2026 Training Camp Thread

[Bender]

You guys all know me, and you should know there's no bigger Habs hater than me. I don't buy what they're selling. They had a PDO bender last season, shooting the lights out, and I don't see that continuing into this season. The Habs will be average, so let it be written, so let it be done.

Yeah, I mean it was a nice run but Dobes blacked out for two series is the story. They're a good team, but I don't think they're first. Truthfully I think the Atlantic is a tough division but it's also tough to predict who actually makes it. Detroit and Ottawa probably don't but how do the rest fall?

 

[cw]

You guys all know me, and you should know there's no bigger Habs hater than me. I don't buy what they're selling. They had a PDO bender last season, shooting the lights out, and I don't see that continuing into this season. The Habs will be average, so let it be written, so let it be done.

Things definitely tilted their way last season. I too am not a fan of the Habs.

There is no question that they have some talent. Look what they did during OT in preseason or the playoffs.

The troubling part for Leafs fans is their GM is being smart and patient (not taking a mortgage the future page from Dubas)
They still need a number of things: 2nd line center, RH defensive dman, more grit and goaltending (we'll see if what they have develops or gets consistent)
He has all his picks, a good collection of prospects (in the top 8 NHL teams roughly) and cap space.
So they're going to give you lots more reasons to hate them in the next few years.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

You guys all know me, and you should know there's no bigger Habs hater than me. I don't buy what they're selling. They had a PDO bender last season, shooting the lights out, and I don't see that continuing into this season. The Habs will be average, so let it be written, so let it be done.

I think the Habs are set-up tremendously well for the future thanks to all of their stars grossly undervaluing themselves (confidence issue, possible red flags there) but yeah until they use that cap space to their advantage better I don't see them as that big of a threat. Can only go so far with Oliver Kapanen as your 2C. Goaltending and head coach are also still possible issues.