There’s a team meeting and practice in Brossard.
Then the players will make their annual visits to the Montreal Children’s and Sainte-Justine hospitals.
• Dave Stubbs on James Wisniewski
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I’m probably going to get some flak about this, but watching Columbus last night with my buddies, our main question was:
“With talent like this, how can they be in the bottom of the standings?”
Yes, the habs mostly stunk out the joint, but it was mostly mental mistakes, and not playing a tight postured and up-the-side game.
They kept attempting these blind passes, up the middle, behind the back, into the abyss, and Columbus kept intercepting them.
I don’t think the Blue Jackets will be bottom dwellers very long, with everyone returning and the talent they possess.
Their top line is indeed an elite line. Something the Habs lack.
Cole, Pacioretty and Desharnais have been elite. They’ve controlled play and produced offensively in an elite fashion.
Tom …I like Cole, Desi and Pax but all of them for Nash in a heartbeat!
Maybe not all three, but a combination of two of them and a later draft pick. I like Cole. He’s the closest to an elite player we have right now.
But you look at Max’s shootout last night, and it’s obvious that he still doesn’t have the hands.
No thanks. Nash is a 40 goal scorer. Pacioretty is a 30 goal scorer, Cole is 25-30.
Last time I took math at school 55 was greater than 40.
Your wrong here. You can always find 20-30 goal scorers somewhere.
Take the 40 goal man, add a 20 goal guy for nothing (free agency) and now 60 > 55
Their last 10, Columbus is 5-3-2. They have turned the corner on this season.
Wiz is back from his suspension, Carter and Martinek are back from injury, and you can be sure that Nash, Prospal and Vermette will be finding the back of the net more. And sorry Tom, but the Habs don’t have a Nash in the lineup. Not even close.
And I was reminded last night that Sanford was another abandonment by the Habs.
They can live with losing Sanford given that they have Price.
Losing prospects where they aren’t as deep is what really hurts the franchise, i.e. giving away Ryan McDonagh.
Or two top draft picks for the Wiz.
Interesting note from last week. Louis Leblanc is the first Habs player drafted by the organization since the 2007 draft to suit up for the team.
one of the strangest comments of the year was after the win in L.A. Boone suggested that:
ALL of the Habs were playing to their FULL POTENTIAL under Martin.
seriously??
Habs hockey is “smart” hockey – we play 5 man defence, not just 2 – we move up the ice as a 5 man unit, we back check with 5.
I figured it out.
JM and PG are throwing the season… The masses simply haven’t caught on yet.
They are going to fill the organization with first rounders at the draft. After the trade dead line we should have 4 or 5 first round picks!
Problem is, Gauthier would use those 4 or 5 first-rounders to draft players that would remain in the minors for 3-5 years so that they can be properly developed. PG has no interest in drafting someone who can actually play in the NHL from right out of junior hockey.
haha i said something similar a few days ago, except that I think PG and JM are doing their best and it’s Molson that is throwing the season by keeping them around. Look for his directive to clean house at the trade deadline, pick up a few picks, and then spiral into a lottery pick…if his PG and JM won’t do it he’ll replace them with someone who will :p
Is there any chance Martin will be shown the door and one of the Randies will get the interim job as HC? And if so, which one?
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Randy Carlyle?
——————————————————————-
“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the Gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.” Exodus 12:12
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Wow, how odd would it be to have 3 coaches named Randy…
Molson said he thinks Gomez, PG, Martin are all awesome, that he loves them and wants to keep them forever.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I’d probably be in the same mind set if I owned a beer company too! Molson has had a few too many…
Funny thing is, they don’t own the brewery any more.
sounds like a horror movie plot. “I’m gonna keep you forever, and ever, and everrrrrrr”
No. Next?
I vote for Randy Bachman.
He knows how to take care of business. Every day.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Martin couldn’t motivate an over weight 12 year old eat an ice-cream cone. Martin couldn’t motivate a dog to eat a falling wiener on the floor. Martin couldn’t motivate Demi Moore sleep with George Clooney. You get my point right!
Carbo is still on contract to Montreal so switch Martin with Carbo. Give him another shot!
“If you’re not the TOP DAWG, the view never changes”
Considering Degeneres is gay, your point seems to be the one on your head. Keep trying, though!
A dunce cap joke? If so, give me a +1!
Watching the Habs the last little while reminded me of watching the Canucks and Bruins last spring.
I remember watching those games and wondering how in the world Vancouver made it this far and where the heck was all their depth?
Montreal has about 3 players going right now (Cole, Plekanec and Kostitsyn) and the rest seem totally ineffective.
Gionta may have 9 goals but he and Cammalleri are useless unless they’re being setup in the slot on a silver platter. Cammallerri more than Gionta, has no ability to carry the puck or do anything but snap the puck.
I kept wondering what was missing last night and if we missing a few players on offense?
Martin has to put a couple of the larger players back on the same line together to try and create another option other than the smaller players being stripped of the puck and pushed to the outside all night long….
“To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold the Smurf tradition high.”
I guess you missed Cammy’s great pass to AK last night.
1 pass in ten games….great. Believe me I love Cammy but like I said, unless he is being setup for a one-timer he isn’t very effective.
“To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold the Smurf tradition high.”
Just heard Gainey and Carbo in the wings. Darren Mallard
Darren Millard has no pulse on this team. None.
What’s next? Kypreos? Same guy who said Plekanec would get $7 million annually.
Come on.
Stubbs was on the Fan590 with Millard and MacLean today when that was mentioned, for what that’s worth.
Can I hope? A change any change!
I am fed up of seeing the habs play hockey comparable to a geriatric pick-up squad. Careful not to fail. Or is it fall.
Just as I suspected Geoff Molson is clueless about PG and JM. Vote of confidence, Hahaha!
Looks like if we make it to playoffs it will be by skin of our teeth. I suspect on how we are doing we will finish near the bottom.
and gomez too. WTF?!?
Drinking too much of his own product.
——————————————————————-
“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the Gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.” Exodus 12:12
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
While i was hoping at the beginning of the season that camm would provide a 30 plus season to help our scoring we are getting very little scoring support from many players…enquist,palushaj,blunden,darche,nokia,gomex,eller have a combined 124 games played with 4 goals…our d provides no goals so once again we are in the bottom 1/3 in scoring just like last year and the year before…
Doesn’t it sound like Reggie Houle team?
Not until Price is run out of town.
i miss houle, he had no budget, no prospects and no experience. gainey had a budget, prosepcts and experience. in the end, the only difference between them is that gainey left behind a giant mess and houle’s mess was gone in a year.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Houle’s mess was gone in a year?
Really? You don’t remember much about his mess, do you?
The franchise has never been the same since.
He had no lingering contracts. He did not trade away young players. He had no budget to keep his good players in their prime. He gave away Turgeon and Roy. But Roy was a trade way beyond his pay grade, he was not to blame for it. Within a couple years, the team was back in the playoffs with a Hart winning goalie. He drafted Markov, Ryder and Ribeiro who are the three best players drafted from Saku in 93 until Price in 05.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I thought Cammy would pot in at least 35 this season, maybe 40! He seemed so primed and ready during the summer and the team added Cole, Patches was coming back so the team could create space for him…
Good thing they got Moen to take up the slack!
Kostitsyn is also doing great considering his reduced TOI, and PP time and third line status.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Bertrand Raymond on Molson – http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/331373.html
I was at the game. I don’t mean to disrupt the whining session here but the view from the seats may be a bit different than on TV:
- Cole was awesome, strong, fast, engaged, involved, physical but Max and DD were not even in the same arena last night
- Cammy had a terrible time making passes and fumbles with the puck more than controls it
- PK was simply horrid at times, but quite good other times (brain farts followed by brilliance)
- Emelin was very strong and very good (even when putting himself out of position he managed scramble back)
- Diaz was like PK, mostly good some not so good, certainly no the dud as so many here seem to think
- Gill was fine, nothing spectacular but certainly not deserving of the scorn people here heap on him and clearly an on ice leader
- Price was Price, sharp, no stinkers
None of the rest stood out in any way except one; they cannot make a clean line change to save their sorry butts. On the first BJ goal the line change looked like a flock of geese all taking off in the same direction. No concept of coverage or defence on any line change I watched.
Oh well, a good single point when your division rivals lose on the same night. Save your breath, I don’t really care if you disagree.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Please tell me you paid a ton of money to see that last night? Please?! It will make me feel better
” I was at the game. I don’t mean to disrupt the whining session here but the view from the seats may be a bit different than on TV:”
No revelation in your ‘from the seat’ revelations. But you can call us whiners after having paid out the admission fee.
You’ve basically said the same things we’ve all been discussing today. So I’m not sure where the “whining” point comes in to the equation other than the “But I was there, man, I was there. Until you were there, you do not understand.”
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
Gill is still good shorthanded but that´s it. Even JM has realized that he sucks 5-5. He only played 10 and 11 even strength minutes in the last two games. Good for him that Weber currently is worse. When two of the three, Spacek, Campoli and Markov are back, Gill should be in the pressbox.
So, the concensus is that last night was bad, but one guy keeps plugging along, doing his thing…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjlglaeP8oM&feature=player_embedded
Maybe Markov sometime?
yeah, Emelin was a beast yesterday. Price was his usual self too. AK46, Cole and MAX-PAC weren’t too bad. Everybody else… ugh.
http://www.puckbandits.com
MaxPac was invisible excepting his deflection off the post. Terrible considering his week off.
He wasn’t invisible when he was back with DD and Cole in the 3rd tho.
http://www.puckbandits.com
Spacek in a contact jersey at practice.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Nice, Campoli as well for a second straight day?
No mention of it in the news piece I read.
It says Weber is not paired up, St-Denis skates with Gill.
http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/hockey/2011/12/07/004-canadien-entrainement-cole.shtml
Maybe Markov sometime?
mjames
JM he may not be the architech but he is the jockey of those horses.
The reason i disagree with mjames (not saying I’m right) is that I actually think the team is better than their record. Besides some bad luck on the back end, wherein we are forced to play some guys more than we should, I think we have a fairly solid line-up that is better than a .500 team. In my opinion, the players are not being used to their strengths and I feel a different coach may do that better.
That being said, I concede that JM knows more about running a team than I do.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
What do you consider .500 hockey?
Is getting half the points .500 hockey, or is it having equal number of wins and losses+OT losses?
Just curious as the .500 thing comes back often, but with OT points it’s not so clear.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I think .500 is half the points available. I really hate the shootout losses. to me, it does not indicate which team is better in any way, shape or form.
I’d rather OT until someone wins, and the loser gets 0 points. Of course the format would have to be 4on4, 3on3, etc, so the game ends fairly quickly.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
Cheers!
Maybe Markov sometime?
Did you mean type ruining a team or running a team?
I previously believed that the Roy trade was they seminal event that diminished this franchise. Now I realize that the root cause was the 1995 relocation of the Nordiques to Colorado. Faced with no competition, management has no reason to take risks to succeed. There are no other hockey teams that matter to Quebecers and there are no other sports teams. If the Nordiques ever return to Quebec, this franchise will have a rude awakening.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
That’s a good point that I haven’t really thought of. They would not want to be the second best team in the province.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
I seriously doubt this. Last year the Molsons showed their hand to the NHL by putting priority to a concert even during the playoffs!
It’s kind of like when the Montreal Star folded; and the Gazette had no English competition…
Looks like no playoffs this year: bummer. I’m hoping that at least they can get a top ten pick out of it.
If there’s another free-buyout period after the new CBA, whom would you get rid? Besides Gomez, obviously.
Personally I’d keep Gionta and Cammalleri: hard to replace goal-scorers. And I know they aren’t scoring a ton, but I don’t blame that on them …
Full Breezer 4 Life
Geoff Molson……..your team stinks!!! You are delusional if you think this bag of crap needs a few tweaks to be a contender. The sole reason your team isn’t 0-28 is because your goaltender comes to play. But alas, if you don’t mind running the laughing stock of the NHL then why should I who has no invested interest mind either.
Geoff Molson……..it sucks to be a Hab fan! I will not spend anymore $$$ on your crappy team until you give me something cheer for.
Go Habs Go!!
Don’t break your ankle jumping off the wagon.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for Markov to come back.
Go Habs Go!!
If this rumour has anything too it it would be pretty sweet.
http://puckbandits.com/2011/12/07/httpwp-mep1ux3s-k7/
ive often thought about the habs going after umberger and it kind of makes sense. another hab killer too. but who goes the other way?
ill be in the slot
Hard to say, BJ made some big moves over the last while so its hard to think they’re writing off the season already.
http://www.puckbandits.com
Team meeting = finding out who they’re buying for at the Habs secret Santa party.
Gorges-PK
Gill-Emelin
Spacek-Campoli
please
Begging for Gill, Spacek and Campoli… how low have we fallen
21st overall, 1 point out of 25th … about that far!
Full Breezer 4 Life
Yeah, that’s not lost on me either. Anything to make the Webiaz stop.
Very disappointing game last night. It was as though half the team was playing with a hangover or something. Not much jump at all. PK had a dreadful night. I lost count of the number of times he turned the puck over as a direct result of trying to get fancy instead of making the simple play. That a few of them occured when he was last man back only made it worse. He’ll learn (hopefully).
On the flipside, I think we now have a clear winner from the freshman class of Dmen. Emelin just keeps getting better and better. Skating with confidence, jumping up on rushes and hitting hard and often. Zone entry against the Habs has just gotten a lot more dangerous for opposing forwards. His mistakes are getting fewer and farther between, though handing the puck to Rick F. Nash when you’re last man back is way up there on the What Not To Do list. He and Campoli should share the sixth Dman spot once the gang’s all healthy.
Diaz should be out, keep Emelin playing. Diaz had a good start but he hasn’t been playing too well as of late.
good point,but who do you replace him with?
i would have brought paul mara back again.
not too certain that’s a solution…seems pretty similar to Campoli being brought in to replace Markov IMO
Actually, I’ll take the Swedes over a Mara or similar ..they may not be as physical as you would want in a D-man,but they are claering the net area without the lazy penalties.
@Dave N. who are these swedes you speak of? Perhaps you speak of the Swiss?
Ha, yeah, exactly.
http://www.puckbandits.com
and how about webber. if someone told you 2 years ago the habs would have two 5’11″ 190lbs swiss d-men in the starting lineup…
We can live with Diaz until the sick bay starts to empty.
I’m getting sick of losing to the worst teams in the league. It just seems like they come out flat when they think it’s going to be an easy game instead of saying “Let’s send these bit&ches back to the stone age!”
The good news is, if this team can squeak into the playoffs we probably wont see the Islanders, Anaheim or Columbus in the playoffs!
We tied with Winnipeg 28pts and they playing better game by game
I am very happy for Winnipeg and the roll they seem to be on. Despite a roster depleted of “Superstars” they play a tough gritty hockey. Andrew Ladd seems like a real good leader and player I would love to have on our roster. They are missing their most talented dman as well.
This team is inept. It’s ineptitude is only surpassed by that of PG and BG. My omission of JM is not to be construed as an endorsement. It is just that he is not thee architect of this mess. BG and PG are responsible for this joke of a team.
It was disappointing to read about Molson’s endorsement of this gang of losers, including Gomez. I agree with some of the other posters, that this team is taking on the the Maple Leaf persona of yesteryears. Notice I said yesteryears since the Leafs are heading up and we are heading down and management seems to be perfectly content with this.
As much as we all might despise Burke he is doing a better job than PG.
mjames
They’ve been terrible since Laviolette “outted” them. I think it really embarrassed the players.
Guava, that is an interesting point. I would be curious what their record was prior to that and since that game. I am not sure it will correlate like you say, but I never considered the point you make.
Kind of makes you wonder if the players were embarrassed by that. I would think not, but that is pretty poor record since that game.
This post is for G-Man who wants the differences on todays game from the game in the late 90′s school is in… Well for one buddy the trapping style of hockey came big into play in the late 90′s and for that type of hockey you need bigger players to make it work the team the Habs have right now and I have no cule why lord martin does not see this it does not work.. The best system to play and use for what this team has is the puck control system where players can use speed and skill to skate around the ice keeping the puck and passing it often and shooting just like Pittsburgh , Detroit, Vancouver, Boston ect ect does. In this puck control system no way does someone like Darche have a spot on the PP or on the team for this matter. Hope this helps you out G-Man.
Les Senators the Montreal
Uggg….I may have to switch to Labatt’s.
“Of course I’m crazy, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
- Robert Anton Wilson
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Good luck Guava!
I have a special request! As we have all seen in the last few weeks, Emelin’s physicality is one of the only refreshing and bright spots on this team. I would LOVE to see someone make a compilation video of Emilin’s crushers in a habs’ uni.
So please, if somebody is familiar with making videos and can gather all of his hits somehow, DO IT!
Mentioned this yesterday:
Anybody seen or heard from JD_?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I suspect he is wise enough to enjoy time away from the zoo for awhile.
Too late!
I’ve already called the RCMP.
They always get their man, you know.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
He may have gone Deep undercover, good luck with your search.
Emelin may not be 80% of chris pronger, but he’s lookin like 90% of Craig Ludwig so i’m pretty happy about it.
i hate blaming JM but if the the only guys who seemed motivated out there were gorges (as always), price, and emelin, that is to a large degree a coaching issue – if the coach can’t get them focused, or AT LEAST wake them up during intermission, there’s a problem. Between the jekyll-hyde interest in playing and questionable power play choices, JM is tiring me out. I’d love to know what ladoucer and cunneyworth are doing when JM is droning on, they were pretty fiery guys on the ice and i was hoping that attitude would rub off a little bit, but i bet JM’s smothering ‘system’ effect is two strong
Charline Sheen for Head Coach!!
I heard he’s all about winning.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Is that a Two and a Half men reference?
i.e. the DD cole and Max-Pac line?
http://www.puckbandits.com
Nah, ManApart keeps harping on about winning, so it made me think about Sheen and his speeches about winning.
Maybe Markov sometime?
No it is a strictly Sheen reference!
A year ago it would have been. Not today, though.
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
Penguins
Bruins
Wings
Flyers … all contenders… have one thing in common, and it’s not far better talent than us. It is management. G.M and coaches. That’s all.
I agree about the bruins. Their overall talent when you look down their roster is a bit underwhelming, but man do they play well as a team.
The penguins have the best coach in the league, hands down. How they won so many games without their two best players is mind blowing.
This team is no different than the past years. We won because of the power play. That’s the real problem.
Is todays team meeting over? Any idea what was discussed?
they looked around the room and said who here has enough talent to step up and save the season. they nominated pleks, cammalleri and price, saying to them if you guys lead us we will follow.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
or the polled the room and all dresseed won out over vegetarian
One of the biggest reasons that Ive had a lot of complaints about this squad this year is because I had high hopes for them. Prior to the season, I thought the team looked great on paper. Unfortunately, our veterans are a few years older, and our young players, although promising, just aren’t ready to carry the load. What the habs are missing are players in their prime. Ive come to accept the fact that this is a bad team that has probably been playing above its capabilities over the last couple of seasons, and who’s shortcomings have been covered up by out of this world goaltending.
The month of december is going to go a long way in determining the fate of the habs this season, and probably beyond. If we have the typical december slide, the habs are toast, and than it becomes PG’s move. Does he go for the PG trademark “patch n’ bad-aid” or does he do the right thing, cut our losses, and try to build for the future? Im hoping it’s the latter. If PG goes for a quick fix and the habs miss the playoffs anyways, you have to believe that Molson is going to clean house at seasons end.
i agree with your comments. i am curious why did you think the team looked good on paper prior to the season? at no point in the preseason did they have enough personnel to fill a roster.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
While the OP’s expectation of a “great” team on paper may have been high, there were a good number of reasons to be optimistic going into the season…
Price was coming off a career year and looking to build on that.
Markov, we were told, was healthy and ready to go.
Cammalleri was pumped to have an improved season.
A returning Max Pacioretty.
There was no way Scott Gomez would be as bad as he was last year.
Free agent signing Cole would give a real boost up front.
So far, only a couple of those things have turned out as one would have hoped.
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
Well i agree that our roster was not world beating on paper, but I at least felt that they were a good “team” (chemistry, comraderie, etc…). A good “team” will always beat a “collection of good players” in my opinion, and I felt that if a lot of players built on their performances from last season, the habs would easily challenge for the division title.
I absolutely shared in that assessment. I was hoping to see a lot of ongoing progression but unfortunately we’ve seen too many key guys regressing…one of which I didn’t even think was possible.
I think that catching up with the B’s is a write-off at this stage, and it’ll be another dogfight for a bottom 3 playoffs spot.
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
Well first, I thought Markov was going to be back early in the season, not miss over half of it. I figured Cammy and Gionta would be just as good if not better than last season. I certainly didnt expect them to be worse. I felt that pacioretty would be great (which he has been), and cole would compliment the roster nicely. It looked like we had good depth through our forwards, and a good balance of youth and experience on defense. Of course, we have Carey Price. I had a pipe dream that gomez couldnt actually be worse than he was last season, and figured hed at least be on a 55 pts pace (no surprise here that I was totally wrong on that one). AK is in a contract year so I figured he would probably pick up the pace a little bit. I figured Eller would build on his strong finish to last season (up until now he hasn’t, but I blame the coach for misusing him).
There were certainly a lot of “ifs” coming into the season, but I never thought we would be THIS bad.
it’s not really that bad. they can still make the playoffs. they mostly outscore the opposition.
i expected the team to finish with 86-93 points, make the playoffs and was open minded about them winning a round, depending on the match-up. Mostly I was hoping that Pax would get 30+ goals, Price would be a top three goalie and PK would play within himself. where i got worried was i never saw and actual 23 man roster that was deep on NHL talent. they never got enough healthy players on this roster to compete.
i thought that it would take at most 20 games to get players back from IR and trade for or sign the three or four players they needed to complete the roster. it looks like that will take 30-40 games, which makes all of us nervous about the playoffs.
but i care more about the improvement of the young roster players than about the standings.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
In the spirit of what Ian Cobb posted below, I think it is about time for a little courageous investigative journalism here at HIO. You guys, Kevin, Dave, Pat, Stu, Mike all have privileged access to the corridors of power.
Though the Habs secretiveness makes it a bit like industrial espionage, I would be so grateful for some more insight into the riddle of this year’s team. If I look back at last year, it was pretty similar, though, a lot of games really didn’t seem to matter to the players, and really, they didn’t. We got into the playoffs and then it was the ‘new season’ we almost broke through into the division finals.
This season it seems worse… maybe we will sneak into the playoffs again, but it is unbearable to watch my team play with such futility. Is it a plan to save energy for a late-season/playoffs drive? We have seen how dominance during the season does not necessarily lead to success in the playoffs “when it matters”.
The product on the ice right now is poor. Though it is not your job to ensure it isn’t. And I wouldn’t ask you to risk your jobs, but think of what Jessica Rusnak was able to accomplish with one good question. Maybe the trick is to snoop around and listen to what other teams are saying about us. Is everybody tuned in to JM’s ‘system’ and now knows how to beat it?
I agree with Ian, we have a potentially very competitive group, but something is preventing the gelling, the confidence. I guess you guys are as baffled and frustrated about it as we are… but you are the professionals, time for a scoop.
Don’t count on it. Why rock the boat? Too comfy.
it is not a secret. the big money on the team is going to players who are over thirty, past their prime or injured. the roster has 6-7 players who should still be in the AHL.
they barely made the playoffs last year, lost more players than they added and are older.
there is chemistry, it is mostly oxidization or rust.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Excuse’s do not work for me my friend.
This is what the Captain of our squad had to say about last night:
““We have to be better when it comes to our preparation,” added Gionta shifting his focus to the night’s events. “We absolutely didn’t show up ready for this game and it was obvious on the ice. Mentally we made too many mistakes, too many turnovers. It shouldn’t ever matter if we’re playing at home or on the road, we need to find a way to start stringing some wins together.”
ISN’T THE COACHES JOB TO PREPARE THE TEAM AND TO MOTIVATE THEM…….FIRE JAQUES MARTIN PLEASE….
Interesting quote indeed.
JM fan club! Read between the lines.
““We have to be better when it comes to our preparation,”
Which begs the question – why is the captain, as leader of the team, not doing more to ensure that the troops that follow him on the ice aren’t better prepared?
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
I’d be interested to know what you think he can do.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
make everyone a sandwich
Man, I wish you were my captain.
I could sure go for a sandwich right about now…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I don’t think that quote supports firing the coach.
I think it’s about making the players individually responsible for preparing themselves.
The coach can’t force a player to prepare himself before a game. That comes from the player. It’s about being professional.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
This team is full of long term contracts and is right against the cap. (with Markov) and have to sign Price, Pk, Kostitsyn, Eller and Pacs at some point in the next year or so.
This team is built to win now as they do not have youth leading the team, but vets on long term deals. Reminds me of the Leafs of the past…we all know how that ended up!
So where do we go? Were .500, a few points out…and without Carey were at the bottom of the league.
I personally like the team, the players, don’t like the style but what can you do. My fear is we lose AK, or Gorges or Eller in the future. Spach will be gone and can be replaced with Gorges…but what happens to Pk? Price? Eller and Pacs down the road? Long time away but it really seems like they have no idea.
I know this has been discussed at length, but the only way to sign all the UFA and RFA’s this off-season is to get Gomez off the books. No team will take him without pawning off their own problem ( Although, maybe Buffalo would take a 7.5 mill salary for the next 2 years and unload Leino’s 6 year 4.5 mill per salary). And will Molson focused on profits I doubt they will be ok with burying him in the AHL.
Unless that happens I see no way that AK can be resigned. With Gill, Spatch, Moen, Darche, Campoli and AK gone it will free up about 13 mill.
I imagine the RFA and UFA salaries shaping up like this
PK’s salary goes from 800k to 4.5
Carey Price from 2.75 to 5.5
JG from 2.5 to 3.5
Eller from 1.27 to 2.5
Emelin from 900 to 1.5
Diaz from 800 to 1.5
So that’s in increase of about 11 million. Might work out but no room for AK to resign.
Since we are speculating here are my thoughts:
If PK makes 4.5 million next year that will be an absolute joke. He has been terrible this year. He should get max 3 million. I don’t think he will get a long term deal. He will get a deal that will take him up to his last year of restricted free agency.
Eller should not be over 2 million. He will have under 30 points again. He should be making around 1 to 1.5 million .
I think Price may be around 6 mill per season cause he is this team. Cammy is making 6 million and CP is worth a lot more to the team than Cammy.
Yup. I see them offering PK a 2 year deal @ 7M.
Price more likely 5 years @ 6M per
haha, “Hey Molson, Fix you’re team!”
http://www.puckbandits.com
Was listening to “TSN” 990 earlier and McKenzie came out and straight-up said he thought the Lucic hit was worse than Tootoo’s. THANK YOU. I have the utmost respect for Bob McKenzie. He knows his stuff. Very rarely gets it wrong and glad he came out and said it.
look for McKenzie to be out of work shortly…..but I agree with him and you..
He works for TSN not NHL
TSN may sign his cheques, but the reason TSN employs him is because his head is lodged so deeply within the NHL head office that he gets information which TSN wants on their broadcast. The minute he starts moving his head around in there with that brush cut of his and cause discomfort for the NHL his gig is over.
What a thoroughly unpleasant image.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
You realize this is the same McKenzie who was fence sitting on whether or not Chara should get a suspension and pretty much ended his musings with agreeing it was a hockey play.
To me McKenzie goes with the wind. He sees now an opportunity to criticize the NHL since they themselves somewhat admitted they effed up the Lucic hit. But generally rule of thumb McKenzie is just a Marionette for the NHL.
It’s a touchy situation. Chara hit is only perceived as black/white. Either you believed was a hockey play gone wrong, or it was an obvious intent to injure. The latter makes more sense. I still respect McKenzie. He’s one of the only guys in the media Dregger that I like.
I think he knows hockey, but I think he sold his soul is all. So many of the mainstream media are afraid to criticize anything this league does.
Anyone who is not completely dumb had to come to the conclusion that it was a deliberate attempt to injure. The problem is very few have the balls to say so and if they do, they unfortunately can´t prove it.
Personally I´ve never been a big fan of McKenzie but there are obvious worse people with similar jobs around.
I think people just didnt want to believe that chara was capable seriously injuring a player intentionally. When you look at the rage in his face during previous run-ins with patches, there is no doubt in my mind that he intended to send pacioretty a serious message. I dont think chara expected to hurt him as bad as he did, but he definitely wanted to hurt him.
If I was tootoo I would appeal. How the heck does lucic get zero and tootoo gets 2 games? Tootoo was at least charging the net full speed, and got crosschecked in the back into miller at the last second by erhoff. Lucic made ZERO effort to avoid miller, and there was no external forces pushing him into miller.
Shanahan is officially the biggest joke since…. well i guess colin campbell lol
“Tootoo was at least charging the net full speed”
That’s actually the problem, according to the NHL. Remember, it wasn’t a goaltender interference penalty; he got 5 and a game for a major charging infraction.
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
He had the puck though, he didnt just charge miller out of nowhere. Let’s change the word “charging” for the word “driving”. I meant to say he was driving to the net full speed. I dont even get why he got the penalty. Well I do, its because his name is jordan tootoo. Did he slow down? Not really, but he didnt really just flat out charge, and he got pushed from behind by erhoff on top of it.
He is RIGHT!
Funny how they play up to or down to the competition. It is called game preparation. Or lack there of.
I like the ‘wives’ theory, and can totally see it being a factor.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Blame Pleky’s wife, the gall to have a kid during the season !
Maybe Markov sometime?
ok I have to bite…what is the wife theory
Players get home from a road trip, they go home and they have alot to catch up on, look after the kids, fix the sink etc.. so their minds are not focused on hockey.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Why are plumbers so fricking expensivein Montreal that Pro Hockey players in that city have to fix their own sinks. I think we may have found the krux of the issue here Shiram.
Great line Gerald. ha
I think the issue is that hockey players don’t want to have a plumber come and ask their lovely wives if they need help to fix their pipes!
Maybe Markov sometime?
“But the toilet’s overflowing..”
“I’LL FIX THE GODDAMN TOILET!! Don’t you DARE call a plumber!! I’ll be back from Phoenix in a week.”
“But it smells…”
“YOU’RE gonna smell!!”
“..whhaaa..?”
—Hope Springs Eternal—
They have to get the boys back to the wives a little earlier from road trips is all. It takes the boys a long time to shoot, if you haven’t noticed.
I think it’s patently absurd to even consider as plausible the idea that the wives bear even an iota of responsibility. But that’s just my own damned opinion.
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
I don’t think people forget that PG didn’t hire JM, Gainey did. Ever GM has gets a chance to hire his own coach before an owner even think of firing them. And most smart GM wait until the offseason to hire their coach.
Also I don’t know about you guys but IMO PG has done a very decent job as GM, people don’t like him but the moves he has made were very good.
Halak for Eller, having the guts to keep Price and trade Halak should give him a pass IMO.
Wiz for a 2nd, Wiz played 43 games for the Habs, considering what other D-men went for , Mccabe went for a 3rd and the Rangers had him for like 20 games, Kaberle was traded for a 1st,2nd and a former 1st round pick prospect.
O’Bryne a 5-6th D-men for a 3rd round Prospect Bournival (proving to better than his draft spot)
The only “bad” trades he has made were ones he had his hands forced on. S.Kost, guy was a locker room cancer in MTL. And Dags for Pulashaj, which at the time was good I couldn’t believe we could get anything for Dags, who was about to be sent down.
To add, he seems to have fixed the size issue in the team. No one on the bottom 6 size is less than 6’0, signed Cole, brought in Emelin, drafted Tinordi…
Also that seems to be forgotten is he changed the scouting staff.
He added Jankowski from the Islanders who is responsible for most of the Islanders young core.
so if he is doing a good job why is he not makeing a move with the coach?
No idea, but generally speaking, its best to wait until the off-season to look for the best replacement than just a quick fix.
Example if you want to hire X for coach, and he is an ast coach for team Y, you can’t speak to him during the regular season.
not true..but you have to ask permission
PG has provided bandaids not solutions. Halak, Wiz, O’Byrne did not change the face of this team. Halak had to be traded, there was no money to pay him and he was not a first round pick.
Dags and Kostitsyn were mistakes. But they can be blamed on the shortcomings of the organization for not being able to work with their young players. Kostitsyn, Grabovski and everyone who worked themselves out of Montreal did it to get a secure contract elsewhere for more money with better playing time. These young players had self confidence and the brains to know that their careers would be wasted in Montreal, so they got to where they could be impact players. PG has to fix that organizational shortcoming.
Cole was a bad contract. Four years is one too many. He will hurt this team in the long run.
Not having enough defensemen to start the season may have cost Montreal a playoff spot. 100% of that is PG who let half his defensemen leave in the offseason and failed to replace them with NHL talent. PG also lost significant coaching talent from within the organization.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Although PG has made some good patch and band-aid moves, he hasnt exactly done a lot to help us in the future. Sure he traded halak for lars eller, but now we have to sit and watch a promising talent like eller be wasted game in and game out. Eller should have never made the habs roster if he was going to be used in the way he is currently being used. Just like Leblanc. Pretty ridiculous to call up a player that you hope to be a good offensive player in the future, and let him play 5 minutes on the 4th line.
Pacioretty said it best last season when he said he would rather play top-6 minutes in hamilton over bottom 6 minutes in montreal. He also put his money where his mouth is when he got called up. Amazing that a young player like pacioretty has to give the organization lessons on how to properly develop talent.
the young players like pax dags sk grabs regularly prove management wrong.
what do they see in guys like pyatt, pouilliot and eller that they trade for them and play them ahead of the players that the organization drafts and develops?
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Gary Bettman on fighting : “Maybe fights are dangerous, maybe not. How can you know? No one can prove it. The sample of brains is not large enough.”
Nice attitude Gary.
http://fr-ca.actualites.yahoo.com/lnh-bettman-la-t%C3%AAte-dure-000809402.html
it’s in french.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Haaaahahahaha!!
“The sample of brains is not large enough!”
Igor, go for brains!
He sounds like a Creationist.
“Maybe the Earth was created in 7 days, maybe not. Nobody knows. Nobody can prove it. Ever.”
Uhh… yes they can, and they have. Please look at this evide…
“No.”
Ah.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
So more enforcers should have NHL carreers based on their fisticuffs skills, then when they die we can examine their brain and determine if fighting is an issue.
Total logic.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I think we should examine Bettman’s brain after he dies (IF he dies) to get a better understanding of the effects on the human brain of being a total douche one’s entire life.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Naturalists are equally as funny.
“The earth is billions of years old and started with a big bang.”
“How do you know this?”
“All the current evidence proves it!”
“What if new evidence arise?”
“We’ll consider it and then adjust the theory.”
“Until then?”
“We’ll keep railing on that we right and everyone else is wrong.”
Just sayin’ everyone likes to talk like a “know it all” but who really knows?
———————
When the tough gets going, the laughs start flowing. Like Price said, “Chill.”
Someone should cold cock Bettman, just to test his theory!
Ian, if you are against fighitng, only sell tickets to the HIO summit to fans who agree to boo endlessly whenever there is a fight. NHL won’t change until the fans are against fighting. Fans are paying to see this.
When the first group of fans boo’s fighting, we might see change.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Bettman said, “We can’t tell who’s affected by this diease, maybe we need to look at more brains, what if we looked at my brain?”
Maybe we should Gary, maybe we should.
“Do you know everything that went on in their lives?” Bettman responded. “Were there other things going on that could also cause CTE? And until you understand that what exactly causes CTE, it’s speculation as to one or two elements in each case that were in common. The data is not sufficient to draw a conclusion, and our experts tell us the same thing.”
that is what he actually said.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Fair enough, but he also said what I posted up there too.
Maybe Markov sometime?
That is a poorly worded translation. The experts tell Bettman they cannot reach a conclusion. We can probably agree that blows to the head are a contributing factor to CTE. But to stop CTE, we have know scientifically what is causing it. Abusing painkillers may not be good for CTE either.
I wonder how Shanahan feels now about his 97 career fights. He was a hall of famer without them.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Fire Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin!
Fire Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin!
Fire Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin!
Fire Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin!
Fire Pierre Gauthier and Jacques Martin!
Okay so let me get this straight, first we fire Pierre Gauthier, but then who fires Jacques Martin?
Conference call.
G-MAN will be assigned to tell Martin.
It’s not gonna happen…didn’t ya read the article on Molson’s vote of confidence for Gauthier, Martin and even Gomez. You want them fired…boycott the Bell Centre home games…have fun with that !
Molson is a business man, all he cares about is financial success, not winning, the Habs legacy is long gone ! No one of authority cares about winning anymore !!!
I always had some sort of hope. I always thought even though way over due. It’s just a matter of time before JM or PG or both go…but now after reading that article on Molson’s vote of confidence for these two idiots and Gomez too, it is my worst nightmare come true…the team is soft from bottom to top. Molson is soft…long as the money comes in he does not have a care in the world. He will not do anything unless the fans boycott Bell Centre games, and that will never happen cuz the fans love the Habs unconditionally, which is not a bad thing. ..but it just sucks that, Molson is taking advantage of that loyalty !!!! I am just about ready to give up on this team, for this year anyway.
That fan who opened his window with a suggestion to Geoff is correct. “Fix your team!!!!!”
I can’t find the piece where the first thing I read was a disclaimer to the effect that, “As long as PG is happy, I’m okay with it.” If that quote was correct, then you can take it to mean that “when PG ain’t happy, I won’t be either.” So, maybe if PG decides he’s had enough with Gomez and/or JM, Molson will be on board? If so, come on Gauthier!!
The thing I don’t mind about losing is that it forces you to be philosophical.
Just a note for everyone: YOU didn’t lose last night. The team did. Don’t forget that.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Emotional attachment is very high when it concerns the Habs.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Fans for over 40 years get to say WE
Meh, not when ‘they’ lose.
When ‘we’ win, it’s great to identify with them.
When they lose, it’s better to focus on other things.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
lol. 21,000 + people pay top dollar to watch them play. Fans essentially pay for the players’ salaries. No fans = empty bell center = no revenue = no team. Just ask the Jets.
Matty, would love to support you, but philosophical and me don’t often if ever get mentioned together. Irrational, sarcastic, well you know…..
Heh heh.
I know.
Philosophy is just another protective layer, you know?
“We lost. Well, the sun rose, and my baby smiled at me.”
That kind of philosophical.
Rather than: “I lost!! Gaaaaahhh!! Everything is terrible!!”
Philosophy!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Okay i get it, how’s this, “We lost, kind of grey and dreery out today, my dog crapped all over the carpet and I am really tired.”
Now you’re getting it!
…no, wait…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Patrick Roy`s Ramparts play Sunday out of town then they are home for a week, with 5 days off. Perfect timing for Roy to make the switch. We play the Islanders on Tuesday. A nice first game don`t you think……..
Harharhar- you avatar chimp would make a better head coach.
I have to agree with the chimp being better than Martin….
The chimp sure looks like Martin!
What on God’s green Earth makes you think that Roy would be an acceptable NHL coach?
How’s his record at the level he’s at right now?
How’s his relationship with the Canadiens organization that he walked away from?
He’s a nutcase. I just don’t understand why you think he’d be any better at getting the current team to do better.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
You have to remember Jr is a developement league. His job is to teach the game to 16 yr olds…Look at the NHLer`s that have come out of his years with Quebec. I think he would have the respect of the team. He would be open, to a fault, with the press and he has taken his team to the finals. What else can you ask at that level. Give the guy a chance to take it to the next level, He cannot be worse that what we have now
Yes, he really, really can.
His egotism is unparallelled.
He’d make Brian Burke look like Modesty itself.
I just don’t see it happening ever. Which I think is a good thing.
There are plenty of other options that would do far less damage to the team.
Let Roy prove himself in the AHL first… which I don’t see happening.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Hahahaha!!
Now he’s here!
“You think like a loser, see?”
Anybody else hear Al Capone in there?
“Nyaaahhh, you’re a real maroon, see?”
This is too much fun.
You guys have gotta try this ride!!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/derek-boogaards-fate-part-of-the-price-we-pay-for-hockey-players-say/article2262560/
Some interesting quotes from some players as they were interviewed with the recent Boogard information in mind.
Gorges had an encounter with him as a 16 yr. old.
Good link Gerald. thanks.
And you got tickets to the Toronto March game did you??
Not to change the subject of just how poorly we played last night and or completely lack of offense or even creativity in creating offense….BUT DID YOU SEE EMELIN (THE RUSSIAN TANK) level a few more forwards….when was the last time we had someone who could hit like that..now all we need is 6 or 7 forwards who can score and 2-3 more dmen, and maybe a coach who can make this all come together.
So we need a new team and coaching staff, all centered around Emelin? Cool.
Maybe Markov sometime?
The coach is not the problem here. It is the person that does not understand what the problem is.!
Yea and I was sarcastically responding to them…
Maybe Markov sometime?
I would like to think I understand
This team has forwards who can score. They have adequate but not great defense. And they have a great goalie.
Emelin is awesome.
He’s got his mojo working, and all his hits are clean. His timing is excellent, and as Marc Denis said last night, the opposition is going to think twice about cutting across the blue-line when Emelin’s on.
We haven’t had a defenceman that can hit like that in a loooong time.
It’s pretty freakin’ great.
Gimme some more body-checkers like that, and you can stuff your ‘enforcers’ where the sun don’t shine.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Personally I like our D…PK and Emelin are our future..Diaz and Georges will make great 4-6 D. I can live with Weber as a offensive specialist, that is 5 of our 7 for the long term. If our wounded can ever get back we will be ok. The problem is there are not there NOW and we need a short term solution.
I was being cheaky…Price is one of the best goalies in the league. The forwards are fine…they don’t seem to show up on the same night though….our Power play is more than horrid…if i was the coach I’d go with a completely different make up starting this morning. I’d go wtih Ak46 -DD and Cole.. with PK and Diaz till campolli and markov are back.
I have not missed to many Hab games as I follow my sport and favorite team these past 6o years. I have seen the very best of talent, coaching, team play and execution of how this game is to be played to win cups. I have also seen and lived the half baked years of putting poor products on the ice, behind the bench and in the GM office.
This team game played to win, must have total understanding, same page mentality, cohesiveness and brotherly chemistry, from the GM’s office all the way through the club to the water boy if we are going to take everything in stride that is thrown at us over the course of a grueling NHL scheduled.
There will always be injuries and set backs throughout the year, even for the best of teams. But an organization well oiled and totally dedicated to the goal at hand, will find ways to win, back up and play for their team mates with heart, confidence and determination.
Over this year, I can honestly say that as of yet I have not seen any of the above for more than a few minutes a game. Given that I feel we have the talent to be a very professional and competitive NHL club this year, we are showing that we are not an organization that is in the same book, let alone on the same page.
This game is 50% mental and confidence, 50% dedication, execution and desire. Not only by the players, but by the coaches and management as well.
I am at a loss this year to understand what is completely wrong with the attitude and focus of the whole organization. Very little emotion and pride from top to bottom. I am so very disappointed.
There is a blockage somewhere in the organization
And for certain, if we do not find it and cut it out, they will never play at the level that we as fans expect.
They probably already know what has to be done to move forward, and management is slowly implementing a plan with a longer view, but by looking at the product now, it sure sounds and looks like they don’t have a clue.
I will continue to watch each and every game as we grow our way to the top, because the biggest thrill about us winning the cup, is in the watching of how we get there!
Hab for life, IAN
I think more of us could stand losing if the guys played competitively on a consistent basis.
@OBB completely agree.
THe intriguing thing will be to watch the Vancouver game and see how they play. Team truly is Jekyll and Hyde.
Funny how they play up to or down to the competition.
True Dat–Bird
Good Post Ian.
Gerald–Thanks, I have become a literary genius is all. Boone’s job is in jeopardy now.
Here`s a thought. Andre Markov for coach…..
we will be hard press to find a good GM that’s good,the good are already in office, Carriere could be interesting and for coach the best one available is Carlyle and them Nolan and Robinson is not head coach material but could be a good Ass..to Carlyle
Reading Red Fisher’s column about last night’s game left me with the conclusion that if the team is not ready to play, and they were not last night, then get rid of the coach because he’s clueless & the team is not responding to him.
Worst home record in the NHL. Do the f…ing Molsons even care?
“Hate Bruins like a sickness”
Oh, you don’t like the coach?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I don’t think Martin has lost the room – I think he has just lost his mind.
In reality, I think he just does not seem to have the ability to use his players properly.
Gonna be one of those days on HIO…
Maybe Markov sometime?
As it should be
Of course you’d say that.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I care about winning, you don’t I guess. That’s why you’ve been hiding your head in the sand for years, while I have been trying to warn everyone that this team was in trouble with the current situation for almost 3 years.
So what, do you want a medal?
And nice speculation there.
Maybe Markov sometime?
“I have been trying to warn everyone!”
Hahahahahaha!!!
Claaaaaassic!!
“For three years”!!!
Oh man, that is priceless.
Best laugh I’ve had in a while.
Whoo!
(wipes tear from eye)
…trying to warn everyone…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Well we lost.
Everything’s sh!t.
Everyone needs to be fired or shot.
Or both.
Each individual player sucks, as does the system, and the management.
Including the PR team, HR, and players on the IR.
Injured players need to be put out of their misery and sent to Chibougamou.
The Bell Centre ice needs to be removed and replaced with high-quality German ice, not this cut-rate Quebec crap.
RDS should be taken off the air and replaced by Reseau Pierre McGuire, who really knows his hockey and has contacts all over the league.
The team should be sold to Brock Lesnar, who could beat the other owners around the head and neck with Gary Bettman as a club in order to get what he wants.
Only then will we win a Stanley Cup, and will my life finally be complete.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
You forgot the beer, it’s pretty awful too.
Maybe Markov sometime?
The Molson products should be removed by toxic waste removal specialists in biohazard bins, and replaced with Carlsberg, whose pedigree and pursuit of excellence will inspire future Canadiens players, none of whom currently play on the team, as they will have been replaced (because they suck) with Japanese robots who will be programmed to only speak French.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
It’s not so much the losing but how you lose.
Im glad im off to work a double shift.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
“In golf, they say the good players string the birdies….
Cammy already thinking about golf? that can’t be good.
http://www.puckbandits.com
People need to start naming solutions for the problems..Fire PG, Fire JM, and hire who?
Remember that next Scott Bowman (Guy Boucher) we let get away. He got one of the most talented team in the league hit seat at the bottom on the conference. Before you blame Rolson/Garon
Stamkos,St Louis,Vinny,Hedman>Price,Subban,Pac….
Larry Carriere could take over GM duties in the interim(did a nice job in Buffalo’s personnel department).
Larry Robinson could coach this team and that would be fine with me.
Or how about Gerard Gallant?
What is with this man crush you have for Larry?? you think his style of coaching is run and gun? more like zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
No I don’t. I don’t think we need run and gun. I think we need the simple approach. Not creative but ill advised tinkering with players.
With the team we have at this point a run and gun style would be a lot better.
Good options, sadly I gotta ask, does Robinson speak French?
As for Larry Carriere, decent interim, but again who is the final replacement, PG hired Carriere, so if he you keep, you might as well keep PG.
I don’t believe he does. Probably enough to get by in his personal life though.
As for Carriere. Buffalo added a lot of talent under his watch, I wouldn’t be so sure about him being a Gauthier clone.
Very true, he did a good job with the Caps as well. But in that case, IMO PG done a decent job as GM, and with Carrierre as Ast GM, no need for change unless your making a full management change, scouting, ect, which we don’t need.
Robinson can not be a head coach in the NHL. Defense coach, sure.
Ok, I agree we should not have let Boucher or Muller get away….but we did. So, what about Pierre McGuire for GM or even Blair MacKasey. Coaches are out there as well. Patrick Roy being my first choice, but also Bob Hartley, Paul Maurice, Ted Nolan.
My theory for the little it is worth is that this team does not have fun playing. It’s work. Boys (of any age) have to have fun, and they are not having fun playing for JM and his system. They have pride and, therefore, usually get themselves up for the big teams but since it’s just work against the ordinary teams, they almost always come out flat. It’s because there’s nothing about the JM system that is inspiring and fun. There’s simply no joy to be had in playing this system for this man and the weird way in which he uses his personnel.
I agree 100%, it has to be fun.
Have fun? I don’t think that’s the problem because every time I look at JM, I see a BARREL OF FUN.
“Hate Bruins like a sickness”
You’re absolutely correct. What was I thinking.
If you want to look at the glass half full:
The Canadiens clutched and gnawed for points in 4 of the past 5 games.
They are one point out of a play-off spot.
They have played without over $15 million in salary cap this season
Unlike Tampa Bay with a seasoned coach, snipers, and talented players, they seldom lose 5-1 and are not 5 points out of a play-off spot.
“It’s too much for one guy to shoulder. For us, we’re going to do it as a group. It’s about sharing that responsibility win or lose.” – Mike Cammalleri
Half full? That’s the worst half full I’ve ever seen. Do you know who Montreal’s last 5 opponents were? One point out of playoff spot is half full? Are you sure you’re not a Panther fan? Don’t tell me you’re using Gomez’s salary in this ridiculous statement. So because Tampa Bay is playing absolutely horrible and the Habs are better than at least one team right now, that’s something to be happy about?
Try again Josh, You fail.
As an avid Habs and Hockey fan I too am beginning to loose interest. I didn`t even object to switching off the game to pick up my daughter at the arena, (she is the time keeper). Gladly switching Pro Hockey to a fun and exciting PeeWee BB game. It is obvious to anyone that has ever coached that Martin has lost the team. He was and perhaps will be again a good coach, just not now or here in Montreal. Cut him loose, find a `player`s coach`if even for the short run, but for heavens sake do SOMETHING.
I gave up during the Philly game. Now, if only I could tear myself away from this site …
I am with you. Mine was after the ducks game. Since then I will watch a few minutes for fast forward on my PVR to the goals. I am going to start watching after Christmas. Until then I am taking a stress leave from it. You should enjoy watching the hockey and right now it is more frustrating than fun.
If Geoff Molson wants to support the dumbo twins then he deserves to lose the season
For the first time in my life Im on the same page as you… The world is coming to a end lol
I just went outside to put the garbage out and, as I was walking bact to the house, something hit me in the back of the neck. I looked around and found nothing. All I can say is that I’m pretty sure it was a part of the sky and I bet there will be more and more of this falling debris as the day goes on. Keep your heads up folks.
Nah that was just lord martins notes from last nights game falling on you.
I’ve been on this page for over 2 years. Everybody else is just starting to see what I knew was probably going to happen.
For the first time in my hockey-watching life, I am actually seeing a coach that has NO CLUE how to manage his team. Usually firing the coach is a tactic necessary when a team is floundering for no reason, and when they are sent packing I never have really felt that they deserve it. In this scenario, Martin is TRULY misusing his players, and we need someone with some vision.
Problem is Geoff Molson in supporting Gomez has basically torpedoed this team’s playoff hopes this year. Geoff Molson sent a message to this hard working habs that mediocrity, cowardice, conjobs and bs-ing is ok and that you don’t need to score goals or even make assists as long as you are Scott Gomez, paid the most on the team and show nothing for it.
Jacques Martin will survive the season. The injuries alone will buy him the full 82 games schedule.
My opinion that Martin should now be let go is not related to wins and losses. I’m tired of seeing Darche on Powerplays, Weber on penalty kills and playing forward.
The inevitable will happen. The team will get healthy for around 20 games and surge with a nice winning streak. They’ll squeak into the playoffs, give somebody a scare or pull off an upset and then wear down because they block a ridiculous amount of shots.
One thing I want to mention about Martin. This team is too regimented as well. Yannick Weber, coming into the offensive zone high last night, bailed out and went for a line change after being called to the bench. The result was a pass from Cole I believe, that went straight to a BlueJacket for an odd man rush because of the bad timing of the line change.
The bench micro-manages the game. Far too much.
I don’t ever want to see Martin out the door, without his incompetent buddies Gainey and Gauthier. It would be totally pointless. Another band aid that will waste 2 or 3 more years.
Gauthier has done some nice things I think. But I know how you feel about the moves he’s made so we don’t need to get into all of that.
You can add Geoff Molson to the incompetent group.
The problem with Gauthier is he’s not really done anything. The Cole deal is pretty OK. Wiz was a great pick up, last year. All his little trades were garbage, but weren’t team killers. Let some good depth guys like Moore, Halpern and Auld walk for worse alternatives.
Gauthier’s main problem is he is incredibly slow at recognizing problems and is too scared to make a move. He has no sense on how to evaluate a team or individual talent. this is a guy who will never lead a team to anything but status quo.
You have to be bold in a league so filled with parity. Just like a Brian Burke. Look at Tallon in Florida. That guy made some ballsy moves. It’s paying off in just one year. Gainey and Gauthier are on year 8
Your second paragraph is unbelievably speculative. You have no idea how long it takes him to acknowledge holes in the roster
I’ll reserve judgement on Tallon and Burke. Leafs still don’t have any goaltending and the Panthers are a make shift roster in a weak division. We’ll see how that plays out in April.
My 2nd paragraph is speculative? Bro, after being shut out 3 times and bounced around vs the Flyers 2 years ago, it was painfully obvious the Canadiens needed some size and punch up front. What did he do? Absolutely nothing. Same problem occured last season, what did he do? OK, he got Cole, but that’s the only thing he’s done in 2 years to address the Habs worst problems. If that isn’t slow to recognize and react, then I don’t know what is.
I agree with some of the things you say, but its hard to question the PK when its one of the top in the league. And Darche hasn’t not been on the PP expect for a few times early in the season when the PP was sucking and he was tired because he did a good job last year on the PP.
Price has been hiding problems for quite a while. Darche was on the powerplay as recently as last week.
I guess when the Bell Centre is no longer sellout crowd and struggle to maintain half full capacity at home games, will Pierre Gauthier be forced to do something.
We need to start a fire Martin petition here on the site:
1. Chris McGraw, Halifax NS.
Tim Alexander, Calgary Alberta + 21,273 Home game fans.
+ everybody else in the world except Geoff & Pierre.
2. Ron Keddy, Haneytown NB
Ronnie, what’s going on?? Didn’t know you where on here!
That Geoff Molson article looks like nothing more than old news.. after a skim over each paragraph, the quotes referred to seem that he is discussing events prior to this season. With Jacques Martin, Firemartin, FireGauthier or anything in relation to it (not including most recently boycottmolson) trending now for weeks on twitter and those same sentiments in blogs and other social medias, Mr Gagnon’s article appears to be nothing more than a spin piece.
Come on Montreal Media, How stupid do you really think we are? Do you not hear us boo this team when they can’t even ice a 1/2 decent PP line? Do you think we are that blind when we see the decline of this team due to a lack of an identity?
For the first month an a half of the season, I wondered why Red Fisher was digging deep into the past of this team instead of writing about the now… And now it has become blatantly obvious why. There is nothing good we can say about this team on a consistent basis.
We never know what team we are going to get from 1 game to the next.. We think we are going to get killed 1 game and we show up and play. Then we face teams like the Islanders and Blue Jackets who are statistically worse on paper and in the standings then us and we look like a timbit squad barely capable of lacing our skates.
Are there players at fault? Yeah sure.. Darche has hands of stone, Diaz is making great impersonations of a pylon and we all know how Gomez is doing. Though you cannot put all the blame on them. The only way you can get these 3 PLUS the rest of the team to show up on a consistent basis is to have someone who knows just how to motivate them.
The fans can see it.. The Media outside of Montreal can see it… Why is it I get the feeling that the Montreal Sports media reminds me of a certain Iraqi General who was famous for saying “nothing to see here” while you could see American tanks out his window?
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Twitter: Habziefan09
Confucius says: “Baseball has it all wrong, Man with 4 balls cannot walk!”
http://habziefan09.blogspot.com
who would like to have someone like Mark Messier captain this team !!!!!
If it is the same Messier type that has Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey, Tikkanen, Anderson type linemates I am all for it!
Lost to Columbus…yay. What a great team.
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“Talent is a gift from God, but you only succeed with hard work. Yvan was proof of that.” – Jean Beliveau.
The rivalry lives on.
More like Pierre Gauthier’s cheapskate attitude lives on, and Geoff Molson’s worship of hockey players who are shorter than he is….lives on you mean. Meanwhile while Montreal Bell Centre burns Jacques Martin has the squads practicing their five man defensive formation just like some Mighty Disney Ducks movie!
With the way things are going, I think we should kindly refuse any Powerplay that is awarded to our team. It seems to do more harm than good; our SHG against, momentum deflating attempts to bring the puck up, crowd at home doesn’t like it, once the PP ends we seem out of place…
I do believe this team is good, it has proven it numerous times. It’s just that there is a whole shirt of wrinkles to iron out.
No plan-No guts-No win! JM has clearly lost this team. They looked disinterested and simply awful and how about PK last night? Seemed like everytime I turned around he was giving away the puck to the other team. I think he needs a little time in the press box again and that doesn’t bode well for a defence (if you want to call it that?)that’s struggling. I would be absolutely shocked if there isn’t a management and/or coaching change in the offing….shocked! If that doesn’t happen then I’ll be finding another form of entertainment for the winter to keep me warm. These aren’t the Montreal Canadiens that I grew up with and have followed the past 53 years.
Too bad the coach is the only team member you can’t send to the pressbox!
One thing I’m really happy about is that the organization let Guy Boucher leave and coach elsewhere, he’s obviously having a tough time plying his trade at this level, what with all the talent he has, you would think he’d have the Lightning ahead of our “lowly” Habs. This way, in a couple of years, if he’s proven himself, the Canadiens can entertain the thought of bringing him back.
PIERRE GAUTHIER MAKE A TRADE ALREADY!
Firing Perry Pearn was the 1st step to wake the team up, making a big trade is the 2nd…
Or he could fire Pearn again…
http://www.puckbandits.com
Or Geoff Molson? Ha
WAR MACHIDA
No. The last thing you want is Gauthier messing things up even more. He has’t won a trade in his life. The only solution is the firing of all management and bringing in a new team.
How come I can’t see my comments?
Credit of our team’s form goes to Mr. JM. I’m seeing a team that’s lost. Of course they play well against quality opponents, wouldn’t you? Even if you hated the coach?
Rivalries go beyond that. But when you can only manage 4 shots in nearly 30min against another team that can barely do the same thing?
Playing a young homeboy for under 5min in his debut? When you’re only 1 down at home?
And letting Cammy already think about golf? His mind should be wrapped in hockey and child, with an occasional side of wife. No room for golf! It’s barely December.
I get trying to be passive in the playoffs, at least where media is concerned. Montreal is a volatile city, and needs no catalyst for destruction. But does the entire management need to be on Valium? Really?
Vancouver s hot right now so the Devil and than Philly if they loose all 3 do we get a new GM because a new GM should be hiring the next coach and make the proper trades and contracts ,Weber who started good falling apart ,AK and Georges should get extension now not at the end of season and Yamalin and Diaz think only have 1 year deal, any how Gauthier’s missing some mojo
As long as the day doesn’t involve any trades to try and save Gauthier’s hide.
This season is a write off. Markov will not save this sinking ship.
Habs fans prepare for 2 and a half more years of suck.
Bring on 2015.
Agree replace Gauthier first something we should have done with Gaineys as well ,look how fast Tallon turn Florida around, signed 10 free agents in the first 2 day of free agent
Team meeting lmao what for? Lord Martin needs to be fired bottom line. 20 shots on goal lol too funny he still coaches like the late 90′s his ship has sailed.
I guess God Himself, with his record of 11-14-2, is the answer, right? Keep making me laugh with this bs “modern game” stuff.
Guess you don’t watch much Habs games? and who is God himself you talk about?
Guy Boucher, or the “Anointed One” or “God Himself.”
I would think at this point maybe you would be a better coach over lord martin…. with that been said only after the rest of us on here had a shot before you….
The Modern Game Argument is a valid one. JM is lost in this era.
That was my point on the matter… Lord martin still thinks it’s the late 90′s hockey…. G-man still lives in the 90′s it looks like with his post.
Ok, Stormy one, point out the differences in the “modern game” compared to the 90s, aside from the red line.
That’s where Pierre Gauthier converted Georges Laraques to the world of Tofu, yogurt and peace kindness and good feelings…..hmm….I wonder if Pierre Gauthier is behind the wimpy start of late too……
Tiger blood!
Maybe Markov sometime?
Here’s your cookie (.::)
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“For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the Gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.” Exodus 12:12
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
HH, I’m not entirely getting the new avatar. The significance of the tank isn’t lost on me but is the tank a reflection of the blue Lego piece? Is the Lego symbolic of Lars Eller? If the tank is indeed a reflection, shouldn’t it be actually part of the main piece, seeing that tanking to get high draft picks (which I don’t disagree with at all) is something you feel strongly about? And, finally, why blue for the Lego piece and not red, white and blue?
My friends tell me I usually overthink things. You are free to do the same if that’s the case.
You deriving satisfaction from the Habs’ struggles? IF you feel you’re wasting your time watching them, what are you winning? A few points on a web page? Big Whoop.
The tank morphs into building blocks…
Ah, I get it now. Pretty clever. Thanks for the explanation.
Actually, to me, the tank looks kind of like an artillery piece. And if you rotate it to the right, it looks like a seahorse wearing body armour.
You’re still a poopoo head.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
I don’t disagree. The thing is, Edmonton is a young, skilled, fast team — a product of tanking. They’re exciting to watch but are they assured of anything? That’s the unknown and that’s my fear about tanking — what assurances do we have that we won’t end up only marginally better than we are now?
There is no assurance. It’s a risk. Look at the islanders or columbus. Florida had 10 years of suckitude and now most of their success this season is on the back of free agents like Fleischmann, Versteeg, Upshall, Campbell. Colorado was 43-30-9 in 2009-10 with the kids and 30-44-8 last year, this season they are 13-14-1. How many years were Pittsburgh, Chicago and Washington bad before they struck draft gold?
And if the Habs fans are in such uproar and revolt over an 11-11-6 team, how will they react to two or three years of a winning percentage of 0.400? Cause if you trade the assets this year for draft picks, remember that those draft picks won’t step in right away next year (unless they are in the top five), and even then they will need two to four years of seasoning before they reach a level of contribution that is equivalent to the assets traded now. It took five years of top-5 picks before Pittsburgh were in the Cup finals. Are the ManAparts, LA Loyalists, The Dudes, etc really ready to let this team go through that?
NHL ref Mike Leggo casts a similar shadow, oddly enough.
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”