By Joce, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PENTICTON, BC. — Here are a few thoughts on different topics surrounding the Habs’ and the NHL over the past few weeks. We’re touching on Subban, Markov, Emelin, Desharnais, Pacioretty, the Colorado rumour and more. Feel free to post your comments as they are always welcomed.

1- There’s hot, then there’s red hot! In their last 11 games, the Canadiens have only lost one game in regulation, a 1-0 set-back in the hands of the New York Rangers on November 16th. During that stretch, they have a record of 9-1-1, picking up an amazing 19 out of a possible 22 points while outscoring their opponents 31-19. Looking at the team’s schedule until the end of December, the Canadiens have a relatively easy schedule in terms of teams that they are facing so if they can stay relatively healthy, there shouldn’t be any signs of slowing down for this team.

2- One of the biggest reasons factoring into this success is the fact that the team is finally relatively healthy, with only Rene Bourque and Davis Drewiske missing due to injuries. Coinciding with the team’s good performances is the return to the line-up of rugged defenseman Alexei Emelin. Seeing the way he has been playing since coming back, Marc Bergevin has to feel good about the contract extension he has given him. Being healthy allows Michel Therrien to sit players if or when needed, most notably Francis Bouillon (minus-11) and Douglas Murray (minus-7.)

3- Another important factor in the team’s recent success has been the play of line mates Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais, since coach Therrien brought Brendan Gallagher to play right wing on their line. Pacioretty has nine goals in his last nine games, while he had only scored two goals in his first twelve games. Desharnais has nine points in the last nine games and his slump of one point in his first 19 games was well documented by his detractors. It would be unreasonable to expect Pacioretty to continue producing at a pace of one goal per game as it would be crazy to think that Desharnais is a point per game player, but the truth is that they are somewhere between the bad and the excellent stretches that they’ve gone through.

4- Another important decision by Michel Therrien has been to put Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban on the same pairing. While they are more known for their abilities on the powerplay, those two play over 25 minutes per game in all situations, including at the end the game when it’s on the line. What Subban lacks in experience, Markov has and the speed lost by Markov since his knee injuries, Subban makes up for it. We can safely claim that they form one of the best and most dynamic defensive pairs in the NHL and, as outlined by my All Habs colleague Paulo, is there a better mentor for Subban than the veteran Markov?

5- Speaking of P.K. Subban, it has been reported by multiple sources this week that the negotiations for a contract extension are not only going well, but that a deal could be coming sooner rather than later. It is reported that the deal would be a long term deal of a minimum of six years, up to the maximum allowed eight years, of a value of eight million dollars per season. Looking at the importance Subban has on the Canadiens’ defense, this is a great news and Bergevin will have done exactly what he wanted to do when forcing Subban into the bridging contract: mature and show what you can do and money will come, while saving on the cap when it’s at its lowest.

6- Has anyone noticed that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins don’t look so nasty against the Canadiens this season, or at least they are not taking liberties like they have done the last few seasons? You can thank the arrival of George Parros and Douglas Murray for that, as both are giving a helping hand to Brandon Prust and Travis Moen in the “respect” department. They don’t need to fight to be efficient: being in the line-up is enough of a deterrent and the rest of the Canadiens’ players know it as they can play their game, knowing that those guys have their back. Just ask Lars Eller… Turning Point: Eller Flattens Campbell Awakening Bell Centre [VIDEO].

7- One young guy who doesn’t seem to be intimidated is sophomore Alex Galchenyuk. In just his second year pro and at the tender age of 19, the third overall pick at the 2012 draft has seven goals and nineteen points in thirty games so far this season, good for third on the team, only surpassed by Subban and Tomas Plekanec. And we know that he will only improve as he matures and develops, considering also that he only plays around 15 minutes per game so far this season. Coach Therrien has a plan for him and he’s bringing him along nicely, by not putting too much pressure to produce on the young athlete.

8- Looking at the scoring leaders on the Canadiens, we can easily notice the lack of fire power at the forward position. Yes, Subban and Markov are amongst the top defensemen in points in the NHL but Plekanec is the top scorer in Montreal and he sits 70th in the league at the time of writing. The Habs’ top goals scorer, Max Pacioretty, sits 27th in the league with 11 goals, although he has only played 21 games due to injuries.

9- It is important to note that the Canadiens have a league leading (with Chicago) 12 players with at least 10 points, including a third defenseman: Raphaël Diaz. Of those not mentioned above yet, we find Lars Eller (17), Brendan Gallagher (16), Brian Gionta (16), Michaël Bournival (11) and Daniel Brière (10). This makes it very difficult for the opponents to check as anyone can be the hero on any given night. This reminds me of the 1985-86 Canadiens when they counted 10 players with 19 goals or more.

10- The Canadiens have outscored their opponents by 19 goals so far this season in their first 30 games and that is due in most part to the fact that they sit fifth in the NHL in goals allowed. Even if it is good, it will only get better as Montreal has played more games than the teams better than them! It has been claimed loud and often that the Canadiens need help on defense but do they really? With the play of goaltenders Carey Price and Peter Budaj, the team is in great shape… if the can score goals, although they are 10th in the league in that department. Price has lowered is goals against average to under two (1.95), good for 3rd in the NHL amongst goalies having played 20 or more games, and his save percentage (.938) is good enough for 1st in the league amongst the same goalies.

11- I hate raining on a parade when things go well but there are two players who will need to pick up their game in spite of the team’s success… Francis Bouillon sits at a team worst minus -11 and while he has been paired with young guys during the injury period, his play has not improved enough to prevent him from seeing some time in the press box lately. The other one is Daniel Brière, who Marc Bergevin has given a lucrative two-year deal. He does show flashes of finding his game but at this point, flashes need to turn into sparks, or his stay in Montreal could be a bit tougher than he was hoping for.

12- While I don’t comment often on trade rumours because of their unreliability, there is one that has some traction in my opinion, due to the fact that the Canadiens and the Avalanche have been scouting each other all season long. Let’s not enter into speculations on who on the Canadiens could be sacrificed but it wouldn’t be surprising if Bergevin was looking at a player like Paul Stastny. Some claim that Jamie McGinn could be available and let’s not forget the local flavour PA Parenteau. The Avalanche, who are loaded in top end offensive talent, are rumoured to be looking for help on defense and they have one of the lowest payrolls in the NHL as it sits. Worth keeping an eye on, although one would think that Marc Bergevin would be somewhat reluctant to pull the trigger as his team is on such a hot streak…

Heading into the Christmas stretch, the Canadiens are doing very well. How many experts (and not so experts) predicted that the team would be once again battling for first place in their division? Most had them out of the playoffs or battling for a playoffs’ spot. While it’s way too early to claim victory, let’s admit that it’s good to be a Habs’ fan these days and that, for the first time in a long time. Go Habs Go!

En français: Repassage en famille – Subban, Markov, Emelin, Desharnais, Pacioretty, rumeur avec Colorado