Pat Hickey cautions Quebec City hockey fans to not get their hopes up. (Photo: Chip East/Reuters).
“NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also weighed in and repeated his assertion that the league would do everything in its power to keep the Islanders on Long Island. The clear signal here is that Bettman and the NHL see Long Island as Phoenix rather than Atlanta.
“The encouraging news for Quebec is that Wang says he plans to honour the Islanders’ lease at the Coliseum which runs through 2015 and the expiration should coincide with the opening of the new arena in Quebec City.
• Arpon Basu on what the signing of Erik Cole means for AK46
• Steven Hindle on the importance of 5-on-5 scoring
• Dobber’s Top 300 (scroll down to number 74)
• EOTP looks at prospect Morgan Ellis
• This one will get the Commentariat buzzing: Top 5 All-Time Canadiens
• Stu Hackel on the Shea Weber mess. Damien Cox’s take on Weber and the Predators
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Some indulgence..as I know you all to be good sports and tolerant of outsiders such as moi
My projected lineups/pairings for the STLBlues..
Forwards
Steen-Backes-Stewart (The next ‘Legion Of Doom’?)
Berglund-Oshie-McDonald
D’Agostini-Arnott-Sobotka
Crombeen-Langenbrunner-Porter
Reaves
Nichol
McRae
Defense
Pietrangelo-Jackman
Shattenkirk-Polak
Colaiacovo-Huskins
Nikitin
Goalies
Halak
Elliot
Bishop
I sense a celestial planetary alignment this year or the next (unless bombarded by more rogue asteroids). Should Perron manage a healthy return this season, I’d consider them to be one of the most offensively stacked teams in the league. The acquisition of stay-at-home vet d-man Huskins, and promising young Shattenkirk look to improve the D.
Unbiased opinions/comments?
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
They wont make the playoffs
St.Louie sucks too much to be taken seriously as a hockey club.
Sorry.
But I hear they all make great muffins for the kids during all their time off starting end of April. And really, at the end of the day, it’s all about the kids, right?
So in that respect, hats off.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
I hope the taste of crow agrees with you. You did have a small sample of it back on March.10
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Halak should have a better year as the team refocuses after the loss of their captain on defense. He needed more support, if they can be better defensively he’ll steal games and their offense will too. // Price still has never stolen a playoff series in the NHL in spite of his male groupies’ love prose.
If Canadiens management and OWNERSHIP had any brains they would have added 3-4 SOB’s. Instead they plant pansies and wait for them to bloom.
Look up your friggin points before you open your mouth please , or go post on a St Louis board, you worse then a leaf fan. Take 2 mins and look up Prices playoff record and what series he HAS won before you be an idiot.
a few years ago – Habs beat Boston in the first round – Price had a shutout in game 7 of that series – do some research pal!
True it was 3 1/2 years ago in 2007-08. Then he didn’t win at home again until this year late in the losing effort against the brunes. That’s a helluva drought and shows his character ain’t what Halak’s is.
If Canadiens management and OWNERSHIP had any brains they would have added 3-4 SOB’s. Instead they plant pansies and wait for them to bloom.
At least you’re polite and your grammar is that of a schooled person.
If Canadiens management and OWNERSHIP had any brains they would have added 3-4 SOB’s. Instead they plant pansies and wait for them to bloom.
Price went three years without winning a playoff game at home. He’s like Chuck Connors until he does it in the bigs. Halak did it.
If Canadiens management and OWNERSHIP had any brains they would have added 3-4 SOB’s. Instead they plant pansies and wait for them to bloom.
People are touchy. Price is future stud goalie but fact is that Halak took this team further than anyone since Patrick Roy. I think St. Louis will make the playoffs even w/o Perron, they have a good setup and a great goalie. Is Price better than Halak? Don’t know yet, should have the discussion in 10 yrs.
To cuss out McLean because he pointed out how far Halak took them vs Price with essentially the same team is unfair. Price was good in the playoffs but wasn’t clutch (3 OT losses on average goals).
An awe-inspiring rendition of Iron Maiden’s Remember Tomorrow -for the metalheads.
http://youtu.be/aCLXsiO_Wgw
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
really sucked
get back to the basics.
METAL UP YOURE ARSE SHYTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3JSbOt7CLo
The National Post does a good job of deflating David Stern, Gary Bettman’s sensei.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/08/02/nba-commissioner-facing-grim-battle/
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Relivin some memories. ‘Member when Soobie got into it with Plecky during practice last year?
http://habsbros.blogspot.com/2010/12/pk-subban-punches-tomas-plekanec-in.html
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Has anyone seen this? Evgeni Malkin hard at work.
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=121492&navid=mod-left1
I wonder what Benoit is doing right now.
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I don’t want people to think I’m going soft but listening to Brian Wilde talk about Gomez, I am actually hopeful that he’ll come back and have a good (60 point) season.
I feel like the world could end at any moment now. Brian Wilde must be the Antichrist if he can sway you SD.
If you are hopeful, I am hopeful!
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Wilde seems to take motivation into account more than most, and I agree with this. He said Gomez hired a new trainer for the season to make sure he’s in strong shape. I’d asked this before but no-one on here seems to have know this (or thought it important)… it’s this kind of stuff I wish the HIO writers would tell us about. Max’s wedding is a good thing, but in my world, Gomez hiring a trianer and getting serious about having a stronger year is much more important.
I dont think the HIO guys posted it, but I know I commented on it, as someone posted that news. Gomez had flown the Habs strenght coach to Alasks for his personal training.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
me too!
You might be surprised to know that I am pushing 50. I have always been and still am eclectic in my musical tastes. In the 60′s it was The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Santana, Hendrix, Doors, the whole Woodstock thing, the hippy generation. In the 70′s I listened to groups like Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Zappa, Yes, Gentle Giant, Deep Purple to name a few and probably all the other super groups of the era, heavy metal or progressive. I also listened to rhythm and blues and soul. When the 80′s came I latched onto the post punk wave and under-ground music and of course rap. The music I associate the 80′s with is so not what passes for that era. But I digress. The 90′s had Grunge which was right up my alley. I followed and liked Metallica up until they killed Napster. I’ve been to many a rave and house party. Suffice it to say I like guitars in music, or at the very least a good beat. I however was never much of a fan of speed or death metal.
Which leads me to this video. It’s a Death Metal mash-up of Louis Armstrong singing What A Wonderful World. I think it’s brilliant.
I gather only a few of you will like it and the ones that do are probably a lot younger than me, but for the few who can appreciate it, enjoy!! It’s very heavy. Very. But oh so sweet.
I have to say….that’s a little disturbing, but I still kinda like it. The ‘original’ will never be the same. Cool link, thanks.
Also, have you listened to Children of the Bodom? Im not a death metal guy either but they’re pretty sick musically. Also Opeth, maybe not technically death metal but also a good listen.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Never heard Opeth before. I will be hearing much of them from here on in though. Thanks!!!
Opeth are the sh!t.
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Is that what the aliens listen to?
Some covers of old classics by COB..
http://youtu.be/RMOfne93VIs
http://youtu.be/bTOlRIQ2KUA
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5DX5fTtIkY
Pass the spliff..
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
another musical “WTF but I like it” moment…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFyy3XB_3Y4
Not even good as comedy.
If Canadiens management and OWNERSHIP had any brains they would have added 3-4 SOB’s. Instead they plant pansies and wait for them to bloom.
wonder who is going to score this year? how about an over/under
1) PK – 17.5
2) Gomez – 14.5
3) Cammy -29.5
4) Gionta – 26.5
5) Patch – 19.5
6) Cole – 23.5
7) Plek – 24.5
8) Eller + Darche + DD 24.5
9) Kostitsyn – 24.5
1 over
2 under
3 over
4 under
5 over
6 under
7 over
8 over
9 under
MM – Pretty realistic post although PK strikes me as being a bit high.
Markov? How about 13 assuming he stays healthy throughout the year?
1) under (but not by much)
2) under
3) over
4) over
5) over
6) under
7) over
8) over
9) under
1) Over
2) Under
3) Under
4) Over
5) Over
6) Over
7) Under
8) Over
9) Under
1) Under
2) Under(Only done it 4 times in 11 seasons, no reason to expect it)
3) Over (He’s due)
4) Under
5) Over
6) Over
7) Over
8) Over (Expect all of them to get ~ 8-10 goals)
9) Under (not enough ice time for him to hit his average)
SJ signs White for a 1 million. I would have paid him 1.5 – would have given us grit and size.
He was on waivers, right?
UFA after NJ bought his contract out.
Who’s spot in the lineup would he have taken?
If he wasn’t even good enough for New Jersey’s defense, which consists of Volchenkov, Tallinder, Greene, Salvador, and 3 other guys making about league minimum, why would he be good enough for us?
You’ve asked two questions:
1) whose spot: Spatch’s, who could platoon with Webber.
2) Not good enough for NJ: He wasn’t good enough for them at 3 million for this coming year. You likely know NJ’s cap problem. But he would have been good enough for them, or us, at 1/2 that.
I’m re-watching game 3 of this year vs. Boston on my PVR (on CBC). Analysis/opinions to come…
Pregame:
- Atmosphere is incredible… got goose bumps!
- Starting lineup:
Darche – Gomez – Gionta
Hammer – Wiz
Carey
… Hopefully Darche won’t start a game this year
- CH pumpin’ at centre ice
- Carey! Carey!
- We have a lot of Americans!
- Chuck Fara!
- I miss Wiz!
- What if we won that game?
1st Period:
- Thomas! Thomas!
- Too many men as soon as Chara steps on… remember how my hopes were up at that point!
- Gomez looks ok so far
Goal #1 by Boston:
- Result of too many deer-in-the-headlights; strong Boston forecheck, played with puck in our own end, turnover, goal
- Bad change
- Spacek could’ve played the pass better
- Hammer took himself out of position
(At fault: Hamrlik, Spacek, Pleckanec)
- Moen could finish more hits with more authority
- Spacek makes bad D to D pass to Sopel – could’ve been costly
- DD going to the right spot… TO THE NET
- Nice hit by White
- Gomez/Gio = great forecheckers
- Spacek is a mess… left a guy wide open in front but great save by Price
- Chara gets away with blatant slash
- Someone needs to out-faceoff Bergeron (if possible)
- Nice save by Price
- Pleky ran over Horton (somehow)
- PK KILLS LUCIC
- Terrible pinch by Spacek – forces Gomez to take a penalty
- Cole will be a GREAT addition next to Cammy/Plex
- AK cant buy a good shot… broken stick
Goal #2 by Boston:
- We couldn’t move puck forward in neutral zone
(At fault: Hard to say… white made bad pass to Darche)
- Dumb dumb Pouliot
2nd Period:
- Why is Spacek joining the rush on the PK?!
Goal #3 by Boston
- Result of a brain cramp by Price
(At fault: Price)
- Cammy shouldn’t be on the PK
- First good play by Spacek in the game… clears the puck
- Haven’t seen much of DD
- Good save Price on Lucic
- Kostitsyn turns Chara inside-out, Thomas looks bad.. 3-1
- Why is Moen on the ice at the same time as Plex 5 on 5 when WE NEED GOALS?!
- GOMEZ HAS TO HIT THE NET!
- Plekanec should’ve shot low on Thomas with AK + Cammy driving the net
- Gionta shouldn’t shoot off the rush so quickly… should use speed and cut to the net
- Spacek not good when pressured
- Gio listens to my advice… good scoring chance
- Another Spacek turnover
- Gill/Subban left Horton alone in front
- DD with a rare shift
- Lines getting shuffled of course
- Great play by PK to keep puck in zone on PP… Pleks pass to CAmmy in slot JUST misses
- Gomez gives puck to Boychuk on silver platter
3rd Period
- Thomas is ONE LUCKY MF!
- You can’t shoot high on Thomas!
- Getting good traffic to the net
- PK almost took Thorton’s head off
- Why does Gio take those slapshots from a mile away directly at Thomas who is a mile out of his net?
- Plecks with a nice spinorama in the corner, Thomas looks bad again… 3-2!
- AK with a bad penalty
- Not many complaints with the way Gomez is playing (offensively)
- In 2011-12, Moen shouldn’t be getting any shifts in these situations (3rd period in need of goals)
- Gomez could be backchecking harder
- Gionta hipchecks Chara… knocks’em down!
- AK makes a great move but Thomas makes a nice save
- AK needs to out-muscle Bergeron instead of get out-muscled
- Moen with a nice hit
- Alright, NOW GOMEZ MISSES A WIDE OPEN NET!!! But I give him props because he’s been working his a$$ off all game long in the offensive zone
- Forwards I’d want on the ice in these situations in 2011-12:
Plecks, Cammy, Cole, Gio, Gomez, Patches, DD, AK, Eller
I’m proud to say we are a lot deeper offensively than last year!
- Another reason we are challenged offensively is because we keep wasting shots… taking random high slapshots from miles away. I can stop those!
- Lost a battle down low, Boston breaks out, empty net goal, game over
I was at that game, and the last TV time-out during the third period was absolutely insane. The entire building was going nuts, the loudest I’ve ever heard at the Bell. If they would have tied it the roof may have been blown off.
Wow, did that ever replay with intense vividness in my mind.
No question, we could have won that game, could have won the series.
But Mike, had we advanced, do we believe — realistically now, head not heart — that we would have ended up facing Vancouver? I’m not sure. Perhaps Philadelphia would have folded just the same as they did vs Boston. But given our injuries and appalling lack of scoring power, could we have gone further?
And hey, even if we did survive to the final, I can’t imagine Luongo sucking in the Bell Centre as he did in Boston. I love that goalies from Quebec are probably, per capita, the best in the world. I only hate it when they play for other teams visiting Montreal!
Btw, I’ve already deleted that series. Will you? Do you keep lots of games?
Cheers
Spoiler alert – habs lose in 7 games.
Thanks!
I had that taped. Thanks a lot.
Weber’s days in Nashville are now numbered as he is now on the clock.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373133
Dunno about that, Steve. Maybe he inflated his asking price for arbitration just like Nashville low balled their offer, but I can’t see anyone paying 8 + million for any D man.
Why? He’ll be an RFA again next year. Nashville have at least two years to sign him long term.
Nashville’s low ball offer doesn’t bode well for the future. They either sign their big three or run the risk of becoming the Thrashers.
If the Habs do that to Price he’ll be gone in a flash.
Show me the money.
I heard a commentator on the radio say the low-ball offer doesn’t mean as much as because, unlike baseball’s arbitration, Weber’s arbitrator could pick any value within the two offers, so the low-ball offer was just to extend the range.
Like Grim said the low offer was only used to try to lower the median of the salary. It’s been reported (EJ Hradek) that the Preds also said little to nothing at the hearing as to not impede future contract negotiations.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Another weird thing I heard was that a team can hire a league-approved lawyer to represent them at the hearing, so a team’s manager doesn’t have to be there. That way the manger can still deal with the agent/player without having to say any nasty things at arbitration. And guess what, the law firm is based in Mtl.
With regards to Kostitsyn, I don’t know if it’s right to assume he’ll be bumped out of the top 6 by Erik Cole. Considering the fact that Eller will miss the first month of the season, I see the opening game line-up perhaps looking something like this:
Cammalleri – Plekanec – Kostitsyn
Cole – Gomez – Gionta
Pacioretty – Desharnais – Darche
Moen – Engvist – White
The first line has proven chemisty, Cole can play the power forward role for GG, Pacioretty and DD can maybe regain their AHL magic, and the 4th line is now a legitimate grinding line. I’m not saying this is how the lineup SHOULD look, but am just suggesting this is how it MIGHT look.
Eller is reportedly ahead of schedule and will be ready by the preseason. Pacioretty was thriving with Gionta and Gomez so your third line makes no sense.
I like your 4th line though.
I will be shocked if opening night looks differently from
Cammalleri – Plekanec – Cole
Pacioretty – Gomez – Gionta
Kostitsyn – Eller – Desharnais
Moen – White – Darche
At issue here are the optimum line combinations.
What’s exciting here is the amount of choice! While it’s true that juggling and experimenting with the lines for too long jeopardises chemistry, ALL the various combos proposed above are ones I would really look forward to seeing.
If only we can be luckier with health this season…
Cheers
i havent had time to read much here today. from what i hear, you havent heard about this in montreal today.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/02/yonge-dundas-smackdown
only in toronto
1. How often are charges pressed for this type of incident. My guess: almost never.
2. If she wasn’t muslim this would have just been an unpleasant encounter with a crazy person.
3. The Sun sucks.
This makes no sense, why didnt he just say she wasnt in the bloody picture. And if she was, there, deleted, now have a nice day.
And if she takes a swing, you’re a man, grab her fist and tell her husband if she touches you, you will touch him…
And remember, in todays world the aggressor has more rights than the victim. Remember the monster that killed his two kids to get back at his wife and pleaded insanity. Yes cos a dr doesnt know how to fake a disease….
Re: Max Pac’s wedding: I take it Zdeno Chara was NOT the Best Man.
– “A little song, a little dance, something campy, give it a chance” –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4NVg8i8i1Y
Montreal fans they sing this song
Oh-lay, Oh-lay
Start to finish it’s nine months long
Oh, de doo-da day
Training camp is a few weeks off,
Doo-da, doo-da
We’ll find out if the Habs are soft
Oh, de doo-da day
Team’s gonna be alright
Team’s gonna be okay
Bet your money, put it all on the Habs
They’ll be playin’ well past May
Markov’s back and his knees look fine
Doo-da, doo-da
He’s number one on our blue line
Oh, de doo-da day
Jorges has signed and so has Cole
Doo-da, doo-da
(Erik, not Bob, God bless his soul)
Oh, de doo-da day
Team’s gonna be alright
Team’s gonna be okay
Bet your money, put it all on the Habs
They’ll be playin’ well past May
D is strong and second goalie too
Budaj, Budaj
Gone are the days when he played like poo
Oh, de doo-da day
The younger players will up their game
Doo-da, doo-da
So will the vets, to escape the blame
Oh, de doo-da day
Team’s gonna be alright
Team’s gonna be okay
Bet your money, put it all on the Habs
They’ll be playin’ well past May
I haven’t mentioned Gomez once
Whoda? Whoda?
A former star who’s now a punce
Oh, de doo-dah day
But didja’ know he’s working out
Doo-da, doo-da
He’s six-foot-four and has filled out
Oh, de doo-da day
Team’s gonna be alright
Team’s gonna be okay
Bet your money, put it all on the Habs
They’ll be playin’ well past May
JB – Over two hours and not one reply to a great post.
I say let them eat cake.
I just usually read….but this was great…..still smiling!!!
No chance to visit site til now.
JB, you clearly need to get out more. However, this is brilliant (including dodgey scansion), and I laughed out loud at the Cole and Budaj verses.
Cheers
Segueing somewhat, I loved Mike Boone’s article today: “Montreal’s yellow brick road keeps on crumbling”. Apparently, Boone doesn’t subscribe to the old adage: “Quebec Sait Faire!”
Quelle surprise..
I can’t pretend to have watched before 1984, so I’ll have to take the word of others on who the top Habs of all time were, especially those pundits who saw all the Habs’ immortals play, like Aurel Joliat, Howie Morenz and Newsy Lalonde (who rarely gets any love on these lists) through to Cammalleri, Plekanec and Markov.
Oh, wait…I don’t think any such pundit exists…
All-time lists are rather pointless. Who was better: Newsy Lalonde, who led the NHA/NHL in scoring 7 times, a record not broken until Wayne Gretzky’s scoring heroics, or Jean Beliveau, who only led the league in scoring once?
I know it is not all about scoring, but it is so hard to compare across generations, especially when you factor in the era (in George Hainsworth’s era, goalies were not allowed to drop to their knees) and quality of teammates.
I prefer to just focus on how many amazing players the Habs have had and leave it at that.
Well, at the risk of sounding immodest, I like to think of myself as a pun-dit
JB, a pundit who saw Newsy and Co play?
Man, you ain’t even old school, you just plain old
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” – Jacques Plante
Apparently Cammy was on Landsberg tonight? Did anyone catch it?
I am REALLY hoping that he said that he is only honouring this year’s contract, instead of sitting out, because the Habs signed Erik Cole, that the money has nothing to do with his decision.
Uhh! What? mmm! Thanks…I think!
WTF!
MARTHAAAAAA! Where is my rifle??
In other worlds of a slow Habs news day, our new #2 is already hard at ‘er:
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/324064.html
Highlights (I’m not translating the whole gosh-darned thing!):
- He’s working out with Pierre Groulx;
- He’s honoured to come to Mtl;
- He spoke to Jaro on 1 July re: coming to Mtl;
- He’s downloaded an app to help him learn some French, i.e. “Bonjour, comment ça va” and “Je ne parle pas français;
- He’s happy he knows Darche, from their Hershey Bears days.
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” – Jacques Plante
Good to see, Groulx has produced strong results with his charges since he got his first goalie coach gig in FLA and got Craig Anderson rolling.
I do hope as per the philosophy of The Goalie Guild, MTL hires a 2nd goalie coach for the duties of coaching their minor-league goaltenders. Can’t imagine they get much time with Groulx.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
2011 SUMMIT NEWS
I have worked hard in getting everyone Summit tickets. We have 100 people going this year.
But some people have not mailed their money order. If you have,! no problem. If you have not, you better courier it today! Or you might miss out. I have to pay the Bell Center in full on Friday.
Ian 613-968-9807
Just noticed Burly’s reply from this mornin. Apologies.
Never do this but bears repeatin: my first Hab memory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVRa34pbUe4
THAT’S why he belongs on the list, Burkie!
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Was there that night Bugs, every time he went down worried that he broke something. They don’t seem to come that tough anymore!
Notice how he stumbles across the carpet the first time, then goes around, steps on it again, and makes it!
Just to PROVE he can do it, y’know?
Tough as nails.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Crowd loved it too! Seeing it on video shows the determination in his face!
Just me, or no sound?
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” – Jacques Plante
Edit: Cancel my last
If anyone gets ATV (CTV Halifax) you can watch Brad Marchand in studio doing an interview right now dressed in a figure skating costume.
“Andrei Kostitsyn is a better hockey player than Max Pacioretty”
- Sean Bonjovi
If I see Marchand on TV and it’s not MTL playing Boston, it had damn well better be about a case of spontaneous human combustion occuring.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
I didn’t watch it, but the TV lights might have ignited his hair gel.
“Andrei Kostitsyn is a better hockey player than Max Pacioretty”
- Sean Bonjovi
I hope YouTube was there to film it.
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I’ma say it again, and intend to repeat it Feb 28:
Weber sure would look good with Weber, no?
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
7.5 mil for 1 year for Shea! Can Nash really walk away from their best player (ever) and captain?
Could a sign and trade be in the works? Nashville wouldn’t be in a position of strength… come trade deadline though, ouch that would cost at least a 1st round, top 3 fwd and top 4 d (imo).
It won’t necessarily cost that (especially from their position of non-strength, as you say); it’ll only cost more than what any other team is prepared to give.
We have 5mil left on the cap, no?
Will not most of that be shaved by Feb 28?
Or does the team acquiring a player at the deadline take in the WHOLE cap hit for that year?
Cuz if not, I want’m.
If so, hey, we can work sumpin out.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
So, I’m sittin’ in the lobby of a hotel in the town that Lord Stanley forgot, and can’t help but notice the almost complete absence of anythin’ Loafs-related anywhere around the city.
Except maybe for one half-shredded Loafs bumper sticker on a late-model pickup.
Not a single Loafs t-shirt or jersey on anyone. No hats, no nuttin’.
Try walkin’ down one block on Ste-Catherine street without comin’ across some guy who’s got the CH tattoed straight across his forehead and a hockey stick face piercin’.
Hab fans, baby!
Popped in to the HHoF a couple of days ago. Meh. Maybe I had higher expectations after droppin’ 35 clams for me and my son. Whatever. The visit had to be made cause I’ve probably walked by the place a thousand times over the years and never had the time to tour it.
The Bob Cole display case was a bit odd until I realized it was actually Bob Cole. Apparently, this is how he spends his summers.
Seemed happy enough.
Booya, baby!
Welcome to the Big Smoke, JD_. We finally did the HHoF but were lucky enough to time it to coincide with the special Canadiens display which commemorated their centennial (the only thing I want to remember about that ghastly period). We ended up spending most of our time there and with the Cup, which was the highlight for me. Tim laughed at me because I wouldn’t touch it, not that I’m superstitious or anything, lol.
Thanks, SD.
The trophy room is pretty awesome. So much history. Goose-bumpish.
Interestingly enough, the HHoF has a small replica of the Habs dressin’ room. Took some pictures of the son with the Roy and Dryden pads on.
When he was done with the Roy pads, he threw them across the room and attacked some tourist who looked vaguely like Mathieu Schneider.
No, that last part isn’t true, but that would have been cool, you know, in a Canadian Heritage Moment kinda way.
I can see the National Film Board vignette right now.
I don’t know if they still have the broadcast booth? You get to call a famous call IN BOTH OFFICIAL languages. Ya think Bob Cole has lost his marbles… Have a go, big yin.
It’s ALL about the trophy room.
No answers, just opinions. Bite me. Och.
They have his cryo chamber in the HOF? Could have sworn it was stored under the CBC offices.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Serious Robert,
let me know if you can get away for the Summit as soon as you know. I might be able to swing a ticket.
I already spoke to Punkster (Dave) about him not being able to attend and swinging it to me but at present may have other plans, thinking about using newfound wealth of steady employment to independently purchase and taking whole family to game, we haven’t seen a game together since the 90s.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Whole family! I will give you a name & phone number to call for tickets if you want. Let me know later by e-mail
Thanks Ian! Will try and find out soon and whole family isn’t that wide really, only parents and sister live in MTL.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Ian,
I don’t know if you saw my post below, I managed to send off the money order by Xpresspost this afternoon…
Thanks again for calling me!
Perry
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Ok Perry
JD–The Hab’s hall of fame is part of our Summit ticket price this year.
It was a fight to get it included.
This is the second year that our hall of fame has been finished, and I think it is a great show.
As you were going by did he intone: “And now Gill rushes up-ice with Gomez!”?
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I trust you saw the reproduction of the Habs’ Forum dressing room? It gave me shivers up my spine and was totally worth the vist. I go every time I’m in Toronto.
Ex-Hab and Journeyman NHLer Glen Metropolit is featured at NHL.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=585693
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
This made my day. It was on TSN’s website under the Colin White article about him going to San Jose. Here is a comment from an intelligent Leaf fan:
LeafsPhaneuf
1 hour ago
Every year Sharks fans get excited in the off-season to see the team do damage, but when playoff time comes they are all dissapointed
That pretty much sums up the idiocy that is “leafs nation”. Quite the deluded bunch. Burke must use Tequila in his koolaid.
Just as every yin must have its yang, matter its anti-matter, and Dave Hodge a Don Cherry, so must every list have a contrary list.
Who are the Top 5 among players who started out in the Montreal organization and went on to achieve stardom with other teams? I can think of a few offhand: Mickey Redmond, Danny Grant, Rod Langway, Dennis Savard (oh, wait, he’s the one that SHOULDA’ started out with the Canadiens). There must be others.
john leclair, thomas vokoun, Chelios, Desjardins, Lumme, Red Berenson, Mike Ribeiro,Claude LEmieux, Beauchemin, Craig Conroy,Troy Crosby,Odelein, Andrew Cassels Roy( still had as much success away as he did here),All Star Rory Fitzpatrick!!! lol
Leclair, Desjardins, Berenson, yes, but Vokoun, Lumme and Ribeiro haven’t reached similar levels of accomplishment, and Roy was a star before he left, and Chelios had won a Norris Trophy.
Edit: Hey, you added some, Fair enough, but none of them warrants consideration for a Top 5 ex-Canadiens list, apart from Lemieux. So what’s your ranking, 1 thru 5?
I think Ribeiro, Vokoun, Lumme, Lemieux, even Andrew Cassels have been as sucessful as Danny Grant ..he had one great season…Arguable ..theey are not like Langway but they are definitely comparable to Danny Grant’s one great season and Gionta like career
I think Lecalir definitely is top 5. SInce you won’t count Roy or Cehlios…I think I would put Langway no 1, Leclair 2, Lemieux 3, Redmond 4, Desjardins 5
..I don’t count Savard if you don’t count mine..nah nah ne nah nah!
i actually think like the Curse of the Bambino the Habs have a curse of Leclair…..never had a top end power forward since…
You could be right about the curse. What kind of offering will get rid of that? Small forwards playing big, sacrificing their bodies?
2 names that should jump to the top of the list:
Tony Esposito and Rogatien Vachon
“Wanting is often more pleasurable than having.It is not logical but it is often true.” – Spock
Esposito! Of course! How could I forget … well, that’s easily enough answered. And Vachon. I always liked Rogie. Was sorry to see him go.
So my list would be: Esposito, Langway, Leclair, Redmond, Desjardins
Phil Goyette, Marc Tardif, Guy Charron
How about non other than Tony Esposito (just imagine the cups if they has kept him and Dryden)
Tony Esposito
Very interesting question. Problem is that only 1 goalie can play at one time and TE was traded before KD started playing in 71′ but did continue after Dryden retired in 79′. i can’t see how you could have kept both happy for 8 years. BTW who did we get for TE. I remember watching Leclair playing and the puck just would not go in for him while in Montreal but you could see that he had the talent to play in the NHL. We should have waited one more year. CC, who realized he’d keep playing till he was as old as Moses and at a high level to boot.
Mr. Biter
Anyone know of a way to watch some games from this past season? I’m really bored and would like to watch the Chicago vs Montreal game in Mtl. Was such a great game, wouldn’t mind enjoying it again to ease my boredom.
Don’t you have the Centennial 10 DVD Box? That will cheer you up! I think it’s 1/2 price on Habs website or Amazon will hab it.
I watch Saku undress Lundquist in the greatest comeback game whenever I feeling extra lousy.
Ian,
I just sent out the money order for 2 tickets by Pony Express, oops I mean Xpresspost. She told me you should have it by Friday.
If you need more info let me know…
Thanks again for everything….
Perry
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
As to the top 5 Habs, of course we can argue this one until they close the pub, but I wanted to emphasize the point made about The Rocket as #1.
It wasn’t just the skill and ability. It was his unique fire and competitive spirit that defined Montreal hockey.
I don’t know what Habs new dressing room looks like, not having been to the Bell Center, but I hope there is a BIG picture of Richard glaring at our millionaires.
Patrick Roy is in my opinion the closest modern player to the spirit of Richard. I hope we have another about to emerge. Do you guys think PK may develop that kind of fire as he matures? Or… ?
He has the fire, he just needs to make sure he develops his talents to back it up.
This goal right here -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrRcE9tNvu0
Just about sums up what his future will be like
So he’s gonna be accidentally banking shots in off skates for the rest of his career?
There are pictures of all the HOFers up in the dressing room to my understanding. Subban probably is the most intense of the young guns, he lives and breathes the game, I doubt you could find a 6′ D in the league that’s in better shape.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Scott Cullen over at TSN compiled a listing of players that throw the most hits per 60 mins. These are obviously numbers extrapolated, as some of these players including the leader play limited minutes. There is also a list showing the opposite end of the spectrum. We have 1 Hab on each list among forwards, Dman just 1 made the list, and apparantly he is pissed off and went to Russia.
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/scott_cullen/?id=373131
Scott Cullen is a tool, making money off fantasies guesses and using stupid stats like this to make us waste our time reading his articles.
Given all the other stupid lists that have made our itenerary here lately, thought it would be a nice fit!
haha fair enough!
Think what you will, but I still say my Top 10 empty net goals of all time made for interesting viewing. It’s too bad television wasn’t around when Buddy O’Connor scored an empty netter in 1946 that older fans still talk about today.
SUMMIT NEWS
I have worked hard in getting everyone Summit tickets. We have nearly 100 people going this year.
But some people have not mailed their money order. If you have,! no problem. If you have not, you better courier it today! Or you might miss out. I have to pay the Bell Center in full on Friday.
Ian 613-968-9807
Hey Ian, I’m going, but with my own tickets.
Great Andrew, there are a lot more going with season tickets etc.
Largest Summit yet! Might have 130 members all together.
hmmm i was gonna drag you to that one if my rags chick cant make it
I promise no dragging will be needed, I’ll go willingly.
Waiting still on vacation days report from work. Our union moves at the speed of Hal Gill. Wish I could have just bought in with the group.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Ian – got notification that my guaranteed 24 hour delivery with Money Order finally arrived 144 hours later… can you confirm I’m in?? Thanks!
No answers, just opinions. Bite me. Och.
I got yours Paul and thanks for the bottle of scotch my friend!
Done deal my man. Will bring a tasty tipple for you in November. And I’ll raffle my signed Scott Gomez ’91′ jersey. If anyone wants it.
No answers, just opinions. Bite me. Och.
Arbitration says Shea Weber is worth 7.5 million dollars, obviously not the result NSH was hoping for.
Still, Weber went into this asking for over 8 million, I guess ‘Good Canadian Boys’ are all about the money as well, who knew?
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
I guess I just never really “get” being a GM, but if it were me I’d clean house to make sure I keep my MVP stars. As in trading for 100th round picks, demotions, etc. Whatever it takes.
Whining about it being too rich is hilarious to me given how crap the team will be without him
Issue is they have to talk to Suter and Rinne next year and they were hoping they could get all 3 of them to take under market value. If Weber goes to 7.5 or so, than Suter will easily want over 6 and Rinne will be going for MA Fleury, Cam Ward dollars. Tough tightrope for a team that doesn’t have real financial clout. 20 million for 3 players when you’re limited to working on a budget just over the cap floor.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Guess it’s time for an owner with deeper pockets or move them to Quebec…
+1
One of the things that makes hockey great is that it truly is a team sport. Even studs like Ovechkin, Kovalchuk or – Weber – need a team around them, and they should know that unless they are just check-cashers like Gomez. They earn their money and I don’t begrudge it, but it is in their own interest to have strong team mates.
Weber is worth every penny.
Cue the contract comparisons to Gomez in 3….2…..1….
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Not a bad idea to pay Gomez in pennies. Would be quite a workout carrying all those bags of pennies out of the Bell Centre every 2nd Thursday of the week. Screw the Gary Roberts conditioning, make him pick up his pennies instead of mailing a cheque. Chrisadiens, you are brilliant!
No reason a Top 3 Dman in the league can’t ask for top 3 Dman money, especially given he would then be committed to a team that may never win, no matter how good a job Poile does.
I personally don’t fault Weber, guy left his guts on the ice every night for that team. Not his fault the ownership in Nashville doesn’t want to be competitive in this league.
I do agree that he is one of the best Dmen and should be compensated for that.
The problem is he will only be awarded a one-year contract as a result of all this. So there is no long-term commitment for now. Besides, commitment to mediocrity can only last so long. Ask Ray Bourque.
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Colin white signs with SJ
1 yr/1 mil
Chicago gives Sharp a five year extension – $29.5M.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373129
This still begs the age old question, why oh why do the Habs front office insist on doing contract negotiations only after season’s end. What is so wrong with resigning players while the season is going on? And don’t give me that “it’s a distraction” crap… other teams around the league do it, so why don’t we?
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
you do realize that this signing did not happen while the season is going on right?
nice pwnage there naweed!
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Of course I did. However, the point I was trying to make was Sharp was going to be a RFA (or UFA… not sure) at the end of 2011-12 season. So rather waiting until June 30, 2012 to renegotiate his contract, they signed him for three more years. Why don’t we make moves like that?
P.S. Pwnaged? Not likely… Just answer the question smart guy…
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Edit : edited the post instead of making a new one.
Bah sorry about that.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Well, negotiating a player’s contract during the season usually involves awarding a player a contract extension… right? Unless said player is in a contract holdout situation (i.e. Yashin with the Sens). So they do go hand-in-hand. I guess it was my usual generalizing that screwed up the point I was trying to get across, so yeah…
Furthermore, this was an operating philosophy of BG as well, not just PG.
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
So I was reading Stu Hackel’s article on Shea Weber, and for a short article it sure is riddled with errors. It’s not quite using google translate to post a story about Kovalev and Sopel going to the KHL, a story everyone on here had already mentioned, with hilarious results (including a textual translation of the Russian team’s GM’s name), but is is published in sports illustrated.
First he claims that Suter and Rinne will be RFAs next year. Heck, I know nothing about Nashville and even I know they’re going to be UFAs.
Second, twice he writes ‘Suter’ when he clearly means ‘Weber’. (e.g. “So, Suter’s side may well argue, fair compensation starts above the $6 million range.”)
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything as hilariously stupid as that Dobber hockey list. Voracek, Brassard and Berglund etc are all superior to Cammalleri now? LMFAO
Stupider than my list below?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Not by much.
Yes.
And where is Cole?!
John Tavares is already waaaay better than Zetterberg, didncha know?
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Of course, Bugs! Haven’t you seen Tavares’ highlight reel?
Ga-ah!
Don’t get me started on those fraggin videos, Berkie. You’re doin that on purpose!
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Don’t forget Tyler Bozak over PK Subban! Who the hell is this list’s editor, Glenn Healy?
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
It’s a list for a keeper fantasy league, so a lot of emphasis is put on age…
The Top 5 players has generated some debate on this ever so slow hockey day. What about your 5 “honourable mentions” ie. players that you watched in Habs uniforms that contributed in their own way but will never, never be considered best of all time.
Mine would be (in no particular order)
1-Lyle Odeliene (something about that face that just messed with the opposition)
2-Todd Ewen (skated like he had 2 boots in cement but he could throw them)
3-Paul Dipietro (I hated him in the regular season, then come playoffs he was the best player on the ice, he always confused the heck out of me)
4-Brisebois (because he inspired more debate / comments on this site then any other Hab in recent history)
5-Mark Recchi (because when he was a Hab I was a big fan, now I would personally like to beat the snot out of him… but I digress…)
Never liked Recchi as a Canadien, before he even started playing I was disappointed we had given up LeClair and Desjardins. Sure enough, LeClair exploded and Desjardins was a top-pairing defenceman for a decade after the trade.
I grudgingly respected his effort, but he was tainted in my view.
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I so do regret loosing those 2 players, but I was young and jumped on the Rechi bandwagon soon after the trade. Now I’m not so young anymore and the bandwagon has gone up in flames…
Recchi was good, but not worth LeClair and Desjardins. One of our worst trades, though I’m sorry to say the list is long and shameful. Nowhere we want to go on a nice summer day.
The one thing I remember about Lyle Odelein is that after every fight of his they would play the song “Hold The Line” by one of those shit hair metal groups (Foreigner maybe?).
Hold The Line is by Toto dude! Everyone likes Toto!
From an earlier era … because … well …
John Ferguson: great tough guy, but a very useful player
Bobby Rousseau: maybe just because he once scored five goals in a game
Jimmy Roberts: scored a few clutch playoff goals
Claude LaRose: just liked the guy — honest effort etc
I’m sure there are others, but as demen … sorry … I forget what I was going to say …
… and Ferguson could not only play, he was the nuclear deterrent. Very few guys wanted to fight him, even to try and make their own rep.
The good old days
sigh.
There are a lot of great “Courrier du Bois” names in Habs history, you could add almost the whole Pat Burns era team, with a few stars like Roy and Robinson and I guess we’d consider Gainey a star,also.
Always loved Ludwig, McPhee, Skrudland… Dave Manson, Mike Keane, Rick Green…. I’m getting very melancholy today.
Sure glad Markov is back to cheer us up!
Sorry LA, I have to disagree on Rick Green. As serviceable as he was, we traded away Langway and Engblom to get him, that sour taste never rinsed out for me.
———————————
For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
No particular order or even spelled correctly:
Claude Lemieux
Brian Heyward
Carbo
Chris Nilan
John Leclair
I have a question regarding that list of Top 5 Habs players of all time.
I see people arguing that Doug Harvey was the 2nd best defenseman of ALL-TIME, behind Bobby Orr, on several different message boards. How can he be considered the 2nd best defenseman of all-time, but not be one of the Top 5 habs players of all time?
I have never seen him play, and can just go by what I read, so was the person who wrote that article completely out to lunch, or is Harvey overrated?
the guy was out to lunch at Harvey’s: the best fast food burger.
- Gomez is holding down the “overpaid” button
Habs forwards were just that good? No, not mentioning Harvey in top 5 means that article writer is out to lunch. These lists are very subjective, though.
Harvey controlled the ebb and flow of the game, but was shackled by Blake (sound familiar?) to be more defensive minded. Harvey was a more complete player than Orr was, able to shine in PK and PP besides 5 on 5. Orr was an offensive demon who was a great skater and (he said this himself) he liked to carry the puck. He paid the price for doing just that. Orr’s +128 in 1 season was almost matched by Robinson’s +120.
It’s a Yahoo article. Why would you expect the writer to do anything but regurgitate popular opinion he probably found on the web. All the players are deserving, of course, but there was no real thought or creativity in this.
Having recently read Dobber for the first time (what was it, MaxPac vs. A.K. ?), I am glad to see a real writer and someone who actual watches the game and the Habs write a completely different take, and one that is much more intelligent, on A.K.’s upcoming season.
Edit: I should mention that I cannot comment on Harvey given all I have to go on is opinion but there are many who dare to compare him to Orr so, yes, I might suggest that Harvey replace Lafleur on the list. But then I did see Lafleur play so …
Harvey was the prototypical modern defenseman. Playing in the 40s and 50s being almost 6′ was pretty big. Amazing skater, moved the puck, contributed on offence.
2nd only to Orr is correct although I have immense admiration for what Nick Lidstrom has been able to achieve and I think is slotted easily as #3.
The best journalist for coverage on Russian players in the NHL, Dmitri Chesnokov catches up with Pavel Datsyuk in the offseason.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Daddy-chats-with-Pavel-Datsyuk-about-injury?urn=nhl-wp10110
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
I dug deep for these. My rounding out of the top 10 Habs of all time:
6. Chris Murray, who in 1995 when the Habs were down by 3 goals to the Isles uttered the inspiration phrase, “Come on guys, we need one”.
7. Patrice Brisebois, who was often overheard muttering on the bench, “Hair dryer or air dry. What to do, what to do?”
8. Jaroslav Halak, who, when told by coach Martin he’d be starting against the Flyers in the ECF said, “Musíš sa zo mňa srandu? A čo tuk veľryby?”
9. Zarley Zalapski, who was considered to be far superior to any Bure in the game, according to a gypsy clairvoyant at La Ronde.
10. Scott Gomez, who was also mentioned by the above mentioned clairvoyant as “A sure bet”. (I know, he’s a future top 10, but a clairvoyant is never wrong…twice.)
***Subbang Baby!!!***
You are kidding me? And the whale fat?
Think it borked the translation tool.
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
This picture is all kinds of awesome: http://hockeyplayersaskids.tumblr.com/post/7978915577/carey-price
Haha! He still has that same baby face today. Even the ‘stache doesn’t hide it. Thanks for the link.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
I really hope they find a way to decrease Pleck’s defensive time. It’s typical that he starts the first half of the season really hot, and then come playoff time he seems burned out. He’s our number one center and therefore should be more offensive than defensive. I don’t blame the coach for playing him so much on the PK tho, because he’s by far our best penalty killer. I would play gomez a little bit more during the season tho to reduce Pleck’s minutes.
I think Gomez’s playing time is in his own hands, basically his play should dictate how much he plays, he had the coach trying to help him out last season, but now he needs to step it up.
Hopefully, Eller will see some PK time, and DD some PP time to lessen the load on Pleks.
I gotta say I still see DD playing wing come next season, and hopefully some Halpern like player to fill the bottom center position, that can eat Pk minutes…
If you don’t grok it, drokk it!
Top 10 teams in 5-on-5 scoring, where they ranked in PP in brackets and where they finished in league standings:
BOS (20) – Finished 8th overall in points
PHI (19) – Finished 4th overall
CHI (4) – Finished 13th overall
DET (5) – Finished 6th overall
STL (10) – Finished 20th overall
BUF (9) – Finished 15th overall
VAN (1) – Finished 1st overall
CGY (8) – Finished 17th overall
PHX (23) – Finished 11th overall
CAR (24) – Finished 19th overall
A couple of things stick out – that often finishing well in 5-on-5 scoring means you finish lower in PP goals. Very few teams finished in the top 10 in both lists. Of those that did, a couple you’d expect to see (Vcr, Det, Chi) and some that make so sense whatsoever (StL, Cgy). But mostly it looks like finishing well in either 5-on-5 or PP seems to have very little direct correlation to how a team finished in the standings – except for Detroit, who are kinda freakish (4th in 5-on-5, 5th in PP, 6th overall)
Where there’s a will there’s a way!
The Habs may have been a crappy 5-5 team but you almost always felt that they were in every game.
They would manage to score a timely goal somehow! That quality is hard to pinpoint on a stat sheet…
Interesting, what it says to me is Defense first, since 3 of the top 10 5 on 5 and 3 of the top 10 pp missed the playoffs, but only one of the top 10 GA teams missed the play-offs.
Habs dropped 14 GAA in 10/11 compared to 09/10. I am hoping it’s even better this season.
I’d rather they score more goals. Watching paint dry is becoming more entertaining than watching the Habs play.
If the Habs do both, we have a contender.
“that often finishing well in 5-on-5 scoring means you finish lower in PP goals. Very few teams finished in the top 10 in both lists.”
The stats say the opposite to that. Six of the top ten teams in 5-on-5 scoring were also in the top ten in PP scoring. That’s a majority.
Fair enough, I should have said that there is often a great disparity between the two – teams finishing in the top 10 in one and the bottom 10 in the other.
Prior to reading Basu’s article on Kostitsyn and the Habs and their even strength play over the years – I think the Habs will finish in the middle of the pack in 5-5 goals next season. Which would be a great improvement!
With Cole, Pacioretty and Kostitsyn spread over three lines they will finally have a guy on each line that can dig for pucks in the corner with some scoring touch.
The only scoring chances Montreal really has had 5-5 the last several seasons was off the rush. Push the Habs to the outside and the threat was over…
That should change this year, I think
In other news, David Perron is the only left winger on the Blues.
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
that’s unfortunate.
Have you recovered from your belly-aching over the Patches’ hit?
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“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Have you recovered from the depression that resulted when Halak was traded?
Who was traded?
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“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
LOL. nice.
Real technically Steen is the only natural LW(he can play C and RW), they made Perron play LW because they have so many RW, and so few left handed wingers.
The arrival of Arnott probably means McDonald will play LW.
Langenbrunner and Tarasenko (next season) will put some heat on Dags’ career.
Halak should keep an eye on a kid named Jake Allen. He’ll be after his job in another few years.
What kids should Hab fans keep an eye on?
Btw, Arnott, Langenbrunner are bottom 6.
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
Wow, one winger and no goalie. No wonder you’re posting here instead of Blues Inside/Out.
During the long summer, we all get to be pretend GM.
Habs and Blues have stunk up the joint for the last 19 years so stupid conversation by all at this moment.
Perron is a HUGE talent – I was watching him closely early last season and he was out skating and out working everyone.
Then he suffered a terrible concussion after only 10 games played and never returned.
I hope he can recover – but it was quite serious.
Habs hockey is “smart” hockey – we play 5 man defence, not just 2 – we move up the ice as a 5 man unit, we back check with 5.
andystrickland Andy Strickland
#Blues forward David Perron is still dealing with symptoms related to his concussion and will not be ready for the start of training camp
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply
andystrickland Andy Strickland
David Perron and his agent met with #Blues trainers and GM Doug Armstrong on Monday and they came to the conclusion he needs more time.
August, whene Montreal can not buy an ounce of respect and everyone is gleefully projecting them outside of the playoffs and nobody on the team can hit 50P. The boys will just have to make them eat their words with a NE title.
- In other news, David Perron is still having complications from post-concussion syndrome and can not start the season with St. Louis, NHL declined to comment, citing they did not want to approach a problem they did not understand, The Boston media did suggest Mark Recchi go over and tell the little fake artist to toughen up though.
- My top 10 Habs:(without really ranking them, they were just the all-time greats) The Rocket, Beliveau, Harvey, Plante, Robinson, Morenz, Lafleur, Roy, Cournoyer, Henri Richard.
- I figure a helipad is in the future for the Habs, one at the Bell Centre and one in Brossard, Gomez can pick up the tab for renting a Chinook.
Was just going to post the Perron news Serious. Really sad, nice young player with such bright future. Sadly the league continues to be afraid of policing itself.
But they can fight after someone gets hurt! It’s not like those fights do any damage to anyone’s brain… wait, what’s that you say?
I didn’t mean policing as in fighting, I meant the league chooses not to properly enforce it’s own rules etc… hits to head, change the equipment to safer materials. That kind of policing.
I know what you meant, I was being facetious. If the league would police dangerous play, the dangerous plays would go down.
Somehow people believe that fighting deters violent play (I used to think that way, and now I’m at the point where I want it out of the game).
Why have rules if they’re never enforced? Why judge intent when it’s literally impossible in the majority of cases?
Punish the offence regardless of the player. Period. Point finale. No more of this ‘fighting saves people’ nonsense.
Unfortunately for St.Louis this is a guy that seemed like he might become a key cog in their re-build. St.Louis never seems to be able to catch a break. Of course, the league won’t do anything. They would scramble to change the rules of Crosby said he wasn’t coming back though.
Crosby missing the playoffs wasn’t enough for them to tuck tail. If he were to retire they’d make a big fuss when the cameras were on, but the rules would stay the same.
I 100% agree. They don’t suspend people with any consistency as seen time and time again.
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2011/8/3/2303394/habs-top-25-under-25-24-daniel-pribyl#storyjump
New Eyes on the Prize ranking out today. #24 – Pribyl. What do y’all think/know about this guy?
I know I can’t wait for him to get here so I can use my “Puerco Pribyl” nickname on him.
Oh, and don’t get me started on Ebby Calvin Paloosh (or “Nuke” if you prefer).
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Let’s get this Canadian hockey migration rolling. Winnipeg starts it off, then the Isles can move to Quebec, then I guess the Coyotes can go to Hamilton, and then bring someone to the east coast!!
I vote we name them the Halifax Schooners.
Done and done!
Schooner rather than Later.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
You keep this up and eventually Toronto’s going to demand an NHL team, too.
During the long summer, we all get to be pretend GM.
First they need to improve their hockey knowledge. 2 AHL teams in the City and still no one understands a thing about hockey! They don’t deserve a NHL team.
MaxPac will raise 2 Stanley Cups in his career to show Chara that his is worth nothing.
I’m not going to get into the top five or ten thing, but I am saying that I have no problem with the top three. While some may wish to change the order of the top three, and I probably wouldn’t argue that either, I’m happy enough with the group.
No problem with top three either except I would flip Beliveau and Lafleur. As much as I loved Lafleur, Beliveau was better and for a longer period.
“It’s a moo point. Like a cow’s opinion, it doesn’t matter. It’s moo.”
Yes, Beliveau had a long and great career done with class too. Those few magical years of Lafeurs were quite magical though. I just have a total struggle making lists of any kind, so, like a true coward, I’m opting out.
I also have a problem with Guy Lafleur coming in ahead of Jean Beliveau. Guy Lafleur’s retirement followed by his decision to unretire and play for the Rangers and Nordiques and blame the whole ordeal on a Corey-Savard-Lemaire cabal grates on me. He falls a couple rungs down the ladder for that.
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For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
If the Isles move it might be to the new Barclay’s Arena in Brooklyn, technically still Long Island.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barclays_Center
Seats less than 15k when the Ice is out. That’s not meant for a NHL team, more like AHL and ice shows.
MaxPac will raise 2 Stanley Cups in his career to show Chara that his is worth nothing.
Here is a link for Summit comments and to post Summit pictures etc.that Shane in Brandon MB put together.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Montreal-Canadiens-We-Are-Fans-Summit/197390760316125
I do not know how it works, but I am sure all of you do.
Canadian World Juniors’ training camp list.
http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?id=45328
Zherdev to KHL as per Slava Malamud.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Interesting, I really thought he would end up in Wpg. Depsite what Mr. Bryzgalov says, there is a significant Ukranian/Russian community in Wpg. Of course there was also a former GM in the Peg (Mike Smith) whose mandate was to draft every Russian player possible.
Thanks for the update.
Good morning.
Not much hockey news,
except! Some teams have their own buses, jets etc.
But the Hab’s are now building a ferry to go from the island of Montreal to their practice facilities in Brossard. They have enough injuries on the ice as it is, let alone trying to cross falling bridges.
Sure hope the media is allowed on board so we can get reports on the training camp.
You should receive my courier today Ian!
Most are in now! Slackers might miss out, unless we sell some more pre-season tic’s before the end of the week.
Should be safer than the Montreal roads.
Heheh…I kid, I kid.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Any top 5 Hab player list that doesn’t have Aurèle Joliat on it is devoid of credibility imo.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
I am void then Bugs, I didn’t include him in my bottom 5. I hear the name, I read the stories, but is just too long ago for me. No disrespect meant.
But Doug Harvey was just last weekend, what?
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
There is enought footage and more recent stories that I can relate to his play, don’t worry I see the hypocrisy in my lists. Just my list is all.
Actually I just reviewed Joliat’s career numbers and looked at him related to scoring leaders. He was a very dominant player for a long time. Perhaps the fact he was in Morenz shadow for much of his career. Most interesting fact is his highest goal scoring year in the NHL was a season in which he played only 24 games yet scored 29! That is phenomenal. Much of his career was 48 game seasons, but never again achieved that high of a goal scoring year.
Yeah? Check out this beauty. 1984.
My very first Mtl Canadien memory. I was hooked for life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVRa34pbUe4
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Stopped reading Basu’s article when he began to explain how the Bruins “exposed Habs’ glaring weakness”.
Yeah, the way they PUMMELED us in 7 games with three wins in OT, boy, oh boy, our weakness sure was exposed, eh? Hooooo-wee, and to think that WITH our top2 d-men and most prolific scorer at the time out of the playoffs, man, it just woulda been WORSE, no?
Hey, can’t argue FACTS, huh?
We can only hope that management has addressed these (ahem) weaknesses in this off-season.
(rolls eyes)
…exposed our glaring weakness…
Ha!
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Forgive my homerism but if the team was healthy that series ends quicker and in our favour. Throw Cole into the mix and it’s even better.
Looking forward to this year
I was on record saying we’d take them in 4-5 WITH those players missing, “glaring weaknesses” and all.
With those players back?
(chuckle)
Let’s just say I hope we meet again.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
My ideal cup run includes Boston and Philly, because I can’t stand either team. Philly especially now that they are weak and ready to be nailed to the wall
I used to really enjoy Arpon’s articles, but recently I’ve been noticing more and more that he often just tries to stir the pot, creating some alarmist reaction to the state of team.
I don’t get it. The article is saying that if AK goes to the third line, he speculates that it could improve our 5-5 goal production. Do you disagree? What’s controversial about that?
There’s not much to report aside from opinions and speculations these days.
Of course, I offer the disclaimer that Basu is a fave of mine.
Not disagreeing with the point at all, just with the alarmist wording he has a tendency of using.
He is more of a blogger though, so I guess the subjective tone of his articles is acceptable.
You mean Arpon BaitsU?
What’s the problem? 5-5 scoring has not exactly been a strength. No? And it has been Boston’s strength. Yes? Isn’t that all he was saying?
For the record, I do not disagree with the fact that it was a close series and that we might have won were it not for injuries. I just think that we get a bit thin-skinned sometimes and kind of manufacture or exaggerate slights.
I don’t know what he said after “Bruins exposed Habs’ glaring weakness in playoffs.”
Because 7 games with three outta 4 wins in OT doesn’t “expose” sh*te.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
The sentence didn’t particularly reflect the content of the article for me. But, then again, I read it.
I’m not going to argue this to the death. It’s not a hill worth dying on.
We did suck 5 of 5 in that series. All of our goals were on the PP. It has been problem for the last couple years and that was with a healthy Markov, Jorges (no Max P though).
We also were up by two games in that series and we blew it. No matter what way you slice it and who we were missing the habs choked last year after being up two games.
If Habs choked up 2, then Bruins choked up 3-2.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
#6 Doug Harvey
#7 Patrick Roy
#8 Larry Robinson
#9 Ken Dryden
#10 Bob Gainey
Each were the best in the league at their position for most of their time in the league.
Edit: My age keeps me slanted to the modern era of NHL.
Roy topping Robinson, Dryden? For real dude?
——————————————————————-
“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Psalms 82:1-2
“We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” – Anais Nin
I felt his winning 2 cups almost on his own is a tremendous feat. He then went on to win 2 more for Colorado. To me flat out Roy was a better goalie than Dryden. Dryden was very good but played on by far the best teams in Hockey. End of day to me it is a top 10 list and orders can be flip flopped save for Rocket and Guy they are 1 and 2 for me!
M.Richard
Beliveau
Harvey
Geoffreon
Robinson
Plante
And many more!
IMO- many Habs are great, but who rounds out the top 10?
6. Robinson- his +120 season allows him to be ranked ahead of
7. Dryden- 6 Cups in 8 seasons- 57 losses in 8 seasons ranks him ahead of
8. Roy- great goalie with the ego to match- his 2 Cups with the Habs were not expected, but the 2 times he did win the team was not as bad as many people think. His butterfly style mirrored Glenn Hall and his anticipation was at times otherworldly. Next in line is
9. Henri Richard- there are many who will say stuff like “What’s he doing on this list? 11 Cups, Cup winning goals and a real Lion in Winter, Henri put other teams’ best players in his pocket.
10. Yvan Cournoyer- the speed, the ambidextrous use of his hockey stick, holy crap the speed! Big goals and flair, he was a Flying Frenchman to his core.
Truly the beauty of these lists for the Habs, is the tremendous amounts of choice. Hopefully in the coming years the argument can be made for a PK or Carey to start into the conversation.
Basu makes some good points but fails to mention AK will not be playing with top six talent on the third line, some what negating playing against the other teams bottom six.
Provided Eller comes back fit (which he should) and ready for most of training camp, the chemistry these two had should be a real compliment. If indeed they include DD on this line, there will be a tremendous skill set on this line. DD’s skills are right there with 1st and 2nd liners, it is his size and speed that keeps him from being on those lines. I think the level of competition faced as a 3rd line will outweigh this perceived lack of top 6 talent on this line. In theory this is the strongest 3rd line Montreal has had in years!
Good points.
Two days in a row posted links don’t work. Just sayin boys…..
“How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
~Jacques Plante
They work fine for me…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
everything you need to know about the dobber 300, they have tyler bozak ahead of p.k. subban.
Thanks for the heads up fun. I won’t wasre my time to read the list.
wow… that makes a person think they didn’t even review their own list. No one who knows anything at all about hockey, could ever rate Bozak over Subban. It’s laughable.
dobber 300 = the biggest joke on the internet for today
The Dobber listing is for points in a hockey pool, not necessarily saying that one player is better than another. Having said that, I still think that Subban could hit 50 in the near future.
ohhhhhh… Fun Police’s post made me think it was some kind of futures rankings… lol, sorry for bashing you to death dobber. I guess I’ll have to read the article next time.
There is still huge glaring errors in his report. Nazim Khadri to get more points than Max Pac? Khadri still may not even make the leafs team this year and if so will probably be on the 3rd line.
Tyler Bozak with the addition of Tim Connelly becomes the 3rd line center at best in Toronto.
Arbitrary list and all, but what else can we whine about on Aug. 3rd.
hahahahaha
Guys, I didn’t read the list either, but did read the preamble and he does state that guys ranked within 10 spots of each other are practically even in pool points ‘value’, so let’s not get too bent out of shape.
As far as Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak, those guys get the Toronto-TSN bump in Q value. If they were playing for the Panthers, you’d never hear about them, for good reason.
The Leafs forwards are playing musical chairs for spots on the Top 6. There are maybe two or three contestants and six chairs though. That’s how guys like Tyler Bozak make the Top 6.
Unfortunately, last season that’s Mr. Darche and Mr. Moen made the Top 6 as well.
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For my training camp surprise, I want the second coming of Mike McPhee. And maybe Kent Carlson.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Good read by Basu. Couldn’t agree more about AK. He will get plenty of top 6 time as we all know Martin juggles his lines frequently but he seems to be more productive as a 3rd liner. Gotta help our 5 on 5 play. Have a good day everyone.
As ambivalent as I am to the current Islanders, that’s a team that has won 4 Stanley Cups. It would be tragic for the team to move.
Not really. The Isles have no fans and Long Island is a cultural wasteland. The poet laureate of Long Island is Billy Joel – which says it all.
Easy does it, HFS72. Billy Joel wrote a lot of great songs and always put on a stellar show.
Billy Joel is one of the very few artists that cause me to change the station as fast as possible. Can’t put my finger on why, just absolutely cannot stand his music.
He’s the Phil Collins of Long Island.
Yup, that’s another one that gets the station change.
For me it’s Sting. I suspect these are all artists that in their peak, were so overplayed by radio stations that the brain has tuned them out. At least for me that is the case.
They have a terrible owner, haven’t won jack since 1993 (with some utterly soul-killing moves in the meantime) and play in what is almost universally considered the worst building in North American pro sports.
Dare I say it, if you threw the Habs in that situation, they’d be struggling to draw fans too.
They’re hardly Phoenix, the Isles have never failed to sell out a playoff game and have never resorted to 2 for $20 ticket deals to do so either.
Hard to argue with the Top 5. I like the Morenz pick at #5, but he could easily be swapped out for any other Canadien of the 50-60-70′s, specially Doug Harvey.
Nice spanning of the history of the Club, too.
As for the Islanders moving to Quebec… could luck with that.
“Only a goalie can appreciate what a goalie goes through.” – Jacques Plante
I guess I would have put Big Bird in at 5. Other than that, I would agree, hard as it is to not include Dryden or Roy.
Maybe we should discuss this as a top ten list by adding our own #6-10.
Harvey, Robinson, Dryden, Roy and ?????.
Lots of candidates to round out that last spot.
Like your additions, I go with the Russian opinion – Gainey.
Vezina, Lalonde, Moore, Joliat, Pocket Rocket, Boom Boom, Blake….
It’s truly unreal how many great players have suited up for Montreal.
After they build another bridge to replace the Champlain.
Stay Thirsty My Friends!
I never liked Husker Du. That stupid whiney vocals thing with the wall of crap sound never really did it for me.