so not Barzal....lol
- Symba007

every team is always looking to acquire a big physical centreman that can skate, make plays and score goals, problem is those guys don't get traded too often lol.

Well the young guys are playing very well!

Newhook is trying his best and skating but it's clear that he's not a 2nd line center.

You know who I'd be willing to try at center? Slaf.

Big guy, good skater, good playmaker, he's engaged in the defense.

So you'd have something like :

Caufield - Suz - Demidov
Laine - Slaf - Dach
- MortChicken

We need Slaf to make space on 1st line i don't think Demidov is the power forward that can do that

every team is always looking to acquire a big physical centreman that can skate, make plays and score goals, problem is those guys don't get traded too often lol.
- Pat1993

except for PLD

nothing to do with the refs
- Symba007

We just can respond to the Caps physical game on the long run…

And we have a coach that will bench the only guy if he is the aggressor and take a 2 for roughing…

MSL was playing on a team that had a guy like Andre Roy to keep things acceptable for him but he does jot like tough players…

And we end up with a guy like Wilson ramming our guys like the idiot in Vancouver…

Sad but true…

except for PLD
- Symba007

yup, there needs to be some sort of "issue" for that kind of player to be on the market...

if not we might get a highly skilled guy that isn't overly physical, or maybe a bigger guy that doesn't have an incredible scoring touch, a combination of everything is highly unlikely lol.

every team is always looking to acquire a big physical centreman that can skate, make plays and score goals, problem is those guys don't get traded too often lol.
- Pat1993

They are not cheap for sure but they are on the market sometimes or you sign them as free agents…

the plan is surely to acquire a centreman during the summer but between Slaf and Demidov, the latter would probably be better suited for the position with his superior playmaking abilities.
- Pat1993

He was good last night, more visible on 5 on 5 and very good on the PP.

I know you probably won't ever like him, but it's a learning experience for St. Louis as well lol... for a guy who's coaching for the first time in the playoffs I find he's been doing a great job and is definitely not to blame for the losses.

anyway, this is the youngest team to ever make it to the post-season, and they sure aren't making things easy for the #1 seed in the East, so as a habs fan there's nothing to be ashamed about their performances so far imho.
- Pat1993

For a significant portion of the series the Habs looked the better team.

He was good last night, more visible on 5 on 5 and very good on the PP.
- MortChicken

yeah, for a 19-year-old kid being thrown into this crazy playoff context for his first NHL games you can tell he's progressively adjusting to everything.

For a significant portion of the series the Habs looked the better team.
- Interloper

yup, I agree... if things continue developing like this for the team, the future is looking very bright

yup, I agree... if things continue developing like this for the team, the future is looking very bright

- Pat1993

It is a good and promising start but we need to address 2-3 issues this summer. If they do, we will most probably make the playoffs again and be more dangerous. We need a quality 2nd line Center (Big and Tough), couple of physical guy la to put on the 4th and someone to replace Savard(Big and robust stay at home D, blocking shots…)

So still a lot to find!

yup, there needs to be some sort of "issue" for that kind of player to be on the market...

if not we might get a highly skilled guy that isn't overly physical, or maybe a bigger guy that doesn't have an incredible scoring touch, a combination of everything is highly unlikely lol.
- Pat1993

yeah usually

But you like at Wsh their top centers are Strome and PLD one free agent and one trade and they were able to become very competitive again in a "reset on the fly" whitout taxing their future. I know you don't get opportunities like that all the time but it would be cool if it happened to us once in a while.

We need another Monahan type of move that pays off.

yeah this one sucks, but a dollar's a dollar.

yeah usually

But you like at Wsh their top centers are Strome and PLD one free agent and one trade and they were able to become very competitive again in a "reset on the fly" whitout taxing their future. I know you don't get opportunities like that all the time but it would be cool if it happened to us once in a while.

We need another Monahan type of move that pays off.
- MortChicken

oh I'm not saying it's impossible to acquire a quality center, and I'm confident Hughes will manage to do a good hockey trade using the assets the team has, just saying it might not be this ultimate scoring machine power forward unicorn lol.

oh I'm not saying it's impossible to acquire a quality center, and I'm confident Hughes will manage to do a good hockey trade using the assets the team has, just saying it might not be this ultimate scoring machine power forward unicorn lol.
- Pat1993

I'd settle for a 60 points ish guy with decent size

I'd settle for a 60 points ish guy with decent size
- MortChicken

a stop gap until Hage is ready or a longer term solution since we don't know how Hage will develop but he is showing lots of potential.

a stop gap until Hage is ready or a longer term solution since we don't know how Hage will develop but he is showing lots of potential.
- Symba007

Yeah because realistically he still has 1 year in the NCAA and probably a year in the AHL before he's ready

now where the (frank) is snots?

Yeah because realistically he still has 1 year in the NCAA and probably a year in the AHL before he's ready
- MortChicken

Hage is most likely 3yrs away before he can take a significant role with the team.

I personally think the team might take a step back next year with a few vets set to retire or move on (Savard retiring, Dvo moving on as UFA, Pez moving on career wise and becoming a hairdresser)

Hage is most likely 3yrs away before he can take a significant role with the team.

I personally think the team might take a step back next year with a few vets set to retire or move on (Savard retiring, Dvo moving on as UFA, Pez moving on career wise and becoming a hairdresser)
- Symba007

That would be hard on St-Louis.

Hopefully HuGO will work some magic this summer

Hage is most likely 3yrs away before he can take a significant role with the team.

I personally think the team might take a step back next year with a few vets set to retire or move on (Savard retiring, Dvo moving on as UFA, Pez moving on career wise and becoming a hairdresser)
- Symba007

Hage is most likely 3yrs away before he can take a significant role with the team.

I personally think the team might take a step back next year with a few vets set to retire or move on (Savard retiring, Dvo moving on as UFA, Pez moving on career wise and becoming a hairdresser)
- Symba007

totally agreed since they overachieved this season, noone saw them in the playoffs. and they should be even younger next season. fun times ahead.

now where the (frank) is snots?
- kicksave856

did you drive him away too?

Hage is most likely 3yrs away before he can take a significant role with the team.

I personally think the team might take a step back next year with a few vets set to retire or move on (Savard retiring, Dvo moving on as UFA, Pez moving on career wise and becoming a hairdresser)
- Symba007

Armia gone as well?

Sign 2-3 UFA or a trade and they will be better.

totally agreed since they overachieved this season, noone saw them in the playoffs. and they should be even younger next season. fun times ahead.
- fidopro

Cole/Nick/Slaf
Laine/Dach or a new guy/Demidov
Andy/Newhook/Gally
Kappy/Evans/Emil
13th forward - Beck?



Hutson/Guhle
Carrier/Matheson
Reinbacher/Wifi
Struble