Roles
Most NHL hockey gurus have their own unique methods of identifying what key pieces a team needs to win. There are many formulas out there. Books and books on how to win the Stanley Cup and what kind of lineup it takes, yet of all the various differing minutia one method remains the most effective, the most tried, tested and true of them all: playing skaters in roles they are most naturally suited to play.
This simple philosophy of getting the most out of a player stems back to where on the ice that player can get the most out of himself. And so, in that regard, every professional hockey player has his own "sweet spot."
Finding that sweet spot is the "coach's burden," yet though the mixing and matching of lineups is often a process of trial and error, the hidden truth is that each and every player has one position, one specific role that he can best fulfill. Some can fulfill multiple roles, yet even the most versatile of players who possess many skills have one ultimate talent which dominates the rest.
Thus, with an eye on balancing an NHL lineup, the key would have to be playing skaters in the positions they are best suited to play.
It's as simple as evaluating what lineup needs a given roster can fulfill.
Comfort Zones
The most fundamental and essential basis to player evaluation is figuring out what they do best, and where they do it.
When it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, and most notably recent comments made by team president, Geoff Molson, regarding how great an off-season Pierre Gauthier had, we must consider the context.
For the Habs, a team that has been building itself up over the last two seasons, this new season represents the first time for many of them to start the year in a "comfort zone."
The element of consistency, a key in providing comfort within a locker room, has finally settled in Montreal.
Though the loss of Roman Hamrlik is a notable depletion from the core, the Canadiens lineup, as it currently stands, holds up quite well in regards to boasting a roster of players who are slated to play roles they are best suited to play.
Or does it?
Individually, the Canadiens lineup holds many questions, yet as a whole they appear as a potentially well-rounded lineup.
Is Montreal's roster full of players who are best suited to play the roles they are destined to play?
Let's see what you think! Cast your vote and share your opinions in the comments:
1st Line Center: Tomas Plekanec
My Opinion:
Plekanec may be better described as the best no.2 centerman in the league, but there's no doubt he can fulfill the no.1 role as he has demonstrated over the last few seasons. The key in optimizing Plekanec's production, one of the better defensive minded centermen in the NHL, is providing him with similarly talented wingers. Entering the prime of his career and being provided a boost in top line talent over the summer, the idea is that if Plekanec can see a healthy season out of both Michael Cammalleri and Erik Cole, 2011-12 is primed to be the best opportunity to maximize his potential.
2nd Line Center:Scott Gomez
My Opinion:
When younger, Gomez was once surrounded with tremendous talent and depth. Now, having grown out of insulated roles where he was provided the time and space needed to be an effective play-maker, we have come to learn that Gomez struggles to "run the show" on his own. That said, it's also evident that for him to be successful he needs to be in shape and have his heart and mind in the game.
While the dastardly cap hit squelches all hope of seeing #11 live up this paycheck, he does indeed boast the potential of returning to a reputable level of production, one worthy of a decent second line center in the NHL. Though ideas of lofty point production have gone by the wayside, if he can prove he's in shape and passionate about succeeding on the ice, the upgraded options at wing should help him find his old ways.
3rd Line Center: Lars Eller
My Opinon:
While the loss of Jeff Halpern will certainly sting in terms of faceoff value and leadership, the upside Lars Eller offers as the Canadiens 3rd line center is significant. Younger, quicker and with plenty of offensive potential, the young Dane demonstrated progress and maturation during his rookie campaign and, while he is still in need of proving his worth as a top 9 forward in the NHL, let alone a top 6 forward, the promise is there.
Add the insulation of a veteran, proven 20 goal scorer on his wing in the form of Andrei Kostitsyn and the likely addition of the uber-talented David Desharnais, and the potential for increased offense is certainly a real one.
Despite the upside of the sophomore centerman being present and tangible, it has yet to be proven. Hence the difficulty in ascertaining if Eller is indeed a quality 3rd line centerman or if he will even fit the role.
With no veteran safety net set to shore up the 2nd year NHL'er, the truth is that the Canadiens are counting on Eller to fulfill his role, if not exceed expectations. Though I have my own reservations about his capabilities, it's hard not to side with management's hopes given what we witnessed last season, especially in the playoffs.
4th Line Center: Ryan White
My Opinion:
Though basically still an NHL rookie, and while not necessarily a gifted centerman, Ryan White is by far the Montreal Canadiens toughest option up the middle. While he certainly won't be counted on for goal scoring, he will be counted on shutting down other teams and while he's got the physical aspect down-pat, there is still uncertainty as to whether he will be as defensively responsible as he will need to be.
While expectations are rather refined for White; shadow players, make big hits and block shots, he will be accompanied by two veteran players who, by design, will likely be playing in their best suited roles as 4th line wingers in Mathieu Darche and Travis Moen. Though this 4th line trio pales comparatively in offensive capabilities versus the rest of the offense, that may very well be the beauty of the Canadiens lineup. With three players best suited to skating on the 4th line, ready to fulfill those duties, chances are Ryan White will be just fine as the teams 4th line center.
Again, his age and lack of experience are against him, but as is the case with any rookie, he will simply have to prove he has what it takes. Ultimately, so long as that trio is limited to strict responsibilities, for the first time in quite a long time, it's safe to say the Canadiens will have a 4th line that consists of suitable 4th line players.
WildCard: 5th Centerman: David Desharnais
My Opinion:
Montreal's ultimate backup plan at center, David Desharnais is most likely set to start the season at wing.
While a natural centerman, the truth is that his size prohibits him from being automatically given Eller's role as the 3rd line centerman. Instead, it's all but a certainty that he'll begin the season flanking the Great Dane. Though not a bad thing, I still have to wonder how long it will be before Desharnais' overwhelming offensive abilities shine through and land him a role as one of the Canadiens centers?
He is an underdog in every sense of the word, but with a proven ability to produce at every level(including 22 points in 43 games with Montreal last season), his addition to the team gives the Canadiens an ace up their sleeve should the need arise.
(Although he is mentioned here as a center, I will also include Desharnais when I do my review of the Canadiens wingers.)
Overall Review
Not much has changed in Montreal when it comes to centermen, outside of the fact that the Canadiens seem to be placing a lot of hope on their younger players fulfilling support roles that will enable their top two centers to thrive.
Contrasted against many of the elite corps of centermen across the NHL and it's easy to see that this is not one of the Canadiens strong suits. That said, this group is still somewhat underrated and a major reason for that is the depth the Habs now have at wing.
In regards to questions about potential production, when taken on their own, these centermen do not strike much fear into the hearts of their opponents, yet thanks to a plethora of strong and skilled wingers, the intention of the current roster's design signals that management expects those wingers to be key in elevating production down the middle and the play of these 5 pivots in 2011-12.
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