Just a few thoughts about this line up. First, the kids like Poehling, Suzuki, Evans, Brook, Fleury still need to develop their game in the minors, learn to be real pros. Habs fan can't expect Poehling to jump in full time next year. He's never played more than 45 games in a season. It's exactly what happen to KK this year. And i don't think you can send KK down to Laval next year after a successful but learning season.
Thompson is resigned for one year because he gave MTL what it needed on the fourth line, a guy that can win faceoffs and be responsible. He's also a great PK option. This move allows the kids one more year of seasoning before making the jump. And we know that Julien didn't trust the fourth line all season until the last month or so when Weal and Thompson were acquired.
I explain the reasoning for each trade below but basically trading Petry & Shaw allows us to take advantage of their successful seasons while getting younger in the process, which is something MB has stated as being a priority. Now, I know everybody says don't trade Drouin - he's young, offensive, speedy, bla bla bla. Bottom line, he doesn't have any work ethic, is irresponsible defensively and clearly doesn't enjoy the limelight in MTL. The fact that he's 24 allows us to get a player like Hamilton in return. Carolina has 4 NHL level RH defenseman. In their position, I would trade one to solidify my top 6 forwards.
As for Kincaid as backup, the reason for that is quite simply, until Lindgren can play a full season or two in the AHL and be dominant, he cannot be counted on to be a reliable backup to Price. Playing 20 games a season will not help this kid. Kincaid has played behind Schneider in Jersey for 5 + yrs and managed to take over the #1 spot last year. He can certainly handle a small workload and still be reliable in my opinion.
Finally, the Hayes signing is a little bit of wishful thinking but with the cap room we have and the possibility of him being the #1 center for a few years (I know I have him a the 2C in my lineup) could entice him to sign. It would then give us tremendous strength up the middle and certainly more size.
CAR has too many RHD and could use a top 6 forward with offence. Brind'Amour was a tough player who didn't take nights off, maybe he can get some consistent effort out of Drouin for 82 games. Reilly becomes a reliable 6-7th dman and Verbeek a B/B- prospect with tons of speed.
MTL get a younger, bigger version of Petry who can actually defend his own end and create more offense than Petry (pts total fairly close this year). I've seen tons of post that Hamilton is a cancer in the room but Julien had him for 3 yrs in Boston. And besides, that shit wouldn't fly with Weber/Gally/Price. Reilly was surpassed by Kulak in the last two months of the season, becoming expendable.
Everybody says Provorov, Sanhiem, Hägg are untouchable, They're all LH with Sanhiem playing on the right. Petry gives them a top 4 RH dman that can provide offense. He can play with any of the three. MTL also trades him now to maximize his value after back to back 40 + pts seasons. Shaw becomes a great 3rd liner who can play C or RW and can move up the lineup if needed. Also taking advantage of a career offensive year.
Why everyone is always considering Juulsen to make a comeback next year... He had a vision related injury that could practically end is career. Until we have more info I would scratch juulsen from the line up.
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