Post-lockout Lineup

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Key factor here that no one has an answer for so far: Is there a bonus cushion or not in this CBA?

If there isn't one, then keeping Galchenyuk up becomes an extremely tight squeeze as his 3.225 M counts in full. It leaves you a shade over 5 M in cap room as of now.

Subban would basically have to sign for 4 M per year on the cap or less as you have to keep around 1 M in wiggle room for injuries. This is assuming Weber gets traded (someone has to go in this scenario, we'd have 24 players). Maybe Noke is on LTIR to save $, but you have to think that Dumont would replace him as the RH center (virtually the same cap hit).

http://www.capgeek.com/cap-calculator/roster/15939

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Too many top centerman

Who get out and why?

Desharnais, Galchenyuk, Plekanec, Eller

+ for depth center we already have
White, Leblanc, Dumont, Bournival.

 

[PKsubbydoo]

I wouldn't exactly call that top center depth ...

 

[Mike Mike Caron]

I don't see a top centermen and Gally, Eller and DD can all play wings.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

I wouldn't exactly call that top center depth ...

i second this

 

[Myron Gaines*]

I wouldn't exactly call that top center depth ...

I third this.

 

[vipergtx18*]

im a die hard Habs fun but I fourth this

 

[vipergtx18*]

we have too many c that can't play a 1st line position......
except for Gomez

 

[not quite yoda]

i would say that we can field 3 solid Cs in plekanec, desharnais and gally. while none are elite right now, it gives us considerable depth much like what boston has had in recent years (krejci, bergeron, savard -inj.-)... and boston has been able to lead their division and win a cup with these Cs.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

It's not quite top center depth but I think it's safe to say we have 4 2nd line centers at the very least which is nothing to sneeze at.

We've got some great pieces. A glut of solid prospects and 3 2nd rounders in one of the deepest drafts in 10 years. I think we're in good shape.

 

[habsfanatics*]

We have enough depth at center imo, although the premium, high end talent isn't necessarily there. I believe Pleks is still adequate in a first line role. I also believe that Eller's development has potential to amplify the team and Pleks. If Eller can develop into a decent number 2 option our depth at center is fine for now.

I still think DD is best served in a 3rd line exploitation role.

Gally is great, but I'm not expecting him to be on the team, and if he is, I'm not expecting a whole bunch from him.

Our main weakness is a rugged stay at home dman and the winger depth is terrible tbh. We're one injury away from seeing Travis Moen in a top 6 role again this year.

 

[Joey]

Plekanec is an elite 2nd line center and a really decent 1A center.

Desharnais needs to prove he can "do it again" so to speak before we get too comfortable with him.

As smart, skilled, and hungry as Eller is -- he hasn't ascended past 3rd line center status yet.

Galchenyuk has never played in the NHL.

 

[billy piton]

If Gally gets a 9 game tryout, I hope it's on Plekanecs wing.

not on plekanec wing, please! plekanec plays tough minutes against best opponent lines, and gally isn't ready for that.

pacioretty - plekanec - gionta - tough minutes, two way line
galchenyuk - desharnais - cole - talented line used mostly on offensive zone starts
moen - eller - bourque - shutdown line with decent offensive power.
prust - gomez - armstrong - one of the most talented 4th line in the leauge
white

gorges subban - top shutdown pair
markov emelin - very solid second pair, puckmoving, physical...
kaberle boulion - ok third pair, if things go well bergevin could try to find big shutdown righthanded d-man at the trade deadline
diaz

price
budaj

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I vote Nokelainen as the minor surprise of the year or he's primarily a healthy scratch and is replaced by Dumont (how's that for covering your bases).

I think he had his moments. He wasn't awful. Decent at faceoffs.

 

[Kriss E]

not on plekanec wing, please! plekanec plays tough minutes against best opponent lines, and gally isn't ready for that.

pacioretty - plekanec - gionta - tough minutes, two way line
galchenyuk - desharnais - cole - talented line used mostly on offensive zone starts
moen - eller - bourque - shutdown line with decent offensive power.
prust - gomez - armstrong - one of the most talented 4th line in the leauge
white

gorges subban - top shutdown pair
markov emelin - very solid second pair, puckmoving, physical...
kaberle boulion - ok third pair, if things go well bergevin could try to find big shutdown righthanded d-man at the trade deadline
diaz

price
budaj

I agree with this except I'd switch Bourque with Gally.

 

[Habs12max]

I would put white in the line up...

 

[baldrick]

So upset we wasted having two brothers with undeniable chemistry.

This. They were so pumped when they played together but seemed to get punished for it.

 

[Habs12max]

When I see everyone's lineup, I find it sad. Then I realize that no matter what you do with that lineup, it still looks weak. Still funny to see people separating Desharnais, Pac and Cole.

 

[billy piton]

I agree with this except I'd switch Bourque with Gally.

that wouldn't be bad either, but i'd like to see bourque on the right wing.

 

[Kriss E]

that wouldn't be bad either, but i'd like to see bourque on the right wing.

I'd rather give Bourque better odds at rebounding. I think playing on his natural wing with a playmaker center and having Cole be the driving force would help him a lot. It did MaxPac wonders, hopefully it could help Bourque too.

 

[billy piton]

I'd rather give Bourque better odds at rebounding. I think playing on his natural wing with a playmaker center and having Cole be the driving force would help him a lot. It did MaxPac wonders, hopefully it could help Bourque too.

he is natural rightwinger, afaik.

 

[LeHab]

He's not even playing center in junior. Let him start off on the wing, what's the harm in that?

Ah thanks. Any reason why he is not playing C in juniors?

 

[Monctonscout]

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

Just a low rumble for now, but there are whispers KHL teams may be offering "inducements" to get RUS stars to stay and not return to NHL.


I assume that refers to guys like Malkin Ovechkin Kovalchuk Datsyuk. Pretty sure markov will be on the next plane home.

 

[gusfring]

Hopefully Galchenyuk stays in junior for the rest of the year. He's not ready and this team is not going anywhere this year anyways.

 

[SeriousHabs]

Here is my take on the situation. I don't think we have a playoff caliber roster, but we can do better than last!

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole Worked well last season.

???? - Plekanec - Gionta Plekanec and Gionta complete our top 5. We do not have a top 6, sadly.

???? - Eller - Moen Much like the 2nd line, the 3rd line has a whole on the wing.

Prust - White - Armstrong This is a true 4th line. Gritty, annoying and with sufficient talent to maybe score 15-20 goals in a full season. This is our best 4th line in years. I guess we can now focus on the top 9!

The available players for the open winger spots are Gomez, Bourque, Leblanc and maybe Galchenyuk or even Gallagher. I expect Gomez and Bourque to fill the holes, with Leblanc being the 13th. On paper, we have a fairly bad forward group. Relying on both Gomez and Bourque to step it up is never a good thing.

Subban - Gorges
Markov - Emelin This is our top 4. Gorges/Markov could be swapped.
Kaberle / Diaz / Bouillon Pick two. I don't expect Bouillon to spend his time in the pressbox. I don't see a spot for Weber on the roster.

Price
Budaj Nothing to add.

This roster can rival the Leafs, but the Bruins, the Sens and the Sabres are ahead of us. I don't see 4 teams from the Northeast squeaking in the playoffs. Factor in a few injuries and our complete lack of depth will be exposed. I expect a 10-13th finish.