Canadiens get a Spitfire of a center

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens were one game away from eliminating the Boston Bruins from the Stanley Cup playoffs but unlike in years past when the Habs would beat Boston on a regular basis in the playoffs, these days it is the Bruins who find ways to close out a series. Still, things are looking up for the Canadiens and come draft day things should go well in a very center oriented draft.
The need for offense will be on the Habs agenda in the off-season.   Montreal finished 22^nd out of 30 teams in scoring and 8^th in defense. The special teams were more than solid ranking 7^th in both the PP and PK. Face-offs were a bit of an issue considering the Habs were ranked 22^nd.

Montreal got most of its scoring from the wing position with three of the top 4 scorers were wingers. Only Tomas Plekanec, a center, topped the team in points. Plekanec had 22 goals and only Jeff Halpern had more than 10 goals (10) from the center position. Prospect Louis LeBlanc will get a long look at camp in the fall and should make the roster. No other center cracks the Habs top 5 prospects according to The Hockey News. Montreal has several wingers ready and waiting and with the current roster well-oiled at the wing position, look for the Habs to look for centers in the off-season, but in free agency and at the draft.
On defense, P.K Subban did well offensively but struggled on the back end. Jaroslav Spacek led the team in plus/minus (+9). Most of the team’s defense did well in that category. Jarred Tinordi is waiting in the wings and could get a shot if the Canadiens this fall since Montreal has a total of 6 UFA’s and 3 RFA’s yet to sign. The need for D will be mandatory come draft day.
Another need is for a goaltender. Carey Price will become a UFA next season and the Habs have no top prospect to speak of so a future goaltender will also be a high priority come draft day.
In PHN’s mock draft, the Habs have several good options. No goaltender has been taken yet which is good news for John and Christopher Gibson (no relation). If the Canadiens feel the need for D Duncan Siemens would be a solid pick. Plenty of good centers like Daniel Catenacci and Alexander Khokhlachev are still on the board. We get the feeling when push comes to shove the Habs will go for a center, and will look to the Windsor Spitfires for their man.
“With the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Montreal Canadiens select, center Alexander Khokhlachev.”
To learn more about Alexander Khokhlachev click here .
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohckeynews.com Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com