dreegking

DD doesn't need to be saved by anyone. He saved himself. He was one of the most productive players in the league in the last 2/3 of the season. He also has one of the best along the boards results statistically of any Hab. I am not sure many realize just how many battles he wins along the boards. he does it his way and comes away with the puck more often than not. And he is not weak defensively like many think. He needs zero help, nor does he need saving.

He is the reason why I think it is time for Lars to move to a shut down winger on the fourth line. Or Centre. I LIKE THE IDEA of Malhotra and him taking defensive zone face offs. If he makes the team is Bilodeau still on the team. At what point do these guys over take Moen and Prust and Bourque (ice cold or hot?)? With Gorges and and Gionta gone, it's hard to lose leadership, Moen and Prust are likely hurt for half the season, so it probably works it's way out. I am a Bilodeau fan, but he is def a fourth line guy, unless he works on his hands.

I would start with Tinordi, based upon the needs of the Habs. Beaulieu stills needs to add strength imo. He needs a bit more weight too. And he can and should put it on. Pateryn is a prototypical perfect injury replacement. Bioullion should be sent down to develop these guys imo. Is he on a two way. I imagine not? so, he can ride pine and be the 8th, who never plays until there are injuries. I like his game still, although many do not. But it's time to develop these guys. Btw - Deitz might be the guy when it's all settled. He is highly under estimated imo. He could be the most ready with the most upside. But I REALLY like Tinordi's presence. Is he really that undisciplined when it comes to penalties though? Beaulieu still seems to need more time to work on some things.

There ain't no doubt he has some serious developing to do. But he has the offensive upside. He can learn the defense. It's goona take a while though. Even at 18, it's quite possible to show a lot more defensively. He needs to make some decisions about what he wants to be, or he will never play in the NHL. I am surprised about his lack of defensive IQ, as his Jr. coach, Mollekin (spelling?) usually develops pretty solid two way hockey players or at least guys with a good sense of what is required.

Awesome win. Anyone know what happened about the water bottle spraying. Something about a Ranger, kids, and a water bottle spraying. On tv they said the league would probably look at that too. i missed the start of the game (I know, I suck). But what happened exactly?

To answer the threads question. Not Julien. TO respond to some of the ludicrous Habs, so-called fans. If they had their way there would be no Therien, no DD, Pleks would be traded for an Edmonton baby and box of pucks, Markov would have been given up on two years ago, Gorges would be the 6th D or long gone years ago, Weaver would not have been traded for, and Price would have been run out of town ages ago. I often tell my western friends that Habs fans are passionate but the emotions usually get in the way of reason. I appreciate this thread, it has provided great humour. Thank you.

Bruins are simply trying to match the Canadiens. Spreading responsibilities though out all three top lines. In the hopes of matching the Canadiens. Might as well try something. But, for a team that is not used to moving around, like the Habs are, I think this plan is unwise for them. Yippee.

But don't you know Vlasic is better?It's become kinda sad how hometown statisticians even have picked in his TO. He gets credited with WAY too many. He gets to the pucknfirst and out muscles two foreckecers and zips it around the boards and its kept in. Turn over. Meanwhile, 9 out of 10 defence man can't get to puck and loose possession before they even have it, or to the same, instead of zipping it around, keep it between there feet and wrestle until they loose. Plus, PK wins 80 percent of the one on one saw off battles, instead of 50 percent. Hey, don't you now Chara is better? He's a top three finalist. LOL. Keep up the middle ice turn overs big guy. It's crazy.

Prust was out. Good choice. Bad last game. Something is wrong. Just not gritty or fluid. Moen was the right choice the other day. Looked sluggish and needed more time to find his groove. MT is making all the right choices IMO. No way is Weisse being left out. Bournival has been solid the last two games as well. I could easily see Briere getting some pine soon, when Prust is ready. Get Murray off the ice, until Boston shows they have "lost it". Which will be after the next game and a loss.

The problem with Lars, is he can disappear as quickly as he arrives. Bourque too. Both can't be trusted. But Gionta is pushing their buttons IMO.

No to any added help on D. It's fine. Diaz will be back and we'll be laughing. Kaberle is the best choice as our 6th until then. Just a matter of time IMO. don't mortgage the future for a band aid short term fix. There's some young D soon on their way next year and the year after, for the loss of Markov and anyone else who get injured. All is good in the short term and long term. And there will be the likes of Kristo and a few very nice prospects on O, soon on their way to Hamilton next year and the year after. For Gionta's eventual loss and an injury replacement. It's all good. Stay the course. Clowe for Halpern in the short term would be nice. And Riberio for two years until these young guns come, would be another nice short term addition.

If he plays like he did today, he's on his way to sticking for the duration and not embarrassing himself at all. Solid game against a tired and injured Florida team.

Perhaps you would buy Apple stock in 2013. I bought in 1998. Everything in life is pretty much a calculated gamble. The same holds true in hockey. By the way - PK is the best dman on one of 30 NHL teams. In addition, why should he be paid less than ageing and fading dmen like Kaberle and Markov. You bet your bottom dollar he wants more than them. And he's correct to think so.

I truly think its already beginning and thought so prior to the season... Lars Eller

Totally agree.

Elle is the 3rd centre, so he doesn't get the best wingers. He needs to earn the best wingers by being one of the two best Centres. He's a good 3 rd centre and I suspect that is what he'll be his entire career. Nothing wrong with that. He lacks the passing and vision to make him a top two. That is why he needs to play wing if he ever hopes to be a top 6 guy. That's the only way I see it happening.Eller should be worried. If Chens plays well at Centre the next few games, he'll only be the 4 th best Centre and is gonna become a defensive specialist. I know I could get lambasted for suggesting this, but their are very few Carboneaus out there. Especially in today's game, but Eller has the ability to be an excellent and elite defensive specialist. The Habs need to decide what to do with him pronto or trade the guy.

Yes, that is what you do. Your top 6, if bonafide studs get an average of 6 million each. That leaves 30 osh million for the others. At an average of about 2 million a piece I think many teams do it this way: Top 6: 30 to 36 million Next 6: 20 to 24 million Next 6: 12 million Next 6: 6 million Nothing wrong with that at all Seems to have worked for all the best teams of the last decade. It's about making sure you get value for where you spend your money. About safely slotting the players where they belong. This is what the Habs need to get better at. I feel confident in a future top 6 earning big contracts of: Price, Patch, Chens, Subban, 2 others TBD (Markov has two years left as a top tier - hopefully he returns to near form and earns it) followed by Pleks as a tier 2, maybe tier 1. Qualified tweener. Despite what people say, he's a stud two way centre. One of the best in the league. Every team needs a great two way centre if you don't have a truely elite centre. Hopefully Chens becomes that. Etc.

I think it's fair to say that PK is asking too much, and the teams offer. Is ALSO to low. Thus... On another note, no way does PK sit on his laurels. He is a work out demon and loves the ice also. This is probably the best guy for the Habs as an organisation in decades. He's the face already. He does everything you'd want in the community and gets along with everyone on his team but gets under thenskin of the opposition too. How perfect is that. Plus, he has the talent to be an all-star. No one needs to worry about PK. Many fans of the Habs are acting like children, the way they did with Price. Only Price deserved it a little bit. PK, NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST.

Agreed. For whatever reason this philosophical sentiment is a popular notion. But I'm with you. Gotta ask everyone, how did letting Chelios, Desjardins, and such turn out long term? Get Subban signed to an escalating long term contract.

And Subban is better than advertised and recognized. He is a top 10 point getter on D. Top shot blocker grouping. Strong along walls and solid steal/takeaways contributuons. Great plus minus under very tough minutes last year on a negative team. Top 25 checks for defense. Strong passer. Strong shooter. If he shrinks his giveaways by 30, he's in elite company for offensive defenseman. And those are misleading, as his recovery after turnover is very good. He's young. If you look at his game, intangibles, numbers and factor in age, he's elite.

I could live with 5.5 per, for 4 years. I'd prefer an escalating contract of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 million.

No Subban, agreed. Not for a couple weeks I suspect. Kaberle gets a chance.

I'd be shocked if e doesn't stick at this point. Even just playing PP would make things worth it. But beside Pleks? All he has to do is skate hard, look for spots to shoot from and get ready to fire the puck. Captain G and Pleks will take care of the rest and him. And Therien will give them lots of offensive zone starts to ease him in. He's in good hands. Who was the last number one to not make it. Remember, the Habs believe he should have gone number one and was the best player in the draft.