Montreal Canadiens: Four things left for the 2017-18 regular season
By Mark Paul
Based on the way the Montreal Canadiens season has gone, it may be best to lose out the remainder of the season to increase their draft lottery odds.
With seven games remaining on the Montreal Canadiens schedule, the only thing unknown is their odds for a lottery pick. At this point, the Habs have a 7.6% chance at striking gold in the Entry Draft Lottery (according to Tankathon). A top three pick would ease the pain of a tough season, but should the Habs do their best to lose out the remainder of the season to increase their odds? Perhaps there’s more to the final tenth of the 2017-18 season than just draft positioning. So what’s left to do this season for the Habs?
First, head coach Claude Julien must give Michael McCarron more ice time. McCarron isn’t being given the opportunity to succeed as he’s averaging 8:28 in ice time per game, along with taking 57.9% of his draws in the defensive zone. Understanding that he’ll never be a dangerous goal scorer, he is excellent in the faceoff circle (52.6% this season) and could be utilized to gain possession more often in the offensive zone if given some opportunities.
If he’s given more ice time and offensive zone starts but continues to fail, the Montreal Canadiens can move on from their 2013 first round pick. Until he’s given the proper opportunity, the Habs will keep toiling with McCarron and his development as an NHL player.
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Second, GM Marc Bergevin must encourage Carey Price to play in the World Championships. It may seem counter-intuitive to have a player that’s been injured so often this year play more games. However, Price has always thrived playing for Team Canada.
If Price goes to the World Championships this year, he will join the likes of Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who reportedly are headed over to Copenhagen for the tournament once the season is over. Elliotte Friedman made this one of his topics in his latest 31 Thoughts saying
"Sidney Crosby has discussed how the 2015 World Championships were an important part of rejuvenating his career. Word is Edmonton’s Connor McDavid has made it clear he wants to play in this year’s edition, to be held in Copenhagen. After a rough season, Edmonton can only hope it is a similar tonic."
The result could be very similar for Price as well. After all, it was the season after winning gold at the Olympics that the 30-year-old took home the Hart, Vezina, Jennings and Pearson trophies.
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Third, Montreal should give goaltending prospect Zach Fucale his first start in the National Hockey League. His numbers in the American Hockey League aren’t bad as he sits at 10-5 with a .895 save percentage. Often times, goalies in the AHL struggle statistically but do much better in the more structured NHL. Looking at the Laval Rocket and their defensive issues this season is prime evidence of Fucale’s stats this year.
The 22-year-old will be an RFA at season’s end but will most likely re-sign with the Montreal Canadiens for not much more than his current 714,000 cap hit. Let Fucale see what it’s like to play at NHL speed, and allow for him to be better prepared to make the jump in the future. There’s nothing wrong with giving a guy a taste, especially when the win/loss column is no longer important.
Lastly, hire more scouts. At this point, Montreal couldn’t have enough. Find out as much information on as many prospects as possible. Bergevin and his staff need to be the most prepared team at the Entry Draft in June. Anything short of success at the draft must result in a new front office.
Next: Three Reasons Why Marc Bergevin Is Still GM
The 2018 off-season should be the last opportunity this front office has to prove that they’re competent enough to manage a winning franchise. With a potential top-five pick overall and four second-round picks, Montreal needs to flip assets to build a better picture for the future.
This season might feel like it’s over for the Montreal Canadiens, but in reality, it’s just getting started.