Unleash the Habs!

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So there’s a fun game doing the rounds on who we think the Habs will keep with the big club. I’m game.

I won’t mince words…work is quite busy these days, so here goes nothing, my 12 forward, and 2 press box occupants:

1st line:

LW: Andrei Kostitsyn
C: Tomas Plekanec
RW: Michael Cammalleri

A bit of a no-brainer, methinks. Jacques Martin is typically a predictable character so I see him grouping these 3 fellows together to start the year. The only difference that could take place would be seeing Kostitsyn with Gionta and Gomez. I like this group, and would stick with it. Plekanec and Cammalleri have obvious chemistry and Kostitsyn, as always, is a great big X factor. He can hamper the line or make it one the league’s best.

2nd line:

LW: Benoit Pouliot
C: Scott Gomez
RW: Brian Gionta

As much as I don’t like Pouliot for his lack of effort, I truly think that a kid with his potential deserves every chance to realize it, especially when given a raise for no reason. I’ll generously give him 20-30 games or so to prove that he’s 100% committed to doing what he needs to do to win, otherwise, ta-ta, Benny.

3rd line:

LW: Travis Moen
C: Lars Eller
RW: Maxim Lapierre

3 big boys that do a bit of everything…I think that they could be as important as either of the first 2 lines if they stay healthy.

4th line:

LW: Ryan White
C: Jeff Halpern
RW: Tom Pyatt

This could be one of the most tenacious lines we’ve seen in Montreal in a long time, especially if White can crack the lineup and play the way he has in the preseason. If Halpern can win faceoffs and the Canadiens can maintain puck possession while these guys are on the ice, they’ll drive opponents crazy, and render them dog tired, too.

Press box: Mathieu Darche, Dustin Boyd

Many have slagged the signing of Mathieu Darche, but I like it. I think a guy like him, with the brains and maturity that he brings to the locker room can rub off quite well on some of the younger guys. He’s worth having around, even if he isn’t the greatest or quickest player on the team. He’ll be a model citizen and show young players how to be a consummate team guy. Dustin Boyd just hasn’t done enough to earn himself a spot in the starting 12 to begin the year. I expect he’ll get his chance before long and push guys like White and Pyatt for ice time.

  • http://www.allhabs.net Stevo

    Good stuff Kyle. I kind of disagree with Pouliot, it seems to me like were seeing why Minnesota gave up on him. I hope he proves me wrong because it does look like he’ll be starting the season on one of the top 2 lines. Good read!

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  • http://www.cowhideandrubber.com Kyle

    @James.P
    You may very well be right, but I didn’t do this exercise with the cap in mind. Besides, I’m not suggesting that Darche and Boyd be put on waivers, or sent to Hamilton, just that they ride the pine. Heck, Boyd could be in the lineup by game 2 and Pyatt or White take his spot.

    Thanks for commenting!

  • James.P

    Someone bright said on twitter, a couple days ago, ‘Ryan White is the reason you don’t give 20 one-way contracts’ – so true.

    I have a hard time seeing White start with the big club considering both Darche and Boyd are on one-way deals, and with the cap situation being what it is. The Habs will be damn short on cap space this year so any two-way contract that sticks around has to really make a difference – I don’t think White is enough of an improvement over Boyd to justify the money.