The habs on paper aren't as good as the team that finished the regular-season last year, but they are better than the team that began it.
Of course that could all change if Eller, Galchenyuk, Beaulieu and Gallagher take the next step in their development (assuming all else remains constant).
My biggest concerns:
1. Goalscoring. The team replaced Vanek, Gionta and Briere's offense with Parenteau...and maybe Sekac ( I personally have 0 expectations here, none of us know what he will bring. Anyone claiming otherwise is resting their hopes on blind faith).
Of course people will point out that on the aggregate, the addition of Parenteau plus internal improvement might get close to replacing those goals, however, we need to remember that the Canadiens were in the bottom 3rd for goals. They shouldn't be looking simply to replace last year's offense, because it wasn't good for the most part. They need to improve.
Losing Vanek hurts a lot, he really helped the Canadiens pick up the pace offensively in the final stretch, even if he himself didn't put a lot of goals.
As Lshap pointed out months ago, perhaps the more mobile D core with the addition of Gilbert and a more permanent spot for Beaulieu will help increase the offensive numbers of the team as a whole (since they will help in puck possession and transition). It may very well be. That being said, I'm not comfortable resting the offensive improvement simply on the acquisition of a more mobile defense. It may help, but I don't see it helping enough to get the Canadiens in the top 3rd in goal scoring.
2. We didn't replace Gionta's two-way game. In the top 9, the Canadiens are severley lacking a strong two-way winger who can help form a duo with Plekanec to shutdown teams when needed, or help the defensive game of another line that is not Plekanec's. I think Gionta's role in Eller's re-emergence in the playoffs was severely underrated and overlooked. He helped Eller's line drive possession the other way and helped reduced the defense load placed on Eller. This allowed Lars to refocus his game. Contrary to what people think, I believe Eller's defensive game still needs quite a bit of work...this is coming fom an Eller fan.
Again, all my concerns could go right out the window if Eller, Beaulieu, Galchenyuk and Gallagher take another step forward in their development. I am confident that Markov, Price, Pacioretty and Subban will continue being solid and reliable regarding their roles.
My wild cardsfor the season:
1. Rene Bourque. If he can get back to a 20 goal and 50 point pace, it would change the top 9 immensely.
2. Emelin. Was way too inconsistent last year. He had stretches where he looked incredible and others where he looked like the team's worse D-man. The habs need him to solidify his game to round-out the top 4 on D.
