98 Points. Who cares!? Michel Therrien is not the right coach.

by Eitan Calmy

not with Michel Therrien as a coach!
image from @weber514 

The date is April 11^th, 2014. The Montreal Canadiens are sitting in second place in the Atlantic division. The NHL playoffs are about to start. The Canadiens are red hot (yesterday doesn’t count); actually they’re one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. However they’re not even close to being considered a contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Are the Montreal Canadiens this good? Or is this just an illusion? In the coming weeks and most certainly next season, we will get a better idea of where this organization really stands.

Most experts had the Canadiens missing the playoffs. Now that Habs have secured their spot in the post-season, most experts are not giving them a chance to get past the second round. Will the Montreal Canadiens suffer a rapid elimination in the same manner as they did approximately one year ago?

I am a fan; I have been a die-hard HABS fan for years. I am one of those guys that has mood swings when the Montreal Canadiens win or lose. Some will say that at this level all we should care about is wins. Although I love when my team wins and overall the 2013-2014 NHL season has been wonderful in that aspect. I will say that I truly think that this season was a complete waste, a disappointment. Let me explain.

-PK Subban won the Norris trophy last season and seemed to be gaining the coaches' trust but actually that is completely false. Some will say look at his ice time. I would say he is misused. He does not play on the penalty kill, his coach does not use him in crucial defensive situations and Michel Therrien benches him at will. It’s clear that Subban is not playing with the liberty to do his thing and because of that he can't be effective. PK Subban has regressed this season. His confidence is at all-time low and I hope I am wrong, but it does not look good for the playoffs.

-Alex Galchenyuk has had sparks of superstardom since he came into the NHL last season. Nobody expected the Montreal Canadiens to do as well as they did this season and for that reason Chucky should have started the season at center. Alex’s natural position is in the middle. He’s exactly what we have been looking for. His passing and play-making skills are comparable to some of the best. Alex Galchenyuk did not improve in any way shape or form this season.

-Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu. No reason whatsoever for these two guys to have spent as much time as they did in the minors this year. They have reached a level in their game that can only further develop with the players in the NHL. I can’t understand how the organization thought that it was better to use Douglas Murray or Francis Bouillon instead of them. They talk about depth and development. The team would have been better served if Beaulieu would have gained experience in the NHL. His offensive contribution would have been a major asset on the power play.

The bottom line is the Montreal Canadiens are not even close to being a serious contender for the Stanley Cup. Michel Therrien has to trust some of the young guys. He won’t! He is a veterans’ coach. He believes that Murray and Bouillon’s  experience is more useful than the size and mobility of Tinordi or than Beaulieu’s smooth skating abilities, first pass skills and sparks of offensive genius. Yes a little late to throw them in the mix with full confidence that they won’t make mistakes but WHO CARES? They can’t be worse than Murray and Bouillon.

THE MONTREAL CANADIENS WILL NOT WIN WITH MICHEL THERRIEN AS A COACH. I don’t care about the record right now. It does not matter how many games we won in regular season. We don’t stand a chance to win the cup “TODAY” so he should have given Alex Galchenyuk more ice time. PK SUBBAN should be used in every situation. HE IS NOT A LIABILITY, he is your best defenseman for God’s sake, and he is amongst the top-ten defensemen in the world! He overused the veterans. Gionta, Markov and others should have never played as much as they did all year. So many strange decisions.

In today’s game you have to trust your young guys. The game is so physical and fast that the older slower guys are lucky to still have jobs in NHL.

The future is Carey Price, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi. PLAY THEM NOW! Use them, teach them! Bring this team to another level.

The amount of points we cumulated this year will mean absolutely nothing once we get eliminated. And then we will evaluate and realize that this season was simply false hope.

Will I be happy if we win? Of course. Do I think we stand a chance? No, I don’t. Do I think the future is bright? Absolutely! BUT NOT WITH MICHEL THERRIEN AS A COACH!

If Therrien got fired from the Penguins with the players that he had and after reaching the Cup Final, why would he be the man to do it here? He did not change. He calmed down, but he did not change. We need a coach that is not scared to trust the youth.

-Have PK Subban and Alex Galchenyuk regressed? (notice I'm not even mentioning Lars Eller)

-Should Tinordi and/or Beaulieu be used instead of Murray and Bouillon?

-Is Therrien the coach that can bring to the promised land?

Let me know what you think. @habsaddict

----------------------------------------------------

I've been involved in the game for 25+ years, as a player, a referee (over 15 years), and now as a minor league coach (I coach my 7-year-old son) I can say that I know and understand the game. I'm definitely not an expert, but who is?

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Mike "Dream" Weaver: Underrated Trade Deadline Acquisition

Weaver is playing well for the Habs.

When Montreal Canadiens' general manager Marc Bergevin acquired Mike Weaver in exchange for a fifth round draft pick, most hockey fans did not even know who he was. Since then, the 35-year-old veteran has proven his worth on the blue line, especially with assistant captain Josh Gorges out with an injury. 

The native of Bramalea, Ontario has recorded one goal and six assists for seven points to go along with a +11 rating in 14 games since his acquisition from the Panthers. Quite a turnaround for the right-handed rearguard, who was struggling with Florida, posting only six assists and a -9 plus/minus differential in 55 games. 

The 5'10'', 180-lb blueliner has been a steady presence on the team's third defensive pairing despite playing with several different partners like Douglas Murray, Jarred Tinordi and Francis Bouillon. Weaver has been a force on the penalty kill and has been on a four-game point streak, notching one goal and four assists for five points to go with a splendid +8 rating in his last four games. 

With P.K. Subban struggling lately, Weaver has been getting more ice time, playing at least 19 minutes in his last four games and a season-high 25:39 against the Ottawa Senators last Friday. An adept shot blocker, Weaver now has 119 blocked shots this season to go along with 119 hits despite his smaller stature. 

While he is not a flashy defenseman, Weaver is rarely out of position and he is great at making a good first pass to get out of the defense zone and kick start the offense. Weaver, as opposed to Thomas Vanek, has a better chance to remain with the Habs next season even if he is also an impending unrestricted free agent. Other than P.K. Subban and prospect Greg Pateryn, Weaver is the only right-handed defenseman in the organization right now that can play in the NHL. With veterans Douglas Murray and Francis Bouillon both unlikely to return next season, Weaver makes a lot of sense a cheap depth defenseman to play on the third pairing with Nathan Beaulieu or Jarred Tinordi.

Weaver, who is making only $1.1 million this season, could prove to be a great bargain in the off-season and a much better signing than Davis Drewiske or even Douglas Murray. In the meantime, head coach Michel Therrien will be hard press to keep Weaver in the press box as he is now definitely one of the top five Habs defensemen. 

Not known for his offensive prowess, Weaver is a veteran who brings character, experience and stability, three important qualities you need from your defensive corps in the playoffs.

Should Marc Bergevin try to re-sign Weaver this summer?

Follow me on Twitter at @FredPoulin98

No Foolin' Fred Poulin

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Habs/Stars Post Game October 29th 2013

The Habs were taking on the Dallas Stars at home Tuesday night. Both teams were playing the second game of a back to back. Carey Price was back in the cage for the Habs, who are coming off a 2-0 shutout against the Rangers last night. It's always Difficult to play on consecutive nights and the players did show signs of wear and tear despite being so early in the season.

The Habs got off to an early first period lead when defenseman Raphael Diaz, who finished with two assists, took a shot from the point which bounced off of Stephan Robidas and found its way in the net. The Habs used the goal to generate more momentum in the back half of the period. Leblanc had a good scoring chance up close but was stopped by Kari Lethonen who stopped 22 of 24 shots. The Habs drew a penalty late in the period when Galchenyuk got hooked in front of the net but didn't generate much on this man advantage.

Dallas nearly nodded it up when Jamie Benn came in on a 3 on 1 however Carey Price came up with the big save. Price was struggling to handle the puck early on but seemed to regain composure as the period progressed. Especially in the final minute of the first when the Stars deflected a puck up close, Price made a great save and kept the lead intact . Aside from one or two chances neither team allowed the other to generate dangerous scoring opportunities.

What seemed to spark the club was a mid-period tilt between Francis Bouillon and Antoine Roussel. It was soon after this fight that the Canadiens got on the board.

Both teams were starting to feel the effects of fatigue stemming off the back-to-back games  in the second. The Stars were trying to open the ice up a little more and make more creative passes, while the pace of the game did seem to accelerate Dallas wasn't able to produce results.

Bourque scored a good greasy goal off his own rebound to increase the lead for the Canadiens. The goal came moments after  a power play where the Habs saw a lot of crisp puck movement, After the second goal it just seemed to break any kind of chemistry the Stars had going.

Fortunately for Dallas youngster Cody Eakin did manage to break the shut out bid for Price late in the second with a knuckler that should have been saved. This goal came at a great time for the Stars since the Habs were rather dominant until that point.

Early in the third rookie Valerie Nichushkin nearly tired it up but Bouillon saved the puck and cleared it from the zone. That seemed to wake up the Canadiens who nearly saw magic happen off of Subban's stick as he simply left the Stars watching him go by, his pass didn't create a scoring chance but was able to leave the fans in awe.

The next scoring chance was a sequence of passes that was tipped wide by Desharnais who hasn't been able to buy a goal all season.

Douglas Murray played his first game at the Bell Center and led the team in hits with 6 in his home ice debut. He dumped Roussel along the boards then followed up that play with a shot attempt and another big hit in the defensive zone to reignite the fans. He was called for interference midway through the third.

This penalty kill would have been a shooting gallery for Price had the Canadiens not been as active blocking shots. It wasn't simply on the penalty kill that the Habs were blocking shots, they were blocking lanes throughout the whole game and ultimately added to their league lead in blocked shots with a total of 29 on the night

With less than a minute left and the goalie pulled Price made a timely glove save and redeemed himself against the Dallas goal scorer Eakin. The stars wouldn't get any better chances and the Canadiens pulled through winning both games in their back to back.

The Canadiens hit the road and play in another back to back Friday and Saturday nights against the Wild and Avalanche respectively.

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Therrien Finally Adjusts and the Canadiens Win

By: Shawn Lavoie @SLavoie54

Shawn has contributed for quite some time and we are pleased to announce he is now part of our writing staff here at Habsaddict

Michel Therrien has the reputation of being a rather impatient coach. He is known to be unafraid to put his players under the spotlight and to shake up his lines when things aren't going his way. Since his second coming in Montreal, he has shown reluctance in giving more ice time to his young players who, since last season, have been playing some great hockey and to cut his underperforming veterans’ ice time. 

This season though, Therrien has finally started to adjust. When the Habs won in Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and at home against Columbus, the coach gave more ice time to his younger players and cut the under-performers' playing time.
Indeed, over the last four wins, Lars Eller, who has five goals and seven points this season, has been the second most used center by Michel Therrien. David Desharnais, who has only one assist this season in seven games, saw his ice time go from over 16 minutes against Toronto on opening night and Calgary, to around 14 minutes a night over the last four games. Only Tomas Plekanec has been used more that the 24 year old Eller. The great Dane has been one of the team’s best forward so far this season.

Same thing goes for Daniel Briere, who has been mostly invisible so far this season. The Gatineau native saw his ice time constantly decline over the past five games from a season high 17:03 against Calgary to a season low 12:59 against Columbus. The small forward has scored two out of his three points on empty net goals. Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher, who have been playing well since starting their careers last season, have seen more ice than Briere since the team’s win in Vancouver. 

Francis Bouillon is another player who hasn’t played as much as usual. Even though he hasn’t been bad, he is finally seeing bottom pairing minutes. The 38 year old defender was regularly playing over 20 minutes per game last season, which was insane. Therrien has also reduced Bouillon’s power play time, although not completely. Markov and Subban have, obviously, been heavily relied upon on the power play and for good reason. In general, the veteran rearguard is the fifth most used defenseman, which is a more appropriate role. It is good to see that Therrien has gained some sense with Bouillon’s usage. 

However, this is not to say that the Canadiens’ head coach has been perfect. David Desharnais is still seeing more power play time than Lars Eller. Daniel Briere also receives more time on the man advantage than both Gallys. Even though the Habs have the seventh best power play in the league, it’s in the team’s best interest that the kids receive more power play time than Briere and Desharnais. You can’t keep your hottest players on the bench while up a man to play your underperforming veterans. Even if this could upset them, the team comes first. As long as they can’t fix their game, Therrien has to rely more heavily on the young studs.

Another problem Therrien still has is the fact that Markov plays more than twice as often on the penalty killing. This defies all reason. It does not make sense to keep the reigning Norris Trophy winner on the bench while down a player. Subban is the team’s best defenseman in every area of the game. Yes, he still makes some mistakes, but we tend to forget that he is still only 24 years old. He is still gaining in maturity and improving his game. Markov, on the other hand, is 34 years old and it is obvious that he has slowed down. He has played very well so far, but he can’t keep on playing 23-24 minutes per game as he will get slower as the season progresses. Therrien will need to rely more heavily on Subban. The elite defenseman ranks 18th in the NHL in average ice time with 24:41. He is able to play two minutes more per game, and this can come by switching Markov and Subban on the penalty kill. 

Michel Therrien’s player usage still doesn’t make perfect sense, but he’s getting there.
(Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images North America)

Follow me on Twitter @SLavoie54

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After Just One Game, I am Haunted by the Letter "D"

Ok it’s official, we are one game into the 2013-14 NHL season and I am already stressed out of my mind and agitated beyond words.

I will admit that the Leafs-Habs game was a fun game to watch. We had end to end action, teammates sticking up for one another, some beautiful saves and of course some really nice goals.

But at the end of the day, besides the handful of positives, my mind is full of questions, all of which point to the letter “D”

Danny B

Ok serious question here. I thought I remember seeing Daniel Briere being handed the torch from the great Guy Lafleur during that touching opening ceremony but then what happened?

Did he decide not to dress for the night? I swear I didn’t hear his name mentioned at all.

Brought in to help our Power Play right?

D-core

One word comes to mind, ouch !!!

The loss of Emelin and Murray is apparent.

As an overall group of 6 players out there they are small, they are soft and surprisingly they are slow.

With that said, I think that we can agree that the pairings of PK Subban and Josh Gorges, Jarred Tinordi and Francis Bouillon looked good together. If this is going to succeed then they simply cannot have Andrei Markov-Raphael Diaz playing together !!!

Michel Therrien MUST absolutely switch these guys up and fast.

Hate to say it but it’s time to put Gorges back on the right side and pairing him with #79 and let the stud D-man Tinordi play alongside #76

Decisions

Can some please explain how PK Subban is glued to the bench on the PK, yet the names Diaz and Markov are repeatedly sent out there with a man down.

Better yet, can someone please debunk the myth that Desharnais is either married to Therrien’s daughter or is somehow involved in a love triangle with the coach?

How on earth is Desharnais sent out on the ice for every PP, late in the game when you are in need of a tying goal when arguably you’re two best offensive weapons in the Gally’s receive approximately 12 minutes of ice time each?

I mean seriously, 18.30 minutes of playing time for Desharnais including 3:19 on the powerplay (2nd most on the team by the way) when Gallagher had a total of 11:09 of playing time and tied for eighth on the team (tied with Lars Eller) in PP time with just 1:29.

Diaz

I’m sorry buddy, but it’s time to go.

Yes you make nice tape to tape passes, and sometimes the forward is even expecting them but you make horrible decisions with the puck, pinch when you shouldn’t and somehow seemed to forget that to score the puck has to be on the net.

David Desharnais

Oh my GOD, two D’s.

Simply put, what the hell is wrong with you?

On the PP you are never where you should be, you cannot win a faceoff if your life depended on it, you have the body of an 8 year old boy, the muscle mass of a jelly fish and actually bring down the play of our top line.

I swear that my 3 year old son would go into the corner of the ice with you and would come out with the puck. I am fed up of the excuse that small players cannot make it in the NHL yet somehow you seem to add fuel to that fire every game.

Here is my advice to you, learn to stay on your feet, learn to battle for a puck, learnt o take a faceoff draw and actually win it because whatever it is that you do, it ain’t working.

I still cannot fathom how this guy somehow led the team in PP minutes among forward last night. Can somebody please explain this to me

The Dane

Finally a letter “D” which doesn’t give me nightmares.

The Great Dane put on a show last night. He was 50% in the faceoff circle, he was [physical, drove to the net and as we know ultimately scored 2 goals and an assist.

However despite this success somehow he was one of the least utilized forwards on the powerplay, was only the fifth most utilized forwards while short handed and was third in ice time among centers.

Did I miss something here?

Eller was our best player last night, so why was he not on the ice?

Bryan is a Marketer by day, writer for HabsAddict.com by night and full time fan of the game. Follow me on twitter @BryanWilley78 but don't bother looking for me on Facebook, I'm just too old for that now!

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Impressions on the Montreal Canadiens’ Training Camp Thus Far

BY: SHAWN LAVOIE (@SLavoie54)

First off, I was as surprised as anyone when I learned that Leblanc was cut by the Montreal Canadiens. I thought that he was having a decent camp, but as Therrien mentioned, Leblanc was going down early no matter what. Could he have been able to force the team’s hand by having an amazing camp? Maybe, but the team’s idea was already made. Some people are starting to write off Leblanc, but I still believe in the Pointe-Claire native to eventually develop in a decent third liner. To give himself better chances, the forward will need to develop some kind of specialty, like a PK specialist for example.

As for the other cuts, I was at first to see the likes of Reway and Hudon among the cuts, since they were impressive with their talent level. However, it’s logical that they were cut early since they would have never made the team.

Now, about the players that are still here, I had the chance to see the inter-squad scrimmage, see Monday’s game against Buffalo, and Wednesday’s practice. I can tell you that I would make room for Jarred Tinordi on the team. The kid has improved tremendously since last season. He is a much better skater, enough to keep up with most forwards, and is obviously stronger. So far, in my opinion, he looks much better than Murray and Drewiske, who are slated ahead of him in the depth chart.

Speaking of Murray, he is slow, reeeeeeally slow. I don’t know if he really has a lower body injury­­ – which could explain his turtle like pace – but I get the feeling that this is just a cover up because he is in the middle of trade talks since Tinordi has been outperforming him.

That or it’s Drewiske leaving, once he comes back from that injury he suffered in a weird accident with Bouillon.

Watch out for Galchenyuk. The 19 year old phenom is obviously bigger, stronger, and faster. His talent level is completely insane and he looks confident. Forget the sophomore jinx for him; he will have a great season.

Gallagher also won’t suffer from the sophomore jinx. He’s too much of a hard worker to see a decrease in his production.  Gallagher, Eller, and Galchenyuk could become the team’s top offensive line.

Andrei Markov looks much more comfortable on the ice now compared to last season. Having a full summer to work-out without rehabbing an injury has obviously helped him. He looks quicker and more agile, which can only be good news for the Habs. He still shouldn’t see more than 23 minutes of ice time per game, nor heavy penalty killing minutes, but he should still be the team’s best point producing defenseman after Subban.

Speaking of which, P.K. is a bull! During Wednesday’s practice, Subban and Galchenyuk would battler along the boards, and it was quite the thing to see. You could see their talent level on display, and I can tell you that both of these young franchise players won’t disappoint this season. Subban looks as quick as last year and stronger.

Michaël Bournival is very impressive this year so far. Scoring two goals against the Sabres is good way to impress, but it’s his work ethic and awareness that impresses. He always seems to know where to position himself and he isn’t shy to play the physical game. He may very well have taken Louis Leblanc’s spot on the depth chart and earn himself the right of being the first injury call-up this season.

Even though lots of people compliment McCarron’s game, and with good reason, he still has ways to go before being an NHL player. Yes he skates well for his massive frame, but he still kind of looks awkward on his skates. He doesn’t seem to have a fluid stride like Tinordi has, or his agility. He still has lots of work to do on his skating and his puck skills. However, he does seem to have good instincts on the ice and he uses his large body effectively. I’m looking forward to see how he fares when he goes back in the CHL.

Now let’s hope the Habs start winning some games.

(Photo by Clause Anderson/Getty Images North America)

Follow me on Twitter at SLavoie54

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Habs extend Francis Bouillon, plus some other good reads

Greetings Habs addicts!

Photo credit: CBC.ca

Big news (pun intended) out of Montreal on Wednesday!  The Montreal Canadiens extended the contract of 38 year old, 5'8" defenceman Francis Bouillon on Wednesday. His extension is a short one (pun intended), just one-year at 1.5 million.

I like this signing. Its nothing flashy, nothing risky; just a solid depth move by GM Marc Bergevin. Bouillon has bought into coach Michel Therrien's system and he has played well, contributing 1 goal, 6 assists with a plus-6 rating in his 29 games thus far this season.  Frankie has also worked well with the younger players on the team, recently paired up with callups Greg Pateryn and Jarred Tinordi.

This is a no-risk signing.  If he is out-played next year in training camp and the pre-season by our younger players, he'd become a solid 7th defenceman who can fill in for injuries or just sit in the press-box as a depth scratch.  For 1.5 million, there's nothing wrong with that.  The Habs are paying four times that to Tomas Kaberle to do the same thing this season.  Bouillon wants to retire in Montreal and I would be shocked if he doesn't stay within the organization either as an assistant coach or in player personnel capacity after his playing career is over. While TSN did report he is a Montreal native, truth be told he's a New Yorker. But he's certainly adopted Montreal as his home.

Good for you, Frankie!!

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Habs/Rangers, CH Lacking Killer Instinct, Winning Culture And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Brendan Gallagher is expected to be back in the line up after
missing three games with a concussion.

After giving up two goal leads twice in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss against the Islanders, the Habs are hoping to get back to winning tonight as they face the Rangers for the second time in five nights.

The Canadiens came out on top with a 3-1 win against the Blueshirts last Tuesday in what Rangers head coach John Tortorella described as the worst game ever. The Rangers were without star forward Rick Nash in Tuesday's tilt and will be without him again tonight as he is sidelined with what is believed to be a head injury. 

Brendan Gallagher on the other hand is expected to get back into the Habs lineup tonight. Gallagher missed the team's last three games after being hit hard into the boards by Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn last Saturday. 

Gallagher has been cleared for contact and practiced yesterday on a line with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty has been getting back into his groove, scoring four goals in his last three games after being unable to light the lamp in his first ten contests.

The Canadiens have collected 11 out of a possible 12 points over the last six games and can help solidify the top spot in the east with another win tonight.

Habs And Hockey News

- Our Rosalyn Roy (@TygerLylly) takes aim at the Habs lack of killer instinct.

- Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) takes note of the Habs returning to a winning culture.

- Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) points out the faults of Bouillon's decision to shoot as often as he does

(Photo By Bernard Brault, La Presse)

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Mike Commodore Invited to Training Camp

Well friends, I’m back.  I would ask if you missed me but I think I already know the answer. 

Before I even begin to allow my thoughts to flow I find it necessary to apologize to you all. During the initial days of this lockout I told myself that I would have plenty of things to say and that my plan for a weekly blog would be met. 

Unfortunately this plan never came to fruition and after a couple of weeks, my heart was just not into it.  My hatred towards the process was all that I could muster and I found myself with general disinterest towards the league and players.

But all is well now. After spending 4 months longer than normal as a father and a husband I am about to re-embark, assuming that is even a word, on my faith to the NHL and my beloved Habs.

Here is hoping to at least a decade without bickering between the NHL and NHLPA and here is hoping to a prosperous league.

And so,

It has been a whirlwind 72 hours for me since the announcement that the NHL and the NHLPA has come to an agreement. 

Between my hundreds of Tweets on Twitter (@BryanWilley78),the re-activation of my RDS-HD, the organization of 3 Fantasy Pools, the clearing up of my PVR for game time and of course the dusting off of my Habs memorabilia which was painstakingly locked away; I have been a busy man. 

None the less, this process has been nothing but pleasant.  It is so refreshing to talk NHL hockey again but the pinnacle of my excitement was the announcement today that Mike Commodore will be invited to the Montreal Canadiens training camp.

Ok take a moment; I will wait for the laughter to seize before I proceed.

Seriously though, if you have been following me since I was first invited to HabsAddict.com you’ll likely recognize the fact that when it comes to hockey, I like my players rough and gritty. 

I obviously cheer for the stars like Tomas Plekanec,Vincent Damphousse or Andrei Markov but my favorite players have always been the likes of players like Scott Thornton or Ryan White.   

When it comes to Mike Commodore specifically, I admit that I have a soft spot for the guy. Sure much of it has to do with the fact that he and I have had some conversations on Twitter or perhaps it has to do with the images of him talking to the media in his torn up bathrobe, his lion main like hair flowing in the wind while on his Stanley Cup run with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.

In all seriousness though, we need a guy like Commodore.

I know that Commodore is getting older.  I know that he has lost a step and as a result has bounced around with a few teams over the past few seasons. 

What differs in this situation is that in Montreal,Commodore would be nothing more than a depth d-man.  A player to call upon against physical teams or when the team is plagued with injuries.

A player who at 33 years of age can sit for six or seven games in a row without management having to worry about his development or playing time.

Furthermore, think about our roster for a second. 

Here are the eight defensemen penciled onto the roster for the balance of the 2013 season; Andrei Markov, P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges, Alexei Emelin, Raphael Diaz, Yannick Weber, Francis Boullion and Tomas Kaberle. 

Of these eight players, five of them are 6’0 or smaller and apart from Alexei Emelin and perhaps Gorges or Subban none of them have the size/strength to deny the opposition from the front of the net.

Our D-core is one dimensional.  They are small and offensive minded who struggle in the defensive zone and who lack the ability to contain the opposition one on one. 

Management took a big step which they decided that playing guys like Mathieu Darche or Tom Pyatt on the fourth line was not a productive game plan yet nothing has been done to alter the plan on defense.

It is time to get rid of our one-dimensional style of play and implement players of different abilities or skill sets and right now we need a veteran D-man with the ability to clear the net and drop the gloves.

This is one fan hoping that Mike Commodore is that guy.

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Five Habs Questions Left Unanswered by the NHL Lockout

The Lockout Leaves Question Marks After A Disappointing Season

Just over two months have passed since the 2012-13 lockout officially started. The annual Winter Classic has been nixed and the All-Star game is sure to be next. The cancellation of the All-Star game shouldn't come as a shock to anybody. After all, how can there be stars without a season?

I've come to care less and less about the lockout as time goes by simply because, while I love the game, I refuse to let it take over my life.

Though I enjoy Saturday night games as much as the next fan, I've had little trouble moving on. Sure my "Mardi's" aren't nearly as "méchant" as I would like them to be, but I've had no trouble replacing these traditions with enjoyable new ones such as "Whiskey Wednesday's".

The thing that bothers me most about this lockout is that the absence of a season leaves too many questions unanswered. The Montreal Canadiens went through many changes during the summer and I — along with pretty much every other Hab fan — was looking forward to seeing what those changes would bring.

And with that, here are five questions regarding the Montreal Canadiens that have been left unanswered due to the ongoing lockout.

1. Are the Canadiens tough enough?

With the free agent signings of forwards Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong along with the re-acquisition of defenseman Francis Bouillon, a large portion of the Habs fanbase immediately felt that the team would no longer be pushed around as easily as it has been for... well, as long as I can remember.

While Armstrong is not especially big, he doesn't shy away from throwing his body around, something that isn't done nearly enough by many Canadiens.

Bouillon's 5'8" 198 pound frame hardly screams heavyweight either but anybody who has seen him play knows his hits are hard and willingness to drop the gloves is borderline suicidal.

Prust, however, was the prize signing. After letting beloved tough guy Brad Staubitz leave via free agency after just 19 games, the Habs were in desperate need of a designated tough guy. With Prust in the lineup the Canadiens now have a player who can protect his teammates, cause problems for opposing players and occasionally pitch in offensively.

The question remains, are these three enough?

2. Is Andrei Markov back for good?

Unfortunately, as I write this Markov is injured in Russia. Markov has been playing for Vityaz Chekov in the KHL but left a game on October 26th with what was described as an "upper body" injury.

Markov would have been returning to the Montreal Canadiens at the beginning of the season after missing what seems like a kajillion games due to repeated knee injuries. With Markov healthy heading into September the Canadiens powerplay as well as their defensive zone breakout was guaranteed to improve drastically.

However, given his current predicament, it's hard to imagine that he would've lasted through the entire 2012-13 season.

In the end though, who really knows how thing's would've played out if he was back in a Habs uniform when the puck was supposed to drop.

3. Is David Desharnais for real?

One of the few positives to come out of the disastrous 2011-12 season was the emergence of David Desharnais as an efficient point producer. The argument can be — and has been — made that his success was due in large part to having Erik Cole and Max Pacioretty on his wings. Whether that's the case or not, the fact is Desharnais finished third on the team in scoring with 60 points.

With that 60 point season came constant debates on who is better between himself and Tomas Plekanec — cough, Plekanec, cough. Regardless, what seems clear is that Desharnais can play with the big boys.

This season would've shed light on Desharnais's true role and value. There is no doubt that he would've started the season with the same line mates but there were many out there wondering if the 5'7" 177 pound center could put up similar numbers in a season where opposing players would be more aware of him.

4. Is Michel Therrien the man for the job?

I'm quite tempted to just type "no" and move on. The reason I won't is Marc Bergevin.

Since Bergevin burst into the Habs hockey scene he has done nothing but better the organization. The one thing that may go against that statement is the hiring of Therrien. Seeing as how Bergevin has a Stanley Cup ring, though, and I don't I feel compelled to blast his choice just yet.

Therrien is mostly known in Montreal for his meltdown behind the Canadiens bench against the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2002 playoffs. Therrien took an unsportsmanlike penalty in a game the Canadiens were leading, eventually contributing to a devastating loss. The Hurricanes win tied the series at two and the 'Canes would go on to win the following two games earning a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.

People can change and there is a possibility that his reputation of demanding tough play and placing accountability on players could be just what this squad needs after a season where only a handful of players seemed motivated.

5. How will Alex Galchenyuk be handled?

The Montreal Canadiens' number one pick in the 2012 draft is quite possibly the silver lining to this lockout mess. After missing last season in Sarnia due to a knee injury, it seemed that another season in the OHL would be the best idea to further the prospects development.

Rene Bourque's surgery at the end of August was especially concerning. With a top-six nine forward expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks and Galchenyuk's skill — not to mention the hype surrounding him — I couldn't help but worry he would be rushed.

Sure, I have faith that the Canadiens development will improve drastically under the watch of Marc Bergevin. Yet, after years of watching talented young prospects be rushed and ruined by this organization, I couldn't help but worry about what would happen if Galchenyuk played well and was given a spot in the NHL right away.

Even if he were to be productive in a handful of games with the CH, I would still want him to play one more year with the Sting in order to better prepare for the main stage. So far, the lockout has proven beneficial for Galchenyuk who is currently tied for eighth in OHL scoring with 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 22 games.

With no NHL schedule, Galchenyuk can continue to succeed without any distracting debate over where he should be playing.

Without the 2012-13 season to answer these questions, what do you think:

1. Are the Canadiens tough enough?
2. What are your thoughts on Markov?
3. Is Desharnais for real?
4. Is Therrien the man for the job?
5. Will Galchenyuk really benefit from the lockout?

---
Sean is a freelance writer currently contributing to HabsAddict.com. He is also a regular blogger and frequent panelist on the Habs post game show at MontrealHockeyTalk.com You can follow Sean on Twitter.

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Issues for the Canadiens, Stevens, Grigorenko and More

Happy lunch hour, Hab fans.

For today's news roundup, I will try something a little different in terms of style and presentation.

Hopefully, this will make the piece a bit more readable and generate further discussion.

Of course, we welcome your comments, so tell us what you think of the new format.


Habs and Hockey News 

- I discuss some unresolved issues for the Montreal Canadiens. Namely, P.K Subban's lack of a deal, the trio of Rene Bourque, Scott Gomez and Tomas Kaberle as well as the defensive logjam are sources of concern. 

- Sean Lloyd continues his excellent offseason profiles, this time looking at Francis Bouillon. 

 
- HabsWorld continues its look at the composition of recent Stanley Cup champions, this time focusing on the dreaded Boston Bruins.

- Scott Stevens joins the New Jersey Devils coaching staff. He, along with Matt Shaw, will help compensate for Adam Oates' departure. As you will recall, Oates accepted the head coaching position with the Washington Capitals. 

 
- Mikhail Grigorenko signs his first deal with the Buffalo Sabres. It's still hard to fathom how a projected top-five pick slipped as far as 12th. 

 
- After much turmoil behind the Chicago Blackhawks' bench, Joel Quenneville names Jamie Kompon as his new assistant. 

 
- Stu Haeckel, over at Sports Illustrated, muses over the difficulties of being a hockey fan. The now infamous Canadiens condo project is front and center in this piece. 

 
- The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy portrays the upcoming CBA negotiations as a battle between owners.


(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

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Canadiens to Build Condo, Bouillon Profile, Green, Pavelec and More

Hello Hab addicts!

Well, it sure seems the Montreal Canadiens are causing quite a stir with their proposed condominium complex.

Why you ask?

Because the new building is slated to be built at the current location of Centennial Plaza.

You know, that place where fans were asked to pay hundreds of dollars to contribute bricks.

That place meant to honor the greats of the franchise, featuring prominent statues of Howie Morenz, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur and Maurice Richard.

Instead, all of this will be replaced with a condo. The plaza itself is to be moved to a still unknown location.

I can't imagine why anyone would be mad about that.



Habs News

HabsAddict - Montreal Canadiens Offseason Player Profile: Francis Bouillon

HabsAddict - Press Release - Habs Sign Blake Geoffrion

HabsWorld - Geoffrion signs a one year deal

HockeyBuzz - Owners' Offer--Effect on Subban Negotiation?

Montreal Gazette - Will the ghosts finally make the move to Bell Centre?

Hockey News

Sports Illustrated - NHLPA tested by harsh CBA proposal

The Hockey News - Ken Campbell: NHL offer a reasonable start in CBA negotiations

TSN - Pavelec banned from driving in Czech Republic for 20 months

TSN - Report: Kane, Jets discussing possible six-year contract

TSN - Capitals re-sign Green to three-year, $18.25M contract

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Montreal Canadiens Offseason Player Profile: Francis Bouillon

Frankie B Returns to Montreal

Francis Bouillon - D
5'8" 198 lbs
2011-12 Stats 66GP- 4G- 7A- 11 Pts- -4

The Cost

Francis Bouillon returned to the Canadiens after a three year absence, signing a one year contract worth $1.5 million.

The price tag hardly seems high as the Canadiens acquire — or re-acquire rather — some depth on the blue line with the addition of a tough as nails defenseman who has spent the last three seasons playing behind the likes of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter with the Nashville Predators.

One can't help but imagine that you gain nothing but positives by learning from what was arguably one of the best defensive tandems in the NHL.

That's not to say that Bouillon will bring top quality to the Canadiens blue line, but it's a nice addition to the Habs back end, giving younger players like Frederic St-Denis, Nathan Beaulieu, Morgan Ellis and Jared Tinordi more time to develop.

Performance

Bouillon's seven goals in the 2011-12 campaign were as many as P.K Subban's, the Habs leading scorer on the blue line.

His 103 hits would have been fourth behind Alexei Emelin (236), Josh Gorges (131) and Subban (105).

Bouillon averaged 17:32 minutes of ice time last season, which would easily be top six minutes on the Canadiens.

The Fit

At the time of his signing, many fans in Montreal had him pegged as purely a depth signing who would fight for time as the seventh defeseman.

I believe however, that Bouillon will start the season in the top six along with Andrei Markov, Gorges, Subban, Emelin and Tomas Kaberle.

With the mentioned players filling out the top six, that would leave Raphael Diaz and Yannick Weber — provided he's still with the team — fighting for time as the seventh defenseman as well as some probable appearances by Frederic St-Denis.

Were you happy with the return of Bouillon? And do you see him as more of a top six d-man or as an insurance policy on the blueline?


Check out other player profiles:

Ryan White
Travis Moen
Brandon Prust
Colby Armstrong
Carey Price
Lars Eller


---
Sean is a freelance writer currently contributing to HabsAddict.com. He is also a regular blogger and frequent panelist on the Habs post game show at MontrealHockeyTalk.com You can follow Sean on Twitter.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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The Montreal Canadiens Are Just Not Tough Enough

For the better part of a decade, Montreal Canadiens fans have been begging management to make our favorite team better, tougher and meaner.

The Habs have been way too soft for way too long. Moreover, in recent years, they rarely forechecked or dropped the gloves on questionable hits.

Images of Gregory Campbell hammering away on Tom Pyatt, Zdeno Chara slamming the head of Max Pacioretty into the glass or even Andrew Ference flipping off the fans because of a "problematic glove equipment malfunction", perpetually fill my mind.

The Montreal Canadiens, lacked character, cohesion and toughness and that is where Marc Bergevin comes into play.

In a short amount of time, Bergevin has begun addressing this issue with the signings of Brandon Prust, Colby Armstrong, Travis Moen, Ryan White and Francis Bouillon. On paper, we will likely never have to see a line-up which features the likes of Yannick Weber or Rafael Diaz playing on the fourth line again.

A huge step in the right direction right? Surely, the team has a chance at the playoffs now?

I hate to play devil’s advocate here but the answer is no!

You can argue that the team has better depth, but there is no way that I am buying into the notion that the Habs got tougher.

Travis Moen and Ryan White were already part of this team last season. Only Prust, Armstrong and Bouillon have actually been added to the squad.

Brandon Prust

Prust's best asset is the fact that he has developed into an elite penalty killer. He was a key component of the Rangers PK, which sat near the top of the league in every year that Prust was part of the team.

On the physical side, Prust is one tough SOB. Though relatively small at a little over 6’0, he is a pit bull on the ice. Prust backs down from no one, sticks up for teammates and, despite his diminutive frame, led the league in fighting majors last season.

Colby Armstrong

Then there is Armstrong.

Here is a guy I have wanted in the Habs uniform for the better part of the last five years. When Colby is on top of his game, he is a skating torpedo. An agitator who absolutely lays people out with his vicious hits and then backs it up with his unwillingness to fight. 

Like P.K. Subban and White, Armstrong gets under the skin of alot of players in this league.

Francis Bouillon

Finally, little Franky Bouillon, a player the Habs should never have let go. I cannot think of a single player who plays with more heart and determination than Soupy. 

He is a good bottom pairing blueliner who will give his all and will serve as an excellent guide for those unfamiliar with Therrien's ways.


Still Not a Contender

All in all, the above three are players who play big and add depth to the organization. A group of players, who for some reason, most fans seem to think will help turn the team back towards playoff contention.

The problem is that their gain comes at the loss of Brad Staubitz, Mathieu Darche and Hal Gill.

Brad Staubitz

Staubitz is easily a better fighter than any of the players named above. He is bigger than Prust, meaner than Prust and led both the Habs and Wild in fighting majors last season. Like Prust, he backs down from no one, the only difference is that he usually comes out on top.

Hal Gill

Gill, although not ill-tempered, still represented a 6’7 frame capable of tying up some of the bigger bodies in this league. He was a beast on the PK, a great leader and, when called upon, was not shy to drop the gloves. Most fans were sour to see him arrive in a Habs uniform but he grew on many of them and will surely be missed.

Mathieu Darche

Darche was by no stretch a mean player, but he was a dependable role player on a 6’2 frame who still finished ninth on the team in hits despite playing just 61 games. I cannot say I am sad to see him go, yet he was an extremely serviceable player who provided grit to the bottom line.

What does this mean? 

For the sake of argument, let’s remove Darche from this equation. 

Anyone who even tries to argue that the Habs are tougher with Darche in the line-up has been smokin' a bit too much of the wacky tabacky.

So, what does this mean?

The team is younger — and you can perhaps argue more talented — and has a better group of fourth line players. However, the squad has definitely not become tougher and, in the process, somehow actually lost a full collective foot in height.

What is even more confusing is the fact that, despite finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference—due to a lackluster powerplay and limited goal production—the only positions addressed were the fourth line and bottom defencemen.

Where to go from here?

I firmly believe that Marc Bergevin is nowhere near finished tinkering with this line-up. Between Scott Gomez, Yannick Weber, Rafael Diaz and Tomas Kaberle, I would be shocked to see more than two of them return next season.  

The organization must acquire a big, gritty, mean winger to compliment the skilled players. A power forward who can play 20 minutes a game, drive to the net, crash the boards, create turnovers and drop the gloves when called upon to do so.

The question is who and at what cost?

---
Bryan is a Marketer by day, writer for HabsAddict.com by night and full time fan of the game. Follow me on twitter @BryanWilley78 but don't bother looking for me on Facebook, I'm just too old for that now!


(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

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More Kovalchuk, Price, Bouillon, Trotter goes to KHL

Habs Inside/Out - Zee parties like its 1899
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/36596

Frankie the Bull gives back
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/36597

Trotter defects
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/36598

Talking $$$ on the Lord's day
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/36600

TGIM
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/36601

RDS - Trotter quitterait vers l'Europe
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/303154.html

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