randell.bsky.social
Retired and loving it, Husband, Dad, loves the Habs, the ocean, cod fishing.
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Excellent article Lori. I also love the idea of playing Dobson & Hutson on separate pairings to support the offense. For me I wouldn’t mind Mailloux on 3rd pairing. It will be much easier to adjust to NHL. I love what Hugo are doing to improve the team. And they are not finished.
Thanks Lori
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Couldn’t agree with you more. He just turned 22 in April. He still has a lot to learn, but he is on right path. His size, physicality, offense is already there. Improve defense and he is good NHL player. If we trade for high end player, then someone has to go. But I would keep him if possible.
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I never heard he was on the market, just Elliot Friedman saying Utah, Seattle, and Montreal may be active soon. And Montreal needs 2 nd line center.
But I think he would be good choice
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Good Ontario boy would fit in with Suzuki
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More upside from his other seasons
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Would Barrett Hayden be a target if can’t get Beniers or Mason. He should be little cheaper and he should have more upside. Any thoughts
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Agree, and all three of these players will have good careers in the NHL. They may not all play with Montreal, but with NHl teams. In another couple years, Montreal’s defense will be up there as a group, and may be leading the NHL. They are on the right track
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Reinbacher
Mailloux
XheKaj
Beck
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I am few years older, and I never saw as many wild fires in Canada as there’s been the last 3 or 4 years. The weather is differently changing. We had 2 snow storms in St. John’s this winter. Some days we get 3-5 cms snow, gone within few hrs.
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Please continue posting here Jack. I read and enjoy all your articles. This site need more writers like you. Keep blocking.
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Ok
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I guess that would give Hughes more options if needed
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I understood he said there were other ways to improve the 2nd line other than center. He mentioned high end forward as another way. Demidov is already on the team. It’s either another center or winger.
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It will be interesting to see what happens to Engstrom. Will he be in Laval next year? Or used in trade? Matheson is under contract for another year. But Adam Engstrom is becoming a good D and will be in the NHL someday
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Yes I read that too. And if they add a winger for 2nd line, it would be high end. It will be a fun summer for sure.
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I would love that, but I think Toronto would match. Tavares is UFA, I’m sure they want Knies more than Tavares at this point.
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Happy Birthday Claude have a great day
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Good question. I don’t think they will package both to move up, because I don’t think the top 5 picks will be traded. I think Hughes will use a player on the team, prospects, and maybe one of the 2 1st picks. Anyone’s guess
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Yes this should be exciting summer. They need 60 pt guy, for #2 center. Demidov will be on 2nd line.
We definitely need help on D. I would also like a rugged vet D 28-30 yrs old. We have young D coming, not sure who is ready now, hopefully Reinbacher can make it. LM checks lot boxes, if he makes it
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He is probably my #1 choice
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I have no doubt Hughes will have his center. I don’t think he will use his two 1st rd picks either. He may move a player not fitting in , take back bad contract, he will have options with all his draft picks and prospects. Gonna be a fun summer
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Yes, I remember Hughes saying couple years ago, in 2025-2026 will be big year for this team. Cap going up, UFA’s leaving, Hughes will have 20 mil to spend. No excuses next year, not to be competitive. This team will make playoffs no problem, unless injuries.
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And for me I’m fine with that. Scoring shouldn’t be issue going forward, especially if Hughes gets #2 center this summer. As the team grows and gets good, every team they play will be targeting our small skilled forwards. Need some Anderson types to keep keep them honest
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You may be right. But Tkachuk wasn’t good fighter the first couple years. Juraj is 21, he will have more fights as he takes another step. Tkachuk will be 26 in sept. As long as Slaf can push back, drive to net, score more, I’m happy. Florian will be Habs after another year. He’ll take the fights
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I would love that
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Totally agree, and I’m with you on that. I like Slafkovsky to score 100 points. I guess my point was, if you can get a power forward to produce 60-65 points, take on the heavy weights, that has value. Jamie Benn, Bill Guerin types
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Tom Wilson scored 33 goals , 65 points. I take that every day. Anderson didn’t have good year, but his physically is much needed. As long as checking is allowed, you need these types of players
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I agree , I like Armia’s PK, but for 4th line player, we need more contact, more hits. We have Evan’s for PK, I would move on from Armia & Dvorak.
Hughes said 2 years ago, 2025 would be big year for rebuild. I’m expecting changes for next season. At least 2 established players by trade or UFA
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Some good options there JD. The first 3 listed as C are good, age fits our rebuild. For more established I like Larkin & Horvat. Both are great.
Anderson or Ristolainen are good Rd for me.
Great job again JD. You will be missed.
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Yes we have help coming with these forwards. Not sure if any will make Habs next year.
I can see Hughes add another D this summer. During the playoffs, there were many times our D struggled to get puck out. With Savard gone, we have 1 shutdown D, Guhle.
Another Vet D will buy time for DR & LM
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There are worse players on this team than Newhook. His speed is needed, may end up on 3rd line. He is only 24, he should have another gear. He is still improving.
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Agree David and I think Slafkovsky will continue to grow into power forward, but not same level as Anderson or Wilson. I have no issues with the Hutson & Caufield. Florian XheKaj will help. Our D will be bigger with Reinbacher & Mailloux. But we need to add this summer. Get another Anderson type
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It will be interesting. At Matheson’s age he will probably like to sign 5 year deal. Does Hughes want him for another 5 years with Adam Engstrom close to NHL. Hughes will have busy summer.
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Don’t think so lol.
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What will Montreal do with Matheson? He has one year left. They are not letting him walk next summer. So will they resign him or move him?
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Agree, Xhekaj is only 24, need to improve. Don’t go chasing a hit.
But the violence in playoffs was always there. Im thinking changes soon. Florida’s D
2x6.6’, 2x6.4 2x6.1 plus
6 forwards 6.3, that’s big team. That’s 10 players 6.3 or bigger. Physically in NHL is getting worse.
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Another great read Eric. This team is going in the right direction.
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Montreal and Quebec had many physical games. Sometimes all players were fighting. They hated each other. Brothers fighting brothers. That was violent hockey.
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With respect David, I disagree with you. Being on a roster in playoffs will not stop other players from checking. But Xhekaj can hit back, along with Anderson. Brian is right, this team needs to add more players to help Xhekaj and Anderson. I love Gally, but he don’t hurt people.
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Great article Brian. You nailed it.This team will be much better next year. You made great point about violence in playoffs. This team needs more physical players both on D and forwards. Look at cup winners. All the teams had physical players. Montreal did as well years ago.
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Agree Claude, Montreal will win this game. There, I said it. Gohabsgo
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Agree, Bergevin understood playoff hockey. He always said can’t have too many D. For me, I like to see another veteran physical shutdown D. Next year we should make playoffs again, and be more prepared to go deep. Exciting times for next number of years
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I read earlier today Savard had Maintenance day.
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With respect I’m not too concerned about critics. It doesn’t mean they are right. Lots of fans were not concerned about the first 2 games, seeing Caufield getting run over.
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Yes, but he didn’t have much encouragement under Ducharme. Look what happened to Caufield. MSL came in and saved the day.
But yes, Primeau didn’t have lot of confidence. I agree he is better now.
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Good news