[General Training Camp Thread]

I haven't been following Fleischmann closely for the past couple of seasons but I'm guessing he fell off the map completely judging by some of the comments I've heard. I'd actually be more optimistic about this if it weren't for some of the views posted that were not overly enthusiastic. A few weeks ago, I wouldn't have even blinked twice if someone told me we signed Fleischmann to a cheap contract, let alone be anything other than optimistic that he's on a simple tryout.

With all that being said, I'm going to remain on the optimistic side of the fence here before I look up any of his recent stats! Because I think he can only benefit us. Fleischmann is also Czech. I'm not sure if they ever played together on a line but why couldn't he and Plekanec have any chemistry as well? Heck, a line of Fleischmann, Plekanec, Semin sounds fine to me and maybe even better than any other second line I've heard suggested. I know, I'm guessing Fleischmann can't cut it as a 2nd liner nowadays. I'll have to see it to believe it though.

Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, Gallagher

Fleischmann, Plekanec, Semin

Desharnais, Eller, Kassian

DSP, Mitchell, Weise

I guess that leaves out De La Rose though and Therrien loves him so probably not likely.

Now, to look up his recent stats.....

That is a completely valid lineup, but personally I would swap Fleischmann and Desharnais.

[Subban's 2nd embellishment fine]

That's why he doesn't hit like he used to "Hit? Well nope zebra will probably send me to penalty box. Can't do that to team". Fine your brain NHL.

I'd wager he doesn't 'hit' like he used to because more often than he would miss and take himself completely out of the play. Good riddance, I say.

[Is Michel Therrien a real genius like Don says?]

Is he a genius? I don't think so. He is a more than competent head coach though. Most neutral analysis of the habs over the last two seasons have had them as a fringe playoff team at best, yet they still managed to far exceed expectations both years. Personally my only complaint from last year is that he used Boullion on the power play far too often (or even too often in general). I hated this. Boullion was like a black hole on the left side, which did nothing to help the young guys getting their shot on the second unit. Still, that is a pretty minor complaint and should not be a problem for this upcoming season.

Similar to the Yankees of MLB, there is no rebuilding in Montreal, so it remains a tough balancing act of winning now and developing for the future. Therrien has proven he can win, this year he will have to prove that he can take a couple young guys to the next step. I think he is more than capable.

In closing I should mention that i am not french, in fact I live in a rural community in Central Alberta. With that in mind I think we could do a hell of a lot worse than Therrien and will continue to give him the benefit of the doubt until he gives me reason to do otherwise. Watching him over the last decade+ I feel like he knows what his faults are and is actively trying to rectify them.

[Brodeur would consider a #2 job with Montreal]

I kinda respect what Brodeur is doing (As crazy as that sounds), and think he has earned the right to drag this on as long as he wants. It might look like he is tarnishing his legacy now, but when we look back on Brodeur's glorious career after he finally does retire this will be the last thing on our minds.

With that in mind I wouldn't mind seeing him out there for one more season, but I don't think he would be a good fit for the Habs. Signing Marty would be a token move considering the current goaltending situation, unless of course two guys were to go down with serious injuries during the pre-season.

[Advanced Stats Bluff?]

Dubas and I are the same age. I'm punching above my weight trying to run a 70 agent call center with a supervisor under me. This guy is supposed to run the Toronto Maple Leafs?!?!?! This isn't a restaurant, where a 14 year old dishwasher can be an executive chef in 10 years.

In all fairness, Dubas has shown the drive and ethic to perform well above his 'weight class' by working his ass off in a league that paid him peanuts, and doing it very successfully at that. I do not think it is even remotely fair to compare your situation to his.

I think MAYBE a very small part of it is PR, but on the other hand he has shown to be a very savvy manager who also understands and utilizes statistics, and is regarded in many hockey circles as on of the biggest up and comers in all of NA. Furthermore he is not expected to manage the maple leafs, he is expected to assist the GM, meaning that he will have final say in next to nothing.

[Subban re-signs, 8 years, $72 million ($9 M AAV)]

The bag ladies cry with relief. No human being is worth this. We must instill more justice in our culture. Market values are only a part of the questions to be asked. Of course otherwise it's great to have our kid back. But we do have to change the culture.

So ALL the money should go to the owners, and not the players who are better at what they do than anyone else in the world? That argument has never made any sense to me.

[Lars Eller re-signs, 4 years, $3.5M per year]

Similar overall cost as DDs contract. DD has proven to be a more capable scorer, but Eller is a much more capable two way player. If Eller finds his scoring touch this deal will be dynamite, If he doesn't he will still be a serviceable 3rd line center who will occasionally find the back of the net. I personally am not upset with the deal, and it shows the habs have confidence in him going forward.

[Galchenyuk at Center]

First post!

Why don't they try DD on the wing? I don't see him as the ideal top line center, but I also don't think the habs would get close to his full value in a trade, and it may be a bit too early to look at trading Plecks.

Edit: Once Galchenyuk earns a spot at center, of course. He still has a lot to prove.