Chris

Saks, You forgot to mention not only will his age be a factor in how he does but the D zone coverage in front of him. Last year was much better defensively but i still wouldn't call the habs a top flight defensive team in there own end. Thye still need to improve winning some battles and clearing the puck more effeciently.

With no Sundin I beleive he will play with Higgins and SK. I would Go Tanguay Koivu and Lats. He was a RW until the last 2 years. Obviously Lats and SK can flip positions. I just think it'a better balanced lineup. Begin Lapierre Laraque are the 4th line with Kosto as extra

Chipchura goes down only if Sundin is signed. I am wondering If Dandy now is the extra D or if there is an open competion for it for someone from the Bulldogs. BG did sign a few of those D to 2 way contracts.

Yea, i don't understand why people want to trade our good players for players who may be better. The habs were in the top 5 in goals most of last year but yet let's trade for a sniper. I just don't get it. The Habs addressed there 2 biggest needs last from last years team, another top 6 forward and toughness. If they get Sundin they'll be that much better, if not the team is good enough to make the playoffs on paper. It's up to them to show up and make it happen. Numerous players are playing for contracts and should have big years. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

I don't know why everyone gets so worked up. Sundin did say it would take him time to make a decision. He is not screwing anyone. BG has been fair with him and let him know with the trade for his rights that the habs were very interested. If he decides to play for the Habs that will make the team much better. If he doesn't i'm still ok with the current team, the are better on paper then they were last year. They are bigger, tougher and younger. So if Sundin signs he signs, if he doesn't good luck with your new team. It's only the media and Ek whp get all worked up about this.

He was listed in the college games i saw last year as 6'2" 207. He could be that now. He does have good size.

I'm not sensative, i just think that GC and BG have turned the ship around. Young talent has alot to do with it. The players always seem to get the pass. What has Koivu actually delivered this franchise to. Other vets have come and gone with poor results. I just think GC and BG deserve alot of credit for what they have done. the last 15 years or so the work ethic was next to nothing, coaching changed that. I actually like your comments even though i don't always agree.

Geez, even when GC takes a team (picked out of the playoffs, didn't make the playoffs the year before) to the top of the confrence and a win in the first round he still gets bashed. Maybe he needs to go 82-0 to catch a break. 16 and 0 in the playffs. GC has these guys playing at a high level, i'm safisfied with that .

I agree with that Wamsley. They are realistically a solid playoff team. They could win there division or fall to third. They have a year of hard work behind them, will they sit around and read how great they are or try to improve. On paper they are better. GC had them playing harder then any team since before i got a satelite dish. In my opinion Koivu, Kovalev and Tanguay are playing for contracts, will they improve? Will the young guys step up? GC seems to get way more out of the youth then the vets.

shot differential does make a difference. It's simple math. Most NHl goalies stop around 92% of the shots. If you take 20 and give up 40. Your more likely to lose more then you win. Obviously there are still exceptions, a hot goalie, poor offensive teams etc. last year the Habs were significantly better in that stat and they had a better record.

Yea, unfortunately like you i blocked it all out. Man some of those lineups were pathetic. I will be excited to see a fight where the habs player isn't picking himself off the ice with his opponant standing above him. I think it will be between the Habs and Boston for the title, but first over all again may be a bit of a dream. We;ll see, i doubted them all last year and look what happened.

Wamsley, well if you weren't sure what you would get last year, how did you feel the last 10? I think they averaged "bringing it" 5 games a year. Tp impose your will on team you need to be tough, last year they weren't tough enough, I'll grant you they were tough compared to years past. With Laraque, O'Byrne added to the line up they are tougher. Maybe someone besides Gorges will stick up for his goalie. Why do you think koivu will play with Higgins and SK? Who are they going to play Tanguay with? I'll bet Tangauy and Koivu play together with Lats or SK. Obviously is Sundin signs that changes everything. CC, the players playing smarter is on them, not necassarily the coach. I agree with you about being smarter. But how many times will Koivu, Kovalev and the other vets take stupid penalties, they haven't learned it yet. I doubt GC doesn't mention playting smarter to the team. They jsut don't listen. Heck the clients at my psych unit learn faster then some of these guys.

What are you guys talking about? They were the most consistant team all last season, no real long losing streaks, i think only one 3 game losing streak. How much more consistant couls they be. They weren't good enough to win in the playoffs, they weren't tough enough and they had no killer instinct. What do you expect from a team that for the last 15 years was use to losing, Rome wasn't built in day. This years team is tougher, younger (withour Sundin) and more talented then last years team. During the playoffs people need to step up, the Habs arguably have know who has ever dome that. Kovalev 94 maybe.

Because you sign Sundin you trade Chipchura? What are thinking? Chipchura has already been told he has a spot on the team and it's his to lose. With Sundin signed Chipchura goes down, big deal, you don't trade a 20 with a prominising future becuse he doesn't make the team in his second full year. That's insanity. Koivu and Sundin's (if signed for 1 year) contracts are up. No guarantee either one resigns here. So the solution is trading your best centre in the minors for some reason. I'm glad Bg runs the team and not some of the fans.

Some one else explained he can go to the NHL or Hamilton. (College) The difference between him and Lats is SPEED and physical play.

He's probably not going to put up big numbers unless he has 2 good linemates. I mentioned before (i saw him play alot this year) he needs 2 other good players to get points. The COle comparision I don't see, he doesn't create or drive the net with the puck. He is a Ryan Smythe type player, works the boards, plays around the net, gets alot of rebounds, forechecks very well, he needs someone to set up his shot, he does have a good one. He also kills penalties and plays the PP. Should be interesting to see how he does and who he plays with.

Wow, if that is true does that mean he has to play on the habs like Lats did when he signed? Or can he go to the AHL. This would be a very surprising move.

BG won't buy Dandy or anyone else out. He already has done 2 and you only get 3 in 6 or 7 year period (i can't remember the exact length for buyouts) Remember if Sundin is signed, Chipchura is almost a mill so he will moved to the AHL. Teams like the kings or others who need to add space aren't going to add salary just to add it, the want a player who can help the team, Dandy is a back up on most teams.

Wow, i am stunned a minor league move has made it to 3 pages. As tradition would have it some folks think he is steal, no miss prospect. The others have the conspiracy theory going. It must be summer time. Anyway, this is simply a minor league move adding depth to the AHL team. When another roster player gets moved or waived, then you can assume something may be going on.

Nice report, thanks. I was chatting with Cerebus about Mcdonagh. Lie you said he doesn't do one thing well but he is good at everything. I guess the besat comparison is he is like Hamrlik now but a much better skater, he is very physical in the college games.

I think O'byrne is more expendable then Komi. He seems extremely motivated to be the best player and team mate he can. Seems very loyal to the Habs, those guys are invaluable. Stevens is a good example. Valentenko really didn't impress me that much. I saw a handfull of AHL games. Valentenko wasn't really physical, wasn't a great skater. I also have a very small sample to base that opinion on. Cerebus were you talking about Bouillon's size or McDonagh? Because McDonagh is like 6'1 or 2 like 205, 210 pounds. He has good size and speed.

Bouillon and Begin i believe will both be gone at the end of the year. Both contracts are up and with the depth there aren't really spots for them that youngsters couldn't do better. McDonagh will take Bouillon's spot next year. Peopel can argue he may need AHL time but i don't think he will. He Like Pacioretty are physically ready now, they play for top teams against very good competition. I agree with Cerebus on Begin, i look at it he should play 2 out of 3 games to give his body a rest. 12 minutes a night is fine, he gets injured alot the way he plays.

Has anyone been able to attend or have some info on the camp. I noticed on the front page they had some articles but they were writtem in French which i don't speak. Thanks for the help.

Simple, they were too soft in the playoffs and everyone has said including habs players they were pushed around and taken advantage of. Your tough guys can't be Gorges and SK. Therefore he had to sign Laraque, great move. Tanguay gives them a legitimate second line. Again great move, if one line is off, the other line can step up. So signing 2 players i don't really consider that changing the team too much. Both players are well respected on and off the ice. BG didn't resign 3 vets. Those spots needed to be filled. He gets an A- from me so far. If Sundin comes aboard he gets an A+

BG has not lost anyone who is valuable to the team success. This will continue. Hpefully everyone is noticing the change, no one person is bigger then the team. If you don't perform your job is on the line. BG will make the right moves on who to keep. Komi, Higgins are hi up on his list i'm sure. The Kosty's as well.