Scott Cullen

6/9/2006 3:16:02 PM

Though the Montreal Canadiens only finished seventh in the Eastern Conference with 93 points in 2005-2006, the team played very well down the stretch (going 16-9-1 after the Olympic break) and was off to a fine start in their first-round series, leading 2-0 against Carolina, when captain Saku Koivu got hurt and seemingly sapped all the confidence and poise out of the team.

Thus, the most pressing issue for Montreal next season might be the health of Koivu who is productive enough (he scored 62 points in 72 games), but seems to have even greater value to the team than simply his gross numbers, possibly because the Canadiens don't have enough offensively capable players.  Let's say, for the Habs' sake, that the summer provides enough time for Koivu's eye to heal and he can return to form in time for next season.  The alternative will require some major dealings just to make up for Koivu's absence.

Joining Koivu up front, the Canadiens have marquee talent Alexei Kovalev along with youngsters like Michael Ryder and Chris Higgins, but question marks follow.  Mike Ribeiro and Richard Zednik both underperformed, yet both are capable offensive players.  The Habs need to decide whether they should be kept or perhaps would have more value as trade bait.

Whether it is via trade, or on the free agent market, the Canadiens could use more size on the forward lines.  While the new NHL does benefit speedy forwards, it doesn't hurt to have a big body or two to wreak havoc in front of the net.  If the Canadiens were interested in Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi, for example, that would address the need.  Or, they could hit the free agent market and pursue Dallas' Jason Arnott, who doesn't use his size to maximum effect, or maybe try a longshot (and I realize this is a big reach, but I'm throwing it out there anyway) like Chicago's always-injured Eric Daze.

There is also the possibility that the Canadiens might decide that Radek Bonk isn't providing the bang for the buck (he's scheduled to earn $2.394-million next season) and buy out the veteran.  It would require signing another checking centre, but there's certainly a cost savings possible there so the Canadiens have to consider it.

To the blueline, the Canadiens have the makings of a decent group, though Sheldon Souray got embarrassed at times last season.  He did perform well in the playoffs and does have value with his heavy shot from the point, but the Canadiens need to decide if his value is best measured in Montreal or elsewhere.

Without a lot of depth, though, the Canadiens would probably be interested in bringing back unrestricted free agent Francis Bouillon in addition to possibly adding a steady stay-at-home type or, if Souray is moved, someone to handle point duties on the power play.  If the Canadiens go for a big splash on the blueline, a veteran like Rob Blake might be worth pursuing, though a more economical option like Ruslan Salei or Pavel Kubina might be a better fit under the cap.

This brings us to the goaltending, where Montreal will be intent on re-signing Cristobal Huet, who will be an unrestricted free agent after a Cinderella season in which he emerged from relative obscurity to become a premier puckstopper.  Though Huet's remarkable season was just 36 regular season games and six playoff games long, he's worth investing in for the next three years to see if he can build on his breakthrough effort.

At the same time, the Canadiens can take the position that they won't break the bank for Huet because they could re-sign restricted free agent David Aebischer and would at least figure to be competitive with Aebischer between the pipes.  Provided Huet does re-sign in Montreal, Aebischer might have some value in trade as there will likely be a lot of goaltenders changing addresses this off-season.

General manager Bob Gainey, who has handed the coaching reigns over to Guy Carbonneau, says the Canadiens will go after free agents.  "There are other places players can go, but I don't think there's a better place," Gainey told reporters after the Habs were eliminated.  "People care here and if you're a player who cares, this is the place for you. If you're looking for spice, we have it here."

Spice or not, the Canadiens are in relatively good position to build on this year's playoff team.  It will be up to Gainey to make a couple significant signings to help the team keep moving forward.

GM/COACH
Bob Gainey/Guy Carbonneau

FORWARDS
Returning: Alexei Kovalev, Saku Koivu, Tomas Plekanec, Steve Begin, Richard Zednik, Garth Murray, Radek Bonk, Aaron Downey

Free Agents: Michael Ryder (RFA), Chris Higgins (RFA), Mike Ribeiro (RFA), Alexander Perezhogin (RFA), Jan Bulis (UFA)

Top Prospects: Andrei Kostitsyn, Kyle Chipchura, Guillaume Latendresse  

DEFENCE
Returning: Andrei Markov, Sheldon Souray, Craig Rivet, Mathieu Dandenault, Mark Streit

Free Agents: Mike Komisarek (RFA), Francis Bouillon (UFA), Todd Simpson (UFA)

Top Prospect: Alexei Yemelin 

GOALTENDING
Returning: None

Free Agents: David Aebischer (RFA), Cristobal Huet (UFA)

Top Prospects: Yann Danis, Carey Price

DRAFT
16th - Nigel Williams, Ty Wishart, Jonathan Bernier

FREE AGENCY
one-two top six forwards, one top four defenceman, one goaltender

TRADE MARKET
Souray, Zednik, Ribeiro, Aebischer

-- Edited by JohnM at 22:44, 2006-06-10