CerebusClone

What the Gainey article said about Pollock reminds me a little of Bobby Clarke. He doesn't always go with the "best available player", instead he goes with the guy he feels is going to give it all for him. Steve Downie should have never been a 1st round pick, but Clarke just loved his determination. Carter was picked quite a bit higher than projected. Richards was another great pick. Gagne. Pitkanen (well, he was a no-brainer). All of his picks (besides one goalie) in last year`s draft are gritty guys that have well over 1PIM per game. Love him or hate him, you gotta respect the man; he manages just like he played.

Obviously, it would have to be a trial contract; if I were a GM, I would't offer a contract to Ville Peltonen without seeing him in action during a training camp. However, as it would have been smart for Gainey to sign Selanne during the summer because of his experience and chemistry with Koivu (especially since he signed for only 1M), he might be worth a try for a GM to reunite Peltonen et Jokinen next season. As they NY Rangers are proving, team chemistry is one of the main keys to succes; they failed to build a contender by signing all big name free agents available, but they are having great succes with a bunch of previously under-performing Czechs that were going nowhere until this season.

One non-NHL player who was great during the Olympic tournament was Ville Peltonen. His first attempts in the NHL were not exactly successful, but he's a guy that could benefit with the NHL's breakdown on obstruction. Do you think a team will invite him for next year's training camps? Whichever team that signs Olli Jokinen should perhaps consider it...

One guy who seems to have improved a lot this year is Gregory Stewart. Although we must take into consideration that he often gets to play with guys like Steve Downie and Dan Ryder (does he ever play with Jordan Staal?), his offensive contribution has sky-rocketed to respectability this season. I had very little hopes for him until a few months ago, but if he can improve his offensive game enough, he could be a very reliable 4th liner (perhaps 3rd, but that's a stretch). He seems to have decent overall skills, more than a guy like Ferland for instance, and also a great work ethic, but until recently he had never been able to put it altogether. However, if I'm not mistaken, he will have to be signed at the end of this season. Will Montreal offer him a contract? I think they should...

Since the Habs are not really contenders this year, I agree that Kostsitsyn should be in the lineup. His presence won't prevent the team from making the playoffs, however he could help it make it there. At the very least, he would get good experience at the NHL level so he can start contributing next year. The team could simply alternate between Higgins and Kostsitsyn on the Koivu line, and give Andrei some time on the power play. That will help him adapt, gain confidence, and become a better player. However, teasing him every month to come warm up the bench for the big team isn't going to help at all. If Montreal wants to become a contender in the near future, as they say they will, they'll have to make sure that young guys like Kostsitsyn, Perezhogin, Chipchura, Latendresse, Higgins, and even Komisarek progress to nearly their full potential, or it will be another 10 years of average to mediocre hockey for Habs fans.

Actually, after a terrible start, Kostsitsyn has really picked things up. During his first 19 games, he had a pretty bad record of 4 goals, 4 assists, and a -9 rating. Since then, in 29 games, he registered 8 goals, 18 assists (26 points), along with a much more respectable -3 rating. I was personally impressed with his skill level during his last stint with the Habs, and I believe he has the potential to become a superstar. Now it just remains to be seen whether or not he will adapt to pro hockey enough to fulfill that potential...

How long before he takes over the number sport from Michaud, once again? I really like this kid, but unfortunately, as I said before, I'm afraid he will never get a chance with the Canadiens.

I must admit that I have done my share of Ribeiro and Dagenais bashing over the last 2-3 years, and although I totally agree with you that it was Gainey's and Julien's fault for choosing them in the first place (you can't turn dirt into gold), I just sometimes feel the need to balance out all the silly comments from blinded fans that actually believe that Mike Ribeiro is better than Joe Thornton (or even Koivu fir that matter), and that Pierre Dagenais would be a 50-goal scorer if he only had just a little bit more ice time. Also, you must admit that they make it very easy for people to hate them with their sissy, whining attitude that the whole world is out to get them, that the coaches never give them a fair chance (Daganais is still complaining today about Mike Keenan although he gave him a chance for several games to play with Pavel Bure), and that everyone is wrong for telling them that their play is mediocre and uninspired.

I would also lean towards Erik Johnson. How often do you have a chance to get a defenseman with that much skills? Although, how often do you see a guy with the size, talent, and hockey sense of Jordan Staal. Some scouts believe he could be the best of the Staal brothers. Either way, Montreal would get something they have been missing for well over a decade... Unfortunately, there is about zero chance to see any of these three in Montreal. With a lot of luck, we might be able to land James Sheppard, but I doubt it. Maybe Okposo or Brassard again with some luck. For the second round however, Jeese Joensuu is a big power forward that Koivu could take under his wing.

Before the lockout, the NHL/CHL agreement prevented junior players under the age of 20 to play in the AHL. If this has changed, I haven't heard anything about it so my guess is that the lower age limit is still 20.

If by some miracle Montreal was able to select first at this year's entry draft, which young player would you pick: 1. The amazingly skilled Phil Kessel 2. The quarterback Erik Johnson 3. The total package Jordan Staal Although Kessel is pretty much labeled the American Crosby, and will become a superstar in the NHL, I think the Habs would have more use for either Johnson or Staal. Staal especially could become a huge impact player in the near future, but then again, just think of how much the power play would improve with a guy like Erik Johnson at the blueline. I would be very undecided between these two... or do you with Kessel? What do you guys think?

As for Koivu's leadership, there isn't a single player in the history of hockey who could have lead the Habs to a Cup over the last 10 years. I believe Koivu is a leader, and that he can lead a team all the way, however, he's never had the chance. After him, the best players were Marc Recchi, Andrei Markov, and a a few gutless wonders like Malakhov, Rucinsky, Zednik, and Kovalev. After that, it was very limited players like Brian Savage, Oleg Petrov, Yannick Perreault, ... even Chad Kilger got to play on the fisrt line for a while (and Koivu managed to make HIM produce a few points). I don't care if we had had Gretzky or Lemieux instead of Koivu, this team would still have been mediocre over the last 10 years. Even Lemieux didn't win a Cup until he had the support of guys like Francis, Murphy, Coffey, Jagr, Recchi, Mullen, Tocchet, etc.

The whole thing about "cliques" really started last season when Ribeiro finally went from mediocre to still-useless-but-at-least-a-bit-more-productive. If Koivu and Rivet are a "clique", then fine, bring more of them. These 2 players work hard every game, and bring something positive to the organization. Actually, they seem to care more about the Montreal Canadiens than most Quebec-born players throughout the league. We need more players like that. But then there was the whining clique of Ribeiro and Dagenais who seem to think that the whole world is conspiring against them, and who seem to care more about their image (and stats) then to help the team win hockey games. They score a goal, and they automatically assume they contributed positively to a game, even though they played terribly, and were dominated practically every shift by the other team's line. Ribeiro needs to go... actually, he should have never been resigned this summer. Gainey could have signed a better center, and traded away Ribeiro who might have attracted the attention of some dumb GM looking only at Ribeiro's season stats (the Kings were dumb enough to give up Rick Tocchet for overrated Kevin Stevens, even though he was already a huge disappointment in Boston).

Then again, if Korneev gets some guarantee that he will be with the big club for some time (though not necessarily dressed for games) so that he can partly earn the NHL's minimum salary (~500K) with of course at least the potential to make it, and later make a lot of money, he might be interested to cross over. One thing is for sure, now is probably the best time for him to come to North America; the NHL seems serious in his attempts to open up the game, and the Habs sure have room for a good offensive defenseman. If he waits any longer, he'll remain in the Russian Elite League for ever... which he might prefer for all I know. Taking about the league's minimum, am I the only person in the world to believe that it was incredibly stupid for the league to raise to half a million? I couldn't care any less that guys like Forsberg, Jagr, Sakic, ... made huge money (ex. 11M). After all, they are the show, and they are the world's elite. However, to see guys like Ferland, Downey, Côté, Ivanans, ... make this much is just plain crazy.

I don't how reliable Planete Hokey is as a source, but if Ribeiro really said that, there's the next big scandal for Montreal hockey fans. What I would like to know is where is HIS leadership, and where was HE during the last playoffs while Koivu was working his buff off against Boston and Tampa Bay (and again being one of the top playoff performers in the league). Ribeiro was so terrible and useless that Julien prefered using Perreault instead of him... and we all know that he's never had much confidence in Perreault!

I agree that Gleed will probably never play in the NHL, but I just can't wait to see O'Byrne play professional hockey. For some reason, I can't help but have high hopes for him to become a mainstay on the Habs blue line for years to come. I don't expect big offensive numbers from him from I think he could become a very reliable 4th or 5th defenseman for this team. Not that they will all be there in 2-3 years (or even all make it to the NHL), but Montreal defenitely has corrected the problem of size and grit at the blue line with young guys like Komisarek, O'Byrne, Emelin, Korpikari, Archer, Paquet, and Côté. All we're missing is Erik Johnson (like that's gonna happen!) at this's year entry draft, and we're all set for the future. I could definitely live with the following in for the next few years: E.Johnson-Komisarek (all US) Markov-Emelin (all Russian) O'Byrne-Korpikari (good luck getting thru these two!) Or we could keep Rivet (that would make it an "all Canadian" duo) instead of Korpikari... but we need Erik Johnson!!

I sure hope they can get Emelin to come over next year, and play for the Bulldogs. Another guy I would like to see is Ryan O'Byrne, but since he's far from a sure NHLer, and in his senior year at Cornell, I really doubt he'll sign a profesionnal contrat just yet. What do you guys think of Korneev? Should the Habs invite him over? He's small, but does have some great skills; with the "new" NHL rules, he might be a good fit.v If they invited Streit, I don't see why Korneev coudln't at least get a chance...

I doubt Montreal still owns the rights to Buturlin since they never signed him, and like alexstream said, who cares if they do. He wasn't really impressive in the OHL or over in Russia. Even Alexei Emelin is more productive, and he's a 19yo defenseman who supposedly has very little hockey sense and offensive potential. He has shown some signs of potential in the past, but never realized it. Montreal has new younger prospects also with some good potential, but not likely to fulfill it. I'm thinking of guys like Mikus (very disapointing performance at the WJC), JT Wyman, and perhaps Mathieu Aubin. We'll see how they turn out...

I agree. Halak's situation is very similar to Vokoun's a few years back. Vokoun was doing a very good job in the minors, and was a solid prospect but unfortunately, he was also behind 2 young Quebec goalies (Theodore and Thibeault). In my opinion, Halak has more potential than Danis, but Danis will always get the first opportunity over Halak. And then there is Theodore, Huet (might resign after this season after all), and of course the potential bluechip prospect Carey Price. Unfortunately, I am afraid that Halak will never get a chance with the Habs... (heck, if they really have to, I they'll probably recall Michaud before him too!).

Ward would not have made this team a contender, but he is just as good defensively as Sundstrom, and also brings toughness, grit, and a constant effort. He's probably also a slightly better shooter. Looking at the Habs' roster, I think his "skills" would have suited this team better, especially on the Bonk-Bulis line. Bonk and Bulis are not bad players, far from that, but somebody needs to do the dirty work for the line to work; three soft guys floating around is not going to give you much results. Plus, I think he would have been cheaper than Sundstrom.

Like you said, Jokinen will cost a lot of money, and I don't think he's all that good anyway. As for Arnott, he will be in demand, and unless he and Carbonneau/Gainey were great buddies in Dallas, I don't see incentive he would have to sign with Montreal. I think that only leaves Briere, who might accept to sign here, being from Quebec. He would do well as a second linerm, and finally provide some secondary support for the Koivu line. As we have seen in the last playoffs, all the other team has to do is concentrate on the Koivu line; you do that, and you'll easily win.

Unless Gainey is willing to part with a good prospect (which I wouldn't), I doubt he will acquire anyone that will have much of an impact on this team. With all the quality young prospects in this organization, the future finally looks bright for the Canadiens, and since Montreal is no where near being a contender at the moment, it would be stupid to trade away this potential for an aging overpriced rental veteran. Personally, I would rather show some patience, and make sure that some of the top prospects progress to a point where they will be assets to this team in a year or 2. In the meantime, there will be 2-3 unrestricted free agents that I believe can help the team not only this year, but also on the longer run: First, there is Daniel Briere, a Quebecer who would probably love to play for the Habs, and would fill the huge void we've had at second line center ever sinon Reggie Houle traded away (for practically nothing) Turgeon, Damphousse, Tucker, and even Conroy. I never liked Ribeiro, and I still believe he will never be a key element on a top contending team. He is too inconsistent, and has zero positive impact when the game intensifies, like in the playoffs. He's not a young prospect anmore, and will never get any better. Also, as much as I love what Chipchura can bring, he is not quite good enough for second line duties. Then, there is another, Quebecer, Phil Boucher, who would providfe some much needed offense from the blue line in support of Markov. I never like Brisebois, and I was happy to see Markov take his place, however, nobody replaced Markov as the team's 3rd defenseman. Finally, another guy who could help this team is Denis Gauthier, who is tough and quite reliable defensively. Signing both Boucher and Gauthier would also mean getting rid of 2 of Souray, Dandeneault, or Bouillon... which I have no problem with. Bouillon could stay as a reserve player, which is what he actually is. Then gradually, Gainey should try to get rid of the dead wood (Bonk, Sundstrom, Zednik, ...) to replace them with the young guys, such as Kostsitsyn, Chipchura, Latendresse, etc ...