It’s Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S., so the Canadiens and Flyers will play a 3 p.m. game in Philadelphia.
And what creative excuse will you use to duck out of the office early?
Did the great Maurice Richard ever have to play hockey on a Friday afternoon?
We doubt it.
• Gomez out with a groin injury
• Jean-François Chaumont on the Canadiens’ penalty-kill
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Gomez is pretty dam bad again this year, but the last few games I did see him create quite a few chances its not his fault the wingers cant score, but still No other team is going to pick him up. If by some miracle he did I will eat my jean beliveau signed Koivu jersey and post it on youtube. !!
Lots of Eller talk today. Question : Can Eller actually become a number 2, or even a number 1 center in the league? What are your thoughts?
I can see him becoming one of the best 3rd line centers in the NHL, no question.
PuckBandits
http://www.puckbandits.com
It would appear JM is gonna use 3 lines for most part in todays game – when the 4th line is used – Denis will play left wing – Darche will play on the 3rd line with Eller and Moen…..
Does anyone think PG is actively trying to move Gomez? I get the feeling that if Gomez were a leaf burke would somehow trade him for a solid return
There was a rumour recently here in T.O. that PG offered Burke Gomez and a 2nd rounder for Komo back (Before most recent injury).
There was also a rumoured deal with NYI which apparantly Gomez would not waive his NTC for.
Nothing fact, just rumour, but I have to believe PG has made it known to other GM’s that Gomez is available.
No body wants Gomez, but it can’t hurt the Islander’s to have him. They are brutal.
I don’t blame Gomer for saying no to the trade, but if your trying to move a guy either cut his minutes and say fine, you don’t want a trade, your playing 10 minutes a night. Or b – showcase him (which is what appears they are doing)
Unfortunately his contract his anchoring him because he has exceptional CORSI numbers lol
Molson Ex mon ami
Sather did!
Molson Ex mon ami
Montreal Canadiens We Are Fans Summit (PICTURES)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Montreal-Canadiens-We-Are-Fans-Summit/197390760316125
The 5th Annual Montreal Canadiens We are Fans Summit organized by Mr. Ian Cobb, who lives in Belleville, Ontario but who is also a life long Habs fan along with several other dedicated volunteers must be thanked for the great work they did before, during and after the Summit 2011 that was held on the weekend of November 18 and 19, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec. For many fans, this was their first Summit ever and they were not disappointed, as the Summit was a huge success according to some of the one hundred and thirty passionate hockey fans that attended the two day event. Many had travelled from near and far in North America during the day and evening of Friday. Many fans had traveling by car, others by train and some fans had even booked flights to attend Friday evening’s gathering at Hurley’s to join up with other locals and visitors from out of town. To put a face to the various names of posters or long time readers on the very popular Hockey Inside Out web site, hosted by the Montreal Gazette’s newspaper with articles and blogs covering the Montreal Canadiens hockey franchise, while posting comments and opinions daily by many other Habs hockey fans around the world. One of the volunteers of the Summit, Mr. Shane Oliver had left Brandon, Manitoba, to come to town earlier in the week to take in a few Habs hockey games before the arrival of other attendees of the Summit and Shane had greeted everyone at Hurley’s on Friday night and handed out name tags for all in attendance. Other attendees were at the Hamilton Bull Dogs’ game at the Bell Center but would be joining the other fans after the game as everything was in walking distance, the hotel, the pubs, restaurants and the Bell Center. It was great, and kudos goes out to the organizer and volunteers who had worked out the logistics, for they had done their research!
On Saturday morning, a very young couple had arrived at Cora’s for the early bird breakfast, having braved the winter weather in Calgary, Alberta the night before, by having to sit though the de-icing of the wings , then several other travel delays before taking off from the Calgary Airport to arrive around 2:00 am in Montreal. And yet, the young couple was in great spirits the following morning while attending breakfast at Cora’s with other earlier risers and Habs fans that lived in or around the various boroughs of Montreal and those from afar. For those who attended the breakfast at Cora’s, they had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Kerry Goulet of Stop Concussions who was going to do a presentation in the afternoon about brain injuries caused by concussions and what folks at the grass roots’ level could do about slowly changing the “old school “ mentality of dealing with concussions suffered by young athletes in contact sports. Mr. Mike Boone, scribe of the Montreal Gazette was also in attendance for the morning breakfast. Fans old and young shared their thoughts, their heart warm memories, jokes and lots of statistical data on the Canadiens’ team over a hearty breakfast.
After the breakfast, it was a quick visit to the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Hall of Fame at the Bell Center with several other new comers meeting other fans for the first time as there still was more fans from the local area and from out of town meeting up for the very first time with the ever growing group of dedicated fans. Some had come down on the Saturday morning, from as far as just outside of the Toronto area, others driving up from Kingston, while some had a made a shorter trip from the Ottawa-Gatineau area. By now, there were also several great fans from outside of the country. A very dedicated mother and Habs fan now living in the United States had brought along her son, who plays hockey back home to his very first ever Summit and Montreal Canadiens hockey game at the Bell Center. Both mother and son were having a great time together, while visiting the Hall, as this was part of the gift package for her son’s sixteen birthday! The Hall was a great opportunity to see many amazing artifacts from the bygone days of hockey and the Habs franchise and to try out many “interactive” displays on hand.
Shortly after the Hall visit, many fans took the Bell Center tour with a very wonderful young man and tour guide who was very knowledgeable. During the tour, the fans even got to sit down in the arena to watch a few minutes of the New York Rangers on the ice practicing for the evening’s game. Surely a scouting report would be sent back to HIO headquarters, as that was a golden opportunity not to be missed! The fans were also showed the Alumni lounge, where the great legendary Canadiens players like Mr. Jean Beliveau and Mr. Elmer Lach have been known to spent time reminiscing about the various eras of the good ol’fire-wagon days of hockey! The Summiteers also had a view of the Super suite…one of the corporate suites with all the intangible amenities one would need. Then there was a quick visit to get a bird’s eye view of the ice surface from the press gallery and a second look at the New York Rangers “system” while being suspended in the air and to finally figure out Boone’s point of view while blogging “live” on home game nights from so high up. From the Bell Center, the fans took a short walk back to the Novotel hotel to see the presentation given by Mr. Kerry Goulet of Stop Concussions who gave an excellent power point presentation to the very interested audience and media that was covering the event at the Summit which again was organized by Mr. Ian Cobb. Mr. Goulet spoke about brain injuries in athletes and said that it was more a question of “return to life” rather than return to play for many who have suffered concussions in pro sports and were left in the darkness. Mr. Goulet’s goal working along side Mr. Keith Primeau, a former Philadelphia Flyers Captain and a hockey veteran whose hockey career ended too so following yet another concussion was to education everyone, parents, coaches, trainers, and athletic therapists to recognized a concussion in sports participants at any level, amateur or pro and to get proper medical attention for them, because brain injuries are invisible, we can’t see into the brain with the naked eye and athletes don’t always know they have suffered a concussion and they may even return to play too soon, without following proper protocol and suffer even more injury or long term effects. Mr. Goulet said it was time to change the old school mentality of sucking it up because our children and our children’s children need us today to be pro-active in this matter, by being aware and taking action starting at the grass root’s level and having our voices heard. By being aware, we could also work on the prevention of injury with proper skills to be taught to the athletes as most children
play many contact sports in different seasons; this also includes having respect for one’s own body and brain and respect for the opposition‘s player competing also.
It’s a step in the right direction.
The pre-game dinner and raffle was held across the street from the Bell Center at the Baton Rouge restaurant. Many wonderful gifts were donated by all who attended, included a autographed hockey stick, brought over by Mr. Rejean Houle, who had suited up for the Montreal Canadiens and who had won five Stanley Cups with the team. Mr. Houle, who is clearly not retired from the world of hockey yet as he is now the President of the Canadiens Alumni and a member of the Montreal Children’s Foundation was very gracious with his time, signing autographs and taking pictures with the Summit fans. Mr. Houle then chatted with a few of the fans and had said that the Habs would most likely win the game in the evening, Mr. Houle was very confident and this pleased many of the fans before they left to attend the game. One lucky fan when they had arrived at the Bell Center, had actually found a puck in the stairways in the lower section of the reds with the double letters, no doubt from the Ranger’s practice of the morning, surely a good sign for the evening’s game? Then several fans had had the chance to sit down besides the Habs’ bench as the clocked ticked down before the players came out onto the ice to practice. At one point, Mathieu Darche who was not yet in uniform came out to sit on the bench as various television medias were setting up to interview the players during the practice. This was a moment of great excitement for many of the fans, to actually see a Montreal Canadiens player up close and then the digital cameras and cells phone cameras were clicking away. A few moments later Raphael Diez came out onto the bench, not in uniform either and did a few stretches on the bench. More cameras clicking, it was great! One of the media personal from Hockey Night in Canada , Cassie Campbell-Pascall former Team Captain for Canada’s women’s ice hockey team who helped her team win a gold medal in both winter Olympics in the year 2002 and 2006, was now standing beside the bench, microphone in hand. Many fans recognized her and her accomplishments and called out her name. Cassie replied by smiling and waving to the fans, and the cameras in the stands kept on clicking. Over on the Rangers’ bench RDS’ Chantal Machabee was getting ready to do her interview and then the players came on the ice. It was great the see the smiles on all the fans faces, even the young children who were watching their favourite players on the ice in the warm up that ended too soon. It was now time to climb up, way up high, almost as high as Mike Boone’s chair in the press gallery to watch the Montreal Canadiens take on the New York Rangers and hockey’s number one pest Sean Avery.
Now the question was, would the curse of the Summit’s losing streak ( the record for the last four Summits’ was O-4-O ) be broken on the Eve of the 5th Summit? There had been
some positive signs (and even postings on HIO!)
1) Perhaps a scouting report had gone though to HIO’s web site from an Iphone via a Habs fan attending the Summit?
2) Had finding a puck on the stairs from the Ranger’s morning practice been yet another sign of a win for our Habs?
3) Was Mr. Houle’s predication about a win as good as gold?
Only time would tell but for now the lights were down low, for Eddy, Eddy who was smiling down on the boys from the big Jumbo screen at center ice. Edward “Eddy” Palchak, trainer and equipment manager for the Habs for thirty one years, winning ten Stanley Cups with the team and who sadly had passed away, was now receiving a moment of silence in the arena out of respect for all his hard work and dedication towards the team that he so loved. Many folks were very moved.
For one fan in the group, memories of a father taking a young child to see their first hockey game ever of the Montreal Canadiens at the old Forum and seeing Eddy behind the bench, the funny looking man with the big glasses and the big heart and smile, that fan now realized that another wonderful era of hockey was gone…God Bless you Eddy and as Gregory Charles finished singing O Canada, the passionate fans took their seats and enjoyed a truly great ending to a weekend of fun and entertaining activities, catching up with old acquaintance and making new friendships that had perhaps begun on line as the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 4-0 in the sold out Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec. It’s what memories are made of- thank you again to Mr. Ian Cobb, organizer of the Summit and the many other wonderful volunteers who helped out during the weekend. Also a big thank you to all who attended and who brought wonderful gifts to be raffled off, your generosity will go along way in helping many others in need.
Linda Sparks
Gatineau, Qc
tl;dr;
HH—???
Nice write up Linda, great job.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
@Tom Nickle
Interesting take below on Eller and DD.
I think you are in the majority who seek to downplay DD’s success and focus on Eller’s long-term upside. Perhaps this debate will indeed play out like Halak-Price, except that Eller is not necessarily a future star in the league, whereas Price almost certainly is; and Halak may turn out to be a decent NHL starter in the long-run.
What I mean is that long-term Eller may fulfill much of his promise, but it is 1B centre promise, not elite level like Price (but one never knows what a player’s actual upside might be, of course…); and that DD may continue to produce and bedevil his critics as he has before, winding up a solid 2nd line centre.
If that makes sense, allow me to toss out another suggestion: perhaps PG has asked JM to play DD to see what he can do – to assess his value, and to profile him for a possible trade/long-term role. PG has to be concerned about size up front with Gallagher in the pipeline and won’t want to keep DD long-term unless he’s really worth his weight in gold/goals.
If the GM is telling the coach how to coach and who to play they would both get fired. That’s not how successful teams are run.
No one is downplaying DD’s success, they’re questioning whether it’s sustainable, and how much he actually has to do with his point totals. DD had a stretch of about 8 games where he was getting points but sucking in all 3 zones. He’s been better lately but most of his good work, especially on the road, is done in the 1st or on the PP because he wears down.
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Seriousfan09 has started a Movember team named McPhee’s Irregulars. Donate to him, or me or the team to raise money for a great cause!
http://mobro.co/AndrewBerkshire
When you’re on the outside looking in you don’t tell a coach to play a weaker link more to maximize trade value.
You’re overthinking this in my opinion. This isn’t an indictment of Desharnais and that much should have been clear by my pointing out that he isn’t completely at fault for production slowing down or for the good job he’s done in making the most of his opportunity.
Let me say this. Your prognostication for Desharnais’ potential is amusing considering you’ve decided handicap Eller’s.
Looks you’ve taken a side based on a personal affection for Desharnais. Funny thing is that I like Desharnais more than Eller based on the different paths they’ve taken. But the truth is that Eller offers a signifcantly higher celing in terms of production, and he offers it immediately.
Better player today and will in all likelihood be a better player in the future.
And a quick comment here about Desharnais. He worked a heck of a lot harder to earn a fulltime role than he has to keep one.
Would it be better to have 2 “top” lines of:
Cammi Pleks AK / Gionta
Cole Eller Pacs
Or 3 “balanced” lines of:
Cammi Pleks Gionta/AK
Cole Desharnais Pacs
Moen Eller AK / Gionta
Reasons why Eller is a 3rd line winger vs Desharnais and Gomez:
-20 yrs old vs DD 25
-JM plays Gomez > Eller (that could be due to contract, age, trying to give Gomez every chance to succeed)
Fact of the matter is this team would be much better with a productive Gomez and Eller scoring on the wing. But the true fact of the matter is they are not a better team with Eller on the wing.
I think its only a matter of time before the Habs realize this.
Now its up to Eller to produce!!!!
Also, I doubt DD with AK / Gionta / Moen would be productive.
Molson Ex mon ami
you said this : ” Fact of the matter is this team would be much better with a productive Gomez and Eller scoring on the wing. But the true fact of the matter is they are not a better team with Eller on the wing. ”
I thought : Whu? They are better with Eller on the wing, but they are not a better team with Eller on the wing?
Randy for HC!
Your always better to have a balanced attack because an ieffectual third line can take the wind out of momemtum. you need to generate…no need to fill the net but be dangerous. As per Eller playing on the wing versus centre…he is a natural centre and is probably on the depth chart of playing ability, right behind Plecks. Gomez is tied with DD (who i think should be on the 3rd line with Gomez on the wing). In reality though Gomez is given every chance to succeed because he has a hefty contract and isn’t going anywhere so they are trying to play him to get him going….he has had some good games recently so hopefully he can find it but I believe by mid season there will be a big shake up with Gomez taking the brunt of it. So after mid Jan you will see some effort to move scott if he isn’t playing well at all. And one last time “HE IS NOT NOR EVER WILL BE HEADED TO THE MINORS…THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 8 YEARS….NEVER AGAIN.”
QUIT RAININ’ ON OUR PARADE…WE WANT HIM IN HAMMY. ;-D
JM doesn’t put Eller in a position to produce, he only plays with top six guys when they throw him on the wing, he’s a natural center. Everytime he’s played C whether with AK n Moen or even the other night with Moen n Darche he’s been effective, JM is screwing Eller’s development over by constantly giving DD better talent to play with and Gomez PP time. We’re trying to make the playoffs at this point, when I see darche and Gomez on the pp i wanna puke. Also in regards to the PP, i know pk is having a rough year but cmon how is he not getting time on the first unit.
Here’s to groin injuries! A tribute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg9ruee3Vos
Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
gonna grab some afternoon delight.
Considering the major injuries the habs has had – they deserve a B-rating – TSN losers don’t know how to rate them…
I think the ratings are in relation to expectations. Nobody expected Jets to do much and they haven’t. Habs, at least if one believes what was said on this site, were destined to win the cup this season, which so far (i mean, we still ahve 60 games left) doesn’t look too promising.
Inmates here, yes, Chez Le Gazette non.
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Little giants: Henri Richard, Mats Naslund, Yvan Cournoyer, Aurel Joliat, Howie Morenz, Guy Carbonneau, Newsy Lalonde.
No doubt we’ve had a tough start to the season, once again, too many injuries.
But……….from the should’ve, could’ve, would’ve file, if we won against the woeful Islanders, and took at least a split against the hated leafs, we would be tied for fourth.
Just sayin.
Fraser was a weak ref with bad hair who promoted himself over the game for 20 years too long. His take on the Carolina goal is as lame as usual. Apparently, the main theme of his column is that NHL refs can do no wrong….. excuse me while I upchchuck my coffee….Isn’t the point of the rule to keep sticks down? I guess guys like Pronger, Gill and Chara can wave their sticks around in everyone’s face with impunity since their shoulders are what is so crucial to the rule. Nonsense from a runt that was an annoying distraction to many games.
I’m not sure if you’ve been reading his column regularly, but he routinely points out instances where the ref was wrong (such as the Blunden incident against the Rangers).
But more often than not, the refs are right. The point of the rule is to keep sticks down, but there are well-defined definitions of a high-sticking penalty (striking another player) and high-sticking infractions (striking the puck). The refs called it correctly.
If a player like Chara strikes another player in the face, then he will get a penalty. If he plays the puck at his shoulder height, which might happen to be 2 feet above Brian Gionta’s head, it is legal.
So if you want to complain, complain about the strangenss of the rule book, not the referees’ correctly applying that rule book.
A high stick is a high stick. The implication of your stance is that Gionta and most other NHL players are not allowed to play the very same puck (at Chara’s shoulder) that Chara is. I think you are wrong here. Is a Pee Wee player only allowed to play a puck on top of the net if he is tall enough? Is Gionta? It would seem to me that the definition of a high stick is both relevant and relative to more than just the player making contact. And that good officials know this.
So, now you want the refs to make decisions outside of what is CLEARLY stated in the rulebook? Seriously?
80.1 Batting the puck above the normal height of the shoulders with a stick is prohibited
I assume here that ‘normal height of the shoulders’ is meant to be ‘of that particular player’, and is to specify that his normal height, and not his height when bending over or jumping, is to be used, and not some unknown ‘where are the shoulders of the average person’ interpretation.
Your quibble, as has been stated, is with the rules, and not the way they were applied. Not once was a rule broken on this particular sequence.
Edit: It’s also worth noting that part of the way this rule his written likely has to do with giving the refs a reference point. You can’t ask them to judge, on the fly, exactly how high a puck is without something to compare it to. Players shoulders are the easiest thing. MOST players not not 6’10. In fact, most players are roughly around the same height, and no one would give a damn. Sure, some players are short, and some are tall, but the refs need SOMETHING to go by, and shoulder’s are just handy, since every player has them…
Seriously, the rules are “normally”understood by the players and coaches and they are “normally” broken numerous times on every “normal” shift. The main and “normal” (or non-archaic)purpose of an on ice official is, when carried out well, interpretive, as in: should the play be stopped? Incidentally, many players are very bent over when playing the puck and somehow manage to draw the majority of “high sticking” penalties. I see how you interpret the play but I disagree and I think the “rule” would support my view at least as much as yours. No one would have blinked if the play was blown dead.
I would argue that the “normal height of the shoulders” can and should be interpreted as the average height of the shoulders. But the rules do not explicitly state this. If that is the spirit and intent of the rule then the league should quantify the height in feet and inches so there is no ambiguity.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I typed out a longer responde, but it was stupid. I *totally* agree with you that it could have been blown dead, but entirely disagree that calling it dead would have had any basis in the rules, as written.
Obviously, the ‘spirit’ of the rules is called many, many times every game. I Just don’t think the case has much of a ‘spirit’ argument to be made. The puck wasn’t struck, at any point, with a high stick. Had the player somehow taken it off the top of the net, and it went IN the net, THAT would have been disallowed, as the standard there is the crossbar.
As for giving a standard in feet/inches: it can’t be done. There is absolutely no way a ref could judge, at speed, whether something is 5 feet off the ice, or 5 feet, 2 inches (with a fictional limit of 5 feet here). The shoulders simply make a convenient reference point, and, like most things statistical, the average player’s shoulders around the league fall into a fairly tight range. There aren’t many Giontas, and there are even fewer Charas out there.
How is his take on the goal ‘lame’? The puck wasn’t knocked into the net with a high stick, nor was it touched in the course of play with a high stick – since the league uses 2 different standards for those plays?
If anything, the monster players run more risk of getting called for a high-sticking penalty, since they are given greater leeway in where they can touch the puck with with their sticks.
Every team has fans that think the refs/league/aliens are out to get them, and that’s what fans of other teams pick up on. Unfortunately for fans of other teams, all the Habs-fan whiners have congregated here, making them easy to find.
Perfect day to work from home. I mean really, who needs me at the office anyway?
Nobody needs you here either!
JK buddy!
Is Pronger playing this afternnon?
Is a game time decision with a virus, but according to Philly Blogger Bill Meltzer he is not expected.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Bill-Meltzer/Flyers-Gameday-112511-vs-Canadiens/45/40002
I’ve been in and out for the last few months but this Eller v. Desharnais debate is amusing and sometimes even complex. Much like the Halak v. Price debate a couple of years ago. The pro Desharnais side seems to point to statistics and the pro Eller side seems to be pointing toward skill level and versatility.
Here’s where I’m at for anyone who cares to read. It’s been pointed out reasonably that Desharnais has had Cole and Pacioretty for the majority of the season. And that’s a fair argument. He’s been spoonfed elite player icetime and given quite possibly the best two wingers on the team. Early last season and this season he was making the most of it, so he certainly can’t be knocked for that, but late last season and recently this season the production has slipped. And that’s not all his fault either.
Eller is a reasonably fast, very physical, highly talented player. There’s a reason he was a first round pick and Desharnais was an afterthought, and it isn’t just size. Desharnais has a weak shot, soft passes(not in a good way) and often corners himself like Gomez does. Eller on the other hand is able to establish and maintain puck possession without giving away creativity, shot effectiveness or passing ability to Desharnais. He’s consistenly in the right place. If there’s a knock on him it’s been a lack of finishing ability and some mental mistakes in the defensive zone. Both of which are fair criticisms.
Here’s the kicker for me in terms of how these players are being used. Jacques Martin was adamant prior to the regular season that Erik Cole’s addition would provide physical balance to the lineup, yet he’s rarely implemented on a lineup that shows that balance. Plekanec, Gionta and Cammalleri is not a solution.
Hiding Desharnais in the lineup in between two thirty goal scorers is a way to get the best out of him. Eller is making the best of a crappy situation and there’s no doubt in my mind that he would take a big step forward in his development with talented wingers flanking him. On the flip side of that coin, I believe we’ve seen the best that we will ever see from Desharnais.
I am in agreement with you Tom.
Eller was very good with AK and Moen before AK was hurt. I would leave the first two lines alone and put those three on a third line.
I have more of a problem with that than Eller being surrounded by stone handed pluggers.
Leaving Plekanec, Cammalleri and Gionta together is a terrible mistake as Leary pointed out below. Those three players aren’t able to establish or maintain puck possession down low. They are line only capable of scoring on the rush. And if you and I can see that, opposing teams and coaches can too. Huge mistake.
Wiser words were never written, well, for the past 15 minutes or so.
I second the motion (there was a motion, wasn’t there …)
No motion. Just a well tempered rant. You can’t reason with someone who believes that Yannick Weber is an adequate penalty killing defenseman.
Gionta and especially Cammalleri are most effective on line where somebody does the dirty work and gets them the puck.
When you see Cammalleri-Plekanec-Gionta dumping the puck in the corner you know there is zero chance of them coming up with it. Drives me nuts.
Man, there is very little else in the world just screams tradition like Friday afternoon NHL hockey.
*sigh*
Brings back all those childhood memories of hoppin’ off the bus after school and racin’ into the house to catch the last five minutes of the 2nd period on the ol’ rabbit-eared B&W.
Philly though seems to have a bit of a tradition for afternoon games. I seem to recall as a kid, there were quite a few Philly Sunday afternoon games.
I like the pm games, but am dissappointed in the lack of English TV coverage of it.
Yeah, but I’m old school and can only wonder when they’ll be bringin’ back the Wednesday mornin’ games.
Guess who’s five points out of first in the conference with 60 games to go?
The Oilers?
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Okay in dedication to the Tagline Afternoon Delight, here is Ron Burgandy doing his best singing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eplbDbp6XJQ
I came in to work 2 1/2 hours early at 6:30 this morning so I could get to watch the game this afternoon.
Hope the boys have a good game.
GO HABS GO!!!
Team Defence wins Championships…
Now that’s responsible and really respectable. Props!
So is Price doing a back to back or is Martin going to let Budaj get lit up by Crosby and Friends tomorrow night?
Just like the Blues got lit up?
Wow, Darren Dreger grades the 10th place Habs a C for their performances so far this year, and gives a B to the 13th place Jets. McLennan also gives the Habs a C and the Jets a C+.
Good thing there’s no anti-Habs bias over at TSN.
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
hickey gave them an F
What’s “trying” worth?
It’s worth almost as much as “being a nice guy”
Your discounting the all important Good in the Room!
Don’t forget all of the intangibles he brings to the game…
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
it has been a really trying season.
With so much trying, it’s getting tiring
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
If there was a bias, it is not in the way you are portraying it.
A C to the Habs indicates that much more was expected of them. I think that that is a fair assessment; coming into this season, many fans had Montreal battling Buffalo and Boston for the division title. I don’t think there are many people that are satisfied with the team sitting in 10th place amongst the fan base, so a C seems perfectly reasonable.
Coming into this season, many people had the Jets fighting it out for the 1st overall draft pick. Anything above that has to be considered a pleasant surprise.
Hi Chris. Your point makes a lot of sense — as they always do — but that’s not how they’ve framed the ratings. On the site, it just says they’re grading the teams’ performance — not their performance in relation to what the expectations might have been 20 games ago.
Anyway, it’s probably not worth getting worked up about. : )
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
I’ll take it back a little bit. By my reasoning, there is no conceivable way that anybody could give Vancouver higher than a D…they are perhaps the biggest disappointment in the league in the early going.
Fair enough. Everything’s so tight right now though, and early disappointments can be deceptive. With 23 points, Vancouver is indeed way back in 11th place in the West, but that’s just two wins out of a three-way tie for 2nd. Likewise, with two more wins, Montreal would be leading our division, and would sit in 2nd place in the East — so those two wins would likely have bumped the grade up from a C to an A.
It’s crazy that 27 points is currently good for the 2nd best spot in the league, and 23 is good for 21st!
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
What was most frustrating in the article, was the complete lack of depth to the reports. Was just typical TSN fluff report was my issue with it as opposed to the grades they gave.
But you notice in their “review” they neglected to mention the injury issues on the backend.
Time’s up, JM must go!
Wild in first place overall and sit at 25th in goals for. Who says a defensive system is overrated?
Just the thought of that makes me sleepy.
Thinking back to when Montreal let all of their free agents “walk” I ask myself, and anyone who cares to listen:
Where would the team be if they had moved all of their impending FAs for picks / prospects. Key players to be moved:
Koivu, Kovalev, Komisarek, Bouillon, Tanguay and anyone else I may have left off…
I understand that they would have missed the playoffs and that the city would be in an uproar, but we lost these guys for nothing and we went no where in the playoffs.
Blow up the team, get at least 3 1st round picks (Koivu, Kovalev and Komi) and they still could have aquired Cammi, Gionta et all.
Sounds good no?
Molson Ex mon ami
It was a pretty weak draft year. I think Duchene is the only all-star to come out of it. Not sure we’d have been able to pry a 3rd overall pick out of any of those players. I’m not even sure any of them were worth a 1st rounder period.
Regardless of how weak a draft is they would have picked up some assets (I’m no scout but I assume guys drafted in the 1st round have some potential or can be used in a bigger trade)
And I remember something about New Jersey offering a 1st and Oduya for Komi as at the time Komi was a top player for what he did. + Kovalev would have brought in some talent, he was still scoring.
Of well I’m living in the past, just hate losing players to free agency.
Molson Ex mon ami
Feraco,
I think your hindsight glasses are working at full capacity. But I think there may be a crack in your rearview mirror – Lang is another player that was on that team.
If you recall the last season for those players corresponded with the Habs’ Centennial celebration. The previous year they finished 1st overall in the East, so there was promise. They did, however, fall apart in the last couple months to back into the playoffs. Carbo was fired and Gainey took over the reins.
There was no way Gainey was going to decimate the team assembled for the Centennial, halfway thru the season. There was no way to know the team would perform so poorly after the trade deadline.
Even after the season, trading away the rights to UFA’s don’t bring back 1st rounders.
So your thought, in hindsight would make sense, but in reality (at the time) there was no way that was going to happen.
_______________________________
Opinions are like kittens, I’m giving them away.
Yup, I’ve often made the same gripe.
Don’t think I’d call it a lousy draft year though — also picked that year were Brayden Schenn, John Tavares, Ekman-Larsson, Evander Kane, Victor Hedman, Nazem Kadri, Ryan Ellis, Zack Kassian, David Rundblad, Chris Kreider and Simon Després, on top of Matt Duchene.
And that’s just the first round. : )
Kane, Tavares, Hedman and Duchene are probably unrealistic, but it’s not crazy to think that we might have landed two of the other guys on that list. Hell, considering what the Leafs gave up for Kessel…
Mike Boone: “With Gainey at my side, I’d walk into any dark alley in the world.”
Yes that always bothers me, especially watching Kovalev shipped around during very weak periods. Imagine what he would have fetched while still a hab?
Or Komo’s big pay day – imagine what they might have given for him.
Arg….
UFAs for draft picks = 3rd or 4th rounders, not 1st round.
For all you Blackberry users out there, the Montreal Canadiens official app is available to download on their app world website.
Now if only HIO can create one as well. Life does not revolve around the iphone.
“We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets “
no, it revolves around the iphone, android and winmo7
you know
good phones
Life revolved/rotated better around the rotary phone, had a better feel to it. Not sure you would be able operate that kind of technical whiz toy though Mofo, we were pretty hight tech back in the day!
theres an app for that
im bein serious
Okay that is pretty cool, but I still think food first when these App’s are mentioned.
could be worse, you could be thinking of a shadowwy cabal thats out to give us all autism (again, this has happened here before, also bein serious)
Ah…the rotary phone.
You picked up the 10 pound handset and….”oops, sorry” someone on the party line.
Hang up, try again. OK, let’s dial up that 5 – digit number.
Area code? What’s that?
For the time it took to finish dialling, today you could microwave an entire meal for 14 people. But we were blessed with patience back then.
A “twit” was an idiot! A “post” was something you hit with a puck or with a car. “Terrible” or “full of badness” meant exactly that.
“Hooking up” meant getting together.
I think the funniest neologism is “circumvent” – now being an opening in Jewish men’s boxer shorts.
Sign of the (new) times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
… and you can use that rotary monsta even if there is no power in the house
Don’t lump Iphone with android and winmo7 please. The Iphone is a POS.. and their computers are 20x worse
ahhhhh a fanboi
No.. i just know my products ^_^
i use a Blackberry, but its mainly for work. But if i had a choise it would be either a winmo7(so awesome) or a android
i know my products as well
and review them
they all have their strengths and weaknesses, but to dismiss the iphone as a POS doesnt sound very informed, its apple hatred, plain and simple (especially if you are dissing their other hardware)
you caught me on my hatred for 90% of Apple products xD
but its not a total POS but it gets way to much hype and comes with a legion of fans for the wrong reasons.
or the right reasons, depending on how you use your tech, theres room in this world for diversity cerf
Iphone makes computers, no way…
Talking about the infamous MAC pc’s
god i hate them so much
this much is obvious
I was joking. How can you hate such a user friendly system? Macs are such simple computers to work with.
Il be fair and say Linux is a decent OS, not very use friendly for HTML writers and coders.
Macs are good for 2 things : Music producers, Film/art/photo/graphic art students
out side that i loath them
Wrong. For business people , the smartphone revolves around the Blackberry and it will always be the blackberry.
“We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets “
blackberry has been losing an average of %17 of market share per quarter this year alone and thats just “for business people”
not sure when was the last time you checked out the news RM, but there are grumblings about RIM throwing in the towel on its own software and going android, even then many are asking if its too little too late
The H I/O iPhone app blows. You’re not missing anything.
^
also, this
I just got a notification that we beat Carolina.
for notifications, ill say it again, RDS is tops hands down
@ 24C,
Duck and hide my friend!
Being a #1 fan of my boy Gorgeous Gorges, il agree with you that if a big boy is in front of the net he will lose the body positioning battle 80% of the time. As for in the corners il say i disagree for the soul reason that Gorges has exceptional stick positioning and will win the board battles 80% against the big big boys with skill.
I won’t sit here and tell you he is worth 4mil + and is a top 2 pairing Dman, but i will tell you this, he is a great shutdown pairing 4B or 5A player(i lean more towards 4B+). Il say he is worth anywhere between 2.5 – 3.5 depending how well he puts points up this season… Last year he was 2.5 – 3.0 at max, this year is a different ball game IMO
3mil and 5 years. Lock him in now. No more than $3mil. No offense to back up the good to great D work.
24Cups, saw your note about Hal Patterson. Sad news indeed. Reading about his exploits and his teammates brought back a lot of fond Ticat memories from the early ’60s. I didn’t remember Patterson playing both sides of the ball but certainly recall Garney Henley doing the same.
Missed reports of Prince Hal’s death, thanks for drawing it to our attention.
Speaking of memories, Gerry James used to play both ways and then would join the Leaf organization once the CFL year was over. I remember his photo in a Leaf jersey on a hockey card I used to have (Cards came in two sets back then. One set featured the Habs and Leafs while the second set was the four American teams. Never thought of protecting them in plastic. Just stuffed them in my back pocket so I could flip them against the wall at recess).
Did Garney Henley even weigh 180 pounds?
When I was a boy I always wanted to be Dick Shatto. He was so totally cool. Even had his own fish&chip shop about two blocks from house.
Fond memories, indeed.
Do you remember the player cards on the back of Post Grape Nuts? (Or is my mind playing tricks)
Garney Henley 180 lbs? Yeah, with pads and cleats. More like 160 lbs starkers. But he could play.
Tommy-Joe Coffey. Joe Zuger. John Barrow. Angelo Mosca (hated his stupid penalties but he was a character and he’s been a good ambassador for the game since his retirement.)
My earliest real CFL memories live include Dieter Brock, I apparantly was alive for some Kenny Ploen events, but they aren’t crystal clear to me. My Habs memories start at an earlier age than my CFL memories.
I want to apologize, HIB. Below I congratulated you on your 60th birthday and then I read you’re turning 29. Man, you gotta get outta the fast lane, it’s agin’ you quickly. (Or I can get new glasses. Or clean the ones I have. It’s a conundrum.)
What?! You remember Prince Hal as a Ticat and not an Al?! Well, I’ve had a bellyful of you.
I was a just a youngin’ when I started cheering for the Ticats. I knew not the greatness of Prince Hal until he wore the sainted black-and-gold. He was pretty good with the Als, eh?
Truthfully, I don’t so much remember him as in having watched him much as I was pretty young too. Besides, we didn’t even have a TV until I was about 10. I was mostly coming into awareness around the time that he was traded and we lost Sam the Rifle. Unfortunately, my awareness coincided with the Als falling upon many bleak years.
So neither TSN or CBC is showing today’s game? I can’t believe that, instead TSN is showing Detroit vs. Boston at 1pm.
Going to a friends for the afternoon/evening to celebrate my birthday, I really hope they enjoy watching the game En Francais on RDS this afternoon.
Happy Birthday Burly!
And, RDS is showing the game again at 6:30. (I believe it is not the shortened version).
18h30 LE HOCKEY SUBWAY DES CANADIENS: MONTRÉAL VS PHILADELPHIE
Thanks LL, bday is tomorrow, but we are making it a full weekend event. Started yesterday with Turkey day, smoked a Turkey and had the housefull of NFL fans. Hopefully two Hab wins are in order to complete the celebration.
I hope you get your wish.
But did you cut the Turkey up and dry it, before you smoked it?
No did it whole, Brined it Wednesday overnight, got it going on the smoker by 630am Thursday, had it ready to eat by kickoff (shortly thereafterr), then smoked a Ham and in the middle grilled my favourite app’s Shrimp Diablo’s. The key to smoking the bird was cracking the first beer at 9am watching the temperature gauge on the old Weber.
who watches repeats?
FOR SHAME!!!
Never get tired watching videos of the Canadiens winning the Cup.
I do, i cant believe people dressed like that in ’93
And the riots were so lame.
got me a free 2L bottle of RC cola from the provi soir outta that riot
even when sticking it to the man i end up generic
People stuck at work in a meeting?
Now, nobody tell me the score K?
Or I could leave early. hehe
its a hockey game not a rerun of charmed <_<
Ok jeez, the cafe downstairs has 2 large screens. Happy now? ; )
that’ll do lapointe… i suppose
boner fete dude!
Sounds like you’re handling the milestone in fine fashion, Hab’ington. For some people, turning 60 can be a traumatic experience. You, obviously, are made of sterner stuff.
You mean you weren’t fooled by youthful maturity at the Summit and actually figured out my real age?
It’s a gift.
(But don’t expect any. Habby Birthday!)
All I ask is for your full support cheering on the Eastern Representative Bombers as they fight the evil empire from B.C. on Sunday!
Evil Empire vs. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. You’re askin’ a lot, Burli. But seein’ as you’re a Habs fan and a member of HIO and you live near my birthplace, I’ll be cheering the Bombers to lose not by much.
Sorry, best I could do.
Happy B’day old man. Too bad I missed you guys at the summit, but if ever you’re back in town, I owe you a Guiness. And what’s this, not working on a friday afternoon? Boy, ain’t life grand!
Well I have a good situation at work, fairly flexible, but I typically work every weekend, so the Man is still getting the best of me.
Oh G congrats, 29 is a fun birthday to celebrate, good luck with that.
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too.
Oh to be 29 again.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Gotta work at 4 today, really bummed about missing this game. Only good thing is im working with a flyers fan , so at least he misses it too!
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We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold……
To Joshua94k:
Luv the one about the drunken cat…but the one about
you mother’s house burning down….whoaaaa….taboo!!!!
But keep’em coming though.
With the Habs game on this afternoon, here are some useful excuses to get out of work:
“My mother’s house burnt down…”
“I’ve got locked in the apartment and had no keys to get out until my boyfriend/girlfriend came back from work.”
“The dog followed me to work so I had to take him back home, that’s why I’m late”
“I can’t come in because I had a dream that I will be hit by a truck today.”
“I had to take the cat to the vet because it got drunk on the beer that had been left out in the garden to kill slugs”
“Hydro was doing roadworks outside my house so they told me I had to stay in for the day in case they needed anything”
“Missed the ferry to the Mainland.
“There was a rat in the hall and I was too afraid to leave for fear it would attack me (true story!)”
“I am going to be late due to a wheel of an airplane fell on to my roof, and I am waiting for someone from the airport to come out and collect it.”
“ I can’t come in to work today because I have stood on my glasses and can’t see.”
“ My rabbit has ran off and I have to find him”
“I can’t come in as I got in to an argument with the traffic officer who was ticketing my car and I am currently in a cell in the police station.”
“Someone broke into my house and I was too afraid to move out of the bed until someone else got up before me to make sure that they were really gone.!!”
“A bird shitted on me on the way to work, and I had to go back home, so there was no point to come to work because I would be so late back.”
“I woke up and thought it was Saturday until 3pm”
“My cat pissed on top of me while I was having breakfast”
“My bag got stolen on my way to work, I need to go to the Metro station and report it, wont be in for the day due to shock of incident.”
“I have head lice…!!!”
“I really want to come to work but my headache is making my feet act funny and I fall over when I try to stand, plus I have to clean up the vomit first and that will take a while”
“My budgie has cancer”
“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
LOL, especially @….due to shock of incident.
“I can’t come in because I had a dream that I will be hit by a truck today.”
-amazing
Molson Ex mon ami
The Islanders have placed Blake Comeau on waivers. I know he’s having a tough season, but is that gamble worth the $2.5m cap hit? Maybe throw him on the third line on either wing and see what happens. He was dynamite at netting goals last year, so he has the ability, but for whatever reason things just aren’t working out on the island for him this season.
Personally I’d rather see the money spent on a veteran defenseman or a new contract for Subban or Price
No, as Chuck said yesterday, when the worst team in the league doesn’t ant you then you have problems.
Shane Oliver
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Brandon, MB,Canada
R7B 2R7
hockey@sholi2000.com
Ph- 204 724 8418
Can’t agree with that. NYI are in a bad way and not everyone can plat through that. If he’s got talent he’s worth taking a chance on. I’m just not sure what to do with him once we get him.
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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
***Habs Forever***
Chicago, Philly, Toronto didn’t want Versteeg. “look at me now”
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It’s P.K. Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime
In fairness he was part of Chicago’s Capcutting, I can’t figure out why Toronto or Philly didn’t give him more of a chance. BUt he is playing great this year, better than I thought he would.
Cause hes pretty much getting first line minutes and first unit PP in florida. Definitely good for any players stats. He wasnt getting those kind of minutes in Philly, and toronto is…well…toronto lol
I will always advocate for more members of the 2004 Memorial Cup Champion Kelowna Rockets being added to the Habs roster. Some guys just need to get out of a bad environment into one where the culture isn’t so toxic to get their careers sparked again. #57 is even available for him – kinda doubt he’ll get his old Kelowna #14 though. LOL
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
RGM’s Movember page: http://mobro.co/RGM81
I dunno if a fishbowl like montreal is a good place for a slumping young player to find his game again. Especially not one with a name like “comeau”… even though he’s from saskatchewan lol
If he goes on the 3rd line, then one of Eller or AK46 has nowhere to play. It would also mean that we wouldn’t have a roster spot for White when he eventually returns. That would mean putting someone up front on waivers (outside of Pulushaj or Blunden).
Is 2.5m his salary? If it is, then the Habs would only need 1.25m to pay him. 1/2 price off the waiver wire.
******************************************
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
***Habs Forever***
Pretty sure its only 1/2 if we grab him on the way up. In this case wed be grabbing him on the way down and would have to pay the full salary. I highly doubt the islanders would bring him back up this year, unless they really want to get rid of him. If they’re going to bring him up on re-entry for another team to claim at half price, they might as well trade him for a bag of pucks.
Habs prospect notes for the weekend:
Morgan Ellis and Jarred Tinordi are wearing the hard hats, they’re both playing a 3 games in 3 nights schedule, Ellis’s in for a rough one, they just had to play Nathan MacKinnon’s Malifax Mooseheads last night and now have a double-header on the road against the Saint John Sea Dogs, home of top prospect Nathan Beaulieu.
Darren Dietz may have his work cut out for him on Saturday night as he’s facing Brendan Gallagher. They’ll be playing against different teams tonight however.
Steve Quailer and Northeastern University will visit Michigan but with NE 3-7-2, chances are Mac Bennett and Greg Pateryn will get the better of the engagement.
The Bulldogs hit the road against the Lake Erie Monsters and the Rochester Americans in search of a win.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
When Martin says Eller has to get a little better at the give and go, using his other players…..does he mean like when Cammy and Eller were in on a two on one and Eller got himself wide open, and Cam decided to take the low percentage ( I gotta be the hero ) shot?……just sayin….
well… If you wanna talk percentages then I would have Cammy shoot that puck any day of the week … We all know that Eller usually misses his chances infront of the net where as Cammaleri… Well he has a heat seeking missile…
wow….thats why Cam has 4 goals?….5?…. even the guys on antichambre who I dont usually bet the farm on, said it was an incredibly selfish play to not pass the puck to ANYONE at that point. Lets not even get into Cams forecheck or backcheck…hes a selfish prima donna, and Im the biggest habs fan on the planet (45 years). This guys could get through a game with eggs in his pockets…
I’ve found it somewhat frustrating that Cammalleri escapes criticism at every turn. He’s very much like Gomez in terms of effort level and consistency. But $1.7 million dollars annually seems to coat him in kevlar.
The big difference between the two is that for the past two years Cammalleri has been worth every penny once the playoffs arrive. His excellence in 2010 was overshadowed a bit by Halak, but without Cammalleri we don’t make it out of the first round that year.
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
RGM’s Movember page: http://mobro.co/RGM81
I agree with your point about the playoffs. And that is a contributing factor. But Kovalev was very much like that, and he didn’t seem to escape criticism and often found himself in the coach’s doghouse.
I think it’s leading the NHL in playoff goals per game both seasons he’s been with Montreal that coats him in Kevlar. And come on, let’s be fair – it’s not “effort level” that is Gomez’ problem. It’s ability (and perhaps, too much thinking “I gotta start doing something good to earn my paycheque” rather than just making the smart plays).
RGM – As I’ve stated before, the only problem with the “he’s great in the playoffs” train of thought is that we first have to get into the post season. Most years, that means a life and death struggle until the last week of the schedule. It certainly won’t be much different this year.
I agree with you on that one… It frustrates me so much seeing him play like that this year… He seems like he just does not give a rat’s butt… I don’t know if he is injured or something… But I still would have him shoot that puck than to pass it to Eller… but that’s just me
and I agree that he has an absolute laser…just wish he’d fight harder to get to the hard areas…
Personally I think he’s tired of Jacques Martin.
Heres a stat for you…
Cammalleri is shooting 8.3% so far this season.
Eller is shooting 7.1 % so far this season.
Oh and lets not forget Eller generally doesn’t have the same quality line mates as Cammalleri has.
normally id agree, but cammy is seriously off his game this year. Also, goalies know he lacks creativity and will respect the shot every time, even further making a case for why he should pass on that play. A good example was in the boston game when he grabbed a beautiful turnover in the boston end and instead of making a move to the net (he had plenty of room) he decided to really load up a snapper, giving chara ample time to get back and break up the play. His release isnt what it used to be.
That play was on the PK as well so the best play is to shoot and shoot short side so that the puck doesn’t whip around the boards and now there are two guys caught deep and only two back vs 4 on the PP. The pass has to be 100% to be made.
Anybody has the link to that RDS feed on Justing TV? today ill be at work and won’t be able to catch the game on TV… any other links that show the game would be also appreciated
http://habsonlinetv.blogspot.com/
Perfect … tnx alot buddy… That is excatly what I was looking for… Just forgot to e-mail the link to my self from my home computer.
No problem. I have watched countless games on this site during my evening classes.
Fire up the TSN Radio 990 to be discrete whilst at the office.
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
RGM’s Movember page: http://mobro.co/RGM81
Barring any Black Friday miracle, it looks like I’ll be stuck at work during the game today.. Does anyone have a link for where I can stream the game today? Please, someone help!!!
Would also love to have a recommendation! Live in europe, so afternoon games are big for me!
Jagr’s groin injury is not a surprise. He’s been plagued by them since forever. Since 2002, it’s been a recurring story.
TSN & CBC make me sick most of the time anyway, but the Canadian team assessments are brutal. And Bob Cole covering the Habs is asinine.
Glad I got that off my chest.
Good to see Gomer gone again. Now Eller can play centre and DD can stop looking over his shoulder because JM can’t play Gomer just because. And for all you guys/ gals who are concerned with DD being pushed off the puck, it’s what he does with it when he does have it that counts. The best centres in the league get pushed off the puck. No one can hold onto the puck exclusively all game. I think he does very well for his size considering the brutes he’s dealing with on the other teams.
Should be a good game this afternoon and a great game tomorrow night. Can’t wait.
******************************************
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
***Habs Forever***
I think being flanked by patches and cole helps make up for his small stature.
The other day Mr. Boone mentioned that we have no 4th line that can generate energy or contribute. The solution is easy! Recall Mike Blunden and reunite the Darche-Nokia-Blunden line. It worked in October! Put Palushaj on the 3rd line where he would fit in a lot better alongside Eller. I’m fed up with JM putting offensive players (like Eller, Palushaj, Gomez etc.) on the 4th line! Not to mention how fed up I am with PK not on the first PP wave but that’s another story…
I’m not totally sold on Blunden or Palushaj as NHLers. I can’t wait for White to bump Blunden and AK46 will certainly move Palushaj off the starting roster. Both these guys are a dime a dozen type players.
While I agree with you it is a waste of a callup. JM refuses to play Blunden, ever since he got screwed by the Refs on that Rangers Penalty of too many men.
I felt a key to the Habs turning their season around after the awful start was the Nokia/Blunden physicality that suddenly our 4th line was providing. BUt over time JM grew tired of it, and after the Ranger game Blunden’s time was done.
Again, do we ever miss Ryan White.
I really liked that 4th line. It seemed that Blunden added some much needed toughness. The 3 of them were buzzing at times and I thought to my self these guys are only gonna get better as they gel.
Looking back, I think it was the botched call in NYC that sealed Blunden’s fate. Too bad, cause I think he makes more of a positive impact than Palushaj.
Another JM head scratcher ???? The guy’s a wanker.
Habs, OLE !
What we need is White back, than wait for a bottom-dwelling team to give up on their season and send a 5th or a 6th for one of their grinders.
Still like getting Derek Dorsett off of CLB, or hey, let’s see if we can get “Tom The Bomb” back. White-Kostopoulos on the 4th line would be pretty good energy on Nokelainen’s winjgs.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Hahahahahahahahahahhahahahhaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahaha
*wipes tear from eye*
Ahh, thanks for that… the words ‘Gomez’ and ‘offensive players’ in the same sentence.
Needed a laugh.
Seriously though, the DNB line worked well. A proper energy line we haven’t had since Tom the Bomb.
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” – Jacques Plante
The only thing “offensive” about Gomez is his contract!
Time’s up, JM must go!
The TSN quarter Pole article looks to have been written in less than 5 minutes. Absolutely nothing of substance, just generalized dribble. I especially enjoyed the assessment of Montreal, oh well can’t expect too much from Toronto Sports Network. But given they purchased Radio Rights and and regional TV coverage, I thought they would at least made an attempt at covering the Habs with some depth.
Article from Hockey Futures highlighting our Junior level players;
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13446/montreal_canadiens_possess_numerous_talented_defensemen_at_chl_level/
From Hickey’s article (Gomez Injury):
“Martin said last week it would be difficult for Gomez to unseat Tomas Plekanec or David Desharnais on the top two lines, and Gomez had done little to change that thinking in the eight games since he returned to the lineup. Gomez has four assists in 14 games this season and has gone 49 games, dating back to February, without a goal. He was struggling Wednesday when he left the game…. it’s significant that Lars Eller provided a spark when he replaced Gomez at centre. Eller, who opened the Canadiens’ scoring with a short-handed goal, assisted on the game-tying goal by Travis Moen. Eller has two goals and five assists and is plus-4 (Gomez is minus-3)…”
Can’t wait for someone on here to argue why Gomez is still better than Eller (a 2nd year almost-rookie), despite the numbers, despite what we see, despite Hickey’s comments, despite the f-n sun rising in the East…. Gomez is bettah I tells ya, much bettah! It ain’t fay-ah. Dem udder guys, day gots luck on der side!! It’s a… a… Gom-spiracy!!!
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
Hell, I’ll argue ’till I’m blue in the face that Eller is better than Desharnais.
Pure size should put Eller on that 2nd line….it’s hard to watch DD get knocked off the puck over and over again.
a58 – Why not leave DD there and then pair up Eller with AK once he returns to the line-up? That would give us three balanced lines.
Obviously, Eller has size and strength over DD. However, Eller isn’t half as creative with the puck and isn’t able to come close to Desharnais’ ability to generate offense.
The Eller platitudes on this site reminds me a bit of the Gorges lovefest. I’m still holding back judgement.
Eller is both Sedins combined if only JM unleashes him.
Desharnais isn’t all that creative, and his ability to generate offense is overrated. He’s playing between two power forwards who can cycle between the two of them all night.
Desharnais has good hockey sense, but you can’t survive on that alone in today’s NHL. If you’re going to be a small player in the NHL you have to have a few things going for you: you’ve got to have the afterburners to get away from bigger/stronger opponents; you need to be comparatively stronger than your peers; and you need to be tenacious. DD doesn’t possess any of these qualities.
If you were to give Eller just one winger to work with (aside from making Moen a 7 goal man so far this year) it’s easy to see his offensive production grow. Let alone giving him arguably the two best wingers we’ve had this season, and giving him top PP minutes.
Desharnais has been insulated for most of the season, whereas Eller’s been thrown to the dogs and he’s still a +4 player. Desharnais, despite getting peach matchups/linemates is still a -2. Desharnais won the linemate lottery in the Habs dressing room.
It’s not just Eller who loses out, Pleks does too. I love Cammy and Gionta, but that line is unable to generate much in the realm of sustained pressure (which I believe generates more scoring chances). They’re more often than not one and done. With a power forward to make space, and to retrieve pucks deep in the offensive zone it makes Pleks a more effective player, and the Canadiens a better team.
DD is a nice player to plug in your lineup when you’re desperate. He’s got good instincts and will put a few points up. You can’t lean on him with second line minutes and first PP duties and expect him to be a consistent producer.
Nail, Meet Head with DearyLeary’s breakdown.
DD does not have the talents to be a centre in the NHL, maybe he can make it as a winger but being the lead puck carrier eludes him due to a lack of physical ability.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Morning 24C,
Why are you holding back judgement on Gorges?
or am i missing something here?
CERF – I know that this will get me roasted, but I have always thought that Gorges was overrated by the Hab fans and MB. My main criticism is that he is strictly average when it comes to winning battles in front of the net and in the corners. He’s good but not great.
Maybe I should re-evaluate.
Because Gomez’ Fenwick, Corsi and PDO say he’s better.
I think his mom’s in on that too.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
You have to stop obsessing, SD. With the number of times you keep repeating this, you definitely require help.
Dude, as long as their are people still saying Gomez is an important part of this team, my work isn’t done.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
So with the news that Pearn is still with the Club as Pro Scout, I am curious how many more games it will take before JM convinces PG that Pearn could actually perform his duties as a proscout more effectively from the bench, following the opposition much closer, thus returning him back to JM’s side.
At least Pearn wasn’t the Pro Scout who recommended to BG that they trade for Gomez. There is more to this Pearn story though.
Wasn’t that Gauthier himself who made that recommendation?
I wonder if he recommended throwing Mcdonagh into the deal too. When people say “do you think you know more than Martin… or more than Gauthier?” I think of deals like that and say yah, sometimes 90% of the people on HIO seem to see more clearly than these guys.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
Legend has it that Timmins could barely speak after hearing that McDonagh was included in the deal.
This was a panic move by the G&G brain trust, pure and simple. Once the Vinny trade died the team quickly moved on to Plan D.
Then all the Cammy/Gionta ‘want to come here because of Gomez’ crap started to help justify one of the four worst Hab deals of the past 25 years.
We’ll likely never know the real story, Habs FO is too tight-lipped about these things and who recommended McDonagh added to the deal is likely that, an unknown.
PG’s one real misstep in dealing away talent since taking the FO reins was Sergei, other than that his pro scouting has been pretty solid. Wisniewski was the right man to trade for, Cole the right man to sign and his drafting record is to this point has been good.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Robert – The deals I was thinking of were Roy, Chelios, and Leclair/Desjardins. Gomez makes four.
All of these deals had considerable set-back ramifications for the Habs.
BTW, your animosity toward DD reminds me of how I must have come across when Hab fans coddled AK46 and I constantly complained about him. I guess everyone views players differently.
Am I missing something, was there something wrong with the Gomez trade? (quietly leaves the room after asking….)
Yeah, they didn’t throw in Callahan
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
Oh come on, talk about paranoid ramblings.
Cunneyworth and Ladoucer are Gauthier’s men, and a GM’s man always trumps a HC’s man.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
So thanks to some planner’s oversight, the Habs were woken up early around 8 am by a parade outside their window and are gonna be tired for the game. Looking forward to a crappy 3rd period and another mark in the L column.
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Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
Why on earth is there a parade at 8 in the morning ? Doesn’t make sense. Unless it was planned just to wake the Habs up.
Pretty sure Ill be able to catch part of the game at work today. It’s been quite slow these past couple of days.
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Being negative has its advantages.
You’re never disappointed.
LOL: “In other news, general manager Pierre Gauthier announced that Perry Pearn, who was relieved of his assistant-coaching duties last month, has agreed to remain with the team as a pro scout. As per club policy, Gauthier was not available to discuss Pearn’s new role.”
I wonder if people are started to get a bit frazzled at the GM’s ongoing hibernation. I don’t want anybody to emulate Brian Burke in any fashion, but the contrast between the management styles of hockey’s two most lucrative franchises couldn’t be more stark.
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GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
RGM’s Movember page: http://mobro.co/RGM81
He’s hibernating cuz hes doing nothing!
Gomez is a pussy. I get groan injuries almost daily reading some of the comments here.
Who’s idea was it to have an afternoon game? The game will be over before I get home from work and I had to PVR it….stupid…lol
Justintv.com, there’s an app too
Anyone know where I might be able to catch the game online? Some of us have gotta work… well sorta
You be the judge.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/jets-bogosian-escapes-suspension/article2248737/
Who knows anymore?
Elbow targeting the head. Shanahan is Campbell Soup II- with less noodles. NHL= Rules? What rules? Concussions? WTF are those?
I am no longer surprised by the Shanahan Turtle™.
Shanahan’s reign as the NHL’s disciplinarian reminds me of a hotshot junior at the beginning of the season. Looks great for ten games and then fades because he’s just not up to the task.
Gomez is done just like Durys one injury after a other, time for him to take is millions and go fishing
Killer results.
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=603045&navid=DL|MTL|home
http://video.canadiens.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=66&id=137503&navid=DL|MTL|home
I’m not sure if it has been posted on HI/O, but I thought the death of Hal Patterson should be mentioned. Prince Hal was one of the CFL all-time greats.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/cfl/article/1090846–prince-hal-patterson-79-true-cfl-legend
http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=381030
As the NHL rounds the quarter-pole of the season, I thought I would sit down with my morning tea and check out the top fifty scoring leaders.
Give credit where credit is due – Kessel, Lupul and Fleischmann
Youth must be served – Seguin, Nugent-Hopkins and Skinner
Like a rock – Hossa
Are you kidding me? Versteeg, Prospal and Weiss
Timeless – Selanne, Smyth, Whitney and Jagr
On the D – Campbell, Karlsson and Bergeron
Overrated – Nash, Stastny and Heatley
Who are you? – Matt Read and Craig Smith
Notables between the pipes – Lehtonen, Elliot and Mike Smith
Habs – Pleks (23rd, MaxPac (43rd), Price (11th)
The one that got away – Giroux
Love the Richard photo! Classic!
“I don’t hate the man. I believe he should not be the coach”.
Interesting article (Gomez injury). You gotta love Martin’s positive re-enforcement. Check out his comments on Eller and PK. Someone should gently remind him it is 2011 not 1911.
Groin injury. We all knew he had no balls and now it’s confirmed.
Groin injuries can last a long time.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Umm… define “score”.
Snack on one of these Scotty:
http://thedailyeater.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/skor-bar.jpg
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Do you think any of the Habs would skip a game (and the income) to help you study?
Go to your class.
It was well written & worth reading…