For next season, hopefully the habs keep Tangradi. Re-sign Hensick, let Thomas go/trade him for a late pick, or a similar prospect who's better in the AHL
Lots of question marks for the off-season starting behind the bench and then how the roster will shape up. The influx of rookies next year makes it interesting to see how they will handle certain players, if they will bring them back or not.
G-
Condon, Fucale
Need to find an ECHL starter, either on an NHL or AHL deal. Then at camp we'll need to see if Condon can steal Tok's job. Since Condon doesn't need waivers and Tok does, not sure it will happen. Both had impressive seasons in Hamilton as both were one of the top players on their team. I thought Tok was the MVP and Condon I'm not sure if I would call him the MVP over Hudon or Hensick as Condon was on a real hot streak but has cooled off at the end. He won 7 of his last 19 starts.
I doubt MacDonald is back. Don't know about Palazzese who is on an AHL contract. I never saw Brandon Whitney before so I don't know if he's just a fill in or if they would consider him on an AHL deal next year for ECHL depth.
D-
Bennett, Dietz, Thrower, Lernout
are under contract. Pateryn has a one way and I don't expect him back. Tinordi won't be back since he wouldn't clear waivers. Will Didier be signed? I hope they do. What's going on with Nygren, they sorely need his help on the PP which looks to finish 30th in the league, dead last again (unless they score 6 PP goals tonight). Will they bring back Ellis? He's playing well so I don't see the harm, he has to clear waivers but that won't be an issue.
I don't see vets like Allen and Drewiske back although we need to replace them as we are short on LD's. Ellis is playing on the left but not sure they want to continue that if they were to re-sign him. Then there's the AHL contracts, Shea, Makowski and Finley. Finley has been a healthy scratch, would not bring him back. Shea is on the top pairing and playing his off-side. Could see them bringing him back but he's a RD and we are loaded with RD's. Same goes for Makowski, who I liked at Denver, if he would sign another AHL deal might be worth it for cheap depth.
F-
Carr, Hudon, Ghetto, Crisp, Bozon, Fournier, Scherbak, McCarron, MacMillan, Grégoire
Going to be very interesting to see if any of the forwards can make the Habs out of camp or as a call up at some point. We know some will get called up but can they stick. Scherbak needs to show MT he won't hurt the team in his own end while putting up points. McCarron needs to show he can play well at both ends while playing his brand of hockey. Hudon needs to show that his lack of high end speed and strength won't hurt his two way game. Ghetto needs to show an improved defensive game. All eyes will be on these 3 at camp to see what they can do.
Then there's Thomas, Bournival and Dumont. Will they be re-signed and if so will we lose any to waivers? I don't know how bad Bournival's injury is, but got to think he will be back, would be a welcome addition to the Dogs and give the Habs cheap depth. Thomas as well, I know there was talk of teams being interested at the trade deadline, so if they can move them then that works too. Dumont hopefully will be back as he's one of the leaders. The other RFA's Tangradi and Bowman I would assume they are gone, I would bring back Tangradi but would think he would rather sign somewhere else.
Then there's the guys on AHL contracts, Dowell, Hensick, Sorkin, McNally and Macenauer. I would bring back Dowell if he would take an AHL deal, but not a big loss if not. Hensick is poor in his own end but we need offense so I would bring him back but who knows if he would return. Sorkin it would depend on other moves, if there's no room then he's gone but if not and he agreed to an AHL deal no harm. Macenauer must go. Not sure what to make of McNally, good size, skating, speed, perhaps he replaces Sorkin on an AHL deal. Saw him in the past at Dartmouth but don't recall him impressing.
Then there's the NCAA, CHL, Euro undrafted FA's that we could be looking at, trades, and any over aged draft picks that could also effect the roster.
. What did you think of the two young Dmen as far as physicality was concerned ?Do they look like they can hold their own ?
