Habs' hopes rest on Theodore
Jose Theodore must overcome on his on- and off-ice struggles for Montreal to even think about the playoffs.
You look at the Montreal Canadiens roster, one that cries out mediocrity, underachievement and disappointment, and you wonder how they ever managed to upend the top-seeded Boston Bruins in the playoffs two years ago.
And then you remember, that was when Jose Theodore was the NHL's best goalie and its most valuable player. Now, he's just another pro athlete with a fat contract, alleged ties to a biker gang and a family that may or may not be involved with organized crime.
Theodore is a shining example of how a top-notch goalie makes everyone around him better, or at least appear better. Remember, the Canadiens actually led Carolina 2-1 in the second round of the playoffs before blowing a 3-0 lead in Game 4 of the series.
PROJECTED CONFERENCE FINISH. . .
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STRENGTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If Theodore returns to form, the confidence level of the entire team will rise dramatically. WEAKNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holes and question marks at every position, from a lack of depth and grit up front to a lack of experience and fragile psyche on the back end. BEST OFFSEASON MOVE . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Gainey's return is more than a nostalgic trip. He is a shrewd judge of hockey talent and brings instant credibility. He was largely silent in tinkering with the lineup, but expect changes if the team gets off to a rocky start. WORST OFFSEASON MOVE . . . . . . . . .  Donald Audette, are you still here?
PLAYER TO WATCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Andrei Markov. A keeper who has matured quickly into a well-rounded defenseman. He carries the weight of the defensive unit on his shoulders at age 24.
FANTASY FIX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Jose Theodore: There's no question who fantasy owners focus on when the talk turns to Montreal. The Canadiens have a few 30-goal scorers, and Markov is a sleeper defenseman, but Theodore is the only potential star. At least that was the thinking before the former Vezina winner and consensus first-round fantasy pick bombed last season. The good news is Theodore was at his best in March, posting a 2.40 GAA and .924 save percentage in 12 March starts.
AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2003-04: Schedule | Roster 2002-03: Schedule/Results | Stats |
Bad free-agent signings followed by poor or uneven play from veterans and rookies alike coupled with Theodore's return to mortal form to keep the Habs out of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. As a result, Andre Savard moved aside for the return of Bob Gainey to the fold.
Gainey played 16 years in a Montreal jersey and was at times described as being the consummate NHL player. And if he was pulling a jersey over his shoulders, there might be some hope for his beloved Canadiens. But he's the general manager and one who has spent more time answering questions about Theodore's tortured personal life than the state of his team. Which, given the state of his team, may not be a bad thing.
In truth, there are shining gems hidden among the rocks of the Canadiens' lineup but they are far too few and too unpolished to give them a chance of making the playoffs.
The Habs have failed to reach even the modest 210-goal plateau for five straight years and will be lucky to do so again this season. The reason is simple: They do not have enough skill players to score, and their non-skilled players are not gutsy enough to scrounge out goals.
Saku Koivu remains the team's heart and soul but will likely miss the start of the season with a strained knee. Apart from Koivu, Richard Zednik has been a pleasant find (50 points, second in team scoring behind Koivu's 71 points and the team leader with nine power-play goals) but the two represent the only veteran scoring presence in the lineup that provide any consistency.
Yes, Yanic Perreault has led the NHL in face-off success the past four years. But it's time to stop dining out on that trick given his soft play at both ends of the ice. Perreault's minus-11 rating was second-worst among forwards behind the happily departed Randy McKay.
Unless Perreault and Audette, who was banished to the Canadiens' farm team in Hamilton for part of last year, suddenly find some backbone and play in traffic and take a hit to make a play, then coach Claude Julien will have to hope some of his former Hamilton AHL players can make the grade.
And they just might given the stellar potential found in a group that includes Mike Ribeiro, Marcel Hossa, younger brother of Ottawa star Marian, and Jason Ward who was voted the AHL's player of the year.
On the back end, the Canadiens have a bunch of pieces, but unfortunately the picture that goes with that puzzle is often one of disorganization.
Bringing that picture into focus remains the daily challenge of Julien, who has the team for his first full season after replacing Michel Therrien last year. The successful minor-league coach also brings with him a reputation for being demanding and focused on the details.
One of his tasks will be to cut down on the quality scoring chances the Canadiens gave up on a nightly basis. Only 16 times did the Habs manage to outshoot opponents.
Julien will also be challenged by a group that must not only vanquish their on-ice opponents; they must also survive the relentless Montreal media and fan following. Brisebois, for example, remains one of the top three moneymakers on the team, but he will be tormented by hometown fans every step of the way, which can only erode his fragile confidence.
On the positive side, Sheldon Souray, who should be the team's best all-around defender, is back after missing all of last year with a wrist injury. He must avoid the injuries that have limited him to just 25 games since coming over from New Jersey for Vladimir Malakhov in March 2000. If he can, he'll be a welcomed physical presence.
Andrei Markov has quickly become the Canadiens' top offensive threat from the blue line, leading the team with 37 points. He was also the team's plus/minus leader at plus-13.
Craig Rivet has played every game the past two years for Montreal, a minor miracle given the injuries the team has endured over that time. Top prospects Ron Hainsey and Mike Komisarek are well-known to Julien, although Hainsey seems to be further along in his development.
It all seems so simple: Turn back the hands of time, and Theodore is again the talk of the league and the Habs are once again playoff material. But the road back will be a difficult one for Montreal's most recognizable and most popular athlete. Each bad game, each soft goal will provoke questions about his focus, his concentration.
If Theodore is able to string together some quality starts early in the season, the storm may blow over. But if he struggles, it may well signal the beginning of the end for Theodore in Montreal. The consummate Quebec-style goalie, Theodore too often over-committed or was unable to control loose pucks and rebounds.
If Theodore struggles, the Canadiens are blessed with one of the most promising backups in the league in Mathieu Garon, who had a sparkling .940 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average in eight games with the Habs and a 1.77 GAA in 20 games for Hamilton of the AHL.
Scott Burnside, a freelance writer based in Atlanta, is a frequent contributor to ESPN.com.
