Just Send Lars Eller To Hamilton Already
He's got size, he's got hands, he's got vision and he can skate. Right now, though, Lars Eller doesn't have a place on the Montreal Canadiens so it's time to send him to Hamilton before "potential" becomes one of the attributes he loses. Prior to last night's game in New York, Eller had been a healthy scratch for three games in a row and only figured back into the lineup due to Michael Cammalleri's "inner body injury". So that being said, and considering Eller's only contribution last night was terrible offensive-zone holding minor, he figures to find himself back in the press box whenever Cammy gets over whatever is ailing his inner body. As the games down the stretch get more important and the Canadiens find themselves in a race both for the division and playoffs altogether, developing the young Dane doesn't figure to be Jacques Martin's top priority, if it ever was.
I believe Eller has nothing left to learn at the AHL level but maybe that isn't really the point. Playing big minutes on a team that would consider Eller a valuable member of their group would benefit him in confidence at the very least. Confidence that appears to be shaken with Eller's tentative play since his hot streak about a month ago. The move would also allow the Canadiens to call up Ryan White, a player whose attitude and attributes should only benefit the big club down the stretch. Ideally, the shot of life White provided the team and fans with his tremendous pre-season hasn't been forgotten and has earned him the top spot on the farm team call-up depth chart.
It's been suggested that Eller is still with the Canadiens only because Pierre Gauthier doesn't want to look bad with the haul he got for playoff hero Jaroslav Halak. The argument certainly has merit and if that's the case, how much better does Eller's stat line of two goals and four assists in 39 games look to the critical eyes of fans and media? I'm inclined to believe this sort of "conspiracy theory" because as I wrote earlier in the year, Gauthier seems to factor public criticism into his decisions. It showed when he signed Alex Auld instead of the cheaper, more logical Martin Biron to be the team's backup goaltender and it showed when he traded away promising young goaltender Cedrick Desjardins for Karri Ramo, a promising young goaltender himself but one who is over in the KHL and if history is any indication, there's no guarantee he'll return to North America any time soon.
In the end, what Gauthier should value most is his job security and to do that, he needs to do the right thing for the organization's present and future and sending Lars Eller to the Hamilton Bulldogs is best for both.
(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)
About Will Martinez
Will Martinez runs the 'Hey, My Name is Will' blog and is a contributor for TheFranchise.ca. You can follow Will on Twitter @heymynameiswill
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for too many reasons to mention here, it appears clear that Eller doesn't fit in the short term plans. when he does get a chance, one mistake and he's nailed to the bench (sound familiar??) The AHL was great for Max Pacc, PK SUbban and Dustin Boyd if the attitude is in check, so why not dominate down there (they sure can use the goals) and then eventually come back up full of confidence and minutes played.
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January 12, 2011
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