DON

I actually think they will win this one. It is same as when Leafs or Bruins suck, the rivarly always seems to matter more and are 50-50, flip a coin games every time. Even with Butternuts (#13) still in lineup cheers

I agree and even with no french spin on his other comments my opinion on Cammalleri has not changed. Even last year when i heard criticism of Kostitsyn, i was wondering why a guy with same production and twice the salary got off scot free? I have said i would stop being negative about Cammalleri when he started producing, but still am waiting and been almost 2 years now, playoffs aside (which is another example of how, to me anyways, selfish his play seems to be and i had never heard any comment from him neither that swayed my perception. Is he delusional? that is the only new facet that i saw yesterday. He is softest player on Habs and almost hope Gill and Cunnyworth take him out behind the barn and.... I just hope he hasnt lowered his market value to a bag of pucks like Gomez has. I would love to rant and rave and use many more expletives but maybe he was just spouting off what he does in the mirror every morning?

Sure, i just thought you were pokng fun, because knee and Belasusian/Russian connection (Kostitsyn underachieveing/Markov injury), and dismissing on those factors alone. Sizes seem to vary for all juniors, some have him 6'1" 195-198lb and others a tad bit smaller. Habs a lottery pick? would just be too sweet, but they just aint bad enough and i see finishing 10th to 12th in East. So i think the best they could hope for, would be Dumba/Murray or maybe Forsberg/Grigorenko. Gaunce has been rising and is right around where Habs will likely pick and on paper his size is impressive (like a Mark McNeil last year), but as skillful as one of Czechs Faksa or Frk (another injured prospect)? I have never seen Gaunce play but he seems like a OK prospect from what i have read (and he is Canadian which is also a plus).

i think you are trying to be sarcastic?? Galchenyuk will likely be long gone by Habs choice and he would be exactly what Habs need, i am scared by ever picking Russians, but top end skill and a big centre like this fellow would be fine by me and he is not really a russian..

Only way the Habs get a top 3 pick, is by trading Subban,/Pacioretty to Columbus or Ducks, or if Carey said screw this hockey crap and became a full time cowboy tomorrow. But like you, i have tossed in the towel for this season and am looking towards developing youngsters and next fall. But am also not adverse to a crazy winning streak and all the pieces finally coming togeather and all the stars somehow aligning for next 3 months, as unlikely as that might be.

We have a better chance of playoffs than a lottery pick, Columbus, OIlers, Isles, etc have the basement locked up. If Price gets hurt is only way the Habs sink that low to get in top 5. I see 9th-12th as finishing slot, which will still net a very promising pick, just not one who will likely suit up for Habs as a teenager. But, the main thing i hope to see is Gauthier getting some picks in return for upcoming UFAs and stockpiling 2nd round or later picks, again i will point to the fatc that in 2007, which was the last year the Habs have had a 2nd round pick, they found a Mr. Subban and there are many 2nd round and later picks who just played in Junior championships, while we traded away for Sopel's, Moores, Mara's, etc, that is about my only beef with Gauthier and Gainey

Dont get me wrong, i am a fan of both Kostitsyn and Desharnais, but Desharnais is just 1 too many small top 6 forwards ( if 13 or 21 goes, than he would fit better), has an attractive low salary and may be a great fit on various teams, such has L.A. and Kostitsyn is also an easily tradable player, an upcoming UFA and would also fit well on numerous teams and bring back some good assets, and who knows maybe Habs could just resign in July? Also with Weber, Gill and Moan, i like them but again they could be a nice fit elsewhere and possibly bring back a good pick/prospect or 2? Nothing they will do with coach, its too bad but he will likely be axed along with Gauthier i fear come mid April.

I think you are pretty much bang on, maybe 5% chance of playoffs. Just i would already be looking to place Weber, Campoli and Gill in new homes, Gill might fit nicely with Blackhawks whose defense is weak and Weber for any team looking for a young MAB type d-man whose defense may improve with time, Oilers, Kings maybe? Cammalleri would look good in Pittsburg (or any team not the Habs). I would shop Moan, Kostitsyn, Desharnais, Gionta around deadline if for sure out of playoffs. Cunnyworth has made some sweet changes, Eller and yemelin got 20 minutes last game, which Martin wouldnt have done. And using the 7 d-men seems to be a nice dsitribution of ice and create good competition amonst the group. His communication manner/demenor seems much different than Martin and likely better for players?

Gomez on a broken leg and using no stick is a better centre than our 4th line one is now, but i still would play 51, 81 and 14 over him at centre. If he comes back, plays and earns more icetime, then even better; but Martin running him out there for 20+ minutes/game, seemingly only because he is a high paid vet, drove me nuts (same as Cammalleri). That was just so sweet for Eller, after all the hard work and miles he has skated forechecking and backchecking, he deserved a big game and he is just another reason the future looks much brighter than present rendition of team. Now if Pacioretty can start scoring again (not that the 50 point rate he is on, is too bad at all in his 2nd full year) but he has lost something it seems, confidence, sophmore slump??

Hopefully, Cammalleri is scratched because he is moving to another roster for picks/prospects! But not Kaberle, Habs can use his offense and experiance going forward with such a young group of d-men.

why not just dress Big George and sit him on bench, he is still getting paid isnt he (sorry, Orr is about as useless isnt he?) Islanders are just 1 point behind with 2 games in hand, 27th place is just around the corner baby! The last top ten pick turned out pretty nicely for Habs (#31). As did their last 2nd round pick (#76).

Anyone know where Pribyl was? I didnt see him play in last couple games, was he scratched, nailed to the bench or injured?

Again i dont disagree that Beaulieu will be a great addition to a team that is mired near bottom of league in scoring year after year. And now with a strictly defensive guy like Gorges locked up and others like Tinordi and Yemelin, the Habs should be able to have at least 3 offensive guys who are not afraid to rush the puck. This is off-topic but; I dont think Beaulieu's development will be much different than a Del Zotto, Karlsson, Justin Faulk or Cam Fowler who are all promising young d-men, but had/have struggled to hold their own defensively. A perfect example; Del Zotto is now leading his team with a +25 after being a -20 as a rookie (sure on a better team now but still). Even Diaz and Yemelin (and Subban) have a rookie-like brain cramp almost every game, but you know their decision making should only get better over time with a bit of coaching and experiance.

I dont disagree and most likely will be top 4 d-man and a damn good one, but just will need to pair with a solid defensive d-man is all. Funny that have "too many" righties, being that southpaws are much lower % of players. Hope Beaulieu's face has healed a bit, didnt look good, i thought a broken jaw at first. Cant wait till, Gallagher, Bournival, Ellis, Beaulieu, Pateryn, Kristo, Tinordi all turn pro next year (most likely)

i know i know, i didnt say why nor really care at this point how we got to this record, it is just a fact that when your top forwards and top scoring d-man are not scoring, any team is dead in the water, that is all, 29 other teams have injuries as well and like i said it is just too easy to find fault with team's failure.

You are correct and Subban is usually in the middle (or it seems that way), whether it was prospect camp or over past 2 years with Habs, i hope it is only because he is more intense or something and not still immaturity? Fights at practice do happen, but Plekanec still seemed a bit pissed when interviewed and said "the players need to all get on same page before they can start winning again".

Kaberle is a bit scary defensively, not near as bad as MAB and is fine as a 3rd pairing, if he can be shipped out then i am fine with that, if they keep him that is OK. Habs need offense, the bottom line, no matter where it comes from and he is getting points and the PP looks a bit better. Not sure why anyone has issue with me annointing Gorges as future captain? Gionta is a hardworking guy for sure but the team still seems leaderless when he is playing or not and who knows if he will even finish the season with Habs? Tinordi will most likely split his time between AHL and Habs next year and likely replace Gill, which he probably could right now and Gill is another that may not last the year in Habland? I would also assume either Pateryn, Dietz and/or Ellis will make the grade in a couple years and add another Gorges-type defensive d-man to the mix; Nygren and Beaulieu are 2 stricly offensive d-men who need to learn some defense at the AHL level a la Subban before ever making the jump. All in all, i dont see any weakness in long term d-core, it is still up front that is in need of a couple highly skilled draft picks. Bournival, Kristo and Gallagher all look OK, but likely not top flight scorers like a Spezza/Hossa. Too bad this draft class is strictly loaded with super looking d-men and Euro forwards. But if Habs remain with 6th pick there are some sweet choices, even if they have to take another d-man like Trouba, Murray or Dumba, cant go wrong. Interesting that Gauthier said both Subban and Price will be signed for sure and that have no fear there is $$ to sign both long term and moreso that he didnt say no outright when, John Lui (i think) asked if he may blow the team up, now that they need to win 2/3 of remaining games just to make playoffs.

i had Josh as one of most valuable trade assests, but i am very very pleased he will be around long term and sorry Brian, but Josh should be captain very soon and for a long time. Great news on a very bleak season and salary is a tad high, but he works his ass off every game and good for him to get good coin and good on Gauthier to get a super character player signed early.

well at least Yemelin is some fun to watch. But when Plekanec, Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez and Markov have 24 total goals combined for 1/2 season and Stamkos has 26, it seems that a $30m group of players is underachieving just a bit. I know, it is just too easy to find negative #s right now, but with this top player production, do we need to dig any deeper as to why I am already looking towards the draft in June and hoping for some trades for the future. Gauthier looked like he gonna jump from the bleacher seats last night. What a great effort by Cole on last goal, what a super pick up he seems to be, too bad he isnt rubbing off on some other forwards.

i agree 100% on the strategy and going with youth, whether Leblanc goes to AHL or stays, i am 50-50, i know many all-star players have put in full year or more and lit it up in AHL. I am a Gauthier backer and only hope he sees that, to bite the bullet this year is a painful necessity and should pay off long term, even though the mob calling for his head already will only grow with each loss, but if he does try and patch holes and ship out more picks in an attempt to rescue the season and his job, then he will lose 1 supporter. Hey i was a Dallas Cowboy fan for back to back to back 5-11 seasons and cheer on the Blue Jays and Raptors every year even though they cant really compete, so i would have little problem seeing the Habs take one in the chin for 1/2 a season more, if we get a shot at some top skilled prospects/picks and can reset the forward group.No more trading picks for 4th line centre every friggin year also, my one Gauthier beef.

Hey, i just thought Semin by himself would be all you could get for a sub-20 goal scorer who makes $6m, if you think anyteam would giveup a 1st rounder or any combination of picks/prospects, jump on it. And by just dumping Semin/Cammalleri's salary we can use $$ for Price/Subban/Gorges instead, was my main thinking. Even Cammalleri to Oilers or Leafs might fly and get back some good stuff? I dont mind Gionta one bit; but if a team wants his leadership, cool, but i just didnt see him as being really tradable. We just need, somehow, to get down from 6 sub 6 footers up front to 3 or 4 and make roster room for another smallish fellow - Gallagher, if not in 2012 then 2013. I am just thinking we now would need to go about 27-11-6 (just be my funky calculations) to make playoffs and if going to be sellers in Feb, might as well go big and reshape the forward group. Whiich is and has been the weakest part of team for awhile, offense/scoring/size.

yes, they say defense can be taught and he no doubt has top offensive skills, but i also wonder if he can do the opposite of Markov (who used to be a forward) and become a forward instead? I know would be odd, but that is where he was yesterday and the Habs already have lots of offensive d-men, not of his calibre but, he can handle the puck great and skate very well.

Love what the young guys are bringing and future looks good. But, if not for Cole and Price this team would be looking at fitting Yakapov into roster next fall. This team is just finding ways to lose, which is typical of a young inexperianced and/or leaderless team. I love Gorges play, but he would be the most valuable trade asset and if going to be like the Sens route and get a boatload of top picks back, he is one who could be worth a 1st rounder from a contender or the Leafs. Would be painful to see him moved, but he will likley command too high a salary for strictly a defensive d-man in the off-season anyways. I would add Plekanec, Desharnais, Kostitsyn, Gill, Weber, Cammalleri as expendable, tradable, valuable on the market and replaceable (whereas Giont and Gomez are basically untradable). If only one trade; I would love to see Semin for Cammalleri and then let Semin walk in summer. Cant catch Ducks nor Columbus, but Habs can still sneek in the top 5 pick slot if Isles, OIler and Carolina can do a bit better. go canucks go

That was a super belated present. What a great game for a Hab fan to see after the last couple flops. I crap on Cammalleri all the time, but when he does actually show up to play he can really be a difference maker (but i hope this just increases his trade value) Love the play of Gorges (was best player easily all game), Yemelin and Diaz just continues to quietly play solid, which basically means Weber can get his things packed and ready to move to, Edmonton, Washington, L.A.? Love that Campoli was sat, would be nice if he can be sent to AHL for time being. Leblanc did super for only 9 minutes of icetime, he seems like a nice smart player and both he and Eller finally got rewarded. Subban finally goes to the net and chips in, why he dosent do more often? he is still scary defensively, but does alot more good than bad out there and great to see him score. Probably a relief for ol Randy, but still in a no win situation. Love the roster/line shakeup anyways and not going into a shell once they had the lead.

Another garbage goal for Gallagher, he just reminds me more and more of Gionta. Why does he have to be so small! in a couple years once Gionta, Cammalleri, Gomez are gone it wouldnt matter, but with Desharnais, Plekanec and the rest of sub 6 footers, how can he be added to this Habs forward group? Tinordi, seems to have much better speed than i expected and he has Rick Green's scoring touch and that is fine by me, as long as he protects Price and can clear the crease its all good. Am very curious to see Pribyl play. Bournival is a hard worker and can skate but dont think a natural scoring type guy like Gallagher? Those russian forwards are just so skilled and dangerous with the floating forward looking for breakaway all the time; a couple of the Swede forwards look very good as well. Canada will have its hands full.