Not That Bad Really

Team: 2022-23 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 7, 2022

Published: Aug. 7, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Last i heard Byron is a "Maybe" or "Not Likely" in reports for Camp
Not sure if its going to just be a late start or not but if he missed camp
He'll be set back even if he does return late once camp starts
Point is i dont see him being a factor in our roster or for TDL sale
More likely he joins MTL in Brassard as a Development Coach like Boullion did.

Drouin on the other hand reports show is likely to be good to go so im slotting him in.
Price its as always hard to say despite reports but i think he'll be back in tandem with Allen

Come TDL we'll sell off the UFA's we can while building up value for next years crop
After the TDL Slavkovsky likely riding a point streak will join MTL's top line
Ylonen will also join the team either slotting in on 4th and promoting Pitlick to 2nd
Or by jumping directly to play beside Dach -Anderson depending on his production level at that point

Hoffman i feel will build up value but i think MTL keeps him until he's a UFA
With 49.5% Power Play scored by Hoffman for 243/430 career points
Biling before we see MSL PP in full action after he gets a chance to fully make change is unwise
Hoffman was 3rd in scoring despite having an off year he was the best of the rest for better or wose


Hoffman's issue was he signed with the leagues worst PP in the SCF
Then we lost key players and MTL thought "Here's hoffman it fixes it"
He's just addressed 1 of the lost players but not the hole originally held.

I'm not saying Hoffman's a core guy
Im just saying we signed one of the better PP players the past 20 years to coach
Its illogical to give up a Power Play asset we can use and gain value with

More value in moving Evans out at his cap for an easy profit if roster space is needed
But with all the cap coming off after this year its best to just let it ride to TDL then let AHL prospects get their shot

The real hope here is we play well enough for middle of the pack maybe last seed striking distance then sell at the TDL.
MTL will either tank or go on a run based on Slavkovsky,Ghule and Ylonen joining to make the difference

Dadanov i'm hoping will be closer to Suzuki and Caufields production rate then his
He'll be getting a top line role something he hasnt in years and i think 55-60 pts for a Tatar like year
We'll be able to land a 1st for him with RS no problem im sure.

Drouin i think will play and well with likely Destination COL on the cheap
MTL will get something for him no doubt with 55%, 52% and 58% production rate the last 3 years.(59% in MTL total)
No Risk and High Reward either playing well or on LTIR
That said i think at best a conditional 2nd or more likely just a late 2nd and a B to A- prospect depending on Demand

Schuneman i think will get more but traditionally MTL sells D like him for a 4th to 5th pick
If he does what i think stepping into Kulaks role then a 3rd or possibly a late 2nd
Schuneman plays strong and confident with a good shot (kinda boring 5v5 saving risks for PP )


While our Youth stepping up will likely create a great push
I still think MTL ends up with a 4th-7th OA pick next year
Then i think they take some of the cap they made to fill holes youth havent yet


Would i love big flashy trades and big UFA's signed?
Sure i guess , but i also know if you're rebuilding under a new GM its better for it to happen now.
MB waited years and never fully did a rebuild so we couldnt put together a perrenial contender.
Hughes i believe is building a TBL type deep core that will grow together