GDT: Blackhawks @ Canadiens

[Lebowski]

Cmon man. The Canucks are horrid. No Dman is gonna have a good plus/minus

And what's Hutton's role in that?

Obviously the coaches in Montreal don't think he deserves top 4 minutes. They see deficiencies in his game whether offensive or defensive
His lack of goals aren't irrelevant. He was getting PP time and he can't score.
I'm not saying he's a bust but I don't think he's more than a bottom pairing Dman and personally think he will be gone. Benn right now is a better player.
Being scratched for one game is not the end of the world. Maybe it's the wake up call we need.

But he's not the trigger man on the PP. Weber is. What he would do is speed up the zone exits and bring the ability to skate the puck up the ice and skate it into the offensive zone himself. The PP was immensely more productive with Beaulieu and Weber than it is with Markov and Weber, and a big part of that is because both Markov and Weber are sluggish skaters and we have issues even gaining the zone.

Benn isn't a better player. And even if he were, it's about players complementing each other.

Tell me this. Who's the best fit for Weber on this team among our LDs?

 

[Rosso Scuderia]

For some reason I thought we did well against the Blackhawks lately but they beat us in the last 6 games and we don't have any regulation wins in the past (at least) 10 against them.

 

[Belial]

He doesn't bring anything offensively...so in a #1C role, I don't see what the point of using him there is?

on a 3rd line, he's useful...but not in a top 6 role.

The point made was that he's useless even on a third line...

 

[Belial]

For the salary that he is making, I'd rather have someone else centering the 3rd line. IMO, he's way overpaid for what he brings to the team. If there was no cap, I would not have a problem with him playing on the 3rd line. That being said, hope he gets picked up at the expansion draft.

His cap hit doesn't matter right now!

 

[Habssince89]

Julien's Lines:
Pacioretty - Galchenyuk – Radulov
Lehkonen - Danault - Gallagher
Byron - Plekanec - Shaw
King - Ott - Mitchell

I'd swap McCarron/Martinsen for Mitchell and possibly King depending on opponent and I'd bring Byron up to the second line if he's hot.

I think our 2,3,4 lines can be competitive enough and I think our 2nd line in particular can be a barely passing for a second line, if the first line is strong enough.

Which it is, of course.

I like that we are stacking our Top line right now. We need a big threat which stretches our opponent's depth, and taking the ease of guys like Lehkonen, who will do well in a more sheltered role where he can use his shot, and Byron, who when facing depth defenders will have a better shot a creating breakaways and rushes. Then you Have gallagher and Danault to do the dirty work in the Ozone.

Hopefully, by the time the opponents Dcore gets to Martinsen, they're gassed hah

 

[Justin11]

His cap hit doesn't matter right now!

Right! But it will matter for next season!

 

[habs03]

Emelin should be benched IMO but you know what I'm work with letting Beaulieu sit a game too.

Some games he has you thinking he should be playing with Weber on the top pair or for sure with Petry on the 2nd pair. On other nights you he just has you shaking your head.

But as for the line. I think on one of a few very that LOVES that Julien doesn't have Patches-Gal-Rads together.

By splitting them, it not only spreads your offensive but it gives Galchenyuk easier matches up. Galchenyuk doesn't have to go up vs other teams top lines and top d-pairings.

I'm not worried about Patches with Danault, Patches produced with DD, and plus Patches and Danault provide good 2 way play that you can put them out vs other teams top lines

 

[PaulD]

This is the most hilariously accurate and concise description I've ever read. I don't know why I find it so funny... I just do.

AGREED

 

[Belial]

Right! But it will matter for next season!

Irrelevant! We're talking about tonight's game.

 

[PaulD]

Kind of mind blowing anyone is still suggesting that at this point...again, more of a reflection of the state of affairs on the Habs down the middle.

Yes it is.....and it has been so for so long. I for one am tired of watching slightly different versions of the 013 Habs. Some knew hope though...now that Price made a coaching change. ( ;

 

[Runner77]

Beaulieu is overrated. His D play is abysmal just like Emelins. It's Juliens decision and I'll take the word of a cup winning coach over any poster any time.
Emelin isn't better than Beaulieu, never said he was but being a healthy scratch isn't the worst thing ever. Subban was scratched. Didn't hurt him.
Personally don't think he's in the long term plans. He will be dealt before expansion draft. We Hab fans overrate a lot of our players , Beaulieu is no different.

I like the fact that these decisions are being made by a new coach, who has no agenda or back story with the player involved -- it's refreshing to see but at the same time, it's just one game. I just take it for what it is -- Beaulieu didn't show enough in the coach's POV, to deserve continued PT -- Beaulieu can change that -- he and Emelin, will both have to show more consistency

Who knows, Davidson may represent more than just competition for PT -- there may be a spot for the taking if the either Emelin or Beaulieu downspiral.

 

[PaulD]

Pacioretty - Galchenyuk – Radulov
Lehkonen - Danault - Gallagher
Byron - Plekanec - Shaw
King - Ott - Mitchell

I'd swap McCarron/Martinsen for Mitchell and possibly King depending on opponent and I'd bring Byron up to the second line if he's hot.

I think our 2,3,4 lines can be competitive enough and I think our 2nd line in particular can be a barely passing for a second line, if the first line is strong enough.

Which it is, of course.

I like that we are stacking our Top line right now. We need a big threat which stretches our opponent's depth, and taking the ease of guys like Lehkonen, who will do well in a more sheltered role where he can use his shot, and Byron, who when facing depth defenders will have a better shot a creating breakaways and rushes. Then you Have gallagher and Danault to do the dirty work in the Ozone.

Hopefully, by the time the opponents Dcore gets to Martinsen, they're gassed hah

Why punish Byron and Shaw ?

 

[Justin11]

Irrelevant! We're talking about tonight's game.

My point is that he's useless whether tonight, next week, next year. You like him and it's fine. I wish he would bring more, but he's not. His defensive game is not what it used to be. He's clearly lost a step in that department as well. Let's hope he provides something tonight with his 21 minutes.

 

[Habssince89]

Why punish Byron and Shaw ?

How did you come to that question? I'm just saying having a top heavy forward group lets guys like lehkonen play deeper and should give him an easier time. In the past we would try to be 'balanced' but it neutered every line. In that scenario, Lehkonen would be too high in the lineup. In my post, I would want him on the 3rd.

ALSO these are not my lines, they are CJ's

 

[PaulD]

I'm sorry but you have no clue if you think Plekanec is not bringing anything to this lineup even if he's not producing...

.

Plekanec stinks. Play offs he worse than stinks.

Most over paid player on the team.

He finally gets injured and only the opposing team misses him.

 

[Belial]

My point is that he's useless whether tonight, next week, next year. You like him and it's fine. I wish he would bring more, but he's not. He's defensive game is not what it used to be. He's clearly lost a step in that department as well. Let's hope he provides something tonight with his 21 minutes.

I don't need to like him to acknowledge that even if his production dropped he's still a very useful player.

 

[417]

The point made was that he's useless even on a third line...

Even as someone whose been labeled a "Plekanec hater"...I wouldn't say he's useless on a 3rd line and in a defensive role. He's still a strong penalty killer and while I don't agree he's a shutdown centre, he's an effective defensive player to shadow the oppositions best. I just don't think using him 17-18 mins a game simply to do that, is very effective for the team.

That being said, I do think he's useless offensively.

 

[Lebowski]

My point is that he's useless whether tonight, next week, next year. You like him and it's fine. I wish he would bring more, but he's not. His defensive game is not what it used to be. He's clearly lost a step in that department as well. Let's hope he provides something tonight with his 21 minutes.

He was snakebitten with Radulov early in the season, but they were generating chances together. Realistically, had Therrien decided to stick with Plekanec through thick and thin the way he has with Danault, I think you could have expected around 50 points from him this season. But there's more to gain at this point to play Danault in that role.

After being taken off the top 6, the offense dried up, but what could you expect really. He's never been the creative type, so you put a Byron and a Shaw on his wings and all you can hope from them is to not give up goals.

30ish points for a defensively sound center isn't that bad. Except we had a far bigger and cheaper one that we decided to let go last summer.

 

[417]

He was snakebitten with Radulov early in the season, but they were generating chances together. Realistically, had Therrien decided to stick with Plekanec through thick and thin the way he has with Danault, I think you could have expected around 50 points from him this season. But there's more to gain at this point to play Danault in that role.

After being taken off the top 6, the offense dried up, but what could you expect really. He's never been the creative type, so you put a Byron and a Shaw on his wings and all you can hope from them is to not give up goals.

30ish points for a defensively sound center isn't that bad. Except we had a far bigger and cheaper one that we decided to let go last summer.

Eeeeshhh...I'm a pretty optimistic person, but this is pushing it.

 

[Tyson]

Beaulieu makes mistakes no doubt but he is no worse than Perry or Emelin. Emelin better get his head out of his ass soon though because if he continues his brutal play Julien will sit him for good. Petry definitely gets a free pass. I am not a fan of his or his contract.

 

[The Great Weal]

I'd bench Petry to send him a message. I know Emelin has been atrocious, but Petry is also looking like crap.

 

[Belial]

I'd bench Petry to send him a message. I know Emelin has been atrocious, but Petry is also looking like crap.

You my friend wouldn't last a long time as a coach....

 

[SB164]

Really liking that top 9.

 

[The Great Weal]

You my friend wouldn't last a long time as a coach....

Funny because alot of coaches do that

 

[TheBlindFan]

LOL...CJ will get his fair share of the critics over time also...glad CJ decided not to use a 5'5 centreman on an ongoing basis, for almost 5 years...I am giving Clod the edge on TOI and in game line adjustments...

He cannot, none exist, DD was 5'7 That small enough... Keep it up BLONG, we will missed Desharnais for your daily posting...