sbhatt

Leafs sign Kubina: four years, 20mil http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170213&hubname=nhl

I can't see it happening...but thinking about Elias at LW and Kovalev at RW...you could plug just about any center between them and have a killer line.

I wonder if they are looking at replacing Blake with Leopold (offensively), and then using the savings to go after another scorer.

I'm relieved that the job didn't go to that piece of shit Mario Tremblay

I wouldn't offer any more than Aebischer, Ribeiro, and our 1st rounder. MAYBE throw in another draft pick, but definitely not any of our best prospects. Lecavalier is a good player, but he's not going to produce the kind of points Joe Thornton does (50 less points this past season).

Top 5 Habs: Kovalev ( hands-down the most talented Habs forward) Huet ( I think this guy is the real deal) Markov ( breakout passer / PP specialist) Higgins ( speed and hands Koivu ( when he's on, and healthy, he produces) Top 5 'wish-list': Elias ( a steady producer who shines in the playoffs) Arnott ( size and skill at center) Redden ( breakout passes/PP specialist) Selanne ( synergy with Koivu) Roenick ( a fallback for a center, definitely a gamble, but could have another good season in him if healthy)

A month ago, Chara was my pick to fill the void on 'D'....but he looked very ordinary in the playoffs. So unless there's a good reason that he was hitting like a girl out there (playing hurt???), I have to question his heart.

If I knew I had to report to the sad-sack St. Louis Blues, I'd probably have a hard time motivating myself to go to the gym too.

Alfie is definitely a choker come playoff time.

Okay...the guy let himself slip over the prolonged lockout and had a bad year. What makes you so sure he'll show up out of shape this year? The guy has been a dominant power forward in the league for many years...I wouldn't be so quick to write him off.

I think that if we can't land Arnott, that trade is a good fallback position.

Simple answer is: he doesn't have to. Period. All he HAS to do is play hockey...there is no 'must speak french' clause in his contract. Furthermore, I'd think less of him if he kowtowed to the French media and started struggling through interviews in French. This politically correct BS really aggravates me! Nope...if the Habs aquired a guy who exclusively spoke only his native language (for argument's sake, we'll say Czech) who refused to learn English...but...went out and played like a star night in and night out, I wouldn't care. If he could score 50, I'd worship the ground he walked on even if I never understood a single word that came out of his mouth.

Looking back, we were severely outgunned at the forward position. We lost Koivu, they were without Cole....so call that a wash. Then, after that: They've got Eric Staal, Mark Recchi, Doug Weight, Rod Brind'Amour We've got: Kovalev (and, stretching a bit based on past performance, Zednik) That's it, that's all, in terms of big-name forwards. One damn guy, possibly two if you stretch a bit. That put it into perspective for me.

Kovalev was stuck with Ribeiro as a center, and a very average (offensively) Jan Bulis as his left winger. So Kovalev basically gets a nice setup once in a blue moon...he pretty much has to manufacture every decent chance he gets with a series of crazy dangles. How the hell do you blame a guy for that? His numbers are very impressive when you factor in that the other team knows the other two guys on his line are harmless, and can shift to cover him with a blanket defense.

I think Huet is going to cost more to resign than some people on this board think.

I must admit...a teeny part of me is somewhat relieved that we didn't squeak by Carolina. I had visions of Ottawa mopping the ice with us, the way they are clicking right now.

I'd get rid of Rivet befrore Souray. Souray makes some big blunders sometimes, but he's an offensive weapon. Rivet is just 'competent' out there...I can't really think of anything that he does particularily well (besides being a veteran presence).

Damn right....I'd love for the Sens to gloat....I know I'll be calling into some sports talk shows and roasting Leafs fans hard if that happens. It's so easy to hate the Leafs and their fans...

It'd be nice to be able to afford Elias AND Arnott, while still getting a top D-man...but that's doubtful. Bert is overpriced and a scumbag...I hope Bob isn't thinking about getting him.

Because if we don't, we'll lose Danis. Abey is as good as he's ever going to get, and with his solid games at the end of the season, he has some trade value.

I'm 100% behind the Sens now.

I doubt it....goaltending sure as hell didn't lose this series for the Habs....lack of firepower did.

Priority #1: Sign Huet Priority #2: solid offensive center for Kovalev. Priority #3: top 3 defenseman

They better get Kovalev a real center this offseason, and we better acquire a top 3 defenseman, or next year won't be any better.

shortcat1..... Huet stops that puck 100 times out of 100 if it doesn't flutter off of the stick....PERIOD. It was a harmless play other than the tip...Rivet has him contained to the outside...there's no need to take that desperate swipe at the puck. It's not just frustration that made me say that....I don't think much of Rivet.