GHT120

It will be interesting to see if Beck is signed to his ELC before eventually returning to junior (I would be in no hurry for them to do so) ... the ONLY reason I can see not to do so would be to keep the "contract slot" open ... but they only have 43 of 50 filled (per CapFriendly)

Don't know anything about this guy, but apparently the build-out continues

I am absolutely SHOCKED SHOCKED, I tell you.

Byron is a pending UFA who has played a total of 102 games over the last 3 seasons ... I would not be surprised if he retires after this season ... if he manages to stay healthy enough to play, and play decently, he might get moved at the deadline AND/OR could have a shot at a "bury-able" contract (i.e., the league minimum of $750K to a maximum of $1.125M) somewhere next season. But Hoffman has another season on his contract at $4.5M ... unless he has a VERY good season it may be difficult to move Mr. "There's a Defensive Zone too" at the deadline, or even next summer ... thanks Marc.

Nope ... I don't expect many players we fans would WANT, or put it another way that would have a "future" with the team, to make it to waivers ... I think it will be more 6/7/8 types on waivers ... I could perhaps see an AAV-for AAV trade of a surplus forward for a 4/5 short-term "fix" ... may have to be a leftie who can play on the right. Would kinda like to see Juulsen go on waivers ... it would be nice to see him get some games in a Habs sweater.

I don't see Bear and Coughlin making it to waivers ... ***if*** they don't make the 'Canes they will be dealt for something before they are waived. same for Walker the Vancouver guys are more likely the profile of who might be found on waivers, be it for cap or roster make-up reasons.

Overall, I can't disagree ... but while there is no doubt Owen beck will be in the OHL this season if the roster can swing it it might be nice to keep him up with the team for the first few-days/week of the season to reward him with some NHL pay ... they wouldn't even have to play him.

And on those goals their post coverage was PATHETIC ... not saying Primeau's post coverage in general is poor, but it was horrible on that goal.

They televise every game that is not on TVA ... last season I think it was just shy of 70 (68?).

That is IMO a very generous description that totally omits Primeau's PATHETIC post coverage on the play ... without which, no matter how many pings or pongs occurred, there would have been no goal.

As long as he isn't a centre version of either of the other two former #62s ... Duncan Milroy (5 games, 0 goals, 1 assist) or Frédéric St. Denis (Habs: 17gm, 1g, 2a; NHL: 21gm, 1g, 3a).

So ... see if GMs will give up their 2026 first as a 2nd piece in any deals??? Some may not even expect to be in the same job by then. P.S. - Mostly kidding ... exceptional status is no guarantee of NHL success.

This may end up costing me a few 67s tickets to get a glimpse at the prospects.

I could see an AAV for AAV trade of, for example, Hoffman or Armia for an equivalent veteran defenceman.

Absolutely ... a difference I see with Beck, and the like, is that there is no real possibility of/expectation for them playing in the NHL this season ... so any "excitement" over their performance is about their POTENTIAL to progress in their next season of junior.

I'll offer a smnall edit that I feel better captures the intent of his original post: To me if you're out of the playoff picture by the all star break, your mind set as a gm should be getting the best odds at a top 10 pick, within the context of continuing the building of the team for the future around the youth core. Not trying to make the playoffs, that you know you very well can't make. That said ... in the current context, I do not believe HuGo need wait for the All-Star break ... IMO next season is one where I could possibly see benefit from "chasing" a playoff spot even if they don't make it ... this season, IMO every roster move (i.e., trades, waivers, promotions, demotions) must be made with the ongoing build around the existing youth core in mind ... Hughes needs to establish in his mind what he wants/hopes to get in trades for Drouin, Dadonov, Hoffman, Monahan, Byron and Armia ... and make the trades when an offer meets that return (ala Toffoli) ... I am ***NOT*** advocating selling low ... some players (e.g., Drouin, Hoffman, Byron, Monahan) may/will need to rehabilitate their "game" on the ice to earn a reasonable return (although the closer to the deadline the more realistic the "target returns" have to get) ... someone like Anderson or Dvorak could/should be traded ***if*** a sufficient offer is made but there should be no "need" to trade either, so the offer would have to be GOOD ... PERSOANLLY, if Gallagher plays well and attracts interest I would gladly move him on as long as it doesn't cost any assets to do so (I realize many will not agree and I will not try to convince them, their opinion is as valid as mine).

Agree ... not making trades just to eke out a few more wins is not the same as tanking ... it is recognizing reality and accepting that the process will take time.

I may have to go to some 67s games this season.

But it was dangerously balanced on his shoulders ... the team only had a chance in the playoffs if he was Superman ... Gainey, Gauthier and Bergevin all failed to build a team that could come close to carrying Carey when he turned into Clark Kent.

Just seeking clarification ... which era? In PK's time with the Habs they made two eastern Finals and no Cup Finals ... although there was one Eastern Final that could possibly have become a Cup Final ... in Bergevin's era it one Cup Final, and an Eastern Final (coulda/shoulda Cup Final) during his overlap with PK.

OBVIOUSLY this justifies the trade ... 😜

Looking at the Canadiens website, their schedule shows that all the pre-season games are televised ... the last two seem to be TVASports only ... the others are on RDS and at least one TSN channel, or a Sportsnet channel in the case of the game in Toronto.

Not that I recall (but I'm not saying no one did).

When a guy like Jonathan Toews says: "... A guy like Kirby Dach who has a lot of upside and arguably didn't ever get a fair shot here in Chicago" there would seem to be cause for optimism.

It's not just the on-ice impact ... be it this year or next ... healthy, he could have Chiarot-like value, or better, at the trade deadline.