dlbalr

Cap hit for next year would be half of $5,062,500, this season would be half of give or take 3 mil by the time the process plays itself out, or about $1.5 mil. Such a move would toss the Habs into actually using LTIR. 4 points in 15 games, that's not exciting me much, he's a bottom 6 player at best now.

Gionta at least tries to go to the net on the PP as well, though with limited effectiveness obviously. Back on topic, HW's latest discusses whether Pacioretty is the answer to the 2nd line's scoring woes or not: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2304

The Bulldogs (16-7-4) will soon begin a lengthy road trip this week and will be off to Houston to take on the Aeros (15-11-3) along the way. Before that, they host them tonight. Without White, Maxwell, and now Pacioretty in the lineup, offence could be a concern for this one. Scoring leaders: Goals: Max Pacioretty (NWT) (17) Assists: David Desharnais (25) Points: Pacioretty/Desharnais (32) PIMS: Jimmy Bonneau (69) +/-: Carle/Desharnais (+11) Scoring leaders: Goals: 3 tied with (7) Assists: Daoust/Palmer (11) Points: 3 tied with (16) (Can you say balanced attack?) PIMS: Matt Kassian (65) +/-: Chad Rau (+9) Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST and can be listened to by clicking this link: http://cham.player.amri.ca/

Rather than keep bumping old threads, may as well make this the official WJC thread. 4 Hab prospects started out with a shot at making their respective teams (Avtsin may have an outside chance still though). They are: Canada: Michael Bournival (cut Dec. 15, 1 point in 3 scrimmage games) Brendan Gallagher (cut Dec. 14, 1 goal in 2 intrasquad games) Louis Leblanc (made the team, 1 goal in 2 intrasquad games) Finland: Joonas Nattinen Gallagher was among the first set of cuts early Tuesday morning despite scoring in the scrimmage Monday night. Fortunately, he'll be eligible for next year's tourney as well.

His agent said he intends to pursue an NHL contract though. I must admit I'm surprised given that was one of the reasons he left SKA.

If you're trading a top-6 winger to the Habs, does the prospect of acquiring an undersized AHL scorer really entice you to make the deal? Desharnais, as Wamsley noted in another post, is too good for the AHL, but at least in my opinion, isn't interesting to 80% of the league. He's too small and his skating clearly is not at NHL standards. A player like Maxwell, with a lower offensive ceiling, has significantly more value than Desharnais does at this time. That doesn't mean Desharnais can't and won't be an NHL'er, but he needs a chance...and teams aren't going to be lining up to give him one.

Honestly, I agree, I'd prefer Pyatt over Lapierre for sure. Judging by how quickly Pyatt was sat down the last game though, it suggests to me that he may be the one on the outs, especially if the odd lines at practice are legit and not just shake up ones.

To be fair, seems to me AC (someone affiliated with RDS for sure) said the same thing about Carle before (agent ultimatum), turns out that wasn't true. As you said, Desharnais alone has very little value beyond a mid-late pick, I'd have a hard time thinking of more than a couple of teams who'd be able and willing to give him a top-6 shot. If he were to be dealt, he'd basically be a throw in which is why I think he'll stay the season.

Masse, yes, Schultz not so much. Even with Masse, I'm not convinced he's anything more than the second coming of Michael Lambert - good Q numbers, decent ECHL ones, not good enough for the AHL. Also, are you suggesting you think Desharnais could be dealt, or someone else dealt to make room for Desharnais?

If he's claimed, it doesn't mean anyone's coming up to take his place. If Gomez is ready, a guy like Pyatt then becomes the 13th forward. Maxwell is due back in a week or so, Masse remains available in Wheeling, while Schultz is a frequent healthy scratch. The Bulldogs should be alright for now.

I feel bad for him, I thought he played well in Detroit. Speculation is that someone will claim him this time.

Boyd isn't getting another shot...he was waived this afternoon.

For those who were hoping Pacioretty would be in a top-6 role, I wouldn't get your hopes up based on the early evidence from today's practice: Cammalleri-Plekanec-Moen Pacioretty-Pyatt-Gionta Kostitsyn-Halpern-Lapierre Pouliot-Eller-Darche It may be top-6, but anything with Pyatt listed in the top-6 isn't really a scoring line, is it?

If the Habs are only winning 1 game this week, here's hoping it's against Boston in what will be a battle for 1st in the Northeast.

Not NHL related necessarily but remember that big 4 year deal Evgeni Nabokov signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL in the summer? He was released today. If he were to come back, he'd have to clear NHL entry waivers.

Well, I didn't rant like I originally planned but my thoughts on Kovalev are in this week's Recap as promised. http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2302

That would be my guess as well, they want to give him a longer look. Here's hoping it's in a role where he can do something at least.

Excellent, someone else got the Miami job, Trestman stays for now. What is interesting to note is that he did interview for the position which suggests he was genuinely interested in taking the position and leaving the Als. That part concerns me some. Oh well, he's still around...for now. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5912786

I think New Jersey and/or Minnesota may have beat us to the punch years ago and copyrighted the term 'official trap team.'

You know you're getting too much snow when... At 10 am, you're sweeping off the car. At 7 pm (same day), you're now shoveling off the car so you can then sweep it. Such is life where I live, happy winter.

Great, more work for me to do (I just re-did all the cap formulas yesterday). At least they waited until after 5. Odd that they do it now and not closer to when they play next.

Fortier collected the hat trick in the 3rd, Bulldogs take it 5-1! Back up to a 3 point lead in the North Division with 2 games in hand.

Conboy, Fortier, and Pacioretty (PP) all scored for Hamilton, now 4-1 Bulldogs after 2. Hamilton's really starting to take it to the Marlies, if you're at home, why not catch the 3rd on CBC?

1-1 after 1, Fortier with the PPG for Hamilton. He had 1 goal going into the game and was on the top PP unit...okay then.

Doesn't quite fall in with the conformity discussion but I'm not starting another Subban thread. Subban has said he is now lacking confidence, no real surprise considering how he struggled the last two games. The fact that Martin singled out Weber for praise suggests to me that if Spacek is available for the next game on Wednesday, I think Subban may sit again. And you thought it got too much play in the media the first time...if he sits again, back in Montreal no less, this could be ugly.