After almost 48 scoreless minutes, Patrik Elias and Drew Doughty scored goals 62 seconds apart.
The game seemed headed for the third OT of the series when Adam Henrique converted a saucer pass from David Clarkson and beating Jonathan Quick on his blocker side.
So we’ll have hockey on June 9: Game 5 in Newark on Saturday night.
Much-maligned Ilya Kovalchuk added an empty-netter.
Three times the Kings have been up 3-0 in these playoffs.
Three times they’ve failed to seal the deal.
Credit the Devils: They didn’t roll over.
And they had a 43-33 hit advantage.
If they win back in Jersey …
Brian Gionta on Twitter: Yessssssss!! Still alive
• • •
Michel Therrien has sacked the Randys, Cunneyworth and Ladouceur. But not goaltending coach Pierre Groulx … at least not yet.
And the Canadiens have hired Martin Lapointe to work in player development.
Statement from Therrien:
“Following my appointment as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, I made the decision of bringing together a new coaching staff. Out of respect for Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur, I felt it was important that I notify them immediately in order for them to start looking for other opportunities without further delay. On behalf of the organization, I would like to thank both of them for their valuable contribution to the team and wish them the very best for the future.”
• Pre-game reading: Mike Spry’s brilliant takedown of HNIC
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May be old news here but Hartley did a Therrirn on Flames former ‘associate coach’. Just proves it’s the nature of the beast as much as it seems unfair to the Randys.
Holy crap…forget the trolling about Carbo…this is REAL NEWS!!!
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/341553.html
Somebody wake up Timo!!!
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Edit: I thought it was a report on Carbo.
That’s frightening if he’s the new D-coach. Can’t they wait till Robinson is available?
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
Is he going to help with player development because, Lord knows, the Canadiens sure could use someone to fill that position.
Um…ya.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
I thought Bill was that man…Timo is a MAB man.
But otherwise wow!! The Habs will benefit from that outlet pass training and the hair styling advise…priceless!
And when the fans start booing the Canadiens, Brisebois can call them out for being a “bunch of gutless bastards.”
Breeze was Timo’s first love…before MAB. You may recall the deep affection also expressed by “He-who-is-known-by-many-names” around here.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
That was nothing but “hair envy” in my opinion
Let’s leave Taylor Stevens alone for a minute, and engage in pure fantasy.
If the Canadiens draft Mikhail Grigorenko on June 22 and he is returned to the Remparts after training camp, and dominates the LHJMQ and destroys the opposition, is it a foregone conclusion that Patrick Roy is our next head coach, in a HFS72-predicted 18 month timeframe?
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
If it is true that Carbo has been offered an assistant coach position, I hope he does not accept it.
I dont recall Carbonneau having much input and influence as an assistant on their first go around.
I think it would be in Carbonneau’s best interest to opt to go to Hamilton and either replace the coach there or become the assistant ther eif he wishes to further his coaching skills and be ready to be a head coach in NHL again.
Carbo would have been a much more ‘valued’ and valuable assistant under a Roy head coach.
It isn’t true. New poster pulled it out of his ass, then laughed about the reaction he got. Commence shunning.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I hope it isn’t true.
I would think much much more of Bergevin if he veto’d this idea if it were true. A GM should not give a coach carte blanche on the hiring of his assistants if he foresees it as not being good for the sum product behind the bench.
Right now the HABS need a strong, intelligent, counter-balance as an asistant coach. And one who can communicate and streamline the coach’s message and intuitively key in on the players’ concerns.
We do not need a repeat of Pittsburgh where Therrien became an alienating figure.
And I would hope Carbonneau would be smart enough to have second thoughts before he just jumps on board.
Oh God Please No!Not Carbo too! Mike, Call Killer! He likes you and the Lads would love him! Just do it!
Doug ‘Killer’ Gilmour? True, the Habs use someone behind the bench with a killer instinct.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Hmmm…758.
Anyone know if little Jimmy had a relapse today?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Haven’t heard. Isn’t JB good friends of Jimmy’s family?
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Little Jimmy returned home last night, tripped on the front step and broke his collar bone. His puppy also has fleas.
His birthday’s tomorrow. If you could send him and his puppy a get-well/birthday card, he’d really appreciate it.
Little Jimmy said he hopes the Canadiens draft Gal… Gal….Gal…that American who’s Russian.
I have only one Shih Tzu and he’s too precious to part with now.
If I had a few more I’d give two Shih Tzus.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
It’s the thought that counts.
Jimmy wanted to know if you have a pic of Taylor Stevens. It’s for an essay, he says.
I have a personal one from about 6 years ago in Vegas. But please remember what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
What picture? Don’t know what you mean. Uh, er…hang on a sec…
– Be right there Mom, just cleaning my room
OK, gotta go JB, I’ll get back to ya…
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Someone tell R-Truth about this.
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GO HABS GO! Maybe 2012-13 will be our year!
“Scott Gomez is an elite NHL player” – VancouverHab
Chat with me on Twitter @TheRealRGM81
Katie Baker:
“A non-comprehensive list of recent personnel news, ranked in order from the worst to the best: The Oilers extended GM Steve Tambellini’s contract; the Capitals cut ties with Mike Knuble; the Canadiens (re)hired Michel Therrien as head coach, the Predators will look to trade the rights to Alexander Radulov; the Panthers extended the contract of GM Dale Tallon; the Penguins signed goaltender Tomas Vokoun; and the New York Giants re-inked head coach Tom Coughlin. OK, that last one isn’t hockey, but now I can’t stop thinking about how gloriously red his face would get inside a rink.”
———————————
In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Taiwan’s Next Media Animation’s take on the Stanley Cup Final:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=b9u0nfal5qA
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Carnage “Carbo behind the bench” Nice to see the reaction , could still happen.
Way to go if you’re angling for other posters to mostly ignore what you say.
You might feel more at home on tsn.ca, the badly punctuated ungrammatical one-sentence poorly thought-out bleat rules the roost there.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Katie Baker on last night’s game in ‘Cold Hearted’, her hockey column on Grantland:
“Anticipating victory, people were shelling out four figures for the worst seats in the house. Celebrities prepared to celebrate — the usual suspects like Matthew Perry and Alyssa Milano were in the stands, and Halle Berry’s baby daddy was randomly milling around right behind me in the press box. (I asked someone what he was doing there, and they just shrugged and said, “He’s French-Canadian.”)”
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8022073/the-kings-fail-close-devils-game-4-stanley-cup-finals
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
There’s a lot of hatred, anger, insults going back and forth on HI/O because (from what I understand) a poster said that he thought the 2012 Kings would beat the 1976 Habs….
Sorry, I have to agree with him…I mean, the ’76 Habs are probably what, 60-70 years old for the most part??? It wouldn’t be pretty…
Hmmm! A trolling psycho, what next
The ’76 Canadiens would kick the Kings’ asses. Bet on it.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Why possession is the most important ingredient in a winning team, and how this applies to the Habs’ future with Michel Therrien: http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2012/6/7/3068040/why-is-possession-important
______________________________
https://twitter.com/AndrewBerkshire
How nice of you to grace HIO with your presence Mr. Berkshire.
Hope married life is treating you well.
AHHH, the prodigal son returns
Just here pushing his blog.
Out of curiosity, why do you refer to the Corsi / Fenwick as indices of possession rather than indices of what they really are, namely(attempted) shot differential?
It might be the case that possession equals more shot attempts since you can only shoot when you have the puck, but it isn’t necessarily so.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Try this explanation, from his November 2011 explanation of shots, Fenwick and Corsi (paragraphs 2, 3 and 4).
Edit…helps to add the link I guess…
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2011/11/14/2555086/where-do-we-stand
I think that, yes, possession should equal more shots unless “score affect” comes in to play (a team with a large lead may not be inclined to shoot as much).
I’m a rube at this stuff but slowly gaining an understanding…after much questioning as well.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Having listened to MT’s undying support for JM’s style of hockey on countless episodes of L’antichambre I say God help us.
Taberwitt
My man Daly at minus 2. Let’s go Johnny Boy,Let “er Rip!
I’ve been thinking about the Therrien hiring quite a bit and have mentioned that I believe it was made with a rebuilding around youth in mind. With that said, if I were Marc Bergevin I would be doing the following.
First I would get Subban and Price locked up. Six years each at $5 million annually. If Price isn’t willing to sign for that amount of money. I would go as high as $6 million annually but no more.
Second, I would sit down with Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and Andrei Markov and explain that I’m rebuilding. That if they want a serious chance at a Stanley Cup sometime in the next two to three years that it will have to be with another team. I would ask them to waive their no trade clauses. The asking price for each of them would be a 1st round pick and a blue chip prospect(1st and Jurco from Detroit, 1st and Tarasenko from St. Louis, etc.). If they don’t show a willingness to waive I would make it very clear that Plekanec will be a 3rd line centre going forward, Markov will be a bottom pairing guy with extensive powerplay time and that Gionta will be a second or third line winger without the captaincy.
You can reasonably get three first round picks for those three guys and probably can’t get three blue chippers along with them. In Plekanec’s case you would but with Markov and Gionta it would be unlikely. So pencil in the three first rounders, a guy like Jurco and then two guys comparable to Karill Kabanov or Jeremy Morin.
You go into the draft with the following…..
Pacioretty – Desharnais – Cole
Bourque – Eller
Moen – Gomez – Leblanc
Gorges – Subban
Emelin – Diaz
St. Denis
Price
Budaj
You can fill the holes at forward and defense either internally with free agents like Campoli, Diaz, White, Geoffrion, Blunden, Darche, Nokelainen, and Staubitz and add projects through free agency.
Five first round picks in the next two years and five second round picks to go along with them. That is how you blueprint a rebuild. Premium picks and a lot of them. Price, Subban, Emelin, Desharnais, Eller and Pacioretty are still young enough that a two to three year rebuild won’t waste their best years. Time to do it now instead of three to five years down the road.
I think you’re giving too much to PK for only his second contract. I don’t know how MB feels about the LT deals (like the one Doughty signed) but I think it will be more of a 2-3 year deal at around $3 mill but one that keeps him a RFA (obviously depends on new CBA if that will continue to be the case).
Doughty has won an olympic gold medal and has been nominated for a Norris already, PK isn’t at his level.
Carey is also a RFA, but it’s his last non-UFA deal. So while I think people predicting him to get the same type of money as Rinne are wrong, he’ll get the 5 mill you’re suggesting. I wouldn’t hesitate signing Carey long-term either.
Chicago has a lot of long term deals. I doubt that Bergevin is opposed to the long term contracts but it’s certainly possible.
Keith and Hossa (UFA) only, and Keith had just come off his Norris season when he signed his (i believe) and was going to only sign a one year deal so he would be a UFA. Both Toews and Kane signed medium-term deals. It depends on the situation.
After last years fiasco only a prick would pencil in Gomez,lol
You are quite the wheeler dealer.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Checked out Columbus for Prospects to see if I could sense any particular needs. Not sure who has been running their drafting but they need help everywhere.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/teams/columbus_blue_jackets/
I think they’re fine at the centre position Frank. Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner are very promising. Michael Chaput had one hell of a Memorial Cup too so I think they’ll steer clear of the centre position. Great news for us if true.
Things aren’t as bad as they seem for the Jackets on the wings with Straka, Ambroz, Calvert and Atkinson.
They are absolutely bare on defense though. I can see them focusing the Nash return on defensemen to fill that gap, but at the end of the day I think they’re either going with Murray or Forsberg.
I think the Habs will have their choice between Galchenyuk and Grigorenko.
Columbus has been the worst drafting club in the entire NHL over the last decade. All those high picks and Rick Nash is pretty much the only one who is a top line player… (though jury is still out on a few guys).
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Atlanta was almost equally terrible under Don Wadell. Bogosian and Burmistrov being the only saving grace for them. But I believe Burmistrov was a Dudley pick.
yeah, trading Coburn for Zhitnik was another genius Waddell move.
I gave Atlanta an edge for landing both Kovalchuk and Heatley where Columbus only got Nash.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Regarding CP & PK regardless of what we offer them now, my concern is the length of their contracts. Do we go 5 years and if both become the players we hope they become their $$$ value will be huge as they will both be in their prime when their next contracts come around or do we go for a longer contract and prehaps have a Luongo (probably spealt wrong) problem.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Ha! Porn Star! Somebody last night was saying it was a tranny! You bastard ! I switched to my good scotch I was so upset!
Checked out her videos and good god!, that must be painful.
She looked a lot like the buxom babe that ran for Governor of California about six years ago.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Tried posting this twice already and it hasn’t come up, so I’ll try one last time without the link to TSN.
Jones resigned with the Avs, 4 million a year for 4 years. Wanted him here, but that’s an overpayment.
EDIT: Wow, apparently it was the link. Can I seriously not link to TSN anymore?
Here you go
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
This looks like a big deal. 80 lawsuits consolidated into one, alleging that the NFL knew about and hid the risks of head injury.
This is precisely what nailed the tobacco companies. They had data on nicotine and addiction going back to the 60s and not only hid it but denied the link well into the nineties.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/nfl-concussion-brain-trauma-lawsuit-players_n_1577497.html
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
The NHL should be sweating a little bit on this as well.
I am just wondering how long we can continue to go with allowing contact hockey and football for minors given the spate of lawsuits that are starting to pop up.
Hockey is a little safer in that they can introduce rules to make all head contact a major penalty, which would clean up the game awfully quick.
But how do you protect a running back or lineman in football? The banging of heads for the linemen are rarely enough to cause concussions, but the data is starting to mount that repeated lesser blows to the head can cause accumulative damage.
Malcolm Gladwell: “I was recently reading, by the way, about the work of a researcher at Virginia Tech named Stefan Duma who put electronic monitors in the helmets of 7- and 8-year-olds playing Pop Warner football. He found that those kids were routinely getting hits to the head in the 40 to 60 g range, with some even upwards of 80 gs. To put that in perspective, imagine that you put your son in the front seat of your car, told him not to wear a seat belt, and then smashed the car at 25 miles an hour into a brick wall, so that your son’s forehead hit the dashboard. That would be 100 g. Then you reverse and do it again, 30 to 40 times over the course of two hours, at speeds between 20 and 25 miles per hour. That’s a football game. If you reversed and did it again, 1,000 times, that would be a season. This is massively screwed up, Bill. Your son is 4½ years old. Is there any chance you’d let him play football?”
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8016432/view/full/watching-world-turn-upside-era-constant-information
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
For not the first time on this site, I find myself scratching my head in wonderment at People Unclear On The Concept.
Bergevin being dubbed ‘classless’ (a term I hate because it implies too much yet means nothing) for waiting until now to fire the Randys.
Doesn’t the Head Coach decide who will be his assistants? How stupid would Bergie have looked if he’d fired them, only to find that Therry wanted one or both of them back?
I personally think that Bergevin is an idiot because he hasn’t dispelled rumours that he isn’t running for Prime Minister. This club is going from bad to worst!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
It could be free poutine day at the Bell Center and people would complain about cholesterol, it is the norm in Habs fandom.
I’m afraid its become the all too norm in society, Shiram.
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WHEN? When’s free poutine day?
I don’t give one iota about cholesterol!
You know that Dr Recchi will be disappointed tsk tsk !!
Now there’s a Doc with a professional opinion we should take seriously!
Reposted from earlier today, in full support of your post:
Marc Bergevin couldn’t know if the head coach he would eventually hire would want to retain the Randys as assistants, so he kept them in the fold, in accordance with the contract they had signed. Once he hired Michel Therrien, the decision was made to axe them quickly, which gives them as much time as possible to find other opportunities.
Note that Geoff Molson and Serge Savard retained Larry Carrière and Trevor Timmins after letting Pierre Gauthier go, with the view that the new GM might feel comfortable working with them, which turned out to be the case.
This is an appropriate way of doing business. Front office shakeups are never easy, this one was handled relatively well, from the time that Pierre Gauthier was let go. This in no way compares to the Tom Renney situation in Edmonton, or the Tony Sparano case with the Dolphins last summer, where a team kind of wants to fire a coach but hangs on to them while it looks for a better option.
As far as the ‘classless’ label, we’re getting pretty touchy here at HIO, kneejerk response to pretty much everything the Canadiens do/did is classless this, classless that… In fact Geoff Molson is proving to be a very honourable, dignified owner, who has gone out of his way to rectify some of the mistakes of the past régime and to ensure they won’t happen again. We can be sure that the assistant coaches were treated with dignity in a difficult period.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
There are a few people here who contribute to the debate and there are others who have nothing better to do than display their ignorance in full light.
It’s not difficult to differentiate between the two.
so let me got this straight. If people agree with you they contribute to the debate and people like me who disagree with you on some topics are ignorant?
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Pretty much yeah, this coming from a guy who compared the 76 Habs to the 2012 Kings.
Look up misconstrue. You do it a lot. Like now.
Whether you were trolling, trying to be funny or actually meant what you said I’m not really sure but you made yourself look like an idiot in the process.
No. Disagree with me if you will and present an argument and I will respect you. Misconstrue my words or imply something I never said and you display your ignorance in full. Just like you did now.
People whining, moaning and groaning and leaving behind one sentence examples of idiocy do not make a debate.
In fact it is when people disagree with me that they contribute to the debate. However using ad hominem attacks or making statements like you just made add nothing.
You’re going to judge how much you respect someone by reading posts made by them over the internet? lmao
You’re taking his comments too personally.
I believe it was meant as a generalization, for those whose shoe size fits.
How about those posters who offer nothing more than comic relief?
It depends. Is it a laughing at you or a laughing with you moment.
Either or.
I like the laughing with you option. Unless it’s someone like nunununosense.
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
You mean like me?
There’s a bar on top of a really, really high building and it’s very windy outside, so it is swaying back and forth.
A guy walks into the bar and has some drinks and is there for a few hours.
Another guy comes and sits next to him.
The first guy who has been there for a while looks at the man and says to him, “You know that there is a nice breeze outside and if you jump out it will blow you right back in.”
The second guy doesn’t agree and tells him to prove it. So, the first guy jumps out the window and comes soaring right back in.
The second guy asks him to do it one more time. So, the first guy jumps out and the nice breeze takes him right back into the bar.
At this time the second guy is starting to believe him and decides he needs to try this. He then jumps out and falls down to his death.
The bartender turns to the first guy and says, “Superman, your an asshole when you’re drunk!!”
Buddumm – Ch….!!
*******************
Bring on zee Fembaahhts!!
If another team wanted the Randys’ services, they needed only ask Bergevin’s permission. This is what happens every time an assistant coach interviews for a position with another team. Bergevin made this option possible by immediately returning Cunny to assistant coach status. The dick move would have been keeping him as head coach until Therry was hired.
In fact, it was probably better for the Randys that they weren’t fired earlier. Would you rather hire (1) the guy your competition thinks is possibly worth keeping, or (2) the guy that was just fired?
This isn’t like Renney. No one would ask permission to talk to Renney until they knew whether he was staying in Edmonton. By that point, a few interview processes were well under way. During those processes, however, an inquiry could have been made at any point re: the Randys.
1) Trade Price to Edmonton for their #1 and #2 picks.
2) Trade that #2 pick plus our #2 pick (picks 31 and 33) to a team picking 16-20.
3) Draft Yakupov (#1), Murray (#3) and Subban (#18).
4) Reserve the parade route for June 2017.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
I like your strategy HFS72!
However, breaking in a new goalie like Subban will entail some significant growing pains.
Mike,Big Bird and Killer….Yeah,that’s the ticket! Hola!
Goggle Taylor Stevens, she was the one behind the Devils bench last night. Sadly, a Laffs fan…
Anyone got the name of the redhead in Phoenix?
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Lucy.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1212555-adult-film-star-taylor-stevens-distracts-devils-coach-at-stanley-cup
She makes Dolly Parton look anorexic.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
If a regular, average guy with a family and job and mortgage ever comes into a $100 000 windfall, his best bet is usually to invest it, pay down his mortgage, that kind of deal. The right move is never to go to Vegas and try to double it, even if you’re a dumbass and try it and are successful you still made the wrong decision.
The Canadiens are in a great position with the #3 spot, it’s our version of the windfall. They are guaranteed one of three elite forwards in either Nail Yakupov, Alex Galchenyuk or Mikhail Grigorenko. Filip Forsberg and Ryan Murray are good fallback options based on the scouting reports.
As such, there is no need for the Canadiens to trade up. The cost does not justify the potential gain. We don’t have a wealth of assets that we can spend in this manner. We have gone years without having a second round pick. The shelf is bare in Hamilton. We don’t have organizational depth, we can’t afford to squander assets on getting ‘our guy’ when we’re assured of a very high quality prospect as it is.
Also, this isn’t the same situation as 2010 with the Taylor-Tyler duo. If you had the #3 or 4 pick then, you might decide that either of those players was so much better than the player you might end up with instead in your own slot that trading up made sense. Not in our case, not with the putative Top 3 forwards.
We can also consider the option of trading down, to add assets, if Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk go 1-2 and we think we can snag Mikhail Grigorenko at #5 or 6. Trouble is, while there have been unflattering reports about the latter during the season, he didn’t fall all that far in the final rankings. He’s even ranked #2 by ISS, and #3 by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters. Some teams may have him lower than that, Craig Button certainly does, but you can’t bank on him being guaranteed to be there even at #5. Fallback options that were batted around mid-season such as Radek Faksa or Brendan Gaunce are clearly being seen as a notch or three below the top 3 forwards, so they shouldn’t be seriously considered and trading down shouldn’t be an option unless we get an offer that blows us away.
I’ve been impressed with the arguments that at the top end of the draft, it makes more sense to pick an elite forward than a defenceman. The stats which show that All-Star and scoring champion forwards come from the very top of the draft, whereas Norris Trophy winners can be found in the second round or later. So I do think we should take one of the Top 3 forwards, although if Trevor Timmins and his team think Ryan Murray is the next Scott Niedermayer, then I have to trust their work and expertise.
So again, we can sit tight on June 22, wait for our turn and pick the best available player.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I don’t think anyone can say it better. Well except for Tom and Commandant. Now let’s go golfing til the draft.
Crap, I spent all this time putting my thoughts together, meanwhile commandant and Tom Nickle grabbed the same subject, wrestled it to the ground and stuffed it in a trash barrel on the other side of the page break. Talk about being in the wrong room, or the wrong deck at a party.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I think we don’t have enough controversy… Habs should use their first round pick on a goalie.
That would be Malcom Subban I think, would be a polarizing choice I think.
Forget Carbo! One recycle is enough! Get Killer back there,Now you’re Talkin”Hola!
Les Canayens,That’s Hilarious! Thanks for that.Hola!
Boy, I’d be happy with any of Yakupov or Galchenyuk. Re Cunneyworth, the guy had a chance to change the system and maybe a little bit of the culture, but didn’t…. I wonder if that’s both reflective of him and of the rot at the top (ahem ahem the Ghost)..In any case, Bergevin did the CLASSY thing by moving him to assistant to give him time and some severance pay or whatever.
Dollar bet that Therrien won’t last two seasons. I hope he has success, but something tells me this squad may not buy into him ten years later either… (Wow time flies)
I’ve heard this “classy” argument floated a couple times, suggesting that Bergevin kept Randy as assistant for a while so Randy could keep collecting pay … but Randy had a contract and would’ve been paid regardless.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Thought the same thing, wouldn’t an Asst. Coach contract be identical to that of a Head Coach, ie. either you have a contract or you don’t.
However there was no reason for MB to have fired Cunney sooner, clearly his agent could have gauged if there was interest elsewhere. If indeed there was, there is no way Habs would have prevented him from moving on giving the circumstance.
Edit: In fact with MB moving him back to Asst. Coach after season ended that actually caused a pay cut for these past few weeks I would think. He must have been paid better as Head Coach than Asst. Coach.
He had a one-way contract for 2 years. They will still be paying him, JM, TP, RL and Gomez next year….and Kaberlazy….and Blehk. I mean Bourque.
their pay ends when the regular season ends.
I see there’s ongoing debate regarding whether or not to use a first round pick on a defenseman or a forward.
With the defensemen that this team has in place, drafting one on the 22nd would be a critical mistake. For a few reasons.
First, the only forward to be selected in the top 3 since the lockout who could be considered near bust level is Kyle Turris. But he’s currently the second line centre for the Sens and went close to .5 ppg with them after having been traded there.
Second. Beaulieu, Tinordi, Ellis, Subban, Gorges, Emelin. And if one of those guys doesn’t work out the team still has promising talent in Dietz, Bennett, Pateryn, Didier, St. Denis and yes even Diaz. Taking a defenseman with a premium pick like this not only runs counter intuitive to Trevor Timmins’ draft philosophy but would spit in the face of the organizational weakness this team has.
In my opinion. Taking one of the first three forwards in the NHL draft since the lockout is no more of a risk than taking the top rated defenseman. Yakupov, Galchenyuk and Grigorenko. Rank them in that order and take the highest one available when it’s time to make your pick.
Tom you and I agree on this 100%, both in the philosophy and the top 3, but you probably already knew that.
My gut feeling though is that if Yak – Gally go 1-2 on draft day Timmins will like Forsberg over Grigorenko. I’m a little worried about Forsberg’s offensive numbers, but I don’t think NHL scouts are, I just don’t get that impression.
Either way though TT has earned the benefit of the doubt with me so I’ll support who he takes, whether it be one of those two or someone else. I learned too much after being pissed at the Price pick.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
I suspect that the Bergevin and Roy meeting in Miami had as much to do with Grigorenko as it did the coaching vacancy.
Roy for me wasn’t a serious candidate regardless of whether or not he’s qualified. There was no way that Bergevin was going to hire somebody that would lead to him falling on the axe first. Roy’s a guy, through no fault of his own that would have made that reality at some point.
Question? If Yak and Gally are both gone at 3, does the new regime draft the best available player (Murray) and then look to get back in the First Round by dangling Beaulieu to a team drafting anywhere from 5 to 15?
Murray could be an upgrade to Nathan and they could still grab a Decent forward with size depending on the board (Faska?)
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“I need players who hate to lose!”
You’re downgrading at both positions by doing that.
Beaulieu is more proven than Ryan Murray is right now regardless of potential. Your trade and selection process boils down to this.
Trading Beaulieu for Radek Faksa
Trading Grigorenko for Murray.
Who do you think wins that deal outright?
Good Call. Just thinking about the potential to upgrade at D since Murray seemed to have had more faith placed in him by the staff at the WJC this past year. Love Beaulieu though, would hate to see him flourish somewhere else.
Of note: I’m in the Gally camp… really hoping MB finds a way to bring him to Montreal.
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“I need players who hate to lose!”
Draft a forward, if not, then trade down, but don’t trade down.
While I understand what you are saying, drafting by immediate need over choosing the best player available can be risky. You could potentially lose out on a future Norris trophy winner and end up with a 3rd line center.
Murray is no more of a sure thing to be a Norris candidate than Subban, Beaulieu or Tinordi.
This team is in dire need of a dynamic threat offensively. Alliteration aside, the team can’t afford to let an elite offensive talent slip through their fingers with a premium pick. It’s worth the risk regardless of the consequences.
No one knows how Murray or any other prospect will turn out, unless it is slam dunk like Crosby. But that is where the risk lies, if Murray turns out to be the next Niedermayer, and either Galchenyuk and Grigorenko turn out to be 50-60 point guy in their respective careers, I am not so sure that it is worth the risk. Also, just to be clear, this is not a prediction of any sort, I am just trying to make a point. The best player available could be Galchenyuk or Grigorenko by the time the Habs pick.
But in my opinion this is the problem with your logic. History has shown that the top three forwards taken in the draft are a better bet to work out than the top rated defenseman. So right off the hop it’s a stretch to consider Murray “safer” than Grigorenko, Galchenyuk or Forsberg.
Second, going from 2006-2009, forwards selected in the top 3 include Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews(Erik Johnson), Patrick Kane, James Van Riemsdyk, Kyle Turris(Thomas Hickey), Steven Stamkos(Drew Doughty), John Tavares, Matt Duchene(Victor Hedman).
I put the first defenseman taken in each of those drafts in brackets following the forwards taken.
The most recent drafts feature Hall, Seguin and Gudbransson followed by Nugent-Hopkins, Landeskog and Larsson.
Which path do you feel is safer?
I agree with your perspective, Tom. We’re in dire straights for elite power forwards, and I think now is the team’s opportunity. And whether it be 2nd or 3rd choice, I would pick Grigorenko.
He’s had some bad luck lately, but from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll surpass Max as our #1 power forward.
I still say trade the #3 pick and Gomez for a proven power forward who has a signed contract for at least 2 years.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
I expect Yakupov, Grigorenko and Galchenyuk to become much more than 60 point a year players.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
I agree with you on this 100%….not so much on the Roy thing, but hey, we’re getting there!
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
Agree, though people are saying Forsberg is a safer pick than Grigorenko. Why is that? I mean, with Grig, at least he has experience playing the North American game, so I see less of a transition period. What do you think?
Many think that Grigorenko is as ready as Murray to play in the NHL. I disagree with that but still feel that Grigorenko presents a better reward to the franchise than Murray, by a country mile.
Yeah, I actually think Timmins/Gauthier have made this year’s decision easier by how they drafted in 2011, when it was mainly about defense. We need elite or near elite offense, and have for quite some time now. Murray may be the next Paul Coffey, but still, drafting a forward is to me a no brainer.
By the way, we can give Gauthier a little credit. Yes, he was a drip and not the right GM going forward, yes I’m glad he was replaced. However, no one can accuse him of leaving the cupboard bare in favor of short-sighted moves. Drafting was generally strong during his tenure, and so was trading and accumulation of decent prospects. Thanks to him, we now have guys like Eller, as well as Bournival and Holland in the system, and now some pretty high picks for guys like Gill & AK … Could be a lot worse.
If you think of buiding from the net out, the Habs are about as well positioned for future growth in the mid-to long term as any team I can think of. For that reason, the way to go now is offensive skill.
Habs need more offensive talent. If the Habs choose Grigorenko or Galchenyuk it’s a win.
Draft day will provide many opportunities for trading, so we’ll see what goes on. As long as the Habs do not trade down, all will be well.
No way I think the Habs should take anything but a forward. My preference is Grigorenko for the reason you mentioned as well as our lack of big Centres as opposed to wingers.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
To change the subject quickly (not that I don’t love the ones going)…..how much interest would there be in a Mini-Summit in Ottawa? My feeling is that there are more posters than just me who are typing from here, and Montreal is not that far anyway. Tickets would be easier to come by and a little less expensive. As I did 2 years ago, I would reserve at a pub where they would also have a shuttle bus going to and from the game.
Anyone?
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
No offense Paul, but if a group wanted to do a second summit game and not in Montreal, my vote would be Florida or Tampa in the heart of winter. Yah a few more shekels but that would be my vote. However, I am always open for road trips.
Fair enough Burly. I actually had one a couple years ago in Ottawa with an ok turnout, but I was just checking. I’ll bring it up again when the schedule is out.
The big difference between Ottawa and Florida is cost, but I know what you mean.
For starters I have to win my seat back for the Montreal Summit anyway
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
He Paul, If you were to do another get-together in Ottawa, I’d definitely be in for it. Last time was a lot of fun!
Now as for what HIB is suggesting… that would be a ton of fun, too. Hab fans always outnumber the locals at the games in the Sunshine State. I say we do both.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Will there be a B.C. leg of the Florida road trip?
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
“Jamison is having trouble raising the money to make the $170 million purchase because investors believe that even with a $15 million a year taxpayer subsidy over the course of the new lease the Coyotes will have difficulty turning a profit. The Coyotes, bought by the NHL while in bankruptcy in 2009 for $140 million, have been losing money even though they have been getting a $25 million a year subsidy from Glendale.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2012/06/06/jamison-still-trying-to-raise-money-to-purchase-coyotes/
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I posted about this morning, will the saga ever end?
And with a possible lockout, shortened season looming, it can’t help their revenue.
Bettman is doing everything he can to keep the team in Arizona, the minute that team moves Jerry Moyes has a lawsuit ready for the league which would not allow him to move the team in bankruptcy. I think the result of such a court case could have huge implications on the leagues current “Territorial Rights”
How many Player Development people do we have/need?
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“Can we lose the parade float?…..Thank you!”
-This Old House, GMC commercial-
Grigorenko set to meet with the Habs.
http://fr-ca.actualites.yahoo.com/lnh-canadien-grigorenko-en-visite-184614263–spt.html
Has anyone read the D’Arcy Jenish book on the Canadiens?
If so, would you recommend it?
Loved Dick Irvin’s The Habs.
Taking that as a No!
I did! I got it as a gift around the time of the Centennial. I thought it was really cool. He takes you on a history trip of the franchise, and at that time I didn’t really know that much about the “ancient” past of the team (circa 1900′s- 50′s) If you can find it, I’d say definitely add it to the collection.
So talks have started between Bergevin and PK/Carey for contract. I think a bigger task than hiring the coach.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/06/07/montreal_canadiens_pk_subban_carey_price_nhl_contract_free_agenc/
Nice that they are doing this early. I was a BG supporter, but that policy of not talking to playersuntil basically the last minute was one of the things I was not impressed with.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
Agree, would drive me nuts when other teams lock up their young players prior to contract expiry. Although if I recall correctly the Habs did sign a couple contracts with players during last season.
Gorges was the only one, I think.
Ian Cobb, are you taking your HIO Summit Summer BBQ on the road? If the shills at TSN can do it with their Krapp Summer Tour, then surely you can as well?
HabitantinSurrey is volunteering to host the BC stop. VancouverHab will bring jocular humour and unconventional takes to the party, between long pulls on his beverage. The Dude will, uh, well, be The Dude. I’ll come down from Whistler and mooch, as any snowboard rat would be expected to.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
But Roy was not hired, perhaps this road trip will occur in 18 months when Roy replaces Therrien? (of course we would then have to bring umbrellas given the time of year that will be)
Roy Announcement Party, HIO Summit Summer BBQ, two different things. Two separate occasions to party. Apples and oranges. Don’t understand why you’re being obstructionist about this.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Okay, I knew I should have thrown that smiley face in with my post. I say my comment in jest, because Christopher and I were the ones to half bake (some pun intended) the idea of party in B.C. based on the Habs hiring Roy. Sorry Normand, wasn’t trying to rain(complete pun intended) on any parade.
I said my comment compeltely in jest too, HiB, I thought it would be over the top enough for that to come through. Any excuse to have a party and pee in someone else’s rosebushes. I will never, never resort to a smiley face though.
I think we’ve built up enough good will over the last year that we’ll never take offence with each other, right?
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Carbo back behind the bench
SWEET!
That is a bad idea. I thing that there are some players that were not thrilled with Carbo, and they won’t be comfortable with him back there behind them.
On the bright side, perhaps he can learn to communicate during his time in a lesser role.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
I think this is actually a really good thing to come out of this terrible Therrien business. I actually think Carbo will be great in this role, if true.
Is that official??
i thought it was, got excited, but cant find anything, d’oh!
It’s not, nothing on TSN or RDS about it.
Is this true, or are you saying you hope it happens, not trying to be ignorant, but just got back in front of computer and have not heard this.
I did a quick news search on Google and didn’t come up with anything.
We should also consider the source. Who is this Don Carnage? He doesn’t have the credibility of a nuna or Mikey.
———————————
In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Nor did I, i even surfed the french language usual suspects and got nothing. Perhaps Don Carnage has decided to lay carnage all over this site!
Source? What’s next Tremblay?
Marinaro was saying this morning that he had been offered an Assistant job. No idea if he s going to be accepting it.
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Me skull and crossbones arn’t the only thing I plan on raisin’ tonight.
Does that mean that Carbo is the defacto successor in waiting if(when)Therrien gets the boot?
IF the habs want Nail Yakupov – i think were going to have to give up a guy like Lars Eller, pospect, and trade our 3rd pick first rounder.. for the 1st pick
Carey Price #31
3 guys to move up 2 spots? give me forsberg
Same here.
IF you were GM how much would you offer them?
Price, Subban
Carey Price #31
Price $7 mill
Subban $4.5 mill
The offer might be different but that’s around where they will settle, I believe.
Price is nowhere near a 7 million dollar goalie.That type of coin should be reserved for the top few elite goalies in the game. Price hasn’t done anything to warrant being one of the top paid goalies in the league. 4.5 is the upper limit for Subban in my opinion. 3.75 for a three year deal sounds about market value.
You give Price the $7 million. Take out a bank loan if you have to.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Do you think Soobie will ever be as good or better than Drew Doughty ?
Habs, OLE !
I think so, he actually can be better
Carey Price #31
I think Drew Doughty is Price’s twin, with a beard. but ya, Subban has all the tools to be as good as or better than Doughty, just needs to use his head a little better, stop trying big hits when your last man back, you know, stuff like that.
Price : 8 /7 /6 /5 /3
Subban : 5 /4 /3.5
you actually think Price is worth that much. maybe Price should be worth –
3/3/3/5/5 – 19.5 Million 5 years
Carey Price #31
I definately think he will get alot more than 3.8 per, at that salary, he’d get offer sheets!
6 for Price
4 for Subban
As I understand it, the Canadiens, at last count, have three people involved with player development. Have they given any thought to hiring someone to be in charge of coach development?
nice one. Since we’re pigeonholed into French only candidates we might as well develop them.
Re: Ryan Murray, here are the top drafted (ranked?) D-men of recent years.
2007: Thomas Hickey #4
2006: Erik Johnson #1
2005: Jack Johnson #3
2004: Cam Barker
2003: Ryan Suter #7
2002: Jay Bouwmeester #3
2001: Mike Komisarek #7
2000: Rostislav Klesla #4
1999: Branislav Mezei #10
The point is that it is much harder to predict who will become a future all-star d-man than it is with a scoring forward.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
a full 6 months before he needs to suit up with and against NHL players, Murray was already playing a full shift very effectively at the World Championships.
6 months of physical development and mental preparation later, in October 2012, this kid will be playing 14-17 minutes in the NHL.
By January he could be at 20 minutes consistently.
His game is simple, he plays positional hockey and skates at an elite NHL level.
He is as sure as sure can be.
He didn’t earn a spot on that team, he wasn’t good, and the team sucked.
“I’m not opposed to trading Plekanec and/or Markov”
- Sean Bonjovi
Ha! Good one! By January you might want to edit that post.
Edmonton’s brain trust ran that team like personal evaluation camp.
A good way to compare future stars amongst forwards is to look at the season they put up in the year prior to their draft year. Not many CHL players get to play heavy minutes at 16 years old, and only some of those that do can put up big offensive numbers.
Look at some of the recent top draft picks in recent years:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 67 GP, 24 G, 65 PTS, 28 PIM
Taylor Hall: 63 GP, 38 G, 90 PTS, 60 PIM
Steven Stamkos: 63 GP, 42 G, 92 PTS, 56 PIM
Bobby Ryan: 65 GP, 22 G, 39 PTS, 52 PIM
Tyler Seguin: 61 GP, 21 G, 67 PTS, 28 PIM
Matt Duchene: 64 GP, 30 G, 50 PTS, 22 PIM
John Tavares: 59 GP, 40 G, 118 PTS, 69 PIM (his season before that was even better!)
Jeff Skinner: 63 GP, 27 G, 51 PTS, 34 PIM
Eric Staal: 56 GP, 23 G, 62 PTS, 40 PIM
Jeff Carter: 63 GP, 18 G, 35 PTS, 12 PIM
Dustin Brown: 63 GP, 41 G, 73 PTS, 56 PIM
Ryan Getzlaf: 63 GP, 9 G, 18 PTS, 34 PIM
Mike Richards: 65 GP, 20 G, 58 PTS, 52 PIM
Corey Perry: 60 GP, 28 G, 59 PTS, 56 PIM
Sidney Crosby: 59 GP, 54 G, 135 PTS, 74 PIM
Claude Giroux: played Junior A, one step below CHL
Now we throw in the performances of Yakupov and Galchenyuk:
Nail Yakupov: 65 GP, 49 G, 101 PTS, 71 PIM
Alex Galchenyuk: 68 GP, 38 G, 83 PTS, 52 PIM
Yakupov is absolutely the real deal. His performance at a young age (and notably without the presence of a strong team) was superstar-level. He’s right there with Stamkos, Hall and Tavares.
Galchenyuk is also an outstanding talent, comparable to Seguin and Brown in terms of his performance.
I would be happy with either guy, but I would be over the moon if Montreal could find a way to land Yakupov, who I think is one of those star-level players that don’t come along all that often. The fact that he plays a position where the Habs have a desperate need (goal-scoring winger) makes him that much more desirable.
Ryan Getzlaf: 63 GP, 9 G, 18 PTS, 34 PIM
Are you sure these numbers are correct? He was drafted in 2003, therefor his draft year should be 2002-03, Calgary WHL 70 29 39 68 .
The year that is posted for these players is the year before their draft year. That wasn’t as clear as it should have been in my first paragraph above, which I’ve now edited.
Thanks for the catch…hopefully this will minimize confusion!
MLSE fires another coach… this time Aron Winter at TFC.
You think their issue is something more than just coaching, when it runs through all the teams they own.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
That was pretty much a given…TFC was a disaster this season. They held so much promise after their Champion’s League run, but the team just couldn’t do anything in league play.
Hopefully the next guy can continue to build on the base that they’ve been building. TFC have some good young Canadian players that they’ve developed, and with Vancouver and Montreal now in the league it would be great for Canadian soccer if the MLS teams can continue to develop talented Canadian players for the national team.
A country as large and wealthy as Canada and with so many young kids playing soccer shouldn’t be so pitiful when it comes to its national team performance.
The Impact are looking good also!
They have a chance of making the playoffs there first year!
Go Impact!!!
Does the new coach have to speak English?
New Jersey Devil’s coach Peter Deboer split second peek at something behind his bench from last night’s game.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1169740/pervin.gif
Must’ve been cold at the rink!
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
OK, so I wasn’t losing my mind – hubby points that one out but there was another one behind Sutter – a guy in a blonde afro wig, a halter top and two balloons or something similar. Every time I’d catch a glimpse of the guy, the camera would cut away. Must be an inside joke or something.
“I would not be surprised to see a couple months go down,” Linden told the Vancouver radio station. “When you talk about ownership, especially in the States, they look at October and November as just dead – really tough months for them. They’re dealing with Major League Baseball, the World Series, the NFL, so their season starts in December and works through January, February, March. So if they’re going to miss anything, they want to miss those months.”
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397809
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Not november… I need my Summit!
Maybe the Canadian teams could start the season on time, and those money-sucking American franchises could get things going a couple of month later.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Isn’t it odd that Linden has the perception that US owners actually think that the baseball ( the planet’s most boring sport) playoffs empty their hockey arenas? If that is their argument, they should not play while MLB, the NFL and the NBA are in season. In other words, they shouldn’t have teams.
Or a league for that matter.
I don’t think it is odd at all.
I share your opinion of baseball, but the reality is that it is one of the most popular sports in the U.S.
The argument isn’t that the NHL can’t thrive while competing with one or two other sports. But October is a pretty insane time for American sports fans:
1) the League Championship and World Series are played
2) the NFL is usually a month into its season
3) the NBA starts in the latter part of the month.
4) NCAA football runs through the fall
5) NASCAR’s Chase for the Championship runs through October and November
There is five major competitors for limited entertainment dollars in the month of November. I don’t understand the allure of NASCAR, but I can’t deny that it is very popular in the southern U.S. The NHL’s exposure is completely off the radar in the fall in the United States, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the more marginal franchises don’t suffer attendance woes at that time of year as well only to see things pick up as the docket becomes a little less crowded from January through April.
Owners have a tendency, and that is to cry “poor.” The fact they are billionaires makes it all sound so air-headed and shallow.
If the NHL’s US teams were so bady off, the schedule would have been changed a long time ago. I am for a 4th week of September start so the playoffs are done by the end of May. That will require one shorter off-season and will be better than arena sports in 35°C conditions. (It’ll only be around 30°C-).
I think it’s more of a matter of when strategically is it best for the owners to lock out the players. The owners, greedy robber barons that they are, can better afford to lose early season games in U.S. markets, as long as they have a reasonable regular season and normal playoffs. Kind of like, oh, maybe what the NBA did this year? I don’t think Trevor Linden is off-track at all, it’s a pretty compelling observation.
You’ll remember that players, when they used to strike, would sometimes avoid doing so in the early season, but go on strike mid-season to threaten the lucrative playoffs. It’s normal that parties choose the best time to strike or lockout the other.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
This helps explain why the refs interfere in the games so much early in the year and never make those horrendous calls against southern US teams that play Canadian teams in pivotal games. These southern teams need to be around late in the year to make some money which lowers the amount of cash the northern teams have to ship to them to keep them floating. Remember: Dallas and their cup winning goal; Calgary and their “none goal” against Tampa in game six; how about Williams taking half of Koivus’ eye out on a pivotal call that lead the way for Carolina to get to the finals.
Anything to strengthen the southern fan base.
How’s that for a conspiracy theory?
GO HABS…
Hey there tout le monde,
I have to giggle at everyone grasping any opportunity to condemn the new GM. It’s absolutely classic. Well done everyone!
Did anyone really think that either assistant would stay on? Honestly?
It was always pretty clear that Therry would choose his assistants himself, which is consistent with the idea of having a change of attitude in the team in general. Gainey tried to do that years ago by changing the players, but the issue was only partly the players, as we found out.
When Gill, Cammy, et al came in, there was no clear idea for the team, as Gill pointed out in his recent interview. The players made the team’s identity themselves, and drove each other forward. Not the most effective way of doing things, really, especially considering that once you trade the players away, there is nothing left of the identity that’s been built.
This time round, the management is getting an overhaul, and will hopefully have the time to plot a path for the team, and have a consistent overall vision for the Habs as a whole.
Things seem to be going swimmingly.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Love The Killer! Looks like that future Hall Of Famer likes Mike. I wonder if Mike would steal him away from my Frontenacs? Hmmm….Just wonderin”
An article on Peyton Manning and how he drives/forces his teammates to be better. The Denver sportswriter compares him to Michael Jordan and Patrick Roy in this regard.
http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_20791234/mark-kiszla-manning-throws-out-broncos-comfort-zone
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Anyone have a list of Franco players of Russian descent who the Habs can sign?lol
too late, they passed on Bykov
So Marinaro is saying Carbo has been offered an Assistant job.
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Me skull and crossbones arn’t the only thing I plan on raisin’ tonight.
Heh awesome…..
Can Jacques Martin be far behind for the other assistant position?
I think their goal, I really start to believe their goal is to build the worst coaching staff in the league, and they’re doing such a great job.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
funny
+1
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“I need players who hate to lose!”
At the draft, the first 50 players, most scouts don’t argue about. Their lists are set and they pick whoever comes up next. The fighting starts among the scouts after the 2nd round and Timmins makes those final decisions.
If you’ve watched Oil Change, or the TV show the Sens did about the draft last year, or read Gare Joyce’s book or done any of that.. .this isn’t how it happens at all.
Sometime before the draft all of montreal’s scouts will meet for a few days and Timmins will compile a master list…. approximately 120-150 names.
The scouts will argue the placement of nearly every name on that list from 1 – 120 or 150 or whatever they decide.
Some guys that other teams take in the third round won’t even be on our list at all. Some guys we’ll have a 3rd or 4th round grade on will be available in the 6th and 7th rounds… after the first 50 or so the lists differ so much that you don’t need 210 names to still have someone available in the 7th round.
The team will assemble the list in advance because there is no time to argue on draft day… after the first round (done for TV) the 2nd-7th rounds have very short windows between picks. There is no time to argue at your draft table. The list is the list, and might only change if the team decides to go need over BPA on some picks due to how early picks have played out….but sometimes they won’t even do that.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Agree. There is more agreement at the very top of the draft. By the time you hit the middle of the first round, players tend to be bunched up and you can see players move ten to twenty slots based on their prospect ranking.
This is common in the NFL as well, although not to the same degree, since they are drafting players who are two to four years older, and therefore are done growing. What you see is what you get, generally.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Definitely more agreement about who those 50 names are. Not necessarily agreement on where to place them.
Ryan Murray could be anywhere from #1 to #8 depending on the team, or the scout.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
It would be interesting to do a statistical analysis, where do players end up getting drafted compared to the prospect rankings, and see how much divergence is in the top half of the first round, the second half, the second round, etc. Even more so would be to see how team lists diverge from each other in these parameters. These lists are pretty closely guarded secrets, but maybe a guy like Bob McKenzie, who everyone seems to trust, even with that kind of info, could be the person to pull it off. It would be easy enough to transcribe the lists into anonymous spreadsheets after the draft and then have a look.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I love Gill but he doesn’t fit this team anymore. I’d love to bring him as an assistant coach someday, but he’s not what we need right now.
We have plenty of depth D for the bottom pair, we need a true 20+ minute top 4 guy.
Go Habs Go!
Plastic bags now banned in Toronto.
Perpetual losing hockey teams still legal,however.
So what I can get arrested for having a plastic bag, or is it just a fine??
I would imagine its a fine if your a shop and you are handing out ssingle use shopping bags… good on Toronto for being a step ahead with this issue
Go Habs Go
They wanted to get rid of the nickel fee for plastic bags, and ended up banning them altogether.
They even ban compostable, biodegradable or photodegradable bags.
I almost always have reusable bags, or a messenger bag to carry stuff around, but when I don’t I want the store I’m in to be able to help me out.
Anyways, this is not in MTL, yet…
.
So, If I am out and buy stuff on impulse and didn’t bring a bag with me? I have to buy one or are we tree killing?
What about plastic Garbage bags? Do they count?
From what I understand you could not buy a plastic bag, but you could buy a tissue bag.
The police will beat you very lightly for a little while.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Paper bags worn over the head still acceptable.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
lol
More paper bags for Leafs fans.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
2 min too late.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Shouldn’t it matter what is in the bag?
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Sign Loïk Poudrier. Spirited player, dangerous shorthhanded. On a line with Eller and Leblanc?
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
you want a line of Loik, Lars and Louie…
The L line. Sounds good.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Day 3. Nope… still not feeling any better.
A little extra bran in your diet would help?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
throw in some prunes even better.
Does this help?
Nice work
“Like Canadian Hip hop..check us out http://www.groovecontrolmusic.com“
I know right? Seamless.
You could teach Boone a thing or two.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
I could have sworn it was real.
It was funny
“Like Canadian Hip hop..check us out http://www.groovecontrolmusic.com“
Bergevin looks fake.
Hehe… nice.
Perhaps it’s time to seek counselling for your depression.
Just make sure the professional who’s guiding you isn’t a Leafs fan..because he/she is liable to be more depressed than you!
Another good column by Roy McGregor, evaluating the responsibility GM’s have to ‘rescue’ hockey during meetings this summer.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/heres-hoping-general-managers-can-rescue-hockey/article4237471/
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Yup, McGregor nails it again.
This year’s playoffs have stunk and been boring as hell after the 1st round no-holds-barred nonsense. NHL hockey definitely needs rescuing- it’s been the worst playoffs I’ve seen in 46 years of watching.
The Bruins went out in round one. By definition it can’t be the worst playoffs in 46 years.
Worst hockey I will grant you.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
I was so pleased when they lost, I have no words to express it. Maybe I do, after all.
I was pleased too, but it’s kind of hollow, because of The Troubles of 2011.
———————————
In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
The owners’ goal is not “hockey” it’s profits.
Thus the loser point, the biased reffing, the lack of suspensions for head shots, the attempt to even the playing field by lessening the role of talent.
And of course turning the game into football on skates, a physical contest and nothing else (because hockey lacks the forward pass).
It’s like what happened to Hollywood. Once the studios were run by lawyers and accountants instead of visionaries, the movies started to suck.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Can we get a new thread please? Boone’s creepy picture/video (no offense Boone) isn’t formatting right on my phone so the picture is huge and taking up 5 comment sections. Lol
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
The picture of Therrien in the track suit freaked me out more.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Regarding Columbus and Russians, Galchenyuk is not only not Russian, he’s a mid-westerner, Wis-cahn-sin born and bred.
I just don’t see the Russian factor applying to him.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
I think all of us know that, but when the average Columbus fan reads the name Galchenyuk and listens to his voice, do you think he will remind them of a kid from Wisconsin who was never allowed to use Margarine on his bread?
I think we are hoping that Columbus doesnt figure that out. Wishful thinking I suppose. I think Id take Murray with the 3 if nail to Oilers but I might be in the minority as Forsberg seems to be the popular alternative.
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Murray would be the best player available pick, but I’d rather take a risk and fill a need with Forsberg or Grigorenko.
What exactly is “the Russian factor”?
Many people, including their ex-GM, claim Columbus are reluctant to pick Russian players because of Filatov and Zherdev.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
So, is “the Russian factor” synonymous with “the francophone factor”?
Same idea I guess.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
I would thijnk that the “Russian Factor” is really the KHL factor or maybe the hometown factor. A Russian player would be tempted to sign with the KHL team (or maybe he is supposed to have some type of inherent loyalty to the KHL) because it is their “home” league rather than the NHL which is a “foreign” league
Ever heard him talk. That’s got to be a Russian accent. Where did he grow up.
Europe. His dad played in European leagues and moved back to USA when Galchenyuk was 14 or 15 (i think)
He’s grown up all over the place.
He was in the U.S. until he was about 3, but his parents spoke Russian at home and that is his native tongue.
His dad then spent the bulk of the next 4 years playing in Italy, and Alex Galchenyuk’s second language is actually Italian.
After that, they moved back to Russia, as his father finished his career in St. Petersburg and they stayed there for about 7 years or so before moving to North America so Alex could play a year in the U.S. as a 15 year old before getting drafted into the OHL.
His English was pretty spotty when he came back to the U.S., but it is fine now.
Most kids that are trilingual at his age would have no problem picking up French if they wanted to as well, so that is a bonus for the Habs if they draft him!
actually if you watch Galchenyuk’s combine interview, he can’t speak Italian, even though he says he can. Someone asks him to say something relatively simple and he even said “you caught me”. I think he knows a few words here and there, but i can say a few words in spanish, doesn’t mean i can speak it.
The bleeding heart treatment for Randy Cunneyworth while admirable isn’t necessary in my opinion.
He took a head coaching job in Hamilton knowing that it would be a talent starved roster. And took the job to increase his chances of becoming a head coach.
When Jacques Martin was fired and he was named the interim coach and accepted that post he had to know at that point that there was no chance he would be staying on beyond the conclusion of the season. If he didn’t understand this, he’s a fool.
Molson apologized. Did that undermine Cunneyworth? Yes it did. But how is that any different than Gauthier firing Perry Pearn and taking Martin’s right hand man from him? How is it any different than Doug Wilson cleansing the Sharks of their assistants this off-season? Brian Burke left Ron Wilson with AHL quality goaltending for three years and then fired him when it got ugly.
Coaches are put in far less desirable circumstances than Cunneyworth was. He had an opportunity to change the culture of the team himself. It isn’t as if Gauthier could have fired him too. His position was that if he succeeded he would’ve been highly sought after, but he CHOSE to be a puppet, and failed as a result.
That’s on him and he isn’t deserving of your sympathy.
Exactly.
I would have some sympathy for him if he’d seized the opportunity.
And what about Tom Renney in Edmonton – fired for carrying out the agreed upon strategy.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Cunneyworth didn’t get the job done, plain and simple.
The team didn’t win.
Even if he spoke French, he’d still be gone today.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Well, I agreed with you up until that last sentence.
Michel Therrien was allowed to continue into his second season in Montreal despite posting a 14-29-8 record in 51 games after taking over for Alain Vigneault.
Compare that to the 18-23-9 record that Cunneyworth put up in 60 games and Cunneyworth doesn’t look so bad in comparison.
I agree, Tom. I think Cunneyworth knew full well (or should have) that his tenure was done at the end of the season. That Bergevin gave him a month or so to collect cheques and seek work was simply a courtesy, not “keeping him hanging.”
Doug Gilmour on Therrien’s hiring. I loved Dougie as a Hab and never knew he was such a prankster.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/06/07/michel-therrien-did-a-great-job-in-first-stint-as-canadiens-coach-doug-gilmour/
So Killer likes Therrien and Gill doesn’t….. hmmm I do like and respect Gill, but Gilmour had quite a career. Of course Therrien is rumoured to like his talented players alot and Gilmour cerntainly was a talent.
This should bode well for PK, Price, MaxPac, Cole etc…
I also hold Gill in the highest regard – you have to think it might have been a personality clash; Skillsy’s dry sense of humour might not translate well.
Skillsy is also not the best defesemen out there. He plays great in a certain role but he is slow and not physical whatsoever. If MT didn’t just mainly use him as a 5 or 6 and on the penalty kill i could see why they wouldn’t get along
“Like Canadian Hip hop..check us out http://www.groovecontrolmusic.com“
Lizardking89 Re/Cunney. Agreed 100%! Pure Bush!
Poile confirms AK46 and Radulov are not coming back as Predators. No word on Gill.
http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=634019&navid=DL|NSH|home
If Ak came knocking for a job in MTL, 5millions/2 years, do you say yes?
I am not sure, if really cheap maybe. Poile pissed off a bunch of GM’s to get Radulov on his roster and qualified for playoffs and now loses him. Gives up draft choices for AK and now loses him. If they don’t sign Gill and Gaustad, he has given up a big part of the Nashville future withing nothing to show. Interesting to watch what happens.
I think I would rather we signed Gaustad than AK to center our 4th line.
I think its time to move on from AK.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/05/31/last-word-nhl-draft-headquarters-directory/
Agree completely. SK, now there’s a different story.
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Agreed on Gaustad over AK, but Poile says he is interesting in stay a Prrds.
Not now, especially seeing that Thierren is here for two years.
The AK46 ship has sailed.
Have to believe he is in the KHL next year, not sure who would touch that guy now.
You’re optimistic.
I’m picking 18 months (December 2013) in the “when will therrien be fired” sweepstakes.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
I think MB should consider Radulov. Of course, it would depend on the asking price and the contract demands, both of which are pretty tough to gauge right now.
The Habs have been the masters of trading away players when they’re value is low. It might be time to reverse the trend.
Radulov will be a Ranger if anything maybe even a redwing
“Like Canadian Hip hop..check us out http://www.groovecontrolmusic.com“
“Poile confirms AK46 and Radulov are not coming back as Predators.”
In a similar vein, I would like to confirm that I will not be cheering for the Boston Bruins next year.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Taking time away from your thesis on the wetness of water?
After my opus on the deleterious effects of poutine on cholesterol levels.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
At $5MM over two years, that’s not bad value. Depends in part on where Eller fits in. If he winds up as the Habs’ third line centre, the chemistry with AK would make the latter a reasonable proposition.
1 mil- let him earn his way back, the lazy bugger.
AK will not be back with the habs. We have enough floaters already and we really don’t nee another one. Bourque and him are pretty equal
“Like Canadian Hip hop..check us out http://www.groovecontrolmusic.com“
In keeping with my stance that the team should hire cheap NHL’ers to plug holes for the next two years while the youngsters marinate in Hamilton, Andrei might fill that bill. The salary and term you mention are the absolute top end of what I think he’s worth.
Michel Therrien was the one who would temper Michel Bergeron and Mario Tremblay when they were decrying Andrei’s effort or lack thereof. He would repeat his maxim that getting rid of players is the easiest thing a NHL club can do, coaching is usually the better solution. If he thought he could work with the lazy bugger, why not have him fill a hole on the roster.
Getting free agents is the only way for the team to get the organizational depth it is lacking. We can’t be too choosy, there aren’t twenty Zach Parisés and twenty-five Ryan Suter available this summer, we need to accept that some retreads will find their way onto our roster come July.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
All this talk about Columbus has me thinking — how big will the Nash sweepstakes likely be? The guy is a hulking 1st line center, but what’s he worth? Would you trade Nash for Kessel and a pick or prospect? Nash is a local boy, coveted by a GM who likes big players. He is 27 years old, which is a prime age, who in 9 seasons has an avg. of 61 points (0.8 points per game played). Kessel is a U.S. midwesterner who has okay size, but great skill. His overall totals are not as good as Nash’s — in 6 seasons he’s averaged 55 points (0.7 points per game). But … he’s 24, doesn’t cost as much as Nash, and is coming off his best ever season (82 points, higher than Nash’s career high of 79, which was 3 years ago).
If I’m Howson, I like the idea of going with younger players who want to be in Columbus. If I’m Burke, I like the idea of going with bigger players who want to be in Toronto.
FYI, If Nash were a center, he’d already be somewhere else. Nash is a LW. That’s the problem in Columbus, getting a center for Nash to play with.
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“It just goes to show how difficult predictions are, especially ones made about the future.”
RGM
***Habs Forever***
You’re right, my bad. Wonder why I thought he was a centre.
The more things change, the more they stay the same……..
Classless move by Bergevin to leave Cunneyworth hanging for months only to fire him. The guy jumps into the fire caused by PG and the french media, conducts himself admirably, and they humiliate him in this manner? Bergevin should have been honest at the outset and let him go. Make him a scout, something, but he is talented enough that they should have kept him around. Habs never fail to underestimate their players/coaches. Think of Kirk Muller, Robinson, McDonough, Ribiero, SK, AK, etc.
I only hope Therrien forgets most of the dribble he was spewing on Antichambre and has learned from his previous coaching positions. Otherwise, we are in for considerable turmoil and the eventual parting of ways with PK Subban.
Classless? He could have fired him a long time ago. I’m sure Randy appreciated the bonus pay cheques in the meantime.
Whether he was fired or not, he would have still been paid, as his contract stipulates. The same with Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin, both are still drawing their salaries.
———————————
In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Cunneyworth, yes there was some mishandling there, but he was also given a great chance, even if you don’t count the interim HC job.
He was given Hamilton, when Muller was asking for the Hamilton head coach job.
I’ve have not seen much coaching talent from Cunneyworth, apart from improving bench penalties for too many men on the ice, maybe his hands were tied, but he did not impress.
Bergevin may have been the one that fired Cunny. That’s because Therrien didn’t want them as his assistant’s.
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
FYI, Bergevin wasn’t the one that fired Cunny. That was Therrien.
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“Bring it on home, Bring it on home to you…” – Plant/Page
Bring it on Home
Marc Bergevin couldn’t know if the head coach he would eventually hire would want to retain the Randys as assistants, so he kept them in the fold, in accordance with the contract they had signed. Once he hired Michel Therrien, the decision was made to axe them quickly, which gives them as much time as possible to find other opportunities.
Note that Geoff Molson and Serge Savard retained Larry Carrière and Trevor Timmins after letting Pierre Gauthier go, with the view that the new GM might feel comfortable working with them, which turned out to be the case.
This is an appropriate way of doing business. Front office shakeups are never easy, this one was handled relatively well, from the time that Pierre Gauthier was let go. This in no way compares to the Tom Renney situation in Edmonton, or the Tony Sparano case with the Dolphins last summer, where a team kind of wants to fire a coach but hangs on to them while it looks for a better option.
As far as the ‘classless’ label, we’re getting pretty touchy here at HIO, kneejerk response to pretty much everything the Canadiens do/did is classless this, classless that… In fact Geoff Molson is proving to be a very honourable, dignified owner, who has gone out of his way to rectify some of the mistakes of the past régime and to ensure they won’t happen again. We can be sure that the assistant coaches were treated with dignity in a difficult period.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
So I heard that the headline of Le Journal De Montreal is “Bye Bye Randy”.
What a bunch of F*&%ing jerks they have working over there. I wish somebody, other than Don Cherry, would bring this up on television or elsewhere and fry these bastards.
Call them out and point out what racist and insecure scum bags they really are.
Anything owned by Quebecor Media is trash, inlcuding JDM and TVA. I avoid them at all costs.
It’s not on their website, and I don’t have a copy with me, but I’ve always known that paper to be a rag…
It wasn;t that at all
Grand ménage chez les adjoints Randy Cunneyworth et Randy Ladouceur congédiés
http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/06/06/de-nouveaux-adjoints
look carefully at their Webpage, there is a an actual picture of the front page of todays paper. Full front page with the headline “Bye Bye Randy”.
http://www.journaldemontreal.com/abonnement
Yup, you are correct mdp.
Goodbye Cunneyworth and Ladoucer. The axe has fallen.
Big question will be who Therrien picks to handle the dmen. I personally was not impressed by the way Ladouceur appeared to handle the D, particularly as it related to PK Subban.
Most of us want the Big Bird back to do this, however, unsure how real that is and if Therrien and he have any relationship whatsoever.
getting in a Pro NHL player’s visor when he gets back to the bench is absolutely not the way to handle the situation.
no NHL coach worthy of his position would ever do that – to Subban or any defenceman.
Apparently Ladouceur was good to the media.
Woopy to that!!
Next!
Therrien was a former defenceman, and is creditted with helping Letang, maybe he’s the guy who can be the defence coach too.
I think we need a good cop to Therrien’s bad cop though. This worked well when Muller was here, he was the player friendly guy and JM was the taskmaster. PG failed to recognize this and didn’t get a real player friendly assistant when Muller left.
The players need someone to go to when the coach is on their ass, Muller was that guy, and Therrien is gonna need a similar personality with him.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
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Good point, I would suspect Bergevin would recognize this also.
Ah BS. These millionaire brats are not above coaching, including a rebuke if necessary.
tony-mclean.blogspot.com
I agree, I hated the way Ladouceur handled Subban. I hope it is Robinson, but wouldn’t mind a guy like Eric Desjardins.
Gerald – Robinson makes reference to the fact in his book that there was bad blood between him and Savard. Not sure that has healed over. Then there was the rumoured rejection after applying for a job with G&G. Not to mention the fact that Bergevin is loading up with his own cronies (which may or may not be a good thing).
When it’s all said and done, Robinson might just as well stay where he is. I also suspect that Brisebois would no longer be a candidate now that Gainey is gone.
Regardless, the need is still there in the organization. And then there’s the PP…
Eric Desjardins; former Hab, cup winner, local product and a solid d-man in his day. I never forgave Serge for that trade.
Savard as GM was only average (at best). Who can also forget the Chelios for Savard trade? Truth be told, the Canadiens have not had a good GM at the helm since the 1970′s.
Wasn’t Therrien a minor league dman.
Isn’t he creditted for helping Letang?
I think the biggest issue with our assistant coaches is the need to set up a good cop/bad cop relationship.
We had that with Muller and JM… Muller was the good cop who players could bring their concerns to, JM was the task master. No surprise it fell apart last season when there was no good cop.
One of our assistants needs to be a serious player friendly coach.
Go Habs Go!
Visit Your NHL Draft Headquarters
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re: Columbus picking a center
I think the emergence of Michael Chaput is very helpful for the Habs.
in the memorial cup
Chaput showed that he can be dominant against some of the biggest and best d-men the OHL and WHL could offer.
He was often the best player on the ice for both teams, and for my money the best player in the tournament.
Chaput will play for Columbus, as a center, in the near future.
Columbus also has 2011 2nd round pick, 37th overall
Boone Jenner, a 6’2 center who looks very promising. 22 goals, 27 assists in only 43 OHL games this year for Oshawa.
Columbus also has Lukas Sedlak as a prospect at center, who they stole in the 6th round last year in 2011
Playing in the Q this past season, Sedlak was quite impressive indeed.
17 goals, 28 assists in 50 games.
So, overall, Columbus has 3 very good or excellent NHL prospects at the center position, and although 2 of them are young, they are still older than Galchenyuk.;
Considering Galchenyuk missed an entire season this year, it would be logical to say that he should be sent back to Junior for next season.
I know he will be an NHL player, possibly an excellent NHL player, but he is still in need of an extra year of junior just to get his game back on track – my opinion.
based on this, it is not a bad idea for Columbus to take Murray as a sure fire, 15 year, NHL d-man that can make their roster better next season.
I think Chaput makes the jump to the Columbus roster next season.
Chaput is very big, strong, and an efficient and sometimes powerful skater.
Then Columbus has Jenner and Sedlak who could be ready by the following season., or soon thereafter
Interesting point Ed, hopefully it rings true. I really think Galchenyuk is the piece we’re missing (in 2 years or so).
A lot of ifs there with the list of players you just mentioned and none of them appear to be blue chippers in regard to being a top line pivot.
Johansen still is the man at centre and there is talk that they will also try Brassard at centre again.
Eventually a defense made up of the Wiz/Tyutin/Johnson/Moore will hopefully evolve.
Murray makes sense and Forsberg would eventually fill Nash’s spot.
I guess this question can’t really be fully answered until the Nash deal goes down. They can’t just trade for future assets, they need something tangible to come back the other way.
Columbus also is hosting the All-Star game this year, there will be pressure on the team to have some representation. Either Jack Johnson becomes the All Star rep. for Columbus or they need to ensure they get a big name player back for Nash.
If they draft Murray, he certainly plays in the rookie game during all star weekend.
I think every team has a mandatory “all star” representation do they not Burly? But like 24 said, the Nash trade will probably set the table for the draft.
Yah it is mandatory, I am saying they will want that player to actually be significant as opposed to just who they are left to put there. Nash would be their go to guy normally in this situation, so there are big shoes to fill. The All Star game in Columbus is a huge sales tool for the team, things like having a rookie involved in the weekend would be significant, thus I am thinking Murray.
Murray showed he could play without a hitch at the World Championships this year at 18 years old.
His game is so positionally strong, supported by NHL Elite level skating, that he will be a great pick for someone.
People are raving about Yakupov, and justifiably so, but don’t underestimate how good Murray is.
Let me put this is perspective,
The 1994 group of d-men eligible is so strong that Mike Mathesson is being pushed to the end of the 1st round – I have watched Mthesson since he was 10 years old, and he is simply outstanding.
Then, once you get past that extremely strong group d-men in the 1st round, ALL OF WHOM, will play NHL at a high level,
you arrive at Murray’s level.
There is a reason why scouts are comparing him to Neidermeyer.
Murray is potentially THE PICK of this draft, that people will be talking about 15 and 20 years from now.
if the Habs had not taken Tinordi and Beaulieu these past 2 years, we would be very interested in Murray.
And, if Galchenyuk goes 2nd, I might take Murray if I’m the Habs GM.
There’s a strong argument to do just that.
Forsberg and Grigorenko have some question marks, Murray is a SURE thing, 15 year player.
Boone Jenner has Raffi Torres written all over him. He’ll be suspended more then a few times… lack of discipline and a love of the late high hit.
the guy trying to buy the Coyotes does not have enough cash to do so, great news for a team already bleeding money
That’s been the problem all along. Hucksters trying to buy the team on the cheap with the intention of being allowed to move it, and using other people’s money, not their own. Those who do have money, like Jerry Reinsdorf, don’t want to spend it on that losing proposition.
The Jamison group wants to buy the team at rock bottom prices, and then have Glendale pay it a yearly fee to ‘manage the arena’, and estimates are that the fee they are asking for is at least double what the real costs would be, so in essence this would be a taxpayer subsidy.
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In the very long view, it is important that kids growing up in Québec love the Canadiens and recognize themselves in the team, and a bit of the team in themselves. There must be a strong, visceral, emotional connection between the fans and leurs Glorieux.
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Mornin’ all!
What’s this about a Summit BBQ?!
Why wasn’t I informed?
My red-white-and-blue telephone never rang… I carry it with me everywhere, just in case (I have a REALLY long cord).
Is it happening in Montreal?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Morning Matty. Ian is hosting a little HIO BBQ. I believe he lives in Belleville, ON. Details to come.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Shhh, Matty still wears his Gomez jersey, that makes it a bit awkward having him at such an event.
I never take it off.
Never.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I’m slowly accepting Bergevin’s choice for coach. He basically had three options – Therrien, Crawford or a rookie who would have a very steep learning curve (it appears that Hartley never truly considered coming to Montreal). The Habs aren’t winning the Cup anytime soon so I just hope and pray that Therrien doesn’t ruin any of the young players. Outside of that concern I’ll just bide my time (once again).
I had a nightmare about the entry draft last night. There are lots of scenarios that could unfold but only one that could really hurt the Habs. That would be Columbus taking Galchenyuk with their 2nd overall pick.
If Edmonton keeps their pick they will go with Yakupov or Murray. If they trade it, the other team involved will surely take Yakupov, otherwise why make the deal?
That leaves Columbus. If Yakupov falls to them they just have to take him. If not, he’s ours. No problem. If Yakupov goes 1st, as expected, then Columbus is looking at Murray/Dumba, Forsberg or Galchenyuk. If for some reason they do take Galchenyuk then Montreal is left with a very tough call.
Do they play it safe with Forsberg, do they take a Dman or do they roll the dice and fill their greatest need by selecting Grigorenko?
Getting shutout in the coaching and draft sweepstakes could be a very tough start for poor Bergevin (please don’t compound that by going on a spending spree during this summer’s UFA fire sale).
The only thing more agonizing than waiting for the draft is having to watch the worst playoff season in memory. I’m assuming that Fleury is now in a witness protection plan. I also find it amusing that many people are now stating that all you have to do is finish eighth to win the Cup. I realize there are a lot of stars in LA but this spring’s alignment is surreal.
“only one that could really hurt the Habs”
Unfortunately it appears to be the most likely one.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Columbus is desperate for help at centre, especially after trading away three of them. It depends on what they get for Nash, but they are going to need some scoring punch just as much as the Habs.
There’s no Russian boogeyman for Columbus with Galchenyuk. He is an American who has a very worldly background for a guy who is just 18. He seems very focused on what he wants to do and accomplish in the world of hockey. I also like his drive and work ethic. If his knee is 100%, this guy is the real deal.
Here’s a question for the day. If Yakupov and Galchenyuk go 1-2, who does Montreal take?
Safe pick-Forsberg.
Agreed.
I’d take Grigorenko.
I think Timmins would take Forsberg.
Go Habs Go!
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Very tough question… I’d be torn between Grigorenko and Murray.
I think Grigorenko deserves consideration at #3. He was the No.2 ranked player in the mid-term rankings behind Yakupov before his stock started to fall. This was only 6 months ago. If this drop off can be solely attributed to illness/injury (and those who have had mono know how tough it is on your entire system), then he still could be the best pick available. If he had 10 points in 11 playoff games playing with mono, that is quite remarkable. Finishing 8th in the Q regular season scoring with (40-45) 85 points is impressive for a 17 year old.
They all look like good kids in this video, although Grigorenko is bigger than I thought. They get to the prospects after the 2 mins point.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockeynightincanada/coachscorner/video/#id=2241841077
I am just hopeful that Columbus is wary of a player with a Russian sounding name, and that given they may/will trade Nash, it may be hard to sell to the fans another top draft choice who has a Russian sounding accent.
Same sentiments on the coach, finding a way to accept it. Have to admit listening to the humbleness of Roy in his interviews, I am starting to wish it was he chosen.
I’m not sure the real issue would be Roy (strictly) in the role as a coach, there’s no doubt that it would be a steep learning curve. Most candidates come with some kind of liability or otherwise they would still be employed.
The real issue would be Roy’s ego and desire for the limelight. Bergevin would be setting himself up for failure even before he started if he went with Roy. Roy would be best suited to coach for a strong well established GM like Holland, Lamoriello or Sather. Or he can just wait it out until Quebec City gets a franchise. Then he can be king of the castle once again.
Gerald – Don’t you find it a bit weird that Roy calls a press conference to talk about not getting a job? LOL in terms of Roy, the press and the mindless “Entertainment Tonight” fans. And we all make fun of Don Cherry.
Isn’t everything related to the Habs now a circus? Heck, minutes after McGuire finds out he isn’t GM, he basically did a press tour of Canada talking about not getting the job.
I thought Crawford handled the situation like a pro.
It’s funny that by trying to dodge a media circus (the Crawford court case) the new regime is still on the hot seat.
No one on the site probably can really answer this but just how much French does Crawford have (and how good was Gainey’s French)? If he did lose out on the Martin job, why didn’t he work on his French for the past three years? I also thought I read that Crawford lives in Montreal with his wife and kids. I guess I must be wrong on that point.
His best bet is to go hard for the Washington job.
Columbus was also burned by high draft picks like Gilbert Brule, Alex Picard (not the guy who played for us), and Pascal Leclaire.
Should they be afraid of French sounding names too?
The whole Columbus won’t draft a Russian theory is ridiculous…. looking at their draft history, the Blue Jackets wouldn’t draft anyone if they are afraid of busts.
Go Habs Go!
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Sometimes perceived reality is more influential than true reality.
Like it or not, the Columbus franchise is smarting big time from the Zherdev and Filatov busts. The fan base (and their perceptions) have to be taken into consideration. It’s kind of like needing a French coach in Montreal:-)
I think the only real concern with a Russian player is the greater chance that they might sign with the KHL. A point which I consider to be somewhat valid. Especially in light of the fact that the KHL has no entry level cap restrictions, CBA uncertainties or AHL demotion possibilities.
So when I hear their former GM and President Doug Maclean talk about the sting from two failed Russians, how should that be perceived. Ben, I am not one of the people that feels this way, I am talking about the perceptions as they relate to Columbus. It is not ridiculous at all what i spoke of as it relates to Columbus.
Edit: All 3 players you mention are still playing in the AHL/NHL and available to NHL teams, the two Russians I was referencing are in the KHL thus unavailable to NHL teams. Is that not different also?
I’m not blaming you, I just think this whole “Columbus won’t pick a Russian” is oversimplified media B.S. is all.
They will pick the best player on their board, regardless of heritage IMO.
Go Habs Go!
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Steve – I’m also coming round to the choice of Therrien. Initially I was disappointed, even outraged; but once you accept that Bergevin was not going to risk hiring a rookie, the pool of candidates was extremely shallow. Take away Hartley, and there’s only Crawford and Therrien left, with Carbonneau and Denis Savard as outside possibilities. Even without language as part of the equation, there weren’t a lot of experienced candidates out there, none who really stood out.
I’m actually starting to think Therrien will be very good as a stop-gap measure. He has a lot of experience coaching junior players and had good results in the Q and the AHL. His teams work hard and they don’t get pushed around the way the Habs have in recent years.
What Bergevin has to do now is keep his eyes open for the guy he wants to replace Therrien with in two or three years. He can then ensure that timing does not play against us the way it has this summer.
As for the draft, if Galchenyuk is gone, I say we should play it safe and take Forsberg. We can’t afford another bust or a player with questions surrounding his commitment or character.
Trade Markov and our first for Edm’s first and second (or prospect). Not sure that it would work but if we are going to re-tool we might as well do it right. I know Edm could use a top notch dman like Markov and the Habs could use to shed his salary…especially if they decide to keep Gomez around for another attempt at a bounce-back year.
Montreal doesn’t really have a huge cap problem as it is going up. Get rid of Gomez and they are fine
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Having Edmonton in #2 was the great insurance. Surely in that spot they draft at least partially for need and take Murray. But if you have first pick you have to take Yakupov and I fear Columbus will take Galchenyuk.
Habs D prospects are deep. I think montreal needs to take a forward (Center or Left Wing preferred but that ought not to be a hang up). Only if the best available D man was head and shoulders above the available forwards could I justify going that way.
Late in the regular season when I expected Montreal to finish with something like the 5th or 6th pick I figured you could feel okay getting Forsberg in that slot.
If yakupov and galchenyuk go 1 and 2, does Bergevin consider trading down for some prospects and a lower but still top 10ish pick and use that to take whichever of Forsberg, Grigorenko, Faksa , maybe Teravainen is available
“Et le but!”
I agree with you on Bergevin’s choices. I suspect it became obvious in the interview process that choosing an experienced coach just had too many obvious advantages to risk going with someone who is unproven. Better the devil you know. With a rookie coach, you might find a Dan Bylsma, but you are more likely to find a John MacLean, Mario Tremblay, or Cory Clouston. Bergevin knows exactly what he is getting with Therrien and that has value. Therrien also fits well with Bergevin’s goal of building a team first culture.
Therrien’s success will depend on finding complimentary assistant coaches. Ideally I would like to see an offensively knowledgeable coach to run the power play and influence the forwards(a Muller 2.0), and a defense coach who is a good communicator and a calming influence to insulate players like Subban from Therrien (Robinson? It’s fun to dream).
Hopefully language will not be an issue with assistant coaches because it’s not just about finding the best available candidate, its more about finding those who compliment Therrien’s skill set and knowledge. This will narrow the pool considerably so they need consider all possible options.
One more plane ride for Lord Stanley!
Swimming pool is open!
Pre-season football next week!
HIO summer Summit Bar-B-Q to be announced on HNIC Sat. night!
Looking forward to it Ian. Cheers.
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Sounds great Ian, should be a good time. Have a good one sir!
Morning Burly. Just saw your reply to me yesterday. I’m doing just fine. Getting pumped for the draft. Great day of fishing with Pops on Tuesday, and we’re heading to Pocono for the race Saturday. Life is good. Hope all is well with you.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Enjoy the race, nothing like hearing the cars on the first lap and smelling the fuel for the first race of the year. Enjoy the weekend with pops.
Good morning friends. The only good things i can think of saying about last nights game is the Devils didn’t close up shop and we get one more game. Can’t wait for the draft. Cheers.
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Morning Jim, was great to see the Devils win that game last night. Looking forward to draft as well.
Gentlemen! Was an entertaining game. A fun evening channel-flipping between Stanley, OKC, and Blue Jays!
“May you live in interesting times.”
It was a good night for sports, my baseball game was cancelled due to lightning so got to watch all the games at the sports bar on the big screens. OKC is a great story in the NBA, feel bad for Seattle fans though.
Same sentiments re: Seattle. You would have been soaked if you were on the field!
“May you live in interesting times.”
Gemel Smith of Owen Sound
http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/06/07/nhl-draft-prospect-profile-60-gemel-smith/
Go Habs Go!
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