Meller93

So obviously expansion teams tend to have pretty empty cupboards when they start up. Maybe a few solid players available that's it. And maybe luck out on a few young guys who didn't reach their potential yet. Anybody know stats on how well expansion teams do in their first few years?

I'm going to assume no so 1 goalie - price 5 defenseman - Subban - Markov - Emelin - Gorges - Diaz? - Pacioretty - Eller - Plekanec - Bourque - Prust - Desharnais - Gionta - Briere (Entire top 9 is still intact with the galy's ) Last forward maybe White. Honestly maybe Parros for what he brings I feel like a lot of those choice were no brainers

So are any prospects able to be taken? Like say Fucale who hasn't played any pro games?

I agree with that, and the thing is if I had to choose between Paciorretty and Kessel there's a good chance I'd choose Pacioretty, because I think Pacioretty could potentially put up 80+ points like Kessel can, at which point he'd be a better player. If Pacioretty could ever get there he'd actually be one of the most valuable wingers in the league. A solid two way, big bodied, physical, high scoring winger. Whew

61 games 36 wins

Anybody else think pleks could have been just as good as say Bergeron with more consistent/better line mates? Either way I've always loved him, great team player

Kessel is madly underrated. One of the best scoring wingers in the league. Maybe not a franchise player, but not many have his skill level. Who's our go to forward? No one as good as Kessel. YET Galchenyuk and Pacioretty will probably get there

Every year there are a couple surprises, some being disappointments, and some being breakouts. Any predictions on who those players might be? I look to Emelin to continue his improvement when he returns. Maybe a disappointing season from Desh again with his ice time being squeezed out by good play from Eller. But I don't know who could break out. Galchenyuk maybe?

I have a good feeling about him actually. Maybe the Olympics will motivate him. We all know how good Price CAN play. The stress of Montreal might have slowed his learning curve or something. I think he'll get there soon.

The Briere signing over guys like Iginla Morrow and Jagr make me feel a little like this too. Could Bergevin really think Briere is a better fit than those Power forward kind of players? Briere, Fench Canadian.. I love the habs and I have nothing against French Canadians but I feel like the absolute need for the French connection hurts the team sometimes. Let's hope were proven wrong and that Bergevin heads in the right direction. I mean he has done well so far I think.

I realize its not the most pressing topic but seeing as the "dog days" of summer seem to be here, I wanted something to talk about. 30 games into last season, I would have said Price has a great shot at starting for team Canada. After a poor end to the season, and a shaky playoff, I'm not sure. What level will Price need to play ay in order to earn the starting role? On a side note, great to see a lot of our players earning pre-olympic invites. Galchenyuk would be an awesome surprise to crack the line up.

All good points above. I think a lot of it comes down to what Bergevin said " some players get you into the playoffs, others get you through them." Briere's a proven playoff performer, where as Ryder could easily disappear. We have the talent to get us in the playoffs anyway. Hopefully Briere can help us through them.

I agree, and actually I've just seen an update saying he won't be signing with the habs. Huuuge surprise there! 8-)

So we've never heard this before! Jagr wants to be buy his buddy Plekanec. To be honest Jagr does seem interested though. Is this a possibility? We have just a tad over 4m in cap space. Would Jagr sign for 4 mill for maybe just one year? Would you want him for that? I'll be honest, I would love to see Jagr in a habs jersey.

Breaking news: The habs have named Ryan white captain and changed the team name to Ryan white and the seven dwarves

Tom Gilbert? I just really like the idea of gaining assets without losing any. A trade could always work, but why not try for hard for buyouts/UFA if any fit?

Hal Gil was placed on waivers today. I feel like he could be an awesome mentor for the young defense, Tinordi especially. Gill played here hardly a year ago and was loved in Montreal. Would it make sense to claim him?

Wow, Fucale seems to have such a great head on his shoulders. Just saw a live interview, great answers

I like the way you think. I'm sure next season there will be a few teams who signed the buyouts who are flying under the radar, and everybody will say "why didn't we sign him?"

Can Lecavalier play a two way game at all? Not sure what kind of player he is.

Problem is that they won't be able to packaged very easily with a combined cap hit of 14+ million dollars. Markov desharnais and a pick might get a good return.

He has a lot to offer us. Big body, leadership and if healthy, 60-75 points. But that's the problem. He's only good for about 65 game or so. Then the other problem, he's a Center right? Where does he fit.? We'd have to trade Desh I think. Imagine a Center of lecavalier plecanec Eller...

I agree that the habs have some great prospects, but I've seen a lot of hyping up today. Yea, I think Galchenyuk is able to be as good as Toews, but as for Gallagher being Kane.. That's a stretch to put it lightly. I think Gallagher will be a Marchand Gionta hybrid. Dont get me wrong, great player to have, but not really comparable to Kane. And Collberg to Hossa? You're banking on the absolute ceiling here. He might not pan out at all. Between Collberg Kristo Hudon and Bozon Maybe we'll get a legitimate scoring forward. I do agree with what your saying though, size isn't everything, however, for a team this small we would need a hell of a lot of talent to compensate, something like the hawks. But I think we're on our way. Few more peices to go yet.

Back to the kaberle buyout for a second lol This move actually makes me think Bergevin is going to go hard in the UFA market, or make a trade. When I think about it kaberle only had 1 year left on his contract. Next year even with kaberle we would have had 4.5 million in cap space, with only white Halpern and Armstrong as the only real possible people to resign. So we don't directly need the buyout to fit under the cap. If we sign Horton, Bickel or whoever the buyout is obviously perfect, but is it possible that we could sit next season on 4.5+ mill in cap space when we could have saved the buyout in the event someone else's play falters and has a longer more cumbersome contract?

Hahahah I was actually looking for komisarek in a habs jersey for a full minute, I died laughing when I realized he was a leaf!