He does need a D, and that's why I said the only thing I dont understand is why he hasn't turned his attention to Provorov yet.... Aho and Laine would be amazing but with Kotkaniemi, Domi, Suzuki, Poehling, Gallagher, Caufield, Drouin, Danault, Ylonen all in the fold, is the top 9 really gonna be an issue in 2 years? Only time will tell I suppose but Provorov would be addressing an area of weakness for sure!

But I think hes done too many good things in the last 12 months to give him the boot now, just my opinion
- obie

They gave 3.5 for Charriot. 3 years. Forget about another d. +, Romanov is coming in a year most likely.

They gave 3.5 for Charriot. 3 years. Forget about another d. +, Romanov is coming in a year most likely.
- deadpoulet

So another wasted season with a pure poop powerplay?

I liked the Aho offer sheet. Even if it did not work out.

If they sheeted marner. Its no need to worry. The leafs would squander those picks anyway. But Laine would be the better choice.

I largely agree and it's certainly loosened the noose around his neck...at some point the rubber needs to hit the road.

As for Provorov I'm not sure. Depends what Fletcher is thinking but based on their moves and depth chart you'd think one of he, Hagg or Gostisbehere has to go...I'm not sure Hagg is what would help the Habs and I'd imagine Gostisbehere can be had for the cheapest but literally when we aren't able to have those discussions knowing what trades might work are hard
- Takemedrunkimhome

Either way, I expect he will do something once those pics are freed up, he's not done and he's thinking big! And if were going with the "what have you done for me lately" attitude, it might be a good thing

So another wasted season with a pure poop powerplay?
- Takemedrunkimhome

This is not a contender either way.

Rebuilds are hard.

They gave 3.5 for Charriot. 3 years. Forget about another d. +, Romanov is coming in a year most likely.
- deadpoulet

And he has Domi, Kotkaniemi, Danault, Poehling, Suzuki and others who play C but yet he went after Aho.... he has a lot of depth at RW too but he seems to have interest in Laine

This is not a contender either way.

Rebuild are hards.
- deadpoulet

He adds a Laine or Aho or someone of that magnitude and they certainly enter the conversation

And he has Domi, Kotkaniemi, Danault, Poehling, Suzuki and others who play C but yet he went after Aho.... he has a lot of depth at RW too but he seems to have interest in Laine
- obie

Not much short term on rw. It was thin before Shaw was shipped away.

Charriot will be here next season and he's paid to play in the top 4.

I think they will trust Mete as well in his role.Short term anyway.

Either way, I expect he will do something once those pics are freed up, he's not done and he's thinking big! And if were going with the "what have you done for me lately" attitude, it might be a good thing
- obie

Like I said...he has time and you're right, he may just be waiting for the salary and picks to be freed back up...but historically the longer beyond July 1 it goes, the more likely what you see is what you'll get first week of October.

I'm not going to move the goal posts. If he adds the LD that can QB the PP ((frank) I've written that a lot) nearly all will be forgiven and I'll go back to hoping he's figured it out. But if nothing changes, be can go (frank) his hat at a cottage in northern Quebec ans write his memoirs with the title "Trades are hard: My life as a hockey GM between trip to the gym"

This is not a contender either way.

Rebuilds are hard.
- deadpoulet

That made me laugh.

I agree they aren't winning a cup this year but that doesn't mean it wouldn't benefit the team as a whole to take the next step forward. Winning is a habit. Losing is a habit. Lose long enough and winning becomes foreign. See Edmonton and Buffalo amongst others

He adds a Laine or Aho or someone of that magnitude and they certainly enter the conversation
- obie

KK is still too green. As well as others. Price will have to stand on his head with that defense (unless Charriot is a god).

+, as we speak, none of Aho or Laine is here.

Not much short term on rw. It was thin before Shaw was shipped away.

Charriot will be here next season and he's paid to play in the top 4.

I think they will trust Mete as well in his role.Short term anyway.
- deadpoulet

Byron can plug holes for now... but as early as 2021 he could start the year with Caufield, Gallagher and Suzuki on the right side with Ylonen and Evans still in the mix

Drouin, Brooks, Suzuki and a 1st in 2021?
- Habsody

That like trading almost 4 x 1st rounders for Laine... in that case I would prefer keeping the kids and would OS him a deal in which we would be giving 4 x 1st rounders...

KK is still too green. As well as others. Price will have to stand on his head with that defense (unless Charriot is a god).

+, as we speak, none of Aho or Laine is here.
- deadpoulet

That's not the point, the point is he is one HR away from entering that conversation and he's come out swinging, do you remember how gloomy things seemed at this time last year? Who else deserves credit for this turnaround? Youppi? Even if it doesn't happen for him this offseason, we were all looking down the barrel of an agonizing 5 year rebuild just over a year ago, that obviously will not be the case

That made me laugh.

I agree they aren't winning a cup this year but that doesn't mean it wouldn't benefit the team as a whole to take the next step forward. Winning is a habit. Losing is a habit. Lose long enough and winning becomes foreign. See Edmonton and Buffalo amongst others
- Takemedrunkimhome

I see what you mean, but there is a cap and it can be hard to get player x or y (see Aho).

I would like to see that team make the playoffs but growing pains are to be expected. These prospects need time.

The way I see it, Charriot and Mete are in our top 4 next season. Mete is still young and I think they want to see what they have with him before they bump him out of that spot.

That's not the point, the point is he is one HR away from entering that conversation and he's come out swinging, do you remember how gloomy things seemed at this time last year? Who else deserves credit for this turnaround? Youppi? Even if it doesn't happen for him this offseason, we were all looking down the barrel of an agonizing 5 year rebuild just over a year ago, that obviously will not be the case
- obie

The team is headind in the right direction. Did I say otherwise?

People are losing patience with the team and Bergevin. If anything it's going way better than expected.

That's not the point, the point is he is one HR away from entering that conversation and he's come out swinging, do you remember how gloomy things seemed at this time last year? Who else deserves credit for this turnaround? Youppi? Even if it doesn't happen for him this offseason, we were all looking down the barrel of an agonizing 5 year rebuild just over a year ago, that obviously will not be the case
- obie

By that same logic do you hold MB responsible for how the Habs got to the point you reference a year ago? He's had 7 years and missed the playoffs 3 of the last 4 and this year isn't looking much better. At some point the rubber needs to hit the road. Potential eventually needs to turn into results

The Draft will be in Montreal, i don’t see them trading their first in 2020. There is an history with Drouin and Ehlers in Halifax so it might be tempting i don’t know. Ehlers can move to right wing so...
- Habsody

I honestly don’t think that Bergevin thought there was a chance that Carolina would let Aho go for that sort of compensation and therefore the plan might have been all that time to keep that 2020 first rounder!

My opinion his that Bergevin offer a tough contract to live with to the Canes in order for them to negociate a side deal with them. Probably a 1st pick would have needed to go to the Canes but he could have managed to give them a 2021 maybe (with several other assets as well).

Even if the contract sucks for the Canes, there wasn’t a chance they would not either match or get more from the Habs on a side deal.

I liked the Aho offer sheet. Even if it did not work out.

If they sheeted marner. Its no need to worry. The leafs would squander those picks anyway. But Laine would be the better choice.
- spazzbot

I can't see him offer sheeting somebody else at this point. It would be unheard of.

He may try to make a trade....or let some young guys earn a spot.

By that same logic do you hold MB responsible for how the Habs got to the point you reference a year ago? He's had 7 years and missed the playoffs 3 of the last 4 and this year isn't looking much better. At some point the rubber needs to hit the road. Potential eventually needs to turn into results
- Takemedrunkimhome

I do, I was not a big fan of his before last offseason... hes made plenty of questionable moves in the past but hes bought himself some time with what hes done recently

I do, I was not a big fan of his before last offseason... hes made plenty of questionable moves in the past but hes bought himself some time with what hes done recently
- obie

Agreed...however for me failing to address the LD to QB the PP and the goodwill is gone

Agreed...however for me failing to address the LD to QB the PP and the goodwill is gone
- Takemedrunkimhome

To me, it wouldn't be the worst outcome if they bottomed out this year, head into next off season with a top 10 pick and Petry, Tatar and Danault on their last year and primed to be moved for younger assets and picks, another year of misery could really set the table for this organization moving forward... it's a win/win right now

To me, it wouldn't be the worst outcome if they bottomed out this year, head into next off season with a top 10 pick and Petry, Tatar and Danault on their last year and primed to be moved for younger assets and picks, another year of misery could really set the table for this organization moving forward... it's a win/win right now
- obie

And a new GM...sure

And a new GM...sure
- Takemedrunkimhome

Maybe but making the playoffs this season wouldn't be the determining factor on whether or not he gets axed next summer, not to me anyway

Maybe but making the playoffs this season wouldn't be the determining factor on whether or not he gets axed next summer, not to me anyway
- obie

Molson will have a tough time explaining keeping a GM while missing the playoffs 4 out of 5 years. Regardless of how hard trades are