HF Habs: Who is safe if we blow it all up?

[Le Barron de HF]

There's been a lot of talk with this horrific season of getting a clean slate and firing everyone. If you were in charge, who would you keep in the organization and the team?

For me, I'd keep:

Waite, Ducharme (promoted to HC; hire Boucher as an assistant), Price, Gallagher, Petry, Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Drouin, Lehkonen, Armia, Weber.

Click to read more...

 

[domiwroze]

The kids ( kk, Poe, Suzuki, Drouin, Domi, Fleury, Mete ) and Waite.

no one else should be safe.

 

[Nick Slafkofield]

I think the two untouchables are Bergevin and Julien

 

[NORiculous]

The only two I’d keep for sure are Suzuki and Drouin. I’d also keep Ducharme.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Only 1 for me. Kulak.

 

[swimmer77]

I voted yes for quite a few players - mainly the youngsters and point producers. Didn't vote for the likes of Cousins, Weal, Kulak, etc.

This is a shame especially when you look at other teams:

Vegas hasn't missed the playoffs since coming into the league.

NYR threw in the towel and seem to be progressing nicely with a bunch of kids. And they have Panarin.

Boston after winning the Stanley Cup not long ago went through a rocky year and find themselves contending again. And they discarded Julien.

The definites I would absolutely part ways with:

Bergevin for obvious reasons.

Julien for obvious reasons. Let Ducharme have the reigns. I'd like to see a younger coach's ideas. But frankly, I look at him and he always looks like "how the f*** do I get out of this foxhole"?

Weber: there is no point and his perceived value is high right now.

Kovalchuk: the novelty has worn off already. There is not point to having this player. I get the signing to have a body but that's it.

-------------------------------------------------------

I'd consider moving Domi. He's a good, little player but should the Canadiens ever get back to the playoffs I wouldn't want him. He's just too smallish.

I'm maybe one of a few that like Danault but I think this type of player can be crucial to a team. Very good 2C / 3C that can score while shutting down top lines.

Bottom line get a new coach and GM RIGHT NOW. Don't wait until the end of the year. At least get Ducharme in to assess the situation. He's the one with best eyes at this point, IMHO.

 

[Justin11]

Is it who we think will be safe or who we believe should be safe?

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Is it who we think will be safe or who we believe should be safe?

It's who you'd keep more than the former. There's no way to really know with whoever would be MB's replacement.

 

[Omar]

All the young players should be kept. The scouting and drafting team has improved the last few years considering how guys like Romanov, Norlinder, Caufield are looking.

IF we blow it up, Price and Weber should be gone. I’m torn on Gallagher. He’ll hit a wall at 30 given how he plays like guys like Simmonds and Benn, and he has huge value. I probably keep him because we need some leaders to stick around.

No matter what I deal Byron, Tatar and Petry now. And I look to keep Kovalchuk on a one year deal to support Gallagher and mentor Caufield. The mid round pick we would get by trading him is pointless so I keep him around.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

Suzuki. I'm on the fence about Gallagher. At some point they have to realize that a complete rebuild is necessary and Gallagher will net them the biggest return off this roster.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

There's been a lot of talk with this horrific season of getting a clean slate and firing everyone. If you were in charge, who would you keep in the organization and the team?

For me, I'd keep:

Waite, Ducharme (promoted to HC; hire Boucher as an assistant), Price, Gallagher, Petry, Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Drouin, Lehkonen, Armia, Weber.

I love Boucher a lot, he is cerebral and emotional at the same time, but he seems to have anger issues

 

[Michelangelo]

I love Boucher a lot, he is cerebral and emotional at the same time, but he seems to have anger issues

That’s why he could be best suited to be an assistant coach

 

[Vijo Morganstein]

All the young players should be kept. The scouting and drafting team has improved the last few years considering how guys like Romanov, Norlinder, Caufield are looking.

IF we blow it up, Price and Weber should be gone. I’m torn on Gallagher. He’ll hit a wall at 30 given how he plays like guys like Simmonds and Benn, and he has huge value. I probably keep him because we need some leaders to stick around.

No matter what I deal Byron, Tatar and Petry now. And I look to keep Kovalchuk on a one year deal to support Gallagher and mentor Caufield. The mid round pick we would get by trading him is pointless so I keep him around.

I think Gallagher will age better than many are expecting. Who would have thought his skating would look its best this year?

 

[Miller Time]

Suzuki
Poehling
Kotkaniemi
Fleury
Mete

Short of a blockbuster deal involving us landing a franchise caliber young player, those 5 should be bullet proof.

All other players are up for grabs provided the return is right & fits a 2-4 year plan to build towards contending.

Staff- wise, I'd keep Ducharme & Timmins, in their current roles, but key is hiring credible & competent president & GM and let them evaluate and assemble the leadership team as they see fit.

Everyone else is

 

[mitchmagic]

Inexplicably, Bergevin will be safe. We won't blow it up, I really don't think any big changes will happen until AFTER the season. And even then, I think Julien will be the only major change (perhaps a couple of assistants.) We will find a different coach, who will also struggle because of the lackluster roster. Bergevin will speak to the media and ask everyone to be patient while our young guys (KK, Poehling, Suzuki, Caulfield, etc) develop. Meanwhile, new holes will open up that he will struggle to fill. We will be missing a top G and a top D in Price and Weber. We will remain in the middle of the pack and, again, he will remind us to be patient as trades are hard.

Though, in an ideal scenario, no one should be safe other than Suzuki, Caulfield, KK, Poehling, Romanov, and Fleury.

 

[HabsForHire]

Suzuki
Poehling
Kotkaniemi
Fleury
Mete

Short of a blockbuster deal involving us landing a franchise caliber young player, those 5 should be bullet proof.

All other players are up for grabs provided the return is right & fits a 2-4 year plan to build towards contending.

Staff- wise, I'd keep Ducharme & Timmins, in their current roles, but key is hiring credible & competent president & GM and let them evaluate and assemble the leadership team as they see fit.

Everyone else is

Agreed, except for mete. Its not like hes anything special and can definitely see him in a package trade at the deadline

 

[sandviper]

There's been a lot of talk with this horrific season of getting a clean slate and firing everyone. If you were in charge, who would you keep in the organization and the team?

For me, I'd keep:

Waite, Ducharme (promoted to HC; hire Boucher as an assistant), Price, Gallagher, Petry, Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Drouin, Lehkonen, Armia, Weber.

Honestly, everyone on the team top and bottom can GTFO except for Suzuki, Ducharme and Bouchard. I am actually not upset with players like KK or Poehling, but I think they can be moved if the right return opportunity presents itself. Suzuki to me is the only untouchable as I think he's gonna be special.

Of course, I wouldn't actually trade the whole team, but just saying Suzuki is one I'd definitely keep unless something crazy comes across the desk.

As for Ducharme and Bouchard, I think they are the kinds of minds we need moving forward in today's NHL.

 

[peate]

From what I heard Ducharme say in interviews, he doesn't impress me much, and that hair, wtf dude, get a comb.

 

[Omar]

I think Gallagher will age better than many are expecting. Who would have thought his skating would look its best this year?

I’m more concerned with his injuries

 

[Ezpz]

The three young centers and that's it. Our D are not very good. Mete and Fleury are "good for their age". KK, Poehling and Suzuki are the only guys I wouldn't move. Poehling is intriguing enough to hold on to for a few years. KK and Suzuki are building blocks. The rest can be moved in rebuild or hockey trades. Gallagher will break in the next few years. Nobody else fits the age of our next core.

 

[Miller Time]

Agreed, except for mete. Its not like hes anything special and can definitely see him in a package trade at the deadline

I'm admittedly bullish on Mete... I see rafalski upside in him.

For context sake, Rafalski was 6 yrs away from his NHL debut at the same age... Even with the league skewing younger, I think Mete's performance thus far points to a very high ceiling as he physically matures.

 

[bobholly39]

Here's who I voted for:

Price, Weber, Mete, Gallagher, Danault, Domi, Suzuki, Poehling, Kotkaniemi, Drouin
Barely missed the cut: Ducharme, Fleury

Price/Weber: They're safe if they want to be. It's what it comes down to - so i could see it go either way. Management (not Bergevin) would talk to them and decide how long a rebuild they plan and see if it makes sense to keep both/if both want to stay. So - i could see it go either way, and i think both players would have a bit of influence in the decision, which is why I voted them.

Gallagher/Danult/Domi: Part of our core, easy enough. All good players with a good fit for Montreal
Poheling/Kotka/Suzuki: all 3 young studs who should be strong NHL'ers. Still all 3 starting out. I'm not saying they're "untouchables" - no one is - but the team wouldn't move them unless it's for a much better player as part of a package.
Drouin: Strong start to year, his value probably a bit low still - no point moving on from him. See how things go upon his return though - that could change if he doesn't play up to par.

Mete - young D, no reason to move him. Probably could have put Fleury here too.

I didn't leave any management (including Ducharme) because the new management may want to bring their own folk. Ducharme could be a strong candidate to stay though among the lot. Maybe Timmons too.

 

[Mrb1p]

I voted for Mete, KK, Suzuki and Fleury.

The rest are all available or should get the hell out of my face.

 

[ahmedou]

Press Delete Club.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

Staff wise probably only Ducharme.

Every player should be listened to when it comes to offers but I’d probably vote Gallagher, Fleury, Suzuki, Kotkaniemi and Poehling.