Habs Fan in Edmonton

The Habs are in a rebuild. Sometimes I think you should take a deep breath and pause before you click on Submit Reply. You are either a Habs fan or you are not. There is no middle ground here. Perhaps you were just looking for a reaction. If that is the case then you were successful.

Skipping Habs games and adding more Sens?? WTF. Going through a little pain and frustration is part of the process of being a FAN.

I don't disagree, maybe their thinking is that a skilled guy like Slaf would benefit more by spending time with Marty than anybody he would have in the AHL. I think Marty is a great development guy for skilled players, he certainly helped Caufield. When you lead the league in man/games lost due to injuries two years in a row than something has to change. Not sure what.

Good post, I agree. There is no magic formula or one size fits all when it comes to player development. I tend to be in the camp that time in the AHL is a good thing but maybe that doesn't work for everyone. Hopefully they get it right with Slaf as you don't get the #1 pick often so you can't mess it up.

I am trying to keep an open mind on Slafkovsky. He is coming to camp a year older, a year wiser and has a much better idea what to expect. He might really surprise us.

There is no doubt about that. Pittsburgh has a 1-2 year window and then it should be a dry spell for a while unless Dubas is a magician which I don't think he is. Dubas had a decision to make, go hard or rebuild. There was no in between. He decided to go hard. I think Pittsburgh's core is too old for 4 grueling rounds of playoffs but we will see. They might have 1 year of magic left. I was a little surprised by Matheson's production last year. It was his best point total ever despite playing only 48 games on a weaker team. Maybe he has found his game. If he has then that trade is an absolute steal.

He may not put up the offensive numbers Pleks did (although that would be awesome if he did), I see him more as a tremendously effective, shut down 3rd line center getting maybe 35-40 points a year although his offensive ceiling could be higher.

No you haven't. So maybe tell us again. LOL I also really like Beck. There is so much to like about him, excellent skater, great compete level, great at faceoffs, smart, plays a 200 foot game. When you add it all up I just don't see how he doesn't become a regular on the Habs at some point. The only thing we don't know is how high his offensive ceiling is.

Sure, if you had a great amount of skill on your team already than maybe the big power forward/policeman is attractive but you are not going to win a cup without a lot of skilled guys.

I think we would all agree with that.

Yes, agreed. I think the hope (for me anyway) is that Florian develops into a 6'4" 220lb beast of a winger who is skilled enough to be effective on the 3rd or 4th lines. I think that may be the maximum upside.

I don't think the comparison to Dach was meant as a skills comparison as Florian hasn't demonstrated anything close to what Dach has shown. Or maybe Habs fans just like to dream. Fan is short for fanatic so we are allowed to get carried away sometimes.

I found that very interesting, they seemed to think that if they didn't take him at 101 that he wouldn't be there at 110. I am guessing they knew more about him than most because of his brother. Time will tell.

I am no scout either but I agree with your comments. If Florian doesn't make it, it won't be because of a lack of grit, determination or compete level. It will be because his skills didn't progress enough. The NHL is not an easy league to make. It will be fun (hopefully) to follow his progress.

We are ALL hoping that Dach has a great season. It will make his contract look even better. I don't get Chicago giving up on him so soon as he was certainly young enough to be part of their rebuild.

I figured out what you meant as I have become used to your occasional use of hyperbole. Interesting watching the Habs draft video, referring to Xhekaj as a Unicorn, they didn't think he would be around later if they didn't take him at 101, perhaps they know something we don't.

Nothing is inevitable. I am obviously higher on Dach than most as he looked dominant at times last year. There were times when he seemed to own the puck, never saw that with Eller although Eller had a couple stretches where the puck went in a lot. My concern with Dach is staying healthy as it seems like he has had his share of injuries in a short career, maybe just a fluke I hope.

I don't see the comparison at all with Eller who turned into a good 3rd line centre although more was hoped for offensively. Dach is much more skilled with the puck and bigger. Eller's best year was 39 pts, Dach scored 38 points in 58 games last year. My only concern with Dach is staying healthy. If he stays healthy then he will blow away Eller's stats.

I don't think anyone is saying he will but work ethic can run in a family (ie the Sutters) and it's not like they used up a high pick on him although he was likely drafted higher than the consensus. Lets hope.

It might turn out to be a pretty astute pick. The Xhekaj's seem to be late bloomers. We know the work ethic is there.

He better not make the Habs. How often have you seen an 18 year old come to their first pro camp with no pressure and no expectations and then all of a sudden they become the new saviour.

That would be roughly my guess as well. I don't think the chances of Gallagher staying healthy improve as he gets older but you never know. This is a big year for Dach. He looked dominant at times last year, excited to see what he can do. Hopefully he stays healthy.

No doubt, 6.9M for a guy who has scored 80+ points the last 2 years and has been a point/game in the playoffs is very good value. He will be getting a nice raise from somebody.

Yup, timing is everything. I didn't see your post before I posted. Draisaitl will come close as far as numbers go.

He will be the highest paid player until McDavid's contract comes up. I think the Mathews deal is pretty fair, he was in a great bargaining position and probably could have got a little more but I think he wants to win a cup in Toronto. Nylander will be the tough one to sign, wouldn't be surprised to see a trade there.