Post by Montreal Canadiens on Dec 20, 2021 20:42:29 GMT -6
What’s Wrong with the Habs?
Ten games into the season and fans and media are wondering what is wrong with the Habs? They are off too a 1-4-5 start and sit second last in the conference.
GM Todd Snider and his assistants came out of the dispersal draft feeling they put a team together that could compete immediately and contend in the future too. The core of the team is mostly under 30 years old, 5 players are 24 and under and 9 players range between 25 and 29 years of age. GM Snider did draft 30 + star Blake Wheeler to lead the team and two veteran netminders in Jake Allen and Robin Lehner to play goal.
Let’s dissect what could be wrong with the team.
First thing that stands out is the lack of veteran presence down the middle. Coach Ducharme has been playing Wheeler on the wing most of this young season. That leaves the top three centers as 22-year-old Nick Suzuki and 23-year-old Nolan Patrick and 24- year- old Luke Kunin. Ducharme vowed to move Wheeler back to center for game 10 but the lines remained the same. Do they need to trade for another veteran type of center?
Second is Ducharme the right guy to coach this young squad? Montreal only has him signed to a 1-year deal at 1 million, so a change could be in order!!
Thirdly, Are there enough talented scorers on this squad? We believe yes with Wheeler, Tkachuk, Suzuki, Patrick, Anderson, Gusev and Caufield. Caufield has been dispatched to the minors to gain confidence and Gusev, Patrick and Anderson have only scored 1 goal between them. Max Jones, Radek Faksa and Kunin though have chipped in 3 each. They do lack that legit #1 scorer you can count on game in and game out.
Fourth, is the defence talented enough? GM Snider considered his backend one of the strongest in the league, 1 through 6 when he drafted them. Led by Seth Jones, and Ryan Graves, and accompanied by Vince Dunn, Sami Vatanen, Josh Manson and Brett Kulak.
Lastly, are the two veteran netminders capable of leading this team? Looking at the small 10 game sample one could argue not. Could we see a trade? Or Samsanov called up from the AHL? Something needs to give!!
When we asked GM Snider whether changes are coming, he replied DEFINITELY!!!
Ten games into the season and fans and media are wondering what is wrong with the Habs? They are off too a 1-4-5 start and sit second last in the conference.
GM Todd Snider and his assistants came out of the dispersal draft feeling they put a team together that could compete immediately and contend in the future too. The core of the team is mostly under 30 years old, 5 players are 24 and under and 9 players range between 25 and 29 years of age. GM Snider did draft 30 + star Blake Wheeler to lead the team and two veteran netminders in Jake Allen and Robin Lehner to play goal.
Let’s dissect what could be wrong with the team.
First thing that stands out is the lack of veteran presence down the middle. Coach Ducharme has been playing Wheeler on the wing most of this young season. That leaves the top three centers as 22-year-old Nick Suzuki and 23-year-old Nolan Patrick and 24- year- old Luke Kunin. Ducharme vowed to move Wheeler back to center for game 10 but the lines remained the same. Do they need to trade for another veteran type of center?
Second is Ducharme the right guy to coach this young squad? Montreal only has him signed to a 1-year deal at 1 million, so a change could be in order!!
Thirdly, Are there enough talented scorers on this squad? We believe yes with Wheeler, Tkachuk, Suzuki, Patrick, Anderson, Gusev and Caufield. Caufield has been dispatched to the minors to gain confidence and Gusev, Patrick and Anderson have only scored 1 goal between them. Max Jones, Radek Faksa and Kunin though have chipped in 3 each. They do lack that legit #1 scorer you can count on game in and game out.
Fourth, is the defence talented enough? GM Snider considered his backend one of the strongest in the league, 1 through 6 when he drafted them. Led by Seth Jones, and Ryan Graves, and accompanied by Vince Dunn, Sami Vatanen, Josh Manson and Brett Kulak.
Lastly, are the two veteran netminders capable of leading this team? Looking at the small 10 game sample one could argue not. Could we see a trade? Or Samsanov called up from the AHL? Something needs to give!!
When we asked GM Snider whether changes are coming, he replied DEFINITELY!!!
