By J.D. Lagrange, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
Hockey seasons in the NHL are long and as it is a demanding game with lots of travel, every team goes through sequences or adversity, losing players due to injuries. We can all recall the rash of injuries this team went through two years ago and with very little depth to speak off, the immediate fallout in the standings that followed.
PENTICTON, BC. — The team has had its share of injuries this year but GM Marc Bergevin has been working hard at adding the necessary depth to avoid a repeat of two years ago. Carey Price has not played a game since returning from the Sochi Winter Olympics where he aggravated a lower-body injury and the team’s goaltending has been suspect at best, with Peter Budaj unable to string consecutive decent performances.
Even with the acquisition of additional depth at the trade deadline, it is now that we will really see how this depth will hold out as the team announced that veteran defenseman Josh Gorges will miss four weeks after have surgery done to repair a broken hand. Bergevin has acknowledged that he was anticipating such news when he acquired Mike Weaver from Florida, a guy who plays a similar style as the Habs’ alternate-captain.
I’m stunned to read on Twitter that some fans would like to see Gorges traded. Few in the NHL sacrifice more to make a play than Gorges, who is second in the entire NHL in blocked shots, and he plays some of the toughest minutes on the entire team. I guess people like the flashy, highlight reel players (or at least notice them more) but there will always be room for team-first players, those who will do anything to help their team win a game, guys who absolutely hate losing.
While they have some very good upside (even higher than Gorges), young prospects like Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi and even Greg Pateryn simply are not at Gorges’ level of play yet, as they don’t have the experience to be as efficient at this level. You want to improve the defense? You don’t replace Gorges with young guys. You replace guys like Douglas Murray, Francis Bouillon or even Mike Weaver. Then you may run a chance to improve your defense.
WHAT’S WITH CAREY PRICE?
After losing John Tavares for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury suffered in Sochi, Islanders’ GM Garth Snow did not shy away from speaking against NHL players playing in the Olympics and rest assured that this will be a hot topic prior to the next Winter Games. The Canadiens have been without their star player themselves after Carey Price aggravated an injury and it is clear that the team is being very cautious with its franchise player. Price mentioned that if it was the playoffs, he’d be in but at this point, with a playoffs’ spot well within sights, the organization doesn’t feel the need to rush his return and risk re-aggravating the same injury.
The problem that the team is facing is that Price’s backup, Peter Budaj, has not been playing well and that’s why Bergevin felt the need to add some depth at this position. If Budaj doesn’t find his game soon and Price doesn’t receive the green light to play, don’t be surprised to see Dustin Tokarski sent down and Devan Dubnyk called up and given a shot. He does have more NHL experience than Tokarski.
For the Canadiens to hope getting back into home ice advantage though, they will need a healthy Carey Price performing the way he has all season long. Anything short than that, they’ll be fighting for a playoffs’ spot until the very end.
DECEPTION
While it is not quite time to panic and give up on them yet, there are a few players in the organisation who will be running out of time to prove themselves if they don’t find a way to get to the next gear. Some are finding all of the excuses in the world to defend, protect or justify Lars Eller’s poor season but the fact and the matter is that he is not showing any signs of developing into the player Pierre Gauthier saw in him when he traded Jaroslav Halak to the Blues. He shows flashes of greatness but those are way too far and few in between. I’m afraid that he may develop into a decent third line centre which would be a huge disappointment in his case. And no, it’s not only Michel Therrien’s fault. At some point, the player must earn his chances to get better ice time and he simply isn’t showing it. Period.
Alexei Emelin was playing well prior to his serious knee injury and while the move was puzzling, one could somewhat understand why Marc Bergevin wanted to see him sign long term in Montreal. He had a few good games upon coming back this season as the team went on a big winning streak, but the wheel has fallen off the wagon since then. He is constantly out of position, doesn’t hit like he used to and he makes bad decisions with and without the puck. This is alarming for the team and here’s hoping that he finds a way to regain his confidence.
While there are probably others, the last player I want to touch on is prospect and former first round pick Louis Leblanc. The one who heard his name chanted in the Bell Centre the day he was drafted has 23 points in 52 games this season and it seems very unlikely that we’ll see him have any major contribution on the Top-6 forwards anywhere in the NHL. In my opinion, the 23 year old Leblanc might turn into a third line centre/right winger, with the odd shift here and there in a more offensive role when he’s hot. This is extremely disheartening for a fan base still looking for a true French Canadian star in their beloved Canadiens’ line-up. In the meantime, they hang their hat on… David Desharnais.
THOMAS VANEK
There are some very, very good reporters following the Habs and like anywhere else, there are some who… let’s say, are more questionable. Let’s not get into finger (or name calling I should say) but I’ve been extremely disappointed by some of them with the questions, or with the timing of some questions, to newly acquired Thomas Vanek.
In his very first interview following the trade, some were already asking him about the possibility of re-signing in Montreal. Why? The guy hasn’t even met the team yet, he hasn’t even worn the practice jersey, let alone his game jersey yet! Ask him if he’s happy to be in Montreal, that’s fine. Ask him if he knows anyone on the team, the number he’d like to wear, what he expects for the rest of the season. Prematurely asking him about his plans this summer? Really?
Then after only two games, some are already jumping all over him for not producing. Shouldn’t he be entitled to a bit of time to adjust to new teammates, new linemates? The team is on a tough western road swing with little practice time in between and lots of traveling. Those people are actually getting paid to ask those questions? One would think that there should be a minimum of decency, of common sense required in order to do this job.
Then we accuse the fans of being bipolar, going from one extreme to another. I think I know who’s prescribing the crazy pill… if you know what I’m saying.
Go Habs Go!