What if David Desharnais produces this year?

[CN_paladin]

How he ended up with the most ice time out of any forward last night is beyond me.

MT is just as dumb as Jacques Martin when it comes to using the players he likes. DD is the new Darche. (

I still believe that DD is a one year wonder and isn't built like a tank. Had he been Anglophone, the French media would have crucified him and his fat contract by now.

 

[Runner77]

I think Desharnais doesn't have the mental fitness to overcome the style of hockey. after he signed that 4 year deal worth $14 million, he quit fighting.

Some players work best without a security net. Another example is Moen.

 

[Marc-E-]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

LOL

 

[Clippy]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

Psst. That's a regular sized flag.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

Now that's awesome.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I actually thought Briere was worse, because Desharnais was at least trying and not taking lazy penalties.

But yeah, Desharnais is physically nullfied far too easily. I wouldn't write him off yet but force feeding him more and more PP minutes is just hurting the rest of the team without helping him. Maybe it's finally time to try him on the wing?

Move Eller to the center role with Max and DD. Let Galchenyuk take 3rd line center with Gallagher.

Problem is of course that by adding Briere we kind of ****ed ourselves here. Because where the hell would we put him? On the left side with the Gallys? I guess we could do this but I hate teaming Galchenyuk with two smurfs.

I don't know the answer man. We've just got too many smurfs to try to fit into the top nine here. moving DD to the wing sounds like a good idea esp since it would allow Galchneyuk to be a proper centerman... but then wtf do we do with Briere?

 

[Tuggy]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

Gold!

 

[NobleSix]

How long does it take for a player to suck before being traded/bought out/sent down, let alone be demoted down the lineup?

Why is there always one midget who is just the worst!

Why did we sign him for another three years!

Questions that may never be answered.

 

[ti-vite]

I love when they put the spotlight on Desharnais before every game, as he circles the ice with an oversized Habs flag.

I snorted.

 

[Habssince89]

Simplest way to explain why DD has struggled to match his year alongside Cole/Max:

We are a team in transition from one culture to another. Under Martin, we were a counter-attack team (at times a very good one as well.) In this system, DD had all the space he needed not only because he had the two biggest wingers, but the majority of his chances were on the rush. This allowed him time and space, thus minimizing his weakness as a small player.

Now the team is moving toward a possession/cycle style, which sadly for us DD simply cannot succeed in. Guys like Briere, with more shiftyness and experience can produce in that system (he has in the past). Even guys like Gionta, who is gritty enough and good with deflections can produce. DD simply cannot give himself enough time or space in the opposing team's end if he isn't on a rush chance.

He has no ability to work the puck along the boards, and opposing teams target this, especially on the PP. Our PP sucks because the wrong forwards are on the ice. A guy like DD gets rushed and panics on the PP, because the PKers are taking away his space, knowing he'll cough up the puck. Pacioretty, Bourque, Eller, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Plekanec should be playing the PP; not only to improve the possession time, but also to provide legitamite threats from low in the zone so the PKers can't cheat up against Subban and Markov.

While DD's skills in passing, vision and even shooting are legitimate, I refuse to believe he can adjust properly to the possession/cycling system which our team is shifting into (which, by the way, is the right thing to do). Even if we could give him two big bodies to play with, even if we give him the best minutes, he will not meet the requirements to be the top6 C he's supposed to be.

In the past I've suggested we move him to wing, but even now I have my doubts. He should be the odd man out, but we'll have to wait and see if MT can realize DD's poor ability to work within the system.

He should, at this point, be used as the 3C in an "expolitation" role. I'm fine with giving him soft minutes, but it should not come at the expense of our growing youth players (who have been outplaying him for some time). His line should be used way, way less. In that role, I think he could produce decently enough not to be a hindrance.

In the end, it comes down to MT. He needs to:

1)Separate one of Pac or Briere (or both) from his line.
2)Drop him off the PP
3)Decrease his minutes to what the EGG line is playing now
4)Think long term about where he fits when Eller and Galchenyuk come to form. IMO Eller is the 2C in my eyes, Galch is obviously still very raw (but has to begin to play C for the sake of his development.)

***EDIT: He should also be benched a la Eller if he doesn't show up against the Flyers. It Would be nice to see how we do without him eating up all the best minutes.***

 

[Mats NAslund]

People don't want him gone because he doesn't put up points. He's a bad fit for this team even though he does put up 50-60 points and he's the odd man out at Center, can't play the wing.

Exactly no room for Desharmais and his cap hit is stupid!

In the small forward comparison here's what you got in order of who I would keep:

Plekanec
Gallagher
Briere
Gionta
Desharnais

Above = 1 line and 3 quarters made of midgets!

Gionta is in his last year and wont be resigned might even be traded at the deadline since Montreal is NOT making he playoffs!

Hopefully they do the same with Briere and Desharnais

 

[Rosso Scuderia]

It's kinda funny that in the depth chart DD should be 4th in center, behind Plekanec, Eller and Galchenyuk yet he's used as a first liner. Every single center of our line up has to make sacrifice in order to make DD relevant. Plekanec gets the mediocre wingers and needs to focus more on the defensive game, Eller has limited ice-time and barely plays on the PP, while Galchenyuk can't play on his natural position.

When will our organization understand that we are not going nowhere if we use DD in a primary offensive role. Why use DD as our 1st center when his ceiling is about 60 pts while Plekanec can hit 70pts with the same opportunities.

 

[Milhouse40]

Simplest way to explain why DD has struggled to match his year alongside Cole/Max:

We are a team in transition from one culture to another. Under Martin, we were a counter-attack team (at times a very good one as well.) In this system, DD had all the space he needed not only because he had the two biggest wingers, but the majority of his chances were on the rush. This allowed him time and space, thus minimizing his weakness as a small player.

Now the team is moving toward a possession/cycle style, which sadly for us DD simply cannot succeed in. Guys like Briere, with more shiftyness and experience can produce in that system (he has in the past). Even guys like Gionta, who is gritty enough and good with deflections can produce. DD simply cannot give himself enough time or space in the opposing team's end if he isn't on a rush chance.

He has no ability to work the puck along the boards, and opposing teams target this, especially on the PP. Our PP sucks because the wrong forwards are on the ice. A guy like DD gets rushed and panics on the PP, because the PKers are taking away his space, knowing he'll cough up the puck. Pacioretty, Bourque, Eller, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Plekanec should be playing the PP; not only to improve the possession time, but also to provide legitamite threats from low in the zone so the PKers can't cheat up against Subban and Markov.

While DD's skills in passing, vision and even shooting are legitimate, I refuse to believe he can adjust properly to the possession/cycling system which our team is shifting into (which, by the way, is the right thing to do). Even if we could give him two big bodies to play with, even if we give him the best minutes, he will not meet the requirements to be the top6 C he's supposed to be.

In the past I've suggested we move him to wing, but even now I have my doubts. He should be the odd man out, but we'll have to wait and see if MT can realize DD's poor ability to work within the system.

He should, at this point, be used as the 3C in an "expolitation" role. I'm fine with giving him soft minutes, but it should not come at the expense of our growing youth players (who have been outplaying him for some time). His line should be used way, way less. In that role, I think he could produce decently enough not to be a hindrance.

In the end, it comes down to MT. He needs to:

1)Separate one of Pac or Briere (or both) from his line.
2)Drop him off the PP
3)Decrease his minutes to what the EGG line is playing now
4)Think long term about where he fits when Eller and Galchenyuk come to form. IMO Eller is the 2C in my eyes, Galch is obviously still very raw (but has to begin to play C for the sake of his development.)

***EDIT: He should also be benched a la Eller if he doesn't show up against the Flyers. It Would be nice to see how we do without him eating up all the best minutes.***

Well said.
And the new system ask for deep 2-man agressive forechecking instead of that boring 1-man passive forecheck by Martin. Big forward will do well in that system...small players, not so much.

I see Pacioretty as a 1st liner.
Mayby the only genuine 1st liner on this team.

We got to play him with the best we've got. And that's not Desharnais.
Pac is getting destroy outhere cause he's the target to take out on his line.
Desharnais is outmatch physically by 800 NHL players.Can't help at all!

But moving DD to the wing?

Effective small wingers in the NHL are all kind of build on the same mold.
Tough and fast little snipers. Might work....but this is a long shot.

Best option would be on a 3rd line with big wingers able to play the boards and the backend..Think Bourque, Prust, Moen...mayby Bournival.

 

[NewHabsEra*]

MT is just as dumb as Jacques Martin when it comes to using the players he likes. DD is the new Darche. (

I still believe that DD is a one year wonder and isn't built like a tank. Had he been Anglophone, the French media would have crucified him and his fat contract by now.

Dont blame MT, blame MB for signing him at a ridiculous contract, MT has to give DD every chances possible to succeed, the org. has to deal with that mistake..

 

[LyricalLyricist]

Dont blame MT, blame MB for signing him at a ridiculous contract, MT has to give DD every chances possible to succeed, the org. has to deal with that mistake..

MT plays DD big minutes and we don't know why but I assure you, it's not because of the contract. He played big minutes beforehand too.

 

[ECWHSWI]

Well said.
And the new system ask for deep 2-man agressive forechecking instead of that boring 1-man passive forecheck by Martin. Big forward will do well in that system...small players, not so much.

I see Pacioretty as a 1st liner.
Mayby the only genuine 1st liner on this team.

We got to play him with the best we've got. And that's not Desharnais.
Pac is getting destroy outhere cause he's the target to take out on his line.
Desharnais is outmatch physically by 800 NHL players.Can't help at all!

But moving DD to the wing?

Effective small wingers in the NHL are all kind of build on the same mold.
Tough and fast little snipers. Might work....but this is a long shot.

Best option would be on a 3rd line with big wingers able to play the boards and the backend..Think Bourque, Prust, Moen...mayby Bournival.

my guess too, ONLY time DD looked decent last game is when with Moen/Prust for a shift. Weaker competition, physical wingers, it's probably the only way he can somewhat succeed in a Habs uniform IMO.

Besides, we can all agree Plekanec and Eller are our two best C right now, our best two LW are Patches and Galchenyuk (used as a LW at least), our two best RW are probably Gallagher and Briere (used as a RW)... pretty sure two decent lines could be made with these six players...

 

[WhiskeySeven*]

Best two centres: Plekanec, Eller
Best four wingers: Pacioretty, Gallagher, Bourque, (Galchenyuk), Briere
Remaining junk: Desharnais, Gionta

Therefore: Pacioretty-Plekanec-Briere // Bourque - Eller - Gallagher // Galchenyuk - Desharnais - Gionta

Until Desharnais is shifted to wing or something. There is no other way, Pacioretty cannot be lumped next to DD all season and Pleks next to Gionta, it's lunacy.

Gionta is beyond saving at this point, he's not even trying to hit the net.

 

[Habs Junkie]

Best two centres: Plekanec, Eller
Best four wingers: Pacioretty, Gallagher, Bourque, (Galchenyuk), Briere
Remaining junk: Desharnais, Gionta

Therefore: Pacioretty-Plekanec-Briere // Bourque - Eller - Gallagher // Galchenyuk - Desharnais - Gionta

Until Desharnais is shifted to wing or something. There is no other way, Pacioretty cannot be lumped next to DD all season and Pleks next to Gionta, it's lunacy.

Gionta is beyond saving at this point, he's not even trying to hit the net.

Take off Desharnais on that third line, put Galchenyuk at center with Prust on the wing. So much better eh? I totally agree with your top 2 lines though. Any way you try it, this team looks way better without DD on the top 9.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Hundreds of posts have been made on DD but no one has figured out out to make him more of an asset than a liability. Maybe there is no solution. He's like a discard in gin rummy that no one picks up.

 

[David Suzuki]

DD is still really creative with the puck. Why not play him easy 5 on 5 minutes and give him time on the PP?

 

[NHLFutureGuy3]

DD is still really creative with the puck. Why not play him easy 5 on 5 minutes and give him time on the PP?

He's getting PP time. Define 'easy' 5 on 5 minutes. Which line?

Either way, we are all scratching our head on this one. I don't think there is a good solution.

 

[HuGo Sham]

what a disastrous move by Bergevin. Still trying to figure out why he did it. I know DD had his good year but didn't habs brass notice he was as much a product of two huge wingers? At this point he should've just kept Cole. 3 years of Cole or 2 years of Briere? Maxpac is a shooter and Cole was the puck-winner - Briere is neither, and Pacioretty cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting on that line AND score.

DD is absolutely useless against physical teams. He's a specialist like Parros. Anyone who thinks he is somehow going to change is deluded. he's 5'5 160 lbs. Tremendously skilled but incapable of winning puck battles. You want to keep him Bergevin? fine, play him with the biggest puck-winning you have? You don't have enough of them you say? then change the ****ing make-up of your team.

i sound like a broken record. This team is going nowhere fast (in other words not much playoff success or success vs physical teams) with gionta, plekanecs, DD, Briere - all in its top 9. Gallagher is excluded based on his jam

 

[WhiskeySeven*]

Bergevin, the arrogant *******, has made his moves and we're gonna have to eat it. The worst part is, if the kid lines flourishes and overachieves, he's going to get all the credit despite having nothing to do with them.

That Desharnais extension+The Briere signing will be a disastrous combo

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

How long does it take for a player to suck before being traded/bought out/sent down, let alone be demoted down the lineup?

Why is there always one midget who is just the worst!

Why did we sign him for another three years!

Questions that may never be answered.

Hate to break it to you but he's signed for another four.

I snorted.

Did you use a straw?

Simplest way to explain why DD has struggled to match his year alongside Cole/Max:

We are a team in transition from one culture to another. Under Martin, we were a counter-attack team (at times a very good one as well.) In this system, DD had all the space he needed not only because he had the two biggest wingers, but the majority of his chances were on the rush. This allowed him time and space, thus minimizing his weakness as a small player.

Now the team is moving toward a possession/cycle style, which sadly for us DD simply cannot succeed in. Guys like Briere, with more shiftyness and experience can produce in that system (he has in the past). Even guys like Gionta, who is gritty enough and good with deflections can produce. DD simply cannot give himself enough time or space in the opposing team's end if he isn't on a rush chance.

He has no ability to work the puck along the boards, and opposing teams target this, especially on the PP. Our PP sucks because the wrong forwards are on the ice. A guy like DD gets rushed and panics on the PP, because the PKers are taking away his space, knowing he'll cough up the puck. Pacioretty, Bourque, Eller, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Plekanec should be playing the PP; not only to improve the possession time, but also to provide legitamite threats from low in the zone so the PKers can't cheat up against Subban and Markov.

While DD's skills in passing, vision and even shooting are legitimate, I refuse to believe he can adjust properly to the possession/cycling system which our team is shifting into (which, by the way, is the right thing to do). Even if we could give him two big bodies to play with, even if we give him the best minutes, he will not meet the requirements to be the top6 C he's supposed to be.

In the past I've suggested we move him to wing, but even now I have my doubts. He should be the odd man out, but we'll have to wait and see if MT can realize DD's poor ability to work within the system.

He should, at this point, be used as the 3C in an "expolitation" role. I'm fine with giving him soft minutes, but it should not come at the expense of our growing youth players (who have been outplaying him for some time). His line should be used way, way less. In that role, I think he could produce decently enough not to be a hindrance.

I think if you want to get the best out of DD, you need to pair him with at least one power forward. If you pair him with another smurf...

In the end, it comes down to MT. He needs to:

1)Separate one of Pac or Briere (or both) from his line.
2)Drop him off the PP
3)Decrease his minutes to what the EGG line is playing now
4)Think long term about where he fits when Eller and Galchenyuk come to form. IMO Eller is the 2C in my eyes, Galch is obviously still very raw (but has to begin to play C for the sake of his development.)

***EDIT: He should also be benched a la Eller if he doesn't show up against the Flyers. It Would be nice to see how we do without him eating up all the best minutes.***

I've sliced up MT for good reason. He's made some decisions that make no sense. But in this case he's really had his hands tied behind his back and been asked to swim.

WTF is he supposed to do with that many smurfs in the lineup. No matter what two of those lines are going to be smurf ridden. That's why the Briere signing was so stupid.

Best two centres: Plekanec, Eller
Best four wingers: Pacioretty, Gallagher, Bourque, (Galchenyuk), Briere
Remaining junk: Desharnais, Gionta

Therefore: Pacioretty-Plekanec-Briere // Bourque - Eller - Gallagher // Galchenyuk - Desharnais - Gionta

Until Desharnais is shifted to wing or something. There is no other way, Pacioretty cannot be lumped next to DD all season and Pleks next to Gionta, it's lunacy.

Gionta is beyond saving at this point, he's not even trying to hit the net.

I HATE the idea of sticking Galchenyuk on the wing with two smurfs. He's our best prospect and I love putting him with Gallagher (smurf in size only) growing up together. Forget about saddling him at the bottom with junk. He's our most important prospect in years. If anything I'd keep him where he is or have him paired with Max.