When Lars Eller Returns Who Plays Center For Montreal Canadiens?

When Lars Eller was knocked out of the Montreal Canadiens lineup with an upper body injury against the Dallas Stars a week ago, Alex Galchenyuk moved to the center ice position to fill the void.

It has been just two games since Galchenyuk took over as not just any centerman, but the first line center between Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher. The problem for the Habs now, with Galchenyuk playing well at center, is who moves back to the wing when Eller returns later this month?

Galchenyuk looked fantastic in his first game in the middle, creating several chances in a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, getting more ice time than every forward except for Pacioretty, and creating enough offense for his line to combine for ten shots on goal in the game.

Nov 28, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk (27) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Habs were thoroughly dominated on the ice, but pulled out a seemingly convincing 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings two nights ago. Galchenyuk, like all Habs skaters, were outshot in the game while on the ice, but he looked comfortable at center ice, and handled himself well against one of the deepest rosters in the NHL.

Sure, the Kings outplayed the Habs, but Galchenyuk held his own while on the ice against the likes of Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter.

If the 20 year old continues to play well down the middle, the Habs will have a good problem, but a problem nonetheless, of having too many centers when Eller makes his return.

Tomas Plekanec is currently centering a line with rookies Sven Andrighetto and Jiri Sekac. The veteran pivot is used to having new line mates, as his smart, two way play makes him one of the safest players the Habs can put on the ice. It would be quite a shock to see Plekanec anywhere other than in the middle of the Habs lineup.

Nov 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) gets ready to face-off against Montreal Canadiens center Manny Malhotra (20) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds a bit strange, but the player with the least chance of being moved from his roster spot is the Canadiens current fourth line center. Manny Malhotra was signed in the summer to be a fourth line pivot who wins the majority of his faceoffs. He has done just that, and currently has the best faceoff winning percentage in the entire NHL at 62.0%.

Eller has also stepped up his game in the faceoff circle. Under the tutelage of Malhotra this season, Eller’s winning percentage has skyrocketed to 58.0%, which is the fourth best winning percentage in the league.

Eller has 11 points in 27 games this season before his injury, but is the Habs biggest center at 6’2” and 210 pounds. Also, he was saddled with Rene Bourque on his wing to begin the year, and has seen his offensive game take off since Bourque was taken out of the lineup.

Before Bourque was placed on waivers, sent to the Hamilton Bulldogs and ultimately dealt to the Anaheim Ducks, Eller had just three points in 13 games. Since being put on a line with Sekac and Brandon Prust, the native of Denmark scored five goals and eight points in 15 games.

The other man down the middle for the Habs right now is David Desharnais. The long time line mate of Pacioretty on the Canadiens top line was finally demoted two games ago, and moved to the third line with Michael Bournival and P.A. Parenteau.

Dec 12, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) falls after being checked by Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais (51) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Desharnais had a goal and as assist against the L.A. Kings, but had just 15 points in 29 games as the Canadiens first line center who received oodles of power play ice time. It has become clear that Desharnais is not a first line center, so he will now be battling Plekanec and Eller for ice time on the Habs middle lines.

The simple answer for the Habs would be to move one of these players to the wing. Though Galchenyuk has played well on the left side this season, it appears the time is now to give him a long look as the team’s top center. If so, that leaves him at the top and Malhotra at the bottom, with Desharnais, Eller and Plekanec battling in the middle.

Eller played several games on the wing last season, on a line with Plekanec and Brian Gionta. He did not play well, and his size and faceoff ability should leave him in the middle.

Plekanec has been a center his entire 710 game career, and asking the 32 year old to change positions midseason would be far from ideal. He is also usually tasked with showing young call ups the ropes and is trusted to have rookies on his line because of his superb defensive play which makes him a great center.

Dec 9, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec (14) scores a goal against Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller (30) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

That leaves Desharnais without a seat. The 5’8” player may be able to succeed as a winger, but he has never played on the wall in his NHL career. He is a great faceoff man, winning 54.0% of his draws this season, but he just doesn’t fit as a center on this team anymore. It doesn’t make sense to play him at center and force Galchenyuk back to the wing, or to try Eller or Plekanec on the wing.

So what becomes of Desharnais? Before making a trade, I would suggest trying him on the wing when Eller returns. A third line of Desharnais – Eller – Parenteau would be far from the worst third line in the league. Just because he is not good enough to be a first line center doesn’t mean Desharnais can’t play hockey.

Desharnais is much more of a passer than a shooter, which fits the description of a center, but at his size it may benefit him to not have the defensive and matchup role of a middle man.

Putting Desharnais on the wing may not be perfect, but I have to believe it would be a better idea than returning him to the first line center role and sliding Galchenyuk back to the wing.

Having too many capable centers is a fine problem for the Montreal Canadiens to have, but it still forces them to make difficult decisions. If it were up to me, Galchenyuk, Plekanec, Eller and Malhotra would be my centers, and Desharnais would be playing left wing when all five players are healthy.