DON

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.

I like Simmonds, 42pt/yr average for $4m/yr, not crazy overpayment, but doubt get for a UFA rental in Markov, would you?

Don't think quite yet?

In trade proposal thread Lovett first hinted in summer and I followed up with Markov trade scenario (till went into Diaz-Markov rathole and dblalr squashed it)

Disagree about what is a sport, but irrelevent. OK, how many 35 + year old NBA players shine? Kobe basically is washed up @35, a la Tiger, injuries catch up when hit old timer age. How many 35+ golfers win majors? few Tiger can barely swing a club without whincing these days and Mickelson needs lots of time off to recoop for his ailments. Imagine same goes for Rugby-Soccer-NFL and almost every pro sport. But, if Markov is willing to take shorter deal, i say sign him, if not ship him somewhere, i would assume some bidding war would occur for him.

We know. But what age did Tiger Woods game drop to that of a mere mortal..35. It is no surprise many pro athletes best days are behind them at 35 and small minority still do well. And those with multiple knee surgeries, must be even slimmer crowd? One or two year deal is fine by me; but, I would guess he will get his 3 year deal and only time will tell if smart.

Crisp 1a yesterday and +2 in a 3-2 loss.

Not sure exactly what would be appropriate compensation for ol #79? Oduya was traded for 2nd & 3rd picks Gaustad + 4th for a 1st Penner for 1st-3rd and d -prospect. Similar to what Kings shelled out for Penner maybe.

Couple smart moves? You need capspace to get a RH d-man. Build a top 6, so you think shipping out picks/prospects is the way forward? And not trading old upcoming UFA d-man? None of Bulldog d-men should be asked to play 20+minutes, which is why need a younger Markov-type. Too bad you think while being a long shot and winning today is all important and screw the future mentality. It still seems short-sighted and unrealistic, but hey everyone has an imagination.

With Subban, Beaulieu on the PP, would Markov's presence be worth more than picks/prospect and extra cap room to sign a younger d-man, or forward? You want to look down the road and not be short sighted (as Habs have been every year cept 2011-12) don't you?

Wont need to worry about Olympics and NHL in 4 years, hopefully.

Perry, Duchene, Benn and bout 10 others would look darn good in a Hab jersey also.

http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1011899 3-1 win Pateryn 2a and several shots

Tinordi healthy & not dressed today for Hamilton. Has been re-called by Habs, will they pair him with the Swedish Frankenstein? Can only really see him paired with Boullion.