Remember when everyone said that Ottawa would finish last for at least 2-3 years? I do. And we ALL know that the Habs have a better team than they showed this game. I'm pretty sure they gonna make the playoffs this year.
Our biggest issue in the next few years will be figuring out what to do with Gionta, Gallagher, Desharnais and Plekanec. Those are all top 6 guys and have no size.
Gallagher will likely replace Gionta when his contract is up. Three out of 6 is still quite high.
Something's gotta give.
I'd like to see this team have 3 offensive lines, if that's the case we would be alright going forward and could have some smaller guys in the lineup
I don't think that Marc bergevin will move until the camp unless he has a big offer who can upgrade our team ... wich is not on radar ! So here is a team who can be the starter at game 1 in October with no rookie as Galchenyuk Leblanc or Gallagher who will spend the entire next season in the minor to build confidence and skill set ! This is what I would do with them for a real transition.
I like what you've done here! I would shuffle the bottom six a tad, but otherwise, I could go into next season with this. Obviously, I don't like seeing Gomez in there - least of all on a 4th line - but if we're stuck with him, so be it.
Still missing a bit of sandpaper and size on the blue line. I'm sure it's something MB will address either during or after training camp, once he gets his ducks in a row and is able to determine who is willing to do what; how much gas is left in Bouillon's tank; where does Emelin plan on taking his game... Weber, Diaz.
That notwithstanding, I still think this is a playoff team.
Our biggest issue in the next few years will be figuring out what to do with Gionta, Gallagher, Desharnais and Plekanec. Those are all top 6 guys and have no size.
Gallagher will likely replace Gionta when his contract is up. Three out of 6 is still quite high.
Something's gotta give.
Plekanec is 195-200 lbs, average size for a centre, with above average skating ability...Gallagher will likely take Gionta's spot, so having two small forwards, with a lot of courage, which isn't measured, and skill, isn't a problem. The Bruins won with Marchand and Recchi.
I think this season will be a transition year with new management and coaching, but I don't think that means the Habs will be bottom feeders again. The team has a solid foundation to build with and I don't think the playoffs are out of the question just yet.
A different line-up to try:
The Habs have a LW spot open in the top 6 and have center depth, I think Desharnais can still be a good scorer on the wing and won't have the defensive responsibilities that come with playing center. He does not make the left side small, as the other three (Pacioretty, Bourque, and Moen) are all 6'2. He also still has two 6'2 linemates. I believe Eller is going to have a good year with a healthy summer of training, and Desharnais' vision could really help Eller improve his scoring and not have to worry about doing everything himself when playing with bottom six wingers.
I did not want to see Gomez back with the team, but at this point I don't see him leaving. But, if he does, a third line UFA center like Moore would be a good option. The bottom six lines would play similar minutes to each other as I really like the Moen - Prust combo and think they could be sound defensively, play some PK minutes, and put pressure on the opposing dmen.
I broke up last year's number 1 line because this team still looks like a one line team with them together, and that has proven to not be a recipe for success. Hopefully this can balance the scoring a little. Also, there is no guarantee that the Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole line would be successful again. I remember when the Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Kovalev line were one of the best in the league but couldn't repeat success the following year. I think this lineup would at least be worth a try during pre-season.
Last note, I think Emelin on his left side is important for his improvement and the defence as a whole.
Plekanec is 195-200 lbs, average size for a centre, with above average skating ability...Gallagher will likely take Gionta's spot, so having two small forwards, with a lot of courage, which isn't measured, and skill, isn't a problem. The Bruins won with Marchand and Recchi.
The Bruins won with Marchand and Recchi but they could have done so without them.
What did Vergy said in his press conference regarding his strategy?
He wanted to give the team character, that was his first step.
What did he do so far this summer? He signed character players.
Seems that's really his strategy.
Remember when everyone said that Ottawa would finish last for at least 2-3 years? I do. And we ALL know that the Habs have a better team than they showed this game. I'm pretty sure they gonna make the playoffs this year.
Bingo. The highs and lows of opinions on here are ridiculous. An injury-riddled Montreal was a goal-post away from eliminating the Stanley Cup champs just over a year ago. I know a lot has changed, but the bottom line is that the East is wide open.
And for all the doom and gloomers about all the holes in our lineup and how weak it looks, there is just as sound an argument that experienced Emelins and Ellers and healthy Giontas and Markovs could make us top-5 or 6 in the Conference.
No team has a perfect looking roster. Hell, the #1 team from last year just resorted to Jeff Halpern. There are a lot of balls in the air, but I firmly believe that in this questionable Eastern Conference, we're a playoff team this season.
I don't know about that. Are you talking about without replacement? Just delete them from the roster and they win the cup?
I don't think so. Marchand was huge in that Vancouver series, and Recchi was pretty good against us.
There were 3 close series on their road to the cup: I don't think they make it all the way there deleting those two players.
Are you really suggesting that I meant without replacement? That the Bruins would have played two men short? Aren't you embarrassed? Judging from your previous posts I'd say you're capable of making sensible comments, so please don't deprive us of them.
Are you really suggesting that I meant without replacement? That the Bruins would have played two men short? Aren't you embarrassed? Judging from your previous posts I'd say you're capable of making sensible comments, so please don't deprive us of them.
Okay, so you're replacing the players, with whom? Better players? Worse players?
Dunno where all the discussion has branched to in this thread, but I think it's safe to say that Bergevin is focused on all seasons. Present and future. It's not that hard to do. It's his job.
Still believe you need an offensive skill type player on Ellers wing to help Eller develop his offensive game at the NHL level. Otherwise we are limiting him to being a checking centre and caping his pssible upside.
Okay, so you're replacing the players, with whom? Better players? Worse players?
The Bruins had capable players on lower lines who could have moved up and their prospects aren't that bad. But anyway, the Bruins were strong enough to win even if the replacements weren't as good. Only the Habs scared them. The Canucks, despite getting to seven games, crumpled. Besides, the only goaltender who stymied them (temporarily) was Price.
The Bruins had capable players on lower lines who could have moved up and their prospects aren't that bad. But anyway, the Bruins were strong enough to win even if the replacements weren't as good. Only the Habs scared them. The Canucks, despite getting to seven games, crumpled. Besides, the only goaltender who stymied them (temporarily) was Price.
Tampa got pretty close to knocking them off too. Boston won the cup by a hair when you get down to it.
Gomez and Bourque are going to be given every opportunity to succeed.
Wait what? Not only Gomez is in the line-up but he's playing on the 2nd line while Plekanec, who has more points last season than Gomez's last 2 seasons COMBINED will be centering the third/checking line?
