2022-2023 Lines

[maas_art]

Lines at  practice today:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Drouin - Monahan - Dadonov / Pezzetta
Hoffman - Anderson - Gallagher
Slafkovsky - Evans - Armia

Guhle - Savard
Edmundson - Xhekaj
Harris - Kovacevic
Wideman
Allen
Montembeault

*Matheson skated on his own earlier

I was hoping we'd see Slaf with Monahan or at least Dvo (looks like Anderson is taking Dvo's spot for a therapy day) but that seems unlikely. Really curious where Matheson slots in when healthy.

Also, i wonder if they've been talking with BigTed because they are trying this as the first PP unit:

Xhekaj (in front of the net)

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Dach

[ramcharger440]

1 hour ago, maas_art said:

Lines at  practice today:

Caufield - Suzuki - Dach
Drouin - Monahan - Dadonov / Pezzetta
Hoffman - Anderson - Gallagher
Slafkovsky - Evans - Armia

Guhle - Savard
Edmundson - Xhekaj
Harris - Kovacevic
Wideman
Allen
Montembeault

*Matheson skated on his own earlier

I was hoping we'd see Slaf with Monahan or at least Dvo (looks like Anderson is taking Dvo's spot for a therapy day) but that seems unlikely. Really curious where Matheson slots in when healthy.

Also, i wonder if they've been talking with BigTed because they are trying this as the first PP unit:

Xhekaj (in front of the net)

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Dach

I can hear it now.....JackEye stand in front of the net JackEye ok! I love the idea can't wait to see someone crosscheck him like they crosscheck Gally! might be a few fights!

[electron58]

27 minutes ago, ramcharger440 said:

I can hear it now.....JackEye stand in front of the net JackEye ok! I love the idea can't wait to see someone crosscheck him like they crosscheck Gally! might be a few fights!

Love to see JackEye get a few garbage goals. They all count!

[joehabsjoe]

4 hours ago, maas_art said:

Also, i wonder if they've been talking with BigTed because they are trying this as the first PP unit:

Xhekaj (in front of the net)

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky

Dach

Could this be the youngest PP unit ever?

[BigTed3]

^^ They (Caufield, Slafkovsky, etc.) actually announced after the practice that those drills were ones being done to practice the PK and that the coach selected players not playing the PK on those drills to play the PP side of things, so the players said this did not mean Slaf or Xhekaj would necessarily be on PP1. They didn't rule it out either, but it sounds like those practice lines didn't mean anything.

[joehabsjoe]

Bummer. That woulda been fun to see. 

[ramcharger440]

23 minutes ago, BigTed3 said:

^^ They (Caufield, Slafkovsky, etc.) actually announced after the practice that those drills were ones being done to practice the PK and that the coach selected players not playing the PK on those drills to play the PP side of things, so the players said this did not mean Slaf or Xhekaj would necessarily be on PP1. They didn't rule it out either, but it sounds like those practice lines didn't mean anything.

Hmmm Stu Cowan seems to think they mean something?

[jennifer_rocket]

Pretty cool that we seem to actually have a number one line with Suzuki, Dach, and Caulfield.

[CaptWelly]

1 hour ago, jennifer_rocket said:

Pretty cool that we seem to actually have a number one line with Suzuki, Dach, and Caulfield.

Agreed!

 

[ramcharger440]

So Matheson is pretty much ready to go....great right? but who drops out of the rotation? I would hate to see any of the kids get bumped but what do you do? Savard is the weak link but you can't fault his effort and the work he did at the start of the season playing on the first pairing which lets face it is way over his head at this point Eddy is just working his way back in Guhle and Harris are the future and they have done very very well and each of them brings their own flavor to the team. This leaves Kovy and Jackeye both have been pretty great but I think one of them will have to sit for a bit Jackeye brings some goal scoring and much needed toughness to the team so it would seem like Kovy would be the guy then there is the whole left right thing! sure am glad I don't have to make the call!

[H_T_L]

37 minutes ago, ramcharger440 said:

So Matheson is pretty much ready to go....great right? but who drops out of the rotation? I would hate to see any of the kids get bumped but what do you do? Savard is the weak link but you can't fault his effort and the work he did at the start of the season playing on the first pairing which lets face it is way over his head at this point Eddy is just working his way back in Guhle and Harris are the future and they have done very very well and each of them brings their own flavor to the team. This leaves Kovy and Jackeye both have been pretty great but I think one of them will have to sit for a bit Jackeye brings some goal scoring and much needed toughness to the team so it would seem like Kovy would be the guy then there is the whole left right thing! sure am glad I don't have to make the call!

I think he'll just rotate them, otherwise try to match up against grittier teams for the X man. We might not see Wideman for quite a while. Possible trade in the works??There are teams hurting on the back end out at the moment. 

[BigTed3]

2 hours ago, ramcharger440 said:

So Matheson is pretty much ready to go....great right? but who drops out of the rotation? I would hate to see any of the kids get bumped but what do you do? Savard is the weak link but you can't fault his effort and the work he did at the start of the season playing on the first pairing which lets face it is way over his head at this point Eddy is just working his way back in Guhle and Harris are the future and they have done very very well and each of them brings their own flavor to the team. This leaves Kovy and Jackeye both have been pretty great but I think one of them will have to sit for a bit Jackeye brings some goal scoring and much needed toughness to the team so it would seem like Kovy would be the guy then there is the whole left right thing! sure am glad I don't have to make the call!

 

1 hour ago, H_T_L said:

I think he'll just rotate them, otherwise try to match up against grittier teams for the X man. We might not see Wideman for quite a while. Possible trade in the works??There are teams hurting on the back end out at the moment. 

Edmundson has been our worst D man since he came back, but with some hope that he could improve over time as the rust wears off. It's also perhaps a goal to build Eddy up so we can trade him. Savard is, as you said, the weak link otherwise. But I doubt either of them sit and past that, it's not an easy choice. From my end, I don't think Matheson sits once healthy, since he's our de facto #1 D man. I think Harris has been our best D man this year so far, and he and Kovacevic have been our most effective pairing. Harris was not as good playing with Edmundson or playing on the right. So I think you kind of have to keep that pairing together. To me, the guy who likely sits is Xhekaj, and I actually wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Laval to play while we wait to make a trade or wait for another injury to arise. Remember that Kovacevic can't be sent down without going through waivers, so that's not really an option, and you don't really want to have a rookie in the press box for too long... my guess is that we see

Harris-Kovacevic

Guhle-Savard

Matheson-Edmundson

but we could also see Edmundson and Harris switch spots too...

[campabee82]

Armia and Drouin are not on ice practicing today according to TSN citing maintenance day, incoming trade possibly?

[maas_art]

On 11/11/2022 at 12:10 PM, BigTed3 said:

 

Edmundson has been our worst D man since he came back, but with some hope that he could improve over time as the rust wears off. It's also perhaps a goal to build Eddy up so we can trade him. Savard is, as you said, the weak link otherwise. But I doubt either of them sit and past that, it's not an easy choice. From my end, I don't think Matheson sits once healthy, since he's our de facto #1 D man. I think Harris has been our best D man this year so far, and he and Kovacevic have been our most effective pairing. Harris was not as good playing with Edmundson or playing on the right. So I think you kind of have to keep that pairing together. To me, the guy who likely sits is Xhekaj, and I actually wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Laval to play while we wait to make a trade or wait for another injury to arise. Remember that Kovacevic can't be sent down without going through waivers, so that's not really an option, and you don't really want to have a rookie in the press box for too long... my guess is that we see

Harris-Kovacevic

Guhle-Savard

Matheson-Edmundson

but we could also see Edmundson and Harris switch spots too...

I actually think, if/when everyone is healthy, they might break up Guhle and Savard & run:
Matheson - Savard
Edmundson - Kovacevic
Guhle-Harris

I think its the wrong move because Harris, Guhle and Kovacevic would be getting the least amount of ice time, despite being our best D this year but I honestly think a Matheson-Savard pairing is what they want for the first tandem. Beyond that, i am not sure how they will organize the roster but I expect Kovy will be #2 RHD and Harris will be the most likely to switch sides. 

[BigTed3]

Lost in the shuffle of the Suzuki line playing lights out and the veteran wingers starting poorly, Jake Evans has kind of slipped under the radar. But it's time to start talking about whether the 4th line (and Evans in particular) is bringing much. He's now running at 1 assist and 0 goals through 18 games, and his line was utterly dominated tonight (having a 10-15% Corsi).

What we know:

- The Suzuki line is likely staying intact for now

- Dvorak and Monahan are likely the middle 6 centers for now

- Anderson and Gallagher are likely the middle 6 RW's

That leaves you with the likes of Hoffman, Armia, Dadonov, Slafkovsky, Pezzetta, and Pitlick as options to move around the line-up, as well as Drouin down the line. I look at that list of wingers and I don't see a ton of guys who look right next to Evans. I feel like he needs to play with players who can skate well and forecheck and play a pressure game. But most of those guys are average skaters and not big turnover machines, and Evans isn't the guy who is going to be carrying and distributing the puck to snipers who like to sit in a zone. So I'm just not sure if Evans is the solution to the 4th line with this cast of characters, and I almost wonder if he'll fit better on a 3rd line with Dvorak and Gallagher, in more of a checking role. It might give us a line-up that looks like this when everyone is healthy:

 

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach

Slafkovsky-Monahan-Anderson

Evans-Dvorak-Gallagher

Dadonov/Hoffman-Drouin-Armia

 

Would like to see that 2nd line put together. But still not sure where Evans fits in the big picture or how we build a bottom 6 with so many streaky players.

 

[maas_art]

Slafkovsky skating in Hoffman's spot at practice next to Dvorak & Gallagher.   Id still like to see him with Monahan for an extended period but the idea of seeing him with Gally for some games is pretty sweet. 

[ramcharger440]

That line with Dvo Gally and yes even the Hoff has been pretty strong of late they seem to be gelling nicely! I would like to see Monahan get some better linemates too! I think he could help Slaf get to the next level as he is more gifted than Evans at least in my opinion he is. Make Slaf and Monahan a pair and find the piece that works with them.

[CaptWelly]

2 hours ago, ramcharger440 said:

That line with Dvo Gally and yes even the Hoff has been pretty strong of late they seem to be gelling nicely! I would like to see Monahan get some better linemates too! I think he could help Slaf get to the next level as he is more gifted than Evans at least in my opinion he is. Make Slaf and Monahan a pair and find the piece that works with them.

I like that idea.

[BigTed3]

Pretty clear to me that MSL trying to get all 8 D men into the line-up is hurting them. Most of the D men looked off against Philly and again tonight. My suggestions would be

1. Stop splitting up Harris-Kovacevic. It has easily been our best D pairing and most consistent one. Both players have been weaker without each as partners. Just keep them together, leave them in the line-up and figure out what to do with the other pairings.

2. Play the same 6 guys as your primary 6 guys. Spotting a 7th guy in every 5-7 games is fine. We don't need to play 8 D men unless there are injuries.

3. Guhle and Xhekaj both deserve to play and need to play to develop. They can't be 7 or 8. If Xhekaj isn't in the top 6, he should be sent to Laval to play big minutes there.

4. Edmundson has looked awful, but he's also great trade bait, so he needs to keep playing. He should be on the 3rd pairing so that we try to make him look as good as possible.

 

So with all of this in mind, I'd personally go with

Matheson-Savard

Harris-Kovacevic

Edmundson-Guhle

Wideman

(with Xhekaj going to Laval to play with Barron)

 

Why? Well Savard is going to bring down whoever he plays with to some degree. He can't go with Edmundson. But if Matheson is going to be here long-term regardless and isn't a rookie, he's probably our best fit as a partner for Savard. Maybe he makes Savard look better. And if that pairing gets schooled, it's not hurting any of our young guys' confidence. Harris-Kovacevic, I've already noted, should be kept together. And then give Edmundson the best possible partner. If Guhle can withstand playing the first pairing with Savard, he should be able to withstand playing easier match-ups next to Eddy. Keep Eddy on the left to maximize his trade value. Wideman is the leftover in the stands. Xhekaj goes to Laval until we can trade Edmundson, then comes back to replace him.

[electron58]

1 hour ago, BigTed3 said:

Pretty clear to me that MSL trying to get all 8 D men into the line-up is hurting them. Most of the D men looked off against Philly and again tonight. My suggestions would be

1. Stop splitting up Harris-Kovacevic. It has easily been our best D pairing and most consistent one. Both players have been weaker without each as partners. Just keep them together, leave them in the line-up and figure out what to do with the other pairings.

2. Play the same 6 guys as your primary 6 guys. Spotting a 7th guy in every 5-7 games is fine. We don't need to play 8 D men unless there are injuries.

3. Guhle and Xhekaj both deserve to play and need to play to develop. They can't be 7 or 8. If Xhekaj isn't in the top 6, he should be sent to Laval to play big minutes there.

4. Edmundson has looked awful, but he's also great trade bait, so he needs to keep playing. He should be on the 3rd pairing so that we try to make him look as good as possible.

 

So with all of this in mind, I'd personally go with

Matheson-Savard

Harris-Kovacevic

Edmundson-Guhle

Wideman

(with Xhekaj going to Laval to play with Barron)

 

Why? Well Savard is going to bring down whoever he plays with to some degree. He can't go with Edmundson. But if Matheson is going to be here long-term regardless and isn't a rookie, he's probably our best fit as a partner for Savard. Maybe he makes Savard look better. And if that pairing gets schooled, it's not hurting any of our young guys' confidence. Harris-Kovacevic, I've already noted, should be kept together. And then give Edmundson the best possible partner. If Guhle can withstand playing the first pairing with Savard, he should be able to withstand playing easier match-ups next to Eddy. Keep Eddy on the left to maximize his trade value. Wideman is the leftover in the stands. Xhekaj goes to Laval until we can trade Edmundson, then comes back to replace him.

That sounds good to me.  The sooner they can move on from Eddy, the sooner we can stabilize our defense pairings, and continue the development.

[maas_art]

2 hours ago, BigTed3 said:

Pretty clear to me that MSL trying to get all 8 D men into the line-up is hurting them. Most of the D men looked off against Philly and again tonight.

Or... is this a plan to go hard for bedard ;) 

[BigTed3]

6 hours ago, maas_art said:

Or... is this a plan to go hard for bedard ;) 

That just sounds like silly Fantilli talk.

[BigTed3]

The Habs had zero finish yesterday as well as terrible special teams, but their play at 5v5 was otherwise dominant. If we look specifically at the D pairings, Matheson and Savard led the way with a 90% Corsi, while Harris-Kovacevic was over 75% together. Guhle-Edmundson was the worst pairing down in the mid-50s.

All this to say that I would leave those first two pairings alone right now. But Edmundson is struggling no matter who he's being paired with and Hughes needs to work on finding a trade for him ASAP, one before he loses value and two so we can get Xhekaj back into the line-up.

[Regis22]

52 minutes ago, BigTed3 said:

The Habs had zero finish yesterday as well as terrible special teams, but their play at 5v5 was otherwise dominant. If we look specifically at the D pairings, Matheson and Savard led the way with a 90% Corsi, while Harris-Kovacevic was over 75% together. Guhle-Edmundson was the worst pairing down in the mid-50s.

All this to say that I would leave those first two pairings alone right now. But Edmundson is struggling no matter who he's being paired with and Hughes needs to work on finding a trade for him ASAP, one before he loses value and two so we can get Xhekaj back into the line-up.

Are we trying to win hockey games  ...lol.... or get a better pick in next year's draft 

[claremont]

4 hours ago, Regis22 said:

Are we trying to win hockey games  ...lol.... or get a better pick in next year's draft 

I don’t mind missing a win or tie, but it’s the way we lose some times that is bothersome. Getting dusted 7-2 by Buffalo or getting shutout by weaker teams like Detroit 3-0 and the sharks 4-0 is tough on my morale let alone the team’s. Just give me some bright spots like the first line’s performance, Montembault’s goaltending, some balance from our D, and really Monahan and Anderson and please Dvorak / Slaf and I’ll be content with some progression. 
I’ve kind of accepted the write-offs / waste of space of Dadonov, Edmundson and the mediocrity of the others 

looking forward to some HuGo moves