There will always be some players who surprise and some who disappoint and some who are still developing. Anderson never panned out - Dach looks a lot like Jonathan Druion - lost - Slav is coming along but it takes time - Primeau is gone ... finally - I believe we could use a bit more grit on the team ... we are just to soft ... Wifi can't do it all.
It's too early to try to win now. 100% of the focus should be on the development of the youngsters. Sometimes we'll win but more often, we'll lose. But the more we concentrate on development, the more winning they'll be in the future.
You can see they're trying to get back on the right track, but unfortunately certain players are just not working out, like Dach, Newhook, Primeau, you have Reinbacher who's only 20 and already major knee issues, his development is taking a huge hit, Roy can't seem to adjust to the NHL right now, hes gonna be 22 in August, should be a regular, Mailloux is good offensively but can't defend that well, and hes gonna be 22, if he cant crack the line up next year, thats a problem. If Fowler turns into another Primeau, then we're screwed in net. Hage looks great, but he's at least another 2 years away, maybe more.
@@adamCarter20 this is why the 2025 draft is so crucial for the futur. Unfortunately, they needed to be at least drafting top3/top4 but will likely draft top7/top9 depending how much Hughes will weaken the team at the trade deadline. Next year, a lot of teams will surely tank for Gavin Mckenna !!!
Its the cap. When the team pays a player(s) $10 plus million, then you need kids ($750,000 for three years) to round out the team.. That's why so many rebuilds struggle, they stick with the kids when they have big salaries to pay. The team then gets rid of affordable veterans at the trade deadline to get more kids! Unfortunately many of the affordable vets are the glue that holds the team together. Superstars don't do the dirty work and neither do the kids.
Agreed. The NHL needs to allow Canadian clubs a 30% increase in their cap (or reduce the cap for USoA teams) to offset the currency exchange and adjust it annually.
Look at Montreal’s last 10 and look at the other teams around them last ten games to me that progress , yes they may not be the best team but with carrier thing look much more solid
Hi Stu - Question for the panel. Do you guys get annoyed like I do at MSL's obsession with winning. I believe 100% of the focus should be on development. Yes, they have to learn how to win but at the price of development? After all, who cares if they win now? The winning will come naturally later on when most of these high draft picks have properly developed.
I’ve learned in the business world that HOPE is NOT a strategy. The Habs just can’t afford to hope something positive happens, they have to work at making sure it will work, failure is not an option.
I agree with what you said but Hockey is a just a business. Teams use publicity to create HOPE among the fanbase. Lets face it, the Canadiens are just a money making machine for a bunch of rich investors. They have been feeding their fans "HOPE" for decades and they are pretty good at it; HOPE sells tickets, without hope, fans don't care. As far as this rebuild is concerned, only time will tell if they have done it properly...but they are sure trying to make us HOPE with the assistance of their media friends that this team will be a futur contender !!!
I disagree that the cupboard was bare when Hughes and Gorton showed up. Bergevin silently started resetting the team around 2018 and a number of Bergevin's era picks are in the core at the moment (i.e. Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Mailloux, Xhekaj, etc...).
Give them this season and 2 more and they should be fighting for a playoff spot. I agree with Knuckles on that. But they have to think about salary and there are 5 guys who have to go because they are being paid too much and not found their game but they have the rest of the season. It hurts too say that but have to be realistic in a rebuild. Patience for skill to happen but right now find some grit in their game.
Remember, Hughes and MSL are basically still newbies at their jobs after a few years. They are very good at covering for their lack of job experience. It will be interesting to see how Philly and the Hawks develop Michkov and Bedard, nothing is a given and they also did no time in the AHL.
Yes, they're on the right track. 2-3 years from a playoff run?...no. In my estimation they're already 2 years into the 5 year rebuild plan and I think playing .500 hockey this season is the minimum expectation. In doing that they'll have an outside shot at a wild card spot. Next season I'd expect them making the first round playoffs or deeper with a genuine crack at a cup run in 3 years. As you guys said previously, consistency will be an issue with so many young players, but they need to stay on track. They have good plan in place that should bear positive results with patience.
In a genuine rebuild, there are 2 most important features: drafting&developing. A team that does not draft well very seldom will not develop well since "talent" is an innate, natural ability that a person is born with. Can't develop something which is not there !!! Has Montreal drafted yet enough high end talent to develop...time will tell !!!
It's the fourth year as far as I can tell. You don't consider the season they finished last as a rebuild year? I don't think they are on the right track, they never were for a real rebuild to be Stanley Cup contender. They probably will make the playoffs in a couple years if not next year. Since it seems to be their only goal, I guess they are on right track. Once Dach is replaced by someone decent and they get lucky with a goalie, they could be decent. Maybe a new coach would help.
@@OneLine122 totally agree...this never was a genuine rebuild, I have called it: an "accelerated rebuild". In 3 drafts, they still have not drafted yet a top#1 defenseman nor a genuine 1C , two key pieces still missing for the futur. They will likely become a team like Winnipeg or Carolina. Good teams but not good enough to win a cup !!!
I like to think Canadiens making progress, then they lose by 6,7 goals to teams(Seattle, Pittsburgh) that aren't exactly powerhouses. Is progress not finishing last again. I thought that was of looking at it was over and the team was at the point of approaching the playoffs without necessarily making them.
Agree, 3 years...the Habs are still bad at developing players. All the big guys don't play big except Anderson. They need to do fast-contact drills, detailed footwork to take a hit, footwork to give a hit. Otherwise, they all get hurt. Players should never go from the draft to the NHL, Laval should be the development call for all. The Habs aren't serious re-development, nothing is free. Serious hockey folks are tired of watching Hutson out of position and getting lost on the outside. Who cares if he wins the Calder, but the team can't play D. Players are lost trying to cover for him. Meanwhile Logan and Roy are down in Laval building their games, where they have an experienced coach, that is the way it should be done. No free rides, learn the details for a team game, and show the hunger to compete and learn.
I would still love to have a team like the Leafs, one of the best year after year after year, very exciting to watch, and makes the playoffs every year. A lot of amazing teams don't win cups, Montreal, if the rebuild works, they will most likely be amazing and not win a cup.
@adamCarter20 Furthermore Adam, because of the new playoff format, Toronto often had to face a better team in the first round. That explains why they have had problems winning a few playoff rounds. Edmonton also has an exciting team which has not won a cup yet...but I would welcome them anytime instead of what we have in Montreal !!!
Again with this? yes, they are on the way, they still need size, speed and toughness, HuGo still has a bunch of MB holdovers and awful contracts. They get demidov next year, Maillioux replaces savard, they rid themsleves of armia, dvorak and others. Beck will make the team and i expect they trade matheson or a rd. It takes time
You need a great farm system to go anywhere. Patience is a virtue.
There will always be some players who surprise and some who disappoint and some who are still developing. Anderson never panned out - Dach looks a lot like Jonathan Druion - lost - Slav is coming along but it takes time - Primeau is gone ... finally - I believe we could use a bit more grit on the team ... we are just to soft ... Wifi can't do it all.
Rick has to acknowledge that this isn’t the case the last 10 games! They have been consistent and playing better!
After this they beat florida and tampa and played 2 best games of the season
It's too early to try to win now. 100% of the focus should be on the development of the youngsters. Sometimes we'll win but more often, we'll lose. But the more we concentrate on development, the more winning they'll be in the future.
@@TheDuffer99 totally agree, however, does Montreal have enough high end talent to be developed ?
You can see they're trying to get back on the right track, but unfortunately certain players are just not working out, like Dach, Newhook, Primeau, you have Reinbacher who's only 20 and already major knee issues, his development is taking a huge hit, Roy can't seem to adjust to the NHL right now, hes gonna be 22 in August, should be a regular, Mailloux is good offensively but can't defend that well, and hes gonna be 22, if he cant crack the line up next year, thats a problem. If Fowler turns into another Primeau, then we're screwed in net. Hage looks great, but he's at least another 2 years away, maybe more.
@@adamCarter20 this is why the 2025 draft is so crucial for the futur. Unfortunately, they needed to be at least drafting top3/top4 but will likely draft top7/top9 depending how much Hughes will weaken the team at the trade deadline. Next year, a lot of teams will surely tank for Gavin Mckenna !!!
@powers1500 They keep winning, they'll be drafting out of the top 10.
Its the cap. When the team pays a player(s) $10 plus million, then you need kids ($750,000 for three years) to round out the team.. That's why so many rebuilds struggle, they stick with the kids when they have big salaries to pay. The team then gets rid of affordable veterans at the trade deadline to get more kids! Unfortunately many of the affordable vets are the glue that holds the team together. Superstars don't do the dirty work and neither do the kids.
Agreed. The NHL needs to allow Canadian clubs a 30% increase in their cap (or reduce the cap for USoA teams) to offset the currency exchange and adjust it annually.
I don't understand how some fans are getting antsy about the rebuild, I would rather 5 or 6 years of pain followed by a solid contender for 8 or 9.
Look at Montreal’s last 10 and look at the other teams around them last ten games to me that progress , yes they may not be the best team but with carrier thing look much more solid
Hi Stu - Question for the panel. Do you guys get annoyed like I do at MSL's obsession with winning. I believe 100% of the focus should be on development. Yes, they have to learn how to win but at the price of development? After all, who cares if they win now? The winning will come naturally later on when most of these high draft picks have properly developed.
I’ve learned in the business world that HOPE is NOT a strategy. The Habs just can’t afford to hope something positive happens, they have to work at making sure it will work, failure is not an option.
I agree with what you said but Hockey is a just a business. Teams use publicity to create HOPE among the fanbase. Lets face it, the Canadiens are just a money making machine for a bunch of rich investors. They have been feeding their fans "HOPE" for decades and they are pretty good at it; HOPE sells tickets, without hope, fans don't care. As far as this rebuild is concerned, only time will tell if they have done it properly...but they are sure trying to make us HOPE with the assistance of their media friends that this team will be a futur contender !!!
I disagree that the cupboard was bare when Hughes and Gorton showed up. Bergevin silently started resetting the team around 2018 and a number of Bergevin's era picks are in the core at the moment (i.e. Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Mailloux, Xhekaj, etc...).
Give them this season and 2 more and they should be fighting for a playoff spot. I agree with Knuckles on that. But they have to think about salary and there are 5 guys who have to go because they are being paid too much and not found their game but they have the rest of the season. It hurts too say that but have to be realistic in a rebuild. Patience for skill to happen but right now find some grit in their game.
Remember, Hughes and MSL are basically still newbies at their jobs after a few years. They are very good at covering for their lack of job experience. It will be interesting to see how Philly and the Hawks develop Michkov and Bedard, nothing is a given and they also did no time in the AHL.
not enough use off the press box.....
You think that the coaching staff and others haven't talked with Dach??
Yes, they're on the right track. 2-3 years from a playoff run?...no. In my estimation they're already 2 years into the 5 year rebuild plan and I think playing .500 hockey this season is the minimum expectation. In doing that they'll have an outside shot at a wild card spot. Next season I'd expect them making the first round playoffs or deeper with a genuine crack at a cup run in 3 years. As you guys said previously, consistency will be an issue with so many young players, but they need to stay on track. They have good plan in place that should bear positive results with patience.
Coaching is there biggest problem and team size and toughness they play way to soft
im happy they started listening .
but now i have nothing to complain about.
unless primeau didnt clear waivers
gohabsgo
In a genuine rebuild, there are 2 most important features: drafting&developing. A team that does not draft well very seldom will not develop well since "talent" is an innate, natural ability that a person is born with. Can't develop something which is not there !!! Has Montreal drafted yet enough high end talent to develop...time will tell !!!
It's the fourth year as far as I can tell. You don't consider the season they finished last as a rebuild year?
I don't think they are on the right track, they never were for a real rebuild to be Stanley Cup contender.
They probably will make the playoffs in a couple years if not next year. Since it seems to be their only goal, I guess they are on right track. Once Dach is replaced by someone decent and they get lucky with a goalie, they could be decent. Maybe a new coach would help.
@@OneLine122 totally agree...this never was a genuine rebuild, I have called it: an "accelerated rebuild". In 3 drafts, they still have not drafted yet a top#1 defenseman nor a genuine 1C , two key pieces still missing for the futur. They will likely become a team like Winnipeg or Carolina. Good teams but not good enough to win a cup !!!
I like to think Canadiens making progress, then they lose by 6,7 goals to teams(Seattle, Pittsburgh) that aren't exactly powerhouses. Is progress not finishing last again. I thought that was of looking at it was over and the team was at the point of approaching the playoffs without necessarily making them.
Agree, 3 years...the Habs are still bad at developing players. All the big guys don't play big except Anderson. They need to do fast-contact drills, detailed footwork to take a hit, footwork to give a hit. Otherwise, they all get hurt. Players should never go from the draft to the NHL, Laval should be the development call for all. The Habs aren't serious re-development, nothing is free. Serious hockey folks are tired of watching Hutson out of position and getting lost on the outside. Who cares if he wins the Calder, but the team can't play D. Players are lost trying to cover for him. Meanwhile Logan and Roy are down in Laval building their games, where they have an experienced coach, that is the way it should be done. No free rides, learn the details for a team game, and show the hunger to compete and learn.
In 5 years you will see a big change in this group and with the new players coming, but not a Stanley cup contender yet.
Look at the dreaded Maple Leafs. They started their rebuild almost a decade ago. The team is competitive now, but still no cup.
How many cups Montreal win during the last decade....??? At least Toronto can still "hope" to win one !!!
I would still love to have a team like the Leafs, one of the best year after year after year, very exciting to watch, and makes the playoffs every year. A lot of amazing teams don't win cups, Montreal, if the rebuild works, they will most likely be amazing and not win a cup.
@adamCarter20 Furthermore Adam, because of the new playoff format, Toronto often had to face a better team in the first round. That explains why they have had problems winning a few playoff rounds. Edmonton also has an exciting team which has not won a cup yet...but I would welcome them anytime instead of what we have in Montreal !!!
Again with this? yes, they are on the way, they still need size, speed and toughness, HuGo still has a bunch of MB holdovers and awful contracts. They get demidov next year, Maillioux replaces savard, they rid themsleves of armia, dvorak and others. Beck will make the team and i expect they trade matheson or a rd. It takes time
Bergevin left a big mess to sort out for Hughes and Gorton.
No. Kent Hughes is a mid-tier GM, with some very mid-tier or questionable moves.
Disagree. In Kent we trust
@@MileHigh_drones LOL. Good luck with that
@@realbeetlejuice ok? 👍🏼