The problem with playing the youth and rebuilding that way leads to poor development, the kids need to be surrounded by some vets to teach them how to be pros.
Developing on a losing team just makes your skilled players want to jump ship the moment they can. Nobody likes losing especially the top talent and then you have to overpay to make them happy throwing your salary out of whack.
Surround the kids with vets and make them earn their ice.
Maybe we aren't contenders but there is hope every year which makes watching enjoyable. There needs to be more offer sheets as most players aren't available before 24 at the earliest and that is because they are holding out for $$$
Montreal isn't the greatest marketplace for rebuilding through losing.
We have to accept that most years we will be drafting 10-20 and hoping for the best.
We need more and better scouts
- braidan

If you equate youth movement with playing kids at the NHL level, rushing them before they are ready (mentally, physically, mature) then sure.

If you equate youth movement as proper development through drafting and coaching- probably not in the nhl for the most part, but can be for some players - then fill the NHL roster with mostly expiring contracts, short-term cheap contracts and players you have already have at the nhl (and where the opportunity occurs, flipping them for assets), is another approach too.

And if Montreal is not a market for rebuilding, then Montreal is a market destined for mediocrity in a 32 team league.

But then you have players who feel that they are ready now and may pout.
Could Poehling feel disrespected if he gets sent back to Laval after they year he had?
- braidan

Maybe.

But if they had managed all their prospects in the same manner, then perhaps that would not be an issue.

Currently, they seem to be rushing some players before they are obviously ready, yes properly developing others. I can how that could create of culture where some players feel disrespected.

how so?
- Pat1993

If he's playing at his highest potential then he's in the NHL. If they (frank) up his development then he never reaches his highest potential.

Guy has had some good season in the AHL.

Not getting my hopes up though, despite an interesting skillset, there's a reason he didn't beat Nathan Beaulieu for a spot with the Jets.
- Scabeh

Beaulieu was finally given a chance.

#TheChance

If you equate youth movement with playing kids at the NHL level, rushing them before they are ready (mentally, physically, mature) then sure.

If you equate youth movement as proper development through drafting and coaching- probably not in the nhl for the most part, but can be for some players - then fill the NHL roster with mostly expiring contracts, short-term cheap contracts and players you have already have at the nhl (and where the opportunity occurs, flipping them for assets), is another approach too.

And if Montreal is not a market for rebuilding, then Montreal is a market destined for mediocrity in a 32 team league.
- Mashadar

Every team has a window and maybe ours is closed until Price retires and we can use that cap for other players.
But when the higher end players are getting 8 to 10 per then you have to be careful.
Look at Van, they have 2 GREAT players that they cant fit under the cap right now.
Look at Tkachuk wanting who knows how much money. Look at Toronto, regular season juggernauts but playoff flops.
Would I prefer to be a PO favorite and not get out of 1st round but who cares because we have a great team or a team that has good players but can MAYBE get out of the 1st rd?
In video game terms we don't have any 90+ players but we have many 80-90 players not sure which is better

the play must be electric at times!
- Pat1993

- Gramps28

*puts gramps on do not ban list*

Every team has a window and maybe ours is closed until Price retires and we can use that cap for other players.
But when the higher end players are getting 8 to 10 per then you have to be careful.
Look at Van, they have 2 GREAT players that they cant fit under the cap right now.
Look at Tkachuk wanting who knows how much money. Look at Toronto, regular season juggernauts but playoff flops.
Would I prefer to be a PO favorite and not get out of 1st round but who cares because we have a great team or a team that has good players but can MAYBE get out of the 1st rd?
In video game terms we don't have any 90+ players but we have many 80-90 players not sure which is better
- braidan

Habs just went to the Stanley cup final, have plenty of depth and good young players coming up.

We Are Doomed.

- Gramps28

I was actually waiting for it

*puts gramps on do not ban list*
- braidan

*puts gramps on do not ban list*
- braidan

no no!

Every team has a window and maybe ours is closed until Price retires and we can use that cap for other players.
But when the higher end players are getting 8 to 10 per then you have to be careful.
Look at Van, they have 2 GREAT players that they cant fit under the cap right now.
Look at Tkachuk wanting who knows how much money. Look at Toronto, regular season juggernauts but playoff flops.
Would I prefer to be a PO favorite and not get out of 1st round but who cares because we have a great team or a team that has good players but can MAYBE get out of the 1st rd?
In video game terms we don't have any 90+ players but we have many 80-90 players not sure which is better
- braidan

I think we can agree the Habs are kinda screwed with the way their current team is set up and some of the contracts, such as the Price contract.

But at some point you have to decide when to blow it up and start over.

Are you going to go for 3-4-5 more years of mediocrity for 1 or 2 players? Because if you do, some of the youth you bring up will want their big contracts and you may find yourself in the same position with their contracts down the line.

If the Habs are going all in with Price - then go all in. Sell the farm and stack the team and take a stand.

Otherwise, then they are just going to continue to be in this cycle of mediocrity that sometimes produces a decent season, if the bounces work, but for the most part likely not.

In which case, a careful rebuild - not with MB and Timmins, et all at the helm - should be a direction to seriously consider.

poop or get off the pot.


Be (frank)ing brave and take risks, don't shoot for mediocre because it is easier.

Habs just went to the Stanley cup final, have plenty of depth and good young players coming up.

We Are Doomed.
- Scabeh

blabla covid blabla short season blabla weak division blabla

Habs just went to the Stanley cup final, have plenty of depth and good young players coming up.

We Are Doomed.
- Scabeh

Don't really get that attitude TBH...they have probably the best team since they won the cup in 93 and some are still female doging and moaning...

Add in teams need young players on ELCs because of the hard cap in order to fill a roster and it makes it much harder to be patient with player development putting even more pressure on cap decisions.

Some sort of cap flexibility for re-signing your own draft picks would help. IMO. The hard cap punishes teams that draft well. That doesn't seem to be in the spirit of a cap.
- Gramps28

Late here but very good points

I think we can agree the Habs are kinda screwed with the way their current team is set up and some of the contracts, such as the Price contract.

But at some point you have to decide when to blow it up and start over.

Are you going to go for 3-4-5 more years of mediocrity for 1 or 2 players? Because if you do, some of the youth you bring up will want their big contracts and you may find yourself in the same position with their contracts down the line.

If the Habs are going all in with Price - then go all in. Sell the farm and stack the team and take a stand.

Otherwise, then they are just going to continue to be in this cycle of mediocrity that sometimes produces a decent season, if the bounces work, but for the most part likely not.

In which case, a careful rebuild - not with MB and Timmins, et all at the helm - should be a direction to seriously consider.

poop or get off the pot.


Be (frank)ing brave and take risks, don't shoot for mediocre because it is easier.
- Mashadar

But the team we have now doesn't seem to be mediocre.
Some pretty decent wingers, possibly above avg PP.
Yes we could use a 2C and a 1D but meh...
The game is played on the ice and not on paper so anything can happen.
I'd rather have hope than go into an 82 game season thinking "yeah but we could draft top 5"

Don't really get that attitude TBH...they have probably the best team since they won the cup in 93 and some are still female doging and moaning...
- BashCH

no no!
- mr.peanut

But the team we have now doesn't seem to be mediocre.
Some pretty decent wingers, possibly above avg PP.
Yes we could use a 2C and a 1D but meh...
The game is played on the ice and not on paper so anything can happen.
I'd rather have hope than go into an 82 game season thinking "yeah but we could draft top 5"
- braidan

Not to be a Richard but those are kinda important pieces

no no!
- mr.peanut

Are you questioning my authority??!!




I keed I keed

Not to be a Richard but those are kinda important pieces
- Takemedrunkimhome

Almost every team has missing pieces...

Not to be a Richard but those are kinda important pieces
- Takemedrunkimhome

I agree, but not too many 2Cs available at low low prices and 1D.....fuhgeddaboutit

If Weber comes back in POs then that problem is solved lol
I still wish MB had offer sheeted one of the 2 in VAN and made it fit

Almost every team has missing pieces...
- BashCH

Almost every team has missing pieces...
- BashCH

TB just lost a 3rd line

I agree, but not too many 2Cs available at low low prices and 1D.....fuhgeddaboutit

If Weber comes back in POs then that problem is solved lol
I still wish MB had offer sheeted one of the 2 in VAN and made it fit
- braidan

Quinn Hughes can't defend though.

He's basically a 4th forward.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.