So it likely will come as a surprise to some of you that I am interested in things other than art and public policy, but alas I am (and have basically always been) a die hard Montreal Canadiens fan. (You can read more abut how that happened here:  All Habs)

Normally the worlds of art and hockey never need to meet, but there was a challenge thrown out  by a blogger I really respect (Scott Schmidt of Schmitzy Says) to name the 12 forwards you think should start the season with Les Glorieux and though I am not a Habs blogger, I couldn’t resist and thus am “borrowing” some Atrux web space for a brief moment.

So here they are, My Starting 12:

Line 1 (and though a lot of people are saying the top 2 lines are interchangeable, I don’t really believe that, the number 1 means something here)

Cammalleri – Plekanec – Kostitsyn

Cammy and Pleks are fantastic full stop.  I think Pleks has a bit more swagger this pre-season, which may come from the new contract, or the new found team chemistry, but either way has been great to watch.  I understand that AK46 had a great camp, and  all the tools, but I would have him on a really short leash here.

Line 2

Eller – Gomez – Gionta

Gogo and Giant are again pretty much a lock here.  I admit to falling hard for “The Great Dane” and think with his size and the work ethic he’s shown so far, he could be the physical presence that might be missing from this line.

Line 3

Moen – Lapierre – Pyatt

Again it’s like two sure things and a giant question mark.  How a Habs fan could not like Travis Moen in kind of beyond me, and I fell in love with Pyatt last year.  Yappy again is on a short leash and if he doesn’t quickly return to playoff form is in the box, and Maxwell is in.

Line 4

Boyd – Halpern – White

I want a team full of players who want to play and think that the attitude of Ryan White could be a really positive thing both in games and in the room.  Perhaps this is a bit of my artistic background showing itself, but I love performers who make it impossible for you to look away.  I think that’s a pretty accurate description of White’s preseason and for that he gets a shot opening night.  I also really like Boyd and like that in Halpern we have another face-off guy.

In the box:

Pacioretty and Darche

I am a huge fan of MaxPac and he stays in case things go south quickly with The Great Dane or AK46 and Darche can be a warm body in the box that won’t complain.

To the minors: Maxwell gets to light it up with Hamilton and hang there for a while.

Waived/traded:  Pouliot.  I am a huge fan of second chances, not so much of third or fourth ones.  I get that this might be difficult, but I have watched too many junior hockey dreams fade to watch someone waste their shot.

So we’ll get back to the art soon, but if anyone has comments, feel free to leave them.