Habs Opening Day Lineup Set: Goaltending and Defense

According to my rough count, the Habs now have 22 NHL veterans under contract, all of whom spent at least the bulk of last season in the league. This figures to be the group that dresses for the opening match, barring injury or upset.

The goaltenders return intact in the person of Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak. Price retains the number one designation, but Halak has pretty much matched his performance at every level when called upon. Amazingly, Carey is still just 21 years of age. Goaltending is solid with perhaps the best upside in the league.

Top two blueliners Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik return as well, with a good chance one will be the new team captain. Markov is, and has been for some time, the team's best player. At the age of 30, he should be in the running for the Norris Trophy for the balance of his contract, and perhaps beyond, if he chooses to remain in North America. Hamrlik is a vet who plays as hard as he needs to to get by and conserves his energy.

Also back from last season are a pair of 24 year old B.C. born players, Josh Gorges and Ryan O'Byrne. They are diametric opposites, with the undersized Gorges relying on quickness and positioning to handle his role, while Byrne is a 6-5, 230 pounder who uses strength and reach to manhandle the opposition. Potentially a decent pairing, as they shoot from opposite sides and bring complementary skills.

A trio of well travelled journeymen veterans were brought in by Bob Gainey through free agency. Jaroslav Spacek is 35, a capable puckhandler who could pair with Markov on the point for powerplay situations. He isn't a physical presence by any means, and his defensive play is just adequate. On the other hand, humongous Hal Gill, 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, is strictly stay at home, and handles the puck like it was a live hand grenade. Again, a potentially effective combo for their offsetting skills.

Rangy free spirit Paul Mara, is a bit harder to categorize. Mara came out of juniors as a top 10 draft pick with the reputation of being a great puck mover. He played that style with mixed results for the first few years of his career, but has gained bulk and strength while losing speed and is now more of a stay at home crease clearer.

He has sufficient size at 6-foot-4, 220, but is not a bruiser by any means. Top AHL rookie Yannick Weber, who got a brief late season audition last year, will likely rotate in as the eighth man on the blueline, although he will have to hold off similarly styled prospects Mathieu Carle and P.K. Subban to hold the spot.  Probably the trio will each have a chance to establish themselves with the big team at different times.