Just can’t wait for Tuesday when the Habs kick off their 2013-14 campaign. I fully expect them to do well. But that’s just me. I expect it every year.
And it sucks when it doesn’t end up that way.
Of course it all stems on injuries and whether some guys have lousy years, like the goalie for example. If everything is fine in all areas, if the power play and penalty kill are in the top half of the conference, if the stick boy gets the sticks out in time, if we can finally get someone in the top ten or twenty in league point-getting, who knows, maybe the boys can surprise.
But right now, I think most pundits don’t give them much of a chance unless Carey Price is outstanding. I’d say Price is under some serious pressure whether he feels it or not.
As it stands, Brandon Prust doesn’t belong to any set line, which is a bonus. Prust will move from line to line and get his minutes. He’s an all-liner and a key guy. He’ll go where needed, and do the job well. And he has a beautiful girlfriend.
If Michael Bournival can score in the regular season the way he did in preseason, it would be such a boost to the fourth line and to overall team depth. Travis Moen seems to have slowed down somewhat, so we have that to stew over, and Ryan White got a haircut, which might help in some cosmic way.
George Parros has his own job to do, and we’re expecting him to change the dynamics and flatten a few noses.
I don’t mind the look of this lineup. Everyone says they’re still too small and generally don’t have enough to make a dent the way Boston or Chicago or a few others can. And there’s Ottawa and Detroit and so many other strong teams to contend with. But if all the Habs planets are aligned properly, who knows. I’ve always loved magic.
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Briere
Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Bournival-White Moen-Prust-Parros
I miss the days when we steamrolled through everyone and we were a contented bunch of Habs fans. Habs haters say we were smug. I like the word “contented” better.
We can only wait and see how it all works out. And hope and go to church and walk little old ladies across the street.
Max looks like he’s rarin’ to go. Briere seems to fitting in and might help Desharnais. Gionta’s back. Gallagher and Galchenyuk have half a season under their belts and need more steps forward and none backward. Eller is stronger with two and a half seasons completed. Pleks is only 31, a nice younger-type veteran, and I’m sure is still flying.
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Briere
Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Bournival-White Moen-Prust-Parros
Defence, with Alexei Emelin still to come, which, when he does, will move things around slightly. Markov and Emelin have had previous chemistry. PK needs to be a Norris winner again or in serious contention. Jarred Tinordi could be a beauty. Can Gorges, Diaz, and Bouillon clear traffic in front of Price?
What about Drew Drewiske? Will he sit in the press box most nights?
Gorges-Subban
Bouillon-Tinordi
Markov-Diaz
Murray
Nathan Beaulieu, Greg Pateryn, Christian Thomas and others wait in the wings if any of the regulars aren’t earning their paycheques. And if some players need to be moved, we have some nice prospects who can be part of a package in a big trade Marc Bergevin can concoct to upgrade things.
Just can’t wait for things to start. C’mon Tuesday.