Actually love these lines, and first time I've seen them like this. Only thing is Hoffman would play LW and Armia on RW

Are you suggesting they spend that $5.9M? Where have Kulak, Perreault and Paquette gone? Waivers? If so, that hurts the depth. Also, if you had a 21 man roster and spent to the cap, that would create all sorts of headaches when someone gets injured and you need to call up a replacement, then likely place someone on waivers when the injured player returns. Plus, Byron is coming back in January, so you need space for his contract. Lastly... Hoffman on the 4th line?!

I like Hoffman’s wicked left handed shot on the right side of the ice, getting fed from the left (so he can get it off even quicker). Tarasenko style.
I agree though that every shift will have different sets of circumstances and both wingers will find themselves on different sides multiples times per game regardless of where they line up. But yeah, both Hoffman and Armia are able to play both.

your 2nd line would be wildly inconsistent.... should add some stability to that line

I’m suggesting that we CAN spend up to $6mm if we need to. I don’t pretend to know with certainty who will or won’t be available at any particular point in time the season. But if someone we want is available, it’s good to know that cap space won’t be the primary constraint.

In our case though, pretty sure our players won’t be flaunting our LTIR usage with “$18mm over the cap” t-shirts.

What makes you say that? I assume Drouin. Because Dvorak and Anderson are two of the most consistent and stable players you’ll find anywhere in the league.

Care to add to your reasoning?

When players clear waivers, they don’t subtract from your depth, they add to it. No more recall waivers in the CBA. Times have changed.
I agree that you though that we only put them on waivers if:
A) you’re pretty sure they’re gonna clear (I.e. no one’s willing to offer you a 6-7th round pick for them)
and
B) you need the cap space for someone else who helps the team more (and you’re now able to have both, not just one).

If we think Kulak will be claimed, then we can probably get a late round pick for him, and then we actually have closer to $7mm in cap space.
I think we’re setting with left shot D depth, wanting to give a real chance to both Romanov and Norlinder.
We can use the cap space to probably bring in better right shot D depth than Wideman. Possibly Demers or Vatanen as a #6-7 at a cap hit lower (or in and around) Kulak’s.

LTIR replacement room is not a problem, with Weber, we have tons of it.
And re: Hoffman, it’s probably best not to think of him on a “line number.” He will have a specific role, including the powerplay, and will get an appropriate number of minutes. He’s not going to be asked to fill a checking role.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Byron’s only back come playoff time. There’s no reason to rush anything, we’re flush with quality wingers.

Anderson went dead cold ... didnt score a single point in his last 11 games and had 4 points in the last 20 games..."most consistent and stable players you’ll find anywhere in the league" 4 points in the 2nd half of a season isnt great

Dvorak went 9 games without a point... and multiple time during last year he went 3-4 games with no points... not nearly as bad as Anderson but Dvorak is more of a great 3c on a cup contending team not really a 2c on one of those teams

Your view of the word consistent refers exclusively to offensive production?
Yeah, that’s not the way this Habs team is built. Two way hockey, and team success over personal stats.
overall effort level and playing the team system matters way more to everyone over here are far as the word “consistent” goes.

yeah..... Anderson is a guy you expect to score.... goals and put up points. if they are concerned with "Two way hockey, and team success over personal stats. overall effort level and playing the team system matters way more to everyone over here are far as the word “consistent” goes" if the was true they would have sign PD or found a better player for a 1st and 2nd round pick than Dvorak who has lackluster offensive and defensive numbers? so you think Anderson scoring 0 points in his last 11 games was great and hes the poster boy for consistency ? lol fair enough

I don’t expect you to understand. But you’re welcome to watch our games if you’re unsure of how he’s appreciated on our roster.

Just seems strange to me to have a natural Lefty play RW and a natural Righty playing LW, on the same line nonetheless.

im not saying that he's not a "valuable player" but you seem to be okay with him not producing for really long stretches during the year. By definition hes wildly inconsistent... He played in the North Division where points were extremely easy to come by and he struggled a lot. Also in a normal season your teams playing style would have had them missing the playoffs....ironic i understand. Habs play fits playoffs hockey but isnt really sustainable for regular season hockey. i have them as a lottery team this year