Revamped Canadiens

by Eric Meliton

General Manager Bob Gainey took full advantage of the NHL Free Agent Frenzy on July 1, 2009, to address some of this teams’ glaring needs.  However, in full retrospect, did anything really change for the Habs?

With a disappointing centennial season behind them and expectations growing in la belle province, Habs fans must be scratching their heads after the July 1st hangover wondering if the moves made by Gainey ultimately improve the team, or actually hurt their long-term future.

First of all, the Canadiens have turned the page on the services of captain Saku Koivu as they made an ill-advised trade for New York Rangers cast-off Scott Gomez.  In obtaining Gomez, the Habs have inherited a solid two-way player with an offensive upside and leadership qualities, but have also inherited a dehabilitating contract of approximately $7.35 million per year for another five years.  Not only does this salary cap hit hurt the Canadiens ability to maneuver, they gave up a number of key prospects to acquire Gomez in a multi-player deal.

By acquiring Gomez, the Habs gave up on Christopher Higgins, who many believe had grossly underachieved in 2008-09.  Despite the excuse of injuries and a lack of offensive focus and direction offered, Higgins may inevitably become another Michael Ryder in the making – receiving career rejuvenation achieved by a change of venue.

If Gomez now inherits the number one center position in Montreal, he is now flanked by two diminutive wingers acquired by Gainey, in Mike Cammalleri ($6 million per year) and Brian Gionta ($5 million per year).  Although Gionta and Gomez have some prior historical success as part of the New Jersey Devils “EGG” line of Patrick Elias, Brian Gionta, and Scott Gomez, the lack of size up front brought to the table should worry Habs fans.

Gomez is the tallest of the bunch at 5′11″, followed by Cammalleri at 5′9″, and Gionta at 5′7″.  All three are smooth skaters with a nose for the net, however, Gomez is not viewed as a tremendous puck distributor at center and is being labeled as a strong, number two.

With question marks psyche behind incumbent goaltender Carey Price, the holes filled on the blueline with free agent acquisitions of Hal Gill and Jaroslav Spacek, combined with a lack of scoring balance and size in the forward ranks, the Canadiens still have a long way to go.

Although Gainey can be viewed as having some moderate success with yesterday’s activities, he has yet to address some of the team’s other issues.  By reducing the average size of the forwards on the roster and depleting the farm system in the process, the Habs need to continue to retool this off-season if they are going to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.

Tags: Bob Gainey, Brian Gionta, Carey Price, Christopher Higgins, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Spacek, Michael Ryder, Mike Cammalleri, Saku Koivu, Scott Gomez