GHT120

ClickBait30 is suggesting that there are multiple teams in the playoff/Cup hunt that might seek his offence ... 🤣 ... teams like NYRs, CBJs and the Canucks might have interest in his assistance in chasing the top pick, but unless a desperate need for cap space emerges (i.e., a significant trade by the Habs) I expect HuGo will keep him as a 14th forward rather than overpay to dispose of him.

Of course it isn't like he would admit he was ready to make an aggressive move.

Agreed ... in most cases, if a major trade is proposed and it is easy to "agree" to it then what the Habs are giving up isn't anywhere close to enough

If Montembeault starts it would be his first back-to-back since December 6, 2025 ... time will tell

Don't think anyone was suggesting he should or would ... just that you aren't getting Thomas and Parayko in a deal unless the decision to support it isn't absolutely heart-wrenching.

It started by him getting beat and the puck going post-to-post so he has his share of the blame

Can't excuse him either ... He got beat on the second and was as guilty as Hutson and Struble on the 3rd goal

Demidov brings no physicality to the line ... if 93 & 14 are to get paired the swap that makes sense to me is Caufield

The equipment managers should x-ray ALL the Habs' sticks to make certain there are no flaws inside

I understand the interest in seeing Demidov with 14-13, but don't see how that addresses Slaf over-handling the puck ... if a chnage is needed, swapping Dach and Slaf might make more sense ... #20 tends to simplify his game on the fist line.

Great PK ... no shots

BIG save by Montembeault of the Hutson-penalty breakaway.

Bolduc started it with a crosscheck (registered as a slash) and then the two jostled ... Habs got screwed last game but let's not become Leafs fans

After he scored ... just as Struble is not great but not everything is his fault, Hutson is great but isn't perfect

Big goal ... Dach took out Dahlin in the corner to "assist"

Hutson's man scored the goal ... Struble is not great but not everything is his fault

Youppi is even buddies with the Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky

Apparently because the Habs play outdoors in Winnipeg next season they couldn't play outdoors in Montreal until the 27-28 season ... but the team and the NHL are looking at l’île Sainte-Hélène as the site (obviously a "pop-up" stadium.

For his first game back "promising" was good enough for me ... I like Texier but don't think he brings the physicality that the top line needs ... what Dach can bring is yet to be determined but HuGo need a good idea before the Olympic break so they can consider options if needed.

Robert Thomas is a superbly talented player, but he fits the profile of our other top players other than Slafkovsky ... what the Habs NEED up front is a Top 6, or an "elite" 3rd line, physical forward ... on the back-end a physical Top 4 RHD ... unless HuGo are trying to change the paradigm for winning a Cup, Thomas does not bring the Habs what they need.

Guess Hockey USA is sticking to a strict profile ... Jones was projected as Werenski's partner, clearly the "defenceman" of the pairing ... in that SPECIFIC context, Hutson doesn't make sense as a replacement.

It isn't so much "big" panic moves as whether they feel that Struble and Xhekaj can help win some playoff games ... HuGo may look for a 3rd pairing rental to solidify the back-end to try to get a few more playoff games this season without only playing five defencemen every game ... even the pressure of a first-round 7th game would have value.

Wonder whether despite the technical deficiencies he simply has the confidence of the team?

We'll see if it holds for tomorrow

Could this kid eventually make is a 12/13th forward tough guy?