Habitant Wagons head out West
On a windy and rainy Sunday Fall morning here in Montreal, les Canadiens are 9-0. This should give fans pause and time to reflect so lets say it again, the Montreal Canadiens are 9-0, all wins coming in regulation. This is by any measuring stick an impressive start to the 2015-16 season. Nearly everything on the team is firing on all cylinders, even the Powerplay has come to life. Heck even the advanced stats are looking good. Another sign of an evolved team is that the Habs just beat two bad teams (Sabres and Leafs) even if they did not play their best on the second game. In previous years, the Habs tended to lack hustle or determination when they faced basement dwelling teams, not so much this year. Finally, this start is so good that it has forced the Therrien haters to retreat back into their lair and mutter in low tones amongst themselves. That is also a sort of "win" for most fans of the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge. So, instead of a long, drawn out blog I will simply offer up some "puck musings" on this club thus far.
Puck Musing 1: Speed kills...yes it really does
This team is suddenly faster, across the board. They are fast skaters and in a way this is not new; they also play fast by which I mean they execute well and fast, leaving opponents little time. They are also fast on the puck and now carry that black disk into the opposing zone more. Every line has speed and plays fast, every defensive pair has mobility and plays fast.
Puck Musing 2: Patience is a virtue
Looking back at the Bergevin tenure as Habs GM you see a patterns and a plan. This team is the fruition of that plan. The plan was based on patience, development of young players and putting them into roles when they were ready. Bergevin also works in near complete isolation of fan whining which is a critical trait in Montreal. The relationship between the coach, the GM and the hockey staff is healthy and productive. As fans patience is not easy and neither is resisting the urge to play armchair GM or coach. Bergevin also knows how to play the media in Montreal and deflect attention from issues, another key trait for him in this hockey-mad market.
Puck Musing 3: A coach coaches with what he has...system evolution
Therrien is not perfect. In fact far from it. Still, he tends to get wins and that is a somewhat important trait for a NHL coach. Therrien, like all coaches out there, also coaches with what he has. Case in point: the system tweak this year. Now the Habs play a more aggressive system, they carry the puck more as well. Well lets look at the changes made since deadline day last year: Petry (puck moving D), Mitchell (right handed C, speed), Flynn (4th line speedster), Flash (speed and decent hands), Semin (hands and somewhat of a gamble). Therrien now has true speed and puck ability on ALL lines and on ALL D pairs. This means he can afford a more aggressive, puck carrying style. It also means players are now in their proper roles, at the proper level. Cases in point: Galchenyuk at center (they put him there now when they felt he was READY and oh look he is thriving), Eller on the wing (Therrien had the luxury to tell him to play there because he now has true depth), DD as 3rd line Center (in a better spot and his line has looked great), Emelin (looking like the old Emelin since he plays with Petry), 4th line (speed, speed, speed and more speed).
Puck Musing 4: Depth takes time to build
It took a few years of trading and developing and drafting but the Habs are now deep at nearly every position. This is Bergevin's work and the scouting staff work. The development part is also a credit to the coaching staff in Hamilton and in Montreal. Players are groomed now instead of rushed and it shows. the depth also means the team can play players in their roles but also that the coach has press box options, when the time is right. The team now has 2 NHL-caliber D-men on the pressbox and one NHL-caliber forward. In St-John's, the team has a few more decent d-men but mostly some good forwards that will feed the big club in years to come.
Puck Musing 5: Chucky got it
We all remember the Bergevin presser and the ensuing losing of the minds amongst many fans that this team would "ruin" Galchenyuk or that he would "never" play center, NEVER. Next thing you know we find out Bergevin and Therrien told Chucky BACK IN JUNE that he would play Center this season. Oh my, that was odd, did Bergevin just deflect attention by giving the media a false bone to chew on thus leaving Chucky time to train for a clear goal during the summer? Did this also mean the team gave Chucky the chance for Center when he was READY for it? Still, Chucky got it and it shows that he was ripe to play Center.
Puck Musing 6: Trades...give em time
Bergevin does not decide which coffee to have in the morning with a plan. It is therefore hard to imagine he would make a trade without it fitting into his plan or without it being a very well calculated gamble. This GM also makes smart future-oriented trades (ex: freeing up cap space, moving contracts...) without giving away any core pieces. Most of his trades work out because they move surplus and fill team needs. Most are unspectacular moves and most seem to pay off. Look at Petry, Mitchell, Flynn and DSP. All are now key contributors to the team in their way. Petry took the Habs D to the next level, Mitchell, Flynn and DSP have turned into one of the NHL's best 4th line. What did Bergevin pay for this? Next to nothing, the only player that went the other way that had potential was Sekac. the thing is the Habs did not need Sekac as much as they needed a DSP-style player. For the most part, Bergevin has made excellent to decent trades. None of these moves have blown up in his face (yet) and surely some will at some point. the other thing is that Bergevin trades for players that reinforce the teams style of play. This indicates a solid two-way street between him and the coach.
Puck Musing 7: Looking ahead...the D
Markov's minutes were well managed initially but have now climbed in certain games. I think at some point the team needs to move Markie off the PK and to keep him at 18-20 minutes. With Petry in the line up the Habs can afford to do this. Gilbert has played well this far but he would be the trade option if MB and MT want to make room for Pateryn.
Puck Musing 8: Looking ahead...the F
Tough to make line up changes when the team is 9-0 and all lines are firing. Still, with this western swing perhaps it will be time to tweak things a little. Semin has looked on and off (expected) but his line has looked decent. I would hesitate to scratch him because he might not the player that responds well to this. I would leave him in for a few more games. How do you play Byron? The better question to me is: do you need to play Byron? This is the 13th forward we are talking about no? Barring injury this guy will have a hard time cracking the line up in my opinion. As for the rest, I do not see an immediate need to shuffle lines as everyone looks good where they are. Each line is producing offensively.
Puck Musing 9: Improving the team
The season is young but the GM is a wheeler and dealer so you can expect trades this year. I am sure Bergevin is looking at his team and seeing where he could improve it. He has trade chips to make a move but he will not move his core. What does that leave? Time will tell but my prime trade target would be Gilbert. Plekanec is a valuable trade chip and his new deal has no NTC or NMC. his new contract only increases his value but to make such a move the team would need to get a solid 1A-1B Center to shelter Chucky and no, Eller is not that guy! Eller is thriving at wing because he does not have to make on-ice decisions like a Center does. He is a reaction-type player and as a winger he can do that. Were he to play on a lower line, say the 3rd, he could then be a Center as there would be less offensive pressure on him. One thing is for sure, the trades when they come, will be unexpected, this is the M.O. of this GM!
Puck Musing 10: Enjoy the ride folks
This is the best Habs team we have had sine 1993. Yes I just said that. They are fun to watch, deep, fast and talented. Just ENJOY this folks, it is meant to be fun! I know the temptation to criticize is high and healthy constructive criticism does lead to good discussion but the ole bash and and whine fest would look rather silly now no? Well you can always complain about Therrien's suits if you wish! Fashion is subjective. As for me, the coach could wear a big bird suit and as long as they win, that would be fine by me.
