The Montreal Canadiens are one of the best, if not the best, team in the NHL. Unsurprisingly, with plenty of games left to be played in 2015-16, they're aiming to keep it that way. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet appeared on Calgary's Sportsnet 960 on Monday and added to his weekend Insider Trading report suggesting that the Habs and GM Marc Bergevin are "all in" on this season and, thus, pursuing any and every deal that will upgrade the roster and push them to a Cup.
"They're trying," Friedman said, per Today's Slap Shot. "They know their window is two years. Because then they've got to extend Price and they've got to extend Pacioretty the year after that. So I think they're all in."
There was talk prior to the season that the Habs run in 2014-15 was fueled almost purely by the dominant play of goaltender Carey Price, the eventual Vezina and Hart-winner. And while Price did play phenomenally through 12 postseason contests and through the first 11 games of 2015-16, the manner in which the team has played, even without an injured Price, has been nothing short of stellar.
In 5-on-5 play they're near the top in most analytics categories. They've been a bit lucky with the man advantage, but they're fifth in the league in Corsi For (56.4) and they're scoring at a clip that should keep them in games even if Price, or back-up Mike Condon, struggles.
Fortunately, that shouldn't be an issue any time soon. Price returned to the Habs lineup Friday, leading the Canadiens to a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders. And Condon, in 11 games in place of Price, put together a .913 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average. Not too shabby.
In short, the Canadiens are scoring, they're playing well defensively and they're strong in net. They don't have any glaring weaknesses on their roster, from top to bottom. But that a Stanley Cup-worthy roster does not make.
TSN's Bob McKenzie reported late last week that Bergevin was keeping his eyes peeled and "testing the trade waters" for a top-six winger. Friedman indicated that he's hearing Bergevin is eyeing both offensive and defensive additions.
As Friedman noted Monday, Lars Eller's name is one that has popped up time and again as a potential trade piece for the Canadiens. Would swapping out their left winger for a, presumed, upgrade, be the move that puts the Habs over the top from contender to favorite?
It's possible. But it will be up to Bergevin to find the right trade for what is already quite possibly the best lineup in the NHL.
