Looks like four first round hits (Slaf, DR and Demidov) and one miss (Mesar), a likely 55-58 game starting goalie (Fowler), a third line center (Beck), another top 6 forward acquired via trade (Laine), two solid third line wings (Newhook and Roy), and a steal with Hutson. Solid work. Need to add some fourth line grit bit that should be the easier part. Could compete for a WC spot this year but ‘25-‘26 should be the season we have a realistic chance to compete for a playoff spot.
The “Rebuild” appears to be in its last stages
- Thread starter Krustchev
- Start date
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Hage also seems to be a good pick. One or both of Xhekaj and Tuch could be that grit.
It’ll be interesting to see if the PP improves, and significantly.
One risk I see is that Primeau falls apart and HuGo is scrambling to find a back up in November.
It’ll be interesting to see if the PP improves, and significantly.
One risk I see is that Primeau falls apart and HuGo is scrambling to find a back up in November.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
Dobes might be able to help if Primeau falters but I liked what I saw from Primeau last year.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
25-26 edition so far
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-Dach-Demidov
Roy-Newhook-Anderson
???-Beck-Gallagher
Matheson-Reinbacher
Hutson-Guhle
Xhekaj-Mailloux
Goalies
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-Dach-Demidov
Roy-Newhook-Anderson
???-Beck-Gallagher
Matheson-Reinbacher
Hutson-Guhle
Xhekaj-Mailloux
Goalies
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
It’s just a nagging doubt. Primeau did well last year and my concerns may well be off base.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
It’s not, he’s been inconsistent so far, and goalies.
But not having Allen should help.
WeHaveMoreCupsThanYou
I will get banned again soon, worry not.
One more shit season where we have to wait for some bad contracts to die or become easier to offload. 2025-26 will be the breakout season.
Habsy
Not playing around anymore.
Hage needs time to fill out but could be another second line center at best. Glaring need as always is an elite first line center.
Tuch will not be a regular player for the Habs. Trade fodder.
Burrows being gone is addition by subtraction
We'll see how Dobes works out in Laval before getting a scrap heap goalie. I think Primeau will be fine as a backup. Injuries are my concern.
Alan C
Well-known member
Maybe Demidov converts to centre.
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Top line each played all 82 games last year. Nearly impossible to be repeated.
Alan C
Well-known member
He was interviewed awhile back. He claimed he can play both but found centre more enjoyable.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
Tuch will address some of that grit factor as early as second half of this season
Exactly one more year to take out the trash
Hugo has done a great job of rebuilding after Nero left the team in shambles
Great post , 2025-2026 is the year when Hugo starts to determine the next course of action
Laine and Price will come off the books and Gally and Anderson will be easier to move with a year to go
By then Hugo will have a better picture on player development and if it’s time to move assets for a star or continue rebuilding
Habs must have at least 3 prospects hit their peak and goaltending and goaltending stability is key
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
Nothing wrong with a scoring winger. Our history is full of it. I would still love a top line center though.
WeHaveMoreCupsThanYou
I will get banned again soon, worry not.
LesCanadiens
Active member
We're doing it the right way. We are likely further along than our record indicates. Too many injuries still. We had almost our entire 2nd and 3rd lines injured for long stretches last year. Including our 2nd and 3rd line centers. And both Caulfield and Slaf coming off bad injuries. Not even elite teams wouldn't be dramatically affected. So much rides on health, especially Kirby Dach's.