DON

At least Demidov has 99.99% (100%?) of Habfans approval starting out, unlike Slafkovski and Reinbacher.

Ya ya , he hasnt even scored 1 point yet and already folks heaping huge expectations on the poor kid. How will he handle the crazy media scrutiny next spring?

Same. 40+g seems realistic if pre-draft hype is close to correct, not sure about the 90pts though? Cant wait to see, till then just hopes he gets some regular icetime in KHL and not the MHL.

Based on? That wasnt an issue when drafting either was it? Wasnt real keen on Slafkovski's antics or attitude shown at times during world championship. Maybe overreading it and it could be he is just very very competitive, hope so. NOW, with a $60,000,000 contract in his back pocket, will that affect his hat-size, hope not?

I think he had commitments or LIIGA training and same boat as Koivu i guess and they didnt want to screw with their summer routine. And odds are he will spend another year in LIIGA anyways. And now have hired a Finnish development guy right there now to keep eye on them and Adam Nicholas can still do virtual stuff with them .

https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/multimedia/galleries/2024-canadiens-development-camp camp pics

Writers Weigh In: Discussing Slafkovsky’s Extension – HabsWorld.net couple opinions on deal

My god those poor kids, they had like 10-15 minute press conferences each. And the number of stupid questions from the media was too hard to watch them all. here they all are, if want to hear see kid interviews https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/video/topic/press-pass/ https://montrealhockeynow.com/2024/07/04/montreal-canadiens-news-development-camp-guhle-extension-cost-habs/ Fowler (6'1 219lbs) looks bit pudgy, compared to the likes of a Beck.

If Habs are sellers at deadline, if not and are close to playoffs and if Dvorak, Armia and Savard are all contributing to winning, what do ya do? May end up keeping Savard and letting him walk or resign as 3rd pairing guy next summer?

Most folks seem pretty high on his potential and i am just hoping they are correct.

Not move up in draft for better picks, use picks & young-d for roster player(s). Is my general thinking.

Rebuild aint near done, if just 1 player is all that important. Contenders can muddle through missing top player(s), or having a top pick not really panning out, it seems.

Loaded for bear with ton of picks in 2025... would like to see some of them used for trading for roster player(s)

https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/hockey/2024-07-03/le-canadien/je-ne-voulais-pas-etre-pris-en-pitie-assure-michael-hage.php “We told him it was a very important year for him and the team, and it wasn’t going our way,” Garman said. “We had a very tough, direct conversation for a good hour. And he said, ‘It’s okay, I get it.’” "He really challenged me to be better. If we were going to be successful, I had to show leadership and mature," Hage confirms.

Heard it suggested that small market Canadian teams simply not favoured by USA players and Conroy was not gonna draft one after so many issues retaining USA players. Flames-OHL d-man, Sens - WHL d-man Also suggested that the Habs only drafting 2 CHLers on purpose, giving the rest of picks more years before needing signed, with bit of glut in prospect pool #s.

Bergy tried to make a deal at the draft for him, pretty standard stuff. Not sure that is same as 'chasing him for a long time.' But, not big deal.

Yes, 'The Athletic' is nice that way. The ads drive me nuts, but is the way things are now on most sites, some seem worse than others but pretty standard to expect these days. I love this ad advertising this.

Owen Protz - a bully defenseman (awinninghabit.com) "Protz joins a clogged up left defence prospect group for the Habs, but what he has on his side is time. It is likely that he will see many other defenders traded away or established before he arrives, but I think that he could develop into a nice depth option."

Might be interesting. e.g. 5th round picks, Luke Misa and Justin Poirier would be 2 skaters to pick their own team. And the 7 Goalies taken, just in the 5th, would also be available to anyone.

Hmmm, not 1 small player, wasnt intentional am sure. But, we know Habs more concerned with skill anyways. While, 6'4" Thorpe was said to be the worse skater in the draft, even worse than 6'4" Ben Merrill i hear, they must be very skilled i guess.

Really, never heard that.

Is Rob Blake a very bad GM? I dont get this contract? NHL free agency best and worst deals: Star wingers in Florida, Boston’s big bets - The Athletic (nytimes.com) Joel Edmundson, Los Angeles Kings Contract: $3.8M x four years Surplus value: -$2.9M per year

Ya, dont think can hurts him any, just is awkward playing on off-side for any d-man and over play will suffer. Backhand cross ice passes and picking/stopping pucks off the boards on your backhand just is much much tougher.

Is it 'happy' cookie day today? Love to hear they locked Slafkovski up long term, smart or not i dont know, but i like it.

He deserves to gets paid!