Mid season habs report

Well I am relatively pleased with the Habs at mid-season over-all. However, since we are discussing a team there are always positives and negatives. My impressions:

Michel Therrien- I think he has done a very good job considering the talent level on the team. He still has no first line center. He still has no rugged defencemen other than Douglas Murray. However, there are questionable decisions he makes. His lack off faith in young players like Galchenyuk and the likes of Tinordi, Bournival, and Beaulieu have retarded their progress. Not to say he is all to blame, if they had put on a better performance they may have forced Therrien's hand. As well, his stubbornness has led to Bouillon being overplayed as well as others like Gionta and Bourque. The lacklustre performance by the Habs in the last few games has me concerned. Therrien is more there for motivation and the troops don't seem motivated. His assistants Gerald Galllant and JJ Daigneault are there for strategy. Not sure the D corps is really doing very well so Daigneault should take some of the blame.

Marc Bergevin- I am not impressed with his decisions so far. He has shown leadership skills but what we need from a GM is less leadership and more wiliness. So far what have we seen? The buying out of Scott Gomez and Tomas Kaberle were self evident. The drafting of Galchenyuk was an obvious selection. His free agent signings have left a lot to be desired. Brandon Prust wanted to sign with the habs for personal reasons. His signing was a good one but a little pricey. The signings of Briere and Murray were scraping the bottom of the barrel after Lecavalier and others got away. Murray is playing his role. Briere isn't. The two trades for Ryder and Parros have been disasters. Ryder was rarely played even though he still seems to have his sniper skills. Parros can't help getting ko'd. In effect we traded Eric Cole and got Daniel Briere. Ugh. As well the Hamilton Bulldogs have no one performing at a high standard. First round picks Tinordi, Beaulieu and Lablanc seem to be retrogressing. The resigning of Travis Moen, DD, Emelin and  Francis Bouillon seem to have missed the mark. Finally the bridge contract for PK looks disasterous now. In Bergevin losing trust. 

Carey Price- He has played very well no doubt about it. His playing style seems to be much improved under Stephane Waite. He seems to be better concentrated and maybe married life helps. Let us hope he continues this play into the olympics and end of the season.

Pk Subban- He is the habs best player along with Price. I don't think he is having as good a season as last year. He has had his moments but I would prefer him leading the offence more since the habs have few snipers. I was expecting him to be a little more mature as well. I hope a good olympics alongside great players will propel him to greater things in the second half and maybe another Norris.

Max Pacioretty- After a pathetic start with trade rumours swirling, the swashbuckling sniper has returned to his form of two seasons ago. I am not sure he gets along with Therrien but if he continues performing at this pace even Therrien will embrace him.

Tomas Plekanec- He has impressed this year with his hard working style. He has been a key player especially when DD was in the doldrums. My question concerning Plekanec is his stamina and will he keep this up all year and into the playoffs. He seems to fade like his predecessor Koivu in the last third of the season. The olympics will not help his stamina. 

David Desharnais- Well DD has had a jekyll and hyde season. As bad as he was at the start, his play is much better and he seems to know his role which is to feed Pacioretty. His size and lack of speed will always be an issue on this team. Until Galchenyuk or Eller are ready, DD is our only offensive option. We gotta grit our teeth and accept it.

Alex Galchenyuk- He has had his moments but I am not seeing him as a superstar. He could be a franchise center but not in the league of a Toews or Crosby. He could become an above average player but he will not lead the league in scoring or get 100 points anytime soon. I could be wrong because even Guy Lafleur seemed to be passive in his first three years. My point is I don't see any exceptional skill just very good skills in passing and shooting. He lacks a physical presence as well. 

Brendan Gallagher- He has not been as spectacular as his rookie year even though he has had his moments. It has been tougher going in his sophomore year but he still may wind up with 25 goals which is not bad at all. I think the Olympic break will really benefit him to recoup his energy.

Lars Eller- After a superb start he has tapered off to his regular inconsistent play. I still think he misses the hockey instincts to become a great player even though he possesses all the physical attributes.

Andrei Markov- He is having a very good season up to this point. He is tapering off especially since Emelin joined him as a pairing. Which leads one to wonder if Subban has been covering up Markov's lack of speed. I still think the habs should sign him but at a greatly reduced salary and for a short term. No way should he be signed for 5 million and for more than 3 years.

The rest will be one liners:

Brandon Prust- He always fights well. His playing role is diminished and I am unsure what his role is. 

Brian Gionta- Lost his sniper skills even though he is working hard. Unsure if his injuries have taken longer for him to get his timing. This could be his last season with habs. Trade him at deadline if we could get something in a package.

Josh Gorges- He could be good in dressing room, but he is overpaid for his lack of physicality and offensive skills. Tinordi or Beaulieu would have gained valuable experience in his place. Trade bait at deadline?

Alexei Emelin- is he the same player after his injury enquiring minds want to know? Not sure what the rush was to sign him long-term?

Francis Bouillon- Time to hang them up.

Raphael Diaz- He has disappointed from the expectations we had of a good passer and a good point shot. Unproductive. Would Beaulieu have been worse?

Douglas Murray- His ruggedness was needed and is still needed. Slower than I thought but still he fits a role.

George Parros- Only thing I wanted was some good fights. Last thing I wanted was a KO in first game and a subsequent KO. Unlucky but now useless.

Travis Moen- He is working much harder this year but his production is still missing. 

Rene Bourque- God he has been awful. It seems he has hit bottom much like Gomez. His 35 goals in a season seem a distant past.

Ryan White- He has disappointed because he does not seem to have improved in any capacity. Not sure he is an NHLer.

Daniel Briere- He said he did not want to sign with Habs when he signed with Flyers. Why couldn't he have made similar decision last year. The only hope is he wakes up for second half. Awful

Michael Bournival- Had a good start. What happened after is the coach wanted the veterans to play and he lost confidence. C'est la vie.