Are the Montreal Canadiens a legit Stanley Cup contender?

[Lafleurs Guy]

In the PO upsets happen.

86 the Flames dumped Gretzky & the Oilers for us.

93 the Isles dumped Mario & Jagr's Pens for us.

The 14 Habs could get hot... its a possibility... especially with Vanek & the golden goalie.

Neither of those teams went on to win the cup. One thing to win a series, whole other ball of wax to win a championship.

That being said, I felt this was a good lineup (with some holes) before Vanek, now it's a lot stronger than it was. Still holes on the D but Beaulieu can fill in some of that gap.

What we really need is a new coach or for MT to go back to the system he had last year. This lineup is better than a lot of people have given it credit for. We've been outplayed not because of our roster but because of our coach. And our record doesn't reflect our play.

We absolutely DO have some elite talent now though. Price is awesome, same with Subban... and now we have Vanek. There's talent in this lineup, we just need to get the most out of it.

 

[24rings]

Neither of those teams went on to win the cup. One thing to win a series, whole other ball of wax to win a championship.

That being said, I felt this was a good lineup (with some holes) before Vanek, now it's a lot stronger than it was. Still holes on the D but Beaulieu can fill in some of that gap.

What we really need is a new coach or for MT to go back to the system he had last year. This lineup is better than a lot of people have given it credit for. We've been outplayed not because of our roster but because of our coach. And our record doesn't reflect our play.

We absolutely DO have some elite talent now though. Price is awesome, same with Subban... and now we have Vanek. There's talent in this lineup, we just need to get the most out of it.

You misunderstood this guys post. He's saying maybe we can get lucky and avoid facing the top team. 86 Flames took out Oilers and we beat them in the finals to win the cup. 93 Isles knocked off the Pens and we beat the Isles to go on and win the cup that year again.

 

[Saintpatrick*]

I wouldn't have said no a few days ago but with the additions of Vanek and even Weaver I'd say we have a good a chance as any. The Pittsburgh and the Anaheim games prove that this team has alot of fight in it.

 

[jeangauthier]

I will keep this short and sweet. Absolutely not.

Folks said the same in 86,89 and 93.............while I agree that we should not be planning a parade I don`t agree with "absolutely not" ..............I think there is a wee bit more of wiggle room these days........Nes Pas?

 

[Yozzy]

I think we are. If Price comes back and plays well, I don't see why not. Our problem was scoring. Not only does Vanek score, but it's a domino effect where we can now put people on lines where they can excel.

Here's hoping, anyways.

 

[shawdowmaker]

Boston is in first right? ...did we not beat them? so whats the problem? did we not already beat Pits, Anaheim or Chicago? Price has to be elite. Last year in the playoffs our best players were : PK, Eller before he got destroyed and Bourque! two guys from our third line! so whats the problem? I don't think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it.

 

[Habs]

I wouldn't have said no a few days ago but with the additions of Vanek and even Weaver I'd say we have a good a chance as any. The Pittsburgh and the Anaheim games prove that this team has alot of fight in it.

Weaver is a borderline NHL player, lets stop pretending we just landed Larry Robinson for Christ sakes.

 

[overlords]

Weaver is a borderline NHL player, lets stop pretending we just landed Larry Robinson for Christ sakes.

Weaver is pretty much an above average 3rd pairing guy. You're looking at the wrong blueliner if you want to use your 'barely an nhler' stamp.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Pittsburgh is a better team..........but they are incredibly self-destructive, starting with Fleury, continuing with Bylsma, and finishing with their uneven defense.

Boston is the best team in the east, no question, yet they have difficulties against us for whatever reason. And Vanek has a history of destroying them.

I can totally see Montreal overcoming them. It's the other teams like Toronto where I have less faith, ironically.

 

[Habs]

Weaver is pretty much an above average 3rd pairing guy. You're looking at the wrong blueliner if you want to use your 'barely an nhler' stamp.

Maybe 10 years ago.

 

[dkd]

I don't thing we are cup contenders but we can go far if things go right.

 

[Bryson]

I don't thing we are cup contenders but we can go far if things go right.

Is it troubling anyone else to have a norris winner, vezina contender, 2 40-goal scorers etc.. and yet still not be considered contenders or is it just me? On paper this team is stacked so what is the problem? Is it the coach? Is it the system? What will it take to be considered a contender?

 

[Plante]

Is it troubling anyone else to have a norris winner, vezina contender, 2 40-goal scorers etc.. and yet still not be considered contenders or is it just me? On paper this team is stacked so what is the problem? Is it the coach? Is it the system? What will it take to be considered a contender?

This team isn't 'stacked' on paper,

No legit #1 centre, a #1 dman who has been struggling, terrible 5v5 production... and only 1 (2 time) 40 goal scorer.

We're noticeably weaker than Boston, Pitts, Anaheim, St louis, LA, Chicago, SJ, Colorado who are the true contenders.

We're a tier below that, we could upset those teams and we defiantly have the pieces to make a run, but we have too many holes. Teams that admit to having low skill and depend on grinding are rare to get to the finals, unless its a Cinderella run.

 

[Agnostic]

The team is not a contender but it's getting into the realm of 'legit' .

All the issues we talk about , media coverage, the expression on Duthie's face when the trade went down you can attribute it to a type of dismissiveness that comes with being largely irrelevant for so long .

Bergevin is changing this slowly but steadily.

 

[Andrei79]

This team isn't 'stacked' on paper,

No legit #1 centre, a #1 dman who has been struggling, terrible 5v5 production... and only 1 (2 time) 40 goal scorer.

We're noticeably weaker than Boston, Pitts, Anaheim, St louis, LA, Chicago, SJ, Colorado who are the true contenders.

We're a tier below that, we could upset those teams and we defiantly have the pieces to make a run, but we have too many holes. Teams that admit to having low skill and depend on grinding are rare to get to the finals, unless its a Cinderella run.

Put Mike Babcock as coach and this team is tops in the east.

 

[FloJack]

Folks said the same in 86,89 and 93.............while I agree that we should not be planning a parade I don`t agree with "absolutely not" ..............I think there is a wee bit more of wiggle room these days........Nes Pas?

Habs were in a dogfight for the Presidents Trophy all year with the Flames in 89, it sucked that they didn't win the cup!

 

[Hackett]

While vanek theoretically helps the team, he's not enough to have the habs join that elite group of seven. Until the habs are effective at maintaining possession in the offensive zone, I won't even consider the thought.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Not serious contenders. Vanek could help the Habs make the playoffs (the most important thing) and perhaps win a round or two before he flees to Minnesota (which will have a hefty payroll after signing him).

 

[digmor crusher]

We are more of a contender after signing Vanek, now our chance are around 6%.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Funny how the team making the finals out of the East is always a great puck possession team yet Therrien wants the team to dump and chase.

Boston is probably the biggest dump and chase team in the entire league........

 

[MasterDecoy]

Pittsburgh is a better team..........but they are incredibly self-destructive, starting with Fleury, continuing with Bylsma, and finishing with their uneven defense.

Boston is the best team in the east, no question, yet they have difficulties against us for whatever reason. And Vanek has a history of destroying them.

I can totally see Montreal overcoming them. It's the other teams like Toronto where I have less faith, ironically.

indeed. even though they should be able to beat us, ****sburgh and baaaaaawston don't scare me one bit

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

indeed. even though they should be able to beat us, ****sburgh and baaaaaawston don't scare me one bit

We are faster than Boston and Price >>> Fleury. We are very capable of beating any team in the east. Our achilles heal is Therrien and our ability to win the war of attrition.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Not serious contenders. Vanek could help the Habs make the playoffs (the most important thing) and perhaps win a round or two before he flees to Minnesota (which will have a hefty payroll after signing him).

Bolded is the problem with your hypothesis. Look at the Forbes list for 2012. http://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/

Minnesota is the #1 money-loser out of 30 teams on that list, at around $15M loss in 2012. Yes, Heatley's off the books, but they may want to resign Moulson. With Parise, Koivu, Suter at 5.5M to 7.5M, and quite likely Moulson coming in in that price point as well, they're going to throw another 7-7.5M at Vanek? I don't see it. Will they get rid of one of their star forwards to make it work? Don't see that either. It isn't just fitting under the cap, it's about whatever their budget is. They may not want to spend to the cap.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Bolded is the problem with your hypothesis. Look at the Forbes list for 2012. http://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/

Minnesota is the #1 money-loser out of 30 teams on that list, at around $15M loss in 2012. Yes, Heatley's off the books, but they may want to resign Moulson. With Parise, Koivu, Suter at 5.5M to 7.5M, and quite likely Moulson coming in in that price point as well, they're going to throw another 7-7.5M at Vanek? I don't see it. Will they get rid of one of their star forwards to make it work? Don't see that either. It isn't just fitting under the cap, it's about whatever their budget is. They may not want to spend to the cap.

While what you say is logical but I still expect him to sign there even if he has to take a smaller salary.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

While what you say is logical but I still expect him to sign there even if he has to take a smaller salary.

If I were MB, I would launch an appeal to both hemispheres of Vanek's brain. Emphasize the emotional aspect of the fan's warm welcome, while planting seeds of doubt that Minny can come anywhere near his offer, for the reasons that I evoked. He could make it look like a choice between 7.5-ishM and 3 or 4-ishM (or even the possibility of no offer whatsoever, given their implied preference for Moulson). With that kind of stark contrast, even the missus might reconsider the Montreal option.