By J.D. Lagrange, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Everything has been said, written and a lot has been done by the coaching staff when it comes to the slump the Canadiens find themselves into. They’re allowing too many goals, they aren’t scoring enough, some say there needs to be a coaching change, others request some trade(s), and some are more extreme by requesting the firing of GM Marc Bergevin.

PENTICTON, BC. — Just as this team wasn’t as good as its record showed during its hot streak, the Habs aren’t as bad as what we’re seeing during this rougher stretch of games with limited success. But what could or should be done to remedy the situation and to give a sense of direction, along with some much needed confidence to a team needing it badly?

First and foremost, forget the firing of Marc Bergevin as that’s pure nonsense. Geoff Molson and Serge Savard took their time and went through a long process to find their man and rest assured that Molson isn’t even thinking about firing his man after less than 100 games played. While it may be difficult for some to recognize right now, the man has a plan and it’s not, as we keep on hearing, the canned five-year plan but a constant plan to keep the team competitive for years to come. I am convinced that time will prove Bergevin right.

With that settled, I’m thinking that fans should also stop asking for the coach’s head as that’s a very, very unlikely option at this point, at least during the season. Michel Therrien is not perfect and is likely not unanimous in the dressing room but unless the team is winning constantly, you won’t find a NHL coach who will have all of his players’ support. The Canadiens changed General Managers five times and fired ten coaches in the last fourteen years and Molson wants to see more stability at those positions, and rightfully so.

But because there might not be any changes done upstairs or behind the bench doesn’t mean that no changes are needed or are going to be made. There are players on this team who simply aren’t delivering the goods, especially not since the slump started, and that includes in my opinion headcoach Michel Therrien, who doesn’t get a free pass.

In comes Bergevin who has some important decisions to make. He’s negotiating with P.K. Subban and signing him is likely his number one priority, as it should be. I have no clue what this meeting was all about when Subban was late for practice but let’s hope that it was about the contract and not a disciplinary issue. Otherwise, turn the page and move him. No more sitting on the fence.

We’ve heard that he’s been trying to move Rene Bourque and his $3.3 million. Good luck with that Marc as the way Bourque has been playing this year, there’s very little chance anyone will want to take him on and help the Habs. And the same goes for Daniel Brière, who is more useless than an air-conditioner in Yellowknife in mid-winter! On defense, Douglas Murray cannot move, Francis Bouillon is on his last miles in the NHL, Josh Gorges is playing more than he should because of the lack of quality defensemen, the coaching staff seems to have lost all confidence in Raphael Diaz and Alexei Emelin has lost his mojo, unfortunately, after signing his contract extension.

The team, as Bergevin has acknowledged himself in many occasions, is too small, especially up front and is getting pushed around way too easily. Not counting the fact that after Max Pacioretty, there isn’t any top end natural scoring abilities, although we know that Alex Galchenyuk will be there some day. Brian Gionta’s offensive production has slowed down and Brendan Gallagher is ready to step in for him. Lars Eller is, in my opinion, a big deception this year as I was anticipating a breakthrough season for him and I’m afraid that what we see is what we’ll get from him in the future. Further, the team constantly finds itself in the bottom third in faceoff percentage, a stat too often undervalued.

So Marc Bergevin must make a decision today on Andrei Markov and Brian Gionta, both UFAs at season’s end. He has three choices with each one of them: he re-signs them, he keeps them and let them walk in July, or he trades them. Whatever he decides, he must live with his decision and address his teams’ needs accordingly and that must start immediately.

In my opinion, the two most glaring needs on this team is a big body right-winger to play on the top-6, and a top-4 caliber right-handed defenseman to play behind Subban. There is simply no one who will be ready within the next couple of years at those positions and that, even if Greg Pateryn makes the jump next year as a rookie.

Personally, I find that there is little chance that the Canadiens make a serious run in the playoffs, so I offer all pending UFAs on the market and field the offers. Yes, losing Markov might hurt a bit but from what I’m seeing of Nathan Beaulieu, is he really making that many more mistakes than the veteran out there at this point in time? Give the kid the ball and roll with him, while saving precious cap space… especially that Brière’s contract is unlikely to come of the books for next year.

This team needs some change to its core, a bit like Bob Gainey did a few years ago, but not by acquiring another Scott Gomez this time, please. The Colorado Avalanche are looking for defense and some help on the power-play. Could they be interested in Andrei Markov? They will need to qualify Ryan O’Reilly and the way he’s been playing, I highly doubt that they’ll baulk at the $6.5 million it will take to do so. But they are a cash strapped team and Quebec-born Paul Stastny, who has been in rumours for a while, is scheduled to become a UFA as well. Could something be worked out between Joe Sakic and Bergevin around Markov for Stastny? While you’re at it, would they consider trading tough guy Patrick Bordeleau for, let’s say, a Travis Moen who would bring defensive awareness and playoffs’ experience?

Oh but the Habs have some depth at center will you say, and you are right, especially if they want to move young Galchenyuk at that position someday. So why not call Lou Lamoriello and find out the status of Adam Larsson by dangling Tomas Plekanec, a player who fits right into the Devils’ style of play? Or perhaps the Capitals would be interested, sending guys like RW Troy Brouwer and RD John Carlson? What would the Flames want for David Jones, a rugged yet productive big right-winger? Would they accept to keep some salary if the Habs took RD Dennis Wideman off their hands? Would the Flyers be interested in parting with RW Wayne Simmonds and/or RD Luke Schenn and at what price? David Perron in Edmonton? Zack Kassian in Vancouver? Rumours are circulating that Chris Stewart might be available? Simon Després in Pittsburgh is apparently unhappy with his situation. There are players out there who could make the Habs bigger and tougher to play against. It’s just a matter of figuring out the asking price and see if we’re ready to gamble on it or not. My feeling is that it’s time take calculated risks.

Finally, when I look at the way the Canadiens are playing in their own zone, I cringe at seeing defensemen throwing themselves on the ice or placing themselves in front of the goalie to block shots. In doing so, they make themselves totally vulnerable if the puck goes through as they are in no position to check a man in front or to take a rebound, and I don’t know how many times Carey Price let in goals because he couldn’t see the puck, obstructed by his own man trying to block a shot and/or an opponent who was left unchecked. Stay up, leave the shot to the goalie (the Habs have a great one) and check your man in front! That’s Therrien’s department to teach.

This team isn’t as bad as it’s showing right now, but it does need a shake up and I feel like it’s time for Marc Bergevin to start putting his stamp on this team.

Go Habs Go!