In my Saturday column in The Gazette, I said the Canadiens would have to play at a .650 clip, winning twice as often as they lose, to punch their ticket to the postseason dance.
Gern Blanston took issue with my math:
I just wanted to point out that this calculation is very simplistic, if you assume the OT losses continue at the same pace (meaning the Habs get 7 of those points in the second half as they did in the first) that means they would have to go 23-11-7 to get the 53 points, which is only a .560 winning percentage.
That seems a lot more do-able doesn’t it?
Well, it’s do-able if you’re one of the better teams in the NHL.
The St. Louis Blues, who bring the Jaro Halak Tour to the Bell Centre Tuesday night, have played 41 games and amassed the point total the Canadiens need in the second half: 53.
The Vancouver Canucks, who won in Boston on Saturday to raise their point total to 55, also had 53 after 41 games.
Chicago, which has lost three in a row, has 52 points through 41 games.
In the Eastern Conference, with the exception of the Rangers, Boston and Philadelphia, no one has more than 50 points.
Florida hits the halfway mark at 48 points. New Jersey and Ottawa, two teams the Canadiens are chasing for a playoff spot, have 48 after 41 and 42 games, respectively.
Bottom Line (and I don’t mean Blunden-Nokelainen-Darche): To make the playoffs, the Canadiens will have to be an elite team in the second half, beginning with that huge game against Jaro and the Blues.
But hey, they’re undefeated in 2012.
Anything is possible.
• • •
Like the Canadiens, Calgary is in 12th place.
But although the Flames are only four points out of eighth, there is speculation about a sell-off that would see Jarome Iginla (who scored his 500th goal Saturday) and maybe Miikka Kiprusoff moved to a Cup contender for prospects and draft choices.
• • •
Finally, a classic clip dug up by Zdenek Matejovsky, who covers the Canadiens for Czech television.
It seems a pane of rink glass was shattered during a game in one of the Czech Republic’s minor leagues.
With no replacement glass available and the home team in danger of having to forfeit, they came up with an innovative solution: A backup goaltender sat on the side of the rink holding a table to fill the space where the glass had broken.
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So apparently Enquist and Palushaj are on a hot streak with the Bulldogs. I still think they have a future in the Habs. They just weren’t really given any confidence under Martin. I bet if they were still with the big club under RC, they’d definitely be given the chance to produce. Just my .02 cents.
where? they are not better than anyone on the roster right now.
If the Habs don’t up the wins PG will hopefully be making place for them on the big club around the trade deadline.
http://www.puckbandits.com
Come on….Enqvist is softer than dough….he makes Henrik Sedin look gritty.
I don’t think AP will ever play for the Habs. He has had his chances and not produced. You only get so many chances.
Mr. Biter
Montreal Canadiens Riot (LIVE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWMSv3DBvgw
…have not been feeling too well this past 6 weeks or so, in and out of hospital like a surgical-sponge …the meds not doin’ much to make Me feel more upbeat, in fact the opposite
…but watching the developing elan of Our Team’s play under Randy Cunneyworth these past few games, and watching Boonie’s Steelers being ‘Tebowed’ today by the Broncos
…better than Viagra !
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Get better, quick!
—
If Eller were pronounced “Ell-ay”, Larry would be #2 with a bullet!
…thank You Guys, sincerely, for Your thoughts and encouragement
…much appreciated
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Take care Habitant, your posts are missed, and dont forget to listen to your doctors
Hope they find out what is the problem and fix you up.
Mr. Biter
Hope you feel better Habitant.
Hey HiS: wishing you all the best.
If you want a fellow Hab-lover to meet and chat over the season affairs with, just send me an e-mail!
Take care…
Yes, the Canadiens winning a few is a great tonic. Wishing you well in the health wars, comrade. In solidarity ….
hang in Habitant…I go thru it all the time ….cancer for me…hang on out west… and don’t stop takin’ the meds…gotta keep your levels up, get well soon…\/
take your drink to the end of the bar buddy…come on now, don’t be a fool…
Looking at the way RC keeps attacking and pressing for more goals instead of sitting back on 3rd period leads and blowing about 15 games in the process like JM did. You would have to wonder where we would be in the standings had PG fired JM at the same time he fired pearn. I’d say we would be in a playoff spot.
The difference between 6th and 10th is 4 points. It is likely that the Habs would be somewhere in that range if PG fired JM at the same time he fired Pearn.
I tend to agree with your statement. Furthermore the pre season calendar should have been managed otherwise. We had a very bad start of the season because the chemistry was not there. I guess excuses are for losers but at least we should learn from them…
Ottawa came back from 4-2 down in the 3rd to beat the Flyers 6-4. Bryzgalov was just laughably bad.
Flyers have another 8+ years of Bryzgalov goaltending to look forward……
News Reporter: What do you think of your performance?
Ilya Bryzgalov: Outstanding!
(his answer to the reporter after Philly’s loss to the Lighting. Watch part 4 of HBO’s 24/7)
Wow! Yesterday!
Portland Winterhawks 4 Vancouver Giants 8 (Final)
Brendan Gallagher – three goals (25,26,27), four assists
Forget the FN playoffs, prospects even in Hamilton are coming around.We SHOULD have a very young talented team next year.
Make some deals to let veteran players have a shot at the cup!
Gomez could make a difference for someone else!
Gomez could make a difference with my noon hour shinny red squad. I`m sure of it.
Yeah the under 18 women’s team.
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“Okay, everybody take a Valium.”
hey, don’t insult the women’s team
Seen the boston -vancouver game , all of it, and i gotta say boston reminds me of the broad street bullies from philly.Dirty team in this league by far.Marchand should be gone from league,a little rat in sheeps clothing, some day he will get what he deserves, cheap shot artist at his best. Lucic what can i say, enough said, he was going off the ice and came back on and the dirtiest player of all chara, in the last minute of game he gave a two hander slash to a vancouver defenseman no call but the defenseman that was slashed got a penalty , what a joke, i,ve noticed that all cheap work usually happens in boston ice.If the bruins had any significant injuries this year , they would falter.I hope the league slaps both Lucic and Marchand with suspenions, but gut feel maybe one game.
I saw the Cirque du Soleil Quidam in Oshawa this week-end. What an amazing show. It was a like a rock concert, a musical, a play, a ballet, a comedy, with acrobatics, singing, and storytelling all combined into one massively entertaining multi-media presentation. I remember when Cirque du Soleil used to perform in the streets of Old Montreal. Too bad Guy Laliberté didn’t purchase the Habs.
Math, percentages, stats, projections, prognostications…all of it meant to paint a detailed picture and present an absolute truth about the Habs chances of reaching the playoffs.
I’m just a poor fan who wants to be entertained so give me some of that funky stuff, Bootsy style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHrdLwa_y8
***Subbang Baby!!!***
I am going to post this for the 3rd time:
============
You know when a disposable lighter runs out of gas and you’re sitting there trying your best to get a flame going but the thing is spent so all you see is that little spark trying to ignite nothing. Well that is the protest by the Montreal Francais. Just a meaningless little spark trying to catch some fumes. 200 friggin’ people!! That is like 0.003 of Quebec’s population!!
You want to know what the English response is? It is the risk of being a heap load of butane gas just waiting to turn that insignificant little spark into a full blown inferno.
Just ignore it folks. Put your emotions away and use your friggin’ brains for a change a try to take the higher ground.
So. Let’s support the French language as Habs fans.
============
As for Habs fans outside of Quebec and Montreal. You are not the ones going to the games and buying season tickets. Nor do you live in the jurisdiction where the Habs operate. If you want to be a Habs fan you have two options. Accept the reality or… accept the reality.
“If you want to be a Habs fan you have two options. Accept the reality or… accept the reality.”
Or pray that Bettman gives Quebec a team.
I do agree with your lighter metaphor. Ignore the clowns.
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
Just so I don’t have to read for the 4th time,
the Molson family has been in Quebec How many years and are still considered Anglo? Also at $300.00 a pop for the most expensive seats which are taken by Corporations which are for the most Canada wide. I highly doubt any of the protesters will be paying $24,000+ for a season ticket. Also look at the billboard advertising. Lots of Canada wide money going there.
Mr. Biter
They still server a large French speaking public or the games wouldn’t be telecast by RDS. Molson is an Anglo. He’s a Quebecker also.
I don’t support the protesters. I loathe Montreal Francais. I do not support the territorial integrity of the current province if separation occurs. Sometimes I even muse about an independent Montreal.
In my mind though an independent Montreal would still be bi-lingual and it would still be necessary for the coach of the Habs to be able to speak French.
Bull hits. Quebec language as you call it (where the f_ do you live?) is whatever language Quebeckers choose to speak. 150 Separatists and liberal-left Quisling media have you doing the lemming leap? Smarten up.
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“Okay, everybody take a Valium.”
HH your take on the situation here is very wise, 200 people is nothing when it concerns language in Quebec. The amount of press this group received was far too much, and most people realize this.
As a background: I am an Ontarian ? but a die hard Habs fan, I have my french certificate from taking french immersion but obviously I’m predominately english. By watching the protests, I didnt see one wearing a Habs jersey, nor did they look like fans of the team, just idiots seemed to be out there because ONE, every Hab fan knows that Molson made it clear that RC is only an interim and they will pursue a french-speaking coach in the off-season, and TWO RC is making an effort to learn/speak french so doesn’t that count for anything?
you are right on the money…don’t give the bastards the time of day…the media will keep this shit going as long as we feed them…not biting anymore on the bait…200 stund ppl…hardly a major problem unless we get sucked in with their bull…kiss my grits..\/
take your drink to the end of the bar buddy…come on now, don’t be a fool…
The debate is on in the comment section about the Marchand hit:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610655
The Bruins continue to look for creative ways to seriously hurt other players within grey areas of the rules. Marchand should be severely punished.
Does anyone know, is this an in-person meeting? It better be.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
NESN (For what its worth) says its a phone hearing
Then it’s a slap on the wrist.
That’s a problem right there.
Shanahan is a joke.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
Sportsnet just did a lengthy report on the incident, and because it’s a phone hearing it will be 5 games or less.
He is a repeat offender. He has received 2 games for a hit to the head on a Bluejacket. Also, a $2,500 fine for a slew foot.
How he never got a penalty for 5 or 6 jabs to Sedin last year I’ll never know.
I hate Marchand but that was a pretty innocuous hit.
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“Okay, everybody take a Valium.”
The word creative reminds me, somewhere in the comments there, someone literally describes the hit as being “creative”.
Shockingly, he thought the blatant shoulder to knee cheap shot was not a penalty.
Chaulk one up for the poster child of the Chrsitian right. Take that all you poor and sick people who think the good christian people of the GOP should pay for your health care. The might of god struck down big Ben and my Steelers. Well that devil loving Brady with the parade of models won’t stand a chance.
Uhhhh, Okay.
And Obama’s gonna pay for my house and car. Right. Wait, on second read novahad what point are you trying to make? And BTW I go to church once a year (Christmas), right wing yes, but bible thumper no.
Mr. Biter
Tebow. Simmer down fellas.
____________________________________________________
They lost me 2 quarts of rum, better make it up next year with a cup!
If he wins again vs the Pats I might even go on Easter. I watched the Pats / Denver game and like the Habs before our last 2 games Denver had 17 points scored on them in the last 2 minutes of the 2nd quarter (sounds like Habs before RC) which blew the game open. If I was a bettin man (and I am) the smart money will be on the Pats , however……….
Mr. Biter
What’s with all the God talk today? Perhaps this is all my fault for writing earlier that the Habs will need divine intervention to make the playoffs this year, which started a Noah’s flood of God cheers for this team or that team sort of comments. At any rate, we all should know God does not provide divine spark to the heathen NFL.
You can’t talk like “we should all know” because if you paid any attention to Tim Tebow you’d understand how God’s on his side on and off the field.
What’s wrong with being Christian? So the guy believes in himself and offed your Steelers, get over it.
___________________________________
Jack Edwards sucks chowdah chunks
Cunneyworth’s problems solved!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYHlnhxyOI
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
HEY DOG! that’s how I speak English as well. People even think I know what I’m talking about.
Confidence goes a long way! That and a good bottle of wine.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
That percentage may seem better but it is still 12 games over .500 no matter how you describe it…ties are just games lost from the amount of games to get to 12 over .500
To have the type of run the habs need to make the playoffs the pp has to improve by a lot…we will be in a lot of one goal games where the difference will be the pp vs pk results….
It is still possible Markov returns, and that would help the PP a touch.
http://www.puckbandits.com
It was my understanding that there would be no math…
Lafrich – You beat me to it! Well played.
Figured someone would pick up the reference.
Good SNL reference Lafrich…….
This week, includes dates with nothing wose then current top 8 teams in the league with St Louis, Boston, and back to back against Ottawa and the Rangers.
The team already sits 7 points out of the playoffs.
Still no reason to think this powerplay is gonna get turned around, or Markov playing.
Even considering the decent play of there last games, this mountain seems insurmountable.
You gotta ignore all that logic until they’re mathematically eliminated! heh
http://www.puckbandits.com
it’s ridiculous how they are not getting any help WHAT SO EVER from other teams either… Every single team that the Habs need to lose seem to win …
Remember when we were in the same position and Halak helped us out while Price was hurt?
flyers lose to ottawa..teams like the flyers,bruins and rangers dont need as many points in the second half to make the playoffs so if they give up points to teams we need to catch it may need 93-95 points to make the playoff…
Bournival and Ellis each had a goal and assist in their first game as Q team mates.
who got traded?
Ellis
Boone’s Steelers done in by Tebow time.
Yup, pretty sweet.
I haven’t been that emotional with my Broncos since the Elway years !
The game kinda reminded me of our 2010 run over PIT and WAS.
Habs, OLE !
Jack Todd will still probably put Tebow as a “zero” in his column.
Agree, but Jack Todd’s opinion concerning Tebow means squat, so who cares.
Anything about God and Americans drive Todd insane. He will have a Rant tomorrow.
Mr. Biter
Draft dodger bum.
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“Okay, everybody take a Valium.”
I haven’t seen any evidence in years, the Habs are anywhere near elite team status, so for those of you cup half full guys, bless your naive little hearts, my suggestion is to consider a trade/s for picks or prospects, a cup half full move. Just look to the Sens for evidence of the effectiveness of that kind of planning ahead. The sooner the better too, because teams with needs won’t wait forever to fill spots/needs.
Sal from the Hammer
Do the Senators have a team that can beat the Canadiens?
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
Certain teams have other team’s number for whatever reason, look how the Habs play the Bruins…can’t beat them anymore, but always give them a handfull, well, almost always. You get my point, check the standings.
Sal from the Hammer
so true …we laughed at leaf fans when they were proud that they won or tied the season series with us…now many posters do the same with boston and us…
Given that we are 26th in the league pretty much everyone can probably beat us.
It’s just reality. Do the Habs look like they are going to suddenly become an elite team? Nobody would like that better than I! If as PG says, there isn’t significant movement up the food chain during the month of January, when they play eight home games and three away games, then sell assests, not, for other washed up or, over the hill assets, but prosects and picks. Personally, I would like somebody besides either PG/BG doing it, based on their past record. I certainly don’t control that….LOL!
Sal from the Hammer
@ Sal, I put this reply in the wrong spot
The Canadiens have lost to every team below us in the standings, and we’ve beaten the sens both games. Those are the facts, but that’s not really what I was talking about. I watch a lot of Sens games and I don’t think they’re all that good. I like a lot of players on their team, but they can’t play defence, and they’ve got some dead weight.
I absolutely do enjoy Senators games more than the Jacques Martin era Habs, but do you really think that team is better than the Canadiens now, or that they have a brighter future?
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
Sean: They seem to be moving in the right direction.Nobody expected the SENS to even be close to a playoff position never mind in the middleof the playoff pack! Perhaps coaching is a large factor, McClean seems to have rejuvinated their veteran players, something, Cluston failed at miserably. I have a close buddy, that lives in Ottawa, and says the same as you, ie., their success is more of an ilusion than a reality. Still, they are beating teams ahead of them on a regular basis. I would think that if they are as bad as you, and my sceptical buddy says they are, they would have fallen back by now, much like the leafs. In any case, I use them as an example because they did a late season fire sale that has netted them some assessts they wouldn’t otherwise have. I believe the kid, (Can’t spell his name) that scored the winner for the Swedes in the WJHC is such a pick. I don’t pretend to know what current habs can be used as significant trade bait, in the way of picks/prospects, but, if it results in one diamond in the rough, then I say it’s worth the risk.
Sal from the Hammer
we seem to match up well with the senators…but so did the leafs with us the last few years..
Bobcat Bob
They have not so far. 6-2 Habs last meeting — personally, with everyone healthy the Senators should be an easy 2 points for Habs
I know I am late to the game. But wow!
Boston whining following the game yesterday. And the infraction against Lucic was rescinded after the game last night, no way, never would have guessed that. I thought leaving the bench to engage in a fight was an automatic suspension?
Marchand has a hearing…all he will get is 2 games – MAX! Should be 5, that was a dirty play.
I’m starting to get the message that some here on this site feel that the complete populous of Quebec should be forced to speak English only. Surprise eh………..
Speak whatever language you want Dude, you have that right as does everyone else!
BINGO! CC
Everybody in Quebec has the right to speak whatever language they want to. Working in whatever language they want to is another thing altogether. However, there are numerous jobs in Quebec where French is rarely spoken or used. However being able to speak French opens up opportunities in Quebec for English speakers to work at jobs where speaking French is a necessity, just as speaking English is a necessity to work in almost every job in the rest of Canada.
Then you’ve been smoking too much.
How about some would rather see equality for both official languages?
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
That will never happen. English is far more dominant in North America.
It’s happening right now as we speak. In Sudbury.
It could and should be done in the bigger and more international city of Montreal.
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
What is happening in Sudbury?
@HH
Bilingualism. That’s what’s happening.
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
Oh just don’t make a crack like that and walk away.
We just want the best coach available, he can be Quebecois or one of the Chilean minors — just like Ferrari wants the best driver, or Manchester Untied want the best soccer coach (notwithstanding that soccer is about the gayest sport there is).
Hockey is an international sport now, and certain Quebec writers just sound like parochial little small town whiners. It’s embarrassing, actually.
I personally would take Carbonneau back – but not because he’s Quebecois. How that for a conundrum?
Liked your reply…except the Carbonneau part…great player, but as a recycled coach (especially with Gauthier still as GM)…no thanks
No body gave you that message DUDE, just like any other language in the country. Learn them if you want to, the more languages one speaks, the more doors that open is all.
Yup, that is exactly what we want..Genocide…*rolls eyes*
Dude, gimmie a break…What the REAL fans of the Montreal Canadiens want is a winning team, nothing more…We could care less if the coach spoke in Chinese as long as he is getting results..I get where you and numerous other Franco born people are coming from, but to paint the fans of hockey and crucify someone (Randy Cunneyworth) because they are uni-lingual is ignorant beyond belief..
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
The Dude is obviously reaching.
But the rest of your reply belies an apparent hypocrisy.
Nobody is crucifying anybody. Do you actually know what a crucifixion is?
So tell me. Who is the ignorant one here?
Actually, I could care less of what you or any of these “fans” think..I am a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and that’s it…I could care less what the tongue of the coach speaks as long as he helps this team win, but if someone is gonna come in here and paint all of us as fans that we are trying to suppress their culture because I don’t agree with the whining that the coach isn’t French is ignorant..That is so far from the truth, it isn’t funny…
Having a rally outside the Arena because the team doesn’t have enough French born players/coaches is absurd..The game has evolved and if you want to be competitive in this league, you HAVE to go with the best available..Period..
The guy can speak whatever language he wants to speak..Its a free country, but don’t come in here and start throwing out accusations saying I or anyone else here is trying to say that the “populous of Quebec should be forced to speak English only.” simply because we want the best available for our team..That is ignorant..
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
A lot of talk today about what to do with Gomez. There are many reasons why the Habs should not give up on him yet. He still has his speed which fits well with the current team and RC’s coaching style. He is only 32, so he has a few years left before age takes its inevitable toll. He can still dangle in the neutral zone as good as anybody in the league. He is strong enough to match up defensively with most centres in the league. He is good on the PK. He used to be an above-average face-off guy before he came to Montreal. His problem has been from the blue line in and his unwillingness to drive to the net and go to the dirty areas. As a result, his production has plummeted. I think the Habs have more to gain by giving him a chance to see if he has anything left in the tank. Maybe if his groin has healed properly, he will find his willingness to compete again.
The Habs certainly could use some help in the face-off circle, they are currently 22nd in the league in face-offs at 49%, almost 7% behind the league-leading Bruins at 55.9%. Its harder to win when you don’t start with the puck, especially on special teams.
His salary is meaningless this year because even if they freed up $7M, there is no one to spend it on without giving up assets. So Gomez is the most valuable to the Habs this year if he can play, especially if he can play to his potential. Even if he can’t find his offensive mojo, he could be a very good 3rd or 4th line centre. I am really curious to see if RC can light a fire under him.
Money aside; Pleks, DD, Eller, Gomez; who centres your 4th line?
I think a big mistake JM made was continuing to give Gomez top centre minutes even though he was no longer earning it. RC does not seem like that kind of coach. I would like to see Gomez start on the fourth line, and maybe double shift Cole or Gio again so that he has someone to play with to see what he can do. I would hate to disturb the current lines that seem to be clicking now.
“Maybe if his groin has healed properly, he will find his willingness to compete again…” only if he is recovering from having his balls re-attached…
Are you insane? He’s had more than a year to get his mojo back. He hasn’t scored in more than 50 games. He’s utter freaking useless.
I can’t believe I’m reading a post in January 2012 defending Gomez.
Aside from his uselessness, what message to you send our rookies when a useless burned out vet gets primo ice time at their expense – why should they kill themselves?
Bad, bad and worse.
I don’t want to see him get primo ice time either. I would like to see him on the 4th line, killing penalties, and taking some key face-offs. He is still more than capable of that. Make him earn getting back into the top three lines.
I have a query for those of you on here from Quebec and specifically Montreal: What is the worst case scenario politically and socially in Quebec if the Habs just say ” F-U, we’ll hire whoever we want” and keep RC or even hire an anglo GM? Rioting? That will happen if they get in the playoffs anyway. Will fans really boycott the Habs? What can the sovereignist-supporters REALLY do? I’m being very serious, I would like to know
80% of the fanbase gets upset. Season ticket sales drop like a stone.(Next season) Habs paraphernalia sales dry up.
Politically, the idiots stand up in the National Assembly. Smelling blood, the hard-core group gets roused from their winter slumber. All kinds of crap gets stirred up.
The Habs are a cultural symbol here; they aren’t “just a hockey team”.
Do you really think 80% of the Habs fanbase is Franco-Quebecois? It would be interesting to know the real numbers, there are many, many fans outside of Quebec (like myself) and many other Anglo-Quebeckers. 80% seems high to me.
Season ticket sales drop, paraphernalia dries up; step in and buy the Habs for a bargain, hire Roy, swim in pools full of cash!
Believe the percentage to be (much) closer to 50 than 80 if you consider all the fans who are not residents of Quebec. That doesn’t mean that there are no non Franco-Quebecois who support the protesters. (we’ve seen lots of evidence that this is not the case on the HIO site) But, by the same token there are a lot of sensible, intelligent Franco-Quebecois who don’t support that ilk and understand that, yes, the French heritage should be important to the Habs, but it should not handcuff them.
…….
Your logic assumes that only francophones from Quebec would be upset.
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
How so?
“The Habs are a cultural symbol here; they aren’t “just a hockey team”.”
Bring the Nordiques back and we’ll see how much of a cultural symbol they really are.
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
We can wait a couple more years to prove your theory, but for the moment, they are a cultural symbol.
Well there was no uproar when Bob Berry coached for 3 seasons. I believe he was an Anglo.
I’m sure if the Nordiques were alive the only protesting going on would be against the price of beer at the Bell.
Btw, there were people at the protest that freely admitted they didn’t even follow hockey.
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
I understand the cultural symbol angle, I actually went to school in Que for 4 years and still have family in Mtl. But the Club is privately owned and exists for profit. The Habs are not the Green Bay Packers. I am actually of the opinion that upper management should be able to speak French. But if it is not legislated, it is only a courtesy.
you are just wrong. A few left wing Rene-Levesque fan club member will wring their hands and wine and go out drinking to console each other.
There is nothing wrong with the team that winning won’t fix. And I agree that habs are a cultural symbol – but you can’t have it both ways, you can’t want to be a sophisticated international city and cultural mecca and then turn around and act like small-town babies.
I agree. It’s far more refined to riot after a 1st round win.
The passionate among them would blame english Canada until push gave way to shove, then they would back off. Problem is, in the new social network age, they would likely find themselves very quickly adrift with no way out until it was out of their control. I speak from experience. Born and raised in Mtl, moved to BC in 97, folks here are not concerned bout Qc. Wake them up (again) and they will cut you loose next time. I used to cross the champlain bridge every day. To think that my federal tax dollars are going to be used to build its replacement while the loudest idiots continue to have sway over public opinion, makes me proud of my decision to leave. The problem will always be there until the silent majority rise up against the foolish loudmouths. There are youtube videos posted from last nights demonstration that show these ignorant few for what they are. They believe quebecois players want to play there but can’t. The truth is too painful for them to entertain… the possibility that there are greener pastures and a one way million dollar ticket out simply hasn’t come into their narrow minds!
OOH AAH – HABS ON THE WARPATH!
Spats- there isn’t a “silent majority.” Be proud of leaving. You left to find other problems in BC. There are stupidities all across this great country. French people wanting to live in their language may not be high on your priority list, but it’s a BIG thing here.
“French people wanting to live in their language may not be high on your priority list, but it’s a BIG thing here.”
Yes but at what cost? The trampling of another language?
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
How far over do we have to bend to keep a few Quebec extremists happy? I was just in Lake Louise last summer, there are freaking French signs everywhere, which is fine with me, I have no problem with it, but don’t pretend you are victims and oppressed by the Anglos.
All we do is pay the bills, isn’t that enough?
Go have a cigaret and some poutine and calm down.
LA- have some tofu and go smoke an herbal cigarette.
Oh, and get nervous.
We don’t have to bend, we let them have their say and then we decide if their views are valid or not. Nobody got hurt, no mail boxes were blown up, nobody got kidnapped, nobody got thrown into jail for no reason…thinks are okay and the dialogue is healthy…
No sports franchise will ever say FU to its fans.
The people who care the most about this are not hockey fans in any case.
I meant “F-U” to the politicians and protest organizers. I don’t believe them to be fans
I’m not sure what “F-U” means in this case. Is it hiring an Anglophone if he is the best candidate? Or is it hiring a Francophone when he is NOT the best candidate?
To answer your question, nothing would happen if the Habs hired RC for next year. To suggest that most Francophone fans would stop going to the games or buying merchandise is absurd. Most Francophone fans are not bigoted a-holes, so business would proceed apace.
Full Breezer 4 Life
you are one hundred percent right Bill, and you said it much better than I did.
There would be a LOT of ink wasted on it, because the ones who care most are the sensationalist French journalists (I’m Franco, BTW).
Overall, if they’re winning, I don’t think there would be any more than what has happened so far. The next rally might be 2,000 instead of 200.
Again, if they’re winning, the sales would not drop for paraphernalia and even if they’re losing the Bell Centre would remain sold out all the time.
It’s a small minority of francos who care and most of these aren’t even Habs fans.
… and you know what? If Quebec City got a team again (which I am for) the whiners would all abandon the Habs in a heartbeat for a Nordiques team – who would go out and sign Stastnys, Forsbergs and Lindros’ – - the next generation
And that is the truth.
The Steelers are being beaten by a QB who is on a mission from God. John Belushi, you are sorely missed.
FUMBLE!!!! This game is far from over. (did Satan cause the fumble?)
Can Tebow Skate? The only thing he can’t seem to do is walk on water. One pass 80 yards, game over.
Mr. Biter
Just perusing some of the sites an came across this one from Eklund ” *The Habs are also talking to Anaheim, but more about Beauchemin..(e3)” what is this guy smoking.
We already have eight defensemen on the payroll. We are looking at paring this down by a couple and yet he comes out with a bullsh!t rumour like this.
Eklund is well known to make up rumors based on generating hits for his site.
Reminds me of that great line someone said about a noted Oxford academic: “He is that rare thing, a complete fraud.”
The people who are unhappy with Subban … come on. A sophomore slump is as predictable as snow in February. 16 year-olds should not be allowed on the internet.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Based on the following:
PG’s press conference where he talked about everyone having to change and public call out of JM.
His firing of PP.
His getting Kaberle (prompted by JM I think(.
His firing of JM… remember their relationship is long one.
His hiring of Randy… he could have gone safe and hired say Carbonneau.
DO you agree that PG has shown that he has and is willing to ‘change’ more.
My vote YES! It may be too late but I think as far as admitting failure and therefore reacting, he has come a long way.
I like PG, and all the criticism of him that I read here is, frankly and IMO, dumb.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I think its warranted.
This team has been nothing but average, carried by a good goalie.
The trades made Gainey and Gauthier for the most part, have been brutal. If it wasn’t for Trevor Timmins providing this team with top prospects, the Canadiens would have finished circling the drain long ago.
Agree. How anyone can give PG the “thumbs up” is beyond me. (acknowledging that Gainey has to share much of the responsibility for the current squad)
I think a huge lot of the reason for the team’s play has been the coaching style. Now PG and BG did hire this coach so they are responsible for that. In the last few months I think PG had given all indications that he wanted JM to change and that he was ready to facilitate that.
I see PG’s biggest problem is his lack of ‘networking’. In a job like his, where shooting the breeze with other GM’s help you get a sense of their thinking; helps you pick up tidbits about players’s stocks; help you hold up your own evaluations/thinking to more scrutiny… I think his decisions will have been different in some instances…. eg Campoli.
I believe there is no choice here: the Habs MUST re-sign Kostitsyn. Then, in the future, if AK does not perform playing regularly with a center man like Eller, we can trade him. By not signing AK, we lose him for nothing, and get zero return on our investment.
Power forwards are at a premium in this league. You have to look no further than Dustin Penner, who was traded by Edmonton at last year’s deadline for a 1st Round Draft pick (which turned out to be WJC all-star defenseman Oscar Klefbom), and a previous 1st Round Draft pick (Colten Teubert, big physical defenseman on the verge of cracking the Oilers lineup). That’s two 1st Round draft picks for a power forward who has been way more inconsistent than Kostitsyn.
Someone posted last night to make a decision re true playoffs possibility in Feb. I agree. If we are not very likely to be in playoffs at Feb, AK and Pleks are the two best bets that a good GM can use to get REAL REAL upgrades. Now I am not saying they ‘should be traded’ because they are not valuable.. rather they could be traded because they ARE!!!!!! Players like Cammy, Gionta, Gomez are not attractive trade baits for many reasons.
I am not suggesting we trade Kostitsyn. I’m saying we need to lock up that asset to give us the “option” of trading him in the future, should that be deemed appropriate. I would trade neither AK nor Plekanec at the moment. Pleks could be the best #2 Center in the league if he is relieved of the pressure of being #1. If Eller emerges as #1, we should keep Pleks for the duration of his contract.
I think Cammalleri and Gionta ARE tradeable. Even Gomez is tradeable, since his salary goes down in future years. He may find his game again somewhere else, just not here. You trade players and assets that you DON’T want, not valuable players that you want to keep. That’s the art of making a good trade. Just ask Glen Sather.
2012 is starting off on a good note!
3 friends and I are headed to Boston on Thursday to catch the game! I was wondering if anyone knew of places to be over the course of the day before game time; which boulevards, areas, cafes or restaurants to visit?? I’ve been there once before and explored the Harvard University area, it was pretty nice.
If anyone has any thoughts and suggestions, please go ahead and share! You should see my friends and I holding a couple of cardboards with one of them displaying RDS to get a definite pass on TV!
Cheers
5 “take your best guess” QUESTIONS:
1. What odds would you give the Habs on making the playoffs?
2. What are the odds Habs management will fail to sell at the deadline, still miss the playoffs, and so lose the opportunity to turn unisigned RFA’s into team strength?
3. Is Eller our (near) future first line center?
4. Is Plekanec still important to this team?
5. Is Markov done?
SD
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
1. Low
2. High
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. No
1. 5%
2. 0%
3. No. Good 2nd/3rd line centre, that’s a compliment, he doesn’t have the offensive upside to be the number one. That’s still Pleks (though haters gonna hate).
4. Hahahahahahahahaha what a question. I thought you were a smart dog?
5. No, he’ll be back next year, no problem.
Full Breezer 4 Life
1…5%
2…75%
3…100%
4…80% meaning if we dont make playoffs and there is a very good return for a trade do it.
5…100% this year…Long term I dont know.
1) low
2) high
3) yes
4) yes
5) probably (will not be the same)
1 somewhere between slim and very slim
2 bet the farm on this one
3 see answer for #1
4 did Lucic want to fight George Laroque?
5 are beer prices to high at the Bell Centre?
4 not on his life. skated away like a sheep from a Scotsman
5 Beer is too expensive in every Arena and Stadium
Mr. Biter
1.50/50
2. more loaded dog stuff
3. 2nd or 3rd line center
4. The equivalent question is, “Do you need oxygen to breathe?”
5. Not by a long shot.
1. What odds would you give the Habs on making the playoffs?
7:2 Still not good but Better than they might appear because this team is not as bad as the first half showed and there are 2-3 teams in the hunt who are worse than the first half showed.
2. What are the odds Habs management will fail to sell at the deadline, still miss the playoffs, and so lose the opportunity to turn unisigned RFA’s into team strength?
Sadly, Pretty high. Not that this is all about RFAs as the Habs have to continue with the Gorges style tradition breaker and negotiate during the season. They have to determine whether UFAs AK46 and Moen want to stay and get deals done or trade. They have to try and get some trade value out of at least one of the D who will be RFA/UFA on July 1 to a team looking for depth or PK. They have to at least see if there is a useful return on a veteran forward like Cammy or Gionta for a playoff contender (not that I feel that those guys need to be purged).
3. Is Eller our (near) future first line center?
Eller is my second favourite current Hab but No. He is a legitimate #2 Center and I have been saying this since before his first regular season game as a Hab.
4. Is Plekanec still important to this team?
After Carey Price, Plekanec is the most important player to this team. The suggestions to trade him are asinine except in that there are 29 other teams in the NHL who would want Plekanec so the return would be good (unless there is a another Glen Sather offering another set of Gomez magic beans for which the Habs will give up their cash cow)
5. Is Markov done?
God, I hope not. I don’t think so, but really at this point who the hell knows?
“Et le but!”
1. No chance this year.
2. Odds are we will always be conservative and do squat.
3. Maybe for the oldtimers-alumni team.
4. Important to supply good old Czech beer for his teammates after a game than that piss beer we drink here in Canada from L****s pr M****n.
5. Markov who? Danny or Andrei?
“We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets “
Well Hamilton has won 3 in a row beating Oklahoma today 3-1. Enqvist gets two goals and Dumont gets the other.
I don’t know if the playoffs are happening this year buy I’d love to see a big push for them regardless. Then, if they make it or come close, keep RC and fire PG.
RC is toast, this media shit-storm hasn’t even started: take away the “interim” tag and just watch the bigots come crawling out from under their rocks.
He’s a good coach: he’s proved it in the minors, and he’s making positive changes here. What I want is for the Habs to make a good showing down the stretch so he can get a good job somewhere else. He doesn’t deserve this BS.
Hopefully he has a lot of future success with his next, “real” job. Meanwhile, I’m sure the Habs will do mighty well picking from the limited crop of Pure Laine candidates, haha.
Full Breezer 4 Life
The bigots are in full view here sir.
Where do you stand on it HH?
Full Breezer 4 Life
You know when a disposable lighter runs out of gas and you’re sitting their trying your best to get a flame going but the thing is spent so all you see is that little spark trying to ignite nothing. Well that is the protest by the Montreal Francais. Just a meaningless little spark trying to catch some fumes. 200 friggin’ people!! That is like 0.003 of Quebec’s population!!
You want to know what the English response is? It is the risk of being a heap load of butane gas just waiting to turn that insignificant little spark into a full blown inferno.
Just ignore it folks. Put your emotions away and use your friggin’ brains for a change a try to take the higher ground.
So. Let’s support the French language as Habs fans.
^^ So where do you stand on it HH?
Seriously, what do you mean?
Full Breezer 4 Life
I want Cunneyworth to stay as coach and would be disappointed if the Habs lose him. He should take French lessons though and continue to improve and speak French. I also think Gionta was a poor choice for captain as his French is beyond horrid. Cammy would have been a better choice. Cammy is way more articulate in his language than Gionta by a far margin and thus would have been IMO a better candidate to acquire a second language and thus articulate in French. I mean for goodness sakes Gionta doesn’t say anything in English either.
Nobody except a very limited and increasingly insignificant portion of the population is as xenophobic as these pages and the English response has suggested. However the English response, and hence my lighter analogy, is something that runs the risk of compelling Quebeckers to circle the wagons again. A friend of mine who is 100% Quebecois, a person who is incredibly articulate in both French and English, a person who’s first language is French and has a better diction, vocabulary and understanding of the rules and grammar in English than a large proportion of the Anglo population, a person who is open minded, suggested to me that he was going to go to the demonstration, if only for sh!ts and giggles and because he is a bit of a rebel, as I, but mostly because that was his reaction to the reaction.
I called in the past for a uni-lingual Habs coach. Now I believe this suggestion was erroneous. What I feel as a Montrealer from my colleagues at work and friends has changed my mind on this subject.
Given the history of the organization and it’s place as a cultural icon of sorts, it is important that there be Quebecois content on the team and among the administration staff. However the realities of Quebec are that much of the population is no longer strictly pure laine or quebecois de souche, as was the case only a generation ago, and must accept the growing visibility of this new development.
The Habs thus have a responsibility to lead the way and set the example. Gauthier and Molson have pandered to the lowest common denominator rather than take a principled stance that shows balance and regard for all those involved. They are teetering between insulting and offending both sides of the language divide on this issue and rather than putting out the fire, are running the risk of stoking the flames.
Bill, I think there is one way RC and yes PG can be here next year.
First let me say that PG WONT be unless RC is … meaning if RC is not with the team in any position then PG is gone too.
Now if RC leads us into the playoffs and we go into the 3rd round or 7th game of the 2nd round, then I think the following scenarios may happen.
If the above happens then…
1)PG will be retained. Say what you want re PG ,and he has made lots of errors, he has also shown a willingness to change and also to listen to his coach. I think Kaberle is here because JM pleaded for someone. I think if retained he will be better.
2)RC will have his choice to stay as head-coach or leave or take ANY other position he wants. I say he will STAY given the choice.
3)PG/Molson/and if they are smart an ex-French superstar (Jean Beliveau maybe) will hold a presser and lay out a detail plan for RC to become conversant in French.
4)Happiness will prevail in HABSLAND.
If we do not make the playoffs or get blown out in first round then both PG and RC will be gone. Their fates are intertwined now.
NOTE: I hope PG is thinking like me and makes a trade to help the playoff push. He probably can do this without any great harm. H e cant be that stupid to trade one of the ‘untouchable youths’… can he?
Wouldn’t bet against it
What do you guys expect to see on Tuesday? The Habs humiliating Halak by scoring more than 4 goals on him or Halak humiliating the Habs by getting a shutout?
no humiliation.. low scoring game.
- If the NHL was the Wizard of Oz, Cammalleri would be the Cowardly Lion.
No guarantee Halak will start. Odds are for it but he is now the back-up.
Also Go Denver Go , but the Pack will take it all. Worst part I will be in Green Bay the week before the Super Bowl. Would love to be there for the Super Bowl. It would be wild.
Mr. Biter
Elliot Friedman stated on HNIC last night after the Calgary/Minny game that Ken Hitchcock told the media that he was rolling with Halak on Tuesday instead of Elliot
No Humiliation.. a 3-1 win with Eller being a star.
I’d be surprised if Hitch really starts Halak: Elliot has stolen that job with those insane performances and numbers.
If he does, though, I expect a 2-1 game for whichever team wins. I think the Habs will personally.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Broncos are running away with it.,
Has to be divine intervention.
Sounds more like Satan’s work….
If Tebow played in a church, Satan would buy a ticket
It ain’t over yet. Remember the New England game not long ago.
It sure is great to watch some wide-open ,exciting games under RC than that yawn JM put us through.Now we get to see the real AK46 and Eller.
Pedro
JM was frigging asleep. He should go back to Florida, in a lawn chair this time, with a Pina Colada: I wish him all the best in his retirement, sincerely.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Assuming the Canadiens do not make the playoffs this year — and despite Ian Cobb’s appeal to heaven, I cannot see this team doing so — then the team is in a very good bargaining position to move some players as the trade deadline approaches. The question is which players would yield the best return for the Canadiens.
The three, in my opinion, are Cammalleri, Gill, and Kostitsyn. Cammalleri would be desirable for a playoff-bound team because of his past playoff performances. Gill would be desirable for his leadership, experience, and penalty-killing prowess. Since both Cammalleri and Gill were signed as free agents, the Canadiens win no matter what since the team did not give up any players to get them in the first place.
Kostitsyn would be valuable to another because he is a typical 20-goal scorer with size. Since I believe he is an unrestricted free agent this year, the Canadiens either should sign him now (should they decide to keep him) or trade him before the team gets nothing for him this upcoming summer.
Sorry folks, but we are stuck with Gomez.
Does that mean you really think Gomez will be on this team next year?
That is Molson’s decision, one supposes. He can “suggest” to Gauthier to send Gomez to Hamilton and then the team would would wash its hands of him as a player (although Molson would have to pay his salary).
Well, that´s the point. There are different possibilities, keeping him at 7.3 m would be by far the worst. I think it would be in the best interest of the Habs and of Gomez to find him a job in Europe next season.
I agree. What is so strange about Gomez’s current “injury” is how no one talks about it — when was the last time even Boone and his colleagues looked into Gomez’s absence? I thought Gauthier was going to deal with Gomez’s conditioning and attitude this past summer — especially given an interview Gauthier gave when he discussed what he expected from Gomez for the duration of his contract — but it would seem among Gauthier’s many vices is lack of backbone to deal directly with problems.
Next season his salary is 5.5 million and 4.5 after that. Gainey still made a colossal error with that acquisition.
Keep AK. He’s been fabulous.
Gomez can be sent to Hamilton or loaned to any pro team outside of the NHL of his choice.
Cammy would be a tough sell on the trade market with 2 more years @ $6 mil.
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“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
I agree with many here, though, that Kostitsyn is simply too inconsistent as a player. There are tremendous risks signing him to any kind of multi-year contract. I suppose it all depends on what his agent thinks he is worth. Since he is an upcoming UFA, I believe he can be replaced next summer with another similar UFA. In that light, I would take draft picks for Kostitsyn if the team decides against signing him before they simply lose him via free agency.
Don’t think Gomer would play for the Siberia Ice Dogs.
Mr. Biter
Bobcat Bob
Da Hema: respectfully , I feel that would be a huge mistake — this guy is the real deal and regardless who he plays with — he always scores 20 or more. How can we afford to get rid of a player like this???
ak is good if you count on him as a 3rd liner. He is not consistent enough for top 6 but can play there when someone is hurt. He is on pace for less than 50 points this season….
Cammalleri has certainly been a disappointment this year but I wonder if trading him isn’t “throwing the baby out with the bath water”. Is he one good center from returning to form? And with that in mind, is he not a consummate 2nd line winger? Or is he being paid too much to fill that roll?
Gill does seem a likely candidate since they’ve signed Gorges but I think I’d rather see Gill retained as a P.K. advisor …
Kostitsyn. Cannot agree. I love him with Eller and think he cannot possibly be dealt for fair value. Habs have stuck with him and this point the only positive return I can envisage requires keeping him … and that includes not enduring all the goals he’d score against MTL. if he were traded.
Gill will certainly be dealt, should fetch a 3rd rounder. Cammalleri has too much contract left to be a rental: he’s a playoff hero, so I could see a team like Pittsburgh being interested, but cap problems next year make it impossible. He’s a Hab long-term, and I don’t mind that, he’s a useful player (in a horrible slump).
Kostitsyn should be resigned. Or rather, he should’ve been resigned before Gorges. I don’t know if he can still be resigned … if not, he’s a very valuable commodity. He is SO underrated on this team. He gets us a good prospect in return, I’d say.
I would add that Travis Moen could fetch a 4th rounder, Nokelainen a 6th rounder, and Campoli a 5th rounder (if they play him). I expect all those players to be dealt.
Moen and Gill will definitely be dealt. Bank on it.
Full Breezer 4 Life
How far do you really think you’re gonna go with three 20 maybe 25 goal guys on your team – hey these guys can play hockey but they’re not scores and that’s why we’re in the position we’re in – lack of scoring – lost too many close and overtime games as well as shoot outs – we’re not a stanley cup team and to finish high in the standings will get us a late draft pick – the only thing I want to see is to keep RC give him players that’s tough and can score and he’ll bring a cup to montreal.
Scoring is coming, 6 and 7 goal games recently, remember? And, of course, wins are coming. No more sitting on leads I notice.
Let’s not be delusional. Yes we’ve seen some encouraging signs, but let’s face it, so far this season (and we’re at the halfway point)…hardly awe inspiring. Kudos for RC in his efforts in starting to deprogram the team. (erasing le System from the team’s collective hard drive)
.
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
not sure what happened there
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
What point are you trying to make?
I thought his point was crystal clear.
This is like that Seinfeld episode about nothing
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
.
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
The Habs won’t make the playoffs, the offense and lack of pp really burned the team in the first half. Even if everybody started playing to their potential it won’t be enough. Even if by some dumb luck they do make the playoffs, they’ll be too drained to go far.
The addition of Cole alone was not enough to improve the team over last season’s edition let alone even offset the lack of a productive Gomez, a healthy Markov and a PP dman in Wiz.
Comparing offensive output of other players this season vs last season
Desharnais PLUS
Gomez MINUS (due to injury)
PAC PLUS (due to not having season ending injury this season)
Cammy MINUS (due to slump + injury)
Gio MINUS (due to slump + injury)
Kost MINUS (due to slump + injury)
Plek EVEN
Subban MINUS (due to sophmore slump?)
Even if we include Cole as a plus, this team has more top players underperforming this season compared to last season. Sure Eller & Moan are better this season but they are 3rd liners now. Darche overachieved offensively last season and is playing as expected this season, Nok isn’t replacing Halpern’s offensive production. Are Diaz, Emelin & Kab better than Spacek, Hamrlik & Wiz from last season? Overall, No. But change was inevitable considering the ages of Hamrlik & Spacek and the ridiculous money Wiz got (Wiz is currently out for 6 weeks with fractured ankle). Kab has definitely helped out the PP at least and Emelin brings the hits. Still missing the left handed slap shot from the point. Although the Habs should be able to utilize Weber’s right handed slap shot (cause he’s better than Subban with that particular skill).
Trade Cammalleri. At least it’s possible to get something in return (you just know that on a good team Cammy would score 70+pts and 30+goals but not on the Habs) and it will free up a good amount of cap space. I would make an effort to resign Kost & Moen. But if there are hints that neither will resign with the Habs then trade them. Trade Gill who will have more value than Campoli who hasn’t played much anyway.
i just cant see how trading pleks benefits the canandiens
I think some of the proposals to trade our younger players at this stage would only be seriously considered by someone with the vision of a Rejean Houle. The dumbest one is to trade Subban. I am not pleased with his development this season, but the last thing this team needs to do is give away yet another young defenceman when this position in general remains one of the main developmental challenges for this organization. We finally have a few potential NHL defenceman making their way through the developmental pipeline, and some people want us to send away these assets. The very idea is idiotic.
+1 on subban add price to that list as well. way i see it is weve got alot of upside in the pipeline, combine that with the possibility of a top 5 pick (through trade) in 2012 theres a pretty good team in 3-4 years
it will benefit only if we find the big #1 Centerman
Lets face it if we pick up a big # 1 C, we have to give something back in return and we’d have to return some cap dollars. The guy to go would have to be Pleks. Eller and DD make next to nothing. Yes you can tell me Cammalleri and Gionta etc……… but we’d have an overload at Center. The ideal would be to give up both Pleks and Gionta for that #1, that would clear 10 million.
But the “if we get a big #1 centre in return” argument is sheer fantasy. Why would a team trade a big centre, the most sought-after kind of player, for a smaller centre? It defies reason. Even Mike Milbury wouldn’t do that, and he is as dense and moronic as they come.
Only if we traded Plek, Eller & Kostitsyn for Getzlaf. Or maybe Plek, Cammy & Desharnais. That will never happen.
Might be easier to get Jeff Carter who’s having a pretty dismal season so far.
even if theres only 10 guys like getzlaf in the league the habs get hosed on both of those
I think rather than an algebraic equation, Boone should have inserted an image of God or a church at the top. This seems more appropriate because the Habs will need divine intervention to make the playoffs this year.
I thought Leblanc was sent down?
Da Hema—I have already talked to the big GUY, and he has given Cunnyworth the green light for a full court press into the play offs and beyond.
Gonna need all the help we can get Ian!
Ian, you were asking about White earlier. The maximum original timeline for his surgery recovery is this week coming up. One of the RDS guys last week said that White would soon be sent down to Hamilton on a 3 game reconditioning.
Thanks for that Frank!
I took care of that already. I twittered God and asked him to make sure the Habs not only make the playoffs but also win the Stanley Cup this year.
God’s Twitter address is @god
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I think God needs more specificity. Can you ask her whether she could replenish the competitive fire in Scott Gomez?
And God bless you Danno!
Miracles are one thing. But asking this of the almighty is too much.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
You are correct, Sir!
Yeah, I think God is a little bit too busy helping Tim Tebow win football games to intervene on behalf of the Montreal Canadiens or starving children in Africa.
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is probably not our year!
Chat with me on Twitter @TheRealRGM81
Thanks
GOOD MAN
There you go!
Why doesn’t God just teach him to throw a football?
Judging by what we saw in the 2nd quarter, I’d say God has done his work.
Can’t say God has been much help with the starving children part. Me thinks his priorities are misplaced.
At least he has His priorities straight!
EDIT – You beat me Vid!
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Isn’t there supposed to be a spot in the middle that says “and then, a miracle happens”?
Because it’s going to take something like that for these guys to make the playoffs. No matter how good RC may (or may not) be, this team is in a deep hole. They need to go from being one of the very worst teams to being one of the very best teams… and with the same anchors that are weighing them down (Markov out, Gomez on the books, Cami having a horrible season, Pleks not playing well). Two good games is nothing.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
You just have to win a bit more than half the games to make it to the playoffs. It’s true they are in a bit of a hole right now but the hole is only about 3′ deep. At 6′ under I would start to worry.
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Some prospect news, Engqvist has 2 goals this afternoon and Palushaj 2 assists.
habsworld_net – 2 prospects who have played for the #Habs are on hot streaks. A. Engqvist has points in 8 straight while A. Palushaj has 10 pts in 5 games.
cool, hopefully their trade value will go up, cause there will be no room for them short term or long-term
HIO Guys,
The way these pages “flip” and start fresh with no sign of the previous posts is so 20th century paper. It’s ridiculous. I need to go to another page just to see what’s been happening in this thread.
PLEASE…!!! set the formatting so that it allows a certain length of posts but always the same length. Throw off your archaic past once and for all! This ISN’T paper guys! It’s digital! Look it up!
SD
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
The problem is twofold:
1) we’re treating the post’s comments as a discussion forum, and,
2) the comments are threaded, but are sorted by the time of the original comment
HIO mods: please can you have a look at “reverse_top_level and reverse_children parameters for wp_list_comments” for WordPress?
http://andyfroncioni.com
Please listen to SmartDog HIO Guys!
And please bring back the feature from the old HIO that showed “new” posts after you refreshed the page.
Better yet, blow up the new format and bring back the old Habs Inside Out blog.
Thanks a bunch!
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Steve McGarrett would be pleased with your thoughts here.
Book ‘em Danno!
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
PG should trade Cammy to Pitt for Engelland and Asham…salary dump sorta and Habs get some much needed toughness. Enge plays over 20 mins a game too.
I’d LOVE to get Asham back.
He can scrap and play. Perfect fit. IMO
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
While I think we would all love this, the Pens wouldn’t. They had to get special approval from ownership to get Kovalev at the deadline last year; they aren’t going to want Gomez at 7.5 or even 5.5 for a 4th line centre.
Who mentioned Gomez?
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Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
Gomez?
Full Breezer 4 Life
With Eller’s emerging play as of late and with rumours of guys like getzlaf,carter and eric staal potentially being available. Does anybody think a guy like pleky could possible be shopped as of a package for any of the 3? I’m not suggesting it,just throwing it out there.
No….
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
1 for 1 I’d do it in a heart beat. I think the problem with Pleks is that he is more valuable to the Canadiens (us) than he would be to anybody else. I wouldn’t want to throw picks or young players in to get one of those guys.
Maybe Pleks and Cammy for Staal. I’d do that from a “bettering the hockey team stand point.
My problem is when I see Eric Staal veins start popping out and my tourettes syndrome kicks in, spewing vile, awful things I would like to see happen to him. The wife usually leaves the room, shaking her head and saying “what fi your daughter heard you saying that”.
I usually calm down after we beat Carolina. I will calm down for good when he is on the wrong end of a career ending injury, preferably one I have saved for eternity on the PVR to watch over and over again in glee and delight.
All that stated, from a hockey stand point he would likely make MTL a better team, but I would have an easier time cheering for a line of Pleks between Marchand and Avery.
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They lost me 2 quarts of rum, better make it up next year with a cup!