DON

Briere may really be gaining confidence and seems to be improving.

Is Collberg strong enough to play well in AHL? Could de la Rose also be expected to stop by Hamilton for a few games, if schedules work out?

Tokarski maybe?

Neddy Flanders is lookin rattled!

Joe, you could be correct; but, you know it wouldnt matter who he played 3 on 3, we would split hairs and say should of played someone else, because in hindsight they didnt score and lost.

1st round pick, cap space and open roster spot for younger replacement. Kulikov-Buff-Girardi, or the like. No team will seriously think Markov would resign with Habs, that is very rare I think, has maybe only happened once or twice.

Briere seems to be playing much better lately and even took puck away from Datsyuk (who did look tired at end of game) for Gionta's goal.

Gionta was hot and best forward in game.

Fans...what do they know! (I would hate to see Eller go anyways)

Dont think coaching has anything to do with taking dumb selfish costly penalties.

Kesler for Eller, might be good for both teams.

Datsyuk and DD were by far best 2 centres in faceoff circle.

McCarron (13) scores again and dukes it out. Bozon (32) gets 2 g and 1 a in 3rd period. He has 19pts in last 11 games and now 24th in WHL scoring.

Budaj was pretty solid. Gionta deserved to score, had 6 shots and Weise had 5 hits in 9 minutes of ice. Galchenyuk looked very good for 1st game back. I thought DD & Briere also played well. Just loved the 3on3 in OT, 100% better than goofy shootout. But mostly dull and sloppy game, to be expected and I wouldn't read much into overall play. Tinordi had couple errors and good plays lugging puck to centre and dumping it in. Not sure who was more at fault Tinordi-Yemelin on PP goal against.

Good play by Bourque.

Yes, Mongo is entertaining and must give him 1 scoring chance. Franzen working refs, complaining about Tinordi holding him, may pay off later in game.

Gionta & DD have 4 of 6 Hab shots. Not a terrible period and expected a bit of sloppy game, after lay off-vacations for some and Olympic travel for others.

Tokarski is AHL goalie, Tarnasky is AHL Bulldog fighter I also like Moan with 2 other prairie guys on 4th line.

Well, u best start a 'trade Eller?' thread also, if he is that much a bust or underachiever.

Why his PK faceoff % same, other teams running out poor centremen on their PPs? So you are arguing Eller isn't worth $3m/yr at a min, because Lapierre was a fan favourite of some sort? Is a reason he and White are used on important defensive faceoffs. Basically because Plekanec has never been good at it and Eller at 24 already is safer bet.

Well, 1 week countdown is on, what are odds #79 is suiting up as a Hab next Sat? I say 90% he is still a Hab in Phoenix next Thursday. With road trip starting Monday in L.A. influence Bergevin's deadline dealing, or irrelevant?

I think so, but Murray-Tinordi pairing I just cant see being able to move puck well at all? Tinordi-Boullion makes more sense, but I see Tin-man listed beside Murray?

$3/yr is a minimum he would get and many teams would pay much more; for, young centre, big, good skating, good on faceoffs already (which bodes well as a young C) checks and block shots. You are underestimating his value I think. And $3m is relatively big raise over $1.3m he gets now. I think Markov current salary or tad more ($6m/yr) for 2 year deal is max I would be 'comfortable' with. When he gets 3year deal, I still will be OK with it, but would hope extra year would get a hometown price break of some $$..

I doubt will be much Subban trying 'to rub it in his face' type stuff, but obviously a bit of that is to be expected and I also am looking forward to see PK play. Habs must be favoured to win and how will big Jarred do on the backend?

Gregoire ties Vail, with his 31st and 1a in 1st period today. Gregoire seems a good 176th pick. Hudon 12th and Gregoire 27th in Q scoring. Nevins (1a) in 2nd period. Nevins get a 1a & 1g and was 1st star of game Gregoire gets 3 assists for 4 pt game.