Before this season got underway I couldn't help but feel the league was closer than ever. Here's a look at some real interesting figures
outlining the parity of the league through 73 games so far.
10 Habs Notes:
-There's been a lot of discussion over the last couple of days regarding Jacques Martin's treatment of Lars Eller.
Eller was traded to Montreal to potentially fill the third line centre position until he was mature enough to grab a spot in the top 6.
With the additions of Dustin Boyd and Jeff Halpern it became quite clear in training camp that Eller would have to become accustomed to playing the wing. And that's a position he hasn't quite proven he can play at this level through 5 games.
To those who suggest the Canadiens and Eller would be better served if he were sent down to Hamilton to play top line minutes if he isn't going to get a shot in Montreal's top six, I have to agree.
Moreover, it's pretty clear the Canadiens would benefit from Ryan White's presence in the bottom six.
Ten minutes of Ryan White in that role has to be better than less than 5 for Eller.
-If you're not going to put Eller next to Gionta and Gomez, or even Plekanec and Kostitsyn for a game, you might consider freeing a spot for him at centre by moving Dustin Boyd up to one of the top lines.
As it stands, Travis Moen is skating with Gomez and Gionta. Boyd has more speed and more offensive flare than Moen does (10 of 12 forwards on the team do). Why not move him next to Gionta and Gomez, and give Eller a shot at centre.
-Or better yet, with Andrei Kostitsyn on fire, why not move Cammalleri up with Gomez and Gionta (they clearly have chemistry, as they showed last year) and move Boyd to a line with Kostitsyn and Plekanec.
-See a name missing from all those equations?
Granted, Pouliot hasn't played as bad as some have suggested, but his confidence is so fragile when it comes to burying the puck that it's hard to factor him into the top 6.
-Tomas Plekanec leads the Canadiens in faceoffs at 52.9% having taken the 5th most draws in the league.
Naturally, Jeff Halpern hasn't taken nearly as many draws, but he's clicking at 60%.
Gomez is at 48.6%, and Dustin Boyd is at 40.6%.
More support for moving Boyd to the wing.
-Checking in with the Hamilton Bulldogs, they've only played 2 games. Robert Mayer's started both (1-1).
Ben Maxwell leads with 3 goals, Yannick Weber leads with 5 points.
Ryan White and Max Pacioretty each have 2 points.
-It seems clear to me that Ryan White is first on the list of call-ups-- that's the impression he left in training camp.
But as the season moves along, and the Canadiens remain healthy, Max Pacioretty could certainly make a case for himself to be called ahead of White.
The Canadiens would be in a good position if Pacioretty could make that decision interesting.
-Switching gears, is there any doubt that Alex Picard has unseated Ryan O'Byrne? We're only five games into the season and Picard's made that decision an easy one for Jacques Martin.
The trade watch for Ryan O'Byrne should be on with Markov being reactivated. There are many teams in the league that would like add defensive depth. If I had to pick one off the top of my head (Tampa).
The Lightning scored on 4 of 5 powerplay opportunities last night, but only won the game 5-4. Clearly, they aren't as strong on the defensive side of the puck as they are on the offensive side.
Not that Ryan O'Byrne dramatically helps that, but Guy Boucher's familiar with his game and can likely get more out of O'Byrne than Martin can in Montreal.
-Getting out of town is exactly what O'Byrne needs. We all know he has solid skills, is a good skater and can use his body effectively.
His big problem is decision making, and that has to do with his lack of experience, and the obvious lack of confidence the coaching staff has on him. All of that has clearly influenced his ability to confide in himself.
-Alex Auld is eventually going to have to play a game. The question is when?
Maybe Saturday's game against the Senators would be a good time for Auld to get his feet wet, but if Price puts up a wall against the Devils on Thursday, Auld will have to continue to play the waiting game.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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