My problem with the surplus of talent is that some may take their spot for granted and not show up every night. Whereas a rookie or someone fighting for a roster spot will have that little extra motivation.

Either way, our team appears to be set and by the trade deadline, need be, we can be that much better.

PS. Don’t break up the akost-pleks-kovy line!

I know many do not want to breakup the akost-pleks-kovy line, but there is some rational to doing it. Firstly, early in the season Carbo will look for different line combinations and Land had his most successful season when he centred Kovalev’s line in Pittsburg. So I would like to see if that chemistry still exists.

Secondly, Land had as many points a koivu did last year playing as a third line centre, plus he had 20 goals. So if the chemistry works then Lang is my number # centreman.

Thirdly, Koivu has never been a centreman who could score and Land has so Koivu is my number 3 centreman.

I disagree with the idea that all three lines should get the same icetime. If you have players on the team that can score 30+ goals a season then they should be getting the extra icetime. Also it has been a proven fact that your stars need more icetime to be productive and stay in the flow of the game. I see my first two lines getting 21-25 minutes a game whereas my third and fourth lines are going to get 12-15 minutes. Lang, tanguay and Kovalev as my #1 line and I would

Because of this I would have see who fits best on the RW with A Kost and Plekanec either Sergi or Higgins. That still give us a solid third line regarless of who Koivu is centering.

This is the most exited that I’ve been at this time of year in my 22 years as a Habs fan.

Youth, Experience, Skill.

Playoff Goaltending might be up in the air!

Senet1
September 15th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
So here is how I see our lines:
Tanguay, Lang, Kovalev
A. Kost, Plekanec, S. Kost. (this line may need more muscle at times)
Higgins, Koivu, Latendress (Chipchura)
Begin, Lappierre, Laraque (Kostopoulos)

I’m sorry but I think this is way off. I don’t think one of those lines will happen. Begin will not be on the team to start the season. That spot is between him and Kostopolous, and the latter has way more heart and tenacity. Lang will only be 1st or 3rd line, but why wuold they impede the progress of Pleks & Andrei Kostitsyn? That line will stay intact. The 2nd line WILL be Tanguay, Koivu, Higgins. It’s a perfect fit for all those guys. They all have speed, Koivu is a set up man, Higgins more of a finisher, Tanguay a balance of both. 3rd line Lats-Lang-S. Kost this line is also a good mix of different talents as I mentioned in the other thread. As for your 30+ goals theory, the only 30+ goal guys will be the PP1 guys (line 1) when I said equal ice time I meant 5-on-5 ice time will be close to equal between the 3 (within 2 min. avg) Take a few minutes from lines 1,2,&4 give them to line 3 and there ya go.

P.S. Lang was not 3rd line in Chicago….the Dobber article meant he would be 3rd line in Montreal. He played 2nd line mostly, 1st when Toews was hurt.

Alais you could be right personally I think any of yours or my line combinations will serve the team well. However, Langs stats do no lie and if he can find the chemistry with Kovalev, then that would be even better.

I do not think moving higgins or sergie on Plekanec’s line will cause him any problems in his development in fact it could help because he will have to take more of a leadership roll whereas when Kovalev was on his line he took a back seat to Kovy in that department. sergi gives the line a little grit and they still have speed. Kovy is not going to be around forever and these three could make up one of the best lines in the league for quite a few years. Besides, the two Kost brothers seem to play well together every time that were put on the ice together last year.

Bottom Line we can make two real powerful offensive lines and a third line that is better than 95% in the league. Our fourth line is a good energy line and can take care of business. Our defence is one year older and more mature, still wish we could have added a strong defensive defenceman to the group, someone who could be here for say three years while our younger players develop.

Anyway I am sure that Carbo will try many different line combinations, that is what the Canadiens have always done, so I think you will see various combinations so each of our top 9 forwards get a change to play with different players, come playoff time we will be prepared.

you keep comparing Lang to Koivu, but I never said Koivu should be #1 center….its between Lang & Plekanec. Remember Lang is 38 years old….how many players have productive seasons at 38? Productive for him being 65-70 points. The only players I can think of having solid seasons at this age are among the likes of Sakic(100pts at 38), Gretzky (90pts at 37), Lemieux(91pts at 38) and those were not one of the top 5 seasons for those players. Lang is not near that calibre of player and a 70 pt season would be Lang’s 2nd best season ever. The chances of him hitting those numbers are slim.

Well I compare Lang to Koivu because I think he is the big centreman that we need to go up against the other top centers in the league, Koivu has proven that he cannot compete in the faceoff circle with these big centerman and hopefully Lang can. Also if you put Kovalev and Tanguay on his line I would be very surprised if he does not get 70 points. Even Koivu would get 70 points with those two guys, however, Lang will score more goals and he will give us a better defense that Koivu will. That is why I have him in my top two centers and that is why I am comparing him to Koivu. And let’s face it Koivu is no spring chicken either.

Anybody know what Schneider’s salary is, because if we pick him up we at stuck with his salary arn’t we?

I like the fact that we have extra depth for the fourth line but I would like to see chipchura, Stewart get a crack at the lineup this year. If we cannot find a defensive defenseman then I would like to see at least two of our young defenseman given a chance this year.

Personally, I would like to see one of our fifth.sixth defenseman traded sometime this fall along with two of our extra fourth line forwards to make room for some of these young guys.

Your right about schneider, although his salary may hurt him from getting snapped up. Not too many times interested in paying 5.6M for his age, how many years left on his contract?

He could be that steadying force that we need for our defense and could mentor one of our young guns on the blueline. Too bad his salary is so high.

remember LA is barely at the cap floor, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him land there, they could really use someone to fill in Blake’s spot

Habknot, your right it is all guess work, we all have our own ideas about how everything will fit into place. Bottom line is Montreal has always mixed up their lines so I expect we will see a number of different combinations over the season. I also agree with you about Latendresse, I think is is improving but I would like to see him sent down while he we can since I believe he can only play 8 more games before he has to clear waivers.

In Schneiders situation, once he clears waivers, are you not on the hook for only half his salary on re-entry waivers (meaning when he gets called back up by Anaheim. Anaheim, I believe is on the hook for the other half. However, the teams with the fewest points last year have first crack at him ,so I don’t think Montreal would have any chance of getting him at half his salary. I think thats the way it works (correct me if I am wrong).

either that or when he clears waivers Anaheim still owns his rights and can trade him (but at 1/2 his salary) Either way ANA is onteh hook for 1/2 his salary which is why I think nobody claimed him, nobody wants to aid Burke

if he has a 1-way contract i dont think they can send him to the minors, and the window to buy him out has passed.

I like what they have done in the Off Season. Deciding nto to take Mats was a great call. Mats isn’t a guy that we would want in Montreal.

habs 4 me - remember if we happen to get schneider our cap hit would be 1/2 of 5.6 mil which we easily would be able to work out Also, tough to see any rookies making the squad. Unless we totally shake up our defense or are plagued with injuries Valentenko & Weber should stay in Hamiton almost all year.

I waited 3 hours to try to get two tickets for Montreal- Anaheim on October 25. My wife and I are travelling to Montreal from Nova Scotia for our wedding anniversary on that weekend. I had no luck as I had to leave work to pick my son up at school. Does anyone know if I would have luck outside the Bell Centre on game day?

Jaker1, there will be tickets available. Normally Anaheim wouldn’t be that big a draw; but they have some bruisers on that team and I think fans will want to see Parros/Laraque etc..
Plus, if we’re 5-0 or 6-0, you will pay dearly for those seats.

Good Luck!

I really believe that the acquisition of Robert Lang is one
of Gainey’s great move, he will build us a team again and
players like Latendresse who don’t put out every night should be sent to the minors or traded. Montreal is a team
that has speed and talent and Latendresse is dogging it just
like John LeClair used to do it and look where he ended up.

hey Jean-Guy yeah LeClair ended up in Philly and came back to haunt us…and had a pretty solid career just incase you forget here are his stats
- -
2003-04 Philadelphia NHL 75 23 32 55 +20 51 182 12.64
2002-03 Philadelphia NHL 35 18 10 28 +10 16 99 18.18
2001-02 Philadelphia NHL 82 25 26 51 +5 30 220 11.36
2001-02 Team USA Olympic 6 6 1 7 +2 4 18 33.33
2000-01 Philadelphia NHL 16 7 5 12 +2 0 48 14.58
1999-00 Philadelphia NHL 82 40 37 77 +8 36 249 16.06
1998-99 Philadelphia NHL 76 43 47 90 +36 30 246 17.48
1997-98 Philadelphia NHL 82 51 36 87 +30 32 303 16.83
1997-98 Team USA Olympic 4 0 1 1 - 0 - -
1996-97 Philadelphia NHL 82 50 47 97 +44 58 324 15.43
1995-96 Philadelphia NHL 82 51 46 97 +21 64 270 18.89

Jean-Marc
September 17th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Chantal Peticlerc the Olympian with 5 gold medals at the Pekin Olympic should be honoured on opening night at the forum.

Yes or No

First off, where is Pekin? And second, I hope she doesn’t show up at the Forum, she’ll be quite lonely.

Higgins-Koivu-Tanguay(then the all around great line.)
A.Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev(Crazy speedy line)
Latendresse-Lang-S.Kostitsyn(defensive line to put out.
Kostopoulos-Lapierre-Laraque(energy line)

Markov Komisarek
Hamrlik O’Byrne
Gorges Boullion

goalies Price and Denis, I say that becaue Halak can develop better in the AHL where he can play all season.

You want Denis in becuase he is 31 and from Quebec? Do I need to point out his stats to you? Last 3 NHL seasons his best GAA was 3.19. Only once in the last 7 years has his GAA been under 3. I think you’re overvaluing Denis and undervaluing Halak a lot. #1 goalie in the AHL last year, he is 12-7 with the Habs, and had he played instead of Huet that last game we would have made the playoffs 2 years ago. This kid is not your average 23 year old netminder. He could step up into a #1 NHL job tomorrow if need be. He is more advanced mentally than most ‘tenders his age. What does he have to accomplish in the AHL? Putting him there will not help him progress at all. The progression he needs is more NHL experience. Denis is in Hamilton so he can get his confidence back after Tortorella shattered it. Halak will play 20-25 games this year and if not by the trade deadline, before next season begins he will be traded. Denis is our long-term back up WHEN Price is able to handle 70+games and IF Denis proves he can still play in the NHL. He is in the right environment now, let’s just hope he thrives.

Heard somewhere that Carbo confirmed he will not break up the top line of ak46, pleks, ak27. I’ll post a link when/if I find one.

Alias, I agree with you in regard to Denis, he starts in Hamilton, and Halak I think you would break his spirit if you sent him down at the start of the season. I would not be surprised that if Price has a bad string he may get sent down so you could see a goalie movement in and out of Hamilton all season. Depending who is hot and who is not. Also I am not sure but if Denis is brought up to the big club then if he was sent down I think he would have to clear waivers? Anyone know for sure?

I also agree with Halak will probably be traded within two years if Price become as good as we all think he will. But I also think that Denis is here for only short term too.

Stole this from another website….

Any player who has played three seasons since signing his first NHL contract or has played 180 NHL games must clear waivers before he is assigned to a minor league affiliate.

Another one:
All players on entry-level deals are on two-way contracts and are EXEMPT from waivers, they can be called up and down as much as the team wants

So we can send Halak up/down all we want this year.

Habknot, just wondering if you want to reduce Koivu’s icetime,then how can we play him on a line with guys who should have more icetime such as Tanguay and Higgins. I agree with you that he needs reduced icetime but the only way you are going to accomplish that is to have him centre the third line? I do not think you can take him off the second PP unit his offensive passing is really needed and he can act as the fourth forward on the PP as well. So I do not know how we reduce his icetime if he centers the first or second line? What were your thought on this idea?

This is getting fun! Alias you are bang on about Denis/Halak. Denis was signed for Hamilton and just in case. i.e. just in case Detroit offers us Zetteburg for Halak

I’ll repeat my lines
AKot Plek AK27
Tang Saku SKot
Lats Lang Higgs [if Lats is up to it]
Begin Lapierre Laraque [this is one spot a rookie can crash in, Begin 's spot]

Senet: I reduce Koivu’s icetime by playing that 4th line alot [especially on the road], say 10-12 minutes. The big line [that's still Plek's until someone figures how to stop them] 15-20 mins. Split the rest between lines 2 and 3, with Lang’s line getting more ‘away’ icetime and more work against the other teams’ power forwards. On the power play, bring Lang up to line 2 and Koivu on point for 2nd unit]

And remeber, Carbo will have a press box full of VETERANS, waiting for a chance and understanding their roles when they get in.

However it looks; it looks good!

Senet1
September 19th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Alias I realize we can send Halak and Price up and down I was talking about Denis. Does he not have to clear waivers if we bring him up and then send him down?

He was signed to a 2-way deal so yes, he can come up/down as we please. Also, even if he didn’t sign a 2-way contract he can come up/down if there is an injury to Price or Halak like what happened last year in Pittsburgh with Conklin. He was in the minors but came up when Fleury was hurt without having to clear waivers. Once Fleury was back he went back down and if they brought him up/down again he would have had to go through waivers.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=367754&page=NewsPage&service=page

don`t get me wrong I love Sergi, but if he goes on too Koivu line along with Tanguay….who will put the puck in the net? all 3 of them are playmakers, I don`t see Sergi hitting that line. Higgins will be guy they set up

I magine if we stacked! Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev!
Powerplay= LW Lang C Koivu RW Tanguay
D Markov Kovalev

I WAS UP LAST NOV , FOR A GAME ….
UNDER THE TABLE TICKETS WERE NOT A PROBLIM OUTSIDE THE BELL CTR,
GOOD LUCK

I’m getting really excited about the habs this year. And next year all those young prospects like Valentenko, Yemelin, Pacioretty, Webber, will make the team. I say that because I really can’t see Koivu coming back, especially not at 5.75 mil, and if he only scores 15 goals, like last season. I honestly think he should step aside so the young guys can have their chances. As far as Kovalev goes, it all depends on the type of season he has. If it’s like last year, resign him, otherwise look for a younger harder working forward. So that’s my 2 cents on my habs. Go Habs! win that cup this year and make us proud.
It’s good to be a habs fan.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=382731

Latendresse’s linemates weren’t the only reason he caught people’s attention; the excellent physical form of the third-year winger had many talking. After working hard this summer at improving his skating and dropping some pounds, Latendresse is happy with the progress he’s made and even drew praise from Habs strength and conditioning coordinator Scott Livingston after the physicals on Friday.

“I want to take control of my career and that’s why I worked so hard this summer,” said the 21-year-old, who couldn’t be happier to have older brother Olivier with him at training camp. “Before, it would take me awhile to recover after a session like this. Now, I come off the ice and I still have lots of energy.”

considering the fact that the habs were pounded 8-3, better that you weren’t able to listen to the game.

Well I did not see the game but it sounds like we sent half a team and a bunch of rookies. Can’t take these first five or so preseason games too serious. Some of the minor leaguers will probably be going to Hamilton soon.

If you’re talking about Bernier on LA then no, he was placed in the minors so he wouldn’t get shelled every day and lose his confidence. They’ll bring Bernier up a bit this year, but he will most likely stay in Manchester for the majority of the year. In the Pittsburgh case Conklin came up and played better than the original back-up Sabourin. If they sent Sabourin down he would have had to clear waivers, if they sent Conks down immediately he would not have to clear, if they waited and sent Conks down after Fleury had played he would have had to clear. Here’s an article from January….

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08006/846913-61.stm

The Penguins summoned goalie Ty Conklin from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre on emergency recall when Marc-Andre Fleury got a high ankle sprain a month ago.

He was brought up with the idea that he would serve as Dany Sabourin’s backup, and would return to the Baby Penguins — per emergency-recall regulations — the moment Fleury went back on active duty.

Simple, standard stuff.

Conklin, though, has complicated things considerably by playing so well — he had won six starts in a row before facing Florida yesterday — and if that doesn’t change, management will face some difficult decisions when Fleury is ready to resume playing. The options include:

1) Keeping three goalies, an arrangement that almost never works out to everyone’s satisfaction, for the balance of the season. That would tie up one more roster spot than usually is set aside for goalies, at least until after the 23-man limit is discarded when the Feb. 26 trade deadline passes.

2) Keeping Conklin on the NHL roster for the rest of the season but sending Sabourin to Wilkes-Barre, which would entail Sabourin going through waivers.

3) Returning Conklin to the Baby Penguins before, or at the same time, Fleury is activated, which would not require Conklin to be put on waivers.

4) Assigning Conklin to Wilkes-Barre sometime after Fleury returns, in which case Conklin would have to go on waivers.

The Penguins are allowed to keep Conklin on the NHL roster when Fleury returns even though he didn’t clear waivers on the way up (that’s the point of an emergency recall) because he is exempt from the re-entry waivers that apply to most veteran players promoted from the American Hockey League. (Conklin did have to clear waivers when the Penguins demoted him before the season started.)

Conklin qualified for that exemption because he has a two-way contract in which his minor-league salary of $100,000 is at the threshold of eligibility for the exemption. That same provision covers defenseman Alain Nasreddine, who currently is in Wilkes-Barre.