matsnaslundsuperfn

Another good read! I'm a fan of yours Monsieur Cucumber. I'm with LAZY26, But to add... never say never! I'm cheering him on to prove his critics wrong. If he does this he's a superstar in my book. I'm leaning towards the fact that he will end up our top centre. mats

Well since killing you or issuing a death threat is against Habsworld policy I'll just have to answer "I don't know". Good for him to have made a nice wage. Its not the Habs fault for signing him at that amount. To take on his salary I'm sure took alot of thinking on Bob's part to trade for him. I'm happy with this guy... his hit on our cap is a non issue. Gainey wanted him and that's enough for me. Mats

What's wrong with our cap... Gainey has all the players he wants and can afford them to boot. Moves can be made to sign players who they see being on the team... I don't think the cap situation is as black and white as we think.

Compared to Guillaume he's played very little NHL hockey. Guillaume 249GP, Pouliot 71GP. Pouliot doesn't even have a full season under his belt. I think with experience this guy has all the tools to be good. IMO To compare him with Guillaume's production in Minnesota already is very premature... so what Latendresse has 7 points in 17 games. Good for him. I think we will be better off without him and his attitude in hearing the comments he made on his way on his way out the door. Not to say that I wish him well. Pouliot is doing what the coach wants him to do... from Jacque Martin's press conferences I listen to. Gomez and Gionta both love his speed and creating space for them on the ice... again from the press conferences I listen to post game. I think with more experience he will develop confidence in his highly rated skills, as per central scouting and will become even more creative with the puck and be a good fit pour les Canadien. But who am I to say all this... it really is up to Benoit to let his play do the talking for us. go habs Mats

Not saying he should be above criticism, just trying to work out the mystique he seems to have among his peers. And also gently suggesting that fans (and media) are crapping on his prematurely, mostly based on his salary. I just love this stuff Monsieur Cucumber! A good read. Mats. PS. GO ANDREI! GO GOMEZ! make the media eat their words.

I like all of what you've said... It's too easy to look in the rear view mirror and think things could have been better if we had of kept this guy or that. I'm excited about what's happening actually. To get really good is to go through the bad. Better for the bad to happen at the beginning of the season then at the end of it.

Was it a trade... oops my bad. I thought he was put on waiver. As for what you say about how things all went down over his departure between Bob and Steve... this is just another feather in our GM's cap. Way to go Bob! After all it was Bob who brought Steve on our team to begin with. Man, we have a class act as a GM! As a fan I'm ready to go to war for that guy and defend the team at all cost... perhaps a little too much. I realize that Habsworld is just a place to chat, but what an outlet for fans to just let it out. Thanks. My feeling is still very strong that public opinion is shaped by the media... and that the media is less a reflection of public opinion. This is purely a hunch and I could be entirely wrong. Does anybody think there is too much coverage of the Montreal Canadiens on Rds... I mean, is there potential to run out of things to talk about or even at the other extreme disclose too much about matters of the team. As example now we Pierre Mcguire from TSN getting into our coverage because of comments he made over the Maxim Lapierre incident. Is that not a little excessive... and it got so big that our player has to respond to his comments. I mean really... should Max really have to explain or even consider this guy's comments. I think it may be a distraction to the team to be quite honest. Anyhow, I enjoy the broadcasts of the gameon RDS... I think it has improved a great deal in the last couple of years. The game play by play and analysis have become more enjoyable with emphasis on being positive. 'Antichambre' is an excellent development where those who wish to watch someone vent after the game is over could do so. Overall I'm happy with RDS but there are times where I'm not. I just feel the need to express. Thanks Habsworld for letting me do so.

Maybe its me who has the narrowminded view about all of this... I could be even wrong about this for that matter. This kind of journalism does stem from something alot bigger than I could ever wrap my head around. I suppose it is news worthy when a beloved player is forced to leave a team he cares about. For this I'm sorry. However, I can't help but feel that in the reverse it has a negative impact on the team and the remaining players. Like some anouncers say on Rds, and this is somewhat of a paraphrase, "Nous devrons rester positive, oublier le passer et garder nos yeux sur aujourd'hui. De plus, evitez de regarder tros loins dans le future" Anyhow, I admire Quebec, I admire Montreal, I admire the Canadiens, and all of its alumni as well despite some criticism. Matts

Man... have they not forgotten how upset most were about the stupid penalties he made both in the regular season and playoffs. I realize that he put alot of effort into his game but the fact is he's been traded. Get over it. For me I'm glad to have seen some young Hamilton talent called up to play on the fourth line. I'd rather cheer for someone who is trying to make the team than drool over someone who was traded away. It's all a little over the top if you ask me. If listening to Renaud Lavoie's rant the week after this guy was gone and following Begin around with a camera was not enough, the last couple of day have been just as much as I could take. I've had to voice my two cents somehow. Thanks for letting me vent. Matts.

This guy is my favourite player... but he's also a player I love to hate. I love watching him when he skates hard and using his mass for the entire shift. When his legs stop moving is when I wonder just how into the game he really is. He CAN BE DOMINANT!!!!! anyhow... why not use this guy at the point on power plays since our defense have a hard time getting the puck through... He does have an AWESOME shot. For the record I believe in this guy... my general feeling is that he may have not been brought into the team with proper care. Perhaps neglected in a sense. He even still has problems speaking english let alone french. I'd love to see this guy fool us all and show what he can really bring to the table. If not, it wouldn't surprise me if he is traded. I'd prefer him on my team skating on all cylinders. Go AK Matts

Bob's response to Pierre Mcguire..."What's that Pierre? You're a little muffled, can't hear you with this stanley cup ring in my ear." As for this thread... genius. Give a place for those habs fans to have a pity party and quarantine them. As for my thoughts, This season is young, this "experiment" is in the lab and needs time to work. The bunsen burner is on, reactions are taking place, things will change. Give our coach and players a chance, everyone. Matts.

Just to comment on what I saw in his first game against Colorado... Yeah he did have some bad luck, but as far as I'm concerned he looked very very good! I liked his physicality and his speed. I think he'll do better this game. Just listening to some of his interviews I think he's also got perspective of his situation and good head on his shoulders. I'm already a big fan. Looking forward to tonights game against Ottawa and seeing how he'll do. I expect good things. Matts

Well I guess I should first apologize for steering this thread off its intial course. Secondly I guess I could have been a little more specific about why I was so excited in the first place. I don't mind the responses given out. Guess I should be praying for all of you as well. Anyhow, what I'm excited about is that someone in the organization has thought to put these players into a retreat type situation where perhaps spirituality could be discussed and maybe bring there glamourous lives into a bit of perspective along with the team building and such. Hey after the mess of last season this could be a profound experience for them which could carry throughout the rest of the year. Where religion is concerned, yes I do hope that my team searches out a spiritual identity Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you and me... that is why the cross. Anyhow how's Lang's ankle anyone? I'm done. Thanks for reading. Mats.

This is off topic but what got me excited about this article is the type of ranch these guys will be going to after training camp is over. How awesome is this, "Caledon Teen Ranch is a not for profit, Christian organization ... dedicated to the training of young men and women in the physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects of their lives." There is hope for this team! I'm praying for these guys! GO HABS GO! YAHOO! mats

You know, I agree Begin brought his game up... work ethic on the ice. I agree with in fact alot of what you've written. Although, my only thing with Steve was his undisciplined play. I enjoyed watching the guy play... but he was DIRTY, and finding ways at getting penalties at the most inopportune times. I liked the player and it could have been so much different but I'll have to agree with Carbo's decision not to play him. If watching last nights game is any indication Bob has MORE than compensated for Begin's loss. METROPOLIT is a fire-cracker. He never stopped skating!!! woohoo!!! of course time will only tell.

I believe there's a need for some divine intervention. I'm being serious. These kids need some prayers with everything going on!