I can't find it now, but earlier today I saw a quote that Drouin would be willing to go back to the center ice position this year if he was asked to. According to Hockey Reference, he hasn't played center much since his first year in MTL, in which he only won 42 percent of faceoffs... sure, that's not very good, but there's always room for improvement. Jesperi wasn't much better, and the stat can sometimes be a bit overrated; they didn't win the Cup, but the Rangers went to the finals/conference finals with one of the lowest face off percentages in the league, just for an example.
Burgervan of course does not match the overpaid troll offer sheet, and Drouin replaces Jesperi as the 2C, and they now can get 3million dollar Armia off of the 4th line. They start the season with this lineup, and see how it plays out. Throughout the year, try Poehling in the 3C role, and just generally switch around Evans, Poehling, and Pacquette in the 3C and 4C spot. If needed, there is cap space left over for a rental or a mid-year trade if this is all really not working out. But, with not much coming off the books next year, I think it is best to leave some cap on the table for Suzuki's extension next year.
Burgervan can also consider signing Staal for depth and/or another 3rd pairing defenseman for Romanov with the extra space if need be. But unless they can offload one of their wingers, I don't think going for Dvorak or someone will be very smart considering not much comes off next year, and Suzuki should be signed to a nice extension... then, Caufield the next year
There is a good chance Montreal doesnt even make the playoffs this season- by no means a sure thing. Happened to Dallas the year before, and with that messed up schedule last year a few teams will take big slides- or big moves up with the return to a balanced 82 game schedule (*fingers crossed).
Even with KK, the Habs centers was among the weakest in the league after losing Danault....and Bergevin adds more small wingers in Hoffman and Perrault? I think his lucky streak ended, and now theyre going to take a step backwards. Staal would help, not sure what offers hes getting, but one of him or Zajac/Bozak on 1yr deals is needed to get them into playoff contention.
Drouin went on to say " but that is not a viable option". So Drouin himself knows that it is a bad idea but somehow Montreal's management will think it is a great option?!
Drouin went on to say " but that is not a viable option". So Drouin himself knows that it is a bad idea but somehow Montreal's management will think it is a great option?!
Ah, I didn't have a lot of time and just saw the headline/blurb about it. Well thanks for clarifying
... now we can go back to trading him for a 2C : P
Ah, I didn't have a lot of time and just saw the headline/blurb about it. Well thanks for clarifying
... now we can go back to trading him for a 2C : P
Sorry for the bit of sarcasm kind of been a long day for me lol. My hope is that Montreal matches and makes KK earn his money. Even if he truly wants out he will have to raise his value enough for other teams to be willing to trade for him and as such our return would be better than the late 1st and 3rd anyway.
There is a good chance Montreal doesnt even make the playoffs this season- by no means a sure thing. Happened to Dallas the year before, and with that messed up schedule last year a few teams will take big slides- or big moves up with the return to a balanced 82 game schedule (*fingers crossed).
Even with KK, the Habs centers was among the weakest in the league after losing Danault....and Bergevin adds more small wingers in Hoffman and Perrault? I think his lucky streak ended, and now theyre going to take a step backwards. Staal would help, not sure what offers hes getting, but one of him or Zajac/Bozak on 1yr deals is needed to get them into playoff contention.
Yeah, I think it's just a good idea to try it out to start before making any major moves. We're finally back to a long season, we can experiment a little bit now! I think the team will compete for the 4th playoff spot in the Atlantic/wildcard, with this lineup or with a little extra depth. I think FLA and TBL are absolutely the 1 and 2, and TOR/BOS/MTL will battle it out for the last two spots. I don't think 5 Metro teams make it this year
Sorry for the bit of sarcasm kind of been a long day for me lol. My hope is that Montreal matches and makes KK earn his money. Even if he truly wants out he will have to raise his value enough for other teams to be willing to trade for him and as such our return would be better than the late 1st and 3rd anyway.
Oh no, I didn't take it as sarcastic or mean or anything. You're fine, I don't mind admitting my ignorance here since I didn't read the whole thing haha
I don't know, that's a lot of money for Jesperi, especially with arbitration next year and stuff. I'd still take the picks, even if it means you have to trade someone. Either way, there's just too many wingers, I don't think it's a good long term thing to have both Armia and Lehkonen on the 4th line with their money and skill. Someone has to go, and Drouin is kind of the weakest link in the top 9 anyway
That team doesn’t get into the playoffs, like in 2018 when Drouin was 2C...
Hm disagree, in 2017-18 Drouin was actually forced into the 1C role that year (he had the most 5v5 ice time of any forward) on a truly awful team. This season's team has far better depth on the wings, it's not comparable at all, and Drouin would be better insulated playing behind Suzuki, who looks like a real 1C. Drouin had a fantastic season in junior playing full time center for Dom Ducharme in Halifax, and honestly did not do half bad at C in 17-18 considering the unrealistic role he was forced into.
If we can also bolster the center depth by adding a player who wins 50%+ of draws like Dvorak, I'm with mvp13 and think this could definitely be a good solution.
Also everyone wants to write off the Habs for playoff contention, but I say not so fast with a team that has a goalie tandem of Price/Allen and pretty good goal scoring depth at forward.
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