DON

Mongo looks to be sitting and Frankie-Tinordi are in. I would still 'rest' Bouillon, but might as well give em all some icetime so aint too rusty in playoffs. Bournival-Eller-White nice replacement 4th line eh. Nice to have some fairly good quality depth this year. I expect a boring game, but maybe Habs can light em up and make it a bit entertaining.

Matt Moulson, Paranteau, Stastny, Michalek, D Roy, uggg..Jagr, Callahan, Ott etc etc lots of fine options, Vanek aint one, he is looking to cash in big time and will be multiple bidders. Gionta back for another year, is no surprise and fine by me (I can easily see him get 2 year deal).

His skating and puck skills are light years ahead of Gorges and his defense is no where near as solid as Gorges, so more like poormans Beaulieu maybe (but more mature, smaller ego)

Nice to hear.

Yes, I also was surprised at Nilan's 'smart' observations and he would know more about Lucic and those type of players more than most. Yes assistant coach, sounds interesting.

If u gonna beat that dead horse some more. Let me get this straight; So if win, it is because of players coaching themselves; however, if lose it will be because of Therrien's coaching? (Cover all bases) And if Scotty Bowman, Guy Bouche or Patrick Roy was coaching team, team would win more; however, if they didn't, weak roster would be the reason for losing, not coaching.

Vail & Crisp should be available to play hockey elsewhere after season likely ends today. Gregoire 2g and 1a yesterday, 1 g was assisted by Hudon; Hudon had 1g and 2a, with Gregoire assisting on his goal. Nevins also had 3point game and was 1st star of game.

Not a fan of Bournival? I like his speed and hustle, but if need more grit I guess White-Moan would be better options.

good one.

Sounds like Bergevin managed to rearrange road trip a bit, so that players get 2 days off in Florida, likely would go over well with players (a hard day of golf maybe).

Gregoire 2g/Hudon 2a, both have 6pts in 4 games (3rd period) Nevins 2a, 4pts in 4 games.

Yes, smallish d-man, but supposedly very strong on skates and has some puck skills, can lug the puck and even take it to the net, but he seemed to concentrate on his defensive play as Captain this year, but coach/ play by play guys always had positive comments as a leader and his play. And likely will have his ol d-partner in Michigan, Pateryn to mentor and maybe even be paired with again in Hamilton? Am quite looking forward to see how he does in Hamilton very soon.

I am not a fan of Therrien, but I also don't think he is doing poorly at all and people ripping his every decision, is what I really don't agree with (that's all). Same as most dumping on Eller/Boullion/Murray, I simply am not near as down on them as most are. Can see why most might be, but if team is winning, I got little issue with team (Bourque Ive got no use for and dump away)

Hard to think of NHL equal (sort of poorman's Tobias Engstrom maybe?). I would say slightly less skilled, better defensively and close to Beaulieu in skating.

I just find it hard to compare NCAA to pro play, but if Dudley-Timmins et al give him a thumbs up, must show some promise I suppose.

Phaneuf did his best keystone kop impersonation yesterday, was good for a chuckle.

I know and his best feat was coaching expansion Blues (but he did have awesowm goalie then as well) Was v poor example of dismissing roster and coaching success. And yes he must be viewed as one of best ever.

I wasn't pointing all fingers at you, but you have been consistent in your opinion of Mighty Mike. And if Scotty Bowman didn't have Ken Dryden-Big Bird-Mario Lemieux and many other hall of famers winning cups how would he be viewed? You keep speaking to luck, sooner or later even a pessimist has to cave and admit it aint all luck. I know it might take some much longer than others, but making excuses for a successful team that is exceeding 99.9% of people's expectations is illogical isn't it? And I also know many disagree and that is fine (they are just misguided is all ).

Think current staff gets another year to improve?

Sorry maybe misworded illWill, Leafs were 60% on Sat and now are 24% following Hab plus other Leaf losses combined. but, who really cares how it happens, when they miss playoffs again, it will be just to funny and am sure Cherry-Stock-Healy-McLeans (Ron & Doug) will have black arm-bands on for their fallen favourite.

I guess training camp and early cut from Team USA really lowered his stock and older juniors are expected to dominate a bit at least. But, I am very surprised he may not get signed (or cutting him loose is even be considered)?

Would just like to see some young blood injected for last bit of season, make the last road trip games more interesting. How long a contract does Guy Bouche have in Europe? Would love to see him take the reigns again.

Habs now @99.8% of making playoffs and Leafs went from 60% on Sat down to 24.6%! If that dosent put a smile on your face, you cant be a Habfan. Almost sounds like Gorges-Prust-Weise-Moan could all be available for some 1st round play?

Larry is starting to look more like a linebacker and wouldn't be a huge surprise if has had some 'help'. And I don't think any ultra competitive sport is squeaky clean. Is it 1% or 5% that is doping, hard to say.

Few would say Genius at Work behind the bench, but how bout doing 'OK' and not a total moron. I had very low expectations when he was hired, but you cant argue with success and every coach's decision can be picked apart in hindsight. And for all the 'over the top' cry for his head on a platter after every unpopular choice, he really deserves some credit for steering ship in right direction. Like Bouillon playing a ton; why not, he is doing OK (and team is winning) and someone has to fill Gorges minutes and what other option is there? Tinordi-Beaulieu cant be expected to play 20+minutes and Murray also is exposed when he plays 18+minutes, so it is either Frankie (who for all the whining about him, he does fine or at leas t not 'Horrible' as some keep repeating) or Weaver, who is looking like he could manage the icetime for next couple weeks till Gorges is back.