Habs Guest Writer: The Habs Off Season Report- by Brandon Smillie

Do I believe the size issue is solved? If I was to apply a percentage to it I would say I'm about 70% satisfied in the teams size and toughness at this point today.

Gionta
DD
Gallagher
Briere
Plek


That's not a big group. I have no issue with Plek but he needs to be surrounded by big guys, not small guys.

This team in still in transition, it will take a few more years before we see the type of team Bergevin wants on the ice, he is SLOWLY putting his foot print on this team. He is trying to keep the team somewhat competitive while rebuilding the core of this team via the draft.

I think we have gotten a bit bigger which is good, I will enjoy watching the HABS this season.

If I read one more time "the dog days of summer", I will slay a random dog and offer it to Cthulhu................

If I read one more time "the dog days of summer", I will slay a random dog and offer it to Cthulhu................
- kameroski

Rookie camp starts on Sept 5th I think

If I read one more time "the dog days of summer", I will slay a random dog and offer it to Cthulhu................
- kameroski

So I wasn't the only one who felt that way

So I wasn't the only one who felt that way
- systemtool

#relief

The problem in "getting bigger" is also getting slower and losing talent...

The problem in "getting bigger" is also getting slower and losing talent...
- DrDoom

The bruins, leaf, sens don't seem to mind. Philly got much worse when they traded their big guys...

Habs Guest Writer: The Habs Off Season Report- by Brandon Smillie
- Eklund

Good blog. Not sappy which I liked.

The problem isn't just team size, it's top 6 size. Pacioretty is the only bonafide top 6 we have with decent size and who likes to hit (Bourque should be a 3rd liner).

Briere was a wasted signing. McCarron and de la rose are long term projects that likely wont matter over the next 3-4 years.

Hey guys, thanks for reading it. I totally agree that this team is in transition. I hoped to touch on that when I spoke about drafting McCarron. I tried not to talk too much about the O because I think they proved last year that they are effective. I really think the loss of Emelin affected overall toughness/D/PKing and that coupled with price faltering really blew a incredibly solid season. I don't think there's many top 6 super tough wingers out there that are easy to acquire so sometimes you have to take the bottom six guy and make him dish out justice when he can. Hopefully that role has been filled with Parros.

Thanks again for reading it and looking forward to the next season, even if I'm not the new blogger. Now, bed time after polishing off almost a entire 24 pack after a big family fish fry. .

The problem in "getting bigger" is also getting slower and losing talent...
- DrDoom

Ok one more before passing out

I don't think they lost any talent in this off season. Minus Kaberle, Halpern, Weber - add Briere, Parros, Murray. If that was a trade it would have got the other GM fired. Maybe I've had a few too many Heinekens tonight (which I have), but I think that's a good trade off? I'll try to discuss more tomorrow, whenever I wake up lol. Keep commenting guys!

Gionta
DD
Gallagher
Briere
Plek


That's not a big group. I have no issue with Plek but he needs to be surrounded by big guys, not small guys.

This team in still in transition, it will take a few more years before we see the type of team Bergevin wants on the ice, he is SLOWLY putting his foot print on this team. He is trying to keep the team somewhat competitive while rebuilding the core of this team via the draft.
- Symba007

that is exactly the quick synopsis i wanted to hear. thank you.

I think the size addition has helped, but as other people have said the size is not in the top 6. I do agree that the Habs offence was effective last year until the last 10-15 games of the season when everything went to hell.

I believe that they should give Prust whatever he wants for as long as he wants to keep him in MTL. This guy has become one of the heart and soul players for the habs. I think they need to get rid of boullion before the this season is over, and give tinordi the shot that he deserves, this guy is a monster on the back end, and deserves to be with the big club.

The McCarron project i believe will result in a top 6 power forward in about 2-4 years, so long term investment. I also loved the Fucale draft, big time insurance in the goalie department for the future, because lets face it, Price isn't going to be in MTL forever, as much as I hate to say it (coming from the owner of a Price jersey).

All in all I believe this off season went as planned by Bergevin. He landed a top tier free agent in Briere ( even if he is small ) who still has a huge amount of skill. There 4th line became a lot tougher, and there D got tougher. So i think it was a productive off season, can't wait to see what the season brings.

Ok one more before passing out

I don't think they lost any talent in this off season. Minus Kaberle, Halpern, Weber - add Briere, Parros, Murray. If that was a trade it would have got the other GM fired. Maybe I've had a few too many Heinekens tonight (which I have), but I think that's a good trade off? I'll try to discuss more tomorrow, whenever I wake up lol. Keep commenting guys!
- SmielmaN

You forgot, we lost Ryder as well who is the best of the players mentioned. In terms of skill, all 4 players we lost are ahead of Murray and Parros so, yea, we lost skill. We balanced out team needs though so it's not too concerning.

Parros should play 25 games this season. He's no Shawn Thornton so he won't get a regular shift on the 4th line. He will fight the big 3 in Toronto as well as Neil and Thonton but, otherwise, he has a nice stash.

The briere signing was still dumb unless DD is leaving.

I think the size addition has helped, but as other people have said the size is not in the top 6. I do agree that the Habs offence was effective last year until the last 10-15 games of the season when everything went to hell.

I believe that they should give Prust whatever he wants for as long as he wants to keep him in MTL. This guy has become one of the heart and soul players for the habs. I think they need to get rid of boullion before the this season is over, and give tinordi the shot that he deserves, this guy is a monster on the back end, and deserves to be with the big club.

The McCarron project i believe will result in a top 6 power forward in about 2-4 years, so long term investment. I also loved the Fucale draft, big time insurance in the goalie department for the future, because lets face it, Price isn't going to be in MTL forever, as much as I hate to say it (coming from the owner of a Price jersey).

All in all I believe this off season went as planned by Bergevin. He landed a top tier free agent in Briere ( even if he is small ) who still has a huge amount of skill. There 4th line became a lot tougher, and there D got tougher. So i think it was a productive off season, can't wait to see what the season brings.
- habs4life21

We have Prust for 3 more years already.

Bouillon is a soldier. No problem with him on the team as he likely rides the press box with Drewieski in Hamilton once Emelin returns.

Ok one more before passing out

I don't think they lost any talent in this off season. Minus Kaberle, Halpern, Weber - add Briere, Parros, Murray. If that was a trade it would have got the other GM fired. Maybe I've had a few too many Heinekens tonight (which I have), but I think that's a good trade off? I'll try to discuss more tomorrow, whenever I wake up lol. Keep commenting guys!
- SmielmaN

We need more drunks as bloggers on this site.

I did forget about Ryder, but that's most likely because he was non existing in the last 3 weeks and playoffs. I was relieved they didn't give him 3 million worth of cap space. I would say that Briere is better than him and that he will play better than last year.

Otherwise I would think Murray is a upgrade on Weber and Parros/Halpern is a wash. I do think a trade is coming but that would be a speculative blog for another day... If people want me to write another one

We need more drunks as bloggers on this site.
- PoileRulezzzYo

I wrote it before drinking! Lol. I think I mostly made sense in my responses post boozing haha. My head is splitting right now but that's what gatorades and Advil liqui-gels are for.

I think you're underestimating Emelin's speed. While he doesn't thave the wheels of someone like Subban, he can move for a big guy. He saved Markov's bacon more than once with it last year. I think putting Markov with Murray would be a defensive disaster. Unless Murray desires to hang out with Price every time the puck goes up ice.

I think you're underestimating Emelin's speed. While he doesn't thave the wheels of someone like Subban, he can move for a big guy. He saved Markov's bacon more than once with it last year. I think putting Markov with Murray would be a defensive disaster. Unless Murray desires to hang out with Price every time the puck goes up ice.
- Routs

I hear ya. I just feel that markov is 2nd pairing and putting a guy like Diaz with him will just result in them getting pushed around. The Cube is a good solid guy, but he shouldn't be top 4 either. From a purely physical standpoint I thought Murray provided that element the Emelin executed so well. . Thanks for the comment. I appreciate all of them so far. Might be working on a Forwards article soon. Maybe centered around Hot Habs for Hockey Pools.

Good read. As much as I love what Murray brings to the table, I agree that Murray/Markov is a disaster. I'm still puzzled over the Briere signing though. We boast the smallest top 6, might as well add another little guy.

We have Prust for 3 more years already.

Bouillon is a soldier. No problem with him on the team as he likely rides the press box with Drewieski in Hamilton once Emelin returns.
- muffin_man

I know we have Purst for 3 more years already, i just meant they need to keep him happy so that he wants to stay in Montreal.

I also have nothing against Boullion but I do believe that Tinordi deserves hes chance, and it should be his time now.

I hear ya. I just feel that markov is 2nd pairing and putting a guy like Diaz with him will just result in them getting pushed around. The Cube is a good solid guy, but he shouldn't be top 4 either. From a purely physical standpoint I thought Murray provided that element the Emelin executed so well. . Thanks for the comment. I appreciate all of them so far. Might be working on a Forwards article soon. Maybe centered around Hot Habs for Hockey Pools.
- SmielmaN

Interesting blog! Thanks for reading mine by the way. most interesting thing is how differently we see the D sorting itself out. If a GM is interested, do you consider keeping Diaz and trading Gorges?

I know we have Purst for 3 more years already, i just meant they need to keep him happy so that he wants to stay in Montreal.

I also have nothing against Boullion but I do believe that Tinordi deserves hes chance, and it should be his time now.
- habs4life21

Agreed on both points. Prust is a beast and hopefully will continue playing this way. Bouillon is awesome, but Tinordi is part of the future and he showed enough in the POs last year to merit to start the year on the Bell Center ice.