2025-26 projected lineup discussion

[Commandant]

7 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

The thing is...unless I'm missing something, with Dvorak gone, right now we are required to use one of Newhook or Kapanen at C. (Unless Beck is ready).

 

I know that we're talking about two different things - #2C versus bottom-6 C - but the wider point is that our C depth, which was bad last season, is even worse at this juncture.

 

We can certainly limp into the season crossing our fingers at C, but we may end up having to do something, especially if one of the C gets injured.

 

Thats why I rather like the idea of splitting the difference and getting a bottom-6 C who can maybe be credible as a #2C for short bursts. But yes, I understand cap concerns, market limitations, etc. 

 

I don't even know there are many bottom 6Cs who can play in the top 6 for short spurts, maybe roslovic, but he's not a lefty

 

I think we may pick up a lefty bottom 6, PK guy, right before camp.   I think Hughes wants to wait to see if something else comes up, I mean we made the Laine trade in mid-august. 

[Meller93]

I assume we all think Marco Rossi isn't a good fit because he lacks size? I like the player. If he were 6'0 he wouldn't be available though

[Commandant]

1 minute ago, Meller93 said:

I assume we all think Marco Rossi isn't a good fit because he lacks size? I like the player. If he were 6'0 he wouldn't be available though

 

I like him but reports have been the Habs have no interest. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

7 minutes ago, Commandant said:

 

I don't even know there are many bottom 6Cs who can play in the top 6 for short spurts, maybe roslovic, but he's not a lefty

 

I think we may pick up a lefty bottom 6, PK guy, right before camp.   I think Hughes wants to wait to see if something else comes up, I mean we made the Laine trade in mid-august. 

 

Certainly there is no immediate rush.

[hab29RETIRED]

Just now, Commandant said:

 

I like him but reports have been the Habs have no interest. 

I think he if his contract $/term demands were not as high, mgmt may have considered him if the acquisition cost was low/reasonable as an interim solution - despite his size.  As it is, Guérin wants a lot in return for Rossi, and Rossi is looking for close to Suzuki money and term.

 

 

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

I dont believe a 2C is coming. I think Hughes and Gorton are giv8ng Dach another go.

 

Suzuki

Dach 

Newhook

Evans

Kapanan

Beck

 

With Hage signing at the end of his sophomore season.

 

Unless a 2C falls into our lap or we trade a core piece for a core piece.

 

That's my call

[GHT120]

21 minutes ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

I dont believe a 2C is coming. I think Hughes and Gorton are giv8ng Dach another go.

 

Suzuki

Dach 

Newhook

Evans

Kapanan

Beck

 

With Hage signing at the end of his sophomore season.

 

Unless a 2C falls into our lap or we trade a core piece for a core piece.

 

That's my call

So Beck and Kapanen in Laval to start the season?

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

Who knows... but i do think that will be our 4C to start camp unless Kap or Beck can win a spot at C and force Newhook or Dach to wing

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

While it's possible that Dach rebounds and that Newhook flourishes at C despite being a W, my strong guess is that we're gonng to need a bottom-6 C - a Dvorak replaceent - no matter what happens with the 2C position. Even if Kapanen (or Beck) start strong, they will be at high risk of fading, as rookies often do over the meatgrinder of a full season. In short, I expect HuGo to be working the phones hard for a grinder C by December.

[tomh009]

2 hours ago, GHT120 said:

So Beck and Kapanen in Laval to start the season?

My prediction is that we'll have Kapanen in the Habs lineup to start (and Blais as the 13th F), with Beck in Laval.

[DON]

Reinbacher 11pts 23 AHL games last year, more time in Laval wouldnt hurt.

[WildTurkeyXX]

My fantasy lineup to start the season (in continuation of some of my earliest posts in the trade talk)...

 

Slafkovsky- Suzuki - Demidov 

Dach - Crosby - Caufield 

Bolduc - Veleno - Anderson

Newhook/Roy - Evans - Gallagher 

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Dobson

Xhekaj - Carrier

Struble

 

Montembeault

Dobes

 

Am I alone in thinking that would be a lineup that could compete with anyone?

And if we could achieve this without sacrificing Hage, keeping at least two of Beck, Kapenen and F. Xhekaj. Keeping both Reinbacher and Engstrom in the system, as well. Would this not be a recipe for competitivness, both now and in the future? 

 

Anyways, I just wanted to get this down in the lineup section. Happy to let it die on the vine, now 😁 

[hab29RETIRED]

8 hours ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

My fantasy lineup to start the season (in continuation of some of my earliest posts in the trade talk)...

 

Slafkovsky- Suzuki - Demidov 

Dach - Crosby - Caufield 

Bolduc - Veleno - Anderson

Newhook/Roy - Evans - Gallagher 

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Dobson

Xhekaj - Carrier

Struble

 

Montembeault

Dobes

 

Am I alone in thinking that would be a lineup that could compete with anyone?

And if we could achieve this without sacrificing Hage, keeping at least two of Beck, Kapenen and F. Xhekaj. Keeping both Reinbacher and Engstrom in the system, as well. Would this not be a recipe for competitivness, both now and in the future? 

 

Anyways, I just wanted to get this down in the lineup section. Happy to let it die on the vine, now 😁 

So the pens are going  to trade Crosby for one of Beck, Kapanan, or F. Xhejac, Laine and a first? Not happening.

[WildTurkeyXX]

4 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said:

So the pens are going  to trade Crosby for one of Beck, Kapanan, or F. Xhejac, Laine and a first? Not happening

Well to be fair, I never actually made a trade proposal. Simply included some players that I would recommend not including, to ensure that the trade doesn't compromise our long-term (in any unredeemable way). What to include is entirely up to you, use your imagination. Or don't, it's entirely up to you.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Here’s the thing with Crosby, IMHO:

 

1. He’s not going anywhere

2. If he does go somewhere, the price will be high, and rightly so for this all-time great legend of the game.

 

I’m OK with paying - even overpaying - for a long-term solution at C. But not for a 37-year-old, even if he is named Sidney Crosby.

[WildTurkeyXX]

1 hour ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Here’s the thing with Crosby, IMHO:

 

1. He’s not going anywhere

2. If he does go somewhere, the price will be high, and rightly so for this all-time great legend of the game.

 

I’m OK with paying - even overpaying - for a long-term solution at C. But not for a 37-year-old, even if he is named Sidney Crosby.

 

Understandable. Again, where I'm interested is if the overpayments are equal. If an overpayment for McTavish involves premium roster players and Premium prospects, would an overpayment for Crosby look the same? I would it look more like an overpayment in prospects and draft picks? Both could qualify as overpayments without having an equal impact on the team. Either way, this would probably be more suitable in the trade talk section, but I couldn't figure how to move it there.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

1 hour ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Here’s the thing with Crosby, IMHO:

 

1. He’s not going anywhere

2. If he does go somewhere, the price will be high, and rightly so for this all-time great legend of the game.

 

I’m OK with paying - even overpaying - for a long-term solution at C. But not for a 37-year-old, even if he is named Sidney Crosby.

 

Yup, and he will be 38 in 10 days.