Ek's Note: Happy 13 th to my little girl today, we are having a big bash, so I though I would introduce you to one of our new Habs Bloggers, Brian Bannan. Brian, along Andrew and Jennifer, are doing a hell of a job for us! I will be back tomorrow with a new rumor blog as well as a podcast at 1pm. Cheers. And happy a Memorial Day.
1. It has to be a bittersweet time for the Canadiens and their fans today. Watching Tampa take control of the series, Habs players must be thinking “That could have been us…. That series was there to be won and Montreal could not get it done. The good news, they played very well and could very well have been victorious had a few bounces gone their way. The bad news, very well was not good enough. A roster upgrade in the top 6 and perhaps a new tactician behind the bench would be enough to send Habs into the ‘15/’16 campaign with visions of the Stanley Cup dancing In their heads.
2. What a beautiful powerplay goal by Stamkos last night. Palet to Kucherov to Palat to Stamkos who buried it into a gaping cage. Three cross ice passes pulled Lundqvist and his mates badly out of position. In today’s NHL, everyone agrees that the key to beating the modern goaltender is to move it from side to side and create openings in their excellent technique and massive padding. The Habs feature a group that includes: Subban, Markov, Petry, Beaulieu, Pacioretty, Gallagher, Plekanec, Galchenyuk and Desharnais. 7 of those players had more than 45 points. The powerplay has the talent to be effective, but lacks the plan and the execution to get it done. The Habs cannot march into next season without someone being added to help this part of their game.
3. Remember Kirk Muller? Kirk is work. Muller was known as one of the league’s best faceoff set-up guys when he was an assistant with Montreal. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Habs had a potent powerplay during his coaching tenure. This unit was consistently ranked in the top 10 in the league. Is there a Muller type out there who can revive this unit?
4. Coach Therrien gets a lot of flak. One thing his teams do very, very well is compete hard on a nightly basis. They also respond well to adversity. Therrien’s Canadiens teams have shown a lot of character the last 3 seasons. The Coach seems to be getting the nightly effort and commitment from his players; no easy task. But the Coach needs more horses if this Habs team is going to continue to evolve and contend for a Stanley Cup.
5. Emelin, Desharnias, Plekanec. Will all three still be with the Canadiens on opening night? $4 million is a lot to pay your 3rd pairing defenseman. With Markov signed through 2017, Tindordi waiting in the wings and Petry needing to be signed, something has to give. Emelin is the most likely guy to move. If Galchenyuk and Eller can take on the top two centres spots, a huge if, will the Habs flip one of #14 and #51? Perhaps a package including some or all of Plekanec, Emelin, Fucale and a 1st might be enough to bring a potent scorer to Montreal; someone like Taylor Hall. Although you have to believe the arrival of Connor McDavid would keep Hall in Edmonton to ride shotgun with #97.
6. Obviously a lot depends on what happens with Jeff Petry, but what does the future hold for Tom Gilbert? Gilbert was excellent in the playoffs and is signed through next season at a very reasonable $2.8 million. He is surely a consolation prize if the Habs cannot sign Petry, but what scenario sees him stay in Montreal? He can play the off side and adds depth to the right side. With Subban a guarantee and Pateryn ready to assume a larger role, there is room for probably only 1 of Petry or Gilbert. Tinordi will also have a big say in training camp. If he is ready and able to contribute, that would put the Habs in the enviable position of having too many NHL defensemen.
7. If Galchenyuk is ready to play centre that will open another hole on the wing in the top 6. Is Charles Hudon ready to play at that level? Is Sven Andrighetto ready? You would think Nikata Sherbak and Mike McCarron will need at least a season each in the AHL. The Habs have some young guys who may have the opportunity to win a spot at training camp. Can the Habs fill their void on the wing internally or is there a blockbuster for them to make at the draft table? Bergevin is a great poker player who keeps his cards close to the vest, but you have to believe his wheels are spinning.
8. I am excited to see Sherbak’s training camp. He had a solid 2nd season in the WHL and an excellent training camp last fall. He is the one prospect in the Habs’ system who seems to have the skill and the will to be a top 6 forward. Can he steal a spot on opening night? It would be out of character for Therrien to lean on a rookie so early. Jiri Sekac can fill you in on those details. But Sherbak is potentially the type of guy who can solve the Canadiens problems up front.
9. Charles Hudon is another skilled player. I saw him in Hamilton this season and he was easily the Bulldogs’ best player. He represented Canada at the World Juniors and boasts the skill to play top 9 minutes in the NHL. Is he too small on a Canadiens team that already features Gallagher and Desharnais up front? Can he continue to score at the NHL level or will he have to find another skill to stick around? He is a tenacious competitor and I would bet on him making the opening day roster.
10. Carey Price is signed for 3 more seasons. The future is now. Fucale, Tinordi, Sherbak, Hudon, Andrighetto and McCarron may not be ready to provide what the Habs need on the ice in the next 36 months. The Habs’ Stanley Cup window is open. Some of these players may need to be sacrificed if the Canadiens are to bust through. The next 4 months are going to be very interesting.