Agreed but the problem is not only finding a second line center but one that actually works well with Kovy... Not too easy a task if you ask me.

For example, if we would've been able to pick up Arnott in the offseason, would he have been able to play with Kovy and Sammy? Not sure.

So far in 4 periods it's been a success.  Sammy's gotten points along with Kovy.  And Kovy played well defensively (if you can believe that.)  He seems eager and ready for action.  Keep him there all year if he keeps it up.  He is, afterall, a big, strong centre (and he has passion.)

If Kovalev can get the job done at center, and his line scores often, or atleast plays well. I see no problem with keeping this line as is.

I expect the experiment to last as long as Kovy doesn't prove that he doesn't belong.  I think if he would have looked totally lost out there and his line was really outmatched, Carbo wouldn't hesitate to change things up somehow.  As an aside, I'm surprised Terry or is it Bryan Murray didn't try to do a little line matching and put a really strong forecheck line against him.  Since it was his first game in that position in a very long time, as an opposing coach I would tried to exploit this.

The back check part, we saw this happen last night against the Sens.  I suspect also that during practice, Jarvis and Muller would spend a little extra time with him to ensure any defeciencies are reinforced in a positive manner.

I also remember Vinny Damphousse coming over to Mtl and playing L.Wing which is what he was playing in Tor and Edm.  It was only later that they moved him to center and he stayed there at least unitl he was traded to SJ.  But his adjustment went pretty smoothly.  Let's just hope that Kovy's is as smooth.  He has the talent and the hockey sense for it.

-- Edited by Mad Habber at 14:47, 2006-11-01

Yeah I forgot too.  I had to come back and edit my post to add that part right after I clicked post.  But Mark Messier is another famous winger who played center after a few years away from that position.  And Messier became an excellent faceoff man.  I think Brind'Amour played wing for the Blues also when he first came into the league.  And he is in my books the best face off man in the league.  His stats a little below Perreault's, but at least Brindy can be put out there in any situation and still be counted on to win his faceoff.

     You mentioned that Kovalev is an "offensive" player, and shouldn't play center for this reason.  I assume you are implying that the added defensive responsibilities may hamper Kovalev's game.  I'd like to point out a couple counter-points if I may:

A.     Kovalev is a smart and fast player.  Even if he is deep in our zone taking care of his defensive duties, 9 out of 10 times our team is enters the offensive zone, Kovalev will catch up and be a part of the play.  I also see Kovalev making some excellent stretch passes to Samsonov and Perezhogin, he hasn't shown this ability yet, it is just a hunch - but boy, would it be deadly.

B.     Last year (and in 2 of the last 3 seasons) a centreman has lead the league in scoring.  I don't think being a centerman hampers offensive ability.  Certainly the likes of Thornton, Forsberg and Sakic would agree.

Great post though, I just thought I should express the questions I had regarding your logic.  Kovalev looks great so far, let's hope his mindset doesn't change.  Before he was not defensively responsible. Is it possible that he thought, as a winger, defence wasn't a big concern for him - and now, as a center, he realizes it's his job? As habs fans, lets collectively hope so!

LeMac

GO HABS GO!