Canadiens Concern: Something's Wrong in Habsland

Put it in every angle you want, since the return of captain Saku Koivu, the Montreal Canadiens are 0-4. And in those four games, the Habs gave up 19 goals. Even wonder-kid goaltender Carey Price looks lost, big time.

So what is wrong with the Habs? Pre season believers gave them a shot at the Cup. They have good speed and skills. The defensive unit, led by Mike Komisarek and Andrei Markov is pretty good. And that Price kid is something else.

So why this type of performance? Since I've seen the past four games on cable, let me tell you one obvious thing; this team isn't going to war. It's that simple.

After the All-Star showdown last weekend in Montreal, you had to believe the Canadiens we're going to take advantage from such energy and passion. But niet. As in no, in Russian. After putting the Bell Centre in a frenzy last Sunday with a classic display of pure artistry, Alex Kovalev disappeared. In a matter of fact, the day Saku Koivu came back, Kovy got lost. He wants the captaincy and the leadership of this team. They aren't  giving it to him.

Sure Koivu is not a bad player. He works hard. He battles. But on a stage like the one at the all-star game this past Sunday, there's no way he could have accomplished what Kovalev did. He's good, but not enough to lead the Habs to glory.

You have to respect the fact that Koivu is the long time captain of the team. But the best the Habs have done with him is a trip to the second round of the playoffs. In Montreal its not acceptable. Not after 11 years.

So whats next? A trade? Its going to be extremely hard for general manager Bob Gainey to find a team to take Koivu at 34 years old and with a salary of almost $5 millions per season.

With kids like Matt D'Agostini and Max Pacioretty ready to make the jump to the NHL, Gainey must find a way to make some room for them on the ice. And maybe that means departing with Saku, no matter what.

The only other issue would be for Saku to step down and offer the captaincy to Kovalev. And that won't happen. Ever. So the cards are in the hands of Gainey and looking at the flop, he knows something is wrong, very.