2013-2014 State Of The Habs

[Larry-Launstein-Jr]

Hard to believe the Habs went from worst to winning their division in only one season. But some things came up in the playoffs that made me stop and think what we have to do to improve our team. And my conclusion was outside of goaltending, we still have lots of work to do in all other areas of the game, such as scoring, toughnes, and defense. I believe we were able to mask our liabilities for the most part during the season, but were exposed in the playoffs. What exactly do we have to do to improve our team more so we can be forces to be reckoned with again? I usually start this thread immediately after the Habs season is over so we can start discussing these over the summer, and into the start of training camp and through the next season. Have fun!

[I1IscottieI1I]

I think we have a good young core of the team.

Goal

Price

Defence

Subban

Emelin

Tinordi(maybe?)

Forward

Eller

Gallagher

Galchenyuk

Pacoretty

Those are the current roster players we need to build around everyone else should compliment them as players

Going into next year I'd like to see

Bourque pleky gio

Pacoretty Eller Gallagher

Galchenyuk desharnais kristo

Moen white prust

Subban emelin

Gorges Diaz

Markov tinordi

Boulion

Obviously that's with us making little to no changes too the lineup other then letting sme free agents walk

I'm open to trade anyone but those part of the core mentioned above also 3 vets I feel we should keep are

Prust, pleky, gio

Other then those 3 and the core group I say any time we can make the team better through trade we should do it

[Larry-Launstein-Jr]

The best thing we did was telling Scott Gomez to stay home. Doing that allowed for Galchenyuk and Gallagher to play. And both clearly showed they deserved their spots. I can see the future for those guys being much brighter. When I made my concerns following the playoffs known, I saw we needed to do some more things to make the team better. But I'm with you in liking our young core. And Tinordi impressed me in the playoffs. And the other thing I like is that we got for our management and coaching team three former Red Wings, who have been a playoff team for the past 22 consecutive seasons. Bergevin as GM, Gallant as Assistant Coach (and trust me on this one, he'll be a fine NHL head coach someday), and Martin Lapointe for Player Development were masterstrokes by Geoff Molson. Those guys have a highly successful organization headed by Ken Holland and the tutulage of Scotty Bowman - who everyone here should remember for the Stanley Cups he led the Habs to, as well as the ones he led the Wings to. Sure, they also learned in other organizations like Bergevin did in Chicago, but last I heard, Bowman wound up in an advisory capacity with the Blackhawks. I could not believe this season on a sports talk Facebook hosted by a radio talk show friend of mine that people were calling for Kenny Holland and Mike Babcock's heads for the season the Red Wings were having at that point. I told them to look at what has been happening in Montreal. I also told them that I remembered people asking the Habs to get people who were involved with the Wings at one time or another. Geoff Molson listened.

[BigTed3]

Alright folks, as Larry said, it's time to start talking about the 2013-14 edition of the team. Feel free to post your thoughts on where this team stands right now and what needs to be done to make it a better squad!

[kinot-1]

OK,,,who stays and who goes?

UFAs

Michael Ryder

Colby Armstrong

Jeff Halpern

RFAs

Ryan White

Michael Blunden

Gabriel Dumont

Yannick Weber

[FirstStar]

i think it's clear we need help on our blueline, we have enough depth and lower pairing guys, but after Subban and marky (talking offense marky), there's a huge drop off. We need a top 4dman, someone who can hold the fort while Subban does his majic in the ozone.

2ndly, we're in need of finish in our top 6, a true sniper capable of pulling the trigger.

Lastly, I'd like one more experienced grinder to support Prust on the lower lines. He was a workhorse for us this season, but he can't continue to play like this night in night out for 4 more years, he needs help. A guy who can grind with the best of them and who can drop the gloves. As impressive as Prust has been, he doesn't strike fear in very many fighters. He's held his own, he's going to get seriously hurt if he continues to duke it out with guys that outweigh him. Huge props to Prust for standing up to guys like Lucic, but one of these guys are going to hurt him and he's too valuable to lose him to concussion or separated shoulder he suffered in a fight. Separated shoulders happen, but Prust shouldn't have to drop the gloves on a regular basis. He wroks well on the 3rd or 4th line, can kill penalties and will give you 100% just about every shift. We have to cut down on his work load a tad if we want him to be just as valuable for the next 3 years.

[KeepsItReal]

i think it's clear we need help on our blueline, we have enough depth and lower pairing guys, but after Subban and marky (talking offense marky), there's a huge drop off. We need a top 4dman, someone who can hold the fort while Subban does his majic in the ozone.

I believe that long term this team should be very strong on defence. In Tinordi and Beaulieu they may have 2 d-men who are ready to play every night defence as soon as January 2014, and maybe even able to emerge as top 4 guys by 2014/2015.

Diaz also showed a lot of offensive promise, and while not big he's a very solid defensive d-man. I believe he can be a solid anchor on the 2nd PP unit, and I would also like to see Emelin get some PP time.

It would be great to add a top pairing d-man, but I think the best move right now is to play it a bit cautious and maybe just grab a veteran depth guy on a short deal to provide some stability while Emelin is injured. I know some are down on Gorges of late as well, but he's a reliable 2nd pairing guy who could look great with Tinordi, Subban, Emelin or Markov depending on how they compile the teams' blue line next season.

I kind of liked this teams' defence potential boefre this season and that was before Subban emerged as a number 1 d-man.

[FirstStar]

OK,,,who stays and who goes?

UFAs

Michael Ryder

Colby Armstrong

Jeff Halpern

RFAs

Ryan White

Michael Blunden

Gabriel Dumont

Yannick Weber

If there isn't someone else out there we could land, I'd resign halpern to one more year. He came in and did everything that was expected of him, threw the odd hit 9although he's not that type of player), killed penalties, played a defensive role well and won FO's.

Ryder I'll let him walk. The way he finished the 2013 season and his playoff performance reminded me of why we let him go in the first place. Armstrong, was not impressed with him for the 1st 1/2 of the season. but something changed and I liked how he played to finish off the shortened 2012-13 season. I'd throw him another 1 yr contract at the same salary and see if he takes it.

White, blunden and Dumont are 3 guys I'd hold onto. White is the wild card for me, he's either on his game and playing his role very well or a liability. I'd give him a short contract to put the ball in his court and make him work for his contract. I liked how he played after his suspension, that last game against the leafs was probably one of his best games. If that's the Ryan White we'll get next season, then sign him up. He kept his cool, got under the leafs skin, drew penalties and even caused mclaren to be ejected. Everytime he passed the leafs bench he was yapping at them, leafs lost their focus and made white number 1 target. The Ryan White who caused us to lose 2 close games by losing his cool in the final 5 minutes is not the White I want to see. He's another one who will drop the gloves, but he doesn't strike fear and isn't a very good fighter. he should stick to aggitating, provoking and grinding.

[FirstStar]

I believe that long term this team should be very strong on defence. In Tinordi and Beaulieu they may have 2 d-men who are ready to play every night defence as soon as January 2014, and maybe even able to emerge as top 4 guys by 2014/2015.

Diaz also showed a lot of offensive promise, and while not big he's a very solid defensive d-man. I believe he can be a solid anchor on the 2nd PP unit, and I would also like to see Emelin get some PP time.

It would be great to add a top pairing d-man, but I think the best move right now is to play it a bit cautious and maybe just grab a veteran depth guy on a short deal to provide some stability while Emelin is injured. I know some are down on Gorges of late as well, but he's a reliable 2nd pairing guy who could look great with Tinordi, Subban, Emelin or Markov depending on how they compile the teams' blue line next season.

I kind of liked this teams' defence potential boefre this season and that was before Subban emerged as a number 1 d-man.

i agree, we should have a solid blueline down the road, but I'm not very hopeful for the 2013-14 season. Like you, I can see either Tinordi or Beaulieu joining us mid season (maybe both). But they're not top 4 guys yet and may never be, time will tell.

I like Diaz, but he has yet to play a full season with our habs. Over the last 2 seasons he's had parts where he played solid hockey, then injuries came in and his game dropped. I'm hoping he can finally stay healthy, but not holding my breath.

We have a vet depth guy in Soup, he should be the poster boy for lower pairing, depth, veterans. Locking up Drew gives us another low pairing depth guy, but we have no one for inbetween. After Subban there's a big drop off in skill, we're in need of a 3rd/4th dman, a guy who can play on our 2nd pairing, but who could slide into our top pairing if it doesn't work with marky/Subban or in case of injury. Gorges can take over short term, but he's not a top pairing guy, he plays a lot of minutes on the PK, so i'd rather keep him to the lower pairings and fresh for the PK.

i agree, Gorges didn't have a good season, think he was missing Gill. Either way, I'm with you, i see him on our 2nd pairing and he is capable of playing the odd game on the top pairing in case we run into injury issues. I'd still like to have one top4 defensive dman.

[THEBIGGESTHABSFAN123]

OK,,,who stays and who goes?

UFAs

Michael Ryder

Colby Armstrong

Jeff Halpern

RFAs

Ryan White

Michael Blunden

Gabriel Dumont

Yannick Weber

I won't mind keeping Dumont and/or Blunden but won't be upset if we let go of them either. I'd keep White. I'd let go of Ryder and Weber. And I would keep one of Armstrong or Halpern, not both, since I want us to add another bottom 6 tough guy and don't think we need both Armstrong and Halpern.

[FirstStar]

I won't mind keeping Dumont and/or Blunden but won't be upset if we let go of them either. I'd keep White. I'd let go of Ryder and Weber. And I would keep one of Armstrong or Halpern, not both, since I want us to add another bottom 6 tough guy and don't think we need both Armstrong and Halpern.

I agree, i'd like to add another tough, gritty guy to our lower lines, Prust can't continue to take all this on by himself, imo it would be counterproductive. Halpern i like his FO% and his PK/defensive skills. If it came down to choosing between Colby and jeff, I'm leaning more towards halpern. Imo he brings more to the table than colby for around the same salary. I know he's older than Colby, but he still brings more imo. I'd give him a 1 year deal and wait to see how some of our youngins develop.

[KeepsItReal]

I agree, i'd like to add another tough, gritty guy to our lower lines, Prust can't continue to take all this on by himself, imo it would be counterproductive. Halpern i like his FO% and his PK/defensive skills. If it came down to choosing between Colby and jeff, I'm leaning more towards halpern. Imo he brings more to the table than colby for around the same salary. I know he's older than Colby, but he still brings more imo. I'd give him a 1 year deal and wait to see how some of our youngins develop.

I'd liek to see White given the chance to anchor the 4th line, and get PK minutes. He's done well on faceoffs in his career.

I actually think Prust-White-Moen would be a great 4th line

[BigTed3]

OK,,,who stays and who goes?

UFAs

Michael Ryder

Colby Armstrong

Jeff Halpern

RFAs

Ryan White

Michael Blunden

Gabriel Dumont

Yannick Weber

Ryder, Armstrong, and Weber are guys I wouldn't even think about keeping. Ryder is too slow and one-dimensional despite his scoring prowess. Armstrong is past his prime, and I think we can find younger, tougher, cheaper options. And Weber has shown regression over the past few years and is simply not good enough defensively to play in the NHL. He's now maybe 9th on the depth chart, and that's not worth the investment.

White and Dumont are guys I'd re-sign without hesitation. They both have value on the 4th line and they should both come at minimal cost. Halpern is a guy I'd consider bringing back as the right-handed face-off guy, but it would depend on who else MB can grab on the UFA market and how that compares to what Halpern is asking for contract-wise. Blunden is a guy I'd bring back as a Hamilton veteran and potential injury replacement.

And as we've discussed, I'd also be looking to deal Moen and Desharnais if the value is right. Those are both contracts I'd be trying to get out of if we can get something back in return.

[KeepsItReal]

Both Desharnais and Moen provide more value to the team than they'd have in a trade IMO.

Weber is an RFA and he will be retained and hopefully given a chance to play somewhere. Doubt in Montreal though.

[BigTed3]

Both Desharnais and Moen provide more value to the team than they'd have in a trade IMO.

Weber is an RFA and he will be retained and hopefully given a chance to play somewhere. Doubt in Montreal though.

That's one of the things for MB to consider: whether DD and Moen have any trade value or not. As I said, I would consider moving them if the value was there, but it may not be. I believe Moen could have value, particularly as we get towards the trade deadline. I think we'll have more trouble finding a taker for DD in the next year, but if he puts in a solid campaign, that could definitely change.

[MkGee]

Clarkson would be nothing but an improvement I wouldn't mind him here 4 years.

[hatethosebruins]

Id be targeting hainsey and coburn if I could. Maybe Mezsaros, but his injuries concern me.

Interested in seeing whether Wiz gets bought out or not by the blue jackets.

[FirstStar]

That's one of the things for MB to consider: whether DD and Moen have any trade value or not. As I said, I would consider moving them if the value was there, but it may not be. I believe Moen could have value, particularly as we get towards the trade deadline. I think we'll have more trouble finding a taker for DD in the next year, but if he puts in a solid campaign, that could definitely change.

My feelings exactly, if we were to move Moen, I believe our best chance would be around trade deadline.

Yup, to move DD we have to give him every opportunity to succeed. Try and raise his production and maybe a desperate team would be willing to take a chance.

[FirstStar]

Id be targeting hainsey and coburn if I could. Maybe Mezsaros, but his injuries concern me.

Interested in seeing whether Wiz gets bought out or not by the blue jackets.

I loved Wiz when he was here, not worth the money he's getting, but on a team like ours with already 2 good off-dmen, he could be an asset. Don't think he's good enough to carry a team himself, but with a good supporting cast such as ours, who knows. he has injury concerns, but we don't have a lack of off-dmen, we could work with his injuries and if they're all healthy at the same time, we'll have a potent blueline (offensively). He's missed a lot of games since leaving Montreal, but has respectable stats.

Definitely an interesting thought, but not sure we really have a need for him. He would give us offensive depth on the back end.

[BeanCountingHab]

I think we all agree (MB included) that Ryder isn't worth bringing back. I'd have no problem bringing back Armstrong for another year to play the same role though. Likewise I have no problem if we don't.

[FirstStar]

I think we all agree (MB included) that Ryder isn't worth bringing back. I'd have no problem bringing back Armstrong for another year to play the same role though. Likewise I have no problem if we don't.

i thought he was better in the 2nd half of the season.

If it came down to choosing betwenn him and Halpern, even though Colby is younger, I'd lean more towards jeff. He's nearing the end of his career, gives us a great FO guy for the lower lines, a good PKer, could be a mentor for Dumont and Halpern can fill the spot on our lower lines until one of the youngins are able to step in.

Still like to add another tough guy to help with Prusts work load.

[MkGee]

I'd much rather see a Jared Boll then Armstrong.

[FirstStar]

I'd much rather see a Jared Boll then Armstrong.

Much better player, not sure we could land him though.

[BigTed3]

Not an overly huge Armstrong fan, but to play the devil's advocate (against myself?), we heard a lot of talk from Habs players this year about how the chemistry in the room was better... no more Cammalleri, Kostitsyn, Martin, Cunneyworth, Cole, etc. and we've seen guys like Prust, Bouillon, Armstrong, Gallagher, Therrien brought in... I don't think we can look at the team and say it is boat-loads more talented than last year's. We had better coaching (but to what degree is that really lifting play?), we had some young guys who produced, and we had better luck with injuries (until we hit the playoffs)... but to what degree does this idea of "chemistry" play a role? And is it possible that a guy like Armstrong, whom multiple players and coaches have cited as being very popular in the room, brings more to the table than we can objectively measure on the ice? The impact of intangibles is almost impossible to measure, but while some (myself included) like the idea of bringing in a younger, faster, more physical or better skilled guy to play the 3rd and 4th lines, I wonder whether management, who have a much better idea of how the locker room works, feels Armstrong brings more to the table that we can't see as a fan. The other major factor for Armstrong is that we somewhat underpaid him as a free agent because he was still receiving salary from the buyout in Toronto. I don't think any of us feel he's worth more than 1M but maybe he does and his asking price may be higher than what it was this past year.

[FirstStar]

Not an overly huge Armstrong fan, but to play the devil's advocate (against myself?), we heard a lot of talk from Habs players this year about how the chemistry in the room was better... no more Cammalleri, Kostitsyn, Martin, Cunneyworth, Cole, etc. and we've seen guys like Prust, Bouillon, Armstrong, Gallagher, Therrien brought in... I don't think we can look at the team and say it is boat-loads more talented than last year's. We had better coaching (but to what degree is that really lifting play?), we had some young guys who produced, and we had better luck with injuries (until we hit the playoffs)... but to what degree does this idea of "chemistry" play a role? And is it possible that a guy like Armstrong, whom multiple players and coaches have cited as being very popular in the room, brings more to the table than we can objectively measure on the ice? The impact of intangibles is almost impossible to measure, but while some (myself included) like the idea of bringing in a younger, faster, more physical or better skilled guy to play the 3rd and 4th lines, I wonder whether management, who have a much better idea of how the locker room works, feels Armstrong brings more to the table that we can't see as a fan. The other major factor for Armstrong is that we somewhat underpaid him as a free agent because he was still receiving salary from the buyout in Toronto. I don't think any of us feel he's worth more than 1M but maybe he does and his asking price may be higher than what it was this past year.

i know a lot of people don't put much thought into team chemistry and good lockerroom relations. For me it's always been an important part of team structure. Guys who get along on and off the ice will be stronger during the rough patches. If you're not getting along with a teammate and you're winning, there's no issue. Once it starts going south, players start showing frustration, that's where the tension can get out of control, clicks happen and there's often a divide in the dressing room. There was definitely a good team spirit this season and it showed on the ice.

Even Colby's x-leaf teammates had nothing bad to say about him. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we s fans aren't privy to. Any team can get along when they're winning, it's during the rough patches that you really get to see a teams character.

Very good point you brought up B-Ted.