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Bergevin's Solid Work on D-Day, Sharks Snack on Listless Habs |
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My firm belief is that Marc Bergevin was scouring the market for the piece that could've put the Canadiens over the top, but it just wasn't available.
Bergevin had several discussions with Dave Nonis and Craig MacTavish leading up to the deadline. Rest assured they weren't just about Cody Franson, Daniel Winnik, and Jeff Petry who he eventually landed.
He made shrewd moves, starting early with the Petry trade. Talk about value, Bergevin pushed a second-round pick and a conditional fifth to Edmonton for a solid puck-moving defenseman that should've garnered more given the prices of the rental market leading up to yesterday.
This deal was Edmonton's dysfunctional management in a nutshell. The picks Bergevin moved for this player are akin to a third-rounder and a conditional sixth with his team sitting in second place overall in the NHL standings.
Brian Flynn came over from Buffalo for a fifth-round pick in 2016, and then teammate Torrey Mitchell was added for a seventh-rounder and C-prospect Jack Nevins.
When all was said and done, Bergevin added depth to his forward group and managed to upgrade on his second defensive pairing.
Out this season: Moen, Bourque, Sekac. In: Gonchar, Smith-Pelly, Petry, Mitchell and Flynn. Word to Bryan Allen down in Hamilton...
The team has a very healthy cap situation heading into the summer, with Alex Galchenyuk, Jarred Tinordi, Christian Thomas, Michael Bournival and Nathan Beaulieu up for extensions.
So, you have to give Bergevin an 'A' for the work he's done to put the Canadiens in position, but how will Michel Therrien maneuver things to generate offense from his top two lines?
Who among these players can step into the top six and make a permanent place for themselves?
P.A. Parenteau?
Dale Weise?
Lars Eller?
Devante Smith-Pelly?
Brian Flynn?
Torrey Mitchell?
This represents the biggest hole in Montreal's playoff hopes.
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One team was really good last night, and the other was pitiful.
Not even Carey Price on his best night would've saved the Canadiens from being devoured by the Sharks in Monday's game.
Parenteau's return to the lineup was unremarkable. Petry's debut seemed an impossible task--traveling all day from Edmonton to be there on time for puck drop--until we saw what kind of impact Ben Smith had (he who missed the pre-game skate, but suited up for the game with his new team and scored). And the Canadiens seemed completely unfocused as the Sharks picked them apart in all three zones.
With that, Price fell a game short of setting an NHL record for most consecutive road wins (would've been number 11), and the Canadiens lost to their first team outside of Ottawa on the road since December 6th.
Therrien didn't seem too bitter about this pill. The Habs have back-to-backs with the Ducks and Kings Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. They've got the day off today to recharge their batteries.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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