unfortunately the also still have Joe Philbin
- DoubleDown

That's all on Ross. Either they're a playoff team this year or he's out IMO. He can't protect him forever.

At this rate, the problem is that they will remain average, and never a contender. Draft late, stay in the middle kind of team. Montreal isn't a coveted place to go for a UFA (crazy fans, high taxes, bad weather, yada yada yada). Habs always need to overpay for UFAs. The only solution is to acquire talent via trade. That's Bergevin's job, and so far he's been really staying put with his mentality to build through the draft.

What bugs me is that this isn't the Chicago Blackhawks situation, where you can go get guys like Kane and Toews through the draft and build up around them.

The only thing the Habs are having right now are potential 3rd liners...or guys like Scherbak that are "make it or bust". Don't really know what the solution is here.
- stinger67

he made it very clear from day 1 that he wasn't coming here to make splashy trades.

That's all on Ross. Either they're a playoff team this year or he's out IMO. He can't protect him forever.
- golfingsince

at least if they suck this year they should be entertaining.

I think one advantage of being an annual competitor or a strong competitive team is that it even though it hurts your draft position and chances to build through the draft, it DOES make the team more enticing to play for, for UFAs looking to sign somewhere new for a chance to win.

Unfortunately, most of those UFAs have sucked recently & you can rarely count on getting 1st line talent that way.
- twiztedmike

Exactly, so you need to draft and develop extremely well, and get a little bit of luck on the way.

...and Jakob DeLarsEllerose
- TypLeafsFan fan

I see flashes from him that are somewhat promising. Right now he's just focusing on mistake free hockey that doesn't leave alot of room for creativity, like the rest of the team if you ask me.

I've seen him do 2 or 3 passes so far..

...and Jakob DeLarsEllerose
- TypLeafsFan fan

at least if they suck this year they should be entertaining.
- DoubleDown

I knew I hated that Dion Jordan trade since day 1. That's the kind of move that sets you back a few years.

Exactly, so you need to draft and develop extremely well, and get a little bit of luck on the way.
- stinger67

Yeah, you still have to draft well, its just harder. Still, lots of good players come from picks 11-60

I knew I hated that Dion Jordan trade since day 1. That's the kind of move that sets you back a few years.
- golfingsince

what a dolt that kid is.

what a dolt that kid is.
- DoubleDown

(frank)ing Ireland trading up to draft a position of strength and he lands a bust. It's almost enough to make a man cry.

Don't forget Midgets, we have midgets like Reway
- Fredo

It would be nice to see a couple of the bigger lads we've drafted take a step forward...

- DoubleDown

(frank), just another "good without the puck" (frank)ing player.

(frank)ing Ireland trading up to draft a position of strength and he lands a bust. It's almost enough to make a man cry.
- golfingsince

You know what'll be entertaining... the Jameis Winston train wreck.

It would be nice to see a couple of the bigger lads we've drafted take a step forward...
- number_23

Would be nice to see anybody we drafted in the last 4 years take a step forward. Right now I only see Gallagher

Would be nice to see anybody we drafted in the last 4 years take a step forward. Right now I only see Gallagher
- Fredo

Beaulieu is starting to look good as well

You know what'll be entertaining... the Jameis Winston train wreck.
- number_23

I'm not sure about that guy. I've watched some footage where he throws some brutal passes that he doesn't get penalized on at the college level. At the pro level they're pick 6's. Maybe they'll straighten out his mechanics and he'll be fine.

Would be nice to see anybody we drafted in the last 4 years take a step forward. Right now I only see Gallagher
- Fredo

#FireTimmins

I'm not sure about that guy. I've watched some footage where he throws some brutal passes that he doesn't get penalized on at the college level. At the pro level they're pick 6's. Maybe they'll straighten out his mechanics and he'll be fine.
- golfingsince

No. That guy'll be a train wreck, on AND off the field.

There are more goals in soccer right now than watching the Canadiens play.

Tony Marinaro

Beaulieu is starting to look good as well
- stinger67

He's ok-ish

#FireTimmins
- WaterBoy

I blame Therrien

I blame Therrien
- Fredo

Not his fault he doesn't have any offense to play with.

Not his fault he doesn't have any offense to play with.
- WaterBoy

what about Clutchioretty / EmptyNetoretty?

Not his fault he doesn't have any offense to play with.
- WaterBoy

Doing a great job with Galchenyuk

Doing a great job with Galchenyuk
- Fredo

at some point Galchenyuk needs to shoulder some of the blame for lack of production. he was drafted to be the guy that creates offence, not the guy that needs to benefit from other good players.