Dany Dubé made a powerful analysis to identify one of the Habs' biggest problems

First, the Tricolore seems to be suffering from a lack of identity. Dominique Ducharme's team has a lot of new players, including Mike Hoffman, Christian Dvorak, Mathieu Perreault and David Savard, which complicates things.

Even Brendan Gallagher doesn't seem like himself. Usually, the number 11 has the pedal to the floor and brings an infectious energy to his teammates. This early in the season, it's noticeable that it's much harder.

"You see the team play and you see that it's affected because there are a lot of absentees, that's clear. And it's also a team that's searching for itself in terms of personality, that has no identity and no chemistry. When I see Gallagher play, I know it's not right."

The many absentees also affect results on the ice, in part, through the impact they have on their teammates. Dubé singled out three players who are not in the best of health right now: Ben Chiarot, Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry.

Why are they playing the worst hockey of their careers? Here is the reason, according to Dubé:

"Chariot, without Weber, is not the same player. Petry without Edmundson, he's not the same player. Gallagher without Danault, he's not the same player. I'm sorry, but to me, those are facts."

Right now, the Habs are drowning and GM Marc Bergevin said the answer is in the locker room, not on the trade market. If the Habs don't get a buoy soon, the team may very well end up at the bottom of the sea...