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In terms of classic, then the Forum stand in a class of it's own. The old Gardens of Boston and Toronto is also up there. Madison Sqaure Garden the octopus in Detroit Olympia and the pipes in Chicago...

Big 3? Datsuyk, Zetterberg and Lidström? If the Habs could get Lang for Samsonov then they day would be saved!

Have always been a Markov fan, and during the World Championships I think he proved a lot. Better than Gonchar and all the other "high-valued" defencemen. Markov was the best defenceman in the tournament and one of the key players in Montreal. He's worth every nickel.

Pierre the Great... Why do you have a picture of Anna Lindh?

But do they want to keep Nedved? If Nedved has a year left on his contract then a trade could be motivated. Samsonov has produced earlier in his career and with only a year left someone could be willing to take the chance if they can dump their own problem here. I mean, what is there to lose? Why buy out two underachiever if they could switch team and maybe start playing by their capabilities? I think Nedved played 40 games with Edmonton and scored one or two goals. Im sure they rather would take the chance of having Samsonov back than buying him out? But is Nedved allready a UFA? What other overpaid underachieving player with a year left is out there?

Montreal have to bring in an impact player. Last try was Samsonov, but it didn't work out. Buying him shouldn't be an option as both Boston and San Jose and maybe even Edmonton should be interested in him. Boston since he has a history with them, San Jose since they could reunite him with Thornton and get one of the most leathal duos (maybe trio with Cheecho on the right side) and Edmonton could get Samsonov for their own underachiever Nedved. ( or is he a free agent? )

Couldn't resist to reply on my own post... But look where the Sens are now, and Alfredsson is having a great playoff. Before this playoff started Alfie played in 79 games and only scored 58 points. At the same time he was -1 in +/-. And this for a player who only once in his career been minus and that was in his rookie season in wich he won the Calder. Now he's +7 have score 17 points in 15 games. Leading goalscorer, fourth in points and best forward still in the race in +/-.

Yes, Anders Valentin, not Mats Waltin.

Mats Waltin, Swedish medical for Tre Kronor was the one that examined Sundin and he said afterwards that Sundin won't need surgery in Swedish national TV. Pretty good source, ha?

Saku is a great player and a great guy. He's not... The captain that will alone bring a cup to Montreal. The player who's great in 82 games. The dude that will stay healthy season after season. Wayne Gretzky or Mark Messier. Swedish.

There's allready an Euro Hockey Tour. The Isvetzia ( now called the Rossno Cup) in Russia. Ceska Pojistovna in Czech Republic The Karjala in Finland Sweden Hockey Games in Sweden. The two best teams from all the tournaments above meet each other in the Euro Hockey Tour finals. This year Sweden won over Russia. And about the name. There is only one international hockey organization and that is the IIHF and all the national associations are member and sends best team possible, what can be done about one leauge has completley taken over? (NHL) I see your point as well, but as long as the NHL will have all the best players ( some expectations ) we all have to live with two strong traditions living side by side.

I really try to tell you the difference but just keep pumping your Canadian point of view, without even trying to understand. I think Nick Hornby explained it well in "Fever Pitch". That the love for the team has very little to do with the players. The sama thing could be said about National teams. I don't care if Sundin, Alfredsson, Forsberg, Lidström, Zetterberg, Näslund and the Sedins are there. I care for Tre Kronor. My national team. And my point about Huet, Grabovsky, Huet and Streit is that they probably never would have found their way to north america if not the World Championship would be played every year. Im not saying that the best hockey in the world are beeing played at the world championships, but in the end it makes the NHL so much better and for that Im gratefull.

Wake up from your hole and see the big picture. It's not like Roland Garros and Wimbledon at the same time. It's two different tournaments that has sprung from two very different cultures. European children hasn't grown up with the NHL. Their annual hockey high light is the World Championships. Most people in Europe care more for the national team than their local team. That the best players are still in the Stanley Cup doesn't count. They players in good shape that doesn't participate do it for a reason. Most has allready played a full season and know that they need the time to recover and spend some time with family. I think everybody should respect that. And teams like Ukraine, Denmark and Austria needs to participate in order to develop the game in countries where hockey is still a minor sport. Just look at our own beloved Montreal Canadiens. David Aebischer, Mark Streit, Cristoball Huet and Mikhail Grabovsky. Where would they be if it had not been for the World Championships?

Aebischer sent the puck up in the crowds when Sweden scored their fifth. He got 10 minutes personal. I've never seen Switzerland play so poor. In the first period they played even but everything fell apart in the second.

Wrong and wrong. There's no question about hockey beeing a Canadian sport, but the IIHF are old and the tournament is from the 20's. With or without Canada. With or without the NHL. All the other top leauges are set and done by now. But it's not realistic for the Stanley Cup to take a break or for the World Championship to wait til late summer when most players season are over.

Well. Nor USA, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic and Slovakia has been able to send their best since mid 60's...

Yes! Cultural difference. In north america the World Juniors are a big thing while most europeans doesn't care. The world championships may be just a shadow of what it once was since most of the great players are in the Stanley Cup. But a world championship is still a world championship. And that alone makes every european hockey player give their best at that tournament.

This years is a tricky one. Not to long ago Angelo Esposito where the one. Now people talk about Kane and Voracek. At the same time Turris is the one thats ranked highest. The teams that needs size will likley look at Alzner and Petrecki. The Habs will start at 12. If the could move up to fifth or fourth they could be certain to get a real class player. But that same guy could be available at 12th as well. Gagner would be a nice fit and will be my second choice. My vote will be Alexander Cherepanov. Also notice that there's a goalie named Lafleur this year. A must have if he's available in the third round. There's alot of Swedes ranked high but only one has made huge impact on Elitserien and that's Joel Gistedt. Some people are talking about him beeing just as good as Henrik Lundqvist. Three another big sleepers from Sweden is Linus Omark, Magnus Isaksson and Robin Lindqvist. They all play on the same line in Luleå.

Daniel Alfredsson. Captain and plays great almost every season but has failed almost every playoff. Let's call it the Thornton-Alfie Syndrome.

One major slump and the season was over. Also, this season was tight and many played great hockey. I hate to say it but maybe with Ribeiro or Perreault the Habs would be in the Stanley Cup right now... The big reason why the Habs are out are because of chemistry. The lack of it. Higgins injury spoiled some and the second line never got it going when Samsonov and Kovalev was supposed to play hockey like they did in the old days in Russia. To bad it never happend. But now the group must re-group and start to think on what to do to get there next season. One thing is clear to me. The Montreal Canadiens needs more talent up front. All respect to Saku Koivu but the guy played with an eye injury and none of the lines clicked. With players like Michael Ryder, Alex Kovalev, Saku Koivu, Sergei Samsonov, Guillame Latendresse and Chris Higgins this team should have scored more goals. Don't know how this will be fixed but it has to be done.

You may have a point, but I doubt it.

Why Johnson?! Bonk will leave so in my opinion Johnson will be vital to the team. Plekanec, Kastitsyn and Johnson sounds good to me. Aebischer will be gone, and Im a bit disapointed that the Habs never got something in return. Niinimaa didn't find his game in Montreal so he will take a cut or leave. I haven't given up on Samsonov yet so I hope the get someone who can lift him to former heights. Goodbye Souray and Markov stays.

Hope is back!

Is it really Samsonovs fault? Get him the center he need and let chemistry evolve. I don't think Samsonov has gotten a fair chance in Montreal.

I know it's too early to starts summary the season but, the lack of a real second line center is a huge factor, If the Habs miss the playoffs I expect Gainey to be active during the offseason.