Written by Rick Stephens, AllHabs.net
MONTREAL, QC. — I am on the record with the opinion that I was very concerned about the Montreal Canadiens this season, more-so than any year in the recent past. “You’re a pessimist,” said some while they articulated their prediction of a division or even conference championship. They cited the addition of Erik Cole and the return of Max Pacioretty and Josh Gorges as reasons for their optimism.
When the Canadiens won just one game in regulation time of eight exhibition tilts, we were told that the pre-season is meaningless. Now that the regular season is underway, the Habs have won once in four tries. Too early to be indicative of anything, is often the response.
All of this has got me wondering if the Montreal media and some fans have adopted a Camp North Star mindset.
“It just doesn’t matter.”
It was the theme of the apologist-philosophy-turned-motivational-speech spun by head counsellor Tripper Harrison (as only Bill Murray could execute.) The monologue was his reaction to a group of sulking North Star campers following another Olympiad trouncing by the rich kids from Camp Mohawk.
So, when does it start to matter?
Some have argued that injuries, particularly on defense, are the major factor in the Canadiens struggles. We’ve heard that before. But the cold fact is, that injuries are part of the game — it’s up to the general manager to provide qualified depth players and the coach to effectively manage his personnel to accommodate absences.
Is it true that key players missing from the line-up are the most significant problem with the Canadiens? Is the lack of experience on the blue-line really the hurting Habs?
On defense, Andrei Markov, Chris Campoli and Jaroslav Spacek are sidelined. Yannick Weber has played top four minutes with newcomers Alexei Emelin and Raphael Diaz being called upon to be more involved than expected.
We can set aside Markov as he wasn’t anticipated to be back to start the season and wasn’t a factor last year. No one is really sure what kind of contribution was to be expected from Campoli — keeping in mind that he was a free agent still available in September after being bypassed by 29 NHL teams. That leaves Spacek — is it credible to say that he is a key player missing from the defense?
Let’s continue to play myth-buster — the Habs young guns on defense have not been the liability that was predicted. Quite the opposite in fact as Diaz is slowly but steadily improving and Emelin has been a pleasant surprise. Weber has been one of the Canadiens best defenseman (along with Josh Gorges) being solid in his own zone while recording a goal, an assist and a team-leading plus-4 rating.
The worst of the bunch has been the number one pairing of Hal Gill and P.K. Subban. Gill has looked another step slower while Subban has returned to the selfish style of play we witnessed as he struggled for the first half of last season. Subban has a team-worst minus-3 rating while Gill is not far behind at minus-2.
Injuries aside, the Canadiens aren’t going anywhere without a much better effort from both Subban and Gill. It’s time for them to step up their game, now.
And what of Cole, a power-forward style player that Canadiens fans have coveted for so long? Remember, with Cole going to the net, we were told that the Habs would be scoring at will. His performance has been underwhelming so far prompting some to suggest a lack of conditioning or perhaps that he is concealing an injury.
On Saturday, during a Hockey Night in Canada interview, Cassie Campbell-Pascall asked Cole about his adjustment to Montreal.
“I’m enjoying trying to become a part of the group and find my niche on the team.” — Erik Cole
So who is responsible for determining Cole’s place on the team? In her next question Campbell-Pascall suggested that the responsibility resided with the coach, and asked Cole about the day-to-day communication with Jacques Martin as a way of motivating players to do their best.
“[chuckles] There isn’t a lot of communication back and forth. Obviously [Martin] has a tough job trying to find what works best, and what line combinations work best. I’m just going to go out and play as hard as I can with the minutes I’m given, with the opportunity I’m given and with the role I’m given.” — Erik Cole
Much has been made about the Canadiens’ lack of identity. Perhaps it’s simpler than that — players, even beyond Cole, seem to be unaware of their role on the team. Line combinations are sometimes changed after every shift — centers play wing, defenseman play forward.
It’s not a chess match. In the mind of the coach, he is playing checkers with equal, interchangeable pieces. And it’s clear he is no master.
There has been no opportunity for chemistry to develop and seemingly precious little communication about expectations. The result is confusion and chaos. The best example of this was the Canadiens home opener where the bench gate was a turnstile, and the Habs struggled to complete a pass.
When a team is struggling, special teams can be the great equalizer — Muller played a major role in their direction in the past. So far this season, the Canadiens are in the bottom third of the league in both penalty-killing and the power-play. The lack of success while short-handed is of particular concern with Montreal continuing to show a lack of discipline — you will remember that they lead the league in minor penalties last season.
Perhaps then it should be no surprise at the lack of success even though the NHL schedule-makers have been kind to the Canadiens with the first four games being against presumed bottom-feeders. That is about to change this week.
There have been a few bright spots so far this season including the aforementioned Gorges and Weber. Max Pacioretty is showing no ill effects from his devastating injury with two goals and two assists in four games. That’s good enough to be tied for the points lead on the Canadiens with Tomas Plekanec.
Lars Eller is another player returning to the lineup after injury who has played very well and looks ready to resume his role as third line center. Andrei Kostitsyn answered critics scoring the Canadiens first goal of the season and using his size in every game. Travis Moen has made the most of his opportunity playing on the top-6.
There are some folks who will try to tell you that exhibition and early-season games are meaningless. They are either exhuberant fans or those trying to lead you down a path to broken dreams. While the result isn’t ultimately important, the way a team plays is indicative of future success — and what we have seen so far has given rise for concern.
Communication, cohesion, and discipline are key to putting this ship back in the right direction. That will require a commitment from everyone but it must begin with direction from the top. Otherwise we may be looking towards the NHL Entry Draft, and our mantra for the season will be “it just doesn’t matter.”