illWill

45-28-6-3 99 points 2nd in Atlantic 13th in the league 241 goals scored Injury bug bites us this year

I think Florida and Columbus are able to surprise some people. Depending on how Washington gels, they could also do some damage.

Giggity

From Friedman's 30 thoughts: 13. Lars Eller’s move to the wing to accommodate Alex Galchenyuk at centre triggered another round of “is this it for him in Montreal?” conversation. One GM pointed out Eller had 14 even-strength goals last season. Other players at that number:Nazem Kadri, Ryan Kesler, Chris Kreider, Bryan Little, David Perron, Wayne Simmondsand Jeff Skinner. Not bad at all.

I only seen a little bit of Barberio but I thought he has looked pretty good out there and fits in well with this group.

Probably the smartest, yet simplest thing I have read in a long time. Too much nit-picking and complaining sometimes about a team that has been one of the best teams over the last couple years. No team is perfect and without flaws. I fear the Habs will try to change too much from what has made them successful. Start bringing in guys like Semin to bolster goal scoring, and all the sudden they will not be the best defensive team in the league anymore. It reminds me of when the Canucks were great all of those years but got bullied by the Bruins in the final. They tried to get bigger so it didn't happen again but in the process they lost their identity and what they were good at. Stick with the plan.

You are much more intelligent and logical than I am. However we can only see what happens with regards to the Captaincy and speculate from there. I don't think we could ever really know

Has anyone else speculated that the Subban donation could be related to the Captaincy announcement? I am quite aware of his charitable work throughout the years, as I actually met P.K at a fundraiser for special olympics a few years ago, but to make the biggest donation by a sports figure in Canadian history is quite a big deal. One could assume he is posturing for the captaincy, but I don't believe that to be the case. My thoughts are that perhaps he has already been told he is the Captain and this was his thank you/commitment to the city, fans and the organization. And also maybe a way for people that were on the fence about him before to embrace him for the great man and player he is.

I have said it before and I will say it again; I am of the belief that Eller is a player that thrives off of other players and not the other way around. I can agree that he hasn't necessarily forced the coaching staff into putting him onto a scoring line, but I do think that if given the opportunity, he would succeed. Every player is different and plays differently with other players. Now I am not calling for him to be given a top 2 center role or anything, but I am defending his ability to produce if he was called upon in that role. Remember, he has been basically asked to be in a shutdown role and played with nothing but random guys his whole career.

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.