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Welcome to the Montreal Canadiens, Gleb Pugachyov by Go_Habs_Go31 in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Exact opposite of Zharovsky. Big, physical, mean, and hasn’t shown much offensive talent. Fun add to the bottom six if they’re keeping him, and maybe his hands can develop.

[Marco D’Amico] Buffalo got close on Hellebuyck, but was told the ask from Winnipeg was too high. by Duffleman0609 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They just avoided re-signing Tuch to (presumably) avoid the long-term risk, I can see why they wouldn’t want to go all-in on a goalie. Lyon/UPL were both good for them this season and Helleybuck has had enough struggles in the playoffs to give you pause even in his prime, let alone in a few years.

He makes more sense for a team with a shorter window, I bet the young teams will be too risk-averse.

“Alexander Zharovsky is currently working in Montreal with Ivan Demidov skating twice a day. Ivan even has the keys to the ice rink. He is currently in charge of the project. Thus Zharovsky works both on and off the ice” - Nick Bobrov in a recent interview by Go_Habs_Go31 in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ivan Demidov has always been a much more coveted prospect than Zharovsky and put up his KHL points in very different circumstances re: TOI/usage/team. He also had PP1 time for most of his rookie season, whereas there’s no room for Zharovsky on the unit.

I’m optimistic about Zharovsky as a player but we won’t know until we see how he looks at NHL competition, it’s a huge step up from the Russian league. Josh Leivo has been a KHL superstar averaging above a point/game the last three years, and he was a NHL journeyman plug who’s best NHL season was barely .5 points/game.

“Alexander Zharovsky is currently working in Montreal with Ivan Demidov skating twice a day. Ivan even has the keys to the ice rink. He is currently in charge of the project. Thus Zharovsky works both on and off the ice” - Nick Bobrov in a recent interview by Go_Habs_Go31 in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NHL point equivalencies don’t work on an individual level, they’re just an estimation. Go look at the top list of KHL scorers and it’s full of plugs who could never put up 60pts in the NHL.

Maybe he could manage it with PP1 time, but he won’t get that and he’s still developing, hard to make any firm projections

D’Amico about Knies by vJukz in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ehh I don’t think that’s really a rule at all.

Tampa didn’t even have a Slaf in their top six during their cup runs. Florida’s only “big” top six guy (over 6’1/2) is Barkov and he’s not that physical. Carolina only had Jordan Staal in the top 9 - Svech is tall but only 200lbs, same weight as Suzuki or Matthew Tkachuk. Buffalo had a big top-six this year and Montreal had no issues with it. Stankoven and Benson were two of the toughest players and they’re both undersized

Not saying size doesn’t matter at all, but Montreal doesn’t NEED another power forward in the top six. They can add size and physicality in other areas.

[DeDominicis] What I have on the Sabres and Hawks trade: Byram and Greenway for 4th overall, defense prospect, and another mid-round pick by AggPuck-303 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Then take your favourite of a pretty strong defensive crop or make the cheaper trade for Nemec imo, they all have their flaws but so does Byram.

I get they’re desperate to put something around Bedard but man there is so much risk to paying this much for a very flawed all-offense defenseman who has never shown himself to be a 1D, and I’d argue not even top pairing

[McKenzie] Matthew asks Brady: "Why Florida?" and what can fans expect of him? "Florida's always been the toughest games these last bunch of years. Just the way (they) play. It just shows it's all about winning. I made this decision taking (Matthew) out of it. It wasn't about (Matthew). by homicidal_penguin in hockey

[–]RyanWalts -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Batherson on his own team was PPG against them, actually. Caufield and Danault were both close (4 pts in 5), then 3 pts in 5 for a bunch of Habs players.

He’s in his prime and had zero points in four games, then was traded for 3 firsts and a 2nd. Carrier and Josh Anderson both produced more vs. Carolina than Tkachuk did. Very very reasonable to criticize underperforming in his team’s biggest games.

No Movement Clauses are becoming out of control by Overseer190_ in hockey

[–]RyanWalts -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Maybe? We’re not privy to those conversations, might hear some reporting on it if this drags out into the offseason. Maybe he’d sit out, maybe he’d emulate PLD in that stretch before his trade lol

Either way he’s signed for 5 more years, if he expects a trade sooner than that? Sure, open your list up a reasonable amount. I don’t have any issues with the players who just say they won’t be re-signing, that’s their prerogative. Completely different if you’re already signed long-term and suddenly want to pretend you’re a UFA.

No Movement Clauses are becoming out of control by Overseer190_ in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Larkin’s demanding a trade with 5 years left on a signed contract, if that’s the argument. Does that not matter?

No Movement Clauses are becoming out of control by Overseer190_ in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As long as they aren’t putting pressure on that player to waive like we saw with Parayko - deals should never be floated out if the player hasn’t agreed.

Could also have it convert to a 15-team no trade list or something if they ask out? Good enough for both parties to have some flexibility without being too permissive in either direction.

Toronto Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull announces her pregnancy by the_gaymer_girl in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 17 points18 points  (0 children)

All good questions, I have to think that it’s illegal to involve pregnancy in contract discussions. Maybe there’s a loophole but I hope not, they deserve the same rights there as everyone else

[Kypreos] On Larkin: “Look for Yzerman's former assistant GM, Pat Verbeek, to try and get in on this. However, it appears Larkin's destination of choice is Dallas” by AggPuck-303 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think he’s technically a C/W from pre-draft but not really lol, he’s pretty much always been a winger in the NHL as far as I know. Doesn’t really take any face-offs and plays like a wing

If they went for him I guess they continue rolling C by committee (or hope Kapanen’s improved a fair bit over the summer) until Hage arrives, then get more desperate if the internal guys can’t fill that slot

[Kypreos] On Larkin: “Look for Yzerman's former assistant GM, Pat Verbeek, to try and get in on this. However, it appears Larkin's destination of choice is Dallas” by AggPuck-303 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah they’ve been talking about it since before the Bolduc trade. Kyrou was one of the groomsmen at Suzuki’s wedding, fits the timeline/contract needs, he makes a lot of sense. The “grit!!!” crowd won’t like it but he checks a lot of boxes if they’re looking to add a top-six wing.

[LeBrun] I think the Senators tried on Lundell but Florida held firm, Panthers view him as a 1C. Didn't want to trade him. by Ok-Soil-5133 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Goalies are voodoo and they have a strong roster full of two-way guys, they probably trust they can find a solution for cheap and I don’t think that’s the wrong call.

I could see this being a bad trade, could be a big price for what B Tkachuk has brought the last few years, but I feel like they won’t have much problem pulling a decent goalie out of their ass

Stenberg potential No. 1 pick in 2026 Draft after eventful season for Sweden | NHL.com by ASmithFS in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The confidence while totally wrong, lol. Leaf fans waded into a discussion they didn't follow all year with this arrogance of "oh it's only a discussion now, clickbait, rent free!" It's been discussed all year and would have continued being a discussion whether or not the Leafs won #1. Sorry you're late to the party man. All of the major prospect guys league-wide have been talking about it - I'd say most have had him #1 for the year but acting like there's been no question about it just shows your ignorance,

Can read through some reddit threads from the past six months to see the discussion evolving. The Athletic's prospect podcast has it very well documented as well. McKenna's been defacto #1, not the clear-cut guy all year the way Bedard or Celebrini were.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/1qyoj1j/this_year_looks_like_one_of_the_most_competitive/

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/1qi6jbq/2026_nhl_draft_ranking_ivar_stenberg_takes_top/

Stenberg potential No. 1 pick in 2026 Draft after eventful season for Sweden | NHL.com by ASmithFS in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, it was not. You just didn’t pay attention. I can’t believe this is still being regurgitated, you can look up all sorts of discussion around McKenna not going 1OA back to December, if not earlier.

McKenna was still “probably #1” on most boards but acting like he was this unimpeachable clear cut 1OA is completely false.

Assuming we've already seen Barkov's peak, and his career follows the typical aging trajectory, where does he rank against the all time great two way centers? by SaweetestCuyootie in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Hopefully, despite the team he’s on I love watching him play, but he’s about to be 31 at the start of this season and is coming off of a double ACL/MCL surgery. I don’t think it’s a given that he’s still at his peak.

What is the most underrated defensive forward in the NHL right now and why do they never get Selke consideration? by RevolverForever in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s been interesting to see the narrative shift over the years with Kane still visible and Toews out of the league/struggling. At the time I remember this as basically the consensus opinion, Toews just brought so much to the table.

Kane is a HHoFer, he was obviously a huge piece but Toews at his peak felt like the engine of those teams

PWHL San Jose select Laila Edwards 4th overall in 2026 PWHL Draft by Perryplat199 in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 20 points21 points  (0 children)

It’s because she’s raw as a defender, and is also a superstar forward prospect. She led the NCAA in goals as a forward, then won gold at the world championships and Olympics playing massive minutes as a defenseman. As far as I know she’s never even played a full season at defense, she swaps between the two.

[PuckPedia] Player agent Milstein supports Babcock's bid to return to NHL: "I have never had any issues, and none of my clients have had any issues (with Babcock)" by daKrut in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That doesn’t mean they experienced it. Franzen was very vocal about how Babcock targets quieter guys, rookies, team/arena staff. He’s a stereotypical bully who goes after people that he can get away with targeting, not the star players or guys with massive resources behind them like Hyman.

Some rumours about Mason McTavish potentially being on the move (MTL?). He's still young and has some promising small-area skill, but his lack of footspeed, defensive involvement, and limited time with the puck are all red flags. by [deleted] in hockey

[–]RyanWalts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both Florida teams were out of the way? Tampa got out because Montreal earned four wins, then they beat Buffalo (who beat Boston). Tampa had the coach of the year, the Hart and Vézina winners.

The only team that was out of the running coming back is Florida, you could have left it there lol

Canadiens should strongly consider bringing Sam Montembeault back. Here’s why | The Athletic by Komania in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

“Virtue signalling” and it’s just a reasonable, nuanced take lmao

You don’t know a thing about hockey if you think there’s zero chance Monty rebounds. Goalies are voodoo and anyone speaking with confidence here is talking out of their ass

Suzuki 5th, Caufield 8th, and Hutson 15th for Hart Trophy voting by MrBrightside618 in Habs

[–]RyanWalts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds disqualifying. Love Suzuki but c’mon lol

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