• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Montreal Canadiens

Has Lars Eller Finally Found His Game?

By Brianne Spiker November 27th, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

As the main piece coming to Montreal in the Jaroslav Halak trade back in 2010, Lars Eller has always been a subject of curiosity for the fans. Going 13th overall to the St. Louis Blues in 2007, his high draft status hinted at immense potential and his size and skill were tantalizing for a team that skewed towards small and speedy. Entering his fifth season with the Habs, Eller’s career up until this point has been a mixture of inconsistency and uncertainty. But this year, things have been better for him so it begs the question, has Lars Eller finally found his game?

Lars Eller Canadiens

(Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

Eller’s Progression

Growing up and all the way to his time in the AHL, Eller has shown an ability to put up points. But the NHL proved a different story. When Eller arrived in Montreal, then head coach Jacques Martin slotted Eller into a defensive role. There were questions as to why Martin would slot an offensively gifted youngster into a shutdown role but it appears Martin was onto something. Eller doesn’t possess a ton of creativity for a player with offensive capabilities and his inconsistency at the beginning of his career didn’t warrant big minutes. But over time, Eller’s defensive game has come a long way, to the point where current head coach Michel Therrien has given Eller a heavy defensive load.

Even though he is in a shutdown role, Eller can still burn teams on the score sheet.

Consistent linemates

One thing that has held Eller back in his NHL career has been the lack of consistent and talented wingers. Eller’s offense exploded when placed with Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher at the beginning of last year but once they were taken away, Eller’s game dropped right off as he would spend much of his ice time with the now departed Rene Bourque and Travis Moen and whoever else. But this year has been different. Spending time consistently with Jiri Sekac and Brandon Prust has made Montreal’s third line a force. Sekac brings hustle, speed and excellent puck possession skills to the table and Prust is the physical grinding presence. And of course Eller uses his 6′ 2′ 209 LBS (according to NHL.com) body to drive possession. Playing with two players who bring a consistent effort every night and quite simply have styles that mesh with him, has been a boon for Eller and the Habs.

Faith rewarded

Over the summer, GM Marc Bergevin reinforced his faith in Eller by signing him to a four year contract worth $3.5 million per season. The 2014 playoffs were huge for Eller as he put up 13 points in 17 games leading all Habs forwards. He has only nine points in 23 games to start the year but he is playing with more confidence and his line has been very valuable for Montreal. With Tomas Plekanec being put in more offensive situations, Manny Malhotra and Eller especially have helped to pick up some of Plekanec’s defensive responsibilities. Despite being pegged as an offensive player on draft day, Eller has emerged as the ever valuable shutdown centre every team needs.

  • Tags
  • Jacques Martin
  • Lars Eller
  • Tomas Plekanec
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 6:20 PM
Calgary Flames

Tkachuk Shows His Ignorance Discussing Maple Leafs’ Campbell Injury

Jan 26th 6:10 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Reaping the Rewards of Zach Whitecloud’s Development

Jan 26th 6:00 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Outlook After First 6 Games of 2020-21

Jan 26th 5:50 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets’ 2021 Offseason Free Agent Preview

Jan 26th 5:05 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Unlikely to Call Up Former Fan Favourite Darling

Jan 26th 4:40 PM
Archives

The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – 2020-21 Season Update

Jan 26th 4:32 PM
Archives

Jimmy Howard’s Red Wings Legacy

Jan 26th 4:25 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Not Playing to Full Potential in Comeback Wins

Jan 26th 4:15 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Mediocre Avalanche Road Trip Plagued by Inconsistency

Jan 26th 4:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Coach Ralph Krueger is a Jack of All Trades

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information