PMAC

Beckham: . You've made some reasonable points in the past and even if you tend to be negative, I have agreed with some of your assertions Eg., Kovalev's deal might be too long. HOWEVER, Please give your head a shake. Your assertion that Houle was a good GM is astounding. He wasnt even competent. He traded one of the best goalies in the league(and in league history) and his best defensive forward (and CAPTAIN) for an inexperienced goalie, a mid-level talent(Ruchinsky), a player infamous for being an out of shape floater (Andrei Kovalenko). Regardless of who wanted to go where, Houle had a duty to the franchise to wait and get the best possible deal. He panicked. If you trade top talent you have to get top talent back and Houle never did this: Not with Roy, not with Turgeon Not ever. He had no experience, couldnt handle the pressure and should never, ever, been given the job. I would say he would make the shortlist of top ten worst GM's in league history. As noted he gutted a competitive team and left a legacy that has taken the Habs until now to recover from. Please tell me it was a joke to stir things up. PLease? Regarding Marius C., JFJ is starting to remind me of Houle. He's picking up other teams cast-offs( at least even he isn't trading for them) and hoping the historic jersey will transform them into superior players. But to the point, are you seriously comparing their talent levels? When he is on Kovalev can dominate a game while MC is a second or third rate talent at best. [Edited on 2005/9/11 by PMAC]

MoeMan: I agree, I trust Bob. For the first time since the early days of Serge Savard I don't have to cringe when reading about the Habs personnel moves. I just thought that while Bob meant that he didnt anticipate any problems signing Ryder before camp, he could have said it better. Peter Puck: thanks for the useful update

Hey guys being outside of Canada, I almost never get to see any games although I listen to a few live on CJAD and as many as I can on delay from NHL.com. Fpx Sports was supposed to carry NHL games over here last year, but you know how that worked out Does anyone know where i could get a webcast? I know the quality might not be great but it would be a big improvement on nothing

According to pat Hickey: The signing of Theodore leaves Gainey with only one unsigned player, forward Michael Ryder. A finalist for rookie-of-the-year honours in 2003-04 , Ryder didn't accept the team's qualifying offer in the summer before the lockout and Gainey would only say "we'll get around to him eventually.".Gainey also shed some light on the question of who will serve as Theodore's backup. Cristobal Huet, acquired from Los Angeles in 2004, is recovering from a knee injury. Gainey said the team would give Yann Danis a look in training camp. The phrase: " we'll get around to him eventually" strikes fear into my heart. It reminds me of Houle's negotiation strategy with Shane Corson :puke: Bob must have something up his sleeve. On a happier note: I'm eager to see how Dannis fares at training camp, and hopefully in the NHL, this season

Hey Guys: I'm 38, married and have a 2 and a half year-old son to keep me busy. I'm originally from Canada (PEI), but I have been living in the UAE for the past six years. This forum is one of my best sources of Habs info:/) I havent seen much hockey over here, but last year in Dubai they had a game between the local guys (Dubai Mighty Camels) and some members of the Russian 72 Summit Series. I got to see treitiak live, but I was really pissed because Guy Lafleur was supposed to be part of the team and he had to cancel at the last minute:(

The point of these predictions is to be able to point out to people your brilliance in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the other teams once you are proven right. On that note: I already posted in another forum that the Leafs will fall this year. It will be a miracle if Allison Lindros or Belfour plays a full season. I hope that they do and the Laughs lose anyway

Like many others, I hope that there will be no whipping boy. I like all Habs and I support them when they wear the :hlogo: no matter what my previous opinion was. That said, even I was hard pressed to be positive about the team during the dark years aka the Houle era( more like the Houle error) :puke: Nevermind, those days are behind us... let's treat all members of the Habs family with the respect they deserve:ghg:

OK: Everybody repeat after me: Perezhogin is NOT a thug or a goon. Thug: a player who deliberately --and with pre-meditation-- attempts to injure an opponent. Usually, only repeat offenders fall into this category. See: Marchment, Bryan; McSorley, Marty. One incident does not a thug (or a goon) make. Only in extreme cases will a single incident lead to inclusion in this category and ONLY then, if the player in question has previously shown thug-like qualities and the consequences of the attack prove to be catastrophic for the victim. SEE: Bertuzzi, Tood & Moore, Steven Goon: Player who makes his living by fighting for his team Source: PMAC's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Hockey Terms :contract: [Edited on 2005/9/4 by PMAC] [Edited on 2005/9/4 by PMAC]

Just heard the news... it seems everytime I'm away from the Internet for a few days interesting things are happening. Thank God we won't have to endure a season full of discontented goalie rumours. Can we finally put away those stupid Florida rumours? Wait...this just in... Keenan offers Boumeester for Ryder and a 2nd round pick:)

I like it. Our motto for the Toronto games should be " watch the Leafs fall" Allision, Lindros and Bure (or B. Lindros) could also form the Legion of the Doomed line

Could we please let the team play without trying to trade everybody. Unless the Habs get a special player I want to see Bob sign our RFA's and stand pat. If he brings back Thibault and dumps Theo I'll become a Leafs fan... no.... a Panthers fan... if Houle couldnt drive me away then nothing will

I think that we have the potential for a few surprises this year. I didnt include the rookies like Pergehozin and Pleanak because I expect both of them to make the team. My picks are Aitken -- a probable minor leaguer, but you never know Huet-- if his knee is healed then he will be a competent back-up who may steal the odd game Hossa-- I will be pleasantly surprised if makes the team and ecstatic if he can score on a regular basis

I agree Shortcat1. BG is building this team for long term success. It is imperative that the young players get a chance and it is inevitable that rookie mistakes will cost us some games. What I would like to see is a reasonable start that allows us to contend with the team peaking at the end of the season and winning a couple of rounds--or more hopefully-- in the playoffs.

This is from Slam sports October 2,2004 If they used the guy as a "fill-in forward" he must be able to skate reasonably well. Maybe he will be a surprise in training camp:/) Career back on track Aitken found Canuck offer too good to refuse By KEN WIEBE, STAFF REPORTER Jonathan Aitken said Vancouver's offer was too good to refuse. (Bruce Bennett Studios) Jonathan Aitken admits his youthful exuberance likely sped up his departure from the organization that made him a high first-round pick eight years ago. Aitken, selected eighth overall in the 1996 NHL entry draft by the Boston Bruins, took time to discuss the falling out he had with Providence Bruins head coach Bill Armstrong during a break at Manitoba Moose training camp yesterday. "We didn't see eye-to-eye on some things and when I did play, he used me as a fill-in forward," said Aitken, a rugged defenceman who signed with the Vancouver Canucks during the off-season. "I'm not the kind of guy to point fingers and say it was all their fault. I was young. It was unfortunate. I asked Boston to loan me out to another team and when they wouldn't, I knew I wasn't going to help myself by sitting in the stands." Rather than let the situation deteriorate any further, Aitken and his agents Ritchie Winter and Gerry Johannson of The Sports Corporation negotiated a buyout from the Bruins in November of 2000. After failing to find another suitor in North America, Aitken signed with Sparta Praha of the Czech League, where he played 24 games. "Going to Europe wasn't my first choice, I was looking for another job in the AHL at that time," said Aitken, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Edmonton. "I don't regret going there because it was a good learning experience but it's not a part of my career I'm not particularly proud of." Looking back, Aitken doesn't feel he was overwhelmed by the high expectations placed on him as a high draft pick. Wasn't a burden "I don't know, it wasn't a burden or anything," he said. "But being young and a little bit naive, you might think that you automatically should get that opportunity and that they'd want to give you that opportunity. I thought I was making a progression and obviously it wasn't good enough." Aitken has a local connection to Manitoba, since he met his wife Kendra while playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings. The towering blue-liner spent two seasons with the Wheat Kings. Brandon advanced to the WHL championship final in his final season before bowing out to the Portland Winter Hawks, who were led by current Ottawa Senators sniper Marian Hossa. Aitken spent much of the past two-and-a-half seasons with the Norfolk Admirals, but also got into 41 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last year. He fully expected to re-sign with the Blackhawks but when July 1 rolled around, his agents got a call from the Canucks, who made a substantial offer. "It came out of nowhere and my agent couldn't get a hold of me on my cellphone because we were out camping with the in-laws," said Aitken, who has one assist and 70 penalty minutes in 44 career NHL games. "Vancouver was looking for a solid 6th, 7th or 8th defencemen who can play that physical, intimidating role on the back end on a consistent basis. It looked like a good fit." Moose goalie Alex Auld likes the look of the revamped defence corps. "The best thing about this year's group is that it's pretty diverse," said Auld. "In the past we've always, right through the organization, (had) the same type of defencemen, good all-around guys who can move the puck well. "We've lacked the physical presence, with the exception of Marty Grenier for a little bit last year, so it's good that we're going to have all different types of defencemen. That's important."

Dear Beckham: You are forgetting Pleanak, Hossa, maybe Higgins or even Pergohosin or Kostisyn My feeling is that BG wants to see how these young players develop before making any big moves, although we could see a couple of depth players added. Check out Huzer's post on how things have changed for further details. :hlogo: [Edited on 2005/8/16 by PMAC]

Who of the available free agents would you like to see in Montreal? Nobody on the list really appeals to me. I think we would be better off staying with what we have and seeing how the kids do. Does anyone have an update on Huet's knee? If he is not available I would like to see how Danis does against NHL oponents.

I know he's played on some lamentable teams, but the questions are: 1. How many play-off series, vezinas etc has luongo won? Answer 0

Toronto should sign him: They could from a line with Bure, Lindros and Allison and call them the medical marvels

Alas, we had better get ready for the growing pains of Hainsey... hopefully Streit lives up to Bob's expectations. Also, Ragnorson is still available: anyone know anything about him?

Luongo is not necesarily going to be cheaper. He is going to be unresticted next season as well, so we would be giving up Ryder for nothing....as I said before BG wont make this deal as it is rumoured

Lowballing your award winning goalie is not the way to go. Two questions: 1. Why do people think Luongo will take much less than Theo? With his play and reputation he will be asking for similar money 2. What is with this Ryder is a Leaf fan stuff? Roberts and Nieundyk were Leaf fans all of their lives, but they played exceptionally well for other teams and they left when the offers were not adequate from TO. My point is childhood alliegances are pretty much irrelevant in modern sports except to fans like us.

Sign Hamerlik... although I like our young defense I like Hamerliks mean-streak and mobility even more.

Along with Mike Rathje this is the defenseman I most wanted the Habs to sign. I wonder if we have any room under the cap? Does anyone know the cap rules with regards to injuries? How much of an exemption, if any, is given to replace players with long-term injuires?

First of all, Theo's work in the 2004 playoffs was one of the major reasons the team was able to come back and post the upset. I dont think any of his games were " piss-poor" although as with any goalie there were a few he would have liked to have back. Second, the version of the rumour reported by the Gazette today was that the hold-up on this alleged deal was Keenan's insistance that Ryder be included. Thank God Houle's not in charge any more or the Habs would give Florida Theo, Ryder and a draft pic for Luongo. BTW, the proposed rationale for the deal doesnt make sense to me as both players will be unrestricted next season. It would be ridiculous for BG to include Ryder in such a trade. I think it is BS

Glad to see that not everyone is so negative about Dagenais. I think that he will be a useful contributor this season; the Swiss league doesnt exactly favour the mobility challeneged and yet he scored there. If not he'll be gone next year. And the price is right.