How I've seen 'em so far compared to expectations:
Forwards:
MICHAEL BOURNIVAL 9/10 - awesome surprise, he's our new McDonald's cuz I'm lovin' it...
LARS ELLER 9/10 - yes, he's slowed a bit lately, but he's been a beast so far; he's not our
future #2C, he
is our #2C!
BRENDAN GALLAGHER 9/10 - if every player on this team had his heart & will, we'd be in the midst of a new Habs dynasty...
TOMAS PLEKANEC 7/10 - Ol' Reliable had a rough start, but he's found the way again...still our most complete player...
ALEX GALCHENYUK 7/10 - like Larry, he's slowed down a bit lately while seeing tougher competition...a bit more seasoning and the League'll be on notice!
BRANDON PRUST 8/10 - see Gallagher...should wear a letter on his sweater soon...
TRAVIS MOEN 7/10 - looks like last year's Moen was a fluke...excellent 4th liner when he comes to play...
MAX PACIORETTY 7/10 - suffers greatly due to not having linemates...get the man a centre and being a PPG player isn't out of the question...
RYAN WHITE 6/10 - no moronic penalties/plays yet...keep your fingers crossed...
RENE BOURQUE 6.333/10 - when he does show up, he can dominate...he
really needs to show up more often...
BRIAN GIONTA 6.5/10 - as much crap as we give him, he brings his lunch pail every day and leaves it out there nightly...if only he wasn't such a momentum-killer...
DANIEL BRIERE 3/10 - at least it's only for 2 years...only positive I got here...
DAVID DESHARNAIS
/10 - there is no number that could truly represent my piercing sadness...he makes me miss Gomez...
Defensemen:
P.K. SUBBAN 9.5/10 - barring a couple of minute gripes, Subbie's been Norris-calibre again...pay the man, Bergevin, NOW!!
ANDREI MARKOV 9/10 - warms the heart to see Markie bounce back the way he has, even since opening week...he wants an extention and he's playing for it...
FRANCIS BOUILLON 3/10 - the Danny Briere of the D corps...as much as he needs to sit, we all know MT won't do it...more's the pity...
RAPHAEL DIAZ 5/10 - I defended Diaz to begin the season; not anymore...he should be relegated to 3rd pairing until he's traded/season over...
JOSH GORGES 6/10 - I hate to be rough on him, but he's gotta pull his head outta his arse soon...he's better than he's shown lately...
JARED TINORDI 6/10 - kid may still be a work in progress, but he's coming...he needs confidence (and a better partner than Cube)...
NATHAN BEAULIEU 6/10 - see above post...
Goalies:
CAREY PRICE 9.5/10 - Carey's been a stud and wants that Team Canada starting job...he's got it so far, imo...
PETER BUDAJ 9/10 - when you have a backup you trust, it makes it all the easier...Habs are lucky here and he's a good teammate to boot, supposedly...