• “It’s pretty special” – Gionta
• Henry could make roster – Pat Hickey
• An ideal captain – Mario Tremblay
• Former captains like the choice
• Martin Brodeur endorses Gionta
• Bert Raymond on Jacques Martin
• Rangers like Pavel Valentenko
And Kovy drops ‘em. It did not go well:
nWmziANpi8s
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Was he even there? I thought he was still playing college hockey which would generally make him ineligible to attend a pro-training camp.
LOL nice
peter popovic?
bashkirov…i can’t picture him for some reason. damn.
1. Jean Beliveau
2. Maurice Richard
3. Yvan Cournoyer
4. Emile Bouchard
5. Henri Richard
6. Bob Gainey
7. Saku Koivu
8. Toe Blake
9. Guy Carbo
10. Serge Savard
11. Brian Gionta
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Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
Savard has one…during the greatest dynasty in hockey history….well done Serge? On the one team Serge Savard captained there were 10 NHL Hall of Famers…..10! how many has Koivu ever played with as a Motnreal Canadien and how many at one time?
I like Darche the guy, the worker, the bulldog. But yeah….he has no spot on this team of speedy guys.
did this the other day
andrei bashkirov
Koivu carried this team when it was lousy on his back for years. Very fine captain, man and hockey player. He will be brought back here for his sweater retirement after he retires.
Mr. October -Brian Savage?
As per the “Legends of Hockey” page, he is retired.
Good God those were dark days.
Hey Puppy, I did not see this list but to be 7th best Captain of all time is not to shabby at all me thinks.
can you or someone write out the list…I’m curious to see who is where on that
this is fun reminiscing. what about patrick poulin?
Fan Summit Updates–Click on Summit side bar or link below
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good read, thanks for the link. kinda what i suspected in terms of both savard and laperriere coming back, i.e. they passed the tests, so ‘medically’ cleared to play. i wonder how in depth these tests are, maybe add some more tests to the established criteria? i dunno.
i did read one comment about the article. a poster basically called out the nhl for their lack of injury releases and thinks the league should adopt a more outgoing policy, a la nfl. but, i think the nfl is so up front with the injured status of players, not for any sake of the players (if the opposing team knows where your injured, they will exploit it), but for the fans BETTING on these games. that is why the nfl discloses every detail, so the consumer/gambler can make an informed decision. what do you guys think? i’m not much of a better; do they have spreads in hockey?
Darche will be spending most of his time in the press box, somthing he’s willing to do, Metro and Moore wouldn’t have.
Darche will be spending most of his time in the press box, somthing he’s willing to do, Metro and Moore wouldn’t have.
Nice Kovy
As for Valentenko, I hope things work out for him. Any word on how McDonough(sp?) faired at Rangers training camp?
Still playing in the Swiss league!
i remember the french press being in an uproar when we traded him
heh
Koivu was a warrior. Can you imagine him as the #2 centre on the 50s or 70s Habs? We’d be talking about him and the Pocket in the same breath.
I think it is time to bring back KOVALEV to replace Laraque on our roster.!! Or else he wants to become a sitting senator for Harper.!
how about sebastian bordeleau? sp?
Let me start by saying Koivu was one of my favorites. Granted it was just one year, but Koivu did have the Eastern Conf. regular season winning team a few years ago which for many reasons collapsed so saying never is not exactly accurate.
no but zholtok was!
are you trying to tell me that craig darby isn’t as good as tomas plekanec?!?!?
I think Picard will make it for sure – hes solid.
to each his/her own.
i liked koivu. i thought he competed every night, he took his lumps from the media, and still came back whenever the team offered him a contract. he was loyal to the organization, never complained at his detractors, and did so much for the community that i think the canadiens wronged him by not offering him a contract. of course, he was a favorite of mine, so i’m biased as to his wanting to stay.
as for comparing him to carbo and savard, you can’t. i’ve never been a fan of these “best of” lists that cross over different eras of the NHL. i don’t think you CAN compare players of a different era. it’s all speculation and biases and to me holds no merit whatsoever. gives sportswriters something to do when there is no other news, i guess. but as i started so shall i finish.
to each his/her own.
like its a fact just to be dismissed… please…
Koivu had no supporting cast. Don’t you think that may have made a difference? Seriously – look objectively at quality of teammates, and them tall me again why Koivu has no cups. He was a great captain.
Not “flaming”, just saying.
__________________________
If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
– George Orwell –
yup. Eller will get a deserved chance to show his stuff, though Pyatt could also be effective with those other 2 should le danois choke. Personally, pulling for White to stick and for OB to step it up. Nothing against Darche but I wish they would get him the hell out of town. Shit, they let moore and metro go without blinking and they hang on to a congenial ahl guy.
This is the inevitable post that says he never had a good team. There!
its quite evident that you dont care
which is the crux of it all
cam-pleks- eller
gio-gom- AK
pou- boyd- lap
moen-halpern-darche
bottom o’ the morning to you ladies and gents. any confirmations on tonights lineup? i finally get to see the boys on a screen bigger than 15 inches tonight. my friend has a dish, nhl network.
I think you’re right. I also think their “talent” level is over-hyped. Some people have said things like they are one of the most impressive teams ever. Nonsense. Apparently, 3 talented offensive stars don’t automatically get you a cup.
Never been a fan of Koivu the hockey player… Never will.
To me, he’s on the list because he was captain for a long time. I mean… how can he be a better Captain then Carbo or Savard??
Koivu has no cups.
Anyways, flame away… i don’t care.
——
Canadien en 5!
Never go Full Retard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwGRJA28lY&feature=related
no,no. I meant the caps and penguins talent levels. Their top 3′s are awesome but they thin out more quickly than we do. Hell, I bet either would love to have Kostitsyn as a fourth.
I would like to see Henry and Picard on this team.
I believe the biggest problem with Washington is Bruce Boudreau saying in interview after interview that the only reason they lost the series was because they ran into a hot goalie. But in fact, 5 out of the available 8 points played during the regular season were earned by the Habs vs Caps even ending a 14 game winning streak. Caps may be a better team overall but not better than the habs 1 on 1. Boudreau failed to change his team’s style of play, therefore the team lost. I don’t believe they will do much better in the playoffs if they don’t change their attitudes. Just a couple of days ago, Boudreau was saying why should they change their style of play and be happy with 2-1 wins. Denial? Stupidity? Who knows but the pundits have been slamming his defense all summer. He just doesn’t get it.
Agree, I think JM is just missing around, I figure the the following are locks for the team
Pouliot-Gomez-Gio
Cammy-Pleck-A Kost
Boyd Or Eller- Boyd or Eller- Laps
Moen-Halpern-???
the only spot open is the 12th forward and 13th, Pyatt is a lock so one of White or Darche.
As for Spacek, I think he will only be be playing the left side until Markov is back, because Hamrlik, Markov.Gill all play the left side, Gorges and Subban play the right side, so Spacek is going to be forced to move back to the right as soon as Marky comes back.
Someone mentioned below some French journalist slagging Koivu. (Morons.)
Thought I’d mention that Le Journal today lists the ‘top 10′ Captains of all time. They put Koivu at #7. Ahead of Carbo (9), and Savard (10), and right next to Gainey (6).
So props to Le Journal for being on the money – and not French-biased. Hockey is it’s own language – an international language. And Koivu deserves to be on that list!
———
Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
No defensive system and “me first” offense. Not a recipe for success. Beaudreau’s days are numbered. He is 1 3 to 4 game losing streak away from being gone.
Commentary on fanatics who are crazy about hockey by a baseball afficionado, who thinks Bautista’s 50 homers should be cared about by Canadians. I guess he’s in the wrong country. BTW, we won’t turn over his car. We’re kind to people who like to be bored to death and call it sport.
I bet the bottom forward and D lines will be scratches today
What have you built with your morning wood?
This is a must read from Elliot Friedman about the Laperriere and Savard situations, and coming back too soon from concussions:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/09/the-dilemma-of-chasing-a-stanley-cup-dream.html
He makes some great points. After playing over 1,000 NHL games, and never playing in the Stanley Cup Finals before, if you passed every test required by the team and the NHL, would you come back to play, even if you knew you still weren’t 100%, and that it could have adverse affects on the rest of your life?
wow. some wierd combos there. But intriguing in that some new, unexpected 3rd line could could actually click (pyatt,eller,K)this year. I guess pacs and max get the axe. But Darche really should be let go because White deserves his spot. And why waste time with Moen riding shotgun on a top 6 again? Mental note: since Weber is paired with him, maybe they are thinking it’s time to give up on Spacek playing the right side. He’s a good vet but been brutal there at times and can always just wander over there on the PP if necessary.
Nice work Cammi.
They Call Me Shane
So which three are the top 3? You’re leaving one of Cammy, Gio, Gomez, and Pleks out.
i really do not think the habs are even close to the caps or pens. yes i know they beat them last year. i do think the habs are a good team and will make the playoff as long as the defense and price play well. how some people are picking them to finish next to the bottom of the conference is beyond me.
washington – idk i just think their time is going to come.. they are a good team… they need consistent goaltending and if they get it look out.
secret mod
as you can see from my first line, i wrote that i got this atrical from him =)
Sidney’s
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I dunno. 3 admittedly fabulous european forwards and next to nada on D. or in goal. Maybe the rest of the league will have learned something from the way martin shut them down and they will implode, with Ovie finally breaking his stick over someone’s head.
Elliott Friedman works for CBC. That article was written by Bruce Arthur, who writes for the post.
I would actually agree with you on White / Pyatt switching and did have it that way before I posted, lol.
If they don’t sit Halpern (you are right, they most likely wont) then White would be sent down I think. We could also see them deciding to keep Max Pac up rather then White
————————————————————————
Never judge another man’s decision poor until you actually have proof of it failing!
L’Artiste à l’oeuvre
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Props to Kovy, not afraid of Beauchemin. I wonder if Beauchemin’s fists were hurt when they hit Kovy’s sculpted & statuesque face.
As much as Washington sucks in the play-off’s, they will dominate the regular season again. They are the San Jose Sharks of the East. Their high-flying run-and-gun offense works great in the regular season, but they’ll be shut down again in the playoffs.
According to RDS, the lines from yesterdays practice:
Pouliot-Gomez-Gionta
Pyatt-Eller-Kostitsyn
Darche-Halpern-Lapierre
Boyd-Maxwell-White
Pacioretty-Plekanec-Cammalleri-Moen
Henry-Subban
Picard-O’Byrne
Gill-Gorges
Spacek-Weber
I like it but I don’t see them sitting Halpern. White and Pyatt should probably trade spots.
got this artical off Elliotte Friedman :
http://www.nationalpost.com/With+fans+like+needs+fans/3576280/story.html
“We are a nation in which Leafs coach Ron Wilson says draft pick Nazem Kadri will be a superstar, and the Leafs hang a large picture of Kadri in the media centre, and then the Leafs complain about the sense of entitlement that players get when playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Pretty good read!
Habs look good to start. With the 2 big D on the mend and a core that has learned to battle and gel, this team could compete for a top 4 spot. Given the relative drop in talent after their respective top 3 forwards, and after the loss of Gonchar, Staal’s foot problem and the Caps lousy playoff coach, I wouldn’t be surprised if we sneak past both Pitt. and Wash. to compete with the Boo-ins and Sab-woes for top spot.
White and Laps are both right handed shot so they can only play RW, the 1st two lines are right on, I would like to see 3rd line Boyd-Eller-Laps 4th line of Moen-Halpern-White/Pyatt.
I can’t wait until tonights game!!!
Question for ya’s folks:
Who do YOU think the Habs will have as the 12 starting forwards on opening night:
My lines:
1st – Michael Cammalleri – Tomas Plekanec – Andrei Kostitsyn
2nd – Benoit Pouliot – Scott Gomez – Brian Gionta
3rd – Ryan White – Lars Eller – Maxim Lapierre
4th – Travis Moen – Dustin Boyd – Tom Pyatt
I would interchange Boyd with Halpern depending on the opponent. Like Darche, am just not convinced that he can keep up with the speed.
As for Darche, I love the guy for bringing Max out of his funk which is why I was happy that he was rewarded for doing his duty in the call up. He also serves as an example to the rest of the kids, work hard for the Habs and you will be rewarded. However, his speed will hamper him. So he’ll either be the fringe guy incase of injury or he’ll be waive/traded.
————————————————————
Never judge another man’s decision poor until you actually have proof of it failing!
Another reason to love Cami. My two favorite players these guys. Smart guys who bring it.
PS: do you always wake up like that?
———
Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
Another great article from my favorite non-gazzette sports writer, Elliotte Friedman…
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/09/reddens-exile-unfair-plus-30-thoughts.html
16. Cammalleri really lobbied Tomas Plekanec to stay in Montreal. “Look
at the great combinations. They build chemistry,” he said. “Look at the
Sedins.” Doubt these two will reach that level, but they do work well
together. Six years and $30 million helped (a little), but I’m sure it
was nice for Plekanec to feel wanted.
Gionta small brother is the captains of the Devil farm team i guess it run in the family and how about Henry making the team .
More and more, every day, the Artiste proves that he belongs at the head of the Hall of Greats. Just when we start to think he may have hit the ceiling of cool, he goes and busts through the roof.
Kovy rules all mortals, end of story.
Reprovingly reproof-proof, here sits
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Assistant Head Honcho to what goes down in Chinatown, Big Cheese at Flannelcorp Media, and Lead Copy-boy at Habsbros Hard Data Factory: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
hey Boone! At least they mentioned “The Elbow”.
Ian I’ll take Montreal driving over Toronto’s any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Don’t be silly Adam.
FREE TIMO!
Ha!! So true! Hopefully, the SAAQ never ever allows or gives us, Montrealers, the privilege of turning right on red lights!!
……………………………………………………………….
YES HABS CAN!!
Sweep the leg, Kovy!
It didnt go bad either for Kovalev, not much of a tilt. But he took his helmet off and went in there like a man -good for him.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Neither Beauchemin nor Kovalev should have fought. Rosehill delivered the cheap shot and those 2 were away from the play. Considering Beauchemin’s and Kovalev’s wonky knees, it was a stupid decision on both their parts and proved nothing. Except, of course, that both are not any good at fighting.
They both talked and laughed afterwards at the faceoff
Actually it was a devilish plan cooked up by Beauchemin. Now, when it his contract time, he can claim to Burke that he is indeed truculent, which should entitle him to mucho dineros, if all things are equal in the leafs/truculence quota index.
..always with the negative waves, Moriarty, always with the negative waves..
Does Kovy know the about the code?
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
looks like kovy was giving him head.
LOL! Kovy’s head bopping at 0:26-:028 ahahaha. you would think he delivers a punch after that attitude
It did seem like Beuchemin let up near the end rather than keep hitting Kovy
Kovy did all right for someone who didn’t throw a punch. Strong s.o.b.
Speaking of s.o.b’s, the overhyped, overphotographed and overated Marty Brodeur should just shut up about Gionta, retire already and Captain a small sailboat out into the middle of the Atlantic. He could also take his dad and free up a good seat at the Bell centre.
Truculence inevitably leads to suckulence
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Oddball rules!
“So why don’t you ever say something beautiful, something positive?”
“Crap!”
CKAC continues to slag Saku Koivu….
I heard a clip of Ron Fournier saying that “the choice of Gionta is a great choice, because he will work towards helping the younger players, which is something Saku never did. Saku had his pals, and he kept to them.”
The Habs took some of Koivu leadership went they traded his friend and backer in Rivet
Imbeciles. Koivu was always talking to younger players. What he needed was better support. Like he was going to get it from Higgins or Komiserik. THAT was the problem. Koivu gave his all and was a good leader. He didn’t have the help Gionta will have, not by a country mile.
———
Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
That’s why Koivu was the only one Grabovski had respect for, right? Cause he didn’t care about the younger players? lol
Hochelaga boy Ribeiro was the catalyst for all that crap. The yokels wanted local and he was young and dumb enough to believe he could challenge koivu for the top dawg spot.
Check out Kovy’s intensity…. for about 5 seconds. I miss seeing that every 3rd or 4th game.
The guy did okay in the fight though. Good for him.
Good articles this morning. Eventually I will get some work done!
———
Listen to the SmartDog. He knows his poop!
He’ll be back with the habs come deadline day! Stamp it!
Shaker
Good point. I am still intruiged by Higgins, though. Anyone have any news besides the usual b.s. about his supposed drinking? The last I heard was that he was having a decent camp in florida, but I haven’t seen him play. why didn’t he dress against the Habs?