No Crosby?
No Malkin?
No Letang?
No problem.
The tougher, faster, hungrier Penguins skated circles around the Canadiens, smacked them all over the ice, forced errors and won with dismaying ease.
Pathetic and depressing.
Scary to think what the score would have been if Crosby et al had played.
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They’ll never beat the real Penguins if they can’t compete with this reduced version of them.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Good I hope Toco Bell is gone back to the North!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
Not to worry… one of those bounces will go our way!
That would be nice Chuck!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
I don’t know if it’s just bad acoustics, but almost every game in Pitt sounds like the quietest crowd.
Le Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
How many times is there a whole bunch of non calls that lead to a goal against the habs.
Komisarek a healthy scratch and Gomez is, perhaps, injured.
This brings to mind a question I pose from time to time (yielding responses such as “clearly you are high”, “no thanks” and “in a heartbeat”).
If you could, would you swap Gomez for Komisarek straight up?
I hope Gomez’s injury isn’t too bad, i’d hate for it to change the way he plays and the impact his game has on the Habs
I’d hate to see his huge salary come off the cap
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Wheres our favorite player??
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness was
They can’t make a pass, can’t accept a pass, can’t win faceoffs… WTF do these guys do in practice? The centers should all be literally spending 30 minutes per practice doing nothing but faceoffs.
Gomez threaten JM that he would score!
what haapened to gomer
Gomez not seen on the bench since somebody yelled: “You’re fired!”
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Scott Gomez. lmao Thanks Gainey!!
This looks like 2009/10 all over again!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
Go Leafs Go Go Leafs Go
Will they ever score?
The Penguins force the Canadiens into icings by playing physical.
The Canadiens can’t play physical, or they don’t know how. Either way they don’t.
And they suck on faceoffs resulting in goals against.
Tellin’ ya, Gomez bumps the slump tonight. All congrats out to HabinBurlington for his efforts…
No Puckin luck at all.
When the Habs hit a post it stays out! WTF
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
two non-calls end with a GA. Total BS.
nice that they recognized Gill’s 1000 game…..sooo who we bashing tonight then? Gill….Cole…or our old stanby Gomez???
second place is just the first loser
Diaz gets elbowed, Cole gets tripped, no call on either.
Keep shootin Pitts
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
two great saves by Carey
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
whats with the empty seats in pitts.
He should have went wide on Snowflake!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
Is cam really on the fourth????
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness was
got to be easing him back in the line up. i bet he won’t finish the game on the fourth.
Since when is it a penalty to stick lift somebody?
BS call.
So with Cammy back, what are the lines? Did I miss them posted somewhere?
(Of course, any lines will last only until the 2nd period, but still…)
_____________________________________
They brought their f____ing toys with them!
Is there any way I can see the live blog on my iPhone?
I see the blogger comments, but nothing from Boone.
At work, can’t get RDS. TSN has Laffs/Bruins, yechhh!!! Anybody got a live feed,….?
Sal from the Hammer
I have some good news. Gomez is on pace for 16 points this year – WOW
All assists, no less!
_____________________________________
They brought their f____ing toys with them!
The camera angle was aweful in Quebec in the preseason game
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
Why are we standing still in the neutral zone?
Carey sharp on that one
He needs to be peppered early and often
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
Food for thought….
I’m watching the Pens feed, and one of the announcers just said “Let’s see Pitts and their old friends the Canadiens renew the rivalry”
I had a laugh, I hadn’t really considered much of a rivalry before, but thinking about it, I think they have built one, especially in recent years. Thoughts?
I like how it takes 6 seconds to show all of Gill’s goals.
I also like how it takes him 12 second to wind up for a slapper.
“Leafs dressing Orr and Rosehill for Bruins. Canadiens will have Engqvist and Palushaj”
HAHHAHAHAHHA Oh Boone
Gotta go watch my STANLEY CUP BRUINS try to beat up on the Leafs. This should be interesting.
Les Pengouins gagnant encore un fois contre les petits!
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
How come I can’t get the live blog on my iphone??? through the mobile app??
“I’ll take potent potables for 500, Alex” JB
Ah, Gomez…the joke that’s long ceased to be funny. Loved the poll question…
Did anyone forget that he is the highest paid player EVER to play on our storied team?
__________________________
Anyway, I’ve never been captain in 16 years in the NHL. But that didn’t stop me being a leader in my own way.
Guy Lafleur
That doesn’t indicate anything except that player salaries are going up.
Howie Morenz would hardly compete, would he?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
SK74 is averaging a point a game
by mboone 7:42 PM
Yup. I called it. He is going to finish with more points than anyone on this team..
cue the “but he disappeared in the playoffs” replies.
Everyone’s better now that they’re not with the Habs!
Like Halak.
And D’Agostini.
And O’Byrne.
And Chipchura.
…or maybe we just broke those players, right?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Don’t forget Lapierre and Pouliot.
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
Funny stuff.
hehe, he said Halak. My shooter tooter stops more pucks than him.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Phil Kessel is on pace for 197 points or 2.4 points/game. Wake me up from my dream when he gets that many. Sid can’t get that many in todays NHL
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
latendresse leading the wild in scoring
ability is what you’re capable of doing.
attitude determines how you do it
you obviously did not watch him when he played for the Habs. He sucked.
And he did suck in the playoffs, he did nothing. He didn’t score a goal. If he did that with the Habs, you’d say trade him for a bag of pucks, he’s too soft… which he is
How much did SK do with the habs. Replying to boone and his comment on SK
ability is what you’re capable of doing.
attitude determines how you do it
Can we cue the it’s only been 5 games repy? Or do you think Kessel will score 115 goals?
I hope Montreal wins tonight.
Question of the day……
In retrospect, should have PG re-signed MAB?
God, NO!
Mike Boone
Hockey Inside/Out blogger
Gazette City columnist
mboone@montrealgazette.com
Ya, maybe you’re right. Your websites hits would be down with half of the HIO readers kicking the bucket from heart attacks.
He’s better than what they did sign & lose!
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
No he’s not.
ps, Your tagline makes no sense. Please adjust.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
A playing MAB (good stats too) is much better than a glass Markov.
29 teams are Pretenders, only 1 wins..it won’t be the Habs!
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
That would be a great subject for the RDS panel to discuss one day…
RDS. All MAB. All the time.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
["Why would they come to our concert just to boo us?"](http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/powerRankings)
Look for a good ole fashioned Penguin beatdown tonight folks. The Habs are mad and desperate to show who they are. Enuff is enuff. Watch, live and learn….you heard it here first. Kungpow ain’t no fans of ice birds, I tell ya. Sick it to ‘em boyz!
Is that sweet or sour?
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
In Vegas for the weekend and looking for help/suggestions where to watch the Habs game tonight? Not every place down here is hockey friendly.
Thanks in advance!
“I kind of feel sorry for players who never got a chance to be a Montreal Canadien” – Cammalleri
I’ve been there a few times, pretty sure you can see it on 1 of the many TVs at any good sportsbook. You’re not going to get any sound though. Place a $5 bet and get a couple of free drink vouchers.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
You’d be surprise the last time I was down the Laffs vs Habs on opening night and it was tough to find a place.
“I kind of feel sorry for players who never got a chance to be a Montreal Canadien” – Cammalleri
Besides the fact that the Leafs WILL beat the Habs again, go to a great Vegas show. At least you won’t need to order doubles to calm down. LOL….
Try Caesars Sports lounge…great place.
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
Yes and they will make the playoffs like they did these past 7yrs!!
Loser Laff fans win 4 games and they think they won the cup!
“I kind of feel sorry for players who never got a chance to be a Montreal Canadien” – Cammalleri
Uh oh a disgruntled Hab fan. How’s the season going Bud?
LOL
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
How’s the almost half century going?
Talk to me on this board in April!
“I kind of feel sorry for players who never got a chance to be a Montreal Canadien” – Cammalleri
Hey Boone how about this one?
http://www.halloweencostumes.net/ladies-clown-wig.html
Last game I went out on a limb and predicted Gomez would get his first goal. Sadly, the branch broke and that’s that.
Tonight, I want to lay it on the line again. Gomez gets a goal and an assist! Let’s go Gomer!!!
Tonight’s game is a 3-0 shutdown.
I hope he puts a string of points together over a few games for 1 reason only. To shut some people up on here. I’m getting tired of reading about his lack of production in at least 30% of the posts on here. Who cares how many pts player A or player B has, we should care only how many points the Habs have and how well the “team” is playing. If we have 9 20-25 goal scorers instead of 3 guys in the 30′s that’s great for the organization because that will make it easier for us to resign who we want for reasonable $’s. Stats don’t tell everything. The problem is Gomer was on a very short leash when the season started and there’s way too much over-reacting. I have no problem with him getting 16-18 minutes a game.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Listen, I’m gonna be real with all y’all:
Yeah, sayin Cole ain’t puttin’em in at the rate we expected would be an understatement and Gomie is till suckin fat dog like there’s no tomorrow but really, honestly, I gotta say I expected a HELLUVA lot more from Markov than what he’s shown me so far this season.
The guy is doing NUTTING. Nuh. Ting!
And it’s gettin on my nerves.
Just bein real.
Back from the Brink’s boasts L. B. Potter, esq.
I think we are all jumping the gun a little early, however, I do have my doubts looking back at all the teams that have won the Cup over the years with franchise players. There is way too much pressure for the habs to always make the playoffs. Do you ever wonder if PG would toy with the notion of trading players like Gomez, Gionta, Markov, Cole and Pleky (yes I said it) if it meant grabbing a first rounder; i) already drafted and is set to have NHL impact within the next year or so, or ii) trade for a first rounder in the upcoming drafts…..
I am tired of watching a mediocre team and what bothers me even more is we lose to poor teams and win against the tough ones. Frustrates the $h*t out of me! How can this be resolved?
You’d be trading those players to teams for first round picks that will be from 20-30 so there’s no point in it.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
I would hope we’d gather at least a couple first rounders for them.. Wouldn’t it be better to have two first rounders (20-30) and maybe a high second than being mediocre for the next…………………………how long?
The point is you only want picks from the basement dwellers and the only GM I know that would do that, Brian Burke probably won’t do that anymore. First round picks are over rated. Top 5 or maybe top 10 picks is what you want. Take the time to look back at the drafts between say 2000 and 2008 and look at all the picks between 15 and 30 and see how many names you don’t recognize.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Wow, a reference to Marshall Dodge and “Bert & I” Thanks Mr. Hickey. I had the pleasure to see the late Mr. Dodge do his routine live at UVM in the mid 70′s. Funniest hour of my life.
…someOne on the previous thread was proposing trading Carey Price for Roberto Luongo
…nooop !, no way
…throw in Ryan Kesler ??? …Y’all gotta deal !
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Not even.
Don’t trade Price.
Another drama rocks Toronto’s professional sports world:
http://thelistugujpost.com/?p=712
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
So Boone has taken up the mantle of tanking now with his “Penguin envy” article.
He is very right about two things in his article. Every Cup Champion (save Detroit) had top picks in their line-up and at one point prior to winning it all were scratching the bottom of the barrel in the standings.
The only exception being Detroit. However, if you look at their last Championship team, of the 15 top scorers 10 were drafted and developed by Detroit. 10 of 15 top players drafted and developed in house. Datsyuk in the 6th round and Zetterberg in the 7th. They got Lidstrom in the 3rd and Holmstrom in the 10th. I am not even going through the whole list. It’s just sick. So dream on thinking that the Detroit model can be repeated easily.
There is only one way to build a champion in the NHL and that is via the draft. The draft comes first and then come the free agent signings that round out the line-up, not the other way around. Not the cart before horse Habs way. You think Sather would have already proved that theory wrong long ago. But no. The Habs follow the Sather route in the cap era. Unreal!
I hope the Habs finally realize this. I called for tanking long ago and the more I see this team sputter the more I am convinced that it is not just desirable but necessary.
The funniest post today was by HABSGUARDIANANGEL who thinks that the fans can push, no coerce, this lottery pick team to the coveted 8th play-off spot in the East and that some how once there they can push them all the way to Hockey’s Holy Grail.
BALONEY!!!!!!
There wont be a championship with the current strategy. Just lots of merchandise sales and pretty platitudes about progress and moving in the right direction.
So dream on and hold onto your flimsy and unrealistic notion that once you make the play-offs anything can happen. Only top 10 teams win Cups and generally it is only one of the top 5 teams that succeed. That is the law of the NHL hockey jungle.
When the Habs realize this maybe we fans might see a championship team. As long as management spends like drunken sailors on over priced has beens and continue the pattern of drafting 3rd and 4th liners nothing will change with the Habs. It’ll be play-off after play-off with early exits in every one of them.
The biggest problem with this team as I have stated many a time are the fans. Habs fans think they are entitled to a Cup. If anything, the best thing a good tanking will do is slap Habs fans back to reality.
You can trot out all the examples of teams that tanked and didn’t succeed. It proves nothing. Tanking is no guarantee to success I agree however the more important truth is that not tanking is guaranteed perpetual failure.
I predicted them to finish top 3. That was before all the injuries, and when I had hope that Gionta, Gomez, Plecs, and Cole were gonna get us 60-65 points ea.
It was also before Normal Carey showed up. When 2011 Carey shows up, I’ll go back to my original prediction.
On another note. I bought 1 million shares in Sholi2000.com today. Nothing can keep me down!!
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
I have them ranked around the same spot you do ( or did). A 5 game sample size isn’t going to change that for me yet. 77 games to make up 7 points sound doable to me.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
OY YEAH BABY, I’M WITH YA!
Thanks for sorting me out. I’ll buy ya a beer in November.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
I would never advocate tanking. It just wouldn’t fly in Montreal. They have a Top 5 pick in Price, and how high would P.K. go if there were a do-over on his draft year? So hope springs eternal …
Mike Boone
Hockey Inside/Out blogger
Gazette City columnist
mboone@montrealgazette.com
Of course you wont advocate it. But you hinted at it. However you took the safe route out by suggesting that only a hysterical and/or heavily medicated fan could consider such a thing. I am neither hysterical nor heavily medicated. In fact quite the contrary. Lucid and stone cold sober I am. And I think the exact opposite too. IMO, it is those fans who can’t accept this that are delusional.
It just wouldn’t fly in Montreal. My point exactly. Fans here are misguided by their false sense of entitlement and it is because of their unrealistic expectations that this team is destined to be anything more than play-off cannon fodder.
I also never said that the Detroit model can’t be emulated. I clearly state that it would be extremely difficult to copy. For every Detroit though there are 10 teams that tanked and/or drafted better and higher than the Habs, not to mention developed their prospects and built around them more efficiently.
Like I surmised before. If the Habs don’t make a Cup appearance by 2014 what then? I shudder to think what predictable move management will make. Especially if they do look like a lottery pick team by the trade deadline.
That counts me out. I’m heavily medicated, and loving it.
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
As a fan of pro sports the word you always here now and I hate,” It’s a business”. We the fans are to blame. We’re afraid to lose our team so we go goo goo gaa gaa for mediocrity. Where is the pride in the team, community and City. I’m at fault and I’m fed up!
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
I looked at this diatribe and would like to add:
Even if tanking is no guarantee to success, not tanking doesn’t guarantee success either. Looking at the teams that succeeded in the last 20 years all of them were top 10, all were top 5 except 3.
Looking at the premises here. I see a few possible conclusions. Drafting high is desirable. Drafting well in late rounds is desirable. Teams that can employ both tactics IMO will have the greatest success. High picks wont necessarily ice it as there are more teams that get them that fail than succeed. However there are far fewer examples of teams that do succeed without high draft picks on their rosters. The only two examples of teams I can think of who succeeded without this strategy in that time frame are the ’93 Habs and the Lidström captained Red Wings.
Bottom line and IMO this is the gist of Boone’s article, champions are built via the draft. More teams succeed with high draft picks than not. The Habs don’t get high draft picks because the always make the play-offs.
Pierre Gauthier, whose background is in scouting, has said unless a draft pool is particularly deep, any pick after the 10th is pretty much a second-rounder.
Unless you’re Håkan Andersson.
Dear Mr Palushaj,
Please learn to take face-offs so you can take Engqvist’s spot in the lineup.
Sincerely,
Habs fans
And we got to get this guy a nickname because Ebby Calvin Paloosh won’t cut it for long.
Any idears?
Back from the Brink’s boasts L. B. Potter, esq.
Blaming Scott Gomez for low production right now is exactly like blaming a goalie for letting in goals when he has a weak defense corps.
Give Gomez wingers who score & his points will go up. Duh. Gionta right now is just not making or putting away chances, and …. Moen? Not that kinda player–another and a great kinda player he is but not that kinda player. Unless of course Martin uses Gio-Gomez-Moen as a checking line which gets us back to explaining Gomez’s low production so far.
Gomez has hustled every game this year for loose pucks, pucks along the wall, & he is going to the crease & getting nailed.
Right, now, he’s just a cheap (albeit well-paid
, easy and unfair target.
There is some truth to this, but I must point out two things.
1) great players don’t need others to do everything for them, they elevate the play of the others. For a long, long time now Gomez has accomplish very little offensively.
2) Records since Feb. 1 last year.
Gomez 1G 12A -5
Moen 5G 5A +0
So Gomez has 13 points and is -5, Moen has 10 and has a plus/minus of 0.
Moen has certainly had worse linemates than Gomez has had. I am not prepared to write Gomez off and say he should be ditched in the AHL. But please, there is only so much we can continue to make excuses for the man.
_____________________________________
They brought their f____ing toys with them!
Fair enough….there’s truth in what you say too.
1st Cherry, now Gomez … are you the HIO patron saint of lost causes?
Except some here would say ‘sinner’ not ‘saint’ ;–)
From Canadiens.com
“Marc-Andre Fleury should be back in net after Brent Johnson got the nod Tuesday, and he’ll have one of his more physical defensemen back in front of him. Orpik is set to make his season debut after undergoing hernia surgery in July”
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2011020082
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I guess if Cammy is back. Eller or moen will be going back to the 4th line. hope it’s not Eller. give him a real good chance to prove himself. Gomez to the 4th line quit screwing Eller around….
Pens injury update is listed below. You can also add Letang who is suspended. It’s their sixth game in ten nights so the Habs certainly don’t have any excuses, especially with Cammy back in the line-up.
http://www.pensburgh.com/2011/10/20/2502707/injury-update
I always hate hearing about how other team has lots of injuries. I know it should help the Habs win, but doesn’t seem to work out that way usually.
Gonna watch the game at Hatters tonight.
_____________________
Dooooooooooooooomed!™
Always a good place to watch the game, 1$ beers on Thursday
…Moammar Gadhafi …aka, ‘Daffy Duck’ …is daid !
…another satellite is due to crash ‘somewhere’ on Earth this weekend
…Clinton & George ‘Dubya’ is comin’ to My ‘house’
…some religious zealots (?) in California have just announced the World will come to an end on Friday ! …(jeeez, wish they would give Me a little more lead-time ‘next-time’)
…and, We play the Weeds on Saturday !
…hmmm, …duz Ya think there’s a commonality somewhere here ?
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Chicago O’Hare and Pearson top my list as well. I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas, as annie lennox put it- and I have logged more wasted hours on a tarmac in those two airports than in all the other ones combined. And that includes Igloolik and Iqaluit and places that experience FAR worse weather.
My wife’s family lives in Chicago- great town, best city in America- but we think that next time we head up there, we’ll fly into Milwaukee and take the train to Chicago.
LAX and JFK are two of my least fav airports.
JFK i have never left on time and always sit on the tarmac for an hour.
I am heading to Frankfurt tomorrow and globally that is probably my least fav airport
My fave, by FAR: Reykjavik. Fan effing tastic airport, awesome amenities, gorgeous wood design, comfortable, cool weird icelandic gift shop with genuinely interesting gifts- seaweed alcohol?! Also: if you plan your layover right, you can get permission to temporarily enter the country, get bussed to the Blue Lagoon hot springs, and relax with a drink in a volcanic landscape between flights. It’s AMAZING.
never been to Iceland but it sounds pretty wild. I remember being at the air port when the iceland air flight was deplaning and the stewardess’s were absolutely stunning.
Hopefully one day
Well obviously you guys have never flown in or out of Hamilton! Hole in the ground, have to get on or off the plane outside, last time there no liquor license, but have never ever had to sit on the tarmac, and you get your luggage moments after arrival!
It is to b, or not to b!—as long as Jacques brings his A game! then it’s a maybe!
Ian I had no idea the System had option A and option B.
Why didn’t it work out for Asham here? Anyone remember?? He was a tad invisible and rarely fought wasn’t he?.. Was it the coach?? Do the habs have difficulty bringing up tough guys (ie Brashear)… Let’s see what happens with Ryan White, so far a poor man’s Aaron Asham… I think it’s the philosophy that needs to change.
I’ve met Asham and he’s not playing a part and has no illusions. Douche/tough guy whatever we need a pitbull who’s gonna win more than lose and play tough hockey consistently.. Although that was a pretty bad KO recently and wish it didn’t happen..
But while other teams are winning cups, we act like we’re too good for all that. Why is PG allergic to the dark side of hockey? It’s the reality, you fight douches with douches. Gill is everyone’s smelly Uncle who wants to hug everybody. Family man needs a boxing coach.
Aaron! Come back!!
It’s not that it didn’t work out- I think the Habs through the late 90s had a lot of guys like Asham who could do the job the same or better. And for some reason they decided Czerkawski filled the bigger hole. I don’t remember thinking that the Habs had given up much in that trade.
To be honest, before I saw the article earlier today, I had forgotten Asham had even played for the Habs. So I don’t think he left a lasting impression.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
But do any guys with grit that don’t score leave a lasting impression here before they’re shipped? That’s my point. Maybe it hard for dur à cuire to evolve here, because we’re always taking finesse over… Truculence. Gotta lay the foundation for scoring first!
I know Corson was a good blend of toughness and skill, but really the last true tough guy who was really effective for this team may have been Nilan. Extended time in Montreal, was enforcer, was checker, wasn’t a problem in the room with the guys.
It’s not so much that it didn’t work out with Asham as it was the Habs needing to gain some offence. The habs finished 19th in league scoring in 2001-02 and so they picked up Czerkawski from the Islanders because he was coming off three straight seasons of decent offensive production.
As we know, that deal didn’t work out too well.
At the time, the Habs had Odjick, Quintal, Reid Simpson, Rivet and Souray so there wasn’t much need for more grit. Asham was bounced back and for between the big club and the AHL up until he was traded and then he went on to get consistent minutes with the Islanders.
There was nothing wrong with him, per se, but its just a classic case of not having the room.
Plus the Islanders wanted to save payroll by dishing Czerkawski and in all likelihood, he just didn’t turn into the type of player Mike Milbury had hoped for.
What line is cammi playing on?
“Andrei Kostitsyn is a better hockey player than Max Pacioretty”
- Sean Bonjovi
Cammi’s line
Thx, who else? : )
“Andrei Kostitsyn is a better hockey player than Max Pacioretty”
- Sean Bonjovi
I miss Frankie B:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vPURa95SvQ
A warrior for sure.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
He wasn’t a big guy but he played a pretty rugged game and wasn’t afraid of anyone.
His wife is named Ginette, and that makes him even awesomer.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Not a bad 4th line: Begin, Murray, Downie lol
Some comments on the other thread seriously suggest sending Gomez to Hamilton because “DD and Eller are better”. While this certainly shows how toxic the Gomez situation has become, it doesn’t reflect reality.
Let’s call it “premature” to say that Eller and DD are better than Gomez at this point. At this early point in the season, it can be said that both are doing *some* things better than him, but with individual caveats. Basically, neither is a great choice as a top-two centre right now, and maybe Gomez isn’t either, but at least he *potentially* is.
The only good reasons to send Gomez to Hamilton are (a) someone might take him on waivers and (b) the salary comes off the cap, but those are not solutions that would help the Habs right now. Maybe next spring, if the Habs are well out of the race and looking to sign a big free agent in the summer. Right now, they can’t really use the cap space, I don’t think, unless a big trade could be worked out (haha).
So without an adequate replacement, Gomez needs to be right where he is, playing say 17 minutes a night. If Eller turns into a scorer who can handle big minutes, or if DD grows a foot, then sure, Gomez becomes expendable. But not yet.
Weird to be defending Gomez, but I guess I’m actually knocking the Habs depth at centre more than anything else.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Great post. Bill. Gomez has not been Gomez 2.0, but he has been better than last year, and well above the level he’d need to descend to where Hamilton is a ‘real’ option, rather than simply a fantasy of our madding crowd.
Of course, if he’s -20 at the All-Star Break…
Gomez needs to play because the Habs need to tank.
Hey Mike,
Teller was not eaten by the fish. The lie was the exploding wine bottle.
Thanx for ruining a show I was planning to watch.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Think of all the time you just saved. You essentially just gained an hour of time! Let me know if you want to save 3 hours tonight and I will let you know the game score in advance.
Bah I’ll watch it anyways.
The game too.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Penn & Teller are awesome, and I’d be more interested in seeing their show than playing in casinos if ever I visit Las Vegas.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Was my biggest regret not catching their show when I was in Vegas.
Everyone I know that has seen them has said they put on a great show.
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If you want to add an avatar here, read this and follow the steps
Go Habs Go!
Nice Story Mr. Hickey, best wishes at the game.
P.S. is this the final new thread of the day?
Perhaps in future we should have 3 standard threads
Gomez, the good, the bad and the ugly
JM/PG over under on contract extensions or dismissal
NAG minus Smurf equals less injuries
“…Just as they reached the point magicians call the reveal, the Direct TV cut out and was replaced by a two-minute commercials on the benefits of flying Jet Blue…”
[Pushes glasses up the bridge of nose, doublechecks pocket protector, sets down deck of cards, and clears throat.]
In my 35 years as an avid sleight-of-hand practitioner, I have never heard nor read of a magician actually usin’ the term “the reveal”.
And don’t get me started on “the prestige”.
Not a fan of Hugh Jackman, Dr. Cox?
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Nah, it’s Christopher Nolan’s “the pledge, the turn, the prestige” thing. I’m watchin’ the movie and wonderin’ what the eff he’s goin’ on about.
I’d never heard those terms before the movie either.
http://twitter.com/andrewberkshire
Semantics aside, still an enjoyable film.
Michael Caine, ScarJo annnnnnnnd Ziggy Stardust.
Sign me up.
“I straggled into my hotel shortly before 1 a.m. and received the first good news of the day – the bar was still open.”
Haha awesome.
The Scott Gomez line………..where wingers go to die.
I hope Hickey receives hazzard pay. That’s ridiculous. Too bad Gainey had to kick all the good reporters off the team plane in order to get rid of the parasites.
Jeez, what is that? A first edition paperback?
Ha, bar was open? what reason is there to complain?
It’s okay if you fly private.
Well, O Peaceful One, I leave the money matter aside (because it makes my defense easier ;–)
So, do you want to dial back “useless”? He may be less-than-we-would-like, but useless is hyperbole: he is very good at the transitoin, for example….
We’ll trade you Komi for Gomer…..LOL both useless!
Most NHL teams are Pretenders to the Cup, especially the Habs !
thanks
Sal from the Hammer
Classless!
he just went back to the room!
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The Bruins are the “Starley Cup Champians”?? I’m cool with that.
Sure… that’s what you meant.
YES That is why they boo him.. are you serious???
They’ve hated him since he cut Staal with his skate.
Have to agree. He gets booed for BAWB: being awesome while black. If he were a good 2nd year player named Dave Smith, no-one in the stands on the road would even know he was there.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Im watching TSN right now and hope Marc get’s a phone call from Molson’s saying we will see you Saturday night welcome to the Habs as our new coach….
I am a Steelers fan as well as a Habs fan. Started going to games at the old 3 Rivers in the 70`s. There is a not so thinly veiled racism endemic to PA…lotta rural types who don’t like the “colored folks” much. They love Mean Joe Greene and Franco Harris cause they were great HOF level players but when a guy doesn’t perform its suddenly cause he ‘s got the same problems ALL of those non HOF “folks” have..bad attitude..uppity, basically .
Lots of great people there as well, but I noticed many times that the city dwellers were basically accepting of the civil rights act..the bulk of the others? Not so much..
Back to your old ways again eh!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
It was tipped, after a horrible turnover by Emelin. You’re far to simplistic in your assessment.
*a kneeling team
So who’s good enough to take his place?
If you’re shooting from 15 feet out, at least force the goalie to make a save!
Well, that’s a disappointing sentiment to read, but we’ll find out for sure now if we’re better without him.
yup!
Good enough implies Gomez is good, he’s not
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
hahah isnt it time for bed old man
Better than an empty roster slot and half the guys in Hamilton!
Good one.
Forbidden, you are forbidden
I can strongly recommend the Patrick O’Brian books, the first being “Master and Commander”. They are awesome. British naval warfare set during the Napoleonic wars. Brilliant, funny, amazing.
Punkster’s read them too, he’ll agree
Both.
Ali B.
BOTH?
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
That’s funny
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
You will LOVE O’Brian. You gotta love an author who sets up the two main protagonists- who are to become best of friends through 21 novels of rocking naval warfare- by having them almost fight a duel over chamber music.
Oh, does he eat Meat again?
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
PP is trash. Doesn’t matter.
Hilarious. Small world. My best friend was a Jets fan but I was Dolphins fan when they sucked. I watched them lose 24-3 to Dallas. Then the next two year’s championships. We moved back to Montreal just in time for me watch Henri Richard hoist the Cup.
Sitting through the Flyers two Cups and watching the Dolphins demise was pretty hard. That’s why 1976 was so awesome for me. The only thing I didn’t like about that Cup win was the sweep. I thought Philly would have done better.
Back then, two years out of the Finals for the Habs was worse than tanking would be now.
Modern Habs fans who never witnessed that era live will just never know what it was all about. That’s why ’86 was so awesome. But the team in the late 80′s until the Roy trade was actually very, very good.
It’s hard for me to watch the team lose but I also believe no pain, no gain.
Gomez isn’t even playing!
Better feed the hampsters cuz we WILL LOSE to the Leafs.
+10000
Another reason for them to tank.
Somebody please save this post!
sorry dude, I refuse to be happy when my team plays like this to start the season. get a grip. not everything on the internet is roses and lollipops.
They’ve over achieved for too long now. They’ll rise from the ashes again. But first, a nice long burn.
Sorry for being passionate about our team..Won’t happen again..*sarcasm*..
You know what I find funny? People telling me how to feel about my hockey team…
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
I pay good $$$ to watch the Habs & I can rag on them if I want!
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”
In a word? NO!
I actually agree with JM on this one..Sending a message to his over paid top liners..
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
A-men!
Can we get Muller back?
I have to disagree habsolutely, I am in Ibiza, Spain 10 minutes away from a beach called Cala Carbo! Let me tell you sitting here at 5am local time posting and furious, it makes no difference that not a soul on this island has no clue that hockey even exists! Trust me!!! All the beautiful topless women, sunshine and life here, which is really outstanding, still doesn’t make watching this hockey any less painful. OK well maybe a bit haha!
The worst thing is every one is a NTC. Nope. It’s a 3 year consecutive tank in the making. The only two players I’d keep are Cammy and Plex but to be honest those are the only two on that list that are trade-able.
You think the team is bad this year. They are going to be terrible next year and far worse the year after that.
It’s 3 years at the bottom of the league for this crew.
I wanted Saku gone for other reasons, mostly renewal, and I was hoping that Gomez would be invigorated by donning the CH. I still feel I was right about one and was horribly wrong about the other.
Gainey messed up. IMO he should have traded some of the 10 UFA’s he let go for nothing at the trade deadline prior to the summer blow up. He should have not let McDonough go. He should have let the Habs rebuild via the draft.
Anyways. A few good years of tanking is sadly the only thing that is going to turn this organization around now.
Amen.
This is just sad. The emperor has no clothes.
Pittsburgh has every excuse in the world to just mail it in. No Crosby, no Malkin, but instead they suck it up, go out and play hockey like they care.
And Count Chocula… writing his notes…………………………………..
If we had all the Swiss players it wouldn’t be so bad – Streit (pre injury) Weber, Diaz… I think there are some other good guys….
The emperor sits on his thumbs while his hockey consultant Crazy Bob continues is crazy experiment of seeing whether small hockey players can play NHL hockey. For some reason Gainey seems focused on only suggesting players who are less than 6 feet tall and less than 200 pounds. Of course this means that the players no one wants cause they are all too small and who cough up the puck easily and force the goalie, Carey Price who made Crazy Bob look like crap, to earn his way. Who would have thought all this time it was about a fight that Gainey had over keeping Price in nets, and trading Halak. Hey Geoff Molson, time to step in and kick Crazy Bob out and bring in even crazier Larry Robinson to complete the rebuild. Too bad Larry did not want to come when he was ready, or that Gilette did not recognize that we had another legazy builder that we turned away. Bob Gainey’s legacy is having a potential legacy goalie, but destroying the team to support Carey Price was a bit much. Rebuilding the team to be small was an even greater mistake. Honestly, being lazy does not give you a legacy Bob, it gives you a sad history. Time to get off your butts Gauthier and Gainey, stop this experiment. Sign some real NHL players. Bring back Blair Betts if you are not going to get rid of Gomez!