hab29RETIRED Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 15 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said: where he positions himself in the ice for the quick release. Slaf's wrist shot is deadly. He can also learn how to stay in the play longer instead of turning his back to the play. I find that Laine is always open to receive a pass where Slaf sometimes skates away from the play slafkovsky doesn't have anywhere near the lethal shot that Laine has. He doesn't even have Caufield's shot. His issue is his skating, and overall foot speed. He doesn't keep his feet moving. He is a completely different player he needs to asset himself physically (not Laine's game), and keep both hands on his stick. He can't keep playing the way h used to when he was as the biggest guy on his team before he got to the NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 Both the skating and the shot can be improved with appropriate instruction, whether from top speed skaters or figure skaters, or skills coaches such as Tim Turk. No, he'll never have the Laine shot--Laine has a combination of the right genetics and excellent technique--but he can certainly improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfredoh2009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 Of course he is not Laine, but as a big player that is not the faster skater he can learn from Laine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revvvrob Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 I don’t mind Evans getting a larger number and larger term - so long as the contract is tradable. It’s all going to come down to HuGo’s projection of Evans. IF this isn’t an outlier season, then 4 with term is fine. If it is, then that contract is an albatross. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 Outlier season or not, it would be smart to sign Evans to a trade-friendly contract. (reasonable dollars, reasonable term, no trade restrictions). That way we shore up a 3C spot, put Beck or Kapanen on 4C and go from there. 2025-2026 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Evans Anderson Newhook Beck Heineman Laine and Dach are signed on for following year and here is where it gets complicated. In 2026-27, we have to bring Roy into the fold or lose him. So we have signed Evans and we have kept Kapanen on the farm in waiting and now he is over-ready. We will need to cycle out Newhook, Gally or Anderson. Hage will be forced to play for the Rocket. Newhook is most likely to be traded. Sure we could trade Roy or Kapanen but they represent both the future and cheaper, controllable contracts. 2026-2027 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Evans Anderson Newhook Beck Heineman Roy Kapanen I see 2027-28 as being the metamorphosis year. We come out of the Gally and Anderson contracts and we will have made some decisions on Roy, Kapenan, Newhook and Evans. 2027-2028 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Hage Evans Heineman Roy Beck Kapanen The biggest three questions here are: 1) who will serve as the extra forward(s) in these scenarios… Do we sign someone for this purpose ? 2) Will we sign Evans to keep centre depth and help the PK ? 3) Will our first overall pick in 2025 drop far enough to possibly end up being a defenseman ? If not, we have another potential player to throw into the above mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanes World Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 4 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said: slafkovsky doesn't have anywhere near the lethal shot that Laine has. He doesn't even have Caufield's shot. His issue is his skating, and overall foot speed. He doesn't keep his feet moving. He is a completely different player he needs to asset himself physically (not Laine's game), and keep both hands on his stick. He can't keep playing the way h used to when he was as the biggest guy on his team before he got to the NHL. I can’t say I’d hate to see Slaf in the AHL for a little stint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHT120 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 7 minutes ago, Butterface said: Outlier season or not, it would be smart to sign Evans to a trade-friendly contract. (reasonable dollars, reasonable term, no trade restrictions). I don't think anyone would disagree, but what is likelihood that Evans would do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 Just now, GHT120 said: I don't think anyone would disagree, but what is likelihood that Evans would do that. No idea. But I read in an article that if Hughes was able to keep Caufield and Suzuki sub 8M, maybe he can keep Evans reasonable too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 Without Evans, put Beck, Newhook or Kapanen in two of last three centre spots and go from there. 2025-2026 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Beck Anderson Kapanen Newhook Heineman Laine and Dach are signed on for the following year. In 2026-27, we have to bring Roy into the fold or lose him. Newhook traded. Hage will be forced to play for the Rocket. 2026-2027 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Beck Anderson Roy Kapanen Heineman I see 2027-2028 as being the metamorphosis year. We come out of the Gally and Anderson contracts. We need to start to think about grinders on the 4th line on cheaper contracts. 2027-2028 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Hage Beck Heineman Roy Kapanen F. Xhekaj The biggest two questions here are: 1) who will serve as the extra forward(s) in these scenarios… Do we sign someone for this purpose ? 2) Will our first overall pick in 2025 drop far enough to possibly end up being a defenseman ? If not, we have another potential player to throw into the above mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 39 minutes ago, Lanes World said: I can’t say I’d hate to see Slaf in the AHL for a little stint He's still technically waiver-exempt but with them refusing to do that in his first two years, I'd be stunned if they did it now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 1 hour ago, Butterface said: Outlier season or not, it would be smart to sign Evans to a trade-friendly contract. (reasonable dollars, reasonable term, no trade restrictions). That way we shore up a 3C spot, put Beck or Kapanen on 4C and go from there. 2025-2026 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Evans Anderson Newhook Beck Heineman Laine and Dach are signed on for following year and here is where it gets complicated. In 2026-27, we have to bring Roy into the fold or lose him. So if we have signed Evans and we have kept Kapanen on the farm in waiting and now he is over-ready. We will need to cycle out Newhook, Gally or Anderson. Hage will be forced to play for the Rocket. 2026-2027 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Gally Evans Anderson Newhook Beck Heineman Roy Kapanen At this point Newhook is most tradable along with Evans. Sure we could trade Roy or Kapanen but they represent both the future and cheaper, controllable contracts. I see this point as being the metamorphosis year. We come out of the Gally and Anderson contracts and we will have made some decisions on Roy, Kapenan, Newhook, Evans. 2027-2028 Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Demidov Dach Laine Hage Evans Heineman Roy Beck Kapanen The biggest three questions here are: 1) who will serve as the extra forward(s) in these scenarios… Do we sign someone for this purpose ? 2) Will we sign Evans to keep centre depth and help the PK ? 3) Will our first overall pick in 2025 drop far enough to possibly end up being a defenseman ? If not, we have another potential player to throw into the above mix. We don't have to worry about Kapanan and Roy for 5-6 years - they will only be RFA's no need to trade them and don't have to worry about what we are going to pay them in the future until they warrant an increase. Hage is probably 2 years away, so he will be on an entry level for ay least two years (if he was to leave this year), but more likely the next 3. Heineman is also an Rafa and is a no brainer resign. I think a some point we may have to buy-out Gallagher or Anderson when there is less term, or trade them with retention to make room. Depends on when we need the cap room. we need a guy like Evans, or we risk becoming the Sabres and having to trade or sign a UFA that may not be as good later. I have no problem giving him 4 years. Front load the contract and it will be easier to move to a penny pinching team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 10 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said: we need a guy like Evans, or we risk becoming the Sabres and having to trade or sign a UFA that may not be as good later. I have no problem giving him 4 years. Front load the contract and it will be easier to move to a penny pinching team. I have no problem giving him 4 years at 3mil but that likely won't get it done now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 At the risk of being barbecued on here, I think it is a bit of a useless endeavour to rise in the standings in the back half of this season. Sure it’s great for us all to be high-fiving the wins, but we will have to weaken this team a bit this year and next (trades and playing rookies) before we start to really gel into a playoff contender. We need one more NHLer to get a 23 man roster next year based on the players we expect to have under contract at the moment. That leaves one spot open for Evans … maybe we can keep someone down on the farm and make room for a second spot if needed. (Kapanen, Beck and Roy are still waivers exempt in 2025-26) After trading out Savard, and likely Matheson, losing Dvorak and likely Armia over this year and next, we will be training more rookies on the job both at forward and defence. So we are likely having less experience throughout the line up and some growing pains. We will be in the mix in 2025-26 and should squeak into the playoffs, (maybe). This year represents our last hurrah at locking down top end talent from the draft for several years, if not a decade. We could really use 2 more solid assets to bolster the line up a few years down the line…. a top 5 pick would be ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 9 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: I have no problem giving him 4 years at 3mil but that likely won't get it done now. We can afford more. Just have to make sure when we might want him moved in 3 or 4 years, his percentage of cap at that time is reasonable for the AAV of a 4C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomh009 Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 9 minutes ago, Butterface said: We can afford more. Just have to make sure when we might want him moved in 3 or 4 years, his percentage of cap at that time is reasonable for the AAV of a 4C. Even more importantly, I hope that Hughes can continue on his path of not handing out NTCs/NMCs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 18 minutes ago, Butterface said: At the risk of being barbecued on here, I think it is a bit of a useless endeavour to rise in the standings in the back half of this season. Sure it’s great for us all to be high-fiving the wins, but we will have to weaken this team a bit this year and next (trades and playing rookies) before we start to really gel into a playoff contender. We need one more NHLer to get a 23 man roster next year based on the players we expect to have under contract at the moment. That leaves one spot open for Evans … maybe we can keep someone down on the farm and make room for a second spot if needed. (Kapanen, Beck and Roy are still waivers exempt in 2025-26) After trading out Savard, and likely Matheson, losing Dvorak and likely Armia over this year and next, we will be training more rookies on the job both at forward and defence. So we are likely having less experience throughout the line up and some growing pains. We will be in the mix in 2025-26 and should squeak into the playoffs, (maybe). This year represents our last hurrah at locking down top end talent for several years if not a decade. We could really use 2 more solid assets to bolster the line up a few years down the line…. A top 5 pick would be ideal. I hear what you are saying BUT we don't want a losing mindset either. It's nice to see the players happy and smiling after a win. It's nice to see MSL smile behind the bench. Sure, another top 5 pick would be nice but I would rather see the young players developing and gaining confidence and if that means drafting 10th or 12th then I am OK with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXx..CK..xXx Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 It’s fine to try and attempt to “outsmart the system” as a fan and project all these benefits from tanking in the standings and accumulating all these positive elements for the future. However, the bottom line is that the players, coaches and management are trying to win, or at least content with having a winning atmosphere. As a result, it’s a somewhat useless endeavour to wish ill on the team until at very least the 60th or 70th games of the year, when one can with 98%+ accuracy tell that the team has no chance of developing a winning culture and gaining experience within a playoff environment. It’s not about being naive and blindly believing that the team will win the Stanley Cup this year or even next year. Making the playoffs or playing important games later in the season can be a stepping stone. With that being said, there have been cases such as the Kings winning from 8th place, or the Blues being last in the standings in January and eventually winning the cup within the same year. There’s always a possibility of some element changing the outcome of a season in a positive manner as well, whether it be a player acquisition, a coaching change, or simply a goalie standing on their head. Do we think that St. Louis fans didn’t want to blow things up and look to the future circa October - December 2018? They fired their coach November 20th of that year and won the cup by the end of the year in 2019. This is not to say that it will ever happen to us but one thing is for sure: had the organization adopted a futuristic mentality midway through that season, they would still be without a championship. Combine that with knowing that the players are on the ice giving it their all and it’s simply a moot point to bring up losing as someone without any control over the situation. It’s not a fact that going the “trade away everyone for the unknown” is a better solution than trying to continue and improve and win games and develop that positive culture within the locker room. As a fan who also isn’t ignorant, I prefer enjoying wins in December and January. Come April, sure that might change for a week or two. With that being said, to each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 2 hours ago, Butterface said: At the risk of being barbecued on here, I think it is a bit of a useless endeavour to rise in the standings in the back half of this season. Sure it’s great for us all to be high-fiving the wins, but we will have to weaken this team a bit this year and next (trades and playing rookies) before we start to really gel into a playoff contender. We need one more NHLer to get a 23 man roster next year based on the players we expect to have under contract at the moment. That leaves one spot open for Evans … maybe we can keep someone down on the farm and make room for a second spot if needed. (Kapanen, Beck and Roy are still waivers exempt in 2025-26) After trading out Savard, and likely Matheson, losing Dvorak and likely Armia over this year and next, we will be training more rookies on the job both at forward and defence. So we are likely having less experience throughout the line up and some growing pains. We will be in the mix in 2025-26 and should squeak into the playoffs, (maybe). This year represents our last hurrah at locking down top end talent for several years if not a decade. We could really use 2 more solid assets to bolster the line up a few years down the line…. A top 5 pick would be ideal. I doubt we move Matheson at the deadline. That seems more like a draft/off-season move. I'm all for it if we can get an overpay return though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 1 hour ago, xXx..CK..xXx said: It’s fine to try and attempt to “outsmart the system” as a fan and project all these benefits from tanking in the standings and accumulating all these positive elements for the future. However, the bottom line is that the players, coaches and management are trying to win, or at least content with having a winning atmosphere. As a result, it’s a somewhat useless endeavour to wish ill on the team until at very least the 60th or 70th games of the year, when one can with 98%+ accuracy tell that the team has no chance of developing a winning culture and gaining experience within a playoff environment. It’s not about being naive and blindly believing that the team will win the Stanley Cup this year or even next year. Making the playoffs or playing important games later in the season can be a stepping stone. With that being said, there have been cases such as the Kings winning from 8th place, or the Blues being last in the standings in January and eventually winning the cup within the same year. There’s always a possibility of some element changing the outcome of a season in a positive manner as well, whether it be a player acquisition, a coaching change, or simply a goalie standing on their head. Do we think that St. Louis fans didn’t want to blow things up and look to the future circa October - December 2018? They fired their coach November 20th of that year and won the cup by the end of the year in 2019. This is not to say that it will ever happen to us but one thing is for sure: had the organization adopted a futuristic mentality midway through that season, they would still be without a championship. Combine that with knowing that the players are on the ice giving it their all and it’s simply a moot point to bring up losing as someone without any control over the situation. It’s not a fact that going the “trade away everyone for the unknown” is a better solution than trying to continue and improve and win games and develop that positive culture within the locker room. As a fan who also isn’t ignorant, I prefer enjoying wins in December and January. Come April, sure that might change for a week or two. With that being said, to each their own. We don't have anywhere near the team that St Louis had in 2019. Wifi we couod use a Time Machine to teleport prime Scotty Bowman, we at best back our way into the playoffs because of other teams under perform - but no way in the hell do we win the cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 7 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said: I think a some point we may have to buy-out Gallagher or Anderson when there is less term, or trade them with retention to make room. Depends on when we need the cap room. The options aren't great with a Gallagher buyout. Do it this summer and it's four years at $1.75M per. Do it in the last year and it's $3.83M in 26-27 and $1.33M in 2027-28. If you're only netting around $2.67M in cap space with a buyout in the final season, is it worth it, knowing you're going to need to use a chunk of that on a replacement player? And four years of dead money by doing it this summer isn't overly appealing either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 31, 2024 Author Share Posted December 31, 2024 No point in buying out Gally or Anderson. We aren’t in any cap trouble until after they are off the books. They fill spots and neither are useless. The only thing they are is expensive, but we can afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 1 hour ago, dlbalr said: The options aren't great with a Gallagher buyout. Do it this summer and it's four years at $1.75M per. Do it in the last year and it's $3.83M in 26-27 and $1.33M in 2027-28. If you're only netting around $2.67M in cap space with a buyout in the final season, is it worth it, knowing you're going to need to use a chunk of that on a replacement player? And four years of dead money by doing it this summer isn't overly appealing either. If Gally can continue at a 20 goal pace and work his tail off like he has been doing then you live with it. It's still an overpay but not a ridiculous overpay. The options aren't much better as you suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 2 hours ago, dlbalr said: The options aren't great with a Gallagher buyout. Do it this summer and it's four years at $1.75M per. Do it in the last year and it's $3.83M in 26-27 and $1.33M in 2027-28. If you're only netting around $2.67M in cap space with a buyout in the final season, is it worth it, knowing you're going to need to use a chunk of that on a replacement player? And four years of dead money by doing it this summer isn't overly appealing either. Not saying now - or you do it with both. This year we drew up some roster spots by letting Dvorak, Armia and hopefully Savard go. in another two years when we are hopefully ready to take a step forward, we may need roster spots and cap space think there an option of retaining 25-40% of their salaries (depending on how they are playing relative to the increase in the cap), in two years time. They may be interest in them at a reduced rate. It's dead space, but it still freeze up some additional cap space and more importantly doesn't block other young prospects if they are ready and more capable - and cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hab29RETIRED Posted December 31, 2024 Share Posted December 31, 2024 48 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: If Gally can continue at a 20 goal pace and work his tail off like he has been doing then you live with it. It's still an overpay but not a ridiculous overpay. The options aren't much better as you suggested. I can't see him being as productive two years from now though. May be of value at a reduced rate (if we retain some salary), for another rebuilding team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterface Posted December 31, 2024 Author Share Posted December 31, 2024 Here is an article that also says we should take this opportunity to draft high. I’m not advocating tanking. I’m advocating trading vets earlier than later. Giving Primeau another chance later 😏…. That type of thing. We are still in a rebuild. https://thehockeynews.com/news/montreal-canadiens-strong-stretch-shouldnt-change-focus-on-long-term-success Why these reporters throw the names out idk…. https://awinninghabit.com/could-patrik-laine-be-just-what-jesse-puljujarvi-needs I’d be willing to give him a PTO next year… Nothing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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