Chris

I did mean Souray. He has a great shot but worthless everywhere else on the ice. Not Markov. Markov and Komi are the only 2 untouchables on D. i would like to see Gorges as well.

No, i said the the group of 6 is very bad defensively. Markov is clearly the best D the habs have. They can't afford to lose him to free agency or injury. That was more my point.

Keep the cup in Canada? It hasn't been there since 93 i think.

I read this morning that the Sharks are very interested in signing Souray. I hope Markov's knee is allright, as bad as these guys are defensively they can't afford to lose this guy.

This is an arguement i have heard alot. Who is actually fast? Pleks Higgins Lapiere Begin Dandenault Markov is a good skater, but not fast. There is no one else on the team who pull away from other players, make things happen with there speed. So I'll stick to as a team not very fast.

Man, don't you guys get tired of making excuses for this team. They didn't make the playoffs because you don't play games on paper. This is a simple problem, this team has made it 3 times in the last 8 years or something, always excuses. Problems: 1. No effort, No character or leadership. 2. Too small, too soft too slow. 3. Defense is pathetic at best. 4. No offense 5 0n 5. Good News: PP looked good. Until the team has a major overhaul, they aren't going anywhere.

Very True, the problem has been for last 10 years before BG they would just trade the youth for garbage vets. Alot of teams have done that and I am glad Gainey is NOT going to do that. Obviously every move Gainey has made hasn't been the best but i like what he is doing.

Yep, I was hoping that Gainey could make it happen a year or 2 sooner but the core / vets really has been letting the team down. I am excited about the youth and the talent, but like you said it's 2 years away. The good news is they should get some top 10 picks the next 2 years.

The Habs CAN NOT afford a player like that. They have 7 million sitting around on 2 Russians they have to get off the books before you see anyone signed. This team is not 1 player away. They probably aren't even 1 player away from just making the playoffs. There needs to be an attitude adjustment first. Playing 20 minutes a night just doesn't cut it.

Higgins Thornton Iginla Lats Kiovu Jagr Torres Chipchura Pandalfo Begin Lapierre Boobard Neidemeyer Komi Hannon Markov Lidstrom Phanuef Broduer Kiprosoff

BG will not give up the youth for a possible playoff spot. Especially an 8 seed. You may see a few more vets leaving soon. i did see a rumor for Marleau this morning. Totally ridiculous for Higgins or Price.

No way in hell BG moves Carey Price. You don't give up franchise goatenters for any one. Especially when they are 19. having VL may not even assure a playoof spot. I'm guessing this is a french Canadien thing, If Price was French Canadien i'm sure this wouldn't even be much of a conversation.

All those guys you mentioned make the playoffs on a regular basis. They also make the players around them better. I have not seen that with Koivu. That's all, i don't hate the guy or anything.

Yea, i hear you. Like Bobby Orr, i mean Souray. It happens alot with Habs fans i've noticed.

Well we can agree to disagree but there were way more problems with the team then Kovalev and Koivu not being paired together. 1. No work ethic 2. No work ethic 3. Defense was pathetic 4. No 5 on 5 offense 5. Goaltending streaky at best 6. Too soft, too small. 7. No work ethic

I agree he is the best Habs player, but let's be honest, they crumble when he is in the line up. He hasn't brought them to the playoffs nearly enough to be a great leader. I like the ppg stat, but he hasn't played in too many playoff games. I also agree he has very little help, it would be interesting to see him him on a real good roster. Whether that's in a Habs uniform or not.

Why am I full of it? Tell me what he has done and led this team to. What's funny is that the same people bash Sundin, say how bad he is but he and Koivu have not led there respective teams anywhere. Sundin has more points and gold medals. Koivu does not. I like Koivu as a player but until someone gives me good facts as to his great leadership abilities, i stand by my statements. I don't care if you defend him everyday on this board, the facts don't lie.

CFPOSI, superstars carry a team but look where they end up? They end like the Habs under Koivu's leadership. NO WHERE. KOIVU has led this team NO where. Unless you have evidence to the contrary.

He isn't what he used to be. He did state that he didn't want to be part of a rebuilding team. Let's be realistic, he is a great man, but not a great leader. The fact is he hasn't led the team anywhere. As for EK, until it happens i never believe rumor sites, although they are fun to read.

Well making the playoffs makes them way better then the Habs. So that is just ridiculous. They did make it out of the first round. The Habs are far below mediocre, In a league that you get in more then half the teams in the playoffs, the Habs struggle to even make it. I do agree on rebuilding within and NOT signing garbage just for the sake of signing.

First of all i doubt any team will take the Habs garbage, there is alot of it at high prices. They really need to rid themselves of atleast 2 Dmen, atleast 2 forwards (Kovalev, Samsonov) but i would be stunned if it happens. As Easy Ryder says, i don' think they'll be able to sign anyone significant or a game breaker. I am fearing basically the same roster as last year. Which may actually make me throw up. BG did get rid of Theo, so anything is possible and i'm hoping for the removal of atleast 4 players.

I agree with you on Marleau, but the Habs need some players that will actually get them into the playoffs. Then people can bitch about them not showing up in the playoffs.

Tony, i agree on Gorges, I would expect him to be starting at the beginning of the season depending on who BG can get rid of. I like his skating, puck moving ability. Needs to toughen up a bit.

He does has size and definitely has picked up his play in all 3 zones. plays pretty physical which is something the Habs definitely need. He also plays LW and center. I'm actually not sure what to think on Zubris.

It still will be for a few years anyway. I do agree the yound talent just keeps improving.