Former Canadien Chris Nilan will have his own show on Montreal’s TSN Radio 690 beginning Monday, March 18.
Off The Cuff With Chris Nilan will air weekdays from 1-3 p.m., with Nilan also joining host Tony Marinaro on The Intermission from noon until 1 p.m.
“There is no other team I’d rather talk about and no other city I’d rather live in,” Nilan, who was a guest on the first Hockey Inside/Out show, said in a news release. “I’m honoured to join the home of the Montreal Canadiens and work with the same passionate Habs fans that welcomed me with open arms during my hockey career.”
Said Mitch Melnick, host of Melnick In The Afternoon on TSN Radio 690: “When Chris made it clear he wanted to pursue a career in broadcasting we made no promises. What we did do was open a door so he could reconnect to the city he loves and to the many fans who love him. To his credit, Chris has kicked that door down.”
Nilan spent 13 seasons in the NHL, including 10 with the Canadiens. He holds the franchise record for most career penalty minutes (2,670), but also scored in double figures three times in his career, including a 21-goal season in 1984-85 and 19 in 1985-86 when the Habs won the Stanley Cup.
Below is a feature story The Gazette’s Brenda Branswell wrote about Nilan when the documentary The Last Gladiators, focusing on his life, had its Montreal premiere last October. The film was released Tuesday on DVD.
(Photo by Allen McInnis/The Gazette)
Documentary brought Nilan to tears
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON OCT. 25, 2012
BRENDA BRANSWELL
THE GAZETTE
In the opening sequence of The Last Gladiators the only things visible on the black screen are Chris Nilan’s hands.
He points out past wounds from hockey fights: Teeth in his hand, a shattered knuckle, the spot where his finger was almost bitten off.
The documentary film about hockey enforcers features interviews with former National Hockey League tough guys about the role. There are clips from Marty McSorley, Tony Twist and the late Bob Probert, among others.
But the main focus is Nilan, who racked up more than 3,500 penalty minutes in his 13 years in the NHL and earned the nickname Knuckles.
Through interviews with Nilan, his family and childhood friends – along with former teammates and hockey writers – the film looks at his career, his slide into drug addiction after he retired and subsequent recovery.
Nilan was in tears when he first saw the documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
“It was tough for me to watch,” he said.
The focus on Nilan was because he was such an interesting character and “so exceedingly honest about himself, the league, everything,” said Alex Gibney, the director.
“And that made him just extraordinarily compelling.”
In the documentary, retired enforcer Todd Ewen, who played for the Habs in the early 1990s, described himself as a “regretful tough guy.”
“I loved the game of hockey and I didn’t like my role,” Ewen said.
Nilan said in an interview this week that he loved to fight, but didn’t grow up longing to be a fighter.
“I grew up with dreams of being Bobby Orr.”
When it became evident that wasn’t going to happen, Nilan said: “The fighting avenue opened up an opportunity to become a hockey player and that to me was key.”
Fighting was easy for Nilan. The hard part was becoming a hockey player, the guy who plays every shift with his line and can be relied on to play in different situations.
“I achieved those goals,” Nilan said. “And that to me, that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”
Nilan spent 10 seasons with the Canadiens and in three consecutive seasons in the mid-’80s scored 16, 21 and 19 goals, respectively.
He feels indebted to the Canadiens for not limiting him to one role.
“They weren’t satisfied with me just being a fighter- and that started from Day 1,” Nilan said. “(Former coach) Claude Ruel worked with me day in and day out. I loved the man. I mean, I absolutely love Claude Ruel.”
Others helped Nilan when he was with the Habs, like former coach Jacques Lemaire who told Nilan he fought too much.
“I almost didn’t trust him when he told me that,” recalled Nilan, because he grew up watching the Bruins in Boston and “once a guy stopped fighting he was out the door.”
“So if anything, like I said in the film, I kicked it up a notch.”
In the film, Nilan, who underwent 26 different surgeries over the years, talks about his struggles after he retired. He ended up taking painkillers, which helped in the short term, “but once I got addicted to them, I was a slave to it.”
He went into treatment for a few months, but began drinking again, and eventually starting taking pills again and shooting heroin.
After a bad car accident in which he narrowly missed an 18-wheeler, “I said I got to try and kick this stuff,” Nilan recounts in the film. He went into treatment again.
The most moving moments occur when Nilan and his father, Henry, a former Green Beret in the U.S. army, get emotional on screen. He was with his dad when the elder Nilan watched the film for the first time and was dying to see his response.
“And afterward he said to me: ‘Geez, I wish I was able to get the questions ahead of time.’”
Nilan believes it bothered his father in a sense that it comes out in the film that he was ashamed of his son. But Nilan sounds like he took it in stride. “If that’s his true feelings and that’s how he felt, then c’mon, that’s what it is,” Nilan said. “And that’s okay.
“It was hard for me to watch, but it’s okay because those were his feelings and he expressed them.
“They’re so happy I’m sober and clean,” he said of his parents. “It was hard on my family.
“My dad didn’t understand a lot of it. Listen, if I had cancer, if I had that disease, I think my father would have been so sympathetic to me.”
But Nilan’s affliction happened to be the disease of addiction, he added, and people look at that as self-induced.
Nilan said he strongly believes he would have had the same problem had he been a lawyer, a mailman or worked on the back of a garbage truck.
When he was approached for the film, Nilan had just come out of drug and alcohol treatment.
He believes many people identify with and like enforcers.
“But I don’t know if they really know what each and every guy goes through to fulfil that role that he has, which I believe is the most difficult role in sports,” he said.
“I hope people see just how tough it is for the guys to have played that role.”
He also believes the film will give people a sense of hope.
“No matter how bad things get in our lives, there’s al-ways something deep down inside us that we can tap into that will allow us to get back on our feet and change our lives.”
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Perry’s hit on Zucker;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VldS_u-7VGw
Yeeeaaaahhh!!!
Go Pens.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Way to go Matty, you called it.
I hoped it.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Booins lookin’ bushed.
2-2.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Another freaking 3 point game, argghhh!!!
a) Not necessarily. Pens are looking good, Brutals looking beat.
b) I coudln’t care less about P-burg getting a point. As long as the Bruins lose.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Yes!!!!!!!
They’re not even attacking! Pathetic.
Anyone know anything about the Bruins backup goalie? He is standing on his head.
Yeah, he’s a UFA. And he makes 875K.
Check out Julien’s reaction after penalty call.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-338osZJSE2w/UT_YDb3mqAI/AAAAAAACIU4/lwn0oB4W6oo/s529/julien.gif
What kind of powder are they sprinkling on Clod’s jelly donuts?
Bath salts?
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Was watching the game and saw that tonight lol was wondering if anyone was going to mention that
Yeah that made me laugh when I saw it live. He’s such a clown. He’s complaining there about Kunitz’s head snapping back… The guy got smacked in the mouth with a goalie paddle, so he reacted. It wasn’t embelishment in the least. But of course, anyone who draws a call against the “honorable” Bruins must be acting.
Julien should be worried about more important things anyhow, like how many doughnuts he’s going to eat on the plane ride home.
I think pretty much every high-sticking call is sold by the players, but *everyone* does it, and the contact is, after all, illegal.
Julien is indeed a clown. I’m sure his guys sell those every game.
Every player in the league reacts like all the contact to the face, no matter how minor, might have cut them for 20 stitches.
So this is a pretty funny story… until you get to the end, and see what the American guy says.
The U. S. of Craaazaay.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
It is Texas after all, you don’t mess with Texas.
Pretty scary.
Bruins backup is giving Pissburgh a Halaking tonite.
Greg Millen is awful, he and PJ Stock both add nothing to a hockey broadcast.
Haha what did he say?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
I have to defend our man Travis. Here is a link to the Moen-Thornton fight. Only 10% voted Thornton the winner, 40% voted Moen the winner, 50% called it a draw. Moen was the one throwing bombs and Thornton was the one hanging on. Moen can go with the middle weights, like Thornton. I think our boy deserves a little more love.
White and Moen are not fighting or hitting a lot because it is not a part of the Habs game plan. Going for the big hit often puts you out of position for the forecheck. The Leafs tried to play a physical style against the Habs last time – and failed miserably. I’ll take Montreal’s puck pressure style over that any day. It just means players like Moen, White, and Armstrong are worried about positioning on the ice more than punishing hits. The Habs are not going to win playing physically, so why try? They are not built like Toronto. They can win using their speed and it’s working.
I took a look again and you know what, Moen is a bit more aggressive in that scrap than I though. My bad.
And BTW, it’s my job to stick up for Moen around here!
.
And yeah, there’s no point in upgrading with a tougher guy than Moen, White or Armstrong unless Therrien reverts back to letting his 4th line fly around like wrecking balls again. He has clearly told them to cool it and play smart and avoid fighting.
I knew you would enjoy watching Thornton getting smacked around.
Come ON Pens, 5-on-3!!!
Jeezis…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
At this point, I’m forced into rooting for the Bs. As much as I don’t want them to win, Pittsburgh mounting a comeback will probably just result in a 3-point game, which I want even less.
Good Luck Knuckles!
Yay Mods!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Core Perry just tossed from the game after delivering a blindside headshot to Zucker.Zucker was down and out for 5min and was in Never Never land when helped off the ice.
Jets 3 Leafs 1, great game with great energy!
Awesome game Burly, fast, hard hitting and Clitsome tried to get Kessel to fight.
Byfuglien took over on the last goal, knocked Frasor like a lightweight and set up goal. Really enjoying watching this.
Same here, and there is another period to go…
Go Jets!
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Looks like the mods took care of business
Shots are 30-6 in favor of Panthers after 2 periods?
Ahhh fresh air!!!!
great job, thanks.
Woohoo!
Did they let you out of your padded room Frank?
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Jets just killed off a full 2min. 2 man powerplay by Leafs. Awesome to watch!
All this spamming reminds me of TelloHab, or Tellopost or whatever his name was. Just plugged his site and then would insult HIO.
It’s no mystery what happened to him.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Mods must have the night off.
Love it, Leafs had just tied Jets, but next shift Jets get lead back. Wunderbahr!
Delightful.
Bruins turned up for the first, Pens are awol.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Don’t understand why Pens are not up for a big game like this. They’ve got the B’s coming off an OT game and a backup goaltender.
Yeah, they’re very peripheral.
Mind you, the Bruins are working hard.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
If you are a contending team but your goalies playoffs stats are as follows….26 games played 8w 15l… gaa 2.84 save% .90 ..i wonder how many fans on this site would say that does not look good for that team…These stats belong to Price and he has to elevate his game in the playoffs…
Ok, I will bite. 4 wins 8 losses, 3.50 .895% playoff career of Conn Symth winning goalie before he won the cup. I let you figure out who that is.
See the size of the guy Ottawa acquired.. Mark Kassian for 6th round pick. And dont knock his ‘pedigree’ although he has not beeen successful so far. H e was drafted in the 2nd round(57th).Who knows with a coach like Maclean this may be a diamond in the rough. I know I would have taken him.
Matt Kassian. Big, mean, not a hockey player. Ottawa doing knee-jerk stuff in response to Toronto’s goon tactics. Kassian was on waivers a few weeks ago and anyone could have had him for free … all passed. Tells you something.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Didnt know he was on waivers. I think this EASTERN division will be HELL come playoffs time. I dont disagree with the move.. for 6th rnd pick.
Just really weird that they would pick him up in a trade adn not of of waivers :s
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Agree that it’s knee-jerk. What will the Senators do with this guy? Who will they take out to put him in and what effect will it have? Could mess up their lines (as Scott seems to have done in Buffalo).
Paul McLean is as old school as it gets. He even makes me wonder sometimes
. He and Randy Carlyle are both firm believers that winning fights helps win hockey games. Claude Julien is a member of that club as well.
Two of them are Stanley Cup winning coaches as well.
P-Burg taking it to the Pooh-ins, but lots of long shots with nobody in front of the net.
Incredible how similar Boston looks to Montreal, first period was work, work, work, skate, skate, skate; now it’s contain-contain.
There’s really freakin’ little between our teams.
And for those who place a lot of worth in size, Pens aren’t much different to us, and I don’t see the Booinz pushing them around. I think people who say we get hammered by Boston are too sensitive to checks put on us during our games.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Watching the Jets vs. Leafs game on Leafs TV is virtually identical to watching a Bruins game on NESN except the Leafs aren’t as good as the Bruins.
Didn’t Burkie build both those teams?
Essentially yes, but he’ll deny helping build the Leafs.
Re/Anthony Stewart. I think he is playing in the AHL with the Kings farm club. He was playing in England during the lockout I believe. He was a real Power Forward in Junior 10yrs ago with the Fronts. Explosive speed and natural touch around the crease. Not a scrapper but could dust the goons with ease. He was injured in FLA with the Panthers and was never quite the same again.Haven’t seen him play in awhile . Hope he is getting it together because he was one of my favourites.Saludos!
I lived in Oshawa when Stewart played for Kingston and Ben Eager played for the Generals, both were the leaders of their respective teams. Both fantastic power forwards in junior. Stewart was supposed to have a bit more offensive upside but has never found his stride in the NHL. Eager is unfortunately having a tough time with concussions.
Chris Nilan talking about Claude Ruel: I shed a tear or two just reading it. Cause I loved them both for the memories and dedication they gave this franchise.. Wish you the best Chris. I have to admit that I am a little scared for you in this new endeavour caus eyou may be hurt… cause you are too honest and raw without pretense. Best of wishes and I am pulling for you.
“They weren’t satisfied with me just being a fighter- and that started from Day 1,” Nilan said. “(Former coach) Claude Ruel worked with me day in and day out. I loved the man. I mean, I absolutely love Claude Ruel.”
This Nilan quote hits home with me:
“No matter how bad things get in our lives, there’s al-ways something deep down inside us that we can tap into that will allow us to get back on our feet and change our lives.”
Nice quote and he has had to in his life. I fear for him on radio “all on his own” but God I wish him major success. He deserves our love.
When i first heard he had his own show, I immediately hoped he’d be provided with a great co-host. It’s a tough gig!
If Moen was the Moen of 2 or 3 years ago, I would be absolutely fine with our 4th line. He has lost a lot of his edge and tenaciousness. I think it has to do with concussion issues.
yardbarker.com; http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxer_tracks_down_twitter_troll_forces_him_to_apologize/13120864
TROLLS: …those that hide behind a keyboard in some dark dank corner and attack, demean or slander another human being, including public celebrities such as athletes
…this link is an amusing story of a boxer in England that had friends trace the troll, and showed up at the troll’s home
Copy cat
…did You write up the same link Frank ? …sorry, just came in and hadn’t read any other comments
…where’s Yours ?
…I’ll pay You a royalty if it makes You feel better
Beat you by 16 minutes. Is a Royalty anything like a Crown Royal?
…no, a phone number of a hot Thai girl I know
…almost as good ?
Uhhhh, I posted it too!!
(I accept personal checks and money orders)
—Hope Springs Eternal—
The Hockey News talks up the Hab Defense;
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/50539-Defencemen-Subban-Markov-give-Canadiens-attack-punch-from-the-back-end.html
Shots 11-5 for Pittsburgh but Boston leads 2-0.
Re: Your most recent comment about Price, Perhaps it was the three earlier posts disparaging Price I noticed.
And they deserve the lead… Pittsburg have been tentative and careless in this game… in my opinion.
The road to the Cup Final in the East definitely runs through Boston. While I despise everything the current Bruins stand for, they are the team to beat.
Which is why I have been thinking all day to ‘let them have 1st place’ I dont want our guys burnt out tying to ootdo them in the standings. Of course it doesnt work that way cause our guys are professionals.
I always thought a dumb brute was just that. So I don’t get the concept behind the drive to get a dumb brute to intimidate another team’s dumb brute. Dumb brutes cannot be intimidated. Death himself can not stop players like Cooke or Neil from injuring another team’s stars. Only the league either legislating such things out of the game or seriously addressing NHL hockey culture issues will do that. So the real question is, do dumb brutes win you hockey games? The answer is no. The next question might be whether they can stop the other team from injuring your players and the answer again is no. The whole goon, fighter issues is a side bar to scoring and preventing goals.
A good team coached by a good coach does not get distracted by side bars or let the other team dictate the play.
The Prust experiment has proven that hardy and tough hockey players are what is required in our uber-physical sport. Gallagher — may he play many years without concussion — is another example of just how that works. Emelin, face plates and all, taking Chara’s “justice”, is another way that works.
I suppose some might say it is a question of whether you take your scotch neat or on ice. But I will never drink a scotch with a guy like Neil whereas I would stand Mr. Nilan the drink of his choice, even should he choose soda. Cheers.
How to deal with an annoying troll;
http://larrybrownsports.com/boxing/curtis-woodhouse-twitter-troll/178612
That’s fantastic.
Really great to see people fighting back against online bullying.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Pittsburgh’s goaltending is a sad and cruel joke to an otherwise stacked roster.
If the playoffs started today (or the day after Diaz and Bourque are healthy), this conference would belong to one of only two well-rounded teams in the entire conference, and you can guess who.
Fleury and/or Vokoun can not win playoff series against a serious team.
Ottawa may continue to perservere through adversity, but I wouldn’t bet on its sustainability.
No need mortgaging the future. Add a little toughness up front and on D, otherwise go with what we have. Shouldn’t have to give up any crucial building blocks to achieve this. Swapping some redundant parts i.e 5’8 forwards or small puck moving dmen. We have a lot of those. Maybe adding a 2nd rounder to sweeten the offer but not a great prospect or 1st rounder IMO.
A 4th, 5th or 6th defenseman and a tough 3rd or 4th liner and I’m happy. Defensemen must be able to handle 17mins a game and the forward at least 10mins, for starters.
Agreed, and like I said getting those two pieces shouldn’t mean having to give up a Tinordi, Beaulieu, Dietz or a 1st round pick. Again, IMO.
Hobie, what do you think about the players I mentioned below, A. Stewart and Peckham? Not that they’re being marketed, but I am sure they are available.
I think they provide adequate ability without shaking the core and would cost zero in the way of significant assets. Also no contract commitments.
Is Anthony Stewart in the NHL at the moment. He looked like a sure fire power forward coming out of junior. I heard he was getting into trouble off the ice. Saw him make stops in ATL, CAR and maybe FLA? A couple years ago I thought that maybe he won’t make it as a top 6 anymore and could make a good grinder. Haven’t heard his name in a long while though.
And Peckham, I know he’s tough as nails but is he an upgrade over Boullion? Would he crack our top 6 D. If not I’d rather a guy who can play every night, even if it means sacrificing a bit of toughness.
Stewart was in England but now Manchester of the AHL.
He was good for Atlanta two seasons ago, 14 goals, 25 assists (a minus 10 but it was the Thrashers), last year in Carolina he had 9 goals in 77 games, but was only given 8 mins a game, ended a -2. Again, not a good team to play for much of last year, but his stats still don’t look bad considering the TOI.
Peckham is much the same story. And with stats that were relatively equal with Bouillon while Peckham was playing for the lowly Oilers, you could argue he has been better last year and the year before compared to Bouillon – as well as 6 inches taller, 40 lbs heavier, and 12 years younger.
Not bashing Bouillon, I’ve always liked him, just noting the realities.
I’d wager that Peckham would do more for this team than A. Stewart, who is in the AHL currently (doing well there), but if we’re just looking for a 4th liner, I don’t see him as a downgrade, that’s for sure. As for him off the ice, I haven’t got a clue. Of course, that’s always a serious aspect to consider.
If Peckham was a solid 6th D I’d take him in a second. Just haven’t seen him play enough or heard enough about him.
In the Oilers games i have been subjected to due to living without cable and waching HNIC night games from across the lake over the years, I’d say he fits the bill well. But I’m no scout.
I mentioned in a few other posts today that I like Smid. I usually catch a few Oilers games a year and his name comes up a lot on the Oilers blue line. Peckham has been hurt for many of the games I’ve seen.
I appear to have identified the wrong dorval down below.
Sounds like him though so maybe a DNA test is in order
Congrats Knuckles!
One of my prized Habs items is a photo of Chris with his fist up the side of a certain Tiger’s face. Yes he was a Canuck but Chris was well aware of my anti anything Boston stance and he signed it,
“Buck Foston, Go Habs!”
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” (anon)
Just a clarification. When I mentioned Price’s fatal flaw (giving up heartbreakers) some of you interpreted this as an attack on our hero.
Remember Greek mythology.
The flaw doesn’t diminish the hero – it is what makes him heroic .
In case you missed it. Bourque resumed skating today and Diaz was cleared for off ice work outs.
Very good to hear. Concussions are always scary.
Trading Price for Peckham ? Surly this was suggested as a joke?
Someone did say it, but yes I took it as a joke lol
Yeah that was me, it was a total joke. but can you argue cap space?
Go Habs Go
Ron meet Tony. HIO’s longest running troll and President of the Halak Fan Club.
Gotcha. Thanks for clarification.
Is dorvaltony the same as tony242, tony, etc?
Yep
Believe so and another HIO poster had a very public spat with Dreger. Or vice verse.
Gotta put it out there…halak has an average of just under 18 shots a game and a save percentage of 881.
As a Price supporter coming off a couple weeks of hearing my guy get bashed I have to put that out there…
I don’t know if Habs will do much at trade deadline.
I don’t see which of the top 4 D-men would move down
Markov – Emelin
Subban=Gorges
are pretty good top four.
Frankie B is doing the job and Diaz will be back.
I wouldn’t want them to give much away for insurance.
As for forwards- again – good chemistry.
The guys who have been disappointing during the season – e.g. Moen or Armstrong are exactly the type of guys teams trade for at the deadline – and this is why they were signed.
Hopefully someone will want to pick up Kaberle.
And while we’re on the subject HAPPY 60TH RON JEREMY !!
He’s big. He clears creases. Sign him up.
Good one! And he plays both ends too.
May he live l-o-n-g and prosper!
It just wouldn’t be right if he didn’t live to at least 69
________________________________________
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Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Top 30 scoring defensemen;
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/statistics/?show=skaters&sortcol=7&sortdir=desc&prefilter=0-0
I do want Peckham, but not for Price lol
He should be able to be had for almost nothing.
I would say adding Peckham, even if he only plays against certain teams, and someone like Anthony Stewart to replace Armstrong makes this team a lot bigger and tougher, and therefore better. If the 4th line is not going to hit, they could at least score OCCASIONALLY. They do nothing.
EDIT should have been better, not two biggers
I’m not sure what Therrien is up to? It looks as though he’s told White and Moen to hold back. I don’t mind him telling them not to take stupid penalties and instigate fights but they’re not banging and crashing like they seemed to be doing the first 5-10 games.
I wouldn’t mind Therrien a loosening their leashes a tad more but you can’t argue when the wins keep piling up.
I agree regarding complaining while leading the conference. Doesn’t seem right. But while I don’t necessarily want to add a brawler, we need someone who will smash a body here and there, and discourage thuggery. That doesn’t mean we need our own thug, just someone like Prust but a little more physically capable.
As for Moen and White, I could see reigning in White because he was completely bonkers earlier in the year, but Moen knows how to keep balanced and not cross the line. He had more intensity on a line with Plekanec under Martin. That’s inexcusable. He should be playing like Bourque, with less skill mind you.
Again, it seems like Therrien has stopped the 4th line from playing aggressive/smart hockey and told them to only play smart hockey.
Sounds great but a little more jump there would be nice. It’s like Therrien said to everyone that Prust is the only guy allowed to run at people and drop the gloves out there?
I say its a possibility, but Moen just looks limp out there. You can be smart and not be a daisy. Armstrong is more noticeable than Moen in terms of forechecking. He’s just more offensively challenged than Moen, a feat in itself, which is why I would give him the boot upstairs first. Dumont also looked better than any of those three.
Go Pens!
Go Jets
Am I forgetting anybody?
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Hey Nilan,
Congratulations!
My brother owned a Nilan “30″ jersey and I wore it when ever I could . I owned a Ludwig “17″; maybe the only Ludwig ever sold – literally.
Ludwig is exactly what the Habs need right now. That guy was an awesome stay at home defender. Chelios skated with the puck and he guarded the rear.
Subban could use a guy like that, hmmmmm.
Tinordi? Rome is not rebuilt in a day
Go Habs Go
Tinordi for sure!
Tinordi…. i love saying that name
Go Habs Go
Actually, Rome would work as well…
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pUYqTE3cnuQ
I just thought of something teams are always on the looking for goaltending would Budaj be up for grabs?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
why would he be? so far he has done a stellar job as a backup goaltender.. we need that kind of option come playoffs.. (Read: Cam Ward breakout playoffs) it’s happened before and can happen again.. the return would not be enough, as he has barely played on a consistent basis in MTL, and is on the last year of his contract (I think). we shouldn’t trade him, but we should be leaning towards keeping him in MTL after his contract runs up.. he’s as good a backup option while still not conisdering the games he plays a “throw away”
Go Habs Go
Why would we trade him ?
Not only is he the perfect number 2 goaler for the Habs but if there was one position in the organization where we are poor and understocked , it is in the goaler position. Let`s just hope they stay healthy in Montreal…
I was just curious if there was a certain player that we could get and a decent deal to trade him, was just curious.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Sigh Edmonton needs D and a Goalie
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Not so sure Edmonton needs defensemen? They need to resign who’ve they got got right now, 3 UFAs, or find replacements this summer.
Bob Mckenzie is saying they’re looking for forwards of the bigger and tougher variety, imagine that, to go along with their youngsters who are too one dimensional with no grit.
Mckenzie could be labeled a neanderthal, truculent, Don Cherry loving bastard for making a comment like that about the Habs on this site.
they need tough leadership that can contribute offensively to give them more balance in their lineup – and then they can build 3 scoring lines.
They have some veterans but those guys don’t score and don’t create offense.
Not sure the Habs would risk trading their captain, who’s playing very well right now, to Edmonton for Smid. Bergevin would have more flexability this summer because Smid is a UFA, like Ryder, and Gionta’s contract is gone.
Nobody likes living in Edmonton and Gionta is under contract for one more year. Gionta isn’t big and tough, but he’s a leader. Would Edmonton trade Smid or Whitney for Gionta?
Montreal could make another move for a forward at the deadline as well….
Trade Price for Peckham… (he still plays there right?) this way we get that crease clearing D AND cap space… win win right?
Go Habs Go
I see your point. But like I said, I think Bourque coming back from injury, trading Gionta for Smid and then sending a couple 2nd round picks to SJ for Clowe, makes Montreal a better overall team.
Bergevin might be busy scrambling to sign players this summer but at least we’ll have taken a shot without giving up too much
On the Edge is on Sportsnet features the Blades and two Habs prospects are on the team.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Kassian must not be all that tough. He averaged just over 2-minutes a Game in the NHL. unless he’s a smart tough Guy that don’t get many penalties.
I looked up possible UFAs and compiled a list of players MTL might be interested in:
Semin RW 6’2 209 SNP
Iginla RW 6’1” 210 PWF/VET
Perry RW 6’3” 210 SCR/AGI
Horton RW 6’2” 229 PWF
Ryder RW 6’0” 198 SCR/SNP
Clarkson RW 6’1” 200 SCR/AGI
Crombeen RW 6’2” 209 AGI/DFF/GDR
A. Stewart RW 6’3” 230 PWF/B6
Fehr RW 6’4” 212 B6/SCR
Morrow LW 6’0” 205 VET/DFF/GDR
Clowe LW 6’2” 225 PWF/AGI/T6
Cleary LW 6’0” 208 VET/DFF/B6
Cooke LW 5’11”205 AGI/DFF
Stalberg LW 6’3” 209 SPD/2WF/2SCR
Miller LW 6’2” 178 DFF/B6
Hendricks LW 6’0” 211 GDR/B6
Mashinter LW 6’4” 230 BIG
Bickell LW 6’4” 233 DFF/B6/PWF
Hainsey D 6’3” 210 2WD
Regehr D 6’3” 225 VET/SDD/PHY
Scuderi D 6’1” 219 VET/DFD
Smid D 6’3” 210 SDD/AGI/DFD
Fistric D 6’2” 233 DFD/PHY
Woywitka D 6’3” 227 VET/DFD
Lovejoy D 6’2” 215 DFD
Pelech D 6’4” 235 SDD/PHY
What do you think? Did I miss anyone?
Clowe, Stewart and Hainsley for the play-off run vs the Booins and the Laff’s please!
Personal top three for each position:
RW: Horton, Clarkson, Crombeen
LW: Clowe, Stalberg, Cleary
D: Smid, Fistric, Woywitka
Ryder if he keeps up the good work could easily get a one year deal or two years. Regehr maybe liked him in Calgary, If we somehow got Morrow, or Iginla that would be awesome
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
This is probably Ryders last chance to get a big contract. I see him trying to sign a 3-4 year contract, for as much as he can get. Tough though. Lots of good RWs available
I would almost feel bad for Ryder if the Habs only offered a one year deal, would rather they let him walk. Gainey only ever offered him short term.
A. Stewart RW 6’3” 230 PWF/B6 – If the price is right
Semin RW 6’2 209 SNP YES!!!
The D are fine… need bottom pairings no?
Go Habs Go
Umm huge no for Semin for me, I wouldnt trade the zamboni driver for him. He is a sniper no doubt, but no heart, no grit. Much rather a 15 goal scorer with grit which will surely be more valuable when the going gets tough in the playoffs.
Chris Nilan is a courageous man who is honest and true.
I am proud he wears the CH and I salute him.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
I don’t think there’s anything to not like about him. Even with that thick Boston accent, he has all of my respect.
Also proud that he wears the CH so proudly
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
I also want to congratulate Chris for coming out on top on one of the hardest battles one can fight – addiction. I’m really happy he has his own show now and look forward to tuning in regularly. I hope he also does the Habs Inside Out show with Stubbs and Stu Cowan again. The last one was terrific!
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
+1
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Man, I you tubed his fights, he fought every tough guy and then some, he truly was a courageous warrior.
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
What a beautiful picture!
http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/feature/?ID=10841
The future suddenly seems bright
The future so bright, I gotta wear shades
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
Our kids are just spectacular.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
WTF is going on with the ex NHL’ers…Nails at 55 looks 75 and Stan Jonathon at 57 looks like Chief Dan George. At 54, you guy’s are freaking the Crap outta me so go talk to Vince McMahon and do what ever the hell he’s on. On the others side of the coin…”I FEEL PRETTY”
Pretty doesn’t begin to capture all that you are!
That’s what my 29 year old wife “a knock-out ,yeah baby!”say’s too…
And that’s the best part of being me ,when my old lady gets old it means I’M DEAD.
We need a facepalm emoticon.
You wife is that bad ,eh?
Yo Poopwash,yer no Picard
http://i.imgur.com/zF7tUxU.gif
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Real mature there Dude.
____________________
DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Who out of all the contenders in the league will make a trade? Or for for which team will make an impacting trade for a post season run?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Bruins – guaranteed. And it will probably be a good one too.
Heavyweights
Ottawa: Neal, Kassian
Boston: Thornton, Lucic, Chara
Buffalo: Scott
Toronto: Orr and McLaren
Montreal: None
We’re in 1st place though so who cares right!
Now you get it!
You two get “the special persons category” for thinking Kassians on the Sens .
Then what category are you in for thinking that he’s not?
I wouldn’t put Neal and Thornton as heavyweights, or you have to include Moen as a heavyweight. I think this is why Ottawa got Kassian; because they don’t have a true heavyweight.
Neil 6′ 1″ 215lbs
Thornton 6’2″ 217 lbs
Moen 6′ 2″ 218 lbs
Moen can hold his own with Thornton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdCh1d4-CdI
Agree Neil is not a heavyweight
Tell that to Chara, Orr, Lucic and the rest of the heavyweights he fights without invitation?
Moen gets destroyed if he fights one of those guys.
Moen might be in the heavyweight class but doesn’t show it. Neil and Thornton are much more aggressive and are better fighters.
I saw Moen fight Thornton last year and was thankful he held on. Thornton was just licking his chops when Moen was forced to go with him.
I love Moen but he’s a class below all the above mentioned names.
Thornton is not all that big, but he fights pretty much all comers. He’s nearing his ‘use by’ date. The John Scotts of this world are in another dimension and he, like most mortals, is out of his depths…. and age has caught up.
Live by the sword…
I posted a link above of the fight with Thornton and Moen. I would have given the edge to Moen, he threw the bigger shots and missed, Thornton was completely tied up. A draw at worst.
I don’t disagree with you that Moen is not as a successful fighter as Neil. But Moen could go with Neil and probably hold his own. He certainly wouldn’t back down.
Prust can go with Neil, and already has this year. In this sense, Neil is not an intimidating player to Montreal as fighters like McLaren and Orr, who are true heavyweights. I wouldn’t want anyone on Montreal to fight them, just too big and dangerous. I’m still thankful that McLaren didn’t hurt Gorges.
Not to beat a dead horse…
Yes Moen held his own with Thornton but that’s just it, he held on. No way Moen was opening up and exchanging punches with Thornton.
So lets just say Thornton nails Subban into the boards head first. I think Moen would be very reluctant to jump in, he probably would, but he wouldn’t send much of a message buy just hanging on. If he opened up, he’d get creamed.
IMO
Caught Nilan doing colour commentary a few Saturdays ago. I enjoyed it and I’m sure he’ll be a success in this new venture.
Wow, I took one major beating on that other thread, haha! Just checked it and my ears are still ringing!
C’mon…you’ve taken worse…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Nah… Bill’s always been a “do goody good” little boy.
Make sure your profile is up to date. I’m sure there will be a commission cheque coming your way from our hosts.
Great gig for Nilan.
Now save TSN 690 so he can keep it a long time.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
What I’d like to know is what happened to the Tieman show?
They were announcing it as Randy’s show (at least last week)
and he’s still on CTV, but nowhere on TSN, except for the phone in
in the morning.
I think Tieman left the radio station a while back (December):
http://blog.fagstein.com/2012/12/22/randy-tieman-tsn/
Have to listen on the computer from the office now.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
if this damn chicken doesn’t get the hell out of my way, he might find out the hard way why I’m a big “Family Guy” fan. Or I might just call Knuckles in here to take care of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4WGQmWcrbs
I can only assume you mean that St Hubert ad that others have mentioned.
Gotta love Firefox and Adblock!
Can’t see a darn thing! Almost miss not seeing what excites…almost
Word.
Ads? What ads?
Goddam grammar police!!!
ad (plural ads). (informal) Short form of advertisement. I have placed both of the ads in the newspaper as instructed. … ad definite accusative adı plural adlar …
I was just remarking that I don’t have any ads either. Sheesh!
My bad but the “word” lead me astray.
Delmas wins honor in ECHL;
http://www.echl.com/delmas-named-reebok-hockey-echl-goaltender-of-the-week-p182493
TSNBobMcKenzie – OTT acquires tough guy Matt Kassian from MIN for a 6th round pick in 2014.
Wasn’t he on waivers earlier?
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Yep and no takers…did the Bruins frightened them last night?
6th rounder isn’t much more than waivers, even though the odd player may make the NHL. Prehaps we should also pick up some 4th line Beef.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
unless you’re Trevor Timmins…
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Why pay for a goon when Steve McIntyre and Trevor Gillies are available for free?
Those guys are completely nuts. Get them both and unleash them on the Bruins and the Leafs.
Senators are clearly getting ready to play Boston in playoffs. They also probably didn’t like the physical abuse the took from the Rags last spring.
Wow he was free on the waiver wire -_-
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
The arms race in the NE continues. Murray is an old-school kind of guy, so this move doesn’t surprise me.
By old-school do you mean prone to knee-jerk responses?
I would guess that Mr. McLaren has until the 30th of March to suffer a short term lower body injury that will need to re-occur on the 20th of April and any other time they play the Leafs play the Sens. Otherwise he is about to become a persistent headache for the Leafs.
The Bruins, Senators , and the Maple Leafs would LOVE for the Canadiens to mess with their own roster and replace one of their useful, 10+ minute per game fourth liners with a useless 4-minutes-on-the-ice-9-minutes-in-the-penalty-box “tough guy”. Marc Bergevin’s challenge is to stick with the philosophy that’s been working for his team so far.
HabsWorld’s 3 stars for February;
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=3029
Robert’s weekly prospect update;
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/33133/
Man would love to have a Nilan on our team again or do we already have one in Prust?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Sweet, I was getting so sick of Simon and that other goof!
One thing I hope knuckles can do is use his popularity to give Montreal some attention nationwide. It’s just Toronto, Toronto and more Toronto all the time.
TSN Toronto now has that radio show with Dave Naylor, I think his name is, broadcast across the country on television in the afternoon to go along with Bob McCowan on Sportsnet.
All the regular TSN and Rogers nationwide programing comes from Toronto as does the CBC. Why not show Mitch Melnick in the afternoon on TSN some afternoons instead of this Naylor guy?
Not sure how it isn’t good business to have more of a presence in some of the other cities instead of 24/7 Toronto all the bloody time across the country.
I totally agree. I was listening to Naylor on my way home tonight with Steve Simmons. I find 90% of Simmons’ opinions are ridiculous to put it mildly. Both guys thought today that the shoot-out fiasco by that Ottawa guy, (not going to try his name, let’s say Caspar) was a good move that just didn’t work. Naylor gets some good guests and he knows football but it would be good to here a perspective from outside the GTA. But to recap, Simmons is a moron.
“man, I love winnin’; you know, it’s like better than losin’?”-
Ebby Calvin “Nuke” Laloosh
Simmons tries to be “edgy” yet fails. Typical Sun Media hack.
SImmons gets really old really annoying really fast I can only stand listening to him for 10 minutes on the reporters, Naylor isn’t as bad but I think a few hours of those guys is a bit much.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
If I turn on TSN or Sportsnet on the television in the afternoon I see the radio shows from Toronto. Why don’t I see Mitch Melnick in Montreal on TSN or the Sportsnet Ottawa radio show guys in Ottawa?
How hard is it to get a couple small TV cameras and do a live TV show from Ottawa or Montreal, like they do in Toronto, rather than forcing people from Ottawa and Montreal to watch the Toronto radio guys.
This is great news! I love listening to Knuckles when he’s on the air with Mitch, can’t wait to listen to his show
Way to go Knuckles! The Intermission hasn’t been the same since PJ left.
“You’re always, always, always looking to make your team better. Always.”- Marc Bergevin
Probably better if PJ is gone.
Hopefully Nilan’s show will be better than PJ Stock’s show which was very amateurish IMO…..
Good job 690. Knuckles will provide an interesting insight to the Habs. I’ve said this before, he’s the only person with a Boston accent I like.
They really don’t like it when we go over 1000
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
2nd !!!
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
First, yea boy
“It’s not an obsession, It’s a way of life..”
Problem with trading Gionta is that he has a full no trade clause, so he would have to approve the deal. I think that is why New Jersey is the perfect trade partner. Playing with his brother and going back to an organization he knows well would be appealing to Gionta. All this being pure speculation; no idea if Bergevin even wants to trade Gio.
I sometimes wonder, if I went on a Bruins Forum, if i’d be reading a lot of comments to trade Chara, Rask, Bergeron, Seguin and/or Lucic. Are other fans like Habs fans? Players commonly mentioned here are Gio, Plex, PK, Markov and Price. I just don’t get it at all.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
!00%. I like Gio but having 3 guys in that size range(5’7 – 5’9) is a problem. And no way in hell should they get rid of Gallagher and DD is a good creative centerman so Gio is the odd man out in my books.
I don’t usually like to trade away the guys who have bleed blue, red and white but even a blind man can see the habs are too small up front and on D. It is just the way the NHL is. Small and Speedy might win you the Swedish Elite League but not the Stanley Cup.
BTW, I have no desire in becoming a goon squad but a little more size and toughness is a must for those grueling 7 game series.
You’re the only one there?
Sounds A-MA-ZING!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
My comment should of been a separate post because it was meant to refer more to PK, Price, Markov, and Plex. All of who are mentioned regularly on here in trade scenarios.
“They don’t hang Conference Championship Banners from the rafters here”
Carey Price
Wow! How refreshing!
Why bother, when you’re both here?
(and I can think of 1,000 more people that I’d like to chat with than PoolFool)
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I would never want to trade any of those players you listed.
Well, maybe Markov next year at the trade deadline. His contract will be up and I hope Beaulieu will be ready to step in and eat up some of his minutes.
Clearly you missed the blah blah blah post then Matty
Wonder if they are talking about Matty right about now?
Heh heh.
I spotted that and responded.
Wonder if HFMTL is getting some kind of commisison on it…
Why do people have so many problems with pressing refresh?
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Seriously, which one of you or HabsFanMtl is running that site? I mean this is like the fourth post in 20 minutes essentially advertising a website in direct competition with this website.
No, really, it sounds very interesting!
Do go on.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Come on, buddy. You’ve tried twice already and no one bit. Give it a rest.
MODS!!!
Get rid of this nonsense.
It’s clogging up the page like nosehairs and soap in the bathroom sink.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
They’d better be…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
If your having such a great time with your playmates on that site, why not just stay over there. No need to troll here.
Call it whatever you like. The bottom line is you’re effectively spamming a website here for shameless advertising, and have 3 members to show for it(2 of which are you, the advertisers).
Maybe they prefer a handsfree chat room?
Get lost.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Take this for whats its worth Fool, if you continue with your plugging your going to need your site for you and your playmates because you maybe are close to being removed from here. Your choice
@HabsFan
LOL!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I mentioned down below, these fellows seem to really like the idea of a handsfree chat room, why else the big push on not hitting refresh?
I’d love to see some handsfree chatting from them!!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Wow. that is ridiculous. Talk about quitting on their coach.
I don’t get it.
Why are people complaining about 3-point games?
How in Gad’s name would Boston getting 2 points be better? They’re in our division. If they pass us, we go to 4th. If Pitt passes us, we go to 2nd.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Sweet, dude. Well jinxed. 3 2
If it’s a 3-pointer we’re down to 4th no matter what.
Bruins would get 38 points, like us, with less games.
If Pens win, they tie us for points, though with 1 game more than us.
No, don’t want Boston to get any points.
Are you sure we go to 4th?
Games played doesn’t come into the equation.
It’s whoever has most wins.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Replay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPcod8IS214
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
I’ve seen this movie before.
How the Sens are defying logic is beyond me, but they are. I’m not sure either of them are stronger than the Habs are, right now.
It’s my favourite hockey movie – never gets old !
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
I’m excited for the Jays too
But Toronto beat Winni last season when the leafs were blowing it their own fans chanted that
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