2024-25 Montreal Canadiens discussion thread

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

That’s fine as a fan but as an athlete you think about only one shift at a time, one period at a time, and one game at a time. 
 

I have no expectation at this point that the Habs will make the playoffs, but we did did just go something like 12-3-1 (roughly) recently so the proposed w/l is not something that is out of the realm of possibility. 
 

The way they are playing has to change though and it all starts with their mental state. The captain, coach or any veteran leaders need to step up and say enough is enough.

 

I agree that we also need to get Laine going rather than continue to demoralize him. In fact while I didn’t even think of it or intend to bring it up, I was never happy with Laine’s original benching. The coach is the boss, and I reiterate if he knows something else that fans don’t know it’s to be taken into consideration, but he should understand his players and the impact his moves will have on them. This is not special treatment but it’s actually for the betterment of the team. Does a player like Laine learn from a benching and play better, or does it amplify his lack of confidence and make him squeeze his stick? At this point, (2 shutout losses in a row at home) place him with some offensive players, and the points will start coming.

Montreal and Laine have been PP deprived for about 5 games in a row. We simply aren’t getting many PP opportunities and if PP goals are Laine’s bread and butter then he isn’t going to contribute much. 
 

His injury and almost 2 years of not playing is surely a factor as well. 
 

We should get a better look at who Laine is next season I think. If he still looks dopey then we thank him and say goodbye. 
 

Habs are getting chances but we can’t finish or we can’t actually get the puck to the net. Montreal’s shot totals are very low and that has to change 

[DON]

 

“They’re Not Just Acquiring Futures”: Canadiens Looking To Improve Roster, Maximize Selling At Trade Deadline

 

Jake Evans: Will They, Won’t They?
Multiple NHL sources have confirmed to RG that the Canadiens have been receiving inquiries about several of their veteran players, including Jake Evans, Joel Armia, David Savard, and even Mike Matheson. Each of these players brings something different to the table, making them appealing options for contending teams looking to shore up their depth for a playoff push.

[dlbalr]

18 minutes ago, DON said:

“They’re Not Just Acquiring Futures”: Canadiens Looking To Improve Roster, Maximize Selling At Trade Deadline

 

Jake Evans: Will They, Won’t They?
Multiple NHL sources have confirmed to RG that the Canadiens have been receiving inquiries about several of their veteran players, including Jake Evans, Joel Armia, David Savard, and even Mike Matheson. Each of these players brings something different to the table, making them appealing options for contending teams looking to shore up their depth for a playoff push.

 

Wonder if those sources are the actual credible people that have already been reporting this for what, two or three months now?  Talk about rehashing something that everyone already knew and trying to turn it into a scoop.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

3 hours ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

That’s fine as a fan but as an athlete you think about only one shift at a time, one period at a time, and one game at a time. 
 

I have no expectation at this point that the Habs will make the playoffs, but we did did just go something like 12-3-1 (roughly) recently so the proposed w/l is not something that is out of the realm of possibility. 
 

 

Of course, players are paid to play and you expect an honest effort on every shift. I was just responding to the comparison for making the playoffs with Utah. 

 

Certainly not impossible to make the playoffs, stranger things have happened. Money puck gives them a 4.3% chance. 

 

NHL Playoff Odds -MoneyPuck 2025 Playoff & Cup Odds

[tomh009]

43 minutes ago, dlbalr said:

Wonder if those sources are the actual credible people that have already been reporting this for what, two or three months now?  Talk about rehashing something that everyone already knew and trying to turn it into a scoop.

Whether credible or not, I think enquiries about those would be totally unsurprising to me. Expiring contracts, and there will be teams that they could help. Whether Hughes chooses to continue the discussion, or whether the calling team is willing to pay enough is something else altogether.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

46 minutes ago, dlbalr said:

 

Wonder if those sources are the actual credible people that have already been reporting this for what, two or three months now?  Talk about rehashing something that everyone already knew and trying to turn it into a scoop.

 

Exactly, no news there. I would be shocked if teams weren't checking on the availability of those players. Must be hard to be a writer sometimes, always looking for a new angle on something. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

This is surely because of the break

[Commandant]

50 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

This is surely because of the break

 

Yeah i fully expected them to.go down during the 4 nations break

[dlbalr]

To be honest, I thought we'd see Dobes on that list as well with maybe Hughes getting recalled (you still have to have two goalies up).  Dobes and Primeau would then split the next couple of weeks in Laval.

[Habdawgy]

On 2/4/2025 at 11:38 AM, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Habs are just starting to compete and we are paper thin. Every absence since Heineman has effected Montreal greatly and the loss of Guhle seems to be crushing us. 

As Hab fans we can take this on a positive note or a negative note, I choose to go on the positive.  We lose Heineman and Guhle who are not game changers and we go into a tail spin, to me that means we are getting closer.   We were playing a four line, 3 sets of defense game, we lose 2 players and we don't have the depth.  On the bright side there is multiple prospects on the way and developing.  More pain this season but the future definitely looks bright, interesting trade deadline?

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

10 hours ago, Habdawgy said:

As Hab fans we can take this on a positive note or a negative note, I choose to go on the positive.  We lose Heineman and Guhle who are not game changers and we go into a tail spin, to me that means we are getting closer.   We were playing a four line, 3 sets of defense game, we lose 2 players and we don't have the depth.  On the bright side there is multiple prospects on the way and developing.  More pain this season but the future definitely looks bright, interesting trade deadline?

 

 

I agree. We are closer to being a good team than the W-L record suggests. We lost a bunch of games in October/November as we tried to implement a new system - that depressed our totals - then lost a bunch of games when our depth was exposed by injuries. The old cliche that a team is only as strong as its weakest link is very applicable here.

 

We need to get deeper. Assuming for the sake of argument zero change to the existing roster, I would support us going out and adding a legitimate #5 d-man and a legitimate bottom-6 FW as UFAs (or by other means). Maybe a Keifer Sherwood. Even better would be a Higgins-type FW who can take a turn in the top-6 at need. Solid, stabilizing guys, but also guys you can move if you have young players crowding them out of their spots as time passes. I think relatively modest tweaks like that could pay big dividends. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Red is below league average 

White is league average 

Blue is above league average 

 

This stat card tracks goals, assists, points and ranks players according to ice time. It’s a pretty cool comparison but not all ice time is equal PP time, PK time. 
 

Heineman was doing great 

 

 

[alfredoh2009]

Evans and Armia are goners at the trade deadline

[tomh009]

1 hour ago, alfredoh2009 said:

Evans and Armia are goners at the trade deadline

It looks that way for Evans, based on his comments. Let's see what happens with Armia (and Dvorak) ...

[alfredoh2009]

10 minutes ago, tomh009 said:

It looks that way for Evans, based on his comments. Let's see what happens with Armia (and Dvorak) ...

if our impressions on Evans become true, Dvorak stays

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

1 hour ago, alfredoh2009 said:

if our impressions on Evans become true, Dvorak stays

 

Dvorak is a UFA, he will go where the best offer is, unlikely to be the Habs. 

[tomh009]

26 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

Dvorak is a UFA, he will go where the best offer is, unlikely to be the Habs. 

Well, almost. Habs can offer an extension now, Dvorak will either take it or leave it (and try his luck as a UFA). He won't see other offers until July, though.

[DON]

1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

Dvorak is a UFA, he will go where the best offer is, unlikely to be the Habs. 

Could be a cheap bottom six centre to help Beck-Kapanen, if they do trade Evans.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

1 hour ago, tomh009 said:

Well, almost. Habs can offer an extension now, Dvorak will either take it or leave it (and try his luck as a UFA). He won't see other offers until July, though.

 

That's true, however somehow I don't envision the Habs making an offer generous enough so that Dvorak gives up his UFA status. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

I don't mind keeping Dvorak on an affordable contract. He's OK as a bottom-line C, etc.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

31 minutes ago, DON said:

Could be a cheap bottom six centre to help Beck-Kapanen, if they do trade Evans.

 

If they can get him cheap than sure. I just don't think he will give up free agent status to sign for cheap. 

[DON]

15 hours ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

If they can get him cheap than sure. I just don't think he will give up free agent status to sign for cheap. 

I guess is whatever his agent thinks he can get and just cant see it being very high?

 

 

 

Tough spot for St Louis, as poor young coach racks up losses on rebuilding team (100-157).

Habs Weekly: Limping to the Break – HabsWorld.net

 

"Final Thought
With the Habs doing well when they had a fully healthy lineup but struggling at the first sign of injury trouble, the common refrain is that the team isn’t deep enough.  Truthfully, isn’t that to be expected though?  This is a team that has systematically eradicated a lot of its depth through selling off veteran players, a path they’re likely to take again in the coming weeks.  If you move a bunch of veterans and don’t replace many of them, your depth is going to take a hit..."

[GHT120]

15 minutes ago, DON said:

I guess is whatever his agent thinks he can get and just cant see it being very high? 

Tend to agree ... but I expect he will get a few similar low-ball offers ... so beyond salary/term things like location/weather or chances of winning a Cup may play a role in where he signs. 

[JoeLassister]

I can see a path where Dvorak is extended for the right price. 

Why ?  Because he's well liked by the core players of this team.

As shown in the little celebration some of them make after each win

 

 

 

[alfredoh2009]

15 minutes ago, JoeLassister said:

I can see a path where Dvorak is extended for the right price. 

Why ?  Because he's well liked by the core players of this team.

As shown in the little celebration some of them make after each win

 

 

 

 

He is also the only left-handed center with a very good FO%