Halak Attack
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Guy Carbonneau pretty much went on the record saying that Jaroslav Halak will be the goaltender the Canadiens will rely on to get them to the post-season.
Can he do it?
It wouldn’t be the first time the Canadiens try to rely on a hot goalie to get them into the playoffs and even win them a cup.
There’s a lot of pressure on the 21 year old goalie that has barely even played in the NHL.
Looking at the remaining teams in the playoff hunt and their goalies:
Atlanta Thrashers: Kari Lehtonen
Tampa Bay Lightning: Denis/Holmqvist
NY Islanders: Rick DiPietro
Toronto Maple Leafs: Andrew Raycroft
Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
Boston Bruins: Tim ThomasNot very much experience there with the exception of maybe DiPietro and Cam Ward who is still young and has still never completed a full season. Halak however is the least experienced of all.
It will come down to who gets hot and stays hot down the stretch.
A lot to ask of a rookie goalie.
Leave a Comment
March 7, 2007 pm31 7:04 pm
Well, you can look at it two ways. You can look at it as pressure for Halak to perform, or a confidence boost that Carbo considers him to be the “go-to-guy”. As far as I’m concerned, Halak shouldn’t feel pressure. He’s not the one who put the Habs in this predicament. He should just play the best he can play and hope that everyone around him smartens up.
I think it would be wise to go with Halak to finish the season. Aebischer’s been given his chance. Letting him finish out the season will only help him next training camp as he competes for the #2 job. Good for him!
March 7, 2007 pm31 7:07 pm
hmmmm…..it could work in our favour. Most of the teams aren’t use to Halak’s style. They won’t know how to properly play against him.
March 7, 2007 pm31 7:43 pm
Habeisher played some good games this season, seems to have lost his confidence but should remain around for now until Halak has really proven himself. I’m still not sold on him yet, but he sems to be a good one although the next few games should tell whether he is a keeper or not but let’s face it, the entire Montreal defense has not adapted to the new rule and seems to be lost out there their offence is pathetic,they don’t score much more than 1 or two goals a game and when they score more, the opposition scores a pail full. We should quit blaming the goalies; the rest of the team has to start playing together. The habs should have traded Kovalov Samsonov and Ninima for Perreault who’s already proven himself for Toronto with winning faceoffs and even scoring. I predict Toronto makes the playoffs and Montreal left close to the basement. I’m still a Montreal fan, but the management better get busy this summer.
March 7, 2007 pm31 8:03 pm
Halak is now a very average goalie, allowing 20 goals in the past 5 games. Not very incouraging. But he’s not the reason the habs are losing. Next season I see Halak as possibly the starting goalie, or sharing the goaltending with Huet. Neither one can be considered better than average. I think Huet should be backup to whoever is #1. I think we should sign a UFA for the goalie position. We won’t make the playoffs, but leafs or Carolina will. Poor play, inexperienced goaltending, and lack of scoring and effort, will be the prime reasons we’ll finish in 11th or 12 th place. Shame on this team for not putting out any effort and being QUITTERS. If we could trade the entire team, DO IT! they are a total disgrace to the city of Montreal. They have wiped away the honor the CH crest brings! Whoever stays, should have their contracts reduced according to their play, and Gainey should introduce performance clauses, (paid according to their performance, ie. goals scored and +- rating), for each and every player. So if you don’t score, you get just a base pay. Imagine if Kovalev’s contract was worded in such a manner. He’d probably have a temper tantrum, because he knows he’s a no show and can’t score. He’s all washed up, and should have retired 3 years ago!
March 7, 2007 pm31 8:06 pm
Well,another wasted 4 million plus on ABBY AND HUET this year on sub par goal tending and now were going to destroy one of our top goal tending prospects by throwing him in the burnpile!Great plan,it’s right up there with France’s Maginot line and China’s great wall of China.After the blitzkrieg from the Mongols on the other teams, poor Halak’s going to need treatment for Gulf war syndrome! It’s no wonder there’s a budget cap in Hockey with the **** shoot mentality some team are willing to do,really unprofessionally mismanaged .Big time egocentricity has destroyed the Habs this year.
March 7, 2007 pm31 9:38 pm
Good evening everyone.
I think that was the only good move that Carbo has done all season. Halak is only average yes. He is a rookie yes. If you look at those games that he played there were some soft goals and a few put in by his own D-men. He also made some very good saves. If our defense will help him out he could be a good goalie. Halak tends to go down too much (as well as alot of goalies in the NHL) and his weakness is the high shots. Remember, a goalie is only good as his defense.
Look at Dryden. He was great. Can anyone here remember him?
Now he had Robinson, Lapointe etc. in front of him and i’m sure that gave him extra confidence.
I’d say go with the rookie. If our D-men start to play good in front of him d who knows what will happen. After all Dryden & Roy were put in the same situation as Halak and they turned out ok. Halak is no Dryden or Roy. But it is a start.
March 7, 2007 pm31 9:48 pm
Looking at the remaining teams in the playoff hunt and their goalies:
Atlanta Thrashers: Kari Lehtonen
Tampa Bay Lightning: Denis/Holmqvist
NY Islanders: Rick DiPietro
Toronto Maple Leafs: Andrew Raycroft
Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist
Boston Bruins: Tim Thomas
Not very much experience there with the exception of maybe DiPietro and Cam Ward
Who posted this.
Tim Thomas was in net when Montreal took out them out in the first round. He has more experience than any of them probally.
March 7, 2007 pm31 9:49 pm
As per my only prior post, Halak is the key to making the playoffs … probability less than 50% … if we are realistic …
Also, if for those who understand the game, we know that Bob has done what needed to be done!! For discussion … near season end report cards for the key guys —- Bob G = A, Carbo = C (should have split Sammy from Kovy way back in November), Koivu = C (not sure why); Ryder = C, Huet = B, Abby = C, Bonk = A+, Plakanec = A+, Markov = A, Johnson = A, Lats = C+, Lapierre = C-, Kovy = C, Sammy = C, Higgins = abs, the rest of the D = B …
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:01 pm
Comrades,I told you I did nothing wrong,da. After,I payoff female Russian reporter from glory-est Hockey and Football magazine,recording of conversation has gone missing,da,I mean, what conversation,”what you talking about Willis?”.I just telephone glory-est homeland of U.S.S.R.,I mean Russia,talk to BA BA Kovalev and tell old woman come to Montreal in capitalist country of Canada so Bobby Gainey pay you two,4 million a year too be new puck stopper,da.Don’t worry about face mask, you are old woman no?Worry about poor puck instead,ha. Me must go now and get transvestite hooker and show fans how to really score,da. Don’t worry me treat hooker the same me treat stupid french hockey fans of Canadiens,ah ah ah ……
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:14 pm
R Habs–
well I am in agreement with your points about salary based performance.
I also agree the team has quit, no way they could be that good in the first half and so bad in the 2nd half–something has changed dramatically.
Yeah I know 2nd half is always tougher nas teams bear down–so why aren’t the Habs bearing down, there is just very little effort.
Does anyopne remember when Jean Peron was coach and the Habs were playing for the cup..and the last game they played…there was absolutely no effort–reason it came out later–they hated Peron and wanted him fired–and it worked,
not sure if something like is going on here, but something is just not right, in the first half even when they lost there was always a really good effort, now it’s just pathetic.
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:17 pm
Hey Softouch: You gave Aebishit a C ? are you nuts? And you gave almost all the underachieving habs a C! Obviously finishing in 12th place means everyone played ok in your eyes (with rose colored glasses on), and nobody gets a D or failing grade, because they played just so fantastic, giving 100% effort every single game!
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:18 pm
I agree. How can they go from that good to that bad. Something smells fishy to me.
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:24 pm
I said it before and I’ll say it again. There is something not right in their dressing room. They tuned out Carbo a long time ago. Carbo is the one that needs to go. He doesn’t know how to handle the players. Remember, in sports there are always certain tempermental players, ie Terrell Owens(NFL) that need to be treated in a different way. But Carbo treats all the players alike, and is indifferent to different players actions. His lack of tolerance, and inexperience is coming to the forefront. I believe a more experienced and relaxed coach could have turned things around.
THE PLAYERS DON’T RESPECT CARBO, AND THEREFORE TAKE LIBERTIES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT! THEY DIS CARBO, AND DO WANT HIM FIRED!
March 7, 2007 pm31 10:35 pm
I said from day one that Carbo was no good. I said that former players should not coach teams that they once played for. It just does not work out. Look at Trembley. He cost Montreal at least two more cups. He was the reason that Roy left.
Speaking of coaches. Look at The Pens. coach - I can’t spell his name and the Newjersey coach both were no good in Montreal but are doing fine now. What is with Montreal and Coaches ?
March 7, 2007 pm31 11:46 pm
what happens tomorrow night will pretty much show how the rest of the season is gonna go. THEY WIN, and go on a tear, making the playoffs. THEY LOSE, and the party is over. no more wind in their sails. The quetion is; do the players themselves know the importance of tomorrow nights game??? i hope so!!!
March 7, 2007 pm31 11:50 pm
Hey Dalley;
Whats this about Thomas being in net in 04? It was Raycroft.
March 8, 2007 pm31 12:03 am
R Habs—- I feel you are probably right, as much as I respect Carbo, I don’t believe the players in that dressing room are on the same page anymore,
if Bob Gainey feels Carbo has to go then I hope there are player casualties as well, we have all said enough times now–which ones need to be discarded.
Dalley1-I agree with your philosophy as well, I think Pat Burns was an excellent coach, but it didn’t work out well in Hab Town.
IF ONLY Habs management had given Scotty Bowman the GM and coach job back when he wanted it, we would still be winning cups, instead a know-nothing beer
swiller by the name of Grundman took over and the downward spiral was on and
we still have not recovered to where we coujld have been .
Doesn’t look good for us this year,we can only hope
March 8, 2007 pm31 2:32 am
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Quit trashing Carbo, people! He’s made some rookie mistakes behind the bench but guess what, he’s a rookie! The Habs need some consistency behind the bench, they go through coaches like Kleenex within the past few years. Why should he have to kow-tow to any of these primadonna so-called stars? Lindy Ruff and Barry Trotz went through some tough times with the Sabres and Predators, look where their teams are now. I think the major problems on this team come down to lack of leadership, lack of work ethic and lack of character. That’s why I’d be really disappointed if Gainey doesn’t make Souray a fair offer, maybe give him the C. Kovalev and/or Koivu gotta be traded, make a blockbuster trade for a Lecavalier or Jokinen and show potential UFAs this franchise is going to be competitive, things will be brighter in ‘08.
March 8, 2007 pm31 6:02 am
FYI,
Atlanta Thrashers: Kari Lehtonen 99 games 53 wins 2.80Gaa
Tampa Bay Lightning: Denis 330 games 109 wins 2.91Gaa
Holmqvist 44 games 23 wins 2.94Gaa
NY Islanders: Rick DiPietro 198 games 87 wins 2.78Gaa
Toronto Maple Leafs: Andrew Raycroft 165games 73wins 2.72Gaa
Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward 79 games 40 wins 3.14Gaa
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist 107 games 57wins 2.37Gaa
Boston Bruins: Tim Thomas 98 games 43 wins 2.92 Gaa
HALAK 6 games 3 wins 3.14
Who would you like to have in net for the stretch from this group?
Halak is the youngest, most inexperienced and has the highest GAA.
Denis’ got the most experience and a decent GAA
Thomas is the eldest.
Ward’s got a cup.
Personnaly, I would prefer Dipietro 1st, Lundquvist 2nd.
But, Halak is the least predictable, could be interesting?
Habs in 7th, go baby go
March 8, 2007 pm31 6:50 am
I’m with you Kev. I don’t think Carbo’s the problem. What’s this bullshit about needing to treat some players differently? Are these players not men? Yes? Then they should start acting like men! Stop whining and start winning! If there’s something that’s not working, find a way to MAKE it work. Cliques in the dressing room? Why isn’t the captain standing up and telling everyone to stop acting like babies? And if he is doing that, why aren’t they listening to him?
March 8, 2007 pm31 7:53 am
R Habs … maybe Abby deserves a C-, and some other Habs the same but the basic reason I don’t give guys the D = fail, is because Carbo is still learning how to manage them, and I think he has 1 more year to bring their level of play up … I think overall most of the guys played as well as they could (reality is, some of the HABS are just not that good when U compare to the better teams) … for me, from the games I saw, the major problem was PENALTIES, not the work ethic or desire, and I believe Carbo has an influence on that as does Koivu (as I rethink it, his penalties probably deserve a D since he is the leader) …
If HABS make the play-offs, which I do not expect, but will enjoy, then there could be some interestng surprises, because that will mean Halak can carry them, and some of the fire will light up the sleeping talent of Kovy and Sammy …
Another thought, re Kovalev comments in Russian paper … I read Jack Todd (I am not a fan of his) in the Montreal Gazette, and he believes the Russion interview was true … I agreee, and if this is true, then Carbo has some major challenges ahead …
Final thought, Rivet’s comments re Gainey, were right on … Gainey is smart and knows what needs to be done …
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:05 am
Snake:
Posted on March 7th, 2007 at 11:50 pm. About ‘Halak Attack’.
Hey Dalley;
Whats this about Thomas being in net in 04? It was Raycroft.
I’m not sure of the year BUT Thomas was in net when the Habs beat Boston. I am pretty sure.
Is there anyone out there that can confirm this please? It is not that I want to prove you wrong Snake but just to show you that Thomas does have experience.
This Cam Ward is another Jose Theodore. They are both one NET wonders. Ward was **** hot last year in the playoffs and this year they are fighing for a playoff spot. Raycroft, well he is mostly a 2 period goalie he usually falls apart in the 3rd period.
We have to go with Halak. It is our only option we have. Throw him the water and see if he can swim. Abby had his chance to prove himself. He failed to step up.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:19 am
My fellow Hab-lovers…
I think that we have a huge problem to over come in this city, and it all stems from the media! If you take into consideration what has just gone on with Kovalev.(And I’m not a Kovy fan!)Understand that this was and is the worst thing that could have happened, at the worst time of year, to the worst guy!
What LaPresse just did for us, is make a very hard sell to UFA’S a near impossible sell on becoming a member of our organization! Forget the pressure, taxes, cold weather etc…But seeing the way the media is ready to throw our “star” player under a bus, and humiliate him in public on some story (True or not)That they spin into a bloody language issue, with absolutely NO PROOF whatsoever…Forget about the flash-photo in the hospital incident to Koivu last year followed by the “why you don’t speak french” bullshit at his first press conference following his operation!!
With the exception of being a fan of the team…WHY THE HELL WOULD ANYBODY WANT TO PLAY HERE!! The negatives sooooo outweigh the positives that it’s a no-brainer..
We can all thank the ((not to turn it into a language issue..)but to call a spade a spade!!) The FRENCH MEDIA for completely fuc_ing up our chances of landing some quality talent during the off-season…Don’t blame BOB don’t blame GUY and don’t blame US! It lies solely at the feet of the Obnoxious, liable and slanderous FRENCH MEDIA!
May they all choke on the BullShit that they are so happy to spew!!
GO HABS GO!
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:27 am
Drive_4_25:
Well said my boy, Well said.
That is ONE of the top reasons.
I think that you hit the nail right on the head Brother.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:43 am
Drive _4_25,Dalley1,smoke some more and while your at it play some Ravi Shankar and burn some incense from the dollar store and look some more into your phony crystal ball that’s made in china and give us more ridiculous comments at your leisure.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:14 am
Drive _4_25,Dalley1,smoke some more and while your at it play some Ravi Shankar and burn some incense from the dollar store and look some more into your phony crystal ball that’s made in china and give us more ridiculous comments at your leisure.
Let me ask you this,why in sports and entertainment do people strive for fame through excellence ? It’s all to feed one’s ego and wallet plus you get to shag all the great looking people,da. The down side is you profit from a fan base,so if you stop delivering what you supposed to too your fans or make an *** of yourself or in my case do both,well it sucks!. But what did I expect,I DID THIS TO MYSELF, probably for attention,da.After all ,what have I DONE FOR MY FANS OR TEAM LATELY ? Don’t stop acting like carp,you know ,sucker fish,because I feed on fools like you,da! Down with stupid capitalist fans of Canadiens and there media !
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:15 am
Kovalev:
Why all the harsh words Brother? I’s all good man. Gill out Dude. Don’t have a cow.
Don’t hate us cause we speak the truth.
The truth shall set us free…………..
Let’s love one another Dude.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:17 am
Kovalev:
WHAT COLOR IS THE SKY IN YOUR WORLD BROTHER ???????????????
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:39 am
Yay!!! Looks like JoshTM figured out how to type a new name. Who else on this blog is that insulting. Douchbag!!!
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:45 am
hmmm, putting on some Ravi music, cheap incense, dimming the light smoking something, it’s really not that bad an idea.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:48 am
Maybe our Habs should try that.
Maybe they would win when if they were stoned…………….
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:49 am
TaLoN jugding from the Red lettering on the posting, I would say it is Xhabsfan not JoshTM!??!
March 8, 2007 pm31 10:39 am
The Bruins had Dafoe and then Raycroft when the Habs eliminated them. Tim Thomas was still bush league back then.
March 8, 2007 pm31 10:42 am
Thank you.
I stand corrected.
Sorry Snake……….
March 8, 2007 pm31 10:47 am
Sorry Habs Blog.
I was out of line. I should not stooped to The Russians level.
Sorry……He gets under your skin.
Hab Blog. Can you just block his IP address when he signs in and keeps changing it’s name? That way we can keep it out of here.
March 8, 2007 pm31 11:26 am
The Habs have had some success with teams that play a fast pace style of hockey like Nashville, Buffalo, Atlanta ect. They have not had much luck coming off from rest, big games, January, February, bla bla bla… I think they should take a page from the teams who recently wrote their seasons off such as Philly, St. Louis, and Florida… Well supposedly Florida, I think they’re back in the hunt, but did sell off. With the period of off-time, I have watched a few games that matter in the Eastern playoff run and these teams seemed to be playing with new life and determination. The biggest thing I noticed is that they looked like they were having fun again because they have been playing as a team. I would hate to see the Habs lose and knock themselves out of the race only to turn their game around after the pressure was off.
I say play your best, play hard, and do not dwell on mistakes. We are not the best defensive team, so who cares the key now is to enjoy the game and tighten up the passing and protect your rookie Net-minder… Let see what happens, but play like it is fun not like it is a chore!
Go Habs Go!
March 8, 2007 pm31 11:27 am
Hey Talon and Dalley that is just plain nasty. If there is anyone deserving blocking its you two. Its easy to see if was you Dalley who is also signing on as Kovalev. Grow up!
March 8, 2007 pm31 11:38 am
Quote: Look at Trembley. He cost Montreal at least two more cups.
Hahaha, what two cups were those?
March 8, 2007 pm31 12:21 pm
I have been a fan of the habs for many a year. Didn’t we have french media here in the 60’s and 70’s? You know what? Winning cures all. I guarantee, that if we were playing well and winning, the Kovalev incident would not have happened, and certainly not blown out of proportion.
Now, as far as signing UFA’s, we’re going to have the same problem this coming summer, as we had last summer. It will be extremely difficult for Gainey to attract UFA’s, and the french media(bunch of unintelligent idiots) just made it a whole lot more difficult! Why don’t they shut up, and concentrate on things that will help this team, instead of sabotaging Gainey’s every move to make this team better. Even if the Kovalev story was true, why cause trouble, and dissention amongst teammates and coaches. Where is their logic?
They only managed to embarrass this franchise, already in turmoil, create havoc in this city, and show the rest of the NHL what players have to deal with here. The problems of this hockey city will only exacerbate, until the extinction of this franchise, 1 day. So that all you francophones aren’t slighted by my derogatory remarks of the french media, english media have made negative comments as well, but certainly not to the detriment of this team. They have more common sense!
So, again, back to step 1 for Gainey. Draft picks and trades are the only way this team will get better(aside from shooting ALL THE FRENCH MEDIA).
I feel sorry for Gainey, because he’s starting with the glass half empty instead of half full.
March 8, 2007 pm31 12:29 pm
R habs 4 real :
Maybe the media’s wish is to have the Habs made up of all French canadian players????????????
March 8, 2007 pm31 12:49 pm
the days of the flying frenchmen, is over. The idea is to have the best players, regardless of their mother tongue, or place of origin.
Also, I believe that it is , moreover, french players who would rather stay away, and not come here. The reasons are simple. They grew up here, and know the pitfalls of playing under the scrutiny of the press. Why would they want to enter the lion’s den? Don’t we hire coaches to scrutinize the team, and give their own criticism? We don’t need the media to do the job of the coaches! I believe the media leaked the Kovalev story with 1 intent: To push Kovalev out of this city for good. Last year they went after Koivu. I’m sure you all remember the question asked him during the heat of the playoffs: “Why don’t you learn french”? What does learning french have to do with playing hockey? He was smart not to reply. Maybe it’s only a few francophone hot shot reporters that are trying to stir up trouble, but in the process, they’re killing this franchise! I wouldn’t blame Gainey if he throws in the towel, and says he’s had enough! Maybe Carbo doesn’t like europeans, but he knew exactly what he was getting into, when he accepted a position as head coach. It’s not like he was forced to take the job. So, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!
March 8, 2007 pm31 12:55 pm
I see that comments are being deleted now.
Habs Blog why delete the comments when you can delete the person saying that ****?
March 8, 2007 pm31 1:10 pm
R habs 4 real no doubt this BS would be in the news and winning does cure all.
Yes, they had the french Media in 60’s and 70’s but the teams make-up was Canadien and there was not an abundance of Non-North American players. Not only on this team but the league. We look back and ask what has changed since that period and you see a more diverse player make-up. It easy to say that is what is wrong with this team… Not enough Canadiens, but the truth is all teams have diversity.
The Media that blame the Russians and Euros in my oppinion are wrong. The team has played bad not just non French players, so do not single nationalities out.
Noone wants to wait for this young team to mature is the problem. Hell nor do I, but thinking we should be like Pittsburg blessed with a phenoms Crosby, Malkin, and Stall that our talent should be at this level. Nobody remebers there team sucked for a while and got lucky having 2 top picks because of the Lockout year and a choice lottery selection…
March 8, 2007 pm31 1:31 pm
Don’t worry boys. It all will be forgotten tonight. When the Habs sweeeeeeep Atlanta for the third year in a row…………
There will be no more sadness………..
There will be no more tears………….
Only tears of joy……………
We will all be happy come spring boys, when our Habs are facing Buffalo in round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
March 8, 2007 pm31 2:30 pm
Lets get back to what the moderator was trying to say. Can Halak save us?
More like when Price is ready will he face the same lack of defense that now faces Halak.
Eventually if we don’t protect our goalie, he will end up going out on a stretcher. That is how bad the lack of a defense is in Montreal.
Quick point is this. Until Bouillon and Dandenault decide to use their body to push and check players away and out of the goalie zone, the world’s best goalie couldn’t stop the rushes that face Montreal with our defense the way it is.
Supposedly Gainey hired Carbo cause Carbo is a great defense specialist or something, same with Muller and Jarvis. If they are, we sure as heck don’t see it, the only place is on the power play, that is about it.
My point is this: Gainey picked some pretty lousy offense and defense players. Carbo set up one of the leagues best power plays, both short handed and power play period. Unfortunately the constant line changes, lack of use of rookies, has all but shown there is a lot lacking in Montreal’s coaching and GM staff.
Why blame the players, all they do is play the best they can. If they can only score ten goals a year before they came to Montreal it doesn’t mean they are gonna score more.
So that begs the question. Why did we hire Walmart to set up a team? We pay them outrageous prices for major hockey skill, and all we get is something less than farm team quality.
March 8, 2007 pm31 2:36 pm
Well Joshtm that is more like it brother. Now you are talking sense. You have a real good point and I agree with you 100%.
Maybe I misjudged you Dude.
March 8, 2007 pm31 3:03 pm
Totally agree, no Goalie is good enough to be defense and Goal. If we all remember the dynasty years, the habs were very much like the Devils of Today, except they had a few more solid goal scorers than the Devils do. The Devils have the strongest defense followed by one of the stronger Goalies in the league, hence the hatred towards playing them from other teams.
Now don’t get me wrong I love watching Souray Bury the puck from the blue line but, Its hard to play a strong defensive game when your coach wants you to be an Offensive defencemen. And our Defencmen are horrible, Souray wouldn’t look so bad with a solid set of defencemen that are defensive.
March 8, 2007 pm31 3:47 pm
Further to posts 23 and 39:
Call in the psychologists to deal with the post Stress disorder because it’s official, the entire city on Montreal has lost their minds!
The French media are on the loose, and doing their best impressions of Woodward and Bernstein in the Watergate scandal. Publishing private phone conversations that occured between Brian Burke and Bob Gainey. As well, as interviews that alledgedly occured in Russia that cannot even be found. Is this hockey or the Gulf War? Some people can no longer tell the difference.
Who cares what Kovalev said or didn’t say. I agree with others that the French press are doing major damage to Montreal’s reputation, and people in other cities are laughing. There is only one sports journalist worth listening to these days: Red Fischer — “Get it first, but first, get it right!”
The Canadiens should adopt a policy of absolutely no media access– NONE! Adopt the same policy of Nolan Ryan and Tug McGraw! Outside of the required, post-game press conferences where things like “we have to give 110%!” should be said, no Canadiens’ player should be allowed to so much as breathe in the direction of any journalist (either in this country or any other.)
Punishment for any player who transgresses the media ban should be the hardest community service that the Montreal organization is able to dish out. Maybe a few days serving drunks and addicts in a soup kitchen or volunteering on a pediatric, palliative care ward where kids are dying with cancer would straighten these prima donnas out, and give them a taste or reality.
It’s called hockey, people. These people are not paid to think or talk! Show us what you can do on the ice, and otherwise, save your speeches for the locker room behind closed doors!
March 8, 2007 pm31 3:56 pm
I agree Rob 100%………….
March 8, 2007 pm31 4:41 pm
@ 26 Kovalev
in reference to my post #23
I can guarantee you that 99% of the people on this blog agree with my assessment..It’s one of the main reasons that Shanahan didn’t want to come here amongst MANY others that we don’t even know about!
Now before you go and write things… maybe you should THINK about what it is your going to write, before you attempt at half heartedly trying to put someone’s point of view down!!
You say that the reason these players play professional sports is for the ca$h and the Hunnys fine I grant you that… there are probably a fair share of players who’s motivation is probably the CASH..The hunnys just happen to Follow…And I’m sure there are some that actually love the game..But would obviouslt do other things if it wasn’t financially viable!
But all that being said…and back to my point…THIS IS HOCKEY!!! AND IF THEY DON’T WANT THE NEGATIVE MEDIA / FAN ATTENTION…WEL THEY HAVE ABOUT 26 OF 30 N.H.L. TEAMS THEY CAN GO AND PLAY FOR WITHOUT ALL THE OTHER GARBAGE THAT COMES WITH BEING A oh for arguments sake…MONTREAL CANADIEN!!!
WAKE UP! AND SMELL WHAT YOUR SHOVELING!!!
It’s not like their MOVIE STARS whaen their playing hockey in NASHVILLE or COLORADO..These guys get all the benefit’s of fortune and popularity without all the Bullshit that you would have to contend with in Toronto or especially MONTREAL…And all that coupled with the fact that 50% of their salary is taxed at the Quebec tax level about 50% in their braket…So sure let’s package all this **** on top of the media circus and see if we can’t run out and get Jokinen or Shanahan…No we’ll end up getting a Samsonov at 3.5 million…who wants out after his first 20 games!!!
Think next time BEFORE writing!
GO HABS GO!!
March 8, 2007 pm31 4:57 pm
Rob ,do you really want a team with no personality , a la Bobby Bonds ? Pro sports is all about entertaining their respective fans and there’s nothing entertaining about missing the playoffs, especially when it’s a storied franchise such as the Montreal Canadiens. Lets suppose this was a relationship problem and you didn’t want to talk or deal with it,guess what happens ,first your spouse becomes unhappy ,then frustrated ,then indifferent and finally a messy divorce. Is that your spouses fault,hell no ! Fans of the HABS have a different kind of relationship with their team but are suffering the same frustrations and as coach Carbo say’s it’s the players who are responsible. Fans are only guilty of loving their team and by locking them out would only make matters worse. And to blame the rookies ,well talk about passing the buck,their the only ones keeping it interesting at this point.The truth hurts and the truth is most of the veterans on the Habs are useless ,way overpaid ,prima donnas who are getting their just deserts and too bad if they don’t like the heat ,you make your bed you get to lay in it!2FB. Plus ,it’s their lack of effort that’s not only destroyed this team,it has destroyed their careers!
March 8, 2007 pm31 7:46 pm
Xhabsfan:
Media circuses have killed the Canadiens this year!
#1 First, there was the Latendresse hype before he even potted a single goal or assist in the NHL, and the chants of Gui-Gui-Gui. No one must have told Latendresse because based on his mediocre play, he forgot to show up for the “Mission accomplished” press conference on this one!
#2 Samsanov whines to the media that he wants off the team! Game # 20 roughly.
#3 Gainey’s family tragedy. This was a tragic but legitimate real life event that had to be covered by the media.
#4 Samsanov whines more that we wants to get off the team! Close the doors, and have your fricken’ conversations in private, people.
#5 Aaron Downey goes in front of the camera, and reports that he (and not Sidney Crosby) has the secret on how to be the best hockey player in the world or at least, in Haamilton.
#6 Sheldon Souray trade watch, and why didn’t Gainey buy or sell.
#7 French media start sorting through Gainey’s private phone conversations to other GMs to further second guess him.
#8 French media start accusing Kovalev of giving interviews in Russia that no one can find.
Media ban time!
March 8, 2007 pm31 7:59 pm
Rob ,what’s the numbers on the jersey’s the media are wearing in tonight’s game for the Habs? All I see is the same useless veterans doing nothing, maybe they can score 5 on 2 ! Come on Rob get real , when it smells like poo and it looks like poo ,its poo !
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:07 pm
PULL THE KID CARBO AND SAVE HIS CAREER ,MAN~!
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:08 pm
Guys, I made a big mistake tonight! I turned on the tv to watch the game.
It’s now 4-0 and counting. the rout is on! I have a prediction: THE HABS WON’T WIN ANOTHER GAME THE REST OF THE SEASON!!!!!!
I hope Atlanta wins 10-0 tonight!
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:11 pm
HABS ARE A JUNIOR B TEAM, AT BEST! LET THE HAMILTON TEAM PLAY THE REST OF THE SEASON! THEN MAYBE THEIR REMAINING RECORD WOULD BE 1-12.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:20 pm
HABS.OMG.. CARBO U SUCK… holy ****.. 6-0.. is Halak realy the BEST u COULD DO???… going into trade deadline… you knew … you knew Huet was GONE FOR THE SEASON… and the best the habs could do on trade..DEADLINE WAS GEORGES??? GIVING UP A HUGE PLAYER IN RIVET.. FOR A NONAME WHO IS NOW IN THE MINORS????.. OMFG… thank god latendresse scored… now i fell 1/6th better… STILL.. HABE NEED TO GET ACTIVE IN TRADE DEADLINES… IM SICK AND TIRED OF WATCHING THE HABS LOSE NIGHT “IN AND NIght OUT… I MEAN C’MON… GANIEY AND CARBONNEAU SHOULD HAVE FIGURED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN PLEKANEC IS YOUR BEST PLAYER ON YOUR TEAM… HABS NEED TO WIN….NEED TO WIN! … THAT WAS a rant… i feel better..
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:20 pm
Wow Rob ,so insightful ,the press really sucks tonite ,anybody seen reporter Kovalev at4.5 million ,or reporter Samsonov at 3 million,or any of the high priced press? Ah look a rookie at minimum wage scored,you guys should re-evaluate your thought’s,your not reading very smart.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:27 pm
ROB i know what ur saying… but THATS STILL NO EXCUSE FOR THE HABS BEING DOWN BY 5 ON A NIGHT WERE THEY HAVE TO WIN…. IF THEY CANT BEST SAINT LOUIS ON SAT…. WE F*()(**9#$#^ SUCK.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:33 pm
Wow, great to see the habs step up their effort in such a big game.
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:43 pm
Carbo is shaking his head. He can’t believe how horrible his team is. But I guess he’s saying to himself:” PLEASE LET THE SEASON END, PLEASE!”
I think Muller and Jarvis are embarrassed to be coaches for this Junior B team.
They probably feel like the fans,:DISGUSTED AND ASHAMED TO BE A HABS FAN!
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:45 pm
Who’s glad Halak is in net instead of me now?
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:46 pm
This team is a disgrace to the organization…
March 8, 2007 pm31 8:50 pm
I wonder what excuses the players will give for this loss.: “WE HAD TOO MUCH TIME OFF AND WE’RE STALE. WE HAD TOO MUCH TIME TO PREPARE!”It’s probably the same old tired excuses! Too bad, because they really could have gained ground tonight, IF ONLY THE TEAM HAD SHOWN UP,AND PUT SOME EFFORT IN THEIR GAME!
I wish the Atlanta players would coax each and every hab into a fight, and beat the habs’ heads to a pulp! WAKE UP, YOU PATHETIC FUC@#$%^EN PIECES OF USELESS MANURE!
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:00 pm
Thank you Bob for getting me off of that sinking ship. I appreciate it enough to consider re-signing in the summer. Of course I won’t because it’s a sinking ship but thanks for the get out of jail free card.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:15 pm
Hey Craig, what did you say to get out of here? I am stuck! THESE GUYS SUCK! Sure, I only have a big shot but everyone wants to play with good players and I am not getting that here. I am going to have to sign in Anaheim this summer.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:16 pm
Man, this is embarassing…. This team has no self-confidence. There better be some major changes made from the putting green this summer or we could end up the laughing stock of the league a-la-Flyers…
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:21 pm
The Flyers are going to have a great team next year ,young and big with talent. Habs on the other hand could not give away their best players so,they are screwed.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:26 pm
Like I said before,and I’ve been a Habs fan for over 40 years,this is the worst Canadiens team I have ever witnessed.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:26 pm
They might as well have forfeited this game, they were a bunch of no-shows tonight. Its pretty sad to see that not one player seems to care about making the playoffs. They all believe their season’s over and they’ve given up.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:30 pm
I’d love to see the fruit basket Hartley is going to send Carbo for helping them secure first in the south east.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:35 pm
Since the team has given up, how do they expect the fans(or what’s left fans), to care? And the sad thing is, PHILADELPHIA WILL BE BETTER THAN US NEXT YEAR!
They can sign UFA’S and we can’t. Next year we’ll finish in 15th place! You’ll see. Gainey sent the team a message at trade deadline: “we’re not good enough to make the playoffs, therefore I won’t get the team any help”. So they figured, if Gainey has given up hope for us, we might as well not play the rest of the season!
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:43 pm
Philly will be better if nothing changes. Gainey’s got to do something, this team is obviously not going to cut it. Sadly, I have a feeling nothing will change, and R habs 4 real may prove to be correct when they drop the puck in the fall.
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:57 pm
I’ve watched this team for 40 years, and this is, by far, the WORST team I have ever seen! They are just a sorry excuse for a hockey team!
I certainly hope fans boycott the rest of their home games, because they don’t deserve any support! I want to see a half full bell centre! FANS, SEND THIS TEAM YOUR MESSAGE! YOU’RE FED UP, AND YOU’RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THIS BEHAVIOR ANYMORE!!!
March 8, 2007 pm31 9:59 pm
It’s contract buyout time Bob Gainey,see ya Kovalev and Samsonov ,enjoy the rest of your careers in Europe,you have only yourselves too blame.Just got replaced by young french guy’s ,lol.
March 8, 2007 pm31 10:24 pm
Well guys I got egg on my face. I predicted a huge win for Montreal tonight. Boy was I wrong.
As much as I hate to say it “our season is over for sure now”. What else can I say but I agree with what one person said in here before. This is rigged. How can a team go from great to piss poor? Was it a fluke that they won before X-mas? NO. These players are throwing these games. You can see it. They are just giving up the puck for no reason. It is a complete and utter disgrace. I have never been so ashamed to be a Habs fan. If the Fans in Montreal had any guts they would not go to another game this season. The fans should bycot the bell centre. They should picket were the players enter the Bell Centre and show them that they are pissed and this team is a disgrace.
March 8, 2007 pm31 10:35 pm