hab29RETIRED

Sorry, I can't see much positives.

Really good penalty by the hero of the quebec nation. Exactly what you expect from a veteran leader.

I take my question from last night back. I don't think I was over-reacting. This team needs changes. to get embarrassed like this AT HOME. Saterday night on CBC, after getting killed the last couple of games. Unacceptable. Major structural changes are needed - including a coaching change. I think the team has finally quit on MT and tuned him out. But a coaching change on its own is just a temporary boast and won't address the structural weaknesses with the defense, the lack of offence, the number of washed up has beens (even if they do put in the solid professional effort like Gionta) and the amount of useless garbage passengers (bourque). There are just too many guys playing like crap for us to hold on to a playoff spot - which a lot of guys here were saying was pretty much sewn up a couple of weeks ago. We need IMMEDIATE change. MT time is up, but that is not enough. At the very least get rid of a passenger like Bourque as as a starting point. Diaz is not playing, play him to showcase him a bit, or trade him. You can't just sit on him until the trade deadline and hope to improve. At this stage, Bouillon is just taking a spot and holding up development opportunities. He should ONLY be playing IF we have a bunch of injuries, otherwise rotate the kids. MB needs to look at a market for Gorges and Gionta who are clearly declining assets. Gorges could probably in a package get a pretty good young player out of Edmonton. DD MUST be moved before he is goes on another prolonged slump and has no value. For friggin sake, we are playing a CRAPPY capitals team and getting EMBARRASSED!!!

not at $4M

Bourque played more then eller last night

I'd rather sit Bourque and play Diaz. play 7 D, keep Murrey under 15 minutes, Markov under 22 minutes and gorges at around 18 minutes Use Bourque's wasted ice time by giving more time to kids like Bournival and Bourque who deserve a look and may actually learn and contribute. Another guy who should play more is Eller. It's ridiculous that a bum like Bourque gets more ice time then Eller. I could hope for some of this, if I didn't know MT is an idiot.

it doesn't make sense to take on more expensive mistakes that are just as long. With Bourque's actual decline in salary, he may be movable to a floor team. Erat and Ruuto would be more expensive mistakes. Hell, to get that bum of the team, we could try waiving him first. I'd rather see if we can get out of his contract for nothing, before taking on more cap space and a roster spot on another bum.

this would be as dumb as PG taking on Kaberle. Haven't we done the canes enough favours???

Myers cap hit is $5.5, but but makes $5M since he had a front-end loaded deal, so the actual salary will be declining. Which means his contract will be easier to move as his actual salary continues to decline. We can continue to disagree about Myers and Grigs. I think with a change in scenery/management, both can be impact players. I think that Myers still has a potential to be a top pairing dman and be at least a high-end #3 dman. ANyway, i wouldn't make the deal without getting the buffalo picks. Your original reply was that there's was no way you'd make the deal - not that buffalo wouldn't without cap protection. As far as the cap situation goes, there is no way i'd keep Gorges. He's a bottom pairing dman and is not worth what he is making. As far as Markov, i'd resign him, if its for his current salary for up to 3 years, otherwise, you have to move him.

What's pissing me off is that with the exception of a few blips, year after year, we can't score. Particularly 5 on 5.

LA didn't have the best goalie in the league, played 2 different goalies this year and didn't miss a beat. When Quick was hurt last year, they played Bernier, didn't miss a beat. Chicago won with Neimi, dumped him and won with Crawford. Detroit won with Vernon, hasek and Osbad. I'm not saying to go to the Philly goaltending is not important model, but after seeing us watching Theodore, Halak and Price keep us hanging around, but sinking as soon as their was a chink in their armour, I prefer the detroit and Chicago model. It's one thing when a Roy or Dryden come out of no where and win a cup as rookies (or earlier like Dryden or Ward), but price has been in the league 6 years. He has finally put it together but the team i front of him probably cannot win a 7 round series against Pittsburgh, let alone the western powerhouses.

Frankly, I'd rather try and build a Chicago type of team than a team that lives or dies with goaltending. If you look at all the great hall of fame goalies like Dryden and Roy, these guys carried their teams in the playoffs. Price hasn't shown he can do that. This year he looks like he has put it together, but as good as he was against Boston a few years ago, Thomas beat him out. There are a LOT of really good goalies that don't get a real shot, because there are only 30 positions, so as much as Dryden and Roy were my favourite players on those habs teams, I'd much have a great team with good goaltending, over a good/average team with great goaltending. The model has worked for both Detroit and Chicago. Both won multiple cups with different goalies.

Trading for Miller would mean being willing to open the the vault to resign him. Buffalo is going to be a basement dweller for at least next year if not longer. Next year is McDavid. Supposed to be the best player since Crosby. This is the type of move Pollack used to make. Myers is starting to turn things around under Nolan. Main issue in Buffalo is they had the Gainey model for player development and they rushed Grigernko in like Gainey rushed in Ribs, Lats and MaxPac. Myers is a legitimate top 3 dman with size and skill. It takes time for those guys to develop. Remember how long it took Pronger to put it together? Grigs will be a stud. Gauranteed. If in three years we have Galchenyuk and Grigs as our #1 and #2 centres, we'd be solid.

I have no doubt that the Price we are seeing is the Price that we may see for the next 10 years. I just see two guys that can net us top line talent. There are a lot more goalies available than position players. Again, I'd rather move Pleks. But we do need more top end talent on this team and need to dump a lot of garbage.

I'd keep both. Markov is there for leadership. Beaulieu is the future.

I'd resign Markov for 3 more years. But MT has to keep his minutes under 22.

There is no way we are getting Eberle or Kane for a package the includes Bourque and Diaz. Edmonton is not interested in picks. They need a goalie and dman. The window for getting Kane is probably gone because of the coaching change, but it would probably take at least Pleks+Gorges for Kane and that's a move I'd make without blinking. I think Eberle would cost about the same, but I would not be willing to move Pleks for just Eberle. Kane gives us the physical dimension we are lacking and has more upside. Eberle can be a game changer, but If i'm giving up Pleks, I'd want their top pick this year and exchange top picks next year and to try and make that happen, I'd add in Gorges and offer Bourque (they may actually be interested, since he is from the area) and also throw in Diaz.

It's only a panic move if you get a Roy like return. Price's value is sky high right now and unless he stars for Canada and wins the gold, it's probably as highest its going to be. Even salary wise, Price at $6M for around 4 more years is a bargain, considering what Lundquist signed for and what Miller will get. I don't want to move Price - I think he is clearly in the top 5 maybe in the top 3 goalies in the league (needs to actually win a couple of play-off rounds before I put him him in the top 3). But as much as I love Price, a goalie is easier to get than a top 3 forward. IF and that's a BIG IF, a team like Edmonton that has had HORRIBLE goaltending, but have a number of young stars or potential future star forwards (Hall, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Yakapov, Perron, Gagner) were willing to give up a Hall+ do we make the move?? If Colorado offered up sakic or Forsburg for Roy, i would have made the move, regardless how much i loved Roy. Chances are slim, they'd part with Hall, but IF they did, would you make that move?? If Buffalo were to offer Miller (yes I know he is on an expiring contract), Grigerenko, Meyers and their #1Next year for Price, diaz and DD, would you make that move??? We are going to have to give up something substantial to get something substantial. Our biggest trading chips are: Subban - no way I move the most exciting and dynamic Hab, since Lafleur Price - clearly established himself as a top 5 goalie in the league and should not be moved unless we get a king's ransom as return. Given what Mad Mike paid for Depietro, imagine what a desperate Edmonton team may offer Galchenyuk - may finally be the elusive, big, skilled centre we've been waiting for for 25 years MaxPac - would be a lateral move for another scorer, which makes no sense, since he is signed for 5 more years on an amazing contract Galleghar - Yes he's small, but the fact that he and Price were the only ones who really showed up last night, is why I'd want him as long as he can play, and yes, he will probably breakdown by the time he is 30, unless he is even tougher then he is playing. In any event, I don't see Galleghar netting us a top 2 dman or a top 3 forward. Pleks - Mister do everything, but score on the breakaway or shootout. Kills penalties, excels on PP (if MT would give him the ice time he deserves), solid 5 on 5, regular 20 goal scorer and shut-down centre, but maybe the wrong age, considering the window Markov - Would probably get a #1 pick (which would be a #20-#30 pick) and prospect, but not really a player who will change the dynamic of the team right away Emelin - Would bring a marginal 2nd liner, a good 3rd liner or a prospect, but not a game changer Eller - WOuld bring a good prospect or pick, but not someone who can help us right away DD - Is probably moveable again, but may not bring more than a pick or a prospect/pick mix Bourque - will need to find someone dumb enough to give us a 4th rounder for 2 more years of his crap. WIth the cap going up, someone MAY gamble and give up a 3rd round pick. If i'm a GM, i don't even give up a puck or hockey tape for a piss of garbage like Bourque Moen - Draft pick or prospect from a contender Diaz - draft pick/prospect or bottom pairing dman, or 3rd liner Gionta - draft pick/prospect, depth player Briere - I can't see anyone with the exception of Buffalo interested and it would probably be for a third/4th liner That's about it. All other players including our top kids (Beaulieu, Tinordi), are not going to get us an impact player. It would be a risk moving them, since they have tremendous upside. Other prospects (Leblanc, Patyern, Collberg), are going to net a 3rd liner or a marginal 2nd liner. So when I look at who can we move, or who I'd be willing to move, IF the move would net a BIG return (top 3 forward or top 2 dman), there are really only two choices - Price or Pleks. My preference is Pleks as well, but I am worried about Price's psyche after the olympics, if the team is playing like they are in front of him and he no longer has anything to look forward to. I say move DD. Give Eller his spot and give him a chance to see if he can put up better numbers. At least than we'll have given him the chance before writing him off. As long as DD is an option, MaxPac is going to campaign to play with him and will sulk. Move DD, and Maxpac will probably sulk for a while, but than will eventually have to get going.

i've calmed down a bit after last night. But this team does need a serious shakeup. No way would i trade a Beaulieu unless we were getting a Eberle, Kane or Hall type player. That is why the habs are were they are by trading future studs for washed up duds. Can you imagine if we had a defence with a top 4 of Subban, Mcdonough, Markov, Emelin?? I do think that we need to get rid of garbage right away that is just taking up space and development opportunities for young players. I'm referring to stinkier than a skunk Bourque, as well as washed up has beens like Bouillon and Gionta (yes the captain gives it his all, but he just doesn't have much to give anymore). I'd also move Gorges and try and get a Rivet like return while we still can and the rest of the league clues in that he is in a serious decline. Teams that need veteren defence stay at home defence and leadership like Edmonton or Buffalo may bite to get a character guy to mentor their young players. I like diaz, but he doesn't represent what we need and we're not playing him. With every game Diaz is sat his value declines like Del Zotto;s did - lets just move him now. DD is producing, but I think if Galchenyuk or Eller got that much time with Gallagher and MaxPac that' probably put up better numbers. Let's move him while he is still producing. It's no secret that I've hated MT since he cost us the playoffs during his first stint. I also think that too many people are attributing the turnaround last year on him. Let's face it, 2 years ago that team under the PG was a three ring circus. The players had checked out and the team was hurt. Last year was a fresh start. If a couple of player moves doesn't turn this team around, dump the coach. It's ridiculous to go on like this with Price keeping us in games and keeping us from getting more embarrassed than we are and still letting in 4 goals a game. We need to change something, otherwise after the olympics, if this keeps up, he's going to check out as well.

Okay after watching ANOTHER crap effort and ANOTHER game where Price is superb, but thanks to the bums in front of him gives up 4 goals, I'm thinking do we have enough pieces to do ANYTHING in the playoffs this year??? looks like another 2nd half collapse on the way or a quick and done playoffs. Gets me thinking. Do we NEED a BIG shakeup in personnel or to the core of the team????? Is our core good enough to do anything until (IF) Galchenyuk realizes his potential???? By then will some of the veterans (Pleks) still be a strength??? Gets me thinking of who's on this team and what's in the pipeline. Expiring Guys we NEED to dump next year: Gionta - washed up and doubt MB has the cohones to move him at the deadline Bouillon - washed up Expiring guys who SHOULD be moved at the deadline: Diaz - skilled dman, but not a guy who is going to help us take the next step. Guys we need to move: Briere- garbage DD - one dimensional and entirely dependent on Maxpac Bourque - what you would get if a Skunk, cockroach and a rat were to have a 3 way and mate Gorges - too much money for a 5th dman and overpaid to be a cheerleader Guys who need a kick in the ass: Prust - hasn't come close to resembling the guy we saw last year The Guys that keep you hoping that this team has a future: -Price - top 5 goalie -Subban - top 5 dman -MaxPac - one of the best contracts for a young scorer -Gallagher - the little energizer bunny that keeps going games and games after the rest of his team quits -Galchenyuk - a star waiting for a breakout -Pleks - poised to be captain and only consistent player not named Price -Emelin - SHOULD regain pre-injury form next year (HOPEFULLY) Question Marks: -Markov - is first half Markov or second half Markov closer to the player we'll see next next year -Eller - can he be consistent if he has consistent line mates who don't have hands of stone or sound like Moen Bright Lights in Hamilton, who hopefully make it in the big city: -Beauleau - hopefully he stays in Montreal the rest of this year -Tinordi I've been thinking, is this enough to hope for the future, or do we need to make a drastic move??? A few weeks i suggested Pleks as being the only guy who could bring the return needed and keep the young core in tact. What about a more drastic option?? What could Price bring??? Would a team like the Oilers throw major young players and picks to to make us think about moving Price??? Before anyone starts bringing up the Roy trade, i'm talking about the type of return Roy SHOULD have yielded (Sakic or Forsburg), if Houle had gone to see the wizard of oz for a brain. Could Price Yield Hall and Eberle?? Hall and a 1st this year and next (with the eye clearly on next year's top pic)??? Price is standing on his head and we are still getting killed.

Subban must have been out there for 3 straight minutes when that goal was scored. he should have been off after that rush

No thanks. I don't want anything to do with the malfunctioning Ference. How's that leadership working out for Edmonton?

I wish i could say that he's playing to get the coach fired. But I doubt the guys could conscoussly even execute on a plan like that right now.

how long have Subban and Markov been on during the last 5 min? must be at least 4 of the 5 Do we have to be behind before MT finally wakes up??

Yep would make a great captain! Come on boys, i suck, but you shouldn't