What parts are we missing?

[Phil Parent]

We have the star goalie, we have the Norris trophy winner, we have another D who is one of the best Ds in franchise history which is saying a lot, we have a potential 40 goal scorer, and a former 40 goal scorer being fed by an offensive dynamo of a center, we have one the best two-way centers in the game centering a potential star forward in Galchenyuk and this annoying in-your-face little ******* who just won't stop trying in Gallagher... we have this ridiculous third line with three former 30-goal scorers... two of which are huge playoff warriors.

We have a totally modular 4th line that can be modified for our needs: Do we need physicality? If we do, dress Prust/White/Weise/Moen/Parros (Yeah I know..) If we don't, you can dress Bournival - Eller and your choice from the above and get a second third line.

We have a totally dependable backup in Budaj as long as you don't overwork him. And a third goalie in Tokarski who has shown to do great under pressure. And a fourth in Devan Dubnyk who could be rebuilt into something okay, given Waite's history and his physical tools, it's worth a try. He's got experience, anyhow.

Defense might be identified as THE weakness. But we've won those last few games without Josh Gorges, which we've replaced partially by Weaver who plays a similar game with some more physicality. When Gorges comes back, we'll have them both blocking the shots, plus PK, plus Markov, plus Emelin that has found his game, plus an ensemble of pieces for the number 6 spot ranging from young studs like Tinordi & Beaulieu to veterans like Bouillon & Murray.

So... maybe the pieces aren't in their prime, either not there yet or passed it, but I'd say, nominally, we have all we need to win it all this year.

Click to read more...

 

[Cole Caulifield]

We aren't contenders and even contenders can be upset but... for the first time in almost 20 years, we actually have a team that has a shot. I never thought we did before. But if you consider the weakness of the east, I think we can go all the way with a bit of luck and no major injuries. Really, it's how injured we are that will make the difference.

 

[Habsman10*]

Probably a reliable 1-2, after Markov-Subban the fall-off is quite high right now.

 

[1UP]

I'll add, twice this year the Habs had really tough stretches.

The second one, Bergevin had to intervene. But since then, we never lost more than 3 in a row, and even then that happened against really good teams with Price hurt. This is a team that could lose the 1st game of a series and rally. We laugh at Bergevin and Therrien about it, but they have character and respect. And that's worth more than physicality in the playoffs IMO.

Now, we have a good team, well balanced, but there are other good teams out there. And I dare to say they're mostly better coached than the Habs. But there is one thing they don't have.

Carey Price. As Carey goes, so will the Habs.

Probably a reliable 1-2, after Markov-Subban the fall-off is quite high right now.

I disagree. Gorges and Emelin aren't bad #3-#4 defensemen! Weaver's solid as a 5th. Bouillon, Murray and Tinordi is where it gets worse, but, it's still k. Especially since Tinordi is young.

Edit - I don't think we're favorites. But we have a team that has a shot at winning tough hockey games. Contender, maybe not. I'll leave that to the West's big 4, and Boston/Pittsburg.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

A true number one center. Galchenyuk would hopefully become that sooner rather than later but we've got to start developing him properly.

Depth on the D. Murray and Bouillion need to be replaced.

Help on the wings big time.

We need to get bigger throughout the lineup and fill in the depth roles with guys who have size and can actually play hockey.

Most of all, we need a better coach.

With the addition of Vanek though, we've got as good a shot as anyone coming out of the East. Our conference sucks and we own the best team out there. We've actually got a lot of pieces in place. Without exaggeration I'd say this is probably our best shot since the days of Patrick Roy. Before you get excited though... that's not saying much considering the teams we've had since.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Missing a true shut down D man and one more sizeable scoring winger in the top 6, hopefully Tinordi fills the 1st vacancy and that Vanek miraculously re-signs so we don't need to look for 2

 

[Saundies]

A true #3 D.. Preferably TWD, with offensive skill. Kind of like Beaulieu except 3-4 years older/more experience. It would really stabilize the back-end. This:

Markov- Subban
#3 D - Emelin
Gorges - Weaver

Looks a lot better than:

Subban - Gorges
Markov - Emelin
Weaver - Frankie/Murray/Tinordi/Whoever

Ideally, Gorges and Weaver are perfectly sound 5-6, shut-down guys. Markov and Subby are the offensive dynamos who can still play D, and Emelin and whoever would fill in at the #3 spot would be two-way.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

Probably a reliable 1-2, after Markov-Subban the fall-off is quite high right now.

Properly playing Emelin and Gorges are quite good number 3-4, mesay.

Emelin is certainly playing better hockey now than earlier this year. And Gorges has been rather consistent in his performance.

 

[Jigger77]

If fully healthy, not much. You have elite goaltending, solid team players who stick up for each other and buy into the system, good coaching, manager who is a team first guy and has the players respect, the right balance of goal scorers, energy players, strong team D, good mix of youth and vets etc.

All about how healthy you are going into the playoffs. And with a team concept like the Habs have that means a first liner as much as a fourth liner imo.

I do think Prust and Moen need to be there if this team has a chance to go all the way though. Those are the kinds of players that seem to make the difference in deep runs. (keeping in mind that you have everything else).

Edit: Oh yeah, and Gorges too.

 

[JLP]

If the Universe Unfolds as it Should, we can win the East

 

[Bleu Blanc Rouge]

If the Universe Unfolds as it Should, we can win the East

People seem to underestimate tampa. Bishop can steal a round by himself, like anderson did last year against us, remember ?

 

[Scriptor]

People seem to underestimate tampa. Bishop can steal a round by himself, like anderson did last year against us, remember ?

With relative parity, especially in the East, even with the different make-ups of the teams, Goaltending is the determining factor.

This year, Bishop is in the running for The Vezina and both he and Price can be difference makers….

Always easier to face offensive weapons with a system than beat a G on top of his game and fuelling the opponent's confidence….

 

[PricerStopDaPuck]

Bishop has had a great season but is cooling down as of late. If I am the Habs coaching staff I'm telling the players to watch and study Tampa games by themselves. If you can solve Bishop and keep Stamkos in check it's Montreals series to lose.

 

[ECWHSWI]

2 way players on our top 6. we have one, Plekanec.

 

[Adriatic]

Other than Kings we're the worst scoring playoff team. Kings can get away with it because they can pretty much shut anybody down, we cant. After that the defense is also missing a true #3, either another all around puck moving d that can log minutes or another true shutdown d that can log tough grinding minutes. Other than that we still lack the usual size up front and down the middle.

 

[No More Subban]

Bishop scares me..

 

[radicalcenter]

A true #3 D.. Preferably TWD, with offensive skill. Kind of like Beaulieu except 3-4 years older/more experience. It would really stabilize the back-end. This:

Markov- Subban
#3 D - Emelin
Gorges - Weaver

Looks a lot better than:

Subban - Gorges
Markov - Emelin
Weaver - Frankie/Murray/Tinordi/Whoever

Ideally, Gorges and Weaver are perfectly sound 5-6, shut-down guys. Markov and Subby are the offensive dynamos who can still play D, and Emelin and whoever would fill in at the #3 spot would be two-way.

This would be perfect

Markov- Subban
Emelin-Niskanen
Gorges - Weaver

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Other than Kings we're the worst scoring playoff team. Kings can get away with it because they can pretty much shut anybody down, we cant. After that the defense is also missing a true #3, either another all around puck moving d that can log minutes or another true shutdown d that can log tough grinding minutes. Other than that we still lack the usual size up front and down the middle.

Habs without Vanek were the worst, but with him ? I don't think so. 32 goals in last 9 games. Will it continue ? I don't know.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Bishop scares me..

He's tall but by all accounts,he's very nice and friendly. You needn't be scared

 

[HeShootsHeScores]

If this happens we can expect a cup final :

- If Gallagher learns to play with his linemates instead of being one dimensional. Right now all he does is rushing the net without making any passes. His role is not the same right now and he has to realize this. He's got the talent to be better than he is right now without sacrificing his body so much. He makes it harder than it really has to be.

- If Galchenyuk get some confidence back. He needs to calm down when a goal is at stake. The closer he gets to scoring a goal, the more he loses the pucks, misses a shot, tries one pass too many.

If both these young players calm down and mature a little, we can prepare for a great ride this spring. If this line clicks back...

 

[JuicyHam]

I think bouillon is our only problem right now. He seems to be influencing subban the more he plays with him which is a bad thing. Can't wait till gorges is back.

 

[Scintillating10]

We have the star goalie, we have the Norris trophy winner, we have another D who is one of the best Ds in franchise history which is saying a lot, we have a potential 40 goal scorer, and a former 40 goal scorer being fed by an offensive dynamo of a center, we have one the best two-way centers in the game centering a potential star forward in Galchenyuk and this annoying in-your-face little ******* who just won't stop trying in Gallagher... we have this ridiculous third line with three former 30-goal scorers... two of which are huge playoff warriors.

We have a totally modular 4th line that can be modified for our needs: Do we need physicality? If we do, dress Prust/White/Weise/Moen/Parros (Yeah I know..) If we don't, you can dress Bournival - Eller and your choice from the above and get a second third line.

We have a totally dependable backup in Budaj as long as you don't overwork him. And a third goalie in Tokarski who has shown to do great under pressure. And a fourth in Devan Dubnyk who could be rebuilt into something okay, given Waite's history and his physical tools, it's worth a try. He's got experience, anyhow.

Defense might be identified as THE weakness. But we've won those last few games without Josh Gorges, which we've replaced partially by Weaver who plays a similar game with some more physicality. When Gorges comes back, we'll have them both blocking the shots, plus PK, plus Markov, plus Emelin that has found his game, plus an ensemble of pieces for the number 6 spot ranging from young studs like Tinordi & Beaulieu to veterans like Bouillon & Murray.

So... maybe the pieces aren't in their prime, either not there yet or passed it, but I'd say, nominally, we have all we need to win it all this year.

Maybe size if we run into a team like Philly or Sharks. Make great story this season if we get to Finals and face Patrick Roy

 

[Analyzer*]

Faceoff specialist.
A specialist coach who is smart enough to change up the struggling pp.
More size.

 

[ClasslessGuy]

to be a cup contender? 1 top Defensive D + Another scorer.

 

[Andrei79]

Every team has flaws in the cup era. This team is a legit contender in the East.