Post-lockout Lineup

[Marc the Habs Fan]

In terms of injuries you can say that for most teams, few have the depth to not miss a top 4-5 forward.

While this is generally true, our depth if we do suffer a top 6 injury seems very limited. Especially on the wings. I don't think you can count on any help from Hamilton with the offensive drought down there. The kids are simply not ready to be contributors offensively. Look at how much it appears to have setback Leblanc to be rushed to the NHL last year, they better not make that mistake with Gallagher this time.

Ottawa, as an example, can call up Silfverberg (who is lighting it up in the AHL) if he doesn't make their opening night roster. Lots of other teams have guys on the cusp of making it too.

Big chunks of last year we had guys like LeBlanc Geoffrion Moen and Darche on Plekanec's line.

And yet, those type of players are pretty much back in the top 6 mix this year if we have just 1 injury to one of our offensive wingers. Unless they try for the 47th time to play Eller on the wing.

AK was used a lot on the 3rd line last year then was traded. Cammalleri was either not here or pouting.

My point is they were still fairly solid 5 on 5 producers who haven't been replaced, aside from the major ? that is Bourque. Yes, both their 2011-12's were not great, but they still played big chunks of the season for us, contributing to that 18th place ranking for 5 on 5 goals for.

Their full season even strength point totals would have ranked 4th and 5th on the team last season (33 points and 29 points). That type of production needs to be replaced to have any hope of being a playoff team. And I have my doubts it can be with the roster as it is.

Plus there's the decent chance the Desharnais line will go through slight regression after basically a dream season last year. See the Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev line in 2008-09 after a dream 2nd half the year before.

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).

2 big question marks though. Who really knows what to expect from Markov and Kaberle? It's possible neither one will ever be close to their primes ever again. They are older players.

I'm also not seeing Diaz and Kaberle in the lineup at the same time. Therrien will have his BFF Bouillon in the lineup, that's a near certainty. Add in Gorges and Emelin who are absolutely needed.

 

[Monctonscout]

While this is generally true, our depth if we do suffer a top 6 injury seems very limited. Especially on the wings. I don't think you can count on any help from Hamilton with the offensive drought down there. The kids are simply not ready to be contributors offensively. Look at how much it appears to have setback Leblanc to be rushed to the NHL this year, they better not make that mistake with Gallagher this time.

Ottawa, as an example, can call up Silfverberg (who is lighting it up in the AHL) if he doesn't make their opening night roster. Lots of other teams have guys on the cusp of making it too.



And yet, those type of players are pretty much back in the top 6 mix this year if we have just 1 injury to one of our offensive wingers. Unless they try for the 47th time to play Eller on the wing.



My point is they were still fairly solid 5 on 5 producers who haven't been replaced, aside from the major ? that is Bourque. Yes, both their 2011-12's were not great, but they still played big chunks of the season for us, contributing to that 18th place ranking for 5 on 5 goals for.

Their full season even strength point totals would have ranked 4th and 5th on the team last season (33 points and 29 points). That type of production needs to be replaced to have any hope of being a playoff team. And I have my doubts it can be with the roster as it is.

Plus there's the decent chance the Desharnais line will go through slight regression after basically a dream season last year. See the Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev line in 2008-09 after a dream 2nd half the year before.



2 big question marks though. Who really knows what to expect from Markov and Kaberle? It's possible neither one will ever be close to their primes ever again. They are older players.

I'm also not seeing Diaz and Kaberle in the lineup at the same time. Therrien will have his BFF Bouillon in the lineup, that's a near certainty. Add in Gorges and Emelin who are absolutely needed.

I think Leblanc's problem is that A-he's had a pretty tough injury to come back from and B-he is getting ice time with grinders instead of with Palushaj(before he got hurt) on the top line. I don't think the callup hurt his development, but I'd still like to see him get 20 minutes a night for the rest of the year and put up 1 PPGM or close.

Palushaj and Geoffrion should be "bubble" guys that can come up, though both are hurt right now.

I agree the Desharnais line could regress, but the Plekanec line should improve by more and the defense should be 3x better offensively with Markov Kaberle all year plus a more experiened Diaz. Having a lot of grit ion the bottom 6 is a pretty big boost, last year Moen missed half the year and White also, plus Prust and Armstrong, like adding 3 gritty forwards that can also chip in a few goals.

In terms of Markov...no reason to think he can't be at least 80-90% of what he was(top 5-10 overall in the NHL) which still makes him a top 2-3 guy and huge upgrade on what we had on the #2 pair last year. His mobility looks almost 100% back from what I saw in KHL games.

Kaberle...I don't think his skills eroded he just came in out of shape and struggled the first 2 months, it didn't help he got traded to s inking ship(like Bourque). I think a long off season and a new management team sets up for a nice rebound for him. He could be a force with 3rd pair and PP ice time.

Emelin showed flashes last year but now he is no longer a rookie I expect 20-25% more and a true #3-4. Diaz also showed flashes last year but was put into too big a role due to injuries, he should also bring more. Bouillon is an underrated addition in certain spots to calm things down and bring an edge in the corners and front of the net.

Price had a rough start last year and struggles in shootouts, that also cost us a few points and could turn the other way.

 

[Number 57]

We are not that bad off but honestly if we play half a season I'd rather we finish dead last and draft a big time prospect... the season is dead to most of us already anyway.

What I want is:
- Gomez and Kaberle out
- Bring in Galchenyuk and let him play CENTER
- Let the other inexperienced kids play in Hamilton
- Lineup:

Pacioretty Plekanec Gionta
Desharnais Galchenyuk Cole
Bourque Eller Armstrong
Moen White Prust
*Nokelainen
callups: Leblanc-Palushaj-Blunden-Geoffrion

Gorges Subban
Markov Emelin
Bouillon Diaz
*Weber
callups: Commodore-St-Denis-Nash

Price Budaj
callup: Desjardins

 

[Le Barron de HF]

If there's a 48 game season:

Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole
Rene Bourque/Alex Galchenyuk - Tomas Plekanec - Brian Gionta
Alex Galchenyuk/Rene Bourque - Lars Eller - Colby Armstrong
Brandon Prust - Scott Gomez - Travis Moen
Extra: Ryan White

I'd start Rene Bourque on the 2nd line and leave him there until the 8th game of the season to see how he's doing and try to build chemistry between him and Plekanec. If it's clearly not working and Galchenyuk doesn't look out of place you can play Gally with Plek.

Andrei Markov - PK Subban
Thomas Kaberle - Josh Gorges
Alexei Emelin - Francis Bouillon
Extra: Rafael Diaz

PP Unit 1
Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Erik Cole
PK Subban - Andrei Markov

PP Unit 2
Alex Galchenyuk - Lars Eller - Brian Gionta
Tomas Kaberle - Tomas Plekanec

PK Unit 1
Tomas Plekanec - Travis Moen
PK Subban - Josh Gorges

PK Unit 2
Brandon Prust - Rene Bourque
Alexei Emelin - Francis Bouillon

PK Unit 3
Scott Gomez - Brian Gionta

If Bourque has another garbage season, buy him out since Gomez and Kaberle are gone next year.

 

[jeanclaude]

MaxPac - DD - Cole
Bourque - Plek -Gionta
Prust- Eller - Arms
Moen - Gomez - White
Nokes -

Gorges- Markov
Subban- Emelin
Bouillon - Diaz

short season keep 1st line together
2 recovering players with a centre who has been playing good
new wingers with centre with size hard to play against
moen won't moan about playing with gomez,white alright on wing

gorges has played right d with markov very well
emelin plays on natural left side with subban other teams will have their heads up
diaz gets a chance for strong current play , cube gives him veteran help
kaberle diaz pp and spotted depending on opponents
gal gets a taste with few enough games to keep junior elegible

 

[YEMELIN74]

I think that Galchenyuk is almost a lock to make the team because unlike many current canadiens players he is currently playing competive hockey

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gionta/Bourque
Armstrong - Eller - Bourque
Prust - Leblanc/White - Moen
Nokeleinen 13th forward

Emelin Markov
Subban Georges
Kaberle -Diaz/Weber/Bouillon

Price
Budaj

 

[Patty Roy]

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

Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Subban
Kaberle-Bouillon
Diaz
Weber

I agree with this lineup. Gally will get his 9 games i think. What happens after that point will depend on his play and what is in the best interests of his longterm development.

I see Diaz and Bouillon maybe rotating in as the #6 d-man. I still see Weber as trade fodder, maybe move him to try and bring in another depth forward.

 

[Monctonscout]

I agree with this lineup. Gally will get his 9 games i think. What happens after that point will depend on his play and what is in the best interests of his longterm development.

I see Diaz and Bouillon maybe rotating in as the #6 d-man. I still see Weber as trade fodder, maybe move him to try and bring in another depth forward.

I wouldn't object to trading Weber for a young forward needing a change of scenery...Tlusty Bailey(in PKG) Halischuk

 

[DAChampion]

I wouldn't object to trading Weber for a young forward needing a change of scenery...Tlusty Bailey(in PKG) Halischuk

I think it would take quite a package for Josh Bailey.

Maybe Yannick Weber and a pair of 2nd rounders, which I wouldn't be willing to do.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Plus I'm pretty sure that the Islanders have a logjam of young defenders trying to earn that #6/#7 spot on their squad so they have no need for Weber.

 

[FreakyFish]

Bergevin said they want Galchenyuk as a center and I think the plan is to move Eller to LW.

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

 

[Dominator13]

Bergevin said they want Galchenyuk as a center and I think the plan is to move Eller to LW.

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

Switch Eller and Desharnais, that would be my dream line-up. I really don't think it will happen though.

 

[Natey]

I wouldn't object to trading Weber for a young forward needing a change of scenery...Tlusty Bailey(in PKG) Halischuk

Bailey would cost too much, I think.

I'd be very interested in Linus Omark. He's been playing with Diaz all year in the Swiss league.

 

[habs03]

Bergevin said they want Galchenyuk as a center and I think the plan is to move Eller to LW.

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

This

But I could see Gally starting the year at LW, and Eller kept at Centre, but going forward unless any moves are made, team plans to move Eller to LW, with Gally,DD,Plek down the middle.

IMO even though I love him, if there is a season and DD plays the way he did, and Eller breaks out with a 40-50 point season, I can see the team moving Plek in the offseason.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Bailey would cost too much, I think.

I'd be very interested in Linus Omark. He's been playing with Diaz all year in the Swiss league.

No thanks to Omark.....he is a cream puff and doesn't fit the type of players that Bergevin is looking to acquire.

 

[Myron Gaines*]

Bailey would cost too much, I think.

I'd be very interested in Linus Omark. He's been playing with Diaz all year in the Swiss league.

Too soff, not enough scoring ability to compensate.

 

[blueberry]

I think we're in for a good pick with this lineup.

 

[Video Coach]

The compliance buyouts are for next year, the nice thing about that is you could give Gomez, Bourque and Kaberle a chance to prove they're worth their money.

I'm sure Gomez will be bought out, unless he makes himself useful enough to trade for his last year. Then it's either (or neither) Bourque or Kaberle. I could see them both being worth their contracts but if not, their cap hits could be removed, which would be helpful. I'd really like to see Bourque pan out here. He's got a lot of what we need - size, speed, forechecking, physicality - but needs to show he's a 25-30 goal scorer who going to show up, not a 15 goal scorer who won't.

 

[Raider917]

would there be any ufas unsigned if the lockout ends or are they all taken now?

 

[d4v1d7230]

Pacth-DD-Palushaj <-- it clicked in the AHL so why not try it?
Cole-Pleks-Gionta
Armstrong-Eller-Bourque
Moen-White-Prust

Gorges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Weber-Diaz

Price
Budaj

 

[Dichow Stopper]

Pacth-DD-Palushaj <-- it clicked in the AHL so why not try it?
Cole-Pleks-Gionta
Armstrong-Eller-Bourque
Moen-White-Prust

Gorges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Weber-Diaz

Price
Budaj

Palushaj doesn't belong to the NHL.

Where are Kaberle and Bouillon?

 

[FlyingKostitsyn]

Pacio-DD-Cole
Bourque-Pleky-Gio
Gally-Eller-Prust/Army
Moen-White-Prust/Army
Nokes

Gorges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Kaberle-Bouillon
Diaz
Weber

Price
Budaj

No a cup challenging team by any means. Gally is integrated into the lineup slowly.

Being a transition year its unlikely this team would be very competitive unless many players find unexpected chemistry. After all getting a high pick wouldn't be a bad thing wouldn't it?

Bergevin should look at moving some of the older players (Gionta, Cole, Kaberle) for assets at the deadline, whenever it'll be.

Each locked out day makes me care less about the possibility of tanking - I mean tanking half a year isn't as bad isn't it?

 

[DAChampion]

Once the inevitable injuries happen all these lineups will be out the toilet.

 

[FlyingKostitsyn]

Once the inevitable injuries happen all these lineups will be out the toilet.

Of course, these lineups are all pipe dreams, and not really good ones at that.

You've finally dragged me into the lands of pessimism DAC

Unless everything goes extremely right (unlikely) we need to sign a top UFA or two next summer and for our prospects/young players to develop rapidly if we are to compete seriously. Right now our only ''chance'' is as some kind of overachieving bubble team, if we do overachieve that is.

 

[Habruti!]

I would leave gally in the ohl for the year. Keep kaberle thank for another season draft jones or mackinnon or drouin...