The Canadiens have now played 27 games of the 82 they've got on schedule and it feels like the right time to take a look at who's done well and who hasn't... We'll start with the forwards, then have a look at the much troubling defence and finish with the goaltenders.
Forwards
Max Domi: A - His sole game in training camp wasn't really reassuring but thankfully he hasn't had any other brain cramps since the start of the regular season. He had an 11 game point streak and leads the team with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. He brings a lot to the table; energy, tenacity and dedication, he appears to be everything Galchenyuk wasn't, including a centre. But better yet is the fact that he can light a fire under his teammates which will be some welcome help for Gallagher in that department.
Jonathan Drouin: B+ - There's no denying that he's had a much better start than last year and he's got more chemistry with Max Domi than he's ever had with Max Pacioretty. One thing hasn't changed however, he can still be incredibly frustrating to watch with his numerous turnovers and occasional lack of effort. That being said, he has shown some consistency in Novembre, bagging the Molson Cup which is given based on the 3 stars selections in the month. With 22 points through the first 27 games, he's on pace for his best season ever.
Andrew Shaw: B- - He was pretty much ordinary when used as part of the bottom six forwards but once he was given a spot alongside Domi and Drouin he's completed them marvellously. He's not afraid to crash the net and score the ugly goals. Many did complain about him at the start of the season but he's managed to silence them lately.
Tomas Tatar: A - What a pleasant surprise! Seen by many as a throw-in in the Max Pac trade, he's already got 11 goals tied with Domi and Gallagher for the team lead and comes in at 3rd in points with 21. He battles for the puck at all times and even when he's down on the ice, you can consider him beaten...he's still trying to make a play...Who could forget that splendid pass which sent Weber on a breakaway Saturday? Without his tenacity is just doesn't happen and it's safe to say that he's fast becoming a fan favorite.
Philip Danault: B- - He is not, nor will he ever be, an offensive minded centre and right now, he's not in the right role. Fans and management alike expect someone who gets this much ice time to get more points. Add to that the fact that both of his winger are proven scorers and you can see where the expectations are coming from. That being said, he his very defensively sound and does play on the penalty kill.
Brendan Gallagher: A - He's not scored much lately but no one can fault his dedication and commitment and besides, he's still got 11 goals and his on pace for a 33 goals season which would be an excellent result and his 3.75 M cap hit make him a right bargain (think how much 20 goal score Nylander got out of the Leafs). He might not have the C on his jersey but he still behaves like he does.
Artturi Lehkonen: B- - He's doing good honest work but he's failed to finish so many great plays orchestrated by Kotkaniemi that it's getting rather frustrating to watch. That being said, he did double his offensive production against the Rangers and the return of Paul Byron to the line-up should reduce the weight he feels on his shoulders.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi: B+ - He's still just a kid but he has learnt and progressed since draft day! During his first game at the rookie tournament, he looked out of place and taken aback by the speed of the north american game probably due to the size of the ice. However, game by game, he picked it up and now pretty much looks like he's played on this side of the pond for ages. Domi's suspension in the preseason was a blessing for him as it gave the staff a chance to give him a long hard look and they were forced to keep him. There's still the occasional turnover, but those are growing pains and quite normal. He has showcased great hands and hockey IQ. Hopefully, he'll finish the season between Gallagher and Tatar.
Paul Byron: N/A- He's missed too much time for me to venture a grade here but suffice to say that he's still the guy who will accept any assignment and make the most of it. Speedy as ever, you can't fault his work ethics for a second.
Nicolas Deslauriers: D+ - He's looked too slow and out of place for a big part of the season but now that the 4th line has a regular cast of characters, he does seem to fit in better. He provides hits a plenty but will fan on numerous scoring chances...as long as the first 3 lines produce as they should however, it shouldn't burn the Habs.
Michael Chaput and Kenny Agostino: N/A - Neither has played enough games to have a good enough sample to grade. Their presence with Deslauriers has however been appreciated so far and they seem to have given the 4th line an identity.
Joel Armia: C - The Finnish line looked good while it lasted and we'll see if it will reform on his return...he will need to beat Paul Byron for that to happen though and it looks unlikely right now.
Charles Hudon: C-- It's a season of missed opportunity for Hudon...he couldn't complete the double D duo and he's not a fourth liner....when Armia is healty he may very well be the odd man out who gets sent down...if he clears waivers.
Matthew Peca: C - He was alright but didn't do anything special to force Julien to keep him in.
Defence
Jeff Petry: B+ - His presence allowed the Habs to survive a whole calendar year without Shea Weber. He currently is the top scoring d-man on the team and one of the two who have played all of the team's games so far. Yes he's -8 and produces his share of turnovers but the fact remains, the D would have been even more atrocious without him in the last year. We can only hope that he manages to play as well as he had even if Weber is now back...he has a tendency to fade away when he's not the number 1 defence.
Jordie Benn: D+ - There are some serious issues here...a lack of speed, of mobility and a tendency to forget who he's covering and yet, Claude Julien has used him in every game the team has played so far. That being said, it might have been a forced choice as the D-core has been shaky at best.
Noah Juulsen: B- - To many's surprise, he played better than Victor Mete this season and the former is the one who got his marching orders to join the Rocket. It's a shame that he was injured and his absence has shown on the blue line.
Mike Reilly: B- - He's shown flashes of great potential but the occasional lapses in judgement. On a weak defence, he does look like a good option and has a good level of mobility.
Victor Mete: C- He's still just a kid and clearly his confidence is shaken. Time in the AHL should definitely help him to regain some of it and be ready should Bergevin manage to swing a trade for Benn or Schlemko.
Dave Schlemko: N/A - Having only played 11 games, he escapes without a grade but it would not have been a good one. Just look how short his audition at Weber's side was...it is quite telling.
Shea Weber, Brett Kulak: N/A - They just go in the line-up so it's hard to give them a grade yet but I think we can say that so far so good and how very good is it to have that Weber Rocket back?
Goaltenders
Carey Price: C+ - We've seen some flashes of the Carey Price of old but it's hard to expect a goaltender to have elite numbers behind such a weak defensive core. There has been some questionnable goals scored given that were solely on him and not on the D however and Price doesn't steal games this year...but that was to be expected considering the new system the Habs are playing. Shea Weber's return will however help Carey Price and it already has so far, he picks up and clears a lot of rebounds and clears his goalie's crease.
Antti Niemi: C- For all the grief Carey Price gets, it should be noted that he still has better numbers than Niemi's who has a .893 save percentage and a 3.61 GAA compared to Price's .898 and 3.05. The back-up has played in 7 games so far and has had issues with rebound control and positioning.
So there you have it, my take on each player for this first part of the season. Do you agree? Do you disagree? How would you rate them?
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