1) Build me two powerplay units, and tell me why they'll bring the Canadiens out of 28th in the league in that category. How would you use each player?

PP UNIT 1:

On the points: Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin
On the right half-wall: David Desharnais
Down low: Tomas Plekanec
In front of the net: Max Pacioretty/Erik Cole

I think it's crucial that Markov feed a lefty on the point.

I think Desharnais can create on the wall, the question is, can he be a legitimate shooting threat? That's why Plekanec down low opens up another great passing option.

Pacioretty in front of the net is a no-brainer.

PP UNIT 2:
On the points: P.K. Subban and Raphael Diaz
On the half-wall: Lars Eller
Down low: Scott Gomez
In front: Brian Gionta/Erik Cole

If Scott Gomez is on the team, he has a role on the powerplay. He can still skate the puck better than most. The question is, can he do something more with it once he crosses the blue line?

I like the way Gionta battles in front. He's not big by any stretch of the imagination, but he can clean up the garbage with the best of them.

Time to give Eller a chance to be more of a dynamic offensive threat. I think he's got an underrated shot, and his creativity makes him a threat from the wall.

This is where both Diaz and Subban should excel.

On the whole, I like the balance of these units. I think they're good enough to give the Canadiens a powerplay that ranks somewhere between the middle and the top of the conference.

I like Cole in an alternate role, but don't see him as a key powerplay guy. Other guys I can see getting worked into the mix are Colby Armstrong and Brandon Prust.

2) Are you keeping Galchenyuk? In what role? If not, why?

I really can't answer this until I see what he does at camp and over five games with the team.

If he's a standout, and he produces, I don't blink about burning the first year of his contract.

Make no mistake: the long-term plans of the team are more critical at this stage, given what's in the prospect cupboard, and where this team should be in two or three years, but making the playoffs after you finish 15th in the conference is beyond crucial-- especially for the new GM, and the new coach.

I don't see Bergevin trading away young assets to get the team to the playoffs. But I don't see why he wouldn't use what he has to make the post-season more of a likelihood. If Galchenyuk helps give the Habs a chance, then keep him.

He fits in real nice on the second line with Plekanec and Gionta, and as I've already suggested would be better on the half-wall of the powerplay than any member of the current roster.

3) Where does Lars Eller fit on this team?

He's your third centre, but this time around he gets powerplay time-- like I mentioned. I see him lining up with Armstrong and Bourque. And I see him killing penalties too.

4) Who are your top six defensemen, and what are your pairings?
Subban-Gorges
Markov-Emelin
Diaz-Bouillon

Weber-Kaberle

5) Does Louis Leblanc have a place on the team out of training camp?

I don't believe he does, and I don't see him as a better call up option than Gallagher, Bournival or Dumont.

6) How many games will Peter Budaj play?

Eight.

7) How does Subban's contract get settled? What do you believe the specifics will be?

Standards have long been in place to keep second contracts for players in Montreal reasonable. Look at Price. Look at Pacioretty.

And if they go long with Subban, what are the chances they'd be willing to give him more money than they gave Gorges on his six-year extension?

Maybe it's not about how much Subban is or will be worth, maybe it's about what role he currently has on the team versus the role he'll eventually grow into.

Or, maybe with Marc Bergevin in, and with the Canadiens wanting to step out of last year's dark shadow, the Canadiens realize that it may cost them more than Gorges did, but they're going to go long with Subban because he's obviously a big part of their future. And if they go long with him now, it will cost them less than if they go long with him in a season or two.

Most likely in my mind: Subban signs a one-year deal somewhere in the 4-4.5-million dollar range.

He won't have to worry about getting his huge pay-day if he continues to improve and plays a large part in the team getting out of the basement.

8) Will the Canadiens make the playoffs? If so, how?

Logically, no. Too many questions.

When the fanbase argues over which two players the Canadiens should use their compliance buyouts on, and wishes the team had three of those buyouts...

But, it wouldn't surprise me if they did make the playoffs. Michel Therrien is known for getting more out of teams you'd expect less from. I think Marc Bergevin's already done a lot to change the culture of the team.

They have a great room, and it got a lot better with Prust, Armstrong and Bouillon coming in. In a short season, timing and chemistry go a long way towards helping a team nail down a playoff spot. I think the chemistry is clearly there in the room, and if the coaching staff does their job, it translates on the ice.

9) Who will lead the Canadiens in points this season?

Max Pacioretty will.

10) Who will be the biggest surprise on the Habs this year?

I'm going to say Rene Bourque. I think the break served him well. I think he's had a lot of time to think about how much better his life could be in Montreal. That starts with changing things on the ice, and he can be a game-breaker for the team if he gets back to form.

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