Meller93

Man that top has the potential to be so good. More progression from Guhle/Hutson and dare I say an elite top 4 we add a second line centre and we’re a scary team

Interesting assessments from elite prospects

mrtka and bear would be awesome picks imo

mailloux is reminding me of Sheldon Souray. I was only a young whippersnapper when souray was in his prime, but I recall him being poor defensively as well. With a cannon of a shot and snarl to him game

How does Dach fit in to the future for us? Have we reached the conclusion that he isn’t the answer for 2nd line C? Is he a middle 6 winger? The Barzal idea seems like a good fit to me with Dach not there, and I think using 16/17 picks to get him could make sense. I feel trading Laine would take full 50% retention. 16+17 + Laine (50%) for Barzal Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky Dach - Barzal - Demidov Newhook - Evans - Armia Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher Heineman/Kapanen that feels like a good forward group to me

Carbonneau or Kindel might be somewhat comparable to Hage? I really like Kashawn Aitcheson (unsure on spelling) with one of those picks, and then a skilled forward with a solid floor with the other. Idea is that we have high offensive ceiling youth like Hutson, Demidov, Caufield etc at both ends. Add a ton of physicality on the back end in Aitcheson, and middle 6 support up front. We always hear those cheap contracts are gold when forming a deep playoff team.

I think last nights game might be an instant classic. Regardless of how the Habs do in the rest of the series, it just feels like a game I’ll look back on for years. From scoring 6, to a bench brawl, to both starting goalies going down, seeing that emergency backup goalie geared up. It was just an absolute roller coaster That Hutson to caufield goal was so sweet too. Also really started seeing flashes from Demidov too. I think he’s finding his game. All around just crazy entertainment, and reminded me of why playoff hockey is so good

I agree with the general idea that Xhekaj needs to play sound hockey, but even if he plays a little below average, if he bring up the entire team, it still could be a net positive. to be honest, I would have subbed out Savard. I think there’s a reason he’s retiring at the end of the playoffs. Even he just knows the game is too fast for him now. Love him, but he’s nearly as slow as Laine

Carbonneau could be one final cog as a potential top 6 producer in the system. I'd be pretty happy with that pick too

Here is an outline of players I like with a very rudimentary description of their game (I haven't watched any of them myself, this is from from reading/listening to scouts alone). I'll also mention some current Hab that reading the profiles has reminded me of, but those more knowledgeable here, feel free to point out better comparisons or if I've missed the mark! The heart and soul guys: Carter Bear & Bill Zonnon Carter Bear C/LW - 6'0, 176 lbs Likely to slide in the 2025 draft due to a lacerated Achilles. 40 goals/ 42 assists in 56 games before injury Engages physically, wins puck battles, a little nastiness Two-way, smart game Elements Brendan Gallagher Bill Zonnon - LW 6'2, 190 lbs Power-forward game, high compete level, uses frame effectively 28 goals, 55 assists in 64 QMJHL games Strong skater Can play C/RW/LW More than a physical presence - Good hockey IQ May not reach top 6 upside, but seems to has a high floor Elements of Josh Anderson High skill forwards: Malcolm Spence, Ben Kindel, Justin Carbonneau Malcolm Spence LW - 6'2, 201 lbs Can sometimes take over games with his skill 32 goals, 41 assists in 73 OHL games High motor, engages physically Decent floor (top 9 NHLer) Has been had inconsistent production throughout season, may not reach his offensive ceiling Elements of Joel Armia/Alex Newhook Ben Kindel - 6'0 - 176 lbs Skilled and smart 35 goals, 64 assists in 65 WHL games High end Playmaking ability Good effort level He does go to the dirty areas, but lacks strength Elements of Jake Evans/Nick Suzuki Justin Carbonneau - 6'1, 192 lbs Skilled, Dual threat RW 46 goals, 43 assists in 62 QMJHL games Good skater High effort with the puck, needs to improve off-puck game Not noted to have a physical game Elements of Joshua Roy/Alex Newhook The small, high ceiling forward: Cameron Schmidt Cameron Schmidt RW - 5'7, 161 Seen as top line, powerplay upside 40 goals, 38 assists in 61 WHL games Excellent speed Dangerous shot, good playmaking ability Boom or Bust prospect Elements of Cole Caufield The two-way D men: Kashawn Aitcheson, Logan Hensler, Cameron Reid Kashawn Aitcheson LD - 6'1, 198 lbs Rugged D man that plays with lots of snarl Willing to fight, will punish opponents with hits 26 goals, 33 assists in 64 OHL games Not necessarily expected to have high level of production at NHL level More than a goon, has good hockey sense, shot, and skating; Top 4 upside Elements of Arber Xhekaj/Logan Mailloux Logan Hensler RD - 6'2, 196 lbs Mobile D-man with excellent shut down abilities 2 goals, 10 assists in 32 NCAA games Excellent Skater Some offensive flashes May Become more of a puck-moving defensive D at NHL level Elements of Kaiden Guhle/David Savard Cameron Reid LD - 6'0, 174 lbs Uses skating & body effectively to shut down opponents 14 goals, 40 assists in 67 OHL games High hockey IQ Developing decent offensive game Potential top 4 D Elements of Alex carrier Of course there are many other option as well. Some players I left out because I expect them to be off the board, or because they didn't catch my eye. Some players I left out were: 6'6 RD Radim Mrtka 6'3 LD Jackson Smith 6'4 F Lynden Lakovic 6'0 C Brady Martin 5'9 LW Cullen Potter So who are my personal picks? With Montreal's solid prospect pool, I feel we need player who are skilled but also fill a role well. For that reason, I'm leaning towards the guys who seem to have excellent work ethic & may be able to bring a nice element to the lineup in a checking role rather than filling into the top of the lineup quickly. For that reason my personal picks among players mentioned here are: Kashawn Aitcheson - Extra nastiness to protect our young talent like Hutson/Demidov is always welcome, especially when that player might blossom into a top 4 role as well. He's been compared to Trouba Carter Bear - I think we can afford to take a risk with Bear's injury. If he recovers, he could be exactly the right mix of talent and energy we need when trying to win a cup Who do you guys like?

That I have hahah, chiming in here and there. I might have been in my teens when I joined. I’ve always loved hearing other people’s takes on the state of the team. Frankly I don’t think there are many forums better than here for well thought out ideas/impressions. Hope this place can keep chugging along for years to come. I’d certainly miss it

I'm a late 93 birthday - I literally haven't been alive for a Habs Cup. (Yes I've cursed the Canadiens, forgive me) I hope that #93 has broken the curse

Jokes aside, I fully expected we'd have to wait until next year to see Demidov. Beyond excited that we get to see him in a Habs jersey early. I have really high hopes for the kid, but I'm not setting any kind of production expectation. Just wanting to see him fit in, and see a little creativity even if it doesn't result in a goal/assist. What a time to be a Habs fan! Keep in mind we still have Reinbacher, Hage, Fowler, Mailloux, and a mix of more solid prospects PLUS 2 mid first round picks this year. We can either use that as trade bait now for a 2nd line C or keep a strong prospect pool during the years we hope to contend. I'm not sure the last time the organization had this bright of an outlook

I expect Demidov to finish 2nd in Calder voting behind Lane after 60 points in 2 games

Hatrick for Demidov today! I believe it’s his 40th point as well. brings him up to 19g 21a for 40p on the season. He’ll pass kaprizov for most points by a teenager in the KHL soon. We got a special player here

An average of over 1 shit per minute is grounds for reduced ice time for sure

I chose Suzuki in the poll as well, but Caufield actually would have been my next choice. He’s been dynamic, and a lot more than just a goal scorer. He’s a dual threat, and is starting to be pretty consistent. That kind of production at 7.9 is great value IMO

To an extent this is me talking out my ass, but with the previous core I felt there was a little less cohesiveness in the room; I often heard of Subban clashing with teammates (I believe Gallagher was one). Weird things like the Subban-Price handshake got shutdown, and added a weird dimension. I know that’s normal to an extent, but there was a certain fragility I sensed. Pacioretty added to that feeling; I think the pressure affected him negatively for stretches. Obviously I wasn’t in that room, so maybe what I’m saying is BS, but it’s just the sense I get as an observer. I feel like the locker room is really tight. I do think MSL adds to that positivity too. That’s the different proverbial “vibe” I meant

I’ve been waiting to watch Habs hockey this exciting since the cup final run in 2021. The Subban/Pacioretty/Price core has its moments, but there’s a different vibe now. Right now every game matters and the Habs are playing with grit and the same never give up attitude that true contenders play with. Down 2? No worries, we battle back. Obviously the goal is playoffs, but regardless, as long as the Habs keep showing this heart and this progression, I’m extremely excited for the future. Even in 5 years time, we’re STILL young with captain Suzuki reaching 30 by then. There’s real potential we’re looking at a decade of playoff hockey for the Habs, and I can’t wait for it.

Is Struble benched? If so why? I missed it

agree he got the worst of the tilt, but after the fight, I felt it was his best game all season. Arber’s looked a bit lost. It’s like he’s been told off about the penalties, or told to learn when to “pick his spots”. the result is he completely lost his identity as a player. Felt he found some of that after the scrap, and played with more confidence. And viola he gets his first point. I hope it’s the beginning of more from Arber, who’s had a rough start

I’m not sure how to title this thread. But it’s terrible news. I just wanted a place for us to pay our respects to Johnny and his brother who were apparently killed in a motorcycle accident. This sends shockwaves through the hockey community. just wanted to send some love to the Gaudreau family.

Hughes live right now. Says Waddel allowed him/MSL to talk to Laine directly before the trade. In talking to him they we're really happy with how far he'd come and that he's in a good spot after the player assistance program

Woooah! Now that is a home run swing! This is the kind of risk you love to see. The risk of course being Laine's 8.7 million cap hit. BUT, the is the last year of the contract if I'm not mistaken.

Might be a reference to hockey junkie on YouTube who always calls him Honda civic hahah. Good YouTuber, fellow Newfoundlander like myself