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Post by BigTed3 on Oct 26, 2024 11:29:40 GMT
Would be a mistake to trade Xhekaj IMO. He's the type of guy you need when your team is ready to go to the post-season. Maybe we're not there yet, but he's young enough to be around when we get there. I've said this before, but also not a terrible idea to try him out as a 4th line winger and 7th D man for special teams...
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Post by habulator on Oct 26, 2024 12:48:48 GMT
Would be a mistake to trade Xhekaj IMO. He's the type of guy you need when your team is ready to go to the post-season. Maybe we're not there yet, but he's young enough to be around when we get there. I've said this before, but also not a terrible idea to try him out as a 4th line winger and 7th D man for special teams... I absolutely agree with this. It makes me think of Rick Chartraw back in the 70's. The Canadiens needed big bodies to play with the Bruins, Flyers, et all. Chartraw became an effective right winger on the checking line. If needed he could be put back on D. Need some physicality, keeping the opposition honest - he was in the lineup. |
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,282
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Post by regis on Oct 26, 2024 13:06:51 GMT
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,282
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Post by regis on Oct 26, 2024 13:10:09 GMT
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Post by BigTed3 on Oct 26, 2024 13:51:28 GMT
We have absolutely been the worst defensive team in the league to start the year, and it starts with our best players. Statistically, the worst of the bunch have been the Suzuki line. On D, the worst has been Savard. That's what the numbers tell us. But overall, none of the Habs are really doing a fantastic job at controlling play, with every single regular player under 50% xGF. Heineman (46%) and Barron (44%) are the leaders at their respective positions. A lot of this comes down to a complete inability to clear the puck out of our own zone, leading to sustained pressure from the other team, tired players are goalies, and a lack of flow to the line rotation where some players end up sitting on the bench for 8-10 minutes of real time in a row. It all starts with being able to exit the zone in a controlled manner, and the Habs don't have that right now.
Again, I'd argue they need to change up the lines and pairings. Put Hutson and Xhekaj together, for example, to give each guy a partner who complements them best. Up front, split up Suzuki and Caufield. That duo has been horrendous defensively and doesn't drive play on their own. Most of the time, their success has come from a high shooting percentage, which has never been sustainable in the long run. Heineman should be in the top 6... he's been one of our better players thus far, both as a possession driver and as a shooter, so why not pair him with Suzuki instead? I also wonder if they shouldn't be recalling Joshua Roy with Slafkovsky hurt... there are easily some system issues here too, but before we get there, the line construction needs to be better to maximize the skillsets of the players being used.
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Post by ramcharger440 on Oct 26, 2024 15:05:46 GMT
If MT slams Arber it is even more proof we need to keep him! LOL! this is the same clown that ran Subban out of town! Sometimes players don't fit into the mold they would like but perhaps they are what they are going to need! Personally I think we have more of a coaching issue than a player issue when it comes to our D. |
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regis
Le Gros Bill
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Post by regis on Oct 26, 2024 15:39:28 GMT
I like Arber . He brings an element that this team has lacked for years .
Does he make mistakes ? Sure he does . But is there a need to make the comments MSL made in public ? I don’t think so?
Everyone on this team makes mistakes .
Matheson had a career high in points last year but was also a -24 , so he wasn’t perfect .
There are others
You got an issue with Wifi, take him aside , and explain what you want .
Right now after 7 or 8 games , the team sucks and that’s on MSL .
If they’re going to lose , lose with effort
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Post by HTL on Oct 26, 2024 18:31:35 GMT
Since when does MT's opinion matter at all to Hab fans? I know i don't give a crap.
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Post by claremont on Oct 26, 2024 20:34:57 GMT
I like Arber . He brings an element that this team has lacked for years . Does he make mistakes ? Sure he does . But is there a need to make the comments MSL made in public ? I don’t think so? Everyone on this team makes mistakes . Matheson had a career high in points last year but was also a -24 , so he wasn’t perfect . There are others You got an issue with Wifi, take him aside , and explain what you want . Right now after 7 or 8 games , the team sucks and that’s on MSL . If they’re going to lose , lose with effort I like Arber too, and I choose to believe the preseason was an aberration/exception of fighting everyone to protect the team and take some bad penalties. I hope we keep him but like I said in an earlier post, if we are targeting a strong RHD improvement, we are going to have to overpay and sacrifice someone of significance. Xhekaj has value to a lot of other teams as a 5/6 pairing. I'd rather trade some draft picks vs. trading a more mature asset like Xhekaj. |
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Post by HTL on Oct 27, 2024 3:08:08 GMT
The Canadiens have recalled forward Lucas Condotta from the Laval Rocket
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Post by jenniferrocket on Oct 27, 2024 14:27:58 GMT
So good to see Dach and Newhook score goals last night. Let it be the "beginning" of their seasons.
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Post by maasart on Oct 27, 2024 20:10:53 GMT
So good to see Dach and Newhook score goals last night. Let it be the "beginning" of their seasons. a much better effort all around - confidence seemed to be building. We need to see another strong one today. |
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Post by HTL on Oct 28, 2024 17:43:14 GMT
The Canadiens have recalled forward Lucas Condotta from the Laval Rocket Sent back today. |
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,282
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Post by regis on Oct 29, 2024 14:56:08 GMT
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regis
Le Gros Bill
Posts: 1,282
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Post by regis on Oct 30, 2024 13:18:53 GMT
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Post by habsology on Oct 30, 2024 14:08:34 GMT
The things that I'm seeing in Xhekaj is that his usage seems to be reminiscent of a Therrien-type leash. His is shorter with MSL than others it seems. The guy has the hardest shot on the team (Weber caliber), and he doesn't even get an experimental try on the PP? He's a healthy scratch way too often, so how is he supposed to "develop"? I feel like he is being a bit mishandled when compared to other players. |
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Post by maasart on Oct 30, 2024 16:20:08 GMT
The more i watch this team, the more i wonder if the system isnt the big problem here.
Back when Julien took over for the second time, he implemented a man to man defensive system. Everyone was lost. Even vets like Weber and Petry - who did finally start to 'get' it took some time.
Look at our roster now & its no surprise that these kids are having a hell of a time adapting - and whats worse, our vets at forward are having trouble figuring out where to be to help the young d-men.
I think we need to simplify our defensive system - at least for a bit. I get what MSL is trying to do - we have an extremely fast and mobile defense so using them in a man-to-man system would probably be the best option once they are ready but i dont think that time is now. Watch what happens when we lose a faceoff in our own zone... no one seems to know where they should be & run around like crazy just trying to find their man. Its not working, clearly.
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Post by HTL on Oct 30, 2024 18:34:12 GMT
LM sent back to Laval. Guhle must be ready to go.
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Post by ramcharger440 on Oct 30, 2024 19:13:12 GMT
The things that I'm seeing in Xhekaj is that his usage seems to be reminiscent of a Therrien-type leash. His is shorter with MSL than others it seems. The guy has the hardest shot on the team (Weber caliber), and he doesn't even get an experimental try on the PP? He's a healthy scratch way too often, so how is he supposed to "develop"? I feel like he is being a bit mishandled when compared to other players. I agree poor guy must be worried all the time to make a mistake not a good thing for a Dman! |
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Post by ramcharger440 on Oct 30, 2024 19:42:17 GMT
Well well! changes in the lineup today! Heineman is up with Nick and CC, Slaff is on a line with Dach and Kapanen and Newhook is down with Armia and Dvo. This could work out and I have wanted to see them try these guys in better spots for a while now! Newhook should sit a game or two in my opinion but whatever.
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