What coach Carbonneau needs is Carbonneau the player
February 22nd, 2008 by wrightIn his inaugural press conference after being named the Habs general manager, Bob Gainey stated “expect the unexpected” in terms of his rebuilding the team. Those comments certainly are accurate with regards to the ‘07-08 edition of the Habs. Common perception coming into this season was that the team would excel defensively with the addition of Roman Hamrlik on defense, Carey Price in goal, and veteran Brian Smolinski at center. With the coaching of Guy Carbonneau, one of the premier defensive forwards to ever play in the NHL , conventional thinking was that the Habs defensive game would be beyond reproach. Offense would be the problem. Three quarters of the way through the season, and the exact opposite has occured. The Habs have the third highest goals for total in the league. The team is ranked 20th in terms of goals against. The team has the most proficent powerplay in the league, but has the 21st ranked penalty killing record. Despite the evidence which points to the need for the team to upgrade defensively, the demand is for Gainey to make a move that would further supplement the Habs offense, which is perplexing.
This season, of the 177 goals the Canadiens have given up, 60 have come in the last three minutes of a period. 18 of those goals in the last three minutes of the third period. Goals against in the wanning moments of a period are momentum killers. All season long Carbonneau has attempted through numerous line juggling, to cobble together an effective shutdown checking unit, without success. The importance of a checking unit cannot be over estimated. A common link to all Stanley Cup championship teams is an identifiable checking unit. Detroit had the Draper Maltby combination, New Jersey post season success was defined by the likes of Madden and Pandalfo, last season Anaheim’s checking line lead by Sammy Pahlsson played a major role in neutralizing Ottawa’s top line of Spezza,Alfredson and Heatley.
Time and again, at critical moments of a game, the Canadiens struggle with protecting a lead. An inability to win a key faceoff, maintain puck possession, disrupt the passing lanes of the opposition, block shots, maintain a positionally sound defensive posture, all hallmarks of an effective checking line are not in evidence on a consistent basis for the Canadiens. This weakness has forced Carbonneau to have his top offensive players such as Kovalev,Plekanec, Koivu and Higgins to take on more defensive responsibilities, because the bottom half of the teams forwards have not provided sturdy defensive play. The poor defensive play of the Canadiens at key times has put greater pressure on the Habs goaltenders to bail the team out with a great save.
The price tag to acquire a sound defensive forward is substantially less than acquiring a top tier point a game producing forward. The rumoured requirement to obtain a Hossa, or a Sundin is the Canadiens having to give up Higgins, a prospect and the teams first round 2008 draft pick. A steep price for a player that may only be a two month rental. Given the way the Habs are scoring, an additional scoring forward may prove to be somewhat redundant, particularly if Ryder and Koivu continue to play at the level they are presently showing. A potentially more astute move would be to acquire a defensive centerman who is adept at winning faceoffs (another shortcoming of the team). Acquiring the likes of a Peca/Holik/Stoll or a McClement would not be as costly to the Habs, as Gainey would not have to give up nearly as much to make that sort of deal happen.
Playoff hockey is a different animal than the regular season. Sound play without the puck, winning faceoffs, and ultimately goal prevention take on greater importance in terms of laying the foundation for a succesful playoff run. Adding another goal scoring forward certainly would further add flash to the Habs run and gun offense, but solidifying the Canadiens defensive game with a center out of the Guy Carbonneau mold would ensure greater post season success.
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One Response to “What coach Carbonneau needs is Carbonneau the player”
By The Teacher on Apr 2, 2008
Habs inside/out site, which I own, says Montreal has to prepare for the season this year when Koivu has to be replaced by a bigger center with size and skill to amtch the other contenders. Also, Gainey has to address the need for a couple of power fowards, a need not met since Leclair was traded. Finally, another shut down foward to stop the opposing teams best line has to be added, this is where Timmons will help, as he has a great eye for talent, a couple of better free agent acquisitions would help.