Montreal Canadiens - Page 152 - Fantasy Sports Forums

ericdaoust · #**1511** 07-01-2012, 07:08 PM

English version of the article: http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636869

ericdaoust · #**1512** 07-01-2012, 11:08 PM

As it stands right now, here is a snapshot of the team's overall depth chart (not in NHL lineup format):

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Bourque - Plekanec - Gionta
Prust - Eller - Armstrong
Moen - Nokelainen - White
Geoffrion - Galchenyuk - Leblanc
Palushaj - Gomez - Gallagher

Subban - Gorges
Markov - Emelin
Kaberle - Bouillon
Diaz - Weber
St. Denis

Price
Budaj
Desjardins

(Did I forget anyone???)

Notes:
-At this point there is no place whatsoever for Gomez. Whether he is bought out, demoted or brutally beaten, he will not be with the Habs next season.
-The one glaring hole is Rene Bourque, who is not an ideal fit on line 2.
-As it stands, Geoffrion is likely going to be the 13th forward, rotating with Nokelainen. If the team adds a second line winger, he could be demoted if he signs a two way deal this summer. If I were him I would see the writing on the wall and accept minimum salary on a one way deal to perhaps force the team's hand into keeping him in the NHL.
-Galchenyuk could play the 2nd LW spot for a nine game trial but in all likelihood he will be in the juniors this upcoming season.
-Either Weber gets moved or Diaz could be demoted to Hamilton next season.
-Desjardins could very well "Bachman" his way into the backup job at some point.

ericdaoust · #**1513** 07-02-2012, 07:14 PM

It's old news by now, but Carey Price signs 6 years 39 million.

ericdaoust · #**1514** 07-05-2012, 04:29 PM

Not much to update here, but if anyone is interested in the jersey numbers that the new players will be wearing...

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=637297

newfcollins · #**1515** 07-06-2012, 01:24 PM

Not much to add, but I wanted to post just so I'd be subscribed to this thread.

I seem to be in the minority of Habs fans this summer. Yes, the draft was great, but it seems like we have pretty much the same team that finished last in the eastern conference last year. Our major problems (shootouts, face offs and PP) haven't been addressed, and I feel like I don't know what direction this team is heading in. There's been no major youth movement. A few signings of third line players. No trades to address needs.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated that when I look at other eastern teams, they've been making moves to fill their needs. Philly needed a defenceman, and traded for one. Toronto got their top-six forward. Carolina got their top-six forward. The Islanders got their powerplay spe******t defenceman. Pittsburgh cleared cap space and got rid of a potential headache before it became a distraction. The Capitals got their second-line centre.

Anyways, like I said, I seem to be in the minority, but I don't seem to understand the plan for the Habs, unless it's just waiting for contracts to expire before making moves.

LeTrefle · #**1516** 07-06-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfcollins

Not much to add, but I wanted to post just so I'd be subscribed to this thread.

I seem to be in the minority of Habs fans this summer. Yes, the draft was great, but it seems like we have pretty much the same team that finished last in the eastern conference last year. Our major problems (shootouts, face offs and PP) haven't been addressed, and I feel like I don't know what direction this team is heading in. There's been no major youth movement. A few signings of third line players. No trades to address needs.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated that when I look at other eastern teams, they've been making moves to fill their needs. Philly needed a defenceman, and traded for one. Toronto got their top-six forward. Carolina got their top-six forward. The Islanders got their powerplay spe******t defenceman. Pittsburgh cleared cap space and got rid of a potential headache before it became a distraction. The Capitals got their second-line centre.

Anyways, like I said, I seem to be in the minority, but I don't seem to understand the plan for the Habs, unless it's just waiting for contracts to expire before making moves.

I'm also in the minority here, but I believe that a healthy Markov can change a lot of things. Many people laugh at me when I praise Markov, but I'm a believer.
I think the Habs adding grit is a good thing.
I also think that Therrien's approach of work ethic and nightly effort will help Habs having a better season than 11-12.
Having said that, I still think that they need to find another winger to play with Plekanec and Gionta. Doan (isn't he Price cousin...?), Wolski and Mueller are the first UFA still available to come to my mind.

ross10019 · #**1517** 07-06-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfcollins

Not much to add, but I wanted to post just so I'd be subscribed to this thread.

I seem to be in the minority of Habs fans this summer. Yes, the draft was great, but it seems like we have pretty much the same team that finished last in the eastern conference last year. Our major problems (shootouts, face offs and PP) haven't been addressed, and I feel like I don't know what direction this team is heading in. There's been no major youth movement. A few signings of third line players. No trades to address needs.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated that when I look at other eastern teams, they've been making moves to fill their needs. Philly needed a defenceman, and traded for one. Toronto got their top-six forward. Carolina got their top-six forward. The Islanders got their powerplay spe******t defenceman. Pittsburgh cleared cap space and got rid of a potential headache before it became a distraction. The Capitals got their second-line centre.

Anyways, like I said, I seem to be in the minority, but I don't seem to understand the plan for the Habs, unless it's just waiting for contracts to expire before making moves.

The Habs certainly haven't addressed all their needs, yet, but in general I am very optimistic for the following reasons:

1. They have completely overhauled their front office and scouting organization, starting with Bergevin and Dudley in the GM chairs, and adding a player development guy like Mellanby. This will be HUGE over the years, and is already paying dividends based on who they've drafted and signed thus far. Plus the moves theyv'e made thus far all seem to have been made with a definite plan, and that is to make this team more gritty and tough to play against (Therrien's hallmark), which should pay dividends.

2. The Prust signing, while expensive, is a good one, especially when combined with the Moen and Armstrong signings. It will make us much tougher to play against over the next 4 years (even if Armstrong doesn't re-sign), and will create more room for our forward corps, especially the little guys like Desharnais, Gionta and Plekanec. It will also be a big plus for Eller, who got pushed around lots last year. Did anyone see how Prust played this year for the Rangers? A warrior with hands and speed.

3. Next to 2nd line scoring punch, D is the area where we needed some added skill and grit. Bouillon is no star but he'll add much needed grit and veteran leadership at a very low price for a player of his level. But the key here is Markov - if he is healthy, that is a GIANT boost to this team's D prospects for next year. You have Gorges/Markov/Subban/Emelin as your top 4, and then Bouillon/Kaberle/Diaz(Weber) as your 5th-7th, that's not bad at all. Plus you're looking at adding Beaulieu and Tinordi probably starting in '13/'14.

4. Signing Price to 6 years was the big need, and it's now done, next stop PK Subban. Priorities in the right place here clearly.

5. Draft was great - Galchenyuk could well be a game-breaking star we've been craving for so many years, and Collberg could be a star in his own right.

6. Top line is great, Desharnais/Cole/Pacioretty proved to have great chemistry last year, a legit top line with size and speed. 2nd line should be boosted by a full healthy season out of Gionta, and Bourque now forced to step up otherwise his spot on the 2nd line is in serious jeopardy, could see Eller moving up to the 2nd line to play with Gionta/Plekanec. The bottom 6 is Prust/Armstrong/Moen/Nokelainen/White/Gomez(uggh) and either Bourque or Eller. Pretty solid 3rd and 4th lines if you ask me. And this is before the acquisition of a top 6 winger, which the Habs have the cap space to complete - I'd be happy to give AK46 another chance at a reasonable price, now that he realizes how far his stock has dropped. Then of course you've got Galchenyuk, Gallagher and Leblanc, who I'd like to see dominate the AHL until they step up full-time in '13/'14.

7. To address your specific points:

- PP will be helped immediately by having a healthy Markov + Subban back there, plus the 2nd PP unit won't be too shabby with Kaberle and say Diaz.
- Shootouts, don't have much to say on that, that kind of thing bounces around so much from year to year that I don't really worry about it.
- Faceoffs, I agree it's a weak point, got to be the main reason we re-signed Nokelainen, it's the main skill-set he brings. Pleks, Desharnais and Eller are slowly improving and I imagine they are hoping they will improve further this year.

To finish off, this is what Mark Seidel, chief scout for North American Central Scouting, had to say about the Habs draft this year:

Montreal Canadiens: A+
The Canadiens’ fall over the past few years has been caused by trades more than by bad drafting but this year’s festivities should give Marc Bergevin and his coaching staff a LOT to work with over the next few years. The selection of Alex Galchenyuk at #3 should provide the Habs with a stud centreman for the next decade. If this was the 70’s, his knee injury would have caused many issues but the kid’s performance at the combine proved that he is back. In the 2nd round, they got Sebastian Collberg and Dalton Thrower who were both 1st rounders on some teams’ boards. In Collberg, they got a dynamic offensive Swede, and Thrower is a gutsy, physical defenseman who has shown good offensive instincts. Their next two picks were high character value picks in Tim Bozon and Brady Vail who won’t be stars but have a real chance at productive careers. The Habs have a lot of work to do but the 2012 draft was a great start.

ross10019 · #**1518** 07-06-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeTrefle

I'm also in the minority here, but I believe that a healthy Markov can change a lot of things. Many people laugh at me when I praise Markov, but I'm a believer.
I think the Habs adding grit is a good thing.
I also think that Therrien's approach of work ethic and nightly effort will help Habs having a better season than 11-12.
Having said that, I still think that they need to find another winger to play with Plekanec and Gionta. Doan (isn't he Price cousin...?), Wolski and Mueller are the first UFA still available to come to my mind.

Doan would be a great add but I'm pretty sure he stays with Phoenix or goes to the Rangers if not.

Mueller is an intriguing option, but if the Avs didn't protect him, you've got to think the news is not great regarding his concussion history.

Wolski's had too many chances and his inconsistency is now the rule rather than the exception. I wouldn't like to see him back.

Honestly, the best option may be to re-sign AK46 for one more year, coud probably get him for $3M and Therrien might be able to light a fire up his Belorussian butt.

Thunder · #**1519** 07-06-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ross10019

Honestly, the best option may be to re-sign AK46 for one more year

Take it back. TAKE IT BACK, damn you!

Semin would probably be ripped apart by the media on an almost nightly basis, but he'd make alot of sense if he could fit under the cap.

I figure if you're going to go after an unmotivated, underachiever, might as well go big.

ross10019 · #**1520** 07-06-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder

Take it back. TAKE IT BACK, damn you!

Semin would probably be ripped apart by the media on an almost nightly basis, but he'd make alot of sense if he could fit under the cap.

I figure if you're going to go after an unmotivated, underachiever, might as well go big.

Good point.

It does beg the question of why they didn't sign Jagr though, wouldn't have been a big risk at $4.5M for one year, and the guy proved last year he's still got it, especially on the PP.

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