REV-G Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 From what we're hearing Joel Edmundson is getting close to returning to action and Mike Matheson is still about 4-6 weeks away. So the question for us is what do we do when these two veteran d-men return? The pairings lately have been: Savard - Guhle Harris - Kovacevic Xhekaj - Wideman So the question is who goes? I assume Wideman would be moved to the the 7th d-man as you don't want a rookie sitting in the press box, especially when they are waiver exempt. But what do you do for the final spot? Do you send Harris or Xhekaj down to the AHL when they seem to be doing fairly well in the NHL? Do you trade a D-man? Personally I don't think that's something they want to do because of the injuries that will inevitably come. I don't think they will send Guhle down. My guess is they begin a rotation, as long as everyone is healthy, with one of Harris and then Xhekaj being sent down and then rotate them with one being in the NHL and the other spending some time in Laval. The other option is that if another d-man gets injured then the returning players will simply fill that spot. Decision time is getting closer. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurdBurglar Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 I’m not sure it’s much of a question really. Edmundson - Matheson Guhle - Savard Xhekaj - Harris Kovacevic i think Wideman is the odd man out, Harris plays both LD and RD. With Edmundson returning, you can manage Xhekaj’s minutes a little better, but I like what he brings to the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 In the near term I think it is the AHL ... one of Xhekaj or Harris, or a rotation as you suggest ... in the longer-term ... ***IF*** the youngsters continue to play this well, once Edmundson proves he is healthy I suspect HuGo may be willing to LISTEN to trade offers. As for the 7D ... Wideman makes sense if Kovacevic continues to play well as he has more of a potential future ... in that case, Wideman may well be a classic trade deadline DEPTH defenceman, despite not being a pending UFA, as his contract is fully buriable if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 2 minutes ago, TurdBurglar said: I’m not sure it’s much of a question really. Edmundson - Matheson Guhle - Savard Xhekaj - Harris Kovacevic i think Wideman is the odd man out, Harris plays both LD and RD. With Edmundson returning, you can manage Xhekaj’s minutes a little better, but I like what he brings to the team. If the Habs are willing to use Harris on the right-side that makes some sense ... although he has played RD they ***MAY*** want to keep it simpler for him in his rookie season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, TurdBurglar said: I’m not sure it’s much of a question really. Edmundson - Matheson Guhle - Savard Xhekaj - Harris Kovacevic i think Wideman is the odd man out, Harris plays both LD and RD. With Edmundson returning, you can manage Xhekaj’s minutes a little better, but I like what he brings to the team. that is also what I would do if everyone is healthy. For the sake of discussion, and development, I would do this: (correcting mistake) Edmundson-Savard Matheson-Kovacevic Guhle-Wideman Schueneman Kovacevic is a placeholder, like Kulak was. Both Harris and Xhekaj in Laval, until a trade or injury forces their call ups. Habs need to walk the talk of developing the kids right. Harris and Xhekaj have done great with the Habs, but the Dallas game showed that they need more experience in all situation, playing top minutes. Edited October 25, 2022 by alfredoh2009 correcting mistake on Matheson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 2 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said: that is also what I would do if everyone is healthy. For the sake of discussion, and development, I would do this: Edmundson-Matheson Guhle-Savard Schueneman-Wideman Kovacevic and both Harris and Xhekaj in Laval, until a trade or injury forces their call ups. Habs need to walk the talk of developing the kids right. Harris and Xhekaj have done great with the Habs, but the Dallas game showed that they need more experience in all situation, playing top minutes. Why would you give the ice time to Schueneman instead of Kovacevic? The latter is still developing and has potential, the former is not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 8 minutes ago, tomh009 said: Why would you give the ice time to Schueneman instead of Kovacevic? The latter is still developing and has potential, the former is not. just a lefty/righty type of thing. I would prefer Schueneman - Kovacevic but that may be pushing it too much for the forum. I do not want Kovacevic to e exposed by playing on his off-side with Wideman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 2 hours ago, TurdBurglar said: I’m not sure it’s much of a question really. Edmundson - Matheson Guhle - Savard Xhekaj - Harris Kovacevic i think Wideman is the odd man out, Harris plays both LD and RD. With Edmundson returning, you can manage Xhekaj’s minutes a little better, but I like what he brings to the team. I think you play Edmondson, and if he plays well and you can get a Chiarot type return, you move him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 32 minutes ago, alfredoh2009 said: just a lefty/righty type of thing. I would prefer Schueneman - Kovacevic but that may be pushing it too much for the forum. I do not want Kovacevic to e exposed by playing on his off-side with Wideman. If its a lefty-righty thing, why is matheson playing the wrong side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Edmundson - Harris Mattheson - Savard Guhle - Wideman Extra: Kovacevic, AHL: Xhekaj, Schueneman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 17 minutes ago, Commandant said: If its a lefty-righty thing, why is matheson playing the wrong side? because I made a mistake ! Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 10 minutes ago, alfredoh2009 said: Love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Harris and Guhle are not going anywhere.... Clearly Scheuneman goes down for Edmundson and we will worry about Matheson in 6 weeks. I'd think they are very pleased with Kovacevic play.... the only thing keeping Wideman in the lineup is powerplay TOI and they aren't even converting on the PP so... Should be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 The numbers for the D-men are surprisingly even so far this season. Yes, Wideman's skewed to offensive-zone starts but much less than before. And TOI is fairly even beyond Savard and Harris. (The snip is from naturalstattrick.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Keep in mind guhle has been battling a knock and that concussion protocol that lowered his TOI or he's likely leading the stat line on total TOI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalhabs Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Xhekaj is already a fan favorite. I think he will stay up to sell jerseys and make fans happy while tanking. Might not be the right choice in hockeyterms but for business it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 I’d be curious to read a serious, advanced-stats-informed analysis of Wifi’s performance. The “eye test” suggests a guy who has slotted into a bottom-6 NHL role without too much trouble. That said, as a bottom-pairing guy, he’s on the bubble by definition. I personally dislike the idea of holding a spot for Wideman when a kid like him has made what seems to be an outsized impact - but the problem seems to be positional. No way is there room on the left side for Xhekaj when Edmundson, Matheson, and Guhle are all there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plutarch Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 4 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: I’d be curious to read a serious, advanced-stats-informed analysis of Wifi’s performance. The “eye test” suggests a guy who has slotted into a bottom-6 NHL role without too much trouble. That said, as a bottom-pairing guy, he’s on the bubble by definition. I personally dislike the idea of holding a spot for Wideman when a kid like him has made what seems to be an outsized impact - but the problem seems to be positional. No way is there room on the left side for Xhekaj when Edmundson, Matheson, and Guhle are all there. Does Matheson play Rd? I vaguely remember Edmonston has struggled at Rd in the past (maybe in Carolina?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHabnut Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 I think there are a lot of factors in this decision, so the best answer may not be an easy or popular one. Edmonson Harris ( Harris on his wrong side facing high end opposition) Matheson Savard Ghule Wideman (might be unpopular but the horrible pp may end up worse with him out of the line up) Schueneman waived first Xhekaj waived second (As CC says, there are just too many left defense) 26 is not waiver exempt and seems to be to good to lose on waivers right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 9 hours ago, Dalhabs said: Xhekaj is already a fan favorite. I think he will stay up to sell jerseys and make fans happy while tanking. Might not be the right choice in hockeyterms but for business it is. please NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 4 hours ago, Plutarch said: Does Matheson play Rd? I vaguely remember Edmonston has struggled at Rd in the past (maybe in Carolina?) I am certain he must have at some point but I don't recall any mention that was a serious option ... and given the Habs situation on the right-side I am fairly certain it would have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 14 hours ago, Dalhabs said: Xhekaj is already a fan favorite. I think he will stay up to sell jerseys and make fans happy while tanking. Might not be the right choice in hockeyterms but for business it is. If he stays up it won't be because he sells jerseys, it will be because he brings an element to the team that no one else can bring. Plus he is turning into a much better player than 90% of the people here thought he would be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 4 hours ago, BCHabnut said: I think there are a lot of factors in this decision, so the best answer may not be an easy or popular one. Edmonson Harris ( Harris on his wrong side facing high end opposition) Matheson Savard Ghule Wideman (might be unpopular but the horrible pp may end up worse with him out of the line up) Schueneman waived first Xhekaj waived second (As CC says, there are just too many left defense) 26 is not waiver exempt and seems to be to good to lose on waivers right now. I think I might see Edmundson/Savard as the less than ideal but best option first pairing ... then, if they are willing to play Harris on the right-side, Matheson/Harris and Guhle/Kovacevic ... if the PP were to drop from 31st to 32nd because Wideman sits, I can live with that ... they are at 4.8% entering tonight, and 0/2 tonight (so down to 4.3%) ... if they want to keep Harris on the left-side, then Harris goes to Laval, Matheson, Wideman, JK26 and Guhle get paired up somehow and either Schueneman (still waiver exempt for a couple of weeks after clearing before the season started) or Xhekaj are the 7D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 I don’t want to see any rookie D-man used consistently on the wrong side. That is bad development by definition IMHO. Better that a kid be sent down to hone his craft in the minors than that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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