GDT Game #20 Habs at Sharks 3:30 est. Friday November 24

[DON]

#26 is on fire! (relatively) 3g in last 4 games, poor Anderson not a shot so far.

Caufield 4 shots

Struble 1a 2 shots 10:10, nice.

[DON]

CC gets on scoresheet, fill the net!

[DON]

Suzuki... SHOOT the puck sir!

[DON]

I am going with Caufield to score in OT.

[TurdBurglar]

I thought Suzuki's shootout move was filthy, Ylonen's was better.

[DON]

Slafkovski 19:44 1a 3 shots

Caufield 1g1a 6 shots 20:33

Nice move by Ylonen.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

On 11/23/2023 at 6:16 PM, DON said:

vs SJ?... shouldnt be needed, so flip a coin?

Mike Hoffman does have 4g in his last 4 games (he now has 4g in 18games), so he is pretty hot and has that wicked shot.

 

You called it!

 

Great that Slaf got another assist.

 

When do we start calling him Cayden PRIMO - ?

[DON]

Slaf seems is feeling bit more at ease out there and i liked the smart pass to the open side anticipating Caufield.

He is a big fella and can use that to protect the puck along the boards, give him a couple years to get stronger and could be quite a player.

 

“I just feel like those wall plays and those little plays that at the beginning of the season I wasn’t making, they just come more natural right now,” he said. “I was looking at so much video with Adam working on it, with Marty working on it, and now I’m starting to feel confident in those situations. So it just feels better overall.”

 

Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovský’s focus on little details is driving positive results - The Athletic

 

"First Star: Cole Caufield (1g, 1a, 6 shots, +2, 20:33 TOI) undressed Blackwood with his goal in the third, although he could not score on his other five shots, and Blackwood stymied him in the shootout. But six Caufield shots a game is bound to lead to some scoring.

Second Star: Johnathan Kovacevic (1g, 0a, 1 shot, +2, 11:10 TOI) was playing on the bottom pairing this time, keeping company to Jayden Struble, in only Struble’s second NHL game. The duo acquitted themselves credibly, albeit in limited minutes, and were +2 on the night.

Third Star: Jesse Ylonen (0g, 0a, 1 shot, +0, 7:16 TOI) played yet another game in a limited role on the fourth line, with Mike Pezzetta and Jake Evans, with little opportunity to show what he is capable of. With the shootout reaching the eighth shooter pair, he finally got his opportunity and scored a pretty goal to secure both points for the Canadiens."

10 Thoughts: Habs snatch a 3-2 victory in the Shark Pond – HabsWorld.net

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Kovacevic is turning into an absolute steal. Winnipeg made a serious error here. 

[DON]

13 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Kovacevic is turning into an absolute steal. Winnipeg made a serious error here. 

Yes, i like his play and should only get better. 

 

Is Monahan playing through injury? He skipped practice (therapy day) and just seems off, no shots. Or just dosent like Marty's line blending?

 

Harris maybe kinda not liking a more physical version of himself playing fine in limited minutes?

[dlbalr]

18 hours ago, Sir_Boagalott said:

For some silly reason they had a celebratory pre-game nonsense.  

 

One of their broadcasters was inducted into the Hall of Fame last week, this was the ceremony to congratulate him.

 

https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-radio-play-by-play-announcer-dan-rusanowsky-named-as-the-recipi-344680542

[alfredoh2009]

1 hour ago, DON said:

[...]

Harris maybe kinda not liking a more physical version of himself playing fine in limited minutes?

 

I was going to post something similar, but opted for a more tempered post on how well Strubble is playing and hoping he can keep it up. I was impressed with Barron when he first came up, and had to temper my excitement once he fell back to earth.

 

One thing is for certain, Harris will have a hard time making the line-up NEXT YEAR if everyone is healthy.

[DON]

3 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said:

 

I was going to post something similar, but opted for a more tempered post on how well Strubble is playing and hoping he can keep it up. I was impressed with Barron when he first came up, and had to temper my excitement once he fell back to earth.

 

One thing is for certain, Harris will have a hard time making the line-up NEXT YEAR if everyone is healthy.

Am guessing not all d-men currently on roster will be back in 24-25, or maybe even by trade deadline.

It will sort itself out.

 

Engstrom, Hutson, Struble, Harris, Xhekaj, Trudeau hmmm

[Prime Minister Koivu]

20 minutes ago, DON said:

Am guessing not all d-men currently on roster will be back in 24-25, or maybe even by trade deadline.

It will sort itself out.

 

Engstrom, Hutson, Struble, Harris, Xhekaj, Trudeau hmmm

Surely HuGo use our glut of Dmen to upgrade our forward depth at some point. 
 

We sure seem to have enough NHL Dmen to run two teams 

[DON]

5 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Surely HuGo use our glut of Dmen to upgrade our forward depth at some point. 
 

We sure seem to have enough NHL Dmen to run two teams 

Hutson, Engstrom, Struble, Trudeau are not NHL d-men, or Xhekaj not really 'established' NHLer... Yet. Is the only thing i might add.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 minute ago, DON said:

Hutson, Engstrom, Struble, Trudeau are not NHL d-men, or Xhekaj not really 'established' NHLer... Yet. Is the only thing i might add.

True and Mailloux and Reinbacker aren’t there there yet either but they sure will be. 
 

Habs are going to have serious depth and strength on the back end. It’s been a long freaking time since that was true! 

[DON]

18 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

True and Mailloux and Reinbacker aren’t there there yet either but they sure will be. 
 

Habs are going to have serious depth and strength on the back end. It’s been a long freaking time since that was true! 

Not all will pan out as well as expected (by fanatics at least), for certain.

[Sir_Boagalott]

21 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Surely HuGo use our glut of Dmen to upgrade our forward depth at some point. 
 

We sure seem to have enough NHL Dmen to run two teams 

 

They do and that is sort of a problem.   They will have to move numerous dmen but are any of them viewed as good enough to be packaged for an elite forward?  As good as Guhle is I'm not 100% sure that he will still be with the Habs in 3-4 yrs.  However, I wouldn't consider moving him before the others prove what they can do.  

 

Lest we forget Konyushkov.  I'm thinking he could be more interesting than the dmen you guys have mentioned because he could turn out to be the next Markov.  He is currently 20 yrs old and a Captain in the KHL, which is completely unheard of.  Although he isn't a big guy he is fairly physical and he has a lot of skill both ways.  Even though he hasn't played in North America yet it seems like he was a huge steal at the draft.  It was brilliant that the Habs picked Florian and then Bogdan in the 4th round because both those guys in future redrafts probably should have been 1st rnd picks or high 2nd rnd.    Larianov is his coach and he says if Bogdan didn't have that KHL contract he is good enough to play in the NHL and be with the Habs right now.  

[tomh009]

54 minutes ago, Sir_Boagalott said:

They will have to move numerous dmen but are any of them viewed as good enough to be packaged for an elite forward? 

Apart from Guhle (who is unlikely to be traded) probably not for an established top-line forward. More likely scenario is for a reclamation project (think Dach or Newhook) or a prospect.

[hab29RETIRED]

2 hours ago, DON said:

Not all will pan out as well as expected (by fanatics at least), for certain.

That’s why we shouldn’t be in a rush to read them YET, unless someone is really desperate and clearly overpays. 

[hab29RETIRED]

2 hours ago, Sir_Boagalott said:

 

They do and that is sort of a problem.   They will have to move numerous dmen but are any of them viewed as good enough to be packaged for an elite forward?  As good as Guhle is I'm not 100% sure that he will still be with the Habs in 3-4 yrs.  However, I wouldn't consider moving him before the others prove what they can do.  

 

Lest we forget Konyushkov.  I'm thinking he could be more interesting than the dmen you guys have mentioned because he could turn out to be the next Markov.  He is currently 20 yrs old and a Captain in the KHL, which is completely unheard of.  Although he isn't a big guy he is fairly physical and he has a lot of skill both ways.  Even though he hasn't played in North America yet it seems like he was a huge steal at the draft.  It was brilliant that the Habs picked Florian and then Bogdan in the 4th round because both those guys in future redrafts probably should have been 1st rnd picks or high 2nd rnd.    Larianov is his coach and he says if Bogdan didn't have that KHL contract he is good enough to play in the NHL and be with the Habs right now.  

I don’t know why there are constant posts considering moving Guhle? At the end of the day he may end up being the best dman we have. 
 

in the 80’s We had Svoboda, Chelios, Kurvers, Lalor, Schneider, and the first three were hailed as the foundation for our futures can’t miss D core. Svoboda was supposed to be the best of the bunch. Well, kurvers was traded early, Lalor didn’t last and Svoboda was also moved.  the late pick Chelios ended up being the best of the bunch. 
 

we need to be patient with the one’s that are here, rather than wanting to ship them out to make room for the shiny new toys in the system. Who know, Guhle and Barron may end up being the best - I am hoping that Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux be among the top 4 and will be considered guys that can be a top 4 for a legit contender: but the point remains a that, at this point, we don’t know which ones will pan out yet.
 

I’m much more willing to move guys like Savard and Matheson who probably won’t be part of the future when we are ready to compete than our young guys, and risk making another McDonough or Sergechev blunder.
 

[Sir_Boagalott]

On 11/25/2023 at 6:07 PM, hab29RETIRED said:

I don’t know why there are constant posts considering moving Guhle? At the end of the day he may end up being the best dman we have. 
 

in the 80’s We had Svoboda, Chelios, Kurvers, Lalor, Schneider, and the first three were hailed as the foundation for our futures can’t miss D core. Svoboda was supposed to be the best of the bunch. Well, kurvers was traded early, Lalor didn’t last and Svoboda was also moved.  the late pick Chelios ended up being the best of the bunch. 
 

we need to be patient with the one’s that are here, rather than wanting to ship them out to make room for the shiny new toys in the system. Who know, Guhle and Barron may end up being the best - I am hoping that Guhle, Reinbacher and Mailloux be among the top 4 and will be considered guys that can be a top 4 for a legit contender: but the point remains a that, at this point, we don’t know which ones will pan out yet.
 

I’m much more willing to move guys like Savard and Matheson who probably won’t be part of the future when we are ready to compete than our young guys, and risk making another McDonough or Sergechev blunder.
 

 

I don't believe I have made any posts about trading Guhle, but like you say he is our best dman bargaining chip - other than WiFi.  

 

You're basically describing the exact problem I'm trying to avoid.  lol

 

I'm only suggesting that Guhle might not still be with the Habs in 3-5 years.  I certainly wouldn't move him until the others pan out.  i.e. Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux, and Konyushkov.   My projection for Habs dmen 4-5 years from now:  rhd: Reinbacher, Mailloux, Barron; lhd:  Hutson, WiFi, Konyushkov; with Struble as the 7th.

 

My exact concern regarding Guhle:  yes, he looks great at an incredibly young age.  However, have there been other young dmen that looked great at that age?  Yes.  ex:  Phaneuf, Subban.   What happened to them?  Neither of them kept improving - they were basically in their prime at 20 and started the typical players early 30's decline at age 25-27.   Guhle is so damn good at his age but I question if his ceiling is as high as some of the other d prospects? 

 

ex:  is anybody saying Guhle looks greats and will be the Habs future PP QB or PP specialist?  i.e.:  future PP QB: Hutson, Mailloux; future PK specialist:  Reinbacher, Konyushkov (and they both could be on the 2nd PP unit - and like Guhle they also hit).  What is Guhle's current niche exactly and what is his future role?  Guhle is really good at lots of things, but he isn't great at any particular thing.  He fits the perfect role of a 5-6th dmen, but he's not that, which is the problem.  Top 4 dmen should have a specialty they are great at, but so far it seems like he doesn't so in that sense he might not be a true legit top 4 dman.  After all, a team only needs 4 top 4 dmen so if they have 5 of them 1 gets traded.  

 

Moreover, can anyone here honestly say they have seen considerable or even just improvement from Guhle?  I'm uncertain on that question.  However, we've definitely seen considerable growth and improvement from Barron, Kovacevic, WiFi.  I'd even say Struble even though he has only played a few NHL games he was definitely surprising in Laval.  

 

 

 

 

[Commandant]

If you haven't seen growth from Guhle, then you haven't been watching. 

 

Hes playing huge minutes against top lines and doing extremely well possession wise, especially with respect to last year.  Hes also been showing some more offence.  The kid is turnjng into a stud, top-pair player.

 

Honestly if someone told me that I had to pick the three most untouchable players on the team, he'd be one of the three.  

 

Do the Habs have lots of LHD prospects? Sure.  Do any of those prospects have the potential to play the #1 defensive minutes and match top lines? Only 1 of those kids does, and its Guhle.  The rest of the group do not replace him.