Finally, the rebuild/retool/restructuring/rejigging of Les Canadiens de Montreal seems to bearing some fruits. The Habs currently find themselves one point out of the final Wild Card spot, with one game in hand.
True, the schedule for the rest of the month of January, and even looking ahead to February, looks like a daunting challenge. But hey, the Canadiens have handled themselves admirably well in the last dozen or so games, slaying some of the league's best. So why not dream a little dream and see a team that is about to shock the hockey world, and storm into the postseason?
Minor tweaks like acquiring journeyman d-man Alexandre Carrier had a compounding effect in that 1) it allowed Guehle to go back to playing on his strong side and 2) slotted David Savard into a bottom pairing role, which at this stage of his career is where he can best contribute. Laine has also reinvigorated the power play, and moved players like Jake Evans, Joel Armia and Josh Anderson onto lines/roles that are they are more suitable in.
So all is good in paradise eh?
Well, not quite.
Three of the team's building blocks, core, or whatever you want to call it are grossly underachieving into mid-January. Dach, I suppose can get a pass, having missed an entire season of hockey, and there have been some glimpses of what he could be (what he was pre injury) of late. Still, doubts persist if he can eventually be a 2 C on a contending team. Heck some aren't even sure he is a capable centerman, and may be our new Galchenyuk.
But most worrisome of all has to be the play (and nonchalance) of Slafkovsky. Slow with his feet, but also slow in his reaction, missing on passes, not engaging physically, bad body language have to be a concern. And can we stop putting everything on the age thing? Work ethic, hockey IQ are innate. But let's hope the fact he has recognized he needs to be better (combined with the savvy advice/counselling of Marty St-Louis) will help redirect him in the right direction.
The third player who hasn't lived up to expectations has to be Alex Newhook. His drive and work ethic certainly can't be put into question. But is there enough talent for him to eventually be a contributing top 6 F? I doubt it. Based on sample size, the fact he will soon turn 24, and his peripheral awareness,, slow hands, average shot, leads me to think he will either not be part of the core going forward, or may be a third line role player at best (assuming he is willing to take on such a role).
Big weekend ahead for the Habs, as they face juggernauts Washington (who'd have thought) and the ultra-talented Stars....
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