by Chantal, Managing Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC — While we’re still mourning the end of the Montreal Canadiens 2012-2013 season and enjoying our little cucumber sandwiches, without crust, the hockey world lives on and so does the All Habs mailbag. I’m taking it over this week, and asked you for your Qs on hockey, life and investment strategies. I was mostly aiming for hockey talk, but you’re the boss, so here we go:
Marie-Ève asks: Who is your Habs playoff MVP?
A lot of players stood out during these playoffs, and for many different reasons. Tomas Plekanec seems to be labelled “the guy who always disappears during the playoffs” no matter how he performs. While he wasn’t a game changer in this series, he finished tied for team lead in points, recording four assists and 15 shots on goal. I’m satisfied with his playoffs. Carey Price is getting a lot of heat from fans and media alike, and while his stats were disappointing in the post season, I’m not pining this loss on him. David Desharnais (three shots on goal in five games), Michael Ryder (who?) and Max Pacioretty (separated shoulder) were all invisible. Ryder pushed it to the point of “forgetting media day and leaving” on Saturday afternoon.
I liked Rene Bourque‘s play for most of the series. He was physical, got to the net and got great chances he unfortunately couldn’t always bury. His two goals and one assist are only second best to PK Subban‘s two goals and two assists. Although his stats on paper have him marked down as a team worst minus-7 differential, I was quite impressed with Brendan Gallagher‘s game. The kid has heart, grit, passion, and no fear whatsoever. He was fun to watch, and seemed involved in every play, on every shift.
That all said, my MVP would have to go to Subban. He logged big minutes, recorded four points in five games and was out there doing his thing. PK talks a lot, and love it or hate it, he usually finds a way to back it up on the ice. To quote him: ” I’m 23, turning 24. I’m playing for the Montreal Canadiens. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Jeff asks: What is the meaning of life?
The “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” comes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and it is, of course, the number 42. For more see 42.
Steve asks: Why did Galchenyuk get so little ice time during the playoffs?
Head coach Michel Therrien was asked about this quite a few times during the playoffs, and his explanation was always as follows:
- Matchups. In his words, he wanted to protect his rookie as much as possible.
- It’s a process.
Galchenyuk is young, has no playoff experience in this league and is still at the very crucial development stage of his career. Michel will tell you that he has experience with this type of player, having coached Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Now, it’s up to you to decide if you trust the coach and buy into his reasoning.
A lot of fans were up in arms that Galchenyuk had such limited ice time (between 10 and 15 minutes on average), given how well he played. Was it a mistake to leave him on the bench when Habs needed a goal or two, especially later in the series? Perhaps. Did Therrien do him a favour by allowing him to shine and grow his confidence and experience with limited minutes? Perhaps also. I’m curious to see how he will handle him next year. Will he play center or wing? Will he face tougher opponents? Therrien seems confident in his plan with the youngster, and I guess all we can do is sit back, watch, and hope we’ll see a little more of the rising star next season.
Should I invest in gold?
Gold is the worst investment of 2013, and Goldman thinks you should short it. I’m not sure who Goldman is, but he seems legit. That said, feel free to invest in diamonds (for me) and stear clear of the Phoenix Coyotes. I have it on pretty good autority that they’re a baaaad investment.
Christian asks: Should the Habs draft a goalie?
Let’s take a look at the Habs depth chart at that position:
Carey Price – Peter Budaj – Dustin Tokarski – Robert Mayer – Peter Delmas.
Giving the fact that Carey Price will be Montreal’s starting goaltender for many years still, and that Peter Budaj has been extended for two seasons, the position doesn’t need to be filled short term. Tokarski and Mayer are restricted free agents although Mayer is expected to play for Biel in the NLA next year. With Mayer not in the plans for next year, Bergevin already has filled the hole by adding Princeton goalie Mike Condon last week.
I wouldn’t make it a priority, but a late round pick is always a possibility. Here are the CSS Draft rankings for eligible goalies come June:
1. Zachary Fucale G Halifax (QMJHL)
2. Eric Comrie G Tri-City (WHL)
3. Tristan Jarry G Edmonton (WHL)
4. Calvin Peterson G Waterloo (USHL)
5. Spencer Martin G Mississauga (OHL)
6. Eamon McAdam G Waterloo (USHL)
7. Philippe Desrosiers G Rimouski (QMJHL)
8. Patrik Bartosak G Red Deer (WHL)
9. Antoine Bibeau G PEI (QMJHL)
10. Austin Lotz G Everett (WHL)
1. Juuse Saros G HPK Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
2. Ebbe Sionas G AIK Jr. (Sweden-Jr.)
3. Luka Gracnar G Salzburg (Austria)
4. Marcus Hogberg G Linkoping Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
5. Ivan Bocharov G MVD Balashikha 2 (Russia-Jr.)
René-Carl asks: Who won’t be coming back next season?
Well, the obvious answer is Tomas Kaberle. Everyone assumes he will be bought out. Given his performance towards the end of the season, and the playoffs, I would also pass on Michael Ryder. Travis Moen is another name being tossed around a lot, but I get the feeling he’s staying put, unless Marc Bergevin can manage to get a good return for him via transaction.
You have to wonder what awaits Yannick Weber. He doesn’t seem to be part of the plan going forward, but at the same time, I believe he had greater market value a year or two ago. Big question mark there. Davis Drewiske was acquired for depth, and he’ll be let go. Colby Armstrong might have played his last game in the bleu-blanc-rouge uniform, although Michel Therrien might push to keep him on board. Ryan White is another questionable return for next season.
Habs will need to find a strong right winger, bulk up the D squad, and get more depth. It’ll be quite a financial challenge, given the shrinking cap next season. I would re-up Jeff Halpern for another year, he’s low cost and can be quite effective. It will be a slim UFA market this summer, so maybe Habs can dip in their prospect pool down in Hamilton come training camp and hope another Gallagher emerges. I don’t expect a huge overall of personnel, Marc Bergevin believes in building teams through the draft, and he’ll stick to that plan, adding a guy or two along the way.