2020-21 State Of The Habs

[campabee82]

1 hour ago, H_T_L said:

So,,,, JD benched tonight in favour of a 7th D. Can't say i'm shocked but certainly surprised DD grew a pair and sent a message.

Yes but too bad he didn't grow anything between his ears cause he had both Perry and Staal on the ice in the last 2 minutes while KK rode the pine! Like you need a goal Morin put offensive players on the ice not slow ass old guys!

[BigTed3]

10 hours ago, H_T_L said:

So,,,, JD benched tonight in favour of a 7th D. Can't say i'm shocked but certainly surprised DD grew a pair and sent a message.

He was apparently sick and seen talking to the athletic trainer after taking warm-up to say he couldn't go. So Drouin's decision, not the coach's.

[caperns61]

9 hours ago, campabee82 said:

Yes but too bad he didn't grow anything between his ears cause he had both Perry and Staal on the ice in the last 2 minutes while KK rode the pine! Like you need a goal Morin put offensive players on the ice not slow ass old guys!

This what the leafs did for years, bringing in hockey players way past the expiry date. The best lineups we had this year did not include Stall, Did not include Perry.  I know Drouin has his issues, but he is one of the quickest players we have. He can open up the ice for his linemates, i seen him use his speed on a number of occasions this season on the back check. With him out of the lineup, your depending on guys like corey perry, staal, armia, toffoli to get to loose pucks, or open up the ice for there teamates. Its not going to happen. I think players like Poehling, Caufield, Evans, Yolenan would give us much more up and down the linup. 

[richard464]

Yes it was reported he was not feeling well. Let's hope it was not Covid related?

[HabsAlways]

20 minutes ago, caperns61 said:

This what the leafs did for years, bringing in hockey players way past the expiry date. The best lineups we had this year did not include Stall, Did not include Perry.  I know Drouin has his issues, but he is one of the quickest players we have. He can open up the ice for his linemates, i seen him use his speed on a number of occasions this season on the back check. With him out of the lineup, your depending on guys like corey perry, staal, armia, toffoli to get to loose pucks, or open up the ice for there teamates. Its not going to happen. I think players like Poehling, Caufield, Evans, Yolenan would give us much more up and down the linup. 

Ylonen and Caufield maybe

Evans ceiling is 4th line

Poehling is questionable to break out of the bottom 6 ... his foot speed is not much better than a Toffoli/Perry

[campabee82]

51 minutes ago, caperns61 said:

This what the leafs did for years, bringing in hockey players way past the expiry date. The best lineups we had this year did not include Stall, Did not include Perry.  I know Drouin has his issues, but he is one of the quickest players we have. He can open up the ice for his linemates, i seen him use his speed on a number of occasions this season on the back check. With him out of the lineup, your depending on guys like corey perry, staal, armia, toffoli to get to loose pucks, or open up the ice for there teamates. Its not going to happen. I think players like Poehling, Caufield, Evans, Yolenan would give us much more up and down the linup. 

Yes I totally agree, unfortunately Drouin was out sick last night (not covid related according to DD). Hopefully he will be back tonight or MB's single brain cell has an epiphany and calls up Caufield. We need someone who can create offense whether it is scoring goals or just drawing the extra attention to open up other players, Cole will do both. He doesn't have to be put in a high pressure position just put him on the 3rd line with say KK and Lehkonen or Byron and let him do his thing. He will either score or defenders will play him tight and open up space for his linemates. Play him on the PP, people often forget that Cole isn't just a goal scorer he has great hands and vision. Both years in college he had almost as many assists as he did goals. His shot will draw the extra attention from defenders while his vision and passing will open up backdoor plays for teammates. There really is no downside to calling Cole up at this point. IF he helps then we secure a playoff spot early and can rest players a bit headed into the playoffs. If it is too much for him to handle right now he can be places back on the taxi squad without needing to clear waivers. This is that critical point in the season where we find out if MB really is all in or just trying to save his job!

[electron58]

1 hour ago, caperns61 said:

This what the leafs did for years, bringing in hockey players way past the expiry date. The best lineups we had this year did not include Stall, Did not include Perry.  I know Drouin has his issues, but he is one of the quickest players we have. He can open up the ice for his linemates, i seen him use his speed on a number of occasions this season on the back check. With him out of the lineup, your depending on guys like corey perry, staal, armia, toffoli to get to loose pucks, or open up the ice for there teamates. Its not going to happen. I think players like Poehling, Caufield, Evans, Yolenan would give us much more up and down the linup. 

I agree, Poehling, Caufield, Evans, & Ylonen would give us much more up and down the linup. 

[electron58]

1 hour ago, HabsAlways said:

Ylonen and Caufield maybe

Evans ceiling is 4th line

Poehling is questionable to break out of the bottom 6 ... his foot speed is not much better than a Toffoli/Perry

Evans and Poehling will be fine. Poehling is improving big time under Bouchard in Laval. Had a great breakaway goal last night with a power move to the net. Evans is a smart hockey player and should be playing 3rd/4rth line right now. 

[campabee82]

1 hour ago, HabsAlways said:

Ylonen and Caufield maybe

Evans ceiling is 4th line

Poehling is questionable to break out of the bottom 6 ... his foot speed is not much better than a Toffoli/Perry

Poehling may not be the fastest guy but he can skate backwards faster than Staal can forward! 

[electron58]

19 minutes ago, campabee82 said:

Yes I totally agree, unfortunately Drouin was out sick last night (not covid related according to DD). Hopefully he will be back tonight or MB's single brain cell has an epiphany and calls up Caufield. We need someone who can create offense whether it is scoring goals or just drawing the extra attention to open up other players, Cole will do both. He doesn't have to be put in a high pressure position just put him on the 3rd line with say KK and Lehkonen or Byron and let him do his thing. He will either score or defenders will play him tight and open up space for his linemates. Play him on the PP, people often forget that Cole isn't just a goal scorer he has great hands and vision. Both years in college he had almost as many assists as he did goals. His shot will draw the extra attention from defenders while his vision and passing will open up backdoor plays for teammates. There really is no downside to calling Cole up at this point. IF he helps then we secure a playoff spot early and can rest players a bit headed into the playoffs. If it is too much for him to handle right now he can be places back on the taxi squad without needing to clear waivers. This is that critical point in the season where we find out if MB really is all in or just trying to save his job!

I don't miss Drouin.  Everything else,  is spot on!  As for bergevin?  He HAS to go all in to save his job.

[campabee82]

2 minutes ago, electron58 said:

I don't miss Drouin.  Everything else,  is spot on!  As for bergevin?  He HAS to go all in to save his job.

Problem is MB is not going all in. All in means doing everything in your power to make the playoffs but MB is just staying the course. I wonder if he has been told that his job depends on how this season plays out and he has already resigned himself to thinking he is done. 

[electron58]

1 minute ago, campabee82 said:

Problem is MB is not going all in. All in means doing everything in your power to make the playoffs but MB is just staying the course. I wonder if he has been told that his job depends on how this season plays out and he has already resigned himself to thinking he is done. 

It sure looks that way. He's still of the mindset that once in the playoffs,  anything can happen.  But, does he know, that NOTHING  can happen,  if they don't make the playoffs?

[campabee82]

2 hours ago, electron58 said:

It sure looks that way. He's still of the mindset that once in the playoffs,  anything can happen.  But, does he know, that NOTHING  can happen,  if they don't make the playoffs?

I don't think he even cares if we make the playoffs or not at this point cause if he did he would have made the moves at the deadline that would have ensured we made the playoffs. The moves he did make were never going to ensure anything except that we play vets over youth. The biggest issue with this team is a clear lack of direction. MB needed to bring in a top pairing LHD and instead he brings in 2 depth options. We needed scoring up front instead he brings in a forward who's only talent at this point in his career is winning faceoffs. We need scoring help now more than ever to save this season and his only offensive weapon sits in the press box in favor of playing 7 D men 5 of which are best suited for the bottom pairing. MB is like a blind man trying to navigate a hall of mirrors. Lost and can't find the exit quick enough.

[H_T_L]

Caufield conundrum,,,,

We have 1,093,334 in cap space

CC has a hit of 1,308,333

Leaving us with a deficit of 214,999

Primeau has a hit of 966,667

CL has a hit of 750,000

If we switch them we gain 216,667 which allows us to insert CC leaving a cushion of 1,668

The only way to bring in CC is as an emergency call up if we're down a forward, such as JD being sick tonight, but he still needs to fit in under the Cap meaning we have to switch our backups as noted above.

Hope that helps in understanding why it's not an easy call.

[electron58]

52 minutes ago, campabee82 said:

I don't think he even cares if we make the playoffs or not at this point cause if he did he would have made the moves at the deadline that would have ensured we made the playoffs. The moves he did make were never going to ensure anything except that we play vets over youth. The biggest issue with this team is a clear lack of direction. MB needed to bring in a top pairing LHD and instead he brings in 2 depth options. We needed scoring up front instead he brings in a forward who's only talent at this point in his career is winning faceoffs. We need scoring help now more than ever to save this season and his only offensive weapon sits in the press box in favor of playing 7 D men 5 of which are best suited for the bottom pairing. MB is like a blind man trying to navigate a hall of mirrors. Lost and can't find the exit quick enough.

I totally agree. Had to chuckle at that bergevin misdirection.  Perfect analogy. And absolutely,  sitting your best possible option for offence, CC, is a statement showing he doesn't care. Maybe Molson has to say something.  Unless, his head is in the sand, too?

[electron58]

3 minutes ago, H_T_L said:

Caufield conundrum,,,,

We have 1,093,334 in cap space

CC has a hit of 1,308,333

Leaving us with a deficit of 214,999

Primeau has a hit of 966,667

CL has a hit of 750,000

If we switch them we gain 216,667 which allows us to insert CC leaving a cushion of 1,668

The only way to bring in CC is as an emergency call up if we're down a forward, such as JD being sick tonight, but he still needs to fit in under the Cap meaning we have to switch our backups as noted above.

Hope that helps in understanding why it's not an easy call.

Caufield's contract is worth $700,000 at the NHL level this season (all figures in U.S. dollars) and $832,500 in each of the next two seasons. He will earn $70,000 per season if he plays for the Rocket. The deal also contains performance bonuses up to a maximum of US$300,000 in 2021-22 and US$850,000 in 2022-23.

Plus the fact that it would be prorated. Not sure we have to do too much juggling. 

[H_T_L]

2 minutes ago, electron58 said:

Caufield's contract is worth $700,000 at the NHL level this season (all figures in U.S. dollars) and $832,500 in each of the next two seasons. He will earn $70,000 per season if he plays for the Rocket. The deal also contains performance bonuses up to a maximum of US$300,000 in 2021-22 and US$850,000 in 2022-23.

Plus the fact that it would be prorated. Not sure we have to do too much juggling. 

Those figures all came from RDS. Pretty sure they would have done their homework on it, because they want CC in the lineup more then we do. 

[electron58]

Just now, H_T_L said:

Those figures all came from RDS. Pretty sure they would have done their homework on it, because they want CC in the lineup more then we do. 

I remember when he signed, someone on here said the first year was a team friendly contract. Not sure if any research was done,  but I don't think anyone debunked it then.

[electron58]

5 minutes ago, H_T_L said:

Those figures all came from RDS. Pretty sure they would have done their homework on it, because they want CC in the lineup more then we do. 

From NHL.COM

MONTREAL - General manager Marc Bergevin announced on Saturday that the team has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract (2020-21 to 2022-23) with forward Cole Caufield.

The agreement will see Caufield earn $700,000 at the NHL level in 2020-21 and $832,500 at the NHL level in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. Caufield will also receive signing bonus payments of $92,500 in all three seasons and will earn $70,000 per season at the AHL level. The deal also contains performance bonuses up to a maximum of $300,000 in 2021-22 and up to a maximum of $850,000 in 2022-23.

This year, bonus based on games played, which he probably won't reach, unless playoff games count. So yeah, they can fit him in.

[H_T_L]

Every cap site you visit will throw different numbers at you. Hard to find 2 that report the same. As i mentioned, those figures came from RDS and i would trust they have more invested in accurate up to date research then us as average fans. If there was another easier way to throw him in the mix, i would have to believe they would have found it and reported so. If the cap space was there, MB would be a total idiot not to use it,,,,, but then again,,,,,

[BigTed3]

29 minutes ago, H_T_L said:

Caufield conundrum,,,,

We have 1,093,334 in cap space

CC has a hit of 1,308,333

Leaving us with a deficit of 214,999

Primeau has a hit of 966,667

CL has a hit of 750,000

If we switch them we gain 216,667 which allows us to insert CC leaving a cushion of 1,668

The only way to bring in CC is as an emergency call up if we're down a forward, such as JD being sick tonight, but he still needs to fit in under the Cap meaning we have to switch our backups as noted above.

Hope that helps in understanding why it's not an easy call.

I feel like there is another way of going about things... let's say the Habs elected to waive and demote another forward (e.g Byron again or even better, Eric Staal). Both those guys make over the amount you're allowed to bury, so you would get 1.075M of cap space by sending them to the taxi squad or minors. Well combine that with the 1.09M you already had in room and now you've got 2.165M in cap space, even with Primeau still on the roster.

The issue now is that if Drouin can't go, you have only ten forwards healthy, so it would permit you to call up TWO players under the emergency recall rule. Caufield would check in at 1.308M and either Evans or Frolik would check in at 750k. The total for those two players would be 2.058M, so it would fit under the cap.

So essentially you could bury Staal, keep Primeau, and recall Caufield and Evans (assuming Drouin still unfit). When Drouin is healthy, you would need to send one down or retain them on your last real recall. And if Staal stays in the minors until the playoffs, then so be it. I really couldn't care less, he hasn't contributed anything and I'd frankly rather see Caufield and Evans up anyways.

Tonight, it would allow you to run

 

Tatar-Kotkaniemi-Caufield

Toffoli-Suzuki-Anderson

Lehkonen-Danault-Armia

Byron-Evans-Perry

[campabee82]

14 minutes ago, BigTed3 said:

I feel like there is another way of going about things... let's say the Habs elected to waive and demote another forward (e.g Byron again or even better, Eric Staal). Both those guys make over the amount you're allowed to bury, so you would get 1.075M of cap space by sending them to the taxi squad or minors. Well combine that with the 1.09M you already had in room and now you've got 2.165M in cap space, even with Primeau still on the roster.

The issue now is that if Drouin can't go, you have only ten forwards healthy, so it would permit you to call up TWO players under the emergency recall rule. Caufield would check in at 1.308M and either Evans or Frolik would check in at 750k. The total for those two players would be 2.058M, so it would fit under the cap.

So essentially you could bury Staal, keep Primeau, and recall Caufield and Evans (assuming Drouin still unfit). When Drouin is healthy, you would need to send one down or retain them on your last real recall. And if Staal stays in the minors until the playoffs, then so be it. I really couldn't care less, he hasn't contributed anything and I'd frankly rather see Caufield and Evans up anyways.

Tonight, it would allow you to run

 

Tatar-Kotkaniemi-Caufield

Toffoli-Suzuki-Anderson

Lehkonen-Danault-Armia

Byron-Evans-Perry

That lineup is awso.e however there is one flaw if I am not mistaken. Doesn't the player being waived have to clear waivers before you can add another player? If correct that player would have had to been waived last night to clear at noon today.

[electron58]

1 hour ago, H_T_L said:

Every cap site you visit will throw different numbers at you. Hard to find 2 that report the same. As i mentioned, those figures came from RDS and i would trust they have more invested in accurate up to date research then us as average fans. If there was another easier way to throw him in the mix, i would have to believe they would have found it and reported so. If the cap space was there, MB would be a total idiot not to use it,,,,, but then again,,,,,

I agree on all counts. It wasn't easy to find the exact cap hit. ( still not really sure)  And I agree, bergevin is an idiot.

[BigTed3]

4 hours ago, campabee82 said:

That lineup is awso.e however there is one flaw if I am not mistaken. Doesn't the player being waived have to clear waivers before you can add another player? If correct that player would have had to been waived last night to clear at noon today.

Yes. Bergevin would had to have had 24 hours foresight. But they seemed to know they wanted to start Primeau today, so this was foreseeable. The only "downside" would be that Staal goes down and they can't recall him unless they use their last recall on him. I doubt anyone claims him (they wouldn't be able to use him in the playoffs anyways I think and he's a UFA after this season). But I believe Staal would be eligible to come up in the playoffs again anyways, so if we lose him for 10-11 games, who really cares? I'd rather have Caufield and Evans.

[electron58]

1 hour ago, BigTed3 said:

Yes. Bergevin would had to have had 24 hours foresight. But they seemed to know they wanted to start Primeau today, so this was foreseeable. The only "downside" would be that Staal goes down and they can't recall him unless they use their last recall on him. I doubt anyone claims him (they wouldn't be able to use him in the playoffs anyways I think and he's a UFA after this season). But I believe Staal would be eligible to come up in the playoffs again anyways, so if we lose him for 10-11 games, who really cares? I'd rather have Caufield and Evans.

This!  For sure! bergevin can't see past his nose. He reacts instead of being creative.