I wish I could watch more Habs. Unfortunately Bell blacks out all the games here.
It's different watching Winnipeg all the time and watching Montreal. Winnipeg has so much pace, and speed, skill in their game. The coaching style of Winnipeg allows the defense to constantly pinch and join the rush. The team is built on speed.
But I think that is a product of Winnipeg's division. Hawks started the trend that saw skill beating size. Nashville brought in the offensive minded Laviolette, with Housley coaching their d. I think everyone started to notice the change, and adapted.
Pittsburgh's success with smaller faster d, should have been a message to everyone else. Bergevin's decision to go Alzner, Schlemko, Streit somewhat boggles the mind, with Weber and Benn already there. Same with starting the year with Mitchell, McCarron. I think Montreal has to play tight because they don't have the horses to play run and gun. And it doesn't seem like offense is ever something the Canadiens draft for. It's like the Bob Gainey-Doug Jarvis-Guy Carbonneau era is forever engrained.
I wouldn't say the team is completely boring. Guys like Drouin, Galchenyuk show some high end skill. Scherbak's going to be fun to watch. I don't know if Reilly is an attempt to bring more speed to the defense, he replaced a good skater in Morrow, so the move is lateral. I guess you'll find out in the offseason.
Winnipeg made a significant move in the offseason. They bought out Mark Stuart. He was slow and big. Blocked a lot of shots. Seen as a warrior. But the analytics showed that he was a hindrance to puck possession and unable to defend as well as better skaters. Even on the PK. Replaced him with Kulikov. 3 good d pairings really changed the look of the team.
I still prefer Weber to Subban. I never liked Subban's diving, or Markov's, definitely didn't like some of the antics, though he was fun to watch skate. I look at Weber as being more Chara like, a guy you don't want to mess with, and a leader that others follow.
I think once the torched is passed from Pacioretty the team will change it's identity.
If Gallagher is the guy to lead, the identity will be hard working, persistent, relentless.
Still will not be the most exciting team. For years the weaknesses on the team were covered by superior goaltending, building around Price. His slip up this year might be a lesson to generate some more offense. A little more size would help up front, a little less on the back end.
Being a loser doesn't make me lose interest. Aerosmith said you got to lose to know how to win. Boston went through it. It's frustrating with Bergevin in charge, because he is not someone who you identify with glory, more like a company man.
He has a lot of work to do to restore the winning culture, and I am not sure he should be trusted to the job. Still...Always be a Habs fans, c'est l'équipe du peuple, historically speaking.