They say your first expression is usually the right one. I’ll give Darren Pang the benefit of the doubt but I still wonder about the likes of him & Cherry & their reactions if Subban was white.
So after watching last night’s game glad to see no more talk about bring L’Artiste back to Montreal(Damn im shocked he did not win 1 star as he was magic)Waiting for the let’s bring Ribeiro back talk next. Im so looking forward to 3D Saturday night.
Cherry’s gone too far. I can take his rants well enough when they are directed at something he at least has some knowledge about. Entering the political arena though just shows how ridiculous this guy is getting.
Man, Cherry sound like a typical hard right basket case. Makes one lean to the conclusion that those attacks on Subban were in fact racially motivated.
Well if Don Cherry shouts at the Pinkos out there…
If the jackets fits ….
Look in the mirror before speaking out.
“It’s too much for one guy to shoulder. For us, we’re going to do it as a group. It’s about sharing that responsibility win or lose.” – Mike Cammalleri
Last game Gomer was demoted and Halpern moved up and – booom! – Cami scores.
Today in the Gazoo, the head to Hickey’s game story includes Halpern scores winner “after Gomez leaves”… and in the article says:
Jeff
Halpern was asked to play a larger role after Scott Gomez left the
game with a lowerbody injury and the veteran met the challenge as he
scored the winner in the Canadiens’ 4-1 victory over the Ottawa
Senators.
So basically, Gomer being demoted or leaving seems to get the team going. Well I guess everyone has their role to play! Maybe Gomez can step it up in his own way but leaving more often.
I was having coffee and toast at my parent’s Chomedey home getting ready to go to Laval Catholic High School. Ralph Lockwood of CKGM announced it on the radio that morning (12/09/80). Truly sad loss.
Halpern: more points, less than 10% the salary, way higher +/-, all with less ice time.
I really don’t understand what this thing is that so many are saying Gomez brings. No one’s been able to say what it is. Why? Because whatever thing you look at, someone being paid league minimum is doing it better.
The only reason I’ve heard for laying off him is that the team won’t like it.
Indeed he is! I fully expect him to get an audition on the second line at some point in the new year. Then the Habs can reasonably judge what they have and whether they need to go shopping for a top-6 winger or not.
I got home at around 10:30 that night, sat down with my Dad to watch the end of Monday Night Football, and Howard Cosell announced it during the game. (the actual clip is on You Tube)
Webber needs to play in the NHL to develop further. He has been pretty decent for the last couple years in the Hammer but it is time to make the leap. If there is no room for him then trade him
Bob Gainey won a Stanley Cup managing the Dallas Stars in 1999. He transformed a doomed club in the summer 0f 2009 to a contender by cleaning house and adding Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez ,Gill, Spacek, and the team went to the ECFs.
Look at the fine young players in this organization: Subban, Webber, Gorges, Pyatt, Pacioretty, etc, that he helped bring along.
He stood by Cary Price when nobody else did.
“It’s too much for one guy to shoulder. For us, we’re going to do it as a group. It’s about sharing that responsibility win or lose.” – Mike Cammalleri
Im not saying Gomez is Josh Gorges. But I hope people realize what he brings to this team. He isn’t being successful in his production, however this is not the only aspect to his game. He will be sorely missed if he is out for awhile. There is no one that we can call up that will replace him. This will be a BIG hole in our team until he is back. Hopefully its not a long time, AND hopefully the break (if any) will kick him into some points…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
Shiram – To be honest the only thing we can go on is assuming that Gomez’s injury is nothing serious, but agreed no one knows and anything is possible.
J_P – True, but there are a few guys that could be re-signed next year for cheap, Laps, Boyd, Halpern, Darche, etc that won’t affect the roster but still play roles on the team (maybe not Boyd too much). Plus let’s not forget the AK (do we offer him another contract or do we let him walk? He currently makes over $3 million, what’s he going to ask for??) Lastly Hamrlik and Markov are huge ticket names, naturally I can’t imagine this team remaining intact, but as mentioned above………………anything is possible!
FROM SAKU TO GIO, SAME STATURE AND JUST AS MUCH HEART!! GREAT DECISION!!
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon was living his life to the fullest. Happy and healthy with his family.
Thirty years ago today: an ordinary man came up with an evil plan.
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon tried to do something nice for that fan.
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon gave his final interview.
Thirty years ago tonight: a brilliant musicians’ light was snuffed out by that crazed fan.
RIP John Lennon, you will always be remembered.
Where were you thirty yeas ago today?
♪Your cares and troubles are gone. There’ll be no more from now on. From now on happy days are here again, the skies above are so clear again. So let’s sing a song of cheer again. Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again♪
The coaching didn’t pan out, but he made the right move at the right time. Paddock has done his time in Binghamton, was assistant to him while Murray was head coach, and the logical move was to make him head coach when Murray became GM. After Paddock, Hartsburg was available and was arguably the best available coach on the market; everyone thought he was a solid pick up until Hartsburg imploded – I don’t think anyone saw that coming.
With two coaches on the pay roll and a team struggling to find its identity, Murray made the choice to promote hard-nosed, budget-friendly Clouston, who actually managed to turn the team around and get them back to respectability. Were it not for the tragedy that occurred to the Richardson family earlier this year, I have no doubt that the team would be in better shape mentally as an event like this has impacts throughout the entire organization, starting with the indefinite loss of a beloved assistant coach.
As for the Pascal the goalie with the girl’s name, his ’07-’08 was incredible for such a bad team in Columbus, and he only LOST his job to a ROOKIE thanks to a bad ANKLE INJURY, an injury that players more often than not rebound from 100% (as opposed to a knee injury for example). Not a great example, given that LeClaire has had both of those injuries as well as a few others, but when you have a chance to acquire a promising, young goaltender after struggling at that position since Hasek, you can’t turn a blind eye.
Since being picked up from Colombus, LeClaire has suffered a broken jaw, concussion and an actual hockey injury – tweaked groin. This isn’t something Murray could have predicted, so I don’t put the blame on him for taking a chance.
To answer your question, with a question, who would you replace Murray with? Pierre McGuire? haha.
“A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.” ~~ David McClure Brinkley
* I have it from a reliable source that PK and Cammy had a huge run-in after the OT loss to Edmonton, for the most part because Cammy was embarrassed after the play and his infamous temper got the better of him when they got back to the dressin’ room. JM had no choice but to have Cammy’s back and the rest is history. The reliable source is my imagination. Gosh, it’s easy, isn’t it?
* The most strikin’ thing from last night’s game: Of the Habs’ 35 shots, approximately 12 of them were taken from the slot. One might be tempted to credit the extended PP, but we all saw that mess of a dump ‘n’ chase on the five-minute major and three of the team’s four goals – all scored from the slot – were popped at even-strength. The Sens? One single shot from the slot and three if you want to be really generous with the definition. Team D, baby, team D.
* And Tomas Jagr was absolutely sick in the faceoff circle.
* In that vein, I’d like to quote this passage from $0.02′s post last night, very possibly written after he fell into the large vat of fermentin’ elderberries he keeps out behind the shed, but meaningful nevertheless, “This team is the teamiest team going. I mean they’re just teaming with teaminess.” Indeed. That is some serious, industrial grout in the crevices.
* Think Halpern’s a bargain? Check out Carey Price’s contract. Unless somethin’ gives, a chunk of Spacek’s 2013 cap savin’ has already been spent.
* After last night’s drubbin’ at the hands of the Habs, Sens forward and erstwhile star Alex Kovalev shared the followin’ synopsis of his contribution to his team’s effort, “My favourite actor is Claude Rains. David McCallum is a close second.” I respect Kovy the man but, honestly, the only way he’ll ever see Bell Centre ice again is in another team’s uniform. PG is many things, but one of them is not st00pid. Personally, there is no what if scenario – includin’ Alex ironin’ my shirts – that makes me think his addition to the mix would be a net positive, beginnin’ with the damage to management’s credibility in the dressin’ room were they somehow to inject him into it. Everythin’ after that would just be gravy, cold ‘n’ lumpy gravy.
* As it stands, is it still technically appropriate to call it the “Battle of Alberta”? I mean, shouldn’t it now be referred to, if even on an interim basis, as the “Melee of Alberta” or even the “Rhubarb of Alberta”? Surely, I’m not the only one who’s wonderin’.
I definately had the same thought last night, wondering about Lapierre on center and calling up Max Pac, or calling up Desharnais.
But i dont get why you say the injury is nothing serious, there has been no information as of yet, other than he is day to day. Will he play on friday, I dont know…
Pardon moi, but Gainey built playoff teams – one of which got us to the ECF with a tweak from Gauthier (Moore). Doesn’t matter if he’s employed as a GM right now.
Depends how serious Gomez’ injury is and how much time he is going to miss. His salary will still be on the books next year, so its not like the habs can go out and trade for a player whos signed to a $5 million deal for the next 5 years. It would free up a lot of space for rentals though.
Unless the discussion was on how to compensate for a nagging injury. I’m just playing deveil’s advocate, though. We’ll never know what really went down.
Obviously the Gomez injury is nothing serious. But is it just me or has anyone else thought of the possibility of a Gomez injury (long-term or season ending) being a blessing in disguise???
I love the guy and he gives great interviews but I mean seriously, it’s not like Gomez is “ripping” up the league.
When you look at the combined salaries of both, Markov and Gomez, that’s a lot of money that can be put forth toward 1 or 2 legit player’s. Not too mention that this could be for a year and/or maybe more especially since the Habs will have more cap flexibility next year.
-With regards to the coaches, all three didnt pan out, and he hired all three. How can you not blame him for that? Clearly doesn’t have a knack for hiring coaches that can effectively coach HIS team (its not necessarily about resume, anyone can hire someone based on their resume, but sometimes you have to look deeper and determine if that coach is the right fit for the group of players you assembled).
-Pascal Leclaire had 33 starts (05-06), 24 starts(06-07), 54 (07-08) starts and than 12 (08-09) starts in columbus. Not exactly a legitimate number 1 goaltender. Should also spell trouble when you consider that leclaire LOST his starting job to a ROOKIE.
so basically my question is, with murrays contract up at seasons end, and financial flexibility opening up, do you let Murray right the ship or do you cut ties and give someone else a chance? At least with the freed up cap space, the replacement will have room to manouevre.
I definatley dont think he is doing fine. But in Gomez terms his salary is what it is . He will never put up the points to justify it. but there s nothing we can do about that right now . He is a great puck carrier and we can definately use him come playoff time.
Maybe. I’ve always liked Weber for his lethal shot, but even in hamilton his defensive side was lacking. He’s better this year, so we’ll see how it goes
Darryl Sutter is definitely another GM that needs to go. Why the ownership groups hold on to guys like Sutter and Murray is beyond me to understand. Were not talking 1 or 2 seasons of failure here, we are talking about two guys that had legitimate contenders that they managed into the ground.
I agree that Heatley needs to share the blame, however, heatleys situation isnt like kovalchuk’s, where Atlanta is a better team without kovalchuk, and New Jersey is a worse team with him. San Jose is a better team with Heatley (although still useless in the playoffs because they have too much money committed to three players), and the sens are definitely worse off without him.
Kind of hard to say clouston is a good coach when he has talented players who just look like they dont care (kovalev, alfie etc..). There are teams that do more, or are just as good with far less talent (St Louis, Nashville, Phoenix).
But either way, if cloustons roster just isnt good enough, than who’s fault is that? You guessed it, Bryan Murray.
TSN, CBC, NBC, etc. Notice how all the Anglo stations got cursed er “blessed” with crappy, useless announcers? The only English announcers I listen to is the guys on CJAD 800 if I’m in the car listening to the game. Otherwise it’s RDS all the way.
♪Your cares and troubles are gone. There’ll be no more from now on. From now on happy days are here again, the skies above are so clear again. So let’s sing a song of cheer again. Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again♪
We can discuss how Bryan Murray is still an NHL GM as long as you give him a fighting chance with actual facts about his job performance.
- Murray inherited a cinderella contender who made it further than they should have until the clock finally struck midnight. A real example of inheriting a team that was legit would be Brian Burke, inheriting the Ducks before their cup win that same year – previous Ducks GM: Bryan Murray.
- He hired three coaches in Ottawa, all expected to do 100% better than they actually did, in getting Paddock (who led the team to set the best start in franchise history, only to fold like a cheap card table after the mid-season point), Hartsburg (a well-respected coach who for whatever reason couldn’t get it done in Otown) and Clouston (CHL coach of the year in ’05, owns respectable team record with Sens despite lack of secondary scoring or goaltending).
- I hope you don’t actually think Heatley left the Sens because Clouston tried him on the second wave of the PP for a shift or two… there’s obviously something more to it than that.
- Murray dealt Vermette upon hearing that LeClaire was out of a job thanks to Steve Mason’s performance a couple years back. LeClaire had previously set franchise records for shutouts with the Jackets (until Mason) and they couldn’t keep both guys. Vermette hasn’t lit the world on fire, and LeClaire has suffered both freakish and crippling injuries during his time in Ottawa. Hard to blame the GM for that.
- Murray wasn’t the GM when the Chara/Redden thing came up.
- FINALLY! A valid point about the two Russians that he brought in to help an anemic power play, but they just haven’t panned out. Did you really think that Gonchar and Kovalev would have combined 28 points in 58 games so far this season, cause I’m pretty sure no one did.
The thing is, they ARE bad enough to get a decent draft pick if they keep this w/l record going. Murray’s contract is up at the end of this year (so is Clouston, LeClaire, Kovalev, Phillips, etc.) and the team will have some cap space to work with this offseason, so no matter what way you cut it the team will be blown up I think.
It didn’t help Murray’s case when Heatley decided to be a total dong and decline the trade to Edmonton. Murray is a good GM with a tonne of experience in the NHL, but it just hasn’t translated to success in Ottawa to date.
weber’s been doing alright since his call-up but there are some posters here that just like to rag on the kid cause he’s allegedly too small and not sound defensively
but this reminds me of how everyone ragged on halak for being too small and having terrible rebound control
a few years in the NHL to gain experience and grow as a player will allow these type of players to succeed.
I think it’s mostly cause there’s the golden boys ahead of them that no one wants to see fail like subban and price before him.
Brian Bruke is tough because he didnt inherit a contender. Glen Sather is a lost cause, and Bob Gainey isnt currently employed as an NHL GM.
100% bugs, There’s no replacement for experience, and Im not saying Eugene Melnyk should hire me to run the sentaors, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Murray guy needs to go. Either that, or melnyk needs to let Bryan Murray rebuild the team. Melnyk is so patient with Murray through mediocrity, you would figure he would have the patience for a genuine rebuild.
Now do Brian Burke. After that, do Glen Sather and Bob Gainey.
Ups and downs for every GM; Murray STILL probably knows how to run a club better than me or you, no?
Tragically misunderstood, please bite
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Minority Owner of the Habbalicious Bubble-Gum Emporium, Proprietor of the Flanneltop Pop Shop, and Beaming Tenant in Mama’s Basement, i.e., Habsbros Central: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
Heatley’s not a team player and refused to hold himself accountable, he can spin his wheels in frustration in SJ for all I care, not like he brought it when it counted in the OLY when Canada wasn’t beating up on the 2nd-rate teams.
Clouston I find to be a good coach, but he’s limited by a weak roster.
I think Melnyk will pull the trigger this summer. The sens need a new philosophy and Murray is past his best before date. But I have been saying Darryl Sutter needs to go for a couple of years now and somehow he keeps his job.
Yah, but if Gomez was on the ice, he would’ve scooped up the puck, went on the breakaway, and, instead of driving to the net like Hamr did, he would have turned back and waited for some help, and then he would’ve given the puck away. I seem to recall that happening earlier this year, actually.
Instead, Hamr drove the net and Cammy was able to pick up the garbage.
But really, SF, I’m just playin’ devils advocate here. There’s no real evidence that Cammy scoring was a result of Gomez being off his line. I mean, Cammy did score last night while Gomez was on the ice, so…
Can we discuss how Bryan Murray is still employed as an NHL GM. I know people here love to say that anyone who isn’t an NHL GM has no idea what they are talking about, but observe:
-Bryan Murray inherited a legitimate contender, and the team has gotten worse pretty much every year since the run to the final.
-He hired a coach who alienated one of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL, and than traded that winger for the equivalent of a bag of pucks. His team is now seriously struggling for offense.
-He traded a useful center in antoine vermette for a goalie who cant stay healthy longer than a week, and who is totally inconsistent when he is healthy.
-He kept redden over chara.
-Rather than accept his fate, and start a rebuild, he signed two over the hill russian players (Gonchar and Kovalev) for WAY more money than they are worth. Now, his team isn’t good enough to make the playoffs (and if they do, they certainly arent good enough to get out of the first round), and isn’t bad enough to get a high draft pick (which even if he did get a high pick, he would probably find a way to botch that also).
-He’s spending up to the cap, so he has no room to manoeuvre, and he has absolutely ZERO promising prospects (outside of Erik Karlsson). None of his young players seem to take a step forward.
Gomezphobia – A crippling mental condition that is running rampant among Habs fans, prevents you from discussing a team with an 18-8-2 record and 3rd overall in the League and instead focus on a player’s salary cap hit with obsessive-compulsive behaviour regarding everything about that player.
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I thought he was talking about last game…when Cammy scored after Gomez was taken of his line.
That is even worse.
They say your first expression is usually the right one. I’ll give Darren Pang the benefit of the doubt but I still wonder about the likes of him & Cherry & their reactions if Subban was white.
2012-2013 so thats a good long while to forget only 3 games.
I say let’s get Stephane Richer out of retirement, he scored 50G for us after all.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
So after watching last night’s game glad to see no more talk about bring L’Artiste back to Montreal(Damn im shocked he did not win 1 star as he was magic)Waiting for the let’s bring Ribeiro back talk next. Im so looking forward to 3D Saturday night.
“… Gomer being demoted or leaving seems to get the team going.”
Ummm… so what has this team been doing all season if they haven’t been “going”?
That’s perfect, LOL.
I wasn’t talking about points.
Uhh…cammy scored early not late
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/left-wing-councillors-lash-out-after-cherry-speech/article1829041/
There’s the story..
Cherry’s gone too far. I can take his rants well enough when they are directed at something he at least has some knowledge about. Entering the political arena though just shows how ridiculous this guy is getting.
Man, Cherry sound like a typical hard right basket case. Makes one lean to the conclusion that those attacks on Subban were in fact racially motivated.
SD..brutal hate on for gomer..he only makes 7-8M per whats the deal.
LOL
You do know Gomez was playing when Cammalleri scored?
Your Gomezphobia is reaching new heights, move on man.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
I don’t know when PK is eligable, but I hope he doesn’t hold a gruge and leave when he is !!!!!
Well if Don Cherry shouts at the Pinkos out there…
If the jackets fits ….
Look in the mirror before speaking out.
“It’s too much for one guy to shoulder. For us, we’re going to do it as a group. It’s about sharing that responsibility win or lose.” – Mike Cammalleri
Halpern was asked to play a larger role after Scott Gomez left the
game with a lowerbody injury and the veteran met the challenge as he
scored the winner in the Canadiens’ 4-1 victory over the Ottawa
Senators.
——-
We are ahead of the Phillies actually but behind Thrashers.
http://tsn.ca/fantasy_news/rankings/nhl/
Those “power rankings” are based on more than just “points”.
I was having coffee and toast at my parent’s Chomedey home getting ready to go to Laval Catholic High School. Ralph Lockwood of CKGM announced it on the radio that morning (12/09/80). Truly sad loss.
I’ll tell you what he “brings”. He brought with him Gionta and Cammaleiri. Without Gomez signing here, the other two would NOT have signed here.
Did you happen to notice the seven minutes of PP time that we couldnt get the puck in their zone. ?
The Intangibles — coming to a theatre near you this christmas
Halpern: more points, less than 10% the salary, way higher +/-, all with less ice time.
I really don’t understand what this thing is that so many are saying Gomez brings. No one’s been able to say what it is. Why? Because whatever thing you look at, someone being paid league minimum is doing it better.
The only reason I’ve heard for laying off him is that the team won’t like it.
Can you and ian come to work for my company and be my boss please? I make nowhere near what gomez makes and I dont even get that kind of slack!
And Kennedy
Indeed he is! I fully expect him to get an audition on the second line at some point in the new year. Then the Habs can reasonably judge what they have and whether they need to go shopping for a top-6 winger or not.
—
Kamal writes on HabsAddict.com and Hockeybuzz.com. Follow Kamal on Facebook & Twitter.
I got home at around 10:30 that night, sat down with my Dad to watch the end of Monday Night Football, and Howard Cosell announced it during the game. (the actual clip is on You Tube)
Halpern has already replaced him.
What he brings to this team? KAKA
Webber needs to play in the NHL to develop further. He has been pretty decent for the last couple years in the Hammer but it is time to make the leap. If there is no room for him then trade him
No doubt.
I wonder if Cammy is secretly happy that he might get another centre to play with
Bob Gainey won a Stanley Cup managing the Dallas Stars in 1999. He transformed a doomed club in the summer 0f 2009 to a contender by cleaning house and adding Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez ,Gill, Spacek, and the team went to the ECFs.
Look at the fine young players in this organization: Subban, Webber, Gorges, Pyatt, Pacioretty, etc, that he helped bring along.
He stood by Cary Price when nobody else did.
“It’s too much for one guy to shoulder. For us, we’re going to do it as a group. It’s about sharing that responsibility win or lose.” – Mike Cammalleri
Game highlights from this month are up on the Hamilton Bulldogs website. Maxpac is going to the net constantly and its paying off.
Im not saying Gomez is Josh Gorges. But I hope people realize what he brings to this team. He isn’t being successful in his production, however this is not the only aspect to his game. He will be sorely missed if he is out for awhile. There is no one that we can call up that will replace him. This will be a BIG hole in our team until he is back. Hopefully its not a long time, AND hopefully the break (if any) will kick him into some points…
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
Sittin’ at the kitchen table in my parent’s home, open newspaper in front of me, sobbin’.
Thank you for remindin’ us, Julie.
The two Johns taken from us too early: Lennon & Candy. RIP.
Shiram – To be honest the only thing we can go on is assuming that Gomez’s injury is nothing serious, but agreed no one knows and anything is possible.
J_P – True, but there are a few guys that could be re-signed next year for cheap, Laps, Boyd, Halpern, Darche, etc that won’t affect the roster but still play roles on the team (maybe not Boyd too much). Plus let’s not forget the AK (do we offer him another contract or do we let him walk? He currently makes over $3 million, what’s he going to ask for??) Lastly Hamrlik and Markov are huge ticket names, naturally I can’t imagine this team remaining intact, but as mentioned above………………anything is possible!
FROM SAKU TO GIO, SAME STATURE AND JUST AS MUCH HEART!! GREAT DECISION!!
Thirty years ago today: I was not alive.
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon was living his life to the fullest. Happy and healthy with his family.
Thirty years ago today: an ordinary man came up with an evil plan.
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon tried to do something nice for that fan.
Thirty years ago today: John Lennon gave his final interview.
Thirty years ago tonight: a brilliant musicians’ light was snuffed out by that crazed fan.
RIP John Lennon, you will always be remembered.
Where were you thirty yeas ago today?
♪Your cares and troubles are gone. There’ll be no more from now on. From now on happy days are here again, the skies above are so clear again. So let’s sing a song of cheer again. Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again♪
The coaching didn’t pan out, but he made the right move at the right time. Paddock has done his time in Binghamton, was assistant to him while Murray was head coach, and the logical move was to make him head coach when Murray became GM. After Paddock, Hartsburg was available and was arguably the best available coach on the market; everyone thought he was a solid pick up until Hartsburg imploded – I don’t think anyone saw that coming.
With two coaches on the pay roll and a team struggling to find its identity, Murray made the choice to promote hard-nosed, budget-friendly Clouston, who actually managed to turn the team around and get them back to respectability. Were it not for the tragedy that occurred to the Richardson family earlier this year, I have no doubt that the team would be in better shape mentally as an event like this has impacts throughout the entire organization, starting with the indefinite loss of a beloved assistant coach.
As for the Pascal the goalie with the girl’s name, his ’07-’08 was incredible for such a bad team in Columbus, and he only LOST his job to a ROOKIE thanks to a bad ANKLE INJURY, an injury that players more often than not rebound from 100% (as opposed to a knee injury for example). Not a great example, given that LeClaire has had both of those injuries as well as a few others, but when you have a chance to acquire a promising, young goaltender after struggling at that position since Hasek, you can’t turn a blind eye.
Since being picked up from Colombus, LeClaire has suffered a broken jaw, concussion and an actual hockey injury – tweaked groin. This isn’t something Murray could have predicted, so I don’t put the blame on him for taking a chance.
To answer your question, with a question, who would you replace Murray with? Pierre McGuire? haha.
“A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.” ~~ David McClure Brinkley
* I have it from a reliable source that PK and Cammy had a huge run-in after the OT loss to Edmonton, for the most part because Cammy was embarrassed after the play and his infamous temper got the better of him when they got back to the dressin’ room. JM had no choice but to have Cammy’s back and the rest is history. The reliable source is my imagination. Gosh, it’s easy, isn’t it?
* The most strikin’ thing from last night’s game: Of the Habs’ 35 shots, approximately 12 of them were taken from the slot. One might be tempted to credit the extended PP, but we all saw that mess of a dump ‘n’ chase on the five-minute major and three of the team’s four goals – all scored from the slot – were popped at even-strength. The Sens? One single shot from the slot and three if you want to be really generous with the definition. Team D, baby, team D.
* And Tomas Jagr was absolutely sick in the faceoff circle.
* In that vein, I’d like to quote this passage from $0.02′s post last night, very possibly written after he fell into the large vat of fermentin’ elderberries he keeps out behind the shed, but meaningful nevertheless, “This team is the teamiest team going. I mean they’re just teaming with teaminess.” Indeed. That is some serious, industrial grout in the crevices.
* Think Halpern’s a bargain? Check out Carey Price’s contract. Unless somethin’ gives, a chunk of Spacek’s 2013 cap savin’ has already been spent.
* After last night’s drubbin’ at the hands of the Habs, Sens forward and erstwhile star Alex Kovalev shared the followin’ synopsis of his contribution to his team’s effort, “My favourite actor is Claude Rains. David McCallum is a close second.” I respect Kovy the man but, honestly, the only way he’ll ever see Bell Centre ice again is in another team’s uniform. PG is many things, but one of them is not st00pid. Personally, there is no what if scenario – includin’ Alex ironin’ my shirts – that makes me think his addition to the mix would be a net positive, beginnin’ with the damage to management’s credibility in the dressin’ room were they somehow to inject him into it. Everythin’ after that would just be gravy, cold ‘n’ lumpy gravy.
* As it stands, is it still technically appropriate to call it the “Battle of Alberta”? I mean, shouldn’t it now be referred to, if even on an interim basis, as the “Melee of Alberta” or even the “Rhubarb of Alberta”? Surely, I’m not the only one who’s wonderin’.
* RIP John Lennon.
I definately had the same thought last night, wondering about Lapierre on center and calling up Max Pac, or calling up Desharnais.
But i dont get why you say the injury is nothing serious, there has been no information as of yet, other than he is day to day. Will he play on friday, I dont know…
Pardon moi, but Gainey built playoff teams – one of which got us to the ECF with a tweak from Gauthier (Moore). Doesn’t matter if he’s employed as a GM right now.
Depends how serious Gomez’ injury is and how much time he is going to miss. His salary will still be on the books next year, so its not like the habs can go out and trade for a player whos signed to a $5 million deal for the next 5 years. It would free up a lot of space for rentals though.
People don’t like to admit some of the old superstars barely had to break a sweat – just shoot and it’s in. Hockey was a different beast then
Unless the discussion was on how to compensate for a nagging injury. I’m just playing deveil’s advocate, though. We’ll never know what really went down.
well played lol
Obviously the Gomez injury is nothing serious. But is it just me or has anyone else thought of the possibility of a Gomez injury (long-term or season ending) being a blessing in disguise???
I love the guy and he gives great interviews but I mean seriously, it’s not like Gomez is “ripping” up the league.
When you look at the combined salaries of both, Markov and Gomez, that’s a lot of money that can be put forth toward 1 or 2 legit player’s. Not too mention that this could be for a year and/or maybe more especially since the Habs will have more cap flexibility next year.
http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=2
It appears we have already assigned Markov’s pro-rated salary to LTIR not too mention that we could assign over $5 million bucks to LTIR via Gomez.
What do you think????
FROM SAKU TO GIO, SAME STATURE AND JUST AS MUCH HEART!! GREAT DECISION!!
“Many”? Is anyone actually offended? Most of us laughed, it was an innocent slip
A little debate, I like that.
-You’re right about chara/redden, thats my bad.
-With regards to the coaches, all three didnt pan out, and he hired all three. How can you not blame him for that? Clearly doesn’t have a knack for hiring coaches that can effectively coach HIS team (its not necessarily about resume, anyone can hire someone based on their resume, but sometimes you have to look deeper and determine if that coach is the right fit for the group of players you assembled).
-Pascal Leclaire had 33 starts (05-06), 24 starts(06-07), 54 (07-08) starts and than 12 (08-09) starts in columbus. Not exactly a legitimate number 1 goaltender. Should also spell trouble when you consider that leclaire LOST his starting job to a ROOKIE.
so basically my question is, with murrays contract up at seasons end, and financial flexibility opening up, do you let Murray right the ship or do you cut ties and give someone else a chance? At least with the freed up cap space, the replacement will have room to manouevre.
Is there a reason why the main page doesn’t load up completely?
Could it be a BoonyLeaks® conspiracy at play?
“Hey Richard, two minutes for looking so good!”
I definatley dont think he is doing fine. But in Gomez terms his salary is what it is . He will never put up the points to justify it. but there s nothing we can do about that right now . He is a great puck carrier and we can definately use him come playoff time.
i hope we win the next game without gomez in the line so we don’t have to change a “winning lineup”
Maybe. I’ve always liked Weber for his lethal shot, but even in hamilton his defensive side was lacking. He’s better this year, so we’ll see how it goes
Darryl Sutter is definitely another GM that needs to go. Why the ownership groups hold on to guys like Sutter and Murray is beyond me to understand. Were not talking 1 or 2 seasons of failure here, we are talking about two guys that had legitimate contenders that they managed into the ground.
I agree that Heatley needs to share the blame, however, heatleys situation isnt like kovalchuk’s, where Atlanta is a better team without kovalchuk, and New Jersey is a worse team with him. San Jose is a better team with Heatley (although still useless in the playoffs because they have too much money committed to three players), and the sens are definitely worse off without him.
Kind of hard to say clouston is a good coach when he has talented players who just look like they dont care (kovalev, alfie etc..). There are teams that do more, or are just as good with far less talent (St Louis, Nashville, Phoenix).
But either way, if cloustons roster just isnt good enough, than who’s fault is that? You guessed it, Bryan Murray.
TSN, CBC, NBC, etc. Notice how all the Anglo stations got cursed er “blessed” with crappy, useless announcers? The only English announcers I listen to is the guys on CJAD 800 if I’m in the car listening to the game. Otherwise it’s RDS all the way.
♪Your cares and troubles are gone. There’ll be no more from now on. From now on happy days are here again, the skies above are so clear again. So let’s sing a song of cheer again. Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again♪
We can discuss how Bryan Murray is still an NHL GM as long as you give him a fighting chance with actual facts about his job performance.
- Murray inherited a cinderella contender who made it further than they should have until the clock finally struck midnight. A real example of inheriting a team that was legit would be Brian Burke, inheriting the Ducks before their cup win that same year – previous Ducks GM: Bryan Murray.
- He hired three coaches in Ottawa, all expected to do 100% better than they actually did, in getting Paddock (who led the team to set the best start in franchise history, only to fold like a cheap card table after the mid-season point), Hartsburg (a well-respected coach who for whatever reason couldn’t get it done in Otown) and Clouston (CHL coach of the year in ’05, owns respectable team record with Sens despite lack of secondary scoring or goaltending).
- I hope you don’t actually think Heatley left the Sens because Clouston tried him on the second wave of the PP for a shift or two… there’s obviously something more to it than that.
- Murray dealt Vermette upon hearing that LeClaire was out of a job thanks to Steve Mason’s performance a couple years back. LeClaire had previously set franchise records for shutouts with the Jackets (until Mason) and they couldn’t keep both guys. Vermette hasn’t lit the world on fire, and LeClaire has suffered both freakish and crippling injuries during his time in Ottawa. Hard to blame the GM for that.
- Murray wasn’t the GM when the Chara/Redden thing came up.
- FINALLY! A valid point about the two Russians that he brought in to help an anemic power play, but they just haven’t panned out. Did you really think that Gonchar and Kovalev would have combined 28 points in 58 games so far this season, cause I’m pretty sure no one did.
The thing is, they ARE bad enough to get a decent draft pick if they keep this w/l record going. Murray’s contract is up at the end of this year (so is Clouston, LeClaire, Kovalev, Phillips, etc.) and the team will have some cap space to work with this offseason, so no matter what way you cut it the team will be blown up I think.
It didn’t help Murray’s case when Heatley decided to be a total dong and decline the trade to Edmonton. Murray is a good GM with a tonne of experience in the NHL, but it just hasn’t translated to success in Ottawa to date.
weber’s been doing alright since his call-up but there are some posters here that just like to rag on the kid cause he’s allegedly too small and not sound defensively
but this reminds me of how everyone ragged on halak for being too small and having terrible rebound control
a few years in the NHL to gain experience and grow as a player will allow these type of players to succeed.
I think it’s mostly cause there’s the golden boys ahead of them that no one wants to see fail like subban and price before him.
- Gomez is holding down the suck button
Brian Bruke is tough because he didnt inherit a contender. Glen Sather is a lost cause, and Bob Gainey isnt currently employed as an NHL GM.
100% bugs, There’s no replacement for experience, and Im not saying Eugene Melnyk should hire me to run the sentaors, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Murray guy needs to go. Either that, or melnyk needs to let Bryan Murray rebuild the team. Melnyk is so patient with Murray through mediocrity, you would figure he would have the patience for a genuine rebuild.
What’s the cure?
Now do Brian Burke. After that, do Glen Sather and Bob Gainey.
Ups and downs for every GM; Murray STILL probably knows how to run a club better than me or you, no?
Tragically misunderstood, please bite
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Minority Owner of the Habbalicious Bubble-Gum Emporium, Proprietor of the Flanneltop Pop Shop, and Beaming Tenant in Mama’s Basement, i.e., Habsbros Central: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
definitely makes me appreciate PG a little more, and even BG a little bit, although I still maintain that BG would like a mulligan on the Gomez deal.
Heatley’s not a team player and refused to hold himself accountable, he can spin his wheels in frustration in SJ for all I care, not like he brought it when it counted in the OLY when Canada wasn’t beating up on the 2nd-rate teams.
Clouston I find to be a good coach, but he’s limited by a weak roster.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
I think Melnyk will pull the trigger this summer. The sens need a new philosophy and Murray is past his best before date. But I have been saying Darryl Sutter needs to go for a couple of years now and somehow he keeps his job.
At least they have Mike Fisher’s wife, Carrie Underwood, who could fill in to sing the National Anthems if need be.
Tonight we skate with them, Tonight is our night!
Thoughts? Yeah. Thank goodness for BG, PG and JM!
Centre Hice: one fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
Yah, but if Gomez was on the ice, he would’ve scooped up the puck, went on the breakaway, and, instead of driving to the net like Hamr did, he would have turned back and waited for some help, and then he would’ve given the puck away. I seem to recall that happening earlier this year, actually.
Instead, Hamr drove the net and Cammy was able to pick up the garbage.
But really, SF, I’m just playin’ devils advocate here. There’s no real evidence that Cammy scoring was a result of Gomez being off his line. I mean, Cammy did score last night while Gomez was on the ice, so…
True, but I still can’t say ‘f*@$’. I can, however, say ‘booger’.
Centre Hice: one fan’s attachment to the Montreal Canadiens
I literally just posted above questioning how bryan murray still has a job.
thrashers are playing well. 8 wins in the last 9 i think.
Can we discuss how Bryan Murray is still employed as an NHL GM. I know people here love to say that anyone who isn’t an NHL GM has no idea what they are talking about, but observe:
-Bryan Murray inherited a legitimate contender, and the team has gotten worse pretty much every year since the run to the final.
-He hired a coach who alienated one of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL, and than traded that winger for the equivalent of a bag of pucks. His team is now seriously struggling for offense.
-He traded a useful center in antoine vermette for a goalie who cant stay healthy longer than a week, and who is totally inconsistent when he is healthy.
-He kept redden over chara.
-Rather than accept his fate, and start a rebuild, he signed two over the hill russian players (Gonchar and Kovalev) for WAY more money than they are worth. Now, his team isn’t good enough to make the playoffs (and if they do, they certainly arent good enough to get out of the first round), and isn’t bad enough to get a high draft pick (which even if he did get a high pick, he would probably find a way to botch that also).
-He’s spending up to the cap, so he has no room to manoeuvre, and he has absolutely ZERO promising prospects (outside of Erik Karlsson). None of his young players seem to take a step forward.
Thoughts?
Gomezphobia – A crippling mental condition that is running rampant among Habs fans, prevents you from discussing a team with an 18-8-2 record and 3rd overall in the League and instead focus on a player’s salary cap hit with obsessive-compulsive behaviour regarding everything about that player.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
There ya go.