Habiman

I totally agree with everything said about Ribs except there just isn't much roster room.. How long can Claude give Ribs the benefit of the doubt...Zeds has got to crack the lineup when he gets back...that very well could leave Ribs in the press box...and, maybe until another opening pops up that would do him some good...BTW I love the Habbit's call on the Zeds-Plekanec-Ryder line...

thoughts? Most improved forward: M. Hossa Most improved Dman: Komisarek Player who will underperform: Theodore Most valuable player: J. Bulis Most likely to be traded: Hainsey; Dagenais Most Goals: Zednik Most points: Ribero Unsung hero: Markov

Again, I'm with shortcat on this one...I love Chelios, but, despite his grit, he's gonna have challenges with the speed of the game this year (as will Rivet). From what I understand, neither Streit nor Hainsey have really stood out thusfar. To me, that doesn't mean anything...Hainsey's got a one way, let him play...if he doesn't work out his age still lends himself for dealing to another team after the new year...especially as teams try to move higher salaried players...with the cap, you may see a glut of good talent as the deadline nears...that's where Gainey earns his stripes and makes a steal of a trade....It's foolhardy to deal young players (especially d-men) until your sure what you're give up....

I'm with Roo-AH...I think Gainey is listening to all offers but is unlikely to pull off a trade involving our youth till after the holidays...No reason to jump the gun...The D is solid and our young guys are competing for spots...We're pretty deep up front...Gainey will only pull the trigger if the Habs get some upside value...

Oh yeah...Gainey makes no trades until the season starts...a trade at this stage would be too upsetting to this team...I think he sees what he's got for a couple of months and then makes a couple of tweeks....Of course, he'll need to sew up Ryder, Markov and Theo...all bets are off, of course, if they continue to hold out...

The-Habby's in la la land...Tough to land Gagne for fourth line scrubs and a 4th round pick...aint gonna happen...As for Rivet, I love his grit, but no other team will have him at that price...Gainey is playing this one right...He inherited Rivet's contract and must deal with it...I put the chances at better than even that he's on the third line D or in the seats by mid season if the game speeds up...speed kills...

Great thoughts guys. I guess I'd echo the idea that we need to engage the young talent in this year's contest. One of the most overlooked things about young players is they still have alot of jump at the end of the season. No offense, but I didn't see any jump from Perault or Quintal...I know that BG remembers that his last Stanley Cup ring (1989) was won largely on youth...Chelios, Lemieux and Roy... I like our chances to go past the second...we've got more heart than we get credit...if you get past the second round...it's anybody's shootin' match...I wouldn't mind meeting the Lightning again this year for some payback!

Dags is a nice depth addition...he's always been a bit of an overachiever...hopefully, with all the work he's been doing on his skating, he can parlez that into another solid year even if the game opens up dramatically

Let me preface this by saying that I love Rivet's grit, determination and leadership. He battles every single night and plays every single shift the hardest he can (unlike Ribero). I fear that if the rule changes have the desired effect and if the refs really do start calling clutching, grabbing and interference during the season that it is going to be a very long and difficult winter for Craig in Montreal. I'm no huge fan of Brisbois, but he skates ten times better than Rivet. He also is a much better passer and can be effective on the power play. I don't see Rivet in the top two defensive pairings after December...

Love the idea of signing Selanne, but we need to focus on the youth movement and signing our core players...Selanne should sign with the Habs at a discount. Let's face it..he's two years removed from a dismal season with poor production on the high powered Avs... He should sign as a habs on the cheap...work hard, produce and then pick up the pieces as an UFA next season... But, then again, what do I know...ha.ha..

I hear ya. I think that both the organization and the fans have put a premium on resigning Kovalev. He's obviously talented, but I'd rather see them save the money and look to pick up a solid two-way defenseman. I think they should give some of the younger guys in Hamilton a solid shot this year, because the Habs can get offense later if they need it...

I agree with most of the posts here. The great thing about the upcoming season (fingers crossed) is that the Habs actually have options and training camp should prove to be very competitive with lots of younger players getting long looks by the staff... A couple of thoughts.... Boullion: I like Boullion alot, but how long can an eastern conference team keep playing a 5'8" defenseman? He battles hard, but is completely undersized... Answer: Hainsey. Lots of question marks here. Signs of talent, but inconsistent. The only way to figure this out is to put him on the ice...Certainly more upside than Boullion. If only he had Boullion's heart! Perrault: There is no need for him. He wins faceoffs, yes. But as soon as the puck gets turned over he turns into a complete liability. No effort. No hustle. Answer: Put Dowd as the third line center and move Higgins to wing. Higgins is a gritty player on both sides of the red line and a relentless backchecker with some offensive upside potential... Dags: Dags filled a role last year playing with Ribs. He's got a great shot, but he simply cannot skate at an NHL level. Answer: I'd like to see Plekanec get some time in Dags spot....I think that Julian should thin about putting J. Ward with Ribs and Ryder. These two guys playing wing would open up some ice for Ribs and give Ward the opportunity to find his offensive touch...fill Ward's hole on the fourth line with Plekanec...

This series is FAR from over. All of Les Boyz must come out to play tonight! Hit, hit and hit...Shoot the puck, get in front of the Boltz goalie "Knew-me-foolin'" and DRIVE THE NET!!! Go Habs Go!

Anyone taking odds that Thornton gets dealt this offseason to the hapless Rangers? The Boston papers already smell blood in the water with this guy and the Rangers love to pick up losers like this guy!

Wow, what a game by the rookie! At least two, tremendously huge blocked shots, at least two CRUSHING hits (one huge one on Sampsanov), and, correct me if I'm wrong, a huge plus three last night! Kudos to Komi for coming out and playing so strongly both mentally and physically. Keep up the good work! I really, really like his size, strength and attitude on the blue line! GO HABS GO

Its a charactor thing. You own up to your teamates and the press, show that your a professional and then, these issues are all mute. He's a fantastically talented player and the Habs need him in the lineup. But, you certainly have to question his toughness when he's got his hand wrapped and is a "game time decision" in the biggest game of the year from a "slash" that was...Ridiculous (and everyone, including his teamates, knows it)...Sorry. Own up. Put it to bed. Move on and win game 5 tonight!!!! Go habs go

It's game four in double OT and your down three...If there is any time to stand up and be counted that is it. I guess I would have preferred him to admit that he blew it and to move on like the highly paid professional that he is. Enough said. Let's look forward to tonight... GO HABS GO!

This is going to be Kovi's coming out game...He's big, but bigger in big games! Sorry to lose Quintal, but glad to see a little youth and hunger get in the lineup on the blue line.... Only one thing to do now...Slay those Bruins! GO HABS GO!

Come on, Kovy simply cannot give that puck up like that, let along run into the only guy who was back covering up! The refs did not call a good game, but there weren't any calls either way...at the end of the day it was Game 4, double overtime! I love Kovy, thing he's gonna rebound big tonight, but he's GOT to play through on that one even if he just pushes the puck with his good hand to Souray or the boards...

The great thing about Higgins is that the kid is a total winner. He had a great college career and always came up huge in big games...In that manner, he's alot like C.Drury...You just can't teach that...

If you intent on dressing him at all, I suppose that Kovalev on the first line with Zednik and Kouiv is a good move. Hopefully, these guys will motivate one another....The Habs must come out and skate tonight...Worried that Komi is still ridding.... Habs need size and mobility on the blue line badly... GO HABS!

Sorry, Boullion is just not up to the task. As far as replacing him to give Komi more experience...Come on! Komi is the future....Big and mean...exactly what the doctor ordered...Again, I like Boullion, but you need size to play defense in the NHL...that's not my opinion, that's evolution.... Buzzed in Albany! Go Habs Go!

Les Boyz best bring their legs tomorrow night or they are gonna be paddlin' the wrong way up the creek! Defense looked real slow. Look, I like Boullion, but he is getting pushed around by the big Bruins forwards. The kids got heart, but Komi's got the size! Quintal and Rivet are still too slow and Markov seems tentative with the puck (again)...And, for God's sake get Kovalev OFF the point on the powerplay...it works for Saku, but not for Alexi...How many times can you get the puck poked off your stick OR pull your guys off sides in one night? Enough Already!! Kovalov should not be playing in the series until he's ready to play some freakin' hockey...What was that all about?... Zero effort last night...dare I say a lazy effort...If you don't play Komi on the blue line at LEAST dress him and put him in front of the net during the powerplay!.... Ugh!

Sorry if I'm diminishing the drama for everyone, but this series is gonna be decided by goaltending and defence. I expect both goalies to put on a show in this series, because both have something to prove. Fortunately for us, Jose has much more to prove than the rookie Raycroft. D-fence is gonna win this...Forwards backchecking strong and the D mixing it up on the boards and protecting the crease. Now the deep breathe everyone. This next one is not going to be popular. Many of you don't want to recognize this, but we are still in a rebuilding phase. WE NEED TO PLAY KOMI! The kid has earned the right to play and it will make our team better in the long run. There can be no doubt that Boullion has played very, very well. And, if we didn't have a kid as good as Komi sitting pine, I'd be singing another tune. Its gonna be physical...its gonna be nasty...We just have too much to gain by having Komi in this series...he's big, he's nasty and he needs and has earned the right to get this playoff experience.....I hope that Coach Juilien makes the bold and right move to show confidence in his youngsters on the blue line!

I've seen Dags play since he came to the AHL here in Albany. The guy has either never learned how to skate or never been interested in skating... TOOO SLOW