Unfortunately we might have to do that. Its a shame because Kubalik is a very solid player.

Habs accept both. Kubalik could fetch a 3rd+ at deadline, even maybe a 2nd+

With the game yesterday, I’m pretty confident this team can compete for a wildcard spot. Helping our rival won’t be helpful

Habs aren't sniffing a playoff spot for years lmao

tbf, MTL was like 4 pts away from a playoff spot on DEC 1 last year, and then injuries started again. If MTL doesn't get this injured this year, they will be super underrated and finish way higher than people though. I still don't think they make the playoffs in any scenario, but they definitely could finish in the high 20s this year

I wonder if we could keep him and play him with RHP to spark few good goals

I hope we still finish bottom 10 to grab another great young kid

They got far in the game last night and they looked better than Ottawa. I think they might have a chance if they stay healthy

If we aren't top 3, it's not worth it (so far). There is a significant drop in offensive talent after the 3rd best forward, and MTL really doesn't need another D. If we can win as much as possible and get growth from our young guys, that would be more valuable.

Carolina is a far better team than Toronto, better coached and has better goaltending. Ottawa won the first period and could have won the game if not for Andersen. I didn't see the Montreal and Toronto game but I saw a close score.

However, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida, Boston, Detroit, and Tampa are all in a similar echelon and I think that with the quality of roster that Montreal is just below that. They might surprise if stuff falls their way but their goaltending would have to be excellent cause Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, and even Tampa are going to score a lot and not defend or let in a lot.

Keep in mind that Ottawa was also only 6 pts out of a playoff spot with huge injury trouble last year as well.

I think Montreal will finish last but they won't be a pushover. Similar to Ottawa the last few years, hard team to play, but they lose more often then they win.

Also, important to note this was the first game. If we are truly going of the first game then Edmonton would be trading 97 et al and Vancouver would be the class of the league.

We won't see the good teams till end of November.

we might win it again who knows

Kubalik is a PP weapon but our need is more ES defense and PK. We don't have the cap space to have all of Tarasenko, Kubalik and Pinto, simple as that. You choose 2


Not to be a debbie downer but Dorion and DJ Smith are soooooo incompetent that a lot of teams have been catching up, even Montreal who started their rebuild just 2 years ago (Ottawa 6 years ago). Ottawa is still far ahead but the gap has closed immensily in a short period of time.

It's a shame because we clearly had the best future in the NHL after that legendary 2020 draft... Dorion has done nothing but sabotage his own team ever since

Next summer you guys are going to be a better team. Don't let it down you have a great future ahead but yeah a betta coaching staff might help.

The choice is between Joseph, Kubalik, or Pinto. Tarasenko has a no trade clause so that is not an option.

so true, playoffs are decided based on which team does a better job at losing an away game on opening night

If it wasn't a 4-minutes of 6 vs 5 you guys would be losing the first game. So yeah biggest loser become biggest winner I guess :P

I'm not saying Bush holds much value, but we don't have a roster spot for Pearson, and we've no use for a stalled out LHD prospect.

Bush at least is useful to our roster. He's probably a TDL sell off piece but not before then.

Toronto is a way better RG team than Carolina. Habs got to shootouts. They looked better in the first game for sure

I would absolutely love to return to this post in May and see what the standings look like. I am quite confident that I'm not gonna look like the dumb one

Why return in May when the game we are talking about ended yesterday? I think you are confusing things

Do you think that the Leafs are ahead of the Hurricanes?

no

“I think this team can compete for a wild card spot”

and I do not think that the Habs can compete for a wild card spot. and I will be happy to come back to this when I am proven right in the future

I have been saying for a while (since 2020-21) that this team would have a hard time taking the next level with a DJ-Dorion duo and well, seems I have been right so far

It would take pages to explain but Dorion constant mismanagement, total lack of foresight and asset management has led to this. DJ is a nice guy but he just can't have them "play the right way". Skill is evident but still a mess of hockey systems


I know but I'm talking in retrospect. We had cap space to only have 2 of Tarasenko, Kubalik and Pinto

Base in the first game, they definitely are.