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Looking at Montreal's Defense- Expectations for '08-09 |
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Naturally the types of things you expect from your defense are completely different than those you expect from your offense. Sorry for the delay, and without further ado…
Andrei Markov: Cap Hit: 5,750,000$.
Mike Green, Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf were the only defensemen to score more goals than Andrei Markov last year. Recognized as one of the best defensemen in hockey, and one of the best players in the NHL, Markov has what it takes to play his best season to date. After what could only be considered a very disappointing playoff performance, the onus is on Markov to be the club’s true number 1 defenseman. That means playing in more than 70 games, shutting down the league’s best, and leading the group of six in points.
A great year for Andrei Markov would be: 15 goals, 50 assists, a + rating, over 70 games, and a starting All-Star position. With Streit gone, there’s more pressure this year for Markov to perform on the powerplay, so improving on his 58 points from last year should be expected. Anything under 70 games played will hurt Markov, and the Montreal Canadiens who haven’t done well without him in the last few years. Less than 10 goals, 30 assists, a failure to crack the All-Star lineup, and a – rating would be completely disappointing in Markov’s case.
Mike Komisarek: Cap Hit: 1,700,000$.
Komisarek wasn’t hired for his goal-scoring prowess, though the Hulk of Montreal’s defense didn’t disappoint with a couple of highlights against Toronto and Boston last season. All kidding aside, as the league’s top shot-blocker (227 blocked shots), who also finished 2nd overall in hits with 266, Komisarek shows a nice balance between taking pain and handing it out. His skating has improved with each season, and his confidence as part of the team’s top defense pairing is accented by the +9 he put up last year. As this season gets underway, Komisarek is in position to be the club’s most coveted free agent. At the very least he’s looking at triple his current salary, given what the market has paid other defensemen this summer, not to mention a minimum of 5 years on his next contract.
A great year for Mike Komisarek would be: Leading the league in blocked shots/hits, a + rating, and less—but more significant penalty minutes. By no means should a player be encouraged to play dirty, but Komisarek could afford to employ a bit more edge if he hopes to avoid some of the liberties other players will take with him. Everyone knows Komisarek is much more valuable to the Canadiens on the ice, as opposed to trading 5 minutes in the box with inferior players. That being said, Komisarek will have to keep his elbows up, and not be afraid to send early messages in games to opponents who think they can get away with cheap shots, knowing he won’t drop the gloves for a bad tradeoff. Anything less than an appearance in the top 5 in both hits and blocked shots, and a – rating would be a disappointment for Komisarek.
Roman Hamrlik: Cap Hit: 5,500,000$.
More than a few Canadiens’ fans cringed at Hamrlik 4-year deal last summer, but after one season not a single fan lamented his acquisition. Hamrlik scored 26 points in 77 games, ranked 4th in the league in blocked shots, and finished +7. He was the team’s most dependable defenseman in the playoffs, and a stabilizing force for younger guys in Josh Gorges and Ryan O’byrne, not to mention an older guy in Patrice Brisebois. Hamrlik showed a lot of passion about being a Montreal Canadien, a trait that has separated him as a fan-favorite on the team. Through all the positive, we’d all like to see Roman score a bit more, especially given Mark Streit’s absence from the lineup.
A great year for Roman Hamrlik would be: Another top 5 finish in blocked shots, 10 goals, 30 assists, a + rating, over 20 minutes of ice-time/game, and at least 75 games played. It’s going to be tough for Hamrlik to stay as healthy as he ages, but seeing as how he’s played over 75 games the last two seasons, and has managed to not miss too many games throughout his career, it isn’t too much of a stretch. Forty points is certainly attainable, and the physical edge he showed in the playoffs will be expected from him on a nightly basis. Anything less than 65 games, 25 points, and a - rating would be a disappointment for Roman Hamrlik.
Josh Gorges: Cap Hit: 1,100,000$.
In one full season with the Canadiens, Josh Gorges has proven all the detractors wrong. When he came over in the Rivet deal (otherwise known as the gift that keeps on giving, re: Max Pac) no one truly understood what they were getting. I personally felt he would be a good acquisition, and knew it would take a while for people to understand why. When he came to Montreal he was coming from a Sharks team with a completely different system. Adjusting to a new system/team, going from 18 minutes of ice/game to being relegated to the pressbox more often than not, can and will take it’s toll on one’s confidence. That being said, Gorges never got down on himself, his teammates, or his new coach who seldom gave him the opportunity to settle into a position. As Gorges continued to be shifted from the ice to the pressbox leading into last December his game slowly started to improve. Once given a regular spot on defense, he hasn’t given the coach any incentive to take him out of the lineup. Much like his attitude in taking on new challenges with the Canadiens, Gorges gets knocked down, steamrolled, and trampled, and always gets up for more. He also makes simple decisions with the puck, and clears the zone very effectively as his passing has improved greatly.
A great year for Josh Gorges would be: Moving up to the #4 position on defense next to Roman Hamrlik, averaging more than 15 minutes/game, scoring a goal (only Hab not to last season), and a +rating. Being a healthy scratch at all this season would be a disappointment for Josh Gorges.
Ryan O’Byrne: Cap Hit: 941,667$.
In 33 games last year, Ryan O’Byrne was a +7. Playing next to Roman Hamrlik for most of that time certainly helped, but nonetheless that’s pretty impressive. O’Byrne is ready to seize a full-time gig with the Canadiens, as the fans and Ryan hope he has what it takes to turn into a physical force like Mike Komisarek is. He’s a solid skater, who needs to improve on his coordination somewhat, but as a big body he can be counted on to share the physical load that Komisarek, Hamrlik, and Bouillon take on.
A great year for Ryan O’Byrne would be: 82 games, a +rating, 5 goals, 10 assists, a spot next to Hamrlik. Unless the Canadiens feel that Bouillon and Gorges have the type of chemistry they wouldn’t want to mess with, chances are O’Byrne will move into the last defense pairing. It’ll be essential for Ryan to show improvement in each aspect of his game as the season wears on. There will be injuries, and if Ryan can shine in those times he will give the coaching staff more confidence to use him at key points of games—something that’s essential for any defenseman to gain valuable experience. Being a healthy scratch in favor of Mathieu Dandenault would be a disappointment for O’Byrne.
Francis Bouillon: Cap Hit: 1,875,000$.
So he’s playing for a new contract…and it probably won’t be with the Canadiens unless he wants to take a discount on his market value. With the work that Bob Gainey has in front of him for next summer, chances are this could be the last year that Francis Bouillon skates in a Canadiens uniform. This is about the point where fans chime in with “Frankie’s over the hill anyways.” If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about Francis Bouillon it’s that when people count him out it’s usually when he performs best. Knowing that he won’t be a priority signing with the Canadiens will only motivate him to show his goods to the rest of the league. We also know he could definitely be used as trade bait. Bouillon is physically imposing at 5”8, 195lbs…sounds paradoxical, but it’s the truth. If he gets his skating back up to the level it was at before his horrible ankle injury a couple of years ago, he will return to form as one of the team’s most punishing hitters.
A great year for Francis Bouillon would be: 82 games, never being pulled from the lineup, moving up in the roster, and improving on his +9 from last season. We haven’t seen his very best over the last two seasons, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t play better than ever this year. He’s the type of player who thrives under minimal expectation, and given the pressure of earning an increase in his next contract I personally think we’re going to get a healthy dose of the old Bouillon…the one we all fell in love with. Being the club’s 6th defenseman, and bordering on sitting in the pressbox for a few games would be a disappointment for Francis Bouillon.
Mathieu Dandenault: Cap Hit: 1,725,000$.
Is it even believable that Montreal’s 7th defenseman will be a larger cap hit for the Canadiens than Mike Komisarek, Tomas Plekanec, or Chris Higgins will be? With rumors surfacing that the club may still elect to bring Patrice Brisebois back, it seems clear that Dandenault could be traded or bought out before training camp is over. It seems logical that he will be traded or bought out if Sundin is added to the roster. Seeing as how he voiced his displeasure last year about the way he was being used by the team, chances are he’ll be playing elsewhere at some point this year. Until that point…
A great year for Mathieu Dandenault would be: Having a roster spot, and keeping it. Not much else to say…A disappointment would be never cracking the lineup, never being traded, and getting bought out, waived, and unclaimed.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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