Here we are Habs fans. Training camp has opened and the start of the 2014-15 NHL season is just around the corner. I have five burning questions on my mind. Habs fans feel free to weigh in.
1. Who will be the next Canadiens back-up goalie?
The battle to be Carey Price's backup could be a three horse race. At the moment, Dustin Tokarski and Peter Budaj are the two battling for the job. However, Martin Brodeur, if signed to a tryout, would be an interesting darkhorse. No doubt if Brodeur gets a tryout he'll be given every opportunity to make the team. My prediction, it's Budaj's job to lose. He has more experience and while Tokarski held his own last year in the playoffs, he could benefit from another season as the starter for Hamilton
2. Who will be the next captain of the Montreal Canadiens?
At least to start the season, the Montreal Canadiens will have four alternate captains (PK Subban, Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty) and no team captain. At some point, the team will have to decide on who will serve as the next team captain. For the purposes of this question, I am replacing Markov with Brendan Gallagher. One can make the case for all four of Gallagher, Subban, Plekanec and Pacioretty being the next Canadiens captain. Gallagher wears his heart on his sleeve and battles every night for his team. Subban has been the best defenseman in the NHL (won Norris trophy in 2013). The argument for Plekanec is he has been with the Canadiens organization the longest, since 2003. Finally, Pacioretty would make a good captain because he's a consistent player who other players can model their game after. I endorse PK Subban for the next captain of the Canadiens because he is just entering his prime and he knows how to win.
3. What was the best off-season move the Canadiens made?
Signing Manny Malhotra to a one year deal. This is a low risk move with the potential for high reward, provided Malhotra doesn't get hurt or experience more problems with the eye he injured in 2011 on a gruesome fluke accident. To refresh your memories Habs fans, Malhotra was hit square in the left eye by a deflected puck. He would miss the remainder of that season and most of the Stanley Cup run that year. The next season the Canucks released him after only 9 games played citing the risk to his health being too great. Last season, Malhotra tried out for the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina's farm team) and did well enough to earn a contract with the Hurricanes. Malhotra won't replace the scoring of Brian Gionta, who was traded to and later signed with Buffalo. However, he is great in the faceoff circle and will certainly be a key addition to the penalty kill unit. All in all a great signing by the Habs.
4. What are the biggest challenges the Canadiens face this season?
The Montreal Canadiens will have more of a challenge scoring this season. They will rely on scoring by committee. There is a lot of potential in their lineup starting with the speedy Brendan Gallagher and a big shot in PK Subban on the blueline. The big challenge will be scoring on a consistent basis. It's one thing to score two or three goals in a single game but the top players do it almost on a nightly basis. Another inevitable challenge will be dealing with the adversity of injuries/illness that will crop up. Currently, the biggest worry is with starting goalie Carey Price, who injured his knee during last year's playoffs. Price has been skating for about a month now but until he plays in a game, we won't know if he is completely over the injury. Thankfully, he was able to avoid surgery. During day one of training camp, Tomas Plekanec tweaked an elbow during fitness testing. Hopefully the injury is minor and he misses minimal if any time.
5. Will the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup this season?
Sorry Habs fans but the Canadiens overachieved last season and the East is looking stronger. Definitely the Canadiens should make the playoffs. However, the team lost too much scoring with the departure of Gionta, Gorges, and Vanek. This year, Montreal will be relying on Carey Price and the defense to keep the other team off the scoreboard and hoping that the offense can bury just enough of their chances to win. Expect low-scoring games most nights. There is reason for optimism. The Habs have a lot of good young players in their lineup, such as Alex Galchenyuk, and flashy players like
Brendan Gallagher, who will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The future looks bright but I think the Canadiens might take a step back this season statistically and in the standings.
Let's go Canadiens. Drop the puck on the 2014-15 NHL season!
7 comments:
Lost too much scoring from Gorges! Really??
I agree. There is no loss in scoring from the departure of those three. The habs will score more I predict and their defence will be sound. MB moves will make the canadiens stronger.
I agree that the loss of scoring can be overcome by more consistent play/scoring by the #1 line - Pax, DD & Parenteau. If they play to their potential and other players continue to score as in the past or better our scoring will be fine.
1 - I agree that Tokarski would waste away as the backup, so another year of Hamilton would be beneficial. I wouldn't bother with Brodeur.
2 - Let's wait and see... I think Subban, and definitely Gallagher are too young, and Patches isn't as consistent as you say. My vote would be Pleky.
3 - Hopefully, Sekac will turn out to be the best deal. About 10 teams were after him, and if he can score 20, that would be a nice little boost to the offence. Even scoring 10 would be a better plus than Malhotra on the 4th line.
4 - Hopefully, the Gally's will get more prominent ice time, and the EGG line can be back for a full year. If Bourque can continue his pace from the playoffs, and score 20, then I think the scoring will be ok.
5 - I know there are a lot of "if's", but the younger players should be better this year. I'll say yes! :-)
By no way did the habs lose scoring as the departures will provide an opportunity for young guys like the gally's to have more ice time and Parenteau will score as much as gionta.
The time is now to make a move for a goal scorer. They have extra d men, forwards and goalies that are capable of playing in the nhl so it is time to move some.
Tokarski, Desharnais, Moen, and Emelin are pieces that could be used in a move for a goal scorer. Young d can replace Emelin. Desharnais disappears in the playoffs when it gets tougher to play and Galcheenyuk should be your number one centre. Tokarski has no role with habs. Price still around for 10 years and fucale on his way up in next three years. Badaj capable back up.
@habsfan47 I hope you're right and I'm wrong on the Stanley Cup. I just want to see a Canadian team win it. Even the Leafs (ugh) just to shove it in Bettman's face
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