HaliHab

Recchi - Lemeiux - Crosby Malkin - Kraft - Malone Fata - Beech - Koltsov Abid - Eastwood/Pirjeta - VandenBussche Tarnstrom - Jackman Rozsival - Melichar Orpik - Strbak Caron Fleury Perhaps alittle optimistic... lotta question marks for sure but likely the willingness now to add a UFA free agent or two?! Zhitnik would be nice, if he doesn't end up in Montreal ?!?! I thought That lottery was well worth watching! I like ball too and that was way better than the NBA lottery or even draft. I love the smirk Gainey gets on his face when he gets what he wants. Whatta way to begin the 'new ice age' emphasis on player and farm development... I agree with the above- I hope its not Kopitar if there is any doubt about him - we've got our risky/explosive guy who I strongly support still, in Kastitsyn, I don't think they'll gamble hehe - trade up with Hossa or Pekanic and ensure Jack Johnson... halihab

Yeah I used to think that Beauchamin was on par with ole' Boullion. Kind of a capable 6/7th guy with a little bit of offensive capability (at least at the AHL lvl). How old is Focht? I know he was taken incredably high in the draft but I was not really too impressed with him... maybe I didn't see enough of him... It would have been nice to see a new stud defenseman get drafted by Montreal this year... that'll have to wait I guess... but I think thats what the Habs need with their next 1st rnder. I guess you've gotta take the best player available but after Komi (maybe Hainsey) they get kinda thin...

I agree that Syracuse will be pumped up for this one but I believe Hamilton is the one with the horses! I think Hamilton will come out the winners in a high scoring affair... I say 5-3 Hamilton... either this or the 7-0 prediction will do :-) Player of the game to Higgins for his hattrick and 4 point night... I'm an optimist like 'RAGE' Go Dogs Go

Does anybody know when Ott is back?

After getting to watch the last game vs. the Moose I think we are definitely the better team. I agree with Macaskill, nice to see them riding Danis. Danis is slowly earning quite abit of hype with his late season form!! I like, like...

If baseball hadn't created wild cards playoffs would be crap. And if basketball hadn't brought back the dunking we wouldn't have Shaq... Changes are good!! I don't see playoff format change as a ridiculous idea... I think its one that is probably actually might happen... It may solve alot of problems. Right off the top of the head: - More playoff revenue for more teams (with far less overhead per game). - More Canadian teams (per chance) in the playoffs each year which means more Canadian interest longer in the playoffs. It's no secret that as soon as the last Can. team is out the playoffs lose luster big time. - It won't affect bigger, perenial powerhouse teams, they'll just have rest while playoffs start a week sooner for the little guys - A change may even affect the trade deadline so that it no longer contributes to swelling player salaries like it has in the past. We're lucky as Habs fans because our expectations are to make the playoffs each year... imagine being an Atlanta, Colombus or fan and not having any expectations for your team at all, any year... why support them, I mean these people don't care how well their clubs are currently drafting!? I mean, I don't claim to know any more about this than any one else, I'm just suggesting that there might be some positives to this. And as habs_koivu has suggested apparently the GMs are really high on it. One thing I must say: I really get sick of the 'stop messing with our game' BS you hear in the news. Changing the nets is one thing, it's too radical and I think a bad idea (esp. for poor little Theo ... but there is too much of this crap about messing with the history of the game... the history of the game is fine, it is what it is... its the future that's the concearn. "OUR" game, what, last time I checked we are the ones without hockey! The almighty dollar rules this game at the professional level, otherwise there wouldn't be a lockout. Some changes to respond to the facts are in order, I think.

I like this one too, as long as it doesn't turn into a circus. I like the idea of adding all the offensive incentive toward offence... I feel penalty shots can make the outcome of exciting games feel kinda random.

I think adding more teams to playoffs is a great idea. It adds more excitment to more and smaller franchises. I think it'll shake up the playoff races and teams trading habits big time. It's not like the season will be any longer. If they added a mini-series it would pretty much insure shorter seasons as well. If they play, say, 74-78 games the season would be just as long (or even a little shorter) than traditionally. There are definitely good teams in the 9 spots in both conferences. Now, the end of the season race to see who squeeks into the playoffs might not be as good but it would probably mean at least 1 more Canadian team in the playoffs each year! I know its radical but I think it could help some teams out. It's definitely a cool idea! [Edited on 9-4-05 by HaliHab]

It may of been ugly (bad goals) but I don't care how it looked... They got it done and re-opened the gap with Syracuse. Huge win. Way'da pad your stats Wardo!!:hlogo:

Holy smokes what a scoring flurry! Let's close this one out boys- do what we failed to do last game! This will be a huge win with a lucky Syracuse loss to Cleveland;)

20 secs left in 2nd period and the Crunch are down!!

If you picked Thinel to have the 1st 2 Dogs goals, I commend you:lol: Lets give Danis a bit of breathing room and score again! I smell a big win. Go Dogs Go.

Kronwalls a pest and definitely sucker-punched Souray's teammate. Way to stick up for your mates Sheldon. He can really be intimidating, wow... Could have been ugly if he'd conected square with any of those haymakers! I'd say Habs fans can rest soundly, his wrists seem to be fully healed and feeling fine:clap

I think there will be a decievingly long list of players who don't come back... The list will be decieving because it will include alot of guys like Dackell who probably wouldn't have played in the league anyway. Even a guy like Naslund, one of the best in the NHL wouldn't suprise me because he's been talking about doing it for so long. I will say however losing a good-player like Johnson hurts! Does anyone have any info. on potential Habs jumping ship (besides Dackell)? I'd be really interested to know... I've heard that it may be tough to get Marcel Hossa back over here right away (esp. if he's not garunteed a spot on the big club).

This is perhaps my favorite NHL Draft Stat. Who says international quality players need to be taken in the 1st round??? Heck, Brett Hull, taken by Calgary in the 6th round in 1984 was taken 2 full rounds after Tom Glavine, long time Atlanta Braves pitcher, was taken by the Kings! Goes to show you just how lucky or unlucky you can get when it comes to drafting Good luck Big Mike! Go Canada Go!

Common fellas, big third period of scoring!! Go Dogs Go.

I guess I'm an optimistic person but I think Hainsey will definitely still get a legit. shot with the big club despite his prior troubles. If he can transfer the habits he's showing lately into the NHL I think he could still be a regular with the Habs. They've invested alot in the guy, I mean 13th overall! He's still a big 'if' but the Habs can certainly use another defenceman. He's young, still only 23 or 24, has the size, good speed and can move the puck at times, I'm still rooting for him!!

Hey Everyone, I really like the Ryder idea, he'd be so fun to watch for Canada! Does anyone know which Habs have agreed, or have been asked by other nations? Like, is Markov playing for Russia, Zednick for Slovakia (Bonk/Bulis for Czech??), etc...

The dogs are playing right into the Leafs hand- too many penalties and scrums... I know you've gotta play tough but I think we're in for a bounce-back third period

Hamilton had by far the best chances on that 1st Leafs PP. Didn't like to see that Wellwood insideout move on Komisarek though:wall: Are they playing Ivanis with Locke to see if they can soften up his hands abit... Just a thought but I think he's got a great chance of being in Montreal when they come back. Cool that he one their fastest skater competition too.

I think acquiring him is a great idea as long as the Habs on-ice signings have good years... Otherwise I can see the headlines in the Toronto papers now... "Youppi: Habs best offseason acquisition" I heard Gainey enrolled him in the same learn-to-skate program as Dags

This vision came to me while I slept last night.... Hamilton 4 St. John's 2 1st Period Wellwood from B. Bell Begin from Ward Ling (unassited) 2nd Period Miettinen from Daley, Plekanec Locke from Hainsey, Miettinen (PP) 3rd Period Begin from Ward, Cote 1st Star- Steve Begin 2nd Star- Yann Danis 3rd Star- Antti Miettinen

I found Kost. only went down when he was in tight with little momentum (ie. when Biaxa hit him while tangling him up with his stick in the 2nd period) otherwise when forechecking or engaging on the cycle I thought he looked alot more sturdy. At the beginning of the year every nudge sent him on his ass... I must say, each game I've seen, he's impressed me in a different way.

No chinks in Danis' armour tonight! Boy I love that Meittenen - Plekanec - Higgins line lots of energy and speed!! Higgins looks nice... Man, Plekanec was squeezin' it a little bit to tight tonight... this game could have been over early in the 3rd! Kostsitsyn is starting to use the body more effectively. Can anybody who gets to watch him more consistantly further comment on the improvement to his physical game? He just seemed far more aware (even though, admittingly, he got dumped 3 or 4 times) I thought Manitoba looked terrible coming out of their own end. Poor Baumgartner and Kevin Bieksa- they must have had their pockets picked 5 times each by Hamilton forecheckers. They could hardly carry the puck across the redline on the PP. Auld actually played pretty decent... I agree with Tony - nice to finally get to see a game!! Tough to see Syracuse pull out full points after trailing 'till 9 secs. left! I really don't think it will matter what the other teams do as long as Hamilton takes care of their own business... they are a completely different team with Meittenen, Begin, Komisarek. Friday night will be huge, last game for St. John's in Hamilton. Nice to see another one broadcast nation wide! Go Dogs Go

Hey everybody... hope its not to late to post something and recieve reply- I love talkin' lineups!! I've taken a slightly more radical approach, for (friendly)arguments sake, so I'd love to hear feedback... I've attempted brief explanations of some of my more controversial choices, enjoy, for what they're worth... Zednik - Koivu- Selanne Higgins - Ribeiro - Ryder Perezoghin - Bonk - Sundstrom Ward - Begin - Hossa Scratch: Ivanans Markov - Souray Brisebois - Komisarek Rivet - Hainsey Scratch: Boullion Theodore Huet 1st Line Addition: I can see Gainey addressing a reliable goalscoring need as long as it won't cost him an arm and a leg. This will shock most but I'd truly like to see (an affordable) Selanne/Kovalev playing with Koivu. I also think Gainey realizes that last seasons acquisition of Kovalev has set '1st line expectations' higher. Someone to keep Kostsitsyn's seat warm!! I love Plekanec, I think he's severly underrated, I also think his timing couldn't be worse- Habs are laden with offensive youth that is more physically capable and with higher ceilings. Will likely be moved. Kelly Hrudey said it best on HNIC during Tampa series last May "I love Bulis, I really do, but the guy struggles to find the net." Regardless of the other youth, I think if Plekanec stays Bulis maybe gone- his stock is high around the league. I think Ryder will struggle this year if not played with Koivu. However, I think Ribeiro would struggle more centering 2 rookies. One of these 2 is due for a 'sophomore' slump. Is Hainsey born again after being rejoined by Komisarek in Hamilton? I truly believe pairing him with the also offensive minded Daley was a mistake. We've invested alot in the guy, I'm an optimist and I don't think he's licked yet! I think Rivet is a great mentor and tireless worker but I think he will be improved upon. I think 1 of 2 long-time, life-time, d-line Habs will be dealt (Rivet or maybe even Brisebois). Not right away per say but- No doubt- there is room for improvement amoung this current group. Huet and Bonk was a great move. Garon will be good but backup goaltending doesn't win Stanley Cups. Man am I looking forward to seeing Danis with another year of AHL exp. under his belt. Gone will be Dagenais, Dowd (I'd like to see him stay but he's not a 'reserve forward'), Perreault, Dykhuis. Well that's it I guess. I tend to be very long-winded, I've tried to keep it short. A couple of critisisms... awfully young, (I'd hate to see the Bulldogs roster). Also adding a high profile guy like Selanne/Kovalev may be tough given CBA restrictions. No doubt whoever lines up as a habs once the season gets under way will have my support. Go Habs Go! HaliHab:hlogo: