Canadiens coach Michel Therrien tinkered with his lines again at practice on Monday morning in Brossard after Saturday’s embarrassing 6-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Desharnais-Pacioretty-Cole line that led the Canadiens in offence last season has been re-jigged. Forward Brandon Prust played with David Desharnais and Erik Cole at practice, while Max Pacioretty was paired up with rookies Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher.
“Obviously with Desharnais’s line we don’t have the result that we’re looking for,” Therrien said after practice.
“We gave those guys a lot of chances. We spoke to those guys and they know where we’re (coming from),” Therrien said, adding he hadn’t seen much chemistry on that line during the last game.
It’s one of the reasons why they tried to make some changes and will hopefully get better results, he said.
Galchenyuk and Gallagher have a lot of speed, Therrien said. “And having a guy like Pacioretty will be tough to contain with their speed. He’s got size.”
Prust did a great job with the two rookies, Therrien said. “He’s a tough guy to play against and maybe this is what Desharnais and Cole need – you know, a true leader on the ice.”
After the loss to the Leafs, Cole sent a text message to his teammates on a group chat that he set up during the National Hockey League lockout. He wrote that all teams will face a difficult time. The Canadiens are in the midst of one right now and it’s up to them to get themselves out of it.
Cole said he also told his teammates that he plans on being a lot better and to help be part of the solution.
Pacioretty said he wasn’t looking at the line change as a demotion but rather as a change of scenery.
“It’s not working,” Paciorettey said. “The team needs something different. I’ve been under-achieving. My linemates have been under-achieving. The chemistry didn’t seem like it’s there right now. We haven’t helped the team win.
“I can just speak for myself personally: I’ve got to be better,” Pacioretty added.
After practice, the Canadiens headed to Florida, where they’ll play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) and the Panthers on Thursday.
At this juncture of the season, Therrien wishes the Canadiens had a slightly better record because of how they’ve played.
“I thought we played a solid game against the Bruins. I thought we played a decent game against Buffalo. We were in a great position to win that hockey game,” he said, referring to last week’s games. “And obviously (Saturday’s match)…was a tough one.”
The team is still in a good position, Therrien said. “It’s going to be tight until the end of the year and…we all understand that.”
“We’ve got to get back to the winning streak tomorrow,” he added. “That’s the way we see it.”
The NHL announced on Monday afternoon that the Maple Leafs’ Mikhail Grabovski would not face supplemental discipline for allegedly biting Pacioretty on the arm during Saturday’s fight-filled game. Here’s the official statement:
“Following a telephone hearing conducted this morning, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety has decided not to assess Supplemental Discipline to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Gravovski for an incident that occurred during NHL Game No. 160 Saturday night in Montreal.
“After interviewing both players involved in the incident and reviewing all of the available video and medical reports, the League could not determine conclusively that Grabovski bit Montreal forward Max Pacioretty.
“The Department of Player Safety has concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to support imposing Supplemental Discipline.”
For a photo gallery of Biting in Sports, click here.
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I was able to work at home today, and again tomorrow, by wednesday I should be able to deal with the knuckleheads..
Well since patches has the superhuman healing powers he was already healed after the bite that is why Grabovski didn’t get anything
God.
The Flyers look like they’re on ‘ludes.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
They do, but full marks to Leafs. Carlyle really has that team playing the style he wants.
No way, the Laffs are on their honeymoon, and they will be back down to earth soon.
They look terrible out there. Their D is playing with 0 confidence. The puck was laying there at center ice on the PP, and the Dman starts backing up to defend instead of getting it, letting a Leafs forward pick up the puck.
So Holzer cross checks a flyers head into dasher and the idiot Greg Millen makes no comment. Why are some fans so Bias they can’t even see when a dirty play is committed by their team.
Same way that fans see fit to call MaxPac a whiner, crybaby, etc.
Same way that fans laugh off and cheer Colton Orr nearly kneeing Plekanec.
This is so weird. All day long I’ve been having these out-of-body experiences, as if I’ve shuffled off this mortal coil.
But every time I’ve pinched myself it hurts so I guess I still have an earthly presence.
That 6-0 shellacking at the hands of the Leafs obviously upset me more than I realized.
It’s very unsettling, being stuck between two worlds: HIO and sanity.
So you evidently have someone here who no longer wants the living body John around. I trust he is paying you big bucks for trademark infringement?
I’ve talked to a kid down the street who’s in a Grade 10 law class. He says we have a case. I’m meeting him tonight after he finishes his shift at Wendy’s.
Edit: I’ve made a few acquaintances in my spectral travels. Anyone remember the Ghosts of Past, Present and Future posting here?
Worst case you should be able to get a malt frosty out of the case. Good luck John, we can pass the hat around if the costs get too high.
Thanks, Burl’ …
This could get expensive. Could you use a bearskin?
Big John Erskine is serving a 3 game suspension for knocking Simmonds into the quiet room. Big Mac , I think went down on waivers.
Erskine could play regularly and Big Mac when required (Bruins, Leafs).
I don’t see the downfall of picking these guys up unless the Pens and Caps want too much which they might knowing the Hab’s “condition”.
Why does Philly keep bringing back Boucher? They can’t help themselves, eh?
How are the closet Leaf-minded Hab fans tonight???
I see that the Leafs are up 4-1. Has Man-Eater got any points tonight?
I hope the Flyers are like this on Saturday.
They’ll be hungry and mad
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Unfortunately for the Habs
Then again, the Habs should have been hungry for a win last Saturday and completely came out flat.
Down goes Reimer – Leafs Fans can’t blame Gionta this time…..
Too bad he is a real nice kid. He has had some hard luck injuries early now in his career.
I agree. He sounds like a very nice humble kid in any interviews i’ve seen.
Karma….sweet, hope they lose 10 in a row
@hobie. Orr is a tough Hombre that can swing momemtum. But if I had a choice ,it would be McIntyre. And/or Big John Erskine.Saludos Amigo!
Both those guys would be great. Is Big Mac playing anywhere this year?
Erskine not playing a lot in Wash but would sure beef up our D.
Erskine is a painfully obvious good move, I really have no clue why MB has not pulled the trigger yet.
So Booby Lou to Toronto, finally?
Holy crap, the Flyers’ defense is making ours on Saturday night look like a concrete wall.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Not one game this season that the Leafs were shorthanded more than their opposition…they are tied for 25th in times short handed and many of those penalties have been delay of game,faceoff infraction or closing your hand on the puck…Habs pk 16th…Plecks is still the best pk forward even though he wins very few pk draws in his zone..but he has the speed and agility to chase players…Armstrong,Prust and Moen are just too static…letting teams set up will lead to goals
Grabovski is now a Target amigos. It won’t be a Hab that takes him out.But ,bet your boots ,there is a Lad out there(probably an ECHL call up) that will.There is a code for that .
Grabovski is a tough little bugger – Chara almost put him through the boards one game & he staggered back to the bench & later came back to score The GWG……
Happy Gilmore is on..good I need a good laugh right now..and I need a break from fighting with certain folks..
When I think of Happy Gilmore I think of Ryan White.
The fight Adam Sandler has with Bob Barker is a classic
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
the price is wrong..bitch..
Joe LaVerdiere Idont have in faith M.T couching he looks like he is half a sleep. and so do his players. montreal has no scoring punch like 50 & 60;s . they dont have pride; all they seem to care about is geting the game over with.when are they going to start earning the money they are paid. come on managment get with it get some players that really want to play for montreal
canadians .i have been a montreal canadian fan for 65 years the referes and the premodones players have ruined hockey.
Reimer out.
Looks like a groin or knee.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Just when things were going good…
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
They get better.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
YES!
No offense, but you should probably change your name rather than piggyback on someone else’s.
—Hope Springs Eternal—
Those goons do nothing for a team do they?
Wow, Colton Orr with a goal. Toronto is rolling right now.
Flyers collapse!
I’d love Orr in our lineup instead of White or Armstrong, not going to lie.
.
I thought that concussion last year was the end for him. Full credit to him.
My apologies to Count Dracula for elevating Grabovsky to the status of aristocracy. Cannibal or Hannibal or simply b%&#h seem to be more appropriate for this low life. As for the league’s response Pacs near decapitation at the hands of Chara did not move them so why would a little “hand of man” take out order be cause for alarm. Shanahan is useless. The Leafs and Bruins are like Duke in basketball no meaningful fouls will be called.
I think the Bruins are on their way out. The so called “tough guys” in Boston have been taking a beating all season long. Thornton got clobbered by Scott and now the rest of the team has been awfully timid, it really demonstrates how important Thornton was to that team and how their image of intimidation was a load of fluff. Campbell got TKO’d by Kaleta of all people last night, which is bound to be a humiliating experience for the Bruins and there fans. Thornton is back now but he has really lost his mojo.
Trust me, the word is now out that the so called Big Bad Bruins are actually a bunch of scared little cubs now that heir primary bodyguard is neutered.
A game against the Habs would probably help get their mojo back. LOL!!
Just like Boyle.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
This was on a thread on tsn. By far one of the dumbest things I have read so far this year.
ozzy1998
3 hours ago
All teams have games like saturday night! Remember St Louis whipping Detroit 6-0 to kick off the season? Well Detroit’s done pretty well putting that blow out loss behind them. What montreal’s really gotta do is find a way to win with PK Subban in the line up or trade him as the chemistry in montreal’s been destroyed ever since his return! Report this comment!
That site has more homer’s per poster than any other forum/blog I’ve been to.
Poor Patches… Attempted murder by a giant slovakian… appendix going ape ***t and now a tiny belarussian attempting cannibalism…
On a random note:
There’s enough veteran leadership on this team to NOT let this losing streak get out of hand.
Now Pacioretty is soft and useless, we should trade him? The way some guys are talking here, it seems like Dudley should not be scouting other NHL teams. He should be scouting UFC.
If only GSP could skate half decent.
Soft and useless? I beg your pardon?
Pacioretty is tender and juicy and delicious when served with BBQ sauce and some fava beans on the side.
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
hahahaha love it
I have been taking spelling lessons from this guy since I wrote my first sentence ever, on HIO in 2007.
He is one of those literary geniuses. And he is willing to help anyone who asks.
Mr. Webster!
Oh look, another Leaf 5-on-3.
Seems every team does this now, where the player turns and faces the boards with the puck, thus drawing a boarding call or hoping no one hits him because back is turned. Yet in this case Kessel didn’t need to face the boards but chose to. Very dicey situation for the refs/league/players etc…
Everybody is talking about the offensive lines today but what about the defensive lines? Why is Gorges not back with PK already? Weren’t they the shut down group last year? When is MT going to realize he has two horses: Price and PK? Isn’t time to play PK 25 min/game (with Gorges) against the best from the other side. It would help Markov as he can’t log the heavy minutes he used to.
Because PK’s ego is too big. He can’t take those extra minutes.
Love the idea of Max and the young guns playing together. Hope it works out ASAP to makes us forget Saturday night.
Cole said some powerful words back in January, may have some sort of mental effect on him.
He better come around, or get eatin alive.
LET’S PACK THE HOUSE
Be A Pro Fundraiser Feb 24th (see web site for details)
Shane Oliver
Twitter @Sholi2000
http://www.Sholi2000.com
Custom Sports Figures
Roger that Shane!
As angry as I am that we’re still the softest team in the league, we aren’t exposed every game and I believe we have just enough to squeak into the playoffs.
Just squeaking into the playoffs leaves us picking somewhere in the middle of the 1st round if I’m not mistaken. We’ve got Galchenyuk and Gallagher looking pretty good for the future up front and Tinordi and Beaulieu on the back end.
So what I’d like to see Montreal do is to use all their picks, the one 1st round pick and the three (I think) 2nd rounders on guys that fit the mold of a David Clarkson, Milan Lucic or Ryan Getzlaf type of player. I hear it’s a deep draft.
I’d like to see Timmins go after 3 or 4 forwards, 6’2″ or larger, with good hands and a bit of a mean streak.
So all you prospect gurus out there, are there any possibilities mid 1st round and through the 2nd round?
And if all else fails, draft a guy like John Scott with our last pick
.
Here is Bob McKenzie’s list of top 60 available players. I don’t know answer to your question I asked similar question earlier.
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9840
Erne and Rychel look pretty good for mid 1st rounders.
1st round I suspect and think is a round for taking best skill. 2nd and into 3rd round I think is when we start looking for that body we talk about Hobie.
We shall see how Toronto’s experiment turns out, but they swapped their 1st round pick and added a 2nd in order to move up and take the truculent Tyler Biggs. The 2nd round pick they gave up ended up being the U.S. goalie at the World Juniors this years.
Seems the big tough gritty powerforward with skill is one of the hardest positions to predict.
not many guys like that at this years draft, the only power forward in the first round is Adam Erne, and he is more of a Dustin Brown type player (which is great btw).
Tom Wilson, a Washington prospect, seems to be a total Kassian type player. We just need to pry him out of the Capitals hands in a trade.
How are the Habs the softest team in the league?
As for the draft, what a waste it is to only target a single type of player. Sounds something like the Blue Jackets or the Islanders would do.
Have you been watching them play the last 3 years?
Armstrong $1M, Moen$1.85M Staubitz (6:1 203) $675,000.00 siiiigggnnnn.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Believe it or not, Moen is still a decent player. Even if Staubitz can throw’em a bit better Moen can log more minutes, kill penalties and more. I’d take Staubitz over Armstrong though.
After saying that, none are heavyweights.
Moen like Cole played really well last year but WTF has happened to them this year?
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
I am not sure who is stupider..stupidest..Leaf fans or Sens fans..good god there goes my old illiterate brain again..so sorry….
Eesh, I’ve seen forums for other teams, but Toronto Sports Network’s article about Grabovski getting away with the bite features some bitter hate from the comments section. The general consensus is to blame Pacioretty for all that’s gone wrong in his career, including the Chara hit, with multiple concurring from other readers.
TSN comments = inmates running the asylum.
yep that is what i am getting..Max is a big faker and cry baby..including his near death from Lurch..bunch of A holes..I gotta stop trying to reason with morons..
Amen.
Whenever I’m in doubt I just pull out this handy chart:
Sens fans = dumb
Leafs fans = dumber
Flyers fans = dumberer
Bruins fans = dumberest
Hope this helps!
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
you sure you speldt the dumb’s properly?
I can’t wait until tomorrow so this forum can finally move on from Saturday night.
We sucked, end of story. The game was a statistical outlier. Now, Let’s move on.
After 11 games there’s a lot to be happy about. With the trajectory we’re on, we’ll make the playoffs.
*fingers crossed*
Well didn’t take long for the Flyers to show Toronto something. Well executed.
I hope Therrien told these players what pride means.
They are a laughing stock here in Toronto which pisses me
off
Flyers put one early. Maybe tomorrow will be a bit better for ya bud.
———————————–
we had better come out scorin’ and a swingin’ on the 27th, I sincerely hope that Kadri leaves with a broken nose……
I’m from Newmarket and listen to the Fan590 on occasion for my drive to and from work. There’s a lot chest pounding going on in Toronto at the moment. Just be patient, the Leafs will soon be losing (they’re do for a blow out themselves) and the Habs will get back to steady play. At the end of the season we’ll see where the chips lie.
My advice, enjoy the Leaf fans who call in to the radio shows whining about their team during the next losing streak (which is probably not too far away).
I did find it funny listening the radio shows today, some of them sound like the Leafs are on the road to the Cup. I do feel it’s necessary to point out – after all the fanfare of Saturday night – the Leafs are simply a point ahead of us….including tonight, they’ve played 2 more games than us.
The worst is seeing people praise Orr for taking a run at Pleks.
Dudley scouting the Flyers Leaf game along with scouts from Edmonton and St Louis tonight.
Yea we play Flygirls Sat.
We’re getting Grabovsky!
Why, is someone having trouble chewing their food?
Bergevin wants to give our offense some teeth
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Nice. Dudley’s knowledge of all things NHL is pretty amazing. Stubbs could do a lot worse than to throw 30 NHLers and prospects at him and get an unbelievable scouting report back.
Say HIO, could we request an interview with Dudley to get his scouting report on few players…
Off the top of my head: Paajarvi, Boyle, Stewart, Semin, Evander Kane, that kid in the KHL that Washington hasn’t convinced to join them, Schultz and of course our prospects: Hudon, Collberg, Bozon, Kristo, Macmillan, etc…
I’d love to know how Dudley thinks we’re shaping up and how long he reckons before we get a contender.
Stewart tops the list for me, I wouldn’t touch Semin with a 10 foot pole.
Kusnetzov would be unreal. Rumors are they essentially blackmailed him to stay in KHL another season with threats they wouldn’t put him on the national team. Kid can snipe (we need more pure goal scorers) and isn’t small. Some people won’t like his swagger personally IDGAF.
———————————
Lars, PK, Galchenyuk, Pac, Emelin – @J_Perez22
What is the most mispelled word on hockey forums?
a) definitely
b) lose
C) the many versions of we’re, where, were, wear.
—
Go Habs Go!
we are
Forgot one, weir
“misspelled” is up there.
LOL. I’m not even going to edit that.
Do what I do Whatever, blame it on spell check, big fingers, or typing without your glasses.
———————————–
Nope. Just not as smart as I thought I was.
Usually my wife’s job to let me know that.
LOL, too funny.
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/spelling-and-word-lists/misspelled.html
100 most common misspelled words.
Now you share this? A day late and a dollar short.
———————————–
Starley Cup Charpion
Galchenyuk
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
Definitely a).
your you’re there their they’re
Go Habs Go
So now that biting has been leagalized by both the WWE and NHL a bidding war has begun for the coaching services of Mike Tyson. Also Molson has instructed Timmons Head of Scouting to look for players with serious over bite issues. Timmons has hired his dentist as a consultant.
———————————–
Heard he just found a guy with bite somewhere in remote Eastern Europe but he can only play night games…he’s from Transylvania I think…
‘Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Count Dracula’.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
What’s eller gotta do to get a fair shake? DD better be getting this many chances because he is getting showcased cause i can’t think of another reason why he is still in the lineup.
Pacioretty is a player we should be thinking long and hard about, he is terribly soft for his size and seems to lack heart. His only redeeming quality seems to be scoring, but that’s not there this year.
If we were to trade him, we would likely get a high first round pick, or a star player in return, it’s something we should think seriously about.
He looks a lot like Armstrong out there.
I could think of a lot of ways to describe Pacioretty, but ‘terribly soft” and “lacks heart” ain’t two of them.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
I smell a troll.
———————————–
no
“He looks a lot like Armstrong out there.”
I rest my case.
———————————–
In the sense that they both don’t really accomplish anything this year so far.
Maybe he meant, he sees a troll. Smell can be hard through a computer.
Even Bellyfull’s ghost delivers the laughs, proving his humor is eternal!!
Patches Soft? Where the hell is my pipe Martha?!
———————————–
The ghost of Wendal Clark Maybe.
—
Go Habs Go!
The guy just came back from an appendectomy in a week and you’re calling him soft…Wow…
I’m not the first one to say it, for a guy his size he rarely wins battles, and I’m surprised he didn’t deck that little rat Grabovski after he bit him.
“The team’s most effective trio of Tomas Plekanec at centre with Rene Bourque and Brian Gionta is intact, while Lars Eller remains on the fourth line with Travis Moen and Colby Armstrong.” (tsn.ca aka toronta sports network) Our current number one trio will not last the season, even the shortened season . . . has Plekanec ever scored on a breakaway? I dare say that his percentage on breakways is likely rather grim . . . I
CranbrookEd
Mr. Beliveau: “Pure Pak mais oui”! . . . What ever happened to Johnny Jelly-Bean!?
Can’t be worse than Bourque’s. Seems like every time he comes out of the penalty box he’s sent in free and clear and either rings the iron or shoots just wide.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Guest you did not see Buffalo game other night but he is only guy to score on break away this year. Not a great average but he has scored.
Yes I only got to see the last half of game so it must have been earlier. Thanks for the info (smilly face)
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Inspired by the commentariat.
Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
DDism,Pleksism, Maxism, MTism, MBism, Racism
This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
(C’mon)
Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
Heavyweight, lightweight, Tough guys, and Goonsters
Centres, Wingers, snipers,and Point guys Oye Oye Oye Oye
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
(Let me tell you now)
Ev’rybody’s Thinkin”bout
Revolution, Evolution, Tank Nation, Flagellation, Regulation,
Integrations, mediations, United teammates, congratulations!
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
Lars and DD, Grabovski, Bite me,
Trade Pleks? Colesy? Weber For a Fighter
Michel Therrien, Donald Meehan, Marc Bergevin, PK and Powerplay
Markov and Powerplay
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
All we are saying is give Lars a chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZC7sqImaM
Very appropriate L. Wasn’t that written by the great one at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal?
———————————–
Yep, there is (or was) a shrine in his honour in one of the windows of the lobby of the Queen E.
Instant classic, LL.
___________________________________________________
Being a Hab fan is like buying real estate: only over the long-haul will you appreciate the true value of your investment.
Sweet music, L Elle!
Bravo my fair lady, Bravo!
I luv it. Good job Lady Elle.
Shanahan: “Mikhail, did you bite Pacioretty’s arm?”
Grabovski: “What you mean – “bite”?”
BS: “You know, when his arm was in front of your face, did you bite it?”
MG: “I don’t know what you talkin about. ‘Arm’. What is that? I don’t understand what you say.”
BS: “You know, the arm. Pacioretty’s arm. It was right in your face.”
MG: “You keep sayin “Pacioretty”. Who is this guy? I don’t know. You askin me these questions. I don’t know. What you want me to say?”
BS: “Sigh”
…
BS: “Max, were there any teeth left in your arm after the bite that you can send us?”
Max: “Uh, no. There were bite marks, though.”
BS: “Inconclusive. Sorry.”
My mother was a school teacher and a damn good one. She always said if you wanted to make a real change in a school you had to bring in a principal from the outside otherwise every thing would always settle back into the same school culture i.e. no change would occur. That was my fear when MT was hired from a group that has been around the habs for years. It is hard almost impossible to adjust consensus group opinions of players. I remember my son’s team in Ottawa when a new coach from outside came in. When a parent attempted to influence his opinion of the players he refreshingly said “I’ll make up my own mind”. As this season goes on the more MT seems to resemble Martin.
Your mother spoke the truth . . . the type of change required will not come from within . . .
CranbrookEd
Mr. Beliveau: “Pure Pak mais oui”! . . . What ever happened to Johnny Jelly-Bean!?
didn’t we try that with Martin? and techncially we brought in an “outsider” as he was not part of the team. Therrien is VERY different from Martin in terms of coaching, communication, expectations, and line ups… the same goes for PG -> MB… PG was stoic, and very diplomatic… MB was considered an outgoing guy, and in terms of personality very different (there is no precedent to say that MB is this kind of GM or that kind of GM) lets hire an NBA GM?
Go Habs Go
Seems as though Shanahan is the only one that doesnt think Grabo bit Patch. Kyprios even says it should be legal to bite. LOL!!
If you can’t beat ‘em on the ice or in the alley, the least you can do is make fun of them:
http://calshabsongparodies.weebly.com
Now, with chintzy slideshow.
“The Desharnais line . . . ” . . . really? Little Davey should centre the fourth line and Eller needs to be moved up . . . if someone is “that small” in today’s NHL, then they need to bring some extraordinarily skill and or speed. Unfortunately, Desharnais (and dare I say the captain also fits into this category) does not bring anything extraordinary beyond desire . . . oh yes, desire, alright, he does have more desire than some others who float around collecting way too much money for way too little production.
CranbrookEd
Mr. Beliveau: “Pure Pak mais oui”! . . . What ever happened to Johnny Jelly-Bean!?
He has a big heart but you can’t overcome the laws of physics.
How true . . . little Davey versus the laws of Physics . . . he won’t come out the winner . . .
CranbrookEd
Mr. Beliveau: “Pure Pak mais oui”! . . . What ever happened to Johnny Jelly-Bean!?
I can see some positive to Cardinal Ouellet being elected Pope. Quebecers revert to Catholicism and give the Habs some breathing room. Non??
No breathing room until they bring home #25.
“Elever le flambeau!…Raise the Torch!”
The players some are saying the Habs should target in a trade are near useless. Boyle is big,slow and pretty soft for his size, he doesn’t fix anything. Bordoleau could probably be a start, but this isn’t a one player fix, we need size, with skill and toughness on the side. We need a guy like Chris Stewart to start skill,size and tough as nails. Not likely we could land Stewart from the blues but he’d be a great fit. If we can somehow find a guy like Stewart,Kassian,Clowe then you add a tough physical presence up front like Ryan Reeves, Matt Martin or another dominant checking line that you can run out there safely for 6-10 minutes a game and they may even chip in the odd goal. To finish off the changes we’d need a guy like Erskine on the back end. Not a great defender but he can play D at the NHL level. It’s not a quick, easy or likely fix but it’s nice to dream. We don’t need major change as games are won on the scoresheets and not in the penalty box, however it is still obvious that we need to still get bigger and more physical and we need players with a mean streak, not just guys that are playing the part.
Unfortunately it is going to take at least a couple of seasons to completely change this team due to the contracts, diminishing salary cap and development of young players. Our only assets that GM’s want are young players and draft picks which MB won’t trade.
Clowe sounds good.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Top choice if you ask me
UFA at the end of the year too
This league is a joke. Anyone with their right statement of mind can clearly see the incident. What were they looking for: see grabovsky’s teeth stick out?
They seem to never give suspensions when it comes to stuff against montreal
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Last week in review from HW;
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=3005
Roberts weekly prospect update;
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/catching-the-torch-leblanc-rises/
So I have a question semi hockey related. Whats your favorite beer?
Mines Moose Head
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
MGD in a bottle. Stella Artois close second.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
I recently got turned on to Chimay, a Belgian Ale made by monks. I also like Stella.
“Elever le flambeau!…Raise the Torch!”
SOOOOO many to choose from. Depends on time of year an environment for me. But suffice to say, if its cold I am already in a good place. Then as the quality of beer gets better, then I get to go to a really good place.
I’m with Mr. Biter when it comes to standard beer as I love MGD. But my go to specialty beers for nice evenings around the BBQ are old school beers from Austria, Czech, Germany etc…Enjoying a Kaiser bier right now as I type. Pilsner Urquell is one of my favourites.
But I will fully admit that I can enjoy Coors Light as well. I hear many screaming already, but it is what it is for me.
> Pilsner Urquell
I’ve got a couple of these chillin’ in the fridge.
Ok cool would COors be your Hockey beer?
http://nickolaisblog.wordpress.com/
Only when his Sales Rep buddy is giving them away
Back in the late 80′s and early 90′s we did all of the Printed T-shirts , sweatshirts etc for Molson’s for Manitoba and Sask. Come Christmas time There’d be a call from the loading dock and lo and behold a pallet filled with virtually every molson product waiting for us. Those really were “The Good Old Days”.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Yah that or MGD, and Frank is onto something, thankfully Coors is responsible for MGD distribution in Canada, so it works well for me.
Pilsner Urquell is one of the best. Can’t find it in Montréal any more.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Innis & Gunn
That is a great great beer. A wonderful sipping beer, great call Oz. Brought some to a friends house last weekend, have you tried some of their new flavours? They are all excellent.
I think Irish Whiskey cask is the best I’ve tried.
Most recently purchased the spiced rum – it was great. Better than the standard rum flavored one.
Then I find the Original on tap here and there – O&B’s @ blue mtn, for example.
Edit: I just looked up all the flavors – i also tried the Cnd Day flavor – don’t really remember how I liked it, TBH. Haven’t tried the others – Blonde, Porter, etc…
but which one? The regular one? or the dark one? or the extra aged one or the blonde one….
ah hell, they all taste good!!!
Cold…
_______________________________________
Jack Edwards is a clam.
Gary Bettman is a bobblehead.
Mine is Hoffer Schorre (or however you spell it)
Give Kostritzer a try. German Guinness.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Moose piss?
Sorry, i have become a beer snob. Anything Labatt, Keiths, Molson, etc. or taste like any of the above (Moose Head) I will politely decline. They all taste the same. Skunky Watery Lagers with an IBU of 15 – 20. Hello? Keiths? a real IPA is to be in excess of 50 IBU’s!!
There are so many beers that have so much more flavour and character.
In Montreal Dieu du Ciel is fantastic. My wife is going to be in Montreal in March and made a point to rub it in my face that she is going to the brew pub to pound a few pints.
Out west, I tend to stock brews by the Cannery, or Mt Begbie. I had a very nice beer out of NYC last weekend called Hoptimus Prime (yes, I bought it for it’s name).
Every Trapist beer is delicious, but expensive.
La Chouffe or Mc Chouffe (or the Triple IPA Chouffe) out of Belgium is really good and really popular in Amsterdam (and it was only $2 a pint there!!!)
Also fell in love with Karmeliet, which is a Belgian triple (8%) but does not taste like it has a high alcohol content. The kicker is it is hard to find and costs about $20 for a four pack her in Alberta. Again, it is popular in Amsterdam and cost very little there.
Also, don’t let Stella Artois fool you, it is the Moslon Canadian of Belgium. It is neither posh nor exotic… just mass produce swill with good marketing.
sorry if I have offended. The worst thing I ever did was discover good alcohol. It costs more and makes the alternative unpalatable. For your sakes, keep drinking the cheap(er) stuff, it is best to live in ignorance.
1. Lucky Lager
2. Pill
3. AGD
Note* If by “Moosehead” you mean Moosehead Lager in the green bottle (Moose Green) you should know that New Brunswickers don’t drink it much. It’s for export only. The No. 1 Moosehead lager out here is Alpine. The best selling Moosehead beer overall is probably Moose Light. Those three pretty much all taste the same. IMO the only Moosehead beer worth paying extra for is the Pale Ale (Moose Red). Moosehead Premium Dry is OK, but I think they only sell it in the Maritimes.
P.S. It upsets still very much that the Halifax team in the QMJHL is called the Mooseheads and not the team in Saint John.
Actually a really cold Moosehead in a bottle does taste quite good. But warm Moosehead tastes like it came straight from the moose.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Did you know that Alpine is actually made in Sussex as a by-product of the dairy industry there… pure cow pi$$.
If I had to pick one, it would be Heineken in a bottle. Stella, Boreale Blonde, and even Peroni (all in bottles) are close. A Corona can be great in the summer. I really like Chechvar in a can as well.
- Honestly yours
Twitter: @de_benny
While Prust is a nice addition to the team, he is a 3rd line player at best or an excellent 4th line forward. The kinds of player whom the Habs eventually need to add to this roster is a David Clarkson, Milan Lucic type player. Someone who can play in the top 6 and play a physical gritty game with panache.
Erik Cole and Max Pac are big forwards, but play an average physical game. This is not a knock on them, but they will provide contact when it presents itself but don’t go out of their way so much to make the big hits or really make their presence known.
This type of role can also be provided by a Defenceman. We have all talked ad nauseum how Tinordi projects to be that, but that is probably another season away at least.
Unfortunately for the Habs, when they fall behind on the scoreboard to a brutish styled team, this is when the physical style of play really starts to tilt. It allows other teams to give a knucklehead like McLaren or Orr extra shifts. If the Habs have a lead, those guys barely get off the bench.
I don’t this present Habs squad is going to be carrying leads in every game, thus the reason the team needs to have enough physicality to somewhat match up. Having Ryan White back in the lineup helps a little bit but really isn’t enough.
We shall see, but I don’t MB perceives his team the same way PG viewed the team and I suspect things will change over time. He just can’t overreact and give away key parts for short term gains.
I agree but at the same time, Lucic and Clarkson are extremely rare commodities. The teams that have them don’t give them away easily. Vancouver picked up Kassian but from what i’ve seen he doesn’t match up to Lucic. He’s a good 2nd line rugged winger though. I honestly think people put a little too much into finding the next Lucic, rather slowly upgrading the teams toughness is probably easier. For every Gio or DD you got to have a bruiser that picks up the slack, not necessarily a Lucic but somebody who can help out.
I agree, I don’t think you trade for these guys without way overpaying. Need to develop one.
Develop lots so we care trade them and make other teams overpay.
Pretty much every forward on Team USA 2010 would fit that list. To it I would add Dubinsky, Hartnell, Simmonds, Perry, Getzlaf, Burrows, Clarkson and Clowe. These kinds of players don’t often get traded.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Mick on the Isles/Bruins trade, and why this is cap floor circumvention.
http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/02/11/calling-foul-on-the-tim-thomas-trade-and-floor-circumvention/
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
I believe nothing will become of it but i hope enough GM’s put up a stink about it and a rule be put into place to stop future deals like this.
I think it should be if Thomas doesn’t report in the next month than the deal would be null and void.
The way to beat the Leafs is pretty simple. You do what they do. You forecheck hard, you score to put them on the back foot and you target their best players – especially the hot heads like Grabo and Phaneuf.
Score 2, give them a steady diet of Gally, the Pest from the West, down low, get Phaneuf excited, and get Yemmy or Subbidoo to lay someone out. Job done.
To be honest, I’m less dissapointed with losing 6-0 than I am with HOW the game ended. Face it, they played better than us saturday night and we’ll be ready the next time we play them but when you get “beat up” as well, that just deflates the team and confidence plummets as a result. There needs to be a sense of push back at least from a physical stand point to say “we lost the game but we didn’t go down without a fight” – no pun intended.
On the whole Boyle trade idea, i think he is a worthy asset in more than one way. Faceoffs is key. He’s good at the dot and that will help big time. He can score goals. Not a 50 goals scorer but he can pot more than Orr can. Size/toughness, he may not be the best fighter but with his size he isn’t a push over neither. He might not have destroyed Mclaren but i highly doubt “ugly-face” Frazer would of been laughing. Aside from fighting just having a guy that size can make a difference in front of the net, battling in the corners and landing some solid hits not to mention he’s buds with Prust. If the price isn’t to high i would definitely pick him up!
Boyle is on record as never wanting to play here. He is also too soft…
Really? Can you find a link, i’m curious to read/hear it. He may not be the Lindros type player we could use but i wouldn’t go as far as saying he’s soft. What would that make Eller, DD, Plek, Army, Pacman?
His stats wouldn’t indicate it – http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20122NYRSASALL&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats
It’s from a radio interview a couple of years ago. Granted we were awful then and a lot of free agents wanted no part of this town. What with taxes and a tough market when you’re not winning.
From what I recall, it was a throwaway remark at the end of the interview… My impression was that he was pretty negative about the team and the city. Things change of course…
Someone else mentioned this earlier, but I was far more upset at what Orr did to Plex than what Grabo did. Not to absolve the bite, but those scrums a crapshow anyhow. Orr just about ended the season early for Plex and that had intent written all over it.
I agree. But, the league doesn’t discipline for intent. If they did, Chara would have received a life time suspension. Guess you can’t rely on the league to protect your players.
No we no longer can. I have never been a proponent for fighters etc… but it appears we are back in the wild west and frontier justice is all that matters.
Orr was not guilty merely of intent. He did in fact make contact with Plekanec and any risk of grave injury was only mitigated by Plekanec’s maneuver at the last minute after being warned by his teammates. The failure of the officials to call a penalty on the play and the Department of Player Safety’s failure to even discuss it let alone address it says to me that Hockey Operations is a complete and utter farce and a disgrace. Way too many connections to Toronto and Boston- Murphy former Leaf coach, Campbell Leaf GM wannabe and father of a Bruins player, Shanahan, Ontario native living in Boston in the front yard of Bruins owner and Chair of the NHL’s Board of Governor’s, Jeremy Jacobs. Oh yes and let’s not forget that our friend and Habs nemesis Tim Peel is a Toronto boy as well. LOL!
“Elever le flambeau!…Raise the Torch!”
We should flood Shanahan’s email box with nasty letters nonstop.
Richard R
Price is an oyster. Unfortunately not all oysters produce pearls.
Cole texted his teammates to say that he was going to play better and ‘asked them to do the same…’
Me thinks somebody got a talking to and wasn’t happy with what he heard. FYI to Cole: There are quite a few players that have shown up this year and having some ill-prepared, slow out of the gate vet call them out is pretty rich.
Cole has more upside than most on this team. He’s also has a big contract to prove it. Now’s the time to earn it. Let the others worry about their game, eh.
Don’t need more toughness up front. If anything, we need a guy who can put the puck in the net, and not at a goalie’s crest.
What we really need is a bigger, tougher defenseman. Still miss the Wiz, stands up for his teammates, AND could run the PP. I’ll take at least the physical presence and stand-up nature at this point
“I don’t wanna see Maurice tonight, I want the rocket!”
When you are too small to come within 30 feet of the net, you shoot the puck and it hits the goalie’s crest.
I miss MAB
________________________________________
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
@Burly. Sounds like you had a somewhat stressfull time at your local Saloon in the heart of the enemy last Sat.Good on Ya Amigo! I would be honoured to roll with you any time.
One day we’ll do that Front, will be a good day and evening out. Cheers Front!
Whats more important for the habs to get?
A player who plays 5 minutes, fights once then sits for the rest?
OR
A gritty player, who can hit, take a hit, go into the corners, to the net score a few here and there, and not Necessarily fight
Go Habs Go
Why not both. It is not like one tough guy is going to change the entire ‘soft, small and weak’ culture the Habs have had for the last 4 years. It will take a few key changes.
The most important is to get bigger as a team. Takes years of moves and drafting as long as the GM shares and sticks to that strategy.
The quickest, cheapest and easiest move is your first option.
I assume you mean by “not Necessarily fight” someone who will fight if need be. Moen is supposed to be this but is not doing the job. As for the fighter, why not? Better than Weber, Kaberle or Nokia who play 0 min/game.
With regards to trading for Brian Boyle here is a Ranger blogger discussing the idea of trading Boyle.
http://bluelinestation.com/2013/02/09/brian-boyle-and-his-future/
I would be stoked with Boyle in a habs uniform.. and personally find him worthy of a premium
Go Habs Go
This is why we don’t want Boyle. He’s a big softie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZeTGLlWkmc
We need someone tougher!
He was obviously hoping to goad the other guy into a fight, which i imagine happened… but if boyle is a softie, the entire Habs team is a cluster of flies
Go Habs Go
” but if boyle is a softie, the entire Habs team is a cluster of flies”
You won’t get an argument from me on that!
but ive seen him fight neil and mcquaid also, and those are tougher opponents then Karlsson, pick your fights, and dont be a mindless goon right?
Go Habs Go
Boyle was sent out to throw Karrlsson off his game and smack him around.
Next game Carkner beat the daylights out of Boyle and Neil did the same. Then Neal gave him a nice check to the head to finish him off.
Boyle hasn’t been the same since.
Montreal needs to do the same when someone tries to injure our captain. Unfortunately we don’t have a single player that can stick up for our captain against the leagues toughest.
White did and was promptly sent to the press box (same shift).
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Up there with a guy laughing instead of punching our player with the biggest heart and soul.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him with the Habs, he’s a big guy who can score a few goals and apparently he’s pretty good with face offs which is something we really need.
Wonder when Bergevin will make his first trade as the Habs GM. He has some spare parts on D and up front. You would have to think he has the line in the water at this point. Probably not many takers for 5’8 – 5’10 bags of milk…
The fact that Paciorreti whined to the ref instead of defending himself against a much smaller opponent is embarrassing. Its the Ole ole chant to blame, its turning the habs into whimpy soccer players.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Grabo wasn’t going to drop the gloves, but I agree. There was an opportunity for him to lay a proper thumping on Grabo and drag another Leaf with him. Who knows… Maybe Grabo would be dumb enough to go. He is pretty fiesty with his stick, gloves and… teeth.
Feb 27th- Habs visit the Leafs. Revenge game. Anyone want to grab a “bite” before the game?
I would rather go duck hunting!
Go Habs Go
LOL ya revenge game. Let’s put dd, gointa,pleks,kaberle and markov on the ice to go after the leafs
Sad to say, that @ this point there is no reason to believe that the result would be much different.
Staubitz was great. He certainly would be no worse then Colby Armstrong on the fourth line.
And Staubitz certainly wasn’t a women, I really thing Armstrong might be.
what does Armstrong do for us anyway? does he play PK well? does he skate good? or is he just a butt in the seat?
Go Habs Go
I miss Staubitz too. When things got boring ,you could always count on him to jump over the boards and start a good punch-up.(Which he would usually win). I have been watching that Anaheim team closely this year and he has been making his presence known. He has had some good scraps but unfortunatly was ejected from the last game for some deliquent behaviour.He speared a guy in the nuts. Poor bugger was down for a good 5 mins.
Classic Staubitz
Go Habs Go
For a play which is extremely dirty, painful and just wrong, you do make it sound funny Front! I feel bad for saying that, but I chuckled as I read that.
real girls don’t bite either..only asshat’s bite..period
Gregory Campbell got his clock utterly cleaned in a fight last night. And he got an extra 2 for instigating.
Not all doom and gloom.
–
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Wait until Sr. Campbell reviews the play…
Habs lost 6-0. Has nothing to do with fighting and everything to do with playing. You think Prust made it better? He was one of the reasons it got out of hand. Maybe if Emelin was flattening Kadri instead of the other way around, the game would not have lost integrity. Why is Prust spending 15 minutes of the third period in the box? Doesn’t he realize with the game out of hand he needs to be on the ice, not engaging in useless fights? Fighthing when the game is out of hand is just stupid.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
“Fighting when the game is out of hand is just stupid.”
Exactly. In fact, I would call this a lack of mental toughness. Letting your personal frustration boil over. I know hockey is a passionate game, but the Habs have to show more toughness by not fighting sometimes.
If a guy always takes the first 11 games off, can we pay him 87% of his salary? Or in this case, 77%?
Because Erik Cole gets mighty fired up when people try to hit him in the wallet.
“thoroughbred”
I lol’d
Go Habs Go
Don’t forget he received a bonus payment of 2million during lockout. (or whatever prorated amount it turned out to be)
Love that thought especially he insinuated that he would be more focused than he has been going forward so he does take time off. This year it happens to be a quarter of the season so far.
GO HABS GO!!!
“Opinions are like assholes and everybody has one.”
Hopefully the Habs brass only takes the best ones!
I’ve heard the names of heavyweights being tossed around here, and I’m a bit surprised I haven’t heard these guys being mentioned:
Brian Boyle:
- former teammate of Prust
- a center, and upgrade over White
- has been scratched from the line-up by Torts this year
Patrick Bordeleau:
- Col could use a puck moving defenseman (Weber)
- he’s a homeboy
I would love Boyle, been a fan since his first season in the NHL, I would say he’s worth one of those 2nd rounders we have.
Go Habs Go
Both guys would be very welcome, but a 2nd rounder for Boyle? No.
“thoroughbred”
I *think* he landed in NY for a 3rd. Maybe something like a 3rd + White or prospect.
I doubt any of this happens, but if I were MB, these would be my 1st 2 phone calls.
Correct, 3rd rounder. I’d keep White and send them a 3rd right back. He hasn’t massively upped his value, maybe you’d have to include a Nokeleinen or Blunden with that. We’d be taking on the bigger salary.
“thoroughbred”
I would say he is, as he would keep our team big, he’s a pretty good skater for someone his size, has a respectable defensive game, and can contribute offensively … He’s no one knockout punch kind of guy, but i would not want a 2nd rounder going to a fighter.. he has intangibles MTL needs (size and grit), and as far as D goes, it is a teachable knowledge.. willingness to go into corners or standing in front of the net, are not as easily taught.
This is why in my opinion, he would be worth a second rounder
Go Habs Go
Just googled Brian Boyle. Watched some of his fights. He is the punching bag other team’s tough guys use to warm up for a real fight.
Boyle was also badly concussed by Neil last year and has been shaky ever since. For the same reason the Habs have no confidence from getting beat up all the time, Boyle lost his.
Boyle is (definately) not the answer.
How about trade Eller for some toughness . He’s not a shutdown forward he needs ice time and he won’t get it in montreal . Galchenyuk and Gallagher are ahead of him now .
trade DD for toughness… Eller is tougher then DD if this is the criteria for trading
Go Habs Go
I miss Staubitz…
Go Habs Go