DON

Well, impossible for these 2 teams to play as boring games as we just had to suffer through.

I saw play, don't need anyone to tell me anything and looked like a textbook slewfoot to me, all 3 times they showed it? He got away with one, but that is NHL officiating and late in any close game, the good ol whistle gets put in 'back-pocket".

I was also surprised and good on coach to let him try and redeem himself, you know a Torterella/Carlyle would of stapled his ass to bench for last minute of game.

Havent watched it for years now, got fed up long time ago and watch the Christmas burning firelog instead, more entertaining and I don't pay its salary, so less infuriating also.

Bozon played vs Thrower yesterday. Bozon had several good plays at both ends of rink and looked more involved, even got a fighting major (but should of been 2minutes at most for getting roughed up) Thrower was solid but his team is pretty weak, how they actually won?, goaltending was difference I guess? Watched Bennett vs Ohio State, he also seems to be on a relatively thin team. But he made sweet game winning (Subban-like) stretch pass for winning goal and he finally got his first goal in his last game. Hoping he can maybe be a Tobias Enstrom type d-man.

Other than the goalies, I don't think any player on either team has broken a sweat yet.

Neddy is a bit more agitated on this mask! Got to love Budaj's sense of humour.

Great to hear and like I said before, I was impressed with his play in pre-season with Habs.

Crawford likely a good choice as well, if Price ever played well in playoffs I would say he would a lock, but he hasn't has he? And Luongo and Crawford have both been to cup finals and Luongo was good enough 4 years ago and his game hasn't diminished since then and is still playing great.

I know, but drafting by size alone, is common error, in that big typically overrated and gets GMs/Owners drooling, average size or smallish underrated. I would of been fine with McCarron as 3rd pick and Crisp in 4th, 5th or 6th round and I keep seeing skilled kids they passed over and think Timmins would of taken, but management is on the physical/larger kick (Nevins-Prust-Parros-Murray-McCarron-Crisp), simply to shake the "smufiness" label and gain respect I guess?

Sure, would have to be numerous injuries up front on Habs before he would ever get the call and he is still out injured, so make even less likely, but he has played very well and should give Dogs offense a nice boost when returns.

And a 1st round pick.

He seems the type that Bergevin is adding for the new-look Habs, like Parros, Prust, Murray, McCarron, Crisp. Who knows,maybe Nevins will be the next Prust?

A younger top 4 d-man, say Byfuglien (just one example) can fill Markov's spot. Done deal 6-7 years younger, cheaper, more grit, bigger shot, faster skater. So no handicapping team next year and better long run, maybe?

Dumont i agree seems to have taken a step backwards and has no future with Habs, but if a bottom six player needed, i think he (or Blunden) will get the call over LL, sure he is small but has bigger balls than a Bourque/Pacioretty who stand there and never defend any teammate. OK, if you are splitting hairs sir, Thomas and Andrighetto, in the games they have played, have been superior looking prospects to LL.

I got to have Subban in there, dont care that he wasnt on scoresheet and give DD 1st star, 31 and 76 as other 2.

You know not true, older players with surgically repaired knees, achilles would be a bit more risky to insure than a Gallagher/Eller or any younger player with no spare parts in their knee. Why are we lucky Parros didn't retire? I am happy for him to be healthy, but cringe anytime he is not on the bench or in pressbox. But this is just a "trade proposal" thread and seems most would never even entertain trading any of top Habs ever, until they slump/are injured and have reduced value, which dosent seem like smart "objective" business practice. But, I still don't expect any big trades by Bergevin, nor do I think any are necessary, but......

You are overlooking Thomas, Andrighetto, whose play is far superior (Thomas in just short stint so far, but he is showing exactly why Dudley/Bergevin made the trade) and most Hab demotes have underperformed. Beaulieu still in a funk, Tinordi seems to be waking up, Holland for 1 game looked as he should, Dumont not producing as he did last year, but still one of best Dog forwards and should be ahead of LL in depth chart. I imagine Thomas would be getting the call-up first time injuries crop up again.

Yes, how many games did the Habs shell Broduer and still lose, so feels very good to have a Hab goalie return the favour.

Reway 7th in Q scoring and sniper Crisp had 4 goals in last 3 games.

Emelin is pretty scary handling the puck. Price is easily the better of the two goalies playing tonight.

Why do you assume Markov is resigned? He will be old-timer softball age and Byfuglien will be 29 and cheaper than Markov would demand, so $$ wise is better to offload him when he is still worth a ton to a contender. Just a bit of devil's advocate take, not that i dont love what ol 79 is bringing at present, but he is 1 hit away from retirement and every time he goes into corner and takes a hit, i keep my fingers crossed he dont go down again.

I still don't think Habs will make any "big" trades but, Subban average 49pts/year, Markov 48 and Byfuglien 45. Sure the big fellow defensively not great and I don't really care if he is 300lbs during the summer (he seems to be producing on a weak team again), he still is a quite mobile player and he is one player even Chara might not be able to push around in front of net and Lucic would not be keen on tackling nor trying to intimidate. So he instantly, as Murray does on back end, Byfuglien would give a physical presence that Habs are somewhat lacking. And Bergevin knows him from Chicago, so yes cost would be painful and would involve a top 6 player, but he fits the McCaron/Crisp/Prust in Habs "New-Culture" type of player. I would be on the fence about trade for the big fellow (or Kane) and I think only Eller or Pacioretty would get it done, which no habsfan wants to see moved, but I don't know if would be an upgrade overall, but interesting or debatable for sure.

Lack of physicality, aggressive "attitude" and defensive awareness was main criticism of both Leblanc and Pateryn by Lapointe. Holland is simply a better (smarter?) shot blocking defender than Leblanc, better skater and overall a smarter player I think, but no he will never be a big power forward nor "grinder". And likely be better offensively as well, but only time will tell. Leblanc seems to be just spinning his wheels in AHL and not doing what he must do to get called up. They want Leblanc to play exactly like Bournival has been, but with healthy roster even that aint good enough at present.

Paled? How so? He is 4th in league in blocked shots and is a +4 playing 20+minutes/game, not too shabby nor different than ever, I would think.