Edited Mar. 4, 2022 at 12:26 a.m.
The question I would ask is the following: Can you win a championship with such and such a player?
For example: people like Drouin because of his hands and speed, but he is often hurt and he would do better playing in an American non-hockey market. Lehkonen, again, people love him but he has done the same thing for several years. He tantalizes us with his smarts and defensive abilities but then he also disappears for a bunch of games. Same can be said about Armia.
In 1984, Bill parcels who was then an NFL coach, said in a litter of puppies, you look for the one that has some bite. I've been saying this for 5 years. Hockey teams need continuation. The Habs drafted very poorly from 2012 to 2017. Then improved in the last 4 drafts. That is why people keep saying, the team has good older players and a good crop of young players, but they have a glaring weakness in the middle. For this reason, I've been saying for 3 years, move your older players and build around your younger core.
For example: The current Defensemen, I would only keep Romanov and Schueneman. Romi we all know he can hit and do well in all aspects. He will never be an elite player but he will be a jack of all trades, heavy hitter. Schueneman, I would keep because he can skate and he does not cost much. He is a depth d-man. A lot of people like Kulak. But what does he bring you? points? no, hitting? no, leadership? no. He skates well but he never generates much.
So I would go through entire roster and ask can we win with this guy?
Montreal has Guhle, Mailloux, Harris, Norlinder and Xhekaj coming. Guhle is a 1 or a 3, Mailloux is a 2 or a 4, Harris 1 or 3, Norlinder 3 or 5, Xhekaj a 5. Eventually on these guys, not right away. So you should have some good D.
McNiven is gone. Primeau sill needs some time, but two goalies I've been tracking is Dobes and Dichow. Both these goalies look very promising.
I haven't gone through the forwards as this is getting long, but you have the idea.