You can't improve a skill you don't have.

Barron doesn't have any DSkills.

A decent offensive output though
- WaterBoy

ee yes, you can

the other way around is much harder to pull

Mailloux is in Laval to learn how to play D properly

most young D are weaker and get better in their own zone with time

this summer...big wave of kids coming up

Reinbacher
Hutson
Engstrom
Kapanen
Beck

and thank you Fredo for my new location
- Symba007

It was the norm in antiquity

How many of them are NHL caliber?

2ish IMO
- WaterBoy

right now? not sure

in 2-3 years....I would say 3...maybe 4. You have the Habs top 2 prospect in Hutson and Reinbacher. Beck will make a push for the 4th C. Engstrom is the unknown, most have not seen him play but those who have see him as an NHL player for sure, we shall see. Kapanen...he will need to AHL time, another bottom 6 forward with potential.

By the way, all those 5 players were drafted in the 1st or 2nd round since 2021.

ee yes, you can

the other way around is much harder to pull

Mailloux is in Laval to learn how to play D properly

most young D are weaker and get better in their own zone with time
- deadpoulet

The NHL isn't a development league.

If Barron can't play D by now, he won't suddenly become the next Shea Weber defensively.

Not Like Ghule where he's got the skills and keeps on improving.

I'm quite sure that 5 years from now, heck 3 years from now, that Harris, Barron, Strudel, Savard will be a thing of the past. Matheson? Great Offensive D. Not sure if habs will keep him around or cash in at one point.

The NHL isn't a development league.

If Barron can't play D by now, he won't suddenly become the next Shea Weber defensively.

Not Like Ghule where he's got the skills and keeps on improving.

I'm quite sure that 5 years from now, heck 3 years from now, that Harris, Barron, Strudel, Savard will be a thing of the past. Matheson? Great Offensive D. Not sure if habs will keep him around or cash in at one point.
- WaterBoy

By now, you know he's 22 right?

right now? not sure

in 2-3 years....I would say 3...maybe 4. You have the Habs top 2 prospect in Hutson and Reinbacher. Beck will make a push for the 4th C. Engstrom is the unknown, most have not seen him play but those who have see him as an NHL player for sure, we shall see. Kapanen...he will need to AHL time, another bottom 6 forward with potential.

By the way, all those 5 players were drafted in the 1st or 2nd round since 2021.
- Symba007

Hopefully you are right.

right now? not sure

in 2-3 years....I would say 3...maybe 4. You have the Habs top 2 prospect in Hutson and Reinbacher. Beck will make a push for the 4th C. Engstrom is the unknown, most have not seen him play but those who have see him as an NHL player for sure, we shall see. Kapanen...he will need to AHL time, another bottom 6 forward with potential.

By the way, all those 5 players were drafted in the 1st or 2nd round since 2021.
- Symba007

I think Ghule will take Matheson spot once he's gone, whenever that is. Short term anyway but maybe for a decade or 2 as well

By now, you know he's 22 right?
- Fredo

Yes.

Name me a player that could'nt defend to save his life at 22 that became good defensively?

Only scenario I can see for him is to improve is O-game to a point where we don't care if he's bad at D... like Matheson.

I think Ghule will take Matheson spot once he's gone, whenever that is. Short term anyway but maybe for a decade or 2 as well
- deadpoulet

I could be wrong by I think Ghule's a stud and will be a stud for at least a decade.

Yes.

Name me a player that could'nt defend to save his life at 22 that became good defensively?

Only scenario I can see for him is to improve is O-game to a point where we don't care if he's bad at D... like Matheson.
- WaterBoy

Tim "MAGA" Thomas but he was a goalie.

Yes.

Name me a player that could'nt defend to save his life at 22 that became good defensively?

Only scenario I can see for him is to improve is O-game to a point where we don't care if he's bad at D... like Matheson.
- WaterBoy

Other than Ghule, they all need to learn a lot still. And are still very young.

Weber was not Weber at 18 or 19. Nor 22.

I could be wrong by I think Ghule's a stud and will be a stud for at least a decade.
- WaterBoy

Ghule, Reinbacher, Hutson, Mailloux, Wifi....that's your future D group

Add Engstrom, Harris, Struble....who ever gets to join the top 5 on D

Yes.

Name me a player that could'nt defend to save his life at 22 that became good defensively?

Only scenario I can see for him is to improve is O-game to a point where we don't care if he's bad at D... like Matheson.
- WaterBoy

Roman Hamrlik

Other than Ghule, they all need to learn a lot still. And are still very young.

Weber was not Weber at 18 or 19. Nor 22.
- deadpoulet

that's why rebuild take a long time, most guys start performing at a high standard consistently when they get to 23-24yrs old

this summer...big wave of kids coming up

Reinbacher
Hutson
Engstrom
Kapanen
Beck

and thank you Fredo for my new location
- Symba007

and I forgot Mesar...

Tim "MAGA" Thomas but he was a goalie.
- Symba007

I could be wrong by I think Ghule's a stud and will be a stud for at least a decade.
- WaterBoy

I was worried abut his knee(s) but so far so good this season

if he can stay healthy (mostly) over the years, agreed.

I think he was the C of his team in juniors and it shows

Other than Ghule, they all need to learn a lot still. And are still very young.

Weber was not Weber at 18 or 19. Nor 22.
- deadpoulet

Weber was a stud when he came in the league.

Ghule, Reinbacher, Hutson, Mailloux, Wifi....that's your future D group

Add Engstrom, Harris, Struble....who ever gets to join the top 5 on D
- Symba007

Wifi needs to come back

Roman Hamrlik
- Fredo

and I forgot Mesar...
- Symba007

its ok, we all did

how is his season going so far?

its ok, we all did

how is his season going so far?
- deadpoulet

decent. Was unured this weekend. Hopefully not serious

Weber was a stud when he came in the league.
- WaterBoy

he started at 21yrs old for 28 games, the next season he played 79 games, 40pts and a +13

not bad for a kid

Wifi needs to come back
- WaterBoy

he is working on a couple little things and getting mileage with Mailloux, your future 3rd pair

its ok, we all did

how is his season going so far?
- deadpoulet

36pts in 24 games so far, playing much better this year. He was really solid at the WJC a few weeks ago