The Habs certainly haven't addressed all their needs, yet, but in general I am very optimistic for the following reasons:
1. They have completely overhauled their front office and scouting organization, starting with Bergevin and Dudley in the GM chairs, and adding a player development guy like Mellanby. This will be HUGE over the years, and is already paying dividends based on who they've drafted and signed thus far. Plus the moves theyv'e made thus far all seem to have been made with a definite plan, and that is to make this team more gritty and tough to play against (Therrien's hallmark), which should pay dividends.
2. The Prust signing, while expensive, is a good one, especially when combined with the Moen and Armstrong signings. It will make us much tougher to play against over the next 4 years (even if Armstrong doesn't re-sign), and will create more room for our forward corps, especially the little guys like Desharnais, Gionta and Plekanec. It will also be a big plus for Eller, who got pushed around lots last year. Did anyone see how Prust played this year for the Rangers? A warrior with hands and speed.
3. Next to 2nd line scoring punch, D is the area where we needed some added skill and grit. Bouillon is no star but he'll add much needed grit and veteran leadership at a very low price for a player of his level. But the key here is Markov - if he is healthy, that is a GIANT boost to this team's D prospects for next year. You have Gorges/Markov/Subban/Emelin as your top 4, and then Bouillon/Kaberle/Diaz(Weber) as your 5th-7th, that's not bad at all. Plus you're looking at adding Beaulieu and Tinordi probably starting in '13/'14.
4. Signing Price to 6 years was the big need, and it's now done, next stop PK Subban. Priorities in the right place here clearly.
5. Draft was great - Galchenyuk could well be a game-breaking star we've been craving for so many years, and Collberg could be a star in his own right.
6. Top line is great, Desharnais/Cole/Pacioretty proved to have great chemistry last year, a legit top line with size and speed. 2nd line should be boosted by a full healthy season out of Gionta, and Bourque now forced to step up otherwise his spot on the 2nd line is in serious jeopardy, could see Eller moving up to the 2nd line to play with Gionta/Plekanec. The bottom 6 is Prust/Armstrong/Moen/Nokelainen/White/Gomez(uggh) and either Bourque or Eller. Pretty solid 3rd and 4th lines if you ask me. And this is before the acquisition of a top 6 winger, which the Habs have the cap space to complete - I'd be happy to give AK46 another chance at a reasonable price, now that he realizes how far his stock has dropped. Then of course you've got Galchenyuk, Gallagher and Leblanc, who I'd like to see dominate the AHL until they step up full-time in '13/'14.
7. To address your specific points:
- PP will be helped immediately by having a healthy Markov + Subban back there, plus the 2nd PP unit won't be too shabby with Kaberle and say Diaz.
- Shootouts, don't have much to say on that, that kind of thing bounces around so much from year to year that I don't really worry about it.
- Faceoffs, I agree it's a weak point, got to be the main reason we re-signed Nokelainen, it's the main skill-set he brings. Pleks, Desharnais and Eller are slowly improving and I imagine they are hoping they will improve further this year.
To finish off, this is what Mark Seidel, chief scout for North American Central Scouting, had to say about the Habs draft this year:
Montreal Canadiens: A+
The Canadiens’ fall over the past few years has been caused by trades more than by bad drafting but this year’s festivities should give Marc Bergevin and his coaching staff a LOT to work with over the next few years. The selection of Alex Galchenyuk at #3 should provide the Habs with a stud centreman for the next decade. If this was the 70’s, his knee injury would have caused many issues but the kid’s performance at the combine proved that he is back. In the 2nd round, they got Sebastian Collberg and Dalton Thrower who were both 1st rounders on some teams’ boards. In Collberg, they got a dynamic offensive Swede, and Thrower is a gutsy, physical defenseman who has shown good offensive instincts. Their next two picks were high character value picks in Tim Bozon and Brady Vail who won’t be stars but have a real chance at productive careers. The Habs have a lot of work to do but the 2012 draft was a great start.