HabsWEST

LAST 25 games: 11 wins 14 loses 68 GF 77 GA -9 Not good enough. Injuries, not enough depth, and short season success, has caught up in last 25 games. Curious what the team stats would be over a full season? YES, we have improved, but with these injuries, we go back to last years injuries. Hope all the staff brought in to shore up scouting and management will review this year, and identify all the issues to continue to progress to have the team to be a Stanley Cup Contender, and not just Playoff contenders. Most of comments read here: 1. where were the vets in this series? DD, Pacs, Ryder, Plec...0 goals! 2. MT outcoached in this series, team looked unorganized ( no drive to net to get in face of Anderson!) 3. Senators young guys got the minutes! We can go on and on... Will the team finish 2nd or first in the EAST next year in full season? hmmmm Great improvement this year, MAYBE Been a slice...Take care all...Always a HABS fan!

Game, Set..... Talk about a game of inches.. " What If...." All started Game 1 with 50 shots on Anderson...Facing a goalie that is at his best. 1. injuries. 2. Untimely goals by Senators 3. or that one big save to keep team in it When its not your series, you look for all kinds of excuses ( officiating, unlucky bounces..) The team made strides this year to get back into the playoffs and exceeded expectations in facing 2nd in the Eastern Conference in a shorten season. With all the new staff and extra people ( scouts etc,,,) they now can look at a 48 game plus playoff to look at where the team is going and progress. There were signs at end of season showing the team is not yet ready to contend: 1. .500 hockey last 20 games ( 10-10) plus 1-3 (4?) playoffs.. So a Below .500 team in last 24/25 games 2. Positive is young players have been evaluated ( even if they arent getting th minutes some would like..) 3. Depth of team..where to go from here... 4. Senators are not exactly top tier contenders either. But their young players have been given minutes to show their stuff. 5. End of day, the team wasnt ready this year. All and all a good season. Address some of the issues of the veterans and if they are past their prime. 6. Who in the FA market can be brought in. 7. With all the 2nd round/ 3rd , who can we find, can we find ( Lucic, marchand, Bergeron: what accelerated Bostons rise...countless other examples with other now top contenders.) yes can find jewels in rough, This is a key year for the organization. Season went well, but playoffs maybe made expectations of team to a more realistic level ( well going back to last 20 games of season). Cheering the Habs on till the end

GAME 3, after 2 periods: 1.Gallagher: 7:50 min. 2. Galchenyuk 8:20 min Silverberg was already over 13:00 minutes, and all the others in double figures. TONIGHT: where was Galchenyuk in the 3rd. The Senators Rookies are getting it done as they are getting opportunity. Cant win with DD being the 2nd or 3rd highest minutes played in any roster, much less the way he has been playing! Injuries are mounting. and Since Eller's injury, the team has been battling an uphill battle. Blame the missed calls all you want, end of day the team had opportunity and didnt take it, to atleast be at 2-2 series. The team has come a long way this year. Its obvious there is a ways to go yet. Some missing pieces, more experience. and MT has to step up his coaching to playoff level! Compared to some of the other teams /series going on, the current Habs are in the tier below the contenders at this stage. BUT for crying outloud give ALEX some more playing time!! and demote DD! Lessons learned for next year. All part of the rebuild.

1. Flexibility for salary cap in advance of trade deadline 2. Buyout 3. AHL 4. Other team pickup Smart move. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=419456

   according to nhl.com : http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=657639&navid=nhl:topheads appears to be Dallas 3rd round pick ( not sure if official ) Interesting trade: 1. free up cap space 2. PP boost 3. Ryder playing for a contract next year Cole, has the speed, physical play, but slow start, and 2 years on contract. I see it, as SHORT term need ( PP) and scoring, with LONG TERM: cap space relief and 3rd round pick in a deep draft year!!

HEY, AGREED, I did note " PURE SPECULATION " the purpose of my statement, is we need to think LONG TERM, and brief background going back to late 70's, early 80's, and string of trades that I remember, starting with Langway, and GRUNDMAN era, and BOWMAN not offered GM/PRES and he left. We keep looking at band aid solutions, hope we can move forward!!.. No silly comments here, just examples, observations, and long term reasoning, Hope Bergevin and current group thinks this way!! COOL? !

For too long this team has made short term one sided trades against them in favour of just trying to get into the playoffs. Is giving up prospects, a bunch of 2nd round picks , even 1st round picks ( Tanguay trade - as one example), a strategy for this team? My preference is to see Long term ( 3 to 5 year plan) of solid drafting, accumulate draft picks ( maximize our assets, unlike past : Gainey/Gauthier era - even the 80's and 90's ) I go back to being disappointed to seeing LANGWAY traded, ( eventhough Green and Walter helped us win a cup in "86), and Chelios traded, and most recent Mcdonaugh trade! HOPE BERGEVIN doesnt see fit to unload prospects/ and multitude of players for 1 or 2 players that arent much different. IS a deal of this magnitude and giving up of assets, make us substantially better now and future? I remember the day we traded for GOMEZ, ( I was in NY ) and was not only upset we gave up a prospect, we obtained a horrible contract for a player that averaged 50 some points and less than 20 goals...Was he that much better than Higgins? Look at GOMEZ stats, nothing jumps up...so why were we disappointed he didnt achieve ( his stats with MTL where inline with his career averages)... NOW WE HEAR RUMOURS, Bergevin is after RYAN O'REILLY and ERIC JOHNSON for: 1. Eller 2. Leblanc 3. Diaz 4. 1st Round pick 5 AND a prospect... ELLER for O'Reilly, Eller is more defence sound, similiar size ( Eller is bigger), Eller has more skill, similiar stats, similiar age. NOW would you trade: Leblanc, Diaz, *1st round ( potential top 10 in a deep year ) and a prospect( ?) for JOHNSON: How are we better off in this scenario? ( giving up our 1st round pick, could turn into BURKE/Maple leafs: Bruins scenario! ). Of course Bergevin may think MTL is a playoff team, so there is a tendency to think that 1st round pick is a mid to low pick ( what BURKE/MAPLE LEAFS thought ) --- We deplete assets, and be really no different. In fact worse off for the future! Hints of MT not seeing Eller in plans and not in his books as player he prefers to have. on TWITTER: Hockeyy Insiderr‏@HockeyyInsiderr: "Michel Therrien has confided in me that he is not fond of Lars Eller. He told Bergevin to deal him if right opportunity comes along #Habs" By the way, link to one example of these rumours ( and I take these with skeptical view), and just rumours...I prefer to comment on overall philosophy that this team has gone away from since the 70's: ON TWITTER: ( pure speculation ) Hockeyy Insiderr‏@HockeyyInsiderr "#Habs preparing 2 offers, 1 for O'Reilly and 1 for O'Reilly+Johnson. Eller/Leblanc/DIaz/1st rounder/prospect discussed " http://www.insiderrumors.com/2013/colorado-avalanche/habs-interested-in-oreilly/ Hockeyy Insiderr‏@HockeyyInsiderr "#CONFIRMED by #Habs source close to Marc Bergevin: #Canadiens are preparing a MEGA package for #Avs O'Reilly & Erik Johnson. #BellLetsTalk" LETS GO BACK FEW DECADES: IT ALL STARTED WHEN WE DIDNT OFFER SCOTTY BOWMAN THE GM POSITION, and the revolving door of trades and GM's and coaches after our 4 straight cup run. 2 Stanley cups in 34 years isnt the greatest!, but than again the world has changed, thats 2 more than most teams in the league! ARE WE CONTENT TO JUST MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. What happened to the Sam Pollock era, and the great teams of the 50's, 60's, 70's, where the goal is to WIN it all! ( no more protected territory of players, but to be a consistent contender is what should be strived for!) AND speaking of Scotty : But than again Detroit consistently has been near the top ( coincidence? )

Tsuyoshi Nishioka says goodbye to a guaranteed $3.25 million, requests release from Twins http://sports.yahoo....06372--mlb.html In some ways, Gomez is in a no win situation, he himself admits he isnt up to par. Unfortunately we took on someone else's mistake, and gave up a TOP young player. I cant see Gomez having a comeback year. Take away this CONTRACT, and he may actually be better. Takes lot of guts to do what Niskioka did, perhaps its a Culture difference where the burden of his contract was too much. Hope the new CBA, will give flexibility to deal with such issues/contracts, and save face for the team and also the player!

Living in Edmonton, and reading and seeing all of Tambellini's interviews: OILERS want a top rated young DEF. back PLUS a pick within the TOP 5!. It would take SUBBAN and HABS 3rd, for OILERS 1st, end of discussion. or ELSE Oilers are taking Yakupov, with an outside possibility of them taking Murray. Otherwise, hoping Montreal takes Alex Galchenyuk, especially how well he did at the Scouting combine. ( and to come back from ACL surgery under 6 months, is amazing!) Montreal wouldnt trade Subban and a 3rd overall, and Oilers wouldnt take anything less, so end of story.

CRAWFORD is what Bergevin is shown so far as the main candidate, he keeps to hiring people he knows and has had contact with from his playing days and early management days ( Dudley, Mellanby...Crawford (?) ) BUT PLEASE dont trade with Dale Tallon and give up the 3rd overall, and another first rounder!!!

Hartley goes to the Flames.... So when will Bergevin announce Crawford as the new coach?

You answered your own question, AGREED: Florida would not do a 3rd for a 3rd. Dale Tallon would ask HIGH price ( why wouldnt he: a rookie GM, under Bilingual cultural pressure, bring a local young prospect ( which current 2012 draft doesnt have), someone Bergevin owes his management career to, and wouldnt readliy say no to. Depending on Dale Tallon's ability and level of friendship, why not ask for " the moon"! If I was Dale Tallon, I would be targetting Marc Bergevin, get 2012 3rd overall, and why not: ask for 2013 first pick for Huberdeau... ( as a HABs fan, no way ever I would accept this), and would be a sign of a very rookie GM on our hands. Please note this was more mentioned as more a comment and ability of a rookie GM, and pressence of pressure in the local market and neccessity of more home grown talent. All the league will know this, and will be offering Bergevin more local talent for their asking price. I am sure Bergevin is smarter than letting this pressure hamper his decisions.

I believe they have an idea who the coach will be. Whether they are waiting on the legalities from Switzerland about Hartley contract or just waiting on last few details with someone else. They have picked who they want, and just waiting on acceptance by the candidate.. So far bergevin has hired all he has close contact in past ( playing days or recent mgmnt ): Dudley, Mellanby...with keeping the same trend: is marc Crawford the next for Bergevin? Also, with his close tie in with Dale Talon, and mandate to find home grown talent, will he offer Dale Talon: Habs 3rd overall, habs 2013 First round as well, for Huberdeau? ( i would hate for that to happen)... I hope Bergevin doesnt rely too much on his " friends" and Past/current relationships that may bias his decision making. Stay Objective! great seeing more assets adding to organization, but as CC mentioned earlier, we saw the same optimism earlier with Gainey crew... The trend and my forecast shows that Crawford will be the next coach. Time will tell...

I know Galchenyuk isnt Russian, The father is from BELURUS, he was born in USA, playing for USA.... JUst saying, I am tired of this " Russian " talk and people not understanding their facts. I was referencing in General, " this garbage talk" of Russians...in general and not specific to one player. BUT YES I am very aware of his USA born and raised in JUNIOR hockey. Playing in Chicago when he was 15 and their minor system, and in 2010 he was the first overall pick in the OHL.

After posting on the HABS at WORLD's Thread, realized should post here; AVOID Gigorenko, ( too much speculation on his inconsistency and work effort, --- yes we know about his mono deal...) as I mentioned before, RYAN MURRAY SECOND youngest player to ever suit for Canada at the World's. Paul kariya was younger by less than a month. with 3rd pick, and if Columbus picks skips over him, I say we grab him...is he the other habs at the World's? I been saying Habs should draft him, long before he was picked up for the WHC, regardless of why he is there. If Columbus takes him, SKIP over Grigorenko , PICK Galchenyuk, ( something to be said for a kid that gets back from ACL reconstruction after only 6 months!!) apparently he is a WORKOUT demon!... At first there is that risk of such a major injury soo early in his career, but getting to play in playoffs and looking better than the consensus number 1 in Yakupov...hmmm, and as mentioned, I know from personal experience , I also had ACL reconstruction done by same surgeon that did Pavel Bure's knee and was the NHL team Doctor, I speak from personal experience.. what Galchenyuk did to come back after 6 month post ACL reconstruct, is wow total amazing, and a credit to the young mens commitment, so any of this " garbage talk" to avoid all Russians etc... is outer BULL ....in his case... wow Take Murray or GALCHENYUK, whomever of 2 is available, PLEASE avoid Gigorenko... Good luck Timmons and Bergevin!!

SECOND youngest player to ever suit for Canada at the World's. Paul kariya was younger by less than a month. with 3rd pick, and if Columbus picks skips over him, I say we grab him...is he the other habs at the World's? I been saying Habs should draft him, long before he was picked up for the WHC, regardless of why he is there. If Columbus takes him, SKIP over Grigorenko , PICK Galchenyuk, ( something to be said for a kid that gets back from ACL reconstruction after only 6 months!!) apparently he is a WORKOUT demon!... Great to see PAc's, and Plekanec did well first game out...reports showing Eller did well despite loss...

3rd pick is Highest we have had 4 decades. So I see Yakupov to Oilers #1, Grigorenko #2 to Columbus, and Habs either take Galchenyuk or Murray. ( I know some will say we already have DEF. but is he the safest pick: Murray at 3?) ***For the record, Oilers arent trading #1, Tambellini and the new arena, will take as many top players they can get. For all those that a Weber and #3 for 1st, will NEVER happen, Start by talking SUBBAN, #3 and something for #1, thats what Tambellini may look at, thats the word in Edmonton, so lets stop dreaming about anything less, and lets accept #3 Galchenyuk, would be the pick, Grigorenko issues of his reliability and work ethic, and inconsistency last 2 months of season is concerning, Let someone else take him, Galchenyuk risk is his injury, and a year out of Hockey, and how much playing with Yakupov help his numbers or vice versa. IS Ryan Murray the next Neidermayer, safe pick, 15 year career veteran? hmm which would you choose? BPA or need ( a centre with "?'s) " Ryan Murray is the top rated DEF, in a draft field of strong DEF. Imagine : PRICE, MURRAY, SUBBAN, TINORDI, EMELIN, BEAULIEU, GORGES , and fill the rest amongst the other DEF PROSPECTS, wow, talk about building from GOALTENDING out. Get rid of all the big contracts, have all these entry level contracts, or 2nd contracts, go out and sign some FA FWD, with the cap space. ( PARISE, PERRY, GETZLAFF...) I saw the Oilers picking 2nd MURRAY, with Columbus taking Yakupov, Leaving MTL with Grigorenko or Galchenyuk choice, Now with Oilers winning, This changes the choice , Murray or Galchenyuk? This will be a long road to rebuilding, may mean another lottery pick next year....lets not be shortsighted at mgmnt level again, and do it properly this time. MY CHOICE: if part of a bigger master plan and done right: PICK RYAN MURRAY!!!

AGREED! There is also the number of playoff games for one season, and TOTAL number of playoff games over the near future and next few years. I would not trade 4 playoff games for current season in exchange for future 10 plus games over next few years. Once a team builds a base through the draft, and shrewd trades ( Love the James Neal Trade to pittsburgh, and the Chris Stewart trade to St Louis to a lesser extent), and salary cap and asset management, exactly where the habs are at the moment. lets not make that mistake again... Well, given all the injuries, and without forgoing near future success, I am overall satified that PG didnt panic and made trades he would regret later...

You got that right, for someone his size , and all the Oilers games I have been to , he doesnt hit much...Case in point for what its worth: Penner 63 hits Year to date. AK46 113 hits year to date... Enough about Penner.. Is PG still trying to do a last minute trade....my guess is No, unless its a minor deal, or a last minute AK46 to Nashville deal... As I started this thread, the " Best trades are the ones you dont make..." Cheers everyone...

PHEW!!! PENNER GOES TO LA, ohew, I can breathe easier, now that he wont be wearing a Habs jersey.. great trade for the OILERS!!

Habs RECORD since DECEMBER 1 2010: 17 wins 21 losses of the 38 games: 10 went to extra time/SO: add record is 4 wins 6 losses, of the above. Injuries have taken their toll. What trades and what has to be given up by tradeline to " correct the ship" and at what expense? I definitly dont want to see PG, give up assets for short term solutions, and loss sight of the long term, and at same time FINALLY have someone properly manage assets that will soon " expire "

Agreed.. we do need size upfront. Was hoping for a James Neal or Chris Stewart, or regardless of Size, a player for minimal trade or waiver pickup like today such as Boyton or Sturm. makes us all wonder if Gauthier is on the ball or simply is still thinking of the old NHL pre lock out era, that these type of trades were being done. In post lockout era, salary cap, and managing your assets present and future, while keeping an eye out for teams near the cap, and grab assets for nothing. By the way here is one of number of Dustin Penner Fan sites http://www.talk-sports.net/nhl/sucks.aspx/Dustin_Penner Thats how much us up here think of Penner in Edmonton. Lets hope he stays here in Edmonton, or Doesnt go to Montreal!

"Penner, who has another year left on his contract beyond this season, is supposedly commanding a first-round pick, a top prospect or a young NHL player as the centerpiece to a package. " from the article link here today; http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/mtl110226.html PENNER for FIRST ROUND pick, AND a TOP prospect.. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WORST MISTAKE PG will do to date. Penner as I maintain living out here in Edmonton: --- Cant Skate --- No Intensity --- Inconsistent --- Awful defensively. This will lead to the HABS being a non playoff team in near future. Pierre PLEASE PLEASE dont do this trade. Glad its just a rumour. But if you read this post, or message gets passed on to you PIERRE: I have been to over 40 Oiler games the last 2 years, and Penner is not a right fit for the HABS for the above reasons. The fans will want your " head" after this trade and half way through next season, once everyone realizes the BONEHEAD trade you are contemplating ( that is if this rumour is correct!!) As the subline on this topic: " The BEST Trades are the ones YOU DONT MAKE " Please consider all us Diehard fans on this one DONT DO IT. All you would be doing is make the OILERS and all Oiler fans very very happy with this trade...and a onesided steal for the Oilers...regardless who you are trading.

With the injuries and more than one hole to fill, Gauthier should sit tight, and reconsider all options. 1. Asset management, players that wont be signed, should be traded for prospects or draft picks. 2. Simply too many holes to compete with Bruins, Flyers , who are a season or 2 ahead of the Habs. 3. Build the foundation for the future... If the reasoning is to just get into the playoffs and win a round or 2, go ahead and blow your brains out in trades BUT not at expense of dealing some younger players, ( which we have been too quick to give up on for virtually no assets in the past) Living in Edmonton, all this talk about Penner or Hemsky is nonsense, in terms of helping the Habs. PENNER: NO WAY, he is useless, and wouldnt take long for all those in Montreal and fans to realize he is a poor skater, no 2 way to his game, has one ability only and is very inconsistent!! ( sound familiar)? HEMSKY: Injuries, and INCONSISTENT, not a goal scorer but a playmaker, THINK AK , but as a playmaker, enough said. NOW: It would be great for Gauthier to pull a Pittsburgh deal like that for James Neal... Goligoski for Neal and another def. wow... and Goligoski, really is he any better than our new DEF from the Island ( JW) The ST. Louis deal, I dont undertand, really shifting of equal assets, with risk to Colorado pending the first round pick they use. I am all for a James Neal type of deal, BUT not a HEMSKY or PENNER ( well unless Scott Gomez goes the other way But for 2011, no major ripping of the Team please Gauthier!! BUT PLEASE trade away assets you will not sign, for young players/draft picks... Cheers all!!

His season is over, including playoffs this time he wont be rushed. target is 2011 start now or perhaps October/November 2011. they wont take any chances now. Especially with UFA status. he will be back, This will impact him when he is 50, he should be ok short term, it may mean a shorter career, but I expect him back also.