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I think Huet should get the start tonight, he played ungodly last night. If you yank your goalie when he lets in 1 goal in the new NHL, you're making a big mistake.

It really is so easy for us to say get this player get that player, just because Gainey might want to make a trade doesn't mean the numbers work, or the other team was asking too much. Making a trade just for the sake of making a trade to apease some fans is foolhardy.

So most people are being a negative nancy (not saying there is reason not to), but maybe we can start a feel good thread on the positives of the greatest team in hockey. - Gui, gui gui!: I love the way he is playing, the scoring is nice, but when I see the puck being dumped in the corner I know the big hit is coming, and it makes me smile every single time. - We're still in 4th place, we've slumped for the last 30 or so games and we're still in 4th place, thats not too bad IMO. Well thats a start...whats your guys (and gals) postitives?

I dunno about everytime, but why is it always the defenses' fault, not just a great play by the offense? I'm not a Markov hater, just not a huge fan as everyone on the boards. I want them both back, heck I like Rivet too...just not on the power play. Streit has really started to grow on me. Oh as an aside, anyone catch sportscentre after the hockey game last night? They kept calling Markov, 'Dany'.

In the game last night Markov was made silly, and was lucky to not have been scored on. How come everyone isn't jumping on his back like they would if it was Souray? Not to mention Markovs shot from the point was constantly blocked. There seems to be a huge double standard going around here.

Why do people insist on not signing a guy who's our second leading scorer when our problem is scoring? I know the number might be high, but you aren't sure how much a part of the team Souray is in the dressing room. Honestly he's not worth over $5 million, but from what I see of Markov I wouldn't pay him over $3.5 I'll get flamed for this, but maybe I'm blind, I just don't see why people are so head over heels in love with Markov? Anyone care to educate me?

I don't care if the habs win tonight. I just want to see effort, forechecking, hitting, a pass that goes tape to tape.

Actually, I don't like to stick up for the CBC, but when Ron mentioned that this was going to be available he also said that teh CBC didn't have the rights to show the game. My guess would this be a case of CBC and RDS getting the rights to the games before the sweater induction ceremony was announced so they couldn't go back and get this game.

For any of those who do not have RDS, you can watch the Sweater ceremony on CBC at 7 eastern.

After a couple years of watching hockey in french (RDS) I barely even mind that I don't always know what the commentators are saying. I can understand peoples frustrations if you don't have access to RDS, as an aside...Cassie Campbell..she's a decent announcer, much better than Cole and Neal, when ever they call a habs/leafs game it gets me so frustrated listening to them bumble through the pronouncation of some of the player, not to mention their one sided biasness.

Now I'm not gonna bag on the boys, but there are a few things I've been noticing the last few games. I'm no hockey coach, just an armchair QB so to speak 1) They give up the defensive zone so easy, they never press the other team and force them to dump it in. Last night the canucks seemed to enter the zone at will. 2) There seems to be a lot less physical play being played, now there are some exceptions Souray and Komi come to mind. Even the cube has seemed to tone it down in his physical play. 3) The penalty kill, did we use to sit back in the box, or did we use to pressure the other team, forcing them to make quicker decisions which led to short handed chances? Now theres no reason to panic, we're just in a slump. We can turn this around, I do hope sammys little press box sitting will light a fire under him like it did last time.

I have the mp3 on my PC at home, I can't remember where I got it from. I think I searched google and found it on some page.

Even IF he's going to leave, unless a meltdown happens, I think we need to keep him. I think I might just be hopelessly optimistic, but I beleive we have a real chance this year: grade A goaltending, under rated defense, speedy forwards, killer special teams. I don't like comparing teams, but honestly is there much that seperates us from Buffalo? We've proven we can skate with them. I wish we'd get to play the Ducks more to see how we matched up with them.

A reason for the PK not being it's usually self could be attributed to having Begin, Souray and Higgins out. Or it just could have been an off night.

The habs were predicted to finish 10th by a lot of so called experts, where as it's still early, we're looking pretty good right now.

Hey Justintb, when you say Kovy dislikes Plek..is that professionally..or personally?

Theres nothing better than drinkin' some of Alexander Keiths Finest India Pale Ale...and watching the Habs! Though those Wings on that sports bar commerical on RDS look good, whats the deal 5 goales = 8 wings?

I think the Habs need to get a few cartons of eggs, and practice their 'soft hands'. Hehe...but seriously, the passes are always just a bit too far ahead or behind the players. I dislike the leafs, but their passes are so crisp. Any thoughts on why this could be?

Where's it say we're not a cup contending team though? Every team that makes the playoff is contender. I think you wont get much for him in a trade, since he does want to move out west. I wanna keep him around cause he's a great player, and we aren't the highest scoring team in the league. He leads our team in goals for poops sake. I see no upside to trading him, is letting him go and us getting to the 1st round in the playoffs, better than getting to the 2nd or 3rd round, if we end up getting a 2nd round pick in the draft? I've just never been a fan of trading players at the deadline cause you think they wont resign, opinions vary I guess.

Oh my mistake, I thought they both had a year left after this year.

I don't want to lose Souray at the deadline, even IF he leaves next year (but I see no reason why he wouldn't resign with the team he's had the bulk of his NHL success). To be honest, there's not many on the team I'd like to get rid of...save Abby, something about him just bugs me, he reminds me of Theodore...he just lets in the soft goals. I think gettin grid of Ninny for a draftpick would help be able to sign Markov and Souray next year, abby too. Trading them for picks saves us like what 4.5 million?

To be honest, you can't make a statement saying Soray wont be back, you're not the GM nor Souray himself. You can say you think he wont be back, but I'm glad Gainey is the GM not you Everyone keeps talking about getting the 'number 1-2' defenceman like it will instantly solve all of the habs (very few) problems? How's Chara working out in Boston? I know you can point to the Ducks and Pronger, but there was already a good D core there in Neidermyer. As to Markov, I'm going to be the one that bursts the bubble, he's not playing that great this year. He's made numerious mistakes and miss ups. He's getting points yes, but as people like to say so is Souray, but he's goofing up on defence. One last thing, am I the only one that thinks when Higgins and the cube comes back that we're one of the most dangerious teams in the league? Serious cup contenders? When I watch the way Sammy and Kovy skate with the puck I drool at their potential.

Haha yeah...the fact Souray might leave, is a concern, but I have hope he'll be resigned.

So...it's a real slow day at work, so I came up with a idea for a thread: "What name would you get on your habs Jersey". So I'm really stuck between two people. - Koivu, because he shows heart, talent, total team player. This is kind of a stretch but he reminds me of Thoerin Fleury (despite all his antics he was a favourite of mine) - The other jersey would be Souray...his shot is amazing, and I love that he's not afraid to mix it up and lay the bigcheck. I know he gets lampooned a lot for his defensive lapses, buts that ok...maybe we should make him a winger

I love that Lats is scoring and all, but where is the loyalty? Ryder is by no means scoreless this year, and after 3 decent games by Lats you're already wanting to dump Ryder? All Ryder did last year was lead our team... shame on him