Ken Campbell of The Hockey News called the Canadiens 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night “a triumph of speed and skill over pugnacity, testosterone and truculence” on Twitter.
It was also another major step in the remarkable rebuilding job new GM Marc Bergevin has done with the Canadiens, who were sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 13-4-3 record after the win in Toronto. The Canadiens were also in third place overall in the NHL, trailing only Chicago (16-0-3) and Anaheim (14-3-1).
Bergevin’s latest rebuilding move was acquiring Michael Ryder from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, along with a third-round draft pick this year, in exchange for Erik Cole.
Coach Michel Therrien said Ryder “is the kind of player we need,” and used hiim on a line with Lars Eller and rookie Alex Galchenyuk. Ryder played 14:34 and his only shot was blocked, but Therrien was impressed with his debut.
“For a guy who didn’t get any sleep last night, he played a great game,” Therren said.
Therrien gave his team the day off Thursday and scheduled a practice for 11 a.m. Friday in Brossard. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Bell Centre Saturday (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN 690 Radio), before the Canadiens embark on a five-game road trip that starts Sunday night in Boston and includes stops in Long Island, N.Y., Carolina, Tampa Bay and Florida.
Ryder excited to be back with Canadiens, by Pat Hickey
Strong finish in win over Leafs, by Pat Hickey
Don Cherry: If Phaneuf beats Prust, Leafs win, by Sportsnet
Kerry Fraser weighs in on controversial Habs vs. Leafs calls, by TSN.ca
Rookie Gallagher earns some praise, by Pat Hickey
Unexpected ending to Cole’s era in Montreal, by Pat Hickey
What goes around comes around with Habs, by Jack Todd
Emelin the Canadiens’ mystery man, by Brenda Branswell
Canadiens vs. Leafs photo gallery
Trip of a lifetime for Australian Habs fan, by Dave Stubbs
Fans weigh in on first episode of HIO show
(Photo by Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)
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Saw a transactions ticker at NHLCenter that said the Flames have signed O’Reilly for two years at 5 million a year.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Not anymore Avs matched offer sheet!
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The cranial flatulence of PJ Stock:
“On peut play cette game tres simplement”
“Le game est tous de hard work”
” I have a pet peeve”
Sigh looking for full-time work is really hard -_- wish I was a millionaire
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Anyone else with CenterIce here? My feed for the OTT/BOS game is choppy as hell. Was wondering if it was a CI issue or a cable provider issue.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Heard on the radio that there are issues with videotron.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Thanks DDO.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
…Warning; experiment: ignore
Loria 
How do you make those emoticons appear?
Edit : Now I know…
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
http://en.support.wordpress.com/smilies/
…hmmm, I think these will save Me a lot of typing …will comment by pictogram from now on
…which more than a few of You may appreciate
Do you have a link for all the possible faces and their keyboard codes? Thanks
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
My. God.
What is wrong with Rogers Sportsnet?
How can they be so bad at commentating?
They just said that Boston may have been called for “an illegal substitution or too many men.”
Illegal substitution.
This ain’t the USNFgoddamnL.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
The NHL has an “Illegal Substitution” call now were they blow the play dead, but do not assess a penalty.
I think people forgot about this guy, “What is a Nokelainen?”: http://www.allaboutthehabs.ca/what-is-a-nokelainen/
Someone who will probably have to retire due to injury unfortuately….
Sorry Mavid but Go Ottawa!
And go Captain Kirk!
Nuff said…
Leafs play-by-play really can’t get over Brown’s extremely dangerous hit on Gorges being a 5min major. Can’t let it go for some reason.
or the faceoff either.
Nice goal by Kadri for the hattrick. The Isles D were terrible though, 3 pylons.
Never going to hear the end of the Kadri hype machine though.
Too bad, he grew up a Habs fan. I hope he gets traded or something, I feel bad he has to be a Leaf. He wasn’t too happy at first, but obviously he’s embraced it.
…sorry, I was experimenting with the WordPress icon instruction for smile
…I often use a smile when I am being facetious, joking or something pleases Me …but I don’t like the open-mouthed smile …prefer the subtle smile, and thought the WordPress instruction would do that
…it doesn’t, and I feel funny having to ‘explain’ all this to You Turkeys
Shucks, I just thought you had gas…
…I do as well
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
The only thing I can think of is this:
If the flames continue to suck. Iggy and Kipper are gone, possibly replenishing the draft picks lost to Colorado and Mtl. But not as good as the ones given up on the offer sheet (Calgary’s) (because iggy and Kipper would go to playoff bound teams, therefore higher draft positions.)
If the Flames make the playoffs however… and this is a big IF. Well, odds are they won’t go deep. and they will not have a pick in this years deep draft pool until round number 4…
Calgary got a 1st & 2nd when Montreal signed Tanguay for one season…..
When I think of the Flames’ decision making it makes me think of those films about cavemen where the Homo Habilis man walks out of his cave bewildered, then touches a rock with his finger and acts frightened and then sniffs the air until he realizes the smell is from his armpit.
I certainly hope someone is investigating the NHL at this moment…crooked officiating indeed;
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/fifa-bans-74-match-fixing-150227623–sow.html
All this same conference play is misleading,,,,,Habs and Leafs are not that good overall. They are both likely to make playoffs as they get to beat up on same lousy teams every week.
Their record would be a lot different if they had played teams like Chicago, San jose, Anahiem, LA, Vancouver, St,Louis in thier rinks.
This whole season is a mirage. Other than Boston and Pittsburg, cup should go west again.
Sure, a team that was only lost 4 times in regulation, 2 months into the season, is “a mirage.”
Habs look playoff bound, and they have what it takes to win a few rounds, whether they will or not will be seen in a few months.
San Jose and LA would get vertigo trying to skate with the Habs.
Hahaha!
Chicago, San Jose and Anaheim are in a more challenging conference with Phoenix, Columbus, Calgary, Nashville…?
What utter nonsense.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
It’s worse than this! Even when the league is operating on a full schedule, the teams are *still* only ever playing the same set of teams over and over!!! It’s just a slightly larger set.
These stupid Habs are a terrible hockey team until they really prove themselves, obviously by playing *all* of the hockey teams, across all leagues and organizations, everywhere. And then the teams from the other sports leagues too, in sequence, until the line-up from the first bunch of teams has died or been replaced, so that we never play the same team twice. Only *then*,,,,,,, does it make ANY sense at all to claim that the Habs are a decent hockey team.
This made me LOL. Really. Thanks for the laugh.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Nice.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Something else is terrible…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Anyone else play NHL 13 on PS3? If so Send me your account names!
Anyone know why NHL 13 stil ldoesn’t have Gallagher or Ryder on the roster?
Sorry…I embarrass myself online enough already…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Haha, this is actually my least embarrassing chat room, think about that.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I can see you taking crap for standing up the ladies for hockey games…not that there is anything wrong with that
I get why many here are questioning the offer sheet CGY just put forth to COL for O’Reilly, but in the end, their first round pick is not top 5, and they are only 3 points of out 8th. Even without him, they seem to be picking it up. Should they sign him, he is an immediate help. It’s like the first round pick turned into a top 6 forward instantly, so in that sense its a first for a first, but a first for a guaranteed player who is projected to be quite good – that’s a good deal IMO. The third is a loss, so they lose there, but in my view it’s not a bad move. If anything, they still have many assets to move, and that’s the most important thing moving forward – what they do with these veterans that will get a good return. But a first and third for an established young player is not that bad. The bad thing there is the cap hit.
Ask Toronto if they thought they were not going to finish top 5…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Calgary is still not a good team even with O’Reilly. I could very easily see their season going off the rails.
This is a team that needs a rebuild, not to do this IMO.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
This is a team that has needed a rebuild for a while unless they are blowing up the team for picks they shouldn’t be doing this
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Technically they can rebuild with him, they just lose a pick, which is not good for rebuilding, but they get a guy they can move forward with.
…Don Cherry is right, Phaneuf dropping his mitts with Prust very well may have turned around the mo of the Weeds
Cherry was right when he said that if you’re going to stir up trouble, then you should answer the bell. You can’t just stand there and whack someone repeatedly and then skate away. Can’t believe I’m actually agreeing with Don Cherry…my head hurts…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
He also said that Pylon also likes to fight with smaller players. Needs to fight the tough guys too!
…he plays a very different game now than when he first came-up in Calgary …now that he’s in the money
…he ran at Gallagher to decapitate him to start the game,then declines Prust exactly at a time when the Weeds needed something to change the game’s momentum
…bad decisions for a ‘captain’
…but Phaneuf will likely turn it around, especially after being called-out by Cherry and the inbreds in TO
Do you hear the segment from Hockey Central? McLean says he should’ve fought Pacioretty or Subban…lol why would either one of those two drop the gloves with Phaneauf and sit in the box for five minutes with him. What are they going say…”Sorry guys I didn’t want to make it so easy to score, so I had to help Caryle out by getting him and me off the ice.”
…I like the story up top about the Filipina-Australian girl with the hotz for Diaz (and Our Habs) that spent a fair bit flying from the other hemisphere to requite Her longings
…another pleasant Stubb’s read
…I spent going-on 3/4s of My Life back’n'forth between Asia/Australia and Canada …One would have then, and likely today, to dig very deep before happening-on someone who knew ice hockey …those One did meet were often more knowledgeable and passionate than many here in Canada
…My Kids are half Asian, so this story left Me a lingering smile
I thought of you when reading that article.
Who the hell is Fester?
A mad scientist practicing on the Calgary Flames?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
http://www.addamsfamily.com/addams/f_playrm.jpg
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Why does everyone think this move mortgages Calgary’s future? I don’t know about this O’Reilly kid but he’s 22 and a lot of people seem to think he will be very good. Elliotte Friedman – no dummy – suggests he’s better than Duchenne.
If that’s the case he is the future.
Also I think Calgary will not finish in the bottom 5. As Hobie says they’re not a bad team and that first round pick could end up being the 16th pick or lower. Right now they have the 9th pick in the draft. Not McKinnon or Jones territory.
It all depends on how good you think O’Reilly is. But if he’s at all good, Colorado is the bush league organization for letting him go in exchange for a speculative draft pick.
Maybe it’s because I don’t see the Flames being as good as you do, but I have to disagree.
The only way this move makes sense to me is if the team getting O’Reilly is close to contending for a Cup. The Flames are not.
Despite the fact that it’s an offer sheet, This reminds me of the Kessel deal. It didn’t work for the Leafs, I can’t see it working for the Flames.
It is not as bad if O’Reilly resigns in two years. But if he doesn’t then it delays CGY’s rebuild another year
If he resigns, it’s for 6.5 million per year minimum. The first round pick is a gamble, but O’Reilly is a bit of a gamble as well (he’s only scored over 50 points once, and didn’t put up huge numbers in junior); at least the first round pick gamble isn’t going to cost 6.5 million per year.
Anyone think Therrien should stick to developing Galchenyuk at his natural postion rather than switching him between wing and center all the time?
I WANT A TOEWS GOD DAMMIT
I think it is not an issue short term. Better to give Eller a real shot at playing center regularly.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Get this:
If Colorado decides not to match, Calgary will have to send them their first rounder and their third rounder for the 2013 draft.
So the Flames will have zero picks in the first three rounds of a better than average draft. Keep in mind that they are on pace to finish in the bottom 10.
The only justification for that, in my mind, is to win a Cup. Does anyone here think that O’Reilly makes the Flames a Cup contender?
I’m baffled by this move.
Could be a dangerous bluff
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Flames ownership and/or management must think they can contend in the playoffs, otherwise it makes no sense, as you say.
If, and only if, this is a signal that CGY is going to get serious about a youth movement, then this makes kind of sense. Even though they have no picks and by the time any youth develop O’Reilly could be long gone.
I’m thinking they may try to trade Iginla, Cammallerri, Bouwmeester, Wideman, Giordano, and Tanguay at the deadline and maybe bring on some good prospects and some high picks
i agree, i think this is the beginning of a youth movement here in calgary. i think iginla will will want to go to a contender. he deserves a deep run before he hangs em up imo
Giordano to Montreal.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Flames fans must be going bananas. They only thing that kept me sane last year was the draft anticipation.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
They either think they have the playoffs locked up or, they must be trading guys like Iginla for picks etc
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
I am baffled too, this kind of money for a guy who has never scored 20 goals a year at any level (19 was his best in junior). Maybe he turns into a good 2nd line center. I think Bergevin is way too smart to do something like this. The Flames are desperate.
This guy has scored 107 pts. over 3 years That’s 35 pts a year and calgary is gonna pay him 6.5 mill next year. Definitly a head scratcher
Calgarys window is closing rapidly. Try have to make some kind of run this year or its explosion time. Now or never. The offer sheet makes sense. But they won’t get him.
O’Reilly must think he’s died and gone to heaven. And with the second year being 6.5 thats the minimum he’d get as a qualifying offer the year after. I still think the Avs will match it. Would they have traded him for a first and third? No. So they’ll eat the contract and move on.
I’m not so sure. Keeping in mind how strong this draft is, Colorado might want to just roll the dice and take the picks. Consider that the Avalanche sit 25th in the NHL right now. Calgary is only 23rd. Two top ten picks in this draft could be some serious ammo.
It could also be Jack Skille and Brian Lee.
While I can see the temptation, not many GM’s have the luxury of rebuilding. I dont really know much about Greg Sherman, their GM but I’m sure his focus is on this season and next and not beyond, and if that’s the case it makes more sense to keep him.
I don’t think Calgary is heaven…no offense to the Calgary boys on the site…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
For those who miss and loved the expos check out this video with Staub
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKgr_k3FULY
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Great stuff! Thanks Sportsfan!
Rusty was my baseball hero growing up. Was at Dorval airport with my parents to pick up a relative and the Expos happened to arrive at the same time. I ran to the parking lot to get Rusty’s autograph. I didn’t even bother to ask the teammate he was with.
Those colour film clips remind me of getting to the games at Jarry Park really early and going down near the dugout to get pictures and autographs………
Milbury saying Ovie should be ashamed, funny coming from the ass hat who hit a fan with a shoe
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
What did Ovie do?
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
He tried to ever sell a high stick I think
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
and ruined a storied franchise for years.
Who would you rather have MacKinnon/Drouin/Jones or OReilly, well done Jay Feaster, you are the village idiot.
Why does a hockey smart market like Calgary allow a GM as stupid as Feaster to run this team?
Barkov too…4 potential home runs…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
agree fingers got tired typing all the great top picks this year, there is also that Russian kid who scored a big goal in the Canada Russia game. A very bad year to give up a 1st, when the playoffs are far from a guarantee.
Yeah makes no sense. The Flames are still tankable. They can deal Iginla, Bouwmeester and Kiprusoff…just mind blowing…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Scratching head.
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Because it’s an old boys club. Like a lot of companies in Calgary (and I am sure elsewhere), executives are not hired based on what they can do, it’s based on who you know and who knows you. You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours.
Not just Calgary…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
the last 10, flames are a .500 team.
they are 3 points out of playoff spot now.
Third year in the NHL, Age 22:
Goals / Assts / Pts
Jarome Iginla 28 / 23 / 51
Ryan O’Reilly 18 / 37 / 55
I’d rather have o’Reilly. More developed and a better known commodity. Even highly rated picks, and no guarantee this would be a top 5, don’t always pan out. So it’s a crappy contract for Colorado to eat, so what? They have gobs of cap space. IMHO of course.
For about 4 years now Calgary has needed to blow things up and start fresh. Even casual fans that don’t pay attention to the salary cap, draft and all that stuff can easily see that.
But if you look at their current roster, which has played some decent hockey the last couple weeks, and add O’Reilly, they look decent. A top 6 of O’Reilly, Iginla, Tanguay, Glencross, Hudler and Cammalleri is pretty good. Aside from Stepniak, who I’ve seen play a scrappy, feisty and solid game a couple games this year, I don’t know a heck of a lot about their bottom six.
And their defense is pretty good too. People dump on Bouwmeester cuz he was supposed to put up bigger numbers but a lot of commentators have said he’s been solid this year. Wiedman is a good defenseman with some offensive upside and Giordano is their bigger version of Gorges.
Kiprussof is a better than average goaltender in their net.
So when you ignore the future, like Feaster seems to do, and focus on their current spot in the standings, 3pts out, add O’Reilly, I could see the Flames making the playoffs.
They have a roster which “Should” be pretty decent, but they haven’t played decent in years, so what really are they? And now they just sacrificed more of their future for Dr. Phil’s kid.
Well I think with O’Reilly and the additions of Hudler and Weidman makes their roster better than it has been in a few years. Not saying I love it but it seems they’re a bit deeper and a more solid team.
Hobie, you make an important point.
Some teams can not afford to wait, they NEED to make something happen in the here and now.
I know that the Habs ran their team like that for many of these past 20 years, and it was based on the philosophy:
“just make the playoffs, and then a hot goalie can get you very, very far”.
Different teams have different philosophies.
Ed, off subject but what is happening in Quebec with Duclair?
in what sense?
He was injured from Oct 1 – Nov 9th.
He had a bad month of january and much of february, but he is starting to play better lately with 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games.
I like him a lot.
I believe he will slide out of the 1st round and someone is going to get a very exciting NHL player in the 2nd round.
there was some kind of internal fight, but it was nothing terrible.
Heard stories of him and Eren feuding or something so bad that they were sent home from a road trip.
Wait until Edmonton finally get going…being decent short term makes no sense for Calgary…Pierre LeBrun actually just called Calgary a “bit of a gong show”…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
I agree 100%. And that’s exactly what I’m saying, short term they could be decent and make the playoffs.
Flames real GM…duh duh-duh-duh, snap snap, duh duh-duh-duh, snap snap…
http://www.addamsfamily.com/addams/f_playrm.jpg
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
LOL wow look at what Calgary just did, what do they lose if O’Reilly ends up in Calgary
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
probably 1st and 3rd
Would this guy be worth a 1st ?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Most likely a top 3 pick, so no IMO.
The standings say Flames would be picking 9th, not top three.
Thanks.
Stevie is right, this would be a 1st and a 3rd round pick.
Not that it would get this far, but does anyone know if there is something in the CBA for this?
A team is at the cap ceiling but doesn’t have enough players to ice a full roster… Only 15 players and maxed cap. Something like that.
Not sure if you’re looking at Philly but there is still the Cap Relief for LTIR.
There was talk during the CBA negations about putting some team cash penalties with Cap overage rolling over into the next season for that scenario. But have not seen final the CBA, so not sure.
I don’t know about this year but a few years ago Calgary had that happen to them – dressed 16 total I beleive just before the playoffs
“Don’t crush that dwarf Alex Henry, hand me the pliers”
Bonehead, thy name is Feaster!
http://calshabsongparodies.weebly.com
So guys…what do you do if you are Colorado?
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Smoke up!
Around oil wells? Sorry, thought you meant Calgary…
Maybe they can get a pizza from Peyton Manning afterwards…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Thought you were moving onto Louisiana or somewhere other than Colorado!
Quick! Someone call Front.
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i think you take the picks, as a team who’s not doing so well, and who didn’t really seem to want to give o’reilly that kind of money, take the picks and run, this draft pool is DEEP.
So the Flames (unless Colorado is completely nuts and matches) won’t have a 1st, 2nd or 3rd this year. One of the deepest draft years in a while.
Must admit, living in Calgary is always a healthy reminder of what things could be like when the negativity around here starts circulating, haha
Oh man CGY is dumb. They have been battling cap issues for years and now they sign O’Reilly to a huge contract. They have almost 0 good prospects so they give up their first and third round picks (and we have their second round pick) so now they won’t be able to rebuild.
Expect Iginla, Cammallerri, Tanguay, Bouwmeester and Wideman to be traded this year otherwise this team is swamped.
They could get a 1st for Iggy.
but with this trade they are expecting to make the playoffs and will need iginla, this just shows how dumb Feaster really is, he put himself in a situation where no matter what, calgary has to succeed.
yes, speed kills, but we dodged a couple of bullets last night. Two of our guys could have been really hurt. Bottom line is we need a HW,or we won’t last in a playoff series against the Bruins or god forbid the Leafs.We can get away with it for a game ,but a series I don’t believe so. We are playing Russian roulette here with our skilled players, being carried off the ice. We need a Robinson type of player.
How’d we last in the last playoff series with Boston then?
Team speed I think. The worst of the Bruins goon show showed up against the Canucks. We lament Ryder’s glove save, but if only Gionta’s shot got through Thomas before Horton’s series’ winner in 7th game OT.
“May you live in interesting times.”
In a playoff series there are no “fights”. You find me a heavyweight who can play normal minutes as good or better than the current group and I will show you a very, very long list of suitors.
It’s about time to stop the cult of personality around Larry Robinson. He was one of the best defencemen ever to play, supported his teammates and dropped them on occasion but he was not Zeus.
4th line hacks don’t care who is on the ice, they are going to try to run someone.
“Don’t crush that dwarf Alex Henry, hand me the pliers”
Jay Feaster makes Brian Lawton look like Sam Pollock.
…..makes Brian Burke look like Brian Lawton….
Bob Mackenzie said last night that Burkie was top GM this season for putting together this Leaf contender.
One of the few dumb ass remarks I have ever heard from the guy.
Wow!…..”Top” GM…..is dependable Bob resorting to sensational journalism ’cause the other TSN panelists hog all the air time? (probably made his comment when the score was 2-2 after two periods)
“May you live in interesting times.”
Burke is like Gainey in the sense that he’s made some good moves, but also made a huge blunder in acquiring Kessel and simultaneously giving rebuild-worthy picks to a divisional rival that then won the Cup without the help of those picks, ensuring that they will be a major thorn in the side of the Leafs (and Habs) for years to come (phewf).
Bergevin is new and doesn’t have a huge body of work, but he has done quite a few significant things like signing Price, Pacs and Subban to new contracts (no easy task), the draft (mostly Timmins & co. though), hiring Michel Therrien and also free agency.
What was dumb was having Nonis on there: I don’t think he’s had to do anything at all so far.
Burke already helped a club win a cup as Leaf GM.
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As a GM, he makes a good mole eh Jim?
That tsn quiz thing is just for entertainment value
This is like the Leafs trading for Kessel (to a lesser degree). They’ll probably end up making Colorado a strong divisional rival that is already on their way to another top 3 pick in addition to having already obtained players like Duchene and Landeskog via top 3 picks in the draft.
If I’m Greg Sherman and Feaster calls me wanting to make a trade before the time expires, I laugh in his face.
He’s giving a first and third in a great draft to a team that has Duchene and Stastny and they’re likely to be in the same division next year.
And Landeskog may end up being centreman yet.
Feaster might’ve just given the Avs Jones AND MacKinnon…makes Brian Burke look like Marc Bergevin…
Can’t be worse than Mike “Rockport” Millbury…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
So for some reason I picked today to check out a Laffs message board for the first time. Actually, I think we all know the reason…… They seem to be taking the game in stride really, maybe an anomaly, a blip that doesn’t make sense with the rest of the limited sample.
I was, actually, surprised at how many of them understood that they are, as a team, screwed if the opponent doesn’t bite on the fighting and other assorted flotsam and jetsam and just plays hockey.
Funny that.
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Double or nothing on the Kraken bet.
…I disdain the Leafs’organization, but I feel for their fans
…i think they all suffer from Stockholm Syndrome
I had a Leaf fan come into my office looking for abuse this AM. Not my style, but he said something similar in that the Leafs win by fighting and intimidating their opponents to start the games with.
Trouble with playing them, or a team like them (I’m looking at you Boston,) in a playoff series is even when you get by them you’re short a couple of concussed hockey players going forward.
______________________________________________________
Double or nothing on the Kraken bet.
I mentioned this before, but the HNIC Hotstove crew thought O’Reilly would have been picked top three now if his draft were redone.
Which means he should have been a 5th rounder.
Conversely PJ thought he was terrible.
The more pertinent question though (certainly around the office here in Cowtown) is would he be a top 3 in this year’s very strong draft?
Not that the Flames are guaranteed a top 3 pick or anything, but they’re certainly looking like they might be in the running.
And the chance for Drouin, MacKinnon or Jones has fans here optimistic…
Like Galchenyuk. I prefer Galchenyuk, if only for a more coherent father.
No way I’d Trade Pleks for Iggy. I would trade for Iggy if we were in the playoffs and I thought we’d have a chance at winning a cup. But it would’n be for Pleks.
Confirmed – the offer is for a $5M/season cap hit for two years.
Yuck….let him sign Colorado, and give them issues with a smaller salary cap next year. 16 skaters and 2 goalies dressed?, try 14 and 2.
“May you live in interesting times.”
People around the office in Calgary not happy about the offer sheet.
Strong feeling that the Flames were in for a top 3 pick this year…and O’Reilly is not worth it.
(based on salary it’d be a first and third going back)
Potentially 2 top 3 picks for Colorado. Let the guy leave…….
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Double or nothing on the Kraken bet.
I must be late with old news caus eI dont see any reaction. But Calgary has signed O;Reilly to an offer sheet.
Colorado will have an opportunity to match.
Jameson! Did you hear about the Ryder for Cole trade?? Just kidding!
LOL.
Edit: I was so tempted say “bet you didnt hear about P.K trade”, but just too pooped to fend off the slings and arrows of HIO troll police.
@DarrenDreger: Breaking: Told thhe Flames have filed an offer sheet on Ryan O’Reilly. #TSN
ooops u beat me to it LOL.
Actually, Jedi below beat both of us.
But people need to scroll down so I technically put myself behind lol
Wonder what they will offer for their 2nd round pick back?
Yeah… or maybe the amount he signed for doesn’t require a 2nd rounder.
If I understand correctly you HAVE to have your own picks. So it must be that there is no second rounder involved.
For a #1 and a #3 pick you can pay as much as $5M.
Calgary giving up their #1 pick is risky. That could well end up being a top three.
It is $5 ml so that is a 1st and 3rd…correct?
Yes, according to TSN.
Interesting that it is only a 2 yr offer.
Having your own picks is the only thing that makes sense, I agree.
I’m hoping Calgary tanks so that the Habs have a high second rounder, but Colorado getting a top 3 pick is approaching Chicago, Penguins and Oilers tanking territory.
Desperation will do that to you. Losing a potential top 3 pick for a two year player, although he may still be RFA at that point.
Apparently, Flames offer sheeted Ryan O’Reilly
Good idea. If any team can afford to part with a few extra draft picks, it’s definitely the Flames.
@mr.Biter. Mario Tremblay said the same thing last night! Hey, get rid of Stock and put Grapes on AC! That would be worth wating amigos.
Oh man, I would pay to see that!
15 of the 16 teams that were in the playoffs with 28 games left, last year, made the playoffs. The Leafs dropped out and the Caps made it in.
Apple-orangeish. If we missed the playoffs by 15 points last year, that would be 8.7 points this year because of the compact schedule. If one club leads another by 8.7 points this year, in simplistic math terms it is like a 15 point lead in an 82 game schedule. However, since each game this year is worth 3.4 of last year’s 2 point game and a 3 point game worth 5.1 of last year’s, the algebra gets quite complicated. Again, pundits say 54 points get you into the playoffs, so Habs need 25 points in the final 28 games.
“May you live in interesting times.”
Yikes, I just thot it was interesting. I hated math in school especially algebra.
Sorry!
Charity Donation conversation below!!!
No way that I can explain to you guys about how the tax’s work for a donation. There are so many angles, they use their wives, income spiting, children having accounts and so much more.
When all is said and done, it would cost him peanuts out of his pocket. It would work out to be about a 95% tax credit!
Ian, the money has to come from somewhere. That place is his NIBT (Net Income Before Taxes). The reason it is more beneficial for a wealthy person to donate is simply because they are in a higher tax bracket..
From Below:
Of the $250,000 100% comes out of his Gross Income (Income before taxes).
Had he NOT donated the breakdown would be as follow:
29% federal Income tax (on income over $135,054)
13.16% provincial income tax (on income over $509,000)
$105,400 Taxes
$144,600 NIAT (Net income after tax)
essentially is costs Dion $144,600 of “after tax money” to donate $250,000…
These numbers are assuming he files his income tax in Ontario.
A LARGE amount more than not one cent Ian!!!!
Did not want to talk tax’s so I edited
Hogtown Media? Now you know why they haven’t been in the Playoffs for 6yrs and haven’t won a Cup in 46yrs. Just ignore amigos,not even funny anymore,just pathetic.
Kevlar socks saves a Bulldog from Karlsson type injury;
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2013/02/28/hamilton-karlsson-kevlar-socks.html?cmp=rss
Thanks for this link Frank!
Kerry Fraser has written articles in favour of the Habs. 3 this year alone. Just saying.
I hope Gorges is OK…he took a couple of huge hits last night. Looked really out of it after one from McLaren in the third — was roaming around in his own end and almost lead to a goal.
I don’t think it was the hit. Josh Gorges just sucks at hockey this year.
That was the reason Cole had to be traded, he was ruining him with union stuff
Covers head and runs for cover… joking
Lionsinwinter takes an in depth look at the Cole trade;
http://lionsinwinter.blogspot.ca/2013/02/insert-headline-spin-and-motive-for.html
@hobie. End the Day? Are you kidding?Jeeze, we”re just gettin started down here in the Limestone City. Saludos!
I’d like to end the day buy saying that the Habs are awesome man! We have a very good mix of players now and I haven’t been this happy with the makeup of our team since the early 90s.
Go Habs Go!
…lots of links to good reads above
…enjoyed Brenda Branswell’s video & insight column on Alexei Emelin,
…Stu Cowan is introducing a lot of new features and fresh blood to keep HIO’s joint jumpin’
…funny, Mea Culpa, I have maligned both Therrien and Jack Todd in the past …Therrien, in My books,and likely Yours, is Jack Adams Award material today if a vote was taken now …and Jack Todd has had a string of entertaining reads that haven’t provoked One to petition Ottawa to deport him back to the US
…what’s left to piss Me off ???
…with the way Our Habs are playing …nuttin’ ! (for the moment
)
…err, well, there’s always Gary Bettman and da Weedz I guess
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Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Campaign to Retire Toe Blake’s Number 6 !!!
…and, last, but not least: FREE PK !!!
How about the Loria story linked by Dave in his tweet?
Fast on the draw.
And Jeoffrey Loria.
…where do I find the Loria story Brian ?
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Marlins+owner+Jeffrey+Loria+making+mark+worst+owners+ever/8025962/story.html
…Loria and Samson made My skin crawl
…Jack has expressed Our feelings about those maggots quite well
Brenda, not Linda.
But yeah, I agree on the great articles today. I only skimmed thru the Loria story, simply because I don’t usually read about scumbags.
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Ka is a wheel.
For Your Life
Boy oh Boy, full slate of games tonight amigos. Love this Centre Ice package!
I can’t stand Phaneuf either but he spends $250,000.00 every year for a box @ the ACC for sick children to watch hockey
Tax right off my friend. Either he gives it to charity and looks good or he sends it in taxes to Ottawa, to pay my Old age pension!
He’d still be out a whole whack of dough.
Not one cent my friend!
Please explain Ian
The hit is not $250K due to lowering his income, but he still forks most it.
Any accountants here?
The box is purchased as a registered charity. This way, it qualifies as an income tax credit.
He can claim all of this as a donation to a registered charity and get back as much as 75%.
And I’m not an accountant but spend some time in my accountant’s office.
Not an accountant but he would be paying out about 56% himself and getting a tax write off on the other 44%.
Of the $250,000 100% comes out of his Gross Income (Income before taxes).
Had he not donated the breakdown would be as follow:
29% federal Income tax (on income over $135,054)
13.16% provincial income tax (on income over $509,000)
$105,400 Taxes
$144,600 NIAT (Net income after tax)
essentially is costs Dion $144,600 of “after tax money” to donate $250,000…
These numbers are assuming he files his income tax in Ontario.
A LARGE amount more than not one cent Ian!!!!
I’ll be talking to you guys come tax season
It’s stupid of any of us to hate any NHL player “personally”, because we don’t know them. I hate Phaneuf on the ice, leave it at that, tempting as it is to think he’s as big a jerk in real life as he is in the rink.
Full Breezer 4 Life