As a fan, you often sit by and watch in frustration as management of your favorite team makes questionable decisions or worse.
Don’t mention the name Mike Lynn to anyone who follows the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. He was the general manager who traded five players and six draft choices to land Herschel Walker from the Dallas Cowboys. Walker was a bust and the Cowboys went on to win three Superbowls in four years.
Who was the worst General Manager in the history of the NHL? Consensus would award that title to former Islanders boss Mike Milbury. John Ferguson Jr. isn’t too far behind on that list with Canadiens fans being quick to toss Rejean Houle’s name on the pile.
But you don’t have to be on the league’s worst list to make baffling moves. Fans are left to sit on their sofas at home and scream “I could do better than that!”
So, we’re calling your bluff.
As we know the Canadiens still have 31 players in training camp. With only two more exhibition games left, final cuts are not too far off. So who would you reassign to get down to 14 forwards and seven defensemen? Would you add an eighth blueliner?
To set the stage, let’s take a look at the potential lines for the Habs.
Andrei Kostitsyn — Tomas Plekanec — Mike Cammalleri
The first line is likely set. Plekanec has a new contract, will be part of the extended leadership group and has been the best forward in camp. Cammalleri has been quiet in the exhibition season but will be counted upon with the games are meaningful. Andrei Kostitsyn will never be a favoured son in coach Jacques Martin’s mind, but he has worked hard and looked good in the pre-season.
Brian Gionta — Scott Gomez —
Brian Gionta will wear the ‘C’ on his sweater this season. Despite missing 21 games last year, Gionta was the Habs leading goal scorer. Scott Gomez is the setup man on the line and was second in points on the team.
The two most likely candidates to fill the spot on the line are Benoit Pouliot and Lars Eller.
Pouliot is the heir apparent and should have the hands to be another scorer to fill out this trio. However, Pouliot has had a poor pre-season and is struggling to finish his opportunities. Pouliot’s play can be described as soft and desire seems to be an issue at times.
Eller is known as a setup man but has a good shot with a quick release. He has exceeded expectations since arriving in Montreal. Eller is big, solid and has shown the ability to dig pucks and power through defenders.
The third and fourth lines are likely made up of interchangeable parts.
Max Lapierre — Jeff Halpern —
Halpern was a late signing by GM Pierre Gauthier and will be counted on for face-offs and penalty-killing duty. Lapierre will have lots to prove coming off a dreadful season that was rescued by renewed effort in the playoffs.
The vacant spot here could be a consolation prize for either Eller or Pouliot. If that player falls all the way to the fourth line, the spot could be filled by Max Pacioretty or Ben Maxwell. Maxwell has had a very strong camp while Pacioretty has played well as he battles injuries..
Travis Moen — Dustin Boyd —
Boyd, signed as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season will likely lead an energy line and is well suited for the role. Moen is a perfect compliment and should make this a tough line to play against.
Ryan White’s stock has been rising and he could be another punishing body on this line. Tom Pyatt is not as physical but is a much better skater and has more defensive skills than White. Pyatt likely has the inside track and is a favorite of coach Martin.
Mathieu Darche doesn’t rate more than a press box position while used as an occasional change of pace. No one questions Darche’s heart but his lack of skill and slow footspeed don’t mesh with a speedy, puck-moving lineup.
And now a quick look at the defense.
Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik are both recovering from knee injuries. Hamrlik is back skating with the team and could be ready to start the season. It appears that Markov’s progression is a few weeks behind that.
Jaroslav Spacek — Roman Hamrlik
Spacek struggled playing on his wrong side in pre-season. When switched back to his natural position against Florida, Spacek was a plus-3. Hamrlik played well last season when Markov was sidelined.
Josh Gorges — Hal Gill
Both players started the season slowly but hit their stride when the playoffs rolled around. They will be counted on for penalty-killing duty. Gill will wear an ‘A’ again this season.
PK Subban — Ryan O’Byrne
Subban is riding a wave of popularity in Montreal, but unfortunately his play hasn’t kept pace. He has played a high-risk, high-reward game in the pre-season and has had problems with self-discipline. O’Byrne wore the ‘A’ twice in the pre-season, a show of confidence in him and recognition perhaps for his continual improvement.
Yannick Weber is a smooth skating player who can lead a rush or quarterback a power-play. He has the hardest slapshot on the team and is very accurate. Weber can get man-handled in his own zone.
Alexandre Picard was a pleasant surprise in the pre-season. While he had a few major gaffes, his play was simple and steady.
Alex Henry looked lost in his own zone in exhibition games. He is tough, sticks up for his teammates, and is the closest that the Canadiens have to being an enforcer.
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When deciding on your cuts, you will also have to consider a player’s waiver status. Here’s a handy guide for your convenience. Those players who could be under consideration have been listed.
Must clear waivers: Boyd, Darche, Halpern, Henry, Picard, Pouliot, Pyatt
Waiver exempt: Eller, Maxwell, Pacioretty, Weber, White
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You now have your primer and are armed with some important information to make your choices. The rest is up to you.
Specify your 12 + 2 forwards and 7 defensemen. Keep in mind that we aren’t interested in predictions about what Gauthier and Martin will do. We want your opinion.
You are the GM of the Montreal Canadiens. Make your decision and justify it.
If you would like to submit your list, please use the comments section below.
Watch for a follow-up piece with picks chosen by our All Habs’ contributors.
Line 1: A.K – Pleks – Cammy
As stated above, this line remains intact. Depending on the play of both Kostitsyn AND Eller, however, this can change later.
Line 2: Eller – Gomez – El Capitan
With the talent on this line, I prefer to think of this as line 1a rather than Line 2. Barring a miracle on Pouliots part in the remainder of the preseason, Eller starts the season right here. I caution that I also don’t expect it to last very long before Pouliot is tried again here. If this line fails to produce regularly in the first 5 games, Eller will take the fall.
Line 3: Ryan White – Max Lapierre – Benoit Pouliot
This line has the potential to be both dangerous offensively, as well as have some grit. Pouliot, if he takes some lessons from White on effort, can find himself making a case for the second line again quickly. I also realize that Max has been used mostly on the wing, but he can take the centre role. Line 4 can help us with moving him back to the wing…
Line 4: Dustin Boyd – Jeff Halpern – Travis Moen
Grit. Defensive reliability. That is what this line is made for. Has players that can be interchanges with Line 3 if needs be, moving Halpern or Boyd up to centre on line 3, and depending on play, dropping either Pouliot or White down here isn’t a bad option.
D Pair 1: Spacek – O’Byrne
Reality, folks. Markov and Hammer aren’t likely to start the season. So for line 1, I’m pairing Spatch with O’B, as O’B plays a similar style game to Hamrlik, and if that pair works, this should be given a shot.
D Pair 2: Gorges and PK
PK has the potential to be great….IF he can calm down a bit. Gorges is a great steadying player, who has the speed and composure to help with any of PK’s rookie errors.
D Pair 3: Gill and Picard/Henry
I’m dressing 7 D to match the situation. Need steady D? Play Picard. Need some truculence? See Brian Burke. Need a bit of the nasty? That’s why Henry is here.
Now, why choose Picard and Henry to fill spots? Simple: Hammer and Markov aren’t that far away from returning. Both Picard and Henry are unlikely to get snatched by another team on waivers. Just a hunch. Both also provide some experience.
Press Box players:
Darche, Pyatt. Both of these players earned their one way contracts last year. Now they need to be patient and hope for a player to get hurt or play themselves out of a spot.
Forward lines
Andrei Kostitsyn — Tomas Plekanec — Mike Cammalleri
I’d leave this line as is. They seem to have pretty good chemistry.
Brian Gionta — Scott Gomez –
The best winger here in my opinion is Moen. He is tough enough to help these two and he has the speed. This way he and Gomez could be a great penalty killing unit.
Max Lapierre — Jeff Halpern —
The winger here would either be Eller or White
Both would give this line some interesting chemistry. White tough and can help Lapiere in the area. Eller could give the line some offense. Eller is the guy for me
Dustin Boyd
I would give him the best two wingers that are left in my opinion. White and Pyatt, the work well together on penalty killing and could help in the speed department
My extra two forwards would be Poulit and Darche
Pacioretty , Maxwell go back to hamilton because they can just go down
Defense tandems
Hamrlik- Subban
In the playoffs Subban was with him and Hamrlik has been good at coming down young guys when they first come in.
Georges- Gill
These guys would be the shut down team
OBryne- Spacek
This tandem would start the season until Markov is healthy.
Picard, Weber and Henry to Hamilton
This lineup will be the best we have until a trade can be done to get a bit better on forwards and defence
Kostitsyn- Plekanec- Cammalleri
(AK falters? Eller moves up)
Gionta- Gomez- Eller
(Huge potential with Eller crashing net and as setup man to Gionta. If Eller moves up, Pouliot gets a shot at it. Then Moen. )
Lapierre-Halpern-Moen
(shut down line-and surprisingly tough, now that Laps can actually hold his own in a fight. Two centres for key PK faceoffs)
Boyd-Pyatt-Pouliot
(Speed, energy)
Spares-Darche,White
(Nice thing here, spares fit anyhere in bottom six. Bottom six can be juggled at will for injuries or chemistry, practically interchangeable.)
Hamrlik-Subban
Gill-Gorges
OByrne-Spacek
Picard
(When Markov returns, OB is expendable if he is playing like he did preseason. If his head is on straight, drops to 7 and Picard to the Bulldogs.)
Kostitsyn – Plekanec – Cammalleri
Gionta – Gomez – Pacioretty
Lapierre – Eller – Pyatt
Moen – Halpern – Boyd
Darche/Pouliot
Spacek – Hamrlik
Subban – O’Byrne
Gorges – Gill
Weber
Price
Auld
Pouliot does not play opening night, if nothing else having Max Pac start the season on a line with Gomez and Gionta might provide some motivation and competition for Pouliot. Max deffinateley brings some much needed size to that line. I live in Hamilton and towards the end of last season when Max wasn’t injured he looked great. He’s definately ready for full time work in the NHL.
Eller might be the most skilled Hab’s forward not named Gomez, Gionta, Plekanec, Cammalleri and Kostitsyn and being a natural center I’d be more inclined to spread the skill and let him atleast start the season as a centre. If Gomez played RW instead of Centre that would of been a different story.
White has been a pleasant surprise at camp and it’s definitely got him noticed. Unfortunately for him their are too many 1 way contracts on the current team. White starts the season in Hamilton, but his hard work and improved play definitely moves him up the depth chart and warrants a call-up if a regular gets injured throughout the season.
Weber stays because Markov’s injured. Weber helps out on the PP more then Picard and Henry. If O’Byrne was injured Picard might be a more suitable option.
That’s what I would do, keep In mind if I was the GM the actual roster would be a little different. Ellers roster spot might be vacant as I’d still have Halak. Just playing;)
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