So its looking more and more like our opening day roster is already completed – barring a major shake-up at the goalie position. My speculatory senses tell me the lines will be:

Gomez – Gionta – Pouliot
Plekanec – Cammalleri – Kostitsyn
Eller – Moen – Lapierre
Boyd – Pyatt – Darche

Hamrlik – Subban
O’Byrne – Spacek
Gorges – Gill

Carey

Clearly Markov will move into the top D pair once he is back which will change the dynamic of the lines on defense. Most importantly it will allow the geezers (Hamr and Spacek) to rest instead of logging 20+ minutes like last year. I still see O’B as the best compliment to Markov – even if he’s not what you would think of as a top-pairing defenseman. I’d love to see Gauthier move either Spacek or Hamrlik as neither O’B nor PK will progress if they’re watching from the pressbox. Of course, you can’t rule out the effect that an injury could have which would make either of those guys very valuable once again. There really wasn’t a need to tweak the backend which performed so incredibly well during the post-season. We’ve already seen the impact that PK will have. His effect as a right handed shot that is fluid and dynamic on the PP SHOULD be incredible to witness considering what Markov has done to make lesser talents look good.

Up front I think the biggest improvement will come from the fact that the team’s core went through a very long playoff run together which will only help to ensure that the top lines get better from within. Clearly the attention this season will be on Pouliot and Kostitsyn to produce. If either one is able to light it up the Habs will look very good. If both decide to “soil the bed” we’re going to be hearing calls often for our desperate need for a top 6 forward. This could get ugly – especially if Frolov signs on the cheap and scores goals.

I fully support the move to let some of the younger players (Eller, Pyatt etc.) have a shot at the team right out of the gates. With guys like Pacioretti and Avtsin trying to make an impression in the AHL, it is better to let everyone play than to continue to sign vets to choke out the spots in the bottom 6. As much as I liked Metro and Moore – at some point you have to realize that having those types of players can serve as a detriment to the development of young guys. This much is clear – we’re not a contender. Knowing this the first priority of the team should be to let young guys have the chance to impress. You can’t just sign big names and hope to win. Chicago has shown everyone that it is still MUCH easier to develop your own into Cup winners than to try to buy a championship… although keeping your team is another story.

All in all I like the direction that the organization is headed. While things may look a little thin at some times, you have to like the fact that we’re younger than last year, and that there are players within our system that have the potential to impress. While we might not see another conference finals at the end of this year – we will have an exciting team that is starting to resemble once again the type of unit that we can be proud of.

You’re absolutely right Senet1. Its not often that we suppose that we MISS the playoffs – even if its probably a toss up.. but there are a few guys who will get interest if we’re in that situation as the season winds down. Gill would clearly be one. Hamrlik is another obvious choice. Where it gets interesting (and dicey for Habs fans depending on their allegiances) is that Markov and Gorges are set to become free agents at the end of the season. If it seems as though the Habs will miss the post-season they will have 2 very difficult decisions to make. How much is too much to pay for Gorges? At $1Mil he’s a steal – what about a $3? What is it going to cost to keep Markov here for the latter part of his career? Under normal circumstances the Habs would never trade either of these guys – but if the season tanks, there will be a lot of questions – and these two will become valuable bargaining chips.