The Canadiens finish their longest road trip of the season with a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
That’s four wins in five games since the amazing first-place team packed their bags to leave Montreal.
Michael Ryder got his first two goals, both on the power play, since returning to the Canadiens and added an assist.
David Desharnais, Brian Gionta and Francis Bouillon, with his first of the season, completed the scoring.
Tomas Kopecky (credited with a goal when Bouillon shot one past Peter Budaj) and Shawn Matthias made it briefly interesting for Florida, scoring in the third period to make it 4-2.
The Canadiens outshot the home team 38-16.
Tomas Plekanec had a pair of assists and P.K. Subban had three.
Andrei Markov recorded the 300th assist of his career.
• Tweet from the injured Brandon Prust: Frankie boo with 2 goals tonight! #whataplayer!
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Last management messed up by mortgaging the future after our 2008 season instead of continuing to build. Lets not make the same mistake again.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
I want mtl to sign Antoine laganiere from Yale! 6’4 218 can score and uses size! What a fit at reasonable price! Go get em Marc!!!
BERGEVIN: If you think like a fan, you’ll soon become one
Can’t believe posters are asking for Ryan Malone. Even to the extent of offering major prospects and high draft picks. He is an aging power forward who’s 33 years old with two years left @4.5 million. He is not hitting, not fighting, and only has 5 goals. Malone is 11th, ELEVENTH, on TB for hits. Even BENOIT POULIOT has more hits.
Clowe may not have goals but he has been exceptionally physical (too much in some cases). Malone has not been at all. No way MB trades for him…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Things are getting heady if we think this team can truly challenge for the big prize. We even want to trade draft picks all of a sudden. I don’t pretend to be an expert, but I think it’s crazy talk. Please stay the course, MB.
Don’t trade draft picks, don’t pick up 5 year contracts, and don’t trade prospects for the immediate gains. What we’re seeng right now is our team, sink or swim.
Blackhawks 0-2 without Patrick Sharp. I wonder who their MVP is?
Anyone remember what happened to the Senators after they went 16 games undefeated to begin the 2007-08 season? I wonder whether that keeps Quenneville up at night…
It could be argued that they would be going down with ANY of their big-four up front being absent.
I can feel it happening mid next week:
Travis Moen and 2nd rd pick for Ryan Clowe.
What does Moens NTC does?
I think it is a modified NTC…whatever that is…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
A reasonable trade proposal except I would give a three instead of a two since you’re giving a player under contract.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Moen is tempting nobody right now.
Trade deadline is March ???????
Apriil 3rd I believe
Thanks Rex
Besides Armstrong has every player on the team scored?
” et l’attaquant a lui-même confié à la chaîne TVA Sports”
Can someone help me with this construct. I get what is meant but I do not understand the literal translation of ‘a lui-meme confie’.
…has himself confided to the network…
PK is the type of d you need to win cups with..
Luke Schenn nailed another undersized player in The Buffalo Game from behind Nathan Gerbe but this time he got 2 minutes for it…..
He has become quite useless for Philly.
Biggest difference in games played Flyers 5 more than the Bruins
We are top dog, but Boston is in the drivers seat with 4 games in hand!
Eastern DIV GP W L P
1 Montréal NE 26 17 5 4 38
2 PittsburgATL 26 18 8 0 36
3 Carolina SE 24 14 9 1 29
4 Boston NE 22 16 3 3 35
5 Toronto NE 26 15 10 1 31
6 Ottawa NE 25 13 8 4 30
7 New J ATL 26 12 9 5 29
8 NY Rang ATL 24 13 9 2 28
9 Winnipeg SE 25 12 11 2 26
10 NY Island ATL 26 11 12 3 25
11 Philadelp ATL 26 11 14 1 23
12 Washing SE 24 10 13 1 21
13 Tampa SE 25 10 14 1 21
14 Buffalo NE 25 9 13 3 21
15 Florida SE 26 7 13 6 20
4 games now
Right 4,
I will edit
They have an extremely challenging week ahead of them. Check back in 7 days and we’ll know. They should be 4 ahead of us. If not? Dogfight until the end.
Ryder 26th in league scoring..biggest suprises Voracek 10th and Kadri 20th
Can we give up the petition to get Ryan Malone..He has a 4M+ cap hit for the next 2 years after this one..No thanks..
——————
Brandon Prust doesn’t have hair on his testicles, because hair does not grow on steel….
I wouldn’t say no to Malone. His contract ends in 2015, and there will be players due for raises, notably Desharnais, Diaz, Eller, Emelin and Subban, but others, like Gionta and Kaberle, will be gone.
Well analyzed, on tHe cap. I’m indifferent on Malone. I think the same type of game is there with a lot of UFA’s but cheaper.
While the pk has been okay so far i am not sure if the pk is not going to be a weakness in the playoffs…
I’ve just realized the Habs have 1 (ONE!) regulation loss in the last 15 games!!!
Compare that to the amount of complaining that has been on this website for the past 15 games and try to process that, haha.
Full Breezer 4 Life
It will never change. Sad.
Against the Islanders!!
Second rounder and Louis LeBlanc to Tampa for Ryan Malone and then a fourth rounder go buffalo for Mike weber.
Why do you want Mike Weber? I live in Buffalo and he is certainly not an upgrade.
Yeah, I live in Niagara Falls, probably watch more Sabres than is safe for human consumption, so I have to agree with Welks, what is Weber going to do to put us over the top?
Ryan Malone is just what the Habs need: big LW with decent hands, crease crashes, punishing player. But he’s under a quite reasonable contract for two more years, gonna cost a lot more than a 2nd and Leblanc, lol.
Realistically, he’s worth Beaulieu or Tinordi plus either a first or a roster player. Which I would gladly pay.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I would never do that. Habs setting up to be a 10 year dynasty on defence.
This is shaping up to be one of those magical Montreal seasons. The last one was 2008, although 2010′s playoff drive topped it. We long-suffering Habs fans should savour every moment. But NO, we should not be trading youth, prospects and/or high picks to ‘go for it.’ The goal is to be a team that does this every year. To do that, you have to hoard talent from within – especially with the new CBA, which will make high-end UFAs eat up a bigger % of your cap.
Something like moving Gio for a bigger top-6 forward, even if he’s a rental, would be more the kind of move I’d expect.
Yes, well said. The Red Wing model, not the Ranger one.
You can not trade the captain, who is playing very well mind you, in the middle of what you are hoping is a cup season. Self-defeating.
Agreed.
Full Breezer 4 Life
You would trade Gionta, who is scoring goals for the Habs and playing well right now, but not a prospect who may or may not pan out? The Habs aren’t going to win any Cups that way. Hoard prospects and picks in the lean times, but when you have a chance to win it all, is time to monetize some assets.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I wasn’t saying “trade Gionta.” I was saying that that is the *type* of trade I could see us doing (and the rationale for moving Gio would be strictly to get more size and physicality for a playoff drive).
As for the general principle of not giving away the future for NOW, I stand by that.
A few things!!
First I want to congratulate Geoff Molson for
reconstructing the old time winning hockey culture back to Montreal!
His family has been associated with the Montreal Canadiens winning style of hockey for generations. Geoff Molson has brought back this winning culture back to this historic franchise.
I owe Geoff a beer!! That I will pay at our next Fan Summit in Mtl.
Second, We have always gone 1st class in Mtl. and even our own Dave Stubbs shows his classy roots wearing the very finest of attire when representing our colors! His bow ties worn in Florida were a smashing hit.
A word of advice Dave! better not wear one of them on the beach tomorrow with your matching speed-o my friend!
What a fun short year we are having folks, I have been in touch with my contact at the Bell Center about group tickets for the 3rd round or even the finals at the Bell Center for us. Wishful thinking yes, but nice to think ahead and have a foot in the door. All things are possible!
That would be separate from our Summit next fall.
Summit game tickets, News, Pictures and comments
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Montreal-Canadiens-We-Are-Fans-Summit/197390760316125
Count me in if that happens.
I doubt the Habs will make any crazy all in moves that would squander too many futures a la BG/PG. So hold tight. Any moves that will be made will be made with an eye towards cap management as well as short term gain. Think Ryder for Cole.
As for that big defence man I seriously think that Tinordi (as well as Beaulieu) could be given a call up for the play-offs. It stands to reason (at least if the current trends continue, although I don’t want to be guilty of counting chickens before eggs have hatched) that the Habs will make the play-offs and the Bulldogs will miss them. Given that scenario the Habs have all options on the table for call-ups. This makes signing a rental a least favourable proposition.
What’s the opposite of Tanking? Cause that’s what I want to do. If the Habs are near the top at the deadline there is not a farm prospect I would not part with for the right rental.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I agree! I think we both mean prospects.. not people on the ‘current team’.
There’s no question that the Habs current record is a surprise. However the Habs are also a team looking to turn itself into a perennial contender.
I am not saying that a player or two couldn’t be added but the room to manoeuvre for the Habs isn’t very big given the current and upcoming cap situations. I was really into Damphousse a while back but tonight I can’t say I am onboard with his line of thought.
I see it as opportunity. If certain conditions are met than yes make a move, however don’t make a move based solely on a knee jerk reaction that because the Habs are contenders they have to make a move. Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
Jumping the Gun
I think you’re over stepping a little. You would trade Tinordi or Beaulieu for a rental? They’re number one draft picks! It would have to be for a major player…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Iginla, Clowe, or Malone (who wouldn’t be a rental).
Full Breezer 4 Life
Habs are currently ranked 8th by Hockey Prospects. Last season they were like 20th.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/team-rankings/
I wouldn’t say there are any untouchables however any player as projected as being able to fit into the style and system being put together would be better to keep than to let go.
I’d rather not see more rentals for prospects in a trade. Better to give up as little as possible in such a scenario. Better still to trade a player as a rental and get a prospect, pick or both in return. If a trade is to be made, better for a player who will fit a long term plan. It is better to gauge whether or not a player fits in long term when being developed through the farm system.
This is where pro scouting comes in.
I am sure that they are weighing possibilities but I am also sure they are aware they are dealing from a position of strength. I think being patient and waiting for the right deal is the way to go and not move unless something meets the criteria.
I don’t think we’ll make any huge moves at the deadline unless a player goes down with a season ending injury *knock on wood*
But if we could get a good 2nd/3rd line guy that can bang for cheap I could see us pulling the trigger on that just to ensure solid depth.
Man everyone except Toronto that is in a playoff spot won recently pretty crazy
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Can all of the posters who insisted we’d be better served trading Subban, or letting him sign an offer sheet – and there were a not insignificant number of you – now acknowledge how spectacularly terrible your understanding of hockey truly is?
Yeah, I could go with seeing some of that…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
HAHA Prust is such a troll
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
The only weakness I can see regarding winning a Stanley cup is the 4th line. They have to show better in the team stats. They may be good defensively but. In the playoffs they have to do more than bang and crash if we’re gonna be able to roll 4- good lines.
I love the 4th line, and nope, all they really need to do is bang, crash, and give up nothing defensively. They’ve been great.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Voice of reason…regarding this….Ryder over Cole
Signed,
Troll
I would like at least a large defensive defenceman that can clear the net and kill penalties. However, the price would be too steep…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
You really think so? You don’t think that the Canadiens could add a defensive defenseman and a forward like Ryane Clowe or Ryan Malone without sacrificing the future?
I’m not an expert so I can’t say. I would not want to give up a 1-2 round pick and any major prospects. A third rounder, fine but I suspect MB wants to make hockey deals not rental deals.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
I can’t imagine first rounders having to go the other way for any of those guys or for a defenseman that we’ve both talked about.
In terms of hockey deals, not rental deals, I think Bergevin would consider going after a UFA if he thought that he could sign said UFA. As for Malone, his 4.5 million cap hit is out in 2015. That’s not too long term. The rookies will be ending their entry-level deals that same season.
We’ll see what happens. But I do believe that a 2nd/3rd line power forward and a defensive defenseman can be acquired without giving up the future.
Hawks lose…fire Quenville!
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Blow up the team!
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Lousy goaltenders!
Full Breezer 4 Life
Tank time!
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Oilers beat the Hawks?
yessir! Early word from Chicago is “ABANDON SHIP! ABANDON SHIP!”
getting Clowe would add toughness as well as relieving some of the workload for Prust. He’s a UFA at seasons end so if he doesn’t work out, we can let him walk.
Depends on the price.
Harper is what he is but I’m sure the legalization of pot will have little significance on the picture’s that history will paint of him. Too many more important issues. Too many legalized stimulants/depressants/suppresants out there now as it is. Many someone should market a way of relaxing or dealing with life’s circumstances (good or bad) than another ‘natural’ stimulant/suppressant/depressant. organizational skills, prioritation of important things like family and work, reflection on a day well spent as all a person needs to feel the validation they need, versus the consumption/inhilation of stimulants and suppressants to cope. Just an opinion.
We need to go after Ryan Clowe. C’mon Bergevin make some calls…
great road trip habs.ryder seems to be comeing around,keep it up.budaj great backup goalie,can steal a few games to let price rest.le buuuttt.
One of the guys on L’Antichambre (I think it was Damphousse) says that the Canadiens are as good as any team in the West with the possible exceptions of Chicago and Anaheim, and that in consequence Bergevin should move his plan forward. He should be thinking about the playoffs and the possibility that, with a little reinforcement, the Canadiens could go all the way. He said something to the effect that a team does not have a realistic chance of winning the Cup very often and that, when the chance presents itself, the team should go for it.
What do people think? And if you think we should be going for it, what moves do you think Bergevin should make and what should he be willing to give up? My feeling all season has been that we’re rebuilding and that we should simply be patient. But watching the team lately, I’m less sure of that. I certainly don’t think we should give up any of our key prospects, but if a package including one of our three second-rounders could net us a big, stay-at-home, crease-clearing defenceman, I’d be interested.
Absolutely should go for broke. Seize the opportunity. Whatever it takes. Package picks and prospects for impact rentals.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Thar s what Calgary and the Laff have done in the past trade the picks,let the young guy get some experience in the playoff thats how u build a team for the cup
It’s what the Leafs and Flames did when they were nowhere near winning a Cup, big difference.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Thank God Dumphousse is not the GM…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
I posted a smuch couple days ago. I dont exactly agree with Damphousse that we are one of the three best teams in the league.. but we CAN compete with anyone. And really what is the alternative… if the team keeps up this pace we definitely going into the playoffs in good positioning and with other teams aware of us. So it will be either a case of we kick some ass and try and go all the way or as deep as possible… or we show up just for appearance sake. I prefer the former and if a big trade/acquisition can be had by burning a draft choice or two or mixture of propsects/drafte choices (of course we are not talking the ‘untouchables here.. on the big team or in the minors).. then go for it.
First of all, the Kings are better than the Ducks. Other than that, I have to agree. The Habs should be even better two years from now (Galchenyuk, Beaulieu, Tinordi…) but there´s a chance to go all the way to the final this season.
With a lot of interesting prospects in this organisation and six picks in the first three rounds of the 2013 draft, making a trade for a (rental) player that can immediately help us absolutely makes sense.
Good point on the Kings. I believe that Montreal can go and get a forward like Ryane Clowe or Ryan Malone, as well as a defensive defenseman without sacrificing the future. These two pieces could help the team become deeper and stronger.
I think the Habs are in good position to build something that will last for years hence why I don’t want to see any of the Habs’ top prospects or top picks traded.
Maybe the Habs’ 2nd rounder could be traded for something they really need like a crease-clearing Dman, but even then the Habs have Tinordi who will hopefully fill that role in the future.
I don’t want to see Bergevin go all in and break the bank.
You can build for the future forever. When the stars align it’s time to go for it. Can’t always be gazing off into tomorrow. Sometimes the time is right now.
Full Breezer 4 Life
True, but the Habs pretty much just started recovering from trading away all those 2nd round picks (along with McDonagh and another 1st round pick). They don’t have an established farm system – the Bulldogs are full of rookies, a surefire sign that the building has just begun.
This year was all about establishing team chemistry, and improving for the future. As it stands, adding anyone to this roster bumps someone currently on the team out of place. The biggest need is a 3rd pairing big crease-clearing defender, and I could see the Habs acquiring one (but hopefully not giving away a 2nd round pick).
Another gritty forward would be great, but who will be replaced?
Future? The Habs are in 1st right now! They can beat ANYBODY. I’m talking about trading one 1st round pick and one little good prospect for a real shot right now, when the team is at the top of the NHL. That’s not mortgaging the future.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Assuming the playoff starts today and Montreal is on the top, i dont see how they can dominate the any of the other 7 teams in the playoffs. The only way i see this happening is with Price becoming exceptionally good.
All the other teams are good and assuming we run in to a hot Goalie… then we can loose to anyone.
But i do think we should get moderatly god rental player.. Morrrow/Clowe type.. and big d men could really increase the chances. but at end it all comes down to the price.
I do agree with Damphousse when he says that the window does not open very often at least the one that allows you to go all the way.
Problem is, the price to pay to reach it. I am sure that Bergevin had a long term plan and as he said when he was hired , he was going to take a long hard look at what he has got.
What to do now ? Who could have expected such performances from almost everyone on the team ?
I say we look long term even if it means taking the risk to miss the golden opportunity. We should not give away our draft choices for 2013 nor should we sacrifice any promissing youngsters in Hamilton. The farm club needs rebuilding and we now have a few promissing players but not that many.
But then again Bergevin can surprise us with an unexpected trade like Cole against Ryder and that may bring results. Bergevin has a totally different set of references being from the Chicago school of managing wich in my book makes it very unpredictable and exciting.
And there are a few veterans that may interest desperate clubs like Kaberle,Weber and who knows ? To get something interresting you have to give up on something interresting.
But if you were to ask me now,today, i would say do not touch that team and risk breaking the chemistry.
I agree. The team is on a roll because of the personnel they have now.
Bergevin needs to stay the course, keep his stock of draft picks more or less intact and keep the top prospects of the organization.
Can anyone remember a rental that made a Stanley Cup impact? Help me because I can’t…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Raymond Bourque to Colorado.
Yeah, a full season later.
If I am not mistaken, they didn’t win the cup when the got him at the deadline, he re-signed in the off season with the Avs and went on to winthe cup. So techincally not a rental.
Rob Ramage, 1993 Habs.
Butch Goring is the one whose name always comes up when this question is asked
Edit: But he wasn’t a rental, was he?
Klima. And there was one other great kid whose name I forgot. Think picked up by the Islanders.
Hey John dont know how my post ended up as a reply to yours… I was replying to the original question re players impacting Cup run. I think however you gave the name of the player I couldnt remember .. good stuff.
x100000000000
Chris Kelly to the Bruins.
Bill Guerin in 2009 with Pitt…
Time to sit and wait. A lot can happen in the next couple weeks. If the Habs winning ways continue, then it will be time to try to improve the D’s size and toughness. But, you know what? Pateryn has not been making a lot of mistakes. If he can gain a little confidence, he may start to do what he needs to do to stay.
http://calshabsongparodies.weebly.com
Habs are surprisingly good offensively this season. So any additions I think should focus on players who can bring talents that will help out on defense and pk. It’d be nice if the centers of this team could improve their faceoffs. I think we need a good defensive Dman to help with pk and 5-5 so that PK and Markov don’t have to play so many minutes. Diaz coming back will help but that leaves a 6th D spot and would you really be confident in a rotation of bouillon, kaberle or weber in that spot during the playoffs?
Think of the previous cup winners, and those that were close and made big moves in hopes of making a push. LA Kings did not make big moves to win. All they had to do was add key players that may be missing in Jeff Carter. Boston did not make any moves to win The Lord Stanley. Pittsburg tryed to go all the way with a big singing of Hossa. That didn’t work. So go all in in hopes of going all the way is stupid business, it’s Burke style.
So who does this large crease clearing Dman replace? I hope Habland is ready to sit Boullion
Clowe and Murray may be just what the team needs
Play-off Magic number down to 35 points. Habs on a 120 point full season pace.
Looking good!
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Edmonton up 6-5 with 12 minutes left over Chicago. Damn Oilers can’t do anything right.
Take it back. Yeah Oilers!
Is Kaberle on the trade block? Why hasn’t he played lately.
Who would want to acquire someone who look like he should have retired 10 years ago.
Habs play 1 game during the week and the Bruins play 3.
Crosby with 5 assists tonight. he’ll look good in a habs jersey after his pens contract’s up.
by the time his contract is up he’ll be walking with a walker…
WOW!
You must have forgotten about the extension he signed that essentially keeps him in Pittsburgh forever. Friggin’ Crosby.
In Canadiens website, the description of picture 25 of the 42 images include number 11 as Scott Gomez haha
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/l_fr/gallery.htm?id=34325
That is funny! Especially since Gallagher is so unlike Gomez.
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Complete opposite including the contract.
“refresh” button’s a gem 690! lol.
Turn off espn, period!
Boston is real deal so we won’t expect them to falter much if at all.
17 wins 690! c’mon!
Opening up some nice breathing space on 5th place in the standings. If they can’t hold onto first, it would be great to at least finish fourth for home ice advantage in the first round. Get through that first round and anything can happen with only 8 teams left.
Habs are #2 in the league having just moved ahead of the Ducks for the moment
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