The last time you guys heard from me I was saying farewell to my favourite player of all time: PK Subban.

I thought it would be a turning of the page, a new beginning, but it turns out that closure has not yet been reached. So with this I bring you my three random thoughts on Shea Weber, Kirk Muller and Pauly B.

1. Shea It Ain’t So

It’s been a little more than five months since the PK Subban trade and Montreal fans are losing their marbles over Shea Weber. After what, I will admit, was a dream start, Shea has returned to planet Earth and has one point in his last nine games. Now this is not mean to knock Weber because his resume speaks for itself. This is more of a reality check. A friend asked me the other day, “What will it take for you to get over PK, a Stanley Cup?” And the answer is 100% yes. To this point Weber has not done anything that PK hasn’t done before. The Habs had a final four appearance with Subban and were cruising along last year before Carey Price went down. The team is clearly better with the addition of Alex Radulov and Andrew Shaw this year. So, I simply don’t see anything that the Habs are doing this year that could not have been done with PK Subban on the blueline. I’ve watched Weber for over 1/3 of the season and, while he is obviously a great defenceman, I don’t see what he has brought to the team that another great defenceman, PK Subban, wouldn’t have brought. Both have wicked shots, Weber is a bit better defensively, Subban bit better offensively. Shea has not really shown that he will be the protector of Carey Price, as was predicted when he joined the team. Weber has had some booming hits, but Subban had some pretty good ones in his day as well. Subban had his moments of not so greatness, but Weber has struggled of late as well. In my opinion it is a push at best and in that case I will take the younger and more exciting PK over Shea. But if I am at a parade in June I might admit I was wrong.

2. Kirk Muller Still Has Some Work To Do

When Kirk Muller came in all the MT haters were more excited than the PK haters. He was going to be the new coach by game 20. He would bring some communication to the bench that has been lacking since Gerald Gallant left. Everyone loves Kirk, including me. After Alex Radulov I believe he was the most important pick up off the off-season. And while Michel Therrien is an injured Carey Price or a short playoff run away from being fired, there is no doubt Muller has brought a breath of fresh air to the bench. However, the main thing he was brought in to fix is still not clicking. The power play, despite its top 10 ranking, has just not worked this year. It took the league an unusual amount of time to realize that Shea Weber is the new PK Subban one trick pony on the Habs power play. The power play, which when healthy features Markov, Weber, Pacioretty, Galchenyuk and Radulov, boasts a on paper line-up that should be at or near the top of the league. Yet Muller has not figured out a way to get it going and in recent games it looks a lot like the power play from last year, which at times couldn’t even get the puck in the offensive zone on most attempts. Take away the booming Shea blasts or the Chucky one timer and you can’t remember too many power plays that actually looked like…well, a power play. So while Muller is working well in some areas, if the Habs want to go far into the playoffs, the power play is one area that needs to improve.

3. Love Me Some Pauly B

I am a free agent. No, I am well past my draft date and I am definitely not looking for another team, but with the loss of Subban I am looking for a new favourite player. Some candidates emerged early. You have the All World Goalie and, barring injury, two-time Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Carey Price. You have the new, excitable, loves-to-play and brings a truck load of energy to the rink (reminds me of someone….) Alex Radulov, and you have the two Gals: Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher. But one player has come out of nowhere and is leading the pack: Paul Byron. He quickly become a fan favourite with his blazing fast speed that has him 10 goals and has quickly become one of the most dangerous penalty killing players in the game. What is not to like about Byron? The waiver pick up from Calgary that might be Marc Bergevin’s best move as the GM so far. One person who did not like PB was Brian Burke and his Neanderthal style hockey mold that has not adapted to the NHL post-lockout style. How can you not cheer for this underdog story? If he stays healthy he will pass his career high goal total of 11 before the half-way point of the season. Just like when the Habs waited a year before naming a captain, I will give it more time before I take on a new favourite player, but keep up the good work Pauly B, your name is right at the top.

Those are My Three Thoughts.

Would love to hear yours!

Follow me on Twitter @scottobrien99
Go Habs Go!!