Well I think we agree to disagree on JVR.
Also, I didn't mean to sound pessimistic, I do hope as well that all our pick ups will fulfill the expectations, but I do think that shouldn't stop us from looking for improvement.
I noticed you seem to be banking a lot on UFAs, which I admit has worked to our advantage in the past. However, you can't expect that most of them will still be available come deadline, or even by July 1st, depending on what you had in mind. And you have to consider the amount of money we'll have to give to whoever we end up choosing. Bear with me for bringing him up again, but the fact that JVR is on such a cheap contract is a blessing for a cap ceiling team like us. The UFAs you mentionned would likely cost about twice as much, probably more for Kopitar. That means less flexibility to improve down the road.
At this point we can't afford not going for the cup in any of the next three seasons, to answer your final question.
PART II!:
UFAs are expensive?: yes (maybe), but if we get a E.Staal or Kopitar or Byfuglien...you EASILY/GLADLY dump DD+Emelin (as one example). UFAs are expensive? DD+Emelin is way too expensive, imo. I'd rather spend that $$$ on a star forward or star top 3 playoff warrior dman. And, Mtl is more enticing...one or two star players may not ask for the whole bank to play for a contender (us!). We're a VERY strong contender (vs good contender) if we add a Byfuglien (foward/dman) or an E.Staal/Kopitar, and also if we add a playoff warrior top 3 dman.
And, if not for the 2016 UFA season, then...I just hope Bergevin can continue to improve our team without giving up too too much (it's possible!), especially giving up too much to teams like Toronto and Boston (actually...I don't want us giving up too much to any team! (ex: Rangers!), but
seeing Juulsen do super well in a LEAF jersey would hurt too much...I don't want to trade with Toronto, period, unless...we're clearly robbing them!!).
Going for the CUP: too easy to get over-excited and want it all...NOW!! (me too, me too!!). But, better to evaluate...maybe wait (or not?) to go for it when 2-3 out of 5 of them are already Hab players (Hudon, McCarron, Scherbak, Lernout, Juulsen), or don't wait for any of them?! (go for it now/this season! waiting is too long?). HUDON may be ready for 2016 playoffs? SCHERBAK may need 1-2 AHL seasons? McCARRON may need 1-2 AHL seasons or less?? LERNOUT may need 2+ AHL seasons? JUULSEN may need 2-3+ more years...?
BIG QUESTION: when is the right time to go for it? (trade most of your trading chips??). Now/2016 season? 2017 season? 2018 season? or...the 2019 season?! If we have to wait till the 2019 or 2020 season I'm going to lose it!!
I can't stand all this waiting!! But it would be torture if Juulsen became a star dman for...Toronto!! I say
go for the smart/safe trades this season (where we're not overpaying, ex: Jeff Petry... Vanek, and more smart/underrated trades a la Dale ''playoff warrior'' Weise!!, etc,etc) and also hope for the best for July 1st (
UFA 2016). I'm going to predict...we're going to go for it (more) in 2017 or especially in 2018 or 2019!!!! (VS this season!)...'cause more of our prospects will be ready and we should have picked up some star UFA players. Hopefully all goes well!! But...with a healthy team (*knock on wood*) and a couple of smart/safe trades...we can go far this season (without selling our future).
Look at Boston...I really thought they were on their way to building a dynasty (Seguin...gone, Hamilton...gone)...a CUP is great (even though they cheated...Chara played while Pacioretty couldn't), but they could have had another one, imo. And look at Vancouver...made a big splash by making the CUP Finals, but lost to...Boston. I want to do this right (ex: Chicago...3 CUPS, or L.A....2 CUPS).
For this season...I'm expecting Conference Finals or Cup Finals (in a CUP Final with a healthy Price and Subban...anything can happen!!).
Cheers!!!!
Go Habs Go!!
(going for the CUP...the smart way!! playing it safe but not too safe! just a bit more patience should do it!!).
I would be very pissed if we lost Jarred Tinordi for nothing.
I would be really pissed, as well. It's a long, long season...injuries can happen and we may need Tinordi more than we think (ex: if lefties like Beaulieu, Emelin get injured). And, Tinordi (at worst) has great PK potential. I still think (long-term) he can be a good partner to Subban. Hal Gill was a good partner to Subban in the past...Tinordi can do it, too, imo. With Tinordi...a lot of it has to do with confidence...watch out when he finds his confidence...watch out.
