Habs Year in Review
With but a few games left in the 2006 year, I think it’s time to take a look at how the Habs have played thus far. In a word: Exceed. That is, the Habs have completely exceeded the wildest dreams of most fans.
The Habs currently sit in 4th overall in the East; which is about where they have been most of the year. This is several positions higher then what most analysts and commentators had them set at the start of the year. So much so that La Presse is running serveral pages with photos of the 93 Habs players Carbonneau and Muller (now coaches with Les Canadiens) with a Stanley Cup in the air. All with the idea of pointing similarities between that year and this current season.
Mayor Tremblay would be best advised to hold off on releasing the parade route for 2007.
Having said that, the Habs have surprised most fans thus far. We can especially thank four members of the team for this achievement thus far.
Cristobal Huet. Without Huet, the team would not be where it is now. While he’s not Roy, he has had nights where he’s done what all great goalies can do: hold off the attacks to give the offence a chance. Our beloved Cousin from France has continued what he started in last year’s playoffs.
Sheldon Souray. A defencemen who the Habs MUST sign for next year. He currently has the 5th most points scored as a defencemen in the entire NHL.. His +/- however isn’t much to brag about. Nevertheless, Souray is a player that has scored more then his share of key goals.
Saku Koivu. Koivu has shown that he is a true captain both in his leadership off the ice and on the ice. Koivu is a leader that while doesn’t quite have the style that Carbo did back in 1993, is a player that shows his leadership by his actions.
Which brings me to the one member who seems to be overpassed the most for kudos: Guy Carbonneau. Do not forget that this is Carbo’s first job as a head coach in the NHL. Not only is he the most winningest freshmen coach currently in the NHL, but he is also a coach in a media hungry city, that is Montreal. Coaches in this city have very short shelf lives and the Media can make or break you. Carbo has motivated and protected his players when needed be and also put out fires as quickly as possible (Roy vs Latendresse comes to mind).
Honorable mentions:
Guillaume Latendresse. He’s handled the pressure very well and performed above expectations.
Francis Bouillon. Callers of sports call in shows often speak about how the Habs need more French Canadian players.. because they play with heart. While I find the comment somewhat xenophobic, I think what they have in mind is Francis Bouillon.
Players that need to pick it up and quickly: The entire 2nd line. It’s pathetic and none of them deserve the money they make.
All in all, a fabulous start and if it continues, dare I say cup fever is in the air?
Happy Holidays everyone.
Related posts:
*Must* resign Souray? Maybe, if they use him exclusively on the PP. For every goal he scores, there’s one against on which he’s outplayed. Souray’s overrated, is a ticking time bomb (his shoulder won’t last the length of his next contract) and is a defensive liability. Let him go and focus on Markov, who has been a real star defenceman.
Other honourable mentions inexplicably left off your list: Radek Bonk, who has been one of the best Canadiens all year; Chris Higgins, who was the offensive engine before breaking his ankle; and Mike Johnson, who’s been a strong, consistent presence on the third line and killing penalties.
Also, while the Habs are fourth, they have the second most points in the conference (but division heads are elevated to the top of the standings), and they’ve got games in hand. Great first half. Too bad the press is building expectations way beyond reality. You’d think they’d learn.
I think that the Carbo-Gainey team of coach-DG is the best one the Habs have seen in a long time… certainly beats the heydays of Mario Tremblay-Réjean Houle (what were they thinking back then???)…