The Canadiens are 13th in the Eastern Conference. They are eight points out of a playoff spot.
The Islanders are two points back and have two games in hand.
“Si la tendance se maintient,” as the French TV commentators say, projecting early returns on Election Night, the Canadiens will have a lottery draft pick in June.
The more optimistic fanboys and fangirls in the Commentariat will be all over me for running up the white flag in the waning hours of December.
But just before the old year expires, let’s honour its memory by being honest with each other.
This team isn’t very good.
It was a mediocre-to-bad team for Jacques Martin, and nothing has changed since Randy Cunneyworth took over.
The kids are getting more ice time …. although Louis Leblanc was a healthy scratch against Florida.
Alexei Emelin has won a regular spot on defence … and had five bone-rattling hits against the Panthers.
Lars Eller, Raphael Diaz and Mike Cammalleri are playing well for the new coach.
Erik Cole would play well for Mario Tremblay.
But the Cunneyworth Era has produced one win in seven games – against a sieve-like Craig Anderson in Ottawa.
Other than that, it’s been more of the problems that plagued Jacques Martin’s teams:
• a defence corps that combines youth with well-past-their-prime vets and Josh Gorges, whose heroism – including a league-leading 101 blocked shots – is going to land him a sweet contract … somewhere.
• $18 million in salary cap out with injuries. And if anyone out there thinks Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Andrei Markov are coming back better than ever, I’d like to talk to you about a vacation condo in North Korea.
• Carey Price, who has to be perfect for the Canadiens to have a shot, lets in some bad, morale-sapping goals.
• Dumb, pussy-ass penalties. P.K. Subban took three of them. The team’s best penalty-killer, Tomas Plekanec, had two minors.
• As was obvious against the Panthers – who play in the image of their coach, Kevin Dineen – too many Canadiens are small, soft and don’t scare anyone.
In his pre-game conversation with Pierre Houde – and Kremlinologists can analyze why, unlike every other interview subject, the deeply weird GM sat on Monsieur Houde’s right side – Gauthier said a win in Florida might set the Canadiens up for the kind of January revival we saw 12 months ago.
Remember?
James Wisniewski’s overtime goal on New Year’s Eve gave the Canadiens a 3-2 win over Florida. After an overtime loss on Jan. 2 in Atlanta., the Canadiens beat Pittsburgh, Boston and the Rangers.
They won three in a row to start February, five in a row starting Feb. 26. Through the beginning of 2011, the Canadiens went 23-14-6 and entered the playoffs as the sixth seed.
Winnipeg will be at the Bell Centre on Wednesday for the Canadiens’ first game of 2012. Then it’s home games against Tampa Bay and St. Louis – Welcome back, Jaro – before the Canadiens travel to Boston.
The January schedule also includes home games against the Rangers, Washington and Detroit, plus a back-to-back on the road in Pittsburgh and Toronto.
Ottawa, sitting eighth, is on pace to finish with 90 points.
So let’s say the Canadiens need 92 to punch their ticket to the dance. To reach that number, they’ll need 57 points in their last 44 games.
Factoring in three-point games is beyond my math skills, but it basically means that in 2012, your Canadiens have to win twice as often as they lose.
Does anyone who has not dropped acid at a New Year’s Eve party think that is going to happen with a team that’s gone 14-17-7?
Maybe we should take solace from what’s happened in Florida.
The team that finished last in the Eastern Conference last season sits atop the Southeast Division. Under Dale Tallon, the Panthers have 10 new players – and 10 kids in action at the World Juniors, including blue-chip prospect Jonathan Huberdeau.
But Florida’s GM didn’t inherit the long-term contract mess that Bob Gainey handed off to Pierre Gauthier, who made things worse with the Markov signing and the trade for Tomas Kaberle.
Look, HIOers, I hate to be a Donnie Downer on New Year’s Eve.
Eat, drink, be merry and hope for health, happiness and peace in 2012.
But when you’re puckering up at midnight, kiss this season goodbye.
Loading ...
ya ya seperatist protesters we get it. now beat it. if cunnyworth gets us to finals i bet alls well then eh
Dear Mr Boone. Happy New Year to you and yours.
>In case you haven’t noticed the Habs ARE playing better hockey under RC and will continue to do so. Winning they haven’t but playing better thay have.
>Apart from some crucial errors at inopportune times the Habs D really isn’t that bad.
>Cap issues do not affect the on ice play of a team.
>Carey Price does not have to play perfectly. He has to play well enuff for his team to win. Whether they score one or four goals.
> Yes PK is still juvenile and Pleks can mope with the best of them but their upside makes up for it is spades.
> You don’t have to scare the opposition to win hockey games.
Do you really think fear is part of an NHL’ers make up? Watch HBO’s 24/7 and think again.
> Does anybody drop acid anymore?
> Mike…you have always been a Donnie Downer
I think that 8 points out is no big deal and that the momentum will turn in the Habs favour.
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one.
All the best in 2012
“I figure PG has one or 2 moves left to bring the Habs that extra step closer to perhaps being the best in the league.” – Einstein
I typed this earlier today but didn’t post it because our guests for new years brunch showed up 15 minutes early. When I came back here later on and open the page, I saw my forgotten post still sitting here unsubmitted – then I read about Gorges -no doubt in my mind this was done for reasons I stress below, as well as securing his buddies Price and to a lesser extent Moen. Here is my earlier unedited post anyways… Feel free to trash me… and Happy New Year Habs I/O
Very clearly there is a lack of leadership. It’s been years in the making too.
I once belonged to an organization that was weak at the ownership level but had outstanding leadership at the departmental level. Ownership was lucky because they hired a true leader. Several years and much success later, ownership decided to install a young green family member as president over the senior manager. The result was identical to what we are witnessing with our beloved habs. Just substitute the characters.
Entry level staff found themselves forced to make decisions because their once proud boss began phoning it in and planning his exit strategy while still employed by the organization. Once faithful staff saw the writing on the wall and began to look out for themselves… some using the system to get themselves onto workers comp. A slow cancerous rot permeated everything from the top down. The new green owner thought he knew best and made feeble attempts to do what he could, but staff saw through him and his insincere efforts. His lack of credibility coupled with his need to be respected without earning it were all staff needed to form an alliance against him.
Over the next 2 years, the entire staff were replaced with untalented yes men and the company is currently being overtaken by competitors (including former staff) who copied their success and avoided their mistakes.
The buck stops with the money behind Geoff Molson. He took poor advice from BG when he promoted PG and kept BG as an advisor. No strong leader emerged in the dressing room and JM made them play against their natural instincts. The pattern was set.
Now without Gio, Markov and Gomez, we find ourselves without a true leader or any grit at the top. Gio barely gets it done. On top of that void, we have a rookie coach, several immature players, a few prima donnas and a vegan ghost of a man managing them. Time to jump ship? I’ll wait until Gio comes back first.
OOH AAH – HABS ON THE WARPATH!
Spats…what a crock. You should have spared us.
And what does a person’s eating habits have to do with their ability to manage.?
“I figure PG has one or 2 moves left to bring the Habs that extra step closer to perhaps being the best in the league.” – Einstein
I think 6 years is too long. Gorges is a great team player but too many things can happen in 6 years. Another injury might happen considering the type of game he plays. 3 – 4 years I would have been happy at 3.9 per year but for 6 years? I think 3 – 3.5 per year would have been better.
Good contract if that’s all it is. I think that is a very reasonable contract given that if he were to test the market PG would probably have to pay 4.5 to probably keep him at least.
That seems to be the going rate for a defenseman of his stature.
I think PG is starting to listen to the fans. This negotiating after the season is crap and if you want to keep talent then do it during the season to make sure you can hang on to them and not let them test the market where you surely will overpay.
Next sign Price, then Subban in that order please Gauthier.
good for Gorges, He wants to win and win and montreal.
Georges gets 6yr extention….I like
Now all they have to do is extend Markov’s contract and the D is set. I’d start negotiating with Gomez before it’s too late!
What a preposterous comment.
By the way guys it’s 3.9 per year
We have yet to plumb the depths of preposterous with this team!
If Markov comes back repaired the influence he will have on guys like Subban and Diaz will be huge. The reason Markov is out is because he kept coming back too soon. Sure, maybe he is done, but likely he is not. Guys like Markov don’t grow on trees.
Five games until some guy like Colby Armstrong ends his career once and for all.
These two have too much experience at the practice facilities to be let go. We need people to work there eventually, might as well lock them down for long term before others spot them for their unique talents.
☞ I can’t really hear what Jeremy says, because I’ve got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears.☜
No more “no contract talk before end of season” policy! ✔
☞ I can’t really hear what Jeremy says, because I’ve got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears.☜
How much per season do you think he signed for?
Official team release re: Gorges
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=609302&navid=DL|MTL|home
Since I’m already starting to look at next season I’m very happy that Josh Georges has been signed for the next six!
If Gionta is traded, Josh should get the C…
But I don’t think Gio will be traded. A family man with a NTC? Too much trouble….for Gionta I mean. He won’t accept it
Me too! How to go Canadiens.
Gorges signed 6 year deal!!! Great job PG.
The Habs have signed Josh Gorges to a six year deal. That’s one down two more to go.
Josh Gorges signs a 6 yr extension. Good for him, I love the guy.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Why do you fools feel the need to trade Subban or Price every time they have a bad game. The kids are young. You guys shouldn’t even be allowed to play NHL 12 on GM mode.
Price I wouldn’t trade. Re. Subban, it’s a pattern, not just one game.
I’m not suggesting trading him for a bag of pucks. Only if the right opportunity came by. You have to be willing to part with talent to get potentially better, or more appropriate (i.e., centre) talent.
that’s where coaching comes in.
Subban had 14 goals in his first full season and was selected to the all-rookie team. He has the talent but needs coaching.
That’s the problem with our team we give up on our assests after a bad half-season and send them elsewhere for little in return where they end up doing well
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
But 29 other teams will welcome these guys as the Habs GM for sure.
☞ I can’t really hear what Jeremy says, because I’ve got my two Stanley Cup rings plugging my ears.☜
Eric Lindros may have been the only one to may have set out for awhile if Quebec Nordiques never traded him per his request.
My point is a first-overall isn’t going to turn down potential Crosby/Ovetchkin/Malkin type money to play in the KHL and rsik his life on domestic Russian airlines.
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
Just a few thoughts from watching last night’s game.
1) Eller’s a keeper — big and makes things happen. I see him getting a lot better. Of course he’s not much of a shooter — can’t the Habs hire Lafleur to teach these guys how to get a quick release? Or maybe Cammaleri can chime in and earn a bit of his $6 million.
2) Subban — I’m doubtful that he will be around in 2-3 years. He sees himself as “high risk-high reward,” but he plays so dumb at times the risk outweighs the reward. That business of him trying to deke everyone out — not for one second did I see that move working out for him. But because of his raw talent, he could fetch something decent, especially if packaged. Just a thought.
3) Finally, back to my hobby-horse about enlarging the ice surface. Of course it would likely reduce the high speed collisions that cause concussions (Lindros is on record saying it would definitely help, and he’s played on both ice surfaces). But what I noticed last night that the ice surface is so small for fast and big players, that refs are calling the stupidest things. Tripping is the most obvious example. Cammy’s stick touched the back of a guy’s leg and he gets called for tripping? And there was someone else later in the game — Plekanec, I think. That was such a lame call. And I think it’s because the ice surface is too small — they’re playing in such close quarters that every bump, every tap seems magnified in the refs’ eyes.
Anyone else feel this way?
I’m in favour of the IIHF rink size i.e. larger.
“I figure PG has one or 2 moves left to bring the Habs that extra step closer to perhaps being the best in the league.” – Einstein
I’ve been watching the Habs for over forty years and this has to be the most frustrating. Blown leads, injuries, bad calls, no luck, and the charismatic Mr Gauthier at the helm.
If I had hair to pull out I would.
@ Bob
You should take note and use google yourself, when was Emelin drafted? Look it up before you answer.
How long have we waited to get Emelin over here. Again look it up before you answer.
I know NAIL is playing in NA. In fact he is playing in the OHL. I do know without looking it up too. He plays for the Sarnia Sting, he is 5′ 10″ and 170 lbs shoots left and plays right wing.Let me play devils advocate for a minute.
What if Yapukov decides that he wants to play closer to home and stay in the KHL. Just because he plays over here doesn’t mean that he wants to stay here, in fact it’s a good sign that he probably do want to play over here.
My point was that with the luck the Habs have been having NAIL will want to go back home and play in the KHL. Our draft choices as seen in past years have been so so.
There´s a big difference between a 1st overall and a 3rd round pick…
If a young player comes over from Russia to play in the OHL it´s really ridculous to fear that he might leave for the KHL.
I also think Yakupov is 5´11.
5’10 & 170 ? Jeez just what the Habs need!!
To top it all off why not put him on a line with DD & Gallagher !!
“I figure PG has one or 2 moves left to bring the Habs that extra step closer to perhaps being the best in the league.” – Einstein
Well I am fairly sobered-up. So I am gong away for a few hours now to rejoin the normal people.
You know the ones who vacuum, go for walks, talk to their wives, play scrabble etc.
I shall not check-in on HIO for, let’s see, 5 hours. Well ok 4.
Wait maybe there coud be breaking news.
I’ll be back as soon as I can.
Build the team around Emelin!
Team has too many crap players and has not created an environment in which their skilled guys can produce. replace the crap players with big tough players (who may still be crap) and it will provide massive dividends in allowing our skilled guys to succeed. this is a tough league and we have an extremely soft, small team that zero opponents in the league fear playing. Its freakin embarrassing.
Worked in Boston
Even little shites like Marchand play big- it’s part of their culture.
Of course a stud goalie or 2 helps them as well.
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
New tag line:
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
SHOULD be posted on Hab’s dressing room door
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
On the bright side, the price of Habs tickets on the resale market will drop significantly as supply surpasses demand.
Looking ahead, the owners should be rolling out promos & freebies in an attempt to maintain their fan base.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
What is more likely is that Molson will instruct the team’s marketing department to saturate fans with events celebrating the team’s “glorious past.” In other words, get ready for a sh*tload of propaganda.
The Montreal Canadiens are rapidly becoming the Buffalo Bills of the NHL. The only difference being, in Buffalo, fans are insisting their head coach be fluent in Klingon.
Supposedly, we get to pick for NAIL, with the luck the Habs have had lately, he may not want to come over but rather play in the KHL. Then what?
That would be the only reservation I would have in picking a Russian hockey player. We are seeing this first hand with the players we have already picked. This season we finally got Emelin over. What age is he? 27.
Where is our other Russian prospect? Still playing in the KHL, we blow this top pick and it will be lights out.
Tanking, has never been an option for me and I still don’t like the idea even though it looks like the road we are headed down. I don’t want PG making any moves on his own, that’s if he is still there.
I want him to get approval from anyone in upper management that at least think about the move nf have opinions from other people before just saying yes. Any moves from here on in are crucial and this along with our picks will shape our future going forward.
Any moves need to have talent coming back or high draft picks. Nothing lower than a third round. Any GMs wanting to improve their team going into the playoffs make them pay for it. We already heard Rutherford saying he would have been willing to give up more.
Always push the envelope, you’ll never know what a GM is willing to part with.
Maybe you could use Google next time before you post. Emelin is 25 and Yakupov already plays in North America…
Name a first over-all- caliber pick who went to a rival league since the WHA folded?
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
Here’s a crazy thought:
Last year was the closest we have been in seemingly forever to being a cup contender. Not favorites, but competitive against all the top teams. We played Boston well, Vancouver, Philly.
In hindsight were I PG I would have mortaged the future and have gone for it. Trade Subban & Eller and 1st / second draft picks for for big UFA names, or aging players on teams that were out of the playoffs.
It could have worked, look how effective we were in the playoffs; Imagine if we had gotten Cole and some extra veteran grit at the deadline
Does anyone have George Gillett’s home number?
Hey Bripro. Couldn’t pay the bill and got disconnected. Big time money woes I am afraid.
Seriously though, I think we outta give Molson a shot at fixing this.
Let’s hope he starts something soon.
I think Mr. Boone said it best “a defence corps that combines youth with well-past-their-prime vets” But i think that when those youths develop into their potential, with Price in net, we’ll be ok, its just holding on till then lol. But I believe this team needs a Top tier center, one we were supposed to get in the Gomez trade.
Boom baby!
The $64,000 Question is whether or not Price will want to stick around long enough for that potential to develop.
whether anyone wants to stay lol
Boom baby!
Screw it, I still support the Habs.
_____________________________
Being negative has its advantages,
you’re never disappointed.
me too
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I’ll always support the Habs but it hurts to see them lose and a simple win last night would have put me in a better mood for the evening’s celebrations. Boone is right though, we’re just not that good right now. Eventually we’ll get better and with all these close games it might just take one player like Markov to make a difference. Who knows. At the beginning of the season I was excited by the prospect of having two bonafide up and coming super stars on the team in Price and Subban. Neither is there yet and if they do get there it will take some time. One thing is for sure, I’m always happier when I have a game to watch and right now that won’t happen for a few days. Happy New year fellow fans.
Rebuild… Get Yakupov and Ekblad in the upcomming drafts… Sell the whole team but Price Subban Pacs and Eller… As for the coach, has anyone thought of Stephan Lebeau? Not the head coach but let him get experience first?
Thats the way the cookie crumbles
Fail for Nail!!!
Boom baby!
Thats the way the cookie crumbles
Anybody have a picture of Gauthier with the daily deals sign?
During the summer the majority were feeling positive about the Habs taking Boston to 7 games. What could be done to push them further into the playoff rounds?.Two power forwards ,no,too good to be true! Hold on Cole was signed ,Mac pac coming back.gottem! Ok what about defense? How about an allstar and a hard hitting d-man? Markov and Emelin?
PG signed Markov on the advice of some high priced medical talent . Would anyone with the addition of these players feel the Habs wld be where they are now? Don’t think so.You have to give PG some slack . If everyone,even with this team,played to their potential they wld be in a play off spot.
I remember stressing that the Bruins series meant NOTHING and that this team would be fighting for a playoff spot if they were lucky. The ECF cup run 2 years ago was an illusion. Yes, we got to the ECF. But we got heavily outplayed in all 3 series. The Habs had a lot of luck that year. Then when they met Philly, the luck ran out and reality set in. The team was too soft and small to compete.
How people thought Gauthier and Martin would make this team anything more than average is beyond me.
Cole signing was a good one. Markov signing was dumb and some of us said from that point that it was dumb. Not bringing in a vet pressence to stabilize the D was dumb. Not signing a 4th line center was dumb. Not adding size/toughness was dumb. re-signing Gill was dumb. Signing Budaj for that kind of money was dumb. Being at the cap, and trading in your cap relief for another big contract for Kaberle was dumb. Firing Martin before a 6 game road trip is dumb. How he handled the firing is dumb.
And that’s just over the last 6-7 months.
Gauthier is not the man for the job. What has he done in his career that he deserves a mulligan on his screw ups?
At the trade deadline last year after we got destroyed by the Bruins and had Halpern on the 1st line. Instead of adding some cheap size and grit as well as a top 6 winger, he dealt picks for Dmen who aren’t even in the league this year and made up some stupid story about a leaky roof and a vacation.
I won’t even mention the awful Kostitsyn deal.
And don’t get me wrong, Gainey screwed up big time but Gauthier simply isn’t a good GM. His track record proves that.
Teemu Selanne for Jeff Friesen and Steve Shields LOL. Yea, I really want this clown in charge of our firesale come February.
JayBee, not siging a veteran D presence was dumb, but signing Hall Gill also was dumb?
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Hal Gill’s contribution to the team’s 2nd ranked PK might be why this team is in 25th and not 30th. It’s also why I think PG should trade him and why I think he’s worth something, but If you think you’ve got a playoff team (which PG did) Hal Gill on a one year contract was a good decision IMO.
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
Gill’s ineffectiveness is responsible for enough even-strength goals-against that it negates his value on the PK.
Besides 30th place would yield a higher draft choice,
______________________________________________________
“You have to be this tall to ride on this ride”
-as posted in amusement parks across North America
Not all of us were happy about the Markov signing. And I sure wasn’t happy about Kirk Muller leaving without an attempt to keep him. PG then dictated what the new assistant coaches were going to do. Then he fired the coach before the longest road trip of the season. For all the years that I have followed this team [from 1965] this year’s GM performance is the worst since Serge Savard traded Johh Leclaire and Rejean Houle traded Patrick Roy. It is simply pathetic. Mind bogling. Instead of building on the last two years, PG has destroyed all momentum that we had. I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes in the political arena of the Habs upper brass. But one thing is clear. The Habs’ new owner is not serious about building a contender. Blame PG, JM, RC, BC, it doesn’t matter. The buck stops with the owner, always. And the owner is MIA.
“It’s a moo point. Like a cow’s opinion, it doesn’t matter. It’s moo.”
At least Serge got a HOFer in Recchi. I still don’t think LeClair would have had the same career if he stayed with the Habs. Serge had balls of stone… The Roy trade is one of the worst trades in NHL history.
I think we are missing an almost unperceivable area of excellence which the HABS have attained in the last decade or so.
They go hand in hand. The TURTLE and the skate-by DISDAIN.
I have not seen, within recent memory, as many sublimely executed TURTLING from any other team as I have seen from some habs players.
The latest was P.K Subban. It was a moment pregnant with the idignity.
And of course it required the proper response of disdainful indignation.
I dont know who it was but he executed the disdainful skate-by flawlessly.
Oh Yeah! We gonna overcome! NOT!!!!!!!!
Is Henri Richard still alive. This team needs a whip-ass captain.
Yvan Cournoyer is probably still young enough.
For all of those who are trying to throw Plekanec under the bus, are you serious?
The guy does everything asked of him and plays in every situation. He is the Habs leading scorer. He has a mix of skills that is almost impossible to find. He is their best player. He could score a lot more in a system where he was not asked to do all the heavy lifting. His December has not been great, but then look at the team and other than Erik Cole, who really has excelled?
His $5M cap hit is more than reasonable and ties him with Gionta for 5th place on the team. When you consider that only 11 of the current roster have been eligible for a UFA contract it puts it in stark relief.
If you think you can easily get more value out of any single player, or $5M spent on available players, you are out of your mind.
Not to say he is untouchable. He certainly would have value on the trade market. Probably more than any other current Hab signed past this year. So if somebody offered a great deal, sure you look at it, but he is not the guy you shop, and certainly not worth the disrespect.
“Et le but!”
“other than Erik Cole, who really has excelled?” Not Tomas Plekanec, hence…
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
Yeah, I think you might have seen the previous clause in the saem sentence which in full read
On a team that is massively underachieving and clearly requires some major surgery, I just think you have to get through about 20 other players before you get to pinning it on Pleks or looking to move him.
And i really miss your old sig
“Et le but!”
My argument is still the same. There is a causal relationship between Pleks’ play and the team’s success. If the team was losing despite strong play from Tomas Plekanec then I’d look at the other 20 players on the team. If Pleks can’t bury his chances, or keep the puck out of his own net then it doesn’t matter how well Darche and Blunden play. Price is more important that Pleks and he hasn’t been great, but he’s played well enough to have won some games if #14 had played as well in December as he has played in the past.
“If ownership cared about Habs fans, or Habs wins the Habs would play home games in the last two weeks of December”
- Sean Bonjovi
he is a great player but totally overused and likely very frustrated with the season .
Plex is not not working hard like he once did. Maybe he’s hurt or just worn out. Something is drastically wrong. Until recently I had always thought highly of him.
It’s understandable.
When you’re on a sinking ship you can’t get too excited about swabbing the poop deck.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”