Time for a change?
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Is it time to panic?
The Canadiens are
slowlysteadily erasing their great start to the season piling on loss after loss to teams below them in the standings.If this continues (and it appears to have no end in sight), the only possible outcome is the Canadiens dropping rank night after night until they find themselves out of the playoff picture.
The Penguins and Senators both passed the Canadiens last night. Granted, the numbers are very tight but the Canadiens were once WELL above both of these teams. Firmly planted in the upper echelon of the East. Remember the talk of challenging the Sabres? What happend?
The other disturbing trend is that it doesn’t seem to bother them. They are almost content to lose. There’s no passion, no effort, no guts. No guts no glory.
The Senators came out like a team who wanted the two points, who wanted the playoff spot. The Canadiens? They didn’t come out at all. Take away a lucky penalty shot and it’s a 4-0 beating.
Cristobal Huet looks exhausted. He is definitely not the goalie he was in the first half of the season. It shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise considering he has never played this many games in this short period of time. The All Star week may have further hurt his endurance.
He is not sharp and his focus is not there. Fatigue. The first goal of the game, given up by the Habs for the 7th straight game. A 40 foot slap shot, clearly seen, from Chris Phillips? Yes Chris Phillips with his career high 7th goal.
This is a time where goalies save their teams and drive them into the post season. Not give up brutal goals early in the game to pad the career stats of an offensively inept blue liner.
Did he even try on Spezza’s goal? He looked to be asleep in the crease.
You can’t blame it all on him, and certainly a bad game here and there is to be expected. So who can you blame?
Samsonov? Koivu? Kovalev? Ryder? Higgins?
Gainey? Carbonneau?
Everyone is looking to point the finger.
Which Canadien is absolutely untouchable? Which Canadien HAS to go? Look down the roster and see if you see any star players, Hall of Famers or future Hall of Famers on this team. Then look at the standings and all the teams above the Canadiens. Do you see any stars? Any hall of Famers? How about Martin Brodeur in his 384th NHL season putting up the best numbers of his career.
The Canadiens don’t have that. They haven’t in a very long time. There is something missing.
Time is running out to shake up this team before they throw it all away. Can they do it? Will they?
Saku Koivu - you can’t criticize the Captain now right? Wrong. Koivu has been virtually invisible. Where is the leadership? You’re not putting points up, you’re not leading and motivating. What ARE you doing?
Michael Ryder - it’s a sad situation. The former Canadiens sniper, 30+ goal scorer looked to have a bright future. An untouchable for the Habs for many years. The thing with Ryder is he is a one dimensional player, a goal scorer and more specifically a power play scorer. If he isn’t scoring, what good is he? He doesn’t contribute to the team in any other way and he hasn’t scored. Is it time for him to go? For the best of both parties?
Samsonov - do we need more analysis on this? I don’t think so.
Kovalev - nothing’s new here.
Souray - Yeah we love the offense, but try stopping a goal when you’re on the ice instead of being on for every single goal against.
…..Now without listing every single player, who is expendable and who isn’t?
The only two names that come to mind are Christopher Higgins and Andrei Markov.
What do you think?
More importantly, what does Gainey think and can he do anything about it?
Leave a Comment
February 9, 2007 am28 11:48 am
REPOST - I do not know what to make of this mess…but I am heading up to Montreal tomorrow to sort this mess out. LOL (well anyway hopeful not to waste my hard earned money on a despicable spectacle I witnessed last night from the 2nd period on). My luck they’ll cancel the open public skate because of fears of a lynching!?!?
One thing that I hope will help is Markov coming back refreshed, so he can maybe restore himself to a Pre-New year form and lead the point. Last night Streit was the only guy that could do anything at the point and he was not that good probably because of his lack of time back there recent games. Souray is ok but is not the quick enough to elude the double team or at time single team. Teams have found a weakness and are exploiting it because of their lack of respect for our limp Offense and his shaky defensive puck handling.
Koivu is disgruntled about something and Carbo better find out what the issue is there. He should have had 2 cross-checking penalties but I think the refs felt sorry for us??? Also, I think he was looking to fight Spezza to spark the team?!?! They were also giving Komi free reign to menace everyone… at least he was able to release some frustrations dishing out a couple (Hamilton Facials and head messages). We had god knows how many penalties. Perez showed some strength only to follow it up with turn-overs and penalties. Lats, other than his spectacular Penalty shot, look horrible… Kovalev, well he was typical Kovalev, if only he would follow his shots and gobble up some rebounds… I think Ryder was off trying to find a camera, so he could blow a kiss to his lady friend. Dandy should have grabbed a forwards stick when he broke his, instead skated across the ice the fetch a new one, while leaving a 3-1 situation for of all people Souray… Nimmi the nim-rod has perfected the shot over the glass to clear the puck from his own zone. LaPierre looked ok… keep in mind he plays with tweedle D and tweedle dumb. Huet, first goal he probably would have given his right arm to have it back, but it seems to be becoming a habit lately with both the goalies lately with early goals. But we can’t win when you’re not scoring! Bonk and Johnson playing on the shutdown line couldn’t muster carrying the team. Higgins tried for the 1st period…
Carbo I beg you to sit down with everyone… get their opinions on how to fix this mess! At least do it with the leaders. See if they are still on board with your program? Look at the tapes go back to the basics with your staff and players to break these bad habits your team has formed. If people our shutting down Souray on PP, design plays to take advantage of this cheating towards him. Sure it is easy for me to say, but if you do not get through to these guys, you’ll soon be in the same place I am; arm-chair quarterbacking from this site the day after.
Go Habs Go
February 9, 2007 am28 12:04 pm
I think everyone is “touchable”.
The defencemen aren’t getting any help, the forwards are lazy and seem uninterested and the goalies are peppered with 30+ shots per game.
The team does have the talent but not the will, sparkplugs like Aaron Downey (who only plays 2 minutes a game) and Steve Begin (who is a china doll and constantly too injured to play) can only do so much for the heart&grit department.
Why hasn’t coach Carbo tried Koivu between Kovalev and Samsonov yet? Because he doesn’t want to be a one-line team? Well, that’s better than being a no line team.
Sheldon Souray is so valuable for his assets that his shortcomings can be forgiven but maybe pairing him with a quick defensive type to save his *** sometimes is an idea but who? Rivet’s all screwed up mentally trying to do too much and being tentative because of the scrutiny of the media and fans this year. Maybe Komisarek?
No, this team needs an *****, some new blood either via trade or call-up…
Hopefully sooner rather than later!
February 9, 2007 am28 12:11 pm
nobody is irreplacable now. it’s do whatever you gotta do, to spark this team up. our record is falling by the wayside and teams are taking full advantage of us falling down. like i said do whatever it takes to start winning games. it’s crunch time now. start throwing people out and bringing people from hamilton up. i guarantee they will play their heart out. they still have lots to prove to the canadiens organization. you can bet they will play with 110% effort and all their heart. just a thought!!! otherwise then that. good luck with ottawa on saturday, your gonna need it!!! if you play like you have been playing for the last 2 months you may aswell start cleaning your golf clubs cause your season is gonna be over before you know it. best of luck boys, if their is any game this season to turn things around it’s gonna be saturdays game. if we start winning games now we can still salvage this season and claim our position in the playoffs. it’s not too late yet. but things need to change now!!!!
February 9, 2007 am28 12:18 pm
All I can say is that the HABS didn’t show up yesterday - GO SENS GO BABY!
February 9, 2007 am28 12:19 pm
We could do a silent auction or ebay style and invite the other 29 NHL teams. No minimums???
February 9, 2007 am28 12:24 pm
Awh, we have a heckler amongst us! Pavan are you looking for some fan support because half the building was filled with Habs fans!
February 9, 2007 am28 12:30 pm
Good news: Begin might be back tomorrow night!
‘You can bet opponents haven’t missed facing Steve Bégin. After all, the feisty centerman did lead the Habs with 202 hits last season to rank among the NHL’s heavy hitters. Bégin was up to his old tricks again in 2006-07 before suffering an injury against the Sabres on Dec. 9, that has had him on the shelf ever since.
Having already missed over 25 games, the honeymoon is almost over for the rest of the NHL, with Bégin is eyeing a possible return to the lineup Saturday night against the Senators.
Bégin, who finished seventh in hits in the NHL a year ago, remains in the league’s top 50 this year despite already having missed almost half of the season. He is the only player in that group to have not suited up for at least 40 games in 2006-07, with Bégin having played only 29 games so far.
The 28-year-old centerman’s in-your-face style will be a welcome addition to the Habs’ penalty kill which has slowed down of late. With Bégin out of action, the PK unit’s efficiency has dipped from 89.6 percent to 77.3 percent.
Should Bégin make his anticipated return to the lineup Saturday night, he will be more than happy to reintroduce himself to the Senators by reminding them what the boards taste like at the Bell Centre.’
February 9, 2007 am28 12:47 pm
In my opinion if the losing continues I say try to trade Kovalev for sure and perhaps Ryder. Get back draft picks in return. They have Latendresse and Perezhogin as well as Andrei Kostitsin doing well in the AHL and his brother Sergei is doing good too in the Q. And if making the playoffs looks like it may not happen they may as well deal Souray if they think they wont be able to sign him. Throw Sammy into a package if anyone will take the guy. Free up some salary and perhaps Gilette will pull out his wallet and sign some free agents.
February 9, 2007 am28 12:51 pm
That’s great but like I’ve said before if Steve Begin’s your saviour, you’re in trouble, no offense to Steve who I love and brings a lot to the team but we need a 24 of Steve Begins to get this party rockin’ again!
Maybe reverse psychology could work here, let’s all cheer for the opposition and play them on our Mise-Au-Jeu (QUEBEC) or ProLine (ONTARIO) tickets!!! Maybe that will change things cuz so far my wearing a Hab sweater and taking the Habs on my tickets is doing no good at all. Just a thought…
February 9, 2007 am28 12:52 pm
Perezhogin’s useless.
February 9, 2007 am28 1:00 pm
Agreed smiler, Fan3 a little toughness will definitely help, but our PK was either #1 or #2 as of a few of weeks ago… I would say the absence of Markov may be more of a factor. Although the New Year somehow changes his crisp passing and solid D. Anyway, it usually is not an offensive player that is the difference maker on PK unless he is a great shot blocker. I think it is the lack of discipline of the Defense. I think half of the time our D-men are off in the corner or out at the point trying to create turnovers, while having no one clearing bodies out in front of the Net. Not to mention the many turn-overs are caused by our D trying to clear the Defensive end. I think Begin is a good player, but he’s not the play-maker that will “turn the tides” in our favor. Maybe a combination of him and Markov returning, Streit returning to a forward position, Possible trades in the works… or better yet… a Valentines miracle!
February 9, 2007 am28 1:00 pm
It seems like the players feel too safe out there. Maybe they need a trade to shake things up. Or maybe, they need to fall out of their comfy playoff spot to start playing like they want it.
Should be an interesting few weeks as the deadline gets closer and closer.
February 9, 2007 am28 1:14 pm
Montreal is not going to make the playoffs. This is why. Phew….here we go…..Look back at the beginning of last year. The Habs started out flying, as a matter of fact “it was the best start in franchise history”, right? It all went downhill from there…..they were .500ish for the rest of the year. They backed into the playoffs. Granted thay almost beat beat Carolina. The team itself even said after they won the cup, that Montreal was the toughest team they faced during the run.
A lot of experts said that they were to young and playing over their heads, right….thats true, they were. Now comes this year, new coach in Carbineau…..not much difference than Gainey, since they both were defensive fowards and both Selke winners for that…..same coaching style.
Ganey goes out and signs players to “tweek the team”. This did not work, Gainey made some decisions that I think were, not the best. We missed the boat on some very good free agents.
The start of this season was a great start. So I think well, we had a great start last year, maybe the “rookies” a year laster are starting to come around learning the system better and so forth…..after all Montreal started 21-8. We were flying high!! Five points behind Buffalo in mid December. We had the #1 PP & PK in the NHL!! I though to myself at this point, especially with the way we were winning that this team was playnig just as good as the 1993 Canadiens…..which was a team that could find a way to pull out a win.
That is where the similarity stops.
The 1993 Canadiens had 3 major things on their side:
1) Patrick Roy…..need I say more on this
2)Jacques Demers……a truely inspiring coach
3) heart & passion, heart & passion, heart & passion…….you get the point
Before Christmas they were playing with intensity, grit and heart. They were finding ways to win, just like the ‘93 version.
I know Huet is not Roy….he never will be. But there are times a gaoltender has to steal you a few wins. Look at Brodeur in NJ, he is stealing wins for that team all the time!
Now it is a new year. The tea is now taking on water like the Titanic, and are sinking just as fast to. The defence is now pourous, PK is now #10 in the NHL, the once powerful PP is now #5 and falling…….0/6 on the PP against Ottawa last night, 1/9 vs Pittsburgh last week.
This is the perfect sugue to Ottawa and the Penguins….why, because these 2 teams which were sitting pretty low in the conference BEFORE Christmas, have now passed the Canadiens……why?…..because they are hungry and they know what they have to do to make the playoffs, which is passion & heart!!
You look at Pittsburgh last night. They beat the Flyers withour Crosby even getting a point! Thats is depth passion and grit. They have found a way to win ans is Ottawa. This is why Pitt and Ottawa will make it
If Montreal is going to make the playofffs, they need to make a 3 way deal as explained:
to Chicago: Samsonov & Rivet
to Montreal: Aucion $ Smolinski
to Phoenix: Smolinski & Abeshier & draft/prospect
to Montreal: Doan & Nagy
this would get them in, and possibly good enough to maybe even take the whole dam thing…….why not….look at the ‘93 team. They had Damphousse and Bellows, Muller, not huge stars at that point, but huge enough to create some serious damage in the playoffs
February 9, 2007 am28 1:15 pm
Kovalev-Koivu-Samsonov
Plekanec-Bonk-Johnson
Latendresse-Higgins-Ryder
Downey-Begin-Streit
Souray-Komisarek
Dandeneault-Bouillon
Markov-Rivet
Insert a healthy Forsberg in there if he’s available and AWAY WE GO!!!!!
February 9, 2007 am28 1:19 pm
SELL, SELL, SELL and SELL!
Get this **** off my tube!
February 9, 2007 am28 1:22 pm
fan4066 good analysis except for the trade. Nobody wants Sergei Samsonov! Not Chicago, not Phoenix, NOBODY. And the Coyotes will trade Ladislav Nagy and his 6 goals to some sucker but they are NEVER going to trade their captain Shane Doan. And one last point, Gainey did not ‘miss the boat’ on some free agents last summer, they (the UFAs) chose to go elsewhere, Shanahan took less money to go to New York and Elias took less to return to New Jersey, Jason Arnott prefers the peace and media quiet of Nashville to the pressure of the Canadian media… You can throw all the money you want at Angelina Jolie but if she prefers Brad Pitt, you’re left with all that money in your left hand and nothin’ but yourself in that right hand! HA! That’s funny, I crack me up!!
February 9, 2007 am28 1:27 pm
The funny thing about all this is, is that Samsonov is not the problem!!!! Look back to Boston when he was getting 70 points a in a season. Why? because he had someone on his like who could score. I believe his name was…..aaahhh yes, Joe Thorton. Who do we have, nobody. This is Why if you get a guy like Doan and Nagy, put Samsonov on that line, you would then see the old Samsonov….mark my word on that!
February 9, 2007 am28 1:43 pm
AGREED STEVEJUR,agreed. Habs will allways be my team,keep the young players, AND THE Defence,minus Niinamaa , Rivs and Boullion,trade both goalies and GIVE SOURAY THE BIG C,with the coaches there, it won’t take long,BUT REMEMBER ONE THING CARBO,WE NEED OFFENCE TOO. NO MORE SMALL PLAYERS, finis.
February 9, 2007 am28 1:54 pm
I say get Carey Price in the net. Like Roy or Dryden, he can play a few games at the end of the season and lead Les Canadiens to the Cup! Huet was a career backup for a reason and Aebischer isn’t any good either.
pensinbk.blogspot.com
February 9, 2007 am28 1:55 pm
And agreed with above. Look fan4066, there’s no way Phoenix trades both Doan and Nagy. They’ll most likely trade the softer Nagy and keep the gritty captain Doan.
February 9, 2007 am28 2:03 pm
I know it probably would have never happened, but Getting Sean Avery would have been a big push for the playoffs
February 9, 2007 am28 2:11 pm
One more thing,I hope a canadian team wins the cup this year for BETTMAN!!!
February 9, 2007 am28 3:21 pm
Now I love Saku Koivu and admire him but I thought making him the captain was not a good idea, oh, he’s a leader and all but this is Canada, this is Montreal, we grow up as young kids slashing and bashing our way to the net on that beautiful sheet of perfect ice (or sloppy slushy street), fighting for the puck (or wet tennis ball) to put one past the goalie and win the Cup before we get called in by mom for supper! Saku’s got grit and heart but he’s from Finland and thus (huh huh huh, I used ‘thus’ in a sentence) will never have the heart of a lion of winter like we Canadians do, it’s not a knock, it’s an intangible that is engrained in us whether we learn the game on the streets or outdoor rinks of Town Of Mount Royal, Quebec or Etobicoke, Ontario or Flin Flon, Manitoba… it’s what makes us the best kind of hockey player! All the skill in the world can’t beat that (see Soviets vs. Canada ‘72, ‘76, ‘87).
Sheldon Souray is the true leader of this team and should be made such but you can’t embarrass a class act like Koivu by stripping him so maybe the time to trade the little guy has come. Again, don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved this guy but for some stupid reason, the Canadiens management have always seen this guy as a cornerstone superstar type to base a team around when us fans have always known he’s just a superb high skilled number two center who never says die… a NUMBER TWO CENTER! The Habs’ problem has been never admitting that and finding a true number one to compliment him.
I wish there were an easy way out of this but Saku deserves a trade so he can prosper with another team out of the heat and spotlight that Montreal has saddled him with since he was drafted.
February 9, 2007 am28 3:39 pm
And from the “AND ANOTHER THING DEPT.” (very Mad magazine eh)
Everybody should just cool out on the team, no country takes its struggles in sport as personally as we Canadians do. Not the U.S with baseball and football and basketball… okay, maybe those psycho soccer countries that have players executed for ******** up but you know what I mean.
Whether your religion is Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs (only an idiot would… ahh, never mind) or Edmonton Oilers, the drive to succeed is so intense we lose sight of what a great team we have, these players become our heart and soul and when they fail, we take it personally and demand changes. There’s almost no time to breathe and let a team grow anymore, we want it all now, now, now!
Chill, the Habs are getting better and Bob Gainey and his coaches are doing their best because they are fans too deep down or they wouldn’t be in this. The pressure, especially in Quebec, is so intense that it is a wonder that anyone would want to come to the Habs and coach, manage or play… it’s the same in Toronto but it’s different because they’ve sucked for 40 years without ANY success.
I’d boo like any other frustrated fan at the Bell Forum but we should also try cheering them on and through the rough patches, let ‘em know we’re behind them no matter what or else nobody will want to play here and feel like a whipping boy at the first sign of a mistake.
I’ve seen many Stanley Cups won and I’d like more but most of all I want to two things out of my hockey team as a fan, 1) To be competively entertaining and 2) To always finish way better than the ******* Toronto Maple Morons.
Right now, we’re slipping on both counts and we need to believe in the braintrust that they will do what they have to to rise again so GO HABS GO!
February 9, 2007 am28 3:47 pm
Is their a coup d’état in the works?
The Gazette Inside/Out
“Saku Koivu, Radek Bonk, Mike Johnson, Alex Kovalev, Sheldon Souray and Craig Rivet did not practise this morning. Along with Markov who is still nursing an Injury.”
Blue collar strike?
February 9, 2007 am28 3:50 pm
Opps “Markov and Sammy did but Marcov not a 100%.”
February 9, 2007 am28 3:54 pm
New York, Minnesota,Nashville and Carolina all made moves today….two centres were swapped in one deal…..nice…..
and here we sit
February 9, 2007 am28 4:11 pm
The Canadiens definitely need to make some moves FAST otherwise we will not make the playoffs. Other teams are making moves while we are just standing pat and going with the lineup we have. We cannot sit there and do nothing. Gainey needs to pull the trigger and get someone. The names that could be available come the trade deadline are good and they are players that could not only help the Canadiens get to the playoffs and finish in the top 4 in the east, but maybe even win the cup. They have to start looking at what teams will be giving away their players in a week and then try and get some of them for the playoff drive. It has to start with a win tomorrow at home against Ottawa.
Ziman
February 9, 2007 am28 4:23 pm
Oh and did you guys want any of Pascal Dupuis, Adam Hall, Josef Vasicek or what’s-his-name Belanger???
February 9, 2007 am28 4:38 pm
Souray would be a terrible pick for a captain. Koivu isn’t the problem. A lack of skill and effort and size is what is killing the Habs.
February 9, 2007 am28 4:45 pm
I realize and even said Koivu wasn’t the problem but nobody is untouchable if the Habs can get some quality players of substance.
February 9, 2007 am28 5:00 pm
I keep hearing rumors about going after Peter Forsberg, but if he isn’t healthy what good would that do? The Habs needed a second line center to start the season, and they still need one now. The question is how many playmakers are really out there to be had right now? Is getting Aucoin the answer for the defense when he can’t stay on the ice half the time? Maybe they should wait until this off season when a player like Pavel Datsyuk would be available. He is better than anything out there currently, why settle to possibly make a mediocre playoff run?
February 9, 2007 am28 5:10 pm
Cuz Detroit’s not trading Datsyuk.
February 9, 2007 am28 5:22 pm
Huet is garbage!!!! I said that from the start and I will say that til the day he’s gone!! Never liked him, he’s not a number 1 hes a good backup. Way over paid!! I would trade Huet while his stock is still decent, keep Abby and bring up Danis, Price or the Czeck cant really spell his name… EWe have good goalies waiting to shine, thats not the problem. The problem is the offense 5 on 5. We need a natural scorer. TRADE HUET FOR A GOAL SCORER!!!!!
February 9, 2007 am28 5:41 pm
smiler…seriously?
you mean to tell me that Dupuis or Belanger in a habs uniform wouldnt look better than what we have on the fourth line right now?Either of those guys would work until there was nothing left but eyeballs and teeth out there just for the privelage of playing for the habs.
I know you were joking
right?
February 9, 2007 am28 6:06 pm
Smiler don’t you mean our 1st line?
February 9, 2007 am28 6:06 pm
Meant IZZY!
February 9, 2007 am28 6:13 pm
There is no need for any furhter discussion about trades.
Reports from the Gazette
“Sergei Samsonov will be back in the Canadiens lineup Saturday night at the Bell Centre for a – dare we say it? – must-win game against the Ottawa Senators. And so too might Steve Bégin, the spark the Canadiens have been missing.”
Super Sammy to the rescue!
February 9, 2007 am28 6:33 pm
Yea the seasons saved,rite,must get bookie with those odds!$$$.lol.
February 9, 2007 am28 6:37 pm
one thing about Dupuis and Belanger….when they leave the ice after a shift, if you were playing against them, you KNOW they were there, They either hit you or dogged you to death.
I’m sure if you asked the sens player by player who they matched up against the other night, they wouldnt remember.
jump over the boards……skate up the ice…turn….skate back…..avoid that hit….skate back to the bench like you’ve been shot…..sit down….ask your buddy next to you if he’s going to see the strippers before supper…..sigh….typical shift lately……nice work if you can get it.
February 9, 2007 am28 6:40 pm
tonights the night….Gainey pulls the trigger.
watch.
(oh gawd….ouija board dont fail me now)
February 9, 2007 am28 6:46 pm
IZZY, You mean Gainey wants someone to pull his finger!lol
February 9, 2007 am28 6:51 pm
pull his finger, good one!
February 9, 2007 am28 6:54 pm
lol….xhabsfan
nope…got this gut feeling going on…
last time was rivet being suddenly sick? before last game and being scratched..forgot to thank the gut for that one..( opening beer).
hope its something substantial and not just Gainey changing his socks.
February 9, 2007 am28 7:18 pm
Reported on Sportsnet: Montreal trades G David Aebischer and a 1st Round Pick to Colorado for C Joe Sakic and G Jose Theodore. Montreal then trades Theodore and D Andrei Markov to Tampa Bay for D Dan Boyle and a 1st Round Pick… Pinch me, more like “Reported on Dreamscape”! Ahhh, the magic of beer and hockey… see you guys, I’m off to see April Wine here tonight! Cheers!
February 9, 2007 am28 11:20 pm
I give alot of credit to New York Ranger’s GM, because he made 2 trades to improve his team. He’s not a lazy lame duck GM afraid to make moves. He wants to do whatever necessary for his team to make the playoffs, unlike Gainey who doesn’t give a damn about his team. Have you ever seen a more complacent and placid guy, who really is just waiting for his team to finish in last place. we had to get stuck with Gainey, just our lousy luck. as long as he is GM, our team will be garbage. HE NEVER EVER DOES ANYTHING!!!!!
Other GM’s care about their team, and make trades, while lazy (who could care less) Gainey does absolutely NOTHING!! I figured it out. He wants the habs to finish last so he can get a top draft pick. You know what they say? If you snooze, you lose! Boy is he snoooooooooooooozing!
February 10, 2007 am28 12:10 am
doggone take solace with the fact that if the Habs play the Sens in montreal like they did a couple of days ago,the Fans are going to loose it ,BIGTIME. Gainey’s ego will force him to make a move or two at that point,which will inturn let us in the mind of Gainey. Cause rite now I really want to know ,what’s up!!BOB GAINEY LOOK AT NASHVILLE, LOOK AT THEIR D,BIG YOUNG PLAYERS. LOOK AT NASHVILLE’S NUMBERS RITE NOW ,WHAT DOES THAT TELL U MAN.There’s a team that’s going to make the Big Show, while building for the future,on the same budget,Bob! OH BYE THE WAY BOB,HAB’S PLAY LIKE THAT AGAIN ,YOU’LL HEAR ME BOOING ALL THE WAY WEST ON VANCOUVER ISLAND TOO. I have a feeling Bob, your earwax problems are over Dude.
February 10, 2007 am28 1:48 am
okay, well the habs have been doing this to us habs fans were the last 3/4 years. How I see it is the habs come out great at the beginning of the year, everyone’s playing great, and were winning. Now about half way through the season the habs are in that 4th or 5th spot, looking good for the playoffs and most of the players just want to get to the playoffs so they can play hard. What happens is that we start to lose and lose and lose, and when the habs see that their in 9th place and out of the playoffs they start winning again until they hit the 7th or 8th spot and hang on to that spot till the playoffs. Looks like this story is coming again, just wait, habs will be out of the playoffs, than make the playoffs at the 7th or 8th spot. Mark my words!!!!!!!!!!!
Habs 4 Life
February 10, 2007 am28 2:31 am
Habs 4 Life,that’s how it usually goes allrite,but I don’t think this is the same old exercize. This years underacheaving Habs took off so well,no adjustments were made except line juggling near the end and untill present,while the other teams had major adjustments to make.Other teams also have aquired a better foundation of players ,thru proper draft picks”better”, as well as better players period.They went for perment fixes ,while the Habs went for bandages and now It’s caught up to them in a BIG way.Just like all the experts said it would!!! I love Bob Gainey, Carbo and all the old Habs for all the great moments they gave us Fans,but coaches and managment ,they are not! According to this year anyway!The next box o puzzles they open up should come in squares!
February 10, 2007 am28 2:43 am
THese middle of the seaosn slumps always make me sick to my stomach. HOwever how soon we forget each year when we turn it around for the playoffs run. I remember last year we were struggling aourn dthis time and Koivu had no goals in like 24 games and KOvy was free skating and so on. IT was a late February game in Long island wher HIggins really took off that our fortunes turned and we made s strong run in March. Im obviously no expert(If I was I would be working in the bisiness but here are the most vital points to success in my humble opinion.
1) Markov has to play - without him our record is disgusting
2) Gotta stick with a goalie - GIve them a chance to catch fire
3) WE need to open up our attack - This one goal game nonsense is ridiculous
4) 4th line - DOwney and Murray together equals bad news
5) Let our playmaker be playmakers - LEt kovy play with Koivu and give the top two lines more ice time.
Obviously adding a sniper would help but we cant depend on a acquisition.
February 10, 2007 am28 3:14 am
RDS has just anounced tomorro’s line-up against the Sens:
Begin Streit Murray
Koivu Samsonov Bouillion
Bonk Huet Niinimaa
Johnson Higgens Souray
Defence
Dandenault Lapierre
Perezhogin Ryder
Plekanec Kovalev
Rivet Latendresse
Goal
DOWNEY
February 10, 2007 am28 3:44 am
koivu, higgins and kovalev, if that dosen’t make a dent in the opposition then i don’t know what will. samsonov now knows that youppi is worth more then him so hopefully he feels like he needs to prove his worth. begin is back and hopefully full of fire. aebisher is getting the green light. markov??? i really want to beleive that things are gonna change. i simply can’t wait for tomorrow night. go habs go. skate hard, fire the puck, make crisp passes, finish you checks and go down to block shots. sounds like the recipe for success!!!! good luck
February 10, 2007 am28 7:58 am
I can just see it now. The gameplan for tonight will be to play strong defensively. We will do so and lose 2-1. No need to preach goalscoring cause we sure dont need that.
February 10, 2007 am28 9:11 am
Well…2-1 would be good. But things haven’t looked good. I believe we’re going to get shutout and the pens will have ample opportunities for PPGs as the Habs haven’t learnt that playing a disciplined game and being effective and anticipating is the key…only know that ho hum game of lacklustre performance…hook and grab and sort of after the fact hit and grind and ‘Oh I might as well check something because the puck’s going back the other way and I sure as hell haven’t done anything’….I wonder if guys even break a sweat.
Now, I can’t stomach the fact that we keep talking about a great start only to flounder and then regroup and back into the playoffs….if this is a constant definitely need to create a new chapter in the Habs history. This year’s version is so emotionless, no sense of urgency and pathetic…going through the motions…When you create things, hit forecheck and backcheck…that’s what you need to do constantly to create intensity and have it feed back to the rest of the bunch. It’s winning those battles one at a time. I don’t see that happening/and haven’t seen this now for far too many games (probably around 20 games past)….this is just sad. I too have lost interest and until they show some intensity and desire with back bone I too will have an indifferent fan support…heck I’m already telling people the Habs are looking for an identity because they don’t know what they’re doing especially on the ice and going down and losing every game is becoming a reality. #%%#$@!!%$
February 10, 2007 am28 9:38 am
the latest…from Pat Hickey of the Gazette:
samsonov and rivet to Edmonton for center Shawn Horcoff.
i’m only the messenger.
ps….Gainey DID make a move last night. He shifted his weight in his big leather chair.
so, I wasnt totally wrong.
February 10, 2007 am28 9:39 am
can anybody tell me in one easy step how to record the game tonight with a ROGERS PVR?…lost the damned book….sheesh.
February 10, 2007 am28 10:58 am
New to the blog, and I love it.
The Habs will lose tonight, it kills me to say so, but nothing has changed. Why should they win? Ottawa’s playing well and with the Habs it’s the same old.
February 10, 2007 am28 12:01 pm
Why oh why do I fall for this same trap every year!!!
Resume of 2006-2007 :
OCTOBER: Well, I guess that huet is just one of those “slow starters” but damn this team is really showing some spirit..They look very competitive and confident! I hope they can keep this up!
MID-OCTOBER: Wow, They truely are a changed team I guess Carbo’s emotion has actually rubbed off , I’m really liking what I’m seeing…Just wish that latendress would show some of his pre-season self..and I can’t wait for Samsonov to pick it up! I guess he just needs to find his right fit in the line-up..And maybe cristobal is taking some time getting warm..But damn Abby’s playing really great! What an amazing tandem of goaltending we have! This Rocks! GO HABS!
NOVEMBER: I can’t believe this…Just when Abby shows signs of cooling off Huet finds his stellar form of last season!!! I hope that we can pull through the loss of Higgins though..He’s on pace for 50 goals!Well, Maybe this is where Samsonov will find his game..it’s taking him quite a while to gel with this team!anyway I’m really excited about this habs team..THEY JUST DON”T GIVE UP!!And what’s going on with Souray…He’s just phenomenal!!! For the first time in a long time I have a team, that I’m confident can go somewhere! Could this be OUR YEAR!! GO HABS GO!
MID NOVEMBER: This is amazing Lats get put on the first line and finds his confidence..It’s like this kid gets better every game…Huet is just stealing games left right and center…I love the Passion I see in this team! Even behind 3-0 they battle back and win 4-3 …I’M sensing a parade down ste catherine’s street…OLEEEEEE OLE.OLE.OLE..OLEEEEE…OLEEEEE! GO HABS GO!
December: I’m so happy that this team is where they are! I’ve been waiting for this habs team for what seems like an eternity..Well since 1993 anyway…Let’s just hope that higgins gets back for the game against the iles like he intended…i can’t imagine the force this team will once Higgs gets back…I hope he’s back for the game against Buff on the 9th!And who’s going to be HABS M.V.P this year Souray, Huet…too many players to choose from at this point!, GO HABS GO!
December 10th: Whoa, Laura gainey lost at sea…What a horrible blow to the entire gainey family as well as the entire habs organization…Our hearts go out to all of you!
December 13th: The habs played with soo much emotion agains boston last night! I’m sure they dedicated this one to Bob and his family…You know what THIS IS THEIR YEAR..someone is going to suggest they dedicate this whole season to the gainey family..and were going to win it all..!!! YOU”LL SEE!!!
JANUARY:Well we didn’t finish the year on such a great note…But what ever…Every team has to go through ups and downs in their season It’s all about how you react to these “little” slumps that matter..Besides you’ve seen the team this year..NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP THEM FROM WINNING!AND our captain is on FIRE!…GO HABS GO!
MID JANUARY: What’s going on here!!! I’m sensing some panic from the team..Their not looking nearly as focused as they were before!!Ther’s so much line juggling..It’s almost as if Carbo’s panicking and the rest of the team is feeling it…And Huet has chosen a pretty bad time to lose his “mental game” It’s almost like the entire team has a “confidence virus” Luckily like all viruses…They go away! GO HABS!
February: JUST WHEN IN THE BLOODY HELL DID THE WHEELS FALL OFF THIS WAGON!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I’M SEEING HERE! THE WHOLE TEAM IS FALLING APART!! With the exception of Pleks and Streit, No one is anywhere to be found…Were sinking fast and it’s like no one is coming up with the idea to swim..or at least try to “tread”…WHO IS RESPONSABLE FOR THIS MESS? I can’t believe it!, i LOVE THIS TEAM TOO MUCH TO STOMACH SEEING THEM GO THROUGH THIS ANY LONGER!!! I can’t believe I fell for it again!!! **SIGH*
GO HABS GO!
February 10, 2007 am28 12:46 pm
Mid-April: How the hell did the Habs miss the playoffs? Oh well, at least we have the Expos…wait..what? What the hell am I going to do all Spring/Summer?
February 10, 2007 am28 2:18 pm
YO Frank, don’t forget the Al’s
February 10, 2007 am28 2:23 pm
Obviously Detroit isn’t trading Datsyuk, I was pointing he is a free agent this summer. I don’t live in a fantasy land where Mike O”Connell is the GM of every team in the NHL and will trade a great player for nothing (like he did with Thronton for garbage last year). I agree with the poster about Huet, he just doesn’t seem to have it.
February 10, 2007 am28 2:33 pm
The Als are Montreal’s saving grace!
February 10, 2007 am28 2:55 pm
Shawn Horcoff would be great but Hickey’s smokin’ weed cuz the Oilers don’t want Samsonov back or is Kevin Lowe that stupid? I mean did trade Chris Pronger!!!!!! I dunno, I’m GM of the Oilers and Pronger wants a trade to California, I sit him until his 5 year contract is up, I DON’T GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTS! Duh.
But I’d rather have Horcoff than Datsyuk or Forsberg… Canadian grit over Euro soft anyday!
February 10, 2007 am28 2:57 pm
Too bad Mike O’Connell wasn’t totally out to lunch and traded Joe Thornton to Montreal for 3 hockey bags… still enough sense to give him away to the Western Conference, yep, that O’Connell’s a sharp one!
February 10, 2007 am28 3:07 pm
Tonight’s lines according to RDS:
Higgins-Koivu-Kovalev
Samsonov-Plekanec-Latendresse
Streit-Bonk-Johnson
Begin-Lapierre-Ryder
February 10, 2007 am28 3:19 pm
I would bet that no many other managers want to trade with MTL. In baseball, do the other teams trade with the Yankees to help them out. NOOOOOOOOOOO!
No moves will be made!!! As much as the guys should be shipped off, it won’t happen.
Next year….
February 10, 2007 am28 3:25 pm
As for Koivu, he has had his chance. Now, it time for new/different blood to lead the way. Kovalev is talented, “looks good”, but he isn’t helping the team. Huet is good but I would trade him…
Frankly, this season is going down the toilet. Man, I got sucked in, thinking, holy ****, this is going to be a great playoff year for the Habs. Reality check: there’s a cancer on the team and it’s time to purge it, whether now or this coming summer. Gainey, this kinda **** gotta stop!!!
February 10, 2007 am28 3:28 pm
It doesn’t matter what the line combinations are. the problem is: SAME OLD PLAYERS! change the players, not the lines,Carbo! Are you brain dead? It’s not working, or can’t you tell by losing all these games. Honestly, I just don’t understand this organization. I think they want to finish in the basement, because nobody, and I mean NOBODY stands pat after 2 months of losing!
I have lost all respect for this once proud franchise. they are the laughing stock of the NHL, and opponents lick their chops when they know they’re playing the habs next! habs are now an EASY PREY for other teams.
Well, I hope your dusting off your golf clubs, hab players, because they will be used alot in April!!
February 10, 2007 am28 4:39 pm
So…ah… anyone dare guess tonites score??? Be brave now, I myself am afraid to watch,never mind guess!Mite as well see who’s got a sharp pencil.OK,I’m gonna sound like an idiot again and say Hab’s 1 …Sen’s 0. Remember the Fans boy’s.
February 10, 2007 am28 4:48 pm
Today is Opposite Day here (don’t ask, it’s a SpongeBob episode) so my prediction is Ottawa 6, Montreal 1… opposite day, yeah, that’s the ticket.
February 10, 2007 am28 5:22 pm
Well I say habs lose 4-2, my dad thinks they win 3-2 meh…the last time we beat ottawa 3-1, I said we were going to lose 6-1 because they came off that huge in 8-3, but my dad said we were going to win 3-2 and we won 3-1, so hope hes right tonight:)
Habs 4 Life
February 10, 2007 am28 6:15 pm
Prediction: Habs will win! It sucks ‘cuz they are sucking now, but Ottawa will come in over confident. Habs are going to win but their problems won’t stop. NEW BLOOD, Bob… Time for a change…
And, the big crapper: Leaf’s will probably make the playoffs and Habs won’t…Arrrrrrrrrrrrr!
February 10, 2007 am28 6:31 pm
TRADE HUET!!!!!