Helmethead

I saw that. And in my eyes, that show of commoderie solidifies what I've been saying about the Canadiens. They are slowly starting to become a TEAM. Most of these players are from the same mettal. Smart, driven, goal oriented and willing to lay it all on the line. Higgins, Kovi, Pleks, both Kostitsyns, O'Byrne, Price, Chips, Tender are all under 25. We're talking that this team's nucleus is just starting to bond. I honnestly believe that these kids are maturing together and the with time they will become a force in this league. There will be growing pains, as we have experienced in the past couple of weeks, but that's when you need ur vets to take over and cover for them (hint, hint) Whether we like to admit it or not ,this team will only go as far as these kids, (and Markov) will take them. Gainey ain't no fool. He knows this. He's seen it before, as a player and as a coach. Some kids might not work out, most will though. Add to this that our system is full of smart, educated and driven young men (Mc Donaugh, Pacioretty, Valetenko and hopefully Emelin) and not soft primadonnas (Esposito), and u'll understand that Gainey and Co. have a plan. Once this nucleus starts gaining the confidence it needs in order to start churning out win after win, it will be much easier to rotate the core and bring in new talent. This is what Detroit has done for years, and this is what ottawa is trying to do now. In the Cap protected NHL, you might be better off having young home grown middle of the line, productive talent than a team built around one or two superstars. Superstars are achilles heels in today's NHL. They might get you one cup, but the team wont be able to sustain its production cause ur superstar(s) salary requirements limit the quality of the supporting cast you need in order to compete. Tampa Bay and Atlanta come to mind... Let me ask you this, who would u rather go to war with; the world's most efficient brigade of paid merceneries? Or a bunch of buddies that you've grown with, bonded with, who believe in the same ideals as u and are ready to bleed for the good of the common cause? I thought so....

Dear God you may be right!! Thank you for enlightening us. I think this kid had "it". "It" being what is missing from everyone else, including his older brother. Since coming to North America, he has consistently risen over and above his peers. So what if he was drafted in the late rounds? Plenty of other sleepers were as well. The fact is that this kid has Balls (and note the capital B) and he's proven it in the OHL, at an International Level and in the AHL. There is no reason why he can't continue this in the NHL. Slap his ass on a line with Koivu and watch this kid work. I think he has that certain X factor that helps him overexceed the level that others expect from him. He wants to be better, he enjoys being better and wants everyone around him to be better. Sorry if I sound over-zealous and premature in praising this kid but I need whatever reason I can find to keep my spirits up after the last few weeks. Come on Siarhei, prove me right!!!

Something is gonna give today! I seriously believe the Habs are gonna smoke the Flyers. They are waaaaayyyy overdue. I'm predicting a guts n' glory victory, supported by fisticuffs and missing teeth.. Also, let's cheer for the Rook. He's been an underdog his whole life, but this kid can play, and he has spunk. !!Go Siarhei Go!!!

While looking at the standings something hit me... We need a winning streak... BADLY!!

Anyone have any luck with sopcast? I've been trying to connect but nothing... HELP!!

I think the Flower has lost his marbles.. He might have been one of the all time greats but he remains classless in my book. I loved to watch him streaking down the wing as much as anyone but enough is enough. If u have nothing constructive or positive to say, don't say nothing at all. Jeeeez..and I thought Patrick was bad...

I think that these next two games might be the most important of the season. Win these two, and u find urself breathing down the neck of the Senators... Lose them and u risk resurecting the wounded Buffalo.. They've won 2 straight, winning two more would do wonders to their ego. We need to prove to the league that we have the killer instinct. Beating Buffalo twice would further prove to the league that we are legitimate contenders and a force to be reckoned with. I am more concerned about beating the teams that are below us in the standings, thus further distancing ourselves from them than beating Ottawa for example. I'm expecting a huge game from Pleks...and my boy, Kostosouvlaki...don't ask me why... :hlogo: GO Habs GO :hlogo:

If Kotso scores a hat trick tonight i'm sending free souvlaki and ouzo to everyone on HW!! GO KOTSO GO!!! :hlogo: Θωμας Κωστοπουλος! :hlogo:

By dear George I think you may be on to something... Although I haven't had the novelty of watching game in game out due to the stupid time difference and choppy feed from Sopcast (thank God for Sopcast..) what I noticed watching last nights game is that C. Higgins is truly unbelievable. He is a man possessed. Responsible defensively, manic forechecker, unbelievably strong on the puck AND a vocal leader to top that off. This kid is only gonna get better as his confidence starts kicking into high gear. Having said that, Ryder is doing a lot of things better than what he used to during his first 3 seasons in Mtl. He's hussling, forechecking, skating and hitting. Although this is good in a sense, it might not be beneficial to his overall play; reason being he focusing too much on doing things he thinks he should be doing, and not what brought him here in the first place: SCORING. Higgins is the go to guy on that line. Ryder isn't. He USED to be. That line needs to be complemented with further speed, and with a shot. It's about time we see Mr. Kostistyn on that line.... Question is, which of the two...

Really pumped up for this one. Did anyone check to see if SOPCAST is up and working? I've been having some problems, and the last thing i want to resort to is CJAD. HELP!!!!!!!!!

4 for 4 tonite... Carey, Saku , Mike and Chris owe us a good performance tonite... Thank God for Sopcast!!! Go Habs Go!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are hilarious. Whoever thinks that this team is not performing, or hasn't shown signs of major fundamental improvement as compared to the past decade is sniffing glue. We FINALLY have a nucleus comparable to teams that we have been envying since 1995. Do not underestimate the hockey sense, general capability and heart of the players of this team. I honestly believe that the mettal of most of our players under 25 (Higgins, Komi, Pleks, Chipchura and Price to name a few) is at least at par with that of that of Carbonneau, Skrugland, McPhee, Lemieux, Chelios and Roy. The difference is that the 1986 team was surrounded and literally broken in by Future Hall of Famers - Gainey and Robinson and others. Unfortunately, this 2007-2008 team isn't. Hence, these players need time to create their own identity. They need to find the way to win. The effort is there, and as time goes by, you will see this effort become more and more consistant. With this consistancy will come confidence. And with the confidence will come the results. And because this is a young team, with a deep farmteam (thank you Andre Savard and Bob Gainey) there will be a spillover effect through the system. Gainey is well aware of what this team needs. He is very reluctant to pull the trigger on a move that would bear our cupboard. Why you ask? Cause he (directly and indirectly) has been grooming these players to become leaders; to become winners. He knows their potential, and that's what worries him. You can either mortgage part of your future for someone who's gonna "possibly" help you in the short term, or be a little more patient and wait things out. Some people mentioned Gainey's trade of Iginla for Nieuendyk that brought Dallas the cup. Agreed, however there is one glaring difference between the NHL of then and now. Back then, trading prospects for primetime players would have the opportunity cost of losing a prospect. THAT'S IT! Today, not only do you risk losing a prospect(s) but you also risk putting your team in an uncompetitive position for many many years to come. Why? Cause of the salary cap. Fans have been kicking and screaming about the Habs inability to lure expensive UFA's over the past two summers. I am personally glad we haven't been able to. Any deal that sucks out over 20% of your cap space is LETHAL! Philly (was and is still) playing russian roulette with Briere. And all looks fine and dandy right now, and yes he MIGHT perform for them throughout the course of the year, but he has to do that CONSISTANTLY for the duration of his contract. If he doesn't - ur @#$#^*!!! Cause I'll bet you my last souvlaki that no one will want to take a risk on him at a cap hit of +8million a year. Oh, and for every one Briere there is a Brian McCabe or Zdeno Chara (you get the picture). That being said, I believe Gainey will make a bold move. It might be at the tradedeadline, it might be at the draft, it might be this afternoon. Bottom line is he is in full control of this team and overall we should all be very satisfied with his work. That doesn't mean that he shouldn't be critisized or that every move he make makes sense (Souray SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT!) but overall he has turned this team around. Trade Huet??? In my opinion, he should sign him ASAP. (On a side note - just wanted to commend Chicoutimi Cuccumber, Wamsley01, Tokyohabs, JMMR, JLPilon, saskhab and Mathieu30 for the thought they put in their posts. Although I don't write here often, I visit the site at least 5 times a day and honnestly look forward to your thoughts. Sorry to those whom I haven't mentioned.)

Just to remind you guys, that "backup" was the reason the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs last years. I think last night was their way of saying thank you to Wade.

This bit of news really made me sad. Nothing must hurt more than having the hope of new life dissapear from your family. Stay strong Cristobal. All Habs fans throughout the world know that you and your wife get through this and have a life filled with love and many children.

I say 99 too.. 99 points to celebrate our 99th season This team is destined for great things. Few people have understood this so far. Youth and hunger can really take you a long way. :hlogo: GO HABS GO :hlogo:

Bobo, stop being such a pussy. Yeah, Greece really sucks this time of year..it happens to be 28 C and sunny today. You forgot to mention to everyone how your typing away from the beach. By the way, I think it's time we start a Montreal Canadiens Fan Club in Greece. We can have our own clubhouse and get High Speed internet and Sky Digital so we can subscribe to NASN so we can watch the Habs rip into those $@#%$# Leafs... Oh, maybe we can ask Kovalev and Markov to send us an autographed pictures of themselves, that way we can lure the beautiful Russian ladies who are living and (cough, cough) working in Athens.... B) Ahhhh..gotta love it, smells like winter!!! :hlogo: GO HABS GO :hlogo:

Pretty excited to be the first to post (even though it's a preseason game). Once again, Kudos to Spidey for his dedication and impeccable work! From Athens, Greece----- GO :hlogo: GO

wooo boy... Here we go already... Brisebois Injured It's already starting to look a little less congested. Anyone want to bet he doesn't play a game for the Habs this year??

Wooooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm gonna cry...... :hlogo:

Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere so I thought I'd take the liberty of starting a new thread. Team 990 is reporting that the Habs have called a news conference for 4pm this afternoon. Speculation is that it's for the announcement of the numbers which are to be retired, however nothing has been announced yet. Again, if a thread already exists, please mods feel free to merge mine as well.

Marleau just resigned with the Sharks... http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/235847.html To the pessimists this means he'll be in San Jose for 3 more years.. To the optimists it might seem like a sign and trade is in the works, although at 4.5mil there is no way the Sharks are dumping him for nothing less than the farm... Geez..What a bargain.

Can you please send my Red Canadiens jersey with "Kostopoulos" written on the back to Athens Greece please? Kalos orises sto Montreal Thanasi (Tom)!! Oloi i elliniki parikoia tha einai dipla sou... Kane mas yperifanous....!!! (Welcome to Montreal Tom (Thanasis is Tom in Greek). The whole Greek community is behind you...Make us proud!!!)

The collective sigh of relief that "logical" Habs fans all over North American breathed just reached Athens Greece... This is by far the best news that I could have heard today. Talk about a huge Albatross... This is really gonna backfire for the Flyers....i mean come on, 8 yrs?? For Briere? Get real...

Who??? My God.. Am I drunk? Anyone wanna give me a breakdown on this kid?? Welcome Ryan McDonagh!!

The Habs will take Esposito and trade up to get Cherepanov.... Please Please Please...!!!