KamalPanesar

Here are my thoughts on the whole Fourth Period story: http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/12/habs-shakeup-are-pierre-gauthier-and.html fyi...

That's a pretty sweet combo, imo. McGuire speaks French so he'd be OK. I really wonder if this city is ready to accept a coach that doesn't speak French though. I hope so, but think not.

LMAO!!! This is pure genius! I think McGuire should be, at a min, interviewed for the GM post if/when it becomes available. Him and Molson has history together too so I wouldn't be surprised if he is on Molson's short list...

Ya for sure...there are many ways to "fire" someone. They can just shift his responsibilities so that he's no longer involved in hockey operations. That's what I'd do at least...

The thing I find interesting about the story is that it says Gainey has been talking to Molson about making the changes. Really? Gainey's the guy who put both Martin and Gauthier in place. I think if there is a clean sweep that he is a BIG part of the problem too, and must go. Either way, it makes for interesting gameday discussions!

Whether Molson is telling the truth or not will become evident pretty soon. That said, what did you expect him to say when a journalist asks him about Gomez, Gauthier et al.? Say that he wants to ditch Gomez, that he doesn't like the GM and that he thinks the coach is too old-school and rigid? Not likely. He said what he had to say...all that remains to be seen is if it was a smoke-screen or the truth.

Here's the link to the 4th Period story on the possible Habs shake-up: http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/mtl111207.html

The Fourth Period is a hockey lifestyle magazine....whatever that means...but, they are also NOT a rumour site. The guys at this mag at pretty well plugged into the hockey scene so if something comes out of there it tends not to be garbage. That said, I'm surprised they have a supposed scoop on the Habs before any of the other local media who are MUCH more plugged into the Montreal scene than the 4th Period. Still...it's tantalizing to say the least since, imo, a clean sweep is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Hah...good call on the boredom.

I'm liking that JM is splitting up Pacioretty and Cole. For that matter, I'm glad he's sharing the wealth...this will be the first time in ??? that the Habs have scoring size on each of the top three lines: Patches on 1, Cole on 2, AK46 on 3. I'm not sure why it's taken so long to figure out that the Habs smaller players shouldn't all be bunched together, but hey, I guess that's why they pay Martin the big bucks! Oh you sick, sick man!

Agreed. Is anyone actually debating this point?

Should be "best man for the job". Unfortunately it isn't and won't be any time soon...

So the big question is will JM REALLY play Leblanc on the 4th line for 6 minutes? If so, what's the point of calling him up?

Ya I saw/heard that too. Nice touch by the outgoing coach...

Ah yes, I didn't understand what you were saying...my bad... That's what happens when you're trying to feed the baby at the same time! Bottom line is that, yes, Markov has to be on the left side. That cross ice pass to his down-low is a killer. When he was playing, teams would often cheat in that direction opening up Cammalleri low right side for a 1-timer. When Markov is on the PP, there are SO many more options...right now there are few which is why I think Plek should be down low and there should be two D-men on the point.

Yes, but I'm still advocating for Markov on the left side...that's back door pass to him pinching WAS a huge weapon. Keep him on the left side and P.K. or Weber on the right. What's the problem there? Agreed...either that or mostly on the left side. I think that would work well...

Why? You can still have Markov playing the left side and make P.K. switch hit...it would set him up nicely for the 1-timer. I think it would work well...the other option is to share the wealth, and have Markov anchoring the 1st unit with P.K. anchoring the 2nd... I still have NP with a righty playing with Markov...I think it lends to a good 1-timer...

Ya I think Plek will breath a HUGE sigh of relief once Markov is back. The thing is that Plek's playmaking skills are best used down low...he is actually one of the best on the team making plays down low. The ideal, imo, would be Plek, Cammalleri and Pacioretty or Cole on the first wave up front, with Weber and Subban at the point. I'm still not sure why P.K. is on the second wave. On wave two, they should have Diaz and Spacek at the point with Cole(or Patches) Gionta and Eller or DD. Seems pretty clear to see, at least to me it does. For me, it's P.K.... He and Markov played the point together, albeit briefly, and looked uber dangerous. I'm still not understanding why Weber gets the 1st wave over P.K. If Subban isn't hitting the net, perhaps the coaches should try, well, coaching him. Novel thought, I know...

Yes, so many things that this coaching staff does makes me scratch my head. I just don't get it. The Plek experiment has been failing all season. There are two teams that have let in four short-handed goals against in the league (The Devils and Habs) and BOTH use a forward on the point on the PP (Plek and Elias). Conicidence?

Eller was great...but why'd he get so little ice time 12:54..a little over 6-mins after two periods? Also, he got 0:00 of ice time in overtime. I just don't understand this coach.

I don't know about a year but he'd definitely benefit from half a season in the AHL. That said, I really think he's here to stay. He is still making mistakes and will need to continue adjusting but he seems to be getting more and more comfortable...and that's key. I think the return of Markov will help Emelin a lot too. I can see the two of them being paired together too...

I noticed that too. What happened to the guy that worked his butt off each and every shift? I don't about you, but I find Darche isn't bringing anything to the table this season. He is eminently replaceable.

I think that will come once Markov is back in the lineup... On the Markov front, he is skating today in a white jersey meaning he will take part in the team scrimmages. That means he is tantalizingly close to returning. As well as Emelin has started playing of late, I think his game will go to another level once Markov is in the lineup. I think Marky will take him under his wing, the same way Kovalev did for Markov, and Emelin will be a better player for it. Moreover, I think it will just help his adjust quicker...

Well the Habs played a solid game but once again showed that they simply cannot win when trailing. Montreal has only won 33.3% of games they trail after the 1st period and 0% of games they trail after the second. Passive resistance indeed...

Agreed! The game is better with Sid in it...hopefully the NHL sharpens their concussion policies!