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Habs in 2007

  • Happy New Year.

    The question Habs fans are wondering is will the 2007 portion of the season be as good as their 2006?

    The Canadiens will hope to start off on the right foot after definitely ending it on the wrong one.

    The last Friday/Saturday games in Florida were by far the most painful and difficult to watch and the worst effort the team has put forth thus far.

    The Canadiens did not look like the Canadiens have looked all year.

    Can they bounce back and avoid the longest losing streak to date? The Habs have not lost three consecutive games all season long and will want to avoid that slippery slope.

    The fact is even good teams go through losing streaks.

    The Habs are a confident bunch after their strong start and you’d think they’ll dig their way out of their slump sooner rather than later.

    The fact that a two game losing streak is causing alarm is actually quite humorous considering the past decade of Canadiens hockey.

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  1. #1 stevejur says:
    January 3, 2007 at 11:44 pm

    QUESTION:

    I have thought about this long and hard and I still don’t know if I would do it.

    CAREY PRICE , NIINIMMA, SAMSONOV
    for VINCENT LECALVIER

    Would you make this trade?

  2. #2 Jack Tornton says:
    January 3, 2007 at 11:45 pm

    I would, but Tampa Bay would never trade Vincent Lecavalier.

  3. #3 coutNY_HabsFan says:
    January 4, 2007 at 12:35 am

    I don’t think we could trade Nimmi and Sammy for draft picks at this point. Most teams are in the hunt for a Big D-man or trying to make Cap reductions, these guys do not fit the criteria! We have to give up the likes of Souray or Markov for the talent talked about above… Not worth it in my view! Dealing Price is interesting but do not think he’s ready for the show yet and teams are in need now. Not sure its a good idea to trade a top prospect like him with the talent he posesses.

  4. #4 habs phan says:
    January 4, 2007 at 2:46 am

    trade carey price, that’s a joke right!!!! he hasen’t even played a game for us yet. trade him… aquire him…. this and that about reeling and dealing. whatever happened to having full faith in the cards that you were dealt and playing them wisely to come out on top. (and i’m not refering cards to players)i think the best move right now is to get behind our team and support every last one of them. gainey and carbs combined have enough knowledge to put together the best lines for us. no i’m not buddist. just a true believer in keeping what you have(which seems to be working pretty good right now) and not rolling the dice on risky trades. maybe i’m out to lunch, who knows. i’m just not getting all excited, looking for my gun to start firing aimlessly. good luck tomorrow night in washington, stick on ovechkin like a fat kid on a smarty. go habs go let’s rev up the engine and start steemrolling our competitors.

  5. #5 Xhabsfan says:
    January 4, 2007 at 4:18 am

    Trade Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak, that way when you shoot your foot,it’s a job well done. Mind you it would make Yann Danis day.I would like to see more defensive size on the Habs,might take care of some of the eratic play in front of Huet,send Niniima to Bullbogs bring up Mathieu Biron. Aswell, send Murray and Downey to Bullbogs and bring up Duncan Milroy and LAPIERRE…. SNIPERS…

  6. #6 Snake says:
    January 4, 2007 at 8:39 am

    Hab Heaven;

    OKay its seems like I am going to have ot talk hockey fundamentals with you since you dont seem to talk on the same knowledge level as most posters here. Its okay though we are prepared to help you. Scoring 30 goals in thsi league on a non playoff team does not mean you are a impact player that will improve a team that is currently in the top5 in the NHL. Mike COmrie has struggled with consistency thorughout his career and that is the last thing we need on our team especially since we have Kovy and Sammy already. IF we are to add a player it has too be a special commodity, not saying it has to be a Marleau type player but a player who can contribute more then he takes away. Gainey knows this more then anyone. That is why HE is the GM of the Habs and we he has turned this franchise around 100% in 3 years.

  7. #7 Snake says:
    January 4, 2007 at 8:42 am

    ALso Lapiere on teh 2nd line? Hey I like the guy too but he is not 2nd line material nor is he a offensive guy. HE will be BOnks replacement next year if Radek decides to join the Caps which I think is a good possibility. WHy dont we just put Streit in net. HE made a save once does that make him a goalie?

  8. #8 Snake says:
    January 4, 2007 at 8:44 am

    DId anyone else see COmrie Wink at the Senators wives section last night after he got his assist?

  9. #9 Mark LOVES the Habs says:
    January 4, 2007 at 11:49 am

    RYDER has 145 points in 201 games with the Habs with a minus 3. He’s also a major contributor on the power play(whose stats don’t count in the plus/minus of course). He’s also only missed 2 games in 2.5 years with injuries. I suspect he’ll pick up his production in the second half.

    BTW it’s not like the guy we traded away for Garth Murray is lighting it up. Marcel Hossa has 3 pts this year in 39 games with a minus 9.

  10. #10 hab heaven says:
    January 4, 2007 at 11:59 am

    yeah, and the Senators steamrolled past the Sabres. Have we? oops! sorry. I forgot, we BARELY squeeked by the sabres. great comparison. And by the way, Samsonov,( the terrible ),is on the 2nd line. What has he done? oh, yes, a grand total of 5 goals in 40 games. Yes, he’s done alot! we can most definitely build a franchise around Mr. terrible. And Lapierre, you mentioned,(who you said can’t score), has scored 3 goals, in a measly 3 games? He only needs 2 more to catch Mr. terrible; I think he can manage that. But the question is? will Samsonov(Mr. Terrible), score another goal this year? But, of course, IN YOUR OPINION, he deserves to be on the 2nd line. Maybe we should put players on lines according to how much money they make. Then I guess Sam(the terrible) should be on the exclusive 1st line, because he’s just worth so very, very, much! It’s too bad, your knowledge of hockey is so limited.And speaking about this franchise,unless you were around when Sam Pollock was GM of this team, (I was); He was the most intelligent and savvy GM in the history of the NHL. So,unless you can backup Gainey getting us a stanley cup,don’t talk because it’s just dribble and nonsense coming out of your mouth. Now, I’m sure you’ll write another nonsensical comment to offset this. So, let’s see how immature and small brain you have.

  11. #11 Mark LOVES the Habs says:
    January 4, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    Hab heaven,

    There is really no need to be so rude and condescending in this blog. If you are this venomous with fellow Habs fans, I can’t imagine what you are like with other people. If you can’t play nice don’t comment at all.

  12. #12 Ziyad Khan says:
    January 4, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    The Senators are only 5 points behind the Canadiens but I feel the Habs will finish in second in the division and 4th or 5th in the conference. I agree with some of the bloggers here that Comrie is an inconsistent player and he won’t make much of an impact. I hope Bob Gainey makes a trade to get the second line center we need and maybe another defenceman. We can trade someone like Craig Rivet for a good quality defenceman and Aebischer for a power forward up front. Gainey is smart and will wait until the trade deadline to get the type of player that can get us over the top!

    Ziyad

  13. #13 hab heaven says:
    January 4, 2007 at 1:17 pm

    Hey Mark; I haven’t seen you on this blog before, so obviously you haven’t read alot of comments.My comments are nothing compared to what has been posted before. Unfortunately, most of the bloggers are quite iliterate, as you can see by their grammar, and lack of knowledge. But , why do you take these comments so seriously? We’re all just joking around. Have some sense of humor. Imagine if everyone lived life according to these blogs. We would all be in a fine mess. It’s because people respond rudely to my remarks, that I feel the need to respond, and put them in their place.Please don’t judge a person according to these comments. It’s my love for the habs, that I write so passionately. I only want them to shore up their weaknesses, and have at much talent as possible, and of course to WIN! winning is the name of the game.
    I’m used to the best(circuit 1975-79), and that’s what I’m hoping to see again, at least to some degree.So, even tho we might not agree on alot of issues, we all want what’s best for the habs, right? so relax and enjoy. this blog is only funtime to me, and I do laugh at alot of the comments, simply because they make such little sense.

  14. #14 Habs#1 says:
    January 4, 2007 at 1:25 pm

    There will never be a team like the Habs in the 70′s or the Oilers of the 80′s again. The cap won’t allow it.

  15. #15 Jack Tornton says:
    January 4, 2007 at 2:44 pm

    Snake:

    DId anyone else see COmrie Wink at the Senators wives section last night after he got his assist?
    lol!

  16. #16 Jack Tornton says:
    January 4, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    Believe it or not, I have this strong feeling of a block buster trade comming soon, and Habs are invloved in it.

    Key Players: Aebisher, Samsonov, Souray, Downey or Murray, Ryder

    *I’m not saying all of them, but some of them

  17. #17 joshtm says:
    January 4, 2007 at 3:15 pm

    Everyone knows that Gainey has Souray practicing on tripping his own goalie and passing the puck away…how else is he gonna trade Sheldon?

    As for trading Price, that is a no no, that is like giving away your playbook…and Price is hot. Especially since Montreal has no defense….the only way Montreal can make it to the first round of playoffs is through a good goalie.

    Trade Ninny, Streit and Murray and maybe Downie, for a hot forward, since Montreal has no defense, no defense means you have to have a hot offense and a decent goalie. Most of all we gotta ask Bob Gainey from having Sheldon basically playing against his own team…honestly Bob, having Sheldon knock down Huet or Abby so the other team can score the winning goal?

  18. #18 Mark LOVES the Habs says:
    January 4, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    Hab Heaven,

    OK Fair enough. I’m new at the Blogger game and only sought out a Habs blog after the disaster in Tampa Bay on Dec 30th in order to ease my frustrations. So I’m a blogger virgin. I’ll lighten up.

    I grew up in Windsor…went to University in Ottawa(with many trips to the Forum as a fan and student journalist) and have lived in Toronto for the past 20 years. There is no BIGGER Habs fan in the world than me. Want proof-I can’t eat a meal during a Habs game becuase of the stress. Is that sick or what:):)

  19. #19 hab heaven says:
    January 4, 2007 at 5:13 pm

    Mark; I know the feeling. I grew up with the habs of the 70′s, those magnificant players, and basically got spoiled, with all those cups, especially 1975-79; what awesome teams, the likes of which we will never see again. That is why I want the habs to win so much, and want them to be perfectionists. I know it’s not realistic, but I just hate to lose, even 1 game. I want our habs to be the best, and the envy of all the NHL.e have been downtrodden and in the lower class of the league for way too long now, and it’s time for a rebirth, into the upper echilons of the league. i will always wear the CH proud, and will love them win or lose, but it’s much easier to admire when you’re winning. I appreciate your candid remarks, and loyalty, Mark. keep the faith!

  20. #20 joshtm says:
    January 6, 2007 at 12:27 am

    Its sad, even last night Markov tried to one up Souray’s civil war on the Habs….did anyone see Markov’s attempt at kicking the puck into his own goal? What is this soccer or what?

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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).

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