Montreal Gazette

No et al - (Stephen Lee)

Member since September 13, 2008

Stephenville, NL

Habs fan since: 1976
Favorite current player: I like em all
All-time favorite player: Guy LaFleur, but loved John Kordic too

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Recent Comments

  • Comment on About last night ...
    Just need to point out Gionta is not a perimeter player... he consistently goes to the front of the net and into the corners.
  • Comment on Galchenyuk and Gallagher to stay in Montreal
    Yucky? :)
  • Comment on Habs 4, Devils 3: Post-game reaction (Video)
    I'm with you Chucking. I have watched DD from the start of the season (I have him in a hockey pool so I have a vested interest). I believe he is playing well. Remember this is considered the Habs' top line, thus they are playing against other teams top lines or top shut down guys. This obviously means our 2nd and 3rd line play against weaker opposition so getting the job done may be slightly easier for them (if one argues our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines are similar in strength). I also believe, contrary to what someone posted elsewhere, he is pretty much as fast a Gionta and St. Louis (but perhaps not as sturdy as Gionta).
  • Comment on Habs 4, Devils 3: Post-game reaction (Video)
    I believe turnonthejets meant to point out that at 34 years of age, Markov, regardless of how well he plays, can't be expected to be the future of the Montreal defense corps. In fact, if you look at the current roster (and Hamilton), there are very few young players who have the potential to be Top 4. It's been said Edmonton needs defense... the Habs need defense. It would be idiotic not to sign PK. He will be instrumental in helping an aging defense transition into a young defnese (with the additions of guys like Beaulieu and Tonordi in a year or two). The bridgeing contract offer is low, however I believe the Habs would only have to come up $300K-$500K per season to sign him. That being said, I wouldn't be sad to see a longer term deal in the $4.5 mil per season range. I think what additional they pay now would be made up with the savings in years 3, 4, etc.
  • Comment on Quick Hits/About Sunday evening ...
    Just dropping in to say I HATE the new format and this is my last post. I just can't read this site... terrible... Hockey Inside Out?? Please... If you are giving up Habs Inside Out let me know. I'll start a new site.
  • Comment on Game 39: If ever a wizardly Wiz there was ...

    Interesting for sure, but don't believe for a miute that he (or any of the formers players mentioned - and let's not forget Riberio in that group) would have been this good had they stayed in Montreal). Sometimes these kids need a wake-up call and a trade can often be that signal that alerts them.

    I do believe Habs management gave up on Lats too early, but aside from Gui, I don't believe many of the others would have developed had they stayed in Montreal.

    Especially for those from La Belle Province, these young potential stars are treated like royalty in Montreal - so many distractions and people filling your head with thoughts of grandeur. Get moved to a place like Dallas, or Minnesota and you become just another unrecognizable piece of the puzzle. Players tend to be able to focus on their game and develop better under these conditions... conditions which don't exist in Montreal.

  • Comment on Game 39: If ever a wizardly Wiz there was ...
    A few observations – Congrats to PG for the Wisniewski trade. About 15 games in a friend and I were taking about getting this defenseman but figured there was no way the Isles would trade him, and if they did, they would want – at the very least – a talented prospect. To get him for a few late round draft picks appears to be a steal (but time will tell… there has to be a reason he’s bounced around so much in his short NHL career). The Lapierre trade is a little more confusing. The assets we got back are hardly needed (unless they are thinking about bolstering the Bulldogs back end now that PK and Weber are both with the big club). I assume management simply wanted Laps off the team (sends a great message to the young players who are expected to produce more effort too), but I think the Habs could have gotten more in return. I was looking at the UFAs for next year and notice Hedjuk’s contract is up. I’m not sure the Avs are that interested in resigning him and I suspect would be willing to move him if the right offer came along. I was hoping Laps would be part of such an offer as Hedjuk would be a great addition to the Habs’ top 6 forwards. If not Laps, then perhaps AK, although I suspect Laps fits better into the Avs salary structure going forward. One more question that the acquisition of the Whiz brings up – does this now make Markov expendable? Would the Habs want to trade the oft injured defenseman in any event? I suspect if Markov’s recent injury woes may earn the Habs a hometown discount, al la Salanee in Anaheim, and with Gil and Hamerlik both UFAs next year, the money is available to resign Markov long-term… the Habs would have some back end with a healthy Markov back in the lineup. The final possibility is that PG has something in the works and the defenseman acquired in the Lapierre deal will either be a piece of that next deal, or will be required by the club as a result. Interesting times ahead.