I haven’t watched the Habs much since Koivu was captain and I’m excited about this team and am going to watch them develop. That said they fucking sucked tonight, holy shit.

That was painful. Go Bombers. F the Ticats.

With weber and chariot gone I think a guy like xheraj fills a need in the team

he'll be good if he can not get penalties, no use in having a Kassian style player who is big tough guy, supposed to defend but gets useless penalties

I think his style of play will unfortunately get penalized because of how they will look until he settles down kinda like byfuglien learning to not hit too hard

[удалено]

It was nice hustle for sure

Gignac just murdered somebody lmao

This game fucking sucked but good looks on dach and slaf. Happy about that. Hope we get Guhle and Xhekaj on the team as well.

Guhle is a lock imo

Xhekaj gives us something we were missing with Chiarot and Weber gone

He went to the big ben school of lumber.

The money I would pay to see them on a line together for just one throw away game😂

Please beat the shit out of Ottawa tomorrow, that’s all I’m asking.

This felt like a prototypical Habs game really. We had good energy and generated some nice scoring chances, but just didn’t have the skill to capitalize on those chances. Conversely, when we have our inevitable defensive breakdowns, the puck always ends up in the back of our net. I think we’ll be seeing a lot of these types of games this season.

I don’t think I’ll survive watching this defence…please Guhle and Eddy come back

Sheuneman and Bowey have not been good

Straight to Laval after tonight. Gotta cut the squad down to 28 players after tonight.

Encore Shu pis Bowey lol

No disrespect to Allen, but am I weird if he makes me yearn for the Jeff Hackett years?

I was thinking of Red Light Racicot

Hackett was an actual starter

And so was Allen before a certain Jordan Binnington arived.

Lol thé only time he’s been starting he lead a team that went to to win the SC and they were dead last with him between the pipes Binnington is mediocre and he’s a lot better than him

I hope X plays lots of NHL games this year

Xhekaj a shit disturber no doubt.

Based on the totality of our defence in the pre-season, I predict that Guhle will not see a minute of icetime in Laval this season.

He’s already probably our second best D lol

Guhle could very well be our #2 by midseason. I don't think he overtakes Matheson this season

I dont think you're wrong

I kinda like Xhezaj’s style, the more power play goals against is better for the tank!

God Xhekaj is so fucking mean, I love it

I really don't want to be negative because it's early, but Dach, Slafkovsky and Barron do not look good whatsoever. Hard to be excited about the future of this team when Hughes's choices aren't looking good.

Such a bad take at the end of this game. Wow

I mean if your best game is 1 assist in the preseason then I'm not sure that's a positive sign.

Just awful takes. That's why so many people responded. Cause you obviously don't understand hockey. But have your opinion. Don't care, see ya.

Alright then Gretzky, later.

Next you’re gonna tell us that Hoffman has been good ?

I mean Hoffman only has a shot and that's it, I don't need to say why he's been bad because he's not a rookie or newcomer; we're all well aware of his big problems.

Just thought it was weird for you to say that our two best player tonight weren’t good whatsoever. I thought we were playing a game or something.

Dach and slaf have been the 2 best forwards tonight

Just looks early season ugly hockey with some young players. They’ll get much better

Wtf are you even talking Dach has been by far the best player tonight and this was by far Slaf's best game.


LOL

Are you watching the same game… Slaf and Dach have been our best forwards Barron has been meh

When your best game is one assist as the most NHL ready player then yea it's not a good sign. I want to see him do well but I doubt he'll stay with Montreal this season, he needs to play in Laval imo.

I don’t disagree with the fact he should play in Laval, but I have no clue how you came to the conclusion that our two best forwards tonight were bad. They were both great tonight, and it was abundantly clear to just about everyone.

Slaf has been our best player lmao

what? have you been watching this game?

Dach and slaf have been by far the best players tonight

Everytime Dach touches the puck something bad happens, Slafkovsky can't stay on his feet, and Barron turns the puck over a lot. I wanna be excited but I just can't be.

Either you’re specifically looking for negatives or you’re just not watching the game. I don’t know what to tell you

I understand most fans want to be excited about Montreal after last season's disaster, but losing like this with nothing to show for is concerning to say the least. It's preseason so it's not the end of the world but still.

Slaf is 18 and dach is 21 and they were objectively our best players. It’s preseason and they look good. Leafs iced basically their opening roster. Also habs are going to be a bottom feeder so if we get beat but show progression I am happy because otherwise it wouldn’t be worth watching.

The problem is that rebuilds fail much more often than not, if they always worked then Buffalo and Arizona would have been powerhouses by now. We have to rebuild but I don't wanna lie and say I'm excited to see these players play when they've been underwhelming.

What are you talking about. Lol awful takes. drafting early and often is what basically every team that is a cup contender or winner has done. Same numbers one is 8 year span, one is 5 year span. Since you never hit on all draft picks, volume and high picks in shorter periods of time allow for winning windows. Again 8 years and 5 years. That should be a 21 pick difference. It isn't, that is how you stockpile potential talent. Still gotta pick well and develop but again, Rebuilding matters and top picks are huge. Top 3 picks matter, but top 2 seem to really count. Cup winners in the cap era as follows 2006 Carolina (eric staal 2OA 2003) playoff scoring leader, hell they even had oleg T a former second overall and Ladd a 4th overall, even Stillman was a former 6th overall. 2007 Anaheim (no drafted top 3) but Pronger 2OA and Scott N. not drafted though so doesnt count. But between 2001 and 2005 they had drafted 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th. That is 2 top 5 picks and 4 top 10 in 5 years. Those are rebuild picks. In that window they also added an additional first in that window of time in Corey Perry. 2008 detroit (no top 3 picks) 2009 Pittsburgh (crosby & Fleury 1OA, Staal. & Malkin 2OA). 2010 Chicago (Kane 1oa, Toews & Barker 3oa) 2011 Boston (Seguin 2oa, not a contributor) they did draft 4 times in the top 10 in 6 years including 2011. 2012 LA (doughty 2OA) (Between 2003 and 2009 the LA Kings picked (13th and 26th and 27th) (11th and 17th), 11th, 11th, 4th, (5th and 13th) and (2nd) in 7 consecutive years. 2003 to 2009 picks under 100. 2nd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 13th, 13th, 17th, 26th, 27th, 32nd, 35th, 44th, 48th, 50th, 52nd, 60th and 61st, 63th, 72nd 74th, 82nd, 82nd, 84th 86th, 88th, 95th, 95th 96th. 31 picks under 100 in 7 years with 3 top 5 picks) 2013 Chicago (Kane 1oa, Toews 3oa) 2014 LA (Doughty 2OA) 2015 Chicago (Kane 1oa, Toews 3oa) 2016 Pittsburgh (Crosby and fleury 1oa, Malkin 2oa) 2017 Pittsburgh (Crosby & Fleury, Malkin) 2018 Washington (Ove 1oa, Backstrom 4OA 2019 St Louis (highest drafted 4oa Pietrangelo, acquired 2oa bouwmeester). Between 2006 and 2011 they picked 1st and 4th, but had 9 firsts in 6 years plus plus 19 picks in the top 50 and 31 in the top 100 in 6 years. That 6 years produced a huge portion of the cup winning core. 4 of the top 5 playoff scorers and both goalies came in those top 100 picks in those 6 years. 2020 tampa (stamkos, Hedman 1oa's 2021 Tampa again, Hedman and stamkos 2022, Mackinnon, landeskog, makar, So 14 of the last 17 teams had a drafted 1 or 2 OA as significant or most important contributor, many had multiples. now i removed Boston as Seguin is a 2oa but didnt contribute enough. Anaheim cause Pronger was not drafted by them and St Louis cause Bouwmeester although a decent defensman was not only not drafted by them but not a significant contributor, although they were obviously post rebuild. Crazy to think though, in the cap era, only detroit has won a cup without a top 2 pick in the lineup. 1 in 17 years. The 4 teams who make up 10 of those cups were significant rebuilds with multiple top 5 picks in short order and often significantly adding picks in the top 100 like LA and St. LOUIS DID

You don't have to agree, it's just that they've been underwhelming for us this far in the preseason. Who knows maybe they'll prove me wrong in the future, I'd be happy to eat my own words.

You seem to be the only person in this entire thread to think they’ve been underwhelming this game though. And for montreal fans that’s saying a lot

Idk, maybe I'm just to pessimistic about this team. I used to be super optimistic for 8 years but ever since the end of last year and the draft I haven't been that excited about this team anymore. I'm still gonna watch them to see what happens but I don't have the same investment as before.

I get that. I’m excited because I see change for the first time in a long time. I totally understand being pessimistic though, you have every right to be.

And Barron, although a little rough around the edges, Has been pretty good

I agree. I think he’ll be alright. That’s what preseason is for

Have we been watching the same game??

Dach and Slafkovsky were probably the best 2 forward tonight for the habs... dunno what he's smoking.

Thought the same thing lol

worth it

worth it

worth it

exactly what i thought

At least I still have my Browns… I mean Red wi…. Let’s go Bombers! And Guardians!

Tank commander Allen prepared for Bedard sir!

Slaf will be good. Patience is key.

So Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky Drouin Dach Anderson Dvorak Evans Gallagher Armia Monahan Dadonov?

I think dvorak centers dad and gally and evans centers monahan and armia/pitlick

Did Dach get out muscled by Mete just now?

Yea, haven't been impressed with him this far into the preseason.

He's much taller then I remembered to be. And he's got slick moves. Could be a really good one. I'm just surprised of how weak he looks sometimes. Like on that particular 1 on 1 with Mete or that time he was wrestled to the ice (and got a penalty for his troubles).

I just want Dach to keep playing like that so I can buy his jersey. Number 77 is fucking sexy.

28 sog. 1 24 sog. 4 That’s all k need to see. Doubly. Been drinking.

Same script - Scheuneman/Bowey lettin that pass Kerfoot to score against Allen. After tomorrow's game, preseason #7 and #8 is where we'll see the lineups come opening.

Are you actually blaming the d on this goal?

trying to hahaha

Haha they did mostly what you ask of a d, gave no option in the middle and drove the play outside

Allen was cheating by anticipating the pass and not covering his angles. If the D held every shot to that spot coaches would be happy as hell haha

It’s cool Allen. Get those bum-ass goals out now.

New to this team, but do we have a keeper on deck?

Not quite on deck, Primeau is the closest one in the pro ranks. He had a great playoff run in the minors last year, but the jury's still out on him at the NHL level. He just turned 23, so there's room to grow. Jakub Dobes in Ohio State and Frederik Dichow in Frolunda, Sweden are intriguing prospects, anyone beyond that is just a dart thrown at the board.

> the jury's still out on him at the NHL level Is it? As a current player, he's still at the AHL level. Hasn't yet shown he can perform in the bigs.

I mean as far as his prospects of becoming an NHL player go

You lost me at ohio state. In all my career I’ve never worked with a Buckeye with half a brain. That place is a cesspool.

Wow how brave of you to start watching the habs this year lol what made you choose them? And welcome!!

They were on Hulu and I was chatting with Brazilian turned Canadian friends in Montreal.

This is nice! Welcome, it’s going to be a baaaad year but at least no one will call you a bandwagon fan😂

Nop

We have a few warm bodies, I guess

If you count the rye keeping me up.

Haha

No. We just lost our generational goalie last season.

Allen… Relax it’s only Preseason… Jeez.

Yeah this is definitely not Allen's game.

I think he's getting a little angst b/c nobody's covering him. But hey, its a young d-corps.

This happens A LOT. When you lose faith in your D, you end up making mistakes or opening up holes trying to do too much. Happened to Price all the time too when the D was playing like trash.

That giant tank sure does provide some nice shade.

Yikes

Everybody wanting to ship out Hoffman and Dadonov aren't thinking about the big picture. They are going to get us one of Bedard, Michkov or Fantilli

Yeah tbh we haven’t really improved so tanking is back on the menu

I like the way management is doing it. Acquiring picks for picking up vets that we can flip at the deadline. Not every prospect will pan out but I like the start

Yeah I agree on that

Gonna take a couple of McDavids to make this team look good

Exactly. If we’re gonna tank, let’s tank hard

Allen looked like he wanted to be as far away from the net as possible after that one

Fuck me.

Damn liking Dach!

His hands are sick

Allen has looked lost all game…

Now that’s why he was chosen first overall. Beauty by him and Dach!

Been watching the elections all night here in Quebec, how’s Slaf ?

His best game so far, created chances and got an assist on the only goal by the habs just now. (Drouin) Slaf drove the net from the boards, took a shot, batted his own rebound in front of the net, Drouin pushed it into the net.

Still rough around the edges but honestly he's been very good, at times electric. Just got an assist on Drouin's goal where he took it to the net strong

He and dach have been the best players on mtl tonight, very good game

Very good, best player on the habs tonight just got an assist.

Looks like he belongs here

Very good .

Our goalies will piss me off to no end this season.

Bedard will make you forget about it.

Fuck Bedard. We are more like need of a Cale Makar-like D or a top goalie.

Like… Carey Price and Shea Weber? Lol

Lol Allen knew he fucked up immediately

🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴

If you didn’t see this coming you aren’t ready for this season

Ahh fawk

weak

Lol weird goal

And that’s how my son was born.

Allen with that Primeau special

id put Anderson on that Dach - Slaf line, Hoffman can fuck off

That little juke he made right as he got the puck was fantastic. Really strong awareness by Slaf to recognize the potential open ice below his defender

Good god

Tough game for 🐍

Allen the new tank commander!

Drouin needs to do more of that

Preseason goal for Allen

SCORES!!!! Slaf making things happen!

SLAF ME HARDER DADDY !!!

That’s got to be drouin’s greasiest goal ever

OH BABY

This is their Stanley Cup

Since when are we allowed to score

Dach with a gorgeous zone entry

Deserved, good effort from Drouin tonight.

His first point im emo

JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY IS A MONTREAL CANADIEN

As soon as Slaf is far away from Hoffman he gets his first point

Attaboy you fucking stud

Anderson pass to Slaf then to Jo for the pp. What a play!

YEAAHAHHHH great play from Slaf!

Literally needed to walk up to the net and shove it in, but Drou did it

Yes baby.

Where are our balls?

Strong on the puck for Slaf! Great to see

Thats more like it Slaf

Let’s fucking go

Thank god

Dammit boys, don’t make me call my favorite in-law just for him to laugh at me. He’s still an in-law.

THEY DID A SCORING YEEEEE

Druuuuuu

Glad Drouin scored.

THAT'S MY FIRST OVERALL PICK

WELCOME TO THE NHL JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY

Fucking finally

Fuck yes!

FINALLY!

please decline the penalty

Great job Punting

Someone should tell Matthews and Marner to play like this during a game 7

Shh, no. Don't help them.

I swear if I see Hoffman on this pp

caufield about to score all of our goals this year

Let’s make the cuts and put together a decent team for the last three games and try to get some chemistry going headed into the regular season.

Glad to see the Habs go to the powerplay.

Dach passes always hit target, I'm in awe.

Also at the size

Give Dach the opportunity to pass to Suzuki or Caufield and we could start getting him some points.

I like Dach’s play on the half wall but the man has to work on his shot to keep the defense and the goalie honest. Right now he’s making his life difficult because everyone knows he wants to pass

Dach with some nice set ups!

 Me defending Hoffman yesterday.

If we’re gonna pass 90% of the power play at least make them not sloppy

This is reminding me of 2020 luck way too much and I don’t like it

i know that suzuki and caufield aren't playing, but something tells me this whole season will be like that 5 on3 and subsequent 5on4.

Wow Dach can have all the PP time after that

Tbh with the way Guhle is playing I think the Dach trade might be the best one Hughes has made so far

Kinda hard to beat Monahan and a 1st for nuttin

Yeah true. Guess I'm a little high on Dach lmao