Habitforming

Not to tear this apart but Souray and Sunny is waaaaaaay too much to pay for an over penalized agitator like Jarkko Ruutu. Tuomo Ruutu of Chicago is a different story, but not the nucks version. I'd take the Zednik for Mara deal anytime. Ribs for anything....maybe. Arnott I have like for a long time but we could find a better player as a UFA. Arnott isn't getting younger either.

I agree to some degree. I just wish they weren't American. I see Kessel as problematic as Modano off the ice, the shame is that he is as good on the ice as well. I love this kind of thread. It's interesting to see who people have alot of faith in as prospects. BTW, has anyone heard anything about the highly rated, yet now invisible, Anze Kopitar? Just because we won't get either of the first 2 picks. I would take Staal or Meuller

" CODE" ???? Not that infamous. Who is that....or did I miss something?

Not hockey related but certainly my favorite Mother in-law : Woman Hitler

The bottom line is that Ribs is a useless ex-habs that has no business running his mouth unless he was actually leading by example. As for Koivu and his leadership, its a non factor. He is the Man. The Finn national team is heads and tails better then the habs so of course he looks even better. Kovalev has been dominant as well in this tourney.....lets jump on him too

Really any of those three would be welcomed to the habs for some reason or another. The do however all have their flaws. I have all but given up on guessing who the habs might be interested in as Gainey seems to trade for unexpected players and not who we see commonly rumored to be heading to Montreal.

I wouldn't make a deal like this if it included a percentage of the Caps ownership with it. Don't get me wrong,I think Ovechkin is great.........this year. For some reason I seem to see too many simularities to Kovalchuk with this guy. Kovalchuk is a very talented player but his driving to the net and need for the puck [like his first few years] has disappeared almost completely. Aside from floating into the offensive zone and waiting for a one-timer pass where did all his determination go? Illya is a player that puts up points but he doesn't put forth the effort to be a total package [unlike his first few seasons] and that's what is needed to win championships. I hope I'm dead wrong, but I think once a fat contract is signed he will start to follow Illya in that role.

Not to jump all over you for this but, since when is an 18 year old consistent in anything they do? Latendresse has had a rough time accepting being sent down when he was the best player on the team. I understand that.....but now he is streaky???? You made this generalization on what, 50 games this year? geez.

That's quite a limb for sure umpa. Why older penguins players and not young guys?? They didn't work out for the pens why would they work in Montreal?

The odd thing about the NHL scoring now is that the Sabers can also say they took 3 of 4 points from the Habs. So the season series is MTL 3-1-2 Buff 3-2-1 If they didn't play any more games, both teams win the season series depending on who your favorite team is. Weird!

Yeah it's rough playing with a 5-0 lead

I agree as well. Kinda makes you think. The test was administered Dec 17th or so and the results were known Jan 14th.... about the same time Theodore went into the tank. The NHL has no sanction against this "drug" so it will not effect his status, nor will he suspend it's use.

There are a boat load of teams sitting on the brink of selling or buying right now and the Turino break might be the deadline they have set [at least in their heads]. As far as specific players it is likely as you see it.... a right handed center. Although only if the player has offensive upside or flair. Gainey tried this before and it didn't pan out [ Dowd] Aside from the bottom teams there are 4 others per conference that could close up shop and start dealing. The cap issue has almost no effect as most of the salary of any player has been paid thus far; the only way it could effect anyone is if you decide to keep said player for the following season and then you would have to cut $ ala the Devils this season before the season starts. This is great conversation but alas, I have to go. I will be looking for the reply tomorrow for sure. Thanks for the debate though

Saying where the player would fit in the line up is impossible to consider when someone would be going the other way in any trade made. The Habs are playing well [in the last 2 games anyway] but there is still 3-4 players that could be dealt without taking anything but a warm jersey out of the lineup. I did some looking around because I remember reading something to this extent and found this. http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/mtl060204.html nothing concrete, but then again this is a trade rumor/speculation thread anyway. :hlogo:

I disagree. I think Gainey will make a deal within days of the meeting to bring in a D-man of some sort, but I think he is also looking for an offensive minded forward to lend a hand.

He pointed to Theo. Rivet [i think it was] skated a message from Theo to Huet before the penalty shot. Appearantly Theo keeps a book of sorts on players shot preferences. Axelson is a stick side kinda guy.

This is one of the oldest jokes associated with hockey. It used to be the leaf's former tender [i can't remember who now. Allan Bester maybe?] after giving up a terrible goal from long distance, 5 hole. "Bester was Trying to commit sucide by jumping in front of a bus. fortunately it went right through his legs." I believe it actually started with the Red Sox Bill Buckner [sp?]. but it never ceases to amaze me how old things like this come back as new again.

Well put. It is something most don't think about [the new NHL] but it has a huge impact on the game and team ranks. Carolina [who is overacheiving in my books] was drafting at 3rd overall, and now they are the best team in the NHL? That is huge!

Thanks Simonus. Ya think he really thinks that about his buddy Jose, or is he just trying to start the motivational/confidence building by himself?

Quite the quote.... but I can't speak french. This one is good too "It`s Ground Hog Day, the furry rodent came out of his hole, pulled his groin, scored three goals on Jose Theodore and went back to sleep." - Kevin Gibson

In all honesty that could be the case. But Jose Thoedore could also get the shutout against the Bruins tonight. ps. Huet is starting tonight

Big shock! Theo was in Europe last year. Thomas was a lock for that vote

We all know Eklund is a schmuck Maybe the PC is for Saku signing a new deal. It would be like BG to get all our hopes up for a trade then do this. BG will only make a deal when none of us see it coming. :hlogo:

The deal kinda sounds too good for the Av's if you ask me. But its all BS anyway so meh! Why the press conference though?

Agreed; but they had better not trade Kosty or Perez without giving them the same chance they are giving Higgins and Pleks first. As for the season, we can still make the playoffs but I hear the top 10-15 draftees are pretty good too. At this point trades are all but moot because we have nothing of value that we are willing to part with; I say let Theo work through this and give the rookies a chance to play regularly and see what happens after that. It sounds good in theory, but the fans at the games in Montreal will not let that happen and Jose will be chased out of town ala Roy, Brisebois within the next few months [off season trade likely at Jose's request] It's Sad really, to go from "future of the franchise" to future ex-habs. Don't think for one second that Danis and Carey Price aren't taking notes on this.