In 2025 out D could be lethal

Guhle-Mailloux
Hudson-Reinbacher
Matheson/Engstrom/Xhekaj-Barron/Harris/Savard

Kovacevic

Whoever it is, you are feeding him to the wolves

I agree. I expect to see Barron, Harris and Savard traded later this year or next.

My guess is Newhook gets first dibs. But it will all depend on training camp imo.

If it were up to me, I’d stick Slaf on whichever line Monahan will be on, and keep them together. The thing I didn’t like with what Habs did with Slaf last season is that he never had consistent linemates and bounced around the lineup.

My only concern with Newhook on the first line would be size.

I think that’ll always be an issue so long as Suzuki and Caufield will be paired together, no matter who gets put with them.

An interesting idea, if size really becomes an issue, would be to split Suzuki and Caufield. Something like:

Caufield - Dach - Newhook/Slafkovsky
Slafkovsky/Newhook - Suzuki - Monahan

TBH, I think Roy might get some camp time on that line and make it hard to break up.

I hope you’re right, but my money will be on Beck cracking the starting roster. There’s more at stake with his development. If Roy doesn’t make the Habs, he’ll still get pro experience in Laval. Beck would have to go back the OHL, and I doubt the Habs and Beck himself has any interest in going back to junior (he’s got nothing left to prove there)
Not to mention Dvorak likely won’t start the season, so a bottom 6 Center spot is practically Beck’s to lose.

Anything can happen, but Roy would have to have a phenomenal camp to displace someone (Armia?), whereas Beck would just need to have a solid camp imo, nothing special, to secure his spot.

well, Caufield plays LEFT WING...
so you're looking for a large RW. So Anderson. This year anyways, who knows about next year.

Su is on 1st
New is on 2nd

Beck has some pretty stiff competition for a center spot. 1-2C are taken by Zuke and Dach, 3C is likely filled by Monahan and 4C is Evans. Now beating out Evans is pretty simple if Beck can chip in on the offense but the other 3 are pretty well solidified in their spots. That doesn't mean Beck can't displace Monahan and move him to the wing it's just not an easy task. Now if we are betting on which rookie will make it on the opening night roster out of camp, the smart money is on Beck but I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be Reinbacher who makes it.

As much as Habs management want Dach at C (and they will definitely try) until he can prove to be a decent face-off guy (let’s face it, he stunk at the dot last season, although not as much as with Chicago) I still see them pairing him with another Center. Be it Suzuki or Monahan. So for me, that 3C position is wide open.

My projected forward group to start the season is:

Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Slafkovsky - Dach - Monahan
RHP - Beck - Anderson
Armia - Evans - Gallagher

Ylonen and Pezetta (extras), Dvorak (IR) and when he comes back decide to either send Beck to junior or waive Armia or Ylonen (Hopefully Armia lol)



Also, I REALLY hope they don’t rush Reinbacher and put him on the roster, doesn’t even matter how good a camp he has. There’s really no point to throw him to the wolves. When Habs still have Savard, Barron, Kovacevic, and even Wideman *barf* at RD that would take away valuable minutes away from Reinbacher, just let him play 25+ minutes a night in Laval or Kloten, and play 30+ minutes a game at the World Juniors.

My projected D core is:

Matheson - Barron
Guhle - Savard
Xhekaj - Harris
Kovacevic (extra)

Habs are notorious for rushing their top picks now it’s not even funny anymore (Galchenyuk, Kotkaniemi, and even Slafkovsky imo should of gone to Laval or back to Europe instead of bouncing around the Habs lineup playing less than 10 minutes a night…)
The last top pick where the Habs actually took their time with…Carey Price… so for the love of god please please please keep Reinbacher away from this current D core. It might not be because Reinbacher isn’t ready, he very well could be, but it’s 100% because the Habs aren’t ready for Reinbacher.

Reinbacher has been playing pro hockey for 2 years albeit in Europe but still pro hockey, he is ready for more competition. I don't mind sending him to Laval but does he really need much more development? He dominated the NL last season at 18 playing against the leagues best lines, sure more ice time would be beneficial to build up his stamina but the one major reason for him not being NHL ready is like most prospects just drafted he needs to put on more muscle. No matter where he plays he will build it, so why send him anywhere if he isn't going to benefit from it? If he is ready, then keep him, if there are questions about his game then definitely send him to Laval or Klotin.

I expect he will stay in Klotin 1 more year. This year will be focused on Mailloux. The other young D also need to mature a bit. Next year will be the big year when both Hudson and Reinbacher come up. Now this leaves Engstrom when will he join the big club.

Who will be traded to make room for these guys?

Who will they be paired with in their first year? I am expecting mailloux and Reinbacher will be paired with Matheson. I am expecting Hudson to be paired with Savard.

Slaf needs to find a home on the first or second line. Otherwise in the eyes of many Canadian fans he will be considered a bust. He is still very young but he has to show that he wants it this year. I for one am a fan and looking forward to see him play.

Reinbacher and Hudson were great at rookie camp, I can see them staying together once Hudson comes up. I half expect the Habs D to be comprised of all of Guhle, Hudson, Matheson, Reinbacher, Mailloux, Xhekaj and Savard in the next 2 years. I hate to say it but right now it looks like Engstrom, Harris and Barron are on the outside looking in.

I agree. Engstrom will most likely replace Savard in 25-26. Xhekaj will then be seventh D. I would not be surprised to see one or both Barron and Harris traded by this years trade deadline.