Montreal Canadiens: David Schlemko could be the key

David Schlemko will be traveling with the Montreal Canadiens on their two road games this week, and he may be able to have an instant impact if he plays.

It’s always nice to get positive news in this storm of negativity we call the ‘Montreal Canadiens season so far.’ The team had practice before getting on the plane to their first of two road cities this morning. Both David Schlemko and Carey Price were taking part in them which is nothing short of a great thing.

Price practicing is a no-brainer. As well as Charlie Lindgren (AKA The Wall of Lindgren) has played, getting Price back in net at 100% will help the Habs. A goaltending tandem of those two may be able to shoulder a lot of the team’s defensive burdens for the time being.

Then there’s Schlemko. He’s had a long and frustrating time here in Montreal with that pesky hand injury that he seems to have recovered from. Shea Weber left practice early, and the 30-year-old filled in for him on the top power-play unit.

Don’t worry, I’m not saying the Schlemko should replace Weber as the team’s number one defenceman, but I do think he can add some stability to an already shaky blueline.

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I say this because both he and Price were on the plane to Dallas this afternoon and there’s a chance he may make his season debut.

The Schlemko Effect

We have to address the elephant in the room here. Schlemko has only played a single game in the last seven months. Said game was in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. The veteran mentioned that it was tough to get his legs under him in the opening minutes of the game but that improved as the night went on.

Claude Julien may ease Schlemko back into the lineup if he’s clear to play, but I do think there will be an eventual place for him on the top pair with Weber. Schlemko has experience lugging significant minutes for a team. There were several times last season where he got close to the 20-minute mark with the San Jose Sharks, and he handled it well.

Additionally, Schlemko excels in preventing scoring chances in those high danger areas which the Montreal Canadiens have struggled with. Looking at the goals allowed in these last two games, most of the goals were around the front of the net. The Habs have been missing guys in the middle, or haven’t been able to box them out of the crease allowing players to capitalize on rebounds, tap-ins, and deflections. Hate to point fingers, but that’s been Jordie Benn‘s Achilles Heel lately.

It would be difficult to make everything else work if Julien gives Schlemko a start. On the other hand, splitting up Karl Alzner and Jeff Petry may be an idea the Habs coaching staff have considered the veteran could fill in there.

What stands out the most to me about Schlemko’s style is that he’s mobile and generates possession which is what Montreal needs. Getting into the zone is one thing, but holding it leads to goals. There was a reason why Marc Bergevin thought it would be ideal to acquire Schlemko, and considering how weak they’ve been defensively, it’s worth a shot to see if he can help.

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Do you think Schlemko will play in these next two games? Can he help the Habs if he does? Let us know your thoughts down below.