illWill

Fixed your post Here's to a new season and hopefully getting along.....for the most part!

I am unsure exactly what the rules are for offer sheets, but Huberdeau and Galchenyuk have had basically parallel careers thus far. Both are number 3 picks in their draft and have around the same amount of points per game thus far. So if a team was able to offer him a long term deal at an inflated cost now, but potentially cheap in the future, I don't think it's a bad deal at all. If Galchenyuk keeps improving over the next two years, his next deal will be likely larger per year than any offer sheet Huberdeau would sign. Personally I think offer sheets should be used more as a way to stock pile young talent but there seems to be a stigma attached to it throughout the league.

I think Pacioretty is the safe choice and perhaps the right one, as we don't know the intricacies inside the locker room or how management wants this team perceived. However, I do believe if Subban was given the C, he would handle himself in whatever manner is required. So far all this kid has done is prove people wrong and has done exactly what the team has asked of him. I have no doubt he would make a great captain.

In my opinion the only problem with the shootout is that teams play for them far too often. I love watching the shootout and am disappointed when a game ends in overtime. I think that teams should be rewarded for winning a game in regulation and shouldn't share the same amount of points as someone who squeaked out a win in the shootout. I also think that it's crazy that games are worth different amount of points based on when the game is ended. How is it fair that one game gives out 3 points and another only gives out 2? The quality of play during the last 10 minutes of regulation definitely diminishes as teams are playing for 1 point with a chance at 2. If the point system changed you would see teams going for the win much more.

That is exactly how I remember the Gainey era. And for a franchise such as the Canadiens, that means alot.

You forgot every time the Habs win a game it is despite MT, but yet when they lose the game it is because of him. Other than that, great list.

And that's why this is the best Habs forum on the net; the majority of the conversations are from intelligent people with well thought out ideas. That's great to hear about saskhab, but there must be a part of him dying on the inside joining the bad guys.

I expect a better team when healthy, but yet expect it to be less healthy. Last year seemed like a Hab anomaly in the sense that they actually didn't have many injuries. They should contend for the division title yet again and their best players should be their best players. The playoff loss two years ago against the Rangers actually felt like a loss, they were outplayed. Could Price have made the difference? We'll never know. The loss against Tampa didn't quite seem like a loss. It was a battle that I thought the Habs got quite unlucky in some of the defining bounces or lack thereof. So if the biggest threat are the defending conference champion Bolts, and the declining (IMO) Rangers, then I think that the Habs can beat them. Pittsburgh and Washington will be tough to beat though, as is in the NHL, there are never any easy games.

I want to take a guess at remembering it being after the Chara attack. And yes, I think he is in the conversation for being the most underrated in the league. Especially after the past season where he rounded out his complete game, posting one of the best +/-. And then when you add in his bargain salary and leadership, well you have an untradable player.

I paid $5 a month for RDS, but I think I only had to watch a couple games on it because the rest were shown on Sportsnet, CBC or 360. I won't get RDS this year if it's the same

I can't remember what thread I posted it in, but I believe Eller plays up or down to the level of his linemates. Throw random guys on his line and he is going to struggle to generate offense, the priority will be defense. Put him with guys who can play offensively, and he will thrive. I just think that's the way it is for certain players. While some make others around them better, others feed off their linemates. Put Crosby exclusively on the 4th line in Pittsburgh, he makes the line better, but his numbers will go down. An extreme example but it makes my point. Note: I may have had too many beers to make sense.

Jeez, the guy is a sniper and not a defensive liability.....AND we got him for only 1.1m!! How did we get so lucky? There must have been teams lining up around the block for his services

I think alot depends on injuries and how the team is doing. I can see him literally on either wing on any line at any point during the season. MT likely won't be too pleased with his defensive play, but as long as the team is winning, he might be given the rope to do his thing. I think 15-20 goals is probably in the ballpark of what to expect

Obviously this is a great signing. Two more years of cheap Galchenyuk to make a run at the cup. And for him, he will have 5 years of NHL service at the end of the contract, and there will be a better understanding of what he is as a player. If he succeeds, he will get paid long term. If he stumbles, well that would suck but at least he wouldn't be locked up for a bunch of money.

It's not characteristic of the Flyers to hand out bad deals. Hopefully my sarcasm came through there

How many minutes he should play and how many minutes he will likely play are probably two different answers. Therrien kept the pedal on the gas with him all season, trying to win each game they played, and I can't blame him. Even down the stretch with a playoff spot locked up him ran him ragged out there when he could have given him games off. But as far as how many he should play, it should be around the 20:00 mark in my opinion. Plenty of younger legs can help eat up those top minutes with Subban.

The thing is, when a player is only getting that many points in a season, it's not fair to be critical of them not putting up points consistently. You can criticize the amount of points, but if they were more consistent, they would have more points. His points are spread out in clusters yes, but does that really matter when looking at the season as a whole? Is getting 1 point every 2 games much different than 41 every 82? And no, he isn't quite a half point per game player, but the last 3 seasons he is at .41 which isn't too far off. I agree it is frustrating when he goes seemingly forever without production, but at the same time, it is certainly great when his clustered production single handily wins a game. It definitely would be great if Lars could step it up and become what we've all hoped he would. Personally I think he's done okay thus far but I'd like more from him as well. His place in the lineup is nobodies fault but his own. Nothing is handed to anyone in this league and he must earn PP time and better line mates. Although my one point I have about that is, sometimes players do indeed play better when surrounded by better players. And sometimes players make others around them better. I'm reminded of a time when I moved to a different city and joined a rec league where I didn't know anyone. They slapped me on the last line with two guys who couldn't generate anything and as a result I had barely any points over a quarter season. An injury opened up a spot on a top line and from there and I didn't look back, leading in points the rest of the way. That's how I feel about Eller, if he could just somehow get better line mates his production would go way up. And if it doesn't, he is still a pretty good defensive center that can chip in every once in awhile.

I think it's safe to say that whatever the lines are on opening night,they will quickly change anyway. The possibilities are endless with this current roster

Some great points there that I agree with. Although I'm one of the ones with the belief that if Eller was playing where DD plays in the lineup and gets the PP time etc, he would have the same offensive production at the same cost. He is also better defensively and obviously bigger.

Simple, yet brilliant. He has won me over

As a Habs fan I love this hiring. What the heck is their strategy and identity over there? Bring in an old stubborn GM who loves veteran players, bring in one of the top coaches in the league, but yet they clean house and are rebuilding? It's a never ending soap opera over there and I can't wait to watch it all unfold. I think they are in a bigger mess now than they were. Who is even going to be calling the shots? I almost feel bad for the players, they are going to be heavily scrutinized each and every game internally more than ever. How will Babcock, Shanny and Lou react when the Leafs are losing all the time? It'll be like 3 bulls butting heads in a china shop. Get your popcorn ready

I'd support a Sedin twin trade. They are definitely underrated and have been a fixture in top ten league scoring for what seems like a decade. I had hopes of Montreal signing them when they became UFA but I believe Van locked them up before they became available. I agree that the Canucks are going nowhere fast and having the Sedins on their roster only prolongs their mediocrity. I also agree the chances of it happening are slim to none because of their loyalty and matching up a deal that works for both sides

Just noticed i forgot Weise in my lineup oops. I just think the time is now to go for it all. MB is a meticulous and calculated gm who doesn't appear to be interested in mortgaging the future though. His job is to keep the Habs relevant and in contention for as long as possible and so far he is doing well. Contrast that with MT who's job it is to win every game played now and not worry about the future, and he is also doing a great job. There are only a couple years left of cheap Pacioretty and Price, and before Markov hangs them up. If there was ever a time to disregard the future and win, now is the time.

I think that's an overpayment for what he is worth now, let alone when he is broken down a few years from now. That one is going to come back to bite them.

If it were possible I would trade DD along with whatever picks and prospects CAR or SJ wants for Eric Staal or Joe Thornton/Patrick Marleau. Habs have a small window of contention for the next couple years and acquiring one of those players would really solidify the roster. All in Pacioretty-Staal-Gallagher Galchenyuk-Plekanec-Kassian De La Rose-Eller-Smith Pelly Bournival-Mitchell-Flynn