Canadiens lose Markov, add Drouin, Alzner, Schlemko during offseason

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is taking a look at where each team stands. Today, the Montreal Canadiens:
It would have been very difficult to predict on June 23, 2014, that the Montreal Canadiens would be in this position today.
That was the day defenseman Andrei Markov signed a three-year, $17.25 million contract with the Canadiens, and the primary concern was that at age 35 and with a history of knee injuries the contract was one year too long.

As it turns out, it might have been one year too short.
Markov, 38, announced on July 27 that he would return to Russia and play in the KHL this season after 16 seasons with the Canadiens. They have no clear way to replace him internally on the left side of the top defense pair next to Shea Weber.
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This is, by far, the biggest issue facing the Canadiens as they make their way through a relatively busy offseason, one that has included signing goaltender Carey Price to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension July 2 that starts in 2018-19, but also one that has left it unclear whether they have improved since last season.
Markov leaving would make it very difficult to argue that they have.
Here is what the Canadiens look like today:

Key arrivals

Jonathan Drouin, F:The 22-year-old was acquired in a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Canadiens' top prospect and heir apparent to Markov, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, on June 15. Drouin was third on the Lightning with 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 73 games last season. He will have an opportunity to play a consistent top-six role with the Canadiens, something he did not have while moving up and down the lineup in Tampa Bay. … Karl Alzner, D:He signed a five-year, $23.125 million contract as an unrestricted free agent July 1. Alzner essentially replaces Alexei Emelin on the left side of the Canadiens defense. Playing the role of stay-at-home defender and top penalty-killer, Alzner should slot in next to Jeff Petry on the second pair -- unless he is asked to step into Markov's role on the top pair, which would be less than ideal. … Ales Hemsky, F:Limited to 15 games with the Dallas Stars last season because of a hip injury, Hemsky, who turns 34 on Aug. 13, represents a solid depth scoring option on a very reasonable one-year, $1 million contract. In his three previous seasons prior to 2016-17, he averaged 38 points and 75 games, and is responsible enough in his zone to contribute in other areas. … David Schlemko, D: He was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 22 and has the inside track on a spot on the left side of the second or third defense pairing.

Key departures

Andrei Markov, D:The 16-year veteran leaves massive shoes to fill. He was paired with Weber on Feb. 25, and they became a formidable duo, allowing two 5-on-5 goals-against when on the ice together from Feb. 28-April 1. … Alexander Radulov, F: He was the Canadiens' second-leading scorer with 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 76 games. He signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract with the Stars on July 3. Radulov, 31, has a very distinct style of play and often was the engine that made the Canadiens offense go. … Nathan Beaulieu, D:Fearing they would lose him to the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft, the Canadiens traded Beaulieu to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft on June 17. …Alexei Emelin, D:The player the Golden Knights selected instead was Emelin, meaning the Canadiens lost two of their top three left defensemen in a span of four days and still could lose Markov.

On the cusp

Charles Hudon, F: The 23-year-old was tied for seventh in the American Hockey League with 27 goals in 56 games last season. It was his third full season in the AHL, and he has scored 74 goals in 198 games during that span. He is expected to earn a roster spot with the Canadiens this season. … Jacob De La Rose, F:The 22-year-old agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way contract June 28, suggesting he may have a chance of cracking the lineup after spending the bulk of the past three seasons in the AHL. De La Rose is a big, shutdown center who skates well but doesn't have much offensive upside.

What they still need

Top-line center (and potentially a replacement for Markov). The Canadiens have needed a No. 1 center since before Marc Bergevin was named general manager in 2012. When Bergevin and coach Claude Julien each said at the end of last season that Alex Galchenyuk would start at left wing in 2017-18, it made that need for someone to play in the middle that much more urgent. Galchenyuk remains the best option to center the top line, and Julien's willingness to use him there will assuredly be the hottest topic as the Canadiens prepare for the season.

Pete Jensen's fantasy focus

Drouin is bound for an expanded 5-on-5 role upon joining the Canadiens, especially after Radulov's departure. That said, the Canadiens need to put a high-end center on Drouin's line. With management saying Galchenyuk will start the season on the wing, finding a talented center to develop chemistry with Drouin would help him reach his fantasy potential.

Projected lineup

Max Pacioretty -- Phillip Danault -- Jonathan Drouin
Alex Galchenyuk -- Tomas Plekanec -- Artturi Lehkonen
Paul Byron -- Andrew Shaw -- Brendan Gallagher
Charles Hudon -- Torrey Mitchell -- Ales Hemsky
Karl Alzner -- Shea Weber
David Schlemko -- Jeff Petry
Brandon Davidson -- Jordie Benn
Carey Price
Al Montoya