I wouldn't be surprised to see Mikhail Sergachev playing on the right side 3rd pairing, my pick was Redmond as a partner for Emelin. That depends upon how Markov is used though, Beaulieu has developed his game very well, so he may be on the 1st pairing quite often. (Beaulieu has played with Gonchar, Subban, Petry and now Weber.) That type of experience would make most defence prospects envious, not to forget a much better defenceman, expect Beaulieu to blossom this year. Markov & Petry will make for a 1B defence pairing, behind Weber & Beaulieu, while Emelin & Redmond could be a very good 3rd pairing. Emelin played very well with added icetime last year, 22 mins. per game is 2nd pairing mins., adding the smooth skating Redmond whose also capable of adding offence, gives the Habs huge depth of PMD's. Barberio earned at least 7th dman in the rotation, his skating & offence will work well with the Habs up tempo offence this season. Mobility from the backend in transition will not only help in 5 on 5, but also on the PP from both units. Having a Barberio or Redmond with fresh legs can really be an asset on the PP or late in games, keeping all the Dmen in the rotation, will benefit everyone's game come playoff time.(Truly hope Sergachev can break into the lineup, certainly has the size & skills necessary, especially when the long playoff series kick in!!)
The Habs defence corps that Bergevin has put together, will be tough to beat, of course adding Weber whose considered to be the world's best Dman & toughest to play(defensively & his offence his huge also) All teams will be forced to play their top defensive unit against Weber, otherwise they may as well mail the points into the Habs.
Besides being so upbeat or bragging about our defence, I'm flat out ecstatic with how great our forward corps will be this year. With great scoring & tenacity on our top six, teams can look forward to more of the same from the bottom six. No rest or quarter given on any shift from any line, a practice that has become routine for Habs players, all character types that thrive on competition and want to be the best in their role as a Hab. A practice that was also routine for those SC Championship teams in the past, no passengers on any of those teams, toughness was rampant throughout the Habs lineups in those teams. Henri Richard was one of the toughest competitors, he was also one of the smallest in the NHL.(Desharnais size, players that can play against NHL sized giants, have huge desire & heart, IMHO)
Those smaller players are great leaders, teammates have to admire the tenacity of these men, besides wanting to give their best each shift also, as their teammates do. Captain Pacioretty may be 6'2 & 213 lbs. but any person that can rebound from an injury like his, from the Chara hit into the post, which required surgery(Neck vertebrae) then comeback to star in the NHL, like Gary Roberts did, has to be inspiration to every player that knows him, I know I'm impressed to the nth degree!!!...
This Habs team reminds this lifelong Habs fan of all those great Habs teams, I've witnessed since the 50's, glorious teams with huge character & skills. Not just offensively but complete players, which was the biggest reason the Habs have won so many SC's, against other great teams. Talent & great skating only take teams so far, heart & the desire to be the best team alongside being the best at their roles in the team, is paramount in being Champions. Go Habs Go!!!...
Having Pacioretty, Gallagher, Galchenyuk and now Weber & Radulov leading our team up front. While Carey Price holds the fort on the backend, of course having one (If not the best defence in the NHL.) helluva Defence corps helping, should see Carey leading our team to the Finals, & hopefully the 25th Stanley Cup Championship, next spring (2017, barring any serious injuries, like last season.)
Don't forget the Habs have probably the deepest strength in the NHL, in their bottom six forwards, a trait that's prevalent on all Stanley Cup Championship teams. Scoring needs to come from every line & defence pairings, that puts huge pressure on the opposition, not to forget it demoralizes the opponents.
Go Habs Go!!!...
