Habs 2025 Offseason

[TheCountofMonteCristo]

I wouldn’t say “easily.” The Caps are much deeper and more built for the playoffs than us.

Game 1, Matheson had winner on his stick with 15 seconds to go

Game 2. Evans had tie game on his stick, could win OT

Game 4 ahead in 3rd.

Capiturds hadn't won a series since 2018

 

[Habsy]

Ren's followers don't know that.

Neither do you

 

[Krustchev]

I expect some regression next season - might not make the playoffs - but very good team in two years (like contending for the Atlantic and the East).

 

[GEEMAN]

I know he's only 20-21......but he is what he is....not everyone can come in the league and be all business and hungry like Caufield was....

But 18 goals is absolutely unacceptable for someone making 8M, and playing with a 90-point center (Suzuki), a star winger (Cole)...and having played all year on the 1st PP unit.

Yup next year needs to be his Jack Hughes I have arrived in year 4

 

[GEEMAN]

I expect some regression next season - might not make the playoffs - but very good team in two years.

Excellent point Kruk , everything went too good over 2 and a half months

 

[Krustchev]

Yup next year needs to be his Jack Hughes I have arrived in year 4

If he doesn't, Demidov will supplant him on the first line, which he probably realizes.

 

[Stinky]

I like this team and I like this thread. If they stay healthy they'll be in contention for the first wildcard spot or maybe even third in the Atlantic.

 

[WeHaveMoreCupsThanYou]

I expect some regression next season - might not make the playoffs - but very good team in two years (like contending for the Atlantic and the East).

And if or when they regress, the knives will be out for MSL.

 

[AH$$$]

I expect some regression next season - might not make the playoffs - but very good team in two years (like contending for the Atlantic and the East).

Which is why I don’t think the rebuild is done just because we had a good few months. The current group doesn’t have staying power, ie ability to make it back here without significant changes.

As a result I don’t know what the right balance is. You don’t want to do nothing at all and you certainly don’t want to have an Ottawa style summer of Pierre.

One thing I would absolutely do is trade our two middle first round picks and get into the top 10, which would be the reverse of the summer of Pierre (trading the 7th pick for Debrincat).

 

[Krustchev]

Which is why I don’t think the rebuild is done just because we had a good few months. The current group doesn’t have staying power, ie ability to make it back here without significant changes.

As a result I don’t know what the right balance is. You don’t want to do nothing at all and you certainly don’t want to have an Ottawa style summer of Pierre.

One thing I would absolutely do is trade our two middle first round picks and get into the top 10, which would be the reverse of the summer of Pierre (trading the 7th pick for Debrincat).

And move on from Matheson.

 

[AH$$$]

And move on from Matheson.

I think Matheson with his skill set can add 5 years to his career by being a shutdown guy. He is just not have the sense to be an offensive D (despite the skating , shot and build).

 

[Krustchev]

I think Matheson with his skill set can add 5 years to his career by being a shutdown guy. He is just not have the sense to be an offensive D (despite the skating , shot and build).

I’d still move on from him. Guhle is a much better shut down D. Matheson is also a moron on the ice far too often.

 

[Guinch]

I’d still move on from him. Guhle is a much better shut down D. Matheson is also a moron on the ice far too often.

Id like to see Guhle get some PP time also next year.

 

[AH$$$]

You can have more than one on the left side. I predict he gets resigned at some point next season.

 

[Habspatrol]

I expect some regression next season - might not make the playoffs - but very good team in two years (like contending for the Atlantic and the East).

If they stand pat, then yeah... Some regression wouldn't be a surprise. However, if they get a legit 2C and a top 4 damn... Combined with a full year of Demidov. I don't see how they fall back.

 

[Krustchev]

You can have more than one on the left side. I predict he gets resigned at some point next season.

I sincerely hope not.

 

[hairnova]

I've seen this movie way too many times...i call it the Benoit Pouliot syndrome...you shouldn't need someone to tell you to ''up your consistency'' when you're in the NHL.

For sure Slaf is a unicorn, and he's just starting his career....you dream of having a player with his size and talent on your team.

But it's definitely a red flag that he can't turn it on more often, especially when you have Suzuki-Cole on your line showing you how it should be done

Regardless....i'm sure he'll only get better as he matures...and becomes a true professional

Pouliot never had more than 36 points in a season, Slaf already has two 50+ point seasons.

Slaf cares, he just seems to forget he's 6'3, 238 and that no one can do anything about him if he plays that size.

 

[GEEMAN]

If they stand pat, then yeah... Some regression wouldn't be a surprise. However, if they get a legit 2C and a top 4 damn... Combined with a full year of Demidov. I don't see how they fall back.

the bottom 6 overachieved this year , big reason why we made the playoffs down the stretch

There will be some departures but need to keep that group productive

 

[Krustchev]

Pouliot never had more than 36 points in a season, Slaf already has two 50+ point seasons.

Slaf cares, he just seems to forget he's 6'3, 238 and that no one can do anything about him if he plays that size.

As I said, I think that Demidov's presence next season form day 1 will help him to constantly remind himself of that fact.

 

[Habspatrol]

I look at big, talented guys like Dylan Strome who take many years to really hit their stride. Slaf may not have made giant leaps, offensively year after year so far... but his game has consistently improved.

In his 20-year-old season he scores 50 points and puts up 200 hits. He's shaping up to be a problem for the entire league.