2025-26 projected lineup discussion

[Commandant]

37 minutes ago, hab29RETIRED said:

I don’t think it would necessarily mean we would move Matheson as part of that trade. I think we could offer cheaper younger Newhook (albeit not as good as Horvat) two firsts (which they could move the same way a Hughes did), And a choice of two or three prospects that includes Beck, Roy, Xhejac, Engstrom, Mailloux. Or you could include Matheson instead of one of the picks or prospects. I think the cost of them resigning Matheson would be less than what a contract with Hobson would.

 

if we keep Matheson, that would even let us start the season with him as insurance until Reinbacher is ready, but if we pick up Dobson, I think we would eventually move Matheson.

 

And this all.assumes that they would move both Horvat and Dobson with each of them costing first round pick and b level prospect.

 

1) im not convinced they are moving them.  Their ownership is showing signs of retooling not rebuilding.

2) even if im wrong and they do rebuild i think theyd get more than the 16th or 17th pick and one prospect for each player in two seperate deals.

[GHT120]

1 hour ago, hab29RETIRED said:

I don’t think it would necessarily mean we would move Matheson as part of that trade. I think we could offer cheaper younger Newhook (albeit not as good as Horvat) two firsts (which they could move the same way a Hughes did), And a choice of two or three prospects that includes Beck, Roy, Xhejac, Engstrom, Mailloux ...

 

I think Darche would appreciate the offer ... he is under a lot of pressure as a new first-time GM and could use a laugh.  😀 😉

[Commandant]

1 hour ago, hab29RETIRED said:

I don’t think it would necessarily mean we would move Matheson as part of that trade. I think we could offer cheaper younger Newhook (albeit not as good as Horvat) two firsts (which they could move the same way a Hughes did), And a choice of two or three prospects that includes Beck, Roy, Xhejac, Engstrom, Mailloux. Or you could include Matheson instead of one of the picks or prospects. I think the cost of them resigning Matheson would be less than what a contract with Hobson would.

 

if we keep Matheson, that would even let us start the season with him as insurance until Reinbacher is ready, but if we pick up Dobson, I think we would eventually move Matheson.

 

And this all.assumes that they would move both Horvat and Dobson with each of them costing first round pick and b level prospect.

 

1) im not convinced they are moving them.  Their ownership is showing signs of retooling not rebuilding.

2) even if im wrong and they do rebuild i think theyd get more than what we are talking.  For a rental in Nelson they got a way better prospect than anyone that was named and a pick.  They arent accepting the same for an RFA relatively young Dman in Dobson.  Or for Horvat who is signed longer on what with a  rising cap is a team friendly deal.

[DON]

Would 29yr old  Ehlers be a good target for Hughes?

Which NHL teams should be interested in Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency? - The Athletic

 

Evolving-Hockey projects a seven-year deal worth $8.9 million a year outside of Winnipeg. That is slightly above his $8.1 million market value, according to Dom Luszczyszyn’s market value.

 

A full season of Ivan Demidov on the second line could go a long way, but Montreal may still want more reliable scoring on the wings. As much as the Canadiens are projecting a more conservative free-agency approach, this is where someone like Ehlers could make sense. His presence (along with Demidov’s) would shift players who slotted into second-line roles into more fitting third-line positions.

 

 

 

[tomh009]

Yes, but ... too many middle-six wingers, not enough top-six centres. Need to ignore the latest shiny toy and focus on what we really need.

[Commandant]

Hes also got a bit of the Marner-itis.  Good in the regular season but disappears in playoff hockey.

[Dalhabs]

Evans protector after the Sheiffele-hit.

[DON]

6 hours ago, tomh009 said:

Yes, but ... too many middle-six wingers, not enough top-six centres. Need to ignore the latest shiny toy and focus on what we really need.

I think Ehlers has been a fan target of Habs for quite awhile.

Also he is free addition aside from salary, which cant be said for top six centres.

Sign him and trade for a centre would work and be 2 upgrades on the 2nd line.

Newhook/Gallagher/Anderson/Laine/Evans/Heineman/Dach can fight for bottom six roles.

[Commandant]

7 minutes ago, DON said:

Also he is free addition aside from salary, which cant be said for top six centres.

 

Bennett, Granlund, Tavares, Duchene, Roslovic, Donato, Geekie, Suter, and Giroux are names that have been discussed and are scheduled to be unrestricted Free Agents. 

[GHT120]

1 hour ago, Commandant said:

Bennett, Granlund, Tavares, Duchene, Roslovic, Donato, Geekie, Suter, and Giroux are names that have been discussed and are scheduled to be unrestricted Free Agents. 

As you know, HuGo need to explore (without tampering of course) which if any of the UFA 2C candidates would even take their phone call July 1st and then make their game plan ... the draft may be the best opportunity to pursue certain trades, so they will need to have their priorities set.

[Commandant]

12 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

As you know, HuGo need to explore (without tampering of course) which if any of the UFA 2C candidates would even take their phone call July 1st and then make their game plan ... the draft may be the best opportunity to pursue certain trades, so they will need to have their priorities set.

 

Tampering happens, lets not be naive.

 

The NHL is basically saying don't do it publicly and don't leak it to reporters. 

 

But there is no way that all these multi million dollar deals all get negotiated in the first hour of free agency. 

[GHT120]

25 minutes ago, Commandant said:

 

Tampering happens, lets not be naive.

 

The NHL is basically saying don't do it publicly and don't leak it to reporters. 

 

But there is no way that all these multi million dollar deals all get negotiated in the first hour of free agency. 

I know ... should have bolded and italicized, in quotation marks, "without tampering" 

[Commandant]

Of course, when they get to the draft, they should know if they have any free agents. 

[DON]

Still sounds like nice upgrade.

 

NHL free-agent big board: Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett and the top 50 targets a month before July 1 - The Athletic

[alfredoh2009]

12 hours ago, DON said:

Still sounds like nice upgrade.

 

NHL free-agent big board: Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett and the top 50 targets a month before July 1 - The Athletic

out of that lot, I like Pius Suter as a replacement to Dvorak, which would also lessen the blow of trading prospect(s) in a package for a 2C

[dlbalr]

1 hour ago, alfredoh2009 said:

out of that lot, I like Pius Suter as a replacement to Dvorak, which would also lessen the blow of trading prospect(s) in a package for a 2C

 

I don't mind Suter but he's probably going to command $4M-plus this summer coming off the only year of his career that he has reached 20 goals and 40 points.  A year ago when he was trending toward something in the $3M range, I think he'd have been a good fit.  But that's going to be pricey for a 3C when they're already on an above-market deal for 4C in Evans.  I think the likelier outcome is that Evans is the 3C to start next season and that he effectively is Dvorak's replacement with a prospect or short-term UFA signing filling the 4C role.

[alfredoh2009]

52 minutes ago, dlbalr said:

 

I don't mind Suter but he's probably going to command $4M-plus this summer coming off the only year of his career that he has reached 20 goals and 40 points.  A year ago when he was trending toward something in the $3M range, I think he'd have been a good fit.  But that's going to be pricey for a 3C when they're already on an above-market deal for 4C in Evans.  I think the likelier outcome is that Evans is the 3C to start next season and that he effectively is Dvorak's replacement with a prospect or short-term UFA signing filling the 4C role.

 

Newhook is the only LC on the Habs, a trade of Newhook for Suter may be possible. 

 

forget that he is UFA, let's say I would move Newhook and bring in Suter

 

[Commandant]

So wed spend more money on Suter for what reason.  His advanced stats arent anything special and his goals above expected last year suggests an outlier season, not something he'd repeat.

 

So why?

[DON]

1 hour ago, alfredoh2009 said:

 I would move Newhook 

A 15g 3rd line wing making $2.9m.

His value must be pretty low.

[alfredoh2009]

9 minutes ago, DON said:

A 15g 3rd line wing making $2.9m.

His value must be pretty low.

Agreed, but the Habs cannot carry players that do not fit the roster-design or team strategic structure.

The Habs need a seco d liner, Newhook is consistently playing to a 3C level. The Habs would be better off with someone like Pius S. The Habs have options with Kapanen, Beck, Hague that can audition at 2C. But ultimately freeing up a roster spot and $2.9 in cap space would help

[Commandant]

Please explain how they are better off with Suter on the third line, an inferior defensive player to Newhook, whos goals were inflated by unustainable shooting. 

 

Also projections are Suter will cost $1.1 million more based on being UFA and a rising cap. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Newhook is our new Paul Byron 

[tomh009]

25 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Newhook is our new Paul Byron 

I'd take the Playoff Byron any day of the week ...

 

[DON]

2 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said:

The Habs have options with Kapanen, Beck, Hague that can audition at 2C. 

U serious?

Maybe way down the road, but Kapanen/Beck dont even seem like would have the offense needed for top six anyways and Hage is even farther away from a top six centre role.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, tomh009 said:

I'd take the Playoff Byron any day of the week ...

 

Yes, I meant it in a 100% positive way. 
 

Speedy, two way forward that can play up and down the line up when required. Always works his ass off and scores some goals too.