GHT120 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Opens with condolences to Claude Lemieux's family Responding to a question about Hutson's "still far away" comment, Hughes agrees that they still have work to do and will take the time to assess the season and the playoffs Asked if the Canadiens are the team that was almost eliminated in the first round or the team that made the East Finals, Hughes said "both" ... it's tough to win They are sticking to the plan, but acknowledges the plan is ever-evolving based on how the team evolves Looking at this summer, at this time last year they had no idea Dobson would be available and they will keep their "ears open" and consider everything Unlikely they will make a trade for someone with one year on their deal even if they could help, not yet time for "all-in" Nice "soft-shoe" by Gorton about how they will know it's all-in time Carolina showed that past losses built character and commitment Habs have an identity but can't look to only add pieces that fit that current identity, they need to evolve (e.g., not the best team defensively MSL has another year on his contract but expect they will discuss an extension over the summer Kapanen not playing at the end of the year doesn't change how they view him ... young European player who was not used to the style and length of an NHL season ... players don't forget how to play Carolina was better overall in the series and the Habs need to improve in all facets to be able to face such challenges Hope the team and the fans have shown other players Montreal would be a great place to play NHL has always been a copy-cat league but Cup winners have been based on different styles and there isn't just one ... players and coaches will take in the playoff experience and look for hoe to improve Asked if the playoffs showed that the team was too dependent on the top line and lacked supporting cast Gorton did a nice soft-shoe to focus on the top-line and how good they are ... Hughes points out how Marner was a target in TO but is leading the playoffs in scoring, ultimately "we just have to get better, period" Dach very talented but has been unlucky with injuries ... too soon to discuss plans for him Too soon to discuss plans for Gallagher or Montembeault ... Laine was injured and not available ... Hughes had a discussion with Montembeault when Fowler was recalled ... but the team was in a playoff hunt all season and just played the players they thought gave the best chance to win each game Hughes had discussions with Gallagher during the playoffs to acknowledge the situation was difficult ... Brendan and Samuel were great teammates When asked about Laine being in full practices since January but said Patrik settled into a mindset that he wouldn't play Will be talking to Demidov/his agent ... prefers long-term deals but never know what the player wants Hard to say what plans are for Gallagher until they talk ... but Habs owe BG respect for what he has contributed Thought the Habs defended well the first two rounds but not so much in the third ... but defence is an area that needs to continue to improve Inevitable that as the team evolves there will be long-term contracts will block openings for players coming up and cause them to examine what to do with the "blocked" players There is still a path for Reinbacher to be an important player for the Habs ... hopefully through the injuries and have will have a big role No comments on injuries, players having year-end medicals today ... don't think anyone requires surgery, but have been wrong before Gorton asked NHL after playoffs how did we do ... they said you are divas ... our players? ... no, the media Quote
Prime Minister Koivu Posted June 1 Posted June 1 The entire universe is well aware that Montreal is looking for a top 6 forward, ideally a centre. Hope you get it done Kent Quote
GHT120 Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 7 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: The entire universe is well aware that Montreal is looking for a top 6 forward, ideally a centre. Hope you get it done Kent I think they might want a top 6 winger even if they get the 2C Quote
Prime Minister Koivu Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Watching Gallagher weep while acknowledging that he is leaving Montreal was tough to watch Quote
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted June 1 Posted June 1 11 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Watching Gallagher weep while acknowledging that he is leaving Montreal was tough to watch Oh, Gally. Brutal. 1 Quote
JoeLassister Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Yeah. The last 10-15 years hurt, especially for 2 players : Price and Gallagher. Quote
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted June 1 Posted June 1 23 minutes ago, JoeLassister said: Yeah. The last 10-15 years hurt, especially for 2 players : Price and Gallagher. They were certainly defining players of that era. In fairness to the Habs, the organization did give them two semi-final runs (2010 for Price and 2014 for both), a 2nd overall finish (2015), and a run to the Finals (2021 - even though everybody discounts this, for no good reason). It wasn't all bad. Watching Gally's tears is one of the most touching moments in recent years, though, IMHO. The guy has bled Habs red for 14 years and done the jersey proud. 2 Quote
Prime Minister Koivu Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Fantastic Zharovsky will certainly be in KHL next season but this is great long term thinking 1 1 Quote
Prime Minister Koivu Posted June 1 Posted June 1 We all knew that Laine wasn’t hurt What the hell happened here? Quote
Commandant Posted June 1 Posted June 1 The Habs didnt want to use him. MSL felt he couldnt contribute to the roster They tried to trade him and even at 50% retained there were no takers. Not sure what more there is to it than that Quote
tomh009 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 35 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Fantastic Zharovsky will certainly be in KHL next season but this is great long term thinking Training with Demidov AND Hutson! Quote
GHT120 Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 3 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: Oh, Gally. Brutal. I expect that in his exit meeting with Hughes at al Gallagher was told that the Habs would not trade him unless he asked, despite his only having a 6-team NTC, but that next season they saw his role as 4th line/13th forward, so no guarantee how many games he would play ... thus, while it was his decision it was also indirectly forced. Quote
tomh009 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 3 hours ago, GHT120 said: I think they might want a top 6 winger even if they get the 2C It's good to dream! But we might need to be happy if we get one out of two. Kapanen should also get better, and Hage and Zharovsky are maybe a year away so there are further options (of course one or more of those might end up being traded). Quote
tomh009 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 1 minute ago, GHT120 said: I expect that in his exit meeting with Hughes at al Gallagher was told that the Habs would not trade him unless he asked, despite his only having a 6-team NTC, but that next season they saw his role as 4th line/13th forward, so no guarantee how many games he would play ... thus, while it was his decision it was also indirectly forced. That's probably at least pretty close to what happened. They would not have just given him the boot. Quote
GHT120 Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 4 minutes ago, tomh009 said: Hage and Zharovsky are maybe a year away so there are further options The question is what did this playoff run do to the HuGo timeline ... they both danced a lovely soft-shoe when that question, or variations thereof, came up ... we won't know until we see what they do over the summer Quote
Commandant Posted June 1 Posted June 1 15 minutes ago, GHT120 said: The question is what did this playoff run do to the HuGo timeline ... they both danced a lovely soft-shoe when that question, or variations thereof, came up ... we won't know until we see what they do over the summer Of course. They arent gonna say we are ready to win and willing to overpay to get those final pieces. Trading with other GMs is still a poker game. Especially with more teams needing Cs than available players. Every other GM can see the hole in our roster so Hughes and Gorton have to give the impression we are content with Kapanen/Newhook/Dach until Hage and Zharovsky are ready, unless a bargain comes along. Quote
GHT120 Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 7 minutes ago, tomh009 said: It's good to dream! But we might need to be happy if we get one out of two. Kapanen should also get better, and Hage and Zharovsky are maybe a year away so there are further options (of course one or more of those might end up being traded). I admit I do also buy lottery tickets. Quote
tomh009 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 8 minutes ago, GHT120 said: I admit I do also buy lottery tickets. I think getting a credible 2C from that trio should be at least a 50/50 draw rather than a 6/49 jackpot. 😊 While there are no guarantees for prospects, trades don't always work out, either (cough cough Jonathan cough Drouin cough cough). Quote
Prime Minister Koivu Posted June 1 Posted June 1 3 hours ago, Commandant said: The Habs didnt want to use him. MSL felt he couldnt contribute to the roster They tried to trade him and even at 50% retained there were no takers. Not sure what more there is to it than that Yeah he clearly didn’t have a playing role and according to this tweet, keeping Laine on IR was to try and help his next contract 1 Quote
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted June 1 Posted June 1 50 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: Yeah he clearly didn’t have a playing role and according to this tweet, keeping Laine on IR was to try and help his next contract Sorry for my ignorance, but is there no issue with the fraudulent use of IR? You can just throw a healthy guy on there? Quote
GHT120 Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 20 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: Sorry for my ignorance, but is there no issue with the fraudulent use of IR? You can just throw a healthy guy on there? Potentially ... but with Laine's history it would be easy to officially list it with the NHL as "stress" related Quote
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