The Plan, the team and the players: normal evolution

Habs GM Marc Beregin and his coach Michel Therrien, along with the rest of the team management team have been working according to a team plan and structure that will lead the Habs to become a regular contender at some point in the near future. When this all started the Habs had just finished at the bottom of the NHL and then there was the lockout. Coming out of the lockout, Bergevin started showing signs of what his plan was: make the team younger (when the kids are ready), deeper, bigger and more structurally sound. This would be done without trading blue chip prospects or top draft picks. 

Looking at the moves made by the Habs, they have stuck to this plan. Bergevin has also managed to sign players to very reasonable deals in terms of length and cap hit. This means the Habs have room to maneuver but also that players are for the most part all trade chips if need be.  

Most recently we have seen proof of this with Moen being traded what has proved to be a very useful Sergei Gonchar. All the while saving precious cap space for this summer with the unloading of Moen's deal. Bourque was also moved, along with his contract for a depth dman whose contract expires. Bergevin collects dmen and this will not change. This means the Habs are deep on D and can hopfully deal well with injuries there. Before fans whine and cry about these two old d-men Bergevin acquired, look at their deals: they expire this summer. That tells you that these guys are there for depth but also to allow the Habs to properly develop Tinordi and Beaulieu. That is the smart and patient approach that Bergevin uses and while fans may cry about it, demand he "lets the kids play", this will only happen when he and the coach feel its time and when the kids force themselves onto the lineup through play. Then and only then will Bergevin move someone to make room or will Therrien sit a vet to let a kid play. This is how this team is run and their record since Bergevin and Therrien took over says they seem to be doing something right. 

When you look at contracts and young players coming up you can see how the Habs being patient with Galchenyuk may have paid off. They put him at center when they felt he was ready. David Desharnais, the focus of much hatred and bashing from fans, was moved to the 3rd line at center and then on the wing when Eller returned. This was all very predictable in my opinion. Desharnais got a deal that screamed temporary solution. 3.5M for 4 years is a very reasonable deal for a playmaking 2C or 3C that produces 45-50 points per season. That kid was put in as 1st center by default and until chucky was ready. Now that this has happened and if Eller grabs onto his opportunity at center, Desharnais will be traded. Not to disappoint his haters but he is not that hard to trade. His deal is reasonable and he has shown he can produce when put in the right spot. He is also a hard worker. I figured Desharnais was always vulnerable to trade and that is fine by me. I hope the kid lands in a good spot. 

For all this to happen, Eller has to produce on a regular basis and be present and accounted for in terms of effort everynight. If he goes to sleep for a while, you can expect him to be moved to the wing to wake him up and then Desharnais could slide back in at Center. 

On defence, Beaulieu has been playing since injuries occurred. He has done well in my opinion but he needs to do a bit more to win a regular spot. I am not of the school of thought that he should be playing top 4 or nothing. I am perfectly comfortable with Beaulieu playing on the bottom pair and EARNING more ice time. Tinordi will be called up at some point to show if he has progressed according to what the team asked of him. Before losing your minds, consider that Duncan Keith in Chicago played TWO FULL SEASONS in the AHL before earning a spot with Chicago. Also consider what Detroit does with their prospects, keeping them in the AHL longer. There is not just one way to develop young players and the Habs seem to be using the slow and patient approach. The things is, they can afford too! Their core is young and maturing and they have good veterans for now. Bergevin is not building to patch for this year, he wants long term success and for this to happen he needs young players to develop properly. 

Notes and tidbits:

1- Subban while enjoying a decent season, is not playing like a true #1 dman yet. I am sure he will be fine but he needs to pick it up a little bit. Danny Dubé, a pretty competent hockey analyst provided some insight on this. As he observed, Subban seems to be coasting a bit more out there, perhaps to save some energy. This is hurting his game. Not a bad theory. Subban may also be feeling the pressure of his mammoth deal and trying to do too much. This should all fall into place soon. 

2- Gilbert while excelling with breakout passes is proving to be a liability in many other situations. This may correct itself but there is a reason he only got a 2 year deal!

3- Malhotra may be a stud on face offs but he has 1 point this year after 30+ games. He needs to produce a bit more and if he slips in face off proficiency at all, he will lose his spot.

4- Bergevin did not force Therrien to do anything with the lineup. Thinking that in my opinion means that one does not understand the Bergevin - Therrien relationship very well at all. They do consult with each other but I am convinced Therrien has the final call on the line up. 

5- Emelin is an adventure...one night he can be great then he can be a skating disaster the other night. One hopes that at some point he will settle down!

6- 67-27-11 looks like a solid line but with all due respect Gallagher is NOT a 1st line RW. This will need to be addressed at some point.

7- Parenteau seems like a good fit on the 3rd line, I think he may click with Eller. 

8- Sekac is something to watch. He has really found his groove since being sent to the pressbox. This may have been a good learning experience for him: bring it everynight.

9- Price is well...Price...just give him the Molson Cup for the rest of the year.

10- Prust is back to his old self. He is such a versatile player and a team guy. Great guy to have in your line up.