hockeyrealist
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Posts posted by hockeyrealist
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I’d go so far as to say the management and coaching staff had too much belief in Drouin, not the opposite as was stated in previous post.
He was brought in with high expectations, traded for a big piece to get him here, moved to C, playing PP1 and top 6.
The extra pressure from this belief is likely what led to his mental health issues (could have contributed to physical well being also) and exit from Mtl.
He wa definitely no victim in Mtl and anyone trying to paint it that way either has an agenda or doesn’t know squat.
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On 3/18/2024 at 9:58 PM, alfredoh2009 said:
and Xhekaj-Baron
Terrible idea. Baron is no good and will be even less room for him than there is now.
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13 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said:
Anderson cannot play with anyone. I pretty sure the scouting report from his kindergarten report card said “does not play well with others”. I think we create a Bergevin cap hell or cap anchor line with Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher, rather than kill any offensive potential that Evans may have - because he is a guy who works hard and does actually create offense.
“Evans - a guy who creates offense”surely you jest.
He scores once every three months and chips in a second assist once every two months.
Sick of people acting like this guy has more to offer, we’ve seen him enough to know he is what he is.And he definitely is not an offer I’ve created, jebus that is just making stuff up to pile onto other players, what a complete load of BS
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Mattheson is not who you want showing young D how to play in the NHL. He is not a sound defensive player, nor is he good positionally.
Given the team has no business trying to win games I do not see the value in him on the roster, holding up a spot, demonstrating that offense allows mistakes to be accepted and generally showing how not to be in position. Due to his skating he makes up for most of these mental issues, but again that is not who you want demonstrating the way to young D.
I don’t believe it is coincidence that Guhle has plateaued while partnered with him. I believe Guhle’s game is going to suffer long term because of it. I already notice him playing worse defensively, his gap control has gotten worse but that may be because he is worried Mattheson is gonna decide to play rover (even on d assignments) and Guhle has to accommodate.
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Montembeault blew this one.
Worst rebound control I’ve seen in a long time, not a great sign for a goalie we are pinning hopes on.
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Not impressed when looking at when he was signed, for how much and how long, to now moving him with retention for a nothing pick.
Feels like this type of trade could have been done a month or two ago, if not more.
Tells me Habs mgmt caved, took whatever they could and did not stick to their guns as is often reported.
Allen was brought in to play 20 games/season behind CP. He may not be playing behind CP, but it wasn’t stopping Monty from playing 40. Primeau has proven he can’t handle the other 40 so having him play 20, Allen play 20 was a way to potentially bring Primeau along. That hasn’t lasted a season, Primeau has shown no more reason to believe and now we are stuck with him possibly playing 30 games next season? Ugh.
This team can’t be rebuilding much longer, next season shouldn’t be about watching Primeau suck and being afraid to play him.
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Score was closer than than the game felt, Habs were never really a threat in this one.
Tough night for Slaf, whole first line looked out of sorts and not in sync.
Slaf looked lazy tonight.
Was not really any Hab going well besides Roy.
Were players focused on trade deadline, not prepared? Did coaches not make necessary adjustments? Habs looked out matched overall, was hard to watch.
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37 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:
Arber Xhekaj’s NHL stats for the season and they are impressive. What I glean from these stats is that Xhekaj is too good for bottom pairing and it’s time to see if he can hold these stats against better players.
Interesting numbers for sure. He kind of has been second pair with Savard lately and hasn’t looked out of place for most part, they actually make a decent combo from the eye test, have not looked at advanced metrics.I’ve personally always seen him ending up as a solid 4/5 guy with second unit PP potential and possibly PK potential should he learn some finer points on positioning, disrupting, reading NHL PP’s. Playing PP time may actually help him see the angles when on PK.
I do believe he is best served by having continued, sustained success in a lower role for a longer period of time before I’d throw him out against top 6’s every shift, every night (not that you’re saying that is the case either). Again, he is playing on what is the second pair now and ice time creeping up to the higher teens and into the twenties now. I think you may have called it, and they are thrusting him into more responsibility/trust.
Given his trajectory and season so far, I’d like him to end on a strong note rather than pushing him too hard. Post season exit meeting, you tell him he needs to elevate his play once again and will have a shot at top 4 next year type thing. Knowing what we know of him, he’ll come back faster, stronger, more aware hopefully. He needs to stop chasing players so far out of position in d zone, start recognizing when they are no longer a threat and just pulling him away from the important areas.-
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Just now, huzer said:
Bergevin? The "if you want loyalty, buy a dog." guy?
Hughes kept his gentleman's agreement with Monahan about trading to a contender when he signed his one year deal. Also handled the Petry trade request with aplomb. It was noticed. https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-inside-out/stu-cowan-canadiens-hughes-tried-to-do-the-right-thing-trading-jeff-petry-again
Not sure who the "bunch of others" that he apparently didn't treat right would be.
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1 hour ago, Commandant said:
Not true at all.
The issue of doing right by the player has been something that has come up in the Monahan trade, in the Allen situation, Petry (both times), Edmundson, and in a number of others.
but sure, crap on this front office and praise the last one. You could have showed me this post with no name on it and I would have known immediately who wrote it, its very predictable.
But yeah Bergevin was so good for the players, he banned legends like Believeau and Lafleur from talking to them, such a good guy that Bergevin.
Yeah, if “doing right by the player” includes signing Gally to his deal along with Armia, Anderson, etc. And then also being a douche to Markov, Subban and more then sign me up for the opposite.Just like in the locker room of a successful team, team comes first individual second.
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Edmundson to TO.
could prove to be smart add come playoff time, recall him being a defensive warrior if nothing else.
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Regarding hotel: Sofitel.
Have stayed there in the past when Flyers weee in town and they were staying there. This was pre Covid tho but teams tend to be chain loyal.
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Anyone know the stats on when 14/22 put up their points during a game?
i like both players so this is not me knocking them but my eyes seems to believe these two (particularly 14) seem to be amassing a significant portion of their points when the game is essentially out of reach, late in game, down by a couple.
Anyone have any opinion / info on this?
I’m curious, but not enough so to do the research myself.
My theory is that once opponent’s ease off on offensive pressure and take a more passive defensive approach to protect a lead is when 14/22 seem to get their best looks, sustained o zone pressure, ultimately points.
They obv create earlier in games as well, but the eye test tells me they cash in more when trailing (although I suppose they are always trailing…)
My worry is that if this is so, will they ever be able to produce early and often enough to be winners instead of happy to be competitive?
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I don’t usually read the articles from “A Winning Habit”, but I did just read the one on Kapanen. A lot of strong words from the writer for what appears to be modest results from the player.
What struck me is the writer claims Kapanen is averaging over a point per game (1.12) and being among the league’s best in that area, but then includes his stats for the season as having 27 points in 44 games…???
That’s 0.61 ppg…
Grammar, spelling errors are one thing on a published site, but such an obvious error in basic math..???
Looks like article was written by his agent. Bragging about potential of a bottom six role seems like no reason to brag…
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12 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:
I wonder how many records Slafkovsky is going to break? 🥳
Likely fair better than Galchenyuk is about only thing I’d bank on.Once teams recognize him as equal threat to 14/22 it will be interesting to see how he does.
Confident he will still do well, but wonder if he will continue to get such clean looks as PK’s adapt, teams game plan for Their whole line as opposed to focused on 14/22.
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53 minutes ago, JoeLassister said:
I agree 100%.
A few weeks ago, we joked around with friends that if you'd put Ylonen in Guentzel's jersey without telling anyone, there is a chance we might not be able to tell the difference that easily.
How is that a joke?Ylonen has done absolutely nothing while Guéntzel has been at ppg pace for 5-6 years and has a 40 goal season under his belt.
Ylonen has two nice shootout goals.
It’s a joke you’d disrespect Guentzel like that. Ylonen wouldn’t be playing in the NHL on a competitive team.
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11 minutes ago, GHT120 said:
Does Gallagher return to the lineup?
Does he deserve to return to lineup
Good point.Noy sure he deserves it, but Ylonen hasn’t done anything in an extended look. Roy will likely be taken out to make room, or Pezz even tho he doesn’t deserve it.
On merit alone you could sit a few players (Andy cough cough), but Pezz is usually the guy to take the hit.
Perhaps some rest will bring back a revitalized Gally..?
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59 minutes ago, GHT120 said:
I-M-O the reason Reilly only got 5 games is not as some (not here) are claiming because of pressure from Laffs owners (TSN/Sportsnet) or TO fans & media but rather that at 6 or more Reilly has the right to appeal to an INDEPENDENT arbitrator ... the NHL do not want PR messes handled outside the NHL bubble if at all avoidable.
That’s a good point.Likely true, interesting he got same number of games as Gally, difference is we weren’t in here wining about how we are victims, etc.
Cant stand watching or reading any broadcasts/publications these days with morons going on about how it was nothing and was warranted, etc.
Cannot believe producers are allowing these idiots to spew off like this, the TO market must be that lucrative.
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Some past Habs, still playing:
Danault 30 points (10 goals),+3, playing 16-20 min most nights on second line, 2nd PP and 1st PK.
KK. 18 points -11 as of today.
apparently back into top 6 at C, but was playing wing on 4th line for past month or so (sub 10min toi/game).
Sergachev, bad looking injury last night after missing 17 games due to lower body injury. Bad start to first year of huge deal.
Edmundson is apparently being shopped by Caps, playing 3rd pairing minutes (14-15 min/game), 3 total points and likely will be press box material if a contender picks him up for depth. Has continued to have injury problems and incredibly slowed down even more.
Toffolli playing 13-19 min/night and has 34 points, -9, currently ill and dtd.
Seems to be in the top 6 generally, on this ice a lot with empty nets…
Mike McCaron plays for Preds and dresses most games, plays about 10 min/game, has 12 points and a plus 1…Kinda surprised he dresses as much as he does, and that he is still in the show for that matter. Good for him, he was a poor pick for Habs at that draft position but not his fault the team ignored a lack of speed, skill and went for size.
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On 2/3/2024 at 12:03 PM, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:
So tired of this Arizona BS…it’s been a disaster for 30 years straight. Pull the plug and let this wheezing zombie of a franchise finally expire.
Agree 100.
”best fans on the world”? What all 50 of them?
I’m gonna be on west coast soon for work (haven’t been since pre pandemic). Since it’s been a while, I’m gonna extend trip with some vacay time, gonna an old family friend who winters in AZ to play golf and was curious to see a game at Mullett arena and see first hand what it’s like. Will be Wings in town (my 2nd fave team, behind Habs obv).
Our family friend has coyote season tix, said he can’t even give them away most games and can’t stand to go himself unless there is a visiting player he wants to see (was a scout in 80’s/90’s) so he gets jazzed when elite players come through.
Said he enjoys Mooseheads games more (he’s from NS).
Apparently the golfing in AZ is great though.
Random reason I’m also excited:
Gonna check out climate pledge arena for first time on this trip as well, Pens and Oilers are in town while
I’m there.
But yeah, best fans in the world?
i know every org says that but when Coyotes do, it really just highlights how terrible they are from ice to board room.
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If I’m not mistaken this was Sergachev’s first game back from injury as well (missed almost 20 games), he has had a rough go over his career with injuries.
Classy move by Rags team in this case to show support (obv not uncommon but still classy), was obv not a dangerous play but a bad luck situation. Lafreniere is a big boy (so is Sergachev) and that was just an awkward injury and looked painful. See that type of injury in football often, legs bending the wrong ways.
Sergy is also on first year of major contract to boot so he must be dealing with all sorts of physical/mental challenges this season. He lost his spot on PP1 that he’d taken last season, and is playing less minutes when healthy thanks to revitalization of Hedman.
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19 hours ago, TurdBurglar said:
I don't understand how Levi, with less than 30 games of NHL experience is being considered right now as one of the 3 goalies for Canada over Montembeault. A lot can change from now until the Olympics, but from common trends, he will be in his first or second full season as an NHL goalie. Those 2 years typically aren't great years for goalies, with few exceptions.
Dang, that is a good point.Not justifying it, but only reason I can think of is that I recall Levi being a starter for Canada at juniors, they seem to like the legacy type players who came up through Hockey Canada, but in saying that I would think Monty’s performance at worlds against men and more recently would be a feather in his cap.
Think Monty is generally being overlooked, took me this season to finally believe he is a number one on middling team/has number one potential on good team.
Levi has been completely underwhelming in NHL and part of reason Sabres have underperformed expectations, I recall not liking his playing at world juniors back in the day as well.
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19 hours ago, dlbalr said:
Do I think he's a likely option? No. And to be clear, he wouldn't be top three on my list today. But is it out of the realm of possibility that he gets considered for a #3 role? Probably not at this point. (Doing well at the Worlds last year will score him some points with Hockey Canada.) He'd need a really good couple of years and some others to struggle to be in the mix though.
Think you summed up my beliefs in a realistic view, he’s caused me to become optimistic regarding his future oddly enough.
Year-End Press Conference: Stay the Course
in Habs & Hockey Talk
Posted
Slaf was also an “ass hat” (since you like that term) for the first two months of the season, he wasn’t playing like he belonged in league at start of year.
He turned into a viable top 6 option and obv we are all happy for that.
point being,
Things change, banking on them staying the same is futile.