PMAC

The Capitals are retooling. The Canucks brass are, I will be kind and say, confused.

A 1st and a 2nd seems like a lot for a player who is only under team control for another year or two. It seems like a terrible trade to me and it makes me glad I’m not a Canucks fan

If we could trade Drouin for a 5th or another potentially high reward/low risk deal a la Gurianov, I would be ecstatic. Similarly, trading Hoffman and not having to give up assets or retain much salary for someone to take him would be a major win, bordering on a minor miracle. I’m now hoping that we sign Monaghan to a one year “show me” deal because I don’t think even this brain trust can get a good additional return on him this deadline. In HuGort we trust.

I have never before not been seriously upset by the Habs losing to Boston. I'm hoping this new detachment only lasts for this season. Also, I don't think that I have ever been more wrong about a trade than I was in the immediate aftermath of Romanov being dealt for Dach.

One outside the top 5 pick for PLD? That seems like a bargain for the Habs but what if Mickayov(sp) falls to that level? Interesting dilemma for HuGort but I doubt bey much that the Jets would be interested in that deal.

Yes, not now. But next summer an exorcist, a smudging ceremony and then blessings from every faith imaginable

From I read,via Eric Engles, I think , his agent (Brisson) believes shutting him down now will allow him to be ready for training camp next season

Yes, and a series of PTOs could be used to fill in Laval with Echl -lite players without affecting the contract limit

It doesn't matter. There is no way Wifi is getting traded unless the return is excellent. Far more likely Edmunston or Savard are dealt.

Not only does McCarron dredge up memories better repressed, the opportunity cost of acquiring him or Hinostroza is too great. By that I mean, if you have either of them on the roster it reduces the organization's ability to sign other more desirable players-- by occupying a contract slot and eating cap space-- or to act as a 3rd party salary broker at the trade deadline. Far better to sign someone to a PTO in Laval and bring back Richard or another young guy if we are drastically short of bodies for the farm and need another player in Montreal. I wouldn't be surprised to see a wavier claim but only if the player involved is young and has some untapped potential eg., someone like Kovacevic

I have to ask, what decisions of HuGort do you have issues with? I’m not trying to attack you. I’m genuinely curious.

In that scenario Edmonton should be adding for us to take Puljujarvi, not the other way around. Also, under no circumstances should we be trading young cost controlled assets unless the return is astronomical and Broberg although a good prospect, isn’t that.

Well worth the risk. Why not take a shot at a potential home run pick if he falls outside of the top five-- since we could have two ten picks. Hurray for Sergei Bobrovsky-- my favorite NHL player not on the Canadiens!

Arrgh! Just thinking about all potential squandered with Lefebvre in charge of the farm team makes me grind my teeth even now.

At this point, if HUGORT manage to offload Drouin and Dadonov for a pair of 7th round draft picks and get anything for Armia without retaining salary/ sending an asset with him, they are indeed the second coming of Sam Pollock. It is almost conceivable that they get a 3rd for Hoffman if he can stay relatively productive and injury free, but for any return of significance its going to be Monahan, Edmunston or Anderson leaving. It would be nice if we could trade Dvorak and keep Monahan on a reasonable deal.... I dare to dream... Long live the SCoSP!

Lack of development and the lack of a plan to fix those self-imposed deficiencies ( e.g., Leberfve, lack of skill development and analytics departments, lack of a coherent team building and drafting strategy)were Bergevin’s biggest flaws. While he should get credit for the Suzuki trade, drafting Caufield and signing Wifi, the contrast between the old regime and the new are striking. Also, HuGort’s work is showing results far, far faster than anyone anticipated.

I also thought that was a ridiculous comment from the announcers. AAARGH, even Gary Galley was better than that...not by much, but better.

Trotzs likes heavy, big, defense first players and teams. He is a Brian Burke coach not Kyle Dubas. Yes, I know he had success in Washington but they were, and are, a much heavier team than TO. Would he be able to pivot his style to work with a team that is the antithesis of what he prefers? Maybe, or maybe the rumour is true that he’s looking to move up to GM after his next coaching gig. In either case, hiring him would probably not bode well for Dubas.

That may be true. But we are only a couple of injuries on D away from playing Scheuneman, Barron or someone like Bowey on a reqular basis. Hopefully, that doesn't happen, but our NHL depth on D is already injured. Also, if Allen or Montembault gets hurt our chances for Bedard go way up. That said, I hope the Habs continue to exceed expectations and Florida unexpectedly crashes and burns.

What about "the Jackhammer"? Surprised that one hasn't gotten more traction.

The comment was about why Slafkovsky is being placed with a billet family... precisely to avoid having him "enjoy the city" too much at 18

Luckily we are dealing with Hu-gort --or Horton as I have recently heard them referred to-- and they do not operate in any, way, shape or form like the previous regime. I have no doubt that even if Drouin has a great year-- and that is a big IF-- that they would not be tempted to re-sign him unless there were compelling hockey reasons to do so. They are not going to be swayed by language politics or sentiment. Their MO is to bring in players like Matheson who have a connection to Montreal and a compelling rationale as to why they fit the ethos, needs, goals, and long term plan. You know, the long term plan and commitment to a certain approach to team building and team play that Bergevin and most of his recent predecessors lacked. Forget the trades and signings-- which have been almost universally excellent-- I am most impressed by Horton's revamp of how the organization does business and their commitment to having the CH be cutting edge in treating players well, drafting with a plan, paying attention to analytics ,while being cognizant of the short-comings of a fully data-based approach, taking innovative approaches to player skills development-- with a real staff and resources-- and otherwise operating a smart, agile 21 st business intent on leveraging all of its advantages for success.

Yes, but I live in hope. Imagine, Drouin shows flashes of brilliance, scores lots of goals and the Canadiens trade him and Armia for a first round pick and lo and behold the possibility of the Canadiens winning the egregious, ill-conceived and infuriating Sergachev for Drouin trade becomes a possibility. Likely? No. Bordering on fantasy? Yes. Pleasant to think about? Yes. Kind of like a Leafs fan envisioning a Stanley Cup.

No, no, no. We want a resurgent Drouin and the lovely assets he will bring at the trade deadline. He can go wherever once he leaves another fan base gnashing their teeth in frustration

I usually try to make the most optimistic prediction, but Johnny has taken care of that for me so I am going for an uncharacteristically realistic prediction. Not a fan of tanking but I think HuGort are taking the best approach to avoid establishing a loser mentality and set up the club for long term success Points 28-39-11-4 Division 8th League 29th Tie Beaker 30 goals