Here is an analysis i did from all forwards the Habs got since the last 10 years, and pointing players since we got a cup, 1993. The rating are as follow, as number rank forward in points in the league.
1-30 : First line forward star.
31-60 : First line forward, Not a star, get the job done
61-100: Bottom First line forward, mostly 2nd line forward on some team, not top league talent
2019-2020
Tatar (31). Note Pacioretty 25th
Gallagher (75)
Danault (79)
2018-2019
Domi (45)
Tatar (70)
Drouin (88)
Gallagher (90)
Note Pacioretty 40p in 66, would have made top 100 for 82 games ratio.
2017-2018
Gallagher (83)
Galchenyuk (93)
Patioretty close to same ratio, did not make top 100 even with 82g conversion,but close
2016-2017
Pacioretty (23)
Radulov (67)
2015-2016
Pacioretty (23)
Galchenyuk (53)
Plekanec (61)
2014-2015
Pacioretty (21)
Plekanec (49)
Desharnais (84)
Gallagher (88)
Galchenyuk (97)
2013-2014
Vanek (25), acquired deadline
Pacioretty (42)
Desharnais (72)
2012-2013 ( lockout year )
Pacioretty (33)
Ryder (48) trade
Plekanec (57)
Eller (84)
2011-2012
Pacioretty (37)
Cole (48)
Desharnais (57)
Plekanec (86)
2010-2011
Plekanec (58)
2009-2010
Plekanec (27)
Gomez (55)
Cammalleri (92)
Note top 50 for habs after.
Kovalev (11) in 2007-2008
Ribeiro (30) 2003-2004
Koivu (27) 2002-2003
Recchi (16) , Dampousse (42), Corson (47, in 62 games )1997-1998
Turgeon (13, but trade after 10g...), Damphousse (21) Recchi (22) 1996-1997
Turgeon (18) Damphousse (20) Recchi (36) 1995-1996
Leclair (13) Recchi (19) ( the trade! ),Turgeon (21, from ISL),Damphousse (40) 1994-1995
Damphousse (20) Bellows (48) 1993-1994
Damphousse (24), Muller (27), Bellows (33), Lebeau (46) 1992-1993, year of the Stanley Cup.
Top 50 last 10 years
Domi (2018-2019)( 1 year wonder?)
Pacioretty (2011-2012 threw 2016-2017)
Cole and Plekanec one year bottom 50
Conclusion: Since 97, we never got three top forward in the league at the same time. We gave Pacioretty who finish top 25 three year in a row, and we trade him for two average season. Tatar is more a bottom 60-100 player. Pacioretty is so far top 25 in the league again, with talent around him. We hope Suzuki is more than a bottom 100 player in his career. But my conclusion with all this, we dont have pure talent, and as crazy as it might sound, hes a hard working horse, but it might be time we trade Gallagher and get a deal for a player who got more talent? Hes a bottom 1rst line, top 2nd line player. A trade for Hall? Both around same age, Hall got more talent, four time top 25 scorer in the league. Or perhaps its the time to get maximum value out of him, with picks and prospect, or we make sure we dont overpay him on his next contract, cause hes not prime talent level. We need player with heart, but we really need more talent.