Best news of the year so far-- we won't have to wait more than nine more days to know whether or not there will be some sort of NHL season.
We'll wait for better news-- that NHL hockey will in fact be played, this month no less. And we're so close to being able to discuss the Habs instead of the lockout.
Why wait...
Habs Resolutions
1) Get off to a hot start.
The Canadiens buried themselves in the first 10 games of last season, and without a powerplay to lean on, never managed to climb out of the hole.
In a shortened season, with a new GM, new coach, newly found optimism, a compliance buyout for Scott Gomez, a healthy (potentially productive) Andrei Markov, with a signed P.K. Subban and a fresh Carey Price you have to believe anything can happen-- if only for the reason that believing they'll pick up right where they left off just isn't as much fun.
2) It'll be a short window, but the Canadiens will have to give Alex Galchenyuk a chance to prove his development will be better served in the NHL than it will be in finishing off the season with the Sarnia Sting.
We all know of Galchenyuk's exploits in the CHL this year, and in a sense, the NHL lockout has provided him with the best opportunity to find his legs at a level at which he's proving to be too good for--especially after a missed season and a strenuous knee-rehabilitation.
We know the AHL isn't an option for him. And while there's no reason to rush Galchenyuk into the NHL, if he proves that he can play there, his development in a half an NHL season could prepare him to really be a factor on the Habs by next season.
And really, how many players on the Habs have his game-breaking ability?
It's a peculiar situation, because you know that Bergevin's decision will depend on an abridged training camp.
I, for one, am very intrigued to see what he can do at a higher level, with better players around him.
3) Figure out what to do at centre.
The Canadiens won't have long to make their plans. If Galchenyuk sticks, his time on the right wing in Sarnia could serve him very well. As of right now, Plekanec, Desharnais and Eller are secure, but when the lockout ends, there could be a ton of trade stimulation around the league.
Will the Canadiens be presented with an opportunity to upgrade at centre?
Will they stand pat?
Can Eller emerge as more of an offensive threat, or will they finally give him a secure role as a shutdown player?
One way or the other, the roles need to be very clearly defined.
4) Improve the second line!
If nothing changes up the middle, and Galchenyuk makes the team at the wing position, what does that mean for Rene Bourque?
Say Galchenyuk doesn't make it? You have to believe that'll have something to do with the emergence of another offensive threat-- Brendan Gallagher?
Can Brian Gionta come back rested, recuperated, and ready to produce more?
5) Find the right mix on the blue line.
Currently, these are the players competing for a spot on Montreal's blue line:
Andrei Markov
Tomas Kaberle
Josh Gorges
Alexei Emelin
Francis Bouillon
Raphael Diaz
Yannick Weber
P.K. Subban
Jarred Tinordi
Nathan Beaulieu
Let's evaluate:
To start with, neither Beaulieu or Tinordi look prepared to skate a regular shift in the NHL, but one of them boasts something sorely missing from the Canadiens blue line. Bouillon is a tough mother, and he'll stand up for anyone, but he's not getting any younger. Emelin is a fantastic hitter, but he's not the guy forwards fear when they think about getting in Carey Price's face. Subban is a physical force and figures to be even more of one with those extra pounds of muscle he's put on over this incredibly long off-season, but he's not that guy either.
Can Tinordi find a way in, even as a 7th option?
And then, how do you mix it all up??
Take this scenario, and dissect it as you would:
Kaberle's on the books for the next half season, and for one more after it. If you get a cap-free buyout of Gomez done, why not help yourself a bit by hurting yourself a bit; buy Kaberle out against the cap. That solves one problem. (Of course, it's a tough pickle depending on what the cap will be fixed at over the next two seasons.)
I have no idea what the Canadiens have planned for Yannick Weber, as he's signed until the end of the season. But if they can't move him, he's prime bait for the waiver wire.
That leaves Markov, Subban, Gorges, Diaz, Emelin and Bouillon.
Fill-ins: Tinordi, Beaulieu, Ellis, Nash, St-Denis.
There aren't too many unrestricted defensemen of worth still available on the free agent market. Would the Canadiens look to one or two guys on the list for depth purposes?? Perhaps. Marc Bergevin certainly understands the value of cagey, veteran defensive depth. The question is, who fits the mold?
When you look at what they have, it's not the most versatile group. They can move the puck well, but they certainly don't scare you. Who can they put out there as a shutdown duo? Gorges and Bouillon?
Finding the right combos seems to be a monumental task, and you just have to believe there will be movement of some kind in there.
Bonus) Find some goaltending depth!
Robert Mayer, Peter Delmas and Cedrik Desjardins haven't exactly had a team of all-stars in front of them, but you could say that this season has been a chance for them to really shine and prove they've got more than just NHL aspirations.
Peter Budaj has prepared himself perfectly for an abridged season by practicing not playing at all. That's almost as concerning as Price not going anywhere to get games in.
In this shortened season, the Canadiens are going to have to depend on more than Price to backstop them, no matter how well rested he is.
Take a look at the
unrestricted goalie crop of free agents. Don't know if Bergevin has any kind of workable solution there.
If the Habs stand pat in nets, Trevor Timmins better have a draft strategy that involves goaltending, this summer.
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Will go through some more resolutions in the next blog... Happy New Year!! Thanks so much for your continued support through what's obviously been a painful off-season for all of us. Hope it's a healthy one for all of you and your families, and one with Habs hockey that bears no resemblance to what it looked like in 2012!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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