hab29RETIRED Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 1 hour ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: So what’s Marty going to do when Slafkovsky comes back? There is no denying the chemistry and positive effect that Dach has on the Suzuki line. At the same time, Habs desperately need a strong second line centre. The Kapanen - Newhook - Armia line is consistently the worst line according to the game stats. What would you do when Slaf gets back? Put Slafkovsky back with Suzuki and have Dach centre the second line? Or something different? Dach - Suzuki - Caufield Slafkovsky - Newhook - Gallagher Anderson - Evans - Armia Heineman - Dvorak - Kapanen Gallagher has been great and I’m not opposed to him getting more minutes If keep Dach on the first line for now. Let him continue to build confidence. At the same time see if Slafkovsky can help drive improvement in the second line. Put him with Newhook and Heineman. When Slafkovsky returns, I'd also like to see Hutson play more when the top two lines. I can't bear to see Anderson and Dvorak flub grade a prime setups from Hutson anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 31 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said: If keep Dach on the first line for now. Let him continue to build confidence. At the same time see if Slafkovsky can help drive improvement in the second line. Put him with Newhook and Heineman. When Slafkovsky returns, I'd also like to see Hutson play more when the top two lines. I can't bear to see Anderson and Dvorak flub grade a prime setups from Hutson anymore! Heineman has that excellent release and a great shot overall. I'd be willing to give this a shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 45 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said: If keep Dach on the first line for now. Let him continue to build confidence. At the same time see if Slafkovsky can help drive improvement in the second line. Put him with Newhook and Heineman. 13 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Heineman has that excellent release and a great shot overall. I'd be willing to give this a shot Me as well ... Gallagher may be playing decently but I just don't see him as having the wheels to play even 2nd line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 28, 2024 Author Share Posted October 28, 2024 One big challenge with a Slafkovsky-Newhook-Heineman line is Newhook's faceoff performance. I'm hopeful that he can still improve this, but at the moment is far from good. As I posted on the previous page: Kapanen 54% (26 faceoffs) Suzuki 52% (132) Evans 51% (113) Dvorak 44% (63) Dach 40% (25) Newhook 37% (46) Also, Slafkovsky and Heineman are both left wings, not sure on how easily one of them would adapt to the other side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 1 hour ago, hab29RETIRED said: If keep Dach on the first line for now. Let him continue to build confidence. At the same time see if Slafkovsky can help drive improvement in the second line. Put him with Newhook and Heineman. When Slafkovsky returns, I'd also like to see Hutson play more when the top two lines. I can't bear to see Anderson and Dvorak flub grade a prime setups from Hutson anymore! I get the logic in trying to build Dach's confidence and playing with Suzuki and Caulfield will do that but I think the Hab's have to determine where Dach fits long term. I think they need to see if he can drive a 2nd line. He does look healthy now. I am more worried about Slaf's confidence. Expecting Slaf to drive a 2nd line is putting too much pressure on him in my opinion. I like moving Heineman up though. His speed, shot and physical play has been impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 28, 2024 Author Share Posted October 28, 2024 16 minutes ago, GHT120 said: Me as well ... Gallagher may be playing decently but I just don't see him as having the wheels to play even 2nd line. The "7-11 line" (the name quoted by Basu in the Athletic--not cheap but always there when you need it!) is also doing exactly what they need anyway, so that's another reason not to move Gallagher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 37 minutes ago, tomh009 said: Also, Slafkovsky and Heineman are both left wings, not sure on how easily one of them would adapt to the other side. Slafkovsky has primarily played his off-wing with St. Louis preferring to deploy Caufield on his off-side so that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Heineman has played on his off-wing as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted October 28, 2024 Share Posted October 28, 2024 Can you imagine what excitement and hype levels for Heineman would have been in the era from (say) 2012-2022? It's mark of organizational improvement, at least in the realm of prospects, that he's been relegated to a second-tier or third-tier role in an organization excited about Slaf, Hutson, Demidov, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 29, 2024 Share Posted October 29, 2024 14 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: Can you imagine what excitement and hype levels for Heineman would have been in the era from (say) 2012-2022? Habs Weekly: Rebounding After an Ugly Start – HabsWorld.net "One of the early-season surprises has been how Emil Heineman has found a way to succeed in a role he’s not necessarily suited to have success in. We’ve seen already from him how he has an NHL-level shot and is already a quick player. ..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted October 29, 2024 Share Posted October 29, 2024 2 hours ago, DON said: Habs Weekly: Rebounding After an Ugly Start – HabsWorld.net "One of the early-season surprises has been how Emil Heineman has found a way to succeed in a role he’s not necessarily suited to have success in. We’ve seen already from him how he has an NHL-level shot and is already a quick player. ..." A successful rebuild is going to need guys like that - talented second-tier guys who can hurt teams that succeed in shutting down our big guns. Nice to see him having some success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 I like seeing Heineman and Kapanen both out there. Love Heineman's quickness and Kapanen seems pretty calm out and makes some smart plays (maybe a bit bigger but bit slower skating version of Beck perhaps). Stu Cowan: Oliver Kapanen living, learning day by day with Canadiens | Montreal Gazette “I still haven’t got that many games as a winger compared to centreman,” Kapanen said after the morning skate. “It’s more natural at centre, but I think I’m getting better as a winger and getting used to it. I want to be a centreman … that’s my natural spot.” How is Guhle slotting in of the left-side? Either Matheson would need to be traded or Hutson play the right-side. "The left side defense is more or less secure at the moment. Lane Hutson has settled in well, Mike Matheson looks ready to deliver another strong year, and either Jayden Struble or Arber Xhekaj can fill the third pair role. Coach Martin St. Louis has also said they’d like to get Kaiden Guhle back to his strong side." Should the Habs be in the trade market this early in the season? – Hab At Her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 1 hour ago, DON said: I like seeing Heineman and Kapanen both out there. Love Heineman's quickness and Kapanen seems pretty calm out and makes some smart plays (maybe a bit bigger but bit slower skating version of Beck perhaps). Stu Cowan: Oliver Kapanen living, learning day by day with Canadiens | Montreal Gazette “I still haven’t got that many games as a winger compared to centreman,” Kapanen said after the morning skate. “It’s more natural at centre, but I think I’m getting better as a winger and getting used to it. I want to be a centreman … that’s my natural spot.” How is Guhle slotting in of the left-side? Either Matheson would need to be traded or Hutson play the right-side. "The left side defense is more or less secure at the moment. Lane Hutson has settled in well, Mike Matheson looks ready to deliver another strong year, and either Jayden Struble or Arber Xhekaj can fill the third pair role. Coach Martin St. Louis has also said they’d like to get Kaiden Guhle back to his strong side." Should the Habs be in the trade market this early in the season? – Hab At Her I don't know how you can put Guhle back to his strong side without either moving Matheson, or shifting Hutson to the right side. Not enough ice time available if all three are on the left side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 On 10/28/2024 at 10:13 AM, tomh009 said: One big challenge with a Slafkovsky-Newhook-Heineman line is Newhook's faceoff performance. I'm hopeful that he can still improve this, but at the moment is far from good. As I posted on the previous page: Kapanen 54% (26 faceoffs) Suzuki 52% (132) Evans 51% (113) Dvorak 44% (63) Dach 40% (25) Newhook 37% (46) Also, Slafkovsky and Heineman are both left wings, not sure on how easily one of them would adapt to the other side. Personally, I think Newhook and Dach both end up being wingers at some point. Hage long-term solution for 2nd line centre and kapanan/Beck foe the third line. I want to hang on to Evans for the 4th line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 58 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said: Personally, I think Newhook and Dach both end up being wingers at some point. Hage long-term solution for 2nd line centre and kapanan/Beck foe the third line. I want to hang on to Evans for the 4th line. I tend to agree. I think Hage will be more dynamic than Dach and neither one I see as #3 centers so I think Dach might be the logical one to move to the wing. I just don't see Newhook as a center. I see Beck as the eventual # 3center, Kapanen could move to the wing. I am happy to keep Evans if the price is right. If he wants to test the UFA market than we might lose him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 I would like to see these lines tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 You expected Caufield to have about 15 goals by now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 Guhle incoming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 30, 2024 Author Share Posted October 30, 2024 1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: I tend to agree. I think Hage will be more dynamic than Dach and neither one I see as #3 centers so I think Dach might be the logical one to move to the wing. I just don't see Newhook as a center. I see Beck as the eventual # 3center, Kapanen could move to the wing. I am happy to keep Evans if the price is right. If he wants to test the UFA market than we might lose him. Maybe yes, but a lot of unknowns yet for the three young players (Kapanen, Beck and Hage), two of whom have yet to play an NHL game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted October 30, 2024 Author Share Posted October 30, 2024 1 hour ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: You expected Caufield to have about 15 goals by now? Apparently St-Louis thinks that he indeed could have already scored more than he has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: You expected Caufield to have about 15 goals by now? 1 hour ago, tomh009 said: Apparently St-Louis thinks that he indeed could have already scored more than he has. I would interpret as meaning CC could have had more given the scoring chances he has had and not what MSL expected coming into the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 1 minute ago, GHT120 said: I would interpret as meaning CC could have had more given the scoring chances he has had and not what MSL expected coming into the season. Yeah I agree with you. It just read funny because Caufield is tied for the scoring lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Guhle incoming? And/Or Barron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: I would like to see these lines tomorrow Me too ... I would even be curious at some point to see Slaf at centre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Guhle incoming? They should send wifi down as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted October 30, 2024 Share Posted October 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: I would like to see these lines tomorrow I like these lines - need to get Dach going and Heineman has a great shot, so it's another shooting option if Caufield is covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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