FEATURE | Do Options Remain This Late in the NHL Off-Season for Habs GM Marc Bergevin to Improve the Montreal Canadiens Woeful Power-play?
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — The summer is hot and full of scary air conditioner stories. The terror that sends shivers down the spines of Habs fans is the team’s 2018-’19 power-play.
The 30th ranked power-play in the NHL didn’t scare opposition goaltenders who, until the last 12 games of the season, saw a slow, very predictable Canadiens squad with the man advantage who could not compete against a simple, aggressive, defensive scheme.
Habs fans will now have to suffer through another four to six weeks before they know if Marc Bergevin will make any moves to improve the team. The Canadiens are already committed to 48 of the 50 contracts allowed. It is fair to suggest that a trade, where players are exchanged, is the most likely scenario to improve the power-play. It is less likely, but a possible option, that the general manager will add a player, thus taking on another contract.
There will always be the fanciful suggestion that the Canadiens would add another shooter to complement Shea Weber‘s point shot. The current Canadiens’ power-play relies on players like Brendan Gallagher to crash the net. Joel Armia was used as the high slot shooter, that earned him his first ever NHL PP goal. A better option would be to use Jesperi Kotkaniemi in that role if he isn’t the center on the line.
Some fans are hoping for Nick Suzuki to make the team so he can be used on the wing and become a power-play option. That is unlikely as he may need a full season in Laval before he steps into Montreal. Also, management seem intent on playing him as a center for now.
But let’s explore more creative and under the radar options to add depth and an additional power-play weapon to the team.
Make a Trade
Recently, Jesse Puljujärvi made it public to the Finnish media, that he wants out of Edmonton. Translated from Finnish he said, “I want a new start with some other team. Playing in North America is still my goal.”
Ken Holland is new to the Oilers, but he’s a veteran GM. I don’t see him giving the former fourth overall pick away for a third round pick and a minor leaguer. It would take some quality to entice Holland to make a deal. This transaction would likely involve sending back a proven NHL player back as well as taking back an unwanted contract.
This type of deal will have an element of risk involved. Puljujärvi had offseason hip surgery. He has also not been able to prove he belongs in the top six of an NHL team. That said, Puljujärvi has good size, game-breaking skills and owns a great shot. He just hasn’t been able to put it together yet.
It may just be a case of a player needing a fresh start, which is part of the gamble. If fully recovered from his injury, he would be a good fit with a team that is built for speed. Another issue in his development was his lack of support in Edmonton. In Montreal he would be surrounded with fellow Finns. That cultural and linguistic connection, coupled with a change of scenery could only add to his comfort level and help him reset his development.
If used in a third line role with power-play time, he may be able to find his footing in the NHL and grow into a quality top six forward. This type of buy low deal is the kind Bergevin has made in the past, just not for a player with this level of undeveloped talent.
Sign a Free Agent
The free agency pool is very shallow at this time of year, but one player that could add a needed infusion of leadership, experience and talent is Justin Williams.
The 37-year-old Williams just completed his 18th NHL season. The veteran known as “Mr Game 7” for his clutch play in the playoffs leading to three Stanley Cup Rings was highly effective for the Hurricanes last season. As captain of the Canes, Williams scored 23 goals and 53 points. He added seven points in 15 playoff games.
According to Carolina GM Don Waddell, Williams is still undecided about his future. It is likely, he either retires or stays with the Hurricanes. However, if Bergevin can interest Williams in joining the Canadiens, his right shot could help the woeful Habs power-play. Williams scored nine goals and five assists on the man advantage last season.
Sign a Player via PTO
Signing a player on a professional try-out contract is another method of improving the power-play. This option comes at little risk if the player does not make the team. Best case is that the PTO is converted to an affordable, moveable deal.
If you are thinking that this situation applies to Andrei Markov, the idea was already covered here.
A player who may be able to help is Jason Pominville. The Repentigny, QC. native is 36-years-old coming off a 16 goal, 31 point season where he played bottom six minutes in Buffalo. The right winger’s production is trending downwards, but in a fourth line role with some power-play time, he could still be an offensive threat and add leadership.
While Pominville waits for a contract offer, he has said he is looking for the right fit and would be open to listening to the Canadiens.
Pominville wouldn’t be the ideal solution for a sputtering power-play, especially with only one power-play goal last season with limited opportunities. However, Pominville may be useful on the second wave of the power-play which is also in need of a second shooting option.
While these options aren’t ideal solutions, they are under the radar ideas that might address one of the Canadiens biggest weaknesses last season.
By Blain Potvin, Staff Writer.
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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