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Eller Signs, Montreal's Middle is a Riddle |
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The road to compromise is far easier to travel than the one Lars Eller and the Canadiens may have been headed down this morning. Avoiding an arbitration hearing in Toronto today, Eller was signed to a four-year, 14-million dollar extension Thursday that will pay him an annual average of $3.5M. The deal breaks down as $2.5M per for the first two seasons and $4.25M and $4.75M per for the last two seasons, respectively.
The smaller portion of this payout certainly speaks to Eller's spotty scoring over the last two seasons, and the larger portion of it hinges on his potential to be the consistent threat he showed he could be when it mattered most--over 17 games of playoff hockey, as he led Canadiens forwards in points through the Eastern Conference Finals.
The four-year commitment is in recognition of Eller's work ethic, his attitude, and his strife to be an all-around player, playing in all situations and against the opposition's quality forwards. It's a deal that should provide Eller with the confidence he desperately needs to take his offensive game to new heights. It's also a deal that gives the Canadiens a fair degree of flexibility at the centre ice position.
Montreal now has a total of 12.85 million dollars committed to Tomas Plekanec, David Desharnais, Manny Malholtra and Eller; all of them capable of punching above their weight. The balance is certainly there for a team without any marquee forwards beyond Max Pacioretty, and with Alex Galchenyuk waiting in the wings, the internal competition at the position is ramped up.
On the other side of the coin, if you look at the NHL's most successful teams, the top two lines are anchored by premium centremen. If Galchenyuk hasn't pushed one of Montreal's top two centremen out of position by the end of training camp, the Canadiens will be banking on the idea of all of their centres necessarily punching above their weight.
Will Desharnais be the guy who put up 51 points in his final 60 games of last season, adding eight in 17 playoff games, or will he even remotely resemble the guy who only managed a single assist in his first 19 games?
Can Plekanec bring more to the table in the offensive zone, now that Malholtra's here to alleviate a bit of pressure on the defensive side; now that he's likely to have better linemates throughout the season?
Can Eller prove to be anything more than a streaky player?
If things work out for all three of these players, the balance and depth of Montreal's centre ice position could do a lot to help propel them back to the playoffs and give them a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup once they get there.
At this stage, all three players are on very digestible deals; all of them with potential to garner a good return on the trade market should Galchenyuk force his way into the frame. Plekanec figures to be the most expendable, especially if the team is looking for a sharper offensive dynamic on their top two lines. The need for a prolific, scoring winger is still glaring, regardless of the promise young prospects Jiri Sekac and Jacob De La Rose offer. After P.K Subban's deal gets done, this will become the focal point of a hockey discussion that never ceases.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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