But the Canadiens looked MUCH better than they did against Dallas.
And this was against a Buffalo team that brought most of its NHLers to the Bell Centre.
A lot to like in a kid-studded lineup.
And Max-Pac is back!
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I know it’s only preseason, but I hope this freewheeling, fast-paced brand of hockey finds its way, a least a little bit, into “The System.” It’s been exciting to watch, better than last night’s game, IMHO, despite the inexperienced players on the ice. This reminds me of the Chicago game towards the end of last season.
“Would Gomez have made that taope-to-tape pass DD did to set up Max-Pac? Just askin’”
What is it that makes a journalist and hockey aficionado of Mr. Boone’s high calibre lose his judgement so utterly in evaluating a player?
Do we need a highlight reel to show Gomez’s history of elite-level passes? Just his game-winning-goal pass to PK last year alone puts him in the pantheon. Central scouting concludes that Gomez has Gretzky-quality vision on the ice. Does anyone in the league surpass Gomez in passing vision?
And who set up MaxPac for his late excellent points streak last year?
Yet our Lord & master at the site asks if he would have made a (to be honest) good-but-not-legendary pass?
It’s a syndrome of some kind. Because Mr. Boone is not a bigotted man, which would explain such irrationality from a different person…..
You lost me at “Gretzky-quality vision”
The torch be yours to hold it high!
That’s Central Scouting, not me….
Next he’ll be comparing Gionta to Richard?
I didn’t compare Gomez to Gretzky (in that sense)–I quoted Central Scouting’s equivalence between Gomez’s visionon ice and Gretzky’s.
Sheesh.
You had a good point, but ruined it when you tried to imply Gomez had the best passing vision in the league.
I agree Gomez is certainly better then DD, but better then all others in the league borders on Hab colored glasses.
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Go Habs Go!
“Extremism in defense of persecuted highly-paid centres is no
vice” ;–)
Reads excessively I know, but Gomez is taking an unfair kicking. And when Gomez is on, his vision is right there at the top…. (not saying the same about any other aspect of his game.
The way I look at it, this is a blog. It’s nice to hear what people really think, what does it really do? Stir up some hockey talk amongst fans? Reporters are fans too, let them show it once and a while. Now if the same bias slips through to the main gazette page, that’s a different story.
As for Gomez, he is creative and does have really good vision. Gretzky’esque? I would say more Janney’esque. Not sure what CS would be smoking on that one. The problem is that we don’t see very many of those beauty passes anymore, at least not many that actually get completed. That and the way he enters the attacking zone and veers off to the side every time! Desharnais on the other hand, (albeit haven’t seen him that much yet in the big leagues) seems to complete more of his passes. We’ll see how that pans out over a full season. But remember, there’s no one better between the bluelines then Gomer!
“Does anyone in the league surpass Gomez in passing vision?”
Umm … yeah, probably. Probably quite a few players at this point. If Gomez is Gretzky when he passes then Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Har har.
Wonder if they’ll ask Damphousse about beating his wife?
Chantal’s ex-boyfriends get the royal treatment just like the glass at the Bell Centre
Hmm, PK looks his usual all star self.
Gorges looks excellent, so does spacek (and you know i dont like him, but credit where its due)
DD looks fine with pax and gionta, but thats normal, 3 actual nhlers…
from the rest, gallagher looks mkay, astvin looks better, yet no PP time… usually the player that draws a penalty gets 2nd pp unit out of courtesy…
beaulieu for some reason gets credit on PK goal… “cos it was a risky pass” yes he missed 3-4 like that earlier tonight, its all PK…
Hope eller gets 100% fast, because NONE of the juniors, including enqwist are nhl ready, him and palushaj look awfull.
Why not play DD with Pax and Astvin more than 1 shift, we already know what gionta can do…
Buffalo is the most improved on paper, but I think they’ll need a little time to gel. In the last quarter of the season, they might just steamroll over everybody for the playoffs
They’re trying real hard to make the Snorators sound like a good team.
Why they hate Subban in a nutshell:
They have had no idea all game how to handle his wheeling in the offensive zone and it turns in to a goal.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Subban is like a young Ali, he knows he’s really good, and i hope he never changes. EVER!
I keep hearing all these old farts from other stations start a comment with “its not because he is black…” or some posters on other website “im not racist” YES YOU ARE lol… if you ever need to clarify something like that its because you know you are about to say something that is…
I’m thinking Bishop might have broken his arm on the top of the boards.
Habs D looks like its going to be deep for a longgggg time
Long stretch there where we were skating around aimlessly without putting any pressure on in the offensive zone. Got a much needed energy boost from PK’s goal. Moen and young guys looking to impress should be creating some energy out there.
Homeboys Talbot and Dupuis just fought after Dupuis nailed Schenn.
Call-ups will be interesting this year. Palusaj isn’t looking that great but others are opening my eyes. Hadn’t seen Gallagher play but he’s like a DD clone.
Can’t believe the Habs are making such a game out of it. Is it because the Habs have great depth or the Sabres aren’t as good as they are touted to be? Really liking Beaulieu…give this guy some time to season and bulk up and he’ll be special.
wow, Bishop just bounced right off Kassian
I think PK was the oldest one on the ice for his goal. Pre-view of the Habs 2013-14
As I said, pumped to see PK AND Beaulieu on the PP. Can’t believe it took this far in the game to try this pairing
This PP pairing will be awesome in a few years when the kid makes the club.
*Listen to my instrumental tribute entitled “Habs at War” at http://web.me.com/ptolias/Music/OtherOriginalMusic.html
If the team can afford to resign PK
why wouldnt they be able to?
Marketing wise, they can’t afford to not sign Subban, Price and MaxPac.
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Don’t worry about if he’ll be resigned, just about how much cap space it’ll take.
PK!!!!!!
SUBBBBBAAAAAANNNN
WOW!
SUBBANG!
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
i think i’m going to like beaulieu. he’s what, 1-2 years away?
EDIT: WOOOO yeah what a goal!!
Wasn’t Desharnais #58 last year?
He’s wearing 51 tonight.
He changed it over the summer. Something about having worn 15 at one time, and it was taken at some level of hockey (possibly ahl? I forget), so he reversed the numbers and wore it ever since. At least until the Habs assigned him 58, in the same way they assign crazy numbers to all rookies
He changed it to 51 this summer. It’s what he used to wear when he was in ECH and AHL: http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569090
People here are a hoot. DD a first line centre? What you fail to grasp is that simply based on one bad Gomez season you could put a cabbage at centre on the first line and get more production than we saw from him last year. DD is not a cabbage but he is also not a first line centre. He’ll do very well on the bottom 6 playing against other bottom 6.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
lol you’re a hoot. A cabbage at centre ice is quite a comical image.
It’s preseason. first line played last night. tonight was the second line’s turn, and DD filled in for the injured Gomez…..
try to keep up.
sorry couldn’t resist
I realize it is pre-season but I think if we could put 2 or more passes together in sequence it would enhance our chances of getting a shot on net. Not claiming to be an expert here, just an idea
Nice play by Beaulieu
Boone’s homeboy, JG, getting a rough welcome back
I think Buffalo is going to be even better than people are expecting this year. They will challenge for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Sabre’s have one nice ,big and fast team this year and with a Great Coach.It’s amazing what you can turn around in the off season when you have what it takes in upper management and owners .
Very nice goal by Subban who is by far the best player on tonight’s ice!
Except that AK46 piles up more hits in a year than Vanek does in 3. Roy, Gerbe and Ennis are by our own lovely definition “smurfs” and most of the Buffalo Top 6 forwards are average to below-average in the physical department.
Montreal having Cole, Pacioretty gives them exactly two more power forwards than they do.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Nice shift for Avtsin
What is this spinorama festival ?
PK. Stay on the point and shoot.
*Listen to my instrumental tribute entitled “Habs at War” at http://web.me.com/ptolias/Music/OtherOriginalMusic.html
I like how Lindy Ruff just told the ref what the penalty was. “2 minutes, not 4, or I’ll cut your head off”
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Instant difference between Desharnais and Gomez is D goes right up the middle on the rush so he’s got access to both wingers. Gomez cuts left and eliminates the left winger. Just that will give Desharnais more scoring chances.
The difference is 4 inches, 22 pounds, 13 years experience, a couple of rings and a history of winning. The rest is speculation at this point based on a few shifts.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
amen
A remote history of winning.
And DD’s last Cup ring was…?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
I’ll give you the height and weight, but the 13 years of experience also mean he’s getting old and he’s 4 years away from a 70 point season. His history of winning was courtesy of a stacked Devils team. He wasn’t exactly the reason for those Cups. Desharnais will kill himself to win and I don’t think Gomez feels that way anymore. But it’s speculation.
Speculation. Exactly.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
We’ll check back on this subject in January, when it’s not speculation anymore.
Amen — and add a Calder trophy to that list.
VH I think you’d love my writeup from the other day: http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2011/9/20/2437889/already-a-lightning-rod
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Mr. Berkshire:
Kudos to you — I’ll buy you a virtual drink. Not Gomez boostrerism, but rather calm honest reason that clears away the overgrowth of excess.
If you sustain this sôphrosunê through what I trust will be a renown future career of writing, that characteristic (which I myself find all-but impossible to attain) will mark your legend. You had the same with your treatise on goons…)
(I encountered sôphrosunê, and felt its sweet air, last week at the centre-left online journal slate.com, where William Saletan came to the same type of defense as you did to Gomez but of Pat Robertson, for his remark about marriage to someone who has total Alzheimer’s. Saletan dislikes (intensely) Robertson’s social, religious and political positions, but had the grace to react against partisan attacks, and the high character and clear mind to recognise when his enemy, Robertson, had made a reasonable and humane remark.
Perhaps you, as Saletan, both have an instinct to distrust a mob mentality.
Anyway, keep up the good work: I’ve bookmarked heotp (not liking twitter…)
and the difference is also not showing up for 2 years and stealing 7 mil from your employer.
I don’t get it. Moen is taller, bigger, has more experience, and more Cup rings than Desharnais. I wouldn’t give Moen DD’s spot, and nor would you.
Comment on the recent gameplay of DD and Gomez. I’d say, based on the most recent evidence, they are at least comparable, no? If Gomez falters in his position like he did last year, should DD not be given a chance to show that maybe he can play better at Gomez’s position?
I am starting to think people have a very twisted belief of the requirements of being able to play as a Top 6 C in the NHL looking at all these calls for DD to be No. 2 this season.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
If you look like you’re trying hard, you should get the job!
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Okay, so what are those requirements and how does Gomez fulfill them better than DD?
Look, I don’t think DD will or should start off at the Number 2 position at the beginning of this season. I do think that IF Gomez doesn’t pick up his game and sucks just as badly as he did last year, DD should at least get a shot at playing that position. Last year, no matter how badly Gomez did, JM refused to give some one else a shot at #2 to see what they could do. I don’t think that’s the best way to stimulate competition for one’s role, and therefore not the best way to ensure everyone is playing to their maximum potential.
Gomez is going to get another shot, as he should. And yeah, I’d say he has 30 games to prove he belongs there before Desharnais moves in and gets more ice time.
Desharnais has been playing with more jump than Gomez ever has ( in a Habs jersey) since his call up from Hamilton last year.
It will be interesting to see if Gomez has it in him to at least get back to the 55-65 point range because I think if Desharnais was given his ice time he could reach that level.
“…with more jump than Gomez ever has…” That perfectly encapuslates the attitude here at H-IO toward The Latest Bright Shiny Thing–which right now happens to be DD.
I like DD just fine, and it’s good to be happy about his play, but this is just extreme. Gomez was the gold standard for jump in his early seasons…when he won, you know, a CALDER TROPHY based on that.
Be reasonable.
I should have said ” In a Habs jersey”.
Like I said in my original statement, Gomez did have it in him, lets see if he can get back to where he once was.
The difference is, Gomez is on the decline in his career whereas DD is on the rise. No?
The ability to play against Top-6 competition, which he has not readily demonstrated as of yet.
Was Gomez crap last season? Yes but his body of work as a Top-6 C so heavily outweighs DD’s that it’s not funny. He has scored 50A 4x in the NHL, that’s more than Vincent Lecavalier, who is a perpetual wet dream for some to be MTL’s Big Centre.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
There is only one requirement to play top 6 C in the NHL: to be one of the two best centres on your team.
^ This.
And he hasn’t truly established that yet. My barometer goes higher than pre-season and not scoring an NHL goal since March 5th, or registering a point after the 20th and that was the 8-0 wipeout of MIN.
He’ll be a good 3rd-line winger where he can outpace checking line competition, he is not able to run against the opposition Top-6 on a consistent basis.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Well, gentlemen! I think we got ourselves a real backup netminder
Brunet was OK. Sure he wasn’t a very good hockey commentator. He was alright though. Not very good – just OK. Seemed like a nice guy. Is that such a crime?
Jan Bulis needs to man up there instead of fall down for no reason
I’m thinking Gomez got injured due to the collective will of us Habs fans…
Like how Darth Vader killed Padme? I was think the exact same thing.
Miller read that play perfectly.
nice stretch pass by st denis
Still hope to see more from Avtsin
If Subban’s not a bit more careful he’s going to get hurt in a nothing preseason game. Somebody needs to tell him this isn’t the Cup finals.
I don’t think PK cares what Sens fans think of him
Our PP makes baby pandas cry
What a save by Budaj!
PP on team B a little tentative though
That Spacek kid looks good – we should give him a shot at the bigs.
I can not bring in 990, I click onto listen live, and nothing?????
http://www.team990.com/section/view/stream_2/167/#mainContent
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
Price hasn’t made a F!!@#($in save yet…trade him!
I agree he looks horrible tonight lol.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Shelley got beaten by Rosehill in a long bout
Let’s wait till Gomez plays in the regular season, before naming Desharnais the 2nd line center. I don’t feel anything wrong with Desharnais improving and playing out of his mind. But it’s hard to ignore Gomez’s skill set and experience. Gomez is coming off his worst season in his career. He usually puts up 50-60 points for sure. He deserves one more shot this season.
Look kid, I like ya a lot. But I ain’t goin’ to bat for ya when ya stick yer neck out like that, ya know?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Haha, sorry Dave.
It’s my 2nd year at the HI/O. Call it sophomore slump
Just remember; Gomez bad, DD good. Forget the 4 inch, 22 pound, 13 years experience difference and you’ll do fine here.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Well, I have to agree with that, I just hope Gomez comes through. If not, give DD a shot if he continues to earn it
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
Sigh. It’s one thing to have a bad year when the puck’s not going in, or whatever. You work harder on the other things.
But when you float around the neutral zone like you’re looking for a street number, hit the back of peoples’ skates with your passes, and think checking is flicking your stick at someone as they blow past you — AND insist on wearing the sacred #11 that Saku and Kirk Muller and other HONORABLE players wore… well I’m freaking sorry, but I hope Desharnais steals your lunch and your girl.
I didn’t mean to start this before the regular season, but I was unduly provoked.
You’re right bud – And I completely with you. Which is why I – including many others here will have enough of him in a Habs jersey if that repeats again this year. Willing to give him one last chance.
Sorry but for me, one bad season isnt enough to give up on a guy with over a decade in the league, a ring and who literally has nearly an identical ppg as Saku.
I don’t think there has ever been a criticism of Koivu posted on a Ducks blog, if so, I’ve never seen one. Compare with Gomez here.
Sure he’s older and beat up now, but he brings it every night at both ends of the ice and he and Selanne look like they are on a string.
Maybe Gomez has had his road to Damascus, I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m not sure DD is the answer either, but crap at least the guy looks like he’s trying.
Sour grapes at its best. Come back to us in November with this whine. It’ll have aged nicely by then.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
You have a date. November. Let’s call it the 15th.
I’m quite happy to be wrong, by the way.
considering youve never been right about anything youve posted on these boards thats gotta be a serious level of happiness your enjoying
“Max-Pac and Josh Gorges have displayed no lingering ill effects of their injuries”. Now thats a beautifu thing.
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
Yeah!!! Max-Pac. Yeah!!! Gorges.
Pacioretty’s “go-to meal” is flank steak and sweet potatos
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
The vets seem to be in form. MaxPac doesn’t appear to have lost a step. Really good sign. JG maybe a hair tentative. Moen a bit uninspired. Budaj showin’ solid poise.
DD clearly interested in a job. Not surprisingly, Beaulieu in over his head for now.
Have to admit, Marc Denis is doin’ a much better job than I expected he would. Clearly got some thoughtful professional coachin’; tries to inject some vinegar into it.
And, unlike Brunet, he speaks English, and quite well.
And, unlike Brunet, he speaks French, and quite well.
Aye yai yai
Beaulieu needs a nickname, i’m always copy and pasting his name. Soon i’ll just call him boyoo k? correct me if my pronunciation is wrong but I live in Calgary so give me a break at the same time.
What I wanted to ask is what number is he wearing tonight? I can’t understand the RDS commentary so when i hear the guy’s name i look at who has the puck and it’s in the referee’s hand.
Beaulieu’s wearing #40.
The drive for 25 is alive!
Have a couple of Big Rocks, it will come to you
damn I miss that beer.
Poorest play that we have so far this year, is our face offs. You would have thought it would have been addressed after last year showing.
There must be a coach out there somewhere that can teach how to take a face off. Bring Jarvis back!
Jarvis?? Really??
It’s only pre-season so no need to worry about face-offs yet. Though Halpern might have been worth keeping there.
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
The trouble with Desharnais, is that in the position he’s playing today, he’ll look really good but won’t produce much. Put him against weaker combination and he’ll slaughter them and provide a ton of depth scoring.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Which is why he won’t replace Gomez.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Pretty much what I’m sayin’. And also that Eller will be ahead of him on the depth chart.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Disagree. You stated how Desharnais would produce less on the second line than if he were on the third line. But that’s the case for anyone ever, almost by definition. You did not state how Desharnais would produce less than Gomez given the same linemates.
Ok, I’ll state that now. A second line would be worse at the present time if it was centered by DD instead of Gomez. Do you like that wording better? DD isn’t capable of handling himself against top end players right now, may never be. Look how easily he was manhandled on that most recent PP for example.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
There ain’t no cure for G-love.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Dollas on Teamm990 didn’t realize how young Budaj is… Uhhh not checking your game notes/Habs website??
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
Hey, easy on a rookie! Dollas will be good.
Mike Boone
Hockey Inside/Out blogger
Gazette City columnist
mboone@montrealgazette.com
I know, I know,,,it’s till pre-season…even the broadcasters are getting the kinks out.
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
I caught the last few minutes of the 1st, has Gorges skating/d-work look better compared to previous seasons?
Failed to mention that I never thought Gorges was a bad skater or d-man, I was just curious if there was any differences compared to previous seasons.
He looks OK
This may not be a popular comment, but I think Moen needs to earn his spot — he has a ring, he is a good teammate, I know. But his play isn’t as inspired or as tough as I would hope.
Moen was a disappointment all last season
Not sure why he’s lost his edge. First season he played for us he delivered on expectations.
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This team can use a 6’4″ fourth line centre full of grit and aggression. Paul Gaustad anyone?
everybody needs to earn their spot. and the good news is that it looks like there is lots of competition and the beginnings of depth
Hopefully soon we’ll see that depth include the beginnings of height.
Hey, the Sabres are playing against a team made up of 10 guys who likely won’t get another sniff of Montreal night life until next camp. They should be up by 3 or 4 by now.
Preseason hockey. A prescription for unfounded angst in Montreal.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
I was thinking the same thing, not in the same terms though
I was expecting the Sabres to dominate given the lineups but what do I know, I didn’t expect Dallas to do what they did last night. Yup it’s the pre-season.
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This team can use a 6’4″ fourth line centre full of grit and aggression. Paul Gaustad anyone?
Give Desharnais some decent linemates, and he’ll have Gomez’s job before the season is out. Kid’s a sparkplug.
As much as I like Desharnais he isn’t a top 6 forward in the NHL. Then again neither is Gomez.
Miller is looking like a wall tonight.
as usual, he’s just damn good
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
Desharnais is going to end up in Gomez’s spot sooner than later
—-
Newfoundland’s biggest Habs fan. Hands down.
Sigh… boy, would I open the Champagne if that happened.
Let’s go DD
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This team can use a 6’4″ fourth line centre full of grit and aggression. Paul Gaustad anyone?
i love maxpac but i don’t think i’ve ever seen such an epic faceoff fail
face offs are hard on a good day, give the guy some time to get his timing back. Sheesh.
haha, calm yourself, hollywood.
So far I’ve counted 4 times Montreal has been waved out of the faceoff circle in one period. Zero for Buffalo.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
I haven’t been watching intently but I remember at least one Sabre getting waived.
I could have missed one.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
PP time. Let’s pot one here boys.
Cracks in the system already. Good thing they’re not playing an offence style. *rolls eyes*
Are you saying they are offensive? Or not offensive
If they were half as offensive as you and I are they’d win the scoring championship no problem.
Aah.. well Beaulieu is only 18. He’ll learn.
Beaulieu has to stop that pass, he lost his check
Who is Henry going to fight tonight??
Zack Kassian
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This team can use a 6’4″ fourth line centre full of grit and aggression. Paul Gaustad anyone?
First person to give Subban a hard time…Did that a lot in Hamilton.
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Eyes on The Prize! and on Twitter
Beaulieu a little too loose out there
Agreed. He’s the only one who I have noticed tonight make more than a few mistakes. He’ll be good one day, but he’s years away.
Desharnais is trying to force Martin into giving him Gomez’s spot. So far, he’s making a compelling argument.
Desharnais is way too young to be the team scapegoat. Plus he tries hard.
but how’s his sense of humour and appreciation for sarcasm during interviews?!?!?
ha! I see what you did there.
Lookit PK there
unreal…
“Gorges seems 100 per cent”
Great to read that.
Now how about a “Max Pac seems 100 per cent” ?
Let’s see how high and long PK’s windup will be this year
keep alex henry up!!! we need him, he’s a big body he isn’t any slower than hal gill , he is tough and won’t back down from nobody!!!!
The drifting continents aren’t slower than Hal Gill.
LOOL hahahah
i LIKE what i’m SEEING from these HABS!
Wow, extremely good pace. I like it. I like Beaulieu so far.