HabsWorld.net --
Generally, the thought of acquiring a player who has scored more than 20
goals in each of the past three seasons would be exciting to fans. When
Pierre Gauthier dealt away the struggling Mike Cammalleri for Rene Bourque,
there wasn’t a whole lot of enthusiasm about the move and after Bourque
struggled mightily upon joining the Habs, there was even less. With a new coach and a chance to start his first full year with
the Habs, Bourque has a chance to rebound in 2012-13.
2011-12
Although his assist totals were way down from previous years, Bourque was
scoring goals at a quality rate with the Flames (on a 28-goal pace) before
joining Montreal. Despite getting off to what could be called a decent
start with the Habs (four points in his first seven games with an even rating),
it went downhill in a hurry as he collected just four points (three goals and
one assist) in his final 31 games with an appalling -16 rating. On the
plus side, his hit per game total improved from 2011-12 as did his
takeaway-giveaway ratio. Unfortunately, those things don’t matter much to
the fans and certainly mean less to fantasy owners.
Season Stats: 76 GP, 18 G, 6 A, 24 PTS, -19 rating, 68 PIMS, 3
PPG, 1 GWG, 158 shots, 17:49 ATOI
5-Year Averages
GP: 70
Goals: 21
Assists: 15
Points: 36
+/-: -1
PIMS: 62
PPG: 3
GWG: 3
Shots: 169
2012-13 Role
Assuming that the centres from last year remain at that position and not tried on
the wing, Bourque is the current top candidate to play on the second line which
would be alongside Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. That alone should
provide some hope for him to get back to 20-goal form. If Michel Therrien
prefers the idea of going with three lines capable of scoring goals, Bourque
could be a candidate to play with Lars Eller on the third line. Although
that might provide some more ideal matchups, the probable drop in ice time
wouldn’t help his numbers any. In terms of special teams, he will see some
second unit powerplay time but I wouldn’t expect him to be a regular on the
penalty kill unit like he was with Montreal in 2011-12.
Projected Stats
I can’t see Rene Bourque having as bad a year as he did last season, he
should be more consistent at the very least.
That said, I also don’t foresee him getting back to the 50-point plateau which
is something he had accomplished the previous two years, especially with an
offseason abdomen injury that will keep him out of the opening night lineup. If he does play
with Plekanec/Gionta, he isn’t going to be the primary scoring threat and he
certainly won’t be the go-to guy on the powerplay. I also expect him to be
demoted/benched in late-game defensive situations in place of Travis Moen or
even Brandon Prust which won’t help his production either. Given his
previous scoring prowess he is still worth drafting late in fantasy drafts
despite his injury as a 3rd or 4th winger, just stash him on IR until he
returns.
GP: 61
Goals: 16
Assists: 12
Points: 28
+/-: -4
PIMS: 41
PPG: 3
GWG: 2
Shots: 149
