Dec 01 The Habs Have a Big Need to Fill

Ten days ago, I wrote about why I think the Montreal Canadiens have the strengths and traits that prove they can make a significant run towards the Stanley Cup. I wrote about the leadership group that has kept this team from getting into an extended funk of sleepwalking-style hockey. I wrote about the unsung heroes of the team picking up the slack when some of their teammates have struggled. I wrote about the spark P.K. Subban has given the team and the brilliance of Carey Price is net. However, none of that is to say the team isn't in need of improvement and that improvement in one certain area especially will be a key to this team's success in the long-run.

The injury of Andrei Markov left the team with a gaping hole on defense. All six regulars on the back-end have played admirably in the seven games since Markov went down but how long can the Canadiens burn this candle before they run out of wax? Half of the six regulars are 35 years old or over (Hal Gill, Jaroslav Spacek & Roman Hamrlik). The pairing of Hamrlik and Spacek have been given the responsibility of being the team's primary defensive pair and to their credit, they've taken that ball and run with it. However, with both of those veterans being 36 years old, how long before they lose their legs? Logic would suggest by the time the playoffs come around, they will have run out of gas. In the seven Markov-less games, Hamrlik has played over 23 minutes in four of them. That's three or four minutes more than should be asked of him. Spacek, who is most effective playing around 17 minutes, has played over 20 in six of those seven games. Hal Gill has also seen a similar upswing in his playing time.

Sure Jacques Martin could play the younger half a little more but P.K. Subban is a rookie and as impressive as he's been, the more you play a rookie and the more responsibility you put on a rookie, the more likely it'll come back to bite you in the ass. Josh Gorges is as steady as they come on this team but he's taken a significant amount of physical punishment over these first 24 games and has missed a few practices lately in favor of "therapy days" as a result. Alex Picard has been an unexpected surprise but all would agree if you start to give him heavy minutes, you're pressing your luck with the journeyman defenseman on a two-way contract.

Pierre Gauthier would help his team's chances greatly by adding a veteran top four defenseman who is capable of playing big minutes and is on the right side of 30 years old. Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks fits that description perfectly. I'm not an insider by any means and for all I know, Bieksa could be unavailable but his name has been in trade rumors for awhile now, for whatever that's worth. The one silver-lining in the dark cloud of Andrei Markov's injury is that, should the team declare Markov done for the year, it opened up a glut of cap space for the Canadiens. Bieksa is a free agent at the end of the year and currently makes $3.7 million, a salary the Habs would easily be able to take on. While it hasn't shown this year with just four points in 21 games, Bieksa is underrated offensively. The 29 year old has 129 points in 302 games. His 504 penalty minutes over his career suggest Bieksa would also add a much-needed physical aspect to the Canadiens.

What would it take to get a player like Bieksa? Ask Bob McKenzie. I wouldn't think it would cost the farm but in order to get something, you have to be willing to give up something. Based on my appraisal of the team, paying that price could determine whether there's a long-overdue parade down Ste-Catherine Street next June.

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

Tags: Andrei Markov \ habs \ Hal Gill \ hockey \ Jacques Martin \ Jaroslav Spacek \ Montreal Canadiens \ Pierre Gauthier \ PK Subban \ Roman Hamrlik

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