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After watching the Stanley Cup Final battle between the Oilers and Panthers, it’s clear that the Habs still have a way to go before they can be considered serious cup contenders. As we approach the 2025/26 season, there are urgent needs to tackle, as well as some longer-term changes needed to the Habs roster.
The second line conundrum:
It’s fair to say that Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook failed to fill the need for second line center, both look more suited to middle-six wing roles. Michael Hague is still a few years from being ready, assuming he develops, while Owen Beck seems more of a reliable bottom six center in the NHL.
There has been discussion about possibly trading for RFAs such as Mason McTavish or Marco Rossi. Neither appears to be a great choice, considering how the Dach / Newhook trades haven’t worked out, at this stage of the re-built I doubt the Habs want to risk trying that again.
From a UFA standpoint, Tavares (probably remaining in Toronto), Duchene (possibly too old/slow), Donato (one solid season in a contract year), or Mikael Granlund (not very appealing or top-tier) are not ideal long-term options either. While Sam Bennet appears intriguing, the rumored $10M per year max contract seems like a bad idea (plus, I believe he will stay in Florida).
There have been discussions about acquiring a more experienced center. Although Crosby’s name has come up, that seems very unlikely. But what if we paired someone like a Malkin with Demidov? That could be a possibility.
I believe the Habs will sign someone like Granlund or Duchene on a 2-3 year contract, with a much lower chance of a Malkin-type player trade taking place, to fill the #2 center spot for the 2025/26 season, while they look for better long-term options down the road.
Returning UFAs:
I fully expect the Habs to move on from Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, and Michael Pezzetta, potentially opening up spots for players like Kapanen, Beck and Mini-WiFi.
I could also see the Habs brining back Dvorak on a cheap 1-2 year deal, depending on how successful they are at acquiring players to fill middle-six roles. He is solid in the face-off circle and defensively / on the PK.
Replacing Savard:
As Hugo wrote, the Habs need to replace David Savard.
After watching a few of the Rocket playoff games, David Reinbacher just needs more time in Laval. Logan Mailloux has size and offensive potential, but his defensive play continues to haunt his game. Neither player is ready to take Savard’s place at the beginning of the season.
It seems reasonable to think that Matheson (if he isn’t traded), Guhle, Hutson, and Carrier are a lock. The Habs have a good idea of how the likes of Xhekaj, Struble, Mailloux, and Reinbacher fit in their plans (more than any other position in the organization).
Is Noah Dobson the solution? The expense of acquiring him and the long-term contract commitment raises concerns (if the Islanders are even considering trading him). From a UFA standpoint, the practicality of costly contracts for veterans like Ekblad or Burns is counterproductive, and other alternatives are not particularly appealing.
Hugo mentioned that Rasmus Anderson could be the ideal choice for a trade. Anderson has a manageable $4.55 cap hit for one more season, but the Flames are short on defensive depth, so it will be intriguing to see if they keep him.
I anticipate the Habs will make a significant effort to acquire a top-4 right-handed defenseman during the off-season, securing their core four D while also having solid prospects to strengthen the top six going forward (or to eventually use as trade assets to fix secondary scoring and size).
A backup for Monty:
Monty has been okay, but he tends to be inconsistent, especially when he plays too many games in a row. Primeau got another chance at the back-up role in 2024/25 but did not perform well (again). Although Jakub Dobes started strong for the Habs, his lack of experience and raw skills became evident in his later games.
I believe Primeau’s time with the Habs organization is coming to an end.
Next year, the starting goalies in Laval should be Dobes (I appreciate his size and aggressiveness in goal, but he needs to improve on some fundamentals) and rookie Jacob Fowler.
The Habs require a reliable back-up who can start at least 30-35 games. There are several veteran back-ups available in free agency (Dan Vladar, Alex Lyon), or they could trade for a veteran goalie for a 4th round pick, etc…
But the ideal fit might be to bring back UFA Jake Allen.
Where’s the beef?
If you’ve been following the Cup Final (or just the Habs games against Washington), both skill and size are important.
The Habs have some bigger prospects, but not many of them play aggressively/big (except for Florian Xhekaj). I believe the Habs will focus on drafting heavier players this year, especially since there are some intriguing candidates who also possess skill.
Depending on what they do with their draft picks, the Habs could have a chance at selecting Carter Bear, Lynden Lakovic, Jack Nesbitt, possibly even on defense, Kashawn Aitcheson or Radim Mrtka..
TLDR: The Habs probably won’t make a major move for a #2 center and will likely choose a temporary fix instead. They are likely to pursue a RHD to secure their top four. Is there a chance Jake Allen returns as a backup? Additionally, they are likely to use their draft picks (if they retain them) to add some beef with skill to the prospect pool.
What do you think the Habs will do in the next few weeks?
i like the alex lyon idea.
if jake goes back to montreal and still doesn’t go with cool gear like he did in st. louis, i’m gonna be real unhappy with him.
ever heard of the story about the three holes in the ground..?
well, well, well… 😉
for a second there I thought you were just teasing us and wouldn’t post anything lol, good job! 👍
I think Armia might just stick around, he was less effective towards the end of last season but he’s a good reliable veteran presence to have for this young group, if it’s at a reasonable price and term.
I’d be very surprised if Jake Allen came back, I’m almost certain both parties have moved on, but weirder things have happened.
apparently the penguins have confirmed they wouldn’t be re-signing Malkin, so who knows if he could join the habs, but I enjoy considering the Crosby pipe dream a whole lot… can you imagine how insane that would be? holy. 😁
Looks like Pronman thinks the Habs will go big too.
He projects the Habs to get LW Carter Bear (#16), LW Lynden Lakovik (#17), C William More (#41) and D Carter Klippenstien (#49) in the first 2 rounds.
While this all seems unlikely to land as predicted (even if the Habs keep their picks), it does point to the thought (among many) the Habs will pick bigger / tougher players
Pat said:
apparently the penguins have confirmed they wouldn’t be re-signing Malkin, so who knows if he could join the habs, but I enjoy considering the Crosby pipe dream a whole lot… can you imagine how insane that would be? holy. 😁
I think it would be cool for Habs fans, but the expectations on him would be ridiculous. They would want Sid to be the Sid from his prime and accept no less.
Regardless, he would still be an amazing 2nd line center and make the Habs depth in the middle 6 really strong.
But I am also a sucker for players who play their whole career for 1 team, especially a player that has meant so much to an organization.
I was sort of sad to see Ray Bourque go to the Avs, but he wanted a cup, so I get that.
Sid has nothing left to prove.
Malkin has also meant a lot to the Pens, but not as much. I think he would be really good for Demidov, too. But Malkin does have 1 more year left, so who knows how the Pens play that out (or if they wait til the deadline).
Will be interesting to see what they do with that second line.
Looks like Pronman thinks the Habs will go big too.
He projects the Habs to get LW Carter Bear (#16), LW Lynden Lakovik (#17), C William More (#41) and D Carter Klippenstien (#49) in the first 2 rounds.
While this all seems unlikely to land as predicted (even if the Habs keep their picks), it does point to the thought (among many) the Habs will pick bigger / tougher players
I don’t know a whole lot about Carter Bear, but Simon the snake Boisvert (who now works for the Olympiques de Gatineau 🙂 ) seems to like him quite a bit, and I like the name, so I hope the habs do get to pick him loll.
I think at the position they’re drafting they’re in a good spot to take a gamble on a player that has size and a certain skillset that could be developed further, as opposed to picking in the top 5 where the margin for error is usually almost non-existent.
Kick said:
i like the alex lyon idea.
if jake goes back to montreal and still doesn’t go with cool gear like he did in st. louis, i’m gonna be real unhappy with him.
I am not sold on Lyon, very inconsistent.
I still think Allen would like to finish in a Habs uniform, and given there is a plethora of same-quality back-ups available, why not go with the (former) devil you know?
Habs will likely force him to put “get cool gear” in the contract.
Pat exclaimed:
I don’t know a whole lot about Carter Bear, but Simon the snake Boisvert (who now works for the Olympiques de Gatineau :)) seems to like him quite a bit, and I like the name, so I hope the habs do get to pick him loll.
I think at the position they’re drafting they’re in a good spot to take a gamble on a player that has size and a certain skillset that could be developed further, as opposed to picking in the top 5 where the margin for error is usually almost non-existent.
Yeah.
The pressure of a top 5 pick is huge, and with 2 picks in a row in the middle of the 1st, they can take a swing with one of them.
I really like Bear, but I honestly do not think he will be there at #16.
I think it would be cool for Habs fans, but the expectations on him would be ridiculous. They would want Sid to be the Sid from his prime and accept no less.
I don’t know about that, of course there’s a dumb portion of the fanbase who might complain that Crosby is “past his prime” but I feel the majority of fans would understand where he’s at in his career… there would most likely be an endless honeymoon between Crosby and the fanbase if he ever wears a habs jersey.
Pat astutely mentioned:
I don’t know about that, of course there’s a dumb portion of the fanbase who might complain that Crosby is “past his prime” but I feel the majority of fans would understand where he’s at in his career… there would most likely be an endless honeymoon between Crosby and the fanbase if he ever wears a habs jersey.
Habs would make their money back on jersey sales alone.
LOL.
I am not sold on Lyon, very inconsistent.
I still think Allen would like to finish in a Habs uniform, and given there is a plethora of same-quality back-ups available, why not go with the (former) devil you know?
Habs will likely force him to put “get cool gear” in the contract.
devils fans claim his rebound control was real bad and he was giving up a softie or giving up two quick goals too many times. but who knows, they’re devils fans comments i was reading. those people up there are all effed up in the head from all the smog, chemicals, and general north jerseyness (which is a documented clinical medical condition).
tks Mash! good job.
Malkin is done, passyeah well it would have to be on a very short term, it would only be to patch the roster up temporarily, that’s for sure.
Habs would make their money back on jersey sales alone.
LOL.
he could play just one game in a habs uniform and he’ll get a statue in front of the Bell centre loll
Fido stated:
tks Mash! good job.
Malkin is done, passI think he is still a 60-65 point player, assuming he plays 70 games per year.
For a year or two, that might not be a terrible option.
I mention him specifically because of the Russian connection with Demidov, but I could see them looking for a similar-type of stop gap player for the 2nd line center, as there is quite frankly not much out there right now… but with Hughes and Gorton, you just never know…
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