dlbalr

A quiet first period aside from the parade to the penalty box. I'll live with a 1-1 tie while the team tries to find their legs. Hope they pick it up though. Little quieter on here tonight, I see.

The Habs have every pick except their own 2nd. They also have Anaheim's 4th this year (Chipchura).

Darche, Gill out. White, Picard in.

Not 100% sure on the lines; when I tried to plug White in, it made sense to keep that unit together guessing wise. As for Darche, last night was his first decent game in a while, he really had tailed off lately. Still though, sucks to see him go down (and he is still questionable as far as I know) coming off a good performance.

As with the other proposal, multiple 1st rounders would need to go the Leafs' way as well, especially since the Leafs have very limited cap space. Dealing Gomez for Versteeg basically takes them out of the UFA hunt next year, so unless the Habs are eating another bad deal back, it makes little sense for them. Korneev has next to no value, the Habs might be able to get a future conditional 7th rounder for him - he has no intention of ever coming over so why would anyone want him? As for the 2nd idea, I'm hoping you're joking there.

Subban has fought 'sometimes' though, 3 times already. Extrapolate the numbers and he should have a couple more by year's end. How many times does he need to fight? If he has to every time he's merely challenged as certain people in the media suggest, he'd league the league in PIMS, would be tossed out of most games (for fighting 3 times) and have several suspensions by now. He has to pick and choose his battles. Look, you all probably know by now I'm not a fan of the yapping, he's good enough to let his play do the talking. But he can't not back it up either; if you play that game, you've gotta drop them at times. Right now, he's trying to find that fine line between picking when those spots need to be.

I think they're calling him up since he was up recently (chemistry) and that he provides some toughness. The Isles' 4th line as comprised is basically a goon unit, they wanted muscle for them...and maybe Toronto. The only other 'tough' forward option was Conboy and he just came back 2 days ago, probably not yet 100%.

White was fine and had played several games before his recall (skimming the game by game stats, he played 12 games before being called up). He just wasn't doing anything in Hamilton which, if you look at his offensive production, is right in line with what he did when he was sent down after training camp. Also, scoring of late? He now has 3 goals, which he means he has 1 since his callup. That 1 goal is the only one he has since Nov. 16, spanning 18 games.

To be fair, Price gave Lucic a few cross checks before Lucic went after him - I only noticed that this morning, that explains the 2 minutes he got there. As for the Marchand bump on Wisniewski, I actually thought he let up a bit - still a penalty for a hit on an icing but if Marchand really wanted to hurt him, he'd have hit him a lot harder.

Gervais back in for the Isles (meaning they only have single digit injuries), he'll reportedly replace Wishart. Personally, I find this a good thing, they just made themselves worse. Jesse Joensuu will also play, guessing he'll be in for Colliton, hoping it's for Gillies though.

I had noted this in the NHL thread where this trade was mentioned already but Ottawa was said to be asking for a 1st and a good prospect. I suppose the 2nd/3rd they'll get is like a prospect, just younger. Steep payments is the name of the game right now, may be worth holding off for another week or so. (That'd be good as my deadline articles won't start until early next week...)

If Henry comes up to take on Boston as some are calling for, they'd have to waive him to get him back down there. It'd be hard justifying taking away Hamilton's captain for 1 game of potential retribution. (If you're talking more long term though, that's another story.)

It's actually a 2011 1st (nice typo by Bob), while the 2012 conditional pick is either a 2nd or 3rd. Ottawa was seeking a 1st and a prospect, they got that...sort of.

The referee has to file notice with the league that this took place and no such penalty was called. As a result, there can't be a suspension for abuse of an official.

Pyatt has 7 stitches and a black eye from last night but is expected to play tonight.

Confirmed - no supplemental discipline for either team from this game.

TSN's Darren Dreger weighs in with today's Dreger Report. An excerpt (there's quite a bit about the Habs here, actually): I think this is what we call trying to read too much into something. Both goalies knew this was more for show to try and give their team some momentum, I hardly believe the result of this fight could have "impacted future matchups and the play of these two star goaltenders." http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/dregerreport/

<img border="0" src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canadiens/images/upload/2010/12/107784809_std.jpg" width="477" height="367"><br> </p> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://www.jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/fronts/0/1/109.png" border="0" width="158" height="131"> <p>19-29-7, 5th Atlantic</td> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://www.jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/fronts/0/0/69.png" border="0" width="158" height="131"><p> 30-20-5, 2nd Northeast</td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Projected Lines:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center">Moulson - Tavares - Parenteau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Grabner - Nielsen - Okposo</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Schremp - Bailey - Joensuu*</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">M. Martin - Konopka - Gillies*</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">MacDonald - Hamonic</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Hillen - Martinek</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Jurcina - Gervais</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Koskinen</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">J. Martin</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> Colliton, Wishart</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> DiPietro, Lawson, Poulin, Hunter, Comeau, Eaton, Mottau, Streit, Weight</td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center">Pacioretty - Plekanec - Gionta </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Eller* - Gomez - Kostitsyn </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Moen - Halpern - Pouliot</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Pyatt - Desharnais - White*</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Hamrlik - Wisniewski</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Spacek - Subban</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Picard - Weber</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Auld</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">Price</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> None</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> Darche, Gill, Cammalleri, Markov, Gorges</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Scoring Leaders:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Matt Moulson (19)</td> <td width="34%" align="center"><b>Goals: </b>Brian Gionta (20)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> John Tavares (22)</td> <td width="34%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists: </b>James Wisniewski (31)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> John Tavares (40)</td> <td width="34%" align="center"><b>Points: </b>Tomas Plekanec (45)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> Michael Grabner (+4)</td> <td width="34%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-: </b>Tomas Plekanec (+12)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Zenon Konopka (181)</td> <td width="34%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Travis Moen (85)</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Game Info:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><b>Puck Drop:</b> 7:30 PM EST</td> <td width="155"><b>TV: </b>RDS, MSG+</td> <td width="155"><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://cjad.player.amri.ca/">CJAD</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ckac.com/webradio/">CKAC</a></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Last Meeting:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="490" height="306" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1ZYowcw_-pA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Other Notes:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center">Darche is questionable according to RDS, surprising as he was one of the few who didn't get into it physically. White called up, I've pencilled him in but if they decide to sit one of the 2nd line guys, the lines go out the window.</td> </tr> </table>

I did post that note in the GDT from yesterday...and on the site. We here can break news too... Darche is questionable for tonight. Cammalleri hasn't skated with the team yet but hopes to this weekend. I think he'll be back by the outdoor game. With a couple of 1st rounders, maybe. Versteeg alone will fetch a couple of decent young pieces, that's not Gomez. The Leafs also surprisingly don't have a whole lot of cap space, I'm not sure they could actually do the deal as proposed anyway.

Don't I look bad for talking about White...he was recalled a few minutes ago. Darche questionable for tonight's contest...and yes, I'll get the GDT, gotta finish the links first.

The Habs allowed 8 goals and scored 6 last night...if you're basing the comment on last night's game, shouldn't defence be the bigger concern?

You may have read that in my 3 Stars from last night. Technically, it was his 1st NHL goal but he did score in the playoffs against Boston back in the sweep of 2009. Kinda like Subban, actually, his 1st NHL goal came after he had scored in the playoffs. The automatic fines and suspensions are for instigator infractions in the final 5 minutes of the 3rd. No instigators were called either way, I wouldn't expect any supplemental discipline for either side. I think Boston's deserving but given the letter of the rule, I don't think it qualifies. Eller needs to be in the AHL, we all know that. However, considering he was the key piece for Halak, he's getting every chance and then some to play up with the Habs. Quite honestly, I didn't think he was that bad last night, particularly compared to his linemates. I don't think it's time to give up on him yet, he has shown signs that he can be a productive player - he just needs to refine some things. A stint a la Pacioretty in Hamilton to give him more minutes, a bigger role, and more confidence is probably best for him at this time. The thing is though, who comes up to replace him? (And please don't say White, if you read the articles on the site, you've clearly noticed both Lammy and I harping about his constant struggles this year.)

Source was right on NJ-SJ, Jay Leach and Steve Zalewski dealt to the Devils for Patrick Davis and Michael Swift. I give the nod to New Jersey here, but it's still a minor deal.

Only 40 minutes to write, better than I thought. 3 Stars: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2378

Ryan White is having an awful season in Hamilton. Forget what happened in the preseason, he simply does not merit a call up, now, or anytime soon.