Montreal Canadiens Preview

Departures
Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev, Chris Higgins, Robert Lang, Tom Kostopoulos, Mike Komisarek, Mathieu Schneider, Mathieu Dandenault, Francis Bouillon, Patrice Brisebois

Arrivals
Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Mike Camalleri, Travis Moen, Hall Gill, Paul Mara, Jaroslav Spacek, Curtis Sanford

Forwards
With six forwards gone from last year, Canadiens’ fans are going to be looking hard at their programs this season as they try to figure out who’s who. In come three diminutive forwards with skill. Gionta (5’7″), Gomez (5’10) and Cammileri (5’9″) will make up the Canadiens top line this winter. They are built for speed. In the new NHL speed and skill will win you games. Gionta and Gomez played their best season on the same line in New Jersey in ’05-’06 where they combined for 81 goals and 173 points. Since then they haven’t reached such lofty heights. Cammalleri is coming off his best season (39 goals and 82 points).Their combined goal output of last season is five more than that of Kovalev, Koivu, Tanguay and Higgins.

Moen (6’2″) adds some size and toughness to the slightly smaller roster.

The Habs will need the Kostitsyn’s and Plekanec to regain their form of two years ago if they hope to have any secondary scoring.

Defenseman
Like the forwards there was a lot of change on defense. However, Andrei Markov is still here which is good news for Habs’ fans. He is everything to this blueline. The leader, powerplay quaterback and a deft passer. Spacek will compliment him on the powerplay as he is a good passer. Mara(6’4″ 212lbs.) and Gill (6’7″ 250lbs.) add a ton of size and weight. They will be the shut down guys. PK Subban, an offensive standout for team Canada at the WJC and Belleville in the OHL will get a long look in camp.

Goalies
Last year was Murphy’s Law for Carey Price everything went wrong for the young netminder who had such high expectations after a tremendous rookie campaign. Gainey absolutely loves Price but don’t expcet his leash to be as long this season. They can’t afford to fall behind in the standings. Jaroslav Halak played well in his 34 appearances. He has the ability to step in if Price continues to struggle.

Strengths
- The Habs ranked 13th in goals last season not bad for only having one player score over 25. The additions of Cammalleri, Gionta and Gomez will only help those numbers go up.

- They’re not flashy and they won’t physically hurt you but the defense will shut you down and move the puck up the ice quickly. Markov will be in the top three for scoring.

– Price is only 22-years-old and we’re willing to give him a mulligan on last season. He will be better this year.

Weaknesses
- After their top line there are a lot questions.

- They weren’t big or mean last season. This season they got smaller and lost their mean-streak (Komisarek). They will get physically punished everytime they play Northeast division rivals – Toronto and Boston who are both big and mean.

Analysis
The Habs made a lot of changes this off-season. We strongly believe they are better with the changes made. That being said the will still have to battle for the final playoff spot in the East. If Carey price doesn’t regain form it could be a very long season for Les Canadiens.

Prediction: 8th in the East