[Emelin]

It only frees up cap space if the player is done for the season. If he returns later in the year, you need to again clear the same cap space to bring him back into the lineup.

That said, Cammalleri would be one of the last players I move given his playoff performances. He might be struggling a little right now, but he's hit a bunch of posts, and its obvious that the injury from earlier in the year is effecting him. He's a streaky scorer, once he gets one or two, the goals will pour in for a few weeks. Markov passing to set up his one timer, will help as well.

Cammalleri has been a tremendous disappointment. He has a hard time performing under this martin system and the defensive grind looks like its toll on his little frame as he is always injured. He was a 35-39 goal scorer and now barely hits 25. Yes he had a good playoffs but that's about it.

Cammalleri and Gomez combined costs us $13.5 million and combined nets us 30 a year. Thats disgraceful.

[The Situation at Centre]

I still think Desharnais eventually ends up as a winger. I just think this hockey IQ means he'll be able to effectively make the transition, and a player his size will effectively benefit from having less defensive responsibilities.

That's what I originally thought as well but he is producing at center no matter who he plays with. If we had Gomez, Eller, Pleks all producing then Desharnais to wing would be an easy transition but seeing how they are the only line going I don;t like the thought of that potential disaster.

[Emelin]

Sounds like Spacek is hurt again... so even if Gill is back, you are still playing all three rookies. While I agree that one of Weber/Diaz will eventually be traded, you simply can't do it before the team gets healthy. We are running out of Dmen again.

Do you know if Gauthier put anyone on IR thereby indirectly freeing cap space? Because I'd love to use some of that space to acquire someone. I would seriously package Cammalleri and Weber and see what I can get.

[Sabres vs Habs, Nov. 14, 7 PM EST]

I agree that Darche is probably the 13th best forward on this team when it is healthy. However I still think he's better than Blunden who has shown me nothing in his time.

You gotta wonder why Darche still sees PP time. Our PP is not working yet we insist on keeping the same line-up. How about switching Pleks back to center where he has spent the majority of his time on one of the leagues best PP's. If Spacek is OK to play then I would rather have he out there there Pleks on the point.

[The Situation at Centre]

I think it's safe to say that Desharnais won't be moved from center since he seems to be the catalyst for Pacioretty and Cole this year. So to me the list is narrowed between 2 guys actually.

If you were to ask if we are a better team with Eller or Gomez at center then I would say that Eller is right now a better choice. However Gomez cannot play left wing. Yes he usually enters the offensive zone on the left side, yes LW has less defensively responsibility but none the less Gomez is lost.

Look at that Nashville game. Gomez did not know what to do on a simple defensive faceoff situation. His blown coverage on Weber allowing him to walk in and blast a shot resulted in a goal.

Eller although less effective on the wing does not hurt us as much on the defensive side of the puck.

Gomez therefore becomes my defacto center.

Question I have is what the lines will look like when everyone is back. I personally can't stand Gio playing with Plekanec.

If Eller can't get his faceoff percentage up, he may be the odd man out. As much as I like the way he plays, the faceoff is just too important now. Unless a player can come in for his faceoffs, then maybe he can stick.

You know who he reminds me of? Jordan Stall. He even looks a bit like him. Eller is so strong on the puck. He can protect it and win board battles that we are used to seeing lost. His play this year has not been reflected on the score sheet. I really hope Larry can get his faceoff together because he can be a great 2nd 3rd centre for years to come.

I think we are going to have to see a trade involving both a forward and a D-man because soon there is going to be a log jam.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

I thought Blunden had a good camp, and that he was quite effective in the first few games he played after getting called up. But you could start to see some holes in his game after a while, and I think JM was loathe to trust him with many minutes after that (which I feel was partially justified). Personally, I thought it was becoming clear that he wasn't quite ready for the NHL when he "hit" that Ranger, and that was pretty much the last we saw of him.

I do think that our smaller team needs a tough, grinding 4th line to keep the top 9 fresher and able to contribute more offensively. White's return should help immensely in this department, but who knows when he will be back, and when he will be effective again (he took a while to get into game shape after his last injury). I agree that our mismatched 4th line as it stands isn't working, but I don't think Blunden is the answer.... especially since it's practically a given that JM won't give him any ice-time.

Building a 4th line with size is not a difficult thing to do. You need 3 guys who can create momentum with a great physical shift and who won't hurt you. These guys are a dime a dozen. But we are under a coaching staff who preferred to go with Pyatt on the 4th then White. Preferred to go with Engqvist then guys like Blunden.

Martin wants defensively responsibility ahead of anything else.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

Can we pleases stop bringing Zenon Konopka up?

We already take way to many penalties, why on earth would you want a guy who will just give the other team pp opportunities every night?

Like that Rangers game where he got a misconduct and then Rangers went out and scored two on the pp because he can't keep a cool head.

Sorry but honestly can we please not bring in a guy who can't keep his cool?

Personally I don't like Konopka apart from one part of his game. I don't want to see a goon on this team but his great faceoff ability could have been a tremendous asset. I also don't think Konopka deters an opposing team from taken liberties because yes he has many fighting majors but the guy is not exactly a beast out there. Just using him as an example that there are attributes of certian players which could have been beneficial.

[Emelin]

I agree with your first point. I want to see Emelin play, but I think Weber is being messed up by constantly being shifted between forward and defence. That's what the habs did with Streit, thinking he was too small to be an effective dman, outside of the PP. I don't see why with the proper coaching/oppertunity, Weber can't be as effective as a Brian Rafalski.

I'd much rather have Martin rotate Gill, Spacek and Diaz and give more of an oppertunity to Weber and Emelin.

One thing is for certain, having Weber, Diaz, Emelin all playing without a calming effect from a veteran spells trouble.

If this was my team then one of Weber/Diaz would be gone. Both are NHL D-men but they are virtually the same player. I think Weber is a better player but since he had slightly more trade value then he'd be the guy i'd part with. But that will never happen.

I am assuming that Gill will be back next game which means Emelin is once again on the outside looking in because martin prefers speedy skilled players. If this was up to me then Weber/Diaz would be on constant rotation and I\d play Emelin a good 5-6 games in a row to see what he can do. We have to know now before the vets return.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

Im not saying Blunden is the answer but this off season there were plenty of names out there who would have paid huge dividends to our 4th line. Michael Rupp, Winchester, heck i would even take a guy like Ruutu. The entire hockey community sees what we need to address and this off season Gauthier acquired big bodies to fill those needs yet again Martin opts for more players that fit the same mold. Do we really need to dress Weber, Diaz, Spacek who are ultimately the same types of players.

When there is an apparently lack of of a true faceoff man then why tell Konopka twice that his services are not needed with this team. I don't want to see goons but I want to see players that will helps this club moving forward. Konopka is just an example of a player who would have helped on the PK, the faceoff circle and in the toughness category.

Just fed up of seeing everyone of this team except for Moen, Gorges and Gionta continuously back up when confronted physically. Our building is a breeze to play in and that's gotta change.

And don;t put Blunden in the Laraque category. Blunden was a top notch scorer in junior, was a top pick in the draft. The kid could play just needs to add some muscle and learn to protect the puck better,.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

I shouldn't say way more. Palushaj was burdened a bit by Engqvist who couldn't play at this level, either. I trust Palushaj more in a road game where the other team can get better players on the ice against him than either Engqvist or Blunden, though.

Blunden is also putting up zeroes across the board, though. And he's a -2 in 40 minutes while barely touching the puck (he doesn't have a recorded giveaway or takeaway). Palushaj generates more offence and is an even in 46 minutes so far. Small samples, and I apologize for exaggerating the difference, but there is a difference and Palushaj comes out a bit better.

I think Palushaj is legitimately our 14th forward, a guy that has the potential to stick with the regular lineup within a year. Blunden is simply a placeholder.

I don;t like the idea of Palushaj on the team unless he is filling in for a top notch scorer. ive him a shot offensively and let's see what he can do. Why no re-unite Pacioretty-DD-Palushaj to see what they can do.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

The problem is if players offer nothing but physical play they really aren't earning a spot, even on an 8-10 minute 4th line. Blunden really doesn't do anything other than hit, it's why he hasn't stuck in Chicago or Columbus previously.

White is missed for sure. It's important to have that physical element, but it's not so important as to blatantly put players who can't play at this level in the lineup. I don't know if we'll ever have the issue of who to sit with a fully healthy team anyways, but I'd like to see White in the lineup even if that situation unfolds.

Palushaj has done way more in his limited time than Blunden has. I felt in the first round of callups that Engqvist was holding him back a bit, nice to see him get another chance now that we have that 4th line C spot filled.

Sorry man I gotta disagree. When you have a 12 man roster a typical line-up has 2 scoring lines, a 2 way 3rd line and then an energy line for the fourth line. Typically across the NHL when a top 2 line player is injured then another offensive player is inserted in his place. When it's a 4th liner that goes down then another energy guy is inserted.

Martin seems absolutely reluctant to go with energy guys. He'd rather play Gomez as a 4th line Lwer or Weber as a 4th line Rw'er then to insert a player who can bring energy, provide toughness and chip in with the odd goal.

In an ideal world it is great to have guys like Neil or Darren McCarty who scored around 10 goals a year and provided an element of toughness but these guys don;t come around often. None the less it is the mold of almost every team in this league (unless you are the Wings) to go with energy guys on that 4th line.

Intimidation, hard forecheck, keeping people honest out there is still an extremely crucial component to hockey.

[Sabres vs Habs, Nov. 14, 7 PM EST]

Hate to say it but I see a loss tonight and I see a physical game from Buffalo after being physically humiliated by the Bruins in their last game.

It is f.ing driving me crazy not to see Emelin in that line-up. Our team is soft as hell. We play as though Jacques Martin personal sends out invitation to opposing teams inviting them to the Bell Centre for a 60 minute skate with proceeding entertainment.

Time to start playing with a team that actually cares and intimidates players both physically and on the score board.

[Permanent Rumour Thread]

I am really hoping that Gauthier puts his foot down and prevents JM from going with such a small line-up. We are struggling on nthe PP and Weber has been pathetic. Time to send him packing to anywhere. Time to insert emelin and it's time to forget the Gomez on the 4th line LWer because he is brutal there.

We need an NHL-esque 4th line with big bodies who hit and need to put our offensive guys together. Given the really horrible start for Stewart and trading history between the Habs and Blues I would like to see gauthier go out and try to nab Chris Stewart. Obviously the package would have to be pretty large and worthwhile but Stewart is the type of toughness I want on this team.

Brian: In your state of the union address for this week I would like to add that moving Palushaj back and forth is not only disruptive to player but also to the bulldogs, who need to find some consistency on their top lines. I believe that if Maxwell had been given the room to develop as Plekanec got, we would be seeing a different story.

I think Maxwell had time to develop he just wasn't and NHL player. Some guys are and some are not and there is nothing wrong with that. As for Palushaj I actually liked what I saw from him in that Nashville game. he showed his speed, was hard on the forecheck. I still think he is goig to be a good one.

[Emelin]

I am getting really fed up of martin refusing to play this kid. We insist on keeping Weber in that line-up but he has been brutal his past 3-4 games. Emelin needs to play and needs to learn. Wake the hell up Martin and start using this kid otherwise we'll see another one gone for nothing.

[Line combinations?]

Personally I would go with Pacioretty-DD-Palushaj on 1 line. This line tore it up in Hamilton and Pacioretty and Palushaj have chemistry going back to Michigan.

I like Cole and Pleks together so the question is who plays LW......I would like AK46 back in that spot.

Gio and Gomez together with Eller?

[Palushaj recalled]

Well it's balanced. And plus Moen has 1g 1a so far in 2 games. Did you see him do that spin-o-rama!? He looked pretty awesome last game. If it doesn't work out then Kosty will move up. Palushaj will be worked in slowly, same with Eller. Seems like we've got 4 lines that can score. And for the first time in a long time the first line is HUGE with two big wingers. It's interesting.

It'll be an exciting home opener. As always the Habs require that first goal to energize the crowd and gain confidence.

Moen did have a pretty goal but he's not a top 2 line player. Martin is the king of mismanaging his assets. Whats the point of calling up Palushaj if he is used in a grinding role? If he is going to play 4th line minutes then call up a 4th liner who can add an element we are missing and let Palushaj contionue to develop in the Hammer.

The way Martin handles his team just doesn't make sense to me. The entire hockey world sees that we are too small so he sends his big guys packing and inserts a number of guys 5'11 or smaller who play out of position.....why? It's soooo frustrating.

[Blair Betts is claimed, fails physical & is sent back to Philly]

Guys like Betts are always made available via the waiver wire. Right now for instance we have a guy like Eric Nystrom. Nystrom is currently on re-entry waivers meaning we'd be liable for only half of his remaining salary. Kid is 6'1, 200 lbs and is a reliable 4th line guy who can bring an added element of toughness.

.

Perfect 4th line type of guy who just 2 seasons ago scored 11 playing on the 4th.

[Palushaj recalled]

I think it will be Kostitsyn who jumps up to the Plekanec line with Cole.

Aaron may play with DD and who knows....

So far it looks like Palushaj on the 4th, Kostitsyn on the 3rd, Moen on the 1st. I just don't get it.

[Blair Betts is claimed, fails physical & is sent back to Philly]

Really glad to see him here... Like I said in the first post, he's everything we need.

Well, everything with one exception, it'd be nice if he was a RH shot... but hey, even as a lefty with Engqvist a righty, i still think Betts is a huge upgrade.

I'm shocked we picked him up to be honest but this is a move I really like. Betts and Rupp were 2 guys I was hoping Gauthier would pick up last year which obviously never happened but it looks like am 1 year too late.

Betts is not an overly physical player but he is one of the best PKer's in the league. For those who don't remember he was also part of Pearn's #1 tandems while with the Rangers.

Picking up Steckel i think would have still been a better choice because of his faceoff prowess but Betts is a definite upgrade for that 4th line. Can;t wait to see White back for that Moen-Betts-White line.

[Blair Betts is claimed, fails physical & is sent back to Philly]

What about Sean Avery ? We don't have any agitator or guy that can get under the skin of the opponent and fight when needed. And he has some offensive abilities too. He's a specimen, but lot more intelligent than most think. Anyways according to what I remember from ex-teammates talking about him last year.

MTL is not like NYR. It's a different dynamic. We have a great and solid core of vets/leaders, unlike the Rangers where the Captain is a young Callahan and the team is rebuilding around Richards, Gaborik and Dubinsky. Avery here would be surrounded by vets like Gionta, Gill, Gomez and Cammalleri. He would not be a loose cannon out here.

Avery has already played with played with some Vets as well with Cammalleri, Gomez so he may aleady have that rapport however he is not what we need on this team. I want to see a player who won;t be a distraction, you will give 110% every shift. I'd much rather see a guy like Betts or Brule or Mair.

[Blair Betts is claimed, fails physical & is sent back to Philly]

David Steckel, Blair Betts, these guys make sense for that pathetic 4th line. problem is that whatever makes sense for the habs, Gauthier seems to have no interest. Why the heck is Weber playing on that 4th line as a RWer if there is no intention to put him on the PP.

Thats just bad coaching I'm sorry.