Post-lockout Lineup

[We Want The 25]

i miss seeing Emelin destroying people

 

[bsl]

I have no problem with either of those things, but from the sounds of it Galcheyuk would have to really dominate. I think his injury last year is a good reason to leave him all year in the OHL, plus there may be too much pressure for him to be the "saviour" coming out of a 28th place finish.

In terms of Gomez, I don't see where he would fit in the lineup. Maybe slide Eller to wing I guess. They may not want to do that if they see Eller as a #2 center down the road. Gomez on the wing didn't work at all.

Gomer has forgotten more about Hockey than any of us will ever know. He played for a very good club, with very good coaching, and great players, and won the Cup.

He's perfect for helping the kids learn this year.

I have no problem with Gomer on the Habs this year, teaching the kids, and getting 15 points, which will help us get a high draft pick.

 

[bsl]

Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Cole (two hard working vets to show Galchenyuk to be a professional)
Pacioretty - Eller - Desharnais (Desharnais Pacioretty duo)
Bourque - Gomez - Gionta (Gionta Gomez duo)
Moen - Prust - Armstrong
White Nokelainen

I knew it, Gally Gally, Gally...

 

[That Habs Fan]

Pacioretty-Eller-Desharnais
Cole-Plekanec-Bourque
Moen-Gomez-Gionta
Prust-White-Armstrong

Markov-Subban
Gorges-Kaberle
Emelin-Diaz
Bouillion
Weber
Tinordi

Price
Budaj

Spread the offense around, make use of Gomez by playing him with Gionta. Keep Desharnais and Pac together but prevent us from having such a diminutive center by playing Eller in the middle and moving DD to the wing. Fourth line is tough but can play solid minutes, kind of end up with three 2nd lines and a 3rd line.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Gomez is in the lineup, like it or not, until the compliance buyout period this summer.

Again, not necessarily. We can send him to the AHL or to Europe for 2012-13. Nothing stopping us. We're paying him either way so it's not like it's a major financial decision (the 'replacement' for him would probably be making a few hundred K's at most).

 

[bsl]

Ah, thanks.

I'd love to see him play a season at a level somewhere between the OHL and NHL. The SM-Liiga seems like a good, creative option, but I don't see this incarnation of the Habs organization making a move like that.

What is the issue here? The kid very likely will not play in the AHL, ever.

Gally will finish the season with the Sting, a team he is leading to much better play than expected, while healing his knee and gaining attitude.

It is looking very likely he will then make the Habs in 2013-14.

This is the pattern for picks of this caliber. You're just not used to it.

 

[bsl]

While I agree that we should leave Gally in Sarnia - to say we have no chance is absolutely ridiculous.

Diaz is healthy and both him & Emelin have more development.

Bourque should be able to bounce back (hopefully).

Our C's have all been playing good hockey.

We have a great goalie.

And having Markov back should help our puck movement and PP.

I like your optimism Hawk, that is the right attitude, but come on. It will not happen this year, and this is a perfect small window to get one more big pick.

With Gally playing in 2013-14, Gomer gone, Marky on veteran form, god willing, Price entering his prime, Pax and Subby entering prime, Eller maturing, and maybe one of our Dogs D breaking out as a rookie, with a couple of good trades and UFA signings by Bergy, I expect to see a very good young team, not a contender, in 2013-14, and possible contention in 2014-15. No need to play Gally this year at all. None.

 

[Canadian_Brewtality]

definately missing the playoffs with that line-up

 

[Tuggy]

definately missing the playoffs with that line-up

Yeah it's pretty bad. The only chance they have is Price carrying them there.

 

[Roulin]

What is the issue here? The kid very likely will not play in the AHL, ever.

Gally will finish the season with the Sting, a team he is leading to much better play than expected, while healing his knee and gaining attitude.

It is looking very likely he will then make the Habs in 2013-14.

This is the pattern for picks of this caliber. You're just not used to it.

Believe me, I am used to it. I've seen plenty of teams waste ELC years on development years and non-playoff teams. I follow the Oilers pretty closely

 

[Monctonscout]

Gomer has forgotten more about Hockey than any of us will ever know. He played for a very good club, with very good coaching, and great players, and won the Cup.

He's perfect for helping the kids learn this year.

I have no problem with Gomer on the Habs this year, teaching the kids, and getting 15 points, which will help us get a high draft pick.

I'm not convinced he is the right "teacher". Plus we already have plenty of those in Gionta, Cole, Plekanec, Markov, Gorges, Bouillon etc

If it's like last year and you have to play Gomez on the wing, it makes for a disfunctional line. He isn't a 4th line center and won't disloge Eller DD or Plekanec.

 

[Le Tricolore]

I'm not convinced he is the right "teacher". Plus we already have plenty of those in Gionta, Cole, Plekanec, Markov, Gorges, Bouillon etc

If it's like last year and you have to play Gomez on the wing, it makes for a disfunctional line. He isn't a 4th line center and won't disloge Eller DD or Plekanec.

That reminds me. Any updates on Plekanec? Did he or did he not break a rib?

 

[Monctonscout]

definately missing the playoffs with that line-up

Why is that? On paper it's a pretty solid lineup, we just need more production from certain players who were hurt or struggled last year. That lineup is as good as anybody in the East except maybe 4-5 teams. I think we have a chance to win the division, Toronto is probably not a playoff tean, Ottawa shouldn't have been last year but they overachieved. Buffalo is decent, Boston last Thomas. I see us in the mix with those two.

 

[Tuggy]

Why is that? On paper it's a pretty solid lineup, we just need more production from certain players who were hurt or struggled last year. That lineup is as good as anybody in the East except maybe 4-5 teams. I think we have a chance to win the division, Toronto is probably not a playoff tean, Ottawa shouldn't have been last year but they overachieved. Buffalo is decent, Boston last Thomas. I see us in the mix with those two.

Wow, what? Where does the offense come from?

 

[Monctonscout]

That reminds me. Any updates on Plekanec? Did he or did he not break a rib?

They checked it out and nothing was broken...must be something minor.

 

[Monctonscout]

Wow, what? Where does the offense come from?

Same as last year plus you add Markov Gionta Bourque so Plekanec should be more productive. With the defense we have the PP should be much improved, PP was a huge problem last year. With a top 10 PP we end up 5th or 6th in the conference instead of 15th. 5 on 5 scoring was fine last year it's the PP that really dropped off.

Gionta went from 29 goals to 8, mostly because he was hurt. Bourque is a guy who is usually a lock for around 25, last year he scored 5 in 38 games and was snakebitten. Eller should also keep progressing.

On defense, a healthy Markov would be massive, Kaberle in shape and here all year will generate offense. Diaz and Emelin should be better with a year NHL under their belt.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Patches - DD - Cole
Eller - Pleks - Gionta
Bourque - Gomez - Armdog/LeBlanc
Moen - White - Prust

Markov Emelin
PK Gorges
Kaberle Bou
Diaz, Weber

 

[Quarantesix]

For the first time of my life . I don't mind if the Habs don't make the playoff .

The defense is not looking good and this forward group is meh. The only things we add this off season are grit and size. Look like a tank year to me.

I will be happy if we draft a top 10 pick an if Berg can trade players at the deadline for picks

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

5 on 5 scoring was fine last year

18th in the league in 5 on 5 goals for. I wouldn't call that 'fine'. And nothing has been done to address it, in fact it's actually downgraded compared to what it was most of last year (half season of Cammy, 3/4 of a season from AK...to...Bourque for a full season and maybe an 18 year old Galchenyuk, you can't expect miracles from him to start)

The PP should be better, but they've also been calling fewer and fewer penalties in recent seasons, so relying on that is not going to get you far.

Gionta went from 29 goals to 8, mostly because he was hurt.

The DD line and Plekanec were essentially fully healthy though. Hard to imagine those 4 and Gionta will stay fully healthy through a potentially crazy 48 game schedule. 1 fairly long-term injury to those 5 forwards could very well happen, which will put us in a similar spot.

 

[Playmaker09]

Again, not necessarily. We can send him to the AHL or to Europe for 2012-13. Nothing stopping us. We're paying him either way so it's not like it's a major financial decision (the 'replacement' for him would probably be making a few hundred K's at most).

Oh, I know we can. I just think you're dreaming if you think it'll happen. Just like people who think our top line from last year will be broken up to start the season.

 

[jml238]

Pacioretty/DD/Cole
Gallager/Plek/Gionta
Bourque/Eller/Prust
Armstrong/Gomez/Moen

13th-White/Noke

I think Galchenyuk should finish his year in junior to
gain confidence and work on his defensive game.
Also Gallager is really doing well in the AHL this year
and was very close to earning a roster spot last year.

Subban/Georges
Markov/Emelin
Kaberle/Bouillion
Diaz

Tinordi and Beaulieu are still a little further away from a
top 6 role and I feel Weber is the odd man out.

 

[Monctonscout]

18th in the league in 5 on 5 goals for. I wouldn't call that 'fine'. And nothing has been done to address it, in fact it's actually downgraded compared to what it was most of last year (half season of Cammy, 3/4 of a season from AK...to...Bourque for a full season and maybe an 18 year old Galchenyuk, you can't expect miracles from him to start)

The PP should be better, but they've also been calling fewer and fewer penalties in recent seasons, so relying on that is not going to get you far.



The DD line and Plekanec were essentially fully healthy though. Hard to imagine those 4 and Gionta will stay fully healthy through a potentially crazy 48 game schedule. 1 fairly long-term injury to those 5 forwards could very well happen, which will put us in a similar spot.

In terms of injuries you can say that for most teams, few have the depth to not miss a top 4-5 forward. Ottawa and Florida had amazing luck on many levels last year, on paper both are worse than us.

I personally don't see them keeping Galcheyuk unless he can contribute right away.

Big chunks of last year we had guys like LeBlanc Geoffrion Moen and Darche on Plekanec's line. If you get a healthy Gionta and a rebounded Bourque that's a huge upgrade. AK was used a lot on the 3rd line last year then was traded. Cammalleri was either not here or pouting.

The PP just returning to mid pack with Markov Kaberle and co would be a huge boost. No NHL teams has our skill on defense Subban Markov Kaberle Diaz, that could be a big boost if they can play to potential(healthy and bounce back).

I think a guy like Armstrong could surprise if he stays healthy, he has the skill to put up 20+ points in a shortened season.

 

[FeelsLike93]

Why do you guys have Gomez in the lineup when it's being said the new CBA will allow us 1 maybe 2 amnesty buyouts. Gomez is a goner...

 

[Sterling Archer]

Why do you guys have Gomez in the lineup when it's being said the new CBA will allow us 1 maybe 2 amnesty buyouts. Gomez is a goner...

Apparently buyouts won't take place until before 2013-2014 season and not this shortened season.

 

[Monctonscout]

Apparently buyouts won't take place until before 2013-2014 season and not this shortened season.

He might still be out though.

I wonder if the rule that makes cap hits above NHL minimum count in the minors comes in from day 1? It could free up cap room to sign Subban plus add a forward(Salary dump).