HabsWEST
-
Posts
229 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Posts posted by HabsWEST
-
-
As some have suggested, price looks tired, physically and mentally.
Does another 4 plus goal loss and 2 to 1 down heading to game 4 warrant HALAK start in GAME 4 in philadellphia, worthy of consideration..
Start PRICE game 3 no doubt, but if a 4 plus goal against loss would seriously warrant a rest for PRICE...
any thaughts?? and no this isnt bashing CAREY , or anything like that, but throwing it out there for discussion..
Here is to PRICE rebound for game 3!!! and a HABS win to regain home ICE
CHEERS!!
HMM, is now time to make the move, if anything, : 3 goals on 12 shots, comments on shaky warm up??? and Melanson comments???
--- WAKE up call for team,
--- Another part of Price development, and watch game, take a step back, to take 2 steps forward
--- Comments by Melanson as quoted on CBC during game, question of PRICE being mentally tired???
--- HALAK, to prove Gainey that trading HUET was right decision, Halak opportunity for him to prove himself, he is competitor..
Carbonneau, will he have the guts????
Maybe the BEST for PRICE is to bring HALAK in tonight in third
-
BIRON is making those SAVES!!! 5 seconds on Higgins, BIRON moves quickly, THAT IN NUTSHELL IS DIFFERENCE!!
17 to 12 MTL , yet 3 to 0??????
-
Time for HALAK, Price as rightfully soo should have started today, but now, 3rd goal, mistake by MTL on defence... and yes second goal, poor change,
But when team makes mistake, Goalie needs to come up big, ( Biron) 3rd goal, poor rebound management...
-
WOW is RIGHT!!
2 goals on 3 shots in 2nd period by Philly...
PP is back to the anemic self from Bruins series... 2 man advantage, turning point
Montreal cant just rely on Kovalev and Koivu:
Where has Plekanec and Kost. Brothers been?
Higgins need to step up , so needs to be Markov
But refer my last post, Price seems mentally tired, as CBC confirmed talk with Melanson, he gave Price a break at practice, only practiced 10 minutes..
KEY SAVES must be made ( routine saves) Biron is making harder ones..
Yes Price has bruaght Habs to this point, but 2 goals on 3 shots like that??? doesnt matter, why one has a full team, perhaps time is now to give HALAK the 3rd period...and decide for game 4...
And no no bashing of Price...just a comment , refer my post on this topic...
And I have been the biggest fan of price and fully support him, he will and is already outstanding...
-
As some have suggested, price looks tired, physically and mentally.
he is at his best when he is up quicker and doesnt stay on his knees longer, also when he is challenging shooters and not deep in his net..
The 4 goals yesterday, first 2 glove side High, has he been scouted and a tendency discovered ( same with 4th goal, although an unlucky break)
3rd goal, defensive breakdown, but price is stuck in his net, and flopping around.
Price is and will be an excellent goalie beyond his years, and has braught the Habs to this point, and will be relied on to go deeper...
He is entitled to average games like Saturday, but sometimes a change works as well and why you have 2 capable goalies, simply to change it up and have the team in front of you play better??? or simply a change of tactics and allow PRICE to watch the game from the bench for a game..
I am not saying to start HALAK ( would be a big risk) but worth consideration, Price has a save percentage of .875 and goals against close to 4 with 4 or more goals allowed in 3 of last 5 games ( with 3 goal against performance in game 1)???
Does another 4 plus goal loss and 2 to 1 down heading to game 4 warrant HALAK start in GAME 4 in philadellphia, worthy of consideration..
Start PRICE game 3 no doubt, but if a 4 plus goal against loss would seriously warrant a rest for PRICE...
any thaughts?? and no this isnt bashing CAREY , or anything like that, but throwing it out there for discussion..
Here is to PRICE rebound for game 3!!! and a HABS win to regain home ICE
CHEERS!!
-
Well, my last post on this series:
MTL wins:
--- early lead, and get that 2 goal cushion, RE: First game
--- Lot of things have changed since first game, PP needs to generate some goals, PERIOD!!!
--- No 3rd period collapse
--- At least a point from MARKOV!!!
--- No more defensive lapses, whether it be the Defence group ( Boillon, brisebois, Gorges) or forwards ( Kovalev, Koivu), regardless of their offense, they have to minimize mistakes.
--- No silly penalties behind the play, the ones S. Kostitsyn had been taking!!!
MTL has lost the Momentum and in some cases confidence, after last 2 games , and 3 of last 4, the signs are all there for the completion of this series collapse, I do not know if they have it in them, they havent shown it in the time span that Bruins got back in series, WHAT will change for tonight?
THE ABOVE, they must execute in the above points... Can the rookies come up in face of adversity? A win tonight will give them that experience, a loss and I dont know if they learn anything,
LASTILY, CAREY PRICE:
--- Yes , if it wasnt for his exceptional play early this series is over, he probably is facing a key point, and game like no other he has faced in past...He needs to step up with that game saving stops, stops that arent expected often, the ones the earn Goalies MVP status ( his World Junior performance, His Calder CUp performance) he now is on the line, for a 20 yr old a lot of pressure..
He will either rise to occasion ( which I believe he has it in him) or he falters, he will be great tonight or sub par, IMHO , no middle ground... What happens if he allows 3 early goals, does HALAK go in?? hmmm GUY will be put to test of his coaching ability....
SIGN: watch closely early if PRICe goes down early and is SLOW in moving across net or up again, this willl be a sign of a young goalie confidence and up for it, or relying on his size to take away bottom of net and hope BRUINS dont go high on him????
IMHO, that will be the first early sign, first 10 minutes how often he is on his knees and stays there...WATCH FOR IT
well good luck to all...HOPING FOR THE WIN!!!
See you all on comments for next series or next comments on offseason moves, the draft...I dont want to talk about another loss anymore, just too upsetting, and we will know the reasons for it as we all have discussed and points I already braught up
CHEERS!!!
-
TSN article from darren Dreger:
http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=234681
".....Sources say Other teams in the mix include the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators with Sens general manager Bryan Murray recently reaching out in hopes of making a late impression.
Brunnstrom, a 6'1", 210 lbs forward possesses explosive speed, similar to that of Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa. He scored 9 goals and 28 assists in 54 games as a rookie with Farjestaed in the Swedish Elite League....."
would Gainey pay 2 plus million for this FA prospect, late bloomer??
Especially if habs lose tomorrow, should Fabian be a priority signing, or given experience with Lahti experiment , be too high a risk..
???
-
Keys to salvage this mess:
-PP must come back to form, 2 for 29 is not acceptable. Speciality teams has lot to do with preperation and coaching, Boston has done their homework, outchancing Habs while they are SH, if they were clicking at Regular season rate ( 25%) we would have 5/6 more goals!! SERIES OVER!!
-KILLER INSTINCT, 3 leads and cant pull off the extra goal??? 0 for 3 in PP, when had chance to build 2 goal lead...hmmmm
-3rd period meltdowns , outscored 10 to 3 in series... win games in playoffs in 3rd!!!
-Defensive lapses, is MARKOV injured?? Brisebois is showing he is falling behind play, KESSEL is killing them.
-PRICE, first to CLARIFY ( NOT TO BLAME), and please do not misinterpret, but MONTREAL and PRICE had a huge PSCYH. advantage as soon as BOSTON won the first game, and also scored for 5 goals in game 6, BOSTON is playing confident feeling they solved MONTREAL and PRICE. AND are going into 3rd period like world beaters. THIS HAS TO STOP, Habs have to come up flying in 3rd, build on their lead from first 2 periods, or else in trouble.
Also, PRICE, is a big goalie, butterfly style, and yes the 5th goal, was a hard one, and defensive lapses, but I taped the game, watched it over again, but with rebound, 2 seconds on his KNEES, he had time to move up, and move laterally and WOULD BE in a "BETTER" position, not saying his fault or he would still save it..
BUT WATCH PRICE EARLY ON GAME 7, see if he goes down early, or after going down, he stays down in BUTTERFLY STLE, while very effective covering lower part of net ( and I am sure MELANSON is coaching him to do so), BOSTON obviously are going HIGH, BLOCKER SIDE ON HIM, he needs to move up especially moving to his right ( he doesnt have his glove out)
WATCH HIS TENDENCY THIS WAY, and will tell us how strong he will be, JUST AN OBSERVATION FOLKS!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
SCORE on PP
WIN 3rd period
BUILD 2 GOAL lead
SUPPORT Price
and HABS WIN SERIES..
Easier said than done..
Here is Luck to everyone..
-
WHY series is Going to seventh game, and lucky Montreal has one last chance:
---PP a PATHETIC 2 for 29 ( from a previous top PP, 2 years running)
---3rd period OUTSCORED 10 to 3 ( from a solid defence performance , now 2 straight 5 goal games, most in series)
---3 games with only 1 GOAL SCORED ( from the top offensive team)
--- COACHING???????
LUCKY THE SERIES ISNT OVER YET,
If Habs pull it off ( no indication they will), what is their destiny???
DAMN IT, DAMN IT, so ticked I cant believe how ticked I am
-
"20 minutes to make a difference..." Lucic on cbc...
Well damn it, wish Habs were thinking that, havent been this ticked since Roy was traded!!!
Montreal is ON WAY to LOSING this SERIES!!!
--- OUTSCORED 10 to 3 in third
--- 2 for 29 on PP, DISGUSTING
--- 3, COUNT THEM 3 1 goal games in a series
--- last 2 games 3rd PERIOD PRICE ALLOWS 8 GOALS!!!!,
--- PRICE is fighting the puck, watch all game he was down early on his knees, last goal, flopping because he didnt come across, 2 other goals he was early on his knees!!!
--- Brisbois, Smolinski, sowing they are getting tired, Streit playing injured..???
--- Although offensively Boillon and KOIVU ( also faceoff) helped immensley, defensively, KOIVU loses his coverage on 2 goals, Boillon gets skinned by Kessel
--- KOVALEV -3!!!!
--- Finally HIGGINS, Plekanec score and Sergei Kostitsyn no penalties...
Too little too late???
ULTIMATELY HABS LOSE if they:
--- DONT WIN 3rd periods
--- PP needs to score ( crying out loud BOSTON has more chances SH then habs on PP)
--- PRICE CANT KEEP GOING DOWN EARLY
"20 minutes to make a difference..."
WELL 60 MINUTES for MONTREAL or very long SUMMER...DAMN IT!!
-
Yes, this series would have been over if it wasnt for a few early breaks, and first OT win...
FIRST:
--- POWERPLAY 2 for 25, 8%!!!....what happened to the best PP last 2 years:
-NO Koivu
-NO movement ( see MARKOV today frustrated and demanding something to happen)
-NO crashing the net, or in front of not
-NO control or possesion ( How many times did I see puck over guys sticks....)
-Shorthanded goal was overdue!!
--- ROOKIE mistakes:
-Obviously the PRICE turnover, for BOSTON winning goal
-S.Kostitsyn penalty, hook for 3rd goal, he is taking far too many penalties away from play
--- 3 STRAIGHT 1 GOAL GAMES scored: 6 players, and no production???
- ???? what the HECK, NUMBER ONE scoring team , you cant win series with 3 one goal games!!!
- HIGGINS, RYDER, PLAKENEC, A.KOSTITSYN, MARKOV, LATENDRESSE, ???? where are their goals!!???
- KOIVU needs to get back
--- COACHING and adjusting to playoffs
- Boston obviously has done their homework:
- they pressure High, and condense the play, KEEPING US TO OUTSIDE!!!
- What do we do? stay to outside, no one is willing to pay price and get into slot...spread them out!!
- Adjusting doesnt mean, switching lines around 10x during course of one game, but STRATEGIC and adapting
--- INTENSITY, and MOMENTUM
- BOSTON HAS MOMENTUM, we are reacting to them, you know you are losing when you react to the other team, you are
winning and control game when force the other team to react to you, REFER COACHING COMMENT ABOVE
--- PLAYERS WHO WERE BENCHED DURING YEAR, now are playing:
- DANDENAULT, BRISEBOIS ( he has stepped up), SMOLINSKI is looking tired last couple games
- maybe bring in Grabvosky ( ALA KESSEL TONIGHT)
-KOIVU, CHIPCHURA
--- BOSTON has the MOMENTUM, still ALL HABS have to do is play .500 and series is won!! BUT ABOVE HAS TO CHANGE
--- WE BEAT BOSTON? IF , now, are we good enough to beat one of next 2 series???
--- AND for a silly question, after 3rd goal in 3rd, should PRICE been pulled, ( look at last goal), " pull a KEENAN"??? hmmmm
Well bottom line, its 3 to 2, because the PP is 2 for 25!!!!! AWEFUL.....regular season, 4 extra goals, which would probably clinch series...
AND...scoring from HIGGINS, PLEKANEC, KOSTITSYN.....( KOVALEV could do better, but without him, this series may have been over, ), MARKOV has made no IMPACT EITHER...
2 GAMES to get act together, or will be all for not...
---
-
Yeah, Carbo already said that Brisebois and Dandenault will get some playing time.
Do we see Halak vs Toronto??? or price goes back to back, has decision been made?
My opinion, Go with Halak vs the leafs, more than likely they will play Raycroft.
-
I am sure he will be amongst the finalists:
Kane, Backstrom, Toews, Enstrom, Mueller
Price will have played 40 games, half a season for a 20 year old rookie, and will hit that 20 wine mark for goalies...
At 50 plus games started, he would be a shoe in for the Calder..
I would still vote for him as the Rookie of year:
--- Youngest starting goalie in recent past.
--- At least 40 games played
--- respectable stats
--- pressure situation
--- Montreal is competing for top seed in East, and Price , especially since Huet's trade, has stepped it up and a huge part of why in First ( ex: last game)
Lets get the momentum going:
PRICE AS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!
-
Worst nightmare for Montreal, They make a trade for Hossa, then Montreal Loses HOSSA to Free agency in summer...
Could you imagine losing a guy like Chipchura, Grabvosky, Halak, and a roster player like Higgins for a 2 month Rental, WOW...
After being a Montreal Fan all my life and still a loyal Montreal Fan after moving out west, ( ROY TRADE was bad enough) but this would top that...
I know Gainey wouldn't risk it all to expose the team... COULD YOU IMAGINE in 4 years we all crying we need a player like Higgins or Chipchura, or if Price doesnt fulfill his lofty expectations and Halak becomes another Vokoun...Halak is the wild card that adds depth and insurance to Montreal's future goaltending. Not Huet.
SOMETIMES BEST DEALS YOU MAKE ARE THE ONES YOU DONT MAKE!!!
PLEASE BOB, dont do it!!! will regret it....
WELL DONE BOB GAINEY!!!!
AS MENTIONED ON MY EARLIER POST
---Dont give up what Pittsburgh gave up for a rental
---Dont give up on Halak for the sake of Huet, Halak is the wild card
As Bob mentioned in his press conference:
--- Could have received a lot more for Price or Halak ( assuming a first pic and something), the market values the assets accordingly
--- Gainey at the press conference also mentioned, Price and Halak, are probably the 2 top goalie prospects in the league.
--- They can challenge each other, odds are one of the 2 will dominate, one may falter, if not, as Bob mentioned a tandem arrangement can be made.
--- REMEMBER OILERS HAD 2 great young goalies: FUHR and MOOG, looked what happened with Oilers !!!
--- Gainey also confirmed last 3 weeks ( assuming performance of Huet recently) was a major decision in trading him. and a decision to not sign Huet, and not risk losing Halak.
---ALSO, a few million in CAP SPACE has just opened up, for another go at a FA signing , better luck this time,
Now that would be something, Getting Hossa as a FA, ( he wants 9 million....), then Gainey looks like a genius and Pittsburgh would be not looking soo smart ( unless they win the cup)
ALL AND ALL, well Done!!
-
This trade was stupid and pointless..
Yes Huet was struggling...but Price has NO playoff experience under his belt...I don't care what all of you Price lovers claim about Huet's playoff record, he was the go to guy for the playoffs. By doing this bob really has firstly jeopardized Price's future (his confidence could be destroyed and he could turn out to be a flop show like M.A Fleury in Pittsburgh)...
Pitts gave up way too much for a RENTAL, only if Penguins sign Hossa it is more even...
Obviously Waddell wanted roster players, and good to see Gainey wasnt prepared to give him that, and lose Higgins etc... for a RENTAL!!!
Now how can Penguins afford to sign Hossa... Lets GET HOSSA for free during FA!!!
WELL DONE GAINEY...
Huet trade, was ala Rivet get something for a UFA...
Lose Ryder...had to keep him ( unless there is a late trade)...but not a big zero loss
I know some people will be a critic of GAINEY for not pulling the BIG TRADE...but not for the sake of the FUTURE for a RENTAl!!!
WELL DONE, even thaugh some may wanted instant satifaction...
by the way HOSSA will want 9/10 million a year from WINTERS the agent, that is the rumuor
SOMETIMES THE BEST DEALS ARE THE ONES YOU DONT MAKE
Cheers
PUT IT THIS WAY:
Would you trade HUET for HALAK and a 2nd round pick....basically what it comes down too..
DONT UNDERESTIMATE THE QUALITY of HALAK..
-
for espo, armstrong, christiensen and first...Dupuis to Pitts
-
we have absolutely 0 need for Hedberg.
Unless he is like Michael Leighton and just hangs out for a few months.
AGREED FORGET HEDBERG, his stats are awful....better off with HALAK...way better and a decade younger and cheaper..
I will be ticked if HALAK goes to ATLANTA or traded....
Let the SENATORS overpay for HOSSA, and let them lose him at FA time
NEXT HOUR will be crucial , either we stay as is, minor trade, or potential big trade that may prove very costly
FINGERS CROSSED that we dont mortgage the future for nothing!!
-
I hope its ugraded to Washington's first pick if Washington signs Huet.
But, he is UFA, and he can be signed back, and get a free 2nd pick...
Here is HALAK's chance!!!
Is Gainey looking at a bigger deal, and a Goalie back?
Someone like Roloson??? I hope not...
I cant help but think a Goalie is coming back...
I would just go with Halak and Price....
TSN panel sure have no confidence in Halak, but more of reflecion that everyone thinks Montreal got to little for Huet and this is a shock...
I personally dont think it is that bad a deal......
-
-
Sure but it didn't seem like Emelin is too eager to come over to NA.
I am here out West, still just a rumour, nothing confirmed...
Don Waddell was also at the Ottawa affiliate in Binghampton..So the speculation is between Boston, Ottawa and Montreal..
If this rumuor is correct:
Ryder, UFA, and late pick, : OK FINE
Emelin: Tough one, but may never come to NA, OK
Grabvosky: Late pick, credit to scouting, small, offensive, eventual replacemnt for Koivu, but who knows if he pans out!!, but hard one to give up, if HOSSA doesnt sign...
First pick: Well, has to be a condition if Hossa signs or Montreal wins Cup, similiar to pronger deal and Anaheim giving up extra first round pick for them winning the cup..., Otherwise a hard one..
Really one is giving up Grabvosky and first pick....and insurance should be first pick if HOSSa signs, then deal works...
But lets wait to see if and when this trades ever goes through....lets not get too excited either way, have a good night sleep...
-
Might be worth waiting until Hossa hits the UFA market. How is Ottawa going to be able to afford him anyway, with all the dough they've invested in Heatly and Spezza? They don't want to be Tampa Bay redux, do they? So perhaps the waiting game is the way to go, rather than losing picks/prospects/players - especially if you consider that according to Pierre Macguire, Waddell wants 'a player of Higgins' calibre PLUS Ryan McDonagh or Yemelin, PLUS a pick. So much for Hossa...and Waddell, f*ck you.
COULDNT AGREE MORE, Bob Gainey please dont give up the future for a 2 month rental!!!!
The Cost is to high!!
Stay the course
-
Price starts again....Finally, away from this mentality you lose you sit, as already mentioned give a Goalie a chance to redeem themselves..
Now BRING HALAK UP!!!
Dont trade Halak, it appears that the TRADE FRONT is quite, but tomorrow there will be action...and the cost will be high given all indications..
DONT TRADE HALAK, but if you have to TRADE HUET
TRADE the FA:
Huet
Ryder
Streit
Make room for cap space...
Hossa will be expensive, let Ottawa have him, with their loss of 5 to 0 to Toronto, they need more than just Hossa..
Stay the course Mr. Gainey..Dont give up your future for rent a player..
Worst case SUNDIN will be available at FA...I am sure others are out there for FREE!!!
GOOD LUCK all Montreal fans in Hoping HABS dont forego the FUTURE!!
-
Ahhh CRRRR@PPPP Why oh why did Chipchura have to be a star. You guys do realize he is a player we will want on the Habs for many, many years...... And Waddel is no dummy!
Worst nightmare for Montreal, They make a trade for Hossa, then Montreal Loses HOSSA to Free agency in summer...
Could you imagine losing a guy like Chipchura, Grabvosky, Halak, and a roster player like Higgins for a 2 month Rental, WOW...
After being a Montreal Fan all my life and still a loyal Montreal Fan after moving out west, ( ROY TRADE was bad enough) but this would top that...
I know Gainey wouldn't risk it all to expose the team... COULD YOU IMAGINE in 4 years we all crying we need a player like Higgins or Chipchura, or if Price doesnt fulfill his lofty expectations and Halak becomes another Vokoun...Halak is the wild card that adds depth and insurance to Montreal's future goaltending. Not Huet.
SOMETIMES BEST DEALS YOU MAKE ARE THE ONES YOU DONT MAKE!!!
PLEASE BOB, dont do it!!! will regret it....
-
One a high draft pick...The other a low draft pick that has surprised and exceeded expectations..
One is Getting all the opportunities given his recent success in Juniors...One is being overlooked because of the high investment.
Lets look at here stats:
AHL 2007/2008:
PRICE:
AHL Total: 10 26 580:52 249 6-4-0 2,69 0,896
LAST 5 GAMES in AHL
January 23, 2008 vs. Lake Erie Monsters* 1 2 65:00 16 W 1,85 0,875
January 25, 2008 vs. Quad City Flames* 1 4 60:00 33 L 4,00 0,879
January 26, 2008 vs. Syracuse Crunch* 1 2 59:01 35 L 2,03 0,943
February 1, 2008 @ Manitoba Moose* 1 1 65:00 21 W 0,92 0,952
February 2, 2008 @ Manitoba Moose* 1 0 60:00 25 W 0,00 1,000
NHL TOTAL:
26 71 1506:34 781 12-9-3 2,83 0,909
HALAK:
AHL Total: 27 56 1570:11 788 14-8-4 2,14 0,929
LAST 5 GAMES in AHL:
February 16, 2008 vs. Lake Erie Monsters 1 0 29:27 22 W 0,00 1,000
February 17, 2008 @ Rochester Americans 1 1 59:49 34 W 1,01 0,971
February 19, 2008 @ Iowa Stars 1 2 60:00 36 W 2,00 0,944
February 20, 2008 @ Quad City Flames 1 1 60:00 26 W 1,00 0,962
February 23, 2008 vs. Houston Aeros 1 2 62:52 37 OTL 1,92 0,946
NHL TOTAL
18 10 6 0 952 45 488 2 2.84 .908
As you can see the NHL totals are almost identical, and Halak has edge in AHL stats..
HALAK deserves an opportunity..
All things equal, both goalies at both the AHL and NHL have the same team in front of them, so easier to compare...WHY is Price getting the chance:? Because of his draft status...
If we look at stats above, what is difference between them??? Does Rollie see something? we dont? The Stats dont lie!!
LETS GET HALAK SOME GAMES AT NHL THIS YEAR!! with Montreal
HABS vs FLYERS • GAME THREAD • GAME 3
in Habs & Hockey Talk
Posted
AGREED, having 2 strong goalis is an asset!!!
REMEMBER GLEN SATHER with FUHR and MOOG!!!
What happens now PRICE starts 3rd, he lets another goal he couls save, then what???
Well, this will indicate the philosphy of do or die with PRICE, or create a situation that also gives HALAK confidence and a competitive environment for both to prosper in long term!!!
COMMENT:
the team does need to pick it up, ( but an early goal and those missed opportunities is coming back to haunt the team when your goalie is not outstanding)
HALAK in, the right decision!!