Brendan Gallagher joined his Canadiens teammates for Thursday’s morning skate in Brossard, but has not been cleared for contact after suffering a concussion in last Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers and won’t be in the lineup Thursday night against the New York Islanders (7:30 p.m., TSN-HABS, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).
The Canadiens will be looking to extend their winning streak to six games and Carey Price will get his 13th start of the season in goal.
The lines for the morning skate were Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta; Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole; Galchenyuk-Eller-Prust; Moen-White-Armstrong. The defensive pairings were Markov-Emelin; Gorges-Diaz; Bouillon-Subban.
Tomas Kaberle and Yannick Weber will be the healthy scratches.
The New York Rangers will visit the Bell Centre on Saturday night and then the Canadiens will play 11 of their next 15 game on the road, starting Monday in Ottawa.
The Hamilton Bulldogs (19-25-6) will face the Rochester Americans (27-19-3) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bell Centre.
Below are a few story links to keep you busy while we wait for the puck to drop Thursday night. Remember you can follow the game with Mike Boone’s live blog and our new Play-by-Play feature which keeps track of all the key stats on the fly, including shots, goals, hits, power plays, shots on goal, takeaways, faceoffs won, hits, power plays, giveaways, penalty minutes and saves.
Game Preview: Canadiens vs. Islanders
Character key to Canadiens’ resurgance, by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com
A whirlwind tour for backup goalie Robert Mayer, by Dave Stubbs
Muller making his mark behind Hurricanes bench, by Pat Hickey
NHL players stickhandling on Twitter, by Brenda Branswell
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Sigh, another salary argument. Here’s my position, since I know you’re all so keen on reading it:
if the salary doesn’t handcuff the team, prevent the team from getting better, or prevent the team from trading the player, then it’s not worth spending any thought on. Gorges is easily tradeable and many teams would line up for a chance at him.
I prefer to just enjoy watching the players play than worry about what they are saying in the media, what talk show they’ve been on, or how much they get paid.
If people were to put merely one-quarter the effort they do to dissect Montreal Canadien minutiae and directed it instead to their own personal finances and voting preferences, most of the country’s fundamental social, political, and economic problems would be resolved.
Buzz Killer.
No kidding! Sorry. I guess I was momentarily grumpy.
Edit: But the post WAS optimistic to the extent it presumes people are capable of making rational choices!
Another comparable for a bit more money would be Anton Volchenkov
Zbynek Michalek?
–Go Habs Go!–
Michalek’s probably the best comparable in terms of on-ice production.
As it relates to Josh Gorges, here is Capgeeks comparables by contract.
Name/Age/Team/Contract length start and finish of contract, caphit
Gorges, Josh » 28 MTL 6 2012 2018 $3,900,000 $3,900,000 5.56% $0
Brewer, Eric » 33 TBL 4 2011 2015 $4,000,000 $3,875,000 6.03% $25,000
Liles, John-Michael » 32 TOR 4 2012 2016 $4,250,000 $3,875,000 5.52% $25,000
Carlson, John » 23 WAS 6 2012 2018 $3,800,000 $3,966,667 5.65% $66,667
Staal, Marc » 26 NYR 5 2010 2015 $3,775,000 $3,975,000 6.69% $75,000
Whitney, Ryan » 30 EDM 6 2007 2013 $5,500,000 $4,000,000 7.95% $100,000
Meszaros, Andrej » 27 PHI 6 2008 2014 $4,750,000 $4,000,000 7.05% $100,000
Ehrhoff, Christian » 30 BUF 10 2011 2021 $8,000,000 $4,000,000 6.22% $100,000
Zidlicky, Marek » 36 NJD 3 2010 2013 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 6.73% $100,000
Kuba, Filip » 36 FLA 2 2012 2014 $3,800,000 $4,000,000 5.70% $100,000
Michalek, Zbynek » 30 PHX 5 2010 2015 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 6.73% $100,000
Hedman, Victor » 22 TBL 5 2012 2017 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 5.70% $100,000
Gleason, Tim » 30 CAR 4 2012 2016 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 5.70% $100,000
Gilbert, Tom » 30 MIN 6 2008 2014 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 7.05% $100,000
Regehr, Robyn » 32 BUF 5 2008 2013 $4,000,000 $4,020,000 7.09% $120,000
Giordano, Mark » 29 CGY 5 2011 2016 $3,500,000 $4,020,000 6.25% $120,000
Quincey, Kyle » 27 DET 2 2012 2014 $3,550,000 $3,775,000 5.38% $125,000
Enstrom, Tobias » 28 WIN 4 2009 2013 $4,500,000 $3,750,000 6.60% $150,000
Orpik, Brooks » 32 PIT 6 2008 2014 $3,750,000 $3,750,000 6.61% $150,000
Salo, Sami » 38 TBL 2 2012 2014 $4,000,000 $3,750,000 5.34% $150,000
Johnson, Erik » 24 COL 4 2012 2016 $3,250,000 $3,750,000 5.34% $150,000
http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?player=83
There aren’t many that I’d take from that list to replace Gorges.
Marc Staal, maybe Erhoff, maybe Giordano, maybe Gleason…
No-one apart from Staal stands out.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
If you’d rather have Josh Gorges than Victor Hedman…..nevermind.
I’m done with this argument.
Oh yeah, he’s in there.
Didn’t see him.
Don’t know much about him to be honest.
He’s only 22 though.
Any good?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Many more than that my friend… Id trade Gorges and a second for any of the aforementionned D men (the ones that Matty mentionned)!
Now lets debate the merits of all the players who were pending UFAs when they got their contracts.
I’ll save the time, they’re all better than Gorges.
D’oh!!!
(shakes fist)
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Haha, you are so ridiculously far out to lunch if you think Gorges wouldn’t have gotten between $4 and 5 million on the open market. Filip freaking Kuba got $4 million. The Habs have Gorges at a solid market price, and probably a steal if you consider they could have let him test free agency. You’re arguing like a child who just refuses to look at perspectives other than what you’ve decided on.
If you had any literary ability you would see my acknowledgement of the other side.
The FACT that the majority of the above mentioned players are significantly more versatile than Gorges and yet have comparable salaries is a clear indication that he is in fact overpaid by this organization.
Have good day pup.
Nice info but now I have to take a couple of Advil after reading it…my eyes…
Now that there is a restaurant menu police in Quebec, how does one say Calamari en francais?
“Milan” is how you pronounce squid in French I believe (pronounced mee-lanh)
How do you pronounce it in Quebec?
same as anywhere else! just like calamari
Calamar???
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DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Enunciate…les calemarrrrr….
“Sushi frite”
we traded calamari for Bourqe – remember?
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
BANG! Oh yeah Strummer!
Are the Tongue Troopers still around? I thought they sort of faded away.
On the contrary, the Tongue Trooopers are out there in numbers, spying on the rest of us. Snitches and Collaborators, every one of them. Read today’s La Presse about Buonanotte.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Calmar.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
The Golden Rookie is the best Habs player with Belorussian ties, supplanting the Kostitsyn wiseguys, and the great Grabovski.
“May you live in interesting times.”
Live Blog in 11 minutes, who will be first….. the excitement builds.
all I can hear now is 1000 Arnold Horshacks
Horshack was such an accomplished actor.
He WAS better than Vinnie Barbarino.
Some say Vinnie is doing quite the acting job in his real life these days.
Hey. Sit on it!
Drum roll,please.
how long do we go on having Kaberle and Weber as healthy scratches every freakin game. Depth is one thing – although I would argue they are the same type of player – of which we already have one in our line-up – Diaz. I would love to find a Big D-man – who can skate everyday- shouldn’t be that hard.
They can sit until one of the starting 6 gets injured or does something really really stupid. They have been unusually healthy so far this season, but depth is still a good and necessary thing.
–Go Habs Go!–
Ryan O’Byrne Rule: If you trade your 8th defenceman, Markov gets hurt.
Re the crease clearing dman concern …..
most dmen now are taught to “front” their man in front…..gone are the days of multiple cross checks to the forwards lower back…now most coaches instruct dmen to get in front of the man in the crease, try to block the shot…and use you stick on stick from behind the man in front if a puck does squirt loose. THe other factor is how close they are supposed to call gaolie interference (the Ott Goal should not have counted). This is why there are more offensive dmen and smarter undersized dmen in the gmae now than there used to be. The big lumbering guys are slowly fading away even on D …a guy who is big, smart and can skate will always be coveted…but the game is passing the old style big dman by.
When Lars scored four against the Jets, his linemates were Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen. The linemates had three assists apiece. Unlikely any one player will get a hat-trick this season, let alone four goals. This isn’t a bad thing because the team has balanced scoring, as one of the newbies posted a short while ago (sorry if I wrongly pegged you as a newbie, but I’m being a suckup to the in-crowd).
“May you live in interesting times.”
Im sure we’ll see a hat-trick or two
This one’s for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LhSBHupm0s
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Brian Burke’s scouting report as new Ducks scout…
I’m betting Cole bags 4 points tonight.
Not betting a lot mind you, maybe a $1 at 5-1 odds but still.
4 points! You heard it here first.
I’ll bet you Burly’s wife against yours that he doesn’t.
I only bet Barley my friend!
It’s not you doing the betting.
I got this!
My Grandfather always said “Boy, there”s three things you never lend. Your Boots,Your Gun, and Your Wife” Words to live by amigos.
I am all in on Cole scoring now! See below.
how many times can 1 person bet you on that though? Can we shake hands for the rest of the day!!
Habs’ schedule for the coming week:
Islanders,Rangers,Senators,Leafs.
As long as they humiliate the Laffs, I’ll be happy.
I was thinking more along the lines of 3-1.
A split out of that set would be disappointing.
I want to see the Rangers get beat by “a bad team” again.
LOL.
Think Torts would have the audacity to repeat his post game comments if Habs win again?
I would pay to have a press pass for that evening…
Gally skating is a reall good thing glad to hear that there is prgress!
For those who like video games check out my first article on a game I enjoy playing
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Perfect example of the insane fandom in Quebec, and why it will be so hard for the Habs to NOT offer Desharnais a contract unless Leblanc is guaranteed a spot on the team:
I was talking to a client on the phone from small town Abitibi today, and he mentionned to me that he was looking forward to the Habs game tonight.
“3-1 pour les Canadiens, un but un passe pour Galchenyuk” I told him with confidence.
“5-1″ He replied, “Tour de chapeau pour Desharnais, il aurait fait plus tard mais esti de Therrien donne tout ces minutes a Eller quand c’est clair que Desharnais c’est le coeur et ame de cette equipe. Si Therrien lui donne un chance c’est clair qu’il va produire plus que tous nos centres”
Poutine coloured glasses!
Separatists can’t do math…that’s why they don’t realize we’ll never separate.
Yikes….I am not French but I think that reads ” Hat trick for Desharnais it took a while because Therrien gave his minutes to Eller when it is clear DD is the heart and soul of the team. If Therrien gives him a chance he’ll produce more than the other centres” ..Is that really approximately what this reads? Please correct so I can get the jist of it if I am incorrect.
Exactly Krob… Don’t get me wrong, I really do like Desharnais (and I have my head in the sand of denial facing the lack of room for him down the road)…
But statement is so off base and language motivated that it hurts my anglophone soul.
I hope the concussion is not going to have long lasting negative impact on Gallager’s play. When back, it is not impossible that he will be more hesitant to engage physically and go into corners. Will his game suffer as a result?
Meh, he suffered a concussion in Junior and he didn’t shy away..
——————
Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
HH pointed out that Gal will need to play smarter small-man hockey in the ugly parts of the ice, and pointed out that he’d have a good example to follow in Gionta.
He has gotten a concussion before in junior, it didn’t effect his play. This case should be no different. No only that, but he was essentially feeling fine the next day, according to reports.
It appears as though Gallagher is a characted player, I can’t believe one minor setback will throw off his game.
“I think I may have found a way for us to get Griffey and Bonds, and we really won’t have to give up much” -Costanza
Ahhh a good day on HI/O today, knock em down, drag em out fight over the merits or de-merits of one Josh Gorges.
Anyways, I am not sure this has been mentioned before, but what about getting a big rugged defenceman or a heavyweight forward who could fight?
For all those who think our defense is good enough watch again the video of Buffalo’s tying goal (which should not have counted):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqYKuEqG5D8
Watch how Gorges “leadership” was effective in clearing the crease. These scenarios are going to happen again. I just don’t believe Gorges and Diaz are the answer to this.
I’m not sure if I see this clearly, but did Gorges take a shot at Budaj
with his stick after the goal was scored? Watch video closely.
It’s not really a fight when Loonie is involved, he is right about everything no matter what it is, and everyone else is wrong. Any time he brings something up i think of germans denying the holocaust.
Isn’t this supposed to be a fun hockey blog site?…”germans denying the holocaust”…I think that is a little “over the top” and unfair…
I’ve been a “new-be”on this blog for about a year now, but haven’t posted very often. I do enjoy my daily coffee and reading the insightful and entertaining comments tho.
I would like to respond to a previous comment inre: the Habs toughness. I’m concerned about the liberties some teams are taking when playing us, and it is only a matter of time before the Colton Orr’s of the league connect with the Tomas Plekaneck’s on our team. In our glory years we always had that “presence” in our line up. ie, Bouchard, Lupien, Chartraw etc. that were inserted when needed. This allowed our skilled guys to play their game. Boston gooned it up a couple years ago (Campbell vs Pyatt, Thorton vs Hamrlk), and the Leafs did the same a couple of weeks ago. We had no real response. Prust and White are middle weights. and take regular shifts as well.
With the disappointing start for the Panthers, I suggest George Parros is ripe for the taking. Wouldn’t cost us much, affordable salary, and you dress him when needed. Lets face it, he provides the same goal production as Moen and Armstrong, but would provide a much better physical option.
Agreed. Better than having reserves who never play.
Agree 100% amigo! But I would take Big John over Parros any day.(note again ,pacifists should not watch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogVmj7abZ-I
Ha, thanks for that. My first thought was Big John Ferguson, our greatest policeman ever. Yes, Erskine would fit the bill as well, but I think Parros is more available.
After being goal less in his 1st 10 games, Pacioretty now has a 2 game goal scoring streak going and 5 points in his last 3 games. Diaz has a point in 3 straight games now. Desharnais has played well lately and also has points in 3 straight games now.
Here’s hoping for more of that tonight.
–Go Habs Go!–
I’d have my money on Galchenyuk getting another one tonight.
The game appears to be slowing down for him.
How about odds on Cole?
I’d give ya 12 to 1 odds on whether or not he scores and I’d be willing to take him not scoring.
Someone has to start taking you up on these bets. Despite me having zero confidence in Cole scoring, I will take this bet. So how about 1 pint of beer at next Summit. If Cole Scores you buy me 12, (about a 3 hour window for me) if he doesn’t I get you a pint of whatever ale Hurleys is serving.
Deal?
For you it goes to three to one.
Your unimpeachable faith in man kind confuses and troubles me. And for that you pay a premium.
Cuz I don’t get you.
Haha, okay Deal Tom, if for no other reason than it will force us to enjoy a pint together and talk hockey!!
Haha. Sounds like a plan.
But I can’t commit to the summit due to the time of year it typically takes place.
So I may have to pay you or you pay me at a not so neutral site.
We shall figure it out bud!
CHeers!
Agreed, the kid is unbelievable and could have had six or seven goals thus far
Would love to see it, the kid is special.
–Go Habs Go!–
Burke is back with the Ducks as a pro scout.
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DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Truculence!
Truculent truculence!
But will they forbid him from attending Bruins games in a scouting capacity?
I would.
Good place for a guy who doesn’t believe in building through the draft.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
What a downgrade…why would he accept a position like that?
He now gets to eff over the Leafs and ensure the Leafs don’t get either Getzlaf or Perry as he had planned to do!
My guess is he was outright fired by the team but they didn’t want to admit it to try and save face? That or he might hate snow.
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
If I was a GM, I would not hire a guy who would want my job and had it previously.
Burke will be the semi-retired type now. Scout for the Ducks? Why not?
If they make even one move between now and the trade deadline then continue to have a pretty good season Burke will take credit for everything in his next interview for a GM’s job.
That, or maybe he’s got a job lined up and he’s trying to get a head start on negotiations with the Ducks’ free agents : )
One could argue he accepted a worse position as it relates to Hazel Mae given the fall-out.
Surprised that story has not come out full blown given the enemies he has in the media…
Whats the Hazel Mae Connection?
edit: saw the rumor.
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
Google Burke and Hazel Mae, you shall see.
Cheeky Monkey.
Burkie’s wife is a TV host so she’ll have to find a new job like she did when he left VCR and Anaheim.
He said when he came to Toronto he wanted to be in the East because his family from his first marriage is based in Boston, I think.
He’s also got young kids from this marriage,
The other school of thought is might want to be in the running In Buffalo if Rehger is shown the door.
It could be he will be based in The East as a scout with the Ducks
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
He and her split up about a year ago in Toronto.
I didn’t know about that.
While I’m no fan of Burke, it’s common for the death of a child to have a devastating effect on a marriage.
The Ducks gig is part-time so he could still stay based in the East where both sets of kids are.
He could still have his eye on Buffalo
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
So with Gallagher out for at least one more game, it looks like tonight is one more audition for MT to decide who sits next game. Either White or Armstrong. Hopefully White plays a stong game like Tuesday, and will be kept in.
“I think I may have found a way for us to get Griffey and Bonds, and we really won’t have to give up much” -Costanza
I’d sit Armstrong. Not because he’s been horrible (he hasn’t), just because the other 12 players are better.
I could potentially see Moen going to the press box again too. He hasn’t been bringing much either. I’d prefer seeing Armstrong in the presser also though.
“I think I may have found a way for us to get Griffey and Bonds, and we really won’t have to give up much” -Costanza
Armstrong. We don’t have anyone else that can take right-handed face-off so as long as White plays disciplined, Armstrong should be out.
Did anyone watch the video link on Gretsky?
Amazing how the haves live….
Born with God-given ability, you’ll have the world by the tail.
Time to go. I have to take my 3-year old grandson to have his skates sharpened.
He’s mad at me for forcing him to do the 200 laps this morning.
But I keep telling him, it’ll pay off in the long run.
Even if he turns out to be a smurf.
You have grandkids – you have a lot, too.
I coach and have had a parent talk about NHL for their child.
“Ummm Mrs. (so and so). He is 7. Let’s work on the basics and see how far he can go this year”. I just did not want to break her heart. At 7 you never really know if any player can make it to the professional level of any sport, on the flip-side there are some you can safely identify as having no chance.
I’m hoping my son can captain the Habs in 20 years, at that point Gionta will no longer be the shortest Hab captain in history!! And my son will be the second from the Rochester, NY area!!
I used to attend the regional under 17 camps and got a kick out of the expressions on parents faces when Steve Larmer told them that it would be a minor miracle if any of the players attending played a game of professional hockey.
I hear ya, the dad of my “best” kid told me his aspirations for his son were to have fun and be a good beer league player when he grows up.
I coached for 12 years, and was league director locally for 7.
Amazing at the insanity and unrealistic aspirations of some kids’ parents.
The kids were fine. They just wanted to play.
The best kids I ever coached were my two nephews who later played and befriended Corey Crawford.
He never lost a game in PeeWee AA.
I’d have to sit the parents down and make them understand that out of our regional hockey association, with 7,000 kids, maybe (BIG MAYBE), ONE will make it.
But the worse parents were the house league parents. They’d call me at home at all hours because they didn’t like this coach, or their kids weren’t given the correct amount of ice time, given “their amazing abilities”.
That’s why I gave up. I’ll stick to doing one-on-one with my grandson.
I’ll be so upset if he doesn’t make it. I can see it already. He’s that diamond in the rough….. never mind.
When my son played bantam the coach gave each family a copy of an article about the odds of their kid playing pro.
At the time for a kid in Ontario minor hockey it was something like 1 in 300,00 for any birth year.
Quite an eye-opener
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
I coached for 7yrs from Pee-Wee up to 3yrs of Midget. Midget was the best because the Kids and parents knew by then they weren’t going anywhere. Granted it was a pretty crazy rural league but by Midget it was all about having some good old fun.
I had to give up by then.
The ref suspended me too often.
Jeeze, in our league a coach would only get suspended if he swung at and and actually hit the ref.
What’s your point?
I once heard a podcast, maybe a TED Talk, that used Gretzky as an example. It focused on his dedication and practice as a kid. He lived and breathed hockey, and they could hardly get him off the ice. The theory was that it takes 10 000 hours to make a genius in a given pursuit and that Gretzky put in the time.
Is Theo Peckerham on the team yet?
The lineup is solid IMO. Hopefully the trap game won’t get the better of this team. When Gallagher is back do you move him with DD n Pacioretty, or Eller n Galchenyuk?
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Lars, PK, Galchenyuk, Pac, Emelin – @J_Perez22
The great thing about a winning streak is there is no rush for a concussed player to return. DD with MaxPac and Gally is too small, imo.
Eller Galchenyuk
Just for fun:
Galchenyuk has 10 pts and is +9
Ovechkin has 10 pts and is -6
Even more fun….
Grigorenko 1g 2a -4
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
I didn’t think it was possible… but that is more FUN!!!
WOOOOOOO!
sorry.
Don’t forget Yakupov.
5G 4A -8
Makes me smile.
Yakupov #’s aren’t that bad. His minus 8 is a reflection on how weak that team is defensively.
I think Shultz is the only defender in the positives for Edmonton.
I have seen grigorenko play a few times. He is very good, but at this point expected more than a few points.
Given the Sabres struggles this year how do you think Chucky would have made out with last year’s Habs?
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
woops, wrong place.
Okay Loon,
I’ve got a couple comments/questions for ya regarding your last few posts:
1) You say that Gorges doesn’t have ‘elite skill’. What in God’s green, green cricket pitch does that bizarre and undefinable statement even mean?! No ‘elite skill’. So he won’t be on the All-Star ‘Elite Skillzzzz Competition (sponsoredbygatornikeduracelltrojan)’?
You do understand that skills can also be mental, and that the number one skill that defensemen need to possess is the ability to read and break up/neutralise attacks? Blocking shots is one way of doing this, but more importanty, positioning and anticipation of play is the most invaluable asset in a defenseman’s aresnal. These are not things that will appear on stats sheets, nor will make their way into any kind of Sick Skilzzzzz competition.
Josh Gorges has the latter in multiples of 1,000, and anyone who doesn’t see him as one of the top players on our team lacks a basic understanding of the game. There is no team in the NHL who wouldn’t give us the sun and the moon for him.
b) Where does Luongo fit in in your goalie ranking? He was incredible with Florida, who had ZERO defense, allowing 30+ shots on him per night, but wilted when he got in with a better d-corps. This is just a question, not a critique of your system.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Brian O’reilly..you are Gorges Dad too? ol just kidding
Okay Matty,
I’ll bite even though I seem to lack a basic understanding of hockey.
How many good to elite teams have great leaders who happen to specialize in blocking shots signed to six year contracts worth just under $24 million?
Gorges brings excellent defensive ability and leadership. He isn’t above average in the physicality department and brings a first pass that requires his target to be within ten feet or a full zone of open ice for anything longer.
We have him for the long haul. And it isn’t a matter of him not being an all-star, it’s a matter of him being easily replaceable on the ice. Prust is being lauded for his leadership and it only took a four year deal to get him as a UFA. So I would argue that Gorges’ leadership is also replaceable.
In my opinion your evaluation of him is proof that he’s easily the most overrated player on this team because many share your view of him.
Gorges is valuable, but not six years at $4 million a piece valuable.
Bouillon’s a better player.
Edit: Though there are significant differences in their contracts I’d like to add that Gomez was seen as a positive from a leadership perspective and had less years remaining on his contract when he was acquired that Gorges has left on the deal that WE signed him to. Gorges doesn’t bring much more to the table than our former #91 did.
I think you’re undervaluing the leadership piece, Tom, especially with the team concept that Therrien and Bergevin are building to good effect. That the team would place a plugger like Josh near the centre of their future plans makes a ton of sense to me in that context.
I also think that reducing Gorges’s game to shot-blocking is a little unfair. He plays smart and tenacious D, which is very hard to quantify, I’ll grant.
Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, Erik Cole, Brandon Prust, Travis Moen, Andrei Markov, Francis Bouillon.
I think we’re okay in the leadership department both with and without Gorges.
Okay, I take back the basic understanding of hockey thing. I was being unnecessarily inflammatory. Sorry.
I think we’re lucky that the NHL brain-trust doesn’t place monetary value on solid stay-at-home defensemen. Gorges hits hard, but also doesn’t take himself out of the play with his hits like Emelin, Subban, and even Bouillon does.
As someone said on here with reference to PK, as soon as you get rid of Gorges, you have to find someone to replace the number one shot blocker in the league last year.
I’m only speculating here, but I can imagine that there are very very few NHL forwards (and point-men) who relish playing against Gorges.
Overrated? Last season, he finished first in +/- with +14, on a last place team, with the second most ToI. The only other defenseman with positive stats in this column was PK. I’m not totally in love with stats, but that says something to me about ‘overrated’ players.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Again. He isn’t overrated from a player type standpoint, not by me anyway. He was overrated by Pierre Gauthier. Most teams are in fact fortunate that players of his type don’t cost more money but we aren’t one of them, because we had a GM stupid enough to give him a six year contract extension.
Way too much time invested in a player who I’m sorry, can be replaced at a less expensive cost.
And why are we in dire need of shot blockers with an elite goalie between the pipes?
“Most teams are in fact fortunate that players of his type don’t cost more money but we aren’t one of them, because we had a GM stupid enough to give him a six year contract extension.”
Amen! I think part of that 24 million is compensation for taking the one-year contract previously, though. In any case, there’s 6 million more on the table for Josh Gorges than he his actually worth.
“thoroughbred”
Gorges is neither as good as Matty claims (sun and moon?) nor as mediocre as Tom claims.
H I/O hyperbole.
What does he bring other than shot blocking, sound defensive positioning and leadership?
I understand that they’re three great qualities. But they happen to be qualities that can easily be found at a less expensive cost both monetarily and from a term commitment perspective.
This team committed $24 million and six years to a #5 or #6 defenseman who happens to be an excellent leader.
You answered your own question.
Top minutes on the PK last year by far and again this year. And our PK is one of the best. Also our best plus/minus among defencemen last year (and probably this year).
He’s a very good defensive defenceman. And a leader.
So he gets $3.9M instead of the $5-6M (e.g. Paul Martin) he would get if he also scored.
The market for defensemen of his quality disagrees with the contract he length and monetary value he was given by Gauthier.
So he’s not overrated so much as overpaid, then.
He brings heart every game. This guy would die for his team. In that interview after the Leafs game, it look like he was going to cry. Very emotional about the loss. That is infectious…..they have not loss since…just a thought
I didn’t say OUR sun… perhaps a star in an uninhabited solar system.
And a moon-pie.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I can’t believe I am reading about someone complaining about Gorges…
——————
Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
Yeah, I don’t get it either.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Ole King Cole!
Cole needs to sit out a couple of games – he has not been very effective lately.
Mike Blunden can fill the spot. What is the story on Blunden?
While we’re benching players who haven’t been playing well lately let’s sit Markov, Desharnais and Bourque.
Or we could consider for a moment that the team’s on a five game winning streak and there isn’t a player in Hamilton or in the pressbox who makes the team better than Cole does.
I would have suggested sitting Diaz, but he scored last game, so we should put him on the top defensive pairing.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Pretty sure Price and Budaj could use some time in the press box. maybe at the same time!
There are too many new guys that have come in here at HIO and haven’t earned respect. It’s just frustrating to see all these new guys like that come in here and so much as think that they’re better than a lot of people. You have to earn respect in this blog. It takes a lot. You can’t just come in here as a newbie and post comments like that. It’s not the way to get respect from other members around the virtual discussion table.
Hopefully someone on the mod team addresses it, because, uh, I’m not saying I’m going to do it but something might happen to these new comers if they continue to be that cocky.
Heh. HH channels Mike Richards.
What we need is a good tanking.
That’ll get them all running back to their Xboxes good ‘n quick!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I agree, this site needs to tank!
Then we can draft the #1 ranked rookie poster and not have to worry about nonsensical posts!
Am I on this list HH, I’m a long time reader short time poster.
———————————
Lars, PK, Galchenyuk, Pac, Emelin – @J_Perez22
I suggest a 6 month probation period for newbies. During which any veteran poster can modify their posts. Think of all the fun we could have with that.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
And for those newbies who want to earn that respect, HardHabits got where he is by posting the SAME EXACT COMMENTS about a million times last year.
There are other ways of course.
Exaggerate much?
You are right about one thing though. I am where I am and that is in the esteemed HIO commentator zone. You? Still need some work it appears.
I’m from the Darren Pang school of thought when it comes to HI/O. These newbs need to learn to comment the “white” way.
What is this, the HIO mafia? it has its godfather and capos now? We’re not on an NHL team here.
The Isles though dreadful at home are 4-3-1 on the road, we shouldn’t take them lightly. With all that being said I’d like to see about 5 goals tonight from the top team in the East!!!
“I find your lack of faith disturbing” Darth V
Free wings!!!!!
Is it illegal to install shock collars (like the ones used on dogs) to Hab players when they slack off?
\”Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing\”
Not if we get their doctors to sign off.
I want our Habs to face the friggin Loafs in the playoffs this spring!
\”Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing\”
have you seen us play against the leafs this year?? this would be terrible. Theyre the only team to have actually solved our forechecking.
Does any body else notice that Subban plays mostly with either Markov or Bouillon? The speculation is that when playing with a veteran Subban plays a less dominant and more respectful role than if he played with another younger player where his instincts would take over and make him try to take control and do too much.
It’s all part of the making Subban a better person strategy.
Discuss!!!
Martin played him with Gill and Gorges.
Its probably best to rest Gallagher. Make sure he is 100% because I feel that he will be a part of this team for a long time.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Not probably. Is best!! He needs to be 100% ready to play with the least amount of danger of his head turning to mush from another concussion.
Reiterating a point I made just before the last thread closed:
One success factor we haven’t discussed much regarding this year’s edition is the balanced nature of their scoring. The Habs lead the league with 11 skaters averaging .5 ppg or better. That’s almost two thirds of the skating roster!
It’s the most remarkable thing. A coach and GM come in with a team first philosophy and there the team is, with scoring from pretty much everyone.
Seriously. How do opposing coaches line-match against that? It must be like squeezing a balloon. Every time you choke off one threat, another bulges out.
It’s the main reason for success besides having the luxury of stingy D and an even stingier goalie.
You go to all the trouble of writing the longest post you’ve ever written and they go and post a new thread!! Gah! hahaha:
This is one of those dangerous games that they should win, but always a risk that the guard is down…
With the games Boston has in hand though, hopefully they are desperate tonight for what should be two points. Always fun to watch Tavares out there. Think he’s going to get stuck with Rick Nash syndrome though — amazing player on a perennially shitty team. Though they do have some young pieces.
Really surprised to hear people wanting to sign “big, tough” guys like McGratten et al. There’s a reason the rest of the league is passing them over….
No room in the game today for unidimensional players. Whether they are unidimensional PP specialists (a la Kaberle) or scrappers, there just isn’t space to have a guy on the bench that can’t contribute minutes. If you can find a big, intimidating fighter who can contribute, like Chris Neil, then sign him by all means. But they are rare.
Signing a scrapper for the sake of having one (which really, reading the insights of the people asking for one, seems to be more about their own wounded sense of masculinity and desire to have bragging rights. I’ve yet to see one compelling argument for how having a (unidimensional) scrapper actually helps win games)
For every team with a bunch of bruisers (Boston), you can name teams that have been successful without one (LA).
I really doubt that having McGratten or Peckham in the lineup would’ve meant we wouldn’t have lost in game 7 OT to the big, bad Bruins — the fact that the series went to game 7 OT, and was decided on a fluky deflection off Halpern should be enough to prove that their size didn’t intimidate the Habs. Or that our lack of it empowered them.
/rantcomplete
PS — we’re first in the Eastern Conference!!!
Cut and paste, dude. Cut and paste.
You go through writing your longest reply ever and the thread changes…how embarrassing. Below is my different point of view.
I believe in having an enforcer as one of your reserves, not a regular player. I believe they are useful during the regular season in certain situations (not because I have a “wounded sense of masculinity”). If MT had an enforcer do you think he would play him every game and in the playoffs? Of course not. Do you think he would play him with Colton Orr in the line-up? Of course. Do you want Prust fighting Colton Orr? I don’t. I want him fighting the Chris Neil’s not the goons. I want him on the ice banging and grinding, not in the penalty box with the other team’s stiff.
The Habs have three reserves doing absolutely NOTHING. Nokia is the first player in history who is “two weeks away” but will be injured for the whole year. Do you think MT will play Kaberle and Weber if any of the top six are hurt? I don’t. Three guys are being paid not to play. Why not have one guy that will play once in a while? Why is it such a big deal? Enforcers are not only liked by their teammates but also by the fans (who pay $200 a ticket BTW).
I believe fighting should be banned but it is not going to happen anytime soon. I’m not happy with the culture of violence in the league (goons, cheap shot artists, goon announcers, etc.). However, during the regular season, sometimes the game is played in the back alley, not on the ice. I just do not see a reason why not to have one reserve for such scenarios.
Interesting stats that after the same number of games,the Isles have scored the same number of goals as the Habs(46),have a better PP & PK% than the Habs. It’s goals allowed which has been their downfall.
This game will not be easy.
5-2 Montréal.
Can’t have an off night or take any team lightly. Islanders can hurt us if we’re not ready. Hoping the team plays well & get their 6th straight.
“Hate the Bruins like a sickness”
Indeed, very sensible proposals. I also understand Scott Gomez is available from San Jose if the Habs will kindly part with P.K. Subban.