alfredoh2009

This year, Chiarot-Weber was the best bet for top 4 minutes; Edmundson-Petry have shown that they are a very good top-4 I find the criticism of Weber’s play overly negative. It is true he has been terrible some nights and just ok most nights; but no other D from the rest of the roster could have taken his spot on the lineup Development wise, seeing Romanov play top-4 for the last two games shows his progression and where the team sees him. Romanov-Weber may be an option this playoff with Chiarot getting PK minutes. It gives a good option for managing Weber’s minutes The bottom pair can now be more solid with Chiarot-Kulak-Merril or any other D they want to use there So, why the need to be so negative , the team is getting better

I got my wish

One point salvaged in that comeback Let’s see if the b-team can get the win in OT

Shortening the bench, that old fox DD

Wouldn’t it be a perfect time for Caufield’s first goal?

Toffoli scores!!!

I am liking Evans more and more

Coach’s chalenge I hope will lead to another pp

Habs b-team with another comeback !

Finally, a power play !

Petry scoring on a nice play down the middle

Caufield with a nice shot although a bit too far

Chabot makes it 2-0 Kulak behind the net following a player and no forward picking the trailer

Do they have to make it so hard on themselves dumb penalty Danault

1-0 after two, and I am glad the Sens didn’t score on that bad between the legs back pass by mini-me Caufield seems to still be adapting and manages to get scoring chances none the less. I do not want to see Romanov fighting, wish we had a less important player do that type of thing I agree that the oldies goldies line seems to feed off each other, just need a bit of puck luck to score not liking the lack of speed, but optimistic they can come back if they show more urgency

Uh?! "In Brandon Montour, the Panthers get a solid depth defenceman who can consistently shoulder over 20 minutes of ice time. This season has not been Montour’s best, although Sabres’ overarching struggles are likely contributing to his performance. " https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2021/04/10/buffalo-sabres-trade-brandon-montour-to-panthers/ Playing with Weer, he should be able to play 2nd pair minutes and contribute more offensively than Chiarot. or a solid 3rd line RD (he shoots right) Forbort can be had and may be a better 3rd pairing LD than what we have. Others coming up for a contract: Pionk, Pelech, Dunn

I am rally happy that the Habs pulled him out of the lineup. We need a healthy Weber in the playoffs. There are enough defensively responsible defenders capable of filling in for a week or so. Go Habs Go!

I like Edmundson, he maybe a 5th on another team but on the Habs lineup he is the perfect complement to Petry. Stay at hope, seldom needing to handle the puck out of the D-zone and comfortable staying back. He also provides more physical play to the duo. I wish we had a dominant 1st pair D to push Weber or Chiarot down to the 3rd pair. I hope the Habs sign that player this summer, although I doubt it. UFAs like: * Brandon Montour (FLA) who will probably be left unprotected for the expansion draft and may be an upgrade on Chiarot for Weber * Derek Forbort (WPG) who may be a better alternative to resigning Merril or an upgrade on Kulak.

.500 hockey all the way to the playoffs Habs win , played a strong game despite having the less talented team

I know, but forgot to add it, I'll edit the posting

I am fine resting Tatar and Byron. They have been in effective for a while at this point Inexpect as much from Caufield than from Frolik: fill a spot and don’t hurt the team; but he seems to be getting scoring chances more that the old man... so there is hope If Romanov doesn’t start scoring, I would start trying different combinations in D to get more production from the backend without compromising defensive coverage as for winning/loosing : Allen or bust !

And if we compare our numbers to Norman's article: https://www.habsworld.net/2021/04/2020-21-montreal-3rd-quarter-grades-forwards/ 3rd Qt. Norm's grades (Apr.29 '21) @alfredoh2009 @hab29RETIRED @hockeyrealist Brendan Gallagher – Grade: A B under B B Tomas Tatar – Grade: A C+ under B D Corey Perry – Grade: A- B+ B B Tyler Toffoli – Grade: B+ A+ A+ A Josh Anderson – Grade: B A- A- B+ Phillip Danault – Grade: B C- under B D Nick Suzuki – Grade: B B under B B Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Grade: B- B- under B B- Paul Byron – Grade: B- C under B C- Artturi Lehkonen – Grade: C+ C under B C Jake Evans – Grade: C- B- under B B Jonathan Drouin – Grade: C- D under B C Eric Staal – Grade: C- D under B B (Eddy?) Joel Armia – Grade: D C- under B B-

I also like Ylonen, the few time I watched a Laval game he was easy to spot doing good plays remembering how Danault grew in maturity to become the Habs 1C , I am confident Kotkaniemi and Suzuki can get there

I think that the Habs expiring contracts at the NHL and AHL level and the salary structure provide an opportunity to whoever the Habs GM may be to re-model the team. The expansion draft and the regular draft provide added opportunities this summer. The team improved from the previous season, KK, Romanov and Suzuki showed they are NHL caliber and Evans was a good surprise I think the future is promising through my half-full glass