2025-26 projected lineup discussion

[HabsFan4eternity]

Which players make the jump to the main roster? Which current members will the habs move on from? Who are some  interesting and realistic trade targets to improve roster? I would like to hear your projected lineups.

Edited April 4 by HabsFan4eternity
I thought that was a description of chat room, my bad

[tomh009]

Welcome to the forum!

 

On the roster: Demidov, Kapanen or Beck, Reinbacher.

 

I expect to see Dobes as the backup next year, too.

[HabsFan4eternity]

I agree with the Demidov, Kapanen, Beck, predictions, however I'm not too sure about where Reinbacher fits in, hes not tough enough to replace struble/xhekaj there could be a gap if we are able to move off Matheson, but if we do I feel a more offensive minded d-man like Mailloux would replace him (not to say Reinbacher isnt good offensively but Mailloux was very good in his short tenure at the beginning of this season). I doubt they would feel confident enough in him to swap with Carrier. He simply hasn't played enough due to his injury. I dont see him earning a permanent spot from camp, but I could see him earning a spot through injury. Do you guys also see this as a challenge for his development or do you have more faith in his current skill level.

[BCHabnut]

5 minutes ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

I agree with the Demidov, Kapanen, Beck, predictions, however I'm not too sure about where Reinbacher fits in, hes not tough enough to replace struble/xhekaj there could be a gap if we are able to move off Matheson, but if we do I feel a more offensive minded d-man like Mailloux would replace him (not to say Reinbacher isnt good offensively but Mailloux was very good in his short tenure at the beginning of this season). I doubt they would feel confident enough in him to swap with Carrier. He simply hasn't played enough due to his injury. I dont see him earning a permanent spot from camp, but I could see him earning a spot through injury. Do you guys also see this as a challenge for his development or do you have more faith in his current skill level.

Reinbacher, assuming his knee is good, will likely start on the 3rd pairing opposite Strubel or Xhekaj.  It's up to him to move up the lineup with his play.

[HabsFan4eternity]

2 minutes ago, BCHabnut said:

Reinbacher, assuming his knee is good, will likely start on the 3rd pairing opposite Strubel or Xhekaj.  It's up to him to move up the lineup with his play.

so is either Xhekaj or Struble a consistent healthy scratch, sent to Ahl, or possibly even traded?

[Commandant]

Here is my best guess

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Laine - Granlund (UFA) - Demidov

Newhook - Kapanen - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Roy

 

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Reinbacher

Xhekaj

 

Montembault

Dobes

[tomh009]

Pretty close to what I proposed—plus Granlund.

 

@HabsFan4eternity Reinbacher would essentially replace Savard, not Matheson.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

31 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Here is my best guess

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Laine - Granlund (UFA) - Demidov

Newhook - Kapanen - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Roy

 

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Reinbacher

Xhekaj

 

Montembault

Dobes

This is pretty much it I think other than Granlund - it would be freaking amazing

 

That is an exciting lineup 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

I am a little surprised many think Reinbacher will be a regular next year. He has hardly played this year and is coming off a serious knee injury. Wouldn't some time in Laval be the best thing for him?

[Commandant]

2 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

I am a little surprised many think Reinbacher will be a regular next year. He has hardly played this year and is coming off a serious knee injury. Wouldn't some time in Laval be the best thing for him?

 

When he plays... hes there.  Hes NHL ready.

[alfredoh2009]

5 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

I am a little surprised many think Reinbacher will be a regular next year. He has hardly played this year and is coming off a serious knee injury. Wouldn't some time in Laval be the best thing for him?

yes, I agree.

I would rather see Mailloux playing bottom-pair minutes with Xhekaj and letting Rhino get his reps in Laval until he is fully recovered and in NHL game-shape

 

Mailloux to replace Savard

[tomh009]

3 minutes ago, alfredoh2009 said:

I would rather see Mailloux playing bottom-pair minutes with Xhekaj and letting Rhino get his reps in Laval until he is fully recovered and in NHL game-shape

He has already played eight games in Laval in the past month, and looked good. I think we can assume he will be fine by September; if not (or if he doesn't look good at camp), then the Habs will need to do something else.

[BCHabnut]

56 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Here is my best guess

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Laine - Granlund (UFA) - Demidov

Newhook - Kapanen - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Roy

 

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Reinbacher

Xhekaj

 

Montembault

Dobes

Pretty exact to what I had in mind. Moving some bottom 6 winger centre combos around for chemistry. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

14 minutes ago, alfredoh2009 said:

yes, I agree.

I would rather see Mailloux playing bottom-pair minutes with Xhekaj and letting Rhino get his reps in Laval until he is fully recovered and in NHL game-shape

 

Mailloux to replace Savard

 

Mailloux has now played 2 full seasons in Laval and deserves a shot but will have to earn it at training camp. 

 

Not sure what term of contract it would take for Granlund? He is 33 so his last chance to make some big money. Perhaps playing beside a fellow Finn in Laine might encourage him. 

[tomh009]

19 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

Not sure what term of contract it would take for Granlund? He is 33 so his last chance to make some big money. Perhaps playing beside a fellow Finn in Laine might encourage him. 

Maybe two years, three on the outside?

[HabsFan4eternity]

1 hour ago, tomh009 said:

Pretty close to what I proposed—plus Granlund.

 

@HabsFan4eternity Reinbacher would essentially replace Savard, not Matheson.

I find it crazy so many people have such little faith in Xhekaj/Struble I dont think Montreal should continue to play them like this splitting minutes, they have played decent when paired together and I believe they both deserve a spot on this team. especially come playoff time.

Edited April 4 by HabsFan4eternity

[tomh009]

2 hours ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

I find it crazy so many people have such little faith in Xhekaj/Struble I dont think Montreal should continue to play them like this splitting minutes, they have played decent when paired together and I believe they both deserve a spot on this team. especially come playoff time.

As a rule, right-handers are more effective on the right side. Habs don’t have a lot of NHL-calibre righties, though: Savard, Carrier, Reinbacher and Mailloux.

[DON]

St Louis has used Arber the least in last 2 years i think of the top-7.

Struble#5

Savard#6

Xhekaj#7

[GHT120]

14 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said:

I would rather see Mailloux playing bottom-pair minutes with Xhekaj and letting Rhino get his reps in Laval until he is fully recovered and in NHL game-shape

 

Mailloux to replace Savard

Not certain the goalies would agree ... both seem to have defensive deficiencies.

 

I think a lot will have to do with how Mailloux and Reinbacher do in the playoffs ... Mailloux has to show his defence is dependable and Reinbacher has to show he can "show up" every night

[HabsFan4eternity]

12 hours ago, DON said:

St Louis has used Arber the least in last 2 years i think of the top-7.

Struble#5

Savard#6

Xhekaj#7

yeah that certainly checks out, but that's kinda my point. Arber has had very few bad games this season, he has shown to be good when played, why not play him more? Especially If we expect to be a fringe playoff team next year.

Edited April 5 by HabsFan4eternity

[GHT120]

3 minutes ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

Arber has had very few bad games this season, he has shown to be good when played, why not play him more? 

Because there may be 6 or 7 defenceman better than him.

[HabsFan4eternity]

13 hours ago, tomh009 said:

As a rule, right-handers are more effective on the right side. Habs don’t have a lot of NHL-calibre righties, though: Savard, Carrier, Reinbacher and Mailloux.

I can see where that comes into the equation, but the habs seem to be mixing up their pairings every other game,  and have given xhekaj-struble a chance, I get they probably want a more structured defensive style, but as of right now I think St. Louis simply doesnt trust xhekaj, not to throw the blame on marty. I dont think his lack of playing time is because of his handedness or skill level, I think he just hasn't earned trust yet, you dont think he can earn it by next year?

[HabsFan4eternity]

11 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

Because there may be 6 or 7 defenceman better than him.

including the prospects that could come into the picture next year? If so I really dont think they are at his level of reliability yet. Savard is gone, prospects are given a chance to fill that gap, shouldn't xhekaj at least be in the picture to fill that gap? especially when he has shown well this year.

Edited April 5 by HabsFan4eternity

[tomh009]

1 hour ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

Especially If we expect to be a fringe playoff team next year.

I think we are already on the fringe of playoffs this year 🙂 so I expect that next year’s goal will be a top-three finish in the Atlantic.

[HabsFan4eternity]

17 minutes ago, tomh009 said:

I think we are already on the fringe of playoffs this year 🙂 so I expect that next year’s goal will be a top-three finish in the Atlantic.

not to be pessimistic but I think we wont progress too much, not to say this year is a fluke, but I dont see us eclipsing tampa, florida or toronto next year. however stranger things have happened.