I'd be pretty scared to see what happens to the Habs if Plekanec is gone. You for sure can't replace him with the incumbents. Even Eller is not close to ready to do all the things Pleks does. I guess if you could convince me we're going to pick up a strong replacement center elsewise, ok, but... who? Lecavalier doesn't do the things Pleks does, so I won't take him as the answer. Who else is there? Bolland?
I disagree. To me the only question mark about Eller is how he'll react to getting brained like he did. With the way Eller was developing last season and the playoffs, if he continues that progression, I think he's ready to take the next step. I don't think it would be seamless, but I do think he would adapt, and eventually flourish. As it stands currently, he's the only center we have who's capable of maintaining pressure at 5 on 5. This was clear to see in the Ottawa series. When Eller went down, our minutes in the playoffs were numbered. Plekanec and his line were futile.
And I don't see what there is to be scared of? A higher draft pick, and the assets that would come from a Plekanec trade? We'll be fine.
And if Eller is scared ****less when he comes back, Zednik style?
As good as Eller was at the end of the year, perhaps his worst game of the season was the one when Plekanec went down and he was immediately thrown into his role.
Well, I guess if that gamble doesn't pay off there's always McDavid..
If he is scared ****less I don't think he'll be successful in his role as a 3C, and we'll have to cut our ties. In either case, the course of action that I would recommend is the same: see how Eller plays. If he continues his progression, then my idea would be to move Pleks.
I mean, I guess there's always the possibility of ending up with McDavid, horror of horrors.
The horror indeed.
But yeah, if Eller comes back a shell of himself it's another story entirely, because I don't actually believe that will happen, but going into next year with Eller as our only good defensively responsible D is kind of scary either way, and that says less about Eller than the makeup of the team overall.
Bolland replaces Plekanec's minutes and role. Stewart adds size, toughness and scoring.
are people in this thread ****ing crazy? plekanecs is a top 20 center in the entire league based on two-way play. who's the center on the ice for the draw in our own zone with 30 secs left? who plays shutdown minutes Vs. opposing teams elite centers? who plays pp minutes before and after Desharnais shat the bed? Who's the center who kills 1st unit PK mins? and you want him gone? ANY move that does not address these points- if he is dealt -is a lateral move or downgrade.
Eller is NOT ready to replace him. Eller replaced Desharnais' ****** offensive play. You trade plekanecs, you better hope three things fall into place:
1) Vinny is signed
2) Desharnais is traded
3) a true shut down center who can play 1st unit PK mins + good in faceoffs is found. NOT a 4th line specialist
Plekanec is a coach's favourite. I doubt anything happens.
This x1000000000000000000
Pleks is our MVP and trading him for anything but an overpayment will be a disaster.
This is the only trade I can think of:
Pleks for Bolland and Sharp/Saad
Even then I wouldn't be too sure.
Yeah but the coach lost in 5 and Pleks disappeared, as usual during the playoffs.
Yeah but the coach lost in 5 and Pleks disappeared, as usual during the playoffs.
Yeah but the coach lost in 5 and Pleks disappeared, as usual during the playoffs.
Oh my god go away
Bolland replaces Plekanec? In what world is Bolland a suitable replacement for Plekanec?
In a world of someone who doesn't watch much hockey. Seems like a lot of people on HF live in that world..
Besides Bourque, Pleks was our best forward in the playoffs unless you count the 5 or so minutes Eller got to play before getting knocked out. What playoffs were you watching?
Yeah but the coach lost in 5 and Pleks disappeared, as usual during the playoffs.
Bolland is a shutdown center that contributes offensively. Not at Plekanec's level of course but he's a playoff warrior (unlike Plekanec), a valuable right handed centerman, has good face-off percentage, and brings a winning attitude.