DON

GM in Florida seems to be doing well. NHL contract efficiency rankings, 2024: Which teams spend their money most wisely? - The Athletic (nytimes.com) "For the second year in a row, the Florida Panthers finished first in the cap efficiency rankings and that’s not something that should be up for debate. It’s not even close. No other team is set up better for the long haul than the Panthers who are sitting on $125 million in surplus value — $75 million more than the next-best team..." 16. Montreal Canadiens

Torts will treat him with kindness. https://www.nhl.com/news/matvei-michkov-grateful-for-warm-welcome-from-philadelphia-flyers "To have this opportunity, it's amazing. To get him early, at 19 years old, to learn under a coach like [John Tortorella] and the coaching staff that we have, I think it's a great opportunity for him and for us to have him early."

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/07/24/le-canadien-et-le-ska-ont-eu-une-discussion-dune-heure-et-demie-au-sujet-divan-demidov "Recall that Demidov only has one year left on his contract and, due to a KHL rule, a player with only one year left cannot be loaned to another team if he does not get the required ice time, as was the case the last two seasons with Matvei Michkov who was loaned to HC Sochi."

That sounds about right, what i remember.

Or just that Habs are being patient, as really is no big thing they "must" do before game #1. Wouldnt be ideal playing Armia or Anderson in top six or rotating young d-men; but you could be right and Harris, Barron, Struble not big enough value, compared to other d-men that GMs would likely rather pry from the Habs.

He can skate fine, has a big shot, is big and physical and has 'OK" puck skills. Can he put it all together and be top-4, is possible i suppose. But, left-d top four seems already spoken for on the Habs, for near future anyways, so dont need him to play 20 minutes/night.

No question about it, you guys are f'in bored.

different kind of contracts i think? He cant be loaned out the same way as Michkov was... for some reason? (my foggy memory could be wrong on that)

Will Habs make the playoffs? How Canadiens could make jump from league basement to playoff mix - The Athletic (nytimes.com) Bit sobering look at how new guys have done. Evaluating the Not so New Montreal Canadiens Management – HabsWorld.net

For sure, heavy hitting/checking physical players have their place and is intimidation tactics also. But, i see the whole fighting bit is old and bushleague type stuff, wouldnt still be a big deal if officiating was less lenient. (e.g. Marchand punching Sedin in face numerous times trying to get him to fight and no penalty called)

Is Bogdan a future hab? Habs Headlines: Bogdan Konyushkov plays in KHL exhibition game (habseyesontheprize.com)

On another team, sure sounds good to me. A 3rd pairing d-man who takes lots of bad penalties, isnt required to win a cup.

Poor skating, size & grit on day 2. Thoughts on Montreal’s Later Draft Selections – HabsWorld.net "After an exciting first day of the draft, Montreal’s approach on the second day was more underwhelming."

Only thing is, most of highlights are vs fairly weak competition.

Some change to devalue shootout wins cant hurt. How do Euro soccer leagues count shootouts for standings rankings?

Saw Snuggerud mentioned (grain of salt, by Pierre McGuire) as trade target for Habs, if St Louis might want a cheap young d-man to partially fill in for Krug. Not a clue how high on Blues prospect list he is, likely near the top i assume, but not as good a prospect as McGroarty? (say Xhekaj & a 2nd pick?) Realistic, or worthwhile kid to go after? *Wheeler has them pretty equal. Top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking: Celebrini, Michkov lead Wheeler’s summer 2024 list - The Athletic (nytimes.com)

I know, kind of kidding. But Xhekaj likely has more value in other GMs eyes in trade, than a Barron, Harris, Struble and is a LH-d so kinda expendable. Is my thinking. Newhook was noted to be just 26 days older than Caufield and name on cup already. Canadiens' Alex Newhook Looking To Achieve Bigger Things With Montreal In 2024-25 - The Hockey News "Much of the optimism surrounding Newhook is due to the fact that in his final 13 games of the season, he posted five goals and 12 points. Almost as importantly, Gallagher notched five goals and 11 points, while Armia, who was twice sent to the minors this season, scored six goals and nine points to finish with a career-high 17 goals." How can the Habs add physicality to their roster? – Hab At Her

One Xhekaj is traded to the Ducks, who cares what his contract is.

Late 2024 draft scouting report on Demidov. Ivan Demidov: The Definition of Creativity — Full Scouting Report (youtube.com) FUN stuff for sure, the kid is skilled for sure. He and Lane Hutson could be very entertaining on the PP.

Weber was awesome. What if, Preds just took all the picks and used the $$ elsewhere instead? Would they have been better off perhaps?

I didnt watch the podcast. Just saw the tired ol boring topic that Habs can really do without. (but i find it hard to listen to that guy to begin with i suppose). Interesting rule, i think is good... now just get rid of the goofy shootout.

I say the Ducks likely will give him $3/yr, sound about right?

Yes, of course they (and 31 other teams) are avoiding them intentionally.

He seems like a 3rd pairing d-man at moment with Habs, given all the LH-d options likely ahead of him. How much does St Louis like him, he played Struble the same amount and Harris a bit more.

I think it was rumoured a 1st was offered. I think GMs would overpay for the fighting/intimidation, OK skating and big shot. Seems expendable to me, with all the LH depth.