GHT120

I think a lot of people blinked ... especially after his performance in his first TC and pre-season ... in fact, an awful lot of people felt from the get-go that he should go back to the SM-liiga, to the AHL or even to junior.

I'll wait to see how Beck does in the OHL (WJHC?) this season before anointing him the 3C ... maybe even some AHL time next season.

But since the other team is getting something they need, it would be the bad contract and a pick/prospect of some sort ... HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE ... Habs have cap space this season so Dvorak to Washington for Mantha would give the Caps faceoff expertise and some cap relief, while the Habs get a more expensive expiring contract and whatever sweetener Hughes can leverage.

Playoff teams, playoff contenders or "we're getting old but can't rebuild" teams (e.g., Washington) that need a center with face-off skills and who can include a similar (either shorter or less expensive) "bad" contract in the deal would be a possibility ...

I-M-O ... no ... at very least not yet. Their 10 goals come from 6 players ... one each from Ylonen and Evans, neither of whom I see as even a 3rd line player post-rebuild, if on the roster ... two from Tanner Pearson, who I seriously doubt is looking at the 55 goal season his "pace" suggests ... and three from Alex Newhook, who will hopefully turn out to be a legit Top-6 scorer but realistically remains a largely unknown entity. Caufield's two goals are obviously from a legit goal scorer ... Anderson, Matheson, Monahan (who has 1) and Suzuki are really the only healthy players I-M-O it is reasonable to EXPECT to be scoring ... in addition to Newhook, Slafkovsky and RHP are hopefully going to be regular scorers to some degree; but what degree is unknown. I expect the Habs to do better than last season's 2.77 g/gm but not to continue their current pace.

Good news ... but he has another season beyond this one on a "poor-to-bad" contract, and has not played a full season since coming to Montreal ... hopefully they don't hesitate to "Toffolli" him (i.e., trade him as soon as what they feel is his fair value is offered, as opposed to waiting to the tradeline hoping for more) ... although I expect that won't be this season.

Agreed ... Montreal is currently tied for 12th in GF/Gm (3.33) but are 26th in PP% (9%) ... the only real surprise is that there are SIX teams that are worse, and three that have yet to score one PPG ... Anaheim (9 opportunities), St Louis (9) and Washington (8) ... why do I fear a PP Hat Trick by Ovie tomorrow night.

Years from now it will just show as a Rocket goalie Straus Mann scoring a goal.

Totally agree ... neither should Mailloux, Norlinder, Struble or Trudeau be called up while Guhle is out ... let the kids develop, don't rush them out of need or curiousity.

I've decided my best description of Anderson is that the whole does not equal the sum of the parts.

Agreed ... there could be instances where the check into the bench was especially violent/dirty and in and of itself deserves punishment, not the case here I-M-O, but I can't see the simple result of being put into the bench being punishable.

Or report the post when someone goes over the line

Rebound on first shot goes straight to the shooter ... 3-0

Bad bounce but also lack of puck control on the first shot.

After being 29th on the PP last season at 16.1% to Habs have climbed all the way to 18th ... with a 16.7% PP, entering the game ... don't be fooled by the ranking, the PP still sucks.

I - M - O ... Anderson doesn't fit ANYWHERE ... he has size, he has speed, he has a decent shot and he has an element of toughness, but he has never found a home on any line ... somewhat like some men/women choosing losers as partners because they think they can "fix them" ... coaches look at Anderson's skill set and think THEY can be the one to teach him how to (metaphorically?) "play well with others" ... move him out while there are still other Gms/coaches who think they can be the one.

Did they ... or did he bring that one with him?

Although dlbair confirmed it is (above) ... why would it matter if it wasn't too late? Is there a benefit to having Dach on LTIR rather than Price? And if they could swap, I don't think the Habs would be cap compliant.

Agree ... @Commandant and I were merely lamenting the depths to which "nicknaming" has sunk

I was just thinking the same thing ... or to be creative, from Hooker they could have gone to TJ ... but they are all too young to remember that.

Knee surgeries/ rehabilitation have evolved significantly in the last 27 years ... Koivu also managed to return after only 32 games, to finish the season and dress for the playoffs (too soon for a full recovery????) ... I'll wait until he is back next season to start worrying about "maybes".

I would expect not until the next Habs practice, when media have access to MSL and other team personnel.

The Ole "first minute of the period" goal

After two periods ... Gallagher has a total of 5:51, including 1:08 of PP time ... he finally snuck past Dach's injury-induced 4:40 ... next lowest TOI is Pearson at 8:00 (with 2:37 of PK) ... he is effectively a 4th liner.