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Canadiens Blue Line for the 17-18 Season |
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We are in the dog days of summer waiting, craving hockey news and frankly, there isn't too much to get excited about. While we wait for a news as to who the number one center will be I will project what the Canadiens projected blue line rotation will be heading into this season.
I'm sure most believe there is a position to be filled on the left side next to Shea Weber. Finding a puck moving left defense partner for Weber isn't exactly easy with the team as assembled but considering they are looking to replace a nearly 40 year on a twice reconstructed knee I dare say that if they continue with the signings they have there won't be too much of a drop off. It will mainly have power play implications but if the Canadiens play a forward on the point opposite Weber then it has the potential to be much ado about nothing for us fans this summer.
Assuming Bergevin isn't landing any more defensemen, although I REALLY hope they are in on Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher (more on that later), let's look at what they are working with come September.
First Pair: Shea Weber and Karl Alzner.
There are some who hated the Alzner signing and some who loved it. Count me as someone who really liked the signing. I believe Alzner was signed to be Weber's partner in what looks to be an extremely durable, very responsible, and moderately offensive first pair. Weber should have more of an opportunity to jump into rushes knowing Alzner is going to be back to cover for them both. Alzner is an underrated passer himself and it is my opinion that these two will one of the leagues better pairings next season. Alzner would still be a Capital if not for a couple ugly contracts currently sitting on the Caps blue line. They opted to let the bad deals play themselves out and hope Dimitri Orlov will continue to progress and Madison Bowey will make the jump to the NHL this season, which he will.
This pair will handle most everything next season, power play (well, maybe Alzner won't see too many PP minutes), penalty kill, and the oppositions top line. They will likely log 22-24 minutes a game and under Claude Julien I think they will be dominant.
I believe Weber should be able to produce 15 goals and 30 assists in a full 82 games and Alzner could post 4 goals and 18 assists as he's not likely to see much power play time.
Second Pair: Jeff Petry and *spins wheel*... Mark Streit.
Forecasting Petry in the spot of #3 RD didn't require a crystal ball. It's what he was signed for. Petry is an excellent second pair D who skates very well, can make great passes, and provide offense. He is a very good all round defenseman. We all knew this would be his role.
The other side though could be a number of guys but I think Streit will get a shot here to start the season and see where his legs are at. If he isn't suited for second line match ups then he will likely be replace by Benn, Davidson, or Jerabek.
Petry will be consistent, and hopefully healthy, and the his line mate, if not Streit, will be deployed strictly for a defense first assignment. That role should be something Benn or Davidson can handle. I think they both played well for what is expected of them and, again, a full season of Julien at the helm should help the entire defense group.
There is a chance Jerabek is given a shot at both the first and second pair LD this season. I've mentioned in previous articles that he is seen as a Zaitsev-type player, except with more skill on offense. IF that ends up being true then the Habs will have a perfect LD option for the top 4 and power play. If not, Benn and Davidson will be deployed as reliable players capable of handling most teams second and third lines.
Look for Petry to build of last years career year (8 g, 20 a) and put up 10 goals and 25 assists for another career year and log 19-20 minutes a game. I think Streit will be mainly deployed on the power play units and as a result could be good for 8 goals and 20+ assists as a result, if he plays 70+ games. If he's second pair then Streit will see 16-18 minutes a night. Should he be sheltered on the third pair then I'll put him down for 13-15 minutes a night.
If it ends up being Benn or Davidson on that second pair I wouldn't count on more than 4 goals and 10-15 assists from either guy. Maybe less. Either play could probably provide 16 minutes a game.
Third Pair: David Schlemko and Jordie Benn or Brandon Davidson.
For a pairing that is typically a testing ground for rookies and a place to shelter vets who are slowing down the Canadiens look to be pretty well set here. All three of the players I mentioned aren't likely to provide more than 15-20 points and a handful of goals but they are all very capable and responsible defensive players. These lunch pail carrying players will be pleasantly surprising this season in that they will be dependable, shot blocking, grinding types that typically always endear themselves to smart hockey fans bases.
None of the players will provide offense, but I think they will get a decent portion of ice time due to penalty kill deployment. Have to remember it's a rule the Habs take a penalty in the first 2 minutes of every game so this pair will get into the game early. Likely to hit 15 minutes a night for whoever is most dependable and a minute or two less for whoever is struggling. A parade to the box in any game will see their time inch forward.
Extras: Jakob Jerabek and Joe Morrow.
Both players are signed to one way deals and both represent offensive potential. Morrow, a former first round (23rd) pick had a productive junior career but hasn't been able to make it stick in the NHL. That said, he was a member of Julein's former club the Boston Bruins for the last 4 seasons and I have to believe his signing happened because of a good word or two from the Habs current bench boss. If he can be a serviceable, responsible 3rd pair guy then that meets my expectations. Anything more is a bonus. Let's hope Julien knows something we don't about Morrow.
Jerabek will likely be third line but being he has no previous NHL experience I am placing him in the "Extras" category. I believe Jerabek will be given a third pair role and second pair power play time by mid season and possibly play next to Petry by the end of the year. He has talent and great skating ability so it's just going to be about adjustment to the NHL for the 26 year old.
If Jerabek adjusts quickly I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up 6-8 goals and 20-25 assists with a couple minutes per game on the power play.
There is still a possibility of a trade to possibly give Weber a better all round partner, but if I were a betting man I would put my money on Bergevin working out a deal for a center before another defenseman.
What pairs do you want to see Julien put together this season?
OVERTIME:
One more thought before I close this one down.
A very interesting option for a left side defenseman is the aforementioned Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher formerly of the Colorado Avalanche hockey club. Unfortunately for the Avs, Butcher has decided to use his 4 years in college to his benefit and trigger UFA status just like Jimmy Vesey and Kevin Hayes recently did.
It is kind of sad to see so many bad situations playing themselves out in Colorado, but I can't really blame Butcher for his decision. He improved every year in Denver's program and finished his career with a NCAA Championship and Honey Baker trophy. The Avalanche are just not appealing to anyone right now. The debacle starts at the top and finishes with a mess on the ice. Just crazy to think about considering the success they previously enjoyed.
The 22 year old, left shot D man put up 7 goals, 30 assists, and a +27 in 43 games at the University of Denver and has likely assured himself a 2 year, max rookie contract with some solid bonuses. He skates at a elite level and plays the game the same way. He will sign with a top team and make their GM look brilliant.
This is the kind of player that Bergevin should be offering the max deal to. Craft some reasonable, and unreasonable, bonuses so you don't get hit with more than $1-1.5 million in bonus overages the following season. Those concerned about the LD positions in the top four would feel more at ease with the signing of Butcher. But, when the entire NHL comes calling who knows where Butcher will end up signing. Well, he likely won't be signing with Colorado so I suppose you could narrow it down to 30 teams.
If Bergevin can sell Butcher on the possibility of playing under a big spot light with a chance to line up across Weber and/or Petry then the Habs have as good a shot at signing him as anyone. Couple that with playing in front of the master of covering mistakes in Carey Price and he would be in a low expectation start to his NHL career.
Butcher's agent could also sell him on what just happened regarding Radulov's deal in Dallas. Play well in Montreal and the next contract will be huge. The big market teams can also provide this but Montreal has a recent history of being a career booster for defensemen.
My gut tells me he won't sign in Montreal, but I don't see how Montreal couldn't be in the final round of cuts from Butcher's list of teams, unless he has one team in mind over all others already. Regardless, I'm hoping Bergevin is crafting a solid pitch and contract to the young defender.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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