GHT120

And we all know whose avatar is responsible for that (😉).

I believe they are at the 23-man roster limit and have no other available defencemen with Schueneman on the Covid list.

Agreed ... the ONLY reason I would feel a need to play him is if they have a great offer but it is contingent on seeing him play (unlikely, but possible).

I assume Stapley gets his once the 22/23 season starts for cap/contract purposes ... NCAA free agents would be a way to speed up a rebuild ... likely not top-half of the roster players (i.e., Top 6, top 4 and starting goalie) but certainly potential for ELC bottom half players.

Would not shed a tear ... but not worth retaining salary IMO if that is what it takes to make the deal ... there are two more years on his deal.

Don'y know whether they should, but: Brett Stapley dreams of an offer from the Canadiens - TVA Sports (www-tvasports-ca.translate.goog) " ... Stapley's profile is interesting. The right-handed center player shows a lot of creativity on the ice. He likes to set traps for the opposition and his play patterns are difficult for defenders to read. He's a very cerebral player," noted his head coach at the University of Denver, David Carle. He's faster than he looks and he's good on his edges. With the puck, he can throw opposing players off balance and make them look bad. When he moves his feet, he is quite dynamic in the offensive zone and in the transition phases ..." In case the translated link doesn't work: the original TVA article is here He showed slightly less offence than Jake Evans in his first two years, about the same in the third and is on pace to slightly exceed Jake this season ... at very least would seem like a good signing as as bottom 6 centre depth for one of the 25 open contract slots for 22/23.

I assume many/most/all NHL teams will be doing this ... but I like the habs version

Don't think anyone was suggesting he would necessarily ask for 8 years ... but at 32, depending on various variables (e.g.,AAV, how TT has played the next two seasons, where the rebuild is at), even four years might be more term than they should be offering a 30+ player ... if Tyler were willing to take an "J'aime Montréal" discount that would certainly be a positive.

Didn't realize you were THAT old 😉

Elite prospects shows rankings ranging from 35-50 ... so early to mid-ish second.

Chasing the playoffs next season would (IMO) just be returning to the same hamster wheel they have been on for the last 29 years.

I think the plan is to suck next season so that they have an opportunity to possibly get Bedard or Michkov ... then, start to rebuild around the youngsters and retained veterans the next year and hopefully take the first H&G shot at the playoffs three years from now ... but TT's contract expires before that "shot" ... and as was pointed out above by Tomh009, he will likely be the type of player that the habs should not then be signing ... he will be 32 years old in the spring of 2024 and likely looking for one last contract with money and term ... not the Habs ideal UFA target for the 24/25 season. But arguments are just opinions ... nothing that can be proven

Maybe he needs some time in Trois Rivières to get his confidence back ... KIDDING ... playing behind a decimated AHL roster may feel a lot like most of his games with the Habs ...

They are the type of players that should be kept if you are trying for the playoffs ... but TT's contract likely expires before the Habs are really in that mode.

Per the press conference, VL says in 2008 he OK'd a trade to Montreal but the owners/teams couldn't work things out ... and as a UFA he picked Philly because Laviolette won him over (ironic that Mike was dumped three games into VL's first year with the Flyers) ... just sharing, not saying

Veteran leadership for the re-build? 😉

As was raised during the press conference, this appears to be VL dripping his toe into the ocean of NHL management, to decide whether he wants to wade in deeper as his children grow up (I believe he said his youngest is 8).

If Bergie was here he might be one of "his guys" ... but I agree with you.

Fair points

I'm OK with one more ... just for your sake ... after that, no need to climb the standings ... just play well and win the odd game.

I've seen that in several places (of course they could all be referencing an unconfirmed report) ... would indicate to me that he likely will not fill a core management position.