First and foremost is, of course, a crack down on obstructions—one that has been relaxed considerably in recent years.
Another change that can be felt more tangibly, is that of the NHL schedule. I remember working for a software company, in a previous life, that pitched the NHL on automating their scheduling system.
At the time, it was one guy—yes, one guy—who did all of the scheduling by hand. He had a massive white board with logos for teams, various arena schedule information and other aids to help him put together a given NHL season schedule.
I know, total insanity.
But in recent years, this man has been replaced by software and, as such, we have seen a dramatic increase in teams randomly having several days off.
Witness the current five-day break the Habs are on as exhibit 'A'.
A question of momentum
With the Habs fresh on the heels of a three-game winning streak including back-to-back Ws over the rival Boston Bruins, the timing of the break is not necessarily great.
It remains to be seen how the extended break will affect the team, but suffice it to say that there is something to be said about keeping the momentum going. Especially considering the Habs were just starting to turn their horrible start around.
But who knows, they might come out with fire on their eyes on Friday as they face the red-hot Ottawa Senators.
I know, that doesn't roll off the tongue very well does it?
The only team ahead of the Sens—Ottawa is second in the Northeast with 14 points—are the Toronto Maple Leafs with 15 points.
That also doesn't roll off the tongue very well, but such is the 2011-2012 NHL season so far.
If there is a bright side to the Habs early November break, it is that they have time to lick their many wounds. That and they are, at least, going into the break on a winning streak.
Can you imagine all the hand-wringing that would be going on if they had just lost three in a row?
Better D
Jaroslav Spacek made his return to the lineup at the same time that assistant coach Perry Pearn was let go.
And while some are looking at the departure of Pearn as the reason for the turnaround, I think that Spacek's presence in the lineup isn't getting enough press.
With him out of the lineup, Montreal was forced to play Yannick Weber, Raphael Diaz and Alexei Emelin and give them major minutes.
Combine that with second-year defenseman, P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges and what looks to be an over-the-hill Hal Gill, and Montreal simply did not have enough experience in the lineup.
Spacek's presence on the back end helped to calm some of the young guns, especially his frequent playing partner Weber.
I think that having more experience on the backend helped the Habs get their transition game going, while allowing the coaching staff to spread out the ice time.
The result: a three-game win streak in which Gill has averaged around 18 minutes per game, along with Weber and Diaz.
Walking Wounded
Both Andrei Markov and Scott Gomez have been skating on their own and look to make returns to the lineup in the not-so-distant future.
Markov is probably still about three weeks away, maybe more, but Gomez looks like he could be back as early as this weekend.
So the big question floating around town is where does he fit in the lineup?
The short answer is that he doesn't.
Gomez has done nothing over the last two seasons to show that he deserves to be in the lineup. Moreover, with David Desharnais and Lars Eller getting more and more ice time, the two young centers are looking better each game.
Desharnais is a known commodity from last season but the emergence of Lars Eller as a big, strong two-way center has been nothing short of a revelation for the Habs.
Sure he doesn't have the best hands in the world and likely will never be a 30-goal scorer. But he should hit 20. Maybe even 25.
What's more important is that he, finally, gives the Habs some size up the middle.
So what do you do? Bump him to the fourth line in favour of Gomez, giving the Habs three small centers in their top-nine?
Personally, I'd let Gomez sit, look for a trade option or send him down to Hamilton.
That's a pipe dream, I know, but that's what I'd do.
As for the veteran-loving Jacques Martin, well, he will likely dislodge a player who is playing well in favour of getting Gomez back into the lineup. And that, my friends, is a crying shame.
Chris Nilan floated the idea, on TSN 990, of playing him on as a third line winger.
I suppose that's possible but I don't see a player who has been a "career" center, faring well in that transition.
Either way, Habs management has some big decisions to make!
Guaranteed Win Night
So the gents from The Franchise weekend morning show (on TSN 990) and I are throwing a hockey party this Saturday and you are all invited!
Why 'Guaranteed win night'? Because if the Habs lose, you get a coupon for free chicken wings!
It's at Brasserie Sports 40 in Anjou and costs $10 at the door which gives you entry into the party and one raffle ticket for our prize draw.
We'll be giving away tickets, jerseys and so much more! Plus, a portion of the proceeds will be going to Team in Training (TNT) charity.
If that wasn't enough, Chris 'Knuckles' Nilan will be in attendance.
So come out, watch the game (Habs v. Rangers) talk some hockey with Nilan, help out a charity and possibly win some prizes.
I'm hoping to see some of you Habs addict out there! Shoot me a message if you're going to make it, I'd love to meet you all face-to-face!
Here's the FB page on the event.
New Sunday Shinny podcast
Lastly, but not leastly (can you say that?), here is our Sunday Shinny podcast from this past Sunday.
Former NHLer and current radio analyst for TSN 990, Bobby Dollas, was in studio with us.
It's always an amazing experience to hear a former player talk about the league and what goes on behind the scenes. I highly recommend checking out the podcast!
We discussed the return Gomez, Markov, the firing of Pearn, the Habs recent turnaround and so much more.
When it comes to Gomez I contented that he has never been more superfluous to the Habs lineup.
Never.
On Markov, I said that his return to the lineup will make Emelin the eighth D-man while pushing Diaz and Weber down the line. So does that mean that Emelin will go back to the KHL?
The bottom line is that, to me, the logjam spells a trade, probably of either Weber or Diaz, and that is a tough choice!
What do you think? Who goes where when Markov and Gomez are back? Is there a trade in the works?
Click play below to listen in (listing time 51:05):
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Kamal is a freelance writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com and Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on TSN Radio 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 9 - 10 AM. Listen live at http://www.tsn.ca/montreal/
Follow Kamal on Facebook and Twitter
14 comments:
Great roundup Kamal! You never have too many defensemen, so when Markov returns, I'd keep 8 d-men around because you never know when an injury can occur.
Thanks Fred! And no, you can never have too many D. The problem is that Emelin is already unhappy about not playing. Will he stick around known he's been bumped another spot?
Re: Weber/Diaz, they are very similar style players and have shown they're both NHL ready.
You can't keep that kind of talent on the shelf for too long.
Wouldn't we all love to have Scott Gomez buried in the minors. Or in Wheeling. Or in Europe. Anywhere but against Montreal's salary cap.
P.S For those who advocate firing JM and PG, who make nearly a combined 4 million dollars, don't you think it would look bad for the team to sacrifice that money on two people no longer working for the team as opposed to doing the same by demoting Gomez.
From what I understand Gonmez cannot be demoted to Hamilton or Europe or wherever anyways. He has a limited NTC but also has a NMC.
So the options are to either trade him or buy him out in the off season.
And I am sorry i cannot make it for Saturday. Way too much going on right now. Hopefully the next one.
According to CapGeek, Gomez has a limited No Trade Clause where he can name three teams he would not a trade to. They do no mention any NMC.
And I am looking forward to Saturday. Should be a blast!
@willey101 I think it's more about being traded than demoted. I don't believe the Gomez has a NMC but only a limited no-trade.
And there you go, Louis just brought up the CapGeek info on Gomez.
Here's the link:
http://www.capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=624
As Louis pointed out, he can list three teams he will NOT accept a trade to. As for demotion, if the Habs decided to send him to Hamilton (which they won't...at least not any time soon), he could choose not to report.
That would allow the Habs to suspend him. Either way he'd be out of the lineup and his dollars would come off of the cap.
A long short, at best, but at some point if Gomez doesn't start pulling his weight the Habs might not have a choice.
Oh and on Gomez, why not just turn him into a defensive forward...period.
Tell him to forget about offense, and become a shutdown guy on the fourth line. Tell him that or Hamilton are his options.
Man, would I ever run this team differently than it's being run!
And there you have it. I am wrong. Damn internet and your damn mis-information.
@ KP....if you were running things it would be different and if I was running things this team would look completely different. Even players on our top 6.
I am fed up of watching a team that shows no passion.
@willey101 - Can't argue with you there man! But if you look at the management of this team they also show no passion.
Starting with Gainey, through Gauthier and Martin et al., it is a pretty bland-faced, emotionless bunch. At least in public.
No matter what players you bring in, that kind of attitude will always trickle down to the players...
When Markov comes back, Habs management can send Diaz down and have him develop further in the AHL. I know he looks NHL ready but if the Habs want to keep him for insurance and perhaps the future, this might be the an good option. As for Yemelin, insert him when Markov is back and let him learn from the master. I would give him 10 games with Markov and evaluate after that. If he looks good, keep him playing. But if there is no signs of improvement, send him down to the AHL and call up Diaz.
@Anon
You raise an option we do not always consider. Markov would most certainly be eligible for a conditioning stint in the AHL. Perhaps, before throwing him into the fire known as Montreal, the organization could allow a few games with the Bulldogs. Plus, I'm sure a few games and practices with Markov could be of some benefit to the younger players there.
@anon: Good point re: Diaz and, given his two-way contract, it is very possible that's exactly what they'll do.
For me, I'd rather keep Diaz and send Weber down though. They are both good players but there is something about Diaz that makes me think he has a higher top end, so to speak.
Re: Emelin, that could be what they're waiting for...Markov. I think the plan all along was for the two of them to start the year together. If Emelin is going to make it in the NHL he needs someone to take him under his wing...and Markov is the man to do it.
Still, that would mean bumping Diaz AND Weber out of the lineup...something I don't see JM doing. But you never know!
@Louis: You're right, they could send Markov down for a conditioning stint...gawd knows he probably needs it...
But can you imagine the scandal if he reinjured his knee in Hamilton?!!
Heads would roll!
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