Emerging from this season's dark clouds has been a couple of rays of sunshine including the obviously phenomenal play of the Canadiens first line and more specifically David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. And although Erik Cole has also been a stud throughout this season, the hope was that he would be - just that - considering the contract that he was signed for. But what I wanted to focus on was another bright light, a light that may not have shown earlier on in this season and may have faded a tad more recently but that light is just as important to the future success of the Montreal Canadiens and is there new hope, Alexei Emelin.
Alexei Emelin has shown that he can play in the NHL and play well. Has he made mistakes? Most definitely. Has he looked lacked consistency? He most certainly has. But what he has shown is the ability to play important minutes against top-tier players and adjust to a North American game in a relatively short period of time. It's important to note that it takes longer for a defenseman to develop than it does a forward in this league and at the ripe old age of 25, Alexei is just entering his prime.
What has been talked about for weeks and months not to mention years (for some of the most ardent critics) has finally occurred, Jacques Martin has been relieved of his duties. Most of you that read my blog know that I was never a Martin apologist but in a city where you're either with him or against him, I would have to classify myself as having been with him. I thought he was a solid coach with the record and results to prove it. Was his system perfect? Far from! Was it boring to watch the Habs play hockey? For the most part. Did the system actually work? Only when all 6 players on the ice did their job and did it with near perfection. Is that a sustainable strategy? Of course not.
I share the frustration and sense the impending panic (for some they're already there) amongst Habs fans. Fire Jacques Martin, fire Pierre Gauthier and on and on. Yes it's true that the front-office has dropped the ball in terms of evaluation and preparation for the start of the season (Andreas Engqvist, really?). The coaching staff has done even worse to start off as we'll point out below but in all honesty, the worst job so far has come from the players. And before you start with the "it's the coach's job to get them going" (and I agree), you also need professional athletes making a lot of money to have the ability to self-start.
Yes I know. I get it. Jacques Martin is not your ideal coach. He doesn't get mad when he needs to, he doesn't rip the referees when they deserve to be ripped, he's far too passive, he has no charisma, he has no imagination and no vision. Defense first, offense optional. Have we covered all the bases?
What about the 2010 Playoff run, you ask? Well, don't you remember, the Habs were down 3-1 to that offensive juggernaut known as the Washington Capitals. And do you remember what happened after that? A certain Mr. Halak decided that it was going to be his coming out party. But wait a second, weren't you watching the TSN telecast of the game? That GM-wannabe, Pierre McGuire, credited the Habs victory in Game 5 in Washington to Kirk Muller. Come again? Yep, apparently it was Kirk 'is work' Muller who had the brilliant idea of putting Travis Moen on the top line and that apparently single-handedly changed the whole dynamic of the Montreal attack. Please!
