Chris

Hard to say with Gainey. maybe he wants Cips and Price to play 3 games, i saw on the front page the Bulldogs have 3 in 4 nights. Nothing wrong with sending a few players down to play a few games for confidence and work. Price needs confidence and Chips can work on faceoffs. It could be worse, atleast they didn't call up another D man and play him at forward. Maybe Chicago wants to see Locke, he could work well with Higgins and Ryder, it would be a waste to put him with 2 defenseman.

Yep, Gainey nailed it right on the head. A slight improvement in there own end, better penalty killing and face offs should put the team into the playoffs. I didn't know where to put this but i though it was interesting. I was watching a game i forgot which one but it was another team with young centers and they commented and showed stats that players age and experience taking faceoffs directly impacts the percentage of wins. The stats were something like rookies and younger players are never in the top 50 in percentage, normally down even further. There are obviously a few exceptions but with Lapierre, Chichura and Pleks (3 year, 2 rookies) they will continue to struggle for a few years on the draws. They said all the coaching in the world doesn't replace going up against experienced players.

I don't think Streit is as good as most say or as bad as the others say. On a good team he is a 7 Dman and 13 forward. He is a PP specialist and that's about all. He does work hard and has a good shot. The D zone he is clearly outmatched. You can't have 3 smurfs out of your 6 Dmen. It will never work.

JMMR, there was alot more then 4 players responsible for the OT loss yesterday. To call out just 4 isn't fair. The caps pretty much dominated them in the D zone the second and third period. The D zone still has the same problems, too soft, too small they back up way too much as seen on 3 goals yesterday and they can't transition the puck smoothly. Also all the Price bashing is redicoulous, he let in a few softies but so does Huet. I do agree he shouldn't be sat for long periods of time, 2 games for Huet one for Price. I also don't think he is rushed, he has nothing to prove on lower levels of hockey, he neeeds to play with the big boys. A bad game here or there is expected. He almost has as many wins as Huet. So after a tough loss every one jumps on the goalie, the coach every player they don't like. Every one needs to calm down and realize what's going on. The team is playing better then they have in maybe 10 years. They have offensive threats, they score more goals, defense is better then in years past, although they need to improve much more to be a real contender, the loss of OByrne really hurts, he was solid and tough. ( he is a rookie and makes makes mistakes but you can't teach size). The goaltending is very good even after a bad game here or there. Inyears past as soon as something bad happened the habs would fold up and call it a day. They were mentally weak and soft. The current team is getting getting better, tougher to play against, although they still have periods of lazy, soft play even that is decreasing. The work ethic is much better, the only fall asleep about 20 minutes a night now. When was the last time you felt good about the habs being able to make a come back, get points out of games they didn't deserve one. These are the good signs of a team turning the ship around. They are getting better. Needs to make the playoffs: better faceoffs Better defense and transition game Koivu needs to step up. He has 2 good young wingers Need more toughness, speed and gritiness A true shut down line Trades: I do like the current lines but there can be improvement with trades Ryder Begin / Dandy for a Cooke and another grinder (Burroughs) This is the type of player the habs need. Greer maybe. They bring size, speed and toughness and PK ability. How nice would Higgins Lapperre Cooke. Burroughs Chipchura and Kosto be. Cooke can finsh tap in just like Ryder does now. That line currently goes as Higgins goes.

1. Kovalev I bashed him all last year and this year he has showed up most nights and in all 3 zones, physical too. 2. The rookies 3. Gorges I knew that hamrlik was going to be solid, tough and calming in the back end. He's been like that the last 4-5 years.

Yes Huet was pretty weak last night, funny how know one really calls him out when when he gives up 4 goals, 2 really soft ones. But when Price gives up 4 and the team in front of him doesn't show up i's all about Price. Huet can only play a couple of good games at a time, then he needs a rest or a break. Throw Price back in, you can't sit him for long. Is it just me or when Price is in the game i am more relaxed watching, while watching Huet you are always waiting for him to let the weak one in. Decent first great second and the typical stop skating and think they are better then they are. As soon as they stopped skating you just new it was a matter of time before the Rangers tied it, then once in OT you knew Huet wouldn't make the Stop. All in all, not a bad night when you play a man down, especially a centre who can win a faceoff atleast half the time. Yes it is you who thinks Gorges turns the puck over all the time. I was thinking he may be a better match for Hamrlik then Streit, who was abused all night in his own end last night. Let's hope they take a day off and come out flying on thursday. I wouldn't mind seeing Locke a couple games.

I thought he was like 6 ft 200lbs. Maybe i'm wrong. Anyway i do agree a goon would work as well.

Are yo watching the same games as me? He is one of the best in his own end and normally comes up with the puck and makes a good first pass. He skates well and is always in position.

A bum, why? True he is no Ryder, 3 goals. But he does play hard and physical, something the Habs desperately need.

I hope your right. It would be a shame to watch Smoke, begin and Brisbois again with the youth doing well.

I would sit Streit. He brings nothing to the table. Add him onto a trade with Ryder. I agree he hustles and works hard but i would much rather have real 4th liner on that line. Dandy lapierre Kosto Begin on the left when he isn't hurt. Gorges can miss the net 5 times a game on the PP just like Streit can. This team needs more size and toughness

well the offensive zone was pretty good last night. Solid at times in there own end, used there speed and played about 45 minutes then backed off. I liked the line combos last night. I'll get crushed for this but i like Higgins on the 3rd line or whatever you want to call it. With Chipchura though, not Lapierre. I like Lapierre in a 4th line agitating role. Higgins does everything well and the line up was more balanced, he's not a top line LW, his only flaw is he is not a pure finisher. Let's here it for Gorges again, the only who stands up for team mates. Bad news: Too many turnovers in there own end but what else is new. No team toughness.

Yep, i for one am tired of watching the habs "goon" get rag dolled in every fight. Roy last night was picking on all the 20 year olds and know one but Gorges stands up? They need a goon babdy.

Send them Streit as well. I would even take Larose from Carolina.

What's up with bashing Price? he had no shot on 3 goals. What would you like him to do, make the save, skate it out, then put 1 in? The Habs defense is brutal at best. They are a turnover machine. I will give credit to lats, lapierre who showed up a bit tonight. The pairing of Gorges and Bouillon very good, the last 3 games not on the ice for a single goal. People on this board can single out players all they want but until the work ethic and physical play change, this is the type of team you will see. Look ok one night, you wonder if they could beat a college team the next. Atlanta played back to back in St Loius and showed up for the win. No excuse not to give effort.

Every one needs to calm down. Trade price? I hope that was a joke. The Habs simply need to rid themselves of the veteran garbage that has been floating around here for years. Coaching staff is staying, like it or not. These vets have gotten a free ride with getting coaches fired for years. The coaching staff is seeing who is willing to pay the price and who isn't. Right now I only see a 5-10 keepers. I do agree they need an actual defensive coach, they are brutal in there own end. These are the same players who tore it up at the beginning with a brand of hockey not seen in years. The problem is the vets aren't use or frankly able to keep up the pace, tewach the youth good habits or play consistantly. Koivu can fetch you a young centre and 1st rounder Kovalev can fetch you the same Ryder could get you a a Matt Cooke like player. add Huetand a defenseman to the mix and you get several top picks probably 2 new players and continue the turnover.

So why would you want a player on your team who doesn't produce unless you give him everything his way? That is 2-4 year old behavior.

1. A big talented fast centre 2. A true tough guy, I'm tired of these guys gettig pushed around and losing all the fights they get in. 3. Grit, balls, character, work ethic and toughness. (for more then 12 games) 4. Stop playing 8 defenseman every night Merry Xmas everyone. I realize that it's not PC to say, but i'm not PC.

Well they always say the weren't satisfied with the effort, unfortunately talk is cheap. So don't talk about it, actually do it. When they work hard hard they proved they can hang with the big boys in the east (except sens and devils) The problem has been they are only use to to playing 10 full games a year, after the start this year those 10 games are up.

Markov needs to go back to taking the body. he was undressed last night when all he had to do is step up and throw a body check.

Yea, i think Iginla has as many fighting majors as the whole Habs team. I remember the 13 games when the habs fought, hit and stood up for eachother. I wonder what happened to those good old days.

OSM, don't you have something better to do then make fun of other people?

Yep, these guys are extremely lazy. has anyone seen the team that played in the first 13 games? I'd like to see those guys again. Nice points Wamsley. I'll throw out a few more. To put the blame on 20 year old kids is just redicolous. Price messed up once, big deal get over it. Your not going to win much when you get 20 shots a night. Simple as that. Markov on the 2 on1? Hello, at age 8 they teach you to take the pass away and let the goalie take the shooter. So i'll call out the vets again, Markov, Koivu, Ryder, Smoke even Kovalev (who has been much better this year i'll give him that) have played worse this year then previous years. So some facts to back it up. Kovalev the Habs top scorer is 60th or something in scoring. Which basically means every team in the league has on average 2 players better then the Habs best. That is horrible. Markov has been terrible in his own end. Smoke a huge disappointment. Ryder has been brutal. Koivu is struggling mightily, 80% of his points are when the habs have the PP. As a team they are: Lazy soft slow (i'll get arguements but if teams skate you into the ground your not a fast team) A perimeter team that never goes to the net. can't put 2 passes together. What happened to the team toughness they showed early in the season? Really bad in there own end Time to blow it up BG, please i've said numerous times. This current core is going Know where fast. Huet Kovalev Koivu (NTC) Bouillon Ryder Smoke (NTC) can all be traded Atleast they still have cool uniforms

I don't read french so i only know he was called up. Can someone confirm that he is a LW. His brother a natural RW playing the left with Pleks and Kovalev. If this is the case i would move older kosty to RW with higgins and Koivu. Move little kosty right in with Pleks and Kovalev. No sense in wasting his skill with grinders. When you only have 38 evem strength goals in like 30 games you need all the offense you can get.

Any move the Habs make the salary has to be relatively close in salary cap. So for San Jose or soemone else the Habs can't take 5 mill in salary without 3.5 or something close going back. I would have no problem with Pavelski or Marleau.