by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

After a very hectic week bookended by the NHL Entry Draft weekend and the opening of free agency, Marc Bergevin was able to address multiple needs. Yet there is still some work remaining. One of Marc Bergevin’s key points this off season will likely to be to further upgrade the top four defensive group.

With the forwards finally upgrading the offense with the addition of Alexander Radulov, as well as the potential of adding a prospect or two, the top six group seems to have been addressed to Bergevin’s satisfaction for now.

Looking at the blueline, there are currently eight NHL capable defencemen. Shea Weber is the new anchor of the top pairing and will be relied upon heavily in all situations. However, he requires another, more mobile, puck moving defenceman to compliment his skill set. By default, Andrei Markov will be on the top pairing with Weber. However at nearly 38 years old, Markov’s effectiveness as a top pairing defender has fallen from his peak playing days and I anticipate that he will find it very difficult to log big minutes.

Also, with the addition of Greg Pateryn to a full time role on the third pairing and Weber to the top pairing and likely playing 30 or more minutes per night, Alexei Emelin’s role as the team’s physical presence is no longer unique in the Canadiens’ system. In my opinion, he has become expendable.

Emelin’s value as a physical presence, capable of playing both sides of the ice, along with the expiration of his no-movement clause should make him attractive to rival general managers. I expect that several will be looking for an effective veteran second pairing defender signed to a reasonable contract. A realistic return at this stage would be a second round pick or equivalent prospect if no salary is retained.

Nathan Beaulieu has the skill set that could complement Weber. From time-to-time Beaulieu could be called on to play top-pairing minutes and some penalty killing duty to spell Markov. However, Beaulieu has had issues with consistency, which is to be expected for a 23-year-old defenceman. Despite this, Beaulieu is seen as more of a high-end second pairing defenceman once he is able to reach his potential.

The future role, replacing Markov on the first pairing, will likely fall to Mikhail Sergachev, the ninth overall selection in 2016. However, he is unlikely to be ready for that role this season. The best choice for his progression may be to return him to Windsor to play the season with a stacked Memorial Cup Host team. Yet his play in the main training camp in September could force Marc Bergevin’s hand.

A potential solution may be for Marc Bergevin is to shed Alexei Emelin’s contract and trade for a young, experienced puck-moving defenceman. Ideally, the target player would be deemed replaceable by his current team and have a contract similar to Emelin.

Cam Fowler is a possible candidate fitting the above description. With the emergence of Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm, Fowler has been deemed expendable. The priority will be to free up cap space to re-sign Hampus Lindholm.

Fowler is known for his great skating and speed, his ability to make a first pass and to create offence on the power play. He is a player who has a similar playing style to Roman Josi, the former defense partner of Shea Weber. Fowler and Weber, on paper, should pair together well given their complimentary strengths.

Fowler, 24, entering his seventh NHL season, is more experienced than Josi when his partnership began with Weber. Fowler is vastly more experienced than Beaulieu, and is far more consistent. Fowler’s age and experience can bridge the gap for the Canadiens until Beaulieu and Sergachev reach their full potential.

Bringing in Fowler would come at a cost. Anaheim is in need of young, inexpensive forward capable of playing in a top nine role and perhaps adding to their prospect pool. The Ducks already filled their need for a backup goaltender with the surprise acquisition of Jonathan Bernier.

Preparing an offer to meet the Ducks’ needs could begin with Charles Hudon. The 22-year-old has shown enough offensively in the AHL that he could be ready for a top nine role in the NHL.  To draw on if necessary, the Canadiens have two first round picks and five second round picks over the next two drafts. There are several options that could be assembled to fit Anaheim’s requirements.

Upgrading the Canadiens top two defence pairs should be part of Bergevin’s off-season makeover.  The Habs GM has assets that he can use and there could be realistic options available this summer.