JCPetit

Best game so far for the 3rd line.

Chelios had an instant impact as soon as he joined the team. He was older than Beaulieu though and had just played in the Olympics. An incredible competitor when you think about it.

I like the current team a lot too. And what is very encouraging is to see that the farm team is getting better.

The last two times we won the Cup Serge Savard did not hesitate to fill a gap with a transformative acquisition (remember Smith and Damphousse). Sam Pollock did the same thing when he acquired Frank Mahovlich from the Wings. Lacroix borrowed the same recipe when he traded for Roy and Bourque. The chances to win the Stanley Cup finals don't come along very often. When a GM sees a window of opportunity, it is his job to open it as wide and for as long as he can.

As far as we know, there is no urgency to trade him. On the other hand, if he is traded soon, it will probably be because management knows better.

I would do something like that. But instead of Eller, it would be either Plekanec or DD for a 1st line centre. I think that this kind of deal is in the realm of possibilities. IMO MB is very aware that he has a problem at centre. But he is patient and will make a move when the timing and return will be in his favor. I am all right with that.

Sorry, I don't agree with that. IMO, we are too easily outmuscled when it really counts. The best example would be Vancouver. The Sedins are great players in the regular season, but they obviously were too soft for post-season hockey.

It's unfortunate, but the more I look at him, the more I think that he will be traded. Like you said, he probably has excellent value. If you mix another player and a draft pick in the trade, we might be able to get a very good player.Nygren could fill his spot, but Pateryn or Dietz could too. We have good depth.

You have got a point. We can't blame Plekanec for not being Sidney Crosby. The problem with DD and Plekanec is not the quality of their play or commitment. I am sure they are honest, dedicated persons. It's just that they are not playing where they should be, given their talent and potential. With a real contender, they would certainly not playing on the 1st line, not even on the 2nd with a team like the Kings or Penguins (this one has other weak spots and is probably no longer a contender).I wish MB could make a trade like Serge Savard who was able to add Bobby Smith and a few years later Vincent Damphousse to help the team reach the next level. Don't tell me that we would not be stronger if we had someone like Eric Staal to pivot the 1st line.

PK is so talented, I believe that if he was switched to the wing, it would not take long for him to figure how to play the position and become one of the best power forwards in the NHL.

If he doesn't get along with Daigneault, he sure is a tough kid to manage.

I did not see that. What I had heard on RDS was that he was reluctant to follow JJ Daigneault's directives during practice. If it was the case, it surely was not very intelligent behavior.

The worst offside was Moen's. I could not believe that an NHLer could out skate himself like he did.

What I have noticed about Tinordi is that sometimes he looks a bit slow along the board or making a play, but I don't see that as a weakness. IMO he is just very deliberate and tries really hard to make the best play. Once he gets used to the NHL speed, his decision making will be a lot better. It's just a question of time. He already has a very good skating stride and moves well for a big frame. After a while he will look a lot smoother out there. I will make a prediction: before the end of the season, he will be Subban's partner. What a duo it will be!

DD is not shooter, but he is dangerous when he gets close to the net. A fine season for him would be to score 15 to 20 goals and between 45 to 55 assists. Think he can do that but the real test is the playoffs. I doubt that he has the power and stamina to bring his A game when the goings get really tough. And this apply to Plekanec too. I would be glad to be proven wrong, but I really believe that this year will be a test.

The season is a lot of fun so far. Totally unexpected. And what is very special is that we have the feeling that there is room for improvement on the ice. Amazing.

The game was a bit boring indeed. The end was very entertaining though.

I recall that when they drafted this guy he was playing in a junior league in BC and did not weight 160 lb. if he could make it to the NHL, how would be a tribute to Timmins flair.

Gilbert played a good game. His best so far.

Sekac will be dressed for the next game. We missed him tonight and I am quite sure that the coach noticed his absence. On the other hand I liked Weise...

It's not a problem. Sekac is in the process of learning how to play in the NHL. It won't hurt him to rest for a game or two here and there. Watching how the game evolves from upstairs he might also learn a thing or two. In other words, I don't worry; he will be a regular before very long.

For me he is.definitely not a 1st line centre with a Cup contender. He could be centre on the 2nd line, if we have a bonafide 1st line centre in the line up. But if we are weak on the 1st (as is the case right now), I do believe that the coach will be tempted to give Plekanec too much responsibilities for his ability as a 2nd line centre.

True. He already is the playmaker on his line. Doesn't take the face-offs yet, but it will come.

Scherbak has his weaknesses, but it's nothing that can't be fixed. He has a very positive attitude, wants to learn. The coaches will work with him and he will adjust. He is tremendously talented. No reason to fear that he won't be able to learn concepts like positioning, passing lanes, etc. Just glad that we were able to draft a young man who has such natural offensive skills. You can't teach those, you are born with them.

How true. "Default" #1.