Trizzak

I'm bad luck. CJAD finally loads for me and the leafs score. Sorry guys.

I'd keep Zednik around based solely on what he gives to the team for the price we have him at. Under 2 mill a season for 1st line production. Thank you kindly.

Are those the actual lines or just lines you want to see?

ugh, lost twice! Regular game and the shootout! That just hurts.

Kyle Wellwood is certainly making a push for the Leafs roster. 2 goals tonight

Dagenais - Ribeiro - Latendresse Hossa - Plekanec - Kostitsyn Bulis - Chipchura - Locke Vandermeer - Sundstrom - Ivanans This isn't a "piss on Sunny" post, but hot damn I'd prefer Begin in the middle of that fourth line tonight. Besides that, I like seeing these lines. Might not win this one tonight, but there are some experiments here worth watching. Examples being: Kostitsyn being played in an offensive role (his niche,) Chipchura being tested at what will be his role in a few years, and seeing what Tender can do on a Buddy - Buddy - Newbie lineup.

Twas rumoured to be 10, twas shot down by the owners. 8 per conference.

or Ovekchin. (sp?) He was the top prospect before Crosby showed up, and he's one year older and stronger

sheesh, I miss a few days and suddenly I'm playing major catch up. Good to see the board this active though. Go HABS(world) GO! Anyways, to respond to something I read in the last three pages of this thread (and I'm only reading three pages,) I gotta say that Dags might not get a chance to prove himself this year. I'm one of the few that actually thinks he'll improve and become a threat this year, but with these prospects clawing their way onto the roster he may have to get shipped. The question is then: Does that effect Ribiero's play?

That orange fur and red jersey really don't look good at all.

http://tinyurl.com/bbgez Translated by NSHabsfan on the Sportsnet forum: An imposing Kovalev is only concerned about team goals "We have a hungry club" Mathias Brunet La Presse What strikes one when encountering Alex Kovalev in the corridors of the Bell Center is his new physique. The talented Russian forward was already built like an oak, and now he seems to have thickened a little everywhere... Even his center, Saku Koivu, could not help himself from remarking on the build of his new teammate. Kovalev, who weighed 220 pounds last year, tipped the scales at 229 pounds yesterday morning. "And yet, I haven't touched weights and dumbbells for four years," he insisted. "I train with stretching equipment in order not to lose my suppleness and flexibility. That also makes it possible to work a greater number of muscles." Acquired at the end of the 2003-2004 season from New York in return for Jozef Balej, then re-signed as a free agent this summer, Kovalev is very eager for hockey to begin again. "We have a hungry club. There are many young players who have things to prove, and that rejuvenates me a lot. I find that exciting." When a team-mate asks him whether he set personal objectives for this season, he looks the other right in the eyes. "The goals that I set for myself are collective and not personal. I want to take part in the playoffs with the Canadiens, and to win the Stanley Cup. Nothing else." Kovalev has two compatriots at camp, defenseman Andrei Markov and young forward Alexander Perezhogin. He does not skimp praise with regard to Markov, who helped Moscow Dynamo to win the RSL championship last winter. "He has all the talent in the world and showed it in the regular season and then with the national team. He is one of the best defensemen. He has very good vision and one can rely on him. He was a key element for Dynamo this winter." Is Perezhogin likely to remain with the club according to him? "He has the talent to become the best. But he must earn his place. He has very good hands and an excellent first step. Hockey in Europe is, however, very different from here, and it must be seen how certain players manage to adjust themselves to the North American style." He sounds really excited to be a habs, and even seems to be putting an effort into being a team player. However, if the Habs look like they won't be getting a playoff spot this year, I expect to see the old Kovalev again. Any differing opinions out there?

That pic will be my avatar on another forum. Great pic!

1 or 2 games. Probably one in Montreal, one in Toronto.

apparently Plekanec isn't NHL ready yet either.

http://www.ofeliamateescu.com/alin/nhl/can...anadienscap.asp $35,913,933, with no more players to be signed.

We've been calling for this exact contract since the Ribs signing. I thought we'd see something crazy with the contract considering the length of time it took. But I'm happy.

I'm just glad he's a leaf so Komisarek has 8 games to check Czerkawski through the boards :/)

None of the names you mentioned would have made as formidable 1st line as the Kovalev signing. If we had another roster spot open, I'm sure we would be seeing a trade/signing that you're calling for. Slightly off topic, what's your take on trading for Bonk?

yeah it was something different when you actually praised the Habs draft choices. And oddly enough, most of us agree with you this year. (now if only we can get you to come around on Kostitsyn this year...) But beckham, would you honestly want Mariusz back in Montreal? Mr. 43 - 5 - 9 - 14? I think we can all agree Kovalev is slightly overpaid, and the contract length is 1 year too long. But I have more faith in his production this year than I do with Mariusz

Any chance of convincing him to come back as a habs?

Czerkawski, Lindros, and Allison ALL underachieve to less than their contract worth.

Why does it have me as the thread starter?

I disagree with you kaos, I think if Hossa is badly outplayed in camp he will be traded early in the season.

I don't think Pleks signed a two way contract, and cannot be sent down without clearing waivers. Higgins, however, can still be sent down.

I think your ratings are too high. Not enough proven scorers to warrant an A- for offense, B or B-. Our Defense is adequate, C+. Theodore hasn't played two good seasons in a row yet, and no one knows how Danis will play at NHL level, B-. Size? (I'm guessing you mean physical players.) Dude, 5 of the 8 guys listed in your first paragraph are minor leaguers. Only one of them will make the Habs this year. Yes, the team is bigger than last year, (Bonk, Kovalev, new goon) but not by much. However, your rating is almost spot on (in my opinion,) B- for the optimist, C+ for the pessimist. Depth we mostly agree on. D depth is practically nonexistent, and this years draft didn't help that. Offensively and...Goaltendingly...I agree with you. But I'm going with a B+ Total: B-. We aren't an A team. An A team finishes top 4 in their conference, and I don't see that happening for the Habs. Now take your same ratings and apply them to the team a year or two from now and I'm betting they'll be more accurate.