Big Win
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On the night they retired Ken Dryden’s #29, the Canadiens got a well deserved and much needed win against the Ottawa Senators.
Maybe the ceremony was a little long as the Canadiens stumbled out of the gate conceding a goal less than a minute in. Despite that mistake the Canadiens took control and set the pace of the game for much of the first period and then the remainder of the game.
Had Ray Emery not been so solid early the Canadiens could have put a few more goals on the board. To his credit David Abeischer played extremely well especially late in the third. It’s been a while since Abby put up a W and he looked relieved.
Carbonneau’s message was heard loud and clear and the Canadiens came out skating and playing hard. When the Habs are skating at full speed they give even the best teams a hard time at keeping pace.
Special teams were the story again, a powerplay goal and a shorty sandwiched around a great/lucky long pass to send Mark Streit in alone.
Yes Mark Streit. What a move. He shows glimpses of being a great hockey player and you know why Carbo and Gainey liked this guy so much they even created a spot on the 4th line for him.
Tomas Plekanec is on a bit of a goal scoring streak. It looks like he’s finally gained some confidence after a very slow start. It’s only good news if he becomes a consistent goal scorer.
Hard work pays off. Garth Murray dressed again after being put on waivers not too long ago. Did he bitch and moan? No he shut his mouth and worked hard in practices knowing he technically wasn’t even on the team anymore. And he earned another chance. It’s become clear if you work hard and put forth the effort every night Carbonneau will reward you.
So what is the difference between this team, the team that just beat Ottawa, Buffalo and Atlanta, and the team that gets embarrassed against a floundering Leafs team?
Who are the real Montreal Canadiens?
Which team are they going to enter the playoffs as?
Leave a Comment
January 30, 2007 am31 11:40 am
Yeah, good question HB. Which team will they be when the playoffs start in April? All I know is that if they play like they did last night then this team can beat ANYBODY. The key for the Habs is to work hard, skate fast and SUPPORT each other. It may sound simple but as we have seen these last 6 weeks the Habs never do anything easy. Great win nontheless. I have a question though if anyone can answer it. Why is it that we seem to be able to handle the Senators BUT, not the Maple Duds? And the Sens can handle the Maple Duds but not us? Strange isn’t it. Enjoy this win for now but we go to Pittsburg to play Sid the Kid on thursday so you know he’ll be pumped to play the Habs. GO HABS GO!!!
January 30, 2007 am31 1:23 pm
I think everyone can handle the Maple duds except us. I notice a few trends everytime we play the Leafs:
1) They build up every matchup as a season saving game
2) WE have a hard time playing at the ACC
3) THe leafs always get blown out the game before we play.
4) WE always seem to com out sluggish in the first and let teh LEafs off the hook.
5) We always have a simple gameplan against them which plays into their hands. IF we take our skill out of our game we are no different then the LEafs.
January 30, 2007 am31 1:24 pm
Just wait till we play them in March, we will crush them when it counts. THen they will remember that game and use it to hype them up next fall and beat us then. Like always.
January 30, 2007 am31 1:52 pm
Maybe they beat us because they are bigger and tougher. I think they intimidate us, because they know they can get away with it. I sense that they don’t respect us. agree?
January 30, 2007 am31 2:00 pm
The Leafs beat us cuz it matters more to them than us, too many Euros on this team have no concept of the MTL-TOR rivalry and its history… give us more Pecas and O’Neills and we’d kick their boring lily asses (oops, bums).
January 30, 2007 am31 2:10 pm
lol gotta love smiler lol
January 30, 2007 am31 2:35 pm
I agree the Canadiens seem to be intimidated by the Maple Laffs. They are too soft for Toronto and Paul Maurice even said the day of the game that the Leafs match up well physically against the Canadiens. However, mark my words, we will beat them when it counts in February and March. Next game against them is February 26 and then March 17, both at the Bell Centre where we have played a little better against them recently. Remember last year when they beat us early in the season and then we kicked their candy-asses in March, the same thing will happen again. The Leafs don’t play well in big games that really count, just like the Bruins. Look, not including last year, the Bruins have played well against Montreal in the regular season but we always beat them when it counts in the playoffs and any big games that matter. Those two teams CANNOT beat the Canadiens when it matters the most, that Montreal has proved over the years ever since the NHL was formed in 1917, anyone agree with me?
Ziman
January 30, 2007 am31 2:35 pm
doggone R habs - the Habs looked pretty intimidating last night. I saw a few times were Senators took runs at Ryder and Kovalev and those two were left standing making them look like the hitters and not the Hittys… Granted the team that played in Toranto was a totally different team that played last last night. Before last night we hadn’t been finishing checks in the New Year!
January 30, 2007 am31 2:53 pm
Chris neil was running around trying to line up kovalev and koivu.This cannot happen.I was really surprised to see souray not even go up to him and give him some kind of warning or even rivet or komi.Teams are taking advantage of the habs.Ottawa rolling lines with players like neil and mcgratten and yet downey sits in the press box.I understand its all about winning but we cant let teams think we will just roll over.GET IN THEIR FACES BOYS COME ON.Happy with the win but lets keep this rolling now GO HABS GO
January 30, 2007 am31 3:02 pm
I don’t know, but it was a relief to see Dryden recaps, it reminded me of the glory that was the habs. It is a shame that none of the Habs play with the same emotion and conviction as in the dynasty days. They didn’t pay them big bucks, they still had to struggle with taxes and the media was just as bad and the GM and the President still had their hands tied and limited in how they could draft and trade players. In a way there was no difference back then either. All of the excuses that we make for Carboneau and Gainey seem pointless in a way, you can only blame Gainey for the trades and Carbo for the lack of emotion, compared to Al McNeil….
It was a great second and third period.
January 30, 2007 am31 3:04 pm
I don’t agree with a lot of things people ssay about the Habs on this site, but they’re is one thing. THEY ARE SOFT.
The Habs are probably one of the softest teams in the NHL. And that’s why I beleive this offseason is going to be the most crucial of Bob Gainey’s tenure. If he can get some grit and toughness in the offseason, the Habs will become perrenial cup contenders.
January 30, 2007 am31 3:33 pm
To harden some of the softness, other than picking Chelios, how about Aaron Miller from L.A., they’re unloading and we should pick up something somewhere or just play Aaron Downey more.
January 30, 2007 am31 3:33 pm
Hey Habs#1 Gainey practically built this team from the ground up, he inherited what little grit there was in Souray and small time grit in Koivu. Look at what he has built and then ask yourself why you make excuses for Gainey? Oh it’s because Lapress, Journal de Montreal, the Gazette and CJAD all make life hard for Gainey, oh it’s because the superstars don’t wanna come eh? Those are your excuses? Well Crosby wanted to come, Ovechkin dreamed of being a hab, even Chelios, these are superstars in their own right, even the Great One dreamed of coming, but hey, if none of the powers that be want these mighty people, hey this is what you are gonna get. the Dr. jekyll and Hyde Habs team. Which one is gonna come in the next game? And is Carbo gonna shuffle the lines one more time and end up losing?
January 30, 2007 am31 3:39 pm
Joshtm you really need to go **** yourself and i am speaking on behalf of this whole blog
January 30, 2007 am31 4:28 pm
As I stated yesterday, NO toughness what so ever! Kovolev was left to fight Neil on his own.
When was the last time Rivet was in a fight, he might as well because he can’t play hockey. Boullion is just to small and BIG Komisarek is a BIG *****, when you watch this guy he would sooner talk his way out of a fight then drop the glove’s, McGratton was trying to get him to go but no BIG Mike would sooner get the hell away from him.
January 30, 2007 am31 4:49 pm
Joshtm, do you have a learning disability or something,did you think I was talking to you, or do you just think that everyone wants your opinion?
Seriously, go call out someone who cares about what you have to say. Your insane ramblings and complaining about ‘Wah, Mommy were did the glory days go’ are getting annoying. They’re gone get over it.
And get over your inflated opinion of yourself. You want to have your opinion fine. But don’t call out other people’s to make yourself feel better.
Gainey inherited almost that entire roster from Andre Savard. Actually do some research before spouting of you idiot. I bet you were really happy on Saturday when you got to watch your beloved Leafs beat the Habs. Go put on your Denis Potvin jersey and go hide in a hole.
January 30, 2007 am31 4:54 pm
Ovechkin dreamed of being a Hab? He dreamed of playing for any NHL team so he could get the hell out of Russia. Chelios asked to be traded out of Montreal because of TAXES(your really just another french canadian in denial about how you guys have the highest taxes in North America because Quebec has no private industry because bill 101 is ruining the once proud province. But that’s another argument), and sure Crosby grew up cheering for the CH. But so did Lecavelier, St.Louis, Brodeur, Lemieux, and Borque. And did any of them make an effort to come to Montreal? NO.
Because being a rich person in the USA is a pretty sweet deal. Almost no taxes at all. Plus the whole you have to send your kids to french school thing scares off a lot of big name free agents cause they wouldn’t have the option on were they would send they’re kids.
January 30, 2007 am31 5:17 pm
Look at me I’m Pactum Serva, I like the habs as losers cause I’m a loser! Oh look at me I’m Habs#1 in one post I say Gainey has it tough cause of the media and in another I say it’s because of the taxes, and in another I contradict myself by saying Gainey made some great trades to make the team what it is now….well habs#1 you can’t have it both ways! Which one is it? Oh Gainey has it hard cause Savard gave him a team and Gainey is stuck with the players he has and was stuck making those horrible acquisitions of Samsonov and Murray and Downie and Johnson who are not doing much these days, oh don’t forget your other fall guy that you complain when the team is losing Niinima, that was one of Gainey’s great moves….well my friend you can’t have it both ways.
January 30, 2007 am31 5:21 pm
According to Habs#1 Gainey can’t make trades, hasn’t done a damn thing and the whole thing is Savard’s fault. Let’s take a vote. Is Habs#1 right? Has the team not changed since Gainey took it over?
Well it has improved to a great degree that is for sure, there is doubt in that. The rookies are big move. Too bad Carbo and Gainey can’t use them. The acquisition of the losing broken down veterans who are all but responsible for the slump is one of Gainey’s biggest most expensive moves as GM. Talk about throwing away almost ten million on a few ho hum vets who can’t check to save their butts and who can’t clear the puck out of the zone…
January 30, 2007 am31 5:56 pm
Oh wait, one more, Carbo has no control of the team as a coach, it is all RDS’ fault for the constant line changing and Premier Afro hairdo’s fault that Gainey is stuck hiring injured millionaires…..sorry about that Habs#1 and Pactum you guys are right. Blame the habs demise on the media and the province!
January 30, 2007 am31 6:09 pm
See, I told you he likes listening to himself talk.
January 30, 2007 am31 8:04 pm
All aboard!!! “Hear ye, hear ye! Montreal beat the Sens. We’re going to win the cup. Yabbadabadooooooo! Get on the band wagon ….. until they lose the next game” Man, I want them to win as much as the next guy but all the negative **** after a lose is too much!
Playoff time. Carbo won the cup, so did Muller, as did Gainey. They’ll give their pep talk when they really need to. They know what it takes to win at this level… Ride out the storm and hopefully they’re in the right position to make a run for it.
January 30, 2007 am31 8:25 pm
Saturday and Sunday games are both starting at 2 a.m. Make sure someone tells Big Bri. lol! Maybe Pactum Serva, you can reminf him lol.
One more thing, how do you guys register yourselves. I tried 3 times and they never send the password to my email. I made 3 different emails, but it still doesn’t work.
January 30, 2007 am31 9:29 pm
a.m?
January 30, 2007 am31 9:35 pm
pm lol
January 30, 2007 am31 9:54 pm
all afternoon games, result in losses….The Habs seem to forget to get up for these games. For that matter, they don’t have the gumption. It seems that starting a fire under them is the key. How about showing their poor performances and make them see where they come up short…especially in the half-hazard approach…the non-chalant area…fix that and you have the better of the Jeckyl & Hyde syndrome.
By the way, loved to see Dryden get his due…watching some of those highlights was hair raizing. Let’s build on these wins…Come on wake up!
January 30, 2007 am31 10:52 pm
I would like u Hab bloggers to honstly consider what would have happened to the HABS if the SENS NEIL WOULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED his mission of takeing out KOIVU… OR..KOVALEAV…OR ..RYDER? Lets say another goon from tomorro’s game takes out PLECS AS WELL… Would the HABS “our team” make the playoffs???This **** has got to stop and stop now f.f.s. I feel NEIL knows the answer,it will destroy the rest of the year for the HABS!!!! look at last years playoffs ,”KOIVU’S eye injury”,first round take out after that, or don’t U remember? I THINK… no I know, this is our teams biggest problem “HUGE” RITE NOW, and no DOWNEY IS NOT THE ****’N ANSWER!!! SO I ask you, fans of the greatest team ever in hockey,our HABS, WHAT SOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS?, so we can move on and grab back the glory???
January 30, 2007 am31 10:54 pm
Rubberman:
Right, you are! The flu bug is gone, and the adversity is over! The Canadiens are getting much better everyday. Super talented team with the best management in the business! Such depth at every position too! Four solid lines! Five outstanding goaltenders in the system! Great specialty teams! Two of the greatest defenseman currently in the game in Souray and Markov! Watch what happens when Samsanov and Kovalev start clicking later in the season!
Who would have guessed that the morons at TSN who picked the Canadiens to finish tenth in the conference at the beginning of this season (behind the Leafs, of course) could have got it so wrong. Who could have guessed that this team would be fourth at this point of the season — the best record of any Canadian team, I might add! Also, a team that in recent years has always been a second half team!
Three wins in the last four games against teams like Buffalo, Atlanta and Ottawa. Nothing stopping them now!
Gainey is an absolute genius. It’s inspiring that this guy has rebounded from such recent personal tragedy and put a nightmarish scenario behind him to commit himself to getting this team back on the winning track! I am sure that he may have a few tricks up his sleeve before the season is over to improve this team, and make it even better. However, he is just such a smart GM that I will not waste my time and energy trying to guess what those will be. I am also pretty sure that he (nor any of the players) are reading this message so I won’t make any comments like “Bob, why don’t you…”
Carbonneau and Muller are two of the greatest rookie coaches that this league has seen in awhile, and obviously, have this team playing like a well oiled unit.
We should count ourselves lucky as fans of the game to be part of such a great team.
January 30, 2007 am31 11:29 pm
joshtm:
I include myself in this, but I wish people would people stop talking to you because it only seems to encourage you further. You certainly seem to be a victim of reverse gut peristalsis because you sh*t out of your mouth! Everything that you say about Gainey and Carbonneau is complete and total rubbish. You are wasting your time (writing it) and others (who read it.) Have you considered talking to a psychiatrist? It would be preferable than posting your innane rants on the Habs blog. If you have not yet figured it out, most everyone has had enough of your trash talk with regards to our team who we support win or lose.
There are other things to do in life, man. Get outside for some fresh air. Go skating or skiing. Play some shinny hockey. Get interested in a woman (or partner to suit your persuasion.) Get a frickin’ life.
Seriously, if you come back with anymore of that fire Gainey and Carbonneau ****, you should really consider what I said about the psychiatrist. Owners are not usually into firing GMs and coaches when they are performing at levels that are better than could have been anticipated. I am not kidding here. You may need professional help.
January 31, 2007 am31 12:25 am
Oh and one more thing, joshtm.
Once the Canadiens have clearly put their slump behind them and you have nothing really left to complain about, will you please either consider crawling back under the rock that you came out of hiding under or get on the Habs’ bandwagon.
Hearing you complain about every face off that they lose is growing stale. Let me ask you this; are you sad when the Canadiens win?
January 31, 2007 am31 9:03 am
Joshtm Poll question:
What really drives him to be such a dolt?
a) HE is a senial old man still living in the 60’s
b) Sexual frustrations
c) Leafs fan hiding in his mothers basement
d) HE is one of those haters who always boo’s at games and feels insulted by Gainey for saying those fans are not needed
e) Just a dolt
January 31, 2007 am31 9:11 am
Couldnt agree more with you there rob.Everyone just ignore this fool once and for all.He is looking for the attention and wants us to respond to all the garbage he writes.He is just like that girl in school who always cried about nothing just to get attention.I am sure his next post will sound something like this: Gainey and carbo are to blame bla bla bla why does gainey sign broken down players bla bla bla habs are not contenders bla bla bla my mom was raped by a pack of wild monkeys bla bla bla.You guys know all the trash he says.Watch his next comment he will repeat the same thing time and time again.Hey joshtm maybe its time you went out and squeezed your first pair of (oYo).Thats if any women would let you get near them you freak of nature.GO HABS GO
January 31, 2007 am31 10:04 am
AS for the Joshtm poll I woud have to say (A)but maybe (d).
January 31, 2007 am31 10:14 am
Ya right. A few weeks ago we all complained about Gainey’s acquisitions. One win against the Sens and we all forget his mistakes. When Ovechkin and Crosby skate circles around the habs we’ll all gripe again about the invisible defense. You guys are just not consistent. And what is with all this see a psychiatrist ****? As a true fan I hate to see the horrible mess Gainey has made of the habs. Sure they are great when the rookies are thrown in. But when you see Rivet, Niinima, Streit all but destroy the defense and Dandy not picking up the slack, it makes for a very lazy defense.
January 31, 2007 am31 10:15 am
What people forgot is the Sens are coming off a gruesome line of injuries that fell like it did last year to the Habs when we lost Souray for a while. Heck let’s all hope for the sake of Gainey and Carbo’s one arm bandit’s line changes that all the rest of the NHL teams get riddled with injuries.
January 31, 2007 am31 10:24 am
@ JOSHTM
What the hell are you talking about ?!? your whole synopsis of the canadiens , the management and from what I can tell Hockey…IS WRONG!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 10:27 am
I would go for c. He always complain about the team. He always seems to find something negative about the team. There are so many positive things about this team, but this mentally insane creature does not seem to notice them. Just type: http://www.canadiens.com and then choose whether you speak french or engish. The next step: click on statistics. and BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM in your face. Habs are sitting 4th in the Eastern Conference.
Hoestly, do you like the Montreal organization? Because to be honest if I hated a team as much as you hate Habs I would simply stop tracking their record. Just cheer for another team. Because c’mon theey’re occupying the 4th posisition oin the Eastern Conference. What were you doing these last 10 years? Beacause I do not think Habs haa such a god record after the the 83 cup. Wake up buddy. One day you will be complaining about the team because they wouldn’t be able to be as good as they are this year.
Sincerely,
Jack
January 31, 2007 am31 10:27 am
I meant the 93 cup.
January 31, 2007 am31 10:42 am
Pittsburg has had their guns blazing. It’s hard to not like watching this team play. Crosby is a superstar in the making, but he does not have the pre-Madonna attitude. This kid plays like the ROCKET, Bobby Orr, Gretsky, and Lemuiex rolled into one every night! Recchi has become the father of this young family and will probably become a 30 goal scorer or more at year end. Not bad for an old broken down 39 year old… his play has inspired team to want to win; not next year or the year after, but this year. As one of the hottest teams in the New Year, Pittsburg has jumped from 10th to 7th in the East since the beginning of January.
With this said, Montreal have had success against them this year, most recently a big 6-3 win in December. This time I believe they may be facing a different opponent. The Habs will have to bring their “A” game because if they allow any early let down goals start playing their “pity partyâ€? penalty ridden ways, they’ll lose by 10! The advantage Montreal has is that Penguins are young. If they shut them down with defense and be patient allowing for them to make mistakes (capitalize on them), we could frustrate them into submission. It would be a big mistake trying to “exchange blows” per-say by playing their game of wide open hockey. This high caliber offense has been flying high with an energetic zeal and will wear-down our veteran players. If the can keep the intensity of Mondays game while tightening their Defense they will prevail. Offense will need to regain confidence and take advantage of their mates in odd man rushes.
We have 2 big games coming up with Pitt and I feel the sense of urgency to prove this system works against a younger New NHL style team to bolster their confidence and trust for this organization going forward. The Habs have had the tendency to play flat after an emotional win and Carbo will have to instill a fire within this club to over come this trend.
GO..HABS GO
January 31, 2007 am31 10:54 am
Hey Jack,
The Sen’s pushed us to 5th with a win last night…FYI
January 31, 2007 am31 11:25 am
Don’t forget we have 2 games in hand, and they’re up by only one point.
January 31, 2007 am31 11:32 am
Joshtm is an idiot so just let him have his stupid uninformed rants. JUST IGNORE HIS BULLSHIT AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT POST.
I, too, am so sick of the negativity after a Habs loss, it isn’t constructive and it’s about as useful as trying to teach a pig to sing. Teams win and lose, like I’ve said before if you 2-out-of-3 every 5 games you’re golden. 4th PLACE !!!! Best placement in years!!! Got a bonafide superstar in Sheldon Souray in not only talent (which keeps blossoming) but in leadership and guts and glory, he knows what it takes to win. Gainey throws big bucks at him this off-season and he’s staying (sorry Markov).
And another thing, please stop the PROFANITY! Habs 4 Ever doesn’t like it and even called me a rapist for using “bad words” on the last blog. Yes, IT’S TRUE, I have a potty mouth!!! Where is that little wuss anyway?
January 31, 2007 am31 11:59 am
I was at the Habs vs. Leafs game on Saturday, and it was embarrassing…
Gainey has even mad (they showed him on TV)and he never shows emotion.
Apparently Carbaneau + Muller gave a big speech on Sunday. This probably sparked the Habs for Monday’s game, but we still need changes.
Aebesher- backup to Huet: trade to L.A.
Samsonov- invisible: trade with draft pick for a centre
Souray- good for powerplay, useless on defence (did u see spezza undress him?)
Forget Forsberg, he will probably get injured again, and he isn’t playing well at all.
Go for Pavel Datsyuk. He is a UFA at end of season, and he is much better.
Detroit would take Aebesher for their future, and Samsonov for the present.
Get rid of Murray and Downey. They take up space on the 4th line, which should go to Lapierre and other young guys. Kostystin needs to get ice time, he is projected to be a top 10 forward in the NHL later in his career. But it will never happen if you have those guys wasting the ice.
Gainey will have a busy summer…
GO HABS GO
January 31, 2007 am31 12:05 pm
o ya, #1 line has to wake up…Higgins has done nothing since returning from his injury. Ryder needs to shoot more. Koivu is doing his usual things, just Higgins and Ryder need to finish.
January 31, 2007 am31 12:14 pm
Koivu has been off his game lately. No speed or determination. I love the guy but have to be honest. Higgins needs a lucky bounce and Ryder well his sucess depends on the play of the other two.
January 31, 2007 am31 12:20 pm
I agree with Higgy21, Koivu has not been his usual self lately, when he picks up, the others will follow.
January 31, 2007 am31 12:44 pm
the C H on the jersey stands for chris higgins and cristobal huet!!!! don’t you know!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 12:52 pm
What need is zero goals against. Huet and Abby have to step up to the plate. pay Tretiak a million bucks just to get the zero goals against as a consultant, if that is what it takes to get the foot in the door let’s do it. Cause the rest of the team sure is not there most of the time.
January 31, 2007 am31 1:24 pm
I agree with most of you, bring on BIG BERT.
Use the money during the off season to go after Drury, Datsyuk or Briere.
We need goalscorers and a super d-man PERIOD!
January 31, 2007 am31 2:13 pm
If Huet can become a super goalie, then all of Gainey’s trades and Carbo’s constant line changes won’t mean a thing. Then Pactum and Habs#1 can continue to live in the wonder bliss and ignorance and see the Habs through rose colored glasses, the same glasses that Gainey wears. Hey Habs#1 and Pactum do you know where you and Bob Gainey bought those glasses from so we can all see the same game that Gainey sees?
January 31, 2007 am31 2:17 pm
Whether we got Drury, Datsyuk, FOrsber, BErtuzzi, J.BLake or Briere Im sure JOhstm woud have something nasty to say about everyone of them. Drury would score 15 goals in the first 25 games then he would miss ONE game with the flu and JOshtm would start saying he was broken goods and that we should never have signed him.
Jason BLake would add alot of itensity to our forwards. Im sure he could get Kovalev more excited. HOwever it seems he is going to be getting a little too much money from what Ive heard.
January 31, 2007 am31 2:18 pm
ALthough we should save our pennies for summer of 2008 when Marleau will be looking for a new home. THere is no possiblity that both THornton and MArleau will be in San Jose past next season. NO CHANCE!!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 2:21 pm
Joshtm’s choice for 2007 linuep in MOntreal.
Higgins Lapierre Kostisyn
D Moore Elmer Lach Steve SHutt
Millroy Gravboski S Kostisyn
M Trembley Risebrough Lambert
Robinson S. Savard
Chelios Ludwig
O’Bryne Jancevski
January 31, 2007 am31 2:22 pm
That was he gets his team. Youngsters and old timers.
January 31, 2007 am31 2:24 pm
HabsFan, with all due respect, you live on a different planet when it comes to your player assessments and trade wishes. First, Jason Spezza undresses a lot of NHL defencemen because he’s really really good at hockey eh. Duh.
Second, Sheldon Souray’s more of an asset than a liabilty so get your head on right.
Third, yes, David Aebischer is good, can be really good, but can also be awful which makes him an average NHL goalie. So what makes you think Detroit or anybody would trade for him in exchange for one of their top line forwards?? Do you think the other 29 GMs of the league are idiots???
Fourth, why are we so in love with Pavel Datsyuk? Another soft Euro and besides I believe the Red Wings love him more.
And last, I’m starting to fall in with a lot of you that want to see big Todd “The Assassin” Bertuzzi in le bleu, blanc et rouge.
PS. Ignore joshtm.
January 31, 2007 am31 2:41 pm
For once smiler has some great points, way to go smiler, including not listening to me, how dare as a fan of the habs I complain about the almight Emperor Gainey and his lack of clothes, but if you lot can lend me your special glasses I too can see what a wonderful GM he is and marvel at the scientific and wonderful line changing Carbo…oh the marvel of it all!
January 31, 2007 am31 3:41 pm
I’ll send the text message to Bob, than Bertuzzi it is! lol!
January 31, 2007 am31 3:51 pm
Maybe we could switch him for Begin for Bertuzzi, you know even switch with both on IR back spasms thing….
January 31, 2007 am31 5:41 pm
Anyone know where we can tune into the channel that shows the game that Gainey sees, you know like what Habs#1 wrote and which Pactum agreed with him on, you know where they say Gainey sees a special game, different to what we see? I wonder what Gainey sees when Rivet gives the puck away, does he see it as something else? Or how the rest of the defense kind of stands around while the other team blitzes and basically beat up the habs goalie? I wonder what Gainey sees that we don’t see in that? Or how the habs are basically muscled and forced off their offensive plays, I wonder what Gainey sees, maybe Pactum and Habs#1 can provide us with a special channel that does the play by play for Gainey?
January 31, 2007 am31 6:08 pm
You know Pactum, we may have to get a restraining order when it comes to joshtm here. He seems to be obssesed with us.
Gainey might want to consider that to or else josh might just show up on his doorstep weilding a knife.
January 31, 2007 am31 6:25 pm
His mom is talking on the message boared lol check it out
January 31, 2007 am31 6:30 pm
I had no idea someone could fit that much crack under their dress.
Johstm must be very proud of his mommy.
January 31, 2007 am31 6:48 pm
I just wish all the nay sayers would move over to the leafs blog.
January 31, 2007 am31 6:54 pm
Sorry guys i’m just sexually frustrated right now.
January 31, 2007 am31 8:39 pm
Now boys….play nice.
josh knows he’s not allowed on here after 8:00 pm so you young men should be ok. He will be able to come out and play again tomorrow. Right now he’s arranging his barbies on the bed and is getting ready to say his prayers.
Can anybody help me by telling me about these pink glasses he wants? Please let me know.
Have to go now, he gets cranky if I dont tell him a story.
January 31, 2007 am31 8:43 pm
realistically, what are our chances of getting Bertuzzi?
I would prefer him to Forsberg, any day of the week.
I’m just wondering now, especially with Pittsburgh hot on our heels, which hab team will show up on Thursday. it makes mne feel very uneasy because we have a Jekyll/Hyde team. If they come out flat, and unmotivated, I’ll be very angry and dissapointed. After all, these guys get paid millions as professional athletes, to perform every game. there is no room for slackers, and those that don’t give an honest and hard working effort, should be released or sent to the minors, because we don’t want them! the best way to win the hearts of habs fans, is to give 100% effort! right?
January 31, 2007 am31 9:15 pm
I think are chances are better than anyone’s regarding Bertuzzi.
Florida sits in 14th place and 8 points out of playoff range.
If Florida’s in the same situation come trade deadline, Bertuzzi is ours.
We have a lot to offer Florida. One that comes to mind is goaltending.
Belfour can’t play forever.
January 31, 2007 am31 9:23 pm
Florida has Auld, besides in Vancouver before the Steve Moore incident Bertuzzi never brought it in the playoffs. He’s like a european with a Canadian birth certificate.
January 31, 2007 am31 9:32 pm
I’m so afraid that there will be no moves prior to the playoffs. If the season would end tonight, Gainey and his team would assess this season as successful (5th place). So, if successful, why change it? That worries me. I’d love to see some success in the playoffs. Make a run at it, make the semi-finals and go to game 7 and win it.
In my eyes, Koivu looks tired. The defense seem to be struggling. 5 on 5, MTL are weak… But, with all this said. This isn’t the year they could win the whole thing. Yeah, a good solid 2nd center would be awesome, but at what cost?
What if? TO get a big name (Cavalier, Thorton, Ignila (sorry about the spelling..), would you trade Huet and Markov or Souray? It would mess this year’s chemistry but it could make for a better team next year…
January 31, 2007 am31 10:40 pm
The odds of Lecavelier, Iggy, or JT(or any other superstar) getting traded are worse then George W. Bush being recognized as the greatest U.S. president in history.
No one’s going to make the same mistake Boston did with Thornton. So don’t count on it.
And don’t be surprised if Gainey makes a big splash within a day or two of the trade deadline. He does it every year(Kovalev, Theo). He WILL NOT BE HAPPY TILL THE CUP IS BACK IN MTL. Gainey is probably the most tight liped GM in the league. The media and the fans can’t get anything out of him, he’s like Fort Knox. If you hear it it’s probably not true knowing Gainey.
He’ll make a deal by the deadline almost guarranteed. If the asking price for Forsberg get’s to be to rich for Gainey’s blood(which I believe it will cause Philly will probably be asking for one of the Kotstitsyn bros., Halak or Chipchura), look for one of the following to possibly be coming to MTL and the reason why:
Ladislav Nagy or Shane Doan: Phenoix will start a firesale soon and these two are going to be UFA at the end of the year. Phenoix brass isn’t enamored with Nagy and word out west hear is that Doan’s family(specifficaly his dad) is saying that Doan is sick of playing for a loser and might want to come back to Canada.
Bill Guerin, Petr Cajanek and Keith Tkachuk: The Blues will sell off their impending UFA forwards for some picks and low level prospects and these guys would provide depth up front like Carolina had last year with Rechhi and Weight.
Bryan Smolinski: A UFA at the end of the year and an affordable depth centre. The Blackhawks seem to be interested in Sammy so this could work.
And of course like every year, the Florida contingent(Gary Roberts, Jozef Stumpel, Chris Gratton and Todd Bertuzzi): I for one would not like to see any of these players cause Roberts could break down at any moment, Stumpel is European and Gratton and Bertuzzi, while it their birth certificates may say they were born on Canada, they’re past playoff performances(Gratton with Philly and Bertuzzi with Vancouver)show that they play like overpaid Russians come playoff time.
My dream deal would be Samsonov and Rivet to Edmonton for Jeoffery Lupul and a first round pick. This deal would work out in the end I beleive because Oilers brass isn’t happy with Lupul’s play and the fans expected him to come in and be an immediate 40 goal guy since he was the centrepiece in the Pronger deal.
After the way he broke out in Anaheim last year and led the Ducks in goals in the playoffs last year I believe he just has way to much pressure on him because of who he was traded for and would look great as a right handed shot with Kovalev. He will be a 35-40 goal scorer in the near future(1-2 years) but I don’t think the Oilers will wait that long.
They liked Samsonov, and they still do the way they talk here, and they’re desperated for anyone on defence so they’d be drooling over that package.
Oh, and Gainey would have fleeced them out of an up and coming 40 goal scorer and a high first round pick cause I watch them alot and Sammy and Rivet would not be able to get them into the playoffs.
The trades for the Datsyuk’s(the Red Wings are going to the playoffs so their not going to trade him regardless of his pending UFA status), Lecavelier’s, Thorton’s, and Iggy’s are stuff of dreams, not reality.
January 31, 2007 am31 10:46 pm
stevejur your rite on man!Habs#1,first of all ,living on the west coast Iknow the story on big Bert all to well. Let me give u some facts:a)The steve moore thing happened cause steve moore tryed to hospitalize Nasland all game and although Bert was a little to aggresive,Nasland was fine after the game and well, can’t say the same for Moore.To bad it wasn’t that ****** Neil from the sens!!!b)There I NO DOUGHT THE COACH OF COLORADO WAS RESPONSABLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO MOORE and he got of way to easy and I hope that goof coach for the Sens is reading this,Murray u are a ****’n weasle.c) if anyone is playing like euros its the Habs,thats why they need the BURTUZZZZIII,to put some balls back on the HABS,really needed!!!!!! d) THE MAN CAN SCORE,and man do the HABS NEED A GOAL SCORER RITE NOW… Now I can go on and on,trust me.Playing in the home of Hockey would restart his career and set us up nicely for the playoffs, so start calling BARTUZZIII…BARTUZZZIII…BARTUZZZIIII….!!!!!!! AND IT COULD HAPPEN!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 11:01 pm
OH yeah, AULD is a back up and will allways be one, trust me and Belfore’s probably gone ” retired” after this year, the Habs got plenty of Goalies so… MAKE THE MOVE BOB!!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 11:16 pm
And throw in Robert’s for the next LAFF’S game,he’s got a score to even too!!!
January 31, 2007 am31 11:30 pm
what we don’t want is someone else’s problem. So, if a player is being shopped around because he can’t score for his team, why would we want him?
We need a player who is scoring, but about to come UFA, and the team doesn’t want to end up with nothing for him. Having said that, don’t look now, but there are a few teams breathing down the habs back. leafs won again tonight, as tho I hate them, they did look good the past 2 games. It would be a horrible thought(nightmare), if they made the playoffs and we didn’t.
habs need to play desperate hockey as tho their life depends on it. every game now is a must win situation, so I hope they come out smoking. 2 of the next 3 games are vs Pittsburgh, so we better play good D, or it could get ugly.
January 31, 2007 am31 11:40 pm
That’s rite Doggone ,that’s exactly what other teams are saying about the HABS,which makes Gainey’s job all the tougher… thus FLORIDA.
January 31, 2007 am31 11:41 pm
I heard that Knuble is on the trading block too. he would be a great fit here. a good goal scorer. Also read that LA will be sellers as well. Does anyone think much of Brent Sopel on D? In case you missed, Zednik has worn out his welcome in Washington, and on his way out, again.
January 31, 2007 am31 11:45 pm
THE WRITINGS ON THE WALL ,BERTUZZI AND ROBERTS…
January 31, 2007 am31 11:51 pm
SOPELS hot and cold kind of D man ,not the biggest aswell, got a good blue line shot and play making capabiltys.POOR ZEDNIK,MAN WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?
January 31, 2007 am31 11:54 pm