Abby

Yeah, it was hideous. I can't say I've lost all respect for Bertuzzi because while I don't have a clue what he was thinking, and however he may come off generally, he's just not that type of guy. Nobody feels shittier about this than him, trust me. And don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the action. He deserves whatever he gets for it. It's the worst thing I've ever seen a player I like do. But at the same time, do I think he was out there to kill him? Absolutely not. I think Naslund was right on in saying that however weird it might sound, what happened to Moore wasn't Todd's intention. Ugh, I don't know. It's just a horrible thing for hockey all around. Anyway. I just hope Moore's okay.

<i>Oh, and I speak no french at all.</i> Heh. It's funny, I took French from grade four through my second year of university, took a school trip to Quebec City, and I've probably retained more practical knowledge of the language from RDS. Well, mostly practical. I'm not sure how far "et la buuuuuuut!" is going to get me in real life ...

I have a feeling we might pull this one out, but with the fatigue it's going to be tough. Predicting 3-1, with an empty-netter.

Barnaby. Good god. For the Habs' sake, I guess I could grit my teeth and bear it. I think I'll be watching mostly Sportsnet, though. I'm sure TSN's general coverage will be better, but I've noticed a few times when SN gets wind of trades a little faster than TSN.

<i>I counted and tonights Sportcentre had the first 8 minutes devoted to Brian Leetch. Is that utter crap or what? I'm just about through with Sportscentre now, i think Sports 30 is gonna become my new home. In fact i'm not sure why i didnt switch earlier.</i> I still like Sportsnet better, even with people like Jason Portuondo, the massive tool. At least they had the good sense to divide the network by regions, so the East almost always leads off with Montreal or Ottawa. The only frustrating part is that I follow the Canucks as well, and the network divisions like that mean I can never, ever see a game though Pacific has almost all of them. Oh well. Not like TSN is exactly Vancouver Central. I haven't been able to watch TSN seriously in ages, but lately they've been driving me nuts. The OTR panel blew off the Kovalev trade as one that would "keep Montreal as a seventh-place team," Brian Leetch not knowing the drills in practice was the lead story over, y'know, actual GAMES THAT WERE PLAYED, and not too long ago I heard one of the guest journalists actually say that no other team matters in Canada except for Toronto. Healy's just another in the long line of morons, though his ignorance goes beyond Toronto bias even. A couple of days ago he was talking about how one of the Baby Leafs "quit" on the team, and said if he played here [st. John's], he'd quit too. Because I'm sure he's been here so many times.

Yeah, terrible game, good win to take. I can forgive them for sucking because they must be exhausted, but once they're home and rested up a little there won't be any excuse for playing that poorly. That said, Garon was beyond amazing. It's such a relief to have a guy like that as the back-up ... I really wish someone had beat the crap out of Avery. I also really wish he hadn't turtled on Bertuzzi a month or two ago, because that probably would've been one of my favorite and most-deserved ass-kickings of all time. It's one thing to be a huge pest, but it's something else altogether to be a huge wimpy pest who consistently backs out of fights/takes cheap shots/picks on an easy target. Bah.

Agreed. I saw definite potential for the Zednick-Koivu-Kovalev line. That it's going to take a little bit of time to gel when you've added a player like Kovalev is a given, but I really think that if they stick with it, it'll pay off in spades. And I wasn't unhappy to see Dagenais play on the third line, either. I think you're right about the potential there, and at the very least he just doesn't do it for me at his current effort on the second, goal or no goal last night.

UGH. I can't even think about Kovalev. It just freaking figures. On the positive side, I'm loving Dowd. Even if he hadn't scored or played a pretty solid game, his enthusiasm alone is great. Koivu's hit on Doan and Begin's on Mike "Edmonton was Communist" Comrie were great too. Though I think I'd have been just as happy if Ribeiro'd hit Comrie. I really don't like that guy. I don't know if they got their stories straight afterwards, but both Sportsnet and Headline Sports showed the Markov hit and talked about how he left the game (HS said with a concussion) and didn't return. Morons.

Yeah, I saw that and wanted to smack him. Way to promote team unity, Dags! I don't want to see him traded, but I have to believe that he's not going to keep his job on the second line with a healthy Bulis back. He simply doesn't deserve it. I didn't know the RDS guys noticed the sleight, though. What'd they say? [Edited on 2004/3/5 by Abby]

Heh. Dowd compared being traded to Montreal to being called to play baseball for the Yankees. I like him already.

Agreed. And hey, it's worth it even to imagine the sucker who gets to take Gonchar's profile off the Leafs' website ...

Headline Sports is running a report today that Granato's on his way out in Colorado and Quennville is in. Anyone know how true that is?

Yeah, exactly. All the feuding was driving me nuts and the media fawning over him still bugs sometimes, but it'd have to be a hell of a deal for me to wish him traded. Sure he still has a ways to go to be the player he could be with consistent effort and hard work, but he's been showing significant signs of improvement and again, he's only 23. He still has a lot to learn. I'm really enjoying the chemistry he's developing with Ryder, too. Imagine how that could be working after another year or two of fine-tuning. Anyway, he's surely got his flaws but in terms of pure talent/potential, he's loaded and I do see him growing up significantly over the next year or two. Now if only he'd pack on a few more (and by a few more, I mean ANY) pounds of muscle, he'd be golden.

I'm still shocked, but I do think it's a great deal for the Habs. Kovalev! Holy crap. I have to go pinch myself now.

As frustrating as he's been to watch the past couple of weeks, I have to agree about not being willing to give up Zednick. For one thing I think the team is finally starting to act like an actual TEAM and trying to replace a major part of that chemistry would be a mistake. Maybe more importantly though, I really do think it's only a matter of time before he gets going again, and that he'll be a force again. Ideally he'll be a consistent force, but even if he's not quite that I don't want to see him go now.

Holy crap. I think I'd break something laughing now if the Leafs didn't wind up with Gonchar. It doesn't mean much to me that he wants to go there -- so have Lindros and Peca in the past, and look how far that got them. Gonchar might be a great player, but man. The ACC is turning into the world's best-disguised old folks' home.

This game really did have about as much excitement as a knitting competition. I can't think of a single thing to say about it, except that we won, and I was so tired by that point it barely registered. Oh well. Can't complain about the two points, but I do hope to god they show up for Jersey, or things are going to get really ugly really fast.

8-2. Holy crap, what a thrashing. Let's hope that's a sign of things to come for Buffalo's remaining games!

I wouldn't take Jagr for Montreal if they were giving him away for free. I wouldn't wish his self-absorbed butt on anyone, really ... except maybe the Leafs.

Excellent game, I'm so glad they pulled this one out! I was a little worried about Ottawa (gee, I wonder why?) but a passionate effort came from all corners and it was great to see. Well, except for Perreault, but I'm just going to go with appearances and pretend he wasn't there. Ryder's game in particular though just keeps getting better by leaps and bounds. He's a joy to watch.

Hey all, new here. That article was great, and I completely agree with ... well, all of it. I've been a die-hard Canadiens fan since I was old enough to watch hockey. I'll always love them, no matter how crazy (or just plain bad) things get. However, if Koivu is run out of town on a rail, my only inclination is to be right behind him. No, he isn't perfect, who is? But he's been a great captain and leader of this team through the good times and the bad times, never mind the horrors he's faced down in his own life. I don't have blind hero worship for anyone, but I have the utmost respect and admiration for Koivu as a person and as a player. Of all people, he doesn't deserve to be booed. Exactly the opposite. Did Ribeiro really call the booing stupid? That's encouraging. I'm admittedly a deluded optimist most of the time, but I still don't think it's impossible for this team to suck it up and get it together once and for all. Besides, I was actually a fan of Ribeiro's talent and potential before this season's various messes started. It'd be nice to be able to see him as an extremely promising kid again rather than as Koivu's intended replacement. If only the media and the ignorant of the fans would just stay out of it ... Well, I can dream.