Cataclaw Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 The Canadiens are a broken team. Only positive tonight was Dandenault diving to defend his captain. A+ Dandy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Well if there is one silver lining, it's that there is still time to right the ship, but something major needs to be done soon! Yep, we can call up Lapierre! LMAO No disrespect to Laps but he isn't going to fix this mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brobin Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 There is no silver bullet waiting in Hamilton.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) Unless we are talking Higgins, Price, Komisarek, Markov or Plekanec we have nobody to trade that will give us an impact player in return. I didn't include Koivu because of his NTC. Edited December 5, 2007 by Prime Minister Koivu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habstown Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 oh well now I lost interest watching the Habs... until they win some games... ='[ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) This team will start playing better when Koivu starts being consistently effective. As I said at the start of this thread: Habs' slumps mirror Koivu's slumps. End of story. Note to Carbo: Streit AIN'T the player Koivu needs. Jesus, he garbled at least two odd-man rushes with Koivu as his C. Having said that, even with Koivu firing on all cylanders, they'd still be hard-pressed to beat the Wings. We need another offensive leader who can help to carry the team when Saks hits his inevitable extended skid. I don't know if Marleau's that guy, but his stats from the last two years suggest he has it in him, so Eklund's rumour is at least hopeful. Regardless, I have a feeling Bob may be set to pull the trigger on a bona fide deal. I can't see Gainey tolerating this for too much longer. The need for an elite offensive player, preferably a C, is simply too glaring. Edited December 5, 2007 by The Chicoutimi Cucumber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Does Recchi give a shit? If he consistently cares, I'd bring him in. He's not the top line answer, but jesus, just give this team some character! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 This team will start playing better when Koivu starts being consistently effective. As I said at the start of this thread: Habs' slumps mirror Koivu's slumps. End of story. Note to Carbo: Streit AIN'T the player Koivu needs. Jesus, he garbled at least two odd-man rushes with Koivu as his C. Having said that, even with Koivu firing on all cylanders, they'd still be hard-pressed to beat the Wings. We need another offensive leader who can help to carry the team when Saks hits his inevitable extended skid. I don't know if Marleau's that guy, but his stats from the last two years suggest he has it in him, so Eklund's rumour is at least hopeful. Regardless, I have a feeling Bob may be set to pull the trigger on a bona fide deal. I can't see Gainey tolerating this for too much longer. The need for an elite offensive player, preferably a C, is simply too glaring. My God, I'm getting so sick of hearing how our slumps are a basically Koivu's fault. How about everyone else? Maybe Koivu's slumps coincide with the rest of the team coming back down to earth. Now the whole team sucked tonight, but I dont think Koivu has been playing badly. He looks pretty good out there and always creates chances. His numbers will suffer when he plays with the likes of Streit (Streit?? Really? Streit??), Slowinski, and a slumping Ryder. I do think that this slump in particular has coincided with lacklustre play from Andrei Markov. He is an absolute catalyst, and we have sucked in the past when he has gone down too. Bottom line, we need something more than what is the lineup now. Yah maybe its not our time yet, but we wont win it in the future with only this young core either. There needs to be a superstar scorer. I dont see one anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaysix Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Yep, We suck... :puke: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Well, another loss....... so here is a video of an otter dancing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) I really dont think Koivu's play is all that bad, his problem is he is always stuck with Ryder and Streit so even if he is playing with Higgins, it's like being on PK. Ryder and Streit have no ability with the puck. We all know Ryder has nothing going for hime xcept his snap shot, which admittably was good for 30 goals last year, but without that what is he? Enough with the mad lines Carbo. Keep Koivu and Higgins together, and give them someone besides Streit and Ryder to play with. Chipchura or Latendresse would be my picks, Latendresse because we want him to become our Holdstromm, or Chipchura so you can have 3 serious puck controllers together. Dandenault, Smolenski, and Begin on the 3rd line, some talent and spark there. Then throw the dogs on the 4th. We need to generate offence, all these "balanced" lines do is like Lafleur said, produce 4th lines. Detroit isnt afraid to give their top O lines 25 minites of playtime, most teams do. Edited December 5, 2007 by Dirty Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAKS-AVENUE Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Hey does anyone know if Kimbo can skate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Want to know what the problem is? It's all in his post-game conference by Carbo: Journalist: "Carbo, some players said it's time to stop looking at the other guys and start looking at themselves in the mirror. Do you think it has come to this time where players need to call a team meeting?" Carbo: "*bitter chuckles* I'll tell you, I'd have one a long time ago" I'm sure Carbo was answering as an ex-player and as an ex-captain there. The team has been sliding for a while, but players have yet to call a meeting. Why? Standards are just not the same anymore AND there isn't the same type of gutsy, accept-no-loss leaders on this team like Carbo, Roy, Muller, Chelios used to be back in the days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I really dont think Koivu's play is all that bad, his problem is he is always stuck with Ryder and Streit so even if he is playing with Higgins, it's like being on PK. Koivu has played with everyone: Higgins, Streit, Ryder, Smolinski, Kovy, Latendresse... He sucks regardless of whose stuck with HIM at center. He just keeps turning the puck over along the boards, can't make a pass worth crap and can't score when OTHERS feed HIM. Also, it seems he can't call a team meeting when it's time to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brboo Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) Koivu has played with everyone: Higgins, Streit, Ryder, Smolinski, Kovy, Latendresse... Don't you think that's part of the problem right there, how is he, or anyone else for that matter supposed to get comfortable on a line when they have new linemates every other game? And you left out Dandenault, Begin, Kostopolus, etc Edited December 5, 2007 by brboo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Koivu has played with everyone: Higgins, Streit, Ryder, Smolinski, Kovy, Latendresse... He sucks regardless of whose stuck with HIM at centre. He just keeps turning the puck over along the boards, can't make a pass worth crap and can't score when OTHERS feed HIM. Also, it seems he can't call a team meeting when it's time to... You are clueless.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) My God, I'm getting so sick of hearing how our slumps are a basically Koivu's fault. How about everyone else? Maybe Koivu's slumps coincide with the rest of the team coming back down to earth. Now the whole team sucked tonight, but I dont think Koivu has been playing badly. He looks pretty good out there and always creates chances. His numbers will suffer when he plays with the likes of Streit (Streit?? Really? Streit??), Slowinski, and a slumping Ryder. I do think that this slump in particular has coincided with lacklustre play from Andrei Markov. He is an absolute catalyst, and we have sucked in the past when he has gone down too. Bottom line, we need something more than what is the lineup now. Yah maybe its not our time yet, but we wont win it in the future with only this young core either. There needs to be a superstar scorer. I dont see one anywhere. You're right that Markov is the team's other catalyst and he's also been dogging it. Point taken. Still, the fact is that Koivu hits extended annual skids in which he produces at under .5 PPG - basically, 4th liner production. This usually lasts 20 games or so. And these collapses coincide with team collapses. Now, there's a chicken and the egg issue - maybe Koivu starts sucking only because everyone around him does - but his numbers dip so badly that I think the correlation really points to Saks. Is this 'blaming' him for the slump? No. It's pointing out that (1) he is the primary catalyst to our entire offence, which is actually a compliment and (2) that that catalyst fails miserably for 1/3 of every season. The point is not to rag on Koivu but to argue that the team needs to add one more catalyst, and won't become more of a 'bubble' team until it does. Unfortunately, none of the young guns - Kostityn, Higgins, or Lats in particular - have shown the slightest sign of being such catalysts or even having the potential to become one. But *blaming* players for not being more than they are strikes me as wrong-headed. Bob has to make a move. (The GOOD news is that when Koivu does produce, the team is a probably top-10 team; certainly that's what we are in the first and last third of season, when Saks is hot. This means that we're really only missing one key piece: that second offensive catalyst I'm talking about). Edited December 5, 2007 by The Chicoutimi Cucumber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cataclaw Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 You are clueless.. Kozed isn't clueless, but he is being unnecessarily harsh on Koivu. His judgement is probably clouded by the frustration of the loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 You're right that Markov is the team's other catalyst and he's also been dogging it. Point taken. Still, the fact is that Koivu hits extended annual skids in which he produces at under .5 PPG - basically, 4th liner production. This usually lasts 20 games or so. And these collapses coincide with team collapses. Now, there's a chicken and the egg issue - maybe Koivu starts sucking only because everyone around him does - but his numbers dip so badly that I think the correlation points to Saks. Is this 'blaming' him for the slump? No. It's pointing out that (1) he is the primary catalyst to our entire offence, which is actually a compliment and (2) that catalyst fails miserably for 1/3 of every season. The point is not to rag on Koivu but to argue that the team needs to add one more catalyst, and won't become more of a 'bubble' team until it does. Unfortunately, none of the young guns - Kostityn, Higgins, or Lats in particular - have shown the slightest sign of being such catalysts or even having the potential to become one. But *blaming* players for not being more than they are strikes me as wrong-headed. Bob has to make a move. (The GOOD news is that when Koivu does produce, the team is a probably top-10 team; certainly that's what we are in the first and last third of season, when Saks is hot. This means that we're really only missing one piece: that second offensive catalyst I'm talking about). I agree with most points and no doubt we are a better team when Koivu performs. Also, no doubt we need another star, and probably a better #1 centre. I just feel that when I watch the games, Koivu's play is mainly good and when he slumps, it's because he is not getting much help around him. He makes plays most nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Kozed isn't clueless, but he is being unnecessarily harsh on Koivu. His judgement is probably clouded by the frustration of the loss. I'm sure he's not clueless. But it's hard to agree with statements like "Koivu sucks" and "Koivu cant make a pass". I'm frustrated too, but why post nonsense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brboo Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 You're right that Markov is the team's other catalyst and he's also been dogging it. Point taken. Still, the fact is that Koivu hits extended annual skids in which he produces at under .5 PPG - basically, 4th liner production. This usually lasts 20 games or so. And these collapses coincide with team collapses. Now, there's a chicken and the egg issue - maybe Koivu starts sucking only because everyone around him does - but his numbers dip so badly that I think the correlation really points to Saks. Is this 'blaming' him for the slump? No. It's pointing out that (1) he is the primary catalyst to our entire offence, which is actually a compliment and (2) that that catalyst fails miserably for 1/3 of every season. The point is not to rag on Koivu but to argue that the team needs to add one more catalyst, and won't become more of a 'bubble' team until it does. Unfortunately, none of the young guns - Kostityn, Higgins, or Lats in particular - have shown the slightest sign of being such catalysts or even having the potential to become one. But *blaming* players for not being more than they are strikes me as wrong-headed. Bob has to make a move. (The GOOD news is that when Koivu does produce, the team is a probably top-10 team; certainly that's what we are in the first and last third of season, when Saks is hot. This means that we're really only missing one key piece: that second offensive catalyst I'm talking about). So wouldn't it make sense for everyone to direct their anger at Management, instead of Koivu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokyohabs Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Bob has to make a move. (The GOOD news is that when Koivu does produce, the team is a probably top-10 team; certainly that's what we are in the first and last third of season, when Saks is hot. This means that we're really only missing one key piece: that second offensive catalyst I'm talking about). With any shrewdness, it'll be a first offensive catalyst, relegating Koivu to second-line status. Or even dropping under Plex to the third line. But to get that player, I feel we have to give up a lot, especially with so many players now playing their way into untrade-able status; I'd imagine our first-rounder as well for the next draft. Got to do something though. Be interesting if we called up Lapierre, O'Byrne, maybe one other just to try something risky, wild-card; demote someone, bench someone else, even waive someone. See if the team would respond in any way. If Halak has a dynamite game, would you consider sending Price to Hamilton for a bit, when Huet gets healthy? Especially if Price loses to Boston. On a side note, I had heard from most accounts that Lats was doing well with Chips; and he seemed to click with Higs and Koivu. Who did he play with tonight? PS: anyone now going to moan and say, 'Oh, it's just seven games'? It's been seven years, lads and lasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brboo Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 PS: anyone now going to moan and say, 'Oh, it's just seven games'? It's been seven years, lads and lasses. Hmmm 7 years, it feel's more like 15 to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBHabs_fan Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 With any shrewdness, it'll be a first offensive catalyst, relegating Koivu to second-line status. Or even dropping under Plex to the third line. But to get that player, I feel we have to give up a lot, especially with so many players now playing their way into untrade-able status; I'd imagine our first-rounder as well for the next draft. Got to do something though. Be interesting if we called up Lapierre, O'Byrne, maybe one other just to try something risky, wild-card; demote someone, bench someone else, even waive someone. See if the team would respond in any way. If Halak has a dynamite game, would you consider sending Price to Hamilton for a bit, when Huet gets healthy? Especially if Price loses to Boston. On a side note, I had heard from most accounts that Lats was doing well with Chips; and he seemed to click with Higs and Koivu. Who did he play with tonight? PS: anyone now going to moan and say, 'Oh, it's just seven games'? It's been seven years, lads and lasses. God knows that Lapierre at centre would be better than Smolinski. Not sure our coaching and management cares as much about winning as they do about respecting vets, or even protecting the image of their investments/signings (Brisebois, Slowinski). Sounds harsh, but really, does anyone think Lapierre and O'Byrne would be worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 HW Recap is up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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