TheAussiePosse

And after all that, after all you put the team through, and then Audette leaves. Just like that. :/) I like the line-up. Just a few questions - Can Zhog perform on the top line? I think he needs at least a season of Hamilton to get ready. At least. - 2nd line looks good, although maybe Ward and Zhog can switch around? Or put Ward on the first line, Audette on 2nd line, and Zhog stick in Hamilton? - I know Bulis is a reformed centre, but after playing wing, is he still a capable centre? - 4th line is THE BEST line. No arguments/questions whatsoever. Maybe Kilger will be able to take the elastic-band off his balls this year and kick some ass. Dwyer seemed to be able to help that last year. BTW, what about Ryder? How do you see him going? And with our defense, what about Boo and Beauch? Just Hamilton fodder? Anyway, KOIVU RESIGNED!, so it's all good in Habland

Remember though this would be the opening night lineup. I think this would work, but here are some extra points: - Dwyer I'd usually complain about not being in the lineup, but eeing as our first game is Ottawa, I won't complain. Varada can't do anything. Can he? (Remembers 2 seasons ago... *shudders*) - Yanic takes over for Mr. October, for the moment though. I'm still in favor of having a rotating 2nd line. And maybe a Hossa-Perreault-Sundstrom line could work (variation on Habs77's variation). Then Bulis-Juneau-Ward. And maybe Bulis-Ribeiro-Dagenais against Toronto next game, with Kilger on L3 (?). We could even bring in Dwyer to play... - Defense will be hopefully solved at camp. I like having 8 NHL calibre defensemen that can play. It means for more competition, and Julien will say that morning "OK, I want Markov's pair, Breezy's pair and Hainsey's pair" if we want to score more, or sub in Souray's pair if it's a physical game. A bit like our potential rotating 2nd line.. - Dackell will hopefully be traded by preseason, just because it would be unfair to offer him tentative positions as 3rd/4th line RW, then give it to Dwyer/Kilger/Dagenais/Gratton/etc. - I am completely shocked to have found out that Traverse has a ONE WAY CONTRACT! ONE WAY! HOLY ****! ****ING HELL! egads! Now I have lost almost all respect that I had remaining of Savard. Good drafter, but A ONE ****ING WAY CONTRACT?!?!?! So yeah, just trade him too. He's cheap, Pens might want him. *sob*, one way... - Remember how Theo had a terrible preseason last year? I can't find the exact stats, but our (many) wins often came at a score resembling the 70s (6-5 win over Colorado in Quebec?). I wonder if there's a connection between Theo's GAA or SP% in the preseason and the regular season? [Edited on 2003/9/5 by TheAussiePosse]

But it's not as if we are Anaheim or Los Angeles, who are 'Ducks' and 'Kings'. Rangers struggled with finding a symbol. What would/could we do that would represent the 'Canadiens'? Unfortunately it's not as simple as saying 'new jerseys... VOILA!'. Unless we make a new team (Can anyone say 'Maroons' for WHL? Please?), we will be watching :hlogo: for a while. But on that Maroons idea... [Edited on 2003/9/6 by TheAussiePosse]

They are similar, although Goalies NYR wins Dunham>Potvin Blackburn>Shields Markaanen>Raycroft Defense NYR wins Klemm-Leetch>Boynton-McGillis Poti-Malakhov>O'Donnell-Gill Kasparitis-Mironov>Jillson-Moran Offense NYR wins by default (more depth) Nedved-Lindros-Kovalev < Samsonov-Thornton-Murray Rucinsky-Hlavac-Carter(?) < Knuble-Rolston-Lapointe Simon-Holik-Barnaby > Axelsson-Stock-McInnis Healey-Lundmark-Petrovicky V Huml-Hilbert-Grosek Idunno, they are similar, although I'm worried that they'll beat us in the regular season. Also, with that lineup, New York has to make the playoffs. If not... well, I think we've already seen all the "what ifs".

I'm actually a fan of this new and improved jersey. It was crazy before, and i wasn't exactly loving the idea (colours more than logo). however, i don't know if anyone's realised this, but the best jerseys in the world are ice hockey jerseys. NBA - Good logos, terrible material FIFA - Good material, no logos NFL - Great logos, but not on the jerseys. Such a shame MLB - Good material, but logos... er... :eyes: etc. Most of the teams have great jerseys (although Nashville's and NYI's 3rd jerseys are a bit... er...:eyes: )

Also, if you're going to take the "Bouillion-isn't-physical-enough" approach, here's a pic... http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam020205/gal_hits1-ap.html PS - That really is Bobby Holik. Not a clone. And when he was the hard-hitting centre for NJ, not the I-am-God one on the Rangers. Yep, I'd rather keep Boo on the team, if only for the next 5 years.

1. Brisebois (Same reasons that Habs77 said) 2. Dykhuis (Only 2 can remain of Souray-Quintal-Dykhuis) 3. Juneau (Would help clear up C-jam for a while) 4. Dackell (No room, sorry) 5. Blouin (We don't need him. At all. Ever. ) 6. Traverse (Only if we have to. I'd prefer him in Hamilton though, especially with his contract.) I thought about putting Audette on the list, but I realised that we still need to give him a chance next year. He seemed to click with Koivu and Bulis at the end of last season, and who knows, he might actually be able to play with a 90% wrist this season, and post some decent numbers. Maybe Gainey will put the scare into him, and he'll perform. I also thought about Perreault, but we can still get something in return for him. Same with Ribeiro. Bouillion would be along the lines of Traverse in that we would only put him on waivers if we didn't have a spot to fill. He is still valuable and we can reacquire him (like last time) if necessary. It's not like he'll cost too much anyway, and if Nashville last season was an example, he might be on the next train out of Tennessee via waivers. I just hope we don't pull nother Robidas this year. Man that was stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I used to have a lot of respect for THN. When the internet is down here, I always have the newspapers to turn to for hockey (even if they are a month late... or more). But now that I have my 2003-04 yearbook, I am quite shocked to find that we are not only rated 13th in the East, but that we are also critisized for not signing any free agents. What, Czerkawski wasn't enough? Sure, it does cover all the teams, and therefore can't get too involved or focused on a single team. But Herb Zurkowsky completely undermines the truth, deciding to focus on how the Habs are screwed. I know people talked about this before, and I'm flogging a dead horse, but to have Carolina, Rangers and Boston ahead of us? Sheesh

I was always a fan of Bill Lindsay, and it's a shame he's now left the team (signed with ATL a few days ago). I hope he can pull off a solid 4th line spot with Atlanta. He was defenitely a great guy to have. If only Czerkawski could have learned something from him down in the AHL...

Just say Habs right now have 20 prospects who eventually make the NHL. Then, with a super strong drafting troupe of scouts, we make the best picks in the NHL each year, grabbing surprise gems even in the latter rounds. Pretty soon we are choking at every position, and we need to trade stars of today (Zednik, Bulis, etc.) for our upcoming stars. Even if we trade away our up-and-comers, and in return we get other great players, or picks which we continue to use to draft more great players. What would happen? I don't know, this isn't really a feasible scenario, but I'm just wondering, because if in an extreme case there is an answer, then in a not-so-extreme case (like now), the answer might be along those lines. Or else that's all a bunch of hogwash, gobbledeegook, and balderdash.

Nah, I was just trying a little improv. However, I want to keep one thing clear. Unless injuries hit 3 of our defensemen at the same time, Traverse will not be Traversing with the Canadiens. His cheap salary is definitely worth holding on to, even if it is just in hamilton. But I do hope you're right when you say Dykhuis will dealt before camp.

hehe, sorry about the big font. In reply to Habs77, Traverse won't be No.7. That'll be between Dykhuis and Bouillion (1 way contract? :contract:). Traverse will be in Hamilton with Beauchemin, Archer, maybe Hainsey. And TB's prospects too. Markov-Rivet sounds about right. Hell, maybe Rivet surprises us. And maybe Markov doesn't follow Jose's lead from last year Quintal-Komisarek also will work, and maybe (just maybe), Komo pulls a little Jackman magic? Souray-Brisebois worries me the most, but if Breezy shows renewed fire (he can't possibly be as bad as he was last year... can he?), and Souray is even only half decent, we can do well. Dykhuis won't be as bad as he was last year (please?), but unless we trade him or someone else, he'll be hard pressed to make the lineup. And don't forget Bouillion. He made the biggest hits on the team last season. Pity he's the smallest on the team. Why can't Audette and Kilger take a leaf out of his book. Whatever the lineup, I agree with most when I say I like our defence more and more. :ghg:

SCOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!! SC 2003!!! [Edited on 2003-8-23 by sakiqc]

As I said in another thread, why can't we trade Ribeiro and Perreault (echoing Zowpeb)? Hossa is decent on defense, so maybe 3rd line duties with Juneau and Sundstrom? Juneau can play LW, maybe better than Centre. I'd just like to put forth an idea about trading Ribeiro/Hossa to Pittsburgh for Ramzi Abid? Quebecois, and potential power forward if coached right. IF He could work well with the remaining of the two (pref. Hossa) and Ward. I'm not sure if you're noticing or not, but a lot of teams are getting quite stocked up the middle, with less-than-adequate wingers. We (hopefully) won't get like that, but maybe we can use it to our advantage. Anyway, just jutting forth ideas. I'd like to see at least 3 of the following problems sorted out by the beginning of the season: - Choice of ONE (1) 2nd line Centre (Perreault or Ribeiro) - Brisebois either 100% revitalized, or traded - Souray either 100% recuperated, or traded - Theodore either 100% rejuvinated, or traded - Audette either 100% recovered, or traded - Dykhuis traded - Dackell traded - Juneau traded (unless we need him for 1 more year... but no longer) - Traverse sent to Hamilton (NOT traded. Repeat, NOT) - Aquisition of a solid 1st line winger; either side is OK - Grand showing of Hainsey/Higgins/Ryder/Plekanec/etc. in camp Yes, just 3 of those things would make me quite happy :eyes: *sigh*

This post probably doesn't work as a reply, but the line Bulis-Ribeiro-Ward Could probably work. However, I'm also taking into effect the other article with the Hossas. I think you can summarize it enough to say "Marcel Hossa sucks because he is not playing centre". We have a big discussion on whether Ribeiro/Perreault should be traded. I'd prefer Perreault go, but this isn't about that. Maybe we should trade both, and aquire a young LW to go with Hossa and ward. Say Ramzi Abid on Pittsburgh: Abid-Hossa-Ward I'm actually more high on Ribs than Hossa, but if all he needs is to play Centre, go for it! Also, a Ribeiro-for-Abid would be a steal, as, with enough good coaching (which he would recieve Montreal), he could turn out to be a net-crashing PF. Oh well, what it means to dream.... :eyes:

LA is going to turn some heads next year. They have one of the best regular season goalies around. Their defense is (as you said) solid, with 2 offensive minded (Visno & Modry), 2 defensive minded(Miller and Norstrom), and 3 who can fill in the remaining spots & injuries(hopefully not as much as last season). Their top 2 lines will be very good, and their No.1 line will definitely compete with the BaMN line (Bertuzzi-Morrison-Naslund), the KiSS line (Kariya-Sakic-Selanne), among others. I'm eagerly anticipating the regular season from the LA point of view (not as much as Habs of course!). I predict they'll do better than the 8th place given to them by THN (same with Habs at 13). Good job covering LA (and the other teams)!

Juneau can play LW though... but I'm OK with dumping him :/) However, what do you think the chances are of trading Hossa to Minnesota for Mikko Koivu and a pick? I wouldn't mind that. Hell, maybe they'd like Dackell as well (he fits into their style of play). Dackell, Hossa for Koivu, 3rd Rounder?

What lines would not work? This could eventually help for the start of the year when we look at line combos that could work... I'll give it a shot: Sundstrom-Perreault-Audette Reason: All shoot first, ask questions later.

I'd rather trade away Hossa and Hainsey than Ribeiro. Smyth would be a replacement for Hossa, not for Ribs. And if we traded Perreault in the future, the lineup could look like this: Smyth-Koivu-Audette Bulis-Ribeiro-Zednik Sundstrom-Juneau-Ward Dwyer-Kilger-Dackell But I don't think it will happen. Georges (Laraque) doesn't want to come to Montreal because of the media, and he's pretty good friends with Ryan. Still, it would be a dream come true. I'd take him over Kovalev, and that's saying something!

Pick any of the teams in the NHL (bar Canadiens) Rules: 1.) Don't talk about Fight Club ok, but seriously 1.) Keep the salary reasonable. I don't care what they make, but it would be really stupid to imagine you trade for Forsberg, Bertuzzi and Jagr. 2.) Sign up to 3 UFAs 3.) Make up to 3 trades Here's my go: LA KINGS, I CHOOSE YOU! Current lineup: Robitaille-Allison-Palffy Frolov-Stumpel-Deadmarsh Belanger-Laperriere-Klatt Chartrand-Avery-Heinze Miller-Norstrom Visnovsky-Corvo Muir-Norton Cechmanek Storr Altered lineup: UFAs signed: Ken Klee, Brian Berard and Felix Potvin (read on...) Trades made: 1.) Steve Heinze to Columbus for future considerations 2.) Jamie Storr and a 5th rounder to Buffalo for Mika Noronen 3.) Cechmanek, Norstrom and a 3rd rounder to Colorado for Blake (for old times sakes). Final line-up: Deadmarsh-Allison-Palffy Robitaille-Stumpel-Klatt Frolov-Belanger-Cammalleri Chartrand-Laperriere-Avery Klee-Blake Miller-Berard Visnovsky-Corvo Potvin Noronen Yeah, I probably just screwed up their entire future on defense with Klee and Berard, but that's OK. Give it a go, I made sure salaries weren't an issue

I don't have a PS2, but I'm curious to see how ESPn does with this game: http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/236817.asp Their football one includes a setting where you are the player, looking from the helmet, etc. I don't think that's what it is in NHL, but if you can find any more information, post it...

Those lines make a lot more sense. But we hopefully will make at least one major trade before the start of the regular season. Perreault, Juneau, Dackell (yes, he counts as major to us), Ribeiro (to a lesser extent)... Even Brisebois, Dykhuis and Souray could fetch something good in return. Would it make sense to think that BG is trying to trade a forward and a defensemen on our team (i.e Juneau and Brisebois, or Perreault and Souray) for a single forward or defensemen on another team? Addition by addition and subtraction?

Sounds easy enough... but it ain't Sure, one has trade value, the other not so. But Juneau can get away with being on the 3rd line for the rest of the year. Perreault/Riberio can't fit in instead. One's cheaper than the other (duh), though both are still 2 mil. plus. Who would you rather have?

When i said Sourayt is our most complete defensemen, i meant that he is more physical than Brisebois, even if he's not a scorer, and a harder shot than Quintal, even if he's not as big a hitter. That's the reason I said "most complete" and not "best overall". Markov is definitely the best overall defensemen, even if he isn't as physical as Rivet, Quintal or Souray. Man, I would love to get Morris...

Pick 3 players who will make-or-break our 2003-2004 season. My picks: 1.) Jose Theodore 2.) Sheldon Souray 3.) Perreault -Jose is obvious. He plays good, we win. He plays bad, we don't win -Sheldon is the most complete defencemen we have. If he's healthy, our top 4 could be quite strong (although nowhere near Detroit, NYI or COL). - Right now, Yanic is the odd man out in the centres. I'd rather move Juneau, but Yanic doesn't seem happy put on the 3rd line (judegement made from end of last season). He could be good for us, or even better on another team. Only time will tell. What are your picks?