Previewing the Canucks and Habs

After a series of disappointing losses that led to a 0-3 start, the Canucks will look to turn their season around tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. What can we expect from Montreal tonight? To find out, I talked to Eric Meliton, an avid hockey fan for more than 20 years, an expert on the fantasy hockey side of the game and the author of the great Canadiens site Oh Canadiens. I also offered some thoughts on the Canucks over at his site, so check those out as well. It should be an interesting one tonight, and it’s quite an important game for the Canucks. My interview with Eric on what the team will be up against in Montreal is below.

Andrew Bucholtz: What went wrong for the Canadiens last season? It seemed they had plenty of talent, but couldn’t achieve at the level everyone hoped.

Eric Meliton: Many pundits have pointed towards Carey Price’s injury during the All-Star break as the start of the demise of the team. However, I believe it’s the decision making of both Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey that caused the team to unravel. The team was very over-confident during the front end of the season and at season’s end they seemed lost. Losing Markov during the latter part of the season into the playoffs didn’t help, but the team struggled on every facet of the game. Hence the team needed a full overhaul. However, I think Gainey might’ve gone too far this off-season.

A.B.: How do you think the team will change under Jacques Martin? What do you think of the move to bring him in as coach?

E.M.: Jacques Martin would not have been my first choice, with the likes of Jacques Lemaire available and returning to New Jersey during the same off-season. Martin is a strong defensive- and offensive-minded coach and will bring a solid system to the Habs. However, he is not known for success in the playoffs in his career and this will be yet another team he cannot bring to the next level. Martin is a former Coach of the Year and has an extensive coaching resume. His time in Florida is of immediate concern as he failed to bring them to the playoffs as an executive in three seasons. Let’s hope things are more positive in Montreal for him. If the team falters early on, he’ll be on the hot seat just as quickly as Carbonneau.

A.B.: What do you think of the offseason personnel moves? Is there anyone you’re sad to see go, or any new acquisition you’re particularly excited about?

E.M.: First of all, I am personally sad to see Saku Koivu leave. Although many fans in Montreal disliked Koivu because he was a non-French captain, no one ever questioned his heart and leadership. His impact on the city and with his fans across the scope of hockey is quite high and he will be missed in Montreal. Despite his offensive numbers dwindling, I thought that the Habs were ill-advised to allow Koivu to leave via free agency. Beyond Koivu, the departures via free agency were warranted, even with Alexei Kovalev. Even with Kovalev’s statements of wanting to retire in Montreal, his inconsistency as an elite player warranted the change.

With the acquisitions of Scott Gomez, Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta, I think the team has gotten much faster and more talented, but definitely a great deal smaller. These three forwards represent the top line for the team and could easily be shut down with larger, physical checking forwards. If these guys are up to both the physical demands of being a top line and the media scrutiny of Montreal, then the team will flourish.

I like the acquisitions of Jaroslav Spacek and Mike Cammalleri. Cammalleri is entering his prime and could become an elite forward for the club, while Spacek takes off the offensive burden on Andrei Markov.

A.B.: What are realistic expectations for the Canadiens this season?

E.M. From experts I have spoken to, the Canadiens could either finish as high as second to as low as eleventh. My gut feeling has the team battling for the sixth to eighth playoff spots against teams such as the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. The blue line is bigger, but much slower, and many questions still follow the goaltending controversy brewing between Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak. If Martin can get some strong chemistry with an influx of young players from the AHL, the team should be fine. However, I honestly do not expect them to get past the second round of the playoffs, but playoffs are definitely within their grasp at this point.

Thanks again to Eric for taking the time to talk with me. Check out his blog here!

Tags: Andrei Markov, Brian Gionta, Carey Price, Eric Meliton, Jacques Lemaire, Jacques Martin, Jaroslav Halak, Jaroslav Spacek, Mike Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens, Saku Koivu, Scott Gomez