Back to work.

The Habs lace em up tonight in Tronna in what should be a great return to action after the All-Star break.

The Canadiens were desperate heading into the two final games before the break after having their worst slump of the year. They pulled off two huge wins against strong teams in Atlanta and Buffalo and most of that slump is forgotten.

Which team will show up tonight? The same team that beats Division leaders or the team that struggled so badly in January?

The Christmas break preceded the Canadiens slump, hopefully the All-Star break won’t breed similar results.

The Leafs always raise their game when playing the Canadiens and tonight should be another interesting matchup.

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104 Comments

#1 Izzy says:
January 29, 2007 at 8:37 am

Guys,

I dont know how much you respect Red Fishers opinion, but I always have. Heres a copy of an email I got from him this am…..oh…soryy about the queen liz thing…lol…couldnt resist.

From : Fisher, Red (Montreal Gazette)
Sent : January 28, 2007 11:14:14 PM
To : “Marc True”
Subject : RE: has Carbonneau lost this team?

| | | Inbox

Carbo hasn’t lost this team. He’s simply not getting te production he needs from people like Kovalev and Samsonov. Before the season began, I thought this team would finish No. 8 in the East, and right now they’re No. 5. So hang in there.

As for Burns, he won’t be looking for work any time soon.

———-
From: Marc True
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 6:27 PM
To: Fisher, Red (Montreal Gazette)
Subject: has Carbonneau lost this team?

Red,

I have enjoyed you work for over 30 years and respect your opinion. I have
not missed a habs game in at least 20 years and have never in that stretch
seen a team that just didnt care if they lost to the leafs on a saturday
night until this year. I know and ( certainly ) you know that this team has
decent talent and could ride that wave, maybe into the second round of the
playoffs if they just had a little heart and desire.
It seems to me that the players on this team do not fear any figure of
authority ( repect) and possibly have no pride on many given nights wearing
our storied jersey.
December 23rd, in Boston….that was our d day. Something happened Red.
There is more to the eye than the obvious here and I cant put my finger on
it, BUT I have at many different levels of hockey seen exactly this when a
coach has lost his team.
If Guy has lost them, they’re already gone Red and NOT coming back anytime
soon and IF he has lost them, there arent enough Forsbergs in the world to
bring them back.

um…..I hear Pat Burns might soon be looking for work?….that guy could
make a freight train take a dirt road.

thoughts?

in Fredericton

Marc True

#2 coutNY_HabsFan says:
January 29, 2007 at 11:10 am

Wow, forget Carbo losing the team, I think we’ve almost lost the blog. I took a break this weekend because my frustrations were getting the better part of me. The team looked flat Saturday and in a time where the habs needed a win with Buffalo losing and Senators winning, they were to say the least, disappointing. It is a matter of pride, so when we lose our frustrations mount and the finger pointing begins.

I think there is a cancer and it starts with us. We (as general fans) constantly questioning the organization, players, and each other eventually filters to the media and back to the organization. It seems we are constantly trying to drive wedges between people, with a fixation on the negatives, feeding this evil cancer to spread. When things were going good, like Carbo before the Christmas break was a coach of the year candidate, now there are some that have already written him off as a colossal failure. It seems there was a point that we’ve turned into junkies and the only “fix” is a quick win to satisfy these cravings. Not bad if we’re winning, so then we can keep our high, but don’t dare lose because no one wants to be around when a angry crack-head is looking for there next fix.

I hate to lose as much as the next guy and some losses sting more than others. At times I have harbored fears of a Habs downward spiral (usually immediately after a loss) but I do not state these fears as fact. I do NOT call out that players are terrible and that it is fact, because he had a turnover that lead to a goal or missed a wide-open shot. We should focus more on what has worked for us to make us more successful.

The season is not over, there is talent on this team, and we have beaten some of the top teams in the NHL. This is a team sport and when Montreal has come together as a team they have been unstoppable.

Go Habs Go!

#3 Izzy says:
January 29, 2007 at 11:32 am

the blog is fine coutNY…..as a matter of fact posting is actually up and thats what the blog is all about, whether or not we agree with everything that is said or what trend becomes apparant in our eyes.
I know a lot of my posts have been off the wall recently also, but I guess its my only way to try & get through this gauntlet with a smile and a laugh.Hopefully they made someone else smile too. Hockey is just a freaking game, and although I keep it #1 in my television viewing priorities, it comes dead last after family, work, golf, a beer,my great looking wife,my cars,snow removal and making sure there’s enough batteries in the house ( dont ask ).
Everyone here loves the habs, and each of them shows it in the only way they know how.Unfortunately for some it comes in the cloak of anger.For me…its time to laugh it off.

izzy…

#4 coutNY_HabsFan says:
January 29, 2007 at 1:03 pm

Izzy, True about the posting being up… although, it seems at times to be tied up with postings that would make a day time soap opera proud. Entertaining for a while but loses its luster. I know there are a bunch “feel good hab’s fans” are waiting in the wings when the habs win a few changing the talk to Cup runs and playoff expectations and I know there are negative-Nah-sayer’s lurking in the wings waiting say “I told you so” when they lose… and on any given day things will change!

We were bound to lose one, and this particular loss was not a good hard fought fight, but I do not think the team deserves to be constantly classified losers… maybe if we had a record as bad as Flyers or Chicago, but 5th in the East??? We are better position than last year, meaning we have improved… No I am not satisfied with the just improving, but last year we gave the reigning Cup holders some of there worst loses and best hard fought games in the playoffs. And Yes this means nothing now, but either will this loss come playoff time when the Leafs are playing gulf somewhere!

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Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
Avatar37 : «link»
Avatar37 : go.
Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
Avatar37 : «link»
Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).