BCHabnut

Ya, I guess I should have explained better. While they were unproductive, the Koivu line was still buzzing around, causing problems, being more ike a fourth line except being checked by good checkers. While they were extremely inconsistent, the other team still had to focus on two lines going strong. This year they only have to focus on one thing. Cut off all of Kovalev's space. Don't give him room. The rest of the team is relying on him for offence.

This is bizarre. This seems like a sideways deal for Begin. He is 50% in faceoffs. Not great. Not bad either I guess.

What just happened here. Wasn't Begin a centre? Is Metrpolit a faceoff wizard?

Between you and Kozed, you have nailed it. I believe that Carbo tried the Bowman model. No system...throw speed at them...attack, attack, attack. Last year it worked great. A lot of this had to do with Huet and Price. The second line of Koivu, Higgins, and Ryder could cycle the puck relentlessly all shift and wear out defenders. Ans we all know that Kovy Plek AK46 were amazing. If you think this team is slow, you are so wrong. Watch them live. Plek, Koivu, Lappierre, Higgins are very fast. Their speed stands out when you are watching them. I think if Tangs and Koivu did not get hurt this year, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Of course you have to trap when half of your depth is injured. Three years ago, if Koivu or Kovy got injured for an extended amount of time, the season was over. Now the team is deep enough, that we are in 5th. This slump has been horrible and lasted to long, but in the end, it's up to the players to work for pucks. I still think that our poor defense in our own zone is a big part of the problem. There is a system there. It is to keep the puck on the boards, win battles and chip the boards. The team looks great when it works. Confidence is the team's problem this year.

That's the thing. I don't see Begin as a reserve player on most teams. Before TK came, he was our best grinder. Teams need grinders. Nobody said he should be captain. I do think that Begin was benched more than he should have been, but it was a depth issue. The team is very deep in his position. Fortunately, TK and Stewart are very good grinders, so Begin loses his spot. But he should not be on the bench. This is best for him. It will also make Carbo's job easier. I have seen Begin turn a game around in a few shifts, by lambasting four or five players in a row, and bringing energy to his team.

Haha, ya I remember Jim Dudd.

I think this is a good trade. Kunitz replaces Malone, who is sorely missed. They lost all their offensive depth last year. With Goligoski showing that he can play at a high level in the future, and Zygimanous or however you spell it, they are deep at centre and defense. Defense Orpick, Scederi, Gonchar, Letang, Gill, Goligoski. Tangradi looks like a great replacement for Esposito.

Think back to the playoff when he had his jaw busted, then comes back with the cage on and is a whirling dervish smashing into people even with a broken jaw. I love Begin, and I am very sorry that out of Dandy Laraque and Begin, he is the one to go. His story is a good one too. If I remember right, he had a poor education and hockey is the only thing he can count on for money. A guy like Begin should play every game that he isn't injured. His heart will be missed.

Hahaha, I was thinking that too! The nice thing is that if everyone passes, it should silence some of this stuff.

HAH! Halak has way more value than Chipchura. Smyth is NOT an elite player worthy of all of those players. That is all

That's a little extreme. Carbo is going with the hot hand. That's it. Goalie contraversies aggravate me.

Ya and he will probably take "not star money as well!" Koivu is a good little centre with great work ethic and strong faceoff prowess, If he can be signed for the right money, he he should be signed. Unless the Habs can pick up a superstar centre.

If it wasn't for him and Koivu at the begining of the season, this team would be in tenth. They were fantastic together. I'm looking forward to him coming back.

Fuhr/Moog was another great tandem. Keep them together. Price will have to improve to get his spot back. I love it when players have to compete to get their spot in the lineup.

I agree with Marky. He showed up out of shape. That's it. He isn't as good as Begin, Stewart and Dandy right now. Her has to compete for his minutes just like everyone else.

Whew, thank you Jaro. Tough game to watch. Some of the penalty calls were pretty iffy, especially the Plek slash. I thought Koivu played very well, and next to Halak, could have made the difference early with that desparation play to get the puck to Plek. Plek was great, Kovy was OK, and AK 46 was lost out there. I'm sure there is a lot on his mind. I love Breezer 2.0, what great value for under a million. and the Schnide 2.0 gives a great new dimension to our PP. I didn't think Komi played that bad. He did have a ferw defensive gaffs, but I saw that burr in his saddle again for the first time in a while. He was an angry man tonight, and that's what I want from him. The last 4 games, I felt the team has played well. Tonight, Halak had to bail them out, but this is what it takes to win. If the goalie is weak, we have to score more, if the defense has a weak game, we have to either score more, or the goalie has to be amazing. Nice win. Great faceoff percentage by the Habs. I hate to say this but "Kyle who?" Oh yeah, "Holy Crap we gotta PK again!!!"

There is no way Boumeester is a 7 million dollar man. If he is, I can guarentee that BG won't pay it. Develop PK Subaan and get Emelin on the roster. Try to sign the Schnide. That's what I would do.

I believe that Lappiere may emerge as a leader over time. He is an on ice leader. I think Komisarek should be our next Captain, with Lapierre wearing the A.

Don't be surprised if a lot of players are nervous about testing the free agent market this year. With a massive recession and the cap certain to go down in 2010, these guys will be looking at job security. Just like you or I. I will be surprised if you see ridiculous numbers this year for players. I hope I am wrong.

I don't think a prosecuter would touch them unless they could get a witness. Text message evidence alone would make them look bad, but I think it would be hard to get a charge to stick on texts alone. A high price lawer would chew up the prosecution and spit them out.

Very niiiice. I like Kovy!

Thank you. I've been wanting to chime in on this, but I've held back. Is everyone on these boards saying they don't know a bad guy? Most people know a bad guy. Until I see charges or hear evidence of something damming, I feel this is a joke. I do agree that these guys are professionals and get paid a lot of money. I agree that they are role models as well, and they should be more carefull who they associate with, but the fact remains that they are very young, and not as wise as some of us old fellers. Also someone mentioned the more relaxed Eastern European culture when it comes to things like this. This stuff has been circulating around Montreal media like crazy, made a quick appearance in national and sports websites. That is where I expect it will end, unless something substantial is revealed.

I am very disapointed in this. Kosty Plek and Pacciorety looked very good together.

There is nothing quite like a media rampage in Montreal. So far I have seen nothing other than a few guys knowing a bad guy. I am a respectable citizen of Canada, who has children and a career. I have some friends who are bad guys. Big deal.

Coyotes 1-9 in last 10. Habs 2-8 in last ten That is all.