Chips

Happy Legal Day to you PTG!

Polls are interesting in themselves but whats more fun will be the leagues reaction to it. Will changes be in the cards based on these results? The competition committee is surely going to consider this when making their next big move on changes to the game. Should anyone consider the results seriously? Or just carry on regardless...? Interesting to see that Crosby was voted in the most hated (7th), respected (6th) and best player(1st) category. He even made most overrated (10th).

Murray actually pulled a good deal for Ottawa. They needed the cap room big time. Still I'm not sold on Murray as the GM; lets see how he is able to keep the core of this team together. That will be truly telling about his GM skills.

Am I the only one who thinks the habs really like his chances of making the team this year? I wonder if they promised him that he would make the team if he made the jump to north america? I'm sure he will be closely watched player in training camp and through the exhibition season. I'd be happy with him joining the club, based on everything I've read on this kid; he plays a very good north american style game with a booming shot from the point. GO HABS GO!

Thanks for all the memories Shelly; your leadership on the ice and your willingness to stand up to anyone who dare try to pick on any of your team mates will not be forgotten. Wish you all the best and hope you continue to use your powerful shot! Cheers and heres hoping that you do improve your all round game. Farewell!

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading this thread and followed each of your arguments. They all have merits. The only comment I have is that you all try to keep this non-personal and argue your points of view with full force but stop short of insulting each other. Finally I'd like to add that for me any team that wins the cup in any year; has the right to be called Champions and I for one will not argue their merits of being called the winners! Afterall, they won fair and square and this should be their victory to enjoy. 93' Stanley Cup Champions! This is a fact and this will never change nor should it be tarnished in any way by anyone. GO HABS GO!

Oil paid too much and will likely be happy with his leadership and presence on the ice but only time will tell. I wish him the best. But warn him about comments that could bite him in the butt. I agree with ATHLÉTIQUE.CANADIEN; things are better unsaid than expressed in moments of anger and excitement. GOOD LUCK and GOOD BYE SOUUU RAAAAY. SOUUU RAAY>> GO HABS GO!

I certainly have a bias for Souray; however, The Hammer, does a have a decent shot and is a force on the ice, plays D-brilliantly; And that is what we need badly. So I say YES! GO HABS GO!

Most certainly. Here in Mississauga its 6.99 for the french package that includes RDS via rogers. Absolute, best money spent. I prefer to watch the habs games on RDS even if they are being shown on CBC or TSN. GO HABS GO!

Bingo! Completely agree here. The NHL needs to take responsibility of its image and how its being presented by networks, which choose how to present our game face!

There's no doubt about it! we will win it all this season. All the way to the finals! Undefeated season. Ok, lets all wake up and smell a touch of reality. Oh no wait that smell is the blue shirts, smelling like horses bums. There are too many variables at play for next season, will Gainey pull a last min., trade to change the current chemistry? How many rookies will move up from Hamilton? Is this formula of watered down average players; who much is expected of going to pull off a miracle. Hamilton did it! We can too! I'm convinced that our current team and Bob's goal for this team is to find a balance. If we are hit by one or two injuries , I feel we have the depth to keep trucking. That spells victory for me. Now look at our competition; do they have depth to fill in and keep a winning streak going? If so they will be the ones we need to worry about. GO HABS GO! ALL the way to the CUP Baby! GO HABS GO! By the way I'd love to see PRICE given a chance to be called up this season, he will not DISAPPOINT! GO HABS GO!

Really looking forward to your report. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on our developing talent earlier last season. Make sure you take advantage of every moment at this years camp; at least when your there on the weekend. thanks in advance.

Ha ha! Buffalo ends up having to pay Big 'V" the Big "$". I'm loving this so far, buffalo has been crapped on bad by the league; they will be calling up minor leaguers by the six pack, to fill in for the empty spots on the big team. Where does all this leave Lowe? I Hope he's still shopping for RFA's? And if so I'm sure the habs would love four more first round picks for Ryder. The summer just got more interesting and after an exciting UFA deadline, we can sit back and enjoy a fun ride to training camp. By the way, I do agree with KoZed! this will have a big effect on the rest of the league. We have just witnessed yet another taboo in the world of GM's being tested. I'm afraid of the fallout from this affair. But it was fun fun fun.. GO LOWE GO!

It's an old boys club things take time to change. Man this is so exciting! If I don't go take a piss, I'm going to Pee myself! Come on Buffalo take the picks!

Trade with Buffalo? hahaha... just wait till the next time these two teams play on the ICE! it will be fun fun fun! Wow this little bit of excitement is better than when sliced bread was invented... The Oil are really pushing their luck now.. but the ball is in Buffalo's court.... will they get off their "we will not pay cash for players" attitude and keep the big "V"; gosh! I'd like to be a fly on the wall during these negotiations. My CALL let him go! take the four first round picks!

I think he's signed with the Bulldogs! in Hamilton; need to get confirmation on this... ok according to the Gazette article; he signed with the Canadiens to an American League contract. Which puts him securely in Hamilton for next year with an option for the following year.

The best thing about Beauregard is that Real Paiement taught him how to play defence. He came in as a rookie as a one-dimensional player, but boy could he score at 16. Paiement, a defence first coach, spent the first two seasons teaching him the importance of being a solid two-way player. Despite his seemingly low offensive numbers at 17, he was on a last place team and actually lead the club in scoring, all the while playing Paiement's defence first system. He should have had a break outseason at 18, but five games in blew out his knee and didn't play again that year. He had lead the QMJHL in pre-season scoring and had gotten off to a strong start in his first five games before ending up on crutches. Came back at 19 and scored 46 goals on the second line (Mathieu Roy and Olivier Labelle each had 50 for the Titan that year). Was offered a two way AHL/ECHL contract but turned it down to finish his junior career with the Titan. 71 goals speak for themself in his final season. Also, he and Mathieu Carle are best friends. Expect the pair to flourish in Hamilton once reunited - especially on the powerplay. Needs to get a little tougher in the corners, but overall isn't afraid to go into traffic for the puck. Has a knack for finding open ice and is very effective on breakaways in addition to having soft hands around the net. Welcome to HW "titanfan"; thank you for the scouting report on Beauregard. Good to hear first hand news on our newest addition.

WOW! This is big! Its really happened, an RFA is signed! Who will the Oil give up for this, Not sure if Vanek is worth that much. Good Grief, 4 First Round Picks! Too much to give up in my books.

Excellant. Soon the world will be buying Canadian currency and our Loonies will be world famous... wait a min. were too late... our political loonies have already stolen the show! Will the Loonie reach par? maybe it will be above par. Only time will tell! tune in next week to find out! GO Loonie GO!

I really feel that Ryder maybe relying on his agent a bit too much. This decision to go to arbitration must be on the advise of his agent. I have a feeling that he will pull the same play from last year and sign before going to full arb., this is a negotiating tactic by his agent. Needless to say I for one have enjoyed his production in scoring goals but would like to see him improve his defensive game just a tad. I hate seeing him with such a crappy plus minus. I'd be willing to consider another one year deal in the range of 2.5-3.1mil max! GO Habs Go!

Look out TSN, you will have your hands full with JR; running the show! Good Luck; and Good Bye!

Teams like Phily and the Rangers will never learn; trying to buy a team does not work in the long run. You need balanced chemistry up and down your line up. Or else it will fall apart. One or two injuries will spell the end for the likes of these teams.

To be completely honest. I'm sad to see the Bonk and Johnson duo broken up and lost altogether. I really enjoyed watching them play against the top lines and just shutting them down. Both will be missed by me.

Ok I just found this link to a great article on our newest kid on the block.. The daily news in halifax had this article. they polled all gm's and staff in the league to rate players, but the only catch was that they could not rate their own players. http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=14712&sc=92 some snippets from the article... "BEST OVER-AGE PLAYER: Thomas Beauregard (Bathurst), five votes - Beauregard missed most of his NHL draft year because of injuries, but with 70 goals in 62 games, he'll likely land an NHL contract. "He's a pure goal scorer," one coach said. Others: David Laliberte (1), Andrew MacDonald (1)." this explains why he was missed by the draft in his year... Here are more words of praise... "BEST PLAYER: Tie, Mathieu Perreault (Bathurst) and Thomas Beauregard (Bathurst), three votes - The Q is divided on who is the better player, but Perreault, the playmaker, and Beauregard, the trigger man, form a devastating line. They're the highest-scoring duo in the Q, with 106 goals and 125 assists for 230 points in just 64 games. Other: Withheld." "MOST DANGEROUS IN GOAL AREA: Thomas Beauregard (Bathurst), four votes - The five-foot-11 winger has already cracked the 70-goal plateau and has converted on an impressive 19.3 per cent of his league-leading 363 shots on goal. Others: Cam Fergus (2), Matt Marquardt (1)." "MOST DANGEROUS ON POWER PLAY: Thomas Beauregard (Bathurst), five votes - Beauregard is the centrepiece of the league's best power play, which operates at better than 26 per cent. He leads the division with 26 power-play goals and has an uncanny knack for finding open ice in scoring areas. Others: Cam Fergus (1), Mathieu Perreault (1)." FASTEST SKATER: Mario Kempe (St. John's), three votes - The rookie winger from Kramfors, Sweden, moves at warp speed and has 21 goals in 55 games. Others: Martin Latal (2), Paul McIlveen (1), Thomas Beauregard (1). BEST PLAYMAKER: Mathieu Perreault (Bathurst), five votes - The Washington Capitals draft choice (177th overall in 2006) has 76 assists in 61 games. His slick passes have helped Q goal-scoring king Thomas Beauregard net 70 goals. "He'd make any player score goals," one GM said. Others: Withheld. BEST SHOT: Chad Denny (Lewiston), five votes - The six-foot-two, 210-pound Atlanta Thrashers draft pick is feared around the Q because of his rocket-launcher of a shot. Others: Thomas Beauregard (1), Andrew MacDonald (1). Thats not bad for a late bloomer! Looks like the habs have got lucky with this pick; could turn into a gem of a signing. GO HABS GO!

Conboy, sounds like a cowboy longterm project. He does have very good upside with his size and overall play in front of the net and his team first philosophy will keep him on the right path. Lets revisit his development in two years.