ch_nl

Not confusing at all. The leauge has two divisions. The Super Leauge and the Vysshaya which is divided into two conferences. East and West. 20 teams. 16 teams moves on to the cup. Two teams are degrated to the Vyssahaya. Each team play each other 3 times. 57 games per season. Then playoffs. Best of five.

But Alfie has a great team that move focus from him. Spezza and Heatly are not far from nomination as well. In Washington rookie Nicklas "Bäckis" Bäckström is second in scoring. But the MVP and Norris seems obvious. The Calder and the Vezina is far more interesting.

There's still no one near Lidas.

I think there's a difference between the man and the hockey player. The man Saku Koivu is great. He loves Montreal, he's taking a lot of critics but smiles anyway and he gives a lot back to the community. Losing such a man is a loss any day. But his play hasn't been that good al season. I think that goes for the whole line. And they only one that can change this fact is the hockey player Saku Koivu. He's the veteran. He's the captain. He's still the verry soul of the Montreal Canadiens. Ryder scores 30 goal in a season. Everybody happy. Higgins getting 20 and just as many helpers. Without Saku Koivu this won't happen. Ryder will never be anything but a goal-getter. Higgins could be more on his own but he's still in a phase where he needs support. They day things will go Koivu's way the Habs will have two great lines. I hope it happens soon.

I don't think Forsberg would concider Montreal. Higgins and Emelin might be to much for Hossa.

Source? That he rejected the Red Wings shouldn't be suprising news to anyone. I don't think he will play in Anaheim. The Logic choice would be New York or Denver. New York because he loves the city and often spend some days there. Im also pretty sure that his girlfriend have something to say here and who can say no to New York? Denver because I do think that's the team in his heart.

There hasn't been any major trades this season. Im wondering if trading deadline will follow that curve or if it will explode. Anyway, I think Forsberg is the key. When he's signed trades and deals will emerge. My guess is that Forsberg will play for a New York team or the Avs.

I see this as a last atempt before the trading deadline. But how will the third line look like? Ryder, Higgins and Streit? Would it be possible to try Higgins at centre again? Or will Ryder be seated in the pressbox once more?

Ovechkin. He plays on a team that wouldn't be half as good as they are with him.

I don't have the same opinion. Both north americans and europeans have learn from each other since Ulf Sterners days, sure. But there's still difference. Big time. As a europeans myself I guess I watch a lot more different hockey. Not more, but from different leauges and countries. Europeans take slapshots (even if Marcus Näslund still hasn't) and North Americans are wearing helmets. I wouldn't say Ovechkin is Russian in his play. Just as less as Thomas Holmström is Swedish in his style. There's always exceptions. Malkin and Datsyuk... Have you even seem one of them deliver a bone chrusher? But back to topic... Hossa is a great player but I would rather see a move or two by the deadline that would fire up Ryder on the third line and a guy that could give us a physical go-to-the-net-mentality. In my dream that would be Fedorov and Tanguay.

Sure they have. They had a line with Russians when they captured versus the Flyers. But there's always exeptions. But just look at the fact how many european captains whom has lift the cup? I don't know exactly but I'd guess that there's 50% european captains in the NHL and just once has such a team won. Coincidence? I think not. It's the teams with the best mix that tends to win in the end.

This may sounds odd, but teams with too many europeans usualy don't succed in the playoffs. Taking Hossa as an example. When he was in Ottawa they finished the season with most overall points. Same thing in Atlanta. Won their division but after four games their runt for the cup was over. Im not saying Hossa isn't a great player, I just don't think he's the one that will add to the mix. If Ryder was the one going the other way Montreal would have a lot of european player and history has shown that a mix is required since north americans have another mentality.

Everybody asume that Atlanta's GM came to Montreal so look at our players. But as I see it Hossa would be a perfect fit for the Rags as well.

I think Ryder's percentage says that he takes bad shots. And the fact that he came out of nowhere makes me like him more. It's always more fun when a late pick turns out to a NHL-calibre player. Use the search button. I think many said they same thing about Kovalev a year ago. Ryder had that flow then, and Kovalev was under. Calling Ryder a bottom line player is harsh. Management have to do everything possible to get him going again. That's one of the reason I wish Gainey looks into Fedorov. Or someone with enough offensive talent, but still defensive responsible that could put some spark to Latendresse and Ryder. Putting Ryder with Koivu may not be the best idea since both tends to have bad +/- ratings.

I would hate Ryder to leave. He came from nowhere and turned out to be a good goalscorer. He also seems like a nice guy. He's playing a contract season and should be better, but why just blame Ryder? The Higgins, Koivu, Ryder constelation was a great offensive power that almost alone with Sheldon Souray got us the the playoffs. Sure Plekanec had a good finish, but they where the ones that produced. Look at Kovalev now. I think it says a lot about chemistry and finding the right combination. I know a lot of people disagree, but Saku Koivu is a weak first line centre. Compare with Chechoo. He had could produce 56 goal with the right centre. Ryder could do the same. But now he's in a slumber and I hope someone will wake him up. His shooting percentage should be evidence. 7.8 compared to Kovalev's 17.2. I hope the Habs keep Ryder and make an improvement without losing a player that has so more goals in him.

Yup. TSN undervalue Chipchura. He's captain material. Doubt that he ever be anything more than a second-third liner, but I think his play is very matured. In my opinion it's Smolinski and Streit that the Habs could use to make a deal without risking to much. Streit because Dandeneault value should be lower due to his contract and Smolinski because I see Chipchura or Lapierre to taket that role in a year or two.

If there's any truth in the rumour having him for Joe Corvo then why wouldn't Smolinski fit? I guess our Blue Jackets expert could answer this?

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Sundin is a franshise player. The Maple Leafs wouldn't be anything at all without him. And about Smolinski over Fedorov. As I see it Chipchura can do the job that Smolinski does right now in about a year. I think I have read that Fedorov would love to end his career in Montreal and I do believe he could take a paycut. (He's not offensive threat he once was when playing with Larionov and Kozlov. But he's still solid in the defensive zone and Montreal have interesting scoring in the youth department) Im trying to find a trade partner among the 25 on the list that makes sense for both clubs as I don't see how Gainey could obtain Jokinen, Marleau or Tanguay.

Basic no. 1: Do not trade a first round pick. Basic no. 2: If violation to Basic no. 1 it better be a franchise player. But I just took a look at The Fourth Periods list over available reantal players. First of all I don't think the Habs should trade Ryder. Yes he had a poor season thus far but I think it has to do with lack of chemistry. Remember how Higgins, Koivu and Ryder where the line that clicked? Now it's Plekanec and Kovalev that has something going on. Trade may be the easy way but doesn't have to be the best. Anyway, back to the list. Sundin won't play for the Habs and I don't think getting a sniper is the solution either. But a more physical forward. Marleau and Jokinen should be on top if Gaineys list, and even Tanguay. But how about Fedorov? Recent rumour has him going to Ottawa for Joe Corvo. We have Smolinski with a no trade clause. In my book Fedorov would be an upgrade. A more versitaile player with great faceoff skills. Great +/- and could serve the third line. Smolinski is an Ohio native and maybe he could wave his clause to play near home?

Rumors has it that both Tanguay and Marleau is beeing shoped around. Marleau is a franshise player and in my opinion Gainey should try to get him even if it means that Saku will be traded. Im also thinking that Streit could be worth more than most think. Trading Saku to San Jose would also reunite him with his friend Rivet. Their salary is about equal but San Jose would of course be interested in more. A first round pick, the rights to Alexander Perezhogin and Jaroslav Halak. At the same time the Sharks could dump whatever deadwood they have. Curtis Brown?

The ideal would be to aquire a to-be-UFA for basicly nothing. Perezhogin? Remember when Kovalev became a Habs for Josef Balej? Something like that, but Bob will have to wait until trading deadline.

Im surprised that Washtington does it all over again.

Didn't want to start a new topic, but has anyone in North America noticed Heino-Lindberghs progress in the Elitserien? In Hockeykväll (Swedish version of HNIC) a coupple of weeks ago the expert analysis was tasked to rank the goalies. Heino-Lindberg was fourth. It should also be mentioned that the standards of the goalies in Elitserien probably never has been better. They also made an interview with Heino-Lindberg, and shocking news, his dream club to play for would be Nashville Predators! He could be the only player on the planet dreaming about hockey in Nashville. The explaination? Heino-Lindberg is also a label contracted musican.

But the question is what LINE. Not which line has the three best players. In my opinion Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmström is the best combined line.