The Montreal Canadiens and their powerplay have been a story for a long time, but it has taken some positive strides of late. One sore spot has been the performance of Josh Anderson, who just hasn’t been able to find his way.
With the recent promotion to the first line for Juraj Slafkovsky, It’s curious if the idea is for Slafkovsky to find some confidence, why isn’t he on the top unit? We all love Anderson, but he is what he is. He isn’t much of a playmaker, and standing in one place playing pass isn’t his style. However, for younger players to lose out on minutes, only to watch Anderson squander opportunities on the man advantage, makes no sense.
It’s pretty clear that Anderson has struggled, and it’s been affecting his linemates also. This coming after much of last year and the offseason, hearing that teams were calling to discuss Anderson’s availability. Unfortunately, this season we have not seen the Anderson we are all used to, and simplifying his game might be best.
According to RDS, here’s the expected goal percentage of Habs players in even strength with & without Josh Anderson this season. pic.twitter.com/hHHD5LnCNC
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 5, 2023
Anderson is teetering toward the end of his 20’s and with minimal offensive production and a negative impact on his linemates, something has got to give. I am pushing, and hoping for Anderson to score some goals. But It just hasn’t happened, and at some point – I know I’m not a smarter hockey mind than Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, but – the spot he is keeping warm, could use someone who will light it up.
Where Anderson thrives is with some runway to use his ‘powerhorse’ traits, and killing penalties could be an option. Hear me out, Anderson’s speed is a difference-maker, and he loves to shoot the puck in stride. If he can commit to playing a more defensive game, he could be a nice option to kill penalties, and maybe even score some shorthanded goals.
It doesn’t make sense to let Anderson continue to struggle with no changes. Yes, he and Alex Newhook have a new centre, with Christian Dvorak back in the lineup, but he needs a shake-up. Without disrupting chemistry on the veteran line, and the top line, Anderson could slot in on a PK unit, and maybe the extra ice and focus on getting the puck out of his zone could spark him.
Sean Monahan has been a bright spot for the Canadiens, and anywhere he plays, he makes the players around him better. Putting Anderson on the penalty kill with Sean Monahan, would mean he is off the powerplay, but it also could help him grow his two-way game. Whatever the best version of Anderson is, the Habs will need it for the benefit of their rebuild, and a veteran like Monahan could prove important for number 17.
No matter how you slice the pie, a struggling Anderson, is like an ice-cold apple pie with expired ice cream. His physical, fast skating style and his penchant for breakaways seem like a fit on the kill, and regaining his confidence is critical. Some different special teams shifts could be the best way for the cookie to crumble.
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