Souray Is Worth His Weight In Goals!
The more I think about, the more I want Souray to re-sign with the Habs. At the beginning of the free agent frenzy, tehre was all that hype/crap about Rafalski coming to Montreal. With that news, I was ready to sever ties with Souray and let him and his bonnie lass reunite on the west coast. As everyone know, Rafalski signed with Detroit. We are now solid in defense, but if we’re going to be a defensive team like last year, we need Souray. Here’s what our defense looks like now…
Markov – Hamrlik
Komisarek – Streit
Bouillon – Dandenault – Gorges – O’Byrne
Now, being a goalie, I must admit I’d feel pretty secure behind that lineup, but I honestly don’t think it’s enough to win. Now I know Souray has been tricked out of his clothes more than Paris Hilton, but there just is no one else as good as him on the powerplay. I’ve heard people say Hamrlik is going to be on the first PP of man the second one. Sure, he could play there, but he won’t be effective. His shot is a fraction of Souray’s. Now if we’re going to get by the season like last year…special teams, then how can we possibly give up Souray’s 26 goals. Don’t worry about his plus-minus. Just pair him up with Markov, a sound, safe defenceman. Let Markov man the back and Souray can join the rush. I just don’t see the Habs making the playoffs without this lineup.
Markov – Souray
Hamrlik – Komisarek
Streit – Gorges – O’Byrne
Markov and Souray are polar opposites
Hamrlik + Komisarek = crunchtime
Streit and Gorges are speedy defensemen who can add an offensive push at times.
Trade Bouillon and Dandenault and get a big 6’6 fourth line right winger who can intimidate and knock some heads in….or re-sign Johnson.
Latendresse – Koivu – Kovalev
Higgins – Plekanec – Ryder
Lapierre – Smolinski – Kostitsyn
Kostopoulos – Begin –
Spares: Chipchura, Grabovski, Downey
Let Latendresse add the physical factor for our first line.
Higgins and Ryder work well together. Plekanec is a rising star.
Smolinski can mentor the youngsters Lapierre and Kostitsyn
Begin and Murray will forecheck hard. Kostopoulos can help out in the back.