They have plenty of alternatives once the injured players come back though, so this is when we'll see if they can adjust. Dumont and Leblanc are natural centers, and Prust has been used in that role before. Same for Briere. I'm assuming at least one of them could fill in at center with limited ice time on a 4th line and not look out of place. Then there are trades. Defensively responsible 4th liners are not a hard find nor do they cost a ton. This is all assuming they are ready to play Galchenyuk at center, which I think they should, with the same kind of easy minutes Desharnais is getting. He won't look any worse than Desharnais and actually has upside.
Besides, it's not like Desharnais is so good defensively that you can't replace him with a player who doesn't yet fully master the defensive game of the center position. He needs to get the opportunity to grow in this role sooner than later.
Pacioretty Plekanec Gionta
Bournival Eller Gallagher
Bourque Galchenyuk Briere
Moen Prust White
I don't see how you can insert Desharnais in this lineup, even if he starts producing a little, and not weaken the team. This top-9 is composed of better and more effective hockey players. I don't see how this can end well for Desharnais unfortunatelly unless he has some kind of miracle turnaround.
To be fair, the concept of "opportunity cost" is an advanced one, an abstract one, and I think the average Joe Blow on the street wouldn't get it. You should not be shaking your head. If anything, people should be shaking their head at you because you are (incorrectly) assuming that this is a concept most people would understand.
I agree with you. Only concern is top 6 gets weaker. For what is Desharnais black hole production few mention Eller has 3 points in last 14 games. Once again, 1 of those 3 points was Vancouver own goal. Diluting the top 6 might not be the best option.
Of course, we need to try something so I wouldn't complain!
Because he doesn't fit. And he's on pace for 5 points on the season.
After pushing the limits of pushing buttons ... oh wait, wrong channel.
DD has come full circle -- he's now worth exactly what he was worth the year he went undrafted.
i don't understand this guy. I was watching him last night and he seems like a completly different player than he was two years ago. Everything about him is different.
http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_stat...+17+18+19+20+23+24+26+27+37+38+51+52+13+15+29
Black hole offense against soft offensive opponents that adds D responsibility to top 6. Eller is slumping (he went through similar stretches in 12/13 too) because he's still getting used to that added D responsibility forced upon him (same with the Gallys).
The scary part is Plekanec could be slumping soon too if you put any weight into on ice shooting% evening out over the course of the season + his competition. Desharnais has a low on ice shooting%...scarier is his on-ice sv% is tops on team and could easily drop.
On a team with no superstar game breaker up front, blackhole exploitation 3rd line is an overall offense killer. I don't think Habs come out of their game vs Blues with a goal let alone point if DD was on the 3rd line providing blackhole D/O presence and giving Blues matchup advantage.
I've heard Eller has been covering for DD for years now, he's still getting used to it?
I'm worried Plekanec's line may slump eventually, we're doomed at that point but knowing the habs we'll have 1 line out of 4 in motion...always. Never 2 or 3.
Like I said, the habs should try new stuff. I honestly don't mind. I want team to win, that's what counts.
Yup, like you suggest Desharnais was a detriment to the rest of the lineup for years now as he forced other lines to cover for him. That's why I didn't want him on the team even when he was putting up points. The negatives outweigh the positive even if he goes 0.5 points/game. Now he's not even producing that and it adds double the responsibility on top 6 since they have to not only shudown top 6 but produce all the offense. I don't think it's a coincidence the Habs offense is a joke this season now that the bottom 6 is a joke.
I think the difference is Eller's sharing D role more evenly with Plekanec and getting matched up against 1st lines too. He's still pushing puck possession but production not there yet.
I think Habs are doomed this season if they stay the course. Habs need 3 lines that can be decent and a 4th line that isn't auto-goal against. I'd try:
Bournival - Plekanec - Gionta
Pacioretty - Eller - Gallagher
Galchenyuk - Briere - Bourque
Moen - Desharnais - White/Dumont (Prust when he returns)
Hope to god Briere can be a scrub 0.5 points/game soft min C + vet C mentor for Galchenyuk. 3 potentially decent lines.
Briere in and Desharnais out?
DD today was zero across the board today with over 15min ice time.
How long can this keep going?
Yup, like you suggest Desharnais was a detriment to the rest of the lineup for years now as he forced other lines to cover for him. That's why I didn't want him on the team even when he was putting up points. The negatives outweigh the positive even if he goes 0.5 points/game. Now he's not even producing that and it adds double the responsibility on top 6 since they have to not only shudown top 6 but produce all the offense. I don't think it's a coincidence the Habs offense is a joke this season now that the bottom 6 is a joke.
I think the difference is Eller's sharing D role more evenly with Plekanec and getting matched up against 1st lines too. He's still pushing puck possession but production not there yet.
I think Habs are doomed this season if they stay the course. Habs need 3 lines that can be decent and a 4th line that isn't auto-goal against. I'd try:
Bournival - Plekanec - Gionta
Pacioretty - Eller - Gallagher
Galchenyuk - Briere - Bourque
Moen - Desharnais - White/Dumont (Prust when he returns)
Hope to god Briere can be a scrub 0.5 points/game soft min C + vet C mentor for Galchenyuk. 3 potentially decent lines.