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The Chicoutimi Cucumber

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Posts posted by The Chicoutimi Cucumber

  1. 3 hours ago, alfredoh2009 said:

    the Habs' trend:

     

     

     

    We have to hope that it’s a question of incremental improvements to individual young players, and that eventually those improvements will tip us over the edge into better results. From that point of view, we just haven’t hit “critical mass” yet. 

     

    That’s sort of what Hughes said in his presser. In effect: we like how our young players are coming along, but projecting team performance is much harder.

     

    I suspect it’s going to be a bumpy ride, TBH. Look at teams like Buffalo and Ottawa that were expected to surge forward but instead crapped out. I can imagine a future where the Habs’ period of struggling (a) drags on longer than we want (b) causes the fanbase to sour and then (c) after everyone has given up on the team, and media “experts” project “another tough year” for the Canadiens, we see the dam break and start winning lots of games. 

     

    In this hypothetical future, the key thing will be for management not to panic and do a Mcdonagh/Sergachev type trade out of a sense that things aren’t working. Stay the course and stick to the process.

     

     

  2. 3 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

    In the long-term, even filling their building may not be enough ... it has the lowest capacity in the NHL (ignoring the joke in Arizona obviously) ... especially as "regular fans" can't pay the premium "corporate" prices that most teams depend upon, and the corporate market is likely the weakest in the NHL.

     

    That could well be…but if you’re going down, at least go down swinging. Fill the place to the rafters. Make sure that, if the team isn’t viable, it’s because of a wider economic issue, NOT due to lukewarm fan interest. At this point, if the team folds, the fans will have no one to blame but themselves.

    • Like 2
  3. 4 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

    The Atlanta ownership group was embroiled in a nasty fight and I believe that the NHL was desperate to get out ASAP.

     

    Probably. What I’m saying is that Peg fans are absolutely in a “use it or lose it” situation and should have understood this from the get-go. Ultimately, if they’re not going to games, then they will lose the team, period - and quite quickly, I’d imagine. 

     

    I don’t know what their problem is. I always thought they were devoted fans. They have a surprisingly competitive team this year, they should be banging the doors down.

     

    If the issue is that the average fan in Winnipeg just can’t afford NHL prices, then that is truly sad, but it also means that they are not an NHL city, full stop.  

  4. 1 hour ago, GHT120 said:

    How can he be the "last choice" for the PP on a team on which he tied for PP goals?

     

    Here we are re-litigating this argument, LOL. 

     

    I was convinced at the time that Metro was being used on the PP because he was the only damned player on the entire team that actually went to the net and was willing to stand in front of it on the power play. It wasn’t a case of The Count being a village idiot - more like, his other players just were not giving him what he needed in that capacity. And look, the guy got 16 goals that year, so it’s not like he was cement hands out there.

     

    Finally: the Habs were 2nd overall in PP that year! Obviously JM was doing something right. https://www.covers.com/sport/hockey/nhl/statistics/team-powerplay/2009-2010

  5. 1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

     

    I agree,  Pezetta gets at best a 6th/7th rounder.  I think Hughes will trade Savard if he can get a 1st round pick in the equation (likely have to retain 50%) otherwise he will wait until next year to trade him. 

     

    3 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said:

    I think Pezzetta would bring more like a 6th/7th rounder back, but agree with you about Savard.

     

    Funny thing about Savard - the fact that he has another year on his deal might actually be a selling point for the Canucks. They have a huge number of D on expiring deals. If they’re not convinced about re-signing Zadorov, Myers, or Cole, they might appreciate the certainty of Savard’s contract.

     

    All that said, this is just me talking; I haven’t hear any rumours linking Savard to the Canucks.

    • Like 1
  6. 1 hour ago, dlbalr said:

     

    Points, no, but he was tied for the lead in PPGs with Gionta (10) in his lone full season with the Habs.

     

    I remember people on this board absolutely eviscerating The Count for using him on the PP so much. My rebuttal was that he was the only guy who reliably went to the net, so he got the gig. 🤷‍♂️

     

    It seemed weird to me that he couldn’t get another contract after a season in which he played a useful role on the Habs and got 16 goals, but I guess that’s life when you’re a 30+ journeyman.

    • Like 1
  7. 9 hours ago, Sir_Boagalott said:

    I wouldn't say it is just discipline either, I think he has improved all around.  Sure, he still isn't great by any means, but I agree with Mike Johnson that he's a respectable 4th liner.   Plus, what would he cost to get?  What is his salary?  See, he'd be a cheap pick up.   It is unarguable that Van needs to add some toughness.

     

    Van might be interested in a Pezzetta type as depth. They've had injuries in their bottom-6 and the feeling is that this has contributed to their recent dip in performance. And if you're trying to win the Cup, you need to have some bench strength.

     

    However, I really doubt anyone, including Vancouver, is coughing up significant assets for Pezzetta. Maybe a 4th rounder. So in that sense, the entire scenario isn't worth getting too excited about one way or another.

     

    Frankly, what I mostly hear about in Van is the need to be 8, 9 deep at D in order to make a deep run. David Savard is the Hab they should be targeting, in pure hockey terms. I get that the cap may preclude that. But that's probably what they need from the Canadiens roster. 

     

     

  8. 2 minutes ago, tomh009 said:

    I think they expect Gignac to clear thanks to the two-year contract (with $150K minimum) that he signed.

     

    Barry, err, Colin White is a centre as well so I assume they need Gignac in Laval and thus White will fill in.

     

    I wonder if they're concerned that the team has looked unduly terrible since losing Monahan and want White to help stabilize the situation at C a bit. Makes sense, especially if Gignac clears.

  9. Let's keep it civil, s'il vous plait. The guy is entitled to his opinion, respectfully expressed.

     

    My take on this is: even if MSL isn't that great in managing veterans, that's not his primary purpose. He is here, above all, to help our prospects and young players develop. On that score, the results are very promising. Personally, I really don't care too much how turds like Dandonov or Drouin are doing without him, nor do I fret over the thought that they might have been borderline adequate 6th forwards with us under a different coach. This is a rebuild.

     

    In a year or at most two, the organizational goals will pivot toward winning lots of hockey games. At that point, we will see whether MSL's bench management and veteran management are up to the task. I think he has a chance to be one of those rare Barry Trotz-type coaches who define the team for years and years, but he will have to get over that hump.

     

    In terms of probabilities, the likeliest outcome is that a team would ditch the "rebuild" coach once it's time to contend. It's just that MSL is an outside-the-box thinker and has been defying the odds his entire life, so I'd say it's 50/50 in his case.

    • Upvote 1
  10. 16 minutes ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

    Was coming to ask if anyone still gets frustrated with losses (like myself) seeing as the forum tends to be pro-tank. Though your reaction is likely due to Slaf’s penalty, I guess you answered my question.

     

    Hey, I recognize that we have nothing to play for (apart from seeing young guys improve), and I recognize that the higher pick is the better pick. But I still don’t cheer for them to lose, when I’m watching games. “Frustration” is a bit of a strong word for it…but I feel a lot less motivated to watch under these conditions for sure. At least this game was pretty entertaining.

     

    18 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

    Slafkovsky had a bit of a tough game. 
     

    Not bothered by losing at this point. I wouldn’t mind the 5th pick or better if we get lucky

     

    Yeah, Slaf and CC both struggled, relatively speaking.

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