TheAussiePosse

Corson signs with Dallas, and will join the team once he passes his physical. Another Claude Lemieux experiment... Lineup? Turgeon-Modano-Lehtinen Morrow-Arnott-Guerin Corson-Barnes-Young DiMaio-Kapanen-Oliver ? :?- ? Ah well, doesn't matter, not in our conference.

The truth is, we don't need Sean Hill. Our defense has lost a major chunk with Souray gone, but we were already full with Dmen anyway. When he comes back, an extra Dman like Hill could make things awkward. Markov did take a game off tonight, but has started to step up as the Go-To guy with Souray out. Our problems are more that our forwards are small, not all are fast, and only 2 are likely to break 25 goals this season. With our recent losses, Gainey hopefully won't take too long to complete a trade, but don't be surprised if he digs into the past, or into the AHL for some stop-gaps in the meantime

Sundstrom-Ribeiro-Zednik Pairing a playmaker and a playmaker (IMO) isn't the smartest. If we had some more beef on that wing, or some more speed, then we'd be better off. But Sundstrom is just a Jack of All Trades. Nothing special, everything average

if you haven't noticed, Dagenais actually isn't producing. and when he doesn't produce, he goes invisible. and that's not good when our 5-on-4 hockey isn't superb. no, he needs to wake up again, and what better than a friendly meeting with El Bencho

i've seen witt play, and there is a reason that he's called "tWitt" by his team mates. He takes stupid penalties, and a hell of a thorn in the ass if he's not your leader. no thanks at all. also, caps need veteran Dmen, not AHL rookies. and with hainsey's potential, it would be more like hainsey for witt and a pick. but yeah, screw it, i'd rather go with the youth movement that we are heading towards, and keep our troubled youths for better deals

Nothing big here, Penguins trade Drake Berehowsky to the Leafs for Ric Jackman. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1732861 Pens get a dark horse defenseman who, at worst, plays a solid game in his own end. He's cheap (barely over 500k) and young, which fits the Penguins like a glove. Berehowsky was actually making less than 500k a year, but his contract might have made him a UFA at the end of the year, I'm not sure. He's an ex-Leaf, can score on the PP, and has seen some playoff time. Fo the Leafs, this is the equivalent to the Glen Wesley/Phil Housley aquisitions of last year

First off, welcome to the board. Secondly, is seems that Beauchemin has been called up. I'm very happy with this call, as I believe Beauchemin, and not Bouillion, should be playing with Komisarek. I believe they had some chemistry back in Hamilton. He's a solid defenseman who can make hits and play a solid game in his own end. However, I'm not sure if I'm reading this the wrong way, but if Souray was only out for a week, wouldn't BG have called up Hainsey to fill in, and give him some big game experience, instead of calling up someone (apart from Dykhuis) who has experience? I hope that's not the case *knock on wood*

35 year old alcoholic who has temper tantrums and often disappears during the game? I sure hope not...

Dags hasn't really produced lately, and while the Habs have been on a slide, it might be time to send him down to Hamilton. If only as a wake-up call. Although we also need to bench Ribs for a game, just to make him stop taking those long shifts. We almost lost to Pittsburgh when we turned into a team of selfish players who tried to do everything themselves, didn't pass (nothing new for Dags) and took long shifts (nothing new for Ribs). I'm sure CJ will have this situation under control, and an intense practice is what we need, to wake up for a revamped Islander's team.

YOU'RE GURU!?!?!?

ATL, NYR, @Phi, @NJD, TOR, @BUF, @MIN, BOS Win, tie, win, loss, loss, loss, win, loss Total of 7 points in 8 games A record of 3-4-1 I guess Gazer's prediction of .500 hockey was the closest (and if you added the Chicago game, then it would be .500 hockey). Ah well, 6 Eastern Conference teams in a row now, 6 games in almost 18 days, with 3 of those teams in the playoffs, and two others within striking distance of them. Begin is back, look for a trade... :ghg:

Imagine Komisarek and Gauthier on the same defensive pairing... that would be awesome. Don't go anywhere without your head up

Now, if Gauthier were on the team, our PK would have to start really working. He'd challenge Langdon for our PIM leader, and with Langer's lack of ice time, probably take over it too. I wonder if it'll happen...:eyes:

Markov could get us a few decent players in this league, and perhaps (with a pick) a prospect and a solid defenseman. However, I agree, we do need another Russian on the team. Hopefully it's only a minor player-for-player deal with Perreault or Sundstrom being traded. Only problem - which Russians are available? I'd point out that Morozov is probably available (due to his salary), but oft-injured soft forwards wouldn't help this team out as much as a grinder. Go BG go!

He isn't a 4th liner, but he isn't a 1st liner either. He's a 2nd liner / 3rd liner depending on the team Just wondering, how would that make him a 4th liner? He isn't our best PK, that would be Begin or Dackell (with Begin). Juneau also ranks above Sunny IMO He's not that either. Sorry, but he isn't physical enough to be called a "checker". He's a good passer, a good skater, and, when paired with Begin (or other consistent physical defensive forwards), he plays more physical than normal. He is, however, not a "checker", sorry. I fail to see your reasoning for him being a 4th line player if he is a good skater... JR, you're beginning to scare me the same way Kenikov (and others) scare me about Perreault. Sundstrom is not part of this team's future, I will be very surprised if he's still with us come the 2007 season. I would too like to try Sundstrom on the 1st line wing one day, but then again, I would also like Zednik to play there. Or Balej. Or Ward. Or even Langdon (just give him a chance; I BELIEVE LANGY! I BELIEVE!) Nope, don't expect anything special any time soon. CJ has done well before, he'll work out this dilemma soon enough

To TB: Darryl Sydor + 4th rounder To CMB: Alexander Svitov+3rd rounder TB boosts their defense with a solid 2-way player, while Columbus makes another move for the future. However, with their top 2 centres Cassels and Marchant, and other winger/centres like Letowski, Wright, Pirjeta and Pronger, one has to wonder if Svitov will remain in the AHL, or be moved up to play with the 2 other young stars, Nash and Zherdev [Edited on 2004/1/28 by TheAussiePosse]

lol, Jason "Always in the Emergency" Ward. Good one :/) I think we should send Rivet to Souray's wrist doctor now, rather than at the end of the season. I'm sure Komisarek would appreciate the time, Rivet would be primed and tuned (and shooting 200 mph) for the playoffs, and we'd welcome him back. Well, we might welcome him back. I'm more interested to see what our forward lines are going to look like when Begin's back (back again... Baggy's back... tell a friend...). Will we send Balej back down? Will Kilger and others sit? Find out next week, same Bat time, same Bat channel

Welcome to the board =CH= Listening to the game on radio was even more discouraging. I honestly thought that the game was at the Air Canada Centre until we scored our goal, and even after that I wasn't sure. The commentators didn't have to point out that there were more Leafs jerseys in the crowd tonight. I'd like to blame this loss as much on the team as on the fans - because there were not many Montreal fans in attendance tonight. Sure, 2 games in 2 nights is tiring, but something has to wake up when that happens. If Begin were back, he would have ran Belfour or Marchment a few times. If Begin were back, then Lagndon would have dropped the gloves. If Begin were back, Kilger would have kept up is net-running, even if all the shots that he deflected went wide. If Begin were back... Ah, just wait till he gets back, it'll be more fun to watch the hockey. I'm not looking forward to Guy's report (for the first time this season), but it's a necessary thing. Notice how when the Habs lose, you feel bad? Maybe that's just me, but I had a shocking day today after listening to the loss (BTW, the Habs game finished at 2pm here, if you didn't realise that). Good luck for Buffalo, we'll need it. 2 days off shold be enough time to :zzz: and around. It'll be a good game alright. [Edited on 2004/1/25 by TheAussiePosse]

Good point blrblrblbrlrdlbl. He is tired :zzz: and needs some rest. However, with the return of Markov, his minutes will (hopefully) get reduced to 15 or so. However, as we have seen before, any Norris dreams or hopes will be quenched if he can only play 15 minutes a night from here on in. I actually predicted the Habs getting shut out, but still, it is depressing to see this happen. However, 2 losses in 16 games isn't too shabby. Hopefully we bounce back against the Maple Fudges tomorrow night. :ghg:

Primeau and Boynton picks are bogus. Stevens was too, but he could be out, which is good, give someone else a chance. Messier I disagree with, but it's not like he's out of his depth. He's tied for 4th in GWG, he has SHP, PPP, and plays on the most inconsistent and underachieving team in history. Oh, and (hopefully) this might be his last season. Although 2nd in that category is our very own Ricardo Zednika. Otherwise known as Big-Foot. I haven't really been into the All-Star game as much in previous seasons as I have this year - however, I am dissapointed with the rest of you with the terrible picks. We need to do our best to injure Primeau (missed that chance), Brodeur (just so Jose get's No.1 goalie), Roberts, and Boynton. :ghg: and Langdon too

I'd go and shake BG's hand if he could. As much respect for Perreault as there is for the Canadiens, it's the best move we can make. Once Begin's back, we'll have a glut of centres - and then there's Gratton, who is like a mini-Begin. I'm not sure about the waivers aspect of it all, whether we can demote Gratton without any fuss. Koivu Ribeiro Juneau Begin Is fine, with Gratton sitting pretty waiting for an injury. Perreault is unfortunately a waste of salary for us, and a waste of a quality playing time for him. He might look back in 5 years and say "man, I appreciate all that I was given by the Habs, but I should have got out of there sooner - I had lots more to give to needy teams" Or he could just retire in the summer, I'm not fussed First rumors to NJ, then to Colorado - what's next? Philadelphia???

I would have loved Jeff O'Neill to be on the Habs had Ryder not come through. However, with this season's showing, we have shown that we have the players to perform night in and night out. ONeill can play both LW and RW, although the same is said for Zednik, although we as habs fans know the truth to that. A line of O'Neill-Koivu-Zednik would send shivers down the opponents necks, and down our spines. A completely healthy line-up with O'Neill added would look like this: O'Neill-Koivu-Ryder Dagenais-Ribeiro-Zednik Bulis-Begin-Ward Langdon-Juneau-Dackell That leaves Perreault, Sundstrom, Gratton and Kilger. Unless one of them are leaving, we get stuck with a bunch of NHLers in the press box. Not the best idea For some reason, I can't see an O'neill trade working out: - I doubt Carolina want another centreman (Perreault) - Bulis doesn't have much chemistry with Begin (not that we've been given a lot of chances to see) - Our abundance of Dmen wouldn't help us, as Carolina also have strength in numbers - We'd have a glut of wingers - As a UFA at the end of this season, what garuantee do we have that he'll stay with us? - Depending on what Carolina is asking, chances are it'll be too much. Unless they ask for Hossa, or a draft pick that is conditional to us retaining O'Neill. Too much to think about, and unless the M&M man can provide insight, I don't see it happening. *knock on wood* [Edited on 2004/1/20 by TheAussiePosse]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1713064 Now Hackett and Ragnarsson are out. All we can hope is that in the morning practice, Leclair gets hit with a waterbottle in the head, thrown from some dark figure hiding in the nosebleed seating section. Which Habs fan is willing to risk a night in jail for 2 points? Do it for the team!

I doubt Zednik or Ward will still be hanging around. And Markov top D-pairing while Komisarek is 2nd? I'd hope not...

Traverse on the PP? Traverse on the SH!?!?! :?- ??!?!?!?!? what is this world coming to...