DON

Why was Beaulieu called up? Is he switching up with Tinordi for a game or 2 this week? 8 minutes/game is maybe 1/3 of ice they would get in AHL and more suited for a Murray, how soon is the big Swede gonna be ready?

I guess I agree. But Holland, as you say still needs more AHL and weight room time, has better puck skills and offensive "smarts" than Moan. And the lines are never written in stone, so starting Holland on 4th line is best and if he has a couple good shifts and if Habs need scoring I am sure Therrian will mix it up. Moan, Blunden and Darche are likely equally skilled top 6 forwards, but on 3rd line Moan can be a very effective checker and PK guy. But Holland also seems to be a super shot blocker and defensively responsible (just lacking physicality/strength) so he likely wouldn't be overwhelmed by the young Oil forwards?

Yes, he has thrown childish tantrums in past games when ego bruised (or flattened by Yemelin several times) and can easily be goaded into dumb penalties. It is much better for Habs to have him on opposing team. $4.5m/year is just wacky for a player like him.

Bloodlines is likely a positive isn't it? And being a 21 year old 2nd year old pro, who had a good -19 goal 1st year, should be considered a head start over a 23 year old 1st year pro (who has only ever played 40 games/year)? Don't know if character was an factor or not; but, shouldn't it be a consideration?

Oil maybe need to overpay for free agents? Ference is a good, experienced, tougher "Gorges-type" isn't he and is what the Habs actually could use. Why wouldn't he be a good captain?

I don't know enough about Thomas to really complain, all I know is that I was very surprised when Kristo got shipped to NY and had been anticipating a good year in Hamilton for him. Bergevin and Dudley supposedly are super at assessing pro-prospects, so they must see something in Thomas to their liking. Also, Thomas is 2 years younger than Kristo and has already has 1 pro year (and 1 NHL game in Montreal) under his belt, so when comparing these 2 players need to factor that in and in 2 years will Thomas be as good as Kristo is today? Although....the last trade with Rangers didn't seem to go so well for Habs.

I thought Leblanc used to be a fitness freak and hard working player? Maybe he is just not totally sold on being a pro hockey player?

Would they move DD to the wing and have Bournival and White centre?

Gregoire added another assist today, mow tied for 2nd in Q scoring. Hudon and Reway also on scoresheet again today.

How bad is Thomas's hernia? likely months or weeks?

Bottom six are the grinding positions, Datsyuk, Zetterberg don't grind so much. And Habs have Bourque-Galchenyuk-Eller + 3 small skilled players, pretty normal for most teams top 6 I think? A Pacioretty would be hard for any team to replace.

Yes, I am sure Thomas would agree 100% and it would be nice to see how he would handle a regular shift for a few games?

How bout calling up Danny Kristo, who has 4 goals-7points in 6 games in AHL, he could fill in for Briere.

So Leblanc's performance last year wasn't all due to ankle injury and has to do with his effort-motivation also?

Sure, Blunden and/or Dumont see most likely I would guess? Seems those two would be safest call ups, Dumont is a gritty player and Blunden has size but not the grit.

9 shots for Gallagher and going hard to net all game, Gionta, Bourque and others maybe could take a lesson from the kid. I don't buy any real Subban bias by refs, PKs first penalty was 100% correct and couldn't of not called it and maybe he just went down too easy for the dive, ref had a much better view than I? And his chicken wing penalty last game, totally looked like an elbow when he hit him and only in slow-motion could you see he tucked elbow back in prior to hit. I also think refs let PK get away with lots of picks and interference calls on dump-ins, in the end, PK (exactly like Gallagher) will draw and take more penalties than most players simply because he is in middle of the action most shifts. Overall were couple of bad and even up calls, but went both ways and Ref #5 is just not a good ref. Nashville just wanted it more and blocked almost 2X the pucks as Habs.

Not a clue how LTIR works nor what it all means and am just curious who may get the call-up(s) and all 4 you mentioned are unlikely to have much of a future or impact with Habs. Whereas Holland seems a smart player who may be a good 3rd-2nd line player in a few years and am curious how he would look alongside Bournival at higher level? Likely still needs at least another year in Hamilton; but if Dumont and Leblanc arnt showing much may be best option? But am sure the "cap-guy" with Habs needs to factor all the LTIR stuff in also for Bergevin.

Will Blunden, Leblanc, or Dumont likely be the call up(s)? Would they maybe give Holland a shot in Briere's spot?

Gregoire and Crisp had 3 point nights. Gregoire now is 3rd in Q scoring. And Crisp had OT winner and is on nice pace.

ref #5, getting lots of camera time, said all 4 officials didn't see puck cross goalline, but he pointed to it as a goal, seems odd? But it didn't look like a goal anyways.

Habs continue to suck on faceoffs (18th) and PK (19th) Last 3 years Habs faceoff ranking was 17th-22nd-25th and looks to be off to typical year again. I know some seem to downplay importance of faceoffs, but sometimes it does cost game(s), to basically hand over puck on majority of PK faceoffs in own end. Habs are 33% on PK faceoffs, coincidence the PK sucks? #14 is worst @ 11-20 and although he is a super penalty killer, I simply wouldn't have him taking PK faceoffs..

I know Coffey likely didn't hit as much, but he still racked up a ton of penalties (almost 200pims in 88-89) and likely Coffey was a better skater? I just said PK and Coffey are similar "type" or how bout "super offensive d-man" and if PK can produce for next 10-15 years he also will be Hall of Famer. But Potvin is comparable for sure, but same as ranking up with a Patrick Roy, Potvin captained 4 cup winners and PK has a long way to go; but, who knows just how good he will get? I just hope he stays healthy.

I think more a Paul Coffey type/quality d-man, is kinda how I see him. Obviously never will have a 140point season, but Coffey racked up points in the 80s when points were much easier to pile up (also Oiler/Pitt rosters were pretty stacked). However, he is on a 115-120 point pace and he is quite a steal for Timmins in 2nd round (one or more of Fucale-de la Rose-Thrower-Lehkonen-Collberg hopefully will be 2nd round impact player also?).

cant tell if you are being sarcastic or not? With so many top picks (and looks like another is coming next spring), I keep waiting for them to turn things around, but still floundering with a long way to go to respectability. Maybe some kind of big trade for more defensive-goaltending help would be a start? But another couple weeks at bottom of league and they might as well concentrate on building towards 14/15 and 15/16 seasons.

Gregoire 2 assists and #1 star, Hudon also 2 assists MacMillan 2 points and good to see he is 1st line player this year. Reway, Thrower and Crisp also get on scoresheet today.