sim.on

The only way he ever gets traded is if he tells the Pens he's done, and won't play another game for them. I feel like in the few circumstances where this does happen word always seems to get out around the league and the team with the disgruntled player rarely gets full value. Also, a move like that would have to raise some concerns over the players character. Obviously Malkin is supremely skilled but I'm sure he does come with a few flaws. I think any idea of trading Subban or Patches is off the table as we would simply be filling one hole by creating another. Malkin is just about 29. I know Galchenyuk's stock has taken a hit this past season but I wouldn't be in a rush to trade him just yet. I think Stall or Thornton could be had at a reasonable cost as their stock is not at their peak. With Thornton who is already 35, he would be a much shorter term solution, more of a playmaker than a goal scorer.

I know this may be off topic, but I believe a large part of Pleks playoff struggles are related the lack of team strength/talent down the middle. It must be really tough for Pleck to produce when he is the main center the other team is trying to shut down and on top of that we are asking him to shut down the other teams top center. As for the trade values of Emelin and Gilbert, I think it would be pretty easy to simply dump the contracts and give them away for really late round picks but of course the idea is to get as much back as you can. I would think that they're values are really similar despite the dramatic difference in their contracts and styles of play, there are attractive element to both players. I think it would take a package of one or the other plus extras to get back anything that we actually want besides just clearing cap space. All in all the future on the back end is looking good with PK, Petry and hopefuly Beaulieu here long term, That is a top 3 that down the road could be comparable to what Chicago has now.

So excited! GO HABS GO! As always, the games first goal will be huge. Habs need to be aggressive but I think Tampa will come out with a fury and there will be an early storm to be weathered. It will be a stroke of luck if Callahan is out tonight, but far from a given.

Its not looking good, but lets just focus on tonight and we can talk about the rest tomorrow. Montreal is still a really good hockey team. Obviously they do have flaws as well. I know we've been over this millions of time but I'll bring up these points again because this just hasn't changed. 1. Despite the many good qualities he does have (and I do believe he has many) I think any team would have a really hard time winning a cup with David Desharnais being played in the role of top two center. 2. Directly related to point 1, we all expected more out of Alex Galchenyuk and to be honest I really don't think it matters if he is playing at center or on the wing, he simply is not contributing offensively as much as we were counting on. 3. This is not an excuse, but with the parity in the league these days I think every team that goes on to win a cup gets a few good bounces along the way and the Habs just can't seem to get a break. A little luck goes a long way to helping momentum and especially confidence and mindset, which in turn only seem to get more bounces. As for Bergevin, I like that he hasn't mortgaged the furture for the now. He is being patient and taking advantage of good opportunities as they present themselves. This imho is the opposite of the Pittsburgh Penguins who have forced move after move, seemingly going all in every year and each time it doesn't pan out they put themselves in a worse situation. In 3 or 4 more years when Crosby and Malkin start to slow down they'll be right back to where they were before they drafted those two, at the bottom of the league. With Bergy's plan, it gives us the opportunity for more longevity as a contender and a bigger window.

One thing of note, Stamkos and Johnson are both sub 50% at the dot.

Can't wait! Should be a good one!

Emelin would be tough to move but I think he would be the best option to move out and Petry would be a great signing, especially with and aging Markov. Assuming the price is right of course.

Markov is not 100%, looked like he was taking a few pills on the bench.

It really pisses me off when Galchenyuk seems so unwilling to shoot the puck.

Eller was the Habs best center in the 1st. Emelin scares me at times. Hopefully the boys can turn it up a bit more in the second.

First goal of the game for habs is Huge!

PAC man is hungry

Eller looks really go so far, Galchenyuk looks a bit tentative / timid, has to play simple hockey and shoot the forkin puck.

First goal of the game will be huge, it always is but especially tonight for the psyche of both teams. Montreal given up the games first goal in the first 5 games of this series and that is something that they're going to have to change tonight if they want to win. Getting the first goal of the game was a big part of their regular season success.

They'd better get it done tonight and I see no reason they can't. Mtl hasen't played a solid 60 minutes all series and if they do they should be fine. It is somewhat concerning that they seem to lack the killer instinct though.

What is up with the total lack of respect for this Canadiens team? Yes, it is not a perfect team, winning the series of no garantee and the Sens are a good team too but it is no fluke that the Canadiens won the division, which includes Tampa, a team that everyone seems to love.

So excited for the game tonight! I think in this series game 1 will be more important than ever, especially for the Habs. Personally, I would be very surprised if Patch is playing tonight but I think this team is capable of steeping up without him. Hopefully MT has a plan for dealing with Karlsson and makes him pay a price as often as possible.

I fully expect the Habs to come out playing with much more intensity and playing better hockey at the drop of the puck then they have through the last 30 games of the regular season. They were definitely coasting to a degree and still won the division and I have noticed they flick the switch at times and I have no doubt they will do it now. As for Hammond, this run cannot continue, if it does he will go down as the best goalie ever to play the game and I just don't see that happening. Don't forget that he was a sub par AHL goalie as recently as a few months ago. I don't think he magically became amazing at age 27 when he first gets called up to the NHL. All that said the run could very well continue for another couple weeks and with the parity in the league, any playoff team can win a round against anyone but in my mind Montreal has to be favored without a doubt.

im in too!

That shit would have been crazy if Beaulieu got him!

DSP is looking a lot quicker now then when he joined the team.

So crazy, a few weeks ago Beaulieu was being heralded as the number 3 guy on the back end and now Pateyrn seems to have come out of nowhere to play a bunch of games. All that depth on the back end could sure come in useful in the playoffs.

Gilbert hockey sense < Eller hockey sense

Emelin back healthy and Gonchar ready to go but Pateryn is playing? Is Pateryn solidly ahead of Tinordi now?

Yea, I'm pretty sure Chuck is on the wing because that is where Chuck wants to be.