Molson beer is meh
Joined: Jan. 2017
Posts: 3,833
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As others have mentioned, I think adding bigger bodies to play with Caufield will free him up even better. Look at the difference Slaf has made now that he's discovered he's actually a giant and can use his size to his advantage. Adding Dach (Who is also an underrated great playmaker) seems like a natural fit.
Suzuki and Newhook looked really good before Newhook's injury, and both a responsible defensively. Adding someone like Roy in the future or Monahan short term (also great two-way guys) could make a fantastic shutdown line while providing top 6 offense.
So for me forward lines would be (if Habs don't add another top 6 player via trade or free agency):
Caufield - Dach - Slaf
Newhook - Suzuki - Roy/Monahan
Heineman/Ylonen - Beck/Dvorak - Anderson
RHP - Evans - Gallagher
For Defense I have almost no clue what the Habs future top 6 will be.... Trades WILL be made to reduce the logjam, but who could be anyone's guess depending on how bold Hughes wants to be. My best guess would be one of Guhle or Matheson will be moved for something really good (most likely Matheson, but you never know). Hutson, Xhekaj, and Struble fight it out for the other 2 LD spots. RD will have Reinbacher for sure. I believe Habs will decide in 2ish years between Barron and Mailloux on who they prefer and trade the other. Then they will try to acquire a vet RD to continue insulating the D-core, and keep Kovacevic long term as the perfect 7th dman. Too early to project with Engstrom and Konyushkov (see Norlinder for reference).
Guhle/Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Savard/future Vet Dman
Xhekaj/Struble - Barron/Mailloux
Kovacevic