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Basically, we traded a question mark for another question mark, as well as two offensive specialists. However, Niinimaa was probably a better player at his "prime" that had been Ribeiro with the Canadiens; Ribeiro was inconsistent during the regular season, and simply useless during the playoffs (and it's wasn't like Thornton who plays well, but isn't getting the points... Ribeiro was just invisible). He actually seemed to be regressing at the time of the trade, we gave him every chance he could possibly hope for in Montreal, so it's not like it was a difficult decision to trade him away.

I still don't think he was ever given a chance to play as a powerplay specialist, which he was. Also, I don't think Carbonneau ever had any intention of benching Dandeneaut; even last season when it become obvious that Dandeneault had no place on defence, Carbonneau did everything he could to keep him as a regular in the lineup, even as a forward on our first line... and at the exepense of better younger players like Chipchura and Lapierre.

In my opinion, Gainey only wanted a temporary solution until Bouillon came back, and also because Dandeneault was not 100% to start start the season, and that's why he acquired Niinimaa.

Anyways... we better off today without either of them...

ps. I actually believe that Niinimaa played better than Dandeneault that season... which says a lot about Dandeneault ;-)

Niinimaa had a bad start to the season while Ribeiro had a good start of season... The debate ended there for every narrow minded fans.

However, by the end of the season, Niinimaa delivered some seriously good hockey and was on some nights our best dman (on SOME nights)... I surprised myself toward the end of that season wondering whether or not we would re-sign him :P

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I think you guys are putting way too much blame on Ribs' shoulders. To say that he was the Cancer in the dressing room is exagerated. Let's not forget that the habs we NOT the team we have today. The Habs were a bad team back then.

I still this that if Gainey had been more patient with Ribs, we could have gotten alot more than what we did. If bob was able to talk to Kovalev I think he could have done the same with Ribs...but he chose to trade him instead, which was not a good move.

I find the sentence in bold sort of funny. There are differences with the team but they are almost totally internal. Go compare rosters and the 07-08 team had a very similar roster to the 06-07 team. The Habs weren't a bad team

back then, they were a very talented team with plenty of issues, injuries and scandals that made them miss the playoffs in the final period of the season (after two seasons of making the playoffs). There were some good changes last season like Kovalev's re-emergence, some breakout seasons from some young seasons (this branches off of Kovalev's good season), and most importantly, a much stronger team mentally - something we can attribute back to ridding our team of the likes of Mike Ribeiro.

The team we used to have could be up 3-0, let in a goal and then play like shit for the rest of the night and lose 5-3. They had mood wings after every goal. Last year, they started off in a similar way but finally learned how to play as a team: the wins over New Jersey and the comeback against the Rangers come to mind. Had Ribs still be on the team, firstly there would have been more scandals and controversy around to disrupt the team and secondly, he would have prevented us from ever assembling the Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev line that proved to be our very best. Remember how Plekanec was wasted on the third line early in the season? That is where he would stayed all season while Kovalev likely toils another year on Ribeiro's wing.

Now, he's much better. If we had him back, he might even contribute to our team and become our #1 centre. But he needed that trip to Dallas for him to ever have tapped into that potential. People are acting like he was a superstar that got away. We made him a superstar by sending him away. He made our team play like superstars by being sent away (- he isn't the only reason why our team improved so drastically, but the stability and atmosphere in the lockerroom was possibly the most major factor).

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Hockeybuzz has some decent bloggers, in particular Dan Tolensky, and their Cap Central section is second to none for team-by-team cap breakdown as they got the guy who ran http://www.nhlscap.com/ to move his spreadsheets to their site. Unfortunately, these guys get overshadowed by Eklund's rep.

As per that Oilers/Habs "young guns" rumor, it just doesn't appear to make any sense on the surface. Both teams seem to have the same strengths in terms of young forwards, with Edmonton having a slight edge in centre (Horcoff, Gagner, Brule, Schremp) and the Habs on the wing. On D, the Habs seem set for this year and the coming years. Edmonton might desire one for their farm system this season, but I just don't see enough of a match here for any kind of player for player swap. Both Edmonton and Montreal dealt some of the guys they wanted to deal (Edmonton in particular moving Stoll, Torres, and Pitkanen out; Montreal moving Grabovski and Locke) so there isn't even a problem for problem type deal to make anymore.

Fact is, last year at this time Ek was spouting off on how a Marleau to Montreal deal was pretty much imminent, and then Gainey came back from vacation and said how much he enjoyed his time off and kind of made fun of all the Marleau talk. This time of year, there is not much action at all on the trade front as most of the cap space is taken up.

I agree with you, Eric Engels is a great blogger as well, & I do go on hockeybuzz to read his stuff, & sometimes I do get sucked into Eklund's foolish headlines but I read them much the same way I would read a National Enquirer headline in the lineup at the grocery store. And to that point, I never come home from the store and tell my wife that Elvis was spotted at a 7Eleven. All I am saying is, that reporting on an Eklund rumour, with no other sources is very similiar to the above mentioned example.

Edited by C-Love
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Hockeybuzz has some decent bloggers, in particular Dan Tolensky, and their Cap Central section is second to none for team-by-team cap breakdown as they got the guy who ran http://www.nhlscap.com/ to move his spreadsheets to their site. Unfortunately, these guys get overshadowed by Eklund's rep.

As per that Oilers/Habs "young guns" rumor, it just doesn't appear to make any sense on the surface. Both teams seem to have the same strengths in terms of young forwards, with Edmonton having a slight edge in centre (Horcoff, Gagner, Brule, Schremp) and the Habs on the wing. On D, the Habs seem set for this year and the coming years. Edmonton might desire one for their farm system this season, but I just don't see enough of a match here for any kind of player for player swap. Both Edmonton and Montreal dealt some of the guys they wanted to deal (Edmonton in particular moving Stoll, Torres, and Pitkanen out; Montreal moving Grabovski and Locke) so there isn't even a problem for problem type deal to make anymore.

Fact is, last year at this time Ek was spouting off on how a Marleau to Montreal deal was pretty much imminent, and then Gainey came back from vacation and said how much he enjoyed his time off and kind of made fun of all the Marleau talk. This time of year, there is not much action at all on the trade front as most of the cap space is taken up.

Usually you and I agree on everything Saskhab, but not this time :P

I find http://www.nhlscap.com/ to be outdated and mostly annoying because of it. The site is supposed to be the most up to date NHL cap site on the web but take a close look at it, there are at least 4 contracts missing from the habs alone.

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One more point on Ribeiro and I'll drop it. I watch all the hockey I can get. Especially playoffs. What's worse is I watch reruns on NHL Network.

Ribs still has the bad habit of doing nothing with the puck in key situations. He hogs it. He hogged it in '07 and in last playoffs too. For all his benefit that he brings, sometimes he hogs it into the corner and cycles the side boards far too often wasting time and energy. Two Dallas players could be in the slot and the pass doesn't make it through because Rib's is looking for the perfect opening.

That's his weakness currently IMO. He'd probably do far better with his amazing playmaking abilities if on certain occasions he didn't make the "Ribeiro" play but the "smart/simple/correct" one.

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One more point on Ribeiro and I'll drop it. I watch all the hockey I can get. Especially playoffs. What's worse is I watch reruns on NHL Network.

Ribs still has the bad habit of doing nothing with the puck in key situations. He hogs it. He hogged it in '07 and in last playoffs too. For all his benefit that he brings, sometimes he hogs it into the corner and cycles the side boards far too often wasting time and energy. Two Dallas players could be in the slot and the pass doesn't make it through because Rib's is looking for the perfect opening.

That's his weakness currently IMO. He'd probably do far better with his amazing playmaking abilities if on certain occasions he didn't make the "Ribeiro" play but the "smart/simple/correct" one.

I didn't get to watch any Stars games during the regular season, and at one point, I even started wondering if I had been wrong all along about Mike Ribeiro. However, I then watched several Dallas games during the playoffs, and I saw the exact same Ribeiro, only slightly better and better supported (Morrow and Ribeiro do complete each other extremely well).

And then if you analyze his game log during the regular, you do see a similar pattern to what he did in Montreal. Streaky performances (except that he got extremely hot for two streaks), as well as a few 3-4 point games to boost his statistics. Again, I didn't watch those games (maybe he played great all season long, but his game stats didn't always show it), but it sounds really familiar...

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I didn't get to watch any Stars games during the regular season, and at one point, I even started wondering if I had been wrong all along about Mike Ribeiro. However, I then watched several Dallas games during the playoffs, and I saw the exact same Ribeiro, only slightly better and better supported (Morrow and Ribeiro do complete each other extremely well).

And then if you analyze his game log during the regular, you do see a similar pattern to what he did in Montreal. Streaky performances (except that he got extremely hot for two streaks), as well as a few 3-4 point games to boost his statistics. Again, I didn't watch those games (maybe he played great all season long, but his game stats didn't always show it), but it sounds really familiar...

Well, at the end of the day when contracts are being thrown around point totals are what counts, not streaks and mental attitudes unless of course it was a salary arbitration hearing. He hit payday. Good for him. All I know is if I was putting together a team I wouldn't want him on it. The habs are my team so I don't need to explain. Gainey is not losing sleep on this one that is for sure.

Has Sundin decided yet? Now that's what I'm talking about. Although I'm starting to feel like it should only be a 1yr deal at this point. Screw 2 years. We have too many players to sign next summer and if we sign Sundin for 2 and he decides to do this all over again next year that will royally f**ck Gainey in the ass up untill September '09. No Thanks!!!!

Edited by SAKS-AVENUE
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One more point on Ribeiro and I'll drop it. I watch all the hockey I can get. Especially playoffs. What's worse is I watch reruns on NHL Network.

Ribs still has the bad habit of doing nothing with the puck in key situations. He hogs it. He hogged it in '07 and in last playoffs too. For all his benefit that he brings, sometimes he hogs it into the corner and cycles the side boards far too often wasting time and energy. Two Dallas players could be in the slot and the pass doesn't make it through because Rib's is looking for the perfect opening.

That's his weakness currently IMO. He'd probably do far better with his amazing playmaking abilities if on certain occasions he didn't make the "Ribeiro" play but the "smart/simple/correct" one.

you mean, like Plekanec ^_^

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I love to poke fun at EK and often do, some of his bloggers are very good. His credibility is zero. Al you have to do is read some of the "quotes" of his supposed sources, they are so vague I'm surprised he can figure out who the hell the guy is talking about. There are rumours and then there is bullshit. I think we know which one refers to Ek.

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Usually you and I agree on everything Saskhab, but not this time :P

I find http://www.nhlscap.com/ to be outdated and mostly annoying because of it. The site is supposed to be the most up to date NHL cap site on the web but take a close look at it, there are at least 4 contracts missing from the habs alone.

He just hasn't been able to find out the contract value info of those deals, I'm assuming.

He's missing contract data on MaxPac, Denis, Desjardins, Flinn and Anderson. He went a few weeks before he posted estimates on Glumac, Henry, Belle, etc. I keep up a depth chart so I rely on his info. Have you found contract numbers for any of those 5 players he's missing? Because if NHLscap, NHLnumbers, or HabsWorld doesn't have it, I don't have it either.

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Hardly. ^_^

I mean, I'm not the biggest Plekanec fan, but he's the exact definition of efficiency and totally understand our "team" concept. You want every player to behave like him. You want every fast skater with a good shot to do exactly what he does : Skate fast to the net, shot (or pass) and backcheck as quickly. He's a perfect fit for this team... That's the only reason why I love him. A reason why Higgins wasn't so efficient last season is because he stopped doing that (koivu's influence? not blaming Koivu... but maybe one day we'll discover that his alleged negative influence did exist??).

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I mean, I'm not the biggest Plekanec fan, but he's the exact definition of efficiency and totally understand our "team" concept. You want every player to behave like him. You want every fast skater with a good shot to do exactly what he does : Skate fast to the net, shot (or pass) and backcheck as quickly. He's a perfect fit for this team... That's the only reason why I love him. A reason why Higgins wasn't so efficient last season is because he stopped doing that (koivu's influence? not blaming Koivu... but maybe one day we'll discover that his alleged negative influence did exist??).

Although I think Higgins has done quite well offensively considering what realistic expectations should be placed upon him, I also think Higgins tried to do too much last season, and that affected hos overall game. I don't expect Higgins to score 40 or even 30 goals every season, I simply want him to play a strong overall game in all three zones, excel on the PK, always be ready for a key situation, and contribute offensively as much as he can (with totals ranging from 45-65 points depending on his ice-time and the quality of the linemates he plays with).

Higgins can be a great asset for the Canadiens... but not as an offensive-minded power-forward winger... he just doesn't have the size nor the talent for that.

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you mean, like Plekanec ^_^

I'd actually say that Plekanec, great as he is (this needs to be thrown in so all his boyfriends on this site don't get offended :rolleyes:), makes plenty of giveaways by trying to make overambitious passes. His style is to skate up the wing, turn back and look for someone who's open. Lots of times he'll try to hit that target despite the two or three players between him and the guy he's passing too.

Considering the rest of his game, he's the type of guy you'd expect to always make the simple play, but he's got enough offensive talent and creativity that when supported by guys as talented as Andrei and Kovalev, he's going to be showing off.

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He just hasn't been able to find out the contract value info of those deals, I'm assuming.

He's missing contract data on MaxPac, Denis, Desjardins, Flinn and Anderson. He went a few weeks before he posted estimates on Glumac, Henry, Belle, etc. I keep up a depth chart so I rely on his info. Have you found contract numbers for any of those 5 players he's missing? Because if NHLscap, NHLnumbers, or HabsWorld doesn't have it, I don't have it either.

For the record, I will update the numbers on the main HW site soon (school has taken virtually all of my time since July.) I too don't have confirmed data on the contracts bolded above, so they will be blank when I update the site. I also have a slightly contradictory figure for Glumac (550,000 vs 500,000) so that may differ from what you have saskhab.

As for Bonneau, I find it interesting that the Bulldogs as a whole were awful last season, but almost every free agent (aside from Archer and Cote) have signed somewhere. Heck, even Urquhart's been signed (and if you've followed closely, apparently by 2 different AHL teams one month apart.) Go figure...

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I guess we can look forward to a season full of Higgins rumors. Unless he comes out of the box and shuts people up right away. I wouldn't mind Hemsky, but I have a feeling the first thing Carbo would do is work on his defensive game which would bring his point totals down and just seem like a lateral move anyway. I'm expecting a big year from Higgins this season, so lets assume this is just a rumor

SPECTOR-Hemsky to Montreal?

Edited by SAKS-AVENUE
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I like Hemsky as a player but there is no way they should move Higgins for him. In case fans haven't noticed the trend in the type of players BG is drafting. North / South, players, good skaters, physical and smart players.

BG already has the Euro skilled type players, AK, Sk are 20 and 23. Tanguay is only 28 and a skilled player.

If the Habs want someone off the Oilers more then likely it's Horcoff. The Habs will need a 1 or 2 centre here very shortly. Koivu skills have dramatically decreased, i must admit i am interested to see if he picks it up playing with Tanguay.

The team was good last year because they had a variety of players who each brought something different to the table.

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I'm expecting a big year from Higgins this season

SO am I. I hope Higgy can get 30 goals and 30 assists. If he can get to those numbers, i'll be satisfied with his season!

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I like Hemsky as a player but there is no way they should move Higgins for him. In case fans haven't noticed the trend in the type of players BG is drafting. North / South, players, good skaters, physical and smart players.

BG already has the Euro skilled type players, AK, Sk are 20 and 23. Tanguay is only 28 and a skilled player.

If the Habs want someone off the Oilers more then likely it's Horcoff. The Habs will need a 1 or 2 centre here very shortly. Koivu skills have dramatically decreased, i must admit i am interested to see if he picks it up playing with Tanguay.

The team was good last year because they had a variety of players who each brought something different to the table.

:rolleyes:

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SO am I. I hope Higgy can get 30 goals and 30 assists. If he can get to those numbers, i'll be satisfied with his season!

In a way, I hope that doens't happen. If Higgins gets about 30g-30a-60pts, it will most likely be because he's overused again in an offensive role on the top 2 lines with too much powerplay time. I love Chris Higgins, but I think we would benefit most from him playing on the third line, perhaps with Chipchura and Sergei Kostsitsyn (if Latendresse is very hot at camp, and earns a spot with Tanguay and Koivu).

In my opinion, our top 6 wingers should be Kovalev, Tanguay, A. Kostsitsyn, and either S.Kostsitsyn/Latendresse. Higgins is a great two-way player as well as a hard worker, but he lacks top offensive talent and instincts.

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Horcoff and Hemsky are the Oilers' two core players offensively, the two they've managed to lock up to long term deals in spite of all the skilled players that seem to jump at free agency the first chance they get in Edmonton. Penner, more by default, is amongst that group, and then it's the super sophmores of Ganger and Cogliano who they'll need to find money for in 2 years.

If we were getting a forward out of Edmonton, we missed our chance with the trades of Torres and Stoll. The only option that makes any sense right now would be a guy like Schremp, Jacques or Pouliot who they've given up on.

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http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2008/08/2...uded-by-sundin/

So according to people close to the Ducks, Selanne (and therefore Schneider) might be waitning on the Sundin sweeps as well. The thought is that Schneider won't be traded until Sundin signs and certain teams in play for the BDS become players (or not if they sign Sundin) for Schneider. If this is true, do you think Montreal is a possibility?

Bob has said he likes his D, and just is looking at a 7th d-man. I still think it's possible that Bob goes this route if Sundin isn't signed... we lack a puckmoving presence beyond Markov and Hamrlik, and a real PP presence on the point beyond Markov. True, this move would bump either O'Byrne or Bouillon to the role of 7th d-man, but it'd solidify a top 4. Plus, if we can get Anaheim to take Dandenault as part of the deal, it deals a problem contract.

Schneider, with his contract (and Anaheim being over the cap), isn't going to cost a lot. I know Carbo (or was it Muller) talked about bringing Schneider to Montreal last summer. He's also a former teammate of the whole Montreal coaching staff (minus Jarvis).

It's an interesting option B, that's for sure. I don't know if this guy believes Montreal is one of the teams that might go for Schneider or not, but the way he phrases the article makes it seem like a team in the Sundin sweeps might be. And I think of the teams, Montreal makes some sense. Philly might as well, but they'd have to move salary themselves.

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http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2008/08/2...uded-by-sundin/

So according to people close to the Ducks, Selanne (and therefore Schneider) might be waitning on the Sundin sweeps as well. The thought is that Schneider won't be traded until Sundin signs and certain teams in play for the BDS become players (or not if they sign Sundin) for Schneider. If this is true, do you think Montreal is a possibility?

Bob has said he likes his D, and just is looking at a 7th d-man. I still think it's possible that Bob goes this route if Sundin isn't signed... we lack a puckmoving presence beyond Markov and Hamrlik, and a real PP presence on the point beyond Markov. True, this move would bump either O'Byrne or Bouillon to the role of 7th d-man, but it'd solidify a top 4. Plus, if we can get Anaheim to take Dandenault as part of the deal, it deals a problem contract.

Schneider, with his contract (and Anaheim being over the cap), isn't going to cost a lot. I know Carbo (or was it Muller) talked about bringing Schneider to Montreal last summer. He's also a former teammate of the whole Montreal coaching staff (minus Jarvis).

It's an interesting option B, that's for sure. I don't know if this guy believes Montreal is one of the teams that might go for Schneider or not, but the way he phrases the article makes it seem like a team in the Sundin sweeps might be. And I think of the teams, Montreal makes some sense. Philly might as well, but they'd have to move salary themselves.

I like Schneider (always did) and agree with your line of thinking here - it'd be a quality addition, provided we don't give up anything significant for him, and have the cap space, which are always the kickers. But whether anything remotely like this is on Gainey's rader is another question. Interesting to contemplate though.

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