Gally
Habs Season Thread: 2024-25 Regular Season
- Thread starter Habsy
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most left dmen who get to the NHL can play the right side, the better left dmen on most youth teams play the right side all through until their teens so one of them likely can.
I have to admit, I was not expecting much from Struble but he is clearly better than Harris. I figure Kovacevic will go soon.
We will have a glut of dmen when Mailloux and Reinbacher are ready.
GrandWazoo
Well-known member
I think Harris can be better than Harris too though.
wiseguy1
Well-known member
Canadiens looking to play multiple games in Paris, France: report | Offside
The Montreal Canadiens might be going on an extended road trip, and this time, they'd be crossing continents.
dailyhive.com
GGpX
Well-known member
The thing with Xhekaj/Struble/Harris/Kovacevic/Barron is, I don't think any of them are top-4 d-men on contending teams. Some of them could be in a pinch, but not full-time.
Having two of them (or a third one as the #7) on the third pairing's fine by me. Struble's playing a loooot better than what he showed at Northeastern, so I'm happy he's proving me wrong.
Our problem is slots 1 through 4.
Guhle's got one of those slots on the left. I will safely assume Reinbacher's got one on the right. Hutson's probably a shoe-in, at the very worst, as the third pairing d-man, with a good chance to be a top-4 d-man.
We're missing a true #1 d-man and a top-4 RHD. Preferably that would be the same player.
Figure that out and we'll be ready to go.
Which brings up another issue: We have wayyyyy too many prospects on D with virtually nothing at forward beyond Roy & Heineman, and I don't think either are top-6 forwards in the NHL.
Now would be a real opportunity to trade away some of the excessive depth we have for some forwards...
Having two of them (or a third one as the #7) on the third pairing's fine by me. Struble's playing a loooot better than what he showed at Northeastern, so I'm happy he's proving me wrong.
Our problem is slots 1 through 4.
Guhle's got one of those slots on the left. I will safely assume Reinbacher's got one on the right. Hutson's probably a shoe-in, at the very worst, as the third pairing d-man, with a good chance to be a top-4 d-man.
We're missing a true #1 d-man and a top-4 RHD. Preferably that would be the same player.
Figure that out and we'll be ready to go.
Which brings up another issue: We have wayyyyy too many prospects on D with virtually nothing at forward beyond Roy & Heineman, and I don't think either are top-6 forwards in the NHL.
Now would be a real opportunity to trade away some of the excessive depth we have for some forwards...
Lane is on the way.
that would be nice
Struble looks nothing like the 4th forward d-man he tried too often to be at Northeastern. He’s seems to be in control. Hopefully he won’t revert to his old ways too much as he gains confidence but . . . he’s an exceptional athlete and that can carry you far.
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Barron might be on the bubble. His ceiling looks higher than the other 3rd liners.
I’m not sure Kovacevic can hang with that group. I think he hit his ceiling…
I’m not sure Kovacevic can hang with that group. I think he hit his ceiling…
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
So far so good with Struble. He may have learned well in Laval.
GGpX
Well-known member
There was an article somewhere (RDS?) that Struble said he had the best summer of his life when it came to training, so maybe that helps.
As you said, maybe they weren't using him properly at Northeastern. He always seemed like a player that would too often take the wrong decision.
GGpX
Well-known member
Give it a few months. Even if they don't trade him this year, he'll be traded next year. We're not going to be giving him another contract.
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Dickinson
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Some talking heads said his game is “more suitable” for the pros than NCAA.
I’m not sure what the hell that means.
I get the impression that maybe he saw the light and plays within himself. Which is fine, it probably gets him an NHL career.
GGpX
Well-known member
Barron is safe for the time being because once you get past Savard-Barron-Kovacevic, there's no RHD depth beyond Lindstrom & Mailloux. He's improved since his arrival and he'll need to continue improving, or they'll always be looking to get an improvement on him.
I've said this since last year with Kovacevic: The Winnipeg Jets, who don't have a great defense, didn't think he was good enough to be on their roster but he was good enough to play 77 games with us last year. That isn't to say that he's bad just because of that, but it's not a good sign. It'd be one thing if he was blocked behind a bunch of d-men on a Cup contending team, but... When you're getting blocked by Logan Stanley & Dylan Samberg? Not a good sign.
GGpX
Well-known member
I like Dickinson a lot. I just wish he was a RHD.
At a certain point, a LHD prospect / youth depth of
Guhle
Hutson
Dickinson (in theory)
Xhekaj
Engstrom
Harris
Struble
Trudeau
Norlinder
It's overkill. Especially with the lack of RHD & forward prospects.
At some point, we need to figure out if some (or any?) of them can play RHD with a left shot. If they can switch to the right side full time, there's a much bigger opening to making the NHL than staying the on left.