Chuko

Look guys, the Ribeiro case is actually quite simple. As far as pure skills are concerned, he is hands down the Habs most gifted offensive player, even better than Koivu. He hasn't done anything good on a consistent basis with the team, but then again, he hasn't been given the chance. So what do you do with him if you're management ? One of two things: trade him, or give him ice time on the top two lines and PP. You can't trade him because you're not likely to get equal value (which should be high) and you know that if you trade him, some team is going to pair him up with two gritty, skilled wingers and Ribs will flourish. So you have to wait, which is what management is doing, until Ribeiro finally breaks out. Every year that passes, Ribs gains maturity and experience, and eventually the right wingers will come along. Personnally, I think if Ribs stays healthy, he will prove himself this year and patience will pay off.

You gotta figure it's going to be real hard to deal Brisebois at this point. He's average offensively (arguably slightly above average), and horrible defensively. The only way the habs can trade him is if they eat at least half his salary (I doubt that will happen) or package him in a deal with a promising youngster (I don't think Gainey wants to trade a promising youngster at this point). So basically, we're stuck with him and his contract. That was easily Savard's biggest mistake. BTW, I was at the game last night. I have to say that it was a rather uneventful game. Perezhogin, Plekanec, Ward and Dagenais, all players I was looking forward to watch, did nothing at all to impress. As already mentioned by others, Theo was solid, Ribeiro played well, and that's about it. Passes coming out of our zone were brutal (i.e. Traverse, Brisebois and Bouillon). The only positive is the team is cutting down the opposition's scoring opportunities. Not fun to watch, but effective.

dahabs :?- You might be the only Habs fan out there that is able to cheer for the Leafs... So what's the cheer gonna be this year ? Go "Team Geritol" Go ?

Hey Quebecois, I'm interested in joining. Some of the guys here know me from GBSK from two years ago if you want references.