Common theme of the draft is SIZE down the middle. What is the future of our C's?

[onemorecup*]

Well i se our center line up for the future as

1-Galchenyuk
2-DD
3-Ellers
4-Rugged 4th line center


Plekanec traded for a winger

midget will be gone

 

[Varlan]

Well i se our center line up for the future as

1-Galchenyuk
2-DD
3-Ellers
4-Rugged 4th line center


Plekanec traded for a winger

* pours gasoline on self, ignites self, and runs screaming.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

* pours gasoline on self, ignites self, and runs screaming.

midget will be gone

Before quoting him, think of the children.

 

[NLHabsFan]

I see a lot of people saying Plekanec will be our 3rd line center. I know one thing, if Plek's is the #3C due to two better center men in front of him, our team will be in amazing shape and we should have lots to cheer about. The guy is much better than a 3rd line center.

 

[hockeyfan2k11]

Its possible that Desharnais could replace Plekanec in the future. That's why MB gave him that contract. I can see us dealing Plekanec + Gorges for Edler and Burrows. Vancouver might need a big shakeup. If we can get Konopka and a 2nd round pick this year for Diaz, then I would pull the trigger.

C-Galchenyuk (6'1 200lbs)
C-Eller (6'2" 210lbs)
C-Desharnais (5'2" 110lbs)
C-Konopka? (face/off specialist 58% + grit + can fight)
C-Dumont

LW-Pacioretty
LW-Bourque
LW-Burrows (via trade Van)
LW-Prust

RW-Gallagher
RW-Gionta
RW-Kristo
RW-Moen
RW-Leblanc

D-Subban
D-Edler (6'3" 220lbs) (via trade Van)
D-Markov
D-Emelin
D-Babchuk (6'5" 220lbs + PP specialist)
D-Tinordi (6'7" 230lbs)
D-Boullion

G-Price
G-Budaj

This gave me a headache.

 

[HuGo Sham]

This gave me a headache.

sure it's possible that DD could replace pleks. he'd have to learn how to play outside the opposing blue line (*see defense and *back-check) and not get knocked on his ass when the other team sneezes on him though

 

[Ginu]

Well i se our center line up for the future as

1-Galchenyuk
2-DD
3-Ellers
4-Rugged 4th line center


Plekanec traded for a winger

That's dumb. But you already know that.

 

[bsl]

Whoever says Pleks is a #3 centerman loses all credibility. He's one of the best 2nd-line centermen.

In 5 games, he got 4 points, tied for best point-producer of the team with Subban. Among other things, he's one of the smartest PK guys the Habs have. Just look at the Armstrong breakaway he generated.

Seriously, you guys have absolutely zero clue of what you're talking about whatsoever. And your above statements will forever tell me to not take anything you say seriously from this point onwards.

I'm blown away by the sheer amount of hockey ignorance I'm reading from you two. Wow... just wow.

1. I think most of us agree that DD lost his top 2 spot a center this year.

I hate to quote him, but Pierre Maguire said today that DD could be an effective C on a 3rd line with some scoring punch.

A lot of teams are now using 3rd line as a scoring line, not just a D line. The no 1 or 2 lines play the other team's no 1 or 2 lines.

2. DD as a wing is useless, and in 2 years, there will be no room for him there anyway.

Given the points above, I could see this for next year:

Max, Pleks, Gio

Get's Max a way from DD, finally. A solid no 1 line with responsible D. If Gio gets hurt, which he will, you promote Gally to this line, and play Kristo on line 2.

Bourque, Eller, Gally

Dynamite no 2 line, not as good on D as line 1, but a threat every time.

Big tough UFA, DD, Chuckie

This all hinges on the UFA. He has to be a real bruiser who can also pot 10 goals. He also backs up Prust. Any candidates? There must be at least one, and it is Bergy's biggest priority. Chuckie is big enough, and he's good enough on D to take this RW role next year. It will be his last year on wing.

Prust, Dumont, Monster Killer UFA/Armstrong

Dumont showed good face off ability so far. Hes young, and he's not a girlie either. He can also step in for DD if DD is hurt. I think Halpern is too old, and too tired. I also think Moen is useless. I especeted more from him in PO, and it was not there. Our 4th should be young, and tough as nails. Our bangers were simply too old against the big Ottawa D. They had no injuries at all against us.

Bergy needs to find a fighter for the fourth line, who can also play OK D. He will have to pay a lot for this. This fighter will take more load off Prust, who is already damaged by being the only wing with balls this year. Keep Armstrong as a veteran, dependable sub, he's also useful as a sub for line 2-4.

Gone:

Moen. Not needed with 2 more big young wing UFA. The guys does not give a **** any more. Trade him for a second if possible.

Halpern. Dumont can replace him I think. If we struggle on FO, pick up a guy at the deadline.

Let Dumont develop, I love this kid, and he will be the local hero when they dump DD the year after next, when Chuckie takes his job and there is no room at wing.

Gally will take Gio's job when Gio gets hurt after Christmas. I'll take a flyer and say that's when you promote Kristo for line 2. I ****ing love Kriso, and I think all he will need is 40 games in AHL. He is the next Gally.

What does this all mean?

A younger, tougher team. That is what is winning in the NHL right now. Bergy has got to land at least one young big wing this summer, and a fearless fighter who can play 40 games and be OK on D.

 

[Smokey Thompson]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ bsl I like where your going with this. DD should be moved to the 3rd line and have his minutes cut to 14ish. I'm not sure about him playing with galch but we can figure something out. I found a UFA that can play on that third line in Anthony Stewart. 6'3 230 grinder/pwf who can put up 30-40 pts. There is also the option of signing Viktor Stalberg for the 3rd line and playing Stewart on the 4th. Stalberg won't fight but he's 6'3 and one of the fastest skaters in the league.

For that 4th line we can sign Bordeleau/Sestito.

 

[Corncob]

I found a UFA that can play on that third line in Anthony Stewart. 6'3 230 grinder/pwf who can put up 30-40 pts.

In the AHL? Although his 7 points in 29 AHL games this year suggests that's not even a given. Stewart would be a major reclamation project at this point, and not one that a team that expects to make the playoffs is likely to take on. Penciling him in for "30 to 40" NHL points on the basis that he once did that three years ago is optimistic in the extreme.

 

[tiz]

Desharnais is horrible defensively too, you can't match him up against other good lines like we do with Pleks. This affects both their numbers and makes Desharnais look much better than he is.

 

[Yep]

If we are to give sheltered minutes to an offense-oriented third line I'd rather have Galchenyuk centering it than DD.

 

[Disappearing Semin]

Anyone likes Hamhuis?

Hamhuis-Subban (25+ min)
Markov-Emelin (18-20 min)
Tinordi-Diaz (13-15 min)

Bouillon

Gorges is included in the trade

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

I see a lot of people saying Plekanec will be our 3rd line center. I know one thing, if Plek's is the #3C due to two better center men in front of him, our team will be in amazing shape and we should have lots to cheer about. The guy is much better than a 3rd line center.

The way I see it once Plekanec's offense starts regressing he'll move into a third line more defensive role and it'll probably be around the same time Galchenyuk is ready to step up and play top line minutes.

The next 2-3 years will probably have our centres like:

Plekanec
Eller
Galchenyuk

After that:

Galchenyuk
Eller
Plekanec

Regardless, its awesome finally having some nice depth at centre and the future looks very bright there.

 

[FloJack]

Anyone likes Hamhuis?

Hamhuis-Subban (25+ min)
Markov-Emelin (18-20 min)
Tinordi-Diaz (13-15 min)

Bouillon

Gorges is included in the trade

Canucks are not trading him, he's their best one and took a hometown discount to play in Vancouver. It would be awesome to acquire him and he would change the D just like that, but it ain't happening. I'll dream with you though as that top pairing you posted would be beautiful.

 

[NLHabsFan]

Anyone likes Hamhuis?

Hamhuis-Subban (25+ min)
Markov-Emelin (18-20 min)
Tinordi-Diaz (13-15 min)

Bouillon

Gorges is included in the trade

Love Hamhuis, but I cannot see the Nucks trading him. Would be a great pairing though.

 

[hockeyfan2k11]

2 seasons later. Have any minds changed?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Betcha Joe Thornton is available.

 

[hockeyfan2k11]

Betcha Joe Thornton is available.

We already have a 1st line C.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

Betcha Joe Thornton is available.

Marleau would be a better fit

 

[Rapala]

2 seasons later. Have any minds changed?

Laughing my balls off reading some of the drivel.
Size doesn't matter in this NHL...

Until you Get to the FN PLAYOFFS.

There is a perfect example of a playoff type goal started and finished by a Big Strong Center.
Jonathan Toews is not a huge man but his frame allows him to do things Davey's never will.
Shoves Granlund who's listed at 5' 10" 187 to the ice like a ragdoll to create turnover/keep puck possession. Beats his man back to the front of the net and ultimately scores the game winner on a contested puck against him.

But size never played an issue in that one. There have got to be videos out there showing the whole play for those who are curious.

 

[Smokey Thompson]

The obvious future is Galch-Plek-Eller.

When Plek gets older, we can hopefully swap him around with Eller. Eventually we can have DLR or McCarron become our 3rd C.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Why was this old thread exhumed? The Habs personnel have changed a lot since it was created.

 

[Monctonscout]

If it was all about size, the big issues on the team WOULDN'T be Pacioretty and Vanek.

Anybody that has watched Pacioretty play these playoffs and blamed his center is lying to not only others but themselves. No doubt Desharnais is not the ideal center for your top scoring line, but when your 39 goal winger turns into a ghost at playoff time, it makes things pretty hard. I think Max has 1 even strength point in 9 playoff games.

 

[Redux91]

Betcha Joe Thornton is available.

but we want to WIN in the playoffs...

but seriously

i hope these playoffs have shown bergevin that you have to trade desharnais and how valuable to the team eller is

OR we ruin galchenyuk, blow it with eller, and waste plekanecs prime years as a hab

were just too god damn small up front, thats just the way it is, ..if he keeps desharnais, so be it, ..only 3 more years..hey its better than when it was 4...