The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I just wanted to start a thread acknowledging the impressive number of Canadiens this season who have stepped up and exceeded expectations. 1. Philip Danault. Most of us had him pegged as a generic, forgettable, marginal NHLer, one of those guys who eke out a career playing 8 minutes a night on the grounds that they don't hurt the team; a place-holder. Instead, he's played as a legit second-line C, bringing a staunch defensive game and serious 'compete' to boot. He has made it possible for this team to not just survive, but thrive, despite the regression of Tomas Plekanec. Outstanding. Can he keep it up? It seems unlikely, but no one can doubt that we have a real asset here who will help us for years to come. 2. Paul Byron. What a story. I believe he is a legitimate top-6 W in today's NHL - something I never would have said before this season. Another guy who saw his chance and came up clutch. 3. Alex Radulov. He was always known to be an elite talent, but who knew that he would descend upon us and play like Peter Forsberg, being THE key contributor to the forward unit? An astonishing pick-up by Bergevin. The coup of the year. 4. Nathan Beaulieu. Has he turned the corner and become the bona-fide top-4 defenceman we all hoped he could be? It's looking like it. And that is huge for the organization. 5. Alexei Emelin. Unlike with the other names here, no one ever doubted Emelin's NHL credentials. But who saw him playing on the top-pairing and doing so well? While it's quite possible his excellence has been a side-effect of being Weber's partner, the fact is that Emelin has not been this impressive since 2013, and looks like the guy that everyone was so excited about way back when. If I'd told you in September that this team would have the injuries that it has, that Plekanec would be offensively useless, and STILL the Habs would pile up lots of wins and score lots of goals, you'd have laughed me off this forum, and rightly. It's thanks to unexpected contributors like these that the team is not just surviving, but thriving. And I think Therrien deserves a lot of credit. Danault, Byron, and Beaulieu - that's three key cogs who have exceeded their career profiles under his tutelage. Not bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 1 hour ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: I just wanted to start a thread acknowledging the impressive number of Canadiens this season who have stepped up and exceeded expectations. 1. Philip Danault. Most of us had him pegged as a generic, forgettable, marginal NHLer, one of those guys who eke out a career playing 8 minutes a night on the grounds that they don't hurt the team; a place-holder. Instead, he's played as a legit second-line C, bringing a staunch defensive game and serious 'compete' to boot. He has made it possible for this team to not just survive, but thrive, despite the regression of Tomas Plekanec. Outstanding. Can he keep it up? It seems unlikely, but no one can doubt that we have a real asset here who will help us for years to come. 2. Paul Byron. What a story. I believe he is a legitimate top-6 W in today's NHL - something I never would have said before this season. Another guy who saw his chance and came up clutch. 3. Alex Radulov. He was always known to be an elite talent, but who knew that he would descend upon us and play like Peter Forsberg, being THE key contributor to the forward unit? An astonishing pick-up by Bergevin. The coup of the year. 4. Nathan Beaulieu. Has he turned the corner and become the bona-fide top-4 defenceman we all hoped he could be? It's looking like it. And that is huge for the organization. 5. Alexei Emelin. Unlike with the other names here, no one ever doubted Emelin's NHL credentials. But who saw him playing on the top-pairing and doing so well? While it's quite possible his excellence has been a side-effect of being Weber's partner, the fact is that Emelin has not been this impressive since 2013, and looks like the guy that everyone was so excited about way back when. If I'd told you in September that this team would have the injuries that it has, that Plekanec would be offensively useless, and STILL the Habs would pile up lots of wins and score lots of goals, you'd have laughed me off this forum, and rightly. It's thanks to unexpected contributors like these that the team is not just surviving, but thriving. And I think Therrien deserves a lot of credit. Danault, Byron, and Beaulieu - that's three key cogs who have exceeded their career profiles under his tutelage. Not bad. You forgot Weber, who supposedly wouldn't score any PP goals with the Habs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 9 minutes ago, DON said: You forgot Weber, who supposedly wouldn't score any PP goals with the Habs. Please find someone who actually said that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 10 minutes ago, Commandant said: Please find someone who actually said that. Don't engage him, he's obviously in one of his menopausal moods today 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Great post Cuke! I must admit that this team is surprising. I had high hopes at the beginning of the year (seeing as Carey was back + acquisitions of Weber and Radu) but with all these injuries, I was afraid we would go through what happened last year! Not so! What I find really impressive is that our boys are keeping up with the best teams in the league, even though Carey has been struggling for the past month. Carey hasn't had to steal too many games this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 2 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: 2 hours ago, Commandant said: Please find someone who actually said that. Don't engage him, he's obviously in one of his menopausal moods today No, don't want to embarrass anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illWill Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 To me Paul Byron is the biggest surprise so far this season. I didn't believe in him whatsoever and have dumped on him since he was acquired. I suppose most of it was frustration because he was being used on the 2nd and 3rd line last year when I felt that a player of his caliber didn't deserve it. However I'm more than happy to say I was wrong and he totally deserves all the ice time and quality line mates he has been getting. It seems like every goal or assist he gets is clutch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 5 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: . And I think Therrien deserves a lot of credit. Danault, Byron, and Beaulieu - that's three key cogs who have exceeded their career profiles under his tutelage. Not bad. You had to mention Le Genius, the best move he made all year was getting Kirk hired. That was brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 4 hours ago, Habsfan said: Great post Cuke! agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neech Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I'd put Lekhonen in there as well, I had no idea what to expect from him and was favouring Hudon in the summer, but he looks like a genuine two-way threat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbhatt Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Prior to tonight's game, the Habs collected 22 of a possible 34 points in the games played since Galchenyuk went down. That alone, even without any other injuries, would have seemed a highly unlikely result. But with the slew of additional injuries, it's downright remarkable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHabnut Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Price is 24th in the league for sv % since Dec. Saw that during the game tonight. To pull off the wins when he is underperforming is a good sign as well. I'm also in the camp that a number 4 defenseman is critical this deadline. More important than a top 6er for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 21 hours ago, BCHabnut said: Price is 24th in the league for sv % since Dec. Saw that during the game tonight. To pull off the wins when he is underperforming is a good sign as well. I'm also in the camp that a number 4 defenseman is critical this deadline. More important than a top 6er for me. Am on the fence which could use an upgrade more, but don't see either as critically lacking once get healthy lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Defensive break downs have been a major issue for this team. Possession numbers are up, but the lapses in their own end have been brutal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 5 hours ago, Stogey24 said: Defensive break downs have been a major issue for this team. Possession numbers are up, but the lapses in their own end have been brutal. But gotta love the 3+ goals for/game this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 5 hours ago, Stogey24 said: Defensive break downs have been a major issue for this team. Possession numbers are up, but the lapses in their own end have been brutal. goals against are up over 1.5/game since Markov got hurt Markov alone doesn't account for all of that, but its a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 5 minutes ago, Commandant said: goals against are up over 1.5/game since Markov got hurt Markov alone doesn't account for all of that, but its a factor. Johnston!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I agree with BCHabnut and Stogey24. I'm starting to think that our defense is a little suspect. I know that things will get better when Markov get'S back, but I still think we might need some help on the blue line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoRP Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Nice thread Cucumber Yes, Habs need a legit #3/4 D man, or a lot better bottom pairing than they have had all year at the very least. A couple of my fav things I've seen this year is of course Rad and Weber, Lehkonen is a good hockey player, and Danault sure has had a great 1st half. Both these young guys are sound both ways, so eliminates the panic for depth acquisitions imho. Crazy or not, I like Shaw, and Byron is the biggest playing smurf I've seen since Mats Naslund Also I have a new appreciation for Brian Flynn as a utility player, with that speed, and you have to admit he has good hands sometimes too. All in all I'm pleasantly surprised so far, and like this team a lot compared to recent versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 7th in NHL in goals for/game, surprise to me anyways. Hopefully 27-67-47 line starts to click, but is likely about time for Pacioretty to go into a bit of a 'lull' in scoring...for whatever reason, snipers all seem very streaky? 9th best PP is a nice stat and assume Muller has been huge positive for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 On 2017-01-13 at 0:11 AM, BCHabnut said: Price is 24th in the league for sv % since Dec. Saw that during the game tonight. To pull off the wins when he is underperforming is a good sign as well. I'm also in the camp that a number 4 defenseman is critical this deadline. More important than a top 6er for me. I agree. I'm starting to wonder if packaging Beaulieu, a prospect and a high draft pick to get a bonafide top 3 dman is the way MB should go? Going into the playoffs with Weber/Emelin, Petry/Markov as our top four scares me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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