Post by Montreal Canadiens on Jan 27, 2017 15:05:49 GMT -5
Fans riot after the latest loss at home to the Red Wings, 8-2
20-27-4. 45 points. 18 points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the 2nd wild card spot sit the Montreal Canadiens. Overall, the Habs sit 25th in the league, and if the season were to end today, they'd have the 6th best odds (if my math serves correct) at winning the Draft Lottery. Montreal is not a place to play like shit. You have fans who are used to winning, a team that is used to winning, and a city that is arguably the hockey hub of Canada. This past draft, Montreal did have the 9th overall pick. Instead of using the pick on guys like Charlie McAvoy, Jakob Chychrun, or any of the other remaining defenseman, the Habs floated the pick out there to see if anyone would want it.
"We had some talks with other GM's in the league, but when we heard from the Rangers, they offered Vatanen and others. Obviously we had a void to fill after trading McDonough, but adding Vatanen helps us down the line." Said O'Leary after the Habs got slaughtered by Detroit 8-2 at the Belle Centre. "This has been a difficult season, but I am confident that in the next year or two, we should be able to compete for the playoffs. Right now, we just want to play hockey while preparing for our future, which looks to be going in the right direction."
He may be onto something. The Canadiens already have guys like Logan Couture, Alex Galchenyuk, David Pastrnak, Kevin Hayes, Jared Spurgeon, Sami Vatanen, and Mats Zuccarello. They're struggled in many areas. Currently, they're 21st in the league for Goals For, 29th in Goals Allowed, 17th on the PP, and 22nd on the PK. The goals will eventually come, especially next year when Pastrnak has another year under his belt, as well as guys like Koecny and Schmaltz making the jump. Team defense on the blue line will only get stronger, as guys like Brandon Carlo will compete for top 4 minutes. Other defensemen that we should see in a year or two include Oliver Kylington, Sean Day, and Joe Morrow. Goaltending is the biggest question mark. In the NHL, Montreal has Cam Ward and Jonas Hiller. Aging goalies. Hiller isn't even in the actual NHL anymore, and Cam Ward's time is fading away. Jordan Binnington (AHL) has been inconsistent in the minors, going 8-6 with the Wolves (real life), 2.90 GAA and .908 Save %. Daniel Vladar is playing in the ECHL, where he is 2-2 with a 3.65 GAA and .888 Save %. Out of all the issues, O'Leary should be focusing on resolving the goaltending issue. But how? There's the option for trades, as they have some pieces other teams may be looking for in exchange for a goalie that fits their needs. I would say they could draft a goalie, but the Habs only have one pick (1st rounder) in the upcoming entry draft, and I highly doubt that they will waste it on a goaltender.
Overall, barring any trades and free agent signings, I can see the team looking like this next year:
Zuccarello - Couture - Pastrnak
Hayes - Gallchenyuk - Ennis
Schmaltz - Koecny - Ferraro
Calvert - Kelly - Jurco
Stone - Vatanen
Spurgeon - Carlo
Pateryn - Trotman/Manning
Ward
Other
