2024-25 Montreal Canadiens discussion thread

[Commandant]

If he's a regular in the top 9, keep him. 

 

If you only see fourth line minutes, then let him go back to Finland to play 20 minutes a night. 

[dlbalr]

3 hours ago, DON said:

Kapanen's team lost a centre to injury, was noted he would likely centre 1st line and #1 PP unit.

 

Wouldnt that be better than bottom six minutes/role with zero PP or offensive opportunities. 

 

I covered that thinking point a few months ago and most of it still applies. 

https://www.habsworld.net/2024/05/the-question-that-should-be-asked-about-oliver-kapanen/

 

Barring injuries/trades, he's still probably not in the opening night top nine unless he forces their hand.  But if they think he can be in that role a few weeks into the season (waiting for a trade/injury), then they might put him in a depth/reserve role to start.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

3 hours ago, Commandant said:

If he's a regular in the top 9, keep him. 

 

If you only see fourth line minutes, then let him go back to Finland to play 20 minutes a night. 

That makes sense. He just turned 21, he needs to play a regular shift somewhere. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Yep. Nothing wrong with a guy marinading outside of the NHL. That hasn't been this management group's preferred modus operandi, but if team structure pushes them to do it with Kapanen, then it will do absolutely no harm. I do find it heartening to think that we have some quality young depth at C. For once.

[GHT120]

1 hour ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Yep. Nothing wrong with a guy marinading outside of the NHL. That hasn't been this management group's preferred modus operandi

They kept Slafkovsky with the team (whioch it seems has worked out OK) but the only other players from the 2022 or 2023 drafts that have played NHL games were Hutson to burn a season of his ELC after signing last spring and Beck (on an emergency recall basis I believe).

[tomh009]

2 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

They kept Salkovsky with the team but the only other players from the 2022 or 2023 drafts that have played NHL games were Hutson to burn a season of his ELC after signing last spring and Beck (on an emergency recall basis I believe).

And from 2021 (Kapanen's year) only Roy has played any significant number of games; besides that, Mailloux has a singular NHL game from last spring.

[Butterface]

If Kapanen is good enough to take a spot now, keep him. I agree he will get more time back home, but it won’t be NHL skill level. He can grow with this faster game and be better in two years. He will play 12 mins in NHL vs 20 elsewhere.

Opening a spot for Kapanen by trading Dvorak or Evans (if we retain salary for Dvorak) will give us an asset in the form of a 2025 or 2026 pick, or if grouped together with another Canadiens player (Savard or Barron) or some of our future picks, could net us something better.

Let’s get this party started.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

4 minutes ago, Butterface said:

If Kapanen is good enough to take a spot now, keep him. I agree he will get more time back home, but it won’t be NHL skill level. He can grow with this faster game and be better in two years. He will play 12 mins in NHL vs 20 elsewhere.

Opening a spot for Kapanen by trading Dvorak or Evans (if we retain salary for Dvorak) will give us an asset in the form of a 2025 or 2026 pick, or if grouped together with another Canadiens player (Savard or Barron) or some of our future picks, could net us something better.

Let’s get this party started.

 

I am excited about what Kapanen might turn into but I don't think we make trades just to make room for him. I think any trade has to make sense from an asset management point of view and I think you get the best bang for your buck at the trade deadline when other teams don't have to eat as much salary. Using up our last salary retention spot this early in the year might be something they regret. There is no rush with Kapanen but if he earns a spot then Hughes has to make  a decision. I would think if they waived Dvorak to Laval then no one would claim him because of his salary??

[Butterface]

37 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

I am excited about what Kapanen might turn into but I don't think we make trades just to make room for him. I think any trade has to make sense from an asset management point of view and I think you get the best bang for your buck at the trade deadline when other teams don't have to eat as much salary. Using up our last salary retention spot this early in the year might be something they regret. There is no rush with Kapanen but if he earns a spot then Hughes has to make  a decision. I would think if they waived Dvorak to Laval then no one would claim him because of his salary??

Fair enough… I would not put him on waivers. Blue Jackets might claim him. He is worth something if salary is retained.

There are 3 RHDmen ranked 9-15 in 2025 Draft. Those picks would be in our wheelhouse. So if we don’t make a trade for a RHDman we can add in the aftermarket.

Looking forward to how this year plays out, what trades management will do and how our goalies fair. (Savard, Dvorak, Anderson, Armia and maybe Barron and Evans are potentially on the block)

[GHT120]

10 hours ago, Butterface said:

Fair enough… I would not put him on waivers. Blue Jackets might claim him. He is worth something if salary is retained.

That would however use the Habs last salary retention slot, which could be limiting come trade deadline ... Habs also have to clear out a little bit of cap space to avoid starting the season using LTIR; so I doubt they make a deal at this point of the season with salary retention.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Dvorak might be a good player for waivers. It is unlikely that the Habs can trade Dvorak but someone might pick him up on waivers. 
 

He has no value for the Habs nor a future with the Habs. 
 

Habs would still have centre depth if bad injuries happen. Newhook, Kapanen, Beck

[DON]

I knew it sucked often, but not this bad.

Bottom Six Minutes: Habs’ power play needs practice (habseyesontheprize.com)

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Just now, DON said:

I knew it sucked often, but not this bad.

YIKES

 

MAYBE STOP USING THAT USELESS SLINGSHOT DROP PASS TO START!

[GHT120]

2 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

YIKES

 

MAYBE STOP USING THAT USELESS SLINGSHOT DROP PASS TO START!

 

Other teams use it successfully ... so I doubt THAT is the problem 

[DON]

10 hours ago, Butterface said:

Looking forward to how this year plays out, what trades management will do and how our goalies fair. (Savard, Dvorak, Anderson, Armia and maybe Barron and Evans are potentially on the block)

Unless are in wildcard hunt, then wouldnt be a big seller and one or some may simply walk in off-season .

[GHT120]

8 minutes ago, DON said:

I knew it sucked often, but not this bad.

Bottom Six Minutes: Habs’ power play needs practice (habseyesontheprize.com)

 

Well that kicks the shyte out of my theory that the problem was the lack of PP-QB since Markov left.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

37 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

 

Other teams use it successfully ... so I doubt THAT is the problem 

At the very least, the Habs don’t utilize the method properly. The idea is to pick up the puck with speed but it never happens that way 

[GHT120]

2 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

At the very least, the Habs don’t utilize the method properly. The idea is to pick up the puck with speed but it never happens that way 

I am FAR more concerned with what, for years, they haven't managed to do with the puck once it is in the zone.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

2 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

I am FAR more concerned with what, for years, they haven't managed to do with the puck once it is in the zone.

Considering the high level of available talent the Habs PP should be lethal. 
 

One of the consensus comments from the first two pre season games has been just how much better and more dynamic the PP is with Hutson than with Matheson. 
 

Suzuki

Slafkovsky

Caufield

Laine

Matheson/Hutson

 

SURELY THEY CAN SCORE 

[GHT120]

33 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Considering the high level of available talent the Habs PP should be lethal. 
 

One of the consensus comments from the first two pre season games has been just how much better and more dynamic the PP is with Hutson than with Matheson. 
 

Suzuki

Slafkovsky

Caufield

Laine

Matheson/Hutson

 

SURELY THEY CAN SCORE 

 

I'll settle for 21% (16th in the NHL last season) ... but I don't see Caufield and Laine working well on the same unit ... it seems like they are best suited to the same role (left-wing sniper), and somewhat "wasted" elsewhere.

[TurdBurglar]

1 hour ago, GHT120 said:

 

I'll settle for 21% (16th in the NHL last season) ... but I don't see Caufield and Laine working well on the same unit ... it seems like they are best suited to the same role (left-wing sniper), and somewhat "wasted" elsewhere.

I couldn't watch the whole game so it may of just been rotations, but last night I saw a couple of PPs where Cauflied was on the right point and Armia was occupying the left wing position.  Maybe trialing that setup so Laine could take the LW shooter position?  Seems a little counter-intuitive to me, but they may be cooking something. 

 

In theory it could set up Caufield to come in from the point with the option of shooting or setting up Laine.  You know he will draw defenders and that seam pass is easier for a righty than a lefty. 

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

PP1

Slav on the right 

Caufield on the left 

Matheson on top

Newhook bumper

Suzuki down low

 

(Matheson directed to not overlook slav on the right for the one timer)

 

PP2

Roy on the right

Laine on the left

Hutson on top

gally bumper***

Dach down low

 

(Hutson directed to just do his thing)

 

** need a better bumper for PP2

 

Split time and Ride the hot hand of PP1 or PP2

[Commandant]

I like that lineup. 

I'm almost tempted to put Newhook with PP2, only cause then that leaves lines together, a bit more chemistry, and if one line is at the end of a shift when the penalty is called, you start with fresh PP unit.  But I still think you are right in Newhook on PP1 cause there isn't a good second option for bumper. 

 

Please just keep Anderson off the PP though, he's not a good PP player, even when he's playing his best, he's just not effective in 5v4 scenarios. 

 

[Butterface]

7 hours ago, DON said:

Unless are in wildcard hunt, then wouldnt be a big seller and one or some may simply walk in off-season .

If I were managing, I’d always be selling.

Unless it was for a cup run.

But if I’m expecting to be out first or second round, I’d rather get assets.

I’d be curious to see how mgmt handles that situation.

This isn’t our year. 

[BCHabnut]

24 minutes ago, Butterface said:

If I were managing, I’d always be selling.

Unless it was for a cup run.

But if I’m expecting to be out first or second round, I’d rather get assets.

I’d be curious to see how mgmt handles that situation.

This isn’t our year. 

I feel like if you are a bubble team, and that losing the player reduces your chances at making the playoffs, you should keep him. Of course if you're doing this for multiple years and the prospect pool is drying up, you would need to shift strategies.