Montreal Canadiens TPT: Looking at the Top Pairing

This week’s Twitter Poll Thursday concerns free agent signing Karl Alzner and whether Montreal Canadiens fans think he should be on the top-pair.

A lot of analysts have been paying attention to the defence the Montreal Canadiens will dress next season. In fact, NHL.com’s most recent article on the team asks specifically, “Who will be Shea Weber‘s partner”. It makes sense, there has been a decent amount of turn over on the blue-line.

For starters, Nathan Beaulieu was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Then the Vegas Golden Knights selected Alexei Emelin during the Expansion Draft. Finally, Andrei Markov and the team parted ways as he is now signed in the KHL.

It’s not like the Montreal Canadiens have a bunch of holes on defence though. They made their additions through free agent signings and those who will return from the regular season. In particular, Karl Alzner.

Related Story: Offensive to Defensive Blue-Line

Alzner was signed to a five-year $23.125 million contract on July 1st. After he was signed, many Habs fans automatically placed him in on the top-pairing next to Weber. However, there’s a difference between being played on the top-pair, and actually being a top-pairing defenceman.

With that in mind, we asked Montreal Canadiens fans whether they believed Alzner should be on the top pair next season.

Poll Results

The majority of Habs fans who voted don’t think Alzner should play with Weber. It’s an interesting opinion. If you’re a top-pair guy, you’re generally playing the most and being relied upon in all situations. Not only are you expected to keep the puck out of the net, but helping to score is usually what is seen from these kind of players as well.

Alzner was on the top-pair back with the Washington Capitals. However, his role was purely defensive. Over his nine-year career with the team, Alzner’s highest point total was 21. Additionally, he’s not the fastest skater or the most physical.

That being said, even though he’s not the prototypical top pairing defenceman, it doesn’t mean he can’t be the Habs’ variant of one. Playing with Weber may be able to make up for what he can’t do.

Related Story: Significance of the Streit Signing

Going back to the poll, if it’s not Alzner on the top pair, then who? Jordie Benn may move to the second pair to play with Jeff Petry since Emelin is gone. Additionally, the bottom pair may be David Schlemko and Mark Streit.

Perhaps Jakub Jerabek could make a greater impact than Habs fans expect. It’s going to be a difficult transition, but imagine if Jerabek plays well enough to be trusted with top pair minutes. However, that’s wishful thinking at its highest power there.

When it all comes down to it, Alzner is going to be on the top pair to start.

With all the new defencemen at his disposal, Claude Julien will have to try different things and see what sticks.

Next: Projecting the 2017-2018 Roster

Should Alzner be on the top pair? Let us know your thoughts below!