JGC21 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 So with all the signings, trades, and potential prospects - what does the 2014-15 Canadiens lineup look like today? Pacioretty - Desharnais - Parenteau Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gallagher Bourque - Eller - Sekac Prust - Malhotra - Weise Markov - Subban Emelin - Gilbert Tinordi - Weaver Price Budaj Extras: Moen, Bournival, Beaulieu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 If it was me I would have to change some of the pairing Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher Galchenyuk - Plekanec - SekacBourque - Eller - ParenteauPrust - Malhotra - WeiseMarkov - SubbanEmelin - Gilbert Beaulieu - WeaverPriceBudajThere's Andrighetto and DeLaRose that could mix the cards for the forwards. Nygren, the hardest slapshot winner, could be the real deal to take Weaver's spot if he shows some defensive abilities to pair up with Beaulieu. I almost forgot Pateryn, a mix of Beaulieu and Tinordi. The Habs are in a good defensive position to be able to package one with Pleky in order for Chucky to move to center and get him a big RW. MB has done a great job so far, things are looking up providing that Subban doesn't get too greedy (9-10M would put the cap numbers in a bad position) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 My lineup would be shuffled a bit.Pacioretty - Desharnais - ParenteauEller - Galchenyuk - GallagherBourque - Plekanec - SekacPrust - Malhotra - WeiseEmelin - SubbanMarkov - GilbertTinordi - WeaverPriceTokarski Changes: Move Galchenyuk to his natural position. Let Eller try to find his stride at wing, since center hasn't really worked for him. Pair Subban with Emelin. Emelin might be better defensively on his natural side... if so it's an ideal matchup. I don't like to load one line with all the offense, so Markove goes on the second pairing. Between Markov and Gilbert, the second line might have ALMOST as much offense as Subban (and Emelin) on the first line. Tokarski has earned his place on this club now. Roll three lines evenly. Double-shift Weise whenever Bourque or Eller (or anyone else) is floating and not performing to wake them up. Weise will never float. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I keep Eller as 3rd center and move Plek in order for Chucky to take his place as 2nd center. I wonder what Yakupov would be going for--PLEK and who..plusTokarski. Tokarski comes out of the net too far and gives 20 foot rebounds, he's not who I want in nets long term or on the bench. Budaj does a good job as backup. It'll be interesting to see what SEKAC does this fall, his numbers were good in the KHL. Bergevin might surprise us with this signing like with the Weaver and Weiss signing that went under the radar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I don't know about moving Plek to wing. Plek seems to win those key defending faceoffs fairly reliably. Tokarski is small. Smaller goalies always come further out of the net to compensate and present a bigger obstacle to the shooter. Yes, it's risky, but several goalies have been successful that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 I keep Eller as 3rd center and move Plek in order for Chucky to take his place as 2nd center. Do you still trade Plex if he's named captain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Subban would be a good captain... The double standard that he has had to face: "celebrates too much, not a team player, one dimension..." a bunch of BS to me. What would PLEk bring in the room---"ok guys, let's play". Not what would get me motivated. Subban is now the face of the franchise, a little exhuberance is always a good motivator (certainly sells tickets and always has fans on the edge of their seats every time he's on the ice). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Martin Hudgeon Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Galchenyuk should have to earn that second line spot, it isn't his to lose. Since joining the habs he has not played like a second line player. Sure, he is not playing his natural center, but I fail to see how adding more defensive responsibility on a guy who already struggles with that aspect is going to immediately improve anything. With that in mind bringing in Malholtra affords them the opportunity to trade Pleks if they can find a good scoring winger, so Galchenyuk may get moved back to C, but he isn't going to get handed top 6 minutes until he proves he can handle them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Galchenyuk should have to earn that second line spot, it isn't his to lose. Since joining the habs he has not played like a second line player. Absolutely. He's not going to earn it playing at wing. He's certainly played better than Lars Eller, however, to whom we keep giving a spot at center. Also, don't forget, third line is not typically a demotion from second. Second line is where you put your second best offensive threats. Third line is where you put the guys you want on the ice when you need to hold that lead, or win that faceoff in your own end late in the game, etc. Bourque and Sekac being there already concern me. I want our best defensive center there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Since joining the habs he has not played like a second line player. Sure, he is not playing his natural center, but I fail to see how adding more defensive responsibility on a guy who already struggles with that aspect is going to immediately improve anything. I disagree, he's been improving every aspect of his game since he has played with the HABS. He needs to grow into his center position. He was drafted with that in mind. It's time for him to start playing his position, if that means the HABS have to trade a player, Plek is the guy that will get the most for the team in trade. Like MB said, the HABS are still in rebuild mode, so let the lessons begin. Kane and Yakupov would be on my list but how much do the other teams want is the Caramilk secret....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 FORWARDSMax Pacioretty ($4.500m) / David Desharnais ($3.500m) / Brendan Gallagher ($0.685m) Alex Galchenyuk ($0.925m) / Tomas Plekanec ($5.000m) / P-A Parenteau ($4.000m) Rene Bourque ($3.333m) / Lars Eller ($3.000m) / Brandon Prust ($2.500m) Michael Bournival ($0.660m) / Manny Malhotra ($0.850m) / Dale Weise ($1.025m) Travis Moen ($1.850m) / DEFENSEMENAndrei Markov ($5.750m) / P.K. Subban ($8.500m) Alexei Emelin ($4.100m) / Tom Gilbert ($2.800m) Nathan Beaulieu ($0.925m) / Mike Weaver ($1.750m) Jarred Tinordi ($0.870m) / GOALTENDERSCarey Price ($6.500m) Peter Budaj ($1.400m) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 Absolutely. He's not going to earn it playing at wing. He's certainly played better than Lars Eller, however, to whom we keep giving a spot at center. Also, don't forget, third line is not typically a demotion from second. Second line is where you put your second best offensive threats. Third line is where you put the guys you want on the ice when you need to hold that lead, or win that faceoff in your own end late in the game, etc. Bourque and Sekac being there already concern me. I want our best defensive center there. What about a third line of: Eller - Plekanec - Prust That could be the checking/energy line. However, that means the second line will probably end up: Bourque - Galchenyuk - Gallagher If Bourque regresses to poop, then trade him and put Sekac/Angrighetto/de la Rose in his place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 If M.B wanted Eller to play wing I find it highly unlikely he would resign him. Eller is being primed to become a solid 2 way centre. Playing him on the wing at this point in his career would be a mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Playing Galchenyuk currently at wing is also a mistake. Eller is not more ready than Galchenyuk... in fact, Eller's got, in my opinion, only this one more season to prove himself before he gets sent packing. Don't get me wrong - I like the guy. I want him to succeed. I think he works hard and has a good attitude. However, the results have not been there. For all his talent, something is holding him back. Galchenyuk is younger but he has way more upside and is far more likely to be a first line player in the near future. Why are we hobbling him at wing while giving Eller more time to flounder around at center? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 PRICE- Seguin was put on the wing before being put at Center, it seems young players play better that way and succeed when they are finally put at Center after a few years. Eller was put in the center position earlier than most and succeeded considering the "talent" that was on his wings after Chucky got hurt. He was playing with BURQ until he rediscovered what it was like to score goals in the playoffs. If Eller has the right wingers like he had at the beginning of last season, he will succeed. Remember the torrid scoring pace they were on before Therrien woke up the PAC line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Poor Larry, crapped on way way too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 13pts in 17 playoff games and a plus 6 rating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 If you're going to base Eller's season on the playoffs, you have to accept that Bourque is also our best goal scorer by a wide margin. Since that seems unlikely to me... Eller needs 20 goals and 40 points+ next year and he'll have earned his spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbigbear Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Not basing his post season play on his whole year and his whole career. He's been improving every year, this year it was Therrien's reshuffling of the lines that messed him up as well as the Chucky injury that forced him to try and make all the plays. He has the size and the puck control, he can skate a puck into the opposition's zone, unlike many chase and dump wingers that he played with. Eller, if he has talented players with him, will deliver like he has in the past, He also deserves some PP time. He's one of the better creative players the HABS have on the team. GO HABS GO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 "As he has in the past?" Lars Eller has never delivered over a complete season. Yes, he managed 30 points in the lockout shortened 48 game season. Sadly, that's the best total of 4 year NHL career. As I said, if he gets 40 points this year, he can earn himself a place on the team -- but he can't STAY at 40 points. We need to see constant improvement. If he's not hitting 50+ every season, he's not what we need. Galchenyuk has the potential to be a 90+ point guy, if we start using him where he's best. This is what we're holding back by keeping 25 points-a-year Lars Eller at Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neech Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I see the kid line reuniting with Eller and Chuck alternating at C and wing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 "As he has in the past?" Lars Eller has never delivered over a complete season. Yes, he managed 30 points in the lockout shortened 48 game season. Sadly, that's the best total of 4 year NHL career. As I said, if he gets 40 points this year, he can earn himself a place on the team -- but he can't STAY at 40 points. We need to see constant improvement. If he's not hitting 50+ every season, he's not what we need. Galchenyuk has the potential to be a 90+ point guy, if we start using him where he's best. This is what we're holding back by keeping 25 points-a-year Lars Eller at Center. I repeat 13pts in 17 playoff games with a plus 6 rating.The kid is 25 years old, he's finding his role on this team and he showed he can up his tempo in the playoffs. I honestly give Eller a lot of credit for the run we had in playoffs. He stepped up when our top line wasn't producing and earned a contract extension. Eller also fills the area that this team is so desperately lacking in; a big bodied centre that has the potential to score goals. Without Eller we literally become the smallest team up the middle in the leagueGalcheyuk was put at centre a few times last year and literally couldn't handle the defensive responsibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I repeat 13pts in 17 playoff games with a plus 6 rating And Rene Bourque had 8 goals, 3 assists (2 less points than Eller, but 3 more goals), and was a +4 in 17 playoff games. Are we going to call him our top goal scorer? Most of the 2014 Lars Eller was bench-warming because he couldn't handle the puck responsibly at either end of the ice. While he CAN bury the puck, I maintain he has to start doing it, regularly and reliably, or he's a waste of space. And we're no longer that small. With the exception of Desharnais, Gallagher, and Weaver, the rest of the team is 6' or over. Even last year, with Gionta, we weren't that small anymore. That size reputation is a legacy of earlier years. Besides, size is overrated. Your team is only as small as the biggest guy on any given line/pairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 "As he has in the past?" Lars Eller has never delivered over a complete season. Yes, he managed 30 points in the lockout shortened 48 game season. Sadly, that's the best total of 4 year NHL career. As I said, if he gets 40 points this year, he can earn himself a place on the team -- but he can't STAY at 40 points. We need to see constant improvement. If he's not hitting 50+ every season, he's not what we need. Galchenyuk has the potential to be a 90+ point guy, if we start using him where he's best. This is what we're holding back by keeping 25 points-a-year Lars Eller at Center. Eller put up 30 points and people were ready to gift him the first line center position. Desharnais put up 28 points and people were fine if he waived the next year. We're a fickle bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Eller put up 30 points and people were ready to gift him the first line center position. Desharnais put up 28 points and people were fine if he waived the next year. We're a fickle bunch. The thing with DD is if he's not putting up points he is literally useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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