PK Subban: Norris Trophy Candidate

When Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $72 million in early August of 2014, most fans were relieved that General Manager Marc Bergevin had finally locked up his bona-fide blue liner for almost a decade.

The face of the storied franchise along with All-Star netminder Carey Price, Subban is now under contract through the 2021-22 NHL season. The winner of the prestigious Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2013, Subban notched 10 goals and 43 assists for 53 points in 82 games last season, good for fifth in points among defenders after finishing tied for the NHL lead with 11 goals and 27 helpers for 38 points in 42 games a season earlier during the lockout-shortened season.

HOT FEBRUARY

After a rather slow start this season, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points in eleven October games, Subban has picked up his play as of late for the Eastern Conference leading Habs. With one game left in February, the 25-year-old Subban has already recorded one goal and 13 assists for 14 points in 13 games to go along with +7 differential.

The Toronto native played a season high 35:21 minutes on February 14th against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is now ranked second in the NHL with 12 goals and 35 assists for 47 points with a +14 rating in 61 contests, trailing Flames defenseman Mark Giordano (who left last night's game with an injury) by a single point.

Among rearguards, Subban is second with four game-winning goals and third with six power play tallies and that despite shooting the puck far less often than last season (1.98 SPG as opposed to 2.49 SPG). As a result of injuries to veterans Alexei Emelin and Sergei Gonchar, his playing time has increased recently and on the season he is now playing 26:05 minutes on average (6th in the NHL), which is slightly more than his defensive partner Andrei Markov (25:04).

With Subban and Markov on the ice, the Canadiens are dominant and dictate the play on most nights as shown by last night's performance in Columbus when the duo combined for two goals and three assists with a +10 differential in a 5-2 win.

PUCK-POSSESSION MASTER

With a CF% of 53.9%  and a FF% of 52.9%, Subban ranks second on a team, which is not known for its puck-possession ability with players like Manny Malhotra having a putrid CF% of 35.5... Starting a little over 50% of the plays in the offensive zone, Subban is used in every situation this season. Playing on average 3.33 minutes on the power play and exactly 2.00 on the penalty kill every game, Pernell Karl has turned into one of the most complete rearguards in the NHL. He is now a game-changer like Shea Weber and Drew Doughty

The electrifying puck-moving defenseman showed everyone he can also perform during the playoffs, potting 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points in 17 games last Spring. He now has 30 points (10 g, 20 a) in 43 contests during his young career, so he doesn't only produce during the regular season.

The colourful Subban also gives back to the local community by spending time with children and by being a role model off the ice for everyone.

Whether you like him or not, there is no denying that Subban is loaded with talent and pride, even though he was not even selected for the NHL All-Star game this season in Columbus, the league selecting "marquee" names such as Justin Faulk over him to have a representative of each team at the festivities.

The flashy smooth-skating rearguard enjoys the limelight and thrives under pressure, which makes him the perfect leader for a hockey-starving market such as Montreal. Not afraid to speak French in public even though he is still not fluent, Subban is as serious as it gets training-wise, which is why he is so strong with the puck and battles along the board.

His booming slap shot, his amazing stick-handling and his thunderous hits are only some of the skills that make him the complete player he is now... and he will only get better as he matures and stops taking the occasional stupid penalty.

Whether you like him or not, Subban is now a strong candidate for the Norris Trophy again this season.

Do you think the Subbanator will win the prized hardware in 2014-15?

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Follow me on Twitter at @FredPoulin98

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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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Game 47: Canadiens at Rangers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (30-13-3) are in New York to face the Rangers (27-14-4) Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 7:00 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the third and final meeting between the Habs and Rangers this year. The Original Six rivals have split their two prior matches, with each team winning on home ice. Martin St. Louis had a goal and an assist the last time these teams met and Henrik Lundqvist posted 21 saves en route to a 5-0 shut out.

What to Watch

The Canadiens seem to have found their way with the man advantage after struggling for most of the season. The Habs have power play goals in four of their last five games, going 8-for-23 over that span. And if the power play is working, you can bet that so is Andrei Markov. The General leads the Canadiens with 15 power play points on the season. Markov has seven assists in his last five games.

After facing Tyler Seguin and the Stars on Tuesday, the Canadiens will need to deal with another elite scorer in Rick Nash when they play the Rangers on Thursday. Nash is second in the league in goals with 28 on the year, he's on pace to handily beat his career high of 41 goals.

What's at Stake

While the Habs still lead the Atlantic division in terms of points percentage, they're also still trailing the Lightning and Red Wings in actual points. The Wings have won six straight games to lay claim to top spot in the division, but they lead the Habs by just two points in the standings, with the Canadiens holding two games in hand.

Who's Out

P.A. Parenteau (concussion) is still out for the Canadiens and they've called up AHL standout Gabriel Dumont to fill in as a 13th forward. Dumont has played 15 career games with the Habs, but hasn't played with the big club yet this season.

The Rangers may be without Mats Zuccarello on Thursday, he missed Wednesday's practice due to illness.

What Else

The Carey Price for Hart talk is heating up at the midway point, and for good reason. No less than four articles came out this week suggesting Price as a serious Hart candidate, from The Globe and Mail, The Hockey News, Puck Daddy, and Habs Eyes on the Prize. While Price is not quite a runaway Vezina lock at this point, there's no doubt he'll be a nominee if his recent play continues.

Price heads into Thursday's action with a 25-10-2 record, a .929 save percentage and a 2.15 GAA, some of the best numbers he's posted in his career.

The Question Mark

The Canadiens have just traded for the best possible player on the market to meet their needs, who did they get?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Rangers.

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Game 42: Canadiens at Blue Jackets

#MTLHockey Preview

 

Match Up

The Canadiens (26-12-3) are in Columbus Wednesday night to face the Blue Jackets (18-19-3). The game is set to start at 7:00 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet.

This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Jackets, and the first of two in Columbus. Last season the Canadiens won two of their three games against the Blue Jackets, including a 3-2 shootout victory in Columbus. The Habs erased a two-goal deficit and David Desharnais scored the only goal in the shootout to seal the victory.

What to Watch

It looks like the Canadiens will try a new look on the man advantage in Columbus, as coach Michel Therrien looks to spark the fourth worst power play in the league. In their last seven games, the Habs have scored just once in 21 opportunities.

Look for PK Subban to play the point on the first unit with Desharnais, P.A. Parenteau, Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher up front, while the second unit should consist of Andrei Markov, Sergei Gonchar, Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk.

Injuries have taken their toll on the Blue Jackets this season, but Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen have managed to stay healthy and lead the way this year. Foligno has 40 points in 39 games including ten points in his last seven. Johansen is right behind him for the team lead with 39 points on the year, he's in the midst of a ten-game point streak.

What's at Stake

Although they earned a point Saturday night against the Penguins, the Habs lost their second consecutive game for the first time since the first week of December. The losing streak hasn't hurt the Canadiens too badly yet, they're still the top team in the Atlantic in terms of point percentage, but they still trail the Lightning by three points heading into Wednesday's action.

Who's Out

With Parenteau set to return, the Habs are healthy again. The only other change to the line-up could be on defense, where Mike Weaver might play Wednesday in place of the struggling Alexei Emelin.

The Blue Jackets have been without Nathan Horton (back) all season. Ryan Murray (knee) has also missed most of the year, but he has started to practice again. Artem Anisimov (triceps), Brian Gibbons (knee), Boone Jenner (back) and Jack Skille (lower body) are also out.

What Else

In just over a week, Columbus will play host to this year's NHL All -Star Game. Only Carey Price was named to the All-Star team from the Canadiens, although Jiri Sekac was selected to take part in the rookie skills competition, filling in for an injured Tanner Pearson. Despite an impressive first half of the season, PK Subban was not named an All-Star this year, although there is a chance he'll be called to fill in for the injured Victor Hedman.

The Question Mark

We want to hear from you, express your outrage at the fact that PK wasn't selected as an All-Star this season.

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.

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Game 23 - Canadiens at Rangers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The league leading Montreal Canadiens (16-5-1) are in New York to face the Rangers (8-7-4) Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The game is set to start at 7:00 and can be seen on RDS and City.

This is the second of three meetings between the Habs and Rangers this season, the two teams that faced off in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Montreal already picked up a 3-1 victory on home ice earlier in the season on goals by Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller, and Max Pacioretty.

What to Watch

Carey Price may have earned his second shutout of the season and league best 13th win Saturday against the Bruins, but Dustin Tokarski is expected to get the start Sunday in New York, his fifth of the season.

Like the Habs, the Rangers are also coming off a shutout performance by their goalie, and like the Habs, that goalie, Cam Talbot in this case, isn't expected to start on Sunday. Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start on Sunday. In 28 career regular season starts against the Habs, Lundqvist is 13-12-2 with a .897 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are hot and there's no sense slowing down now. With just one loss in their last nine games, the Habs have surged to the top of the standings and are building a healthy cushion on their competition. The Rangers have been struggling in November as well, posting a 3-3-4 record this month and a 2-3-2 record in their last seven.

Who's Out

The Habs are missing Michael Bournival (shoulder) but are otherwise healthy going into Sunday's game.

The Rangers are without their captain and former Habs prospect Ryan McDonagh (shoulder). They could also be without Lee Stempniak (back) who is listed as day to day.

What Else

Andrei Markov scored career goal number 100 Saturday night against the Bruins, becoming just the fourth Canadien and 86th NHL defenseman to hit that milestone. Markov is one of just three Russian-born defenseman to hit the mark, new teammate Sergei Gonchar is another, with 219 career goals to his credit.

The Question Mark

Given his wealth of options, how would you like to see Michel Therrien set his top six (or seven) defensemen?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Rangers.

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Interview With New Habs Acquisition Sergei Gonchar

In this translated interview from Russian, originally appearing on the popular Russian portal Sport Express, Sergei Gonchar shared his views on the trade that brought him to Montreal and confirmed that he’s very happy about playing for the Habs.

- In Russia, one of the most chatted-about NHL topics is your inclusion in the club of players who scored 1,000 points. You are only eight points away from being the first Russian defenseman to get into the “Club 1000”. It looks like you have more chances to get into the club with Montreal, rather than with the Stars.

- You can always hope for the best, but as in any interview regarding the “Club 1000”, I’ll tell you that I’m not running ahead of time. Once I’ll score my thousandth point, then we can gather and discuss this achievement. But for now, I don’t want to think about it.

- Did you manage to say your former teammate Valeri Nichushkin goodbye a last time?

- Yes, of course. He had a major injury, had to undergo surgery… Of course, now it will be hard for him. He’ll be the only Russian in the team. But this is life and hockey players have to deal with this all the time.

- Are you satisfied about the trade?

- Yes, everything went very well. The results of the team are very good, the environment is great and I know the coach as I worked with him in Pittsburgh; therefore, I more or less know what he wants. This really helped in adapting to the new team. Generally speaking, I’m very happy about the trade. Everything went very well. Even if, of course, it wasn’t easy to leave my teammates and, even more important, my family.

- Since you moved to one of the contending teams in the Eastern Conference, probably now you constantly hear talking about the Stanley Cup.

- Well, they always talk about it in Montreal. Here you have such an impression that they’re always talking about it. But well, yes, the team has a chance because all is going well, not only looking at the results, but also looking at the way the team plays. The team is very balanced and the results are a consequence of it.

- Will your family join you in Montreal?

- Yes, they will be here next week, during the Thanksgiving Day holidays. But then they will be back. Since the children go to school, it’s hard to make them move. Of course, they’re sad because they don’t spend a lot of time with me. But in hockey you never know if you have to move. Like they say here, “it’s part of the business”.

- How many journalists wanted to interview you after the first game for the Habs?

- Oh, they were a lot! I never seen anything similar. Radio, televisions, both English and French speaking channels. I didn’t expect such an attention on me.

- Is Montreal happy about you?

- Hard to say. I try not to give attention to the public’s reaction, I try to focus more on my game.

- The Habs have two great defensemen in Markov and Subban. Will it be hard to get space and playing time?

- The guys accepted me very well. The coach had some tasks for me since I arrived here. Maybe I’m still not fully complying with them, but the process is going on very well.

- Can you remember when three Russian defensemen played in Montreal at the same time?

- Igor Ulanov and Vladimir Malakhov played for the Habs. Did they have a third [Russian defenseman]? Honestly, I don’t remember.

- Was the trade a surprise to you?

- Yes, of course. Everything happened fast, there weren’t many discussions. It was more like my agent calls me and says “You’re gonna be traded to Montreal, are you ready?” The fact is that, according to my contract, each trade should have my consent. I quickly signed all the papers, then I went to get my passport, got on the plane and that was it.

- Did you think a lot about approving the trade?

- No, I didn’t even think about not approving it. The team is good, I know the coach; therefore, I didn’t worry and I gave my consent right after.

- Did Therrien explain what he’s expecting from you?

- Well, I won’t unveil any secret. We talked a bit, and he showed me in the team’s schemes. We didn’t have any time for long conversations. I got to Montreal in the game day itself.

- According to that game’s outcome, it looks like your role in the team is pretty important.

- I don’t know, but I hope that it will be like that. Everything works so far.

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Translation by HabsAddict's Russian Correspondent Alessandro Seren Rosso @AlexSerenRosso.

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Game 18 - Canadiens vs Flyers

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (12-4-1) wrap up their homestand Saturday night when they play host to the Flyers (7-6-2). The game is set to start at 7:00 and airs on TVA Sports and Sportsnet.

This is the second of three meetings between the Habs and Flyers, the final game takes place at the Bell Centre in February. The Canadiens took the first meeting of the season in a shootout after scoring three third period goals to draw them even. Andrei Markov started the scoring for Montreal and then added a pair of assists, while P.A. Parenteau scored the only shootout goal for either team to secure the 4-3 victory.

What to Watch

Max Pacioretty picked up a pair of goals Thursday against the Bruins, his first multi-goal and third multi-point game of the season. But even Pacioretty's strong performance didn't compare to Dale Weise's night.

Weise collected a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, starting with a fight against Gregory Campbell, followed up with a penalty shot goal to put the Canadiens on the board, and later adding an assist on Pacioretty's first goal of the night.

It might be hard to miss Jakub Voracek Saturday night if he stays true to form, the 25 year old has 24 points in just 15 games so far this year, just one point back of Sidney Crosby for the league lead. Voracek has points in his last nine games, and has only been held pointless once all season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Flyers were shutout that game, 4-0 by the Blackhawks.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are once again at the top of the NHL standings, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the league. The Habs will also try to extend their four-game win streak on Saturday and keep pace with the league's hottest team, the New York Islanders, who have won five straight.

Who's Out

The Canadiens are missing Michael Bournival (shoulder). With the arrival of Sergei Gonchar, Michel Therrien opted to dress seven defensemen of Thursday, making Drayson Bowman a healthy scratch.

The Flyers defense has taken a beating this season, Luke Schenn (upper body), Andrew MacDonald (lower body), Kimmo Timonen (blood clots), and even reinforcement Shayne Gostisbehere (knee) are all sidelined. Forwards Michael Raffl (lower body) and Ryan White (chest) are also out.

What Else

The Canadiens finally managed to score a power play goal Thursday night against the Bruins, just their fourth on the season. Jiri Sekac found the back of the net with the man advantage, the first Canadiens to do so since October 18 against the Avalanche, 10 games earlier.

Sekac is 15th on the Habs with just 2:35 of power play time. Lars Eller, who picked up an assist on the goal, is faring only slightly better with 3:16 of power play ice time. At the other end of the spectrum, PK Subban and Andrei Markov have both earned over an hour of power play time with the Habs already this year. Max Pacioretty leads all forwards with 43:29 this season.

The Question Mark

From what you've seen so far this year, where would you rank the Habs in the Eastern Conference and the League? Which team is at the top of the list?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Flyers.

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Game 13 - Canadiens vs Blackhawks

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (8-3-1) are home to host the Blackhawks (6-5-1) Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Hawks, with the second meeting set to take place a month later in Chicago. Last season the two teams each took three points in their season series, both earning OT wins on home ice. Andrei Markov scored both goals in Montreal's 2-1 victory in January, while Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp each had a goal and an assist in Chicago's 3-2 win near the end of the season.

What to Watch

Dale Weise set up Max Pacioretty for the second time in consecutive games in Montreal's 6-2 loss to the Flames on Sunday. Weise now has four assists on the season while Pacioretty has caught Tomas Plekanec for the team lead in points, they both have five goals and four assists through 11 games.

The Blackhawks have also had some trouble creating offense recently, they've been shut out twice in their last four games. Marian Hossa picked up a goal and an assist last Thursday against the Senators, marking career points number 999 and 1000. Hossa is just the 80th player in NHL history to reach the 1000-point plateau.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens maintain a tenuous grasp on the Eastern Conference lead, but with only three hard fought points in their last four games, they've let the Lightning catch them in the standings. More than anything, the Habs could use a solid performance after scoring just five regulation goals since their struggles started.

Who's Out

For the second straight game, Alexei Emelin was forced to miss some shifts after taking a hit to the head, this time an elbow from Flames forward David Jones. Alex Galchenyuk was also forced to miss some time in the first period of Sunday's game, but returned by the start of the second period.

The Hawks are missing Daniel Carcillo (knee).

What Else

The Canadiens have now gone 14 straight power plays without finding the back of the net, stretching back to their 3-2 victory over the Avalanche.

Andrei Markov moved up to third all-time in points by a Canadiens defenseman. His assist on Lars Eller's goal tied him with Hall-of-Famer Doug Harvey at 447 points in a Canadiens uniform. Markov sets his sights next on Guy Lapointe, who is set to have his jersey retired by the Canadiens this coming Saturday when the Habs face the Wild.

The Question Mark

Which Habs team do you think is the real deal, the one that went 7-1-0 to start the year, or 1-2-1 in their last 4, or another version we haven't seen yet?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 Tuesday evening to preview the Canadiens and the Blackhawks.

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Assessing The Habs New Blue Line Addition: Tom Gilbert

There's a new face in town, without much mention however. During the offseason among other changes to our line-up, the blue line lost one of their better defensemen known for the most blocked shots annually in the NHL. That being said, after the Josh Gorges trade can we assume we will be relying on Mike Weaver for our defensive core? After last year's surprising performance, it would appear Marc Bergevin gained enough confidence in Weaver to let go of one of our leading players. Will the same be said for new player Tom Gilbert? After being signed to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million, hopes are Gilbert will use this “trial” to shed light on the offensive force we have been lacking. The Habs are in need of an additional offensive defenseman who can apply pressure in the offensive zone and play 20 to 23 minutes per game.

Tom Gilbert was coming off of one of his better seasons in the NHL playing for the Florida Panthers where he signed only an affordable one-year pact worth $900,000 due in part to having a few under-rated seasons in Minnesota and eventually being bought out. Now it appears Bergevin has welcomed Gilbert to the Montreal Canadiens in hopes he will continue his great run from the season before.

What can be said about Gilbert is his size serves us, along with his ability to cycle the puck. Gilbert who has logged big minutes per game, comes at a small risk to our defensive line, so you would think.

So far Tom Gilbert has played 11 games with the Habs and the fans are already not too happy with the 6' 3'', 206-lb defensemen. Having only two points while logging an average of 22:33 minutes a game thus far, Gilbert is not turning out to be the player Habs fans have hoped for, especially when Gilbert was called for a minor penalty in the last minutes of overtime against the Vancouver Canucks and costed the Habs a loss. Gilbert's recent play shows how much of a flaw defensively he can be on the ice: Gilbert is a non-physical big body defenseman who pinches at the wrong time trying to create offense when he should not; this is not something you look to add to a team. Hab fans were expecting a physical defensive player that can shut down offensive plays in the defensive zone after the loss of Josh Gorges and Douglas Murray, but Tom Gilbert is a puck moving rearguard who is not known for physical style of play. Tom Gilbert has been notoriously known around the league since his NHL debut as a soft oversized defenseman. Habs fans have to be reminded that Bergevin did not sign Tom Gilbert for such a role. So why did Bergevin sign him in the first place?

In my opinion Tom Gilbert was signed by the Habs for his capability of playing long minutes to help lighten the workload of Andrei Markov and PK Subban and for his offensive playing skills so that he can play on the second power play unit. His talent of cycling the puck and setting up plays in the offensive zone will be greatly needed for a power play that is lacking the mobility in moving the defensive players out of position in order to create scoring chances. Tom has played on his previous teams' power play units before averaging nine points on the man advantage per season and averaging 1:21 on the PP per game during his best years in Edmonton. It is not many points but it shows Gilbert has the experience to run an effective power play. We all saw how placing Gilbert on the power play even when only seconds expired after the roughing minor to Giordano ended Gilbert scored his first goal as a Hab which was the tying goal against Calgary and eventually led to a shoot out win for the Habs.

The Montreal Canadiens power play thus far is terrible, the Habs are ranked 24th in the NHL having scored only 3 goals out of 32 power play opportunities which translates to a 9.4% efficiency on the power play. You don't need more statistical facts to show that the Habs are in dire need of improvement. Tom Gilbert may or may not be the solution to the Habs' lack of scoring on the power play but Therrien should consider him at times to try and shake things up, it is not as if Michel has anything to loose on the power play at this point in time.

The Montreal Canadiens can only hope that Tom Gilbert improves over the next couple of games and hopefully he can be a positive addition to the non-existent power play. The fans have to be a bit more patient with Gilbert as there are many more games to come and many more opportunities for Therrien to utilize Gilbert's experience on the power play unit. Being a new player on a team which is highly scrutinized after each play is something that will take time getting used to, it's normal for a new player to play out of sync at first, but hopefully Gilbert can get back to playing his best hockey soon and cut on the turnovers. 

We will all have to adopt a wait-and-see approach.

Written by Jon Saxe

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Interview With Habs Defenseman Alexei Emelin

In this interview, originally appearing on the popular Russian portal Sport-Express right before his return on ice, Alexei Emelin talked about playing with P.K. Subban, life in Montreal, and recovering after the Olympic Games debacle.

- Alexei, did you recover from all the old injuries?

- All is good now. The most important thing is that the season started in a good way.

- How did you like the move to the left side? You shoot left, maybe the left side is more natural for you.

- I don’t have any preference, I feel good on either side. I had to part ways with Andrei Markov, with whom I always played on the same pair, but it hasn’t been terrible. Changes happen every time and maybe this one will even go to my advantage.

- More so if we consider that you were moved to the first pair with P.K. Subban.

- You need to earn the coaches’ trust. We don’t have such a thing like a first pair. On a given game, the first pair is Subban and I, then the day after Andrei [Markov] and Gilbert. I don’t read the press and I don’t know what kind of meaning they all give to this.

- Is playing with Subban harder than playing with Markov?

- There are no cardinal differences. The coaches split us for a very simple reason: they wanted to have a right-handed and a left-handed defenseman in each defensive pair.

- Is your reputation of simply a hard-hitting defenseman just a stereotype?

- I think yes. Even more so if we consider that our coaches don’t limit defensemen and are happy if we join the rush.

- In the KHL you did it quite often…

- Yes, but here I’m just starting. The fact is that here [in the NHL] you won’t survive without battling for the puck. The game is much harder due to the small ice surface.

- How do you feel in Montreal?

- All is good, I’m at ease. Of course, in Canada people feel hockey in a different way [than in Russia].

- What do you exactly mean?

- It’s simply much more popular. Even if Kazan is one of the biggest hockey centers in Russia, in Canada there are much more fans. Especially in Montreal. At the start it was hard to get used to the fact that in the locker room we had more journalists, than players. I was also shocked by the fans. Then I got used to it. It was much easier for my family too, once they grasped the language a little bit more.

- Do you talk in French?

- No, for now in English only. But I think that soon my daughter will speak both languages. She attends an English language school, but French language is in the mandatory program.

- Is it easier to play in a non-Olympic season?

- Yes, of course. Last year I felt so much pressure. I was always thinking if I would get a sport on the Olympic roster, also because it was our home Olympics.

- Is that bitter after-taste still there?

- Yes. And it will stay there for my whole life. You don’t have many of those chances in your life. I can only blame myself and I think that everyone should search the reasons of that debacle in himself.

- How did you spend the summer?

- Nothing special, at home. I went to the seaside, I just rested. And I watched the FIFA World Cup.

- And how do you feel yourself?

- I still have to fully recover. This season has been very upsetting.

***************************

Translation by HabsAddict's Russian Correspondent Alessandro Seren Rosso @AlexSerenRosso.

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How To Improve The Habs' Struggling Power Play

Through four games this season, the Montreal Canadiens' record stands at 3-1, but the team could very well be 0-4 as the Habs got a few lucky bounces late in games. While some players have been playing very well (Tomas Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk, Dustin Tokarski, to name a few), other players have been struggling mightily, as well as some aspects of the team's overall game.

After four contests, the team has yet to light the lamp up on the power play this season, generating practically nothing offensively when up a man, going 0-for-14. The Habs have been very predictable so far and have had problems getting organized in the offensive zone.

The team's first line of Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher have scored three power play goals in their last 107 combined NHL games and yet, head coach Michel Therrien keeps playing them together for the most part of the man advantage without getting good results.

The five-man unit needs to stop looking for PK Subban at the point as the opposing teams now designate a defender to check him carefully and force him to pass the puck to Andrei Markov or a forward instead of using his booming slap shot.

The Canadiens need to move the puck faster down low to open the point and facilitate quality shots from the point. Right now, the players are too still and are easy to put in check because of their lack of overall movement.

The team should use an umbrella formation similar to what the Lightning and the Capitals use on the man advantage.

The Canadiens don't have a lethal weapon such as Steven Stamkos or Alexander Ovechkin, but they have a pretty good player named PK Subban.

The team could use Subban on the left side of the ice where he could use his great one-timer and slide up and down the ice to create scoring chances. Markov would be the general on the point and he would dictate the play by moving the puck around the ice and sliding down low to the back door like he used to do on a more consistent basis.

The team should also split Desharnais and Pacioretty as DD is trying to find Patches too hard and, as a result, he doesn't shoot the puck enough and he gets too predictable. I would mix the lines on the power play and send Tomas Plekanec with Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk on the first wave of the PP. Patches could stay in the slot and wait for the one-timer and go after rebounds while Plekanec would stay on the right side of the ice to feed the best open player. Galchenyuk would play behind the net and keep the opposing defensemen on their heels by constantly moving from one side of the net to the other.

The second unit could be Nathan Beaulieu at the point, PA Parenteau on the left side looking for the one-timer, Rene Bourque screening the goalie, David Desharnais controlling the play on right side and Brendan Gallagher or Lars Eller playing down low.

The Habs need to simplify things and stop looking for the perfect play. Find the open lanes, shoot the puck at the net, screen the opposing netminder and bury the rebounds. The players have to display a bigger sense of urgency, because right now they don't seem to care at all.

Another small detail, but why Markov and Subban start on their even-strength side when they know they will eventually switch sides for the one-timer?

The players also need to improve the zone entry as they have a tendency to make soft passes that are easily intercepted or they dump the puck and are unable to retrieve it first because the opponent is too fast and first on the puck.

Michel Therrien will have to start adapting his strategy or the team will become even more predictable than it is right now. Use a forward at the point, put a left winger on the right side of the ice, mix the lines, use the hot players more, bench the struggling players, etc. Therrien needs to be better at reacting and improvising during games when things don't work out well.

And also, practice, practice and practice!

Follow me on Twitter @FredPoulin98.

No Foolin' Fred Poulin

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Game 4 - Canadiens at Lightning

#MTLHockey Preview

Match-up

The Canadiens (3-0-0) are in Tampa Bay Monday night to face the Lightning (1-0-1) in the last match of their four-game season opening road trip. The game is set to start at 7:30 and will be broadcast by RDS, City-Montreal, and Sun Sports.

This is the first of five meetings between the Habs and Lightning this year. Last season, the Habs went 1-1-2 against the Bolts with their only win coming by way of shootout. The division rivals played four tight games during the regular season last year, with the Lightning taking the only one settled in regulation, a 3-1 win that included an empty net goal to seal the victory. Each of the three other games went to overtime tied 1-1.

What to Watch

The General, Andrei Markov, led the charge (see what I did there?) for the Canadiens Saturday night in their comeback win against the Flyers. Markov got things going with the team’s first goal to break Ray Emery’s shut out bid, and then added two assists to help the Habs draw even. The chemistry between Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk continued Saturday night, as Plekanec scored his league best fourth goal of the season and added an assist on Galchenyuk's first marker of the year.

Steven Stamkos is still looking for his first goal of the season. While the Bolts have only played two games, the fact that Stamkos has just 1 assist, is a -1, and has been stopped in his only shootout attempt must be troubling for Lightning fans. On a more positive note, 23-year old defenseman Victor Hedman is off to a strong start, with two goals and an assist already.

What’s at Stake

The Lightning should present the Canadiens with their toughest challenge of the early season. The Bolts will surely be looking to take some revenge on Montreal after the Habs swept Tampa in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

The Canadiens will be also be looking to keep their perfect season alive and return home undefeated after starting the year with four straight road games.

Who’s Out

Alexei Emelin (upper body) was forced to miss Saturday's game against the Flyers. It's unclear whether or not he'll dress for Monday's game.

Rookie-of-the-year favorite Jonathan Drouin has yet to play his first NHL game, he's been sidelined with a thumb injury and doesn't look likely to return in time for Monday's tilt.

What Else

Three times this season the Canadiens have trailed at the end of the first period and three times they’ve battled back to earn wins. Saturday, the Habs overcame their biggest challenge, a 3-0 third period deficit versus the Flyers, but like they had twice already this year, they battled back to draw even and eventually earned their second straight shootout victory.

Last season the Canadiens only won six games in which they trailed after 20 minutes, and just three in which they trailed at the second intermission. This season they've already overcome three first-period and two second-period deficits, and they've only played three games.

The Question Mark

Habs fans, tell us what you are thankful for today.

Tonight’s Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 p.m. Monday to preview the Canadiens and Lightning. Danny DiNicolantonio will join us in the second segment to bring you the Lightning perspective.

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No Captain, My Captain For The Habs

Greeting Habs Nation,

Over the last few weeks there has been quite a debate in regards to who should don the "C" for the Canadiens in the upcoming 2014-15 season. When asked on the www.montrealhockeytalk.com show "Habs Under the Sun" in August who I felt should be captain, I expressed my belief that the team didn't necessarily need one right away. I echoed that same sentiment just last week on CBC's Daybreak and so with the announcement that the Habs will go with four alternates and no Captain I am not surprised in the least.

From left to right Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec, P.K. Subban
and Max Pacioretty have all been named alternate captains of the
Montreal Canadiens.      THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

I am not sold on the thought that a team without a designated captain lacks leadership. Whether or not a player wears the "C", if he is a leader, he will lead. It doesn't take a letter sewn on your jersey to stand up in the locker room and tell your team what it needs to hear. A leader will hit the ice and give it everything he has on every shift without letting up to make it clear to his team that half efforts are not acceptable.

If the Detroit Red Wings went without a designated captain, would Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom not be viewed as leaders in the locker room and on the ice? To me it's just silly to put so much stock into who is viewed as the captain by the fans as opposed to by the players.

With that said, here's a look at the four players chosen by Montreal Canadiens management to serve as alternate captains.

1. Andrei Markov

Andrei Markov is  content to wear the "A"
on his jersey.

No surprise there. 35-year-old Markov will be entering his 14th NHL season as a Montreal Canadien, longer than anybody else currently on the roster. While he's not the most charismatic man, he addresses the media when called upon and has been known to let teammates know how he feels about their performances and work ethic in typical intimidating Russian fashion. After the departure of Saku Koivu in the summer of 2009, it was said that Markov wouldn't accept the title of captain. Markov has been a top-tier NHL rearguard for the Habs organization for years and with his freshly inked three-year deal with the club, will more than likely retire as a member of the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge. Whether he wears the "C", an "A" or a Youppi! sticker on his jersey, his teammates will undoubtedly look to follow his example on and off the ice.





2. Tomas Plekanec

Tomas Plekanec celebrated a goal while wearing
a turtleneck.

The longest serving member of the Montreal Canadiens second to only Andrei Markov. TurtlePlek (A name I've given due to his insistence on constantly wearing silly turtlenecks and my insistence on constantly using bad puns. I'm hoping this is the year the name sticks) is entering his tenth NHL season with the Habs. Plekanec has held himself accountable when he feels he is under-performing and hasn't ever complained about the never ending rotation of wingers that have been thrown on his line over the years. Last I checked he has played with 528 wingers over the last three seasons (don't look that up). He plays his part without whining, gives it all he has and rocks turtlenecks on a nightly basis, which is why he would get my vote if I had one.

With neither of the aforementioned candidates chosen to be the Captain, it leads me to believe that management wants a fresher face who can hold the title of captain for a longer period of time. At 35 and on legs that are roughly 45, there is little to no doubt that Markov will retire at the end of his current contract.

While Plekanec is only 31 the annual "Pleks is getting traded" rumours are due to begin swirling in about a month or so. With Lars Eller, David Desharnais and Alex Galchenyuk on the roster the rumours may hold some merit. It's never a popular move to trade your captain and with the possibility there, Pleky just wasn't the ideal choice.

In my opinion, there's more to it than the whole trade possibility scenario. Plekanec still has some years left in him and if's named captain and remains on the team, it will be years before we go through this debacle again just to give it to P.K. Subban which is pretty much the plan. Three to four years from now is too long to wait yet this year is too early for the young star defenseman. The Habs are playing it quite smart by having the top leaders share the responsibility while at the same time giving Subban the opportunity to learn how to handle it on his own next year.

3. Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty with his 2012 Bill Masterton
trophy.

Out of the four players given the "A", Pacioretty is the one who I would least expect to see as the team's leader. I get that he can fall four stories from a burning building and land in a pool full of glass shards only to return to the ice the following day. He scored 39 goals last season and that's nothing to scoff at (do people still scoff?). He never hides from the media. So in short, he's determined, talented and comfortable with the media. All great qualities... I just don't see him getting the "C". I don't see him as a passionate enough player, which I'll probably get ripped on for saying and that's somewhat fair.

Yes, he's come back from broken ribs, broken vertebrae, concussions etc. He's not only come back but he's returned each time without losing any of his game. There is passion there. However, I don't see him as the type of player to stand up and be heard when his team has taken the night off, I don't see him as the type of player who can rally his troops after his team has given up the tying goal late in the game in the playoffs. I don't see him ever not being so monotone in his interviews. That last one may not matter but everything he says just sounds so rehearsed and robotic.

As I mentioned, Pacioretty is basically indestructible, knows how to find the back of the net and doesn't shy away from the cameras. Those are all great qualities and why I have no qualms with him being an alternate captain after Markov and Plekanec have moved on (Jeez, that sounded a little morbid, no? I'm referring to retiring and/or being traded just to be clear).

4. P.K. Subban

P.K Subban is a safe bet to wear the "C" for the Canadiens
next season.

Make no mistake, Subban will be the Montreal Canadiens 29th captain. He is the most exciting player to don the "CH" since Alex Kovalev, yet he shows up more than 35 games a season. With Subban it's not a matter of getting him to face the media, it's a matter of him stepping away from the camera once in a while. He is a fan favourite, the media can't get enough of him and there is no doubt he will speak his mind to his team and lead by example on the ice. He has all the qualities needed, he just needs time to take them on without putting too much pressure on himself.

Subban is coming off of yet another contract issue which was turned into a media circus. He still lets him emotions get the best of him at times and is rumoured to have a rocky relationship with coach Michel Therrien. Giving him the captaincy this year would be too much, too soon. Having him share it with a teammate his age in Pacioretty, and two veterans such as Plekanec and Markov, will take the load off his back and give him time to gradually learn what it takes to be the leader of the most storied franchise in the history of the NHL.

I couldn't agree more with the decision to hold off on naming a captain. Hopefully, this whole situation won't be made into a distraction throughout the course of the year and to all you Subban supporters out there, relax... Subban will be named captain for the 2015-16 season.

One last note, a friend pointed it out how it is quite fitting to not have a captain the same year that Saku Koivu calls it quits. If I were GM I would offer Koivu a one game contract so he could retire as the captain of the Montreal Canadiens. The send off would blow the roof off of the Bell Centre and would show Koivu just how much he mean,t to not only the organization, but to the entire city of Montreal who he did so much for.

Thanks for reading and of course don't forget to share your thoughts.

1. Will not having a captain affect the team's play?
2. Did management choose the right players to share the responsibility?
3. Is there any doubt the Subban will wear the "C" next year?
4. Koivu on a one game contract, too cheesy or well deserved?

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Habs Summer Recap + 2014-15 Prediction

Source: USA Today

Greetings Habs Nation,

After an absence of almost two years I've decided to get back into the Hab-it (see what I did there?) of writing on the going-ons of the hockey world, and more specifically, the Montreal Canadiens. And what
better time to get back into the world of hockey than the first week of September when there is not much going on and every subject has been covered by everyone with both the internet and an interest for hockey?

That being said, there are a few options when it comes to choosing a subject. First off I could cover some rumours, secondly I could do a recap of the most talked about topics regarding the Canadiens and lastly, I could give my take on the upcoming season and how I feel the Habs will fare.

Alas.... I will do all three. I'm kind of an all-or-nothing kind of guy. Now with the intro complete I will dive right into the first of my three topics... rumours.

Martin Brodeur to the Habs

Let me start this off with a quick and simple, no thank you. Unless Marc Bergevin has the Delorean parked in his garage and is preparing to reach 88 mph on his way to bringing in the veteran goaltender, this rumour should be put to rest immediately.

I do not doubt that Brodeur could chalk up a few W's for the Habs in the upcoming season; however, I don't feel it's worth the circus that will come with it. There should be no goalie controversy in Montreal. Carey Price is the go-to-guy, and no matter what anybody says, the second he loses two or three (or God forbid four!!) games in a row, how could the media and a large collection of the fan base, not start to rally for the hometown, two time Stanley Cup winning goalie to step up and lead the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge to the promise land?

This organization does not need that sort of attention and distraction. Price and Peter Budaj are a more than capable duo where their roles will not be questioned and they can both focus 100% on the job at hand. Although, to be fair, Budaj may not be as comfortable after Dustin Tokarski's performance in the conference finals last year.

There is also the matter of price (monetary, not Carey).

How much will it cost to have the twenty-year veteran come home for his final season? The Habs currently have $2,651,667 in cap space according to www.capgeek.com. It's no question that Budaj would be moved to make room for Marty McFly (nickname given due to his first name being Martin as well as my Delorean reference from earlier on). Let's say Budaj is traded for a draft pick or prospect in order to not take any salary in return, that adds another $1.4 million. The Habs are now looking at $4,051,667 to play around with. That seems like a comfortable amount of money, but keep in mind the Habs may need some cash in the bank come trade deadline to either add to the roster or replace an injured player. If Brodeur is willing to sign for $1 million the way Brad Richards did in Chicago or Dany Heatley over in Anaheim than it would be a little bit harder to ignore, but still it doesn't seem worth the sideshow that would accompany the future hall of famer back to his hometown.

Phase one complete, phase two: My take on the most talked about topics over the summer

1. The $9 Million Man

P.K. Subban became the highest paid Canadien with an average
of $9 million over eight years.

P.K. Subban is extremely talented offensively, underrated defensively and hasn't yet reached his full potential. The man doesn't get tired, he has been learning the game from Andrei Markov whose vision and decision-making on the ice is better than roughly 90% of the league's rearguards and has one hell of a shot. Why is this contract an issue to anybody?

Yes, it's a ton of money. How many defensemen are there in the league like Subban? Drew Doughty in Los Angeles (the only one I would personally rate higher then #76)... I'm out. Shea Weber is phenomenal, but doesn't have the speed that Subban uses for those end to end rushes. There is Erik Karlsson, but he's on the Senators so who really cares, right?

Bottom line is, Subban's contract is a good one and will only look better in a few years when the cap is even higher and players with less than half the talent that P.K. possesses are making a bazillion dollars.

2. The Captaincy

Once again, an issue I feel has been overblown. Should it be Subban? Plekanec? Markov? Pacioretty?

Here's an even more important question... does it matter? Whether or not there is a "C" on somebody's jersey, the true leaders will make their selves heard in the dressing room and seen on the ice. Regardless, I'll give a quick rundown on my opinion of each of the candidates most often named both by the media and fans.

Subban: Not yet. I could see it happening if Bergevin decides to go a year before handing out the "C", but it seems a little bit early for a player who has yet to sign a contract without making the whole process into a gong show.

Markov: Doesn't want it.

Pacioretty: Really?

Gallagher: See "Pacioretty".

Plekanec: He would be my pick if I was relevant in any way to the organization. He's been with the team longer than anyone who isn't named Markov. He plays hard and deals with the media well, and anybody who can rock a turtleneck in a world where turtlenecks have never been anything less than silly, can lead me into battle any day.

And now for my final act.... My prediction

How Will The Canadiens Fare?

I will keep this short as I am not usually good at predictions. There are too many factors at play when stating how a team will do over an 82-game schedule. However, I already said I would do it and I don't feel like editing my article so here it goes.

Habs will take the Atlantic Divi... Conference?. There. I said it, and it's not because I'm a fan... well it probably is at least a little bit. I'll explain quickly how I came to this conclusion.

Ottawa and Toronto are bad.
Buffalo is worse.
Florida is..... Florida.
Tampa Bay could do it, but will be relying way too heavily on Ben Bishop to have another stellar year like he did in the 2013-14 season.
Detroit has a ton of talent up front, but not the most impressive blue line and I'm still not completely sold on Jimmy Howard.
Boston is stupid. More importantly though, Chara is not the Wookie he once was. He is still strong and possesses a hell of a shot, but he's becoming easier and easier to just skate around. Marchand is becoming more of a distraction than a help to his team due to his insistence on being the league's top jackass. Iginla walked and was replaced by... nobody. Ville Leino has been invited to the Bruins' training camp but admit it, before I mentioned his name you forgot he existed.

With all that in depth research and analysis isn't it clear that the Habs will win the divi... conference?

Bonus non-Hab related prediction: Jaroslav Halak will be traded six times in the upcoming season.

And with that my first piece back is complete, and for the record... part of me does think it would be pretty badass to see Brodeur wearing the "CH" despite everything I just said.

I'll leave you with a few questions:

1. Brodeur - yes or no?
2. Would not having a captain matter and if so, who would you give it to?
3. Where do you see the Habs finishing?
4. Is two Delorean references too many? I say it's not enough, but that's just me.

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