This is going to be the most unbiased view I could have for them.
Montreal flat out stunk last year, no chemistry, no heart, no jam from the get go. They got pushed around, scored on, walked through, got waxed for a majority of their games. Even the games they won, they just squeezed them out by one goal.
Plekanec had a very strange year, but sadly it was business as usual. Kostitsyn hasn't played well since Kovalev played for the Habs, he had about 10 different wingers throughout the year. He could never develop chemistry. He felt he needed to do more, he felt like he needed to be Ovi. He played alright in his own end, and didn't have much in the O zone. Kosty gone, good riddance. Gomez played...? I don't honestly remember I blacked out. Gomez will be riding pine, in either the NHL or AHL until they can buy him out July 1st. A very strange year organized by Pierre Gauthier and company.
We traded our best piece, for a below average (at the time) Rene Bourque. He came with a chip on his shoulder, he truly loved Calgary. Cammalleri will find a home there, and hopefully he sold the one in Montreal he built the day before he was traded.
Gionta fell flat, Gionta fell a lot, Gionta got hurt, Gionta was a non-factor for most of last season. Gionta should be ready and come out flying in the first game.
Plekky will have Galchenyuk and maybe Gallagher (that's who I would put him with). He shines with speedy wingers. Cole Patches and David Desharnais will have another good year. We have Prust, Bouillon, Moen to fight now. We will not be pushed over.
And we have gritty Ryan White, Injury prone Colby Armstrong and Eller wherever he fits in. We have to tolerate a very thin backend. Unless they actually utilize them this year. With Diaz and Emelin coming off of huge debut campaigns, I would expect a lot more form and tempo. Now they know how the game is on North American Ice. When they sign PK expect him to prove the analysts wrong that it wasn't more than just a Sophomore slump. A healthy Markov to play with Yannick Weber and help show him the ropes, help refine his game. Kaberle will be used as a powerplay defenseman, as that is all he is good for.
Where this season lies, is in the depth. Defensively we are great for depth. No stand-outs. Beaulieau is having a below average season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Nash is a solid call-up and Tinordi would almost be a walk in my opinion, if they can find a way to ship out Weber or Kaberle.
Depth forwards: Leblanc, Bournival, Gallagher, Fortier, Palushaj, Dumont, Geoffrion, and Zach Stortini for those tough-guy games.
Finally, Carey Price is coming off of one of his weirder campaigns. He was fatigued from overplaying, he got concussed, never really found his footing. Expect him to come out and win a chunk of games, as he is going to have to with the team in front of him. It might be the year he competes for a Vezina. Budaj will play limited games, I predict Price plays 44 games.
For my prediction: They battle for a spot, the squeak in.
Regards,
Devon
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