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Skater Time on Ice Statistics Glossary | Rk Player 1 Matt Niskanen 2 Karl Alzner 3 John Carlson 4 Brooks Orpik 5 Nate Schmidt 6 Alex Ovechkin 7 Dmitry Orlov 8 Nicklas Backstrom 9 Evgeny Kuznetsov 10 T.J. Oshie 11 Marcus Johansson 12 Justin Williams 13 Mike Weber 14 Aaron Ness 15 Andre Burakovsky 16 Taylor Chorney 17 Jay Beagle 18 Jason Chimera 19 Tom Wilson 20 Daniel Winnik 21 Paul Carey 22 Mike Richards 23 Connor Carrick 24 Zach Sill 25 Ryan Stanton 26 Brooks Laich 27 Stanislav Galiev 28 Sean Collins 29 Michael Latta 30 Chandler Stephenson 31 Chris Brown Even Strength Power Play Short Handed Rk Player Pos Shift GP TOI ▼ CF% Rel GF/60 GA/60 TOI CF% Rel GF/60 GA/60 TOI CF% Rel GF/60 GA/60 1 Matt Niskanen D 0:51 82 19:23 -0.7 2.3 2.0 2:24 -3.0 9.3 0.3 2:51 -5.6 0.3 6.1 2 Karl Alzner D 0:45 82 18:28 -3.1 2.3 1.8 0:03 -9.6 20.6 0.0 2:50 -4.9 0.3 5.4 3 John Carlson D 0:45 56 18:13 -1.1 2.9 1.9 3:18 4.8 8.0 0.6 2:10 0.8 0.5 4.4 4 Brooks Orpik D 0:43 41 17:32 -0.8 3.5 2.7 0:01 12.7 0.0 0.0 2:14 4.7 0.7 4.6 5 Nate Schmidt D 0:53 72 16:40 -0.2 2.4 1.9 0:03 10.3 6.9 0.0 1:20 3.1 0.0 6.8 6 Alex Ovechkin LW 0:57 79 16:00 4.0 3.3 2.1 4:17 15.9 9.2 0.9 0:00 0.0 0.0 7 Dmitry Orlov D 0:54 82 15:21 4.2 3.1 2.6 0:31 -6.6 3.8 2.5 0:08 17.2 0.0 5.2 8 Nicklas Backstrom C 0:41 75 15:12 1.4 2.7 1.7 3:04 5.1 9.6 0.8 0:53 -1.5 0.0 5.4 9 Evgeny Kuznetsov C 0:53 82 15:11 3.3

He was injured for basically the first time in his career. (To Habs29) Look at their depth chart from last year and Alzner was their #1 LD I dislike Alzner but no #6 defenseman would be the second most sought out defenseman in any free agency year. Overpaid no doubt, but he’s not the only free agent that has been.

The problem I have with trading Pacioretty for a center is that we are all looking for that elusive top 6 center, who on our team may turn out to be the the equivalent of a top line center. Furthermore, we are looking for an offensive centerman who could balance the team out based on an apparent abundance of wingers. The issue is that our coaching staff would prefer our top line center to be just as defensively responsible as offensively. We’ve seen that with Galchenyuk and Drouin. I have only a shadow of a doubt that had we not been through years of this with Galchenyuk already, his skill set is competent for a top 6 center, especially on a team that needs one. We could effectively end up trading Pacioretty for a prospect centerman who turns out to be no more effective defensively than Galchenyuk. What’s the point? Even in Boston, Bergeron has been a Selke candidate or winner, year after year. While he has scored 30 goals in the past, Bergeron seems to be finding even more offense this season now that Julien is gone. It worries me that expectations from a center acquired for Pacioretty won’t be fully realized on this team. We can claim that we have an abundance of wingers, but we also could have been a team with a skilled Galchenyuk as our first line center. My thought is that any bonafide center who comes in a return, unless it were a Tavares or a Thornton (neither of which would happen), will have the main focus of Julien be to hone in on their defensive game. If it is a young center prospect in return, the trade has potential to be a disaster as we’ve seen what has happened to Drouin and more specifically Galchenyuk during Julien’s “training” routine. Of course, if we simply trade Pacioretty for something that also involves a solid defenseman or defensive prospect in return, the idea becomes a little more refreshing. I simply am not convinced that any center prospect we trade Pacioretty for would turn out to be much different than some of the skilled centermen we already have on the team, even though they aren’t used as such. Galchenyuk is still listed as a center in many places and Drouin and Galchenyuk were both drafted 3rd overall. What traded prospect is going to have more potential?

Plekanec is +3 If he were to be on the ice the entire season, the Habs may onlyyyyy have 10 goals, but we would also only have 7 against.

Yup, it’s to each their own. I do feel as though keeping Pacioretty is actually a slightly safer move whereas keeping the draft pick has a higher risk-reward component. I obviously like Pacioretty and would like to think he deserves 7 million. 8 years makes it look ugly but it’s also not a guarantee that his contract would be that long. A lot of the counter arguments seem to be futuristic “written in stone” numbers and names that aren’t actually certain. Pacioretty’s name, style of play and statistical capability are all well evident. Some people hate him for what he brings. I on the other hand will miss his scoring when he’s gone. I also have to repeat that after this year, used cap space has become one of my least worries when it comes to a discussion of an elite player. Pacioretty deserves 7 million wherever he goes. I was trying to facilitate the discussion about acquiring Nugent-Hopkins in order to address a need we have at center. And trying to do so without giving up a core piece ourselves. We could just as easily keep Pacioretty and draft high as well.

This I agree with.

Our 30 year old captain who is also our best goal scorer, rather than a hypothetical lottery pick that has little guarantee of being extremely high. In order to acquire Nugent Hopkins? Although I didn’t specify that the 1st round pick would be this year, yes I would. And I’m fine with being in the minority on that. Pacioretty will regress but he is one of the best goal scorers in the league.

The thing is that Weber and Pacioretty are higher quality than Nugent Hopkins. It’s also not true that you have to give one of those players for a team looking to shed salary. Danault Lehkonen 1st round pick That type of trade should get it done if you don’t like Alzner’s contract. If it’s still a no, add a 2nd rounder. If there’s a will, there’s a way.

This is really going to oversimplify things but the way our team has been built for many years, the key guy has been Carey Price. I am fully aware about the theory around here that in a playoff series “many goalies can match Price’s level and negate the Price-effect”. While I don’t fully agree with it, if that’s the case then he is indeed the one who should be eventually moved in order for us to not simply be able to “patch up” any issues. The Leafs had Sundin but I am a believer that having Price is a reason why the Habs can never truly be a full rebuilding team. Re-tooling is fine but it’s a very general term, as I can guarantee the Habs will “re-tool” from the trade deadline to the off season. I also fear to say on here that having Price is reason enough to believe that with the correct configuration up front and re-tool, we should be able to compete in upcoming seasons. Of course the glass half empty view is that in a good year “Price hides all the team weaknesses and so management can get away with putting together a mediocre team”. If all these negative views have truth, then Price may actually be the proper player to set free. I am of the positive view that we can compete in many given years because we have him. Because of that viewpoint, I should be considered a Leaf-like fan, apparently. To sum up, I believe Price is a key factor on the polarizing viewpoints of this team. I am of the belief that with him on the team, we should have the potential to compete in any given year as long as our management team puts together the best team possible in front of him. I didn’t feel as though they did that this season. I also feel as though Price certainly had a down year himself, which is a whole other conversation. If Price can be negated by other goaltenders come playoff time and cannot help this team remain legitimate, why keep him? (I don’t want him traded) Pacioretty can be a part of the puzzle but Price is the keyest of cogs, in every respect.

Then let’s play this game. Is there any proposal that comes to mind which acquires RNH without trading away Pacioretty or Gallagher? (Or Galchenyuk)

What about Washington’s lack of depth when he was their #1 left defenseman?

I don’t see how your option is any better than the alternative. It’s just as easy to say that “by the time the Habs will be competitive, Weber will be on the back end of his career” even with your scenario. It doesn’t matter whether or not Weber is on the team at that point in time. I think we have a better chance at a cup with at least three of Weber, Price, Galchenyuk and Pacioretty, than we would have after trading them. This is especially true with the proposals I’ve heard deemed realistic. It’s not the worst thing Bergevin could do to keep them, if the return truthfully wasn’t substantial. I’m fine and accepting that it seems the majority of posters here want to trade away our core players. What I’m not so confident in, is the approach. All of these players are skilled in their own right. That’s one thing that is guaranteed. With a lot of these prospects, there is uncertainty that surrounds them. For that reason, I would accept trading one of those players for futures if that’s what is necessary. It is the posts that state “we need to trade everyone because we will be younger and better” that don’t convince me. That path could take 10 years in and of itself, and I 100% don’t agree that it’s not possible for us to be legitimate contenders sooner than that with some of this core.

I gave it a justification of making sense because they could use help on the defensive end, regardless of salary. They are looking to shed his salary because of all the money they have invested in centermen. It’s not like they aren’t going to spend money on any other player in another position. Alzner is defensive minded and Edmonton struggles defensively. Darnell Nurse has been extremely efficient for them but Alzner could slot in as their 3rd or 4th defenseman. They then get cap relief in a serviceable centerman in Danault who won’t command as much as Nugent Hopkins. I think the only thing the oilers would need to do to make it realistic would be to shed Klefbomb’s salary as well. If that means coming to us in return, they receive an excellent 1st round draft pick. I don’t see why a first round draft pick wouldn’t entice them. If another team has a better offer, so be it.

I think a few of my points were proven there because Alzner is not a #6 dman, and wasn’t when he was on a contender. Then you’ve given reasons why both teams shouldn’t do the trade. Et voila. That’s how most realistic trades should be.

Yup, just like the Maple Leafs who haven’t won’t a playoff round in 13 years, and missed the playoffs 8 times in a row. In what year did their GM put them into bubble territory?

Since 2012-2013, the most cap space the Habs have had available to them in a year (outside of this year) is roughly 3 million dollars. In 2011-2012, the Habs had roughly 9 million dollars in available cap space and it seems to me no coincidence that the Habs were last in their division that year as well. There seems to be a clear and somewhat obvious relationship between spending to or near the cap and having a competitive team. At least for the Habs. Furthermore, it seems to be an oddity for the Habs not to spend close to the cap and not the norm. Available centers include Thornton, Tavares and Stastny and quite frankly I would take any of them on our team next year, if it meant we could be competitive. Thornton would certainly be overpaid but it wouldn’t be for long. I personally much prefer this route than trading our core players for other players simply because they are younger or have different personalities. There are also other available elite wingers available on the market, in which case some of the players I’m worried about trading may become more expendable in return for a center. I’m not overly worried about overpaying by one or two million for a free agent who fills a void because there is also value in not having to trade away a useful player for a return. I believe it is possible for the Habs to be competitive next year because other teams have turned it around quickly and our cap space does give us room to make moves in order to better the team.

I agree Edmonton very well may not make the trade but I also think Alzner holds some value around the league. I’ve never really liked him, but he’s serviceable and well respected. I get the feeling that most Habs fans, even knowledgeable ones, undervalue him. Maybe Klefbomb could be moved somewhere else, or be part of the return. They then get a nice and cheap third line center in Danault, as well as a 1st round pick in addition to Alzner, which is nothing to sniff at considering they’re also shedding the 6 million contract talked about.

Alzner is terrible on the Habs but he’s not the worst player to have on offensively gifted teams like Washington has been and Edmonton has the potential to be. Those types of teams could use stay at home defensemen. With Brandon Davidson on the top pairing, albeit a right defenseman, they’re obviously looking for help on the back end as well. Alzner would be an upgrade on some of their defenseman and Danault could be helpful at low cost. Alzner’s salary is higher than it should be, but it’s not astronomical and they could always find other ways to manage their cap space after the move.

To Edmonton P. Danault K. Alzner 1st or 2nd To Montreal RNH

I’m not sure where you read anyone say that we should trade Gallagher because he’s injury prone in the past hour. With that being said, I wouldn’t trade Gallagher or Pacioretty but it makes sense in the world where the Habs apparently need a bonafide center and have an abundance of wingers, as you keep pointing out. You mention Galchenyuk and Drouin as efficient left wingers and replacements for Pacioretty and yet they are arguably better right wingers. (Not to mention centers) Yes, I would rather trade Gallagher and his 23 goals and 24 assist averages than Pacioretty and his 30 goals and 29 assist averages. Hopefully neither get traded. There’s no reason Gallagher shouldn’t be able to give us a return of a top 6 center and/or top 4 defenseman and that’s what everyone is ranting about while suggesting we trade the better player in Pacioretty. One can rip into my thoughts here, and I’ll continue to disagree with the Pacioretty trade talks.

I will add that Pacioretty has missed 7 games in the past 4 years and barely missed any time in the past 7 years. This all comes in seasons after the devastating hit he took from Chara. I look at that from many angles. The first goes hand hand in hand with what you are saying in that Pacioretty’s previous injury history has had no impact on the rest of his career in terms of health and games played. Another thing that comes to mind is style of play and although he’s trying to cut to the net more, Pacioretty is generally a perimeter player who avoids getting hit in most instances. He’s not a puck retriever like Gallagher who takes hits, grinds along the boards and goes to the most dangerous areas of the ice. This is a great thing, and a positive in Gallagher’s favor, but it is no science that it may eventually take a toll on his body. I do sometimes fear his hand injury, but I do agree that this is mostly an irrational fear to assume he is damaged goods based on that one thing, especially considering he has scored 20 goals this year. While I don’t want this to become the debate, a third thought from all of that is that one of the main reasons trading Pacioretty has become a predominant discussion is (apparently) because of his age. It is my personal belief, based on style of play, that Pacioretty won’t age as quickly as Gallagher. Gallagher may not have missed games this year, but he has been yanked a few times out of the game due to concussion protocol and has gone to the locker room during games for various other small injuries. I can’t remember Pacioretty being sent to the dark room this year. Considering Pacioretty once got decapated in his career, we can chalk this up to coincidence or we can summize that they are different players, with different physical attributes, as well dissimilar styles of play. My point there is that I don’t think either Gallagher or Pacioretty are particularly “old” and should be traded for that specific reason. I will admit that this is all coming from someone who would likely trade Gallagher for value over Pacioretty, but it’s a coincidental relationship as my reasoning for that has little to do with what’s stated here, particularly about Gallagher.

Alright, so he missed 25 games per season for no apparent reason the previous two seasons and we’ll leave it at that.

The missing part is that Markov is a finesse player whereas Gallagher is a skilled grinder. I’m fine with keeping Gallagher for the long run but I don’t quite see it as a fear factor when it comes to the reality that he’s broken his hand, his body isn’t what it once was, and he plays a style that will likely contribute to injuries in the future. My argument is not that we should trade him based on this reasoning though.

Games played in the last few years... 82 81 53 54 55 this year so far He has indeed played every game this year, but he has been injured the past two seasons and he gets sent to the dressing room quite often. He’s in front of the net all the time and got lucky he didn’t miss any time after taking (another) slap shot off his hand earlier this year. You can say it’s a crystal ball talking and I will say that based on his style of play, we’re going to have to deal with his injuries throughout his career.

On topic, my short answer would be to retool the team. This can be done in a myriad of ways, including actually using the cap space we had available to us this year. As much as people want our best players traded, it’s not because of them that the team isn’t up to standard. Our record has less to do with which players make up our core, and more to do with the way our team has been built, and the fact that we could have one or two more star players on our team at no cost (with the available $8 million).