by CoachK, AllHabs.Net
SAINT-LAZARE, QC — The game was as predicted. With the Florida Panthers short three of their best defensemen, who were traded at the deadline by their general manager Dale Tallon, the Canadiens walked out of the BankAtlantic Center with a convincing 4-0 victory over the Cats. However, despite playing a team that boasted mostly AHL talent, the Habs still had their share of issues. Some were quite evident, others needed to be more closely scrutinized.
For the second straight game, it was evident that Carey Price was the Canadiens’ best player, stopping all 30 shots he faced and posting his seventh shutout of the season. He has stopped 70 of 71 shots so far during this southern swing, while gives him a .986 save percentage.
Michael Cammalleri was a no-show last night. While totaling 16:35 of ice time, only two of which came short handed, he generated a measly single shot on goal. It was evident early in the game that he seems to still be weary of the health of his left shoulder. He constantly avoided contact along the half-wall, and was useless when trying to cycle the puck. Include in that a nearly non-existent effort to back-check and one can wonder what Coach Jacques Martin was thinking using him when the Canadiens were shorthanded.
Then there is the overuse of defenseman Roman Hamrlik, who continues to log huge minutes regardless of his play. While he has been the workhorse of the Habs’ defense over the past few season, Martin’s reliance on him is quite evident. After the Canadiens took a 3-0 lead early in the second period, Hamrlik continued to see a regular shift. Included in this, on several occasions, were shifts that were overextended to almost a minute and a half. With the Canadiens in the stretch drive to the playoffs, reducing Hamrlik’s minutes would be beneficial.
Finally, there is Jacques Martin’s favorite player, Benoit Pouliot. While he is a mainstay on Martin’s Summer Camp staff, it seems he can do no wrong. He only totaled eleven minutes in ice time, he was continuously flat footed and took one of three minor penalties in the game by the Canadiens. And given than other players on the team, like Lars Eller or David Desharnais, would have ridden the pine for an extended period for such as lack-luster effort, Pouliot didn’t miss a shift.
And at this point, I’m not even going to try explaining his use of enigmatic centre Scott Gomez.
Hypocrisy and favoritism are two very dangerous elements for any coach. These examples, among others, are starting to erode the chemistry that was developed early last season in the Canadiens’ locker room. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see there are plenty of malcontents amongst our beloved Habs. If the playoffs started today, I wouldn’t be as worried. However, with 17 games left to play, I can only hope that a locker room division doesn’t develop into an early exit.
(Feature image by: Pierre Obendrauf)
Benoit Pouliot is one of JM’s favourite players? Benoit Pouliot often gets away with lazy play without being punished? This has to be the most delusional statement I’ve read all season concerning the Habs. Pouliot is benched more often than any player on the Habs.
And the reason Hamrlik saw so much ice was because he and Wisniewski were so effective last night. Add in that the gap between the defenseman who got the most ice (Hamrlik) and the least ice (Picard) was just over 4 minutes and I’m not sure exactly what your complaint is.
Andrew,
Unless you’re wearing rose colored glasses, it’s not tough to see that Pouliot doesn’t get ripped by Martin half the time that others do.
Rookies like Subban get benched for making mistakes while learning the NHL game. Pouliot was absolutely useless last night, though he was rewarded with a point on a great play by Desharnais. Picard got to play last night, while, on a team desperate for offense, Weber sits in the press box. And what did he do to deserve it. PLAY WELL!!! And Ryan White sits while Martin’s Summer Camp helper gets off with a tongue lashing?
Pouliot has been a stick in the mud for the past week, riding the coat tails of Desharnais and White or Kostitsyn.
I’m not the one who’s disillusioned about Martin’s antics. Facts don’t lie.
Oh, I guess you missed Pouliot’s pass to Desharnais for the 3rd goal?
Subban averages 22:02 of icetime per game. He hasn’t been benched since December. Pouliot averages 11:55 per game, and it was as high as 14:00 earlier in the year. Pouliot is also one of the most productive players in the league with ice-time under 14:00 per game, and the most productive among those who average under 12:00 per game.
Weber has been benched because with Sopel here 2 RH shots on the same pairing isn’t as effective. Tough for Weber but he can handle it. He’ll probably draw in against Tampa or another highly offensive team in the future, while Mara will get the physical teams, along with White.
We don’t always agree, but in this case I can’t help it. Berkshire is right. Pouliot is no favourite.
Berkshire’s point hold valor, no doubt about it, but think about when the last time Pouliot was left in the press box this season. If memory serves it was late October or early November.
Even though he still makes some bone head decisions, and his defensive coverage and effort leave a lot to be desired, he’s still playing regularly.
That’s all I’m saying in this piece, not that I disagree with both of your opinions. If I were, I’d be a real hypocrite.
CoachK: How did you get your own column? You’re opinions in this case are ridiculous. Kudos to you for what you’ve done with minor league hockey. I can’t tell if your comments here display obscene bias or just a lack of knowledge.
Again, props for what you do in the minors. You are however unqualified to comment on the NHL.
“Ridiculous” Stef? To me that definition applies to someone who criticizes a person, but not their argument. It’s made worse by offering nothing of substance towards a valid discussion.
Andrew has said everything I would have. Last comment to you. Go home.
So Stef, you have confirmed that you have nothing to contribute to the discussion other than childish personal attacks. I understand that nonsensical bickering is commonplace amongst the trolls at HIO and HB, but here we value informed, differing perspectives leading to engaging debate.
Stef,
What exactly makes you such an expert to deem me as unqualified? And you’re right. I am biased. Martin’s system is pissing off our players. And what does he do? He curses them out at practice after they communicate their unhappiness.
One thing I’ve learned as a coach, regardless of the level. When your players think they can do something better, or something different, there’s no harm in trying it. You may be happy with what they can deliver.
And Andrew, you’re right about Pouliot’s point production, but again, it’s solely based on the productivity of others. A player with his talents should be able to dictate play. And his pass ( or attempt to put the Puck in the far corner) was 3 feet off the ice, not tape to tape. Great play by Desharnais to bring it down.
What is the evidence you have that the team is divided?
That’s a pretty extreme position.
I can not divulge my source. It would be unprofessional to do so, and I wouldn’t be able to count on them anymore.
Let’s just say it’s someone who covers the Canadiens on a daily basis, for a traditional media outlet.
From what I have been told, this started just prior to his shoulder injury, because of all of the line juggling that has been going on. No trade request was made, but there have been multiple discussions between the player and the coach.
What… Is Marinaro getting room notes from the laundry staff again? The room isn’t divided. Please. I haven’t seen a Habs team this close together or this tight knit in ages.
Discussions between coaches and players are a good thing. I would be more worried if there was NO discussion. Frankly I love hearing about Cammy’s heated arguments in practice over their play. He’s a Gemini! He follows the very definition of one to the book! He’s also a perfectionist. While being far from perfect himself, he demands nothing but the best and he was very upset about how they played in Atlanta (happy for the win and points, but not very happy how they fell into the trap of falling-back into the defensive shell). It’s up to these guys to push each other to get the best out of their team.
I’m no fan of Martin, but he’s the coach right now. These guys have way too much pride in themselves to throw games to have him fired as well. I always said he handcuffs his team with his damn system, but the players have the skills to work with it. The best they can do is roll up their socks and work hard game in and out, and talk. Nothing is worse than a team of guys that don’t voice their opinion, so the fact they are vocal speaks volumes of the leadership group, which Cammy and Gomez are a big part of.
As for Weber being “benched” it has more to do with options on defence than how he’s playing. Martin has more tools to work with depending on the team he’s thinking up match-ups for.
Did I say the room’s divided anywhere? I said the players are mad, and it’s effecting the team chemistry. And Marinaro has nothing to do with it. In fact, he’s rarely in the room, because of his RDS gig.
So you think Weber isn’t a better option than Picard. Why? Because is so awesome physically? Please, spare the response.
As for Cammalleri and Gomez, I agree they need to work harder. However, if they were to deviate from the coach’s “system”, you and I both know he’d be the first person to throw them under the bus. Martin rarely finds himself accountable for wins or loses. All Hail the “System”!
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