Colin

What's with the one-year contracts? Are all these players so convinced that they're going to wow management that they feel the need to sign short-term so they can get a better deal? Is this the way of the future? Or is this about Gainey having some kind of master plan that sees him remoulding the team? Perhaps he's very cognizant of the fact that the cap is going to probably diminish somewhat, and in signing these guys for one year, he can renegociate next year with a tougher stance. But on the other hand, wouldn't that potentially make it harder to sign these players? I dunno, but I'm not comfortable with it at this point. Colin

If you look at it from the Bolts point of view, they want Vinny signed long-term or they want a really good return for him. They aren't going to wait until the trade deadline next season when they'll be lowballed to trade him. Neither will they let him go if he hasn't signed a long-term deal - there's no point to that. This is going to be one of the new trends of the game, in my opinon. Either long-term contracts keeping players stationary through their first years of UFAhood or a trade as much as a year before it happens to a place the player might wish to go to maximize their return. Colin

I don't know, I'm making educated guesses based on what I've seen and heard. He *is* a Leaf fan, that much I know. He did turn down at least one contract offer, that's true as well. Montreal *is* a tough place to play, even if all the hottest chicks kept him company every night. Just like with Theo. Educated guesses. He put up a real struggle last time we tried to sign him - do you have any reason to believe he won't do the same this time? I don't claim to *know* anything, I just project based on what I do know (admittedly very little). These boards would be awfully boring if we all decided to forego conjecture and instead talk about what we do know for sure. Guessing at salaries is conjecture, but no one seems to mind that part. ;-) If you all prefer, though, I shall keep my big mouth shut and not engage in any form of conjecture again. Colin

Ryder doesn't like Montreal - he's been a Toronto fan all his life and you know what they think of the Habs. Now that he has value he can hold Gainey over the coals until Gainey flinches. Sadly for Ryder, Ganiey is not the flinching type. If he doesn't sign, expect him to be dealt before the start of the season; at least he has value. And off by a mere $50k for Dags. I'm relatively happy with that. He'll probably platoon with kids all year long unless one of them really revs it up. I see another 50 games for the Dagmeister unless a kid puts him to shame. Which, of course, makes me somewhat queasy - that's one person on the ice who, when not with the puck in front of the opposition net, is nothing but a wasted pylon. Colin

Okay, once again I've swiped something I worked on at another forum and put it here since this is my home forum. Centers #11. Saku Koivu (Rfa) ($3.600.000) (Colin- doubtful, I think he's going to have to look a lot closer to the $3m mark in order to stay. He wants to play here, wants to finish his career here, by saying that he puts himself over a barrell. Money isn't an object so much with Koivu, he's proven that over and over, agreeing to qualifying offers when he knows he hasn't performed to snuff.) #71. Mike Ribeiro (Rfa) ($1.500.000) (Colin- he's going to ask for more and Gainey's going to counter with less than this figure. If anyone goes to arbitration it might be Ribs - and with his ego it might get messy. One season does not a star make, $1.2m for a one or two-year contract seems enough time to prove himself.) #14. Radek Bonk ($2.394.000) (Colin- a lot of money for a 3rd line centre. If I were Sax or Ribs, I'd make myself very pliable or I may find my position gone to Bonk and myself on the open market...) #22. Steve Begin ($0.608.000) (Colin- shame we can't renegociate this one. $500k is plenty.) #00. Tomas Plekanec (Rfa) ($0.500.000) (Colin- while this number is probably correct, look for Gainey to start at league minimum and see if he can't convince Pleks to prove himself.) Right Wingers #27. Alex Kovalev ($4.500.000) (Colin- too much for a player seemingly on the decline, but perhaps it was just a blip and he'll be worth every penny. Fingers crossed.) #73. Michael Ryder (Rfa)($1.500.000) (Colin- see Ribs. He's going to have to prove himself and probably a shorter-term contract is his ticket. $1m is where I'd start him and wouldn't consider much more.) #37. Niklas Sundstrom ($0.988.000) (Colin- in this new day and age, this is way too much for Invisible Man. $650k is what he deserves with what he brings to the table. #42. Alexander Perezhogin ($0.858.000) (Colin- probably correct, though if you hear rumours about a $700k offering, don't be shocked.) #26. Pierre Dagenais (Rfa)($0.700.000) (Colin- for someone who is going to spend one heckuva lot of time in the press box, this is ludicrous money. I know he scored goals, but he really does have to prove he's not a one hit wonder. When you consider his lack of skating, defence, grit...well anything other than goals, I'd offer him $500k, tell him take it or leave it, and pray he leaves it.) Left Wingers #20. Richard Zednik ($1.748.000) (Colin- actually a reasonable price for the returns you'll get.) #38. Jan Bulis (Rfa)($1.000.000) (Colin- as much as I like him and as much as he's underrated by a majority of Habs fans, he *is* a third line player who can fill in on the top two lines on occasion. Bottom two lines can't have players making much more than a million or the budget will be blown. $850k seems more reasonable.) #81. Marcel Hossa (Rfa)($0.500.000) (Colin- good call on the salary, but the Hossa camp will grumble. If he asks for more, invite him to use the door.) #88. Chris Higgins ($0.900.600) (Colin- in the new NHL that's a little much for someone who hasn't played a game, but from everything we've heard, hopefully he plays up to that potential.) Defensemans #44. Sheldon Souray ($2.128.000) (Colin- probably a fair price.) #79. Andrei Markov (Rfa)($1.600.000) (Colin- another seriously underrated player, in my opinion, and could very well be making $2.5m if there was more spotlight on him and he wasn't making waves about coming back. That said, I think the $1.8m range is probably more likely. Offer him much lower and Russia looks very good.) #52. Craig Rivet ($2.660.000) (Colin- overpaid, sure, but not by nearly as much as many might think. He's a mentor player - don't forget he got Markov to a point where the coaches played him #2 minutes on the team. Rivet is a solid steady guy. He should probably pocket about $1.8m) #00. Mathieu Dandeneault ($1.700.000) (Colin- hard to say here. On the one hand, he was low on the Wing depth charts to paying him this much might seem very costly. On the other hand, he was low on the *Wings* depth charts, and that might just mean he's much better on ours. I reserve judgement here.) #08. Mike Komisarek (Rfa)($0.700.000) (Colin- I'll be surprised if he isn't around the $1m mark, despite the fact he shouldn't be. The Habs want to make him the centrepiece of the defence here, and as such, they have to pamper him just a little. $700k seems to be lowballing him a little.) #51. Francis Bouillon ($0.600.000) (Colin- looks about right for someone who is going to look one heckuva lot better if the rules are applied as stringently as they are forecast to be.) #65. Ron Hainsey ($0.570.000) (Colin- is this what he's getting? Allow me to guffaw. The Ego is probably doing a slow burn at this price! On the other hand, I think he might even be overpaid. Anyone who goes back down that often does not have the right to make anywhere near $1m.) Goalies #60. Jose Theodore (Rfa)($4.500.000) (Colin- I know everyone thinks Gainey won't succumb to the Theo camp, but every fibre in me says there's going to be a lot of angst over this deal. If he signs for less than $5m I'd be surprised, nay shocked. I think it'll be *much* closer to the $6m mark.) #35. Cristobal Huet ($0.456.000) - Injured (Colin- good price for a backup.) The Montreal Canadiens: 23 Players / 23 Payroll: $35,663.400 (Colin- $36.15m ballpark. With good negociating - especially with Theo, you can drop that by perhaps $2m. With a lack of luck, you're up around the $37m mark. I suspect Gainey is looking around the $35 mark so he has wiggle room if needed.) Just my thoughts. Colin

What I was saying was that, looking back, Gainey might be somewhat regretful for having made that decision. I know that at the time it seemed like the correct decision in his eyes, and I know that he had no way of knowing what the future was going to hold for the financial end of hockey. Call it a wistful article where Gainey might look back with just a tinge of regret seeing how resource allocation is different these days. No matter how much we all like Bonk, the fact remains that he's a very highly paid 3rd line centre...very highly paid. As I've been mulling this thread over today it's come to me that perhaps the reason we've been hearing so much trade talk with Ribbies and Sax's names popping up is because Bonk will actually be the *2nd* line centre - leaving Higgins to the third line. But, hindsight 20/20 and all.... it wasn't a bashing piece or anything like that. Just a look back. Colin

To start, let me say thank you for the comments regarding the writing. It's great to have what you do awknowledged, but it's even better when people disagree that they do it in a constructive manner, thus furthering the discussion - which is what these boards are about - and ultimately what any kind of 'press' reporting is about. I believe that a writer is accountable for what they produce and (unlike some writers whose names will go unmentioned but who cover the Habs) I will never close my mind to a discussion. I'm here to learn as well as write; and to engage in constructive debate. *** Two things I want to address here: first the issue of Theo being overrated, which has been mentioned to me both privately and publically in other places, and then a quick thought or two about Garon last year in the AHL. First, I put this in another, LESSER boards, but I'll cut'n'paste it here because I think it has relevance and goes to some length to express where I am regarding 'overrating' Theo. *snip* While I can understand the premise behind the thread, what disturbs me somewhat is that the premise is flawed. I'm not sure there's anyone out there who really underestimates Theodore, not at all. Ask almost anyone who knows anything about hockey and they'll point to the Montreal shot-stopper as one of the top five in his position. It's not ability that's really questioned, when it comes to Theo. Perhaps what is really questioned is the ability of the goalie that isn't Theo - in the case of the original poster, Garon. There is a following that believes Garon might very well become a better player. Saying that does not in any way diminish Theo's game. Not at all. What it does say is that Garon's reflexes, legs, and work ethic could all finally gel to make one of the best goalies in the game. That said, I think the real issue lies inside Theo's noggin - and *that* is where most people have a problem. There is no debate that he's got almost as much ego as a certain King Patrick - incidentally this latter's ego took him out of Montreal. It's not even all bad: I have no problem with confidence, especially with players between the pipes, since a little swagger seems to make the best goaltenders. It's the over-bearing nature that somehow leaks to the press and fans that's nauseating. That aside, there's also the question of his salary. Khabibulin, another top-five guy, just belly flopped into the cash bin and came out a crook. If he can make this kind of money - as a sometimes inconsistent goalie who is no better than Theo on any given night - then why can't our pipe darling? As another poster has already mentioned, Theo could hold the team ransom and seriously handcuff its ability to sign any more talent with the potential salary he might demand. Would you rather have a guy who's top-15 now, with upside, as well as an upgraded defence, or a top-5 guy who might very well force us to make hard choices and go leaner on the defensive side? Don't get me wrong, I'm not passing judgement here, but it's the question that certainly has touched many a mind. Both have upsides, and both have downsides, it comes down to where you are on the team-building scale. If Theo feels greedy, he's basically done one of two things: he's signed his ticket out of town or he's guaranteed that Montreal is going to struggle to do anything significant in the playoffs. If he decides that Montreal is where he wants to be and is willing to put his mouth where his money will be? We'll be fine, and might even have some wiggle dollars for upgrades here and there. No, Theo is not underrated, not as I see it, not by a long shot. But what he is, is feared - because of what he could single-handedly do to handcuff the club. And people don't usually like what they fear. *end snip* Now, as to Garon's tough playoff last year. I completely agree. He was extremely disappointing, there's no doubt about it, and not really much else to say in that respect. BUT, after Theo had his wonderful MVP year, what did he do in the NHL for his encore? He was *woefully* inconsistent, allowing about one softy goal a game (backbreaker in a low scoring NHL). There were rumbles that three years Khabi was done because he was so horribly inconsistent. Luongo continues to this day to get immense flak for causing half his own troubles. He's probably the best pure shot-stopper in hockey, but since he can't control his rebounds as well as other keepers, he increases his work load immeasurably. As has been stated elsewhere, the best goalie is Brodeur, for the precise reason that he's so very consistent. Even when he has his two or three bad games a year, they aren't really bad games. Okay, Garon had a really tough end to the season - and in fairness, probably wasn't at the top of his game all year, but I still believe he has all the skills to at least match Theo - and be cheaper all the while. (Theo's big contract came before the new CBA so his contracts will always be based on that while Garon's contracts have never been large.) What he needs is a bit of confidence and I think we'll start seeing a Garon who will be stellar on any given night. I guess my point is that we can never look at closeted points in time, especially with goaltenders. If we did that, Theo would be long gone after his horrid (for his) season a couple of years back. Garon had a tough time, fine, but that doesn't mean that his skill and potential evaporated. He still has a very real chance to outshine his mentor, should everything gel for him. Now, having said that, I'd like to make it perfectly clear that I'm not disappointed with having Theo here. I'm just disappointed that Garon is not. See the difference? ;-) Colin (Edited for opening remarks.) [Edited on 2005/8/6 by Guy!]

Oh, I am just BEGGING someone to tell me how to get that Yank flag changed to a Canadian one! PLEASE. <--------------- Colin

During all this talk about Lecav, I think many of you are completely missing the point. Next year he's going to be UFA and unless T-Bay signs him long-term, there's every chance he's going to test the market and find somewhere else to play. For once it's not the Canadiens hamstrung by their players, it's another team. T-Bay is under the gun and therefore will have to accept *less* in any potential trade talk. Gainey would surely love to have Lecav, but it isn't a necessity, while T-Bay *must* make some kind of decision - be it contract or getting something, ANYTHING, for him at all. I find it highly improbably that Theo would be part of any deal in this situation. In fact, one of the things I heard, and I think I wrote this elsewhere, is that Price was drafted because T-Bay asked them to do just that to be part of a potential trade for Lecav. I think Ribs and Hainsey (I've heard his name associated with this deal a lot) are far more likely to be packaged in a trade than Ribs and Theo. Now, I'm not going to speculate on who might actually be included in a trade, however I will say this: T-Bay will probably get less for Lecav than they would have hoped because of the inherently bad situation in which they find themselves. I suspect it's far more likely that Biron, the name of the other goalie most associated with these talks, will actually be going to T-Bay and not Montreal. Perhaps a wait-and-see approach to who Tampa pulls in as netminder is the first step in all this dialogue. For instance, if T-Bay somehow ropes Cujo in for a fairly elevated price, signing St.Louis and Lecav both is going to impact their salary structure very significantly. BUT, and this is critical, to defend a Cup, you *need* a goalie of significant calibre. Biron won't fit the bill. Look for the Bolts to find a serious goalie in the next day or so and then revisit the Lecav issue when their salary structure is more certain. There are a few blocks that seem to be lining up, ready to tumble, in the next couple of days. A) Tampa addresses the goalie issue. B) Lecav issue dealt with C) Impact on the Lecav deal or non-deal Da) If deal, then Montreal will probably be virtually finished except for signing RFA's. Db) If no deal, there are significant rumours that Montreal is in the mix for both Selanne (Sax apparently went to Gainey to ASK him to look at Selanne) and Kariya (rumoured to be told by Habs management to wait until Lecav situation was resolved) will potentially be in the mix as a package deal, much like their package with Colorado. We've had our two "impact" UFA signings, now it's all about tinkering to see how best to improve the club for the season. Don't rule out a grab for a defender either, in all of this. I doubt Gainey is completely satisfied with what he has on the back end, so far. Colin

First: Don't get your hopes up on this one. Second: I can pretty much guarantee that Gainey has at least inquired as to the possibility. Third: Rumour that I came across, the Bolts will have a lot of trouble singing Khabi, Vinny, and St.Louis. Khabi is probably gone so a goalie is critical. Signing Vinny and St.Louis is still going to be hard. The rumour goes on to state that the reason Montreal picked Price - leaving everyone in the room gasping - was for this express purpose: shopping PRICE to the Bolts. On the other hand, Gainey builds from the back forward. He won't trade Theo unless he has a guarantee that there's something far more than adequate to fill the hole. Price couldn't fill Theo's shoes for a while yet. Oh, third part b: The rumour that I found actually had the chance of this trade happening at 50/50. The source was apparently very reliable. Last: DO NOT get your hopes up on this one. Colin

Mobile? That's a bit of an overstep. Hainsey, Markov, Dandenault, and Bouillon are somewhat fleet of foot, yes. Souray? He's not slow, but doesn't by any stretch have light feet. Komisarek? Ever watch him trying to turn back to front? Now, with another year under his belt I'm sure it's much better and I'll withhold judgement until later, but at last I saw him, he wasn't particularly mobile. Streit I haven't a clue because I haven't seen him play at all. Sounds like a promising fellow, but we'll see. And Rivet is about as mobile as a rig. He skates well, yes, but he's not really 'mobile', if you see what I mean. We'll have a good defence, but not a great one, if it stands as is and assuming Markov returns. I suspect he'll chew up 22-25 minutes a night and lead everyone. I also suspect he might have an outside shot at the all-star game (if there is one, I can't remember) as long as people start paying attention to Montreal. He's about the best one-on-one guy in the game and could only have gotten better during his time off. When last we saw him he was also adding grit and consistency - two qualities that will put him into the upper echelon of defenders. Komi is still a year or two from really taking control. Rivet is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get player. Solid #4. Souray is too inconsistent thus far to be a real #1/2 guy, but if he finds that consistency he could log a chunk of minutes a game. Dandenault is great in terms of depth and experience, but he's a #3/4 at very best. And then there's Hainsey. 'Nuff said. Colin

I'll never understand the love-in for Ward. I mean seriously, the guy couldn't skate. Yes, he was grit, lovely. But grit is only good if you can keep up with the play and use it. With the crackdown on obstruction his entire game is seriously compromised. Sure, he can hit - if he can catch his man - but he is never going to be a good defensive player if opponents are skating around him like he's not there. Don't get me wrong, he has his uses and served his purposes well in his limited time in Montreal, but he was never anything more than filler for the bottom two lines when we didn't have the depth to put in more talent. Now that there are players ready to graduate to the NHL, he has no place in Montreal. And to hear he went to the Rag$? Sweet. Only thing better would have been Toronto. I'm pleased that he stayed in the east so we can play him. Nothing like playing against a line with four and a half players and not five. I look forward to the semi advantage. Harsh? Perhaps, but he was a seriously overrated talent here, in my opinion. Colin

I think, for the younger set of fans, cheering for the cloth and not the player is probably very understandable. From the mid-80's on there has been barely any loyalty in any sport and to see one player stick with one team is almost unheard of. But consider the older fan who grew up knowing that in general, and particularly with the highly skilled, the player was the cloth. Examples were made of Lafleur and Robinson and, while both did indeed play with other clubs, if you talk to old-time fans, it's like a part of the soul of the Habs left. If Koivu were to leave the Habs this year for "greener" pastures, there would be disappointment and some regret, but life would go on and the Habs would be the Habs. However back in the day, when Lafleur suited up for the Rag$ or *choke* the Nordiques, is was as if there were something wrong with the world. When Robinson left for Los Angeles it was like an open wound - and in fact it still is since we all know his jersey should be retired but enough bad blood exists to prevent it happening. I guess my biggest regret is the impending loss of watching a prospect grow into a star and lead that team. When we drafted Lafleur, we knew he was going to be our star forever. Contrast that with someone like Mike Ryder, a childhood *hack* Leaf fan. Before he hits his prime he's going to be a free agent and will have every chance in the world to move to his dream city. We'll see one of our better prospects leave in his best years. And, of course, we'll remain habs fans. We'll bemoan his loss, but it won't be like a stab to the heart. There's one other thing I'd like to address: Let's find Pierre Turgeon and ask him if he wants to play for the Habs, his boyhood team. We're talking about Montreal here, where pressure is higher than anywhere else in hockey, where the fans know everything and the media beats down on you like the sun during midday in the Sahara. Sure, some French Canadiens will have the thick skin to be able to play here, but I hardly think this will be a destination. Breezy had heart problems and had to take a week off work during the last season because of all the stresses of playing here. He gets booed for looking the wrong way on the ice. Theodore can play a fabulous game and be the hero one night and the next, if he lets in a bad goal, he's villified in the press and on the streets. This is absolutely NOT a destination city for French Canadiens. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there will be those who will look to Montreal to continue their careers. Of course there will. And, to be fair, since Gainey came in as GM, respect for the organization has taken a massive leap and we're in better shape than we've been for over a decade. But a destination for French Canadiens? I'll grant that grunts might like to come here, but stars? I have my doubts. -Colin

Your comments and both humbling and flattering. Thank you. Here's to a successful season of enjoying hockey in all its glory. -Colin

Just off the very top of my head I can say that an insider I know of has reported that the cap may be at $37 million. If that's the case, then we have to trim with your numbers. Breezy has a buyout clause which I think has a large chance of being exercized. There is also the possibility (a rumour) that every player over a certain age signed to a long-term contract may have buyout clauses put on salaries (read: Rivet). That is just an interesting rumour and nothing more, though. As to the rest of what you have, I think I'll have to wait until I study it some more. -Colin

And now, to quote myself... It actually brings me to an interesting point. In at least this, Montreal might be looking up since Gainey has brought the club to a level of respectability it hasn't seen in ages. In fact, even if a certain young phenom goes to the Leafs in the draft, there's every reason to believe, since he's indicated Montreal as his first choice in pro team, that a certain Sydney Crosby might choose to make Montreal his home just before he hits the prime of his career. I guess that just shows both sides of the story. Sadness at the lack of continuity on teams, and yet the potential... -Colin

Did I enjoy the vacation? Honestly? No. ;-) I was sick for far too long, and when I wasn't sick I was incredibly bitter about the whole hockey fiasco. I moved late last year to Metcalfe, just outside Ottawa (though technically still in the greater City of Ottawa) and our lawyer told us it was one of the worst transactions he'd ever seen. Never a good sign. As for hockey itself... for the last three years I've followed the whole CBA affair quite closely and only after the lockout started did I realize just how much I had invested in the whole deal. My close friend bore the brunt of my distaste having to endure searing and scything diatribes on what I saw as the state of the sport. Coming to terms with the greed has taken a lot of time and while I'm still not satisfied at least I see that somehow the Powers that Be grew something of a brain. It's nice to see, in these past few days, the voices of Avery and Legace who heartily bashed Goodenow for taking a stance that was akin to defending a castle by onesself. Writing last year was probably the only thing that kept me around the game, so much was my distaste with the whole affair. In fact, I can credit this site as being pretty much the only reason I'm willing to give the 'new look' NHL a shot this year. It's taken a pile of soul searching to come to any kind of decision - and I'm sure I'm not the only one - but in the end I still love the game. If you were to ask me how much hockey I watched since Bettman closed the doors, I doubt you'd be much surprised when you read of the bitterness I obviously deeply held. Not a minute of a single game including the World Championships. I didn't go to a website (other than dropping by here once in a while to see how much others were saying) at all, and it's only been in the last two weeks as I've been carefully examining the 'role' of hockey in my life that I've taken much interest in the impending CBA. I'll admit to being fairly far behind in that regard - though not so far behind that a few days of good study won't rectify. As to Habs players here there and everywhere, well I don't know anything. I don't even know what teams any of them played for, have no clue how they did, and have only a vague idea of who's signed for the upcoming campaign. One thing that IS going to disappoint me considerably and which I believe is going to come up for discussion a lot in the coming weeks is this: the draft and subsequent moulding of young talent is going to take a much lesser role when the playing field is this even. As the UFA age comes down we're going to see players going to play where they want even before they hit their prime rather than later in their careers. That, for me, is quite disappointing. I took no end of joy in watching players come through a system and play for their drafting team. It seems to me that the idea of seeing a player stay at one team for an entire career, if it wasn't already on its deathbed, is now finished. Players will go where they want rather than to the highest bidder. As my friend says, we're going to become fans of the cloth, and no longer the players in the cloth. Sure, we'll have favourites for a few months or even years, but over the long-term, we're just habs fans. Of course that's true even now, but honestly, how many would love to go back to the days when the star players played out their careers with one team. Well, I suppose that's my kickstart for realistic thoughts on the upcoming year(s). -Colin

WELL Since I'm officially coming out of hibernation - and attempting (still) to get the incredibly bitter taste of sore millionaire whiners out of my mouth - I'll make my first prediction as well for that first game: Brisebois (the Habs biggest surprise in the upcoming year after scoring 35 and assisting on 72 others with a +/- of +68) will score 3 and assist on two leading the sacred Bleu Blanc Rouge to a scintillating 8-5 victory. Though allowing 5 goals in the win, Theodore will actually stand on his head (literally in the second when, while Breezy is on the bench taking a breather, of course, Boston will somehow get 5 consecutive shots) while making 54 saves and, while some will bemoan his inability to get the shutout (after all, we ARE talking about Montreal fans) in reality his play will make Marty Brodeur look like a fat, outdoor rink ringer. Captain Koivu (after once again coming to see management before a season and admitting that he only deserves to play for less since he hasn't proven anything yet) will score only one, but will assist on all 7 others and will dangle... yes, dangle... so efficiently because of the new rules that Bruins will literally stop and stare at his talents - amazing what people can do when clutch and grab hockey doesn't exist. One Bruin, while still on the ice (Joe Thornton, but he does it very surrupticiously) will actually applaud Koivu's talent. Mickey He Really DOES Like It Ryder will not have the best game since, with the wide open New Hockey rules in effect, his skating deficiencies will be exposed. That said, he'll still lay in the hit of the night to some poor sorry Bruin who will only know where he is when he awakes at the hospital (legal hit, I might add) the next morning. Andrei Markov will again be the best defensive defenceman on the Habs - a master at one-on-ones (and I notice that Jaques Demers was reading my stuff last year since he started harping on that particular skill after I did for a while - nice to see we have fans in high places, hi Jaques!) and yet he'll make one mistake and will be vilified by many. He will, however, take interviews after the game and fans will be shocked and awed at his command of the English language and, interestingly, his wonderful singing voice. Komisarek will cause three stoppages in play while Bruin players are retrieved from the other side of the glass they've just recently been smashed through. Brisebois will, of course, make one back-handed, cross-ice, from behind his own net pass which will end up in the Bruins 5th goal late in the 3rd. Despite his fabulous game, the boobirds will be out in full force. Bell Centre custodians will have to escort all three drunks out of the rink to the cheers of everyone else. Bob Gainey will come out after the game to denounce the yellow fans in a press conference. Speaking of the fans, there will be AT LEAST 5000 at the game. Aside from the hard-core I-don't-care-how-hockey-treated-the-fans-I'm-still-going-to-pay-exorbidant-fees-to-watch-kids-whine-about-making-a-million-bucks (still a few ounces of bitterness to work their way through my system - apologies), there will also be a sizable number of corporate fans and a few bums picked up off the street for watered down wine. Mickey Work-Ethic Ribeiro will come out of the gates in 5th gear and wow people with his dangle abilities. By the end of the 1st he'll be in 3rd gear, and when the third comes along he'll be trying to stay out of reverse. Most fans will remember only the first shift or two and will call him the best player in the world. On the other hand, despite this inauspicious start, the future is indeed bright for the youngster as his embarrasing finish to game one will be the kick-start to his career that he needed and, by the end of the year, he'll be considered one of the top 20 centres in hockey. Roadkill Bonk will have a solid debut as a habs on the defensive line, however since most people consider him a forward - even a power forward - it will be considered totally disappointing. Perhaps he will even cut his mullet. Late in the third on an innocuous play, Koivu will get hit knee on knee. This time, however, since he wears every brace known to man and he is, in fact, the second coming of the MAN'O'STEEL, it will be the opponent injured. He will, however, stay down for 30 seconds to make sure he's okay, and in that moment the words "Fragile and injury prone" will echo around the world. The gasp of relief will, in fact, cause gale force winds over the rolling hills of Moldova. Claude Boivin will not be wearing those hideous glasses. The national anthem singer will be the girl who screwed up the words earlier this year, but this time she'll not only sing the anthems flawlessly, she'll also throw in God Save the Queen for good measure. When she falls on the ice this time, however, she'll not land on her behind, but instead into the waiting arms of Sheldon Souray. Her blush will be for an altogether different reason this time. Speaking of Souray, he'll cause two long stoppages in play when the glass behind the net gets broken by his shot. Unfortunately, he'll be one of those most affected by the long layoff - at least his shot will be. He'll be just about as accurate as Roberto Baggio taking a penalty at the World Cup... up up and awaaaay. Following the end of the game, fans will rush home with bated breath to see the results appear on HabsWorld.net - the leader in Canadiens coverage. And while writer Colin Prichett will be denounced as an overblown windbag with delusions of grandeur, there will be much ado over the mysterious A Concerned Fan. This latter will gain a following unheard of before in pro sports and will earn millions and millions of fans. Instead of Don Cherry on HNIC, there will be the silhouette of the insightful ACF while he discusses the intricacies of the game. In July of 2006, after the Habs have lost in 7 to Stanley Cup champs the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (hey, new GM - great GM - and as good a chance as any and we, as habs fans, can't expect our dynasty to start quite yet) the owners of HabsWorld.net will be begged by advertising firms all over the planet for space. They'll retire to mansions in the Gaspe shortly thereafter. Well, here's to wishful thinking... - Guy! (that Prichett guy, you know, the windbag?!?) [Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!] [Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!] [Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!]

Well. What else can be said. Theodore stole one and Koivu, Zednik, and Kovalev were on again. I'm trying not to gloat. ACF

That was my error. I was trying to convey how boring the trap was and how it could put anything to sleep - like a kangaroo. However in retrospect I can see it was a poor choice. Apologies to those that were offended. Colin

Here's a thought, and bear with me here, I'll try and put some coherency to them: Hainsey, Hossa, + (where plus may be Bouillon) for Grier and Witt Hainsey and Hossa have been continual disappointments and both have attitude problems - Hainsey has a large one along with a rumoured occasional sniffing problem as well. Witt and Grier are both free agents - but Group II which means Montreal would have the right to match. The going rate these days for any player who is of high enough calibre is a prospect and a pick. The roster player fills the picks. Since Washington is reloading, this kind of deal fills numerous needs. You may call that pricey, but from what I understand, the two prospects in this deal are being shopped around rather significantly - thus lowering potential worth. As to Bouillon, he's doing well, but in the grand scheme of things, I'd rather have Witt as my third left defenceman because he's good with the puck (Cube is better) but much better off the puck, and he'll clear a crease like there's no tomorrow - exactly the kind of player you need heading into the playoffs. For Washington, Bouillon has a two-way contract next year, as I recall, which is bonus round for them. Therefore, I think if you add those two to the equation: Zednik - Koivu - Kovalev Grier - Ribeiro - Ryder A very solid one-two punch Bulis - Juneau - Sundstrom Effective checking line that routinely neutralized large threats. Langdon - Begin - x These two at least are great at what they do, and best of all Begs can fill in almost anywhere. Souray - Quintal Markov - Rivet Witt - Brisebois Theo Garon ...I think you have a team that has an outside shot at a Cup. Yes, it's just an outside shot, but when you consider that this is, as Bob McKenszie said today, "The end of the world as we know it," going into the new CBA, it's not a bad idea indeed. The best part about it all is we're still really well stocked in Hamilton and we have some of the best scouts and talent evaluators who will probably give us a very good shot at filling any holes we make in the upcoming draft or two. In other words, Gainey making a deal like this sends out a giant vote of confidence for Savard and his team. Hainsey and Hossa haven't done a lot to impress the staff in any way this year, and I, for one, have never been overly impressed with Hainsey thus far. While getting Grier and Witt over two prospects makes us somewhat older, I don't think it sacrifices much of the future since they'd both be with us for at least a handful of years to come with new contracts which would inevitably be signed (again, Group II). Just my thoughts. ACF

Who wrote that brilliant piece, "Montreal Divided"? Ahem. ACF

Go read the RDS boards. There's a gem in there. Ribby is 8X the player that Saku is. Inteligent guy, that one. ACF

Did he? Are we all suddenly clairvoyant? Do we know what happened after the game last night? Do we know what happened before practice this morning? Do we know everything that was said and done on the ice before the incident? Love the conclusions that everyone are jumping to. ACF

So, this is a team that was supposed to be in the Ovechkin sweepstakes as far as most of the pundits were concerned to start the season, but now that they're in a playoff race, they should all be traded because they are going through a poor spell? Do you know why Houle got fired? Button? Why Sather is not long for office in New York? Panic. When panic sets in and you make stupid moves, you lose it all. This has actually been a tremendously successful season all things considered and changing everyone is tantamount to suicide. If you kept only the players mentioned, you'd not only have no first line forwards, but a pathetic defence, neutered team spirit, and almost continual inconsistent play. Your moniker says 'Leafs Suck' however if you'd be so kind as to be the GM for the Leafs, we could go back to the Harold Ballard days and watch them languish in the cellar perennially. ACF