DON

Sure cant realistically disagree at all, but with my overly optimistic rose-coloured glasses, the Habs simply need at least 1 rookie d-man to gain experience this year (with 2-3 d-men moving on by deadlines/next fall). I would peg Tinordi, with another batch of AHL games playing role he is, as best call-up and I keep hating to say injuries will come, but I think is a given over the next few months and choice will be either Tinordi/Pateryn for 1st call-up. And simply have a feeling that Tinordi will then show that he is an upgrade on Boullion and Murray and will play an important "depth" and PK role.

But, I think Tinordi will be playing in Montreal this March and may be a big addition for playoffs? And you know, with a good defense, top PP unit and a hot goalie you can win any series. But yes they are different than maybe Chicago, Pittsburgh, LA, Canucks, or Boston with loads of veteran all-stars and why Vegas has Habs as relative long shots for cup win.

A 235lb version of a Tinordi, with 130-140 pro games under his belt by next fall, could possibly be a 20+ minute NHL d-man. I don't mind the roster as is and should be able to do fine in the playoffs The first round seems to have almost 50% upsets, so just get into playoffs and hope Price stands on his head, have 1 or 2 bottom six or rookie players tear it up for a series or 2 and who knows how far a team can go.

Hard to send a top 10 scorng rookie (if he got a regular shift) And if only gonna give a few minutes/game, I would prefer to see Blunden/Dumont play those and let Bournival help lead Hamilton. No sense bringing up another rookie to play a very limited role.

AHL video package is way too expensive and easy enough to just listen to most games when i get the chance. And can get general drift of player performances, obviously no where like live nor even televised and get game play filtered through play by play guys. But good for interesting trivia and interviews with players and Habs mgmt personnal who are scouting the games.

A small X-mas present for you (maybe).

Sure, every team will play (need) upwards of 12 different d-men in a year (teams averaged 10 in 1/2 last year) and Boullion is solid cheap depth d-man and character player. And he still is likely a "safer" choice than any of Drewiski, Tinordi, Pateryn and for sure safer than Beaulieu (who is just spinning his wheels in Hamilton and not shining at all). Pateryn, Tinordi both are playing well vs guys who cant even crack a NHL roster, but more "seasoning" will not hurt them one bit and likely still needed to leave where they are as top 4 d-men for next month or 2, unless injuries crop up.

Emelin with 6 hits, is getting warmed up. Diaz was best d-man by default, he was even +/- and 3 blocked shots. Galchenyuk with 7 shots, 2 takeaways and even +/-, cant complain about his play. Sorry Frank, Murray seems like a better choice over Boullion for every game. Moan & White both had solid games and did their job.

So how could Islanders beat San Jose yesterday? Florida also beat Wings, so crap happens.

Lehkonen had a 2 goal game Bozon & Crisp score again. McCarron and Thrower no points, but at least drop the gloves. Thrower's opponent just bit bigger, Keegan Kanzig- 6'5" 240lb+ (he is huge but not best fighter and already been 1 punch KOed this year). Gregoire scoring has slowed down, but already has had his best year in just 1/2 a season.

Over already, bit early.

Mistaken about trading an older d-man for a young cheaper healthy one, who some say is a good prospect that might be got for cheap? And a Bruin/Ranger/Detroit team may pay big for a Markov? A bit of short term pain for long term benefit? And you could be sorely mistaken if Markov crashes and burns and sits in pressbox till he collects his last cheque in April and back to Moscow for good for dick-all return. Not that i want to see him gone at all, but is an option (smart, risky, terrible, debatable?), thats all.

Chelios was leaving anyways, Savard maybe could of gotten more?, but he said he was tired of constant criticism and co-captain BS, so not a good example.

Would seem like that. Or you could say, this team is so good and played years without Markov, they will get by fine with a different younger top 4 d-man in his place? And depends if you look at it as 10-1 over couple weeks, or it has been since 21 years (1993) since the team really won anything? Which is more important to focus on?

When you say Markov retires a Hab, has zippo to do with whether (objectively) he should ever be traded and more to do with sentimentality, which is bad business practice, but a "nice to see happen". if can work out that way. But he also has already received huge cash for "not playing" many many games, Habs do not "owe him". Wouldn't trading Markov and picking up Kulikov, be "smarter" move long-term? I am on the fence about all the above, but hanging on to, or resigning vets past their prime tends to not play out well for most teams. But there are the Lidstrom's and such who play superb till their are 40+ and maybe Markov is worth the risk (at the moment he is playing all-world)?

Hopefully Habs have shaken off the "NJ style" of play and are a bit more active in this game. Not that winning is ever a bad recipe, but doing just enough to win and basically playing the 5 man PK for 1/2 the game is not the most entertaining hockey.

2 major reconstructive surgeries to one knee, being Old-Timer Softball age (which comes with the mandatory locked-in salary issue) and a sky-high rental market value at the moment, must make it tempting to at least see what return he might bring, if looking long term? And many keep saying, Habs are not contenders this year (which I disagree with), so one group of Habfans would be all for trading him, I assume?

Vancouver radio played clips of Don Cherry's take on his buddy Thorton incident and explaining how Thorton screwed up and he then explained how retribution should of been planned and doled out. He is just such a sweetheart and classy canadian.

Just in few games i saw him play last year, he seemed like just a 3rd pairing and zero special teams guy.

Sure, cant disagree.

I just find it hard to judge how a NCAA player stacks up to a CHL player, who plays twice the games, but vs teenagers. Bennett maybe like Diaz, but better skater. I thought Josiah Didier was not progressing well in Colorado, but ol#43 seemed quite excited when speaking of Didier, as he was about Tinordi, who seems to have cranked up his physical game lately; but still 1 year in weight room away from being impact/solid NHLer, be my guess. I think a 230lb version of the Tin-Man (as milkin called him) will be a great addition to backend next fall. But he didnt mention Beaulieu, which I am not sure if just too many d-kids to touch on in an interview, or simply not big on his play at present?

Sure thanks, not familiar with him at all. I thought Malhotra would of been a good pick-up in the fall, for a team that sucked on face-offs (but seems improved this year). But Bergevin likely not looking too frantically to make any trades right now?

You would equate Subban and Kovalev style of play? Kovalev was invisible 99% of time and I don't see similarities, but could be, he was very good handling the puck for sure.

Mattias, never heard of him? Forward or D? Yakpov is a scorer with a wicked shot and led rookie scoring last year on crap team, not a bad start to career (just his defensive play sucks at the moment).

I have to say that. Subban's flailing with the arms, seemingly almost out of control and still shielding the puck from attackers as he does, it just seems unlike any other player I can recall. Crosby, Karlsson, Ovechkin and Malkin protect the puck, but in a more "standard" or predictable manner.