Montreal Canadiens: Wish List For 2015-16

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Oct 25, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi (24) catches the puck during the second period against the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bring up the younger players

While I understand that it’s a chess game, and the pieces have to fit on the board, it would be great to see players like Sven Andrighetto, Christian Thomas, Charles Hudon, Michael Bournival and Jarred Tinordi find their way to the big leagues on a more regular basis. We saw them play in pre-season and some in regular season.

Andrighetto played 12 games and got 2 goals, 1 assist. Bournival played 29 games (3 goals and 2 assists). Tinordi played 13 games (2 assists), and Thomas played 18 games (1 goal).

While I realize these guys have a lot to show in order to make the roster, I believe that with more exposure to the veterans on the team, they could become solid players to count on when needed.

At the very least, I hope to see them showcased properly so that decisions can be made. Because there’s no doubt the Canadiens have an embarrassment of riches waiting in the wings, and each one of them deserves their spot in the sun.

2. Power Play Success

How long has it been since the Canadiens had a power play that actually worked? You couldn’t remember either, could you?

I went back 5 seasons and here is what I found:

[table id=10 /]

Clearly there is no consistency. Only twice have the Habs broken the Top 10, and only once the Top 5 (keep in mind, that year was the truncated season due to the NHL lockout).

It’s time for a power play. It’s time for the Habs’ power play to stop being an object of ridicule. It’s time for Habs fans to cheer when the Habs draw a penalty, instead of groan and wait for the interminable 2 minutes to pass.

When Bergevin announced that the coaching staff will remain intact, it was a touchy subject. He was even asked if Therrien is the right coach to get the team “to the next level”, and he practically snapped, “What’s the next level?”

When asked about the power play, he admitted there were solutions to be found, but made no further statements about hiring a new coach on that front. Still, his words can be interpreted as a possible move in that direction.

I certainly hope so – the power play isn’t 2nd on my wish list for nothing; power plays are designed to give an advantage to a team, and when jokes about Habs declining the power play become the norm, it’s time to do something.

1. Goals

This season, the Habs’ shot differential was ranked 23rd in the league, at -1.7. More often than not we heard announcers say, repeatedly, “Stopped by Carey Price.” We all know that the team relied on goaltending more than perhaps it should have this season.

And having a world-class goalie makes that too easy to do.

But lack of goals, even when outshooting the opponent is what cost the Habs their run for the Cup. Goals win games, and we all know that in both rounds, the Habs had low-scoring victories, perhaps more lucky than not to have won the games they did.

Their passing, skating, defense are all solid. There’s always room for improvement – any team that doesn’t admit that doesn’t have a grip on reality. But in the realm of goal scoring, it is a glaring absence.

So top of my wish list is Goals. And the question is, can the Habs produce goals with the team they have?

I don’t believe so. I believe there will be changes and though Bergevin didn’t promise anything (“The reality is a lot of teams are looking for the same thing and often it’s just not available.”), he’s not a guy to tip his hand to the press. Perhaps especially to the press.

This season was a magical year; the comebacks that probably shouldn’t have happened. The almost-improbable top-of-the-heap run the team had despite no power play, few goals, and only one power forward. The “transition” everyone says was this season turned into a Division Championship year.

We can’t count on that for next season. If the Habs concentrate on what went wrong – which I’ve no doubt they will – we’re in for another exciting year, but one that I’m sure will hold more of the kind of confidence fans get when their team has the puck, shoots and scores on a more regular basis.

I’d love to know what you have on your Habs Wish List – leave your comments below!

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