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If you're worried about top-down, then you'll be happy to know this deal freed up some cap space so that perhaps a more impact player can be brought in at some point. I haven't done the full numbers yet but with the trade and demotions, Montreal's cap space went from ~750k to ~1.3 mil. By the way, I do have thoughts on the trade but we're putting a piece together for the site for Tuesday to go over the detail with a fine tune comb as always. My thoughts will be in that article.

Yes, they can certainly contribute to that. Personally, I think the issues on this team are top-down, and not the other way, though.

Question: Is *this* supposed to turn things around? Because if it is, then I have to question what Gauthier is thinking. Our issues do not begin or end with a fourth line. The reside in passion and in a somewhat depleted defence that seems to be haemorrhaging Gorges by the minute.

Got to love them Danish... such good pastries...

Could someone tell J. Quick to calm down a little bit ? Seriously...

At first glance it seems we've solidified the 4th line and exponentially increased the chance of misspelled last names.

I don't care if a player 'likes' a coach. I care about how he performs under that coach. Bouwmeester had his best years under Martin. Fact. So did Redden. fact. Martin developed Alfreddson, Havlat, Hossa, Philips, and a bunch of others. Fact. O'Byrne - oh please. Again, I agree that JM may have to go. The difference is that I make the case based on results, not some a priori antipathy for the guy because he's boring and looks like The Penguin.

Bouwmeester wanted nothing to do with Martin. may have had a good year with him, but didn't like playing for him. That's like saying that MaxPac did not discover his game in Hamiltion last year, but it was JM that was the reason that MaxPac started becoming an offensive force. MaxPac, SK74, Lats, Pouliot, Ak46 all have complained about JM's communcation skills as a coach and how they have been used by JM. Subban would never have progressed if it wasn't becuase of injuires. Weber who is now playing over 20 minutes would still be a forward if it wasn't for injuries. O'byrne is playing over 20 minutes for the avalanche but wasn't good enough to be a 7th dman for the penguin. Eller is only getting a chance to finally play centre because of injuries to one of JM's free-pass boys Gomez. There is a pattern here, young players has success (eller, MaxPac, Subban, Weber), and its only when JM is forced to use them, rather then chooses them over his non-performing veterns.

I have been saying, since JM came on he is the wrong man for the job. His handling of SK74, O'Byrne, treatment of AK46, Cole, idiotic use of Darche, Moen, love for Pyatt and free passes to Gomez, spacek and Hamrlik show how stupid of a coach he is, as well as terrible in DEVELOPING players. Subban and Macpac developed IN SPITE of Martin. Subban would not have got a chance to demonstrate the player he CAN be, if Spacek and Gorges didn't get hurt. MaxPac pretty much said as much last year, before being recalled. Even thought the habs went to the final 4, I said that offseason we should fire JM and hire Boucher and everyone here said I was nuts. I'm actually hoping we lose against the panthers - and I'm about as die hard of a habs fan as you can get. We need to make a move NOW. If that means losing to the lowly panthers, so be it. I don't want the habs to make a move too late like the devils did last year. As for Gainey, he is done. He had is chance. Loved him as a player hated him as a GM. The fact that he even considered offering Kovolev a deal and went to Gionta as a backup plan, shows he is not the guy to lead the team - even in an interim role. The Gomez trade was utter stupidity - Sather should have been offering the habs his #1, #2 and #3 picks to take Gomez off his hands, instead we gave him Higgins and one of our best defensive prospects. Hiring JM was desperation. people keep on harping going to the final four. I say we went to the final four in spite of the penguin, not because of him.

Martin said: "Look at Cole's production last year" Yeah well, he still has more PPG than Darche. As you said, it makes no sense to sign a player big bucks just to play him on the 4th line. The only logical explanation I see is that they give him time to learn the complicated system the Habs play. But, by the results so far this season, that wonderful system doesnt work.

True, Cole sucks defensively. HOWEVER, what did we get him for? Defensive zone coverage? I know he has to buy into the system and all, but not playing him is taking the potential of 25+ goals from the lineup. There are a lot of players in the NHL who have no clue about their own zone and are still allowed to play. He also has four other line mates, so he doesn't have to be brilliant. Just win along the boards. And one other small point, Cammalleri is not exactly a Selke player in his own zone. He's given 20+ minutes. In my opinion, this is a large coaching error. You want goals, you need possession and big players who can win the puck in the offensive zone... and then score. Furthermore, looking at stats (the single worst way of judging ANYTHING in hockey) to decide not to play him on the PP is simply an embarrassing decision. Martin is TOO married to his system at the moment, and isn't willing to think outside his blinder box. And (and I harp), now that Muller is gone, there is NO passion out there. For sure, the team will play good games, because all teams do or, as my brother-in-law says, even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then. Martin has served his purpose for this club and it's time to move forward. It shouldn't be that shocking since many coaches have a three-year shelf life. He's slightly under, but I'm not comfortable that he can regain this group. I see where you're going with this, but isn't playing in front of the net the role of the power forward?

you guys are so unrealistic with coaching jobs. Bob Hartley would be a great fit as the head coach with Muller and Roy..I've never liked Pearn as an Ass. Coach and Randy Ladoucer/Cunneyworth?..well....the names speak for themselves...call them Oscar as a combo. Habs need to wipe out a lot..it's simple as that. People on this forum were overly optimistic this summer because it's a crime to be pessimistic and disagreeing on here these days, hence why I don't post as frequently. Lets face it..changes need to happen in order to be successful. Our lazy and uncaring, and lack of work ethic preseason is correlating into the beginning of the 2011-2012 regular season. With that being said, the Canadiens get what they deserve for this start. why sugarcoat something so bitter?

There's some talk that Eller didn't know the leafs made a goaltending change. WHAT??????? If so, the coaches are absolutely clueless.

Well, since I started this thinking positively, I may as well continue with some positives here: - Eller looked terrific out there while playing his natural role at C - All 4 centres were +50% on the draw - Moen (who now has the credit for what was originally Gorges' goal) had a very strong game - There was worse officiating than what we saw in this one...watch the MLB highlights tomorrow to see what I mean. Also, unrelated to this game but I think we may see a coach get the axe tomorrow as Columbus blew a lead with less than a minute left in regulation, coughing up 2 to Ottawa in the last 36 seconds.

The only positive is if the season ended today we'd have a pretty good shot at 1st overall pick.

This is exactly the kind of team the Molson's want............................SELLS more BEER......watching and crying

Kostitsyn is a horribly selfish player. If he played as part of a team, you might think he'd be an 80-point guy.

Well, this is a first... feels actually... kinda good. Maybe it'll be a wake up call. I feel bad that they have to respond to the media now though...