by Chris G, Staff Writer & Podcast Host, All Habs Hockey Magazine
LAVAL, QC. — The season may be over on the ice, but we all know that there’s something going on in the NHL all year long. The All Habs team is here to keep you updated during the offseason and I have the pleasure of answering questions received in our mailbag.
Do you have a question or a topic you would like us to discuss? Okay, here’s what you can do.
Let us know:
- who you are
- where you’re from
- if you wish, send us a photo of you in your favourite Habs gear
- who’s your favorite player, present or past
- and of course, your question
You can contact us via Twitter, our Facebook page or email at info (at) allhabs (dot) net
We’ll feature you, and your question, in the All Habs Mailbag!
Here’s what you wanted to know :
Would you trade a bowl of poutine for Vincent Lecavalier? – Joshua, Philadelphia
It is well known that the Philadelphia Flyers are looking to trade Lecavalier and his four year, $18 million contract. Should the Habs show interest? I don’t think they should. His contract certainly isn’t one that the Canadiens need on their books. If he were with the Habs, his role would have to be similar to Daniel Brière‘s last season by playing on the fourth line and on the second powerplay unit. The Brière experience was not successful and forced Marc Bergevin to trade him to the Avalanche. No reason for the Habs to retry the same experiment with a more expensive player. Lecavalier is not worth a poutine to me. Thanks for the question!
The only way forward for the Canadiens is to trade Tomas Plekanec and get a decent forward in return. Do you agree? – MP, Montreal
I think that Tomas Plekanec is the most underrated player of the team. He is the best player on both sides of the rink. He can be effective on the powerplay and the penalty kill. Plekanec also succeeded last season when he faced top forwards from the opposing teams. Any team would take Plekanec on their roster, but who would replace Plekanec’s role from the current roster? There isn’t anyone that can replace him right now. Before trading Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk will need to play in his natural position. Once Chucky is comfortable at that role, they can look at trading their veteran centre man. I don’t see a trade happening next season, but it is possible during the 2015-16 season as Plekanec enters the final season of his contract. Canadiens have more pressing needs. Enjoy the offseason!
Will the Canadiens win the cup next year? – Dante, New York
If I was a betting man, I would bet against it, but the Canadiens did show that once you make the playoffs anything can happen. The 2013-14 Canadiens succeeded because they had character, played as a team and a great goaltender. Those are characteristics that don’t appear on the game summary at the end of the game. The Canadiens being two wins shy from a Stanley Cup Final appearance has certainly raised the expectations of its fans. Will it work against them? We will see. That being said, anything can happen. Dante, the drive for 25 will continue in 2014-15.
Do you think that the Habs are done for the off-season? – Mike, Montreal
The only thing that I expect to happen now until the beginning of training camp is for Marc Bergevin to sign Restricted Free Agents P.K. Subban and Lars Eller to new contracts. The Canadiens General Manager has done a great job so far during this off-season.
Here is how I project the forward lines to start the 2014-15 season:
Pacioretty- Desharnais-Gallagher
Galchenyuk – Plekanec- Sekac
Bourque – Eller – Parenteau
Prust- Malhotra- Weise
The only need that the Canadiens haven’t addressed is a top 6 forward, preferably on the Right Wing, to replace Thomas Vanek. Is Jiri Sekac the right player to fit the role? We don’t know much about him yet, but I would think that the Canadiens would have liked to have a proven NHL player in that slot. There aren’t any available in the free agency market. Look for the Habs to address this need during the season with a potential rental player if Sekac isn’t comfortable in that role.
Do you think the Habs have addressed all their needs? Let me know by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
If the price gets out of control, could Bergevin at least explore the option of trading Subban, to see the offers? – J.D. Lagrange, Penticton
As a General Manager of a professional sports team, I think Marc Bergevin should ALWAYS listen to any offers that he receives from other teams for any of his players. There should be no untouchables on any team. Will Bergevin get an offer that he can’t refuse for P.K. Subban? Do I realistically expect a team offer everything including the kitchen sink for Subban? The answer is no. P.K. is here to stay and that is a good thing!
Thanks everyone, I’ve enjoyed answering your questions. Please submit any question you have about the Canadiens and hockey in general.
Follow me on Twitter @chrisg1980 .
With regard to your lines, I think Parenteau is the top 6 right winger to replace Vanek, however don’t forget Vanek played on the top line for the most part with Patches and DD. Of course PA’s playing style would likely work better with Eller and Bourque than with Plecks at centre, but you’d need to bump up the thrid line minutes (as they will likely be the second most offensive line on the team).
Parenteau isn’t a goal scorer like Vanek is. Don’t forget that Parenteau was a healthy scratch for several games in Colorado. Habs need a goal scorer on that 2nd line spot. Thanks for reading and leaving your comment. Really appreciate it !
My lineup
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Gallagher
Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Parenteau
Bournival-Eller-Weise
Prust-Malhotra-Sekac
Markov-Subban
Emelin-Gilbert
Beaulieu-Weaver
Price
Tokarski
Thoughts?
Hi Gino, I agree with your defensive pairings even though I am not crazy about Markov getting Subban-type minutes. Not sure about Parenteau being on the 2nd line. If he ends up at that spot, I think the Habs will struggle to score 5 on 5.
Plekanec is our best center, I said it. He is an amazing two way player that can create and clean up plays. His line was used as a “shutdown” line often in the playoffs and he is known for that. Galchenyuk must be moved to center somehow, it’s his natural position and MB will have to replace Plekanecs eventually.
I’m very optimistic with Scherbak, I want him in the NHL and people forget that it’s his 2nd junior year (one MHL and one WHL) so it’s not really a long shot. A name that people are forgetting is Andrighetto, he maybe small but has tree trunk legs and is St-Louis esque, he had a good rookie AHL season after some really good juniors years so he could very well be another Gallagher. With the media buzz and the videos the Habs have released (Q&As) i’m pretty sure Sherbak will be in the NHL next year, you can’t hype up a kid like this just to throw him back into the minors (he can’t play in the AHL).
A player I would like to see gone is Bourque, I know he was fire for us in the playoffs but that can’t excuse his dismal regular season displays. No more “Bork Bork Bork” Bergevin, please. I agree with your opinion on trading Subban, now here are my lines.
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Gallagher
Eller-Plekanec-Scherbak
Bournival-Desharnais-Parenteau
Prust-Malhontra-Weise
Markov-Subban
Emelin-Gilbert
Beaulieu-Weaver
Price
Tokarski
2nd 3rd lines are interchangable, would get comparable minutes. Bourque gone, Desharnais with Parenteau (I noticed PA wanted to be next to Davey in the lockeroom while watching a HabsTV video and as a mentioned hes not a #1 center so why not). All in with Galchenyuk but it’s for the better, it will make Bergevin sweat with the contract talks in 2016 but I hope our poster boy earns a fat paycheck and a long term deal. Not a fan of Eller on the LW honestly but you gotta make at least 1 sacrifice. If Scherbak makes the team he must and will play with Plekanecs, the security he provides inresponsible kids is amazing (just ask the Gallys), he cleans up after your errors and give you that killer pass.
Considerations: Sekac, Andrighetto, Tinordi, De La Rose .
Hi Nick,
Thanks for reading. I agree with you that Bourque doesn’t belong on this team. You can find my thoughts on him by clicking on this link: http://allhabs.net/montreal-canadiens-2013-14-end-of-season-report-card/ . Realistically, unless Bergevin finds a way to trade him, Bourque will be in the starting lineup on day #1. They can’t sit him out the entire season.
I don’t see Scherbak staying with the team this season. He may get the 10 game trial but doubt he gets more than that.
I would also love to see Chucky get some time as a Centre this season. I would switch Max and Bournival on your lineup
Do you believe peter budaj will be traded? Also, which prospects would you say will make the team?
I will tackle the Budaj question in next week’s AllHabs Mailbag. The rookies that I think have a chance of starting with the Habs are: Scherbak,Sekac, Andrighetto, De La Rose.From those names, I would give the edge to Sekac.
If you leave me your twitter handle, I can notify you when next week’s article with the answer to your Budaj question.
Thanks for reading Jordan!
I don’t really use twitter bud, but the facebook page works for me!
Awesome! The next edition of the Mailbag will be posted within the next 24 hours!
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