Commandant

Just spent 5 minutes talking to Trevor Timmins, habs head scout at the guelph/sarnia game. Standing with him in line for the pisser at the Storm/Sarnia game Details tomorrow.

Its an issue for sure. Darryl Boyce? Freddy St. Denis? Cedrick Desjardins? I think its gotta come from those guys.

485 million dollar difference over 6 years 80 million per year 2.85 % of current HRR (less in future years) with things eventually reaching 50/50 and staying there long term. They are posturing to squeeze each other for every last million. A deal will get done.

Yeah, Ho-Sang has the talent. he's also 16 so there is time to grow.

I keep seeing this argument that we could use Markov's cap space for something else. (not just this site, but H I/O too). What is this "something else" I think its likely to be an all around defenceman who can play against top lines and on the powerplay. So remind me why we need to get rid of Markov and make Cap Space again.

What is Lefebvre's coaching style? Is he a player's coach? A disciplinarian? What system will he have the team play?

I recently had a chance to watch some Erie Otters games on demand. A look at Erie Otters phenom, and 15 year old exceptional OHL player Connor McDavid. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/10/18/top-shelf-prospects-connor-mcdavid-impresses-as-a-15-year-old-exceptional-ohler/

Markov called Dave Stubbs of the Gazette and has denied this interview took place and denied he said anything of the sort. Notice how once again (and this happened with Subban too)... RDS is producing a story, but not attaching any reporter's name to it. RDS is becoming the national enquirer for pulling this crap. I think there is a reason none of their "insiders" or "reporters" put their name on the story, just "RDS Staff".

I'm not sure for the Habs. All I saw from Cap Geek's twitter was the top 5 teams. Number 1 was Boston at almost 800,000 in additional cap hits. The big thing is the inability to remove a Scott Gomez or Wade Redden from the cap by sending him to the minors. The other big thing about accounting purposes and not being added to the players share is that if these guys were reducing the 50% share the players get, then the players would probably start asking for some inclusion of AHL revenues in HRR so the total dollars available to them don't drop. But they NHL avoided that request by not having them count against player's share.

Fact Any AHL salary over 105,000 would count

A look at the NHL's latest offer, areas that could be problematic, and what we should hope to see between now and October 25th. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/10/17/latest-nhl-offer-deal-maker-or-mirage/

2 more goals for Tim Bozon tonight… 8 on the season now.

The offer sounds good but lets wait to hear the full details. It may take a day or two for the NHLPA to find what is buried in the fine print.

Why is Louis Leblanc starting on the third line? Or is a Darryl Boyce/Louis Leblanc line considered among the Dogs top 6? There were a number of tryouts, what did Corbin show the coaches that had him make the club? What was the difference for him?

Archambault is frustrating. He's talented, but he only plays half the games.

I don't think MacKinnon is as good as Crosby either.But But can he be as good as John Tavares... or even Steven Stamkos? Yup, I think he's a franchise level player, just not a generational player like Sid. In Habs news 1 goal 2 assists for Hudon 1 assist for Vail 1 goal 3 assists for Dietz

MacKinnon is head and shoulders above any other draft eligible player in the Q. He just does more than Carrier will do. As for not having a linemate... Carrier still had Jonathan Brunelle who put up 85 points, and outscored Carrier by 15 points last season. Remember that just because Brunelle may not be a great NHL prospect... as a 19 year old in the Q vs the 16 year old Drouin.... Brunelle is just as good and maybe even better. Same with Lavoie this season. These 19 year olds might not get big hype but when its their fourth year of junior hockey they become damn good players (at that level). As for Carrier himself.... I see him as a first rounder, somewhere between 15-25. He's good, but he's just not in MacKinnon's league. He's a nice complimentary piece on a first line. MacKinnon is a guy you build a franchise around.

Brady Vail 1goal and 1 assist today. Now 12 points in 9 OHL games.... he's lighting it up and 3rd in OHL scoring.

I think the coach has completely lost the respect of the kids.

I wonder if there are issues in that Saskatoon locker room Since stripping Siemens of the C, and then benching Thrower, the team has lost three games by a combined score of 18-2

The last of the Big 4 NCAA conferences is the ECAC. I take a look at the conference. Of interest to fans here is Montreal Prospect Dustin Walsh, and Montreal Native (and Canes’ prospect) Danny Biega. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/10/11/top-shelf-prospects-2012-13-ncaa-preview-ecac/ Walsh is a bit of a sleeper who has really improved since being drafted, and looking to have a big year this season.

Mike took a look at this question today, and the myth that many fans believe. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/10/10/the-peculiar-side-of-sports-what-does-the-c-and-h-on-the-habs-jerseys-really-stand-for/

There is no special reason. ECHL teams are independently owned... they can choose to sign affiliation contracts or be independent, its their choice, just like any business. Of course they need to find some NHL team willing to sign a deal with them as well if they would like to be an affiliate. Some CHL (central hockey league) are the "AA" affiliates of NHL teams as well. As for next year. Lets remember, the 50 contract limit and the fact that the Canadiens and Penguins won't be sending as many players to Wheeling if there wasn't a lockout. Leblanc, Geoffrion, Gallagher, Palushaj - at least 2, possibly 3 of these guys would be in Montreal if the NHL was playing (1 spot for rookies, Bourque's injury, potentially other injuries or a 2nd spot being made) On Defence, St. Denis might have been in the NHL. In Pittsburgh you have guys like Despres and others who would be in the NHL plus their own injuries. With the 50 contract limit we aren't going to see more guys in Wheeling than we see right now, and even then with Pitt sending 7, that is less than 1/2 the team.

Everything I'm hearing is that Boutet was the most impressive of the tryouts.

Today a look at Hockey East, home of the Defending Champions from Boston College. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/10/09/top-shelf-prospects-2012-13-ncaa-preview-hockey-east/