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Okay, enough is enough. Clearly, the light approach isn't working as it continues to escalate on both sides. Alfredo, why you continue to poke the bear makes no sense. All you're doing is asking for trouble and making the mods' lives harder. Give it up. Put him on ignore, or don't engage. I don't care what you choose, I just care that it ends now. Commandant, while I realize you have been provoked (quite a bit), your response also clearly isn't acceptable, just as the provocation on the other end wasn't either. I barely have time to be on here and I'd like what little time I have to spend actually discussing the Habs, you know, the purpose of this forum. Like many on here (as we're receiving feedback with complaints about both of you), I'm fed up with this as I'm sure you guys are as well. We tried the polite way and hoped that this could be a squabble that cooler heads would eventually prevail but that's not happening. I have no interest in getting into the behind the scenes discussions of proportional suspensions that will only stall the problem and again, I also don't have the time. So while you are both valuable posters here, this is a final warning. If this continues, from either of you, it's not going to be a suspension but a more permanent departure from the board. It's not the outcome I want for sure, nor admittedly is it fair; this is more heavy-handed than I want. But this can't continue to be a drag on the forum and one way or the other, it needs to stop and this is the most direct way to do that.

Been to more than my share of games here in Boston. As much as I wholeheartedly dislike the bruins I equally respect the team and their history as well. Treat them with respect and they will return the favor. (Having my kid with me helps too)

With the season set to start soon, it feels like a good time to remind everyone of the terms of use of the board as we do from time to time. If everyone can abide by these, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! HabsWorld Forum's simple rules for success The Montreal Canadiens franchise is one of the most respected organizations in sports. Its legacy and renown reaches people from many countries around the world. HabsWorld was created with this in mind, to create a website where fans from all around the world could come and meet, and express their passion for their cherished team. The HabsWorld Community Project was created in 2002, and its first message board opened on May 12, 2003. The main website was launched a couple months later, on October 6. The Project was started from scratch and was built by an enthusiastic team of Habs Fans. Over the years, nearly 100 Habs Fans have contributed articles, translations, drawing, programming, designing and more to this Community. HabsWorld is an occasion for fans to use their skills in various area while showing their passion for their favourite team. Here are the simple guidelines that help make HabsWorld a harmonious Forum: Rules Have fun! We're here to have fun and talk hockey, not to fight with each other. Respect your fellow members. Personal attacks and flaming will not be tolerated. No racism. Especially in a world-wide community such as this, racism of any kind will not be tolerated. Keep language within reason. We employ a filter to help deal with this. Members who attempt to circumvent the word filter will have their account locked for 1 day or more, depending on the recidivism. No sexual content or links. No sexually suggestive or sexually oriented image/content will be accepted. This is a hockey forum, not a models or porn site. No spamming. Do not post links to BS websites or repeatedly post links to your own site. Quality before Quantity. Don't pad your post count with irrelevant messages or repeating the same messages over and over again. One account per user. Violation of this rule will result in a permanent ban. Posting tips Other basic guidelines can be found here. These are just general posting tips that will only get you in trouble if you repeatedly don't follow them. Rules and guidelines might be edited as required. HW Admins reserve the right to delete/edit your account/posts at any time. When it comes to enforcing the rules, our mods team tries to be as fair as possible. Minor violations can result in warnings and brief suspensions. More serious violations or repeated violations can result in longer suspensions or permanent bans. We don't like having to do that kind of stuff, so please don't make us. Thank you for your cooperation and have fun!

Guys… this has all dragged on too long (the little bout between @Commandantand @WildTurkeyXX) I respect the fact you both have strong opinions and are willing to defend them. But this whole thing is childish, this is a forum to talk hockey not berade each other for character in which neither of you truly learned any of the others. Please drop it so this forum can stay pure hockey. 👍 &nbsp

We fleeced them... badly.

You think that’s bad ass.. Get a load of this! Security came up to me right before the game and asked if they could “borrow” my kid.

my kid..(and me next to him)

Next season is a stronger draft, but I reiterate if we keep getting good, young talent for picks I’m happy for them to be dealt. I think HuGo have demonstrated that they are looking long term to build a sustainable contender. If they were trading picks for older players I would not be happy unless we were a serious threat to win the Cup

It doesn’t matter how you rank them. Montreal simply has too many draft picks and prospects not to use them in the strategic way that they did in this draft. We need to keep in mind that there is a 50 contract limit. From getting Dobson for Heineman and two picks to giving up picks to get the player they were targeting, HuGo ran a masterclass on leveraging picks and areas of strength to make the team stronger. You say you hope they don’t continue to trade picks. I hope that they do as long as the trades continue to be measured, strategic and bringing back excellent value. Picks are not the end goal. Using picks to build a Stanley Cup contender is the goal and picks and prospects need not always be retained to achieve it.

I expect pretty close, maybe only one zero less!

From Pierre Lebrun's athletic column today Habs GM Kent Hughes is leaving no stone unturned in surveying the forward market and trying to line up potential trade scenarios for this week and perhaps into the summer. The search for a No. 2 center might be too hard this offseason, so a compromise might be a top-six winger with pop. Some of those calls Hughes is making are in that direction. Montreal, armed with the No. 16 and No. 17 picks Friday night, is trying to find a partner who would be interested in a picks/prospects package. But the Canadiens aren’t going to force it. If the price to attain a top-six difference maker is out of their comfort zone and hurts their long-term planning, they’re willing to stay patient, whether that means an in-season trade or even next summer. The No. 1 priority, as Basu wrote, is to become a long-term contender that takes multiple swings at a title over time. The priority is absolutely not about making sure they make a short-term swing just to make the playoffs again next year. The longer-term view wins out.

One of the potentially greatest outcome would be him winning a cup in Montreal!! Not only would we get our 25th cup, but imagine the angst and outrage in Toronto of seeing Tavares win in Montreal - they would be furious at Toronto management and ownership!!

Draisaitl is one of the most clutch players in the NHL. The counter argument seems to be that no one is clutch but only great. From that standpoint, it’s easy to dismiss every statement in regards to him because in reality he is a great player. With that being said, one can be a great player and clutch at the same time. The conversation seems to have taken a specific route into the definition of clutch relating to how someone performs in the regular season versus the playoffs but it’s more than that. It’s the mental state of how someone performs when there are key moments within a specific game. In one sense, all 60 minutes are equally important. In the other sense, there’s the shift where the game is on the line for both teams. There are plenty of good and skillful players who one wouldn’t necessarily want out in those moments. On the other hand, there are also less skillful players who one would want out on the ice because they seem to perform in those moments. To me, it’s not purely about a statistic but more-so a mindset. Because that mindset is not necessarily quantifiable, it’s easy to dismiss that it exists. There are plenty of players who suffer from mental health issues in professional sports, so it’s a lazy argument to state that the world has weeded out the mentally weak once it comes to professional sports and not true because once again, there are many different variables that make up a professional player. One may have the skill but not the mental ability to perform under pressure. One may have skill but lack the tactical and strategic defensive mindset of a clutch player on defense. There’s no one definition of what a clutch player is, but they do definitely exist. In terms of who is clutch, I could see how that is debatable. Here is a list of players who scored important goals this year. “Game ending goals”, “late game winning goals”, “game winning goals”, “late game tying goals”, “game tying goals” were some of the criteria used in determining who was clutch when it came to scoring important goals for their team this year. Are they all great players? Sure. Are players like Wilson, Rossi, Boldy, or even Nick Suzuki top 10 players in the league when it comes to “greatness”? Possibly? Swinging back to Draisaitl. He is at the top of the list. He is a great player but so is McDavid who doesn’t appear. The next player on the list was Marner, and that’s where the debate surrounding what clutch means comes into play because some argue that players like Marner cannot elevate their game in the playoffs, however it turns out that he scored important goals for his team this year, and he also scored an important overtime goal for Canada in the 4 nations cup. McDavid also scored the game winning goal for Canada at the 4 nations vs USA but is he clutch, or was being surrounded by other great players beneficial to both players discussed in this paragraph? I do believe there could be some variance when it comes to clutch related statistics and that it can be a somewhat difficult thing to measure. With that being said, I do believe it exists in sport and denying it is like saying not a single player feels pressure prior to the game. Yes, even professionals feel pressure and while some thrive off of it, others can be impacted. Just off the top of my head, Hellebuyck is an example that comes to mind in the reverse sense of being clutch and handling pressure. Anyway, like you said it’s a topic that has been beaten to death but it all stems from one’s perception of what clutch even means. If it’s based off of a specific mindset, then it exists. There are simply toooooo many circumstances where clutch can be used to deny that it fully exists. Clutch can be elevating your game when the games are more important (playoffs, game 7, etc.). It can be a player who seemingly makes key defensive plays when the game is on the line. It can even be a player who raises their game when the going gets tough, period. While all NHL players are professional athletes, not every single one of them has a growth mindset. A player with a fixed mindset, will think things like “I can’t” whereas a player with a growth mindset will believe “they can”. I already know that the rebuttal will be that all professional athletes have a growth mindset and that’s why they are professionals but considering my profession is being an athlete turned coach, I can say with 100% certainty that it isn’t the case. Most are, but some got where they are with pure skill rather than that elite mindset. If these negative thoughts creep into a professional’s mind, and they do, then the reverse is possible as well.

That's easier to say now with hindsight but at the time, Primeau had a 2.00 GAA and a .932 SV% in 70 NCAA games with many suggesting that there wasn't much benefit sending him back to school to play a 35-game season against weaker competition, similar to the argument of why the Habs needed to sign Fowler this year as there wasn't much left to prove. A goalie turning pro at 20 is normal if he was drafted out of the CHL so was turning Primeau pro at 20 really rushing him?

He handled the question with some class, I would take Tom Wilson on my team any day of the week.

1. If you’re going to disregard the rule book for an admittedly egregious error, then you have to find some fairness. Laine should have been able to shoot again. I would expect there to be significant discussion, if Montreal misses the playoffs, about compensation for how this went down. I could see an extra pick sent our way. 2. I’m stunned by all the bitching by fans about MSL and the players and what we should have done, could have done etc etc. Go back to late November and ask yourself how you would have felt seeing this team fighting for the playoffs in the last games of the season. The *only* reason we’re here is MSL and his coaching and enabling of the players both on and off the ice. This team is, what, the second youngest in the league? We’ve done, by far, the best rebuild of any team I’ve seen recently. Three years from garbage to a team that’s on the cusp of great things. Stop whining and enjoy the ride!

What I don’t get is the implication that contempt for Putin and Trump, and disgust for these players who kiss their asses, is somehow controversial. This isn’t like Carney vs Poilievre. Putin is a murderous dictator who has caused untold death and suffering through a completely unjustified war of aggression. Trump is wreaking huge damage on Canada with idiotic tariffs and repeatedly threatening our very existence as a sovereign state. I can’t fathom why it would be controversial to call out these a**holes and their supporters on this board. That being said, I didn’t mean to make a big thing out of this. I’ve made my point and won’t keep banging on about it.

Looking forward to this game. Will be there with my son. We have seats in the lower bowl, 1st row just to the right of the home side. So we will be on the Habs attack zone for two periods. First chance to see Hutson live. Hopefully he will get a 2-3 point game and the first line racks up some points. Will be pulling out my Habs away jersey that I haven’t worn in a long time Mitchell & Ness vintage 1992-93 season, Patrick Roy all star jersey, with the Roy “the wink” socks! My son will be wearing a Price jersey.

Trade deadline is the saddest day of the year for some hockey players. They learn that their childhood dream of winning the Stanley Cup is delayed another year when TSN announces that they have been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The fans didn't boo the players. They booed the anthem of a country that is waging economic war on us and threatening to annex us.

I miss both of these guys and the triple low fives too

My dad got some tickets via his job (he does guided tours at the Bell Centre as a retirement job) for the Sweden vs Finland game on Saturday. 106, CC (3rd row from the board), for free. Insane tickets !!!

Game was ok. They desperately needed to score on that PP with 10 min to go in the 3rd. Stuck in traffic so I can’t write much bur holy shit does Slaf look lost and disinterested. Here are two of the coolest moments of the day..

F$&k it. I’m making the 2hr drive to watch Lane. Worth every mile.

as per dlbalr "At first glance, it appears as if Lindstrom could fill the role we suggested for him back in July when assessing the rest of the UFA market for defencemen, that of a veteran blueliner to help Laval while being someone they can comfortably bring up as a seventh defender so as to not have a younger player serving as a healthy scratch."

Agree, but I'm totally happy with his decision to pound the living snot out of that bum. And I say this thinking the hit probably was unintentional. There *is* a deterrent effect to knowing that if you go after our stars, Xhekaj is coming for you. And that message was definitely sent last night.

Commandant isn’t being condescending or rude to you at all. Commandant is an intelligent, passionate poster that challenges other people’s opinions with reasonable arguments. Commandant deals heavily in facts and data and will challenge anyone that doesn’t. I don’t always agree with him and I have been challenged by him. I have never once felt attacked or talked down to by him and I don’t think he is doing that to you either. Keep sharing your opinions Butter as you have already generated lots of discussion, just don’t take things personally.

Could EVERYONE please just walk-away and stop discussing who said what about who, or about what, concerning this ... please

Is that what that was? Looked to me like he was expressing disappointment, I don't think that's the same as "shitting on management". And even if he was, is that not (at least partially) the point to places like this? Just seemed like some unnecessary antagonism on your part...

Sergachev was in the NHL at 19. Mailloux is struggling defensively in the AHL at 22. They are not the same.

There just arent centres available. Unless we can get Granlund or Roslovic, my plan would be to be strong on the wings and defence. Put Dach and Newhook as your 2/3 C.... wait for a team to decide, we suck, the season is over, lets tank for Gavin McKenna, and then trade them a draft pick or prospect for a top 6 centre around late November or so. Better than overspending on a guy who can't do the job.

Frankly, I think we should move Xhejac to the wing. You can’t have a dman that sits in the penalty box 5+ min every 2 or 3 games.

Thanks guys, appreciate it. I figured there would be an improvement over last year, just with the youth further developing alone, but the trade for Patrik Laine is what made me think we had a real shot at making the playoffs. I assumed the scoring would be a bit more balanced overall, but definitely great to see Suzuki and Hutson exceed expectations from mostly everybody. I look forward to next year's prediction thread and seeing most of the point totals in the 90s and 100s, it's going to be a fun decade or so.

I'm glad you think that you're the only reason I've returned. It still doesn't change you personally attacked a poster, then played victim, now trying to shift the blame to me for this situation. As for this interaction, I'm done. I hope the admins handle this situation appropriately for someone who has been publicly warned with a ban for this behavior, publicly warned for that same type of behavior since that ban warning and is now repeating that exact type of behavior in the last 6 months alone.

How could I make, and I quote, "two posts on hockey," if I, and I quote again, "only post here when its to attack me?" That's a pretty contradictory statement. I also don't have to explain to you why I haven't posted in months, so the reason I haven't posted is quite honestly, none of your concern.

Five 20-goal scorers, that's not something that happens a whole lot in the minors. (And Farrell could still get there.)

Hahahahaha, #99 only had 9 goals in his last season, so I wouldn’t bank on this. To me, this has become a race between two neo-fascist authoritarian bootlicks, so I could care less. They’re both scum

wishing you and your loved one all the best in these terrible times for them.

Just for some perspective ... Primeau is 10-1 since being sent to Laval, with a .910 save percentage. During the same time period, Connor Hughes is 3-1-1, but with a .924 save percentage.

Further to this: Laine has only played 27 games this season. He missed six weeks early in the year. Given how productive he was upon his return, I think what we’re seeing is pretty predictable. Player misses most of an entire season, then misses the first 1/3 of the next season; comes back and, despite being behind in terms of conditioning and game speed, rides a wave of excitement, raw talent, and energy to good results; and around the 20 game mark, that energy peters out and he’s left sucking wind, struggling with the hard slogging. These sorts of doldrums seem to me completely understandable under the circumstances. The danger with him is that his mental health issues creep back in. MSL benching him was also an alarm bell. He took a totally different approach with Dach, suggesting that some other factor besides just sucking wind may be at play. By contrast with Laine, Dach has played twice as many games as Laine this year and is still looking ‘meh.’ I think we’re tending to conflate the two in our minds: ‘well, it’s been over half a season, he should be back in the groove by now.’ True for Dach, not true for Laine. I don’t really blame Dach either BTW. But he has less excuse than Laine.

A great profile by Arpon Basu on The Athletic today. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6016179/2024/12/26/canadiens-michael-hage-nhl/ For anyone that doesn't think this kid lives and breathes the Habs, here are his parents a little before Michael was born: And playing hockey at a young age:

I think 99% of fans expect Savard to be traded. To me the Carrier trade was about replacing Savard over the next couple of seasons. I used to speculate that Savard might get a contract from Montreal because we need him next season at the very least. With Carrier here I no longer think Savard will be back. Savard will be traded and I wish him well. Thanks for blocking seven million shots

Just ignore him and don't respond. If you have a strong compulsion to respond you should put him on ignore. Nobody will be tagging his posts so you can see them.

Are you trying to engage in a squabble? Essentially calling Commandant antisemitic? sheesh I’d like the pettiness to quit. Commandant calls things as he sees them, then others don’t like it so they resort to name calling, then there is retaliation and so on and so forth and it has nothing to do with the Habs any more. more Habs content, comment and controversy please. Less of the feelings hurt when someone calls you out.

I don't think Anderson and Armia are poor role models, both are working hard, have good attitude and are winning board battles, even if they are not able to put pucks in the net. The overpriced contracts really have nothing to do with whether they can set a good example or not.

What I appreciated the most about the pregame is that they never once talked about the leafs 🎉

we keep talking about a weak canadian division, but then we look at divisions that had the three awful California teams, or others that had that awful Buffalo and Devils team, all of whom were worse than the worst Canadian team. Also the next year, 5 of 7 Canadian Teams made the playoffs with the normal structure. The Habs also beat Vegas, who won the cup soon after. So that was a narrative at the time with the Canadian division was weak. But I'm not sure if it was true.

I think the Habs will match at $3 contract. Not sure if Xhekaj would sign - I think he was making more at Costco😁