Out of the Red, White and Blue: Playoffs Bound

By Joce, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PENTICTON, BC. — Here are a few thoughts on different topics surrounding the Habs’ and the NHL as the teams prepare for the playoffs. Feel free to post your comments as they are always welcomed.

1- David Desharnais has turned his season around and trying to deny it is dishonest and ill intented. After a slow start (one point in his first 19 games), DD has since produced at almost a point per game for the rest of the season and has since passed the 50 point plateau. Not bad for a guy signed at $3.5M per season if you ask me. Some claim that he has the easy match-ups but this doesn’t stand on the road, where the opposition has the last change against the Habs best offensive line. Time to give up on the bashing and give credit where credit is due folks.

2- Desharnais’ good friend and left winger, Max Pacioretty, has reached the 38 goal mark with his hat trick against the Senators. He now sits fourth in the NHL in goals scored, behind only Ovechkin (49), Perry (41) and Pavelski (39), ahead of Crosby and Kessel (36 each). What makes it more amazing is that like DD, Pacioretty had a slow start to the season with two goals in his first 21 games and he turned his season around with a hat trick after he said that being first in shot blocked meant that they didn’t have the puck enough, mis-quoted as a jab at Michel Therrien. Pacioretty has four games to reach the 40 goal plateau, something no Canadiens player has been able to do since Vinny Damphousse did it in 1993-94.

3- Since joining the Canadiens at the trade deadline, Thomas Vanek has accumulated 14 points including six goals in 14 games. Let’s remember that Vanek only had one assist to show for in his first five games with the Habs, which means that he has since produced 13 points in his last nine games, mostly since being place on Desharnais’ right wing. He has added another dimension to the team’s attack while adding more depth on the right side, where Brendan Gallagher and Brian Gionta can occupy the second and third line.

4- The question on everyone’s mind in Montreal is to know if Thomas Vanek could re-sign with the Canadiens. Had he not had the experience of playing in Montreal, the chances of him signing as a UFA would have been slim to none in my opinion. But seeing his body language on the bench with Pacioretty and Desharnais, seeing the chemistry he has developed with them, seeing his offensive production and the fans’ reaction to him, and knowing the respect Marc Bergevin brings to this franchise, I wouldn’t be so quick at saying that he’ll sign in Minnesota, as most predict. I think that a lot will have to do with how the team produces in the playoffs and mostly, on what Mrs. Vanek wants. While it can happen, I don’t expect the Vaneks to make a final decision before the July first deadline.

5- Don’t fool yourselves folks, Michel Therrien had a lot to do with the development and growth of P.K. Subban and with him winning the Norris Trophy last year. He is using his teammates much more which makes him a more complete player. But he has not had as good of a season this year and that’s understandable for a young player like him. Defense is a tough position and being consistent is not learned overnight in this league. However, I’m puzzle with Therrien’s timing to teach Subban lessons, especially sitting him for an entire period in the game against Ottawa. It’s risky to do so when you’re that close to the playoffs. Make him miss a shift or two, get J.J. Daigneault to talk to him, but get him out there are the Habs will only go as far as Carey Price, Subban and the Desharnais line will take them.

6- There is no doubt that Subban misses his partner and best defensive fit in Josh Gorges, a solid veteran with whom he has great chemistry. Gorges can help fix some of Subban’s mistakes, can talk to him on the ice, directing traffic and providing some much needed leadership. When you pair Francis Bouillon and play him 25 minutes, you expose both defensemen and while Jarred Tinordi will grow into a good candidate to play with Subban, he’s young and he also makes mistakes, which isn’t ideal for P.K. at this point. Gorges has started practising with the team and he is targeting a return on Wednesday against Chicago if all goes well.

7- One defenseman who seems to be regaining his confidence slowly is Alexei Emelin, as he adjusts to playing on the right side with countryman Andrei Markov, a great mentor for the young Russian. He is starting to hit a bit more and his play down low and his positioning, while still needing some adjustments, are improving game by game. He seems to have also found a bit more confidence on offense and coach Therrien is not afraid to use him on the second powerplay unit.

8- Another defenseman who has been quite impressing as of late is former Florida Panthers’ Mike Weaver. He was double-shifted in the first period against Ottawa when Subban was benched and he responded with a goal and an assist, while being solid on the defensive side. As Marc Bergevin said, you can never have too much depth on defense and player 43 could have the Habs sign the Gary Wright classic “Dream Weaver”…

9- In spite of his goal against the Senators, centre Lars Eller seems to have lost his confidence and some wonder how long he will stay in Montreal if things don’t change. There was a time when fans wondered how much Eller would fetch next season as a RFA but it sure doesn’t seem like a big deal now. The upcoming playoffs could be a turning point for Eller and his future with the Canadiens, as young Alex Galchenyuk will make a push to eventually be moved to centre.

10- Another player who has found his way in Michel Therrien’s doghouse is left winger Rene Bourque, scratched in favour of George Parros against the Senators. There were rumblings around the NHL that Marc Bergevin was trying to trade him at the trade deadline but couldn’t find a taker. It remains to be seen if he’s able to find a team for him in the off-season. In the meantime, Bourque adds to the depth in case of injuries. He has two years remaining to his contract with a cap hit of $3.33M per season and a limited no-trade clause. His contract was, however, front-loaded and he will be paid $2.5M per season starting next year, possibly interesting for teams trying to reach the cap floor.

11- Speaking of contracts, it seems like both Andrei Markov and Marc Bergevin want to get a deal done. This sounds much like the last contract negotiations and don’t be surprised if an announcement is made after the playoffs, well before the July first deadline. I was in favour of exploring the trade options for Markov at the deadline if both parties were too far apart, but seeing that Markov is still playing at a good level and that he’s still with the team, I’m now more and more convinced that Marky will end his career in a Habs’ uniform. Not enough players now days do that.

12- Is there a player in the NHL more enigmatic than Alexander Ovechkin? He leads the NHL with 49 goals and he will win the Rocket Richard Trophy once again. But his team will once again miss the playoffs. It doesn’t seem to matter who the head coach is in Washington, things seem to be clicking with Ovy and we’re not even talking about the Russian teams he’s played on. As the captain of the Capitals, Ovechkin is minus -35 this season, by far the worst on his team. As a matter of fact, the core players on the Caps are Ovechkin (-35, 20:39 TOI/G), Nicklas Backstrom (-20, 19:48 TOI/G) and Mike Green (-16, 22:56 TOI/G). It’s hard to win games when your best players aren’t committed to defense!

It looks more and more that the Habs will be the only Canadian team in the playoffs, which is very sad when you think about the fact that the teams drawing the most are from this country. Let’s hope for a good playoffs’ run as Marc Bergevin and his management group have this franchise heading in the right direction.

Go Habs Go!!!

En français: Repassage en famille : Vers les Séries