DON

Bourque is a huge slacker. He shows up when he wants to. He's a big guy who can fight and can lay hits, if he feels like it that is. He had the same issues in Calgary. Plek and Gio are two of the hardest working players on the team. There is a reason they have letters on their Jersey's. He really cant fight nor hit well at all, he has taken suspensions partly because of this. Not all know how to hit well and fighting also is a bit of skill. But, seems once in a while he will throw his body around and becomes more "involved" in forecheck than at other times and why he dosent realize he is a big guy who, could help out if he just runs into the opposition instead of coasting by neither taking out anyone nor retrieving the puck. But, I think it is just the way he is and aint gonna change (like a Benoit Pouliot, Andrai Kostitsyn he has the size and some skill but that's it), but he can be counted on to get some goals and will likely get 20+ again.

Got to agree and was not the most entertaining game. Neither team did anything of note, other than Price looking pretty much bullet-proof and ....if only he could score also he might have a few more Ws. Are goalies allowed to participate in shootout?

Bozon and Sam Reinhart set up couple goals. Bozon with 6 points in last 4 games maybe adjusted to new team? Thrower was 2nd star and another 2 points, 15th in WHL d-scoring. With 14 points in his last 4 games, Reway is now tied for 11th in Q scoring.

Reway tore it up with 5 point night. McCarron had 2 goal game. and Vail had 3 points.

well some positives anyways. Pateryn still chipping in almost every game. Nygren had 5 shots and team had lots.

Holland, White, Leblanc, Bournival are all likely better choices and Eller, #27 and #11 shouldnt get less ice than DD should they?.

Pressbox, Hamilton, 4th line are all better options.

yes EGG and Bournival less ice than DD

But range for Markov and Subban salary is likely not very wide (maybe $6-7/year for Subban and 5-6 for Markov, just the term is more an unknown) and they are not expendable or tradable as Diaz is. So, my guess would be that Bergevin wants to shortly decide whether to; extend Diaz (maybe he will take hometown discount), trade (if he is looking for too much) or keep him for playoffs and let him walk for nothing (if not in big demand)?

I realize that Habs have a lot invested in DD and need to get him going somehow, but he is doing a darn good Gomez impersonation.

I agree, I thought DD killed a lot of plays and was not effective at all and would sit Boullion or play all 7d-men, but am fine with any combo.

Or Bergevin wants to find out what Diaz/agent are looking for in a raise, no-trade clause etc long before trade deadline; whereas Markov/Subban maybe are locks to get done and neither is even a possibility of being traded at deadline?

Markov and Emelin may get paired some; but I am sure his minutes will (should) be somewhat limited.

Yes, sounded so odd, then he actually got it correct once or twice. Don't think Ohio is a big hockey market. I would guess that most Canuck fans likely don't know who Galchenyuk is neither and they might say "that young Russian on Habs looks good" and that maybe about extent of familiarity. He is tied for 50th in scoring and will need to climb scoring race or/and play a super Olympics for USA, then would get a bit more recognition in other markets.

I thought Staubitz seemed a good goon when with Habs.

I really could care less about how many points for this or that, but simple elimination of goofy shootout, through any manner, would make me happier.

Sven Andrighetto maybe?

Wish someone would remind Bourque that he is larger than DD and actually allowed to physically contact the opposition. Eller is now 28th best centre for FO%, which is a huge leap for any top six Hab centre for awhile. Diaz a shot blocker, smart play. Markov just seems to be playing better than ever. DD is still a deadweight and playing him 21 shifts (when Plekanec and Galchenyuk played 23 & 22), is simply a killer, but they keep running him out at end of periods and giving him every chance to do something, but at the moment it is costly, especially I think to Bournival who would benefit from a few more shifts. Briere looked OK. Galchenyuk seemed around the net a lot and looks good on the PP. Budaj again played solid.

Bozon still seems to be "uninvolved" in physical aspect and floating a bit too much, in what I have seen of him this year. But if he can start producing, Kootenay will be a bit happier about trade. Thrower vs Shinkaruk should be a bit one sided, but super to see Thrower back already. Did McCarron play OK? Reway still chipping in and he and Gregoire on same 1.4ppg pace. Fucale is winning and sounds like playing well. Bennett still very quiet in Michigan, weak team this year?

7 d-men? Did Habs play with 7 d-men any last year? Murray brings something no other d-man does, Boullion is mediocre at all (but I still think he is still "OK" 3rd pairing character guy). But Yemelin will be top 4 and eat 20minutes or more, but hopefully not pushed into that for a while. And Diaz -Murray seems better pairing than Frankie and Diaz.

Maybe is just a rumour and not being considered, but would be an interesting swap, or as main part of a bigger deal dont you think?

I have little issue with Pacioretty's production, but Kane also a 30 goal player and only 22 years old, quite comparable salaries/contracts, so don't think either team would risk much and Kane is more "gritty" player.

Interesting, Kane might be a super addition. Could be good for both teams (with Kane seemingly a bit out of sorts there).

I never have liked and has absolutely nothing to do with Habs track record, just is a goofy way (thank you soccer) to end a team game. 4-4 and 3-3 OTs are fine and simply a tie after 60minutes is also fine, but don't know if owners will go back to that, American fans don't like ties (NBA play overtime, NFL same and MLB likewise).

I was a lead footed defensive d-man and was never a rah rah player and maybe averaged couple goals/year, so if just congratulate the player or two who set you up, that was bout all I thought was necessary or needed.