BHA

Been screaming at the TV... Why is Slaf on the half wall on the PP? Take up shop in front of the net, cause havoc and bang in rebounds. To me that's on the coaches - I assume he's doing what he is told. 🤷

I was gonna post a hot take that he would be starter for the first playoff game.

Is that good enough for a 2C?!🤣

One bad giveaway in the first but it will take some time to know where his teammates are going to be so I can blame it on being the new guy.

Sigh... Which is worse Galley or the Leaf Blowers CC/CS.

OK scores on a beauty set-up by Demi.

If we forecast this year based on the last half of last year then I think a lot of the experts are going to miss the mark. This was one of the top teams in the league in a lot of categories. Interested to see what MSL's accountability looks like. Laine on the 4th line to start speaks volumes to me!

I think it will be even better. I'm still concerned about offence so 260 is probably fair but I expect goals against to be lower because the defensive system is established and Dobes will be at least a goal per game improvement over Primeau. 260 / 245 is my forecast.

Agreed, but I see Nick on the PK to showcase for 🇨🇦 so that to me is an upgrade on Dvo. Bolduc and Newhook vs Armia. Replacing Savard is where I'm concerned.
Can PP improve more than PK falls? I think so, and Demi should draw more penalties giving them more chances. And Demi in the shootout...

Great read!
Bold prediction - Habs pass Ottawa this year and finish closer to 3rd in the Atlantic than 5th.
Justification - MSL isn't implementing a new defence system so the team will pick up where it left off in the Spring.

Having Slaf and Laine on the same PP meant that only 1 of them could have the puck at any given time so turnovers would be reduced! Being on separate lines...
But seriously - I dont like spreading out the talent. Put Demi on PP1 and you don't need a PP2 a lot more often.

And he's leaving them cap space to do it.

Who has to submit their line-up first?

His right glove came off so fast - must be spring loaded!

Imagine if Tkachuk was in this game...

Go figure - Habs in QC and a brawl breaks out!

I think he gets the chance as the 12th F and let the kids that can pass through waivers cook in Laval for 1 more year.

I liked the added wrinkles to the PP zone entry. If they keep adding options they will be much less predictable and that will be a good thing.

McDrai killing penalties together... Looks pretty lethal.

That would mean 12, 17 and 19 players in the league the past 3 years. Definitely a different criteria than I'm using! Rather than points I look at top in position across the league.
Generational - top player over 5+ years.

Superstar - top 5 in league

Star - 6-10 in league.

What is a generational talent? Star, Superstar, Elite? Need some criteria around these terms so we're measuring the same way. To me the generational talents in the league now are 8, 87 and 97. Until someone else is in 97's stratosphere that term can't apply...right?

Trade proposal :

Frankie to SN to do Habs games

Galley to the moon

Future Considerations to TSN

Just noticed they edit out the f-bombs. Not going to hear much from MSL on TSN for season 2!

Just finished season 2 now - the perfect set up for tonight's game.

Well... He's making about 6 Billion people look forward to one anyway.

Agreed - and how nice it is to have a top guy flexible to plug in on either side when there is an injury. Means the 7th D doesn't have to be a Swiss army knife.

My biggest question - is Lane better on the left side or right? I know the argument for playing on the strong side but Lane is unique and he just might be better where he is. That sort of changes the entire depth chart and makes AC the expendible one.

I think either MM or Carriere has to go when DR lands. MM has more trade value so I feel like it has to be him and then Lane moves back to the left side. I just can't see MM as a 3rd pair D and bumping AX out of the line-up - especially come playoffs. The hard part is DR may not be ready this year.

Shootout's... Yes please!

It is, but the oldest person in the top 6 is PL and he is only 27 this year. And the bottom 6 cupboards are well stocked as are the picks. I'm bias but I'm seeing better future depth on this team than any other, and a growing cap that will allow this team to stay in tact as they develop together.