Gostisbehere was up for rookie of the year last year and now he's too old for a 5 year plan?
- TheMussel

no.
Subban >> Gothisbehere

I am not complaining ..Its good to see other teams investing in Bollands
- senstroll

Agreed.

I'm intrigued to see what Anaheim do now that they have the Nonis/Carlyle brain trust to fall back on...

What do you mean by they expect winning?

They have up and down seasons.. Its not like the fanbase would riot (knock on wood).. Montreal had their chance at a rebuild when they drafted Galy and Gallagher.. But they (frank)ed it up and didnt keep acquiring prospects.. They are screwed.
- Tanooki

Montreal fan base and media are the toughest (IMO) of any in the NHL. They have won more cups than anyone else - and are second to Rangers in team Revenue in the League. I think there would be riots and heads would roll in management if they failed to make the playoffs several years in a row. I think even with Price, they are in a bad situation, the cupboards are close to empty. To put it gently, their best players would not be the best players on good teams - Price excepted.

Around him? no.

But clearly he can be part of a winning team.... 2 cups in 5 years in Chicago kinda proves that.
- Scabeh

doesn't mean anything re: bolland, byfuglien

term is too long, decent player, would've given 4-5 years max

doesn't mean anything re: bolland, byfuglien

term is too long, decent player, would've given 4-5 years max
- Nastradamus

4 would be the absolute max, but for under $3m at that point. 2-3 is preferable for a guy like Shaw.

no.
Subban >> Gothisbehere
- MaximusAurelius

But is he 9 times better? Because that ELC makes Ghost look mightily good.


Also, time to change your location there, Nostra-dumbass..


(I kid)

no.
Subban >> Gothisbehere
- MaximusAurelius

is he tho?

Agreed.

I'm intrigued to see what Anaheim do now that they have the Nonis/Carlyle brain trust to fall back on...
- lumlums

the thing is Chicago just keeps cycling through these players... the magic winning fairy dust get sprinkled on Bollands and shaws and they are players what help you win cups

except when they leave and go to poopty teams its lost for some reason

Montreal fan base and media are the toughest (IMO) of any in the NHL. They have won more cups than anyone else - and are second to Rangers in team Revenue in the League. I think there would be riots and heads would roll in management if they failed to make the playoffs several years in a row. I think even with Price, they are in a bad situation, the cupboards are close to empty. To put it gently, their best players would not be the best players on good teams - Price excepted.
- winsix

I think the Montreal market is similar to Toronto's.... people are passionate about their team and want them to win, so in a sense you're right it would be tough to go full rebuild like the Leafs but, obviously it's possible.

I understand what you mean and the lack of quality prospects (especially up front) is a problem, too many 2nd rounders for rentals have been wasted and Montreal didn't have much succes in the draft since 2010 and it's starting to show.

This being said, I don't think they're in that bad of a situation. Price, as you mentionned, is probably the best at his position in the whole league and can pretty much carry the team like a Crosby or Toews can for their respective teams. Subban is an all-star defender, the kind of who raises his level of play when needed. Pacioretty is one of the best goal scorer in the league in the last 4 years and Galchenyuk is close to being a number one center in this league (we'll see if he keeps improving).

I think the Habs have interesting pieces in their core and 3 of them (Patch, Subban and Price) are in their prime so we should expect some success in the next few years.

Will it be enough to win a cup? Not without some outside help IMO (either great drafting or a major trade bringing elite offense). But it should be enough to be a good team in the eastern confrence.

- AdamFrench

no.
Subban >> Gothisbehere
- MaximusAurelius

At 10 times the salary for PK, I'll take Gos everyday.

is he tho?
- Tanooki

Yes

At 10 times the salary for PK, I'll take Gos everyday.
- bixll

Me too

I think the Montreal market is similar to Toronto's.... people are passionate about their team and want them to win, so in a sense you're right it would be tough to go full rebuild like the Leafs but, obviously it's possible.

I understand what you mean and the lack of quality prospects (especially up front) is a problem, too many 2nd rounders for rentals have been wasted and Montreal didn't have much succes in the draft since 2010 and it's starting to show.

This being said, I don't think they're in that bad of a situation. Price, as you mentionned, is probably the best at his position in the whole league and can pretty much carry the team like a Crosby or Toews can for their respective teams. Subban is an all-star defender, the kind of who raises his level of play when needed. Pacioretty is one of the best goal scorer in the league in the last 4 years and Galchenyuk is close to being a number one center in this league (we'll see if he keeps improving).

I think the Habs have interesting pieces in their core and 3 of them (Patch, Subban and Price) are in their prime so we should expect some success in the next few years.

Will it be enough to win a cup? Not without some outside help IMO (either great drafting or a major trade bringing elite offense). But it should be enough to be a good team in the eastern confrence.
- Scabeh

^ I agree.

the thing is Chicago just keeps cycling through these players... the magic winning fairy dust get sprinkled on Bollands and shaws and they are players what help you win cups

except when they leave and go to poopty teams its lost for some reason
- senstroll

With Hossa on his last legs, I think their winning days are about over.

I think the Montreal market is similar to Toronto's.... people are passionate about their team and want them to win, so in a sense you're right it would be tough to go full rebuild like the Leafs but, obviously it's possible.

I understand what you mean and the lack of quality prospects (especially up front) is a problem, too many 2nd rounders for rentals have been wasted and Montreal didn't have much succes in the draft since 2010 and it's starting to show.

This being said, I don't think they're in that bad of a situation. Price, as you mentionned, is probably the best at his position in the whole league and can pretty much carry the team like a Crosby or Toews can for their respective teams. Subban is an all-star defender, the kind of who raises his level of play when needed. Pacioretty is one of the best goal scorer in the league in the last 4 years and Galchenyuk is close to being a number one center in this league (we'll see if he keeps improving).

I think the Habs have interesting pieces in their core and 3 of them (Patch, Subban and Price) are in their prime so we should expect some success in the next few years.

Will it be enough to win a cup? Not without some outside help IMO (either great drafting or a major trade bringing elite offense). But it should be enough to be a good team in the eastern confrence.
- Scabeh

Some pretty major storms, about 15 plane crashes, etc...

the thing is Chicago just keeps cycling through these players... the magic winning fairy dust get sprinkled on Bollands and shaws and they are players what help you win cups

except when they leave and go to poopty teams its lost for some reason
- senstroll

Because so many fail to see that it's the Kane/Toews/Keith/Hossa combo with guys like Seabs/Crawford that make you win... not the Bolland/Shaw/Bickell group...

I think the Montreal market is similar to Toronto's.... people are passionate about their team and want them to win, so in a sense you're right it would be tough to go full rebuild like the Leafs but, obviously it's possible.

I understand what you mean and the lack of quality prospects (especially up front) is a problem, too many 2nd rounders for rentals have been wasted and Montreal didn't have much succes in the draft since 2010 and it's starting to show.

This being said, I don't think they're in that bad of a situation. Price, as you mentionned, is probably the best at his position in the whole league and can pretty much carry the team like a Crosby or Toews can for their respective teams. Subban is an all-star defender, the kind of who raises his level of play when needed. Pacioretty is one of the best goal scorer in the league in the last 4 years and Galchenyuk is close to being a number one center in this league (we'll see if he keeps improving).

I think the Habs have interesting pieces in their core and 3 of them (Patch, Subban and Price) are in their prime so we should expect some success in the next few years.

Will it be enough to win a cup? Not without some outside help IMO (either great drafting or a major trade bringing elite offense). But it should be enough to be a good team in the eastern confrence.
- Scabeh

I really think they are done.. Its going to be a dumpster fire next season.. Whats going to happen when Price comes back and they aren't any better? The team is plagued with a losing mentality now. Subban needs someone like Markov 5 years ago to keep him on an even keel.. I think there is a rift in the locker room..

Because so many fail to see that it's the Kane/Toews/Keith/Hossa combo with guys like Seabs/Crawford that make you win... not the Bolland/Shaw/Bickell group...
- lumlums

Have any of the fringe players that left the mighty Hawks, gone on to do anything, other than gather a big pay ???

Yes
- AdamFrench

but really? is he?

I'd kinda prefer Ghost-bear right now.. He's less of an ass too.

Have any of the fringe players that left the mighty Hawks, gone on to do anything, other than gather a big pay ???
- bixll

Ladd and Buff became a first liner and a top-pairing defender. Not sure if they count as "fringe" though.

Because so many fail to see that it's the Kane/Toews/Keith/Hossa combo with guys like Seabs/Crawford that make you win... not the Bolland/Shaw/Bickell group...
- lumlums

You need depth that can score... Like Pitt has with Rust, Sheary, Cullen etc..

You see this every year on different teams..

With Hossa on his last legs, I think their winning days are about over.
- AdamFrench

I think so also

They have some cap problems..Hossa signed until 2021?
Seabrook starts a 6.8 mil deal this season until 2024

He has been great but the decline started already ..6.8 is already too much for him

but really? is he?

I'd kinda prefer Ghost-bear right now.. He's less of an ass too.
- Tanooki

based on 64 games?

I really think they are done.. Its going to be a dumpster fire next season.. Whats going to happen when Price comes back and they aren't any better? The team is plagued with a losing mentality now. Subban needs someone like Markov 5 years ago to keep him on an even keel.. I think there is a rift in the locker room..
- Tanooki

I just don't see how the bolded is possible.

Unless somehow his injury has lowered his level of play (which by all reports shouldn't be the case), he's just that dominating that every game the Habs lost by 1 goal last year could easily become wins.

Remember that, before last year, Habs finished near the top of the Eastern conference with a similar lineup....