simonus

I was responding to the thesis that BG felt forced to use Price as a starting goalie because he'd blown a 1st round draft pick on him. I was simply stating that BG didn't feel forced to re-sign Tanguay simply because he'd blown a 1st round draft pick on him.

which is why he resigned Tanguay.

Name:Simonus Habs Cups witnessed: I vaguely remember '86. Also saw '93, obviously. Which Habs will improve?: Latendresse, Plekanec, Gomez, Price, Gorges, A Kostitsyn, Pacioretty, maybe Mara Which Habs will regress?: Spacek, Metro, Moen, Stewart How will Martin do?: Get a solid system in place. Make sure the players know where they stand on any given day. He will get career year performances from some guys that need to get it together (see] Plekanec, Tomas) and put aging vets in the position to use what's left of their skill set (see Mara, Paul). How do I think the team will place?: Obviously this is a rube's game, but I'll say 5th. Who will be the next Captain?: No captain until December at least. Gorges, Gomez, Moen, and Cammalleri will be the team's public face to the media. If Martin gives out 3 A's, my guess is Gomez, Markov, and Gorges. General chat about the coming season: Like any other team, Montreal is screwed unless their no.1 goalie plays like a no.1 goalie. Since I always choose to be an optimist whenever possible, I'll say that Price gets himself somewhere around 5th in major tending categories. Martin has shown that he has no problem riding a good goaltender 60+ games... but given Price's age, past injuries, missteps, and the quality of his backup, I'd say that Halak is given a generous look over the first 2 months of the season. If Price is able to handle the load, don't be surprised to see Halak used in a package deal to address another weakness. The defense will be good, but don't get too excited by our current lineup. BG brought in 3 older d-men (who are all natural LDs). Hamrlik also has a lot of miles on him. I think BG is well aware that it is quite likely that at least one of these guys suffers a significant injury by the end of the calendar year. Hopefully it is not Spacek. I guess Weber is the first call-up, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Carle get a look this year. If Maxwell plays this year, it will mean we are ravaged by injuries or that Plekanec is in pigtails (which I optimistically doubt). Nothing I've said is particularly earth shattering, so let me put myself to the fire: Pleks will net 25+ goals. Latendresse will find a place on the top 2 lines, break 20 goals. Lapierre will play well, but will disappoint those who think he is going to take the next step. Laraque will not lead the team in fights. Mara will be a fan favourite. Spacek will get boo'ed at the Bell Centre. Gomez will keep the french media in stitches with his attempts at french... until Lapierre sees <10 minutes of ice time in a loss.

this post is like a rice cake. It has little value but for taking up time and space.

like most facelifts, it looks weird now and I prefer the 'before'.

+1

Looks pretty christian to me... I'd definitely feel uncomfortable at a place like that.

no offense, but isn't Demers illiterate? I know the senate is completely pointless... but shouldn't he be at least able to read the legislation?

fixed

yeah, you definitely want the rds.ca package... or if you aren't in the dorms, maybe you could get rds on your cable tv package in TO?

nope.

le seul question d'importance maintentant est: est-ce que les nouveaux jouers pêuvent garder les jeunes de lui mêmes? J'èspere qu'on trouvera les histoire qui indiquent que Gomez, Gionta, et quelques des autres nouveaux jouers savent comment installer respect et ordre dans la vestaire et sur la glace. Je n'ai aucun idée l'état du vestaire des Rangers l'année derniere... Je sais que même Gomez et Mara sont compter comme guerriers fortes pendant les series eliminatoires, mais est-ce que quelqun sait si ils étaient considerer comme des bon chefs?

reclamation project that Bob picked up last year. At one point was a highly rated D prospect, but stalled out in the AHL with a couple of teams (most recently the Wild, I believe).

três interresant... On sait qu'il y avait passer quelque chose divisive pendant le saison (certainment de Foy veux dire que les Kostitsyns sont le problem). En analyse finale, je dois mettre un motie de la blame (mot francais?) sur l'epaule de Carbo (et les veterans comme Koivu et Kovalev): meme si l'histoire est vrai, c'est pas la premiere fois ou les jeunes sont trop wild, ou qu'ils sont les petit egoists; pourqoui est-ce que person n'a pas pouvu corrigé leurs fautes? C'est leurs job! Est-ce qu'on doit croire que les Kositsyns (ou Price ou Gorges) sont les plus terribles enfants dans tout l'LNH? Peut-être qu'il sont infantile, mais c'est bien normal... C'est claire que Komisarek n'était pas heureux avec le CH, mais je pense que ça nous montre que Carbo (et les autre membres de le core) n'a pas fait sa job.

man... makes me want to take a field trip back to la belle provence.

too bad for Tallon. He might have made some mistakes, but you have to give him this: he (with the significant aid of Rocky Wirtz and some incredibly fortuitous draft picks) turned an unwatchable team into something truly interesting. I'll always be a habs fan, but I am thankful to have a local squad that I am eager to pay to go see.

13 is a quintessentially christian community superstition* - and nowadays the aversion to 13 is more predominant in the north american christian community. Cammalleri is Jewish (yay!!!) and is as such apparently unburdened. Speaking for myself - and I'd bet you'd hear the same from other Jewish people on the board - I never got the unlucky 13 thing. Hey, I got my best presents on my 13th birthday! *obviously not part of the christian religion, just more predominant in christian-majority communities.

Moved Koivu signing to its own thread in NHL Talk.

no buyouts on over-35ers? I thought it was just no retiring player benefit. In theory, though, the Habs could do a 6 year 10M deal and essentially pay him a pension. If Kovy is worried about his future earning potential, could they could even put a release clause in the contract which says "If Kovalev plays less than 35 games in yr 3, he may demand a full release before yr 4." The habs, obviously would still be on the hook for the remaining salary and Kovalev could go to another team where he could get a good contract and keep playing. The habs have been willing to carry $1-2M in buyout costs against the cap before - this wouldn't be significantly different. I should note that I'm in no way saying that kovy should be back. If anything I'd prefer a 10 year deal for Tanguay paying him $5+ in yrs 1-5 and ~$1M thereafter and give him a yr 6 opt out (are such things even allowed under the current CBA). It seems to me like a long-term deal with a delayed player opt-out is the ultimate salary cap destroyer. Let's do one before the CBA gets renegotiated. BTW - in the next CBA they need to calculate the AAV of a contract with the caveat of "but no less than 25% of the highest paid year"

Where's Pacioretty?

I have decided to be cautiously optimistic. Mostly I just want the season to start so I can get a better idea of what we have. I wouldn't say I'm a 4 (although that's how I voted) -> I am INTERESTED.

Darren Dreger says RDS has Gionta to MTL at 5 yrs @ $25M... please no.............

TSN now saying $7.5M per year for Gaborik. I feel much better now.

TSN saying Gaborik to Rangers, 5 yrs at $5.75. Basically Sathers turned Gomez into Higgins + Gaborik + McDo. Not happy.

yeah