It is hard to believe that we are already almost midway through August. The summer is flying by and that means that Habs training camp is just around the corner. Your inveterate Habs blogger is back after a nice summer vacation. The highlights were my first career hole-in-one (spun a pitching wedge in from 135 yards) and a bucket list trip to Istanbul.
There have been some developments in Montreal since I last posted. Why don’t you pull up a chair, order a double espresso and we can sit down at the local coffee shop for some Habs Talk. I am going to breakdown the major off-season developments and rate them from cup full (great move) to cup empty (terrible move). Settle in and let’s get started.
Marc Bergevin opened his season ending presser with two goals: sign Jeff Petry and sign Torrey Mitchell. Mission accomplished on both fronts. Petry was a revelation in the Tampa series. He carried a big load for the Habs and finally filled a gaping hole on their second defense pairing. With Markov aging and Beaulieu still developing, it was a significant accomplishment to sign Petry. Petry gives the Habs a smooth skating workhorse capable of eating up some tough minutes. He makes a great first pass and his skill allows the Habs to slot other players (see Gilbert, Tom and Emelin, Alexi) into roles where they are more effective. Montreal currently has 9 players who have the potential to suit up on defense in the NHL. In order of importance: Subban, Petry, Markov, Beaulieu, Gilbert, Pateryn, Emelin, Tinordi, Barberio. In proverbs 27:17 there is a passage that states “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another…. Competition is designed to bring out the best in each participant. The Habs finally have the depth to stage a battle for spots. We will see who emerges in the top 6 come April when it really matters. Petry signing: Full Cup.
The Habs also signed deadline acquisitions Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn. These two former Buffalo Sabres created some magic early in the playoffs versus the Ottawa. Flynn was unable to hold down a spot in the line up. Mitchell on the other hand, won Manny Malhotra’s role as a 4th line veteran centre. He was very effective as a tenacious checker and right handed centreman throughout the playoffs. I don’t mind the money for either player. Mitchell turns 31 in January and still has the wheels to be effective in his role. Should his play slip drastically, buying him out will not be too onerous down the road. Flynn will have a summer and training camp to win Therrien’s confidence and a role on the team. I would rather have seen Michael Bournival given a clearer path to a spot in the line up, but I can live with these signings. Mitchell and Flynn: cup half full.
Jarred Tinordi and the aforementioned Bournival both signed one year two way contracts. Tinordi suited up effectively in the ’13 playoffs versus Ottawa. Bournival was excellent in the Habs ’14 run to the conference finals. Both players have tasted success in Junior, had some AHL seasoning and had a chance to lock down NHL roster spots. Neither has been able to attain their final and ultimate goal. A combination of injuries and other player’s seizing their intended roles (Beaulieu, Pateryn, De la Rose) has left both these players on the outside looking in. Both will need an excellent camp to stick with the big club. These players are now 23 years of age. It is dangerous time because there are younger prospects coming up in the system. Both players are in a precarious spot and may need another franchise to take a chance on them if things do not work out with Montreal. Both are in danger of becoming AAAA players; too good for the AHL, but not quite good enough for the Show. I believe there is a place for both in the organization and soon enough on the Canadiens. The contracts were a shrewd bet by Bergevin. Can these players earn a seat on the charter or will they be in for a season riding the bus? Bournival and Tinordi: Cup has been sitting on the counter getting cold. Drink up now or turn back to the barista and order a fresh coffee.
PA Parenteau was bought out by Montreal and promptly signed by the Leafs. The Habs effectively gave his spot to the enigma wrapped in a riddle that is Alexander Semin (more on Semin later in this piece). Parenteau buyout: empty cup on three fronts. First, Parenteau struggled early, was injured and failed to establish himself. He showed flashes of potential but was unable to earn a spot on a team starving for goal scoring. That is on him. Second empty cup goes to Michel Therrien who could not or would not find a place for a proven point producer on a team, everyone now, “that was starving for goals…. Therrien perhaps did not like the cut of his jib or perhaps his style of play, but given Montreal’s weaknesses you would think Parenteau could have helped. We will see what he can bring to the table this year in Toronto, but I would not bet against him having a big night against his former hometown team. Finally, an empty cup goes to Geoff Molson or Bergevin, whomever it was who decided on a 2 year deal for Danny Briere. Briere was running on fumes upon his arrival in Montreal . He scored a huge goal in the game 7 win over the Bruins, but neither Briere nor the Habs would rate this stop as a success. Bergevin escaped from his contract, but was in the end forced into a buyout to get away from Parenteau. I guess you could say three wrongs don’t make a right.
The Habs best signing was a two year deal for Nathan Beaulieu. At $1 million per season, the 22 year old with a late December birthday is primed to step into a top 4 role making just above league minimum money. Obviously, Beaulieu has yet to win this role. He is betting on himself to win the job and cash in in two years time. Montreal gets a bargain while he finds his game and can give the freed up Markov money to #28 when the General moves on. We know Beaulieu can skate and move the puck. He has shown some toughness and a mean streak in his short NHL career. He must continue to build his consistency and strength, both mental and physical. If Beaulieu is able to win and succeed in a top 4 role, the Habs are in a super position. Emelin and Gilbert are still there to provide veteran minutes and to force Beaulieu to truly earn the role. Beaulieu’s biggest challenge is to earn his Coach’s confidence and the prime ice time that goes with it. I like his chances. Beaulieu deal: Full Cup.
It was sad to see Brandon Prust leave the Montreal Canadiens. Prust is a heart and soul warrior and it is no coincidence that the Canadiens revival took place upon his arrival. The reality is that Prust was never in the Habs plans beyond this coming season. An UFA with battered shoulders and a lot of hard miles, Prust was going to be in tough to earn minutes on the penalty kill and the bottom 6 going forward. These are two areas where the Canadiens boast great depth. The return is Zack Kassian. Kassian is 24 years old 6’3 and 214 pounds. He is the type of large body with soft hands that the Habs have been searching for since John LeClair left town. Kassian arrives with an off-ice reputation and a work ethic very much in question. He will be battling Gallagher, Semin, Weise and Smith-Pelly for minutes on a suddenly crowded right wing. Todd Bertuzzi is another former OHL power forward who found his game at 24 years old after a trade. The aforementioned LeClair was 25 when he broke through, although to be fair there is no Eric Lindros on this edition of the Habs. Sometimes it takes the big men longer to find their games. Bergevin has made a bet that the twice traded already Kassian can find what he is looking for in Montreal. He will be given every opportunity to prove his GM right and perhaps a hard-nosed Therrien can unlock Kassian’s potential. It is always sad to lose a glue guy for a player with unrealized potential. But the Canadiens have depth to spare in the bottom 6. They will miss Prust’s toughness, but the chance to add a potential 20 goal man was too tough to pass up. Hockey is a business and this was a gamble worth taking. Kassian trade: got a free coffee card from the new shop on the corner. It looks like it has all the ingredients to be a neighbourhood favourite. Hope the coffee is not stale.
Alex Galchenyuk fired his agent the venerable Hall of Famer Igor Larionov this summer. The optics were no good, no matter what the reasoning was behind the decision. Rumours swirled that Galchenyuk was unhappy with his ice-time, his coach and his position. Galchenyuk eventually signed a two year $5.6 million bridge deal. It is a fair number for a player that has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to harness his full potential. Coming off an absolutely horrendous playoff run, the former #3 overall pick has a lot to prove in the next two seasons. At 21 years of age, Galchenyuk is just entering his prime. His is averaging .53 points per game with close to 200 games already under his belt. That is top 6 production in the modern NHL at this early stage of his career. The Canadiens drafted Galchenyuk to be the centrepiece of their offense. He is prime position to reward their faith and cash in big time on his next contract. Galchenyuk contract: Cup full.
Alexander Semin signed late in the summer with Montreal on a bargain $1 million/1 year deal. Semin is, or has been at least, an elite talent and sniper in the NHL. He is two seasons removed from averaging a PPG and one season removed from scoring 22 goals in 65 games (a 27 goal pace over a full season). He has potted 238 goals in 10 NHL seasons. Obviously, there is a reason that a talent like Semin is available on the cheap in August. Questions abound about his commitment, his work ethic and his defense. Full disclosure, the last time I watched Semin over an extended period was the 2010 playoff series between the Habs and the Caps. Semin had only 2 assists in 7 games. Yet, he had over 50 shots on goal. He was a constant threat and Jaro Halak was the only thing that prevented him from averaging a goal a game. That series was a long time ago however. The Habs are not getting 2010 Semin. They are getting a proven scorer who can play a role they are desperate to fill. Can he co-exits with Thrrien? Will the Coach allow his east-west game to flourish or will he try to turn Semin into another robotic chipper and chaser? If Therrien accepts Semin warts and all, no doubt the Russian sniper will bury 20 for the Habs. If he tries to pigeonhole Semin and restricts his ice time and power play time, this will be a long season for Coach, player and fans alike. Semin contract: Cup full. A worthy gamble.
Thanks for stopping in at the local coffee shop for some Habs talk. I would say Bergevin had a successful, however not awe-inspiring, summer. He got the players he needed to get signed. He extended a final chance to a couple prospects to prove they belong in the NHL in Montreal. He signed two stars in waiting to team friendly, prove it contracts. He took some gambles with low risk on players who could help the Habs tremendously. He did so without breaking up a core that has enjoyed a lot of success over the past three seasons. Bergevin summer: Cup full.
If you are ever at a hold ‘em tourney and Bergy sits down at your table, probably best to stack what chips you have and walk away. This is an astute gambler at the helm of the Canadiens.