1- Nobody know what Jerabek could do, start with him on the first defensive pair is a bit desperate.

2- I don't think De La Rose and Carr are NHL ready, so it's why I think Martinsen and Holland will start the season with the Habs.

Carr showed he was NHL ready a couple of years back - I believe there was an injury with him this past year which caused him to take a bit of a step back.
DLR definitely pumped up his game at the end of last season in the AHL.

I think they are NHL ready and there's definitely room for growth and improvement, which is why I put them ahead of Holland and Martisen.
I would much rather lose Martisen and Holland on waivers than two youngsters with more potential. Let the young kids start carving out their games in the NHL rather than in the minors.

Its going to be the exact same situation in 2018/19 when McCarron and Lindgren will be waiver eligible as well.

At some point we need to start promoting the kids to see if they can stick.

As for Jerabek, he's the only true puck moving dman they have right now (on the left side) - Petry being the other on the right side.
He's shown he can handle the minutes and tough assignments in the KHL (which is no easy task as one of the premier leagues in the world).

Again, this is my prediction for starting line ups - things will definitely change as the season goes on.

That's my opinion, and yours have the same value than mine of course.

Carr (25 years old) have a good start 2 years ago, but cannot repeat it after is injury. For De La Rose (22 years old) have a good half season in AHL don't made him NHL ready, but I not dismiss on him..
I'm not sure they will claimed if they'll be placed on waivers. But that still a bet.

For Jerabek, I never see him play, so I will wait and see. But if MTL start the season with him on first pair, they could be in trouble.

You're right about starting the season with Jerabek on the first pairing - I agree he's an unproven at the NHL.
but they dont' have anyone else of his skill (other than Markov) to be in that first pairing - which is why I have him there.
As for Carr and DLR, they're just bets I'm not willing to take on the waiver wire - would much rather waive older guys who have proven their ceiling has been reached.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts for starting the season with the top 6 (or even top 9) displayed.

Jerabek had 34 points in 59 games in the khl, while playing for a mediocre khl team, while 26 in 46 games, while playing for cska, moscow which is widely regarding as the best and richest khl team. Jerabek had more points on the pp as well, and was given more minutes in the khl as well. Jerabek is 26, while Zaitsev is 25. Jerabek was better defensively in the khl as well (we all know how great zaitsev is defensively lol). So imo, Jerabek can succeed in the nhl as top 4 defensemen. But thats what just I think. I could be wrong.

I don't like see all offence on the same line, and I think MTL don't have so much talent to do it.
So I see it like that.

Pacioretty - Danault - Drouin = Danault is not a real 1st center, but if I want dispatch offense, I have no choice. Patch is the scorer, Drouin the passer.
Lekhonen - Galchenyuk - Gallagher = Galchy and Gally always have success when they play on the same line.
Hudon - Plekanec - Hemsky = Byron or Shaw could replace Hemsky on that line.
Byron - Shaw - ........... = Mitchell/Holland/Martinsen/De La Rose/Carr will figth for the last spot at training camp.


For Defense, every MTL fans know than the Habs have no choice to sign Markov, or we are in trouble.

........... - Weber = I let the spot empty until I see if Markov sign at MTL or not.
Alzner - Petry = Alzner replace Emelin, less grit of course, but bette hockey player.
Shlemko - Benn = Davidson and Morrow fight for the seventh spot.

I think (like you) Jerabek is actually the only one could take Markov spot if he don't sign here, but I'm affraid to see another Sekac.
That's why I wish to see him begin the season in the AHL to adjust is game to north america.

I wish nobody have doubt about goalie for this year.

Price
Montoya

No body can doubt the best goalie in the world!