2025-26 projected lineup discussion

[Commandant]

8 minutes ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

clearly you know a lot more about hockey and the habs than I do and I don’t want to patronize. But could you walk me through the decision of Dach on the 2LW and Newhook on the C while Newhook is faster and can keep up with demidov more effectively, and has shown he should maybe take a step back from the face off dot and possibly pursue a permanent spot on the wing?

 

The Washington series clearly showed a Habs weakness, size and strength on the boards.  I think Dach, given his knee injuries, and the added defensive responsibility at centre (and more skating at centre, than wing) probably comes back as a winger.  At least to start the season.  At the same time, him being a winger adds size along the boards, which as I said, the team needs, and with Armia likely gone, is going to become an even bigger need. 

 

Meanwhile Newhook isn't ideal at centre, but I thought he was better after moving there than I saw him previously.  Prior to his move to centre, I was very much of the position that "Newhook is not a centre".  However he showed me something there after the Dach injury.  I don't think he's a #2 C, but there is enough with his speed and defensive chops to be  a number 3 IMO.   Especially if you put a possession monster like Gallagher with him. 

 

On faceoffs... its a wash, Newhook and Dach both suck at faceoffs.   Either one on a third line, meh... I'm not putting either on the ice regularly for important draws. 

 

I'm also one who doesn't care too much about faceoffs except for specific instances.... (on PK/PP, with the goalie pulled, and in 3 on 3 OT).  Your average 5v5 play, they don't mean a lot to me.  But its enough that I want the 2nd line C to be good on the dot and Left Handed to replace what we are going to lose in Dvorak.   

 

Outside of the specific instances I mentioned above, faceoffs are just a glorified 1v1 puck battle, something that happens hundreds of times per game.  In fact, 1v1 puck battles that aren't faceoffs happen about 4x more than faceoffs.  So that's why I'm not worried too much about them.  I want the guy who gets more possession in puck battles when the play is fluid than on a faceoff and am willing to forgive a low faceoff number if the player battles well for puck possession in other instances.  We overrate faceoffs cause someone tracks them and gives us a stat, but there is no stat for the others. 

 

 

[dreegking]

On 4/6/2025 at 4:52 AM, xXx..CK..xXx said:

 

 

Reinbacher can start the season as a third pair and then evolve from there, should he earn it. He doesn’t have to start in the top 4 even if he is expected to be in that position eventually. Perhaps he even does earn a top 4 spot. We have Hutson who made the team, as an example, so not everyone will be a Mete. We can make assumptions based on what we’ve seen and even very good ones, but no one knows where Reinbacher and Mailloux will be development wise in 7 months from now. Reinbacher was also a 5th overall pick versus Mete being 100th overall, and they’ve already waited longer with Reinbacher than they did with Mete by a year. Not exactly apples to apples.

 

—

@HabsFan4eternity

Those were posts I made on February 8th and 9th and people were arguing against Reinbacher being ready to play next year.

 

As you can see, I don’t have Xhekaj or Struble included.

 

With that being said, more recently I argued that leaving Xhekaj out of the lineup was not necessarily an easy decision when we played with 7D because of the physical element he brings. (Could be part of the reason Pezzetta is in the lineup with Xhekaj out)

 

So you’re not wrong in believing that there’s an element he brings to the table that fans love and teammates respect. 
 

The main thing is that there are perhaps better options, rather than it being a specific knock on him. The main reason I included both Mailloux and Reinbacher when I made that post in February was because they are both right handed. If Xhekaj were right handed, I would have him above Mailloux at the moment for instance. At the time we were struggling with players playing on their off side. If Hutson continues to excel, this may not be as important. 
 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble (Xhekjaj) - Reinbacher

 

could be the lineup without the RD issue. I do believe Struble is currently higher on the depth chart than Xhekaj but hard work and say, an injury could have Xhekaj back as a regular in the lineup at any time.

 

 

Personally, I’m trading Matheson in a blockbuster this offseason.  Reinbacher will most def be top 4 imo.  And if Matheson is back.  They will be paired. Carrier will be bottom pair.  

[dreegking]

11 hours ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

MY new lineup predictions adjusted after recent playoff exit. (Predictions based after 2025-2026 regular season)
Caufield-Suzuki-Slaf

Newhook/Dach-Signing/Trade-Demidov

Roy-Evans-Dach/Newhook

Anderson-Kapanen/Beck-Gally

Guhle-Hutson

Mailloux-Matheson

Carrier-Struble

Monty

Dobes/Fowler*

* If Monty or Doby get injured I think Fowler will get a chance and capitalize, but if both remain healthy, Fowler will take another year.

If you have questions feel free to quote!

 

I can’t see any off this. First line isn’t even a given cuz I expect a couple forwards to be sent in a package with tracts and prospects for a major centre. First line is likely in this situation but maybe not even. Depends on Laine evolving into a more complete player with more hustle or not.  He can but will he.

[dreegking]

11 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

So, Laine and Heineman just disappear?  Roy beats out both of them????

Mailloux and Carrier play on the wrong side?
 

They do.  One is traded and retaining g half salary.  One is part of a package in a trade for Crosby.  for real.  Yup. 

[dreegking]

11 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

The Washington series clearly showed a Habs weakness, size and strength on the boards.  I think Dach, given his knee injuries, and the added defensive responsibility at centre (and more skating at centre, than wing) probably comes back as a winger.  At least to start the season.  At the same time, him being a winger adds size along the boards, which as I said, the team needs, and with Armia likely gone, is going to become an even bigger need. 

 

Meanwhile Newhook isn't ideal at centre, but I thought he was better after moving there than I saw him previously.  Prior to his move to centre, I was very much of the position that "Newhook is not a centre".  However he showed me something there after the Dach injury.  I don't think he's a #2 C, but there is enough with his speed and defensive chops to be  a number 3 IMO.   Especially if you put a possession monster like Gallagher with him. 

 

On faceoffs... its a wash, Newhook and Dach both suck at faceoffs.   Either one on a third line, meh... I'm not putting either on the ice regularly for important draws. 

 

I'm also one who doesn't care too much about faceoffs except for specific instances.... (on PK/PP, with the goalie pulled, and in 3 on 3 OT).  Your average 5v5 play, they don't mean a lot to me.  But its enough that I want the 2nd line C to be good on the dot and Left Handed to replace what we are going to lose in Dvorak.   

 

Outside of the specific instances I mentioned above, faceoffs are just a glorified 1v1 puck battle, something that happens hundreds of times per game.  In fact, 1v1 puck battles that aren't faceoffs happen about 4x more than faceoffs.  So that's why I'm not worried too much about them.  I want the guy who gets more possession in puck battles when the play is fluid than on a faceoff and am willing to forgive a low faceoff number if the player battles well for puck possession in other instances.  We overrate faceoffs cause someone tracks them and gives us a stat, but there is no stat for the others. 

 

 

What’s newhooks non face off puck battle possession ranking? Stalls?  Without looking or knowing what site to be use my eye ball tell me Newhook is below par or at par.  And same with Dach 

[Commandant]

1 hour ago, dreegking said:

What’s newhooks non face off puck battle possession ranking? Stalls?  Without looking or knowing what site to be use my eye ball tell me Newhook is below par or at par.  And same with Dach 

 

Nobody is tracking the individual battles, thats the issue. 

 

What matters though is xG%, cause i want my guys to be on the ice for more scoring chances than those against at 5v5.

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

i don't see why we are all so quick to dismiss Newhook at C. Am I missing something or did he not win rookie of the year at Boston College playing C and played  at C as a sophomore b4 Covid ended the season early?

Did he not play for Canada at WJC and win silver at C?

He was drafted as a C and was he not a regular 3C as a rookie for Stanley Cup winning Colorado.

He looked pretty good in that role down the stretch and playoffs to end season this year, and last year to although it was meaningless hockey.

He does need to get better in the dot for sure though and finish more of his chances.

 

I can totally see him starting next season at 3C and Evans at 4C

[Commandant]

7 minutes ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

i don't see why we are all so quick to dismiss Newhook at C. Am I missing something or did he not win rookie of the year at Boston College playing C and played  at C as a sophomore b4 Covid ended the season early?

Did he not play for Canada at WJC and win silver at C?

He was drafted as a C and was he not a regular 3C as a rookie for Stanley Cup winning Colorado.

He looked pretty good in that role down the stretch and playoffs to end season this year, and last year to although it was meaningless hockey.

He does need to get better in the dot for sure though and finish more of his chances.

 

I can totally see him starting next season at 3C and Evans at 4C

 

Of those, they play down the stretch in the NHL is most important to me, and I do think he could be the 3c

[Dalhabs]

How much and how long to get Tavares?

Im sure to much of each. 5 years 9M?

[BCHabnut]

4 hours ago, Dalhabs said:

How much and how long to get Tavares?

Im sure to much of each. 5 years 9M?

Probably what it will take, but is it wise? 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

5 hours ago, BCHabnut said:

Probably what it will take, but is it wise? 

 

He wants to return to TO and, while the Leafs have to make significant changes, my sense is he’s not part of whatever mysterious ailment afflicts that group. (It’s something to do with Marner/Matthews/Nylander IMHO). I’d guess he’s re-upped there anyway.

 

12 hours ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

i don't see why we are all so quick to dismiss Newhook at C. Am I missing something or did he not win rookie of the year at Boston College playing C and played  at C as a sophomore b4 Covid ended the season early?

Did he not play for Canada at WJC and win silver at C?

He was drafted as a C and was he not a regular 3C as a rookie for Stanley Cup winning Colorado.

He looked pretty good in that role down the stretch and playoffs to end season this year, and last year to although it was meaningless hockey.

He does need to get better in the dot for sure though and finish more of his chances.

 

I can totally see him starting next season at 3C and Evans at 4C

 

Like everyone else, I liked Newhook’s game at C. You make a good case. Two caveats:

 

-he is unlikely to ‘get better at finishing his chances.’ I think that’s what he is, a guy whose foot speed gets him chances and whose lack of hockey smarts leads to him blowing them. Sort of like Nick Cousins on steroids.

 

-The FO thing may not be important to Commandant, but rightly or wrongly it *is* important to most hockey people, and that could be an Achilles Heel over the long run. Hopefully he is putting in some reps this summer to raise his FO game. 

[GHT120]

13 hours ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

i don't see why we are all so quick to dismiss Newhook at C.

I don't think everyone is quick to simply dismiss Newhook at centre ... but the focus of most discussions is on the 2C and I would dismiss him from consideration for that role ... if the Habs are to improve, I don't think he should be in the mix for the Top 6, even on the wing ... they need a legit 2C (be it band-aid or long-term) and depending on who they get to fill that slot and how HuGo et al feel about Laine, perhaps a winger as well.

[Commandant]

Lets have some fun this morning

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf

Laine - Granlund - Demidov

Pacioretty - Newhook - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Ex: Heineman

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Perbix

Ex: Xhekaj

 

 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky 

Dach - Bennett - Demidov

Laine - Newhook - Marchand

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Reinbacher 

Struble - Carrier

Xhekaj 

 

[BCHabnut]

1 hour ago, Commandant said:

Lets have some fun this morning

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf

Laine - Granlund - Demidov

Pacioretty - Newhook - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Ex: Heineman

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Perbix

Ex: Xhekaj

 

 

That sounds fun. I wonder if pacioretty would want to come back. Don't know anything about perbix. Mailloux and Reinbacher marinade in Laval until theres an injury?

[DON]

Hutson- Savard-like upgrade

Guhle- Carrier

Xhekaj- Mailloux

Struble

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

2 hours ago, Commandant said:

Lets have some fun this morning

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf

Laine - Granlund - Demidov

Pacioretty - Newhook - Dach

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Ex: Heineman

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Perbix

Ex: Xhekaj

 

 

I like signing Granlund and Pacioretty still has gas in the tank and  was one of the best Leaf forwards in the playoffs but I don't think he wants to come back. Not sure Perbix is an upgrade and would get in the way of Mailloux/Reinbacher coming on board as he would likely get a longer term contract as a UFA.

 

 

 

 

[Dalhabs]

I have this feeling Ehlers will be a hab next year...

 

[Habs]

Is it bad that I like the looks of this lineup with Marchand.  (Spits on floor).   Lots of competitive players and grit.  Good part is don’t have to give up any assets.  Cons.  Probably have to over on salary and term for both. 

[Habs]

2 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky 

Dach - Bennett - Demidov

Laine - Newhook - Marchand

Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

 

Guhle - Hutson

Matheson - Reinbacher 

Struble - Carrier

Xhekaj 

 

Sorry this lineup 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

TBH if you’re Marchand you want to win NOW. So you sign with the Leafs over Montreal in one second. Even though TO has been a complete disaster in the playoffs, they are still “closer” in terms of Cup window than Montreal.

 

Bennett, on the other hand, might take a slightly longer-term view and might see Montreal as a team with more upside within the life of his UFA contract, as opposed to joining the somewhat desperate TO situation. But everyone seems to think he will resign in FLA. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

8 hours ago, GHT120 said:

I don't think everyone is quick to simply dismiss Newhook at centre ... but the focus of most discussions is on the 2C and I would dismiss him from consideration for that role ... 

Exactly, I have no problem with Newhook at centre but he is NOT a legitimate 2C. I thought he played some excellent hockey later in the year but he is not suited to the 2C role. I love his speed but his vision/hockey IQ can't keep up with his legs.

 

[HabsFan4eternity]

5 hours ago, BCHabnut said:

That sounds fun. I wonder if pacioretty would want to come back. Don't know anything about perbix. Mailloux and Reinbacher marinade in Laval until theres an injury?

Love the thought of bringing back patches, great leader, could bring some nice guidance especially on a line with newhook and dach. Of course I doubt anyone beleives this is probable, but boy it would be fun to watch.

[HabsFan4eternity]

5 hours ago, Dalhabs said:

I have this feeling Ehlers will be a hab next year...

 

I agree, although not neccesarily to the habs, winnipeg is in a huge mess over there, ehlers has always been seemingly undervalued by the jets. However im sure if he wants money he is going to get it, at least 7.5 on the open market, montreal simply doesnt have the dough to spend all that especially with a hutson extension on the horizon, he has to be locked up before we address any other glaring issues, our 2nd liner will likely have to be acquired by trade. Possibly at the draft?

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

12 hours ago, HabsFan4eternity said:

Love the thought of bringing back patches, great leader, could bring some nice guidance especially on a line with newhook and dach. Of course I doubt anyone beleives this is probable, but boy it would be fun to watch.

 

If he hadn’t left on rather sour terms, it’d be more likely, I imagine. It shouldn’t matter - that regime is gone, the team is totally different - but I can understand if Patches takes the view that he’s had his share of the Montreal fishbowl.