What do the Montreal Canadiens Need to do to Become Contenders?

Another season has come and gone for the Montreal Canadiens, one that saw them do well in the standings but that has left many fans feeling that the organization still needs to make some changes to take their team to the next level.

With that in mind, I humbly offer the Habs a few suggestions for the coming months.

1- At last years trade deadline, I felt the Habs would do well to move Andrei Markov, David Desharnais and maybe even Tomas Plekanec if the offer was a real solid one. The reasoning behind that was:

a)  The team had some important pieces missing if they were to become a top-end team in the NHL , (A Top line Centre, a scoring-winger and a bonafide top two defenseman), pieces that could best be acquired by trading proven assets for youngsters who had not yet had the opportunity. Getting a older veteran was not my preferred solution.

b)  That their current youngsters (Galchenyuk, Beaulieu, Tinordi, Bournival) needed to get a good deal of ice-time in the roles they are meant to play going forward.

Habs didn’t do that last year so I feel they will have to do this now. If they can move the same assets mentioned earlier, I think they will be better off going forwards. Getting a real top line center, top six winger and top 3 defensemen can’t be done during one off-season.

Bergevin should give the youngsters he has now some real playing time while at the same time accumulating a few more assets and improve the quality of the team’s depth. Once this is done, the next step has to happen:

2- Bergevin and Therrien have to learn to place more trust in their youngsters.

I understand the importance of veterans on a team but there is something to be said about giving them too much respect.

Facts are that some did not produce enough during the season and a few were a non-factor during the playoffs while some youngsters had too little rope. The Tampa Bay line of Kucherov-Johnson and Palat were great for the Lightning during the playoffs and featured a 2nd round pick, a 7th round pick and an undrafted player.

Maybe Montreal has that kind of talent but management will never know if youngsters are not given real opportunities without the fear that one mistake will mean a trip to the press box or a demotion to the AHL.

3 - Beware of July 1st

Habs may be close to being a top team but they shouldn’t jump on the Free Agency market to fill their needs. Many times, the players available are aging players whose best years are behind them, and on top of that, you have to overpay to get them. Players are an asset but so is available cap space.

Bergevin should tread very carefully. Don’t go for the best available solution, chose the right solution.

4 -  Habs need to be patient.

Usually, it’s preferable to get players during the off-season so they can ease into a new team/city but cost may be lesser once the season begins. Team with high-expectations flounder and get desperate for help, some teams decide a rebuild is in order and start giving up assets or some teams need cap relief.

This may be a good opportunity for Bergevin and the pro scouting staff to make something happen. Rangers have mortgaged their future for a big playoff run. Maybe a Brassard or Stepan becomes available?

The Blues feel they should contend but had a difficult post-season, can they get desperate if things don’t go well next season? They have a lot of depth in their organisation.  Maybe a talented francophone player like Xavier Ouellet could be an helpful piece to the puzzle. Oh, and did Jimmy Develanno not say just a few weeks ago that he expected a lot more from Anthony Mantha?

Not saying any of these are possible but a creative, bold General-Manager can make things happen.

Habs have some good pieces but Bergevin needs to do a few things differently if they are to move forward. He needs to re-evaluate the coach, the players, the whole hockey staff ...and even the GM.

So what do YOU think the Canadiens need to do in order to get better?

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Rick has been a scout, and has been covering and writing about hockey for over a decade.  Follow him on Twitter at Rick1042

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Habs' Parenteau Must Seize The Opportunity

Acquired in the off-season from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for disgruntled F Daniel Briere, Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau is currently having a very difficult season with his new team. Having played only 41 of the 67 games of the Canadiens due to a concussion and several games spent in the press box as a healthy scratch, the 31-year-old right winger has recorded only 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points to go along with a -5 rating and 20 penalty minutes.

Currently 10th in the NHL with four shootout goals (in six attempts), Parenteau is blessed with skills and talent, but like Briere, he is not the kind of player that Michel Therrien prefers. As we all know, Therrien is fond of defensively responsible players, which is why Lars Eller and Dale Weise get so much playing time despite their limited offensive production. If you are too creative with the puck, you get a slap on the wrist.

Now, with the Canadiens struggling to put the puck in the back of the net, Parenteau's agent, the talkative Allan Walsh, went public yesterday to urge the Canadiens to put him back into the line-up in order to spark the Habs' sputtering attack.

Montreal is goal starved and PA Parenteau with 196 pts over the previous 4 NHL seasons is a healthy scratch.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) March 11, 2015

"We saw the tweet from his agent and that made us think seriously about bringing him back to the lineup," a tongue-in-cheek Therrien said after confirming the winger would return for a game Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators.

Well, it seems like Michel Therrien learned about Walsh's comments this morning as he decided to dress Parenteau tonight against Ottawa at Bell Centre. The skilled winger will finally be used as an offensive weapon on the team's second line alongside Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk. When he was acquired in the off-season by GM Marc Bergevin, that was certainly not to be used on the fourth line or to watch games from the press box.

A former offensive dynamo alongside John Tavares and Paul Stastny, Parenteau recorded 56 goals and 107 assists for 163 points in 209 games between 2010 and 2013, three seasons during which he was 100% healthy. That's 0.78 point per game during that stretch, which would give him 52 points this season if he had played all games with an elite playmaker and had avoided injuries. 

Well, instead of trusting the skillful winger with über-talented players such as Max Pacioretty or Alex Galchenyuk, Michel Therrien preferred to use him on the team's fourth line with grinders such as Manny Malhotra and Michael Bournival: a recipe for disaster. Still, the offensive-minded forward must display more passion, grit and determination on the ice to show that he's hungry and ready to contribute to the team's success.

The Canadiens are currently ranked 22nd in the NHL with only 171 goals scored (2.51 GPG), the lowest of all 16 playoff teams as of today. On the other hand, thanks to the brilliant play of netminder Carey Price, Montreal is ranked 1st in the league defensively with a mere 144 goals allowed (2.11 GPG).

The proverb says that defense wins championships, but it doesn't hurt to be able to score more than two goals a game on a consistent basis, especially in the gruelling NHL playoffs.

It's time to seize your opportunity Pierre-Alexandre, and prove your detractors wrong!


Do you think that the PAP is the solution to the Habs' offensive woes?

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Montreal Canadiens: Trades And Rumors

With only a few hours remaining to the NHL trade deadline, Habs fan are eager to see what General Manager Marc Bergevin will do today. I will post below the trades he made as well as all the rumors involving Canadiens players.

Completed Trades:

Prospect and pick from Habs to Buf for Mitchell.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 2, 2015

Canadiens acquire d. Jeff Petry from the Oilers, in return for the Club’s 2nd round pick in 2015, and a conditional 5th round pick in 2015.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 2, 2015

Canadiens acquire forward Brian Flynn from the Buffalo Sabres, in return for a 5th round pick in 2016.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 2, 2015

Trade Rumors:

Canadiens still kicking tires on a top-six winger.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 2, 2015

I have a feeling the Flynn move is a precursor to a larger deal for a top six forward involving players on the current roster
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) March 2, 2015

Michaël Bournival ne cadrerait plus dans les plans des #Habs : http://t.co/yj6cDyhRXx pic.twitter.com/kIFRE0Ck8p
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 2, 2015

Bournival not in the plans of the team any more.

Kessel to MTL or Eberle to MTL in big package is making rounds among the doyen.
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) March 2, 2015

Il semble que le Canadien tente d'échanger Parenteau. http://t.co/08me1qyJ2R
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) March 2, 2015

The Habs are currently trying to trade P-A Parenteau.

Some chatter MON D Jarred Tinordi could be in play today.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) March 2, 2015

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Trade Deadline: Will The Habs Address Their Scoring Woes?

Newly acquired Devante Smith-Pelly

Greetings Habs Addicts!

Much has been said about the lack of scoring by the Canadiens this season. While we are sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference by a point - with two and three games at hand over the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively - is it safe to say that the play of Carey Price is the sole reason we are in this position?

Carey Price has been outstanding. He has been outstanding since Michel Therrien took over and implemented his often-maligned system. He began to finally turn the corner after Jaroslav Halak was dealt and the franchise committed themselves to the former 5th-overall NHL draft pick. Carey was handed the reigns, matured and has not looked back. He is now among the elite of NHL goaltending. As it stands now, it is a two-horse battle for the Vezina Trophy between Price and Nashville's Pekka Rinne. The only difference is, Nashville can score goals for Rinne. Aside from Max Pacioretty, Montreal cannot. The Predators have scored 181 goals heading into Tuesday, good enough for 7th best in the NHL. The Canadiens have scored 157 goals. Good enough for 11th. In their own conference. Overall, that is 23rd best in the NHL. Big difference in support on a nightly basis.

Photo Credit: ESPN NHL Standings

With a record of 38-16-5, the Canadiens are amongst the elite teams in the NHL. But heading into the playoffs, is it largely smoke and mirrors based on our elite goaltending? Aside from Max Pacioretty, where would our other top-six forwards play on contending teams?
Would Brendan Gallagher be a top-six forward for Nashville or Chicago?
Would David Desharnais get top-six minutes in St. Louis or Anaheim?
Would Dale Weise be playing on the top line for either New York team?

In a gritty best-of-seven series would the Canadiens be able to match the fire-power needed to make a run to the Stanley Cup? Would they even make the Eastern Finals again this year? Are we setting ourselves up for heartbreak by believing they can?

The line-up this year is largely the same as last season minus Thomas Vanek. Danny Briere was swapped for P.A. Parenteau and the contribution is largely the same as last year - next to nil. The kids have been called up to provide some energy, but will Jacob De La Rose and Christian Thomas be able to provide the secondary scoring required for a long playoff run? Can Lars Eller flip the switch again this year? Possible? Will Devante Smith-Pelly (acquired in a trade announced earlier today for Jiri Sekac) be a difference maker here in Montreal during hockey's second season?

Possible? Sure.
Likely? Not very.

There is a big difference between the trade deadline this year and the trade deadline last year. There is no Thomas Vanek available.

Among the pending unrestricted free agents, the top forwards include Mike Ribeiro from Nashville, Mats Zuccarello and Martin St. Louis from the New York Rangers, Justin Williams from the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and Antoine Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes. Of those names, only Vermette is likely to move anywhere at the trade deadline.

Justin Williams

Los Angeles is currently on the playoff bubble and Justin Williams is the kind of player you want to have in your top-six heading in the playoffs. However, if the Kings fall out of contention, could 'Mr. Game Seven' be a viable target for Marc Bergevin? The 33-year-old Williams is not an elite scorer, but has an offensive game and he steps up his effort in the playoffs every year. With an expiring cap hit of $3.65 million, the right-handed shot could be the equivalent of a Thomas Vanek acquisition for the Canadiens down the stretch. Williams is not likely to be dealt and he might very well have a movement clause of some sort in his contract; however, his name is one worth remembering as Bergevin has surprised us in the past and could work some magic if the Kings decide to mail it in.

Amongst the non-free agents, the sad sack Toronto Maple Leafs are officially rebuilding. Superstar forward Phil Kessel is likely out of most-teams price range at the trade deadline, more likely to be moved during the summer. Joffrey Lupul is talented but never healthy, either. The Edmonton Oilers have names like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov forever rumoured to be available. All three of these young players would also be pricey acquisitions.

Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr has openly stated that he would like to be traded to a contending team; however, the New Jersey Devils still feel they are a playoff-contending team. Frankly, trading for Jagr now would be disappointing. Jagr has slowed down this year considerably, physically and statistically. This is a player who wished to join the Canadiens as a free agent to play with countryman and friend Tomas Plekanec four seasons ago. And each summer thereafter as a free agent was spurned by the Habs. Subsequently, he put up some solid numbers for the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, including 24 goals and 67 points last year for the Devils at age 42. During that stretch and the Habs have had Danny Briere and P.A. Parenteau acquired to provide next to nothing positive at similar cap hits. Bringing in Jagr now, as age has started to take an increased toll on his overall numbers (11 goals, 29 points, -9 in 56 games this season) would be almost too-little, too-late. What better mentor for young players than a future first-ballot Hall of Fame player who has a work ethic second to none and a willingness to mentor younger players. Not signing Jagr originally - tremendous resume, skill set as well as size - was a serious miss by management in this author's opinion.

So what does Marc Bergevin have up his sleeve for the trade deadline? With the injuries to Alexei Emelin and Sergei Gonchar, added depth on the blue line is likely coming and has been mentioned at length already. But where are the goals coming from this time? Thomas Vanek provided a huge spark last year as the team made a huge push into the playoffs. He fell off big time during the playoffs and essentially had the entire city sour on him by the end of the season. Vanek ended up signing in his adopted hometown of Minnesota as the entire league expected he would, but at a fraction of the price expected. His playoff effort was duly noted by the Wild brass for sure. There is no Thomas Vanek available at the trade deadline this season, either.

In the playoffs, you need to score goals and you need balanced scoring. Games get tighter-checking, and goals start coming at a premium. The defensive effort has been strong again and the Canadiens received the balanced scoring last year against Tampa and Boston as they advanced past those two teams. For the most part, goals have been provided by a committee this season too. But to expect us to go deep into the playoffs as a favorite this year with nary a point-per-game player in the lineup is asking for a lot. Something has to be done. If some added scoring punch is not found by the trade deadline, Carey Price better continue to stand on his head because if he slips even a little bit, this season could end a lot earlier than we all hope. Or expect.

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Nick Malofy is a transplanted Montrealer, currently living in evil LeafLand. He is a contributor here at HabsAddict.com and give him a follow, as he can often be found rambling on Twitter.

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Curtis Glencross In The Montreal Canadiens' Crosshairs?

The Montreal Canadiens are desperately looking to score more goals as the team has only scored more than three goals twice in the past 19 games. With the exception of Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher, goals are hard to come by in Montreal in 2015.

While Carey Price has been holding the fort well in recent games, the Habs desperately need help at forward in prevision for the playoffs. A solid option would be impending UFA, Curtis Glencross, who was officially made available earlier this week, after expressing his displeasure regarding his usage this season.

Curtis Glencross is unhappy with his role with the #Flames and has presented them with a list of teams he would be traded to.
— NHL EXPERT PICKS (@NHLexpertpicks) February 19, 2015

Making only $2.5 million this season, The 32-year-old Glencross has recorded 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points with a +7 rating in 49 contests with the Calgary Flames. A two-time 20-goal scorer, the Saskatchewan native can play left wing and center, and is a solid two-way forward.

Playing on average 16:51 per game this year, Glencross is a solid second-line player who brings speed and determination to a team. The 6'1'', 200-lb, forward is adept at throwing the body around as shown by his 97 hits which would rank his second on the Habs behind Dale Weise (107).

Because his contract includes a no-trade clause, Glencross has been asked to provide a list of teams where he would be willing to go. You can bet he would most likely waive his NTC to go to a contending team such as the Canadiens. Glencross declared that he wants out because he doesn't get much playing time this season under head coach Bob Hartley, especially on the power play and the penalty kill.

Glencross missed nine games earlier this season with a lower-body injury that hampered him throughout the season. The left-handed forward has not recorded a single point in his last ten games and he has seen his ice-time dwindle to less than 15 minutes on most nights. He also owns a low Corsi For % of 44.4, which is not very good possession-wise.

The Flames need help at centre, so they will most likely ask for a centerman or a prospect/3rd round pick in exchange for Glencross. Will Bergevin pull the trigger and get Curtis in his crosshairs before the March 2nd NHL trade deadline?

Who would you want to acquire if you were Marc Bergevin?


Do you want him to acquire a forward or a defenseman first?


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Montreal Canadiens Trade Target: Andrej Sekera

With the latest injuries to Alexei Emelin (broken collarbone or separated shoulder) and Sergei Gonchar (concussion), the Habs' blue line is in turmoil. As result, the team called up prospect defenseman Jarred Tinordi after last night's defeat to the Ottawa Senators. Tinordi will join Bulldog teammate Greg Pateryn, who was called up earlier this week, to man Montreal's blue line.

If Gonchar and Emelin are out long term, it becomes critical for General Manager Marc Bergevin to bolster his blue line in prevision of the playoffs. With about 10 days before the March 2nd, 2015, trade deadline, it becomes important for Bergevin to assess all his options before making a bold move. Also, with Jeff Petry leaving last night's game with an apparent upper-body injury, and Tyler Myers and Zach Bogosian traded for each other, the options on the back end are getting somewhat limited. Oh and let's not forget that Cody Franson was also shipped to Nashville while Marc Methot was extended by Ottawa.

Another coveted option on the blue line, is offensive defenseman Andrej Sekera of the Carolina Hurricanes. Making only $2.75 million this season, the 28-year-old rearguard is having a tough offensive season with the lowly Hurricanes, scoring 2 goals and 17 assists for 19 points and a -7 differential in 54 games. However, Sekera enjoyed the best season of his career in 2013-14 with Carolina, potting 11 goals and 33 helpers for 44 points and +4 rating in 74 contests.

The puck-moving Sekera, who is slated to become a UFA on July 1st, will not come cheap as the asking price is reportedly a first-round pick and a solid prospect. Will Marc Bergevin be willing to pay that hefty price for a rental player? I highly doubt it.

Playing on average 22:50 per game this season, the left-handed blue liner is great on the power play and makes a very solid first pass, helping with the transition. Also, despite playing for a cellar-dwelling team, Sekera's possession numbers are pretty good with a 52.3 CF% and a 52.2 FF%. The problem with Sekera is that he is not physical at all with a mere 43 hits in 54 games.

In sum, if Bergevin wants to acquire an offensive-minded defenseman for the playoffs, Sekera is his man, but if he is looking for a physical and defensive-oriented rearguard, Andrej is really not his man. The team could also call up veterans Bryan Allen and Davis Drewiske if they don't want to mortgage the future by trading away prospects and draft picks.

Who would you want to acquire if you were Marc Bergevin?


Other options on defense include Mike Green, Jeff Petry, Zbynek Michalek and Marek Zidlicky.


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Jaromir Jagr And The Kladno Connection

After the blockbuster deal that sent Evander Kane and Zack Bogosian from the Winnipeg Jets to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, two prospects and a first round draft pick, action is bound to pick up in the NHL with only a few weeks before the NHL trade deadline in early March.

After showing interest in the controversial Kane, Montreal Canadiens general manager, Marc Bergevin, will now have to turn his attention to other targets. One name that keeps coming up in trade chatter is that of ageless veteran Jaromir Jagr of the New Jersey Devils. 

The soon-to-be 43 years old veteran is enjoying a solid campaign yet again this season, notching 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points with a -10 differential in 50 games for a struggling Devils squad. Jagr, who is New Jersey's leading scorer, told GM Lou Lamoriello that he doesn't necessarily want to be traded before the deadline, but he is open to the idea. 

Should he be traded by the Devils, the 6'3'', 230-lb, right-winger would like to remain in the Eastern Conference and play for a contender with a change to win the Stanley Cup. With the Devils 12 points out of a playoff spot, it's a question of days before they are "officially" out of the race and, as a result, Jagr would like to continue playing come spring. 

The Native of Klado, Czech Republic (same hometown as Jiri Sekac and Tomas Plekanec), is willing to accept a diminished role and less ice-time to pursue his dream of another Cup. 

"I don't pay attention to the deadline. I'm a professional. I just work even harder than I did before," Jagr told Rich Chere of NJ Advance Media. "If I stay here, I stay here. If I don't, I still have to be ready. If somebody trades for me they'll expect me to be good. And if I stay here I have to be good. So I have to work harder than ever to make sure I'm good."

One of the hardest working off the ice, Jagr's dedication to training is legendary around the league and is one of the key elements of his never-ending career. A long-time friend and international teammate of Tomas Plekanec, Jagr also trained with Plekanec and Sekac this summer in Kladno, so the three Czechs are already familiar with each other.

Jagr, who has a cap hit of $5.5 million because of the bonus he received this season, has already played for several Eastern Conference teams, namely the Bruins, the Rangers, the Flyers, the Capitals and the Penguins, which basically leaves the Lightning, the Red Wings and the Habs as a likely destination.

While the "Mullet Man" is not a bona-fide superstar any more, he can certainly produce offensively and help the Habs' struggling power play come playoff time. Jagr is also great with the puck, so his arrival would certainly improve the team's possession statistics, which are ranked in the bottom third of the league right now.

A middle-round pick and a low-level prospect such as Christian Thomas is probably what the Devils will ask for Jagr before the deadline. Are you willing to pay that kind of price?

Potential forward lines with Jagr:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Weise/Parenteau

Sekac-Plekanec-Jagr

Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher

Bournival-De La Rose/Malhotra-Prust

Who would you want to acquire at forward if you were Marc Bergevin?

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The General Continues To Stand Tall

Greetings Habs Addicts!

The Habs swept the season series against the Boston Bruins the other day for the first time since the 2007-08 season with a 3-1 win in Boston on Sunday night. The Habs are 10-1 in their past 11 games against Boston, including six straight wins in Boston. Impressive!

Andrei Markov had an empty-net goal to ice the victory, his seventh goal of the season. Last night he set up David Desharnais' overtime winner against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Habs 2-1 victory. He now has 31 points in 53 games played this season. The General is continuing to defy the aging process that inevitably hits all players and is averaging 24:48 of ice time per game this season at age 36. He may have lost a step in terms of speed, but in terms of skills and stats, he is hardly slowing down.

Photo Credit: RDS.CA

Andrei Markov has been a rock for the Canadiens since he broke into the NHL back in 2000-01. He suffered a series of knee injuries that required reconstruction and limited him to only seven games played in 2010-11 and 13 games the following year, but Markov has returned strong and appeared in all 48 games during the strike shortened season, missed only one game last year and thus far has appeared in all 53 games thus far this season. Media and fans were concerned about re-signing Markov after the knee injury and management faced a lot of criticism when they did re-sign him to a contract with such a high average-annual salary cap value; however, he has rewarded management's faith in him by returning to his high level of play. Calm and cool with the puck, you never see Markov panicking on the ice. The quarterback of the power play for years, he has proven to be a lethal combination with P.K. Subban on the back end. What more can you ask of a player who was only drafted in the 6th round, 162 overall in 1998?

Habs fans cringed last summer when Markov was approaching free-agency for the first time in his career. Coming into last season with a salary cap hit of $5.75 million, fans and media alike were concerned about Marc Bergevin extending the soon-to-be 36 year old at that current cap hit. Well, Bergevin rewarded his veteran leader with a three-year extension at the same salary cap hit and Markov has responded in year one thus far, on pace for 11 goals and 49 points.

Markov has started to show signs of age creeping up to him. As stated earlier, he has lost a step in the speed department after the knee injury, but he has not let that affect his play as he better positions himself and takes advantage of the vast hockey smarts he developed over his 13-year career. Last season, it was evident that fatigue was catching up to him as he entered the playoffs as he had only one goal and four assists in his final 13 regular season games and then was kept off the score sheet entirely during the four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Markov was beginning to feel the effects of his first full regular season in four years. Critics were calling for Michel Therrien to rest the veteran, and limit his minutes to keep him fresh, but Markov played over 25 minutes per game last year and is very close to that same amount of ice time this year. Will he fade a bit down the stretch? Even with his fade, Markov finished last years playoff run with 10 points in 17 playoff games. Solid production from a solid producer.

The trade deadline is approaching. Bergevin will address some needs and another puck-mover on the back end would surely help. Names like Cody Franson and Mike Green have been bandied about. Edmonton is trying to move Jeff Petry and he could be an option, as well. Bergevin has already acquired fellow Russian veteran Sergei Gonchar earlier this year and he has paired up tremendously well with young Nathan Beaulieu. On the flip side, Alexei Emelin continues to make baffling mistakes both mentally and with the puck on a game-to-game basis and his partner Tom Gilbert has provided only nine points in 49 games played this season after being expected to anchor the second power-play unit. Veteran Mike Weaver has been a healthy scratch for most of the season and has appeared in only two games since the middle of December.

Michel Therrien will be wise to limit the minutes for Markov down the stretch, especially late in games where the outcome is more or less decided. The only problem is the Canadiens have an inability to score goals this year which has seen them play in a lot of one-goal games. Hard to limit your stud leader when the game is on the line. It would be nice to see the scoring pace pick up and Markov finish the stretch run playing around 20 minutes per game and subsequently have a bit more in the tank for the playoffs, where fans expect another long spring of hockey in Montreal.

It will be interesting to see how they play Markov during the home stretch of the season and how The General responds this year. Even if he does slow down next year and the last year of his deal, he will still be a valuable power-play producer. Kimmo Timonen in Philadelphia is a prime example of what kind of player Markov can develop into as he advances into his age 37 and 38 seasons. Not too shabby.

When its all said and done and he wraps up his career, there might very well be a #79 banner hanging in the rafters of the Bell Centre.

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Nick Malofy is a transplanted Montrealer, currently living in evil LeafLand. He is a contributor here at HabsAddict.com and give him a follow, as he can often be found rambling on Twitter.

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Marc Bergevin Looking At Western Conference Defensemen: Jeff Petry Anyone?

With about three weeks before the trade deadline, it has been fairly quiet on the trade front in the NHL. However, action should pick up around the league as we are slowly separating contenders and pretenders. One player that will definitely be traded is Edmonton Oilers' defenseman, Jeff Petry. The right-handed blue liner is an impending unrestricted free agent earning a respectable $3.025 million this season.

According to TSN Insider Darren Dreger, Montreal Canadiens GM has been contacting Western Conference teams to inquire about the availability of some of their defensemen.

The impending UFA is currently having one of his worst defensive seasons so far this year, recording 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points with a putrid -27 differential in 53 games with the lowly Oilers. The lanky 6'3'', 198-lb, blue liner, who is not known for his offensive abilities, has spent all his professional career with Edmonton, who drafted him 45th overall in 2006.

The 27-year-old defenseman has only 70 hits and 61 blocked shots this season, which is nothing to write home. Spending on average 21:16 minutes on the ice per game, Petry is a more expensive version of Tom Gilbert, who has been playing very well lately, paired alongside bruising defenseman Alexei Emelin.

A healthy scratch earlier this season (like Gilbert), Petry has been one of the steadiest Oilers defencemen lately, although he will never be physical enough to hush his harshest critics (like Gilbert). For comparison purposes, Gilbert has 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points with a +8 rating in 49 games with the Habs this year. Gilbert is the lesser physical of the two with a mere 23 hits this season, but he has more blocked shots than Petry with 87. 

While Petry (50.2% CFeven) has better possession numbers than Gilbert (45.2% CFeven) and is slightly more physical than Gilbert, is he really worth sacrificing a middle round pick and/or a prospect to improve the Canadiens' defensive brigade which ranks first in the league in goals allowed per game with 2.03? I don't think so. I'd trade for Cody Franson instead if I were Marc Bergevin...

Who would you want to acquire if you were Marc Bergevin?

Other options on defense include Cody Franson, Mike Green, Andrej Sekera, Marc Methot, Zbynek Michalek and Marek Zidlicky.

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Should The Montreal Canadiens Trade For Evander Kane?

Well, the writing is on the wall regarding the tense relationship between winger Evander Kane and the Winnipeg Jets. After being made a healthy scratch against his hometown Vancouver Canucks for violating the team's dress code.

The 23-year-old Kane has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 37 games this season, but this marks the second time he's been made a healthy scratch by head coach Paul Maurice. The relationship between them is tense to say the least and Kane has been mainly used on a checking line with Adam Lowry and Chris Thorburn this season.

With a cap hit of $5.25 million this season, Kane will not come cheap, so any team vying for his services will have to make room to fit his long term salary in their payroll. Kane will become a UFA after the 2017-18 season. Now, according to TSN insider, Darren Dreger, Winnipeg's general manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff is currently listening to offers for the rugged winger.

Many questions around Evander Kane and the Jets. Some medical issues to be resolved, but teams are calling and Jets are listening...hard.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 5, 2015

And according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Canadiens have expressed interest in the past as well as the Philadelphia Flyers.

on LTR: Canadiens, Flyers two teams who heavily expressed interest in Kane in the past. Could they revisit talks now?
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 5, 2015

Currently hampered by a lower-body injury, Kane has been playing with the pain until he decides to undergo surgery, during the season, or preferably in the off-season. Will this injury and his off-ice antics lower his trade value on the market? Well, according to some pro scouts yes.

Surveyed some NHL scouts and feeling is that price on Evander Kane has dropped. One top asset could be enough to land him from #NHLJets.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 5, 2015

Not afraid of the rough stuff, Kane has 56 penalty minutes and 119 hits (3.21 hits per game) this season. Kane also has 10 NHL fights in his career, so he can drop the gloves once in a while similar to the veteran Jarome Iginla.

With the Habs' lack of offensive output in recent games, the arrival of an impact player such as Kane would definitely boost the team and give Michel Therrien another sniper who can help Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk.

Montreal would probably need to send a few players and picks to get a deal done. Maybe a package of Lars Eller, with a couple of prospects and a 2nd-3rd round pick could start the trade discussions.

Who are you willing to offer for Evander Kane?

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Do The Montreal Canadiens Really Need Mike Green?

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 Montreal, the Washington Capitals will most likely trade offensive defenseman Mike Green before the NHL trade deadline. The 29-year-old Greenw, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, is not expected to sign a contract extension with the Caps prior to March 2nd.

As reported by McKenzie and Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams interested in his services. The right-handed blue liner has 5 goals and 26 assists for 31 points and a +7 rating in 42 games with Washington this season. The Habs are in the market for a top-four defenseman and are willing to deal mid-level prospects and draft picks for a player like Green or Cody Franson, if the Capitals are willing to accept that kind of offer.

Green, who is in the last year of a three-year pact, has a cap hit of $6,083 million, which is not easy to fit under the salary cap. The oft-injured Green is currently in his prime and will be looking to cash in on one more long-term deal in excess of $6 million annually. The problem with that rumor is that even if the Capitals believe they won't re-sign Green in the off-season, they are still in the thick of the playoff race and would be stupid to unload Green without even replacing him on the blue line. The Capitals currently hold the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 25-15-10 record as of February 2nd.

While Green is not playing on the team's top pairing any more after the acquisition of Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen in the off-season, the offensive specialist is still logging over 19 minutes of ice time per game. Green currently has 11 points on the man advantage and he is playing on the first power play unit with Alexander Ovechkin at the point. Do you really think the Caps would trade Green to the Habs with the chance of facing them in the playoffs? I highly doubt that!

The Canadiens currently don't have enough cap space to trade for Green without giving another roster player in return. Maybe if Marc Bergevin is able to convince Washington to take Alexei Emelin's off our hands, a deal could be possible, but it's not that simple since Emelin has a full no-movement clause. With Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetzov, maybe Washington is a destination that could entice Emelin to waive his NMC because of the Russian Factor...

The problem regarding Green is not that he is a bad player, it's rather that he is another offensive-minded rearguard, which is not the Canadiens need for a long playoff run, with PK Subban, Andrei Markov, Nathan Beaulieu and Sergei Gonchar all moving the puck well and able to play on the PP. The Habs need a rugged defensman who can lay out thunderous hits, clear the front of the net and kill penalties efficiently.

Who would you want to acquire if you were Marc Bergevin?

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Could The Montreal Canadiens Be Interested In Cody Franson?

With one month before the NHL trade deadline, action should pick up on the trade front as we are slowly separating contenders and pretenders. One player that will most likely be traded is Toronto Maple Leafs' defenseman, Cody Franson. The right-handed blue liner has reportedly declined the Leafs' latest contract offer of around $4.5 million annually.

According to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun, the TLeafs are looking for a second-round pick in exchange for the 27-year-old Franson. This season, the native of Sicamous, BC has recorded 6 goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 49 contests for the slumping Leafs. The offensive-minded defender is also a good shot blocker with 96 this season (he would rank 2nd on the Habs behind Andrei Markov who has 101) and he can also be physical as shown by his 140 hits, which is three more than Montreal's most physical defenseman, Alexei Emelin.

The impending UFA is currently having one of his best seasons so far (he had 33 points in 2013-14) which means he will most likely want to cash in on the open market next July. This means that the team who will trade for him will get a rental player and not a long-term solution on the blue line. Will Habs GM Marc Bergevin be willing to pay the asking price (2nd rounder pick) for Franson, who is earning $3.3 million this season? That remains to be seen.

Can Montreal head into the playoffs with Sergei Gonchar, Tom Gilbert and Mike Weaver as the team's other right-handed options after PK Subban? We know for sure that Bergevin likes Cody Franson as he was the asset that the team would have landed if Josh Gorges had not refused a deal to Toronto prior to heading to Buffalo. Because of the aborted trade, Bergevin scrambled to find another solution on the blue line and was forced to settle for Tom Gilbert, who he signed to a two-year pact worth $2.8 million AAV. 

While Gilbert has been somewhat reliable on the team's blue line, his 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in 46 games are a far cry from Franson' offensive production this year and the Canadiens could certainly use Franson's offensive abilities on the second power play unit instead of Sergei Gonchar or Nathan Beaulieu. Used to play on average 20 or more minutes per game, Franson is a big defender at 6'5'' and 215-lb, which is exactly what the Canadiens' back end needs for a long playoff run.

Other options on defnse include Mike Green, Andrej Sekera, Marc Methot, Jeff Petry, Zbynek Michalek and Marek Zidlicky, among others.

Who would you want to acquire if you were Marc Bergevin?

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Emelin No Boom

Formerly known as "Emelin Boom", Alexei Emelin is struggling mightily this season with the Montreal Canadiens. Currently playing on the team's third pairing with Tom Gilbert, Emelin, 28, is in the first year of a four-year contract that is paying him on $4.1 million annually, pact that also includes a no-movement clause.

The Russian native has been fairly inconsistent this season for the Habs, recording 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 39 games with a +5 rating. While Emelin has 117 hits for an average of three hits per contest (on par with his career average), he seems hesitant to distribute thunderous checks in the middle of the ice like he used to do prior to the knee injury he suffered in April 2013 against Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins.

Emelin seems confused on the ice the season, making bad decisions over bad decisions, going from bad positioning to bad penalties, he has lost his confidence and it shows in his overall game. Emelin admitted to Marc-Antoine Grondin of La Presse that the hit on Brian Gionta on November 29th, hit for which he was fined $11,000, crushed his confidence. As a result of this "missed hit", Emelin is lacking the confidence to hit opponents when they enter the defensive zone, somewhat of his trademark in recent years.

Emelin is sometimes way out of position and appears lost on the ice just like on the Martin St. Louis goal in overtime last playoffs. You can see that Emelin is covering nobody and that he is on the wrong side of the ice surface...

When paired with Tom Gilbert, the two rearguards combine for a mediocre Corsi of 36.9%. 36.9%! A Corsi that low is in the George Parros/John Scott area, And when they are not together, but players have a Corsi above 47%, so it would be wise for Michel Therrien to split them. (A good Corsi rating is around 50%.)

Since the start of the 2013-14 season, Alexei Emelin has a 44.5 CF%, which ranks him 110th out of 119 NHL defensemen with a least 1,500 minutes played (according to War on ice), all that while facing a low quality of competition compared to the team's first pairing of Andrei Markov and PK Subban.

Because Michel Therrien used to play him more than 20 minutes per game when he was paired with PK Subban earlier this season, Emelin is currently on pace to play the most minutes per game on average (20:59) whereas he should only play about 15 minutes per contest with the way he has been playing recently.

With the emergence of youngster Nathan Beaulieu and the depth of the organization on the blue line, general manager Marc Bergevin could envision trading him (providing he lifts his NMC) prior to the trade deadline to get offensive help. With veteran Bryan Allen and his $3M cap hit already in the minors and his NMC, Emelin will not be demoted to the AHL for those wishing that to happen.

What would you do with Emelin? Scratch him a few games? Trade him? Or simply continue to play him, but with a different partner?

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Follow me on Twitter @FredPoulin98

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The Canadiens' Lack Of Depth At Forward Is Bound To Hurt Them

The Montreal Canadiens have been playing fairly well in recent games going 8-2 in their last ten games and currently sitting second in the Atlantic Division, only two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and with two games in hand.

Currently in the midst of a span of only two games in ten days, the team will be well rested to host the powerful Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. I don't know if it's the water they drink, but the Canadiens are currently 30th in the NHL with only 34 games lost to injury this season after 40 games.

Compared to other teams such as the Columbus Blue Jackets (249 games lost) and the Anaheim Ducks (241 games lost), we can obviously say that Montreal has been fairly lucky to avoid the infirmary so far in 2014-15.

On defense, the Habs have been able to keep their core healthy with Alexei Emelin being the only regular rearguard to miss games (2) as Tom Gilbert missed two games but that was as a healthy scratch. Only veteran Mike Weaver missed more time due to an injury, but his impact has been minimal on the team this season being a regular healthy scratch in recent games.

With Weaver as the #7 defenseman in Montreal, the Canadiens decided earlier this week to demote veteran defensman Bryan Allen to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Jarred Tinordi and him make nice insurance policies in case injuries happen to the team's defensive corps.

The problem for Marc Bergevin and the organization is by acquiring Allen and Sergei Gonchar for two forwards (Rene Bourque and Travis Moen, respectively), is that the team's depth at forward has basically vanished. Now with the injury to Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, the team's lack of depth is even more obvious.

Michel Therrien is forced to mix his assets and Tomas Plekanec is now playing with a natural center at left wing in David Desharnais and a grinder at right wing in Dale Weise; that will not be a very effective offensive line in the long term. Should PAP miss an extended period of time, the Canadiens will dearly miss his contribution on the ice and especially in the shootout.

The team lacks a true talented prospect ready to contribute when called upon as the group composed of Drayson Bowman, Eric Tangradi and Sven Andrighetto has combined for 2 goals and 1 assist in 20 games this season. Moreover, the team announced it has called up another small forward, Christian Thomas, from the Bulldogs last night. While Thomas was very efficient and surprising during the training camp, he has been less than stellar this season. Thomas has only 9 goals and 5 assists for 14 points in 29 contests in the AHL this year, nothing to write home.

The team's best prospect in camp, Jacob De La Rose, just finished playing for Sweden at the World Junior Championships in Toronto and Montreal, but his tournament, along with his season in the AHL, have been disappointing to say the least. In 27 AHL contests, De La Rose has only 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points.

The only team prospect that is doing fairly well in Hamilton right now is winger-turned-center Charles Hudon, who is also scoring at a point-per-game pace with 33 points (10g, 23 a) in 35 games. The caveat with Hudon is that the organization just asked his to adapt to a new position and unless more than one injury occurs to the team's centermen (Galchenyuk, Eller, Plekanec, Malhotra and Desharnais), there is no point to call him up and ask him to move back to the wing... Hudon will be best served by playing a full season in the AHL for his development.

With the lack of size and talent on the wings, which impending UFA winger would you like the Habs to acquire before the NHL trade deadline on March 2nd, 2015?

Jaromir Jagr? Chris Stewart? Jordan Nolan? Erik Cole? Jiri Tlusty? Drew Stafford? Kyle Brodziak? Curtis Glencross?

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Follow me on Twitter @FredPoulin98

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Lucky or What ?

How long can the Habs luck holdout?

Hello my fellow HabAddicts. As much as I love the Habs, I am really worried that the wheels are going to fall off real soon.
We have been very fortunate with the injuries so far, and those late game rallies in the first 15 games put us into a false sense of 1st place holders.

Our defense is very weak. Watch any game and our defense is running around in our end trying to get the puck back from the opposition. Then you watch the opposition's defense and they waltz out of their end unopposed. Very frustrating to watch.

Our power play used to be feared and very deadly. Now the opposition takes liberties with our smaller players because they know the power play will not result in a goal. And so they continue to punish our smaller players. I don't know how much more Gallagher can take.

Our puck control is non-existent. It drives me crazy watching our team always chasing the puck and never controlling it. You need puck possession to win. What I do not understand is how our coaching staff can not adapt to playing conditions. No matter what is happening in a game Therrian and staff can not change strategy to beat the opposition's game plans. Look at our power play, everyone knows the key is Subban's power blast from the point, but no one has been able to come up with a strategy to overcome that and still utilize your best weapon. And why do we keep putting little guys like Gallagher, Plekanec and Desharnais in front of the net. Guys like Weise and Eller should be allowed to crash the net on the PP.

The only real bright spot this season has been our goaltending. It has been the key to our success so far, but how long can we allow 35-45 shots on our goalie every night. Why is Tinordi still in the AHL? He needs to be playing now in the NHL, the AHL cannot teach him anything new. And speaking of teaching, I liked JJ.D as a player but as a coach he has no idea what needs to be done on the ice or adapt to playing conditions. Our defensive game plan needs an update also. (Why did we ever let Mr. Robinson get away?)

We need a new game plan to control the puck. We are not built for the dump and chase game; we need to control the puck because once we lose it we don't get it back.

Bottom line the coaching staff have let us down on not adapting to the changes in the game, we are not utilizing the strengths of our players and too quickly punishing mistakes by high potential players (ie. Sekac).

Tonight begins a new year for our team, Hopefully the staff have NEW ideas to keep us near the top, otherwise get ready for a long painful descend out of the playoffs.

What do you think, are we in need of new ideas or should we just continue to ride on Lady Luck's coattails?

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Sven Is In The Ghetto

Called up on December 5th to replace Lars Eller, who is out with a shoulder injury, Sven Andrighetto didn't wait to make an impact, recording a point in each of his first three NHL games (2 goals and 1 assist). The 21-year-old native of Zurich, Switzerland is currently playing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Jiri Sekac. 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Andrighetto is the first Habs player to record to record at least a point in each of his first three NHL games since Pierre Mondou accomplished the feat in 1977-78. 

Andrighetto, a 5-foot-9, 183-pound forward who played two seasons in the QMJHL with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies before the Canadiens drafted him, was enjoying a solid sophomore season with the team's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, prior to his call-up.

In 21 games with the Bulldogs, the speedy winger/center had recorded 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points and +1 rating under the tutelage of head coach Sylvain Lefebvre, The season before, Andrighetto had potted 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points in 64 games with Hamilton, good for second among the team's forwards. 

Andrighetto, who was selected in the third round (86th overall) of the 2013 NHL draft after being passed over twice at the draft, is quite happy to find himself in the NHL right now. Still, the young European doesn't take anything for granted and savors every moment he spends with the team that drafted him and believed in him.

Read the article I wrote on Sven more than two years ago before people knew him. Sven Andrighetto: The Next Undrafted Gem

If we look at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the only other player drafted outside of the first round to play more than one NHL game is Anthony Duclair of the New York Rangers (7 points in 18 games). Luckily for Habs fans, as opposed to Duclair, Andrighetto is not eligible for the U20 World Championship Tournament since he is 21 years old.

Andrighetto is part of a new generation of Swiss players who are enjoying tremendous success in the NHL along with the likes of youngsters Nino Niederreiter and Sven Baertschi. He is also the fifth Helvetian athlete to play for the Canadiens after David Aebischer, Mark Streit, Yannick Weber and Raphael Diaz.

Both Andrighetto and rookie Jiri Sekac give plenty of credit to veteran Tomas Plekanec for their success as he has been a very good role model and mentor for the kids. The fact that Plekanec is used to help younger players has helped the two rookies to gain confidence and take chances offensively as they know the veteran center will have their back if they commit a turnover. 

Thanks to everyone for the support and gratulations. Been a special day I will never forget. Would have been better to win the game! #habs
— Sven Andrighetto (@Andrighetto25) December 7, 2014

While he is currently enjoying tremendous success at the NHL level, Andrighetto is not a lock to remain with the Bleu Blanc Rouge for the rest of the year as Lars Eller is slated to return to the line-up around Christmas, and maybe even earlier. Eller's presence would create a logjam in the Habs' top nine, which means Andrighetto could very well be the odd man out. 

Let's hope that Andrighetto doesn't turn into the next Cory Conacher, another small winger who was off to a stellar start (24 points in 35 games) in 2012-13 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before being shipped out to the Ottawa Senators for lanky G Ben Bishop. Since the trade, Conacher has played 106 games with the Senators, Sabres and Islanders, recording only 10 goals and 24 helpers for 34 points with a +4 rating. Earlier this week, the Islanders waived him and he was not claimed by the 29 other teams...

The moral of the story is that while Andrighetto is enjoying much success right now, it doesn't mean he will turn into the next Pavel Bure. Keep your hopes not too high Habs fans and enjoy the Swiss wave while it lasts.

Do you think Marc Bergevin should make room up front so that Sven can remain with the big club?

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Follow me on Twitter for more updates on the Habs and hockey in general.

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Top 10 Reasons Michel Therrien Is Failing The Grade... Again

Similar to last season, but after 29 games and a 17-10-2 this time, the Montreal Canadiens have seen their first place overall in the NHL evaporate due to poor play in recent weeks, going 3-6-1 in their last ten games and failing to win consistently, especially on the road.

First in the NHL not a long time ago, the Canadiens are now ranked 11th in the league with only a seven-point lead of the ninth place Florida Panthers who have four games in hand on the Habs...

Let’s see 10 reasons why Michel Therrien needs to change his way of coaching or to be fired if GM Marc Bergevin and owner Geoff Molson have any hopes to see their team make the playoffs this season.

1. The slow starts almost every game: the Canadiens have scored only NINE GOALS in the first period, good for last place in the NHL. At the same time, the team is 6th in the league with 26 goals allowed in the first frame for a goal differential of -18 in the first period. -18! You cannot give up the lead every game and expect to win every time. Therrien just can't seem to prepare his team correctly. The Canadiens are the only playoff team with a negative goal differential this season (-2).

2. His ingrained man-crush on David Desharnais. While I like David as a person, Therrien needs to stop giving him every chance to succeed and remove him from Max Pacioretty's line. The diminutive pivot has only one even-strength goal this season and two in 29 games. He only has 15 points overall and is currently on pace for a mere 42 points over a full season. Despite his lack of offensive production, the head coach keeps giving him first power play duties as well as plenty of ice time. In Dallas, Desharnais played a season-low 14:43 minutes... that's not what I call "benching".

3. His consistent use of veterans such as Bryan Allen, Mike Weaver or Tom Gilbert over youngsters Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi. The two young defensemen are currently playing in the AHL while the above veterans keep making mistake after mistake. The same happened up front with Rene Bourque and Travis Moen who had to be traded by Marc Bergevin so that rookie Jiri Sekac could draw into the line-up every night. 

4. His constant line juggling and questionable decisions regarding his offensive lines and defensive duos. For example, Therrien keeps pairing two righties together in Gilbert and Weaver, while he sticks two lefties together in Gonchar and Emelin. His constant use of grinder Dale Weise on a line with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty is comical at best. 

5. His affinity for a dump-and-chase style of play with a passive forecheck is not working. Because of the small size of the club’s forwards, the Habs would be better suited to adopt a west-east approach instead of a north-south strategy that is simply not working. The team needs to penetrate the offensive zone with the puck instead of dumping it and failing to retrieve it. The Habs need to forecheck with two forwards and use their speed to create turnovers in the offensive zone instead of letting the opposing teams come out of their zone too easily and enter the neutral zone without any pressure.

6. The utilization of natural center Alex Galchenyuk on the wing, even though players like Lars Eller and David Desharnais have struggled mightily at times. We finally saw Chucky at center last game due to the injury to Eller, but we can bet he will be back on the left wing for the contest against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

7. Poor defensive positioning had led to numerous scoring chances from the opposing teams and if it were not for Carey Price’s and Dustin Tokarski's stellar play, the Canadiens would have a far worse record. The defensemen have a hard time making a good first pass, often icing the puck because of an inaccurate pass or clearing the puck by the boards with the wingers having no real opportunity to catch the pass and make a clear exit of the defensive zone. The team is so discombobulated in the defensive zone that the opponents have been able to take advantage of this flaw.

8. The indiscipline of the team: while the Canadiens are 28th in the league with only 76 power play opportunities, and converting them at a dismal 14.5% rate, the team is 29th in the NHL with 105 penalty kill situations so far. Luckily for Therrien, his PK unit is doing the job, killing 83.8% of the penalties good for 11th overall. The team's penalty ratio is a pedestrian -31 differential on the season, a big reason why the club is in a downward spiral at the moment.

Therrien is clueless most of the time.

9. The inability to adjust the power play units after the early season failure. The solution is quite simple as the team needs to use movement and quick passes to free up Subban and his lethal one-timer to have any kind of success. I analysed the situation a few weeks ago here.

10. His inability to adapt during games and to match up his lines, especially at home where he is supposed to have the advantage with the last change. We have often seen the Canadiens get caught with their fourth line on the ice while the opponent’s first line jumps on the ice; situations that often led to a goal.

Below you will find the Habs’ expected lines for Tuesday’s match-up against the Canucks:
Max Pacioretty – Alex Galchenyuk – Brendan Gallagher
Sven Andrighetto – Tomas Plekanec – Jiri Sekac
Michael Bournival – Deavid Desharnais – P-A Parenteau
Brandon Prust – Manny Malhotra – Dale Weise
Extra: Eric Tangradi

Once again I am puzzled at the hockey decisions made by Michel Therrien and his coaching staff.

As for the defensive pairings, nobody has a clue what the duos will be and who is going to play or be scratched since both Bryan Allen and Mike Weaver seem to be injured and the team has yet to call up another defenseman from Hamilton…

It sounds like Therrien is quickly losing his dressing room as a result of poor decisions this season… 
Is it time to panic in Montreal, or it's simply a bump in the road?

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Rumor: David Desharnais for David Perron?

According to several news outlets, the future of left winger David Perron is sealed in Edmonton after the comments he made on the team's poor start last Friday. Stacked on the wings, the Oilers are currently looking for depth at center because the team is very thin at the position after talented youngster Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The team was forced to keep rookie Leon Draisaitl and play journeyman Marco Arcobello as the organization's 2nd and 3rd line centers, respectively, because of its lack of depth down the middle. Now that the team has lost seven games in a row and has fell out of playoff contention, once again, general management Craig MacTavish is finally looking to shake things up.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Canadiens have been interested in David Perron and GM Marc Bergevin is not afraid to make a move as shown by his latest acquisitions of Sergei Gonchar and Bryan Allen.

With the excess of defensemen in Montreal as well as the possibility of trading one of the team's top-three pivots to make room for Galchenyuk at center, it would make sense that the Habs call the Oilers about Perron.

One of the names currently being mentioned as a possibility for the Oilers, other than Artem Anisimov and Patrick Berglund, is diminutive center David Desharnais as mentioned by Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.

Off to a very slow start for a first-line pivot, Desharnais has only 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 23 games, posting a good +9 rating along the way. While DD has improved at the dot, winning 197 of the 363 (54.3%) draws he has taken so far, the Saint-Apollinaire native has only 22 shots this year, which is less than a single shot per game.

As for Perron, he only has 2 goals and 8 helpers for 10 points in 22 games for a struggling team. The good side about him is that he is only one year removed from a successful season during which he potted 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points in 78 contests. A left-winger who shoots right, Perron is also bigger than Desharnais (6'0'', 200-lb vs. 5'7'', 175-lb), which is not a minor detail when it's playoff time.

If we look at some advanced stats, Perron has a Corsi For % of 54.0, which is pretty good with a bad team like the Oilers. He has also been extremely unlucky as his low PDO of 96.5 and his -11 plus/minus rating can be easily explained by the poor goaltending of the Oilers this season, which is ranked last in the NHL with a putrid .885 save percentage. Perron is also shooting a paltry 3.8% (2 goals on 52 shots), while his career average is 12.8%; as a result, expect a improvement in this department, which means the goals should start coming very soon.

At the other end of the spectrum, Desharnais has been very lucky with a high PDO of 105.7 and a +9 plus/minus differential that is helped by the Canadiens' solid save percentage of .919 this year. His Corsi For % of 52.1 ranks him fourth on the team, but he's trailing his favorite line-mate Max Pacioretty by seven points, despite spending most of his ice time with him.

Financially, Perron's cap hit is $3.812,500 for the next two campaigns, making him a free agent at the end of the 2015-16 season at the ripe age of 28. As for the 28-year-old Desharnais, who is earning $3.5 million this season, he will still have two years left on his current contract after the season.

Such a move would allow the Bleu Blanc Rouge to shift Alex Galchenyuk back to his natural position at center and would give the team more depth at left wing after Max Pacioretty.

The Canadiens could sweeten the deal by trading a second-tier prospect like Dalton Thrower or a middle-round pick to help the Oilers rebuild their ever-struggling franchise.

Potential line combinations with Perron:

Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Gallagher
Perron-Plekanec-Parenteau
Sekac-Eller-Prust
Bournival-Malhotra-Weise
Extras: Bowman, Tangradi

Being the easiest center to replace internally, David Desharnais would be the current Habs' player that most fans would want to trade first in the event Marc Bergevin makes another move up front.

Would you make that trade, or would you rather send another forward to land Perron?

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