Jeff Price (no relation)

Claude Julien was Montreal's coach when Mike Ribeiro flopped around on the ice like a soccer player who got breathed on, then was up skating his next regular shift. Boston under Julien was the league's worst embellishment/diving team, always crying foul at fake offenses by the other team, then claiming the other team was diving when they were spearing them in the nuts. I recognize he's a good coach, and so intellectually I was happy to see him replace Therien...but I so hope Montreal doesn't start pulling that same crap.

I'm sorry, my brain immediately goes to a hockey version of the Who's on First routine when I see that name. Commentator: "Do you think Evgeny Kuznetsov will pick up the pace this series?" Russian coach: "He vould have more goals, but some not count." Commentator: "Why did they not count?" Russian coach: "Kuznetsov." Commentator: "Yes, Kuznetsov. Why did his goals not count?" Russian coach: "Kuznetsov."

I'll freely admit one of my favorite players in the NHL is very low on this list - Patrice Bergeron. I think of him as a bona fide, complete package, pure gentleman center man. Three problems I see with him: (1) He's in Boston. Trading with Boston would be hard. (2) He's got a history of injury, which when combined with his age, I'd be reluctant to take on. (3) He doesn't add enough offense on his own to make us an offensively capable team (He's not even Boston's #1 center) -- although the idea of Bergeron on a line with Pacioretty makes me giddy.

There's lots of things that would be a better measure. But I composed this post in 5 minutes. Let's look at the same top 47 by points per game, and see what changes. Players who move into the top 47 are in bold. Connor McDavid Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos ^^ Evgeni Malkin Nicklas Backstrom Mark Scheifele Samuel Henley (1 game, 1 goal) Ryan Getzlaf Leon Draisaitl Jack Eichel Tyler Seguin John Tavares Aleksander Barkov Mikael Granlund Auston matthews Joe Pavelski Jake Guentzel (because Pittsburgh needed a 3rd top line center) Jonathan Toews Jeff Carter Bryan Little Eric Staal Mitch Marner Ryan O'Reilly William Nylander Nazem Kadri Ryan Johansen Alexander Wennberg Jason Spezza Mikko Koivu Alex Galchenyuk (Well, well, lookie here) Evgeny Kuznetsov Rickard Rakell Logan Couture Sean Monahan Ryan Kesler Claude Giroux Tyler Bozak Kyle Turris Artem Anisimov Brayden Schenn Mathieu Perrault Anze Kopitar Charlie Coyle Tyler Johnson Jonathan Marchessault Derek Stepan Patrice Bergeron So now, we have #30 on the top Centers by offensive production per game already in Montreal. At that point, it seems we need a SECOND number one center. And with the possible exception of a healthy Steven Stamkos, whom I don't see us getting, not one of those guys I just added in makes Montreal into a dangerous offensive team. Some who now dropped off the list (Joe Thornton -- and Henrik if he came as a package with his twin) are probably better than most of the ones who were added onto it.

It's painfully obvious Montréal needs offense, after that debacle in the first round of the playoffs this year. The thing is, what constitutes a number one center? There are 30 teams in the NHL...well, 31 next year, so I suppose it would be the top 31 Centers by points, yes? This doesn't necessarily rate how good they are, just that they're the top 31 offensive centers in the league by points scored. (Note, I'm not picking the top on every team. Some teams had two number one centers -- like Pittsburgh -- or even FIVE, like Toronto. Others had none -- see Montreal.) Don't argue with me that "That guy didn't usually play that position..." -- this is what the NHL has them officially listed as. Connor McDavid (yeah right) Sidney Crosby (ha) Nicklas Backstrom Mark Scheifele Leon Draisaitl Ryan Getzlaf Evgeni Malkin Tyler Seguin Auston Matthews Mikael Granlund Joe Pavelski Jeff Carter John Tavares Eric Staal Nazem Kadri William Nylander Mitch Marner Ryan Johansen Evgeny Kuznetsov Alexander Wennberg Sean Monahan Ryan Kesler Jonathan Toews Mikko Koivu Claude Giroux Jack Eichel Charlie Coyle Brayden Schenn Ryan Oreilly Tyler Bozak Now, if you step back a bit and look further down the list, you see some of the centers below Bozak were are better than many of the centers above him, so let's include a few more. Derek Stepan David Krejci Vincent Trochek Makael Backlund Patrice Bergeron Nathan MacKinnon Logan Couture Aleksander Barkov Bo Horvat Anze Kopitar Rickard Rakell Jonathan Marchessault Sam Gagner Jason Spezza Henrik Sedin Joe Thornton There we have the top 47 centers in the NHL, listed by point totals in 2017. This also represents a spread of 50 points -- from McDavid's 100, to Joe Thornton's 50. Not all number one centers are created equally, it would seem. Several of these guys, I'll freely admit, elicit a response of "Who?" from me when I read their name -- mostly western conference players on teams I don't give a shite about. Others I think of as fringe players, and yet here they are, in the list of the top 47 centers by points. So we know Montreal needs a number one center. I just don't see how getting Tyler Bozak or Ryan O'Reilly makes us that much better. Keep in mind, a "number one center" cannot mean "only an elite center." Let's face it -- on that entire list, I see maybe 8 guys I'd consider "elite" -- and we're never getting any of them. So let's take it down a notch, and remove McDavid, Crosby, Backstrom, Scheifele, Getzlaf, Malkin, Matthews and Toews from contention. They're not moving. So...what about Leon Draisaitl? Does he make us much better? I don't see him as the missing piece of this team. Nazem Kadri isn't going to save us, either. And what would we have to give up to get a guy like Seguin or Pavelski? Again, I don't see it happening. We all talk about needing to get a center as if it's the simplest thing in the world to go out and get another GM to hand one over. I'll list two on that list I think could be game changers in Montreal, who could possibly move at a reasonable price...MAYBE: Eric Staal or John Tavares. What do we have to give up to get one of those guys on this team? Because neither one can carry the team on their own. We need the core of the team intact for these guys to matter.

No no no. This is an Internet fan forum. You are not allowed to be unsure of yourself. Whatever you think is supposed to be presented as the absolute truth, and anyone who disagrees with you is a moron.

Location stops me. I haven't been to la Belle Province in thirty years... My wife isn't into hockey, and I am not taking vacation by myself.

Wasn't that McSorley's stick?

I take it back about Emelin. I want Nesterov off that blue line. (Would Davidson be a better choice?)

Most oddsmakers are putting Montreal 4th most likely to win the cup, at 8% (well above the mean at 6.25%). You'd think the least likely would be Toronto, with them having to get past Washington and either Pittsburgh or Columbus, but they're only second last at 4%. The Rangers actually have the lowest odds, at 3%.

We also have 4-5 easily replaceable tough guys who can send that message. I really don't want to see Weber getting 5 and a game, but if Ott does, for the right reason, he just earned his salary.

I think we have a better defense corps with Emelin injured than with him healthy.

The implication of this wish would satisfy my only real wish for the playoffs.

I actually like the idea of putting Galchenyuk on line 4, assuming line 4 gets full icetime. New York only has one decent defense pairing, and they'll be trying to cover Patches. Galchenyuk on Line 4 will have free rein to shoot, and our grinders are good enough defensively to make up for his lack. Of course, that's theory. In gameplay, maybe it doesn't work.

So, how's this for change: Under Therien, the Habs were the most penalized team in the NHL. Under Julien, the Habs have been the least penalized team in the NHL. That big a turnaround is NOT a coincidence. Julien has clearly changed things up. What do you think is the cause?

The Kings were never a tier 1 contender. They were a tier 2 contender that beat the odds... Repeatedly. This was a flawed team that barely managed to make the playoffs then went on a tear without explanation despite mediocre regular seasons.

You've gotta think an outstanding goaltending performance by his second backup combined with 4 goals scored takes some pressure off. This team can win without him. They've got far better odds of winning with him between the pipes, but it's not an incompetent bunch outside the crease.

That would require his linemates to score.

You picked the name "Lazy." ?

Division lead won't make any difference anymore if they get to round 3, right? At that point, doesn't matter if it's Washington, Pittsburgh, or Columbus, they all have better records, and division leaders no longer get seeded first, right?

It's nice we're actually ahead of the rangers now, too. It was looking like Montreal's first round matchup was going to have a better record than them.

And it's officially an 8 point lead on Toronto, who's now in second due to ROW. This game was the most exciting regular season game I've seen in a long time.

Look how much people nitpicked and bitched about Subban's rare defensive lapses despite 50-60 points per season. Nate has a few more lapses than Subban did. Of course, people who didn't like Subban's style of play were crazy, but that's not the point. Nate doesn't have Subban's offensive upside, and has a greater defensive downside. He needs to continue improving those scoresheet numbers if he is going to carry his weight.

The kid's offensive numbers are climbing every season. He might hit 30 points this year. Where he needs to be to earn his keep is about 40+. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on him. But if the right offer was made, he'd be gone.

Hopefully when the playoffs start and King realizes he'd be golfing in L.A., he wakes up.