In part 2 of our series Andrew and I will look at Lars Eller. Specifically, is Eller a top 2 centre on this team?

Lars Eller has all the tools to be a prototypical top 2 centre in the NHL. He is big (6’2 215 pounds), he can skate, he can play at both ends of the ice and he has shown some high end skill. Eller’s 4 goal and 1 assist night in January 2012 was a glimpse into his potential; an effort capped by a beautiful spin-o-rama finish on a penalty shot. Eller also had a stellar run in the ’14 playoffs and was probably the Habs best forward heading into the 2013 playoff series against Ottawa. Unfortunately a crushing hit by player #62 ended his season and the Habs limped out shortly after.

Last season Eller ranked 97th in points among centres and was tied for 60th in goals scored. His snipes put him right in the range of what we would expect a top 2 centre to produce in 2015. His point total however, leaves him 30 points shy of being part of this elite group. Now Eller’s usage is certainly a factor. Eller starts close to 40% of his shifts in the Habs zone. His line mates have included Dale Weise, Brandon Prust, Jacob De la Rose and Devante Smith-Pelly. This is not exactly a who’s who of NHL snipers and set up men.

In fact, when playing with players with higher skill sets, Eller has produced nicely. His 5 point night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0kOxHEq2V0 came with Andrei Kostitsyn on his flank. Say what you will about AK46, but he made some sublime plays on this night and was a major reason Eller was able to take a 7 minute bow as first star. Take a look at Lars here: http://video.canadiens.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=147725 No one has commanded the stage at a hockey game like this since Ned Braden of the old Charlestown Chiefs. Thankfully Lars stopped short of the striptease.

Eller has shown flashes of brilliance and put up points in bunches when paired with Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk as well. Eller does get see a ton of powerplay time to pad his stats. He does not often paired with the Habs best offensive forwards and he starts most of his shifts in the defensive end. Andrew Berkshire did a study: http://sportlogiq.com/2015/07/20/lars-eller-controlled-exit-analysis-montreal-canadiens/ that showed that Eller is actually the best Canadiens forward at controlled zone exits from the Habs end. I have watched Eller enough to take note of his ability to skate the puck out of harm’s way and weave through the neutral zone.

The main reason lars Eller is not a top 2 centre on the Canadiens is that it does not serve the team’s best interests. Eller role is to do the heavy lifting in the Habs zone and on the PK. He has slowly lessened the burden on Tomas Plekanec; a burden that often wore #14 down over the grueling length of the NHL season. The Canadiens under Coach Therrien employ their centres as a collective. Without a true ace, the Habs match their centres to roles and situations where they can succeed.

David Desharnais has exceptional vision and is a deft creative passer. However, he struggles in the face-off circle and can be over-matched in his own end by bigger centres down low. He scores at an impressive clip though, so there is a role for him. He is designated for most of the offensive zone starts in the opposition’s end. Starting in his opponent’s end means #51 is not as liable to get burned defensively and he can focus on the skills he brings to the table; namely setting up goals.

Torrey Mitchell is a tenacious checker and a solid member of the PK unit. He is also right handed. He will take the key draws on his strong side to Price’s right and help share the load with Plekanec and Eller in the Habs’ zone.

Tomas Plekanec centred the Habs top line in the ’15 playoffs. Plekanec, Pacioretty and Gallagher absolutely eviscerated the Kyle Turris line in the Ottawa series. Turris was shut down to the point of being a complete non-factor thanks to the Habs #14. Against Tampa, the Plekanec line went head to head against the Triplets. Save for the heartbreaker in the dying seconds of game 3, they were very solid and gave the Triplets almost nothing at even strength. Plekanec can play the PP and the Pk and chip in defensively. He is, at least for one more season, the Habs main man down the middle.

This brings us back to Eller. Part of the reason #81 gets the majority of the defensive zone starts is that he excels in this role. Eller is a big body who can skate. He is strong on the draws and can handle the oppositions toughest match ups in the cauldron of his own end. Eller does not get the opportunity to play with the best players or pad his stats because in Coach Therrien’s mind, that is not what is best for his hockey club. The goal is to win every night and Eller is ideally suited to chip in when he can offensively and handle the opposition’s best in his own end.

I believe Eller lacks the vision to be a top flight point producer. He is able to control the puck for long stretches on the cycle in the opponents’ end. But typically, his possession is limited to the perimeter and he lacks either the offensive repertoire to make the play himself or the vision and hockey sense to find an open teammate. Eller has all the tools to be an offensive force, but some part of his game whether it is skills or confidence does not allow him to make the impact he should.

I believe Eller to be a player that can get you through the playoffs. I believe Eller to be a key component of the team fabric and identity that leads this Canadiens team to wins. I do not believe however, that Eller is suited for top 6 duty on Montreal.

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