That 4th line also doesn't have a center, because White hasn't played down the middle since turning pro.
He did take a lot of draws when he was first called up in place of Desharnais, and he has the defensive awareness to be a center, maybe not the speed though. I like his game on the wing too, he is pretty nasty on the forecheck. Prust is also a natural centre, and did play some with the Flames..I think there could be a nice battle for that job in camp, with Nokkelainen and Dumont in the mix too.
Gomez would be a part of this lineup. Prust would move back to the 4th, Gomez on Eller's wing, and Leblanc in Hamilton getting top minutes and being the first call up.
Gomez will only play in Hamilton if the saved cap space is used on another player. Sending Gomez down for the sake of sending Gomez down will NOT happen.
Gomez will only play in Hamilton if the saved cap space is used on another player. Sending Gomez down for the sake of sending Gomez down will NOT happen.
If Cole Patches and DD are set as the first line, I would really like to see Gomez given 1 more opportunity in a top 6 role. I know he's been given many chances, but hopefully he has something to prove after last year, and comes to camp with a fire in his belly.
I would try him at left wing with Pleks and Gionta. Seems like a small line, but Gionta and Gomez are battlers, and it might be worth a look. Obviously Gionta and Gomez have history together. New coach, new GM, new chance IMO. If he can get back to 60-70 pts, we wouldn't have to send him down, and some cap floor teams may even be interested in taking his last year off our hands.
My worst fear, is having him center the 3rd line, and putting Eller on the wing. Eller should be in the teams future plans, and has played better at C, so I don't htink we should slow his development for Gomez. The only way I'd like to see him moved to wing, is if he's given a top 6 role.
The other option/scenario, is him taking a top 6 C position if DD doesn't repeat his great year.
So, who's playing 4th line C? I find it questionable to think they'd put White in that role, hopefully he comes into camp like a mad man.
Which I think he will.
I am REAL excited for our 3rd and 4th lines. I think any softness on the d-mens part is made up there. I refuse to believe that guys like Pacioretty and Cole aren't tough enough to handle things.
A strong 3rd and 4th line that is putting it to the opposing team is all the difference inthe world in hockey games. If Montreal could achieve something special there...would be pretty fun to see.
if i am correct we need another leftwing as we have bourque who i would be more comfortable with as a 3rd liner if he is indeed our 2nd liner who is our 3rd line left wing i like leblanc and gallagher but i would like them both in hamilton
Moen can play LW or RW, so its more a Top 9 wing that we need. If MB doesn't make any more moves, from what it sounded like in his press conference, it'll be the youngins battling it out. One of Palushaj, Leblanc and Gallagher seem like the obvious choices. Gally can land a spot as well.
I'm not sure there's space, TBH, unless we want to tell Blunden to **** off, and rock White as a 13th.
Looking at that lineup, I'm not sure there's a whole lot of space. Gallagher, Leblanc, or Galchenyuk are going to have to wrestle a spot away from someone if they want to spend the year in the show.
I don't think there's any way that Galchenyuk should be even considered for a spot this season. The guy missed essentially the entire season last year, and the thought of just throwing him straight into the lineup is nauseating.
Right now it's Patches, Bourque and Moen, although Gomez's inclusion, which seems to be more and more likely, could complicate things a bit. Obviously, acquiring somebody would have been ideal, but I have to hope that Bourque can somewhat regain his form. The guy scored 27 in back to back seasons, and if he can get even 20 in a full season I'd be ecstatic. If he can do that, and Gionta also comes back around, then all is not lost. I know those are some big ifs, but it's all we've got right now.
I'm not sure there's space, TBH, unless we want to tell Blunden to **** off, and rock White as a 13th.
Looking at that lineup, I'm not sure there's a whole lot of space. Gallagher, Leblanc, or Galchenyuk are going to have to wrestle a spot away from someone if they want to spend the year in the show.
Unless someone wins a job outright it's unlikely any of those players won't be in Hamilton with the exception of Galchenyuk and he will go back to Sarnia Sting.All of our prospects can use the season to get pro experience in the AHL as players did in the original six,when teams had the same parity that's seen in the NHL now.The time spent in the AHL now will make them better players all the way around and give them confidence and better understanding of systems,PP's & PK's and 5 on 5 play.
just as long as desharnais and gionta are not on the same line, im good.
as for gallagher, he shouldnt have a place in the habs lineup if he's only going to end up playing with dd or gionta. i think he should only make the big club as long as he's playing with a big center and another big winger. with that said, i think he should wait for galchenyuk to make the team.
cant wait. not getting my hopes up, but i dont see any reason why we shouldnt make the playoffs next year, especially if markov stays healthy.
I like that
