I would do it but I am at work right now and do not have a whole lot of time. Predict what next years lineup will realistically look like. Please add in you first call ups for forwards and defence please.
I predict the Habs will peddle Gomez all summer long. Sounds as if PG was trying before the trade deadline. Once Richards is in place and some other UFA's maybe it will be possible.
Cammy-Plek-Pacioretty
Gagne-Gomez-Gionta (Gagne 5 years, discount)
Pouliot-Desharnais-Darche
White-Tough UFA-Moen (Cheap UFA, could even be Halpern instead of a tough guy)
Half way through the season Lars Eller 1st in the AHL and best +/-
Gets called up bumping somebody down to the 4th line, Eller comes up and becomes a permanent fixture in our top 9.
Pacioretty - Plekanec - Gionta
Gagne - Desharnais - Cammalleri
Pouliot - Eller - Palushaj
Bradley - White - Moen
Markov - Wisniewski
Gorges - Subban
Gill - Weber
Price
Garon
Gagne - He is a player I really seeing Gauthier pursue, he is exactly what we need in size, scoring, tougness and experience, plus he's a Quebecer which means a lot for certain people in this province.
Palushaj - Pacioretty's good friend and showed signs of skill and great play in this season's pre-season games, I can see him making the team as a rookie next season.
Bradley - BIG, TOUGH, PLAYS WITH A MEAN STREAK AND CAN FIGHT! Put him on a line with White and Moen, go after Boston next season.
Garon - Better than Auld and is a Quebecer as well, can be an excellent backup to Price and won the cup with Fleury in Pittsburgh.
Gomez - Traded, sent down to the AHL or bought out!
Kostitsyn - Traded at the 2011 NHL entry draft for a draft pick and/or prospect.
Gill - Re-signed because he brings size, leadership and experience to the team and is an excellent player in the playoffs.
Wisniewski - Has a rocket from the point, can play on the PP with Markov or Subban and brings a little bit of grit when he wants to, I really like him.
Michael Cammalleri Brad Richards Brian Gionta
Max Pacioretty Tomas Plekanec Ville Leino
Benoit Pouliot David Desharnais Lars Eller
Brooks Laich Andreas Engqvist Ben Eager
Ryan White
P.K. Subban Joni Pitkanen
Yannick Weber James Wisniewski
Josh Gorges Shane O'Brien
Christian Ehrhoff
Andrei Markov?
Why does everyone want to keep playing Eller at Wing? He's shown he clearly can't put up points there and has put up several points since being switched back to Center.
Why does everyone want to keep playing Eller at Wing? He's shown he clearly can't put up points there and has put up several points since being switched back to Center.
For myself he is playing wing with Desharnais but for myself I believe the 2 can switch at will. With Desharnais talent and Ellers they can be on the same line and make things work
Cammy-Plek-Pacioretty
Gagne-Gomez-Gionta (Gagne 5 years, discount)
Pouliot-Desharnais-Darche
White-Tough UFA-Moen (Cheap UFA, could even be Halpern instead of a tough guy)
Half way through the season Lars Eller 1st in the AHL and best +/-
Gets called up bumping somebody down to the 4th line, Eller comes up and becomes a permanent fixture in our top 9.
EDIT: Forgot to mention, AK dealt at the draft for a pick that moves us up 6 spots. (Thanks Nashville, though I will miss him I can see it happening)
Christian Erhoff is a guy I hope the Habs target as well...he's got a BOMB from the point and would be the (Souray/Streit/Schneider/MAB) for Markov on the opposite point.
Joni Pitkanen is also another guy I have mild interest in.
You don't think Leblanc could get at most 50 points in his rookie reason???
Not a chance. There's also very little chance he ends up playing center for us. He'll likely turn into a fantastic complimentary winger.
And him centering the 2nd line over both desharnais AND eller, and this is supposed to be next year? Is there some other leblanc in the NHL that I don't know about?
You don't think Leblanc could get at most 50 points in his rookie reason???
Lars Eller has 11 points in 58 games, and he still has more offensive upside than Leblanc. LL will almost certainly not make the team out of training camp, and if he does, will play limited minutes without PP time.
It always amazes me how people suggest we sign player x and player y as if it will be a done deal. If the past decade has shown us anything, it's that Montreal is probably the last place a top free agent would sign. Bottom line, don't expect anyone of great significance to sign here this summer, which is a very scary thought considering we have so many holes to fill.
Not a chance. There's also very little chance he ends up playing center for us. He'll likely turn into a fantastic complimentary winger.
And him centering the 2nd line over both desharnais AND eller, and this is supposed to be next year? Is there some other leblanc in the NHL that I don't know about?
No, this lineup is more for 2 years from now, not next year. Next year I guess DD or Eller could take over 2nd line duties. Forgot to write it, sorry.
I'm going for small changes from within the organization rather than big ones
Goal - Price, Auld
First pairing on defense - Markov, Subban
Second pairing on defense - Hamrlik, Gorges
Third pairing on defense - Emelin, Wisniewski
Extra defense - Weber, Spacek
First Line - Pacioretty, Plekanec, Cammalleri
Second Line - Pouliot, Desharnais, Gionta
Third Line - Kostitsyn, Eller, ????
Fourth Line - Moen, Halpern, White
Extra forwards - Enqvist, Palushaj
Predictions:
1 - Gauthier will do everything in his power to sign Emelin
2 - Hal Gill will be invited to join the coaching staff
3 - Ramo will be traded along with another prospect(s) for a rugged winger capable of putting up 15 to 20 goals
4- Halpern and Hamrlik will be resigned for modest one year contracts that will allow the team to sign to Markov, Gorges and Wisniewski
5 - Darche and/or Pyatt could start the year with the team but will be replaced by Enqvist and Palushaj by mid-season. Enqvist's strong defensive play and the ability to play center will eventually earn him a spot
And the big one:
Gomez will be playing elsewhere.
It wouldn't be a dominant team but there would be a good young core and a handful of veterans that all bring something to the table.
