BCHabnut

Sometimes those lumbering oafs turn into sometihing more. I'll take Byfuglyen (spelling) on my team any day.

Actually, most large towns in the west have at least one French school. My children spent a couple of years in French school in a town of 15,000. Towns smaller than that, don't have the population to support it. I don't think there is a political agenda to closing French schools. Probabaly, they get closed due to lack of interest. The perception in the East may be different, but I think it is just like a business. If a portion of your business is not working, you downsize.Many English schools have been closed in the West also, as retirees dominate many areas, and industries close.

Yes. The alternative has failed in every society it has been attempted.

Kozed, I loved you generational post. It's amazing how close it is to my reality. My grandfather had to listen to games on the radio, and I don't know much about him, but you description of the 2nd generation is spot on. I remember Lafleur in 1979, but that's about it. He is my favourite player because he was my childhood idol. My dad abandoned hockey completely in 1984. He took some minor interest in 1986, but it wasn't the same as his passion in the 70s. That trap team was not his gig. He was such a Habs fan, that when they quit playing the way he wanted them to, he quit watching hockey completely.

This conversation is fun. What I am gathering from everyone, is that we all recognize the importance of the French language in Quebec. I for one embrace it. I am western, and I understand the frustration of Francophones when discussing this subject. I understand it for a different reason. In the west, I often hear people venting because Quebec is so insistent that the language is so important. I embrace different cultures in society, and reject assimilation of the corpporate monster that has spread like an infection throughout the world. When I was in Quebec, loved it so much, because I felt like I was insulated from the world of big box stores and sameness that I find in so many North American cities. What I also think we can all agree on is that if an Anglo coach were hired, he would probably be accepted if he said Merci, the first interview, then expanded, and throughout his interviews showed an honest effort at communicating in the native language of the province. It is this effort, which should be applauded.

Streit was not a top 4 Defenseman when he played with us. I freaked out everytime he went back for the puck. He was soft and could be taken off the puck like nothing. Don't get me wrong, He was valuable, and after Souray left, and he stepped in as the power play specialist, Gainey probably deduced, as many of us did, that the power play was effective because of Markov and Kovy, and they were making that point guy look good. That was my way of thinking until I saw how bad we were this season. I just didn't see Streit as a 4th Defenseman. He would be the highest paid 5th D in the league, if you looked at his defensive play last year. Now in New York, he is making 4 million, and seems to be worth every penny. Scroll through last year's boards, and none of us thought Streit would want 4 million. I don't believe that 2 million rumour either. I also think you will see him playing with Mike Komisarek next year. Do I defend Gainey. No way. He needs to start signing key guys during the season, due to our inability to sign FAs. Do I think we should have locked up Streit at 3.5 to 4 million? Based on the asset in January/Febuary (the most likely time we could have signed him) No. Should he have locked up Komi this year and left all the other FAs wondering what about me? I don't know. If he locked up Komi and Kovy, it would have been another distraction, but at least our future would be secure. The second half of the season couldn't have gone any worse. But that is hindsight. At the time Gainey probably didn't want to have the distraction. He better learn from this. Stagger your FAs, so it isn't such a distraction and sign key players during the season.

Vinny is a pretty big name. I would put the Schnide on the backburner too. However, that Point Per Game stat comparison of Vinny and Saks has me wondering if Vinny would be worth it. I think it would be more fair to compare Their last 5 years.

I think Vancouver may come out on top of that series. It's gonna be great. I will enjoy both Western Matchups a lot. If Anaheim can get through Detroit, they have a good chance to hoist the mug again. It will be interesting to see who Pittsburgh faces.

The most important signing for us next year should be a defensive coach. We need someone (not Jarvis) to analize our defense, or lack there of, and get them clicking together. When I say defense, I mean forwards backchecking too. Our forwards are so spread from the D, that we get caught all of time.

I like drama. It's my favourite.

I watched it, and I liked a lot of what said. He may not be entitled to it, but he gave the fans shit for booing him. I think he is entitled to it. We are the ones who put him on that pedastel. Now we are the ones helping knock him off with jeers and boos. Price is a good goalie. That is it. He is a good, inexperienced, 21 year old goalie, who's team, himself included, decided to do the Sens meltdown. Anyone watch Fleury last year in the playoffs? This year too? He was expected to be an instant star as well. Fleury was shaky for a few years. Price will be fine. As Bob said. "He is a thoroughbred. Your wife might not see that, but I can't bake good bread either. I laughed at that. Price let the fans know they crossed a line. The team was beat up and the defense was pathetic. He is a kid playing with half a team. What do you expect.

Bob has his work cut out for him. His biggest challenge should be to lock down a true first line centre. Through trade or free agency. Plekanec is the centre who should go in my opinion. Koivu should be the 2nd centre. And only if it is cheap. The only thing that would worry me is I think it's time for a new on ice leader, and even though Saks would be a great 2nd centre, we may have to let him go because of the need for a leadership change. Pleks is soft. He's fast, but he did not impress me this year. If we can get a good player for Plek, AK46, Higgins, and whoever else you can name. Go ahead. If Halak will get the deal done, do it. Bring in a vet to play with Price. Lats and Laps should play with Paccioretty next year. Sign Komi for 4.5 mill or less. If more, he can go to NYI. Sign Tanguay. Sign Lang, if it's cheap 3 mill or less. Kovy 3 to 4 mill. Do not bring PK and McDo up yet. Get them in Hamilton. Get Emilin out of Russia fast. Start grooming Weber. Trade for Vinny!!!!!

I'm cheering for Calgary and Anaheim in the west, and Pittsburgh in the East. Only care about Calgary though.

I know. I was furious when we lost to the Pens.

That's what I meant too. I didn't think it was the official thread. No offence was intended when I said someone got excited. I am excited too. Sorry if you took offence Raf, and thanks for the thread.

So, what lines do you start with? The first three are easy, but do you play Laraque, or do you use Higgins Dandy Metro on the fourth. For the record, I love Metropolit. He is the best fourth line centre we've had in a long time. I guess Dandy should play D and Laraque on the right wing. I believe that this year, our third and fourth line are so much better than past years. These two lines along with the Bruins weaker 2nd and third pairings, could mean some game winners for us. I don't expect a lot of point production from the 1st and 2nd line. Chara and wideman are too good together.

Habs in 7 (must believe) Rangers in 6 (PK and goaltending) Carolina in 6 Penguins in 5 -------------------------------------------------- San Jose in 6 Detroit in 7 St. Louis in 7 Calgary in 6 Dark horses. Columbus and Anaheim

Now you have to do them Cat. I think someone was excited and started one, but if you want to do the official game thread, you should.

here's one i found of Ribs!

Muntrial canadiens. End sounding like ens. (but not too emphasized) That's how I say it. My wife says Mawntreal. It drives me nuts.

Say goobye to them then. You will never get them for that. Saku is 34 years old. If there aren't that many centres up this year, I'm sure he'll gert more than that. He's a .81 point per game player. That is good. That isn't elite, but it's not elite money either. Other GMs will salivate over Saku for 3.5 million if Gainey only offers 3. Kovy is 36. He's in very good shape. He's a .82 point per game player with twelve 20+ goal years and the best stick handler in the league. He has also shown that he is not a bitch. When Gainey called him out, he didn't whine and crawl under a shell. He manned up, said that he was looking forward to coming back and contributing. I think Kovy will get 4.5 to 5 mill offered to him by other GMs next year.

Good calls on the player grades trizzak. I smiled a few times.

Laps is totally ######ed out there. I still have a man crush on him. I remember in November, I was saying that he was their MVP, and I got shot down. I stand by this. Markov is the Habs MVP, and Laps is not only the teams most improved player, but runner up team MVP. He is the future of the Habs, and the future is bright. Metropolit was great tonight. Where did that lil feller come from? Holy first line Batman! We have a second line? Who plays on it? Have they played in the last two weeks?

Wow. What an awesome goal.

I would like to see Higgins on the 2nd line and Stewart on the 4th Did anyone else notice that none of the emoteicons or avatars don't work unless you are logged in?