by Corey Desormeaux , Managing Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
OTTAWA, ON – With only a few games left in this dreadful Habs season I am starting to shift my focus to what the organization might be planning for the offseason. I was happy to see some of the questions focus on free agency, goaltending and defensive depth. Enjoy these last few games for what it’s worth and send some hard questions about the decisions Marc Bergevin will have to make this offseason to my friend Marc for the Mailbag next week.
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I want to ask about Canadiens goaltending. Carey Price will be the Habs starter again next season and Hayden Hawkey will be back with Providence College. But what about the other goalies under contract: Mike Condon, Charlie Lindgren, Zach Fucale and Michael McNiven? Where do you think they’ll be playing? — Mark (Meaford, Ontario)
Hi Mark,
I’m glad you brought this up because I myself have been trying to wrap my head around the Canadiens’ goalie situation.
As you alluded to, we know one thing for sure; Carey Price will be the starting goaltender heading into next season. Since Carey’s second injury this season, the Habs haven’t had NHL level goaltending. Condon has held the net for 54 contests this season. In those games he has one shutout, a goals against average of 2.72 (ranks 35th) and .903 save percentage (ranks 43rd).
If we as Habs fans have learned anything from this season it is that goaltending depth is very important; which makes the signing of Charlie Lindgren somewhat exciting. So let’s get a quick round down of the Habs goalie situation and where I think they will play.
Carey Price: Starting goaltender
Not much to say here. The Habs are privileged to have the best goalie in the world.
Mike Condon: NHL backup
If Price can stay healthy, I don’t mind Mike Condon being the backup. However, should Price get hurt again, Condon simply can’t be relied upon game after game. I would much prefer Marc Bergevin sign a veteran backup in the offseason.
Charlie Lindgren: AHL 1A
The newly signed Habs goalie should get a chance to play in an NHL game before the season ends. At 22 years of age he is a little bit older than Fucale and has three seasons in the NCAA. Over the past two seasons, Lindgren has played 78 games; out of the 40 he played this season, his team won 30 posting a GAA of 2.13. I think he shares time with Fucale in the AHL next year.
Zach Fucale: AHL 1B
Fucale, a second round pick in 2013 turned pro this year. In his first season in the AHL he struggled a bit, posting a GAA of 3.14. Now, this isn’t entirely indicative of Fucale, as the IceCaps had yet another bad season. With the signing of Lindgren I can see Marc Bergevin using Fucale as a trade chip in the offseason. Goalies can take a long time to develop and at just 20 years of age, Fucale could be a nice piece of package. We talked about this on Habs Banter this week.
Hayden Hawkey: NCAA
At 21 years of age, Hawkey joined the Providence College Friars for the 2015-16 season. He could potentially be playing there for the next 3 seasons.
Michael McNiven: Junior
Just 18 years old, McNiven played 53 games this year in the OHL winning just 21 of them. He played 6 playoff games for the Owen Sound Attack who were eliminated in the first round. McNiven posted a GAA of 3.67 in the playoffs. With Fucale, Lindgren and Condon much more seasoned; there is no reason to rush McNiven along. He’ll be playing junior again next season.
Ben Scrivens: Free Agency
It’s clear the Habs need help scoring goals, especially on the wing. Is there a specific FA winger they should target? — Matt Smith (Trenton, Ont.)
A mighty fine question Matt.
At even strength this season, the Habs sit 10th in goals for per 60 minutes. One could argue that their problem lies in suppressing goals, as only five teams have a worse goals against per 60 rate. But the reality is the Habs disappointing season can be blamed on numerous things, including a mixture of goaltending and specialty teams (Habs powerplay sits 26th in the league).
However, your statement that they have a goal-scoring problem is somewhat true. If you calculate their goals for per 60 after December 1 to date, it drops dramatically. The Habs need help on the right side of the ice. After Gallagher, there are some big question marks. Can Daniel Carr, Sven Andrighetto, or Charles Hudon fill that role next year? Perhaps. But to have success in today’s NHL you need balance throughout the lineup, which is something we all know Therrien loves to do, and those players may fit best on the third line. With all that said, there are two wingers I see that could be available on the open market that the Habs should target.
David Perron
Born in Sherbrooke Quebec, I can see the Habs going after the 27 year old former 20 goal scorer. He’s had a disappointing season putting up just 36 points in 71 games. However, since being traded to the Anahiem Ducks he has posted 20 points in 28 games.
Kyle Okposo
Another 27 year old that could hit the market this season. Kyle has 58 points in 75 games this year, including 21 goals.
Both players are former first round picks and in the midst of their prime. I can see them both looking for term deals in the range of 4-5 years. Time will tell!
Of the IceCaps defencemen that have been called up this year, Morgan Ellis, Darren Dietz, Joel Hanley, Victor Bartley, Brett Lernout, who has the best chance of making the Habs lineup next season? — Benoit (Cornwall, Ontario)
Benoit, Ben, is it okay if I call you Ben? I’m not sure why I feel the need to tell you this Ben, but I downloaded SnapChat for the first time while visiting someone in Cornwall. I will forever remember Cornwall for that.
If I had to pick one it would be Morgan Ellis. Some would likely disagree with me but I can’t seem to understand why Ellis is still in the AHL while players like Dietz and Hanley aren’t? From my eye, Ellis is the more polished player out of the bunch.
To be quite honest though, I don’t think the Habs are confident in any of them at the moment, but who knows; now that many of the young players have had a taste of the NHL hopefully they understand the work it takes to get there full time. With a healthy lineup (Subban, Markov, Petry, Emelin, Beaulieu, Pateryn, Barberio), all of the defencemen named above would slot in at number eight on the depth chart.
Does Philip Danault have a future with Montreal? — Matt Smith (Trenton, Ont.)
I believe, without a doubt, Philip Danault has a future with the Montreal Canadiens. A former first round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Marc Bergevin has been very vocal about the role he played in drafting Danault as part of the Blackhawks organization. It’s clear that he loves this player. He’s a strong skater, makes simple plays and is defensively responsible.
I’m not saying I would agree with this if it were to happen but I believe Bergevin’s plan in acquiring Danault is to play him as the team’s third line centre making Lars Eller a trade chip for this summer.
How much is Sara Diamond responsible for the Habs’ woes this season? — Blind Jaywalker
Hello, umm…Blind. Blind Jaywalker…..
I reached out to my good friend Marc who co-hosts Habs Banter with me and also writes the mailbag on alternating weeks. He’s an expert when it comes to Sara Diamond. Here’s what he had to say.
“You can tell Blind Jaywalker that Sara has nothing to do with the Habs’ woes and that he or she should never ever speak poorly of Miss Diamond again.” He then took a massive bite of his lamb burger and I couldn’t understand much of what he was saying after that; other than he was really mad at you.
With all that to say Mr(s). Jaywalker, based on Marc’s expertise it doesn’t seem like Sara’s to blame here.