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Cause of Habs’ struggles becoming more clear

Written by: admin on 10th February 2009

Cause of Habs' struggles becoming more clear | read this item

It became apparent on Monday night after watching the Canadiens fall 6-2 to the Flames that I no longer had questions about the Habs poor play, but more answers. The mystery of what ails Montreal could be seen all over the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome, much to the disappointment of the sea of Canadiens fans that took over for what usually should be a hostile crowd when you’re on the road (not too mention 3600 kilometers away).

Starting from the most important position is the goaltending. Carey Price returned from an ankle injury with barely enough time to remain as the starting goaltender in this year’s All-Star game, not too mention playing a period in the Young Stars game (much to the delight of Guy Carbonneau I’m sure).

Since returning, Price has looked uncharacteristically shaky and has been good enough for at least one soft goal per game. Not exactly the kind of goaltending the Canadiens relied on last year to propel them to being Eastern Conference champions. After a loss on Saturday to the Maple Leafs, the franchise net-minder looked nearly in-tears after surrendering five goals. A young man with the weight of a Stanley Cup deprived city on his shoulders during a centennial season with championship aspirations is something even Patrick Roy didn’t have to contend with at the time. And while Jaroslav Halak has proved worthy of being a second string goaltender, there is no question that Price will need to regain his confidence and composure if the Habs are intent on even making the playoffs (which at the start of the year, was at what birth, not if), let alone Cup finals.

After a loss on Saturday to the Maple Leafs, the franchise net-minder looked nearly in-tears after surrendering five goals.

With the ‘08/’09 season half way thru, it is more than safe to say Montreal deeply misses the presence of Mark Streit on the back-end. While the ever humble Swiss native was quick to downplay the idea that his departure is solely to blame for the Canadiens non-existent powerplay, one can’t help but notice the disorganization during the man-advantage and how badly they lack depth for a D-man who can make a crisp, and reliable first pass as well as help quarterback the play in the offensive zone.

It was perhaps the mistake of GM Bob Gainey to not even make an effort to negotiate re-signing Streit, who had a breakout season in ‘07/’08, a move which surprised the defenceman by trade but who had also served as a forward for head coach Guy Carbonneau. At his ‘State of the Union’ address at the halfway point of the season this year, Gainey told the media that he felt that Montreal would simply have been unable to come near the salary expectations that Streit was going to commend on the open market and that they felt it best to use those resources for other parts that they felt were a pressing issue (cue the acquisitions and signings of Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang and Georges Laraque). Streit simply fell into a case of giving up something to get something. Left unanswered is the question that maybe Mark Streit would have been keen to a hometown discount, a la Andrei Markov, to remain in a place that is the closest resemblance to a European city in North America.

As Homer Simpson once said, “sometimes a good offence is the best defence.” The Canadiens however, have been unable to match their fire-power from last year which saw them total 257 goals for, only one behind Ottawa, which was good enough to put them at second in the NHL. They enjoyed break-out seasons from Alex Kovalev with 35, Tomas Plekanec with 29, Andrei Kostitsyn with 26, and Christopher Higgins with 27. This year, Montreal’s top two scoring leaders are a defenceman, Andrei Markov, and free-agent signing Robert Lang, whose season, and possibly career, ended February 1st with a severed Achilles tendon. Then take into account the lackluster production from their top scorers from last year: Alex Kovalev, 13, Tomas Plekanec, 11, Andrei Kostitsyn (the only one who may reach his total from ‘07/08), 18, and Christopher Higgins, who just returned from injury, seven.

Points have been raised about the fact that many of the forwards in question are all unrestricted free-agents, such as Alex Kovalev, Christopher Higgins, and even Saku Koivu. However, Gainey would contend that he would rather extend contracts to those who perform, rather than signing contracts to then sit and cross fingers that it all works out. Whether this method of player performance versus contract negotiation works out, remains to be seen.

A year that began with high-expectations after a thrilling ‘07/’08 campaign may end in disaster should the Habs not be able to rectify and address the problems which have seen them fall from a Cup contender to being virtually on the bubble of making the playoffs. Not too mention, with the trade deadline three weeks away, Bob Gainey will be dealing from a position of desperation and weakness should his team not catch-fire prior to March 4th.

For OpenIceHockey.com, I’m Von Jeppesen

Topics: Alex Kovalev, Alex Tanguay, Bob Gainey, Chris Higgins, Montreal Canadiens, Saku Koivu