A Big Back End in Montreal

Besides for the importance of adding an experienced back-up goalie and more scoring Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has also drastically gone to work this summer in improving the blue line. Some much needed size and grit was added when Gainey inked veteran and Stanley Cup winner Hal Gill who stands at 6 foot 7 and weighs a daunting 250 pounds. Another addition that makes the blue line more intimidating is the 6 foot 4 212 pound veteran Paul Mara who like Gill excels at playing physical in his own end. What makes these signings ultra important is that Gainey went out and signed or acquired some solid scorers in Brian Gionta (5 foot seven), Scott Gomez (5 foot 11) and Mike Cammalleri (5 foot 9) who lack height and therefore might be taken advantage of by bigger opponents. With these two hulking blue liners the Canadiens defence core, which also consists of Andrei Markov, Jaroslav Spacek, Roman Hamrlik, Josh Gorges and Ryan O’Bryne has gone from an average weight of 207.6 pounds to 213.5.  The unit also stands at an average 6 foot2 inches, which is two inches taller then last year. Still the Canadiens trail the Boston Bruins by 0.2 pounds when it comes to having the biggest defence core in the Northeast Division.