Chris

I agree with you about ryder and kovalev. 1 will be on the RW of Koivu but i think Lats will move up on the left. Ryder can be traded but do you give up a 30 goal scorer for Kovalev? I don't know. Totally agree about the 3rd and 4th line, Chipchura and Johnson will be good, they need a gritty tough LW to play with them, Torres style. The 4th line will need a real goon and i'll throw out Dandy as the RW with Begin and Lapierre. He brings speed, forechecking, size and good defensive awareness. Plus it will open a spot for Obyrne or an UFA.

Shorthanded, Higgins Pleks Kosty was the best line down the stretch once they were put together. I don't think Carbo will break them up. Yea, i think the line up isn't going to change drastically. I think Samsonov can be traded but for who or what? Souray won't be back. I just don't see Gainey realistically moving the cap up on a team of underacihevers. I said it before, this team is not 1 player away. Some vets will need to go before BG can sign a big UFA. The Habs have some ridiculous contracts.

I think we know all star games are about who fans like not necassarily who is the best player. See Fitzpatrick. Markov is one of the top 10 D in the league, bottom end but there. When forwards are interviewed his name comes up alot about the toughest D to play against. Souray will also get a pretty good size contract i just don't see the Hbas giving it to him.

The Sabres are bigger and tougher then the Habs. There defense and forwards are way better as well. As for Streit, i don't care where he is from and he is a hard worker no question about that. I am saying on a good roster he wouldn't be a forward and a fill in D man that's all. I have nothing against the guy and he certainly earned his ice time compared to numerous others who floated and collected a check.

Because on a good roster Streit wouldn't be a forward at all, and probably a number 7 D man on a good D core. I like his work ethic but like alot of Habs he is another smurf. The Habs are way too small. It says alot about a teams roster when one of your best forwards is a defenseman from Switzerland.

Chipchura will take Bonk's spot and Lapierre will center the 4th line. Pleks and Koivu will be the top 2 centers again. Kiovu defensive part? what are you talking about? He was minus 28 or something. Also with the Markov signing don't expect Souray or a high priced player coming in. Look for O'Byrne to crack the line up. Streit or Bouillon should be moved as well.

Hey daveHab, Why do have to over the core? In case you haven't noticed, the core stinks. sorry over pay the cre?

Well i have some explanations: 1. Hasn't done much since being away from Thornton 2. He is over rated (like all habs players) 3. Couldn't find line mates or a center to match his style. There are many reasons for not performing to blame Carbo is wrong. Many players in interviews and the coaching staff have been on record (the latest is Lats) as stating that Carbo LET's the offensive players be creative and pretty much do what they want offensively. The commitment to play is always there but he doesn't want to choke off the offensive players.

Really, Preising and Corvo both had plus minus' better then the Habs team combined. They are not liabilities. You shouldn't compare a Great D in the Sens and the Habs. There is no comparison. 105 points, Stanley cup bound. The Habs are golfing and had a 10th place finish. The Sabres are a tough and gritty team. Obviously not tough or big enough to match the Sens but that'a why they were the best all year. Peters had more fights then the entire Habs team.

No, I don't take anything personally, just a gut feeling i have. There are plenty people who want him stay I'm not one of them. I think the Sharks or kings will make him a big offer and he'll take it.

Crystal Ball, You can say you heard here first. That's what i think will happen.

The Souray contract is simple, he can say what he wants, but in the words of the Steve Miller band "go on and take the money and run". That's what he'll do, go to the highest bidder in California. The Habs would be insane to give him more then 4 mill per year. Markov will probably get something like 16 mill for 4 years or something.

Well all these look great on paper and EA sports but these time have to play they will continue to get bombed. The Habs need size, grit and hard working players. The formula has been the same for decades, 2 offensive lines, checking grinding line, and a energy tough guy line. All the top teams are built like this or very similar. Plus the Habs current D is bottom 5 in the league. Until that changes there won't be much playoff action. Carbo and Gainey are making these changes, it's just taking a while to rid themselves of lazy, unproductive players. Youth will be served soon enough.

Largest increase in ticket prices.

I don't know about you guys but I'm pretty tired of the traditional "wait until next year" on the Habs players. How many years have people said that? There is way more talent in the orginization now. I have problem letting them both go. I can think of several others to go as well. Great point CFposi, atleast Samsonov hustles.

I was really bored so i thought i would give out some season ending awards. Some fun and some serious. Best Slap shot: Souray Wrist Shot: Ryder Fastest Skater: Pleks or Dandenault Slowest skater: Souray (honorable mention Lats) Best Passer: Koivu, (honorable mention Markov) Most surprising Good: Pleks most surprising Bad: Samsonov (no production) Most Over rated: Tie Souray, Kovalev Most Underated: Lats (almost 20 goals, kept switching lines) Best hitter: Komi Best Defender: Johnson Biggest Whinner: Kovalev, (Rivet is honorable mention) Hardest worker: Higgins, Pleks Best 2 way Player: Marvov, Bonk Best yapper: Lapierre Player who actually showed up every night: Goaltending for the most part: Pleks, Lapierre Best shoot out: koivu Best PP performer: Souray, Ryder Best Pk: Bonk, Johnson Worst 5 on 5: Souray, Ryder, Koivu. There is a D zone guys. Best 5 on 5: Markov, Bonk, Johnson Best Fighter: Did the Habs even get in any fights? My friends girl scout troup is tougher then these guys. Best Overall: Markov, Pleks, Higgins Well that's all I could think of.

Yep, i would trade Huet and Ryder To Florida and see if you can get Horton or one of there good D men. If have no problem with Halak and Price being Goalies next year. Let the other 18 do there jobs for once.

Kovalev has been a pain to play with most of his career. The 2nd line of higgins pleks kosty did a great job down the stretch and kept the Habs in it. I would expect them to be kept together. Who knows what the top line will look like: Lats koivu Ryder Lats koivu Kovalev I'm sure Carbo will come up with something.

Maybe, it depends on who resigns. There are players who will get significant raises not to mention what will happen with Souray. I also don't think BG will increase the Habs cap from last year. I think they will be around 40-42 mill. They were close to the max and nothing to show for it. Only time will tell.

The habs for one can't afford most of the guys your talking about. Smyth, Briere trades for 7 million dollar players aren't going to happen. They have to shed serious salary to make these things happening. I think they may be able to rid themselves of Samsonov, Ryder if they want to get rid of there top goaltender. But let's be realistic there is alot of overpriced garbage that will only net other teams garbage. BG will need to be at his best this summer to improve the team I wish the Habs played as hard as the Bulldogs. Can we just trade rosters with them? Sorry top goal scorer, not goaltender.

I am less annoyed in the offdeason, i don't have to watch the laziness anymore. So my batteries are recharged hoping the habs will actually play a 60 minute game next year. The draft can only make the orginization better and it's one more summer closer to getting rid of numerous crappy contracts for dead weight.

That would be a really bad move to move up to get him. As JMMR states he may be around at 12 anyway, if not Gillies is there as well as Petrecki. If they move to a top 5 spot they need the D man from the hitmen.

I agree, but i can dream of a team without a 4.5 million dollar slug. Who really hasn't done anything in about 5 years. BG got rid of Theo.

Amen, the LAST thing this team needs is underacieving veterans who are looking for a new location to get there game back. The habs have too many of those right now. If they could get rid of Kovalev, Samsonov, Dandenault and Bouillon I would be very happy. I don't care who they get as long as they hustle.

The problem with that is there is always a fan who will pay a higher price. They don't care who is in the seats, just that they are paid. In Colorado they have the rockies baseball team and years and years of losing hasn'r brought the prices down because someone will always pay. If you could get fans to not show up at all for a few games that would instill some change.