If, is not the greatest plan...although they could come out with zero expectations and surprise, but it is not likely...it's hard for them to win with him in the lineup, let alone without him...we are more than likely to struggle to score goals and the standings will show this...........Bergevin fired in November as a result.
RealityBytes
Trash Remover
- Feb 11, 2013
- 2,961
- 419
It's not just the team by itself, it's how do they compare to: TB, Toronto, Boston, ... and Florida or Buffalo in the division. They have to surpass three of those five teams for a divisional playoff spot. Only two is fourth place and no spot.
The best chance the Habs have is as a wildcard, and that is stiff competition as well.
Had to bump this. Montreal is playing one heck of a game. Granted, Leafs playing like crap but I seriously believe in this team. I think there is enough speed and talent there to make a good push. Not as bad as many here think.
montreal
Go Habs Go
it's the preseason though. If that meant something Jan Bulis would have lead the league in scoring at one point.
Its pre-season but you can clearly see a better team without Patches. Price was amazing but just a little unlucky with bounces.
JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
- 18,059
- 16,576
They're barely a .500 team with Weber in the lineup.
Weber can make a difference, but I reckon it would take him a long time to get his form back. He's barely played in the last several months, and missing training usually is a bad sign for most players.
It's pretty much another write off season for him, which actually helps Montreal achieve what they need going forward.
montreal
Go Habs Go
here's an easy way to look at it,
If Price lets in around 3 goals per game, we are f***ed
If Price lets in around 2 goals per game and we get some improvements in offense, we could make the playoffs
If Price lets in around 2.5 goals per game, we are going to need several players to have big years and improved secondary scoring while getting some kind of decent offensive production from our blueline to make the playoffs. So most likely we would miss the playoffs but be a good bit better then last year.
It's a valid point, we don't know what a 33 year old Weber will look like after being out of the NHL for over a year (assuming he's not back till mid-Dec).
Scintillating10
Registered User
Habs certainly been interesting to watch in pre-season. Better than I thought they were going to be, I can't wait for season to start. Speedy team fun to watch. Seem to play more a team concept than last year's club. I think because of improvements in coaching staff and traded attitudes gives them more a team then bunch of individual players.
Like to see them take a page of out Vegas' book from last year. A bunch of nobodys expected to go nowhere but well coached with no pressure on them.
Drouin back to the wing he could be our Marchessault. Luke Richardson working with Mete and Juulsen they could be our Nate Schmidt and Miller. Both make major improvements. Weber coming back in 2nd half could be our Shea Theodore. Price could be next year's Marc Andre Fleury. Comeback player of the year. Tatar could be a Haula. Gallagher a Karlsson, has a career year. Domi our David Perron. Hudon our Tuch.
Hopefully, they can challenge for a playoff position. Because this draft is deep draft but not top loaded with stars like most drafts. The only star player is Hughes, he is head and shoulders best player available in draft. Plus odds of getting first overall pick are pretty slim as Ottawa and Vancouver among other teams are pretty bad, then have to win a lottery. Difference between a Newhook or Suzuki around 15th and a Kakko or Krebs isn't worth suffering thru a terrible season. They are a better player but not worth throwing your season for and doing that to your ticket base.
A month ago, I wasn't going to watch a game let alone attend a game. Today, I am eyeing tickets in the whites for the Pens game on Oct. 13th.
Harry Kakalovich
Registered User
Definitely it's a new season - it's not like NHLers can't read and have no pride.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
We get to the playoffs if we limit the other teams to 2 or 3 goals per game. We need a good team defense and good special teams (both PK and PP). This roster is built to score by committee.
I think there's a good chance Montreal ends up with a 10-14 overall pick. Playoffs is pretty much a dream
Locks: Toronto/Tampa/Boston/Washington/Pittsburgh
High chance: Columbus/Philly
Bubble: Devils/Panthers
Locks: Toronto/Tampa/Boston/Washington/Pittsburgh
High chance: Columbus/Philly
Bubble: Devils/Panthers
nhlfan9191
Registered User
- Aug 4, 2010
- 19,724
- 17,700
The D and goaltending in regards to Price are a big question mark, but if the the 30th place offence doesn’t improve, we won’t be discussing playoffs.
Harry Kakalovich
Registered User
HankyZetts
Twi2ted
- Mar 16, 2004
- 3,348
- 393
If we can avoid major injuries and get a healthy Weber back, we will challenge for a spot no doubt.
Habs 4 Life
No Excuses
I don't see us making the playoffs, but I already see a much more positive bunch of guys
Also see this team being a lot more aggressive and less passive, you can already see a different approach witch is probably coming from a Ducharme and Bouchard
Enough with the boring style from Julien, the game has changed and it's time to move along
Also see this team being a lot more aggressive and less passive, you can already see a different approach witch is probably coming from a Ducharme and Bouchard
Enough with the boring style from Julien, the game has changed and it's time to move along
No chance of a mid year firing after they are granted another top 5 pick then he gets tossed
DramaticGloveSave
Voice of Reason
- Apr 17, 2017
- 14,688
- 13,409
If Kotkaniemi steps in and has a Nico Hischier effect... Reilly emerges as a viable top 4 D... Mete-Juulsen emerges as an enviable young pairing... Weber returns to his Norris level play immediately... Price returns to his Vezina level play... Domi and Drouin have breakout seasons...
Well alot can go wrong with this years offense but alot can go right as well, drouin could have a great year if he stays on wing, gallagher is a sure 25 goals, domi has the potential to surprise his haters, lehkonen could break out, im expecting mete to have a boost offensivly, tatar I think is good for 20, and who knows maybe kotkaniemi comes in guns ablazzin and gives us top 6 production although im not expecting all of that to happen it very well could
The thing we must remember is that while we constantly see our team as inferior to the true contenders, against the bottom feeders and middling teams we will do very, very well. We have speed and skill up and down the lineup, and for the first time in a while we have a modern style. We will likely fall short against top competition but I don't see us being the dumpster fire people pretend we are.
This season has way more rebuilding teams in East so I'd say it's going to be close. Montreal already has more injury problems to key players than other teams
I really believe that this young team is quite talented and if everything comes together and they play the way I think they can, then we really could win just enough games to miss the playoffs and get a poopy draft pick.
JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
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Habs are playing a faster brand, but the losses will pile up this year again.
There is just not enough on the big roster to sustain the level of play required to make it through an 82 game season, and the valleys will likely be alot steeper than the peaks.
However, the preseason, style of play, and the direction of the offseason has indicated that habs fans should be encouraged about the future, but there is still a lot of work to be done before it translates in the nhl standings.
Adriatic
Registered User
- Feb 27, 2004
- 6,526
- 4,101
Exactly. People get so excited because they see what a difference a top level player like Kotkaniemi makes to the team..why not put all the chances on our side to try and draft another player of that level and make the team that much better next year?
JianYang
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2017
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Toronto, and Tampa are locks. Boston has some injury issues, but they've earned any benefit of the doubt to hang with the big boys for now. Florida's top 6 cannot be ignored either, even if they have other question marks.
It's hard to see any scenario where the habs finish higher than 5th in this division.
