreider is 33, you would think their time to win is now.

Yes we would.

Detroit hasn't impressed me at all the last couple games, especially defensively they seem weak, goaltending was very mediocre and their defense is weak after Seider. I think Carrier is really going to help solidify the defense. A tough road trip coming up. That will tell us a lot.

That is the key, do you make him your 3c, he has clearly played above the level of a 4c this year on track for his best year ever. I believe Beck has higher offensive upside in the 3c role but if you can keep the term to perhaps 3 years than it is probably workable. Happy to see Evans playing so well, he deserves everything he gets no matter who pays him.

That is the sweet spot for sure, hang in there Flames. Watched the Oiler game today, Askarov was simply outstanding, came within 17 seconds of absolutely stealing the game. He is San Jose's goalie of the future. No way they are giving him up. Watching him today made me think the Habs should have went harder to get him but apparently they made a pitch.

Yup.

Dvorak won't be going anywhere. It would be a total waste to use the last retention spot on him when Savard will get you a much better return with retention.

And I don't blame him for that, he is 28, had a few concussions so it's time for him to get some financial security. He will never get a better opportunity to cash in. I hope he and the Habs can find common ground as he is one of my favourites but in a salary cap world it might not work. If they haven't signed him by the trade deadline then they have a decision to make.

Who would have predicted that after 32 games, Jake Evans would be 4th on the team in points.

It is creating a "conundrum", at least with Dvorak the decision is easy, if you can't get a bag of pucks for him at the trade deadline then you let him walk.

The shorthanded goal was all Evans, did it all by himself, great anticipation and positioning and fortunately able to finish it off. He is getting more expensive all the time. LOL

Yup, your typical AHL game.

A solid effort, Evans was great, Heinemann continues to impress. Hutson made some mistakes but continues to be a joy to watch.

Absolutely!

I would like to win the cup this year but I am a realist. It takes a little time to build something to be proud of.

We all want the cup, Hughes, Molson, you, me and every other fan on this forum. Winning the cup is hard as 32 teams have the same goal. The best chance you have is to field a very competitive team year after year and maybe one of those years things line up for you. I want Hughes to build something sustainable so we can compete for a number of years. Teams like Chicago, LA, New Jersey, Boston, Tampa were able to build teams that competed seriously for the cup for a number of years. That's what I want.

Nothing wrong with that if the player works out.

Yes, I think Matheson's value is at a peak right now. Maybe Hughes has no intention of trading him.

If there is a guy you really want then you try and trade up, no guarantees it works but the higher the pick the better your chances. The Habs were really high on Hage last year so they traded up, time will tell if that was the right move but Hage is looking pretty good so far.