Habsy
Yes, I'm kidding people.
Since we all know the Habs aren't rebuilding and are simply retooling, this would be a good place to discuss the changes needed.
Bergevin started the retool last summer. We all know you simply cannot do it all in a year, regardless of luck. The Habs have helped their center position greatly and hopefully KK becomes that #1 center they sorely need. If there is a center available reasonably this summer MB should take a look. My concern is that he want's Duchene. He just turned 28 and is still likely good for a PPG however I don't think he should get top dollar.
Players to retain (some because they are still under contract):
(Age in parenthesis)
Forwards:
Kotkaniemi (18)
Domi (24)
Byron (29)
Tatar (28)
Gallagher (26) - (although he'd bring a ransom)
Armia (25) (RFA)
Lehkonen (23) (RFA)
Shaw (27)
Danault (26)
This gives us:
Gallagher-Danault-Tatar
Shaw-Domi-XXX
XXX-Kotkaniemi-Byron
Lehkonen-XXX-Armia
Forwards to release or trade:
Drouin (24) - He needs to be moved for help on the blue line. Yes I see the irony but Sergachev hasn't panned out yet either. I'm tired of seeing Drouin dog it and I can't help but thinking the team sees it too.
Weal (26) - UFA - bye
Thompson (34) UFA - bye
Weise (30) - 1 year left $2.3M - bury him in Laval and take the $950K credit.
Peca (25) - 1 yr left at $1.3M - same as Weise - Laval
Deslauriers (28) - 1 yr left at $950K - Laval
Hudon (24) - RFA - Bye
The Habs have a projected Cap SPace availability of $16.1M next season. If they manage to trade Drouin the space is $21.6M. There is room to add.
The 9 forwards I listed above for retention are likely to stay. Armia and Lehkonen would make up an awesome fourth line. Scorers need to be inserted into the top 9 positions they held this season.
Defense:
Retained:
Weber (33)
Petry (31)
Mete (20) - ELC
Questionable:
Kulak (25) - RFA
Reilly (25) - RFA
Folin - (28) - UFA
I can go either way on these guys however I do not think they should be main cogs on D. The left side is atrocious.
Release:
Benn (31) - UFA - BYE!
The D really needs to be fixed. I'd say it's the most important aspect of the team requiring change and the PP should be kept in mind when doing so as well.
XXX-Weber
XXX-Petry
Mete-XXX
Is where this D should be with improvements to the XXX obviously.
Goaltending:
Price (31)
Buh bye:
Niemi (35) - UFA
Still on cap:
Alzner (30) - 3 years @ $3.5M per
Mason (30) - 1 more year @ $1.36M
Pacioretty retained salary comes off this season.
All that out of the way, suggestions for logical changes?
Bergevin started the retool last summer. We all know you simply cannot do it all in a year, regardless of luck. The Habs have helped their center position greatly and hopefully KK becomes that #1 center they sorely need. If there is a center available reasonably this summer MB should take a look. My concern is that he want's Duchene. He just turned 28 and is still likely good for a PPG however I don't think he should get top dollar.
Players to retain (some because they are still under contract):
(Age in parenthesis)
Forwards:
Kotkaniemi (18)
Domi (24)
Byron (29)
Tatar (28)
Gallagher (26) - (although he'd bring a ransom)
Armia (25) (RFA)
Lehkonen (23) (RFA)
Shaw (27)
Danault (26)
This gives us:
Gallagher-Danault-Tatar
Shaw-Domi-XXX
XXX-Kotkaniemi-Byron
Lehkonen-XXX-Armia
Forwards to release or trade:
Drouin (24) - He needs to be moved for help on the blue line. Yes I see the irony but Sergachev hasn't panned out yet either. I'm tired of seeing Drouin dog it and I can't help but thinking the team sees it too.
Weal (26) - UFA - bye
Thompson (34) UFA - bye
Weise (30) - 1 year left $2.3M - bury him in Laval and take the $950K credit.
Peca (25) - 1 yr left at $1.3M - same as Weise - Laval
Deslauriers (28) - 1 yr left at $950K - Laval
Hudon (24) - RFA - Bye
The Habs have a projected Cap SPace availability of $16.1M next season. If they manage to trade Drouin the space is $21.6M. There is room to add.
The 9 forwards I listed above for retention are likely to stay. Armia and Lehkonen would make up an awesome fourth line. Scorers need to be inserted into the top 9 positions they held this season.
Defense:
Retained:
Weber (33)
Petry (31)
Mete (20) - ELC
Questionable:
Kulak (25) - RFA
Reilly (25) - RFA
Folin - (28) - UFA
I can go either way on these guys however I do not think they should be main cogs on D. The left side is atrocious.
Release:
Benn (31) - UFA - BYE!
The D really needs to be fixed. I'd say it's the most important aspect of the team requiring change and the PP should be kept in mind when doing so as well.
XXX-Weber
XXX-Petry
Mete-XXX
Is where this D should be with improvements to the XXX obviously.
Goaltending:
Price (31)
Buh bye:
Niemi (35) - UFA
Still on cap:
Alzner (30) - 3 years @ $3.5M per
Mason (30) - 1 more year @ $1.36M
Pacioretty retained salary comes off this season.
All that out of the way, suggestions for logical changes?