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- goalie : I don't know when they'll announce it but the Oilers will be signing Sutter (Flames ex-coach) to coach their team - that's why Kevin Lowe chose him to coach in the World's. That was the world's worst kept secret.
- Senet1 : I guess I wish we could get it done so all the speculating was over and we can get to building out team.
- goalie : I can't type.... what a faux pas on my behalf...
- goalie : I just realized what I said adn didn't say yesterday. What a fayx as on my behalf. Regarding coaching Randy Cunnyworth MUSDT stay as an assistant- he deserves at least that after the tremendous job he did in the latter part of this past season. I'd still mlike to have Robinson, Carbo adn Allard on the staff also.
- Avatar37 : I agree Senet, my choice if we can't have Cunneyworth would be Crawford, Robinson on defense, Cunneyworth for offense, and Carbo as offense/faceoffs .
- Senet1 : I think if I had my choice it would be Crawford and see if he could get Carbo and Robinson as assistants. That would be my idea coaching team.
- goalie : I witnesed Marc Crawford MANY times when the Avs, etc. played against Oilers and let me tell you - he is constantly on the referees asses virtually game after game. He is the complete OPPOSITE of J. Martin. Crawford is calm on TSN but he is one excited coach behind the bench. A friend of mine who was an NHL linesman for 26 years said they dreaded Crawford he was so tough on the officials!
- goalie : You know, I've bee thinking about the coaching situation. I'd be really excited if the Habs had Hartley as head coach and Carbo adn Robinson as his assistants. I also read it somewhere about a month ago that Toronto's goalie coach Allard (?) wants to relocate back to Montreal where he has his goaltending school/business. Add him to the mix and I'd say the Habs would be in great shape coaching wise.
- Avatar37 : Well, from what I recall, Hartley didn't do all that well with the Thrashers. But, I don't know enough about him to judge one way or the other. Crawford I do know, and he always seemed to be a good, level headed coach to me.
- Senet1 : even Pacioretty two years ago did not impress any of us. Younger players have to play and make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. If they sit in the press box they are learning nothing.
- Senet1 : Of course if he have some good assistants like a Larry Robinson to teach the young defence and someone like Carbo to teach faceoffs etc. then your coach does not have to be as good at teaching. If Hartley fits the bill you get no argument from me. My only previous point is that if he is impatient with your younger players to the point that he does not play them, then we are right back where we were with Martin. Martin was a good coach too, but how he handled Emelin, PK and even Pacioretty two
- goalie : I would like to see the Habs sign a coach who realizes that our team isn't tough enough (we need to get bigger and somewhat more nastier),the coach needs t be a great TEACHER and be a coach who can get the players to understand and buy into his system. Other than that I couldn't care what lingo he speaks. I wnat to see our team become a ligitimate contender fast!
- HabsLoseAgain : Well we dont know if he is or is not a teaching coach. I woukd just hate to paint Hartley something that he is not. There will always be questions but if Hartley was hired as the habs new bench boss i for one would not be overly upset.
- Senet1 : My thoughts are not that he is or is not a good coach but rather that when he won the cup he had an experience team of superstars on that team. Where as we have a group of young inexperienced players, is he a teaching coach or a tactical coach or both? I am not question whether he is a good coach, but my question therefore is he the coach for us at this point in the deveopment of our team?? Not sure we are all purely speculating at the moment?
- Senet1 : Something happened to my first post. I will try again.
- Senet1 : That is why I said I am not sure he is the coach for us at this time? Right now we are all speculating including yourself, because non of us know for sure?
- HabsLoseAgain : Crawford also won a cup with Patrick Roy so would you say he is a good coach or did he just have great players and one of the best goaltenders of alltime?
- HabsLoseAgain : Senrt so please give me some reasons why you think Hartley is not the coach the habs need right now. What is it that you do not like about him or his coaching style?
- HabsLoseAgain : Well all great coaches had great players playing for them so i guess you you add a a pile of other coaches to that list including Bowan......
- Senet1 : Hartley, was he a good coach or did he just have great players and one of the best altime goaltenders of all time. I am not sure that he is the type of coach that this organization needs right now. Unless of course we sign a ton of free agents.
- Avatar37 : However, my feelings may completely be wrong, Hartley may turn out to be a good fit.
- Avatar37 : I didn't say Hartley was unknown, I said we demoted a good coach in Cunneyworth and now have an unknown quantity because we don't have a coach. I don't have that great a feeling about Hartley, I'd be much more comfortable with Crawford.
- HabsLoseAgain : In my opinion i think he might be a good fit in montreal. Oh and he also likes to have a tough team.
- HabsLoseAgain : Also this year he coached the ZSC Lions to the swiss championship title.
- HabsLoseAgain : lol the so called "unknown" won a cup in 2000-2001 with the colarado avalanch.
- HabsLoseAgain : lol Bob Hartley is not an unknown lol.....sheesh.
- Senet1 : I think he has until the trading deadline to show us that he deserves to be on this team. If he does not get back on track then he could be simply a 2nd round draft pick to whoever we can trade him to.
- Avatar37 : Bourque reminds me of Pouliot, size, skill, and invisible. He needs to get back to playing a physical game and bang people around and maybe he'll start getting some of those garbage goals again. Need to get to the front of the net. I hope he can find his game again.
- Avatar37 : We had a good coach in Randy Cunneyworth. Now we have an unknown, with Bob Hartley rumoured to be the front runner. I'd rather have Cunneyworth.
- goalie : A player like Rene Bourwue has al the physical attributes of what would be a beter than average player. Hwever, he certainly didn't play that well especially after being in Montreal about three weeks. We NEED players like Rene to play hard AND produce points on a REGULAR BASIS in order for us to be competitive.
- Senet1 : MONTREAL – Rene Bourque had a rocky start to his career as a Hab, but he’s planning on using the next four years to make up for it. After arriving in Montreal under less-than-ideal circumstances in January, Bourque spent the following 38 games hoping to find the spark he needed to rekindle his offensive production. Despite flanking Tomas Plekanec on the team’s second line to close out the season, the 30-year-old sniper suddenly found himself firing blanks in his new NHL home.
- Senet1 : I think we have to be patient and not expect too much too soon. Let's get a strong management team in place, make a good choices in the draft get a good coach and then see what we need at the free agent market. I will not be too disapointed if we miss the playoffs again next year if it means a long term team success. We have the opportunity to make some major strides over the next two years at the draft table. Then we fill in the holes.
- goalie : I certainly agree that we need to get some impact forwards who will sign for 5 years, not for a season then walk away. That's not going to help us.
- goalie : I wouldn't trade PK for Ovetchkin no matter what. He is a coach's NIGHTMARE and a poor team player.
- Senet1 : I believe he will as we graducally put better players around him and build this team.
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Copyright © 2010 montreal canadiens hockey - habs blog
December 24, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Nothing would make me happier than to have Santa engrave les canadiens names on that trophy in June. Merry Xmas to all.
December 26, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I would love to see the canadiens win the stanely cup in their hundredth season, but the way they have been playing this year makes me think they won’t be able to:(
Happy Holiday!
December 27, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I did reply to you, Senet1, in the previous entry, but it didn’t post.
Anyway, thanks for your kind words. And I hope that your holiday season has been pleasant, as I do for all.
As to the NHL Corporation, pfft. What can I say, I’m losing my passion for it. But the World Juniors always offer great hockey for passionate hockey fans, so I can get my fix there.
I am watching tonight’s game and I think that it’s clinching proof that the Habs are among the worst teams in the league. I honestly believe that they’ve gotten by on individual skills to this point. But as a team? Wow. They’re quite terrible.
December 28, 2008 at 1:23 pm
CBC has a 4 minute clip on Kovalev from the perspective of his former teammates and coaches. I’m surprised that the CBC knew his name–I wouldn’t have been surprised to hear them talk about how “Sean Kovalev” played pretty well against the Leafs once.
Link:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeynightincanada/insidehockey/
December 28, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Jolly Yule to all! I think a parade in June would be a lovely gift to us all. Happy New Year everyone!
December 28, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Nice piece on Alex. It reminds me of how articulate hockey players are compared to other sports; which makes most interviews with their cliche answers a little sad. Go, Alex! Go Habs!
December 29, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Jean Beliveau was taken to the Hospital today. Hopefully it is nothing too serious. Get well Jean.
December 29, 2008 at 11:12 pm
What a game by Maxime Lapierre. His hat trick goal was a testament to his hard work and determination. It was a great win to get things rolling towards 2009, and seriously fun to watch the majority Canadiens-supporting crowd cheer the Panther fans right out of their own building. Les Canadiens sont la.
December 30, 2008 at 12:00 am
3,000th victory. That’s a lot.
December 30, 2008 at 5:31 pm
where does the name HABS come from?
December 30, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Another game that was so hard to watch. So much trouble with the Lightning…I guess thats because they are so high in the standings huh? We’re winning a few, I guess thats the main things, but this style is gonna end up biting us in the *** before all is said and done.
For the 10th time this year I have to say that the 4th line getting all this ice time is ridiculous. Sitting Kovy and the boys on the bench is NOT gonna get them going Guy. As a matter of fact, I have a new theory on why we have had such a monsterous offensive collapse….benching these guys probably making them more pissed than anything, and I don’t think they wanna play for you anymore Carbs…I think you have lost alot of respect from your “bread and butter” players, for giving all their ice time to 4th liners. You’re making the problem worse Guy, not better. Sure the 4th line is skating hard, but 15 minutes + every game at the sake of your top guys???? You’re asking for trouble Guy.
They’re not gonna play or skate hard for you when they do get on…and it looks like they have already had enough and are saying “the hell with you Guy, bench me some more”.
We are gonna n eed these guys, like it or not, down the stretch…get the respect back Carbs…and soon.
And please put Laraque back in the lineup…what the hell did we get him for…to guard the pressbox? Kost took a beating tonight, again because or enforcer ain’t out there. Eventually, the Komisarek, is gonna have to step up and fight again with George not being there….is another shoulder injury what we want. Smarten up Carbs…you’re dropping the ball on 2 HUGE issues here.
Also, I guess we’re all seeing that Ryder was the only problem here last year….he’s only got 14 or 15 goals now for the Bruins, including 6 game winners. Hey thats more goals than any of our “superstars”. Congrats Michael, for playing like you can for a team that treats you right.
December 31, 2008 at 2:48 am
It means les habitants Glenn.
December 31, 2008 at 3:24 pm
testing ,1-2-3 testing
December 31, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Welcome back extra….long time lol
December 31, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Donnie: I agree that it has been frustrating to watch the 4th line get so much ice time while the rest of the team struggles through mediocre showings. While having a strong 4th line will allow the Canadiens to wear teams down, it will be all for not if they can`t get lines 1 through 3 going by playoff time.. Still, sitting in 4th place, I`m not sure there are too many guys in the dressing room who are too upset about how the team has done. Laraque should play more, but he`ll need to be healthy first as he`s battled injuries all season long. As for Michael Ryder.. He simply didn`t produce last year, and while he is having a great season thus far, it would be pretty hard to have a bad year playing on a team with only 5 regulation losses so far this year.
January 1, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Tanguay out for 6 weeks. Priced out as well. Habs recall Denis, Chipchurra, Pax and Webber from Hamilton. Yikes!!
January 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Donnie I am afraid I have to agree with Matts on this one, the fourth line has been our salvation for the last month and a half and I do believe that has things get a little closer to playoff time, that the 1,and 2 lines will come around. I am also afraid that Montreal is finding out like every other team that he played for that Laraque cannot play hockey and is only good at one thing. To me that is not what we really needed, we needed a tough winger that could drop the gloves when needed but also play hockey. Fighting is bound to get you injured and Laraque is not getting any younger.
January 1, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I also agree with Matts as far as Ryder is concern, we would have never signed it even if we offered him a contract. He is playing on their top two lines with the pretty good offensive players and after all he did have something to prove this year. Going to Boston does hurt thought.
January 1, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Hey Joseph, Happy Year. I can understand your pain and also how great you love to watch the Juniors play. That is great and exciting hockey. The US / Can game was great for our team.
Oh one thing I would like to remind you, in 1993 we were a so so team all year. We were never suppose to win the cup, but the funning thing about playoffs is that a hot goalie, a few breaks and the right teams playing one another and the next thing you know we are in the finals just line then. Keep the faith.
January 1, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Joseph, just thing if we are one of the worse teams in the League then there are 10 other teams in our conference who must feel the same as you do about their teams since they are worse than we are in the standings. Can you imagine how the Pittsburg fans feel right now.
January 1, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Can anyone tell me what is going on with Carey Price? Is he hurt again I read somewhere about him having lower body issues. Like a groin or something, can anyone confirm this???? Thanks
January 1, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Yes, frustrating is the word Mats. But after last years offensive bonanza….isn’t everyone frustrated. Yes, we are winning and thats great…thats really all you can ask.
But lets look past all these bottom-feeder team we’re playing, and start looking at hows its gonna go against the big boys. Bos, Phil, Wash….teams that can score and will hit you into the ice. Even SJ, Det in the west. These are the teams we should be measuring ourselves against. And when we are diddling around with 3-2OT wins against TB and Atl…it doesn’t seem that we measure up at all.
Maybe I just got spoiled from last year when these guys were a joy to watch…and then have to watch Kovy and Plec lollygagging around out there like they’re at at Sunday skate with the family. I still stick to my thinking that these guys have lost some respect for our head coach..they have to. No where else in the league do your teams starts get benched as much as in Montreal…weather they are struggling or not.
Sure we are winning some games now, but will it continue.
And whats with Price….back for 3 outstanding games, out for a week…back, out, back, out. Let him heal up for good before he comes back…or this guy could get ruined…and NO ONE in Hab country wants that.
Hopefully, after we play a few bigger teams I can come back in here and eat my words….but our 4th liners aren’t gonna win games against these teams…right now…I think it’s gonna be no contest, and will be more embarassment like our last one against Boston. But like I said…hopefully I will be wrong…we’ll see.
Teach Laraque how to hit more…make him an intregal part of this lineup…big boy like that brushing up against players…when all the other big boys league-wide have earned spots by bringing more to each game. Thats how I want Laraque back…not just for scrapping.
January 2, 2009 at 11:54 am
vote price and komisarek http://ca.fanballoting.nhl.com/
January 2, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I agree that Laraque has a role to play role on this team, but all indications are that he has been hurt and poorly conditioned since arriving in Montreal. If he’s playing well he is a monster on the forcheck, but we haven’t really seen that this season. I have even heard that at least once during the season he has been held out of the lineup because Gainey and Carbo don’t think he has the fitness to keep up. Even if this is false, I really see Laraque’s contribution as an intimidator heading into the playoffs. He simply can’t keep up playing every game.
As for the current stretch of games.. I find it really hard to complain about a team that has won 5 of its last 6 games. While last year was a good year, this is 2008-09. Last year doesn’t count. I’m as disapointed as anyone that we don’t even have one point-per-game player, and yet there are many reasons to look towards the playoffs with a positive attitude. Ultimately we’re dealing with high and unrealistic expectations for the Canadiens this year (although given the past 100 years, who among us is surprised). The Canadiens are 4th in the conference, and while they have a LONG way to go before we can plan a parade, things are not so gloomy.
January 2, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Donnie, I think you are right about how we match up against the better teams, but if you recall, we beat both Philly and Detroit before christmas and we seem to play better against the best teams and not so good against the weaker teams. But to be honest althought we definitely need a little more scoring form our better players, the most important thing and the reason we have won five of six was due to goaltending. Halak played a poor period tonight in the first period. I see Denis is in the net for the second period against NJ.
January 2, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Wait a minute I guess it is still Halak, I thought they first said it was Denis.
January 2, 2009 at 11:31 pm
True Senet….I just don’t have a good feeling about this team not though. Just finished watching he NJ game…seems like its starting already. Teams that aren’t offensively numb are gonna be hard to keep up with….and NJ isn’t really at the TOP of the league. Defensive players only go so far until they’re outdone by skilled forwards. Looks like Carbo got a team of Carbos. Remember though, when Carbo won his cups there were probaly two players like him on the team…not 2 full lines.
This team officially looks tired and horrible…can’t even get a breakout pass out of the zone anymore. No real exciting chances tonight…sloppy pond hockey, or a Sunday pick-up league team. We’ll see how we do against the other big guns…again I hope I eat my words..but after tonight, doesn’t look that way.
Most guys looking like they are just out for a skate…no real drive, no passion. Dead game tonight…still thinkin theres trouble down the road though, and too many duds to get rid of…anyways, hopefully wrong…let’s see. Go Habs.
January 3, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Agreed. There doesnt seem to be a connection with some players on this team. I have said it over and over that this team is to soft. Top 6 forwards kovalev,koivu,tanguay,pleckanecs,A.kostitsyn,higgins? I am not saying i want a team full of goons but it is nice to add a little toughness into your top 2 lines, guys who can mix it up and also play hockey. Just remember what boston and philly did to us in the playoffs last year.
January 3, 2009 at 3:13 pm
The biggest problem the Canadiens had in the playoffs last year was that they tried to play Boston and Philadelphia on THEIR terms. This team has ONE line that can grind, dump-and-chase, and make hit after hit. Carbo tried to make the Kostitsyns, Plekanec, Koivu etc into a team of Milan Lucics. It is a bad strategy, because we don’t have the players to be successful at a slow, grinding pace. At some point, this team has to acknowledge its identity and play with confidence. Right now we’re seeing a confused bunch, completely out of touch with what made us so successful for stretches of last season. As for last night, Halak looked terrible. Hopefully he can rebound or we’re in big trouble.
January 3, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I thought my heart was going to stop during tonight’s game.
Seriously, is there a better brand of hockey than the World Juniors?