by Marc Lescoutre , Vodcast Producer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
OTTAWA, ON — Time for another head to head battle between Corey and I in what we like to call The Duel. Before we get started, lets look at the scoreboard. Last time we asked what would happen with rookie prospect Artturi Lehkonen and pending unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos.
I say Stamkos stays/Drouin goes @lescooter says the opposite. https://t.co/HllrQX6oU5 now what say you? Cc: @AllHabs
— Corey Desormeaux (@xCoreyDx) May 25, 2016
I say Lehkonen stays with Habs, @xCoreyDx says back to Frolunda. What's your take? https://t.co/6Mp2HSQ0i4 @AllHabs
— Marc Lescoutre (@lescooter) May 25, 2016
I say Lehkonen stays with Habs, @xCoreyDx says back to Frolunda. What's your take? https://t.co/6Mp2HSQ0i4 @AllHabs
— Marc Lescoutre (@lescooter) May 25, 2016
Despite my gaffe in referring to Lehkonen’s club as Finnish (he’s a Finn, but Frolunda plays in the Swedish Hockey League), the court of public opinion has given yours truly a 2-0 edge in The Duel. While it remains to be seen what will happen with both scenarios, rest assured that it will be the hot takes that really matter in the end. After all, this is the internet. Let us know what you think in the comments below, on Facebook, or Twitter.
Lets get round 2 under way.
Should the Habs target David Perron or Kyle Okposo in free agency?
It could be a fascinating summer with regards to unrestricted free agency. David Perron and Kyle Okposo may be in different tiers of free agency, but both have skill sets that could fill a void the Canadiens haven’t been able to address in years: top-6 scoring.
Corey: I’ll take Kyle Okposo
Assuming Steven Stamkos doesn’t come to Montreal, I think these two are the most intriguing forwards on the market as a Habs fan. Both are in the midst of their primes at 28 years old, six feet tall and listed at over 200 pounds. Perhaps more importantly, they are both capable of playing right wing, a gaping hole in the Habs forward group behind Brendan Gallagher.
Perron seems like a natural fit. The native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, would be embraced by the city and I think would come at a cheaper price than Okposo. He’s coming off of a great second half of the season after being traded to Anaheim. But, that doesn’t make him the right choice.
To me, Okposo is the more pure goal scorer. He has an extremely heavy shot, one that would create fear off the rush on the Habs’ second line. The Habs first line is so effective because they can burn you on the cycle and on the rush. On the second line though, not so much. Tomas Plekanec used to have a sneaky shot off the rush, but with his age it seems to be slowly dwindling away. Kyle Okposo would do a lot to bolster the second line and the power-play. Okposo is not afraid to shoot. Since coming into the league in 2007-08 season, he has posted a career Corsi for per 60 of 58.49.
Additionally, Perron hasn’t found stability anywhere in his career. This doesn’t make him a bad hockey player, but he’s played 570 NHL games for four different teams. There is something to be said about a player when the team that drafted him commits long term. Kyle Okposo has played all 528 NHL games with the Islanders, and perhaps will never play another for them.
Marc: I’ll take David Perron
I’m going to have to side with the less exciting, but (likely) better value, David Perron on this one. While Okposo will be the more sought-after player should he not reach an agreement with the Islanders, he will also be the player between the two who will carry the higher price tag.
Unrestricted free agents generally get paid a little more than those re-signed within the organization, but I find the second and third tier of UFAs can often come with a reasonable price tag and can end up being significant contributors to a team. One such example, is Clarke MacArthur of the Senators, who signed a very reasonable 2-year deal at $3.235-million in 2013 after the Senators (thankfully) missed out on David Clarkson. Perron is coming off a 4-year, $3.812-million AAV deal and I don’t suspect he will be in line for much of a raise.
After a slow start in Pittsburg, Perron finished the year strong in Anaheim, despite playing in a system that focused more on the defensive side of the game. Perron, who is still on the right side of 30 has some of the offensive creativity that the Canadiens lack, and his ability to play either wing adds to his value.
On draft day, should the Habs trade up, or stay at 9?
There has been more chatter than most years about high-end draft picks moving hands on June 24, with the Canadiens seemingly in the mix if media reports are to be believed.
Corey: Stay at 9th overall.
The Habs need to stay at number 9. Sporting a top ten pick and two second round picks, the storm to move up into the top five is brewing. If you couple this with the fact that Montreal has defencemen it could potentially trade, Edmonton quickly becomes the perfect partner should the Habs wish to move up.
But the Habs have traded away their second round pick the past two seasons, and it’s hurt the prospect pool. Trading away picks add up, and although the Habs have had a win now mentality for the past few seasons, these picks are key building blocks to sustaining success long-term.
The 2013 draft was the last time the Montreal Canadiens drafted in the second round. Let me remind you who they picked…
- Jacob De La Rose
- Zachary Fucale
- Artturi Lehkonen
All are strong prospects in the Habs system. This draft has been promoted as one of the deepest drafts in a long-time. The Habs should consider themselves lucky to have a plethora of players at nine that they will be happy to choose from.
So, unless the Habs can weasel their way into the top two (which won’t happen), I hope they stay at nine where they can pick a strong player and then pick twice in the second round.
Marc: Trade up
The draft this year is an interesting one, but not just for the Auston Matthews/Patrick Laine storyline. Just outside the top-3 there two players, power forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who have the potential to be game changers for years to come, and both have seen their stocks rise with strong playoff performances.
The owners of the 4th and 5th picks, the Oilers and Canucks respectively, have been vocal in wanting to field more competitive teams this upcoming season and may want to pick up some pieces that may be able to help them right away. As for who the Canadiens might offer in addition to their 9th overall pick, veterans such as Lars Eller and Alex Emelin could fit the bill for part of a package that could get a deal done. Additionally, the Habs possess two second round picks, which makes dealing one of them an easier pill to swallow.
Whether the deal happens or not, Marc Bergevin should at least pick up his phone and give Peter Chiarelli and Jim Benning a dingle to gauge their potential interest.
Kirk Muller – Handsome? Or Most Handsome?
Corey: This one is too easy, most handsome.
Marc: What’s better than hiring a former Canadiens captain, assistant coach, Stanley Cup-winner, and owner of some of the best hair in NHL coaching circles? Having all that and knowing that a better power play is right around the corner. Additionally, Muller is well-known for bringing something else to the table which isn’t one of Head Coach Michel Therrien’s strengths: communication skills.
Having someone like Kirky, as we call him back in our hometown of Kingston (full disclosure, I’m pretty confident I’ve never even been in the same room as Mr. Muller), will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the dressing room and on the bench during games. Plus, you know, look at that hair!
