tokyohabs

Trying to understand the bashing and suggesting a comparaison between Bertuzzi is not really in the same realm. George won't fight, no matter how anyone tries to spin it. If there is a guy who is running smaller players or being chippy, like Lucic is every game with us, you don't stand there talking to him, waiting for him to take you up on the invite. Watch how 99% of fights start, there is no verbal negotiation, at a faceoff just drop the gloves and hit, or moments later (just watched Talbot getting beaten by Circillo). If he turtles and you pick up the 5 minutes, so be it. Most enforcers seem to understand this. I honestly don't think Laraque was brought in to shadow players with his skating ability; or play the 1st line with his offensive awareness; or even take a more-than-regular shift. He had no problems fighting last year with the Pens. People want other teams to show us a modicum of respect physically, it happens when there is a guy prowling around who will destroy you. Flyers didn't respect us one bit last playoffs; the trend had started before that; and it was brutally obvious in most games this year. So while the bashing goes overboard, ask: what exactly was he brought here for?

Ctr's, please. Cammalleri, sure. A better 1a ctr than Koivu. Dubinsky in a trade, I wish - was wanting this kid last season, very, very solid. Don't Rags have to resign Lundquist? One of the Flyers ctrs? If so, Richards please. Of course 1st choice is Vinny for a song...cash-strapped TB might eat some of the dollar? Lang wants to come back, but I think we should look for an upgrade. D-men, replacement for Komisarek, who will walk. Tough bastard, mean, rough, aggressive. If somehow possible to get rid of Hamrlik, great. Don't know if he can bounce back - who would be a viable puck-moving d-man? D-coach, my God how many times have we all been begging for this all year? Without question. I'd also look seriously at replacing some players due to the constant reports about team character from various sources. But centres, please. First and foremost.

FG, that was also my instinct, gut reaction when I saw his salute; but it was more the memory of Roy, fear of it really. I don't think there is any way he is gone in Mtl. though I understand if people had that reaction. Oh, my, maybe I am that pessimist!

No, I like Laraque's dreads. And our uniforms are gorgeous.

And lose the puck. And he doesn't really go into the corner that much, watch close. Schneider, er...I can't see him lasting 82 games.

Christ, watch him play this playoffs. . Back in, back in, back in, surrender at all costs. Bad with the puck, panics, hopeless on attack, weak in front of the net; worse, he delays every time he gets the puck back of his own net, waits and invites the forecheck, then does this absurd dance where he tries to muscle the opponent out of position. All this needless, losing it or firing it blind up the boards, or pressuring the team as the opponent moves in. I meant embarrassment in the playoffs. He was mediocre this year, a decent start with some good aggressive play, but became like he was last year; everyone went nuts over his glorified +/- stats. He is a nowhere man. I'm hoping it was more learning curve stuff from him, but really he plays defense about as bad as anyone on the team, slows the whole team down hopelessly. I don't know, maybe he's told to play like that, concede until you are standing in your own crease.

Too true, embarrassing and sh*te reaction from fans who, if they are going to boo, should be booing the d-corps in general...and most forwards... Hamrlik, O'Byrne, Gorges, total embarrassments. Komisarek, well, at least he tried to do something...anything... I've never seen a guy that big play so small...worse than Gorges, who should be the Gay Parade's Grand Marshall this year, he backs in so much.

O'Byrne looks as if he'll never be ready.

Colin, just re-read my post after the raging of the defeat. I was dead wrong, ridiculous. Still think we need two ctrs this off-season, a #1 and a #2. And a lot of change...

Wamsley, you can't be serious about keeping Plex. Even last year in his fine season, he was horrible in the playoffs. He's now had a whole year of horrible, plus another playoff round of nothingness. A zero - or rather a negative - who can't be counted on and should be dealt immediately. Anyone who saw his antics in game two has to seriously wonder about this guy. I also think Lapierre is a better option than Koivu as a 3rd-line checking ctr. at this point. Koivu would have to come back for 2.5-3 mil if he's to be on the 3rd line. Minny will have cash to spend and needs after they lose Gaborik. Agree about Komisarek, Higgins, etc. So did you complete the saying yet? To you from failing hands...

Why would it be Markov? Because he's signed? We could trade Komisarek's 'exclusive negotiating rights' like Hartnell's were by the Panthers to the Flyers. Throw in a skating d-man prospect; a centre (Plex, please); a winger (KoZed points out Kovalev); some grit (Higgins; Dandy; Kostopolous; S Kost; Chips) and that's a 5-for-2 that might just go somewhere. Looking Komisarek and Kovalev as the key points to the deal makes it more interesting. But I still think the Habs must go for two ctr's this year; plus a tough bastard to replace Komisarek (don't think he'll be back).

To you from failing hands we pass the coke spoon. Be yours to not spill any.

Positives in your view Wamsley? Curious. I have Lapierre emerging, though a downer in the playoffs. Learning. Pacioretty looked promising, as did D'Agostini, though less so. Higgins finding some consistency on the lower lines. Dandenault contributed well over the last 20 games or so. Tanguay excellent when healthy, which was very rare. Likewise Latendresse, when healthy, looked better than last year. Halak looked good for long stretches; Price looked very good before the New Year.

No surprise there. Interesting, I wonder who Laraque would single out as a scared player?

Public bonfire on St-Jean at the Place de la Centennaire, or whatever it is called. Purge the demons, apologise to the Gods!

Good calls KoZed, agree with most, but: Kovalev I'd consider bringing back, doubtful he would take a cut though to be a 2nd-line winger . pp specialist. A rare talent. Might have to re-sign some of the UFA's to get Lecavalier - I'm thinking Higgins here. But yes, whatever it takes. Just posted a similar thought at the end of the game thread. A second-line ctr over St. Louis is a way more pressing need. Veteran goalie?

Yup, Ryder was not going to work out with us, not with the way Carbo used him, not with the way he was playing, which was p*ss-poor. Needed a coach and a system, plus two good playmaking linemates, which he has now. He'll net them 25 goals a year for the next 8 years if they hold it together. Ask him to do something on his own, he's awful.

Koivu is done - at best a third line ctr. We have Lapierre...goodbye Saks, thanks for the memories. No way back for him, Lang, Cube. Jokinen, Cammalleri, aren't these two going to be available this summer? Must get one of them as our 2nd-line ctr., or someone else, a more solid player with touch and awareness. Must explore a LeCavalier trade seriously with TB. Overpay on his contract, well, he is 28 and has years left. What decent team does not overpay their #1 ctr? Try to keep Kovalev as a 1st / 2nd line wing with pp's. Love to see him with a new ctr and Pacioretty / D'Agostini for a year. Tanguay big decision: is he a crock? Overrated? Potential great 1st-line winger. Need a sniper on the top line, can A Kost really develop into it? Markov absolutely keep. Puck-moving d-man; probably a tough bastard too, seeing as we'll probably lose Komisarek to a huge offer. Weber up all year. Just a down year for Hamrlik? Finished? Kosto only on 4th line thanks. Higgins 3rd or 4th - he, Dandy and Metropolit worked well. Like to see S Kost on Lapierre's wing with Latendresse for more than two shifts a game. Give them time to work into it, work ethic might rub off on him as well. Lots to consider. Oh right, most important thing to do: BURN EVERY GODDAMNED CANDY-CANE UNIFORM ON THE PLANET!!!!!

Keep letting our guys go in-division, bound to happen. Ryder, Grabovski...Bob needs to be a bit more aggressive on this front. Signing people earlier, dealing them to the Kings if things don't work out. That said, I'd be very tempted to assault Grabovski if I ever saw him walking down the street. cnut.

As much as I rag on him, I'd bring him back as a 4th-line / 7th-d player. Another poor performance. All too predictable. Call Orville Tessier about those heart transplants, Chicago might not have wanted them but we'll take them in a, er, heartbeat!

Yeah yeah, Roy screwed us. I remember...Mario, Rejan and Ronald had nothing to do with it. Anyway, I don't think we will ever match what Komisarek will get offered by someone. I actually think he hasn't been so bad, tried very hard this series. Liked his aggressiveness. Too bad, but we ain't gonna match - need it for all those can't-miss prospects...

Like Roy was. Depends on who the new heads are. Can't see Bob back now. Again, probably an irrational fear... Komisarek's last appearance in a Habs uniform, gets tossed, bs. But can't really say the refs have been our downfall at all, we lack the drive to draw penalties. And please, can this series be the final mention of our 'speed'?

This is what I fear, Wamsley. Run out of town like Roy, by fools who can't see a bigger picture. I fear he getting caught in an off-season purge with a new coach and new gm.

They are actually pointing out some correct things about us, the nobs on NESN. Homers, we have a lot of them too. They harp on the will to win, it is the whole series I think.

Lapieere line awful all series. Kostopolous looks a severe liability, every game critical mistakes, so limited. Plekanec line worse, mostly I think because of him.