There's been some talk of late about the imminent return of Andrei Markov and what that might mean for the six defenceman suiting up for the Canadiens now.
More specifically, some people have taken to challenging the logical progression of things that would see Alex Picard sent to either the press box or waivers, and instead see Jaroslav Spacek as a candidate to sit out a game or two or a dozen instead.
Ludicrous, quite frankly, but let's go with that for a moment.
The idea was hatched by some after watching Picard play not horribly, with gusts up to pretty well, over the last couple of games. That was compared to Spacek in the pre-season and through the first five games of the regular season, where he was a turnover waiting to happen and a total non-factor offensively.
Spacek's play has improved
But over the last three games I would say Spacek has picked his game up and is far from being a liability on the ice. Also, to compare him to Picard is completely unfair because the two are not used in the same situations. Not even close.
It's great for Picard to be able to shine against third and fourth liners, but how would he do if Daniel Alfredsson were suddenly barreling down his wing? Or Alex Ovechkin? We'll likely never know, because he won't be put into those situations.
Spacek, on the other hand, will, and he's been put into those situations far more often in the early going this season because of Markov's absence.
The same thing happened last year when Markov missed most of the first half of the season, and Spacek and Roman Hamrlik picked up the slack.
Does Spacek feel threatened?
So with Markov ready to return this weekend, how is Spacek feeling about his spot?
I went seeking that answer Wednesday morning prior to the Habs game against the Islanders, and while I didn't have the guts to come right out and ask Spacek if he feared he may lose his spot, I kind of suggested it.
Spacek, an astute guy if there ever was one, saw right through my thinly veiled question and admitted that Markov's return will force everyone to elevate their play.
"It's a little push on the whole defence to play their A-game every night," he said. "Maybe some people aren't that comfortable with that, but it is what it is."
I hate quoting players saying "it is what it is," but I do so here because it is actually a perfect description of the situation. Basically, you may not like the fact that your play will be evaluated more stringently with one fewer job available, but that's the case regardless so you'd better adjust.
The fact is, I don't know if Spacek necessarily has to adjust. The one thing he did say is that Markov's return may allow he and Hamrlik to focus more on their defensive games because those are the situations they will find themselves in more often. Spacek didn't say so, but his minutes will probably go down as well, and that will help.
But I don't see any way Spacek finds himself in a suit on the press box when Markov comes back and watching Picard play in his spot.
It just wouldn't make much sense.
Tonight's lineup:
Montreal
Forwards
Cammalleri - Plekanec - Kostitsyn
Pyatt - Gomez - Gionta
Moen - Eller - Lapierre
Pouliot - Halpern - Darche
Scratch: Boyd
Defence
Gill - Gorges
Hamrlik - Spacek
Picard - Subban
Injured: Markov
Scratch: O'Byrne
Goal
Price
Auld
New York
Forwards
Moulson - Tavares - Comeau
Bailey - Nielsen - Parenteau
Martin - Weight - Niederreiter
Sim - Konopka - Hunter
Scratch: Gillies
Injured: Grabner
Defence
Mottau - Wisniewski
Eaton - Martinek
Hillen - Jurcina
Scratch: Gervais
Goal
Roloson
DiPietro