The Pittsburgh Penguins knocked the Canadiens out of first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over the visiting Boston Bruins on Sunday afternoon.
Sidney Crosby, with his 13th goal of the season, and Joe Vitale scored for the Penguins and Tomas Vokoun stopped 31 shots as Pittsburgh won its ninth straight game to improve to 22-8-0 and move two points ahead of the Canadiens (19-5-4). Boston trails the Canadiens by one point with a 19-5-3 record.
Evgeni Malkin missed his fifth straight game for the Penguins with an upper-body injury.
“It seems like it’s always different guys, so that’s what you need in order to have success consistently,” Crosby told reporters after the game. “We’ve been getting that lately. Our depth is a big part of our success. We need to continue to show that.”
The Penguins played the final two periods without defenceman Kris Letang following a collision with the Bruins’ Brad Marchand.
Crosby leads the NHL scoring race with 13-35-48 totals in 30 games and is eight points ahead of teammate Chris Kunitz, who was in second place following Sunday’s game with 18-22-40 totals.
The Canadiens were given the day off Sunday following their 2-1 win over the Devils Saturday night in New Jersey and will return to the ice at 11 a.m. Monday in Brossard as they prepare for Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690). The Canadiens then travel to Long Island to face the Islanders on Thursday, before the Sabres visit the Bell Centre again on Saturday.
Next week the Canadiens are in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and Boston on Wednesday.
Buckle up the chinstraps.
The Canadiens announced Sunday that they have signed defenceman Darren Dietz to a three-year entry-level contract. The Canadiens selected Dietz in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2011 NHL entry draft. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has 24 goals and 34 assists in 72 games this season with the Saskatoon Blades. He also has 100 penalty minutes and is a plus-9.
(Photo by Vincent Pugliese/ Getty Images
Jarred Tinordi’s hard work pays off with first NHL point, by Pat Hickey
Canadiens vs. Devils photo gallery
A St. Patrick’s Day hangover for Montreal sports fans, by Jack Todd
Penguins top Bruins 2-1 for ninth straight win, by The Associated Press
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The most impressive thing about Subban this year might just be his six penalties in 22 games.
Stop stealing my posts, Tom!
Haha. Steve, when did you post that?
I sincerely haven’t seen it. So let’s just say that great minds think alike.
Just yanking your chain.
During the past year I have mentioned (as have others) that Subban needed to gain more accuracy with his point shot and stop taking so many minor penalties.
Every player on the team has something they need to work on. Price’s weak blocker side being an example. Galchenyuk’s inability to win a draw being another.
While other teams scramble and try to improve their rosters for the playoffs, I advocate doing nothing. If the Habs can unload Kaberle so he can play that’ll be fine. Another draft pick.
Habs have 6 picks in the first 2 rounds. There is no good reason to trade any of those away in this season of the DEEP DRAFT.
Many teams overpay at this time of year. Let’s hope MB just waits on a great deal before pulling any triggers.
http://calshabsongparodies.weebly.com
First three rounds!
I’m not so sure that this draft is “deep”. I think it has tremendous star quality at the top. I think there’s a perception that if a draft has a high volume of franchise players at the top that it will eventually prove to be deep because guys may fly under the radar, but time will tell.
Oops, thanks Tom.
No matter which team gets Seth Jones, I get the feeling they will be very happy.
I am hoping it’s not the Oilers. They don’t deserve anything after being so bad for so long.
The Oilers are a joke. I sincerely hope that when these star players are RFA’s that Tambellini experiences a qualifying offer mistake ala Dale Tallon and that he loses some of them for nothing.
On the high end prospects, I believe that the teams who draft Jones, Nichushkin, Mackinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan and Rychel will be very happy.
Eight potential franchise players right there, and in that sense, this draft could prove to be great.
The nice thing is we have the next two weeks to watch Tinordi(before trade deadline), if they leave him up that long. That could be enough time to know that he is the insurance policy needed on defence. However, given how long Diaz is taking to get healthy, and the fact Weber got hurt, perhaps we need to hang on to Kaberle.
For all of his shortcomings, he does have playoff experience and in the playoffs that can be critical.
I think if you can move Kaberle without eating salary or cap hit you do it, otherwise, hang onto him.
You have to believe the showcasing of Kabs for a few games was meant to ship him out. I would imagine they’d have told folks about it and then didn’t get any takers. He’s good to go in the pressbox until he can be bought out at this rate.
SK74 at his best.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/sergei-kostitsyn-quits-play-leading-oilers-goal-vs-035615169–nhl.html#more-53113
Ha! Beat you by a minute!
—Hope Springs Eternal—
But I had the link, Matthew!!!
Do’hh (shakes fist)
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Yeah what a loser. I guess he will be a healthy scratch again next game. It is too bad, because he has so much skill but no heart.
Et Le But
So another “mistake” by the BG and PG tandem to trade him.
Na Na Na Les Canadiens Les Canadiens
It wasn’t “mistake” to trade Sergei. The mistakes were made in duing his development. Along with brother Andrei, players with this much talent can’t be allowed to fail in the system due to character flaws.
I am certain that if the Habs had the same dedication and staffing in player development that exist on the team this season the brothers Kostitsyn would have turned out to be valuable contributers in Montreal
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“It’s just an opinion – I could be wrong”
Agreed that player development was not well done…but difficult to be “certain” of how they would’ve turned out.
Na Na Na Les Canadiens Les Canadiens
I don’t know that you could ever recover a couple of knuckleheads in such a toxic environment. Looking back on the 08 team, our best K-bro team, they still imploded the next season. Too many d-heads! I guess that’s why Gainey decided to let them walk (the d-heads that is). This was never going to work out. In today’s environment, neither player would last. They’d be shipped off and if we can get a good deal like we did for Cole, so much the better.
Watching the coaches on Nashville bench practically flying from waving their arms so fast was a nice bonus to watch. How SK can say with a straight face that he didn’t realize there was another Oiler on the break is mindboggling.
The optics of that goal were terrible, but the result would have been the same were he to stay on the ice. He was beat because he didn’t accelerate quick enough in the footrace and then tried to stick-check Gagner when he should have kept skating to get back in the zone. Once he made that attempt at the stick-check and stopped moving his legs, there was no way he was catching Sam Gagner, who is a fast skater.
SK should have tugged/hooked Gagner down. Giving up like that is pathetic.
Holy crap!!
Just saw Sergei K decide to go for a line-change rather than backcheck on a 2-on-1, and the Oil score the winner.
Amazing.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=222851&cmpid=embed-share-video
Unreal. I am so glad they both gone. I loved Darches comment this year about how Gallagher is worth more than 10 Andrei kostitsyn’s
So true
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
A lot of talk recently about our prospects on defense with the Pateryn and Tinordi call ups.
I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I think some prospects will be on the move and here’s why.
In Subban and Diaz we have two right handed defensemen for the future. Diaz could be moved but there’s really no reason to send him packing. I however do acknowledge that if he moves in the near future it changes everything.
Having said that, again we have Subban and Diaz presumably for a few years. We also have Emelin and Gorges until further notice and could well re-sign Andrei Markov when his contract expires next off-season.
We have the following defensemen who are or will be playing pro hockey within the next calendar year. Beaulieu, Tinordi, Ellis, Pateryn, Stejskal, Nygren and Dietz. Bennett and Thrower can make things even more complicated if they decide to turn pro. Assume for a moment that Marc Bergevin wants the SEL’s Borje Salming award winner to come to North America and that one of Bennett or Thrower turn pro. That gives us eight prospects on defense in the pro farm system, or seven if one of them(Tinordi) plays with the Habs full-time next year.
Morgan Ellis started this season in the ECHL so there are options for Marc Bergevin other than the trade route. But it isn’t necessarily good for the development of some of these guys to be on the bottom pairing in Hamilton or in the ECHL. They need a lot of ice-time to gain the necessary experience that will make them productive NHL players.
If Ryder can’t be brought back or Bergevin doesn’t want him back we have a need at forward with the big club and are still relatively thin at the pro level on the left wing.
I think it would be more of a surprise if Bergevin didn’t trade one of those defense prospects soon than it would be if he did.
Good morning Tom. Trade one as long as his name is not Tinordi or Beaulieu.
I agree Jim. I would say Nygren’s the best candidate because of his breakout season but he’s under contract for another year and whoever acquired his rights would have to sign him and put him on loan to an SEL club.
We could lose him for nothing.
Ryder is going to want to sign for a Cole like contract. No thanks.
Kristo hasn’t signed and would be a raw rookie even if he did come to Montreal. Collberg is in Sweden next year. Leblanc is now a project rather than a hot prospect. A rebuilding team could just wait it out but after this season the Habs may have no choice but to go hunting for a scoring RW. A trade or one year “Jagr/Selanne/Semin” like contract.
Yeah, I think next year we will have enough money left over to throw a big 1 year contract at one of those type guys. Similar to what Carolina did with Semin this year.
Et Le But
I watched Beaulieu over the weekend. I can’t see any scenario in which he is not with the Habs next year. He is just too talented. Same goes for Tinordi.
Ellis started in the ECHL this year?
Et Le But
There has to be room for Beaulieu. And I read that Ellis did start in the ECHL this season.
It doesn’t really matter if he did or didn’t though because Bergevin can go that route with the young players if he chooses. But I think his hand could be forced to a certain degree.
So does Dietz go back to junior next year or is he eligible go to Hamilton?
So under contract next year for the Habs on D are:
Subban
Markov
Gorges
Emelin
Diaz
Then we can add Beaulieu and Tinordi. Very affordable back end. Quick calculation has it below $20M.
Et Le But
Dietz will be in Hamilton next season.
I don’t believe Bergevin will have both Tinordi and Beaulieu with the Habs to start next season.
It would make one of them the seventh defenseman.
Or it could make one of our veteran guys available for a trade. I think Beaulieu is a lot better offensively than Diaz which could make him available as part of a good trade package. Gionta will be dangled as trade bait next year as well. Having both Diaz and Gionta could fetch us a couple of great prospects/picks.
Et Le But
Don’t forget the Kaberle contract, granted we expect him bought out.
Assuming the captain will be used as trade bait is a huge stretch. It’s more likely they offer him a short term deal at a lower salary. It all depends on how the team’s doing next year.
Even if Tinordi and Beaulieu were to both be with the big club the organization could have as many as seven defensemen on pro contracts not with the Habs and nine picks in the upcoming draft.
Bergevin’s going to have to move a prospect sooner rather than later.
I think Gionta gets moved the Summer or next year before the deadline. He could very well stay and sign at a much reduced salary following next year like you said, but my gut instinct tells me he gets moved. Then Josh Gorges gets that C on his chest, which should have been his a few years ago.
Et Le But
Don’t get me started on Gorges. He’s the weakest link among our defensemen and if Bergevin decides to trade anyone it should be him.
Your dead to me Tom. lol
Et Le But
Let’s say that MT brings back Bouillon as the 7th defenseman next year. And that could be a stretch after the way he has played. So he still might be the #6 guy.
That means there is only one spot open. So one of Beaulieu or Tinordi will have to start in Hamilton and wait for an emergency call up.
The East already has four teams that are out of the playoff picture. Contrast that with the West where the difference between 3rd and 12th is just six points and involves ten teams.
Calgary and Nashville continue to struggle. The Habs could trade their own 2nd rounder and as well as Dallas’ 3rd rounder and still have three picks in the top 40.
The standings are effed.
Winnipeg (?!?!) are in 3rd, and are 3 points out of 9th.
I hope re-alignment fixes that. It’s the stupidest thing ever.
The West has a tighter race, but the East has a tighter race at the top/4th.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I agree Matty. If you feel the need to give a playoff spot to division leader who doesn’t merit it on points at least seed them 8th. To give them a 3 seed just compounds the issue.
Hey Steve, didja see SK give up completely on the play last night, leading to the Oilers’ shorthanded goal? Classic selfish SK. The KHL must be calling him.
I just posted the video.
The biggest difference that MB can make on this team is to keep it away from half-milers like AK46, SK74, Tanguay, Kovalev and Samsonov.
Yeah, Calgary and Nashville have been stinking it up which is great for us. Like you said, we could very likely have 3 picks in the top 40 which is supposed to be a deep draft. Jordan Subban is ranked around 35th depending on which site you go on. I hope this year we also draft a highly ranked goalie prospect. The cupboard is pretty bare in that department.
Et Le But
Hopefully this is the week that Prust returns to the lineup and Bourque begins to practice with contact. Diaz? I read somewhere last week he had begun some off ice workouts so he might not be too far away either. If Bourque picks up his play where he left off………….
It would be like trading for a power forward.
Haha, I actually was going to write power forward as well, Great minds Cal
Morning Bud!
Morning Jim, that will be like making a trade bringing Bourque back. The nice thing about the team playing so well is that they can ensure players are healthy before returning to lineup.
Watching the Buffalo Sabres/Washington Capitals highlights this morning, they show an interview with Kaleta bitching about being healthy scratch. Then Miller starts talking about how Kaleta shouldn’t be saying that and the team has dealt with him etc…
When did Ryan Miller become player coach of that team? Things are pretty ugly in Buffalo right now, hopefully we don’t fall into a terrible trap week with Sabres twice and Islanders once.
Here are some of Millers words of wisdom.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTH/Miller-Smacks-Refs-Kaleta/6/50051#.UUcAJRc4t8E
Hey, Burly. Miller MUST be traded. He’ll be gone sooner than later, but his attitude has been bad since his concussion. I guess the two are related.
Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. we’ll see what the Sabres are like first-hand (again).
Yup these two day waits in between games have become hard to get through.
Good morning Gerald and Cal. I’d be very careful of this one if I were Buffalo. Miller is one of the best goalies in the league and the team is not that far away from being a serious contender. Unlike the calm cool collected Carey Price, Miller exhibits a personality along the likes of the Great Patrick Roy. We remember how that one worked out for our team, eh? For Sabre fans sake, I hope the current management team utilizes caution with Miller.
I mentioned it before, but you’re right, it’s a delicate situation.
Miller is good, but when you have a situation where a player thinks he’s ‘the team’, and can call the shots – firing Ruff, etc – then you’re in a lot of trouble.
Building a team around a player never works. The players have to shine from within a team system.
Sometimes all you can do is get rid of the player and send him to a new system where he’s no longer the centre of the universe.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Morning, Jim. I think Miller’s growing into a distraction. Reporters love these guys because they create controversy, but I don’t think management does. Mind you, I’m pretty sure Regier is on very thin ice right now.
Getting really ugly in Buffalo. Expect a house cleaning this off-season a la Habs in 2010. My guess is that pending UFAs Regehr and Leopold will be traded for picks, while Stafford and Miller will be traded as well. Cody Hodgson is an upcoming RFA, and despite Sabres’ lack of success he’s put up quite the numbers this season. He will cash in big this summer and that doesn’t bode well for their cap space. Another issue in Buffalo is that they have too many overpaid players. Ville Leino is making 6 million this year, Tyler Myers is making 12 million and Ehroff is making 8 million. Those numbers are outrageous! Although their cap hits are lower, the service they are getting for the price ..phew, sure am glad I am not a Sabres fan! Darcy Regier is counting his last few days as a GM.
I think you’re being too hard on poor Ryan.
Seems like a nice sort.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Should Bergevin make a move at the deadline? J”T.’s take:
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.ca
This Malkin to the habs “rumour” is plain silliness. The man is a lousy fighter.
Malkin? Never heard of him…
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
We need to take a SERIOUS look at a dman in washington who has only played 7 games in the nhl. STEVEN OLEKSY a DIAMOND in the rough , after 7 games in the show hes already playing 28 minutes a game, he fights like an animal (see his lst fight V bowman carolina) and hes got serious hands, and a major ahooting ability, here’s hoping that the pro scouts are seeing what I am!
larsy darcy !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EubVFX0C3KM
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Suprising stat…Habs have had 128 pp opportunities…the Bruins 76….times short handed Habs 104,,Bruins 100….so ref favourtism for the Bruins not in the stats…Habs also get the 25th fewest shots against per game
But the stats don’t track the numerous no-calls the Bruins get away with.
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
i remember when armstrong got a roughing call early in the year for putting his hand on a players back in a scrum after the whistle. For every time a player “embellishes” a call against the bruins, they get away with 3. i think it still works out in their favor by a clear margin.
Yes.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
4 regulars on Habs that are minus..DD.Markov,Moen and Armstrong…pk 19th
6 Bruins regulars are a minus.
One disadvantage of finishing first overall is that the 8th place team that you have to play may be on a big momentum as there is a good chance that the 8th place team may get in based on the last game of the season….Habs need a low key first round match up….
There is an absolutely equal possibility that the 8th team is on a downfall as it is that they are on the hot streak. Or just winning one losing one.
You speculation might apply to absolutely any team in the league. You can say that about 5th placed team, 3rd placed team or the 1st overall team.
Serge Kostitsyn yes remember him well..lol..the golden boy for many posters on this site…when any posts regarding his minimal scoring ability was posted his defenders came out regularly stating he does not play with the right players or does not get enough ice time…
There is some kind of subliminal manipulation going on here on HIO because a couple day’s back I too had this fantasy of Malkin becoming a Hab at the trade deadline. Man it would be “One Hell O Player Swap” in order for that to happen. So my question is …Who did Therrien really like on the Pittsburgh,please don’t say Cook!
The Bruins and Pittsburgh have a lot in common. For one they are both like Greg Norman. They are both due for a epic choke.
I can see the goons gagging, but I don’t think the Pens will.
In the aftermath of the big Pens – goons matchup, here’s something to chew on. The Pens prior ten game record before facing the Habs in the 13 goal disco affair was a mediocre 5 – 5. From that night to now they are undefeated, 9 – 0. Looking back, that was a game the Hab’s know they should have won. Given a relatively soft schedule, the Pens may still be undefeated when the Habs roll into town next week. If still undefeated, I’m puttin my pile on the Habs. Then there’s the goons with the head neanderthal puffed up behind the bench. They hosted the Habs with only two regulation losses all season riding a six game winning streak. Since having their asses gift wrapped for delivery by the Habs, the once powerful looking goons are a mediocre 5 – 4. Chara is started to look a little gassed and I think the tables have turned in this beloved rivalry. In this rematch, it’s the goons who have to play a near perfect game because the Habs are a faster, more skilled and better team. I’m ready.
From that video clip of his fight against Montgomery, Dietz is not much of a fighter. Nor is he particularly big at 6’1″, 195. No doubt Habs coaching staff will focus him on scoring goals instead of fighting.
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that having just a fighter on the team is not something current management is looking for. Knwoing how to fight and holding your own is clearly a bonus for every player.
I think the point of the fight clip was to show Dietz leadership stepping up for his team mates, but if you need some better evidence of his mean streak along with his offensive skill set watch these clips of his 2 goal game from last month or how he hammers Tanner Eberle and then pummels him after Tanner hits him from behind in retaliation, Darren has been asked not to fight by coaching staff due to how valuable he is on the ice , yet he still gets involved when need be..and does a very good job taking care of himself and his teamates.
ps In the first of these clips Dietz is only 17 and the announcer refers to him after a fight as Dalton Dietz,, as we know quite a few posters on this site are drooling over Dalton Thrower who plays with Dietz, Thrower has done some maturing towards the end of the year, as Dietz has done in great magnitude from his early days in Junior..
Both Thrower and Dietz very good prospects but Dietz has just been signed for a reason, as a 19 year old Dman he is a dominating force in a very tough WHL.. and having an MVP calibre year.. Montreal should get as many fifth round picks as they can, with the success they have had selecting diamonds in the rough the past few years in round 5
Habs D prospects cupboard quite full, Look forward to years of pleasure watching, Dietz , Beaulieu, Tinordi, Thrower, Bennett, Pateryn,Nygren Ellis, etc..Although I am pretty sure one or more of our many D prospect will most likely be involved in any trade we make as we just do not have enough room for all the D prospects we have moving forward..along with a plethora of draft picks this year..Outlook for team is unbeliavable,,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbsm4f057TI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMfgGkNahLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFZvmEV3mA
I’d throw in Ellis as well. He does the little things right. Could be a reliable 5th-6th Dman in the future as well
The way the Habs stand right now. To win a 7-game series against Pitts, Boston Or ottawa. They would need nothing less than Excellent Goaltending.
Check.
Next?
you could say that about any team lol
So no problem, then. Budaj will deliver no doubt.
Okay, and Pittsburgh, Boston, and Ottawa would need the same to beat the Habs, I guess. But goaltending isn’t going to decide any of those series, unless its brutal on either side.
Full Breezer 4 Life
But the pk may as Bruins number one right now and Habs 19th
“Excellent” goaltending. I like our chances with “good” goaltending.
Total Points by ex-Habs : Erik Cole 7 points & Scott Gomez 8 points – Eight points is pretty good for someone on contract for less than one million dollars….
I can’t believe Gomez has that many points! The really embarrassing thing is that with 8 points he’s 7th in team scoring. He’d be 15th on the Habs, one behind Prust and one ahead of Bouillon. Talk about a one line team.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I knew we’d regret getting rid off Gomer. No-one wants to listen to me.
LMFAO!!
That’s a grand total of ONE point for Cole since the trade v Ryder’s NINE…
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“To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high!”
…WHY ??? Would the Pens trade Malkin ???
…it doesn’t make sense ….WHAT ??? Have We got that’s worth a Malkin (a player I would donate My left testicle to charity for) ???
…Our strength is D, but except for Letang’s injury they have everything We have, and likely more, and Crosby is one significant head-shot away from permanent retirement
…Malkin is the NHL player I would consider ALL options to trade for, if He is healthy …but, if healthy, I can’t conceive of Shero crazy enough to trade him
Malkin is a poor man’s Crosby
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“To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high!”
Wait a minute, I thought it was the other way, Crosby is a poor man’s Malkin!
You have to look at the highlights of the Oiler- Nashville game. The Oilers scored a shorthanded goal where Sergei Kostitsyn just decided to go for a line change allowing a 2 on 1 rush. Too funny. Barry Trotz must have blew a gasket.
Kostitsyn was a healthy scratch last game.
And I expect he will be a healthy scratch again very soon.
…booty is something HIO can use a little more of
…how about The Booned One also be in charge of selecting a weekly HIO Booty Girl ? …or would that put the HIO’s politically correct police into too much of a conniption ?
mmmm …thank Gawd for Timo ! …sure beats Corsi and trade rumors
A Franchise player just hitting his prime for an aging Dman on the downward spiral of his career (no offence). Come on guys Pitts would never pull the trigger
I should rephrase that. Markov is not on the downward spiral of his career. He’s getting on in age and might not be around for much longer in terms of years. And although he’s still a good player, His better years are behind him.
Where is this coming from? That is the most moronic trade proposal I have ever heard..LOL Why in the bloody blue hell would PITT deal Malkin, let alone for a 30+ year old d-man with a bum knee..lol
If Bergevin pulls this off (which I highly doubt) he would be nothing less than a God in MTL…
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Brandon Prust doesn’t have hair on his testicles, because hair does not grow on steel….
Agreed. On both counts but I just don’t see it happening. I think the boys here are messing around lol
It’s not even a rumour. Someone just threw it out there earlier today on this site and then people discussed it and by seven o’clock it had become a “rumour”.
If we are going to have fantasies on HIO, lets start with Boone’s Live Blog being replaced with Kate Upton’s Live Blog With Bodypaint Updates.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I like your rumours better…
Nice to see Nashville lose in Edmonton. It would be great if the Nashville and Calgary 2nd round picks were both top 40.
…booty was ultimately My undoing
Mine also, twice. Now I smoke cigars and drink Rum and am much happier. No Booty however.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
“I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.”
-George Best
HA! Nice
Read into it what you want. Rumor has a Markov package deal in place for malkin and that is why MB brought Tinordi up. Myself, not believing any of it.
I believe there will be no big moves at trade deadline for the Habs. Possible a couple of 1-year rentals for the playoffs. wait and see.
If Malkin is a Hab before the deadline, I will eat my hat and shoes…There is no way the Pens deal Malkin to the Habs unless we start with PK Subban..
Let that one die because it ain’t happenin’…
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Brandon Prust doesn’t have hair on his testicles, because hair does not grow on steel….
Couldn’t agree more. Don’t know where these things start. People with nothing else to do I suppose.
I am not believing it either.
Where did you hear this rumor from?
…51 % of Habs Fans vote Da BirdsWhomCanNotFly will be in 1st place by the end of the season ???
…Ughh
…this shines a spotlight on the unwashed underbelly of unbelievers among Habs Fans
…for shame !!!
Sean McIndoe doesn’t like Ryan Getzlaf’s contract:
“This can’t be right, can it? Ryan Getzlaf got $66 million? Tied for the fourth-highest cap hit in the league? For a player who’s never scored more than 25 goals in a season and had only 57 points last year? And he’s locked in until he turns 36, even though forwards usually peak offensively in their mid-20s? And he has a no-movement clause?”
Obviously Therrien and the rest of the staff noticed that there was something very wrong with Erik Cole this season. He has all of one point in 7 games with the Stars.
Too bad. Maybe he just doesn’t want to pay the price anymore. He certainly avoided driving to the net this year.
Although he didn’t play for us very long he had his career best year with us and helped us get Galchenyuk. Without him we might have finished last and gotten the Yak.
I don’t know what is up with that guy. He was a beast last year. He had an off year like this in Edmonton, hopefully he can rebound next year, because I really like him as a player.
Full Breezer 4 Life
From Below.. I am not sure on the Edmonton roster being a “total drool” Hall, Eberle, Yakupov, RNH … Galchenyuk, Price, Pacioretty, Subban trumps that by a large margin IMO
Hey dude. Add in Gagner, Paajarvii, and Schultz and that is a tremendous young core. Six top-six forwards and how old is the oldest? Schultz on D is tremendous. Yeah, they need more, but what other team has seven really young players that good?
I love Montreal’s core as well, but it’s not as deep or as young as that.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Eller, Gallagher, Tinordi…
not as young, but equally deep. By the time they develop a goalie and a good D, their forward superstars might not be there anymore.
Bill Simmons had an article last month in Grantland in which he explained that with the Lance Armstrong fiasco, he now believes any great reversal in production or performance in either direction bears scrutiny and skepticism. The piece really had an effect on me, and I thought of how dominant Erik Cole was last season, and how pedestrian he is this year. Not once was he able to race around a defenceman on a rush to the net, as he did routinely last season, two or three times a game. I wondered whether he thought this season was a scrub, so he decided to give his kidneys and liver a break in the off-season.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.ca/2013/03/is-erik-cole-out-of-shape.html
Then why is Moen still with the club?
Just looking at those Dietz clips reinforces how far below the NHL JrA is. It amazes me that anyone can step up from there to the NHL in one swoop, so kudos to Chucky especially because there was no exposure to the A at all. At least Gally got some.
A little write up on Dietz;
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=3033
habsworld_net – #Habs Alex Galchenyuk last played in the #OHL in mid-December but still finished tied for 40th in league points (& 1st in points per game).
Prediction; leblanc and bournival will never make the habs,
Haven’t heard much from LL this year. i know he was injured earlier in the year, but is he still out?
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Is there any truth to all of these rumours of Malkin to the Habs for Markov.
Yes.
It’s all true.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Bergevin is an even better GM than I thought. The guy is pure genious.
It’s an e4!
Full Breezer 4 Life
At the beginning of the year I wouldn’t of thought that Buffalo and Washington would be battling it out for second overall pick. Then again I didn’t think our Glorieux would be fighting for first place. Strange year!
UND 5-0 in early 3rd period.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Can’t find it now but read the other day when Kristo had the 2G+1A game, that his 157 career points to that date made him the highest active career scorer in the NCAA. Not bad for a kid who missed half a season for a booty call.
Hopefully the Booty was really good.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
This is a continuation about Ryan Miller below, but it’s part of a bigger concept.
When a player (Ryan Miller, in this case) considers himself ‘the team’, and that GMs and Coaches have to be fired to suit him, then there’s trouble.
Look at Washington.
Flames have had that problem for a while now, (without the ‘fire the coach to suit me business, tho) trying to build a team around one or two players rather than watch one or two players emerge from a team system, which is what Buffalo always had.
I was amazed when Buffalo was doing great a few years back; they had no stars on the team. Briere was only emerging, they had a young Miller, but it was a team concept – Afinogenov, Connoly, Gaustad, Roy, Pominville… they didn’t have any top-ten scorers, but they chewed up the league with their team.
Now Miller considers himself to be the one calling the shots, and the GM has allowed it. It’s no wonder they’re where they are.
Washington too, for that matter.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
When Gainey and Carbo first started, I thought they were attempting to follow the Buffalo model of the time. If that’s what they were trying, it sure went off the tracks quickly.
Crosby or Stamkos??
How ‘Bout BOTH!!!!
GO CANADA GO
Olympic gold repeat!!
That’s good, Boston looses a game on us and we get 2 games on the Pens
Did Boston really let us loose?
Like this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMekATnLPmM
Okay, where is Frontenac? There is no reason that only one poster here should be under the influence!
He went looking for you or his son…I’m not sure which and don’t think he was. Hopefully he is sleeping it off.
CHeers buddy!
As for Letang, Marchaud gave him a little stick to the back side of his leg and he went off holding his leg up.
Perhaps this is the only day of the year he’s dry.
It would make a kind of sense…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Nope, I know for a fact he spent his afternoon in a saloon. Well at least based on posts earlier today. He is consistent, I respect that.
I believe he spends every day in a Saloon. He is my Hero. Also working on his 4th liver.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
His last post had him drinking Heineken…on St Patty’s Day. Must have cleaned out his bar.
The bottle’s green…
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Im tagging in, Been on Guinness and Jameson for a few hours.
Alright. I’m tagging out. I’ve been on Guinness and Jameson for a few hours
I think MB will be quiet on trade day. Go with what we have and enjoy the playoffs. Big things will happen this summer.
What will happen is a big ????????? mark.
I agree I feel it will be quiet, but if he does anything it won’t be overboard.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
How cool would it be if Habs got Gomer back at the trade deadline?
Gomer = Less than cool
MAB = way more than cool
Hear that MAB is a healthy scratch most days. You’re going to have to speak to Boucher!
Oh Yeah, we really need Kovy. Not.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Gomez will be available…at a steal.
***SUBBANGIN’ NOW BABY!!!***
Too bad we can’t resign him for a year. His blue line gaining ability is sorely missed on this team.
He owes it to the team to at least try to pick up some help.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Probably depends on 2 things.
1) Injuries
2) This is the reason he’s bringing some players from the Dogs to see how they perform now. This gives him an idea of how they fare vs NHL players and may open up some room for a trade or 2 at the deadline or if they perform well he’ll bring them up when the Dog’s season ends.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Hah. Devils have a first round pick whose name is Stefan Matteau. Talk about ironic.
Stéphane Matteau is his father.
Even more ironic.
One way to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Not to mention that they are very creative with the names in the family.
Haha
Full Breezer 4 Life
Good stuff Timo
LOL… I love how some people just type something on a forum like “Letang might be out for the rest of the season” and somehow that becomes reality… the guy probably just pulled a muscle or something… relax… there was no contact or anything that would suggest his injury is long term…
So just where did someone mentioning Letang did indeed miss the entire 2nd and 3rd period become reality that he is critically injured? Someone mentioned he was hurt, no one that I saw wrote “yes he is gone long term”. Seems to me you are overreacting to a poster stating what indeed happened today.
Maybe you are overreacting to his overreacting to a poster stating what indeed happened today. What do you think about THAT, Burly?
I think it is very possible that i am indeed overreacting to an overreaction, and this overreaction has nothing to do with copious amounts of Guiness and Jagermeister which I consumed this afternoon.
You are way out of line man! Back off!!
Sorry, I think I overreacted to your overreaction to the overreaction.
Full Breezer 4 Life
You are an overreactor.
I’m no doctor, I only pretend to have studied under the great Dr. Recchi…but I believe you are having a reaction to an overreaction of an overreaction…and as a Habs fan I would guess you’re embellishing.
***SUBBANGIN’ NOW BABY!!!***
I think I need to learn how to be less reactionary.
I honestly believe that from how a team prepares for their opponent it helps if that opponent has all of it’s superstars ready to go. That way there is less likelihood of underestimating your opponent. Whether Pens have Letang or not Habs will whoop their sorry asses back to their igloos.
I watched the game, and Kris Letang was hit on the hand/wrist by a ‘light slash’ from (surprise surprise) Brad Marchand. I suspect he has a hand injury, and it could be a bad one if it hit an unprotected area.
Now in the context of the NHL, which specifically states in its rulebook that a ‘light slash’ is not slashing, it was par for the course and didn’t merit a penalty.
61.1 Slashing – Slashing is the act of a player swinging his stick at an opponent, whether contact is made or not. Non-aggressive stick contact to the pant or front of the shin pads, should not be penalized as slashing. Any forceful or powerful chop with the stick on an opponent’s body, the opponent’s stick, or on or near the opponent’s hands that, in the judgment of the Referee, is not an attempt to play the puck, shall be penalized as slashing.
What Mr. Marchand did was not forceful or notably dirty in today’s NHL, but it goes to show again how ludicrously the game is managed. Brad Marchand was well behind Kris Letang, in no position to play the puck. He was clearly beaten. Mr. Letang had position on him. Somehow, it it tolerated that the guy defending and without the puck who is behind the play is allowed to whack at the player trying to make a play, score a goal, and entertain the fans and viewers at home.
Why is that? The NFL doesn’t allow a certain amount of holding or interfering with a receiver, or light tackling of a quarterback after he lets go of the ball. The NBA doesn’t allow a certain amount of incidental mugging of Lebron James. Somehow, the NHL doesn’t think it’s in its best interests to showcase offence and its most talented players.
So here we are. After Erik Karlsson, now Kris Letang, the most dynamic and entertaining remaining defenceman in the game, is knocked out of action by an illegal but tolerated play. All because Don Cherry harrumphs “Let them play!” on Saturday evenings.
I agree with Don Cherry. I think we should allow Kris Letang to play, and Erik Karlsson to play, by removing the Brad Marchands and the Matt Cookes from the game, or at least by forcing them to play hockey instead of mugging other more talented players.
Re. Kristo signing (or not). I don’t know the history of this, as some of you seem to but this is a college kid right? So let’s assume he has a brain. And a year ago that brain’s gonna be sayin’ WTF, Montreal is a MESS…. sure wish I was going somewhere where things were looking up instead of down. Well now Montreal IS that somewhere.
————————————-
Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
In an interview, he makes a specific reference to the fact that the NHL would be in a lockout this season, and that this played a factor in his decision to return to school. Again, the kid had options and made a decision.
Looks like Subban left 1.75M on the table over two years when making comparisons with Ekman-Larsson’s new deal.
Max left money on the table to sign long term, he loves playing for a city that eats and breathes hockey,, Pk is not doing to bad with the thickness of his wallet, and his pay day will come but hopefully we get some of that Detroit Red Wing mentality here and guys do not get overly greedy and try to build something special and keep our core happy and together..
Ps I do not remember any players asking to renegotiate their contracts when they are having off or bad years.. Just saying, let stop trying to over pay guys just because other organizations don’t get it…
Steve, I respect and understand what you mean by that post. However, PK has a very bright and intelligent agent in Don Meehan, he also was dealing with what appears to be a bright and intelligent GM in Bergevin. I think both sides realized that there was a time and a place to get PK what he deserves when he deserves it.
I don’t doubt for a minute that MB will give PK his just desserts when the time is ready. There is more to building a long term special career than your second contract and both sides came to an understanding. Both knew that if PK continued to develop as projected he would/will get his big contract and in the meantime allow PK to develop into the player we all think he can be.
Too many young players are hampered by the contracts they sign, look at Tyler Myers, whether it is related to his contract or not, he has taken a huge step backward. PK now has breathing room to finish his development and both sides will be rewarded.
Very good point, some players are really tripping over these huge deals they sign, and the expectations that follow, great point. Special players deserve long term deals, and special i mean skilled but also big time committed to winning and improving the team..So easy to make mistakes with owners dishing out money everytime they get a sniff at a UFA.
Which seems to lead to a regular punishment to the fans in forms of the inn-ability or affordability to bring our family to a hockey game and the endless streaks of lockouts to curtail there own spending habits..
Gerald – Funny thing is that I really wasn’t expressing any opinion on the matter. I was just giving an update now that the yearly breakdown of the Ekman-Larsson contract has come out.
As far as long term money goes, the die is cast for Montreal. Price, Subban, MaxPac and Galchenyuk will eat up the payroll with big time coin. Who knows, maybe even Eller. All other salaries will fill out the cap with what is left over.
MB can stall the inevitable but it’s the agents who will eventually decide how the money works itself out.
Okay, sorry if I responded the wrong way Steve, I guess I just think PK will indeed come out a winner for his patience, just as I think the Habs will. CHeers my friend!
No worries.
Suggestions in Dallas it is time to fire GM Nieuwendyk and replace with either Recchi or Gainey….
http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/03/observations-from-an-8-1-loss-to-chicago-there-has-to-at-least-be-some-talk-of-potential-personnel-moves.html/
Cool! Gainey might get in there just in time to pick Gomez up from the Sharks!
————————————-
Listen to the Smart Dog. He knows his poop!
I say sign both. Dr. Recchi and Bobo will lead Dallas to the glorious future… 5 years at a time.
Recchi is a co-owner of the Kamloops Blazers, along with Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi. A close friend of Gaglardi, Recchi joined the Stars’ front office as a consultant after retiring a year and a half ago.
Sounds like he’s ready to me!
as part of the medical staff ?
Here is my re-post (below from yesterday) concerning Kristo and Dietz Now one down and Kristo too go,as soon as NCAA playoffs and or frozen four ends or maybe earlier if UND falters, UND leading Mich Tech 1-0 first period, series tied 1-1
I was talking with Jim Montgomery (former Hab & Montreal’er and coach in USHL Dubuque) recently, and I can tell you Danny Kristo will sign with the Habs, will not reveal Jim’s source. The reason I write this is for posters and others on social media site’s to relax on the kid he has never once said he was entertaining becoming a free agent. It was a lockout year and he had a chance to finish his school at a college age and go for a national Championship, TRY an chill the haters on social media or we can lose this entry level contract replacement for Michael Ryder.
As for Darren Dietz no chance he re-enters draft as some have speculated, i have seen him play on many occasions, and throughout my travels through Wisconsin, Minnesota, Boston, North Dakota, and all of Western Canada i do not think I have been more impressed with a junior prospect than I am of Darren Dietz…
PS the one that got away from Lac st Louis Lions Mike Matheson having a tremendous freshman rookie year at Boston College, poor kid will have to play in Panthers organization,, unless who knows,, Also Calgary Flames have some talent coming from a couple of Matheson’s teammates at Boston College Johnny Hockey Gaudreau who is so damn good but so damn small, and Bill Arnold, Flames have two good young BC prospects
I saw that post before. Very prescient! Hope you bat a thousand with it.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I really want Shamrock to become my favourite poster! Actually I think chances for re-signing is much better than we think. I personally think a great deal of posters have posted garbage about Kristo.
Having said that, the proof will be in the pudding as they say. But would be a shame to lose a gifted player like that.
Well, one thing I know is true, Jim Montgomery could have an outstanding source. Montreal’s Midwest scout worked for the former Hab as recently as last year.
I tried to recap what the situation was, the pros and cons he faces in his decision, if only to keep them straight in my mind.
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.ca/2013/03/will-danny-kristo-sign-contract-with.html
Senators win again! They are actually incredible.. and are beating the Leafs in their success lately… despite not having at least two of their very key players. MaClean is simply good.
The signing of Dietz is great: a few people were suggesting he would re-enter the draft. Now if Bergevin can sign Kristo and keep him from walking for nothing, I’ll be doing flips.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I have a good feeling about Kristo signing, we have a complete different mgmt. player personnel dept. than we used to. Many have preached doom and gloom here for awhile as it relates to Kristo, Dietz etc… I hope things work out well for us.
Kristo could be quite a scoop for us.
I’ve laid on some gloom about Kristo myself, just getting hopeful now that Bergevin can sell him on Montreal. Certainly from an organizational standpoint Montreal is suddenly looking like a much more attractive place to work! Bergevin is a pro, that’s for sure.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Bergevin and Therien should go knocking on his door with a Habs sweater with his name on it.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Think that is what they did to get Prust.
If he’s ready there’s an opening in the top six at RW, and lots of good centres to play with. Good situation for him.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Exactly.
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Bill, I think saying “a few people were suggesting” is overstating this. Poster ‘Chris’ brought it up as a possibility, in the sense that it was technically possible for him to not sign with the Canadiens, re-enter the draft and get picked in first or second round, which would boost the value of his Entry Level Contract compared to what it would make him as a fifth-rounder. We discussed it further and I guess we agreed that while possible, it was improbable that he would do this, for various reasons. This was in the context of HIO’s enduring discussion about whether Danny Kristo will sign with the Canadiens.
Here is what Chris said, posted on the “Tinordi excited about making his NHL debut” thread on MARCH 15, 2013 AT 10:39 PM.
“Darren Dietz could very easily decide that he might be better off re-entering the draft after having a monster season in the WHL this year. A 5th round draft pick, Dietz has posted such strong numbers since being drafted that he could easily scoot up into the second round and maybe even the first round based on what he’s become. The first round is a long-shot, but if he does extremely well in the playoffs and Memorial Cup, his profile can go sky high.
He might look at the Montreal depth chart (Emelin, Subban, Beaulieu, Tinordi, Diaz, Gorges, Thrower, Nygren) and decide that another team might be a better fit.
I doubt this happens. Dietz almost certainly will sign with Montreal. But he’s also got options, just not quite as good as those of Kristo.”
Thanks for the clarification, Normand!
The only reason I brought up Dietz in that context is that it always irks me how often people think that there is a loophole for NCAA players like Kristo. I was trying to point out that CHL players also have “loopholes” that they can exploit to go back in the draft, or, heaven forbid, to become UFA’s at age 22 if they are willing to forego North American hockey for four years.
No problem Chris. And I agree. If players are to be ‘drafted’ and their rights held by the team until they’re 27, and the terms of their first contract dictated, they have to have a little bit of freedom to opt out. It’s not a “loophole”.
The Sabres are playing like a tanking hockey club. They are all out of sorts, no system, no effort, nothing.
Lets hope they don’t figure it out before Tuesday.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Unfortunately, since we are at the top teams like the Sabres and Icelanders look to us as measuring-stick games and give us everything they’ve got.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
I wonder if they will get rid of Vanek and Miller and rebuild or try to build around those two?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
God.
Got to get rid of Miller.
They could get some good value back for him, and they’d get rid of his sh!tty attitude in the room.
Posted about it before, but it still gets under my skin how self-satisfied he was when Ruff got sacked. I’m sure he was behind it, and I hope he’s enjoying what he’s got for his troubles; bitching to the media and blaming his teammates for every goal that goes past him.
God, what a di¢k.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
So just to confirm, your a big Miller fan Matty?
Heh heh.
Does it show?
I didn’t care one way or another about him, but after I saw how smug he was after Ruff was fired… Everyone was saying “wow, it’s a big shock,” and “I can’t believe it happened,” Miller said “Yeah, I guess it was time to get new faces around here,” my respect for him plummeted. Plus all his bitching and selling his teammates down the river for every goal.
(did I already say all that…?)
—Hope Springs Eternal—
I heard and saw his interviews also Matty, and I did indeed wonder how much a role he played in the dismissal of Ruff. His reactions seemed quite telling. I still think he can play, and perhaps the Sabres had become far to comfortable with the same coaches/GM’s but yah I have little to no empathy for Miller either.
Brady Vail, the player we selected with our fourth round pick in the 2012 entry draft, will apparently join the Hamilton Bulldogs this Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/winstarparker/status/313401412879003649
Though Vail essentially matched his point production from last year, his plus/minus suffered a precipitous drop. However, reports on his defensive play have generally been quite positive; in a West Conference OHL coaches poll, Vail was rated the second best defensive forward. His production doubtlessly suffered due to the injuries that decimated the Spitfire’s defense and forced the team to deploy him as a defenseman. His unsightly plus/minus stat is a partial product of playing for a team that bleeds scoring chances.
Vail, a defensive forward, can score. When they ran into injuries he was asked to go back on defense and did a fairly good job, for never being back there before. He will be another surprise, I believe. A very hard worker.
This guy did everything the Junior team asked him to do, he could be a real sleeper.
Somebody on the last thread asked if an old post could be found about some dolt saying trevor timmins should be fired.Well here you go,a post made by the local HIO dolt,retromikey. He was replying to a post that said gauthier,gainey and martin should be canned.
RetroMikey
December 3, 2011 at 3:08 pm
don’t forget the fourth stooge…Trevor Timmins
and
RetroMikey
December 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I am hoping Gauthier will admit that the nucleus of players we have on our current roster (and on injury reserve) are not playoff material.
Hope he admits that that we have to rebuild and will have to make trades for prospects and draft picks to bring this once proud franchise back to where it should be.
Hope he admits that Bob Gainey is still working with him as an advisor and that he and Bobby should step down along with Trevor Timmins
I don’t know who hired Timmins, but that helped to insure against some of the gongshow BS that was going on when BG and PG were around- but not enough of course (Mcdonaugh & Gomez). I’m starting to think if Timmins wasn’t around the last few years, we’d be bitchin’ about a whole different team.
I remember reading a piece on Gainey about how he was into this book called “The Tipping Point” and something about the idea that a single move can be a huge catalyst in a huge direction… Now that to me sounds like gambling. Not selling for scraps, blowing up the team, and trading for Gomez was some tipping point.
Andre Savard hired Timmins and Gainey retained him and promoted him when he arrived.
I would say the single thing that BG did was let his UFAs walk in 2009. In 24 hours he forked over 18 million per year and the smurfs were born.
“Don’t crush that dwarf Alex Henry, hand me the pliers”
Nice work Sask. I was going to do some searching tomorrow when I’m sober but you just saved me the trouble.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
I can remember lots of posts trashing Timmins in the old days. A lot of people brought up Andre Kostitsyn in 2003, Chipchura in 2004, Fischer in 2006, even Price in 2005. People rolled their eyes at the McDonagh pick, and when Pacioretty didn’t make the Habs right away, people immediately said he was a bust.
2009 was a high-water year for Timmins trashing. Like anyone else, he has made mistakes – Fischer an obvious bust – but the biggest problem he’s had is having some his good picks traded. Anyway, right now we are watching Pacioretty, Price, Subban, Galchenyuk, Gallagher, and Emelin demonstrate the prowess of Timmins and his staff.
And let’s remember that one of Bergevin’s first moves was to invest more resources into bolstering the scouting and development staff … awesome move that will help Timmins even more. He should have some fun this summer with all those picks the Habs have stocked up.
Full Breezer 4 Life
did Julien mention this one after today’s game, in support of his noble cause to purge the game of embellishment?
for some reason, i have my doubts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqCAXAdv6uc
Heh heh.
Love that poll.
Reminds me of the RDS polls that would ask a question like:
Who will win the Rocket Richard Trophy?
During a game against, let’s say, Tampa Bay.
The options would be:
Stamkos
Crosby
Malkin
Ovechkin
Whoever.
The winner of the poll?
You guesed it.
My friends and I would laugh and say that the poll should be “Who is on the team we are playing tonight?”
So in that vein, the poll question should read:
“Who is in first place right now?”
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Neal and Kunitz are steals for pittsburg I know they have Malkin and Crosby, but those two have been a great fit for the team.
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
I still like our chances against either Pens or goons in a series even if no big moves happen. Barring major injuries, I see the Habs continuing to improve and we could likely see a stronger group when the playoffs arrive. I tried to keep the expectations down about Tinordi’s debut and found myself very satisfied indeed. This kid will become a SOLID dman with offensive abilities.
Someone was on here earlier mentioning the UND game was being played tonight… anyone know for a stream?
I would personally love it if we could land a guy like Regher. I think he could come for relatively cheap since he would be a rental. I envision Markov with Emelin, Regher with PK, then Bouillon with Gorges. Diaz would become the spare in my mind. Personally in a playoff series I’d prefer seeing the bull out there.
Bergevin has certainly made some good moves/hires but whether he should get the majority of the credit for the team’s turnaround this season is debatable. I’d argue he has had a good amount of luck as far as the player roster is concerned.
A lot of players who are playing significantly better this season were already on the team. ie Eller, Diaz, Emelin, Bourque.
Other players have performed to their expected levels ie Plekanec, Desharnais, Gionta, Pacioretty, Subban.
Having a healthy Markov makes a big difference too.
Gallagher has been a revelation however he was already in the Habs system. It was quite lucky to get top 3 pick and Galchenyuk was a no brainer.
Bergevin has not made many acquisitions but hiring Therrien was obviously his most significant and to date best so far. One could argue this has allowed several existing players on the team’s roster to perform better although it’s hard to say how much credit Therrien should get as far as individual player performance. Therrien and his coaching staff however definitely get the lion’s share of credit for implemeneting a much better team system.
Looking at the player acquisitions, signing Prust was obviously the best. Armstrong and Bouillon are not remarkable. The trade for Ryder has been good in the short term but what happens in the offseason will determine the true intent behind this move.
When we look at the player roster, there really hasn’t been many changes. Certainly the player additions alone don’t equate to bringing a last place team to first place.
Time will tell eventually. Carbo was thought of as a good hire had one good season before his fast descent. Many past Habs acquisitions had one good season, only to drop off after or move on to other teams.
MB put the team in place that has fostered a different attitude and a different style of play. Chucky or Gally wouldn’t have made the team with the previous administration, and if they had they would have been riding the pine. It frightens me terribly to contemplate.
Worse. Gomez would be double shifted and put on the 1st wave of every power play.
Penguins 2 Bruins 1. Music to my ears. This is a three way horse race for the top spot.
Boston only holds 1 game in hand now, and they trail us by a point. We have gained ground on them as we have 16 points over the last 10 games, while they have only 13 points.
The Penguins are on top for the moment, with 2 points more than us, but we have 2 games in hand. They are the hottest team in the league right now, with 18 points in their last 10 games, and are on a 9 game win streak. Yikes.
That is going to be a real showdown next week with back to back games against Pittsburgh and Boston.
I didn’t have the pleasure of watching the game last night, but that is great to hear Tinordi looked good. He may still need seasoning in Hamilton, its hard to say. It sounds like he came to the game with a fair bit of poise.
Let’s hope we get some reinforcements before the big games. Prust, Diaz and Bourque back in the line up asap. We will need them for the home stretch and a long playoff run.
That banged-up clothes dryer little Sidney shot pucks off of would be worth a pretty penny today.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Although I doubt if it dries clothes very well after all the abuse it took.
Some appliances sure take a lot of abuse for our enjoyment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-MFTfc-snU
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
I am so stoked about Tinordi’s debut, he looked right at home, he could be the piece we need to go far, his size is a big plus. Plus it was amazing to see Carey win a game for us. Give me one more good forward for the stretch drive and playoffs (not Vinnie, no no no)
Loving the Habs since 1965
Bruins have lost their mojo. The coach knows it, the players will know it soon.You heard it here first.
When Mr. Dunkin Donuts cries like a baby about the refs who have favoured his untouchables for far too long, you know the gig is coming to an end.
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
If Kreijci is injured for an extended period of time it will hurt them big time.
Nothing lasts forever, and they peaked in 2011. They are not getting better.
Full Breezer 4 Life
NHL trade deadline day is 2 weeks from this Wednesday.
Marc Bergevin will be busy.
Maybe busy evaluating and reviewing potential trades but doubt he’ll do anything major and drastic.
I suspect he will be fielding calls; and won’t be making too many moves
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him shift Ryder again if the offer is right, likely back to the West coast. He could fit well with Vancouver and the Sedins. Also, any of Phoenix, Nashville, Anaheim, or potentially Columbus might have interest in him. Also, to increase value to cash-strapped teams, pay 50% of his remaining salary. It may make a difference to some of those teams
I like Ryder, but if he could net us another 2nd rounder + and our forwards are expected to regain their health I would not be upset.
Ryder will help us more on our playoff run than a draft pick will.
True but he’s unlikely to remain with the team. He isn’t the “missing piece” and I’d rather collect more pieces for the future.
The future. The Habs already look great in the future. What about the near future of this April, with a team poised to make a serious run?
Full Breezer 4 Life
I think this is a good post. While unlikely, it will not afect the team’s fortunes significantly.
Yes, Dietz!!! I saw him play live last week here in Edmonton, this guy is going to be a good one!!!
Where ever they finish I’d like to see them facing Ottawa and maybe even Winnipeg, Ottawa would be a great playoff series cause of distance and the fact we’d take over their arena and Winnipeg would be the Battle of the Fans
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Ottawa would be an awfully tough matchup I think. They are a very well coached club and like the Habs, they win as a team give the number of no-names on their roster.
I know, but that could really set up a much more intense rivalry
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Come to think of it, I’d rather Habs not finish first. Everyone will start using that underdog BS, and pressure will be even bigger to go to the finals.
Montreal finishing 3rd or 4th is fine with me. Either Bruins or the Penguins will get knocked out in the first round anyway.
Come on. The sandwich thing. Was it yourself? Possibly summer 2010! Aren’t you a foodie?
Don’t think so Mike
Sorry. Just saw that on the old thread.
What a word, eh? Awesomize.
And back to hockey. Bruins DO usually go first or second round. Their Cup year was an aberration. Indeed they were Campbellized!
Bruins winning the cup was the darkest day in my hockey watching life.
Third isn’t bad, given the extra home game…but, who do you want them to meet in the first round?
Well… definitely not that Islanders. I don’t know… my faith is not very high when it comes to this team so anything can happen. I don’t think it matters as they can knock anyone out just as they can lose to just about anybody as well.
Third place is not likely – a Southest team (Winnipeg or Carolina?) will be there.
finishing 6th would probably be the best,the 3rd seed with be either carolina or winnipeg.
HH’s Koans:
The Habs last season for example.
Also last season. The Kings clawed their way into the play-offs from something like 13th place.
Home ice advantage is the goal.
The Great Irishman, Carey O’Price:
http://dennis-kane.com/the-great-irishman-carey-oprice/comment-page-1/#comment-73057
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“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Updates, highlights & great discussions on all things Habs
Habs sign prospect.This is an excellent signing..Been watching alot of these younger players this year.
http://twitter.yfrog.com/h6l8wgpj
unfortunately losing krejci and kelly isn’t a huge loss to the bruins,
they have seguin,marchand and peverley who can all play center position
Still hurts them
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
First
nice handle
“man, I love winnin’; you know, it’s like better than losin’?”-
Ebby Calvin “Nuke” Laloosh
Now that they did us favor by beatling the Bruins they can start loosing themselves.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
First!!!
(edit) I thought I’d feel better about this.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
Congratulations. 1st prize is a vidio of Boone and Hickey doing “Riverdance” in tights. Enjoy the vidio.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Thanks! I feel much better now.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
I’m pretty inebriated, but are you suggesting Malkin for Markov?
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Anyone know the status of Ryder?
I think it’s pretty likely that the Pens will find a way to keep Malkin. He’s the second best player in the league by a very slim margin, and only because the best player is a generational talent. They’d be crazy to trade him.
With Crosby and Malkin, it almost doesn’t matter who plays with them. They will make those guys score goals. Or just do it by themselves.
And as someone else pointed out, IF he were traded, it would be to the West, and for a lot more than Markov, Kaberle, and and a pick.
Nice to dream though, I’d love to have a Malkin.
Full Breezer 4 Life
If, if, the Pens ever decided to deal Malkin, there is 0 chance they would give him to a club in the Eastern Conference.
They’d trade him West, and ask for a Kings ransom. And thats even if they trade him.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Officially he is ‘single’, but he has a long-term girlfriend.
Sorry, bud.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
With the Habs being so awesome on the road this year, I’d almost rather they finish 6th and take on the Southwest winner in the first round. The cherry on top would be if Toronto and Boston could pound the snot out of each other in another first round meeting.
Assuming Toronto makes it. Which I am assuming.
Full Breezer 4 Life
I wouldn’t be so sure.
If one of the top 3 hockey players in the world is available by trade, there will be quite the bidding war.
As for signing him, don’t be surprised if the Pens find a way to make space for him.. The Jordan Staal trade was a precursor to this.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Dreamer.
i am more inebriated and I am wondering the same!
Southeast winner
No, I want them to play New Mexico. Oops, lol! Thanks.
Full Breezer 4 Life
funnnny!!!! if thats the best you can do—say nothing!
Jes’ jokes.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Come on, it was pretty funny!
Full Breezer 4 Life
Markov and a first rounder for a rental? No way Bergevin would do that.
Its got to be Tampa. Might be a different story next year though!
I’m not sure if he was or will be paid for the Olympics by Hockey Canada…
The sad thing about Calgary is they don’t have a lot of young talent in the pipes. Future isn’t looking much better either
I don’t care how bad Edmonton are again, it can’t last. That roster is a total drool.
Full Breezer 4 Life
Oilers are only a couple of points out of a playoff spot, with a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. The Mike Brown trade has helped them, as has the return of Mark Fistric and Ryan Jones from injury. Taylor Hall is a thoroughbred. I think the Oil will make the playoffs this year, if only because the other teams below them are so bad. As for Calgary, they are just plain bad, which augurs well for the Habs. Remember what Timmins said last June when drafting Sebastian Collberg? He said that the top of the 2nd Round is like drafting in the 1st Round, because several legitimate 1st Rounders often fall into that top half of the 2nd. Calgary’s demise is Montreal’s gain.
Proves tanking year after year doesn’t allways make you better.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
I agree with that.