And Now Back to….What, Exactly? 7 Questions for the Stretch Drive

As we undergo Olympics withdrawal, we here at habsradio are having a tough time focusing on the Habs right now. Suffice to say, the quality of games is going to suffer a HUGE drop off. And our enthusiasm for a playoff-bubble team is just slightly diminished as we bask in the after-glow of Team Canada’s thrilling 3-2 win over Team USA. Barring citizenship – is there anyone on the Habs current roster good enough to make Team Canada, or Team USA?

Anyone?

But alas, the NHL season continues, and with the Olympic hockey tournament a vivid guide on how to win hockey games on NHL ice, we view the Habs in a slightly colder light. There remain MANY questions about the home team.

So here, at the risk of sounding Captain Obvious, are what we would like to know, just in time for the stretch drive.

In order of importance:

***I can play, coach. Really***

1. Is Markov healthy / More Injuries?

He missed 2 games before the Olympics, saw light action on Team Russia, and has looked pretty bad for awhile. What is his real status? Injured? Tired? The same questions apply to Benoit Pouilot, Cammalleri, Brother Andrei, etc. If the Habs are to win, Markov et al need to be healthy and at their best. No big headline here

2. How will Pleks and Halak adapt to end-of-season life in the NHL?

These two (just below Markov) hold the key to the Habs playoff chances. Will they be energized by their Olympic experience? The knock on both players has been a lack of late-season / playoff effort, either because their performance faded in the clutch (Pleks), or because they weren’t given an opportunity (Halak).

Well, we’re going to go out on a limb here and say these guys will be given PLENTY of opportunity to prove their critics wrong. Should be interesting.

3. When does Pleks get signed?

(see above)

4. Who gets traded?

PG wants to put his stamp on this team. There are wild rumors flying around about a giant trade with Edmonton, another with Chicago, some interest in veterans from St Louis, and some smaller trades with (again) Florida and/or Dallas. I don’t know what to believe and this isn’t a rumor site.

Wednesday could be a big day with ramifications far beyond this season, or a “treading water” situation where a forward direction remains unclear.

5. Are Gomez and Gionta really a bust?

There have been fleeting glimpses of wonderful play from these two. Gionta especially. But again, after watching Team USA almost put a cardiac attack on the entire Canadian nation, it was clear that these two just didn’t belong in the Olympics this year – at least not among the likes of Parise, Kessler, Kessel, Ryan, Brown, Stastny, and Kane.

***so much promise then***

So these dudes have a lot to prove. And they were acquired specifically with this time of year in mind: The idea that the winning and experienced veterans can fortify the locker room and push the team to new heights, because they have been there and done that. Fair enough. So this is where Gomez and Gionta will earn their money or prove to be a bust.

6. PK, PK, where art though, oh PK?

PK Subban was the lone highlight in the Habs losses to the Flyers before the break. He could be a huge star for the Habs. After all the trade dust has settled (where I assume every defenceman not named Markov is up for discussion), will PK spend the rest of his year in HabsLand, or in Hamilton? The answer will indicate how desperate PG really is to make the playoffs this season.

7. Who will bring the physical edge?

I’m sure the players returning from Vancouver learned one thing about Teams Canada and USA: They played very physical. Those players bring those lessons home to the NHL, where they will be applied to the final twenty games – which is already the most physical portion of the regular season. Imagine all the players coming back with axes to grind and pride to defend.

This is an old story for the Habs, but the question remains  – who brings the lunchpail and the clothesline for Montreal? Candidates include O’Byrne, who plays better with Markov but who has been inconsistent, there’s Moen, and a little Gill….and……gulp…….that’s it!!??!!

The return of (the somewhat larger) Pouilot and Andrei to the forwards corps will help, a more aggressive Laps would help too. But man, after the Olympics this teams looks more SOFT than ever.

Ahhhhh….so many questions, so little time. But all will be answered in the coming weeks.

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Our podcast returns next week, where we will discuss the games against Boston, San Jose, LA, and Anaheim, and the merits of what might be a different lineup than the one we have now.

Have a great week, and welcome back.