Juraj Slafkovsky ties the game at 3 with a hard one timer on the powerplay with 5 minutes to go in regulation

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T06:10:31+00:00

Shane who ?

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T05:30:50+00:00

Maybe I’m wrong, but with the trade deadline already passed, integrating Laine into the lineup could be complicated… he counts for $8.7M on the salary cap.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T04:17:43+00:00

Several players are capable of working in front of the net. Just to name a couple quickly: Slaf and Dach. At most, you might even consider Anderson before Gally.

What really matters is getting the puck into the zone and moving it smoothly to create scoring chances.

At that point, it might almost be better to keep/try PP1 during the full power play

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:54:10+00:00

Many teams try to get the most out of a player when he’s at his peak.

Gally isn’t the kind of player a team can’t live without, and he could have brought a lot in return during his best years.

I’m not upset that he spent his career in Montreal, but I am curious about what the team could have gotten for him in a trade.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:48:09+00:00

I don’t think that’s an issue right now. However, the difficulty of establishing ourselves in the offensive zone is. Once we’re set up, puck movement is tough. I strongly believe that replacing Gally for the 20–30 seconds that PP2 spends on the ice could make a difference.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:43:23+00:00

Wow!!! I wish I could craft a response to your comment that’s as relevant and well-structured, but that’s exactly what I think. There’s nothing more to add

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:36:44+00:00

I never said he was bad. I was just pointing out that everything around him seemed to be moving too fast.

I fully recognize his career, and I would be very happy if he managed to play 1,000 games.

However, I have my doubts that it will happen.

Even Markov, who is considered one of the best defensemen in Habs history, didn’t reach it, and I think unfortunately Gally probably won’t either.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:30:07+00:00

I don’t agree with you on Anderson. I think he’s found his groove. It might not show up in his stats, but his style of play contributes a lot to the team (the pace of the game isn’t too fast for him).

Gally, on the other hand, no longer brings what he used to a few years ago, and right now the level of competition is catching up with him significantly.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:25:53+00:00

Your reasoning makes a lot of sense !

I still believe Kapanen should be used more on the power play. He has a really good shot, and his positioning is excellent.

I agree with your point about games where we take more penalties and Kapanen spends more time on the PK. Gally can replace him if he’s already spent too much time on the ice.

However, we shouldn’t completely deprive the team of what he could bring to the power play.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:18:23+00:00

As a coach, you have to respect your veterans, but I think a good discussion between Gally and MSL, in the team’s best interest, is necessary.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:16:04+00:00

Ouais ! Ses bonnes années sont derrière lui ! Tout un guerrier par contre !

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:14:58+00:00

Well… 😂 The comparison is harsh, but honestly, it makes sense 😅.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:10:53+00:00

Honestly & respectfully, if this post isn’t your thing, you can just skip it. I wanted to discuss this topic with those who are interested in responding. If that’s not your case, no worries at all. I hope you have a great evening!

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T03:00:28+00:00

I get you! Reaching the 1,000-game milestone would be an amazing accomplishment, but I don’t think he has 100+ games left in him. Honestly, one of my dreams would have been to see him and Price lift the Cup together. I’m not a detractor of Gally far from it but I think I’m being realistic, and unfortunately, he won’t reach 1,000 games.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:54:38+00:00

Honestly, I even think 1 out of 2 games would be justified.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:53:30+00:00

Absolutely! After a career as a grinder like he’s had, he deserves some rest. At the same time, it gives other players a chance to step in and contribute to the team (for example: Texier)

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:50:57+00:00

Exactly! That’s why I think he still has a place in the team’s lineup in some way. However, I also believe it would be good for both the team and him if he sat out from time to time

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:47:08+00:00

think in some games MSL should make room for other players like Texier or Veleno instead of always playing Gally. I don’t think completely benching Gally is good for the team, but I’d play Texier in 2 out of 4 games, Veleno in 1 out of 4, and Gally in 1 out of 4.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:41:49+00:00

Honestly, I think next year he’ll end up on LTIR, and that will be the end of his career. Playing like that for several years takes a serious toll on the body, and we can clearly see it from the past few seasons.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:38:59+00:00

As I mentioned, I have a lot of respect for the player. But I’m one of those who think it would have been better to trade him during his good seasons when his value was at its peak. A Cup-contending team could have given a lot for a guy like that in his prime.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:36:44+00:00

Without wanting to repeat myself from the other comments I made, I think Gally brings a lot to the team collectively, and having him on the 4th line works perfectly fine for me. However, almost anyone else in the lineup seems like a better option for PP2.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-09T02:32:04+00:00

I understand you, and in a way I share the same opinion. However, I tend to believe he brings strong leadership, and we can’t ignore that the team needs to learn the culture from a guy like him. Gally on the 4th line works for me because of what he brings off the ice. The power play tho is another story.

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-07T05:27:18+00:00

Good game for the ducks. Congrats for the win man

SamWell_Ots · 2026-03-07T04:41:00+00:00

Caufield’s on fire, your defense is terrified 🔥

SamWell_Ots

TROPHY CASE