DON

As far as worrying about any d rotting in Hamilton, no future regular NHL player has ever been hurt by too much time in the AHL, but force-feeding young d-prospects can be an issue. Time will tell if Beaulieu is ready and whether his defensive gaffs are costly. But if can add to offense, that is one thing that the Habs are lacking and he must be considered an upgrade on the 2pp unit at least.

When was last time Habs had a #1 pick like Kane was in 2007 (1980?)? Hawks also got #3pick in 2006 in Toews, #7 pick in 2005 and #3 pick in 2004. So, if give Timmins 3-4 crappy bottom dwelling seasons in a row to get 4 straight top seven picks and Habs skill could be as good as Hawks (or could also go the Oiler/Columbus way also I suppose, but need a Kevin Lowe-type to do that). But, can you imagine how crazy Habfans would be after 3-4 lottery pick seasons in a row! Habs had 1 crap season and seems Galchenyuk could be a super addition (as Price has been).

Vail 6 points in last 2 games, great to see him having a bounce -back year, like Thrower as well.

OK, got it 5 eastern team need to all outplay the Habs till end of regular season to oust them from playoffs and odds of that happening must be very low. Which is why Habs wont be a big seller or involved in a big in-season trade. And Fanatics' frustrations are mostly self induced. If you expect Habs to steamroll teams with this lineup, you will be disappointed more often than not. Every team has weaknesses and underperforming players, but Habs are better than 20 other teams at present, not too shabby.

U lost me?

3 of top 4 eastern teams are from Atlantic, how is that embarrassing?

I was less fond of Cammalleri and hopefully Fucale/Holland turn out as NHL regulars down the road and that would make trade worthwhile.

Nyet, the author of item pasted in start of thread.

14 shots in his last 5 games is fine, 0+/- and 0 points, 3 points since Oct aint so fine while getting 15.04minutes/game, Moan would be an upgrade and at least he hustles and does more with much less skill. And you do see who he is below in Hab scoring, sniper Gorges! I wanted to believe he would wake the .... up and get on hot (even luke warm) streak, but screw him, scratch him for a game or a couple at least to start.

When NHL starts becoming predictable and all the so-called experts-pundits actually can do better than a Monkey making its picks by spinning a friggin roulette wheel, I will start buying into the research stuff. I think it is something crazy like 30-40% upsets in the 1st round isn't it? Do the fenwick-corsi guys get that correct and make a killing betting on underdogs? But I couldn't even finish brainiac's post on just how bad habs are, why the whole organization is clueless and going down the crapper. I think if Habs were 47-0, that 'Habfan' poster would still find a stat to back his assertion ("they only win by 1 goal in Tuesday games", "team is too old, small, slow and should trade now or will suck next year", "fire GM, let me take over", "I try and tell them what should be done but Molson wont return my calls, old-school dummies")

I just don't think siting him in press box for a game or 2 would hurt one bit and may be only motivation tactic left? Would give more honest effort guys like Leblanc/Bournival a better shot to succeed, they may be a slight defensive drop to Bourque; but, surely they cant get fewer points with 15 minutes icetime. I doubt he will turn around and Bourque and AK46 will likely be teammates in 2 years.

Am a Markov fan, but I wouldn't go more than 2 years in a new deal; but. think a three year deal will be agreed to and we will just have to hope his health isnt a big issue. But, 'structural' issues are a long term item to fix and by drafting big forwards in McCarron, delaRose & long shot Crisp, signing Nevins, Murray, Prust and the "culture change", Bergevin seems to be listening to, or just is of similar thinking as fans/media, to have a bigger-tougher balance to roster/farm system prospects. Shake up locker room, will be only be minor deals on/before March 5 and I think Habs will be fairly quiet. Maybe pick-up a depth 4th line face-off guy, like Malhotra for Dumont, Malhotra is effective & cheap and Carolina should be toast by end of Feb. But, just don't think an exciting blockbuster one will be done during this season.

I would flip Leblanc for Bourque in a second, not Briere who I still think (hope) may do OKish I used to think Bourque would come around and at least score a few goals, but he really is just not helping the offense at all with lots of icetime. So let Bournival take his slot and Leblanc take Bournivals' 4th line spot.

Patience is important, I know is in short order among us HabFans, but it really is smart to remember just 2 years ago Habs were almost at the bottom of league. Bergevin knows quick fix trades/rentals simply are not worth it in long run, albeit is always exciting for fans and media when a big trade happens. And sure, one of the three 2nd year d-men in Hamilton may be a tempting options to look for a minor upgrade on 55/6, but they wouldn't be game breakers nor play alot. And if looking at how best to develop a Tinordi/Beaulieu for the 2015-16 season, hope the habs d-core stays healthy till Olympic break and the kids get another 22 games playing top 4 minutes and all special team play in Hamilton, till the end of Feb. By then Habs will need to call up at least 1 of them due to trade, injury or misc., so one or all 3 will get a crack at roster in March, when the Habs will need to play 15 games.

State of Habs eh, they have 4 teams beneath them that all need to jump Habs for a playoff spot, which odds of happening are relatively low. On a 99.44 point pace following the 107pt pace from last year. So under new management, state aint too shabby, but don't know fenwick crap, other than is a salmon fly-rod manufacturer and being "old school" I will stick with eye test and bigger picture stats (Wins/Losses/Standings/etc) as being most important to me.

Top teams have more all-star forwards than the 1 the Habs have. When unsure of what quality team you got, simply look at standings. And 3 points out of 1st place in an eastern division is what they are. At present, higher than 99% of "experts" prognosticated in Sept/Oct and team simply doing well and above average, not great/not shitty. Main goal is make playoffs and is looking like that may happen. And Habs didn't play a shitty game yesterday, Brodeur simply is still a good goalie (at times), whom every goalie wishs they could handle puck 1/2 as well as he does and basically be a 3rd d-man on each and every dump in.

Holy crap, 35-8 for the Ducks, Washington Caps maybe would like the ol pudgy coach back? Teenage Rookie d-man Hampus Lindholm on a 40 point pace and a team leading +23.

Habs have gone 0 for last 18 on PP. Maybe Murray/Moan or any big body really does need to be planted in front of net (or something different). Gallagher seems more than willing to do it and is effective, but he needs another 30-40lbs. Bourque actually had 6 shots. 74 was physical and Moan had good game. Habs only gave up 20 shots and 2 in the 3rd period. Brodeur played very well, but not really tested in 3rd period. A parting gift to him after Price outplayed him in his last visit home.

getting shots, but that darn goalie they got is doing well.

attaboy

Awesome save by Price and Tomas is still playing great

Need Murray to do that on the PP not the PK

Boullion & Emelin are the 2 getting short shifted. Much better game than expected so far.

Gallagher Pacioretty and Eller line eh?

Jack Todd, he still around and posting crap eh. Used to read stuff he posted if I needed a laugh.