Desharnais might not be a real 1st line player but Eller would be no more than a 3rd line centre on most NHL team if not all. Eller would possibly play on wing if he was still a St Louis Blues player.
Yes, Eller looks great. He's tall and skates well. But he has major flaws in his play. Three consecutive head coaches at NHL level can't be wrong about him.
Whether DD is a "true" first line center shouldn't be the question. The habs made
great use of what he brings to the table last year, by using him in that role. It could
also be argued that we got a lot from Cole and MaxPac by using them together.
Eller hasn't shown anything that would suggest he would do better. And we
would lose DD's most effective role into the bargain.
And ,as to them struggling this season. Two games is too little, and DD
did look somewhat better the second game.
Cole on the other hand I'm a little worried about. After all, the 9 month lay-off
would effect an older guy more.