by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Following their 2-0 win over Vancouver at the Bell Centre last week in game 41, the Canadiens had completed the first half of the 2018-’19 season. When it began, the expectations were low, with many expecting the team to be hovering near the bottom five of the NHL.

The players, however, had different plans. Nearly every returning player with the exception of Brendan Gallagher, Paul Byron and Antti Niemi had down years or suffered multiple injuries. This year, they started under new leadership with Shea Weber as captain and seemed focused on proving the doubters wrong. 

As we have arrived at the midterm of the season, here are my grades for the new look Habs.

Carey Price: B+

One year ago Price had an injury-plagued season staring with a severe case of the flu, being diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency and suffering a concussion. It also happened to be the worst statistical season of his career. During the off-season, Price sounded optimistic with goalie coach Stephane Waite complimenting his fitness and training regime. The two focused on fine adjustments to his game.

As he entered the first season of his new eight year, 84 million dollar deal, the pressure was on Price to find his Vezina trophy form. With Marc Bergevin failing to upgrade the Montreal defence in the off-season, Price and the team had a rocky start with a 7-6-4 record while sporting a save percentage of .897 and a goals-against average of 3.17. It was clear that the defence corps desperately missed Shea Weber.

Not coincidentally, once Weber returned, Price was able to shine once again. Price posted a record of 9-6-0, including a shutout, to go along with a .924 save percentage and a goals against of 2.19. He was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL during the month of December. My grade takes into account his start but also reflects an upward trend.

Antti Niemi: C-

Niemi was one of the few bright spots last season, so much so that the 35-year-old was brought back by Marc Bergevin to act as Price’s backup. This season however, despite a 6-4-1 record, his numbers were poor, as he had an .881 save percentage and a 4.01 goals against, the worst of any goaltender in the NHL. Those statistics would normally lead to more losses, however, he was fortunate to have very good goal support for the majority of the games he has started.

His grade would be much lower as it is obvious he could have a better record if he did enough to improve his save percentage. That being said, his role as backup is to take games to help rest.

Shea Weber: A+

When he was shut down last season, it spelled the end of any hope of respectability. The team’s fragile mental state was evident and they had no steadying force. This season is a completely different story, as they seem quite capable of bouncing back and fighting through adversity.

His return and immediate ability to play over 25 minutes per game provided a desperately needed steadying force on the blue line. It allowed Claude Julien to place the remaining defencemen in roles they were better suited to fill.

In his first 18 games this season, he has six goals, 12 points and averages 25:34 of ice time. He is efficient in his movements and has excellent decision making. He is everything that a veteran top pair defender needs to be, and his grade reflects that.

Jeff Petry: A-

Petry was able to carry the team as a top pair defender for over a quarter of the season. It seemed he was overwhelmed by the responsibility at times, making several errors when playing over 24 minutes per game. Yet he showed his offensive ability has reached his career peak as he has been an offensive threat all season long.

His one offensive issue would be his inability to hit the net when pressured. He is ideally suited to his current second pair role where he seems to be most comfortable. Facing off against the other team’s second lines is a better fit for his defensive skills, as he was outmatched at times against top lines. His value to the team and on the trade market have never been better than they are now.

Victor Mete: C+

Mete gets a lower grade due to his setbacks. Before his time in the minors he seemed overwhelmed with the speed of the game. A defender of his stature must rely on skating and speed more than most. Despite his excellent speed and mobility, he couldn’t think fast enough to use his skills to his advantage. 

His processing difficulties, in part, can be explained by being deployed on his wrong side. In addition, whether he played a good game or struggled, Mete found himself in and out of the lineup. As a result, his confidence took a big hit. 

Since he has returned from from Laval, Mete has been a fixture in the lineup playing on his preferred side. That has provided a big boost to his confidence. It’s also been an enormous  help to be under the umbrella of his defensive partner, Shea Weber.

Now his decision-making and play reading are sound and done quickly enough so as to allow him to use his skills to his advantage. He still has problems at times and hasn’t scored an NHL goal yet, but he has shown that he can play over 20 minutes per game against quality opposition. If he can remain at this level for the remainder of the season, his grade will greatly improve.

Mike Reilly, Jordie Benn, Brett Kulak: C-

These three get grouped together due to the fact they are all part of the depth and bottom pairing defenders that have been collected en masse by Marc Bergevin.

Benn provides a quality veteran presence and plays very well within his means with limited minutes. His mobility leaves much to be desired, yet it is good enough to keep him relevant in today’s more mobile NHL. His expiring contract may also give Bergevin a rental he can sell off for futures, something that he has been good at doing in the past.

Reilly has shown he has excellent mobility and speed. However, his decision-making and consistency in his level of effort leaves much to be desired. His game is still quite raw, but at 25-years-of-age there isn’t much hope that he will progress much further.

Kulak plays a steadier, more physical style than Reilly. While his skating and mobility is good, it isn’t good enough to set him apart. He is also a 25-year-old defender that is likely to not progress beyond a solid, all around bottom pairing defender.

Karl Alzner D-

Alzner is a special case, as he has barely played this season and has spent as much time in Laval as he has in Montreal. However, he did have a solid camp and gave exactly what was expected from him when dressed. The problem is the expectation is that of a bottom pairing defenceman, which is a role that is more than covered in the Habs system. What cannot be ignored, and which affects the grade, is Alzner’s contract. He is paid double what he should be.

This isn’t a knock on Alzner, as he obviously wants the best deal he can get. This was an error on Bergevin’s part. That being said, Alzner was the most sought after UFA defenceman that summer. The problem is that the talent pool was slim and Bergevin overpaid for what he got.

David Schlemko: F

Schelmko receives a failing grade because he cannot find a way to remain healthy, and when he is, he provides nothing of value beyond being a depth defenceman. This is likely why the Canadiens placed him on waivers. 

Part two will cover the forwards, management and coaching staff.

Edited by Cate Racher, All Habs Hockey Magazine