Veteran Roman Hamrlik ready for increased role with the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are blessed with a bevy of talented, hard-working players. Among the hardest-working players on the Habs’ roster is veteran defenceman Roman Hamrlik.
With the recent long-term loss of star defenceman Andrei Markov to a knee injury, Hamrlik says he is ready to play an increased role on the Canadiens’ blue line.
“As long as I keep my feet moving, make the first pass. I know my game. I feel comfortable out there. I have no problem with playing lots of minutes,” Hamrlik told
The Canadian Press.
Hamrlik played in Markov’s usual spot on the point during a practice session held before the Habs’ game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday 16 November. Joining him was rookie P.K.
Subban.
When Markov suffered a cut in his leg from the skate of team-mate Carey Price last season, Hamrlik filled in for him. Markov missed the next 35 games as a result. Hamrlik paired with countryman
Jaroslav Spacek to form a strong defensive duo that helped the Habs make the playoffs. Head coach Jacques Martin has kept the two Czechs together this season, and it has proved to have been a smart move.
After returning to the team, Markov was injured again in the playoffs, suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He missed training camp and the team’s first 10 games as a result. Markov
returned on 30 October, but was lost again after a knee-on-knee collision with Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal on Saturday 13 November. He is rumoured to be out for six months, but the Canadiens have yet to confirm this.
Without Markov, the Habs have struggled on the power play. However, Martin said that not having Markov in the line-up was not the reason for the team’s power play woes.
“No doubt Andrei helped our power play, but he wasn’t the reason why we had some difficulties early in the year,” said Martin.
"I don’t think it was because of one player, I just think we weren’t in sync, we weren’t working hard enough, we weren’t moving the puck quickly enough, and we were trying to be too fancy.
I think power plays are best when you keep things simplified, when you move the puck quickly and you have good net presence.”
The Canadiens return to action on Thursday 18 November, when they will host the Nashville Predators at the Bell Centre.
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