Montreal Canadiens Quarter Season Report Card:Defense and Goalies

After  22 games, the Habs have hit the quarter mark of the season, which why it’s time to give the defense and goalies their report cards.

Defense (In order of performance)

Sep 23, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) skates with the puck against Boston Bruins during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Andrei Markov, 7.9

Markov has probably been the Canadiens defenseman in every game so far. However, this isn’t something to be too proud of. The team’s defenseman have all went through struggles. Markov  is also showing signs of  slowing down. However, he seems to slow down the game to his pace much like his Russian counterpart Sergei Gonchar. Markov should stay consistent playing his 2 way game as the season progresses but may need a few nights off as the season approaches an end.

Nov 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and teammate Sergei Gonchar (55) during the first period against the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Sergei Gonchar, 7.7

Sure, Gonchar isn’t the guy he was in 2009, however he has been effective in his first few games as a Hab.  He has been apart of a much improved Powerplay since, he’s arrived. Before he came the team had only 3 goals in 43 opportunies.  Since he’s arrived the team has 5 goals in 6 games.  He tends to slow down the game as he ages. He won’t be able to play every game as his 40 year old body will likely get tired, however he is making a good impact so far.

Nov 16, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) takes a shot in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

P.K. Subban, 7.6

Subban hasn’t been the defenseman, the Habs were expecting to get when he signed his 9M/ year contract. He has been trying to hard which are leading to too many turnovers. P.K needs to keep it simple if he wants to be the asset  the team is expecting. Over the last few games, he has been a better defenseman. This could be a good sign for the rest of the season as he is expected to be a top defenseman. He is slowly developing a better defensive game which will compliment his offensive skills very well. He should be higher on this list come mid-season and likely be at the top at the end.

Mar 12, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) checks Boston Bruins forward Chris Kelly (23) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Alexei Emelin, 7.3

Emelin isn’t a great defenseman and can make a few errors at times, but often his deadly hits make up for the mistakes. The only problem is sometimes he gets too out of position when positioning the big hit. He can also carry the puck decently which is an asset needed in case a defenseman who plays on the Power play gets hurt. However, he himself seems to have injury problems.

Nov 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Weaver (43) knocks down Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Weaver, 6.9

Weaver isn’t the shot blocker he was last year in the playoffs. He is now a year older, and is declining, while h may still block shots he no longer is that machine he once was. Weaver is a guy that all he really is there for bis the Penalty Kill and to block shots. So if he isn’t doing that well then he isn’t very useful.

Oct 18, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (28) before the game against Colorado Avalanche at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan Beaulieu, 6.7

Beaulieu is young so it’s normal for him to struggle. He is currently in a learning process, which is why fans need to be patient with him. He is puck moving defenseman so of course he will turnover the puck. He can hold his own as he had 2 great bouts, so far this season. He had his chance to secure a spot in the top 6 and hasn’t impressed enough to get it.

Sep 26, 2014; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) falls after being checked by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi (24) during the second period at Colisee Pepsi. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Tinordi, 6.5

Tinordi is a big defenseman, who throws big hits. He has had a rough season in Montreal so far, bouncing around from NHl to AHL. When he gets his chance he hasn’t performed like he should to stay and much like he is young counterpart Nathan Beaulieu may need another year of development in order to be that bone crushing defenseman

Oct 21, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl (4) shots on Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) as defenseman Tom Gilbert (77) defends during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Gilbert, 6.4

Gilbert has been the accused in many situations. He hasn’t been the offensive defenseman the Canadiens were hoping for. However, he has looked better over the last couple games, but it’s still not good enough.  Hopefully he can get better used to Montreal and improve defensively because his defensive skills are horrible. Maybe the Habs could sit him out a game

Incomplete

Bryan Allen, 6.4

In his only game with the Habs he hasn’t done much, but he didn’t do anything bad.

Goalies

Nov 11, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Carey Price, 9.4

Price may have started the season off slow but, it didn’t take long for him to pick up his game again. He has a .922 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average. Some nights he is the reason the Habs even win. He is currently playing like a vezina trophy winning goalie which what this team needs. He is always saving his defense’s mistakes.

May 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski (35) makes a save during the second period against the New York Rangers in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Tokarski, 8.7

Tokarski much like Price is having a great season and is among the league’s top backups in the league. He has posted 3 wins and a loss in 4 starts so far. He doesn’t play a lot but when he does he makes a good impact.

The entire Habs report card is finished leave comments on what you think.