Player Discussion Eric Staal

[Locks]

If Staal doesn't have the footspeed to play C anymore, or when he jumps up into the top 9, I could see him on KK's wing

That's exactly where I see him from the get go. KK's line is an offensive line regardless of its numerical order and Armia has no business on that line with his zero hockey sense and total lack of vision. They did not get Eric Staal to be a 4C and play with the checkers like Byron or Lehkonen.

Staal-KK-Toffoli
And Toffoli moving to his natural side is another plus. As other posters said above, it will be great for KK's development to have a guy like Staal on his line.
I expect one of Armia or Lehkonen to be moved.

 

[JianYang]

Power play

Toffoli Kotkaniemi Perry/Gallagher
Staal Petry

Tatar Suzuki Anderson
Drouin Weber

You probably put Staal on the right half wall PP assuming his one timer is still somewhat of a threat. That means you keep him away from Suzuki because he has found some recent success in that spot. KK looks comfortable on the left half wall, so I think they can all co-exist on the PP, even if they aren't on the same units together.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I actually don't hate the idea of Caufield-Staal-Perry as the 4th line, but we're weeks away from that

 

[Captain97]

I actually don't hate the idea of Caufield-Staal-Perry as the 4th line, but we're weeks away from that

I think ots the only time I'd be okay with CC on the 4th line. With 2 skilled big former all stars, who have the talent to be on a first line but they're just old now.

 

[River Meadow]

Habs finally get that big #1 C they have been lacking for 20+ years

 

[CoopersFalls]

Staal is going to surprise many. His Buffalo stats don’t accurately reflect his talent level even at his age.

 

[robert ethan]

Habs finally get that big #1 C they have been lacking for 20+ years

Since Jean Beliveau ....

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Road runner & Dickey

Retired since 2005

Keith Acton, Serge Boisvert, Mike Keane wore it in the past

Guy Carbonneau

 

[Big Empty]

You probably put Staal on the right half wall PP assuming his one timer is still somewhat of a threat. That means you keep him away from Suzuki because he has found some recent success in that spot. KK looks comfortable on the left half wall, so I think they can all co-exist on the PP, even if they aren't on the same units together.

Petry up top. KK at the left half wall. Staal at the right half wall. Perry and Gallagher set up shop in front of the net like usual. That’s a great PP unit.

On the other unit you put Drou up top. Suzuki right half wall. Weber left half wall. Toffoli in the bumper spot. Anderson in front.

Tatar loses his spot probably.

 

[salbutera]

Guy Carbonneau

Carbo’s was 21 not 12

Cournoyer & Moore were the 12s retired

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Road runner & Dickey

Retired since 2005

Keith Acton, Serge Boisvert, Mike Keane wore it in the past

Keane was 12.

 

[salbutera]

Keane was 12.

Yes as was Cournoyer, Moore, Acton, Keane, Boisvert

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Carbo’s was 21 not 12

Cournoyer & Moore were the 12s retired

Yes, the post Montreal was asking about said 21, not 12. The first poster replied with Higgins. I got confused when you replied with 12’s.

 

[salbutera]

Yes, the post Montreal was asking about said 21, not 12. The first poster replied with Higgins.

Said up above Staal always wore 12 but since it’s not available has taken the mirror image 21

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Said up above Staal always wore 12 but since it’s not available has taken the mirror image 21

Sure, but the post he quoted was a tweet about number 21 where he said I have to think about the last time someone wore that number. I’m confused haha.

 

[robert ethan]

Why no respect for Armia? In the 3 seasons he and Kotkaniemi have been with the Habs he has more points (mostly goals) than Jasper, it was the same I think for their draft years playing in Finland. In fewer games in each case.

 

[robert ethan]

Carbo’s was 21 not 12

Cournoyer & Moore were the 12s retired

Gilles Trembley wore 21. Underrated winger who retired early due to injury.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

thanks, have to think about who were the last few Habs to wear that number

Habs legend David Schlemko

 

[salbutera]

Sure, but the post he quoted was a tweet about number 21 where he said I have to think about the last time someone wore that number. I’m confused haha.

I got confused too LOL, hence, the 12 reference but 21 iirc:

Before Carbo: Marc Tardif, Yvon Lambert, Doug Jarvis (transferred to Carbo after the trade) and some guy named Glen Sather

After Carbo has been a real cast of characters: MacKay, Higgins, Gionta, DSP, legendary Dwight King, I think Schlemko too

Did Jason Cullimore wear it?

 

[GrandmaCookie]

Petry up top. KK at the left half wall. Staal at the right half wall. Perry and Gallagher set up shop in front of the net like usual. That’s a great PP unit.

On the other unit you put Drou up top. Suzuki right half wall. Weber left half wall. Toffoli in the bumper spot. Anderson in front.

Tatar loses his spot probably.

So stupid if they take 20 points Tatar of the PP for 10 points Eric Staal, specially when when our PP and Tatar was starting to click.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I got confused too LOL, hence, the 12 reference but 21 iirc:

Before Carbo: Marc Tardif, Yvon Lambert, Doug Jarvis (transferred to Carbo after the trade) and some guy named Glen Sather

After Carbo has been a real cast of characters: MacKay, Higgins, Gionta, DSP, legendary Dwight King, I think Schlemko too

Did Jason Cullimore wear it?

Thought Cullimore was 24, but you may be right.

 

[Rob Sense]

That's exactly where I see him from the get go. KK's line is an offensive line regardless of its numerical order and Armia has no business on that line with his zero hockey sense and total lack of vision. They did not get Eric Staal to be a 4C and play with the checkers like Byron or Lehkonen.

Staal-KK-Toffoli
And Toffoli moving to his natural side is another plus. As other posters said above, it will be great for KK's development to have a guy like Staal on his line.
I expect one of Armia or Lehkonen to be moved.

Not gonna happen. He is at center and will play 14-15 minutes per game.

 

[Rob Sense]

So stupid if they take 20 points Tatar of the PP for 10 points Eric Staal, specially when when our PP and Tatar was starting to click.

10 points in Buffalo is 30 points anywhere else. your sample size is skewed by the dumpster fire with the Sabres.

 

[River Meadow]

 

[Runner77]

What remains a point of discussion is what type of role Staal will play.

Guy Boucher opined recently on RDS, that Staal was not brought in to replace Evans even if Evans will come out of the lineup as a result. Staal is not taking on Evans' role. Staal is expected to play 16-18 minutes and Boucher argues that you have to disregard his season in Buffalo. Boucher claims that Staal is the Habs no. 1 center.

This pundit says he's a "middle six" center:



The Hockey Writers refer to Staal as "center depth security" and could be used to insulate the team's younger centers and for tough opposition match-ups. They see him as someone who may be juggled between wing and center but given the Habs lack of experience at center, I don't see how Staal plays anywhere but center.

https://thehockeywriters.com/canadiens-center-depth-staal-trade/