[Tribute to Brisebois]

While all those things previously mentioned are probably are strong factors, I have to believe that the main factor Breezer's game is better is because of coaching. Somewhere along the line someone told him that in order to succeed in this league, he has to stop doing things that are beyond his abilities and start playing within his means. Do the simple things and only try the complicated in the offensive zone.

If you watch his game, he's become a seriously low-risk player. His passes are, in general, simple ones only of only a few feet, instead of the monster variety that he used to attempt in years gone past. Also gone are the cross-ice, behind the back from behind the net across the crease passes that started the booing in the first place. Instead, he makes tape to tape passes or, if there's trouble, chips the puck up off the glass - something he almost never did.

While coach Green probably has something to do with it, I would guess that Julien stepped in for a meeting with the other two and outlined what he wanted to see from Breezer. Early in the season he was benched for stretches when he fell back into the old habits and it's only in the last ten or so games where he's really come into his own.

Full props to the coaching staff for bringing Breezer around. Certainly, he deserves credit himself for working hard to become a better player, but without the direction from above, there's no reason to believe he would have changed his game at all this year.

[Tucker available?]

Tucker isn't necessarily such a bad idea. Worrying about him taking stupid penalties and becoming Sideshow Bob is needless worrying, as far as I can see. While he acts in such a way in Toronto, remember that he's playing under Pat Quinn who is captain of all those who whine. Gainey wouldn't allow any of that crap for a moment.

On ther other hand, I just can't see the Habs picking up Tucker at this point. The idea isn't specifically to help this years' edition of the team make the playoffs, but more to gather the necessary components for the kids to grow with starting after the CBA and after many of the present contracts come due. What role could Tucker fill in the near future?

He could play on the wing on the second line, something he's been somewhat successful with in Toronto. The question here is how close some of the kids are to making the jump. Of course you can't fill your lineup with kids, but the issue remains that if you put in Tucker - someone you expect to be there for at least a couple of years, is he going to take that spot from a rookie that needs the time in the NHL.

The third line is probably more suitable, and since a team should like to have experience on their checking line, it might be more interesting to have him there. I'm not sure I'd like him centreing the line, but I think he'd be fine on the wing. I'm sure having Bulis in between Tucker and Hossa might interest more than a few fans. It gives Hossa a nice place to develop and makes that line a more intense line than we currently have now.

I'd say Tucker is the prototypical 4th liner, but unfortunately his salary is disproportionate to that reality. I just couldn't see Gainey spending that much on someone who's going to play approximately 10 minutes a game - particularly on a developping team.

As for Montreal and Toronto not being trading partners, well it's a legitimate concern. But in today's climate in the NHL, I have a feeling that if a team really *really* wants to get rid of a player and covets someone else, this is the year to make those changes since, with the impending CBA, everything might be thrown into the wind.

ACF.

[Lightning vs. Canadiens - MARKOV OUT? - Dec. 2nd, 2003]

Sheesh JL, how many boards do I have to try and keep up with you on!

As for the Habs sitting back, I was a little annoyed as well. When a power play turns into an exercise in just keeping the puck safely out of your own end rather than a concerted attempt to score, I feel the team is playing at an intensity less than what it takes to be successful. There's nothing worse than changing your intensity during a game.

In fact, I think it was a good thing in this game that LeCavalier scored, because they all went back to working hard again - and I hope they look at the game tapes, remember the feelings, and then go out and duplicate that effort again.

I don't mind playing concervatively, but it has to be with the same intensity, and I felt for a few minutes there we looked scared, rather than eager to win.

Just my thoughts...

ACF