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Habs Summer Poll Results Are In! |
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Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Habs Summer Poll! Just over 2,200 readers took the time to fill it out and make it that much more fun and interesting. Without further ado, here are the results along with my picks:
Do the additions of Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov, Al Montoya and Andrew Shaw make the Montreal Canadiens a better team heading into the 2016-2017 season?
Yes - 77% (1687)
No - 23% (516)
2203 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: Yes.
I’ve touched on this before but even though the Canadiens no longer have the services of P.K. Subban, when you factor in all of GM Marc Bergevin’s moves this Summer the Canadiens are indeed in a better place compared to last year. Montoya gives the Canadiens better insurance between the pipes should Carey Price get injured again while Shaw’s versatility and grit will make him a fan favorite. Radulov is somewhat of a risk but he instantly makes the Canadiens top six better. Weber will likely fit right into head coach Michel Therrien’s system but hopefully they will match him with the proper linemate to form the first pairing…
Will Alex Galchenyuk play the entire season at center?
Yes - 75% (1663)
No - 25% (543)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: Yes.
Based upon his performance in the last 20 games of the season, Galchenyuk must be given a full season at center by the Canadiens. He has the ability to be dominant and seems to thrive on the challenge. Canadiens fans should be excited at the prospect of Galchenyuk finally ready to play the position he was drafted for.
Will Carey Price stay healthy and play over 50 games this season?
Yes - 81% (1785)
No - 19% (422)
2207 Responses
My answer: Yes.
It can’t get any worse for Price this upcoming season. Stephane Waite proclaimed Price 100% healthy a couple of weeks ago and we have no reason to doubt him. Fluke accidents happen and are impossible to predict however I believe that Price will get well over 50 starts this season.
Who will back up Carey Price this season?
Al Montoya - 86% (1894)
Mike Condon - 14% (313)
2207 Responses
My answer: Al Montoya.
The Canadiens did not sign Montoya to play in St. John’s where Zach Fucale and Charles Lindgren will likely share the load. They must be expecting him to play in Montreal and he showed last season in Florida that he is still a very capable backup. His veteran presence will certainly be a bonus for the team. I expect that Condon will likely have a good training camp once again and that should help his chances at getting traded before opening night.
Which prospect will start the season with the Montreal Canadiens?
Mikhail Sergachev - 25% (557)
Michael McCarron - 36% (791)
Nikita Scherbak - 4% (88)
Charles Hudon - 9% (195)
Martin Reway - 3% (72)
Artturi Lehkonen - 23% (503)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My Answer: Lehkonen.
I think McCarron will likely be the first call-up during the season but unless the Canadiens find a way to trade David Desharnais, he will start the season with St. John’s. Lehkonen is coming over from the SHL after an astounding performance in their playoffs, winning the championship with Frolunda. He is coming to win a spot in the top 9 and I would not be surprised to see him outperform Sven Andrighetto to make the team this Fall. His game should translate well to the NHL although I would expect some natural growing pains.
If Sergachev starts the season with the Canadiens, will he play more than 10 games?
Yes, he will make the Canadiens outright and stay up all season - 26% (572)
No, he will be sent back to the OHL after a cup of tea with the big club - 74% (1634)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: No.
I firmly believe that Sergachev will greatly benefit from one more season in Junior with the Windsor Spitfires as he will have the opportunity to play for the Memorial Cup and hopefully at the World Juniors with Russia. It won’t be long until he is NHL ready but it won’t be in 2016-2017.
Which player is most likely to get traded before the season's end?
Alexei Emelin - 39% (856)
David Desharnais - 27% (606)
Tomas Plekanec - 16% (358)
Nathan Beaulieu - 7% (149)
Torrey Mitchell - 4% (83)
Brian Flynn - 7% (154)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My Answer: Desharnais.
He is in the last year of his contract and so it should be easier to trade Desharnais although the Canadiens may have to eat some of his salary. If players such as Lehkonen, McCarron, Phillip Danault, Andrighetto, and or Daniel Carr consistently outplay him, the Canadiens will need to make room for their youngsters. Desharnais is still capable of putting up 40+ points and there are teams with cap space that could be interested in his services…
If GM Marc Bergevin makes another trade before the start of the season, will it be for a:
Top 6 forward - 62% (1369)
Top 4 defenceman - 38% (837)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: Top 4 defenceman.
As of now the Canadiens top 4 will likely consist of Weber, Andrei Markov, Beaulieu and Jeff Petry. The left side is certainly weaker than the right and there are a lot more question marks when it comes to Markov’s health and Beaulieu’s consistency. Radulov’s signing has helped to solidify the top 6 and there will be an opening for either Shaw or one of the prospects to grab come September. It is on Defence that the Canadiens still need greater…
Will Michel Therrien finish the season as the Montreal Canadiens head coach?
Yes - 44% (964)
No - 56% (1243)
2207 Responses
My answer: Yes.
If I believe that the Canadiens are a better team this season, then the likelihood is that Therrien will still be the head coach by the end of the season. Whether I think if Therrien should be the coach is a different story.
Do you believe that Kirk Muller is the Canadiens next head coach in waiting?
Yes - 73% (1622)
No - 27% (585)
2207 Responses
My answer: Yes.
Muller was hired as an Associate Coach, the distinction automatically makes him more senior than the other assistant coaches on the Canadiens. He signed a long-term contract and is planning on being in Montreal for awhile. He has taken French lessons before and he would take them again if named head coach of the Canadiens one day. The Canadiens are not developing future head coaches in the AHL. This is eventually Muller’s job unless an opening comes up elsewhere that he jumps at.
Who will win be nominated for a Norris trophy first, post-trade?
Shea Weber - 39% (853)
P.K. Subban - 61% (1354)
2207 Responses
My answer: Shea Weber.
I’m bucking the trend here but I think that playing in the less physical Eastern Conference and playing in a big market will get Weber a Norris nomination within his first couple of seasons in Montreal. Long-term I believe Subban will have more nominations and wins but for the immediate future I give the nod to Weber.
How many Canadiens will score 20+ goals this season?
1 - 4% (92)
2 - 11% (248)
3 - 27% (592)
4 - 33% (732)
5 - 20% (439)
6+ 5% (103)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: 5.
If everything goes right for the Canadiens, then I would expect that Galchenyuk, Pacioretty, Gallagher, Plekanec and Radulov to all score at least 20 goals this upcoming season. They are all certainly capable of it and health will play a factor.
How many Canadiens will record 60+ points this season?
1 - 10% (231)
2 - 29% (635)
3 - 36% (805)
4 - 20% (436)
5+ 4% (99)
2206 Responses from 2207 Respondents
My answer: 3.
I expect Galchenyuk to break the 60 point barrier playing a full season at center and Pacioretty should reach that milestone again. One of Plekanec, Gallagher and Radulov should record at least 60 points as well, once again provided that they are healthy.
In which place will the Canadiens finish in the Atlantic Division?
1st - 12% (258)
2nd - 38% (835)
3rd - 27% (599)
4th - 13% (280)
5th or worse - 11% (235)
2207 Responses
My answer: 2nd.
The majority believe that the Canadiens will make their way back into the playoffs this season and I agree. Tampa Bay is still the class of the Atlantic division and Florida took some big steps last year but I am not confident that they will have the same success this season. I expect Buffalo to be more competitive as well. The key to Montreal’s success is obviously Carey Price and if he’s healthy there is no reason to believe that the Canadiens cannot finish in the top two in the Atlantic division.
If they make the playoffs, how far in the post-season will the Canadiens go?
Lose in the 1st Round - 27% (602)
Win the 1st round but lose in the 2nd - 28% (619)
Make it to the Conference Finals but lose - 24% (535)
Make it to the Stanley Cup Final but lose - 6% (126)
The Canadiens will win their 25th Stanley Cup - 15% (325)
2207 Responses
My answer: Win the 1st but lose in the 2nd round.
I do think that the Canadiens will make it back to playoffs and certainly have the ability to win at least one round. However, Tampa Bay is still a better team and I have a hard time going against them in a division final… It’s nice to see fans optimism but it is hard to see the Canadiens beating a team like Pittsburgh even if they make it to the Conference Final. Hopefully, I am wrong.
Thanks again for participating & follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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