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5 reasons our future is bright for years to come


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It's still early this season but when you combine last year with our start this year, and you compare where we are today with almost any time over the past 15 years, I think there is lots of evidence pointing to the fact that we should have a very bright future for years to come. Here are the 4 main reasons I think we are in very good shape.

1. Marc Bergevin: This certainly includes Geoff Molson, who choose MB, but the management team that has been put in place is my number 1 reason for being so optimistic for the future. I think MB has surrounded himself with a very good team and seems to have worked at building [ongoing] every department so that we continue to draft extremely well, and now we work and develop the young players with care and caution and have created a winning and positive atmosphere that seemed to be missing for so long.

2. Trevor Timmons: when you look at his drafting record, even going back to his "off the chart" choice of Carey Price and Subban and ...... the list goes on. We have a depth that we haven't had for a long time and if you look at almost every position we have both present depth along with great prospects at different levels, resulting in a very solid farm for years to come.

3. Our present core: When you look at how many players are on our team right now that we drafted and developed and when you see the core that we have of Price, Subban, Patches, both Gally's, the young defencemen and the rest of our talent level, we are very competitive with almost very other team and I think we are close to moving into the elite level. Our size has improved without giving up our speed. Maybe we're not there yet compared to a team like LA but we are getting close.

4. The Room: from what we hear from the players we have an excellent room. I think it was Parenteau who said something like he has never seen an NHL room as close and supportive as what he found when he arrived here. I think that's a huge reflection on MB and the type of players he has brought in.

5. Accountability and decision making: for lack of better words I think the accountability and decision making have been seen by the moves that have been made. MB wasn't afraid to move out popular, solid veterans who were either getting a bit older, lacked sized or were underachieving. So with changes made with Gionta, Georges, Douglas Murray, Parros, White and Borque, we have gotten bigger and I think elevated our talent level. Overall I think we are a better team this year than last.

So with all of this in place, even when we hit some bumps in the road, or even if we underachieve at some point, I think we have the structure and quality in place in ownership, management and players to keep us headed in the right direction so we keep getting better and closer to #25.

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It's still early this season but when you combine last year with our start this year, and you compare where we are today with almost any time over the past 15 years, I think there is lots of evidence pointing to the fact that we should have a very bright future for years to come. Here are the 4 main reasons I think we are in very good shape.

1. Marc Bergevin: This certainly includes Geoff Molson, who choose MB, but the management team that has been put in place is my number 1 reason for being so optimistic for the future. I think MB has surrounded himself with a very good team and seems to have worked at building [ongoing] every department so that we continue to draft extremely well, and now we work and develop the young players with care and caution and have created a winning and positive atmosphere that seemed to be missing for so long.

2. Trevor Timmons: when you look at his drafting record, even going back to his "off the chart" choice of Carey Price and Subban and ...... the list goes on. We have a depth that we haven't had for a long time and if you look at almost every position we have both present depth along with great prospects at different levels, resulting in a very solid farm for years to come.

3. Our present core: When you look at how many players are on our team right now that we drafted and developed and when you see the core that we have of Price, Subban, Patches, both Gally's, the young defencemen and the rest of our talent level, we are very competitive with almost very other team and I think we are close to moving into the elite level. Our size has improved without giving up our speed. Maybe we're not there yet compared to a team like LA but we are getting close.

4. The Room: from what we hear from the players we have an excellent room. I think it was Parenteau who said something like he has never seen an NHL room as close and supportive as what he found when he arrived here. I think that's a huge reflection on MB and the type of players he has brought in.

5. Accountability and decision making: for lack of better words I think the accountability and decision making have been seen by the moves that have been made. MB wasn't afraid to move out popular, solid veterans who were either getting a bit older, lacked sized or were underachieving. So with changes made with Gionta, Georges, Douglas Murray, Parros, White and Borque, we have gotten bigger and I think elevated our talent level. Overall I think we are a better team this year than last.

So with all of this in place, even when we hit some bumps in the road, or even if we underachieve at some point, I think we have the structure and quality in place in ownership, management and players to keep us headed in the right direction so we keep getting better and closer to #25.

All good points. Positive moving forward. However i will say it looks real good when you compare this team to recent "past hab teams" . Still a long way to go when you compare the roster to nhl contenders around the league. But i like the diversity we are beginning to see on the team. Really refreshing to see a GM casting out players rather than settling for mediocre results. (gorges and gionta being examples in the summer, bourque and moen recently) I have a ton of confidence in MB, while recognizing that the team we see now is propelled by players that were here when he arrived. Price, Subban, Pacs, Markov. MB still needs to add to the nucleus/core of the team. Not just the supporting cast. Although he has done very well at that.

In covering all the positives, quite obvious there was no mention of the coaching staff. Intentional?

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There is no doubt we have made great strides since MB has entered the fray. Everybody has to be real happy where we are at today. Once we get the power play on track, we should be in a real good spot barring injury. I hope MB can do something to get that team in Hamilton going. Many are calling for SL's head. I agree , it is time to move on..

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Good points. However, I don't think we're at the " legit contender" level just yet. Those three losses against Tampa, Calgary and Chicago were pretty ugly.

I think that our real "window" for the Stanley Cup will start next year. Starting with the 2015-16 season, we will have a solid 5-7 year window to win it!

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All good points. Positive moving forward. However i will say it looks real good when you compare this team to recent "past hab teams" . Still a long way to go when you compare the roster to nhl contenders around the league. But i like the diversity we are beginning to see on the team. Really refreshing to see a GM casting out players rather than settling for mediocre results. (gorges and gionta being examples in the summer, bourque and moen recently) I have a ton of confidence in MB, while recognizing that the team we see now is propelled by players that were here when he arrived. Price, Subban, Pacs, Markov. MB still needs to add to the nucleus/core of the team. Not just the supporting cast. Although he has done very well at that.

In covering all the positives, quite obvious there was no mention of the coaching staff. Intentional?

My thoughts on the coaching is that we are getting what we should be getting. If we had a poor coach then changes would have been made already. I liked MT hiring at the time and I still think he is a good coach. Not a Scotty Bowman and not a Mike Babcock, but certainly IMHO, he is at the level of most of the coaches a level below the two I just mentioned. So not a knock on MT but I don't think he is as key a component as to why we are where we are. I think the 5 points I made are the more important factors.

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One thing I'll say is that - living far from Montreal as I do - I have never once in the past 15 years seen a Habs' team that is as highly regarded by out-of-market media and fans as this one is. We are not seen as up there with the LAs or Chicagos, but everyone nowadays just takes for granted that the Habs are a major, dangerous squad in today's league. Commentators furrow their brows in concern when the Habs come to town ("going to be a tough challenge for our boys tonight...") The other thing is that I can't remember the last time we had so many players who are routinely regarded as stars. Carey Price is universally seen as a top-end, feared goalie. Subban is already legendary. Pacioretty is just below those two as one of the league's most feared snipers. And the Gal(l)ys, for whatever reason, have a huge profile, especially Gallagher. Seems like everyone knows about him; in fact, people tend to over-rate him, not realizing that his numbers have never really been that great.

I've waited for what seems like forever for the Habs to get back a level of respect this high. We're finally a truly good team and everyone in hockey knows it. And yes, there is no reason to think this is a short-term blip. The core is young. The future, properly handled, should be very bright.

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I honestly don't see Timmins staying much longer. One of the bigger markets are going to try and scoop him up as a next GM and Timmins has said he wants to try being a GM someday. I think we have five years max with him.

I could see Pittsburgh, when done with Rutherford, giving Trevor a call. Same with Toronto once Shanahan dumps Nonis.

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One thing I'll say is that - living far from Montreal as I do - I have never once in the past 15 years seen a Habs' team that is as highly regarded by out-of-market media and fans as this one is. We are not seen as up there with the LAs or Chicagos, but everyone nowadays just takes for granted that the Habs are a major, dangerous squad in today's league. Commentators furrow their brows in concern when the Habs come to town ("going to be a tough challenge for our boys tonight...") The other thing is that I can't remember the last time we had so many players who are routinely regarded as stars. Carey Price is universally seen as a top-end, feared goalie. Subban is already legendary. Pacioretty is just below those two as one of the league's most feared snipers. And the Gal(l)ys, for whatever reason, have a huge profile, especially Gallagher. Seems like everyone knows about him; in fact, people tend to over-rate him, not realizing that his numbers have never really been that great.

I've waited for what seems like forever for the Habs to get back a level of respect this high. We're finally a truly good team and everyone in hockey knows it. And yes, there is no reason to think this is a short-term blip. The core is young. The future, properly handled, should be very bright.

the caveat with the love the habs get, is that the play in the "weaker eastern conference" where there are 3 or 4 teams in the mix but no real power team that is head and shoulders above everyone else and no one feels they are as strong as LAK/ANA/CHI/STL.

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There is no doubt we have made great strides since MB has entered the fray. Everybody has to be real happy where we are at today. Once we get the power play on track, we should be in a real good spot barring injury. I hope MB can do something to get that team in Hamilton going. Many are calling for SL's head. I agree , it is time to move on..

here in hamilton the season ticket holders cant stand SL.

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I honestly don't see Timmins staying much longer. One of the bigger markets are going to try and scoop him up as a next GM and Timmins has said he wants to try being a GM someday. I think we have five years max with him.

I could see Pittsburgh, when done with Rutherford, giving Trevor a call. Same with Toronto once Shanahan dumps Nonis.

He could be in edmonton before that

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caught the third period of leafs pens ........ leafs lose by a goal.

must be the ninth time in the last ten leaf games that the opposition sat the no 1 goalie and put the back up in. dont know why that is but back ups still play a lot against the loafs

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the caveat with the love the habs get, is that the play in the "weaker eastern conference" where there are 3 or 4 teams in the mix but no real power team that is head and shoulders above everyone else and no one feels they are as strong as LAK/ANA/CHI/STL.

True. But that's a completely justified reading of things - I tend to agree with it myself.

For now, I'm basking in the fun of cheering for an elite NHL team with legit home-grown stars. After a couple more years of (say) not making the Finals, no doubt my temper will sour somewhat. :unsure:

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Good points. However, I don't think we're at the " legit contender" level just yet. Those three losses against Tampa, Calgary and Chicago were pretty ugly.

I think that our real "window" for the Stanley Cup will start next year. Starting with the 2015-16 season, we will have a solid 5-7 year window to win it!

Agreed--- Just because we think we are heading there, doesn't mean we're there. This year might define us. I believe we still need some roster tweeks. MB keep building.

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I think Lefebvre is proof that MB is not infallible. I mean, I know the goal is developing NHL players but a season of 29-41-0-1 followed by 33-35-0-1 and off to a blazing 5-7-0-2 this year, ugh!

Like many others, I believe that we need, given the French speaking coach imperative, to develop our own in the minors, but seriously, can you imagine someone with this record being hired to lead Les Glorieux? It doesn't bear thinking about... I am going to go wash my brain...does Mike Babcock speak French?

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I honestly don't see Timmins staying much longer. One of the bigger markets are going to try and scoop him up as a next GM and Timmins has said he wants to try being a GM someday. I think we have five years max with him.

I could see Pittsburgh, when done with Rutherford, giving Trevor a call. Same with Toronto once Shanahan dumps Nonis.

Didn't Timmins originally come from the Ottawa organization? Murray is not in good health. Could be a fit.

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Marc Staal would have been selected.

I think the choice was between Price and Stall, with the habs knowing Pouliot was going to go higher. I think if Pouliot was there, the habs would have taken him.

My choice at the time was Kopitar - the elusive 1st big line centre that the habs had a penchant for passing up on (i.e. Kostitsyn over Getzlaf)

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About the Price selection. If they didnt aim for Price I am sure they would have done everything they could to draft Gilbert Brule or Benoit Pouliot. I am glad they didnt.

HA! Even though Kopitar was available, you are likely right.

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I think Lefebvre is proof that MB is not infallible. I mean, I know the goal is developing NHL players but a season of 29-41-0-1 followed by 33-35-0-1 and off to a blazing 5-7-0-2 this year, ugh!

Like many others, I believe that we need, given the French speaking coach imperative, to develop our own in the minors, but seriously, can you imagine someone with this record being hired to lead Les Glorieux? It doesn't bear thinking about... I am going to go wash my brain...does Mike Babcock speak French?

Some fans are literally laughing at Lefebvre down at Copps. He and four other suits behind the bench, none of them say a peep during the games. Four statues watching the game. The team changing on the fly at some of the most inappropriate times has also been cause for chuckles in the seats.

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Good points. However, I don't think we're at the " legit contender" level just yet. Those three losses against Tampa, Calgary and Chicago were pretty ugly.

I think that our real "window" for the Stanley Cup will start next year. Starting with the 2015-16 season, we will have a solid 5-7 year window to win it!

Not to be negative but I dont see this team seriously contending untill their is a major improvement at center.

Also team on the small side when it come to measuring up to the ducks, kings, sharks, hawks. blues.

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here in hamilton the season ticket holders cant stand SL.

I share that very same sentiment, as do others that follow the team and participate in the Bulldog GDT's on here. Many of his decisions have been baffling. Most recently (last night), he decided to bench their leading goal getter in Andrighetto, allowing an ECHL'er on a tryout contract to take his place in the lineup. When you factor in that with a less-than-ideal record (again), a coaching change is long overdue. (That said, I don't see anything happening in that regard anytime soon...)

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Not to be negative but I dont see this team seriously contending untill their is a major improvement at center.

Also team on the small side when it come to measuring up to the ducks, kings, sharks, hawks. blues.

Really? So no longer is it shitty coaching overall, Gilbert & Weaver being crap players, line scrambling, nor Bergevin's idiotic player development holding them back anymore?

So negative of the week is small centres, OK thanks for update. :popcorn:

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I share that very same sentiment, as do others that follow the team and participate in the Bulldog GDT's on here. Many of his decisions have been baffling. Most recently (last night), he decided to bench their leading goal getter in Andrighetto, allowing an ECHL'er on a tryout contract to take his place in the lineup. When you factor in that with a less-than-ideal record (again), a coaching change is long overdue. (That said, I don't see anything happening in that regard anytime soon...)

But they won with Sven scratched, go figure.

And I still think Bergvin/Lacarriere are more Lefebvre 'puppetmasters' and should shoulder more of blame (if really should be any, we don't know 'master-plan', maybe is right on track to move team back to Quebec?).

Not that coach has shown any inking of being a Guy Bouche/Randy Cunnyworth, whom I think did have more to work with.

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And I still think Bergvin/Lacarriere are more Lefebvre 'puppetmasters' and should shoulder more of blame (if really should be any, we don't know 'master-plan', maybe is right on track to move team back to Quebec?)

I don't think Bergevin and company are telling Lefebvre to regularly play guys on minor league deals or tryouts ahead of actual Montreal prospects (as we've seen happen with Leblanc, Nattinen, Ellis, Dietz, etc in recent years). That would simply be devaluing their own prospects which is something a GM wouldn't want.

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