1) How far are the Canadiens from contending for a Cup? Not that far in
in my estimation, though to get to the next level, they'll need to take some risks at forward.
2) We're talking about a team that finished 6th in the Eastern Conference, and was in the running for their division until the final weeks of a season--in which they were deprived of Markov, Gorges and Pacioretty's services.
They've already set out on the optimization plan for their blue line, and being able to count on Markov and Gorges for the season is a big part of it.
Pacioretty's return to form is a question mark, until he proves that the near-fatal blow he absorbed has had negligible influence on his confidence. He believes he'll make a very strong return, and he's well aware he'll have to prove his beliefs to everyone else.
Scott Gomez and Mike Cammalleri have a lot of incentive to come back much stronger than they were last season.
If those things happen, the Canadiens offense will be improved as well. But, that's not enough to ensure the team will get to the next tier.
3) In reality, Andrei Kostitsyn will return to the Canadiens at the same cap hit for one more season. He's got one more year until he reaches unrestricted free agency. If there were a year where you were going to get much better production out of him, this is it.
4) What value does Benoit Pouliot have on the market? Could the Canadiens even get a 2nd round pick for him? As it stands, the Canadiens don't have a pick in the second round for this year's draft.
If they can't move Pouliot and a pick for a second rounder, will they entertain the option of bringing him back to the Canadiens?
5) David Desharnais is a low-cost, depth solution for the Canadiens to unearth this season. With the experience he's already accumulated, there's reason to believe he could be on his way to turning heads--as he's done in every other league he's played in.
The problem is, the only position available to Desharnais will be at wing. If he can succeed at that position, he'll be a solid player for years to come.
But if he's playing the wing, at what point do we start worrying about the Canadiens unwillingness to address the size issue?
6) Steve Hindle suggested Pascal Dupuis and Max Talbot to be interesting options for the Canadiens to consider on this year's UFA market. Can't disagree with him. Dupuis has size, but rarely uses it. That said, he's a player that can play up or down in your lineup, and he provides solid depth.
As for Talbot, he's a player that does play with physicality, and he's a winner and a playoff performer. Have a hard time believing the Penguins would part with him, but if he hits the market on July 1st, the Habs should be first in line to obtain his services.
7) Not sure who the Canadiens are looking for as a back up, but anyone who can play 15 games and win half of them will do. Perhaps it's Alex Auld once again. Perhaps it's Curtis Sanford.
Either way, Price will need a bit more rest than he received last season. It's one thing to play 72 games in a season, it's another to do it every year.
8) If Yannick Weber earns an active roster spot out of training camp, I think we're on the verge of seeing him come into his own at this level. Weber's a quick starter--this much we know, despite sub-standard training camps with the Canadiens.
As soon as this kid starts hitting the net, he'll be scoring much more often. I think the little bit of playoff experience he was able to gain will do him some good, and for a player with a lot of ability, sitting in Subban's shadow, he's got a lot to prove.
9) Tom Pyatt's reliability in his own end has kept him with the Canadiens for the better part of two seasons. At times, he's seemed to be an undervalued component of the team's defensive success.
But for all the chances he gets to contribute offensively, he has nothing to show for it. Do the Canadiens really not have someone to promote that can be just as responsible, and chip in with the odd goal?
And if they don't...surely they can put someone in that position that offers size and physicality.
10) How much better are the Canadiens, if they get a full season out of Andrei Markov? Hard question to answer at this point...
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»