Fantasy: 5 players to target on the Montreal Canadiens
With your fantasy draft just around the corner, theScore's Ian McLaren and Darren Kritzer take a look at 5 players you should consider drafting this season.
Top Targets
Carey Price
After suffering a knee injury in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against the New York Rangers last season, the Montreal Canadiens were forced to go with a tandem of Dustin Tokarski and Peter Budaj the rest of the way. The good news on this front is that Price appears to be 100 percent healed from the injury, and is expected to play in preseason games soon.
The numbers speak for themselves. Price, a three-time All-Star, had arguably his best season last year since the 2010-11 campaign, recording 34 wins with a 2.32 goals-against average and .927 save percentage - good for fourth in the NHL. Everything was clicking for Price in the playoffs as well, posting a 2.35 GAA and .919 save percentage in 12 games before the injury.
In non-keeper pools, Price is a potential second-round selection (depending on how your pool values goalies) behind the likes of Tuukka Rask, Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick.
Max Pacioretty
You should expect similar numbers from the Canadiens' leading scorer last year, and from a fantasy standpoint, that means considering him in the late second to early third round. Pacioretty played in 73 games last season, recording 39 goals and 21 assists with ten power-play goals and 270 shots. He also recorded a Corsi-for percentage of 51.7, after recording a 60.2 in 2012-13.
He's unlikely to play with Tomas Plekanec on the No. 1 line, as the Habs will probably stick with David Desharnais and Brenden Gallagher as Pacioretty's linemates after the trio found success in the playoffs.
P.K. Subban
For the first time in a while, Subban can concentrate on hockey and not on contract-related issues. This past offseason, the former 2007 second-round pick of the Canadiens avoided arbitration by signing an eight-year, $72-million deal.
The 2013 Norris Trophy winner ranked second in theScore's composite rankings for defensemen last season behind only Erik Karlsson after scoring 10 goals and adding 43 assists in 82 games.
Although his points-per-game average dropped from 0.90 in 2012-13 to 0.65 last year, don't expect any dramatic dip in points this year. Subban's 23 power-play points ranked 20th in the league - sixth among defensemen - while his 43 assists ranked fifth for D-men.
Look for Subban to still be available in the third round of your draft. Taking him at that point would be a steal.
Proceed With Caution
Alex Galchenyuk
For now, Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien doesn't seem to think Galchenyuk will see playing time at center, saying he was happy to have Plekanec, Desharnais, Lars Eller and Manny Malhotra as his four up the middle.
Playing the wing wouldn't be the worst thing for the 2012 draft pick, who needs to stay healthy after missing most of January and February after breaking his hand. At the time of the injury, the talented sophomore was the Habs' fourth-leading scorer.
Galchenyuk ended his season with 13 goals and 18 assists along with 10 power-play points. He should still be available in the middle rounds of your draft. Take a chance.
Take A Flier On
P.A. Parenteau
The new guy in the Canadiens' locker room may just be one of the better fantasy sleeper candidates out there.
Coming off his worst points-per-game average since the 2010-11 season with 0.60, Parenteau joins a Canadiens squad full of fire power, and will likely suit up on the top line with Plekanec and Galchenyuk.
The former ninth-round pick in 2001 has been known to rack up the points, pouring in 67 in 80 games for the New York Islanders in 2011-12, and 43 in 48 games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2012-13. The 31-year-old from Boucherville, Que., appears to be healthy after two separate knee injuries and may be poised for a solid offensive season.
He's not the fantasy name he once was, but should be available for you to take late in your draft.