I'm a 'tard, you're a 'tard, kiss me... The Official 07-08 Montreal Canadiens Thread

[PK]

Current Training Camp Roster

Forwards
#22 Steve Bégin
#28 Kyle Chipchura
#59 Mikhail Grabovski
#21 Chris Higgins
#11 Saku Koivu
#46 Andrei Kostitsyn
#06 Tom Kostopoulos
#27 Alex Kovalev
#40 Maxim Lapierre
#84 Guillaume Latendresse
#57 Garth Murray
#14 Tomas Plekanec
#73 Michael Ryder
#20 Bryan Smolinski

Defensemen
#51 Francis Bouillon
#71 Patrice Brisebois
#25 Mathieu Dandenault
#26 Josh Gorges
#44 Roman Hamrlik
#08 Mike Komisarek
#79 Andrei Markov
#03 Ryan O'Byrne
#32 Mark Streit

Goaltenders
#41 Jaroslav Halak
#39 Cristobal Huet
#31 Carey Price

What I'd like to see on opening night:
Higgins - Koivu - Ryder
Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Kovalev
Grabovski - Smolinski - Latendresse
Chipchura - Lapierre - Kostopoulos
Begin

Markov - Komisarek
Hamrlik - O'Byrne
Streit - Brisebois
Gorges

Huet
Halak

[Transplanted Caper]

I like the youth in Montreal but I'm not confident in their ability to break out this season. I have them missing the playoffs and being the breakout team of 2008/2009.

[PK]

I like the youth in Montreal but I'm not confident in their ability to break out this season. I have them missing the playoffs and being the breakout team of 2008/2009.
We've been quite unlucky last year and in my opinion, the team got better over the summer. If it wasn't for the bug that practially disabled the entire team for 3+ weeks in late December, we would've made the playoffs last year.

I maintain my opinion that Souray was a product of the system and we'll have somebody else (ie. Streit) to step in and produce on the PP. Guys like Plekanec, Higgins and Komisarek are now proven commodities and I expect solid and improved play from all 3. The minimum to be expected of Higgins is 30-25 and 20-35 from Plekanec, while Komisarek should firmly establish himself as one of the league's top #2 guys.

Kovalev could go either way. He might've had a bad year and will be looking to rebound or he's basically done. I'd give him one last chance on Koivu's wing to prove his worth. I'd say 70 pts is what the staff expects of him. He'll also be out to prove that he wasn't the cancer in the locker room last year. If he doesn't show any sign of a rebirth, send him to the third and let Latendresse play with Saku.

Despite operating a complete overhaul of the third line and it being far from set, the presence of Smolinski will go a long way to stabilize this part of the lineup. The role of the third line is yet to be determined, but I wouldn't mind pairing the veteran centre with 2 offensive-minded wingers. That could provide some much needed secondary scoring as well as improve the youngsters' defensive work ethic.

I have a feeling the fourth line will be much better than it has been in the past few seasons because not only will the 3 players be heart and soul type of guys, but they also have good hockey sense. Chipchura, Lapierre and Kostopoulos look like a more than decent combo.

Gainey and Carbonneau have hinted that they want to shake up the defense and it seems like Dandeneault could be out. Personally, I'd also take Bouillon out of the mix. Hamrlik is a definite improvement over Souray. The one thing that's set is the top 4; Markov, Komisarek, Hamrlik and the underrated Streit should be a solid foundation. Add Brisebois and 2 of O'Byrne, Rivers, Bouillon and Gorges and it's a pretty good unit.

If he wants to stay in the NHL, Price will have to take the #1 spot from Huet, which seems unlikely at the moment. I'll reserve further judgement for after a few preseason games. Halak could be just as big of a threat as Price for Huet at the moment. Either way, with 2 or 3 NHL-ready starters, goaltending will not be an issue this year.

[inSTAALed]

If you guys do make the playoffs the 'Canes will just spank you again.

Why even bother?

Also, Kovalev is a commie.

[PK]

I just realized that I typed 08-09 instead of 07-08, further confirming that I'm a 'tard.

[PK]

If you guys do make the playoffs the 'Canes will just spank you again.

Why even bother?

Also, Kovalev is a commie.
I hear our boys are working on their high sticking skills, so you might have a better contest if we ever meet again in the playoffs.

[Sinclair]

I like the looks from here and agree with the assessment of PK. One reservation I do have is Smolinski. He came to the Canucks for the playoffs to fill a role very much like what he may be asked to do in Monteal. Despite high hopes he was ineffective in almost every aspect of his play. Pairing Smolinski with some offensive minded young guns may not be the best thing as he seems to me to be more of a defense oriented grinder regardless of his past. The youngsters may be better served by someone else.
I am excited about the top two lines as you have them and the defence also looks good. I hope that the goaltending can somehow make the leap from respectable to formidable.


I am a management cockfag

[Transplanted Caper]

I hear our boys are working on their high sticking skills, so you might have a better contest if we ever meet again in the playoffs.

You can't stop Nic Wallin

[PK]

I like the looks from here and agree with the assessment of PK. One reservation I do have is Smolinski. He came to the Canucks for the playoffs to fill a role very much like what he may be asked to do in Monteal. Despite high hopes he was ineffective in almost every aspect of his play. Pairing Smolinski with some offensive minded young guns may not be the best thing as he seems to me to be more of a defense oriented grinder regardless of his past. The youngsters may be better served by someone else.
I am excited about the top two lines as you have them and the defence also looks good. I hope that the goaltending can somehow make the leap from respectable to formidable.


I am a management cockfag

It's clear that Smolinski was brought in for his defensive play. Whatever scoring he does is a bonus, although I'd say we can expect a little more than what Bonk gave us. If we're not going to pair him with 2 youngsters, he'll have to play on the 4th line since the candidates for the winger spots on the 3rd are the 2 Kostitsyns, Grabovski, Latendresse, Lahti, Chipchura and Lapierre. If he does end up on the 4th, I could see Lapierre being moved to his wing while Grabovski would play center to Latendresse and Chipchura. I actually wouldn't mind that, although it's an awful lot of youth on one line. Carbo and Gainey would probably prefer to spread it around the lineup... something like this (the first 3 lines would probably be played fairly evenly):

Higgins - Koivu - Latendresse
Kostitsyn - Grabovski - Kovalev
Chipchura - Plecanek - Ryder
Lapierre - Smolinski - Kostopoulos

The only problem with this is it breaks up the #1 line, although we could potentially have 30 goals scorers on all 3 top lines. The second line could be dynamite in the offense and a big fat joke on defense. But I'll say this: if Grabovski makes the team, he's playing with Kostitsyn. They're electric together. An all-Soviet line could spark Kovalev back to life, especially since he'd play the role of a mentor.

[vcx]

Haven't talked to Ajay since the summer, but has he been cut yet? He's a career minor league captain, he may be related, but gotta be real.

The Kostitsyn brothers seem to be doing well.

[inSTAALed]

I hear our boys are working on their high sticking skills, so you might have a better contest if we ever meet again in the playoffs.

And we aren't?

Imagine last year times 18.

[PK]

Haven't talked to Ajay since the summer, but has he been cut yet? He's a career minor league captain, he may be related, but gotta be real.

The Kostitsyn brothers seem to be doing well.
Nope, Ajay is still at camp. The first 7 cuts were all sent back to juniors. As for the Kostitsyns, Andrei's got his spot locked up since last year. Sergei will spend at least a year in Hamilton.

[znk]

Habs B team beats a nearly full Pens lineup.

We crashed HFBoards.

[lilooet]

Thanks for setting this thread up. I'm looking forward to a year of Carbs letting AK have some offensive reposibility. Little AK is likely gone, I agree. As for Ryder on the 3rd line with Pleks and Chipchura, I quite like that - those guys can likely cover for his sub-par play in our end. As for Grabovski at 2nd line centre, yikes! I was definitely impressed the last two times I saw him play, but I'm not sure he's ready for that. Who knows though? Who else can take that spot more effectively? Maybe he's good there...provided he makes the team (I'm hoping he does).

Anyway, we got a win tonight so I'm happy! Wish I could've seen it.

[Roger the Engineer]

I hear our boys are working on their high sticking skills, so you might have a better contest if we ever meet again in the playoffs.I heard Gainey watched Slap Shot and was so impressed with Dr. Hook that he actually attempted to sign Paul D'Amato. Upon discovering that the movie was fictional, Gainey did nothing (again), while French media continued to speculate whether or not Vincent LeCavalier will take a 100% discount to play in Montreal. True story.

[Tuggy]

Certainly an encouraging start last night. Few things:

- Huet: He was very good last night (looked like his allstar form of last season). If he is able to stay healthy then we are in good shape. He is certainly one of the more underrated goalies around the league.

- Kovalev: Well it looked like he decided to play last night. I actually think a big part of our success this season relies on Kovalev. He *looks* healthy and was making some very nice plays last night. If he is able to perform to the level he is capable of then that is going to be a huge boost to the team and everyone around him.

- Chipchura: Looked great last night. He makes the team and I have no doubt in my mind about that.

- Streit: Great game from him and was playing on the blueline where he BELONGS. He is our #4 defenseman.

- Komisarek & Markov: They are going to have huge years and will quickly become a top pairing in the East. Komisarek is ready for primetime and to fulfill his top 10 draft selection potential.

[vcx]

Kovalev gave up the puck at the pens blueline twice, 1 led to a goal. Kovalev was looking like his old creative self, but he also did last season for a few games and then disappeared.

Don't put too much weight on his impact to the habs. The habs played a strong physical game...the pens just didn't look like they were interested and then when they were, it was too late and the habs were dominating the physical aspect and the chances.

Streit played a very good, stable game.

[Tuggy]

If Kovalev scores 70-80 then he will have a big impact on our team. I'm fully aware of his turnovers and stick handling adventures. I've seen enough of him over his career (and most recently his career in Montreal) to know this..

[vcx]

Yeah but that wasn't Kovalev being his full free-bird style of player, in pittsburgh with no real defense, he used to do that shit and would cost us short handed goals once in a while. As a hab, he hasn't done it that much, hell he hasn't really done much at all in terms of really contributing. Who knows, apparently people think Fedorov is a 40pt guy now, you think Kovalev is a 70-80 pt player...As a Penguin, he had his career years, outside of those years, he's basically back to his NYR ways. I'm not a Kovy hater by any means, i wish he never left the Penguins.

Kovalev is a 60pt player, he hasn't hit 70+pts in 5 seasons and his options for a playmaking centre aren't any better in that time.

There are guys i'd rather concentrate on the habs that will have big seasons that aren't named Kovalev. Like Pleckanec, A. Kastitsyn, and Latendresse...Higgins i see as putting up a solid 40-50pts.

People expect way too damn much out of players because they feel he has soo much damn talent, he's bound to do this well now, out of the blue. Even if it's been years since that said player has done that well.

Huet will have a good year, Koivu will put up a good 60pts and Ryder will score 30 goals, Habs will do well now that they don't have distractions like Souray's contract, Samsonov's lack of heart (Kovalev as well))...and other things.

[vcx]

Habs B team beats a nearly full Pens lineup.

We crashed HFBoards.

Btw...i love this reasoning of A teams vs B teams and what not....A penguins line-up with guys that have earned a spot already aside from 1 or 2 on offense and basically all on defense lose to a team that has more than a few guys playing balls to the wall for the preseason to earn a spot in the NHL or to impress their GM and Coach.

You'd think the habs won the stanley cup, some of the shit i read that spilled over to the pens board was amazing...at that moment i didn't miss hfboards one bit. Over 1000+ posts for a fuckin 3-2 win in OT for the preseason? C'mon now...

As you can see in my other posts, i'm not habs hater, but wow was that game blown out of proportion by some of the habs fans over there.


My highlite of the game was when the Habs were on a powerplay, about close to a minute into the powerplay, a linesman see's the habs with too many men, turns to the other linesman and shrugs it off...:fucktard:

This is going to be an interesting season.

I look forward to seeing another 1000+ posts for the Pens vs Habs game today with our B team vs i guess if the habs win, this is the Y team, if the habs lose, this was their Z team. I just want to see how Price holds up.

[PK]

Kovalev had 69 pts in 64 games in his first full year with the Habs. I'm not saying he'll repeat that performance, but he did that only 2 years ago. He acknowledged that he didn't play to his standards last year, maybe that's a sign he wants to bounce back.

[Alberta Yote]

I dropped Kovalev from my keeper league team. He'll bounce back.

[vcx]

Kovalev had 69 pts in 64 games in his first full year with the Habs. I'm not saying he'll repeat that performance, but he did that only 2 years ago. He acknowledged that he didn't play to his standards last year, maybe that's a sign he wants to bounce back.

He had 65pts in 69 games, not 69 pts in 64 games. That's as good as his career with Montreal will ever get, that 1 year he had 65pts. While i miss Kovalev's crazy wrister and amazing puck handling skills with the occasional hiccup even during his puck handling dominance, his best years are behind him. He's a 60pt player, he could hit 70pts if he catches fire with one of the centremen, but 60 is what i see as a realistic possibility. The 80pts is wishful homer thinking.

That's like me saying "Crosby is going to hit 140-160pts"...i'd be happy if he hit more than 110 this upcoming season, 120 was an amazing 2nd year.



Unrelated Question: Is Mats Naslund still the last habs player to hit 100pts?

[PK]

He had 65pts in 69 games, not 69 pts in 64 games. That's as good as his career with Montreal will ever get, that 1 year he had 65pts. While i miss Kovalev's crazy wrister and amazing puck handling skills with the occasional hiccup even during his puck handling dominance, his best years are behind him. He's a 60pt player, he could hit 70pts if he catches fire with one of the centremen, but 60 is what i see as a realistic possibility. The 80pts is wishful homer thinking.

That's like me saying "Crosby is going to hit 140-160pts"...i'd be happy if he hit more than 110 this upcoming season, 120 was an amazing 2nd year.



Unrelated Question: Is Mats Naslund still the last habs player to hit 100pts?
Same difference, he would've had 70 pts had he played a full season. I would be somewhat satisfied with a 60 pts season only if we make the playoffs since he's a proven playoffs commodity. He's got the talent to score 80 pts a year, but as always, he has to put his head into it. Wishing for that is part of being a Habs fan over the last few seasons. 70 pts is what I want from him.

And yes, Naslund id the last Hab to hit 100 pts. Kostitsyn is obviously next.

[vcx]

Do you really want to get into the "if he had a full-season" crap? I'm a Lemieux fan...i don't want to get into that topic at all.

Is Kovalev capable of getting 70pts or more? Sure he is, if he has a good attitude and plays upto full potential...will it happen? At his age, it has only on 1 team and for some reason, outside of that, not so much.

I say be happy with 60 to near 70pts per year from Kovalev, better than nothing. Unless this past season is a sign of things to come, i still have hopes for Fedorov hitting more than 40pts this upcoming season, but he just might be on the decline with age and talent just rusting...Kovalev isn't a spring chicken anymore either.

[PK]

Do you really want to get into the "if he had a full-season" crap? I'm a Lemieux fan...i don't want to get into that topic at all.

Is Kovalev capable of getting 70pts or more? Sure he is, if he has a good attitude and plays upto full potential...will it happen? At his age, it has only on 1 team and for some reason, outside of that, not so much.

I say be happy with 60 to near 70pts per year from Kovalev, better than nothing. Unless this past season is a sign of things to come, i still have hopes for Fedorov hitting more than 40pts this upcoming season, but he just might be on the decline with age and talent just rusting...Kovalev isn't a spring chicken anymore either.
So we're basically saying the same thing; a healthy and happy Kovalev can score 70 pts. He was neither last year. Let's hope things change this year. Health seems just fine at camp and his happiness was probably boosted when Carbo admitted to being wrong in his juggling him around and playing him with defensive-minded players.

[PK]

Apparently Halak sucked on the 2 goals so far tonight... That makes things interesting since he's pretty much got his job guarenteed unless Price outplays Huet. Can't wait to see Carey later.

[znk]

Dandenault is the wosrt player in the history of forerver

[Roger the Engineer]

Dandenault is the wosrt player in the history of forerverIsn't he a regular for the Canadiens?

[znk]

Isn't he a regular for the Canadiens?

Hopefully not anymore.

[vcx]

This is turning into an intense rivalry...as a pens fan obviously i'm up for a new rivalry since we really don't have one that is as vicious as this one is becoming.

Huge hit, then goal on Price...3-1 right now for the Penis.

5-0 for the idiot habs fans that are trolling on the pens board and i have to be stuck reading them and not being able to respond.

Shabutie needs to die a slow death by the way of drowning in cum.

[PK]

Isn't he a regular for the Canadiens?
Not anymore. He's Hamilton or waivers-bound. Markov, Komisarek, Hamrlik, Steirt and Brisebois (although I believe he'll only play 50-55 games) have their spot. The 6th and 7th spots are open on defense and O'Byrne is the favourite to take one of them so far. Then, it'll be one of Gorges, Rivers, Bouillon, Côté and Dandenault. My bet is on Gorges.

[vcx]

Dandeneault is done in mtl? He was once a pretty solid defenseman with good wheels, what made him fall from grace?

[vcx]

You guys need a dose of Ian Moran, Mike Wilson, Francoix Leroux, Drake Berehowsky, Josef Melichar, Rob Scuderi and painfully..many many fuckin MANY more before you can say Dandy is a shitty defenseman.

I'd take Dandy over Scuderi any day.

[znk]

Dandeneault is done in mtl? He was once a pretty solid defenseman with good wheels, what made him fall from grace?

Everyone of our prospects is better than him.

[vcx]

Orpik is a beast...it's why i want D. Markov on the pens. Get rid of Eaton and go with Gonchar, Markov, Orpik, Letang, Whitney and Sydor and i think i wouldn't have much of a heart attack when i watch the Pens games.

This game is physical though, Orpik rarely plays like this anymore.

[znk]

I'm so happy Dandenault is -4 tonight.

[vcx]

Hey we played Scuderi last night...tonight we have it a little better with our aggressive guys getting the nod. Filewich and Stone are 2 guys i'd love to see make the team, but our bottom 6 seem set.

[vcx]

Btw...score is 5-2. Last 2 were Malkin on a break from the box and Kennedy doing some dirty work.

Kennedy, Kennedy.

[znk]

Oh...and Orpik nailing Sykora while head hunting Koivu was something else.

[vcx]

Orpik has never been a head hunter, he lays out big hits that are open ice and aside from 2 hits where its questionable in his career, he's not a dirty hitter. Colby Armstrong hits people with their heads down, but that's with his shoulder connecting to their head. Now people that jump said players for playing the game the way it should be played, punishing people for not paying attention with the puck with clean hits that abide by the rules...not sure what's going on in the NHL anymore.

There is a thread going on in the NHL forum at the boards about the Laraque fight that has all sorts of idiocy running wild.

That was the John Leclair preseason hit your own player of the preseason award for Orpik.

[znk]

Orpik has never been a head hunter, he lays out big hits that are open ice and aside from 2 hits where its questionable in his career, he's not a dirty hitter. Colby Armstrong hits people with their heads down, but that's with his shoulder connecting to their head. Now people that jump said players for playing the game the way it should be played, punishing people for not paying attention with the puck with clean hits that abide by the rules...not sure what's going on in the NHL anymore.

There is a thread going on in the NHL forum at the boards about the Laraque fight that has all sorts of idiocy running wild.

That was the John Leclair preseason hit your own player of the preseason award for Orpik.

I know Laraque was itching for a fight and all....but come on. Going after a rookie because he dropped the gloves against Ruutu. That Archer kid is not lucky. Has been injured alot...a skinny guy he should have turtled. I wanted to impress. :prisonrape:

[vcx]

Archer didn't have to fight Laraque, Georges basically said want to go? Archer figured sure to earn his stripes as a tough guy and he got rocked. You see it happen all the time by guys that want to make a name for themselves amongst the tough guys.

Archer earned his stripes, he took a beating and didn't pussy out of it, like some other players would. Compared to GL27, everyone is skinny, even Andrei Medvedev, the guy has the build of a linebacker playing hockey.

I've said it before in the thread, the habs have a good aggressive game and tonight i was glad to see the aggressive guys given a chance for pittsburgh, guys that are gritty like Orpik, Stone and Filewich. They love to hit and play along the boards and in the corners to fight for pucks. Playing against a team like the Habs and sabres where they cycle the puck down low with good grinding players that also lay out some good hits is a good thing.

Aside from some tools you have in your fanbase, i have no ill will towards the habs, they are a team that i have in my top 10 to keep an eye on when i watch hockey.

[Roger the Engineer]

Aside from some tools you have in your fanbase, i have no ill will towards the habs, they are a team that i have in my top 10 to keep an eye on when i watch hockey.I do. In 1976, the Canadiens cost the Flyers their third Stanley Cup in three years. In 1989, Chris Chelios essentially ended Brian Propp's career, and cost the Flyers another shot at the cup.

It's only two incidents, but those two incidents account for more shit gone wrong than any franchise not named the New Jersey Devils.

[vcx]

I do. In 1976, the Canadiens cost the Flyers their third Stanley Cup in three years. In 1989, Chris Chelios essentially ended Brian Propp's career, and cost the Flyers another shot at the cup.

It's only two incidents, but those two incidents account for more shit gone wrong than any franchise not named the New Jersey Devils.

Well you can feel good about the fact that in the end, all they have as ammo in an argument is their past, nothing good to use in argument about the future.

If this also helps, it's been almost 22 years since they last had a player score 100pts.

[Roger the Engineer]

Well you can feel good about the fact that in the end, all they have as ammo in an argument is their past, nothing good to use in argument about the future.The future is a promise waiting to be broken, and the present only lasts but a moment before becoming the past.If this also helps, it's been almost 22 years since they last had a player score 100pts.Individual accolades are a consolation prize.

[AD]

I do. In 1976, the Canadiens cost the Flyers their third Stanley Cup in three years. In 1989, Chris Chelios essentially ended Brian Propp's career, and cost the Flyers another shot at the cup.

It's only two incidents, but those two incidents account for more shit gone wrong than any franchise not named the New Jersey Devils.

Don't forget how Perezoghin gave Primeau a year long concussion...

:bounce:

[Roger the Engineer]

Don't forget how Perezoghin gave Primeau a year long concussion...The beauty of it is that Perezhogin isn't even playing in North America any longer. He came to North America, ended a Conn Smythe/Selke candidate's career, and went back to his mother fucking homeland like the Cossak slut that he is.

[vcx]

Hi i'm Colby Armstrong, as i was skating around i ran into this sissy midget, my friends taped it...come watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2RMT5LrqaY

[znk]

Hi i'm Colby Armstrong, as i was skating around i ran into this sissy midget, my friends taped it...come watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2RMT5LrqaY

Not suprising the video cuts off just as Colby was about to turtle and start crying for his mommy.

[PK]

Kostitsyn-Grabovski-Kostitsyn... coming to a city near you!

[lilooet]

Not suprising the video cuts off just as Colby was about to turtle and start crying for his mommy.

I know. I didn't mind the head-hunt so much at the time - what pissed me off was how he wouldn't "fight" immediately after. And then Sheldon got tossed. I was absolutely furious. Dumbest rule in the NHL.

[znk]

Habs 33 shots in 2 periods against Boston.

Something is wrong in boston. Their lineup is only missing 2 regulars or so.

[Acer]

Habs 33 shots in 2 periods against Boston.

Something is wrong in boston. Their lineup is only missing 2 regulars or so.

Remove Chara from that Bruins blueline and it doesn't look so pretty. I'm being nice here. Well, they will plenty of stud Dman in next years draft.

[Tuggy]

Kostitsyn Jr. making a strong bid to win a spot. Doubt he makes the team out of camp but we could see him up with the big club at some point this year.

[PK]

Major cuts today

Goaltenders: Lacasse, Desjardins, Danis
Defensemen: Valentenko, Côté, Gleed, Rivers, Archer, Biron, Carle, Degon
Forwards: Kostitsyn Jr., D'Agostini, Beauregard, Manlow, Russell, Urquhart, Ferland, Lahti, Desharnais, Milroy, Locke, Bonneau, Lemieux, Maxwell, White, Stewart, Aubin, Baines

The battles that remain:

Halak vs. Price in nets (Will they keep Price and play him 30-35 games?)
Chipchura, Grabovski, Murray and Bégin up front (My guess is Murray is the next to be cut while Bégin and Grabovski will share the 12th spot depending on the opponent)
Gorges, Bouillon, Brisebois, O'Byrne and Dandeneault (O'Byrne seems to be leading this one while Brisebois was probably hired to play 50-55 games... I'd rather have Gorges than either of Bouillon and Dandeneault as the 7th dman)

[PK]

Why are there people who still refer to the Habs as a small and weak team? With guys like Komisarek, O'Byrne, Latendresse, Higgins, Chipchura, Lapierre, Kostopoulos and Kostitsyn (yes, a European in this list!), this team is neither small nor weak. They won't dominate physically, but they won't get dominated either. Coupled with their speed, they could play a textbook bump 'n run (well, skate I guess) type of game.

[Tuggy]

Because people don't know what they are talking about. I personally like the way the team is being built. Even players like Koivu and Plekanec aren't big but play hard and aren't soft.

[lilooet]

Major cuts today

Goaltenders: Lacasse, Desjardins, Danis
Defensemen: Valentenko, Côté, Gleed, Rivers, Archer, Biron, Carle, Degon
Forwards: Kostitsyn Jr., D'Agostini, Beauregard, Manlow, Russell, Urquhart, Ferland, Lahti, Desharnais, Milroy, Locke, Bonneau, Lemieux, Maxwell, White, Stewart, Aubin, Baines

The battles that remain:

Halak vs. Price in nets (Will they keep Price and play him 30-35 games?)
Chipchura, Grabovski, Murray and Bégin up front (My guess is Murray is the next to be cut while Bégin and Grabovski will share the 12th spot depending on the opponent)
Gorges, Bouillon, Brisebois, O'Byrne and Dandeneault (O'Byrne seems to be leading this one while Brisebois was probably hired to play 50-55 games... I'd rather have Gorges than either of Bouillon and Dandeneault as the 7th dman)

Some of our guys, notably Danis, need to clear waivers. Any predictions on any of them being grabbed?

[PK]

Some of our guys, notably Danis, need to clear waivers. Any predictions on any of them being grabbed?
I could see Danis and Milroy being picked up, possibly Locke, but truth be told, they're not big losses. Even if they end up becoming something with another team, they were not going to get that chance here, so I say good for them.

[AD]

Some of our guys, notably Danis, need to clear waivers. Any predictions on any of them being grabbed?

We could go on and on about the possibilites and probabilites.

But the short answer is no; and the long answer is who cares.

[znk]

We could go on and on about the possibilites and probabilites.

But the short answer is no; and the long answer is who cares.

Who are you?

[znk]

I could see Danis and Milroy being picked up, possibly Locke, but truth be told, they're not big losses. Even if they end up becoming something with another team, they were not going to get that chance here, so I say good for them.

They should have traded Locke and Danis for Lecavalier. Gainey sucks.

[AD]

Who are you?

AD.



:bounce:

[znk]

A picture's worth a thousand words...

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070928/capt.efdf31ccb64148bd8b775dccc1e38b50.bruins_canad iens_hockey_mtlb103.jpg

:biglaugh:


Dandenault and a 2nd.

[PK]

Last cuts today. If Carbo has balls, Dandenault will be sent to Hamilton. If not, it'll be O'Byrne. I'm leaning towards Dandenault making the cut. If that's the case, I'm hoping he's not a regular. Gorges won that spot.

[Tuggy]

Last cuts today. If Carbo has balls, Dandenault will be sent to Hamilton. If not, it'll be O'Byrne. I'm leaning towards Dandenault making the cut. If that's the case, I'm hoping he's not a regular. Gorges won that spot.

I think Gorges has outplayed both Dandenault and O'Byrne on defense. I must say though that Dandenault looked good as a forward on Saturday. I wouldn't be against having him play on the 4th line. As for the cuts today...still not sure what will happen with Price and Halak and I think every scenario is possible. I expect to see O'Byrne sent down and I'd like the other cut to be Murray. I think Graboski (sp) has a real chance to make the team along with Chipchura.

There is no reason why the Habs can't roll three offensive lines:

Higgins-Koivu-Ryder
Kostitsyn-Graboski-Kovalev
Latendresse-Plekanec-Smolinski

And use:

Lapierre, Kostopolus, Chipchura, Begin (Dandenault)

as a checking line.

Then have Markov, Komisarek, Hamrlik, Streit, Gorges, Bouillon (Brisebois) on defense.

[Tuggy]

And the cuts are....

O'Byrne, Halak and Lapierre.

Expected O'Byrne to be cut and I think the writing was on the wall for Price to stay on the team. Really didn't think Lapierre would be cut.

[Alberta Yote]

The Price lovers will be overjoyed.

[PK]

And the cuts are....

O'Byrne, Halak and Lapierre.

Expected O'Byrne to be cut and I think the writing was on the wall for Price to stay on the team. Really didn't think Lapierre would be cut.
I'd rather have O'Byrne and Lapierre play in Hamilton than rot in the rafters.

I'm hoping Bouillon, Brisebois and Dandenault will share the 6th spot, nothing more.

I expect Price to get 30-35 games, maybe taking over as no. 1 in the second half of the season.

3 offensive lines is the way to go with the players we have. Kostitsyn-Grabovski-Kovalev could prove to be the deadliest lines we've had in recent years. They'll have to keep the puck in the offensive zone to be effective though.

[lilooet]

I saw the first 2 1/2 periods and listened to the rest online.
Pleks looked good though he was pointless. Is he thinner? I didn't recognise him at first; Kovalev looked hungrier, but was making the same lame turnovers: cycle to the top of the circle in the off. zone and then turn it over; Lats looked faster, but his skill level with the puck is worrisome; Huet was great, but, my god, he has got to handle the puck better; komi was OK, but his unforced turnover in the first led to a terrible penalty (probably just jitters); brisebois wasn't terrible, which was a nice surprise; refs were dictating play in the first two; Higgins was fantastic I thought - all over the puck and creating lots of turnovers; Streit got a goal, but it was terrible - anyone who said "Souray who?" is an idiot - Streit's shot was about 5 feet high and was lucky to go in - we need Low shots from the point Mark (and I was one of the not sad to see Souray go); Markov and Saku were dandy as usual. Begin was an idiot for starting that scrum late in the third - it could've cost us, but the refs evened it out with Brind'amour - luckily; Grabovski, Kostitsyn and Smokes: not much to say. Too bad. But for grabs and kosts, that may be a good thing. No severe fuck ups.

[Tuggy]

Carey Price will start tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Chipchura and Gorges are also in while Grabo and Brisebois are out.

Should be fun.

[PK]

Carey Price will start tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Chipchura and Gorges are also in while Grabo and Brisebois are out.

Should be fun.
Is Crosby playing?

[Tuggy]

Is Crosby playing?

It appears that he is.

[Acer]

Price will get the start vs. the Pens- TSN

--> Here the reaction of the HF Habs youth after hearing the news. :masturbation:

[PK]

Carey Price is playing and I'm wearing non-pleated pants. FUCK!

[lilooet]

Can't wait to see this game tonight. Here's hoping the team stands up in front of Price and that Pleks and Kovalev can get something going.

[PK]

WTF? This ain't figure skating. Let them hit a little...

[vcx]

Glad to see Pens played like they did in their season opener vs Carolina and that the habs defense definitely showed up. Barely any 2nd shots on Price and the defense made sure of that.

I'm avoiding the boards, there is like some retarded cult mentality going on there right now acting like they just won the fuckin stanley cup....


I remember when Patrick Lalime went off on his streak...yeah, i wonder where that god like status goaltender is now, oh wait.

[znk]

Glad to see Pens played like they did in their season opener vs Carolina and that the habs defense definitely showed up. Barely any 2nd shots on Price and the defense made sure of that.

I'm avoiding the boards, there is like some retarded cult mentality going on there right now acting like they just won the fuckin stanley cup....


I remember when Patrick Lalime went off on his streak...yeah, i wonder where that god like status goaltender is now, oh wait.

But Lalime didnt have a track record before doing that. He just appeared.

[lilooet]

It was a decent game after the 1st. Bubbles was just awful at times and Gorges also seemed a little out of his league on more than one occasion. Kovalev was making his usual moves at the blueline but I kept asking myself, "to what end?". Nothing happened except his usual blind pass at the half boards. Good to see him backcheck though. He played better than usual.

Koivu, Higgins, Pleks and Kosty were all fantastic; as was Price. Hamrlik and Komi were solid after the 1st. Markov was doing all the little things and Dandy was mediocre but not bad by any stretch.

As for Chipchura: I thought he had good stretches, but on the whole looked weak on the puck; maybe nervous, maybe cold. I don't know. He was fine on the PK, but even strength he looked shaky.

Ryder was god-awful. So fucking slow, going offside and trying to make plays when he should've been shooting. He looked like Dagenais out there and was definitely not in the same league as his linemates.

As for the coaches: I think they matched the lines as best as possible and had a decent strategy. Crosby was not shut down; but he was kept outside mostly with minimal damage.

The two black marks for me were Komi's lame undisciplined penalty in the 1st and Kovalev doing absolutely nothing to stand up for Kosty getting hammered by Roberts - not that it was a dirty hit, but you have to do something after a hit like that. Anything.

All in all, a greatly entertaining road win for me. I was very happy!

[znk]

It was a decent game after the 1st. Bubbles was just awful at times and Gorges also seemed a little out of his league on more than one occasion. Kovalev was making his usual moves at the blueline but I kept asking myself, "to what end?". Nothing happened except his usual blind pass at the half boards. Good to see him backcheck though. He played better than usual.

Koivu, Higgins, Pleks and Kosty were all fantastic; as was Price. Hamrlik and Komi were solid after the 1st. Markov was doing all the little things and Dandy was mediocre but not bad by any stretch.

As for Chipchura: I thought he had good stretches, but on the whole looked weak on the puck; maybe nervous, maybe cold. I don't know. He was fine on the PK, but even strength he looked shaky.

Ryder was god-awful. So fucking slow, going offside and trying to make plays when he should've been shooting. He looked like Dagenais out there and was definitely not in the same league as his linemates.

As for the coaches: I think they matched the lines as best as possible and had a decent strategy. Crosby was not shut down; but he was kept outside mostly with minimal damage.

The two black marks for me were Komi's lame undisciplined penalty in the 1st and Kovalev doing absolutely nothing to stand up for Kosty getting hammered by Roberts - not that it was a dirty hit, but you have to do something after a hit like that. Anything.

All in all, a greatly entertaining road win for me. I was very happy!

I totaly disagree there. He was one of the most energetic players on the ice. First to get dumpins and outworking the opposition on many occasions. He did lose the puck a few times but he took the shot the resulted in Markov's goal.

[vcx]

But Lalime didnt have a track record before doing that. He just appeared.

It's his trademark, he appeared and later on disappeared, i believe he's on the hawks advising Kane on dekes.

[lilooet]

I totaly disagree there. He was one of the most energetic players on the ice. First to get dumpins and outworking the opposition on many occasions. He did lose the puck a few times but he took the shot the resulted in Markov's goal.

No. He made two decent plays the entire game. Markov's goal was a "no-brainer" - pass to the guy with a shot at the empty net. I like Ryder, but at times it seems he has little hockey sense. It's fine that he's slow, but it's not fine that he cannot anticipate plays.

[Tuggy]

Glad to see Pens played like they did in their season opener vs Carolina and that the habs defense definitely showed up. Barely any 2nd shots on Price and the defense made sure of that.

I'm avoiding the boards, there is like some retarded cult mentality going on there right now acting like they just won the fuckin stanley cup....


I remember when Patrick Lalime went off on his streak...yeah, i wonder where that god like status goaltender is now, oh wait.

Did Carey Price bang your mom or something? Get the fuck over it.

[Acer]

Did Carey Price bang your mom or something? Get the fuck over it.

What's up with you? Don't understand, why you are going nuts over people critizing the HF Habs board, here at broads.

[Tuggy]

What's up with you? Don't understand, why you are going nuts over people critizing the HF Habs board, here at broads.

http://www.readingcomprehensionconnection.com/lesson.php

[vcx]

http://www.readingcomprehensionconnection.com/lesson.php

I have nothing against price, but if you want cry about it, just let it all out. I see Bob Mac on Tsn had a boner for Price's start and some GM or some shit said Price's domination in the AHL playoffs was the best display of goaltending he has ever seen out of any goaltender in the world or someshit like that (Gainey most likely).

We pens fans have to hear jealous bitches whine about Crosby supposedly whining and crying on the ice, but Price who's now being compared to Crosby is untouchable for any comment?

It was a good game for Price, not to take anything away from him, the habs defense showed up and the Penguins were still pretty awful at trying to get some chemistry going but did enough to make it a 3-2 loss which wasn't too bad.

Hope Carey has a great NHL career and i look forward to the Pens next meeting vs the habs. Hopefully by then Therrien has his head out of his ass and has his lines put together proper and the defense is actually playing as well as they can...which isn't that well.

Now go wrap your hab loving lips around a cock.

[PK]

I have nothing against price, but if you want cry about it, just let it all out. I see Bob Mac on Tsn had a boner for Price's start and some GM or some shit said Price's domination in the AHL playoffs was the best display of goaltending he has ever seen out of any goaltender in the world or someshit like that (Gainey most likely).

We pens fans have to hear jealous bitches whine about Crosby supposedly whining and crying on the ice, but Price who's now being compared to Crosby is untouchable for any comment?

It was a good game for Price, not to take anything away from him, the habs defense showed up and the Penguins were still pretty awful at trying to get some chemistry going but did enough to make it a 3-2 loss which wasn't too bad.

Hope Carey has a great NHL career and i look forward to the Pens next meeting vs the habs. Hopefully by then Therrien has his head out of his ass and has his lines put together proper and the defense is actually playing as well as they can...which isn't that well.

Now go wrap your hab loving lips around a cock.
I have no problem with criticism when it's actually thought out and makes sense, but to compare Price to Lalime is akin to comparing an intellectual to yourself. It just doesn't hold up. It's not about sportscasters, scouts and general managers having a hard on for the next flavour of the week goaltender, it's recognizing that Carey has a skill set and mental toughness that has rarely been seen in a 20 year old. Crosby does whine on the ice. That's not an opinion, it's a plain fact. Your hatred of Price is nothing but blind opinion and, dare I say, biased jealousy. Will Price be the next great goaltender? Who knows, but if he's not, heaven forbid, it certainly won't be because he's lacking skill- or mentally-wise.

[vcx]

I have no problem with criticism when it's actually thought out and makes sense, but to compare Price to Lalime is akin to comparing an intellectual to yourself. It just doesn't hold up. It's not about sportscasters, scouts and general managers having a hard on for the next flavour of the week goaltender, it's recognizing that Carey has a skill set and mental toughness that has rarely been seen in a 20 year old. Crosby does whine on the ice. That's not an opinion, it's a plain fact. Your hatred of Price is nothing but blind opinion and, dare I say, biased jealousy. Will Price be the next great goaltender? Who knows, but if he's not, heaven forbid, it certainly won't be because he's lacking skill- or mentally-wise.

That's for the usual retarded jab at me, refilling your quota for the day as usual. I don't hate Carey Price, i actually hope he has a great career in the NHL. But looking at the young goaltenders in recent memory, guys like Luongo, DiPietro, Lehtonen, and Fleury...people are gushing about Price at 20 like guys in the past never showed that kind of promise before. I remember when Fleury at 18 played his first game and were all excited at the possiblities as well as weighing the negatives about the what if's and what not. Price is ONE of the best goaltending prospects, let's not forget others like Rask, Bernier, Elliott, Pogge and etc. The comparing of Price to Crosby at hfboards is also borderline retarded, they will compare a 22yr old Fleury (23 next month) who's put up 40 wins as a 22 yr old behind a shit defense to Price and call Fleury a shit goaltender that can't win any big games. But the moment i compare Bernier to Price, it's like crickets from the habs posters. A 19yr old that's playing behind a team that doesn't have good team defense like the habs and is basically the best goaltender on the team right now arguably the better starter than Labarbera, Aubin and Cloutier...reminds me of Fleury's 1st season a little.

The moment he became a champ in the AHL, the habs board in hfboards started a massive province wide circle jerk about how he's the next coming of Dryden or Roy or some shit. All before he even played his first game, that's the part that annoyed me to no end. In the back of my mind i thought hey Crosby could flop in his rookie year and we could end up with a joke of a 1st rounder, then the first few games came in and he wasn't this hyped up player everyone thought he would be but by mid season we knew we had something special.

As for Crosby whining, calling it fact and all of that shit, typical jealous bullshit from people. Crosby did complain to the refs in the 1st season and in the 2nd he didn't complain as much and this season as the captain it's not much either but mind you, its 3 fuckin games into the season and the pens are not firing on even half their cylinders and their defense is soo bad we are claiming Scuderi and Orpik as our 2 best so far...So in the end, Price had a good start to the season and hopefully he has a good year.

As for the Lalime comment, god forbid i make a fuckin joke here. I forgot that shit i say is taken literal and all the bitches gather up and cry about it then come up with ways to attack me on a messageboard. Boo fuckin hoo.

[PK]

Meh, he's got more puck poise than any guys you listed, Crosby included.

[vcx]

Meh, he's got more puck poise than any guys you listed, Crosby included.

Your mom has more cock poise than Jenna Jameson.

[Walrus]

Your mom has more cock poise than Jenna Jameson.

But does she have more puck poise?

[vcx]

But does she have more puck poise?

She has amazing cock & balls tucking in mouth power, which allows her hands to be free to display her amazing puck poise skills.

[druzus]

She has amazing cock & balls tucking in mouth power, which allows her hands to be free to display her amazing puck poise skills.

ohh.. someone introduce me, i love multi-taskers.

[PK]

I'm an orphan.

[vcx]

I'm an orphan.

Really..is this one of those "FUCK YOU MAN MY MOM DIED OF CANCER YOU FUCKIN INSENSITIVE ASSHOLE" type of deals?

Yeah...:flaunt:

[PK]

Really..is this one of those "FUCK YOU MAN MY MOM DIED OF CANCER YOU FUCKIN INSENSITIVE ASSHOLE" type of deals?

Yeah...:flaunt:
No, I never had a mom. I was brought up by a flock of swans.

[vcx]

No, I never had a mom. I was brought up by a flock of swans.

That must've sucked...the soggy bread, ruffled feathers and what not. But i hear getting some beak is almost as good as head, you must've been a hit with the bevy of swan bitches.

[vcx]

So anyways, what's up with Gui, is it just a useless player now or what? He has been pretty useless since the Rob smashing last preseason and he isn't as physical or confident since.

He's also being overshadowed by the Price hype. Figured he'd take that opportunity out of the limelight to actually start to play better hockey. Ah well... i guess that lame ass "GUI UNIT" slogan fans came up with is still amusing, well not really.

[PK]

I'm hoping it's a sophomore slump... still, 20 is quite young for this type of player. Just look at Bertuzzi (I'm not saying Latendresse will be as good, I'm only comparing their type of play). Writing him off now would be a mistake.

[vcx]

I'm hoping it's a sophomore slump... still, 20 is quite young for this type of player. Just look at Bertuzzi (I'm not saying Latendresse will be as good, I'm only comparing their type of play). Writing him off now would be a mistake.

Some guys get that powerforward tag and people assume they might turn out to be like that, we've seen our share of guys that have had that tag and haven't really performed up to it. Which is not what i am saying about Latendresse, i think he has potential to be a powerforward and showed enough signs of possibly being a very good one in the future. But i think as long as he's on the habs, he'll be shit scared of the media and being booed to a point where he'll hinder his own development. Being a french canadian and all. Price doesn't have that problem, he's from the Weed Province and is a pretty laid back guy.

In his rookie year, even though he was still traumatized by crushing Rob D, he was still close to putting up 20 goals which is pretty impressive for a powerforward type player in his rookie year. While i may harrass the habs fans on hfboards, habs are still one of the teams i like to watch. Lats is one of my favourite habs prospects and figured wtf...i think being a hab might be his downfall in reaching his potential.

[PK]

He's actually quite good with the media and I think the media have been quite good to him as well. The consensus was that spending another year in the Q wouldn't have done him any good and they couldn't send him to Hamilton last year, so they kept him in the bigs. In my opinion, the brass expect him to break out next year. If he doesn't, the media will tart getting on his back. He's still making beginner's mistakes out there, especially when it comes to positioning, but the tools are there. His skating has improved, he can dish out the hits but he has to learn to use his size in other situation, such as establishing himself in the crease, not being afraid to take some abuse to net a garbage goal or two. That's the kind of thing that usually comes with experience. Playing with guys like Smolinski and Kostopoulos might to him some good in regards with attitude on the ice, but he needs to play with sore skilled players. An that won't happen unless he turns it up while on the third line.

[vcx]

I don't think it's as much as the skilled players he needs to play with at this time in his development. He's not playing in key situations and being relied on and of course as a 2nd year player why would he be when he still has plenty of holes in his game...what i'm alluding to is that Lats should be in the AHL, he's what, 20 now? He's eligible to play in Hamilton.

He'll benefit big time, get his confidence up, let him play in key situations and be the 1st line player, let him hone his game at the AHL level...for powerforwards, it could do them some good to go through a full year in the AHL first. That's not taking anything away from Lats, it's just a developmental thing, for his size and what he's projected to be, he needs that confidence to be the go to guy in Hamilton before he's one of the go to guys in the AHL.

What do you think?

[PK]

I don't think sending a guy who had a good full rookie season down to the AHL would do any good to his confidence. I think it would actually set him back a few years. Going from playing alongside Saku and Ryder in your first pro season to Locke and Milroy could spell disaster. He showed last year he can play in the NHL, so unless he actually regresses, I don't see any reason to ship him to Hamilton. Besides, it'd be a public relations fiasco.

[vcx]

I don't think sending a guy who had a good full rookie season down to the AHL would do any good to his confidence. I think it would actually set him back a few years. Going from playing alongside Saku and Ryder in your first pro season to Locke and Milroy could spell disaster. He showed last year he can play in the NHL, so unless he actually regresses, I don't see any reason to ship him to Hamilton. Besides, it'd be a public relations fiasco.

True enough, i was just saying that because during the lockout, the best thing to a guy like Fleury and even E.Staal and a few others was to play in the AHL a full year. Instead of going to europe to play with most of the NHL'ers. It did wonders for their confidence and development, Eric had an off year last season and MAF is starting slow this season.

Lats has a long way to go still, he needs to work on his defensive game and you'll probably see him getting more into his own probably next season which isn't bad, he'll be 21 going on 22 then.

[lilooet]

That was a sad display of hockey, coaching and reffing. 8 shots after two periods and then Carbo decides to make a run at it with 5 minutes remaining. Fuck me Amadeus.

[the n00b king]

Lats cant skate

Murray's taking his place tonight. sweet.

by tonight i meant tomorrow.

[Transplanted Caper]

Lats cant skate

Murray's taking his place tonight. sweet.

Who are you?

[the n00b king]

Who are you?

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i206/danielcameron/retard-in-pool.jpg

[Walrus]

Welcome back.

[vcx]

So apparently Lats the guy who i suggested should be sent down is getting benched the next game...

[lilooet]

Lats is being benched? Good. I like the guy, but he's been awful of late. I actually liked him more when Lapierre was there to spur him on. It just seems he's lost a lot of jump this year so far. And he has the hands of Bulis without the ability to at least get a decent shot off (and hit the post) it seems. Anyway, it'll do him good.

[popperbolt*]

Lats cant skate

Murray's taking his place tonight. sweet.

by tonight i meant tomorrow.

:sorcerer:

[PredsFan77]

It brings a tear to me to see Vokoun steal games like that for teams other than mine.

[Mr Bugg]

Big deal. Jim Balsillie steals entire teams, lololol.

Re: Lats debate

I'm with vcx on this one: send the guy down for the full year. I look at the way Dustin Penner was handled as the optimal way to develop players like this.

[vcx]

Big deal. Jim Balsillie steals entire teams, lololol.

Re: Lats debate

I'm with vcx on this one: send the guy down for the full year. I look at the way Dustin Penner was handled as the optimal way to develop players like this.

It would do Lats a great service to be sent down to the AHL to get the top ice time and be put in key situations. People think oh sending him down will kill his confidence, it might at first wane his confidence but by the end of the season when is one of the go to guys and is a real force, the Habs will benefit by Lats being a much more mature and well rounded player.

He still looks pretty lost when he's playing on the habs, i suggested being sent down because powerforwards take a while to develop and Lats seems like a guy that will take a while to develop fully, into a dominant player. He needs to crush players left and right in the AHL, be on the ice for the last minute and what not...he needs that, to be their reliable guy, a game breaker.

I was glad when the pens sent Letang down, it wouldn't bother me at all if he stayed there the entire season. If it means Letang rounds out his game for next season and we have a better player, it's worth the wait, not all guys develop and show their skills right away like Ovechkin, Staal, Malkin, Crosby, etc...

[Tuggy]

Carey Price to get the start in Ottawa tomorrow. The Sens are first in the East and well rested...can't wait to see the kid in action.

[Alberta Yote]

Carey Price, haven't heard much about the kid. Can you fill me in?

[Transplanted Caper]

Carey Price, haven't heard much about the kid. Can you fill me in?

Right winger with some grit I think

[Alberta Yote]

Right winger with some grit I think
Can't be, Habs hate grit in their forward corps.

[Transplanted Caper]

Can't be, Habs hate grit in their forward corps.

They needed a power forward so they took a chance. Dude's almost 5"10.

[Alberta Yote]

They needed a power forward so they took a chance. Dude's almost 5"10.And I understand he has some Stan Jonathan type traits.

[AD]

:reproduce:

Carbonneau needs coaching lessons. Is Kovalev available?

[vcx]

I don't know why the habs still rely on that moron, i thought Kovalev earned his way out of Montreal last season. I was suprised he was still a hab when the preseason started.

His value is as high as it's ever going to be at this point in his career with 5pts in 6 games, trade the inconsiderate fuck for a good return and move on from the Kovalev era.

And to think i was actually a fan of his when he was a ranger (early days) and penguin.

[Alberta Yote]

Kovalev never had an era.

[benji]

In Soviet Russia, every era has Kovalev.:bounce:

[benji]

Speaking of which, Huet almost always has exceptionnal games against the Bruins. Although they are hot right now, a hot goalie is just what they need to cool them down.

[PK]

Boston's asshole must be hurting after so much pounding.

[znk]

How are the habs still #1 on the PP ?

[PK]

How are the habs still #1 on the PP ?
It's because of Price, obviously.

[PK]

I know it's early in the season and whatnot, but you gotta love this team's attitude. Do they remind anyone else of the Sabres from 2 seasons ago? Speed, excitement, young vets, rookies contributing and an all-around great team effort.

[Alberta Yote]

They need more french speaking players. And bigger forwards. And a powerplay trigger man. And a true #1 goaltender.

[lilooet]

I know it's early in the season and whatnot, but you gotta love this team's attitude. Do they remind anyone else of the Sabres from 2 seasons ago? Speed, excitement, young vets, rookies contributing and an all-around great team effort.

I agree wholeheartedly. I like this team. It has all the elements - just like the Bad News Bears: Rejects (hamrlik, Streit, Huet and Begin); Bad Apples (need I say who); Wet Behind the Earers (too many to name); lazy, slow fucks who are playing better and better (Ryder); Blossomers (Higgs and Pleks); Fighting-for-their-Job types (Lats, Grabovski and Kostytsyn); Over-the-Hillsies who-surprise (Brisebois); and Constant Excellence (Saku and Andrei).

Overall, I think it's Higgins whom I'm liking the most so far this year. I've yet to see him really take a shift off. And he's so fucking quick to the puck this year. I've seen #21 surprise and beat players in every game so far, I swear.

[Tuggy]

Carey Price should have been a shooter in the shootout last night. Fuck Carbo.:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Psycho Papa Joe]

Ryder might just be the worst player ever with two 30 goal seasons.

[Alberta Yote]

Ryder might just be the worst player ever with two 30 goal seasons.
And yet so many Habs fans at that other place still think he may be the answer to the Yotes' scoring woes.

[lilooet]

Well, had to miss the game tonight due to work. Sounds like I didn't miss much, but By Golly was I happy to see the scoreboard. No one mentioned the Habs game to me on the bus home and I was wearing my toque, so I was worried they had lost. Must say, from the highlights as well as the scoresheet, I'm really liking Kost and Pleks playing together with Kovalev as the constantly dangerous peripheral threat. But, like I said, that was from highlights tonight and watching the last game - how did they look all night?

What's gonna happen to Lats and Ryder? I guess both can't be dropped to the 3rd line even if this keeps up, but one of them has to move - and I'm thinking elder Kost is building some nice chemistry with Plekanecs, so that's looking like Ryder is the odd man out. But replace him with Lats? Higgins' speed with Ryder's slowness doesn't seem good - but Ryder is the as Lats in speed basically, and they're both wingers so maybe it's not that important. Still, I think I'd rather see Ryder than Lats on that line.

Maybe the answer lies in Hamilton.................How is the younger Kostitsyn doing?

[All-Star]

Maybe the answer lies in Hamilton.................How is the younger Kostitsyn doing?He started strong, but the entire team turned to shit for a while...

It appears the demotion gave Ryder the ass-kicking he deserved. He played well yesterday, and he actually managed to score one on Friday...

[Acer]

It appears the demotion gave Ryder the ass-kicking he deserved. He played well yesterday, and he actually managed to score one on Friday...

Ryders created a chance by driving hard to the net and the Habs scored seconds later (Koivu, I think.) Sometimes you don't need to score to have an impact.

[PK]

Ryders created a chance by driving hard to the net and the Habs scored seconds later (Koivu, I think.) Sometimes you don't need to score to have an impact.
I take it Ryder is one hell of a wingman then.

[Acer]

I take it Ryder is one hell of a wingman then.
Something like that. He's a wingman from hell.

[PK]

Me thinks Price gets the next one against the Sens. And he and Huet should share duties equally from now on. Here's to another goalie controversy in Habland!

[Tuggy]

Huet gets the start in Long Island tomorrow night. A little surprised, but I feel like this is a big game for Huet. He has struggled in his past two games and if he does that again on Wednesday then the goalie controversy winds are going to begin to blow.

Not sure why but Huet just doesn't look confident out there right now. He is moving very slow in the net. At this point, for whatever reason, I have more confidence with Price in net. I do believe Price will be the #1 goalie before the end of the season.

[PK]

Given Huet's performance last Friday in Buffalo, I'm guessing it'll be Price tomorrow and Huet Saturday. Or will it be the other around?

[Tuggy]

Given Huet's performance last Friday in Buffalo, I'm guessing it'll be Price tomorrow and Huet Saturday. Or will it be the other around?

Ya, that's what it's going to be. And Carbo has already said that Price will start in Toronto next Tuesday.

As for this weekend...I'm hoping for a split. Two wins would be great but Buffalo is skating pretty well right now. Gonna need a big performance from Price to win in Buffalo.

[PK]

sniff

[Tuggy]

So Huet is out with a groin injury. Apparently he hurt himself during the Nashville game but "played" through. Anyway he's out for a about week (day to day). Price is also sick with the flu and is questionable at the moment for the game tomorrow night against Detroit. Halak has been recalled and could get the start tomorrow.

[PK]

I miss Pat Jablonski.

[PK]

Lapierre and O'Byrne called up.

Question: Streit wasn't that bad on the first line last night, but why doesn't Carbo try Chipchura with Koivu and Higgins if he wants to bring new energy to that line?

Bold prediction: Price will make a strong case for being the outright starter while Huet is injured.

[nj]

Bold prediction: Price will make a strong case for being the outright starter while Huet is injured.

That's our fuckaire!

http://www.starbucksstore.com/images/products/shprodde/312829.jpg

[PK]

Yeah, that doesn't sound really bold. I meant that Price will be the no. 1 even when Huet comes back.

[lilooet]

Lapierre and O'Byrne called up.

Question: Streit wasn't that bad on the first line last night, but why doesn't Carbo try Chipchura with Koivu and Higgins if he wants to bring new energy to that line?

Bold prediction: Price will make a strong case for being the outright starter while Huet is injured.

So Grabovski's gone? I guess he didn't really impress, but he also didn't get much of a chance. Also, I could've sworn I read a long time ago that he was told to get a place by management. I hope he's learned the word, 'sublet.'

[lilooet]

Good to see O'byrne's on pace for a dazzling 110pt season. Keep it up buddy.

[PK]

Good to see O'byrne's on pace for a dazzling 110pt season. Keep it up buddy.
Sheldon WHO?

[lilooet]

Sheldon WHO?

Exactly. Sheldon Kennedy.

[All-Star]

Time to kick-start this thread again.

Over the past week, the Habs have played decent although inconsistent hockey. Price has played well in his last two starts, and our forwards appear to be helping out the defense a bit more. I think Streit is much more effective as a small shifty forward than as a small skinny defenseman. Carbo has been giving the kids plenty of icetime, and the added energy appears to be rubbing off on the vets.

It's starting to be fun being a Habs fan again.

So, is the slump over?

[BudTheSpud*]

Time to kick-start this thread again.

Over the past week, the Habs have played decent although inconsistent hockey. Price has played well in his last two starts, and our forwards appear to be helping out the defense a bit more. I think Streit is much more effective as a small shifty forward than as a small skinny defenseman. Carbo has been giving the kids plenty of icetime, and the added energy appears to be rubbing off on the vets.

It's starting to be fun being a Habs fan again.

So, is the slump over?

I bet there's lots of bandwagoners over at that other place. I hope the slump is over cuz the bad games piss me off. It's better hockey to watch than the Canucks though. Some of their games literally put me to sleep...except for the crazy game against the penguins. Oh yeah, this isn't the Canucks thread.

[All-Star]

I bet there's lots of bandwagoners over at that other place.Off topic: I think if these boards are ever to take off, we should probably focus on forming our own identity "smart and funny hockey discussion" instead of just "being the place that's not like the other one". Unless you guys don't really care to make it grow; then carry on...

Still off topic: That's too bad to hear about the Nucks (I rarely get to watch them). They used to be an exciting team to watch...

On topic: I think giving a ton of ice-time to the kids will help Guy keep Koivu fresh(er) from now on. One thing I noticed with Koivu over the years is that he doesn't have the energy reserves go full out all season long. When Koivu struggles, the whole team slumps.

[All-Star]

I've read a surprising number of opinions that Huet should/could be re-signed for next season.

Personally, I think that even if Gainey were to make a reasonable offer for what amounts to a 1B/backup position, Huet would be a fool to want to sign it when he could get a multi-year deal for starter money elsewhere.

What do you guys think?

Does anyone still like to talk about hockey on this site?

[lilooet]

I've read a surprising number of opinions that Huet should/could be re-signed for next season.

Personally, I think that even if Gainey were to make a reasonable offer for what amounts to a 1B/backup position, Huet would be a fool to want to sign it when he could get a multi-year deal for starter money elsewhere.

What do you guys think?

Does anyone still like to talk about hockey on this site?

Yes, I've heard similar talk. The usual line is that Guy would have to convince Huet that he will not be considered as a started anywhere else due to his history of injury and thus, that it would be better for him to sign with the Habs for a 30-35 game role. Personally, I think that's ridiculous. Huet would be an idiot not to at least try the market and then, if no one bit, and he liked the Habs, he might agree to that 1B position as a fall-back.

The only other real reason Huet may re-sign early might be a love for the city; but I have no insight on how he feels.

Personally, I think he'll be gone at the deadline; nobody wants to see a Souray Chapter Deux.

[All-Star]

Personally, I think he'll be gone at the deadline; nobody wants to see a Souray Chapter Deux.Only if we're out of the playoffs... If we would have managed to make the playoffs last season, keeping Souray at the deadline would have been the right move.

[lilooet]

Curiouser and curiouser. From inside/out:
The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports that the Canadiens' lineup for the Lightning in Tampa Bay looks like this:

Koivu centring Latendresse and Sergei Kostitsyn
Plekanec between Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn
Lapierre centring Higgins and Ryder
Kostopoulos between Streit and Dandenault

Kyle Chipchura is the healthy scratch.
http://www.habsinsideout.com/

I guess it's chip's time to sit, but I don't think he's sitting due to poor play so much as to give Laps more ice & get Ryder back into action. Still, I'd rather see Chipura on the PK than Latendresse on the 1st.
Who knows, maybe it'll work out.

[Tuggy]

Only Carbo could come up with a lineup like that. Habs are on CBC tonight (rare Thursday night broadcast), so the whole country can see Carbo's creation.

[lilooet]

Looks like the new lines are working out so far. Call me surprised!

[lilooet]

Tugs, All-Star, today is a big game vs the Rags. A good chance to pull further ahead in the East and to see if Huet can do it three games in a row. I can only presume Lundqvist will be playing today, and I'm not sure what the situation is on O'Byrne or who will be replacing him. Will Streit be back on D? If so, then I can assume Chipchura is back in the lineup.
Anyway, I had good feeling about both Florida games but today I am not so confident. I think NY will take this one easily if we end up in the box like the Leafs did yesterday. Jagr has finally woken up - if only on the PP.
Go Habs!

[All-Star]

Tugs, All-Star, today is a big game vs the Rags. A good chance to pull further ahead in the East and to see if Huet can do it three games in a row. I can only presume Lundqvist will be playing today, and I'm not sure what the situation is on O'Byrne or who will be replacing him. Will Streit be back on D? If so, then I can assume Chipchura is back in the lineup.
Anyway, I had good feeling about both Florida games but today I am not so confident. I think NY will take this one easily if we end up in the box like the Leafs did yesterday. Jagr has finally woken up - if only on the PP.
Go Habs!It was too bad they lost last night, but I'm very satisfied with the results of the road trip. How long has it been since the Habs managed to win consistently during the holidays... Hopefully they can now figure out how to win at home.

[Tuggy]

Certainly a sour note to end a positive road trip. But it's hard to complain with a 3-1-2 trip, especially considering what happened last year (same type of trip sent the season into a spiral).

AK is really coming along nicely and his line of Pleks and Kovy has become dynamic. Kovalev looks like a kid out there again and is playing his best hockey in a LONG time.

Tampa and Washington at home up next and those are two games that need to be won.

[klingsor]

I'm happy for Aleksei.

Always fun to watch. He had his problems on the Rags, but I never believed it had anything to do with him being "lazy". He's got such an assortment of skills that sometimes he just tried to do too much.

[PK]

I hate Huet.

[lilooet]

I hate Huet.

I've calmed down now, but, by god, in the game scat I was letting him have it from the first period. He just looked lost. I'm not so angry today, but I think Carbo gave him too much to chew with that 3rd game on the road. If he wanted him to play against the Rags, he might've been better off giving Price the start against the Panthers. But I guess he wanted to make a statement and he did; but that statement was coupled with an error.

As for the team, I thought they responded well to losing Saku. It was nice to see the brothers combine on a goal and Pleks really met the challenge.

Anyway, Huet's been good this year - not great- but good. That's all I expect of him. I just wish he could be good in tight situations, because he really never is.
I won't miss him if/when he signs elsewhere, but I think Bob should take the risk and trade him in February if there's a good market. Bring up Halak and hope for the best. I mean, we might make the playoffs, but I don't see us going deep in the best circumstances.

[Psycho Papa Joe]

7 loser points keeps the Habnots afloat. They have the 3rd best record in the east and have lost more than they have won. God bless the loser point:fucktard:

[lilooet]

Anyone catch that goal last night by Kostitsyn? He just undressesd Green + Kolzig at high speed. It was a thing of beauty.

[lilooet]

Here's a clip of it; not the greatest though, sorry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuIWwOKJv1k

[lilooet]

That was quite a game last night. Great pace throughout. Koivu was really buzzing in the first and Kovalev took over from there. Kostopolous was phenomenal too! haha. I think he must've got a new stick. Huet was bobbly from the get-go but seemed a lot better in the third. It's like his confidence just melts away as soon as we're up by a goal. Brisebois and Cube have seen better days, but Streit, Markov Komi and Gorges were super for the most part. Nice hit by Komi in the third. Locke wasn't terrible or great - but I still would've preferred to have seen Chipchura instead.
Anyway, we won through attrition as the Hawks were just beat by the end. Still, I don't think it was necessary for that game to have gone into OT. We should've finished them in the 2nd, and could've.

[znk]

7 loser points keeps the Habnots afloat. They have the 3rd best record in the east and have lost more than they have won. God bless the loser point:fucktard:

Dont cry cause your team is not good enough to at least get a tie in regulation. Teams have to earn that so called loser point. Loser get 0 points and complain about the OT/SO point.

[znk]

That was quite a game last night. Great pace throughout. Koivu was really buzzing in the first and Kovalev took over from there. Kostopolous was phenomenal too! haha. I think he must've got a new stick. Huet was bobbly from the get-go but seemed a lot better in the third. It's like his confidence just melts away as soon as we're up by a goal. Brisebois and Cube have seen better days, but Streit, Markov Komi and Gorges were super for the most part. Nice hit by Komi in the third. Locke wasn't terrible or great - but I still would've preferred to have seen Chipchura instead.
Anyway, we won through attrition as the Hawks were just beat by the end. Still, I don't think it was necessary for that game to have gone into OT. We should've finished them in the 2nd, and could've.

Agreed on most counts. But I think Cube has been playing pretty good hockey for the last couple of weeks.

[All-Star]

The Bruins are our bitches!

Too bad we can't play them 82 times a season...

[znk]

USN0z7xq8hI
You may now all have sex with your hand.

[lilooet]

Big game against the new #3 seed. Let's knock 'em back to 9th tonight!

[PK]

Question: should we go after Hossa?

[lilooet]

Not sure about what (or whom) it would cost. I think it might be too much in terms of actual bodies. One body (latin dress or a younger one - or even halak) and some picks, then yes. But I've always had a love-hate relationship with Hossa. Still, he's valuable on any team.

In other news, Sutter will apparently be at the game tonight. Is this in light of the Tanguay rumours? Speaking of Lats, I wonder if Gainey would consider moving him. I know he's young and I know he was highly overrated last year and with a lot of expectation unfairly heaped upon him, but I'm not sure he's that good. It seems to me that with his lack of speed, he should be making up for it with plenty of hitting, but Sergei seems to hit a hell of a lot more.
Anyway, Latendresse is a bit of a mystery for me still. He could be great one day.

Back to Sutter: maybe we can send Begin back, though I wouldn't want to; or maybe he's here to watch the Pens. I think i'm just rambling now.

[PK]

Not sure about what (or whom) it would cost. I think it might be too much in terms of actual bodies. One body (latin dress or a younger one - or even halak) and some picks, then yes. But I've always had a love-hate relationship with Hossa. Still, he's valuable on any team.

In other news, Sutter will apparently be at the game tonight. Is this in light of the Tanguay rumours? Speaking of Lats, I wonder if Gainey would consider moving him. I know he's young and I know he was highly overrated last year and with a lot of expectation unfairly heaped upon him, but I'm not sure he's that good. It seems to me that with his lack of speed, he should be making up for it with plenty of hitting, but Sergei seems to hit a hell of a lot more.
Anyway, Latendresse is a bit of a mystery for me still. He could be great one day.

Back to Sutter: maybe we can send Begin back, though I wouldn't want to; or maybe he's here to watch the Pens. I think i'm just rambling now.
I wouldn't mind moving Latendresse, but I'm not sure if Gainey wants to move a potential high impact youngster this year. As I understand it, the club's plan is to be one of the best if not the best team in the league for 2009... so I doubt Gainey will go after a potential UFA unless there's a strong possibility that UFA will re-sign. I don't think Gainey wants to mess with his plan; if the team keeps playing like it is now, then it becomes more interesting. The question is can we realistically beat Ottawa and Detroit in a best-of-7 matchup? If we think we can't, what do we lack? If the missing element(s) can be had without hurting next year's team, he'll go for it. With the quantity and quality of prospects coming up, it's safe to say we can gamble on a few of them to make a big splash in the trade market, but only when the time is right.

[PK]

The team is certainly responding well to the firing of the Leafs' GM.

[lilooet]

The team is certainly responding well to the firing of the Leafs' GM.

heh, yes indeed. And Sergei with the Gordie Howe hattrick just now. Maybe we can get Julien fired before this game is over too?

edit: my error, i thought sergei got that last goal. he did not. Too bad.

edit again: good for Kosto with the actual G-Howe Hattrick and the first star of the game.

[znk]

well...looks like my prediction about A.Kostitsyn being a 1 ppg player is starting to look spot on. If you ignore the first 25 games...
21 points in last 20 games.

[AD]

Win was so fun to watch, I had come here to see if ACR is still on this rock?

[All-Star]

Excellent game last night. Is it just me, or does it seem like almost everytime the game is on TSN, we win, and everytime it's on the CBC, we lose.

[All-Star]

I don't know if my nerves can handle too many more games like this one, but the Habs showed a lot of determination tonight; it was great to see.

[lilooet]

I only just caught the last goal due to my new work schedule. :(

Really curious about Higgins', Gorges' and Ryder's play.

[znk]

Higgins and Ryder sucked....so did Koivu. Carbo had to split up the line again.

[lilooet]

Jesus Christ that just boggles my mind, and I'm not talking about Ryder.

[PK]

I heart this team.

[All-Star]

I heart this team.Yeah, they're pretty awesome!

[lilooet]

AllStar, are you still over at the HF too? If so, you need to work on getting some of the good posters over here. I love talking hockey and I'd love it if our broad were as nifty as the flyers' one is here; but I have no access over there so if you feel like it, do what you can, privately of course. It's really weird, but there's really only 4 or 5 of us Habs posters and the Flyers and Leafs are bost outposting and outdiscussing us. We need to be the best!

[lilooet]

Actually, ZNK I know you're there too because I saw your name in the HF Scat before I tried to flame them and got booted. So get off your ass and get some people please. No fucktards, though I know that will be hard. I've read the Habs board there lately and it's abysmal. Is Brisebois still round? Or is he now a Rabbi? Maybe give a reminder to Dutchy too and of course, my old pal McPhee.

[lilooet]

Am I the only one watching this game? Huet has been sharp. No soft goals yet. Let's hope the break did him well.

[the n00b king]

AllStar, are you still over at the HF too? If so, you need to work on getting some of the good posters over here. I love talking hockey and I'd love it if our broad were as nifty as the flyers' one is here; but I have no access over there so if you feel like it, do what you can, privately of course. It's really weird, but there's really only 4 or 5 of us Habs posters and the Flyers and Leafs are bost outposting and outdiscussing us. We need to be the best!

i cant get over there either. I've tried several times. Gobolt really has a hard on in blocking me. His last message to me:

"Your account has been banned with a previously banned account and will remain so."

What a meanie.

And as a rare luck of the draw, i decided to post here today.

:bounce:

[All-Star]

Am I the only one watching this game? Huet has been sharp. No soft goals yet. Let's hope the break did him well.Huet was excellent last night. The Habs are starting to turn heads. It's a great time to be a Habs fan.

Yeah, I still have an account at boards, but I always feel like the invisible guy there. No one ever replies to most of my posts, so I really don't think I have the pull required to get any of them over here. There's nothing quite as frustrating as posting an insightful comment only to have some jackass repeat the same thing in different words a few hours later, and then reading a dozen replies to that guy's "refreshingly original and witty" post...

Tell you what, you're more eloquent with your writing than I am, so how about if you write me up a nice invitation, and I'll PM it around (a list of names would also help, but I can probably manage). I also don't know the rules on how to get someone in without them getting hassled if that's still going on... You might also want to mention this to guys like AD (AymanD), Psycho Papa Joe, Habfan4, Tuggy, znk, ..., hell even Lord Chezz made an appearance this week. They all post over there more often than they do here...

Now would probably be a good time to strike, because the new HFBoards servers are shit.

[znk]

Actually, ZNK I know you're there too because I saw your name in the HF Scat before I tried to flame them and got booted. So get off your ass and get some people please. No fucktards, though I know that will be hard. I've read the Habs board there lately and it's abysmal. Is Brisebois still round? Or is he now a Rabbi? Maybe give a reminder to Dutchy too and of course, my old pal McPhee.

I dont know who would be interested. I mostly argue with these people. And McPhee I dont see this as his kind of place.

[znk]

I'm pro Price and everything. I've stated a few times that I think an elite goalie has more impact than an elite player. But here is something that's been slowly creeping in my brain.
The case for Kopitar:
Huet is a UFA at the end of the season. Right now we are kind of Handcuffed. We havent seen enough of Price so I think we need to keep him but what kind of contract can we offer him ?

We are also considering making a move for an quality top 6 forward.

Now imagine we had drafted Kopitar instead of Price.
There'd be no doubt what we would do about the goalies. Sign Huet and keep Halak as a backup and personaly I think that's pretty damn solid.

And up front we'd have a center line composed of Kopitar, Koivu, Plekanec

In the short term without making any moves this team would be better with the Kopitar pick and with a few less head aches.

I wonder if I could post this on HF without getting killed.

[All-Star]

I'm pro Price and everything. I've stated a few times that I think an elite goalie has more impact than an elite player. But here is something that's been slowly creeping in my brain.
The case for Kopitar:
Huet is a UFA at the end of the season. Right now we are kind of Handcuffed. We havent seen enough of Price so I think we need to keep him but what kind of contract can we offer him ?

We are also considering making a move for an quality top 6 forward.

Now imagine we had drafted Kopitar instead of Price.
There'd be no doubt what we would do about the goalies. Sign Huet and keep Halak as a backup and personaly I think that's pretty damn solid.

And up front we'd have a center line composed of Kopitar, Koivu, Plekanec

In the short term without making any moves this team would be better with the Kopitar pick and with a few less head aches.

I wonder if I could post this on HF without getting killed.If Gainey had a crystal ball, you'd be absolutely right (in the short term at least), but at that time, Huet was an unknown throw-in in the Garon for Bonk deal, and Halak was still in junior learning the North American game. Another thing to consider, is that even on HF, Kopitar was consistently considered the #6 of the top 6 because he wasn't from a hockey country, so we have no idea where Timmins had him ranked... I'm just happy we didn't end up with Pouliot or Brule (I wanted Brule).

[lilooet]

Oh my, Huuuuge game today guys. I'll miss the first period due to work + time zones (story of my life). I'm so excited. What Habs team is going to show tonight? Who's dressing and who's not?

[znk]

Oh my, Huuuuge game today guys. I'll miss the first period due to work + time zones (story of my life). I'm so excited. What Habs team is going to show tonight? Who's dressing and who's not?

Streit is playing naked.

[the n00b king]

win. +2.

the habs almost choked. that would of been ugly.

[lilooet]

More than ugly. That would've been disastrous. As it is we can build on the fact that we held them off despite the fact that our coach doesn't believe in timeouts.

That said, and as I've said earlier, I'm worried about Thursday vs Leafs. They are embarrassed and angry. We might show up lazy. And our first line needs to wake the fuck up.

[the n00b king]

More than ugly. That would've been disastrous. As it is we can build on the fact that we held them off despite the fact that our coach doesn't believe in timeouts.

That said, and as I've said earlier, I'm worried about Thursday vs Leafs. They are embarrassed and angry. We might show up lazy. And our first line needs to wake the fuck up.

Koivu needs to stop being teh suck and Higgins needs to remember that he's on the first line and that, huh, you know, the puck goes IN the net...

[lilooet]

Bad feeling about the Habs-Leafs game tomorrow, guys. I think they will be angry and we will be over-confident. That equals bad news. Oddly, I think this is the second time we've played them after they've come off huge blow-outs this year - though, I could be mistaken. We've never had an easy match against them, so we need to be tight tomorrow. I doubt we will be.

All I want is for Saku's line to get going. The rest will take care of itself.

Also: Go Carey!!

[Sinclair]

Sinclair is like Yeaaaaaaaaaaah. The fucking game is actually on CBC, the only channel his rabbit ears pick up, sexily if not a little fuzzily. 4pm start-the exact time Sinclair gets home from slavery.
This is starting the new year right.
I disagree with the El L on this one and am calling Habs 4-2.

I am a future oriented cockfag

[Sinclair]

Fuck. Sinclair just remembered he has no beer at home. This extra stop will cut into a rare thursday night viewing. There has to be an answer to this dilemma somewhere.
Habs 4-2.

I am a concerned cockfag

[Tuggy]

Fuck. Sinclair just remembered he has no beer at home. This extra stop will cut into a rare thursday night viewing. There has to be an answer to this dilemma somewhere.
Habs 4-2.

I am a concerned cockfag

Leave work early. Just slip out when the boss is in bathroom #2.

[lilooet]

sCccccccccccccccccccccoooooooooooteas!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! short! koval!



edit: no scat box :[ so here! ha. nice. The crowd is going mental.

[the n00b king]

WHY does Koivu suck so bad? And WHY does Higgins suck so bad too? WTF.

We lose to the team full of no names. Talk about humbling.

[Sinclair]

WHY does Koivu suck so bad? And WHY does Higgins suck so bad too? WTF.

We lose to the team full of no names. Talk about humbling.

They did suck last night. Koivu was brilliant when he ducked out of that hit and that prick ate the glass. I was very happy about that as it looked like it was from behind anyway.
I pose a question.
Kovalev made up for the the aforementioned players lack of verve last pm but what the fuck was he doing hovering around centre ice when his team was shorthanded and the leafs were pressing hard? I have never seen a more leisurely breakaway. He had a smoke and coffee at the top of the circle then lazily slipped the puck over Toskala's shoulder. He was everywhere last night, always threatening and a treat to watch.
Montreal outworked and outclassed the leafs but I blame the loss on a very hot toskala.
I am sorry for the loss. Lilooet knows that I am to blame in a way but I am sorry nonetheless.
If I was ghey and so was Kovalev I would have let him fuck me last night.

I am a first class cockfag

[the n00b king]

They did suck last night. Koivu was brilliant when he ducked out of that hit and that prick ate the glass. I was very happy about that as it looked like it was from behind anyway.
I pose a question.
Kovalev made up for the the aforementioned players lack of verve last pm but what the fuck was he doing hovering around centre ice when his team was shorthanded and the leafs were pressing hard? I have never seen a more leisurely breakaway. He had a smoke and coffee at the top of the circle then lazily slipped the puck over Toskala's shoulder. He was everywhere last night, always threatening and a treat to watch.
Montreal outworked and outclassed the leafs but I blame the loss on a very hot toskala.
I am sorry for the loss. Lilooet knows that I am to blame in a way but I am sorry nonetheless.
If I was ghey and so was Kovalev I would have let him fuck me last night.

I am a first class cockfag

yeah i was wondering the same thing. i mean he was so far up there, wtf. I mean dont get me wrong, it was wonderful to get a goal there, but still.

Id just like this opportunity to further shit on Breezeby. Id rather they re-signed Traverse.

[lilooet]

Good news/Bad News: O'Byrne's back
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/3762

But Hamrlik's illness may be more serious than previously thought. Looks like he's about to miss his 4th or 5th game with "the flu". Sounds like a pretty serious flu if you're out for 2 weeks.


edit:

and here's Kostitsyn Jr's tilt with Redden. As you know, he took a nasty uppercut on the chin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt-IA3mYqCM

[lilooet]

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports this morning from Tampa that Canadiens defenceman Ryan O'Byrne and forward Tom Kostopoulos spent last night in a holding cell in the Tampa jail after they were arrested outside a South Tampa night club early this morning.

O'Byrne was charged with grand theft, while Kostopoulos was charged with resisting an officer without resistance.

Both were freed shortly before 9 this morning after posting bail. O'Byrne's bail was set at $2,000, while Kostopoulos has to pay $500.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=0961f342-bdb2-466f-acfa-9bd527e71750&k=83087

[PK]

I want to have Carey Price's first born.

[znk]

I need rumours.

[Tuggy]

Habs/Rangers game tonight shaping up to be a good one. Last time they played was Superbowl Sunday and it was a crazy game filled with fights and cheap shots. From TSN:

Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg is still angry with the unpenalized elbow he took on the chin from Kovalev the last time the Rangers were in Montreal. He said it was "a dirty hit. (Kovalev) knew what he was doing...what comes around goes around.".

Should be an intense game. And Price will get his 4th start in a row.

[PK]

I hope Hollweg goes after Kovalev. He'll take himself out of the play while Kovalev eludes him and puts the puck past Lunqvist. Great plan if you ask me.

Price was just named 3rd star of the week in NHL. I know he's young and I know 3 games don't make a career, but I also know that Huet can't handle being the no. 1 goalie for a top team and he can't handle the pressure of playing with Price. Huet is a good goalie, but he won't take us to the next level. If the offer is right, I wouldn't hesitate to trade him.

[Psycho Papa Joe]

Gainey should offer Begin a contract extension on one condition, he earns a 40 game suspension tonight by taking out Hollweg in a cheap shot that would make Downie blush.

[klingsor]

I hope Hollweg goes after Kovalev. He'll take himself out of the play while Kovalev eludes him and puts the puck past Lunqvist. Great plan if you ask me.



Hopefully Aleksei will pull the same shit he did last time and they'll actually open their eyes and call a 5 minute major on him.

[lilooet]

I don't know if I've been happier this year! That was something to behold. One for the ages, as they say.

[Tuggy]

I was shaking during the overtime last night...that game was just unreal.

[PK]

I got home just in time to hear Pierre Houde go crazy after Jagr missed in the shootout. I didn't understand why.

Then I saw the highlights. I was all OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!!!

[znk]

Grabovski

17 points in 5 games.
5 first star
all in 6 days.

[Tuggy]

Perfect time to trade him. Him and Perezhogin are both lighting it up outside the NHL, which makes them attractive pieces in a deal.

[znk]

FyYbftXn_fM

[lilooet]

Bob Gainey Day! The ceremony starts at 6pm sharp. Should be a doozy! Here's to Bob, his 5 Stanley Cups, his Conn Smythe, his playing with 2 separated shoulders and getting hoisted off the ice by the team, his 4 Selke Awards (in a row), his drive against the Flames in '89, and his turning our team around.

I don't know how the man continued to work after losing his daughter like that, but here's to his not walking away as well! There are few in the Hockey World who deserve as much respect. Columbus players will be wearing his number today in the pre-game. Nice. Classy move, Jacketracket.
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/graphspot/one_gainey01.jpg

[klingsor]

Ya know, out of respect, someone oughta edit that hairdo.

[lilooet]

I don't know...It's not that different than mine. A little tidier, maybe.

[klingsor]

I don't know...It's not that different than mine. A little tidier, maybe.

And you wonder why women find you so adorable?

[lilooet]

And you wonder why women find you so adorable?

No, it was just the two women I work with. I'm sure the rest of the women think I'm a strange-looking freak.

[lilooet]

So, obviously a big game tonight to kick off our Western Road trip - one that has Vancouver conspicuously missing from the calendar (yet again, Fuck You, Bettman). Tonight's game vs the Sharks will be huge, though I have a feeling we're pressing Price a little hard (that's what she said) and may pay for it tonight (that's what she said) as he's yet to really play four fantastic games in a row. Good news is that Boston has managed to give up six goals in the first. Let's hope Ottawa can manage to lose to Anaheim.

[lilooet]

Not far off the mark (that's what she said)

[lilooet]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpqbVCfM73Q&NR=1

[the n00b king]

im just posting here Lil cuz it wont make you look like you're talking entirely to yourself.

[lilooet]

Thank you. That is very big of you, n00bs! Let's get this show going. We can be better than the Flyers fans!!

I'll start:

fuck me we need a better PK if we're gonna compete in the playoffs. I wonder what the solution could be?

[klingsor]

I'll start:

fuck me we need a better PK if we're gonna compete in the playoffs. I wonder what the solution could be?

Instruct your players not to take penalties. :teach:

[cycle_it]

instruct your players to play

:schooled:

[the n00b king]

instruct your players to play

:schooled:

hire a coach

:pwn:

[PK]

First place feels... strange. I'm hoping we won't have to face the Caps in the first round. Boston or Philly would be easier to handle IMO. But if it's the Caps, let's hope Komisarek destroys Ovechkin in the first game and silences him like he did with Thornton a few years ago.

[lilooet]

I don't mind the Caps personally. I just don't want the Rags or NJ. Anyone else is fine provided we have a decent, healthy line-up.

here's a vid I stole from some guy at HF who stole it from somewhere else. It's pretty nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSmzujGIr8o

[the n00b king]

Habs broke the sabres

[lilooet]

Actually, now that it's more of a possibility, I don't want to see the Sens either. Fuck. Looks like it may happen though. That would be terrible for us and terrible for CBC's budget next year.

[the n00b king]

Actually, now that it's more of a possibility, I don't want to see the Sens either. Fuck. Looks like it may happen though. That would be terrible for us and terrible for CBC's budget next year.

yes, but it's the sens minus Fisher and Alfredsson.

Which, as you might realize, makes it easier for us.

Id love to take them out as much as they'd love to take us out.

[Psycho Papa Joe]

How do you think this lineup would do against the current edition of the Habs?

Johan Witehall, Juha Lind, Jim Campbell

Pat Carnback, Bashkirov, Pat Kjellberg

Normand Baron, Eric Chouinard, Cam Connor

Terry Ryan, Patrick Poulin, Jonas Hoglund



Barry Richter, Christian Laflamme

Scott Lachance, Milo Guren

Patrick Traverse, Daryl Shannon



JC Bergeron

Andre Racicot



Coach: Mario Tremblay

GM: Rejean Houle

[lilooet]

How do you think this lineup would do against the current edition of the Habs?

Johan Witehall, Juha Lind, Jim Campbell

Pat Carnback, Bashkirov, Pat Kjellberg

Normand Baron, Eric Chouinard, Cam Connor

Terry Ryan, Patrick Poulin, Jonas Hoglund



Barry Richter, Christian Laflamme

Scott Lachance, Milo Guren

Patrick Traverse, Daryl Shannon



JC Bergeron

Andre Racicot



Coach: Mario Tremblay

GM: Rejean Houle

Hmmm. Take out Barron and throw in Petrov; do the same for Guren and Ulanov and I think we may have a decent fight.

[PK]

In the same vein, why on earth is Chris Higgins taking Matt Higgins's spot in the starting lineup?