les_glorieux Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 (edited) The Montreal Canadiens topped 100 points in a season for the first time since 1992-1993, a surprising development from a team stocked with young talent. Off-Season Game Plan looks at one of the most talented young teams in the league, and what they might do in an effort to take the next step and get back to competing for the Stanley Cup. Bounced by the Flyers in the second round of the playoffs, the Canadiens haven't advanced beyond the second round since 1993 (the last time they won the Stanely Cup, yet there is still a great sense of optimism surrounding the team because they have such quality young players on the rise to support their established veterans. With guys like Alex Kovalev and Saku Koivu holding leadership positions on the team, the Habs can't afford to waste their productive years. Thus, adding another veteran could help speed the Habs along the development curve. Free agency hasn't been terribly kind to Montreal in recent seasons, but the team's improving reputation as one of the league's up-and-coming young teams may help sway the decision of a potential big-name addition. If young players like Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins and the Kostitsyn brothers -- to say nothing of Carey Price -- improve, the Canadiens will have to be considered among the contenders heading into next season and that kind of potential is attractive. So, what kind of player might the Habs want to get? "We want to play a fast game," general manager Bob Gainey told the Montreal Gazette. "Could we be bigger and more rugged? Perhaps, but our philosophy is we're quick, we're exciting, we're on the attack and we're ready to score." That's a style of play that isn't just attractive to free agents, but it makes the Canadiens one of the more entertaining teams in the league to watch. Just like old times. Read the full article Edited June 13, 2008 by les_glorieux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Scott Cullen's off-season game plans are always simple and lazy. That excerpt was from the Gainey press conference shortly after our elimination and all he said was that we should be a good team next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wamsley01 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 (edited) Scott Cullen's off-season game plans are always simple and lazy. That excerpt was from the Gainey press conference shortly after our elimination and all he said was that we should be a good team next year. Lazy media at TSN? REALLY?? Edited June 13, 2008 by Wamsley01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Cullen is out of his mind if he expects the Habs to draft Niemi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saskhab Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Cullen is out of his mind if he expects the Habs to draft Niemi It'd be fun for me if they did (although, admittedly, they don't need another puckmoving D as a prospect... they need one in the NHL). Of course, I also lobbied in 2004 for Mike Green... should've lobbied harder, although I did say "Chipchura or Green" as my preference back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Well what's particular about this draft is that it's right up Montreal's alley when it comes to player positions. The first round is loaded with defenders and centers. Could Montreal use more defenders? Sure why not but I just don't see it happening with the first round since in their draft position. The main reason is because at their rank, the quality of centers is similar or better than the quality of the remaining blue liners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Well what's particular about this draft is that it's right up Montreal's alley when it comes to player positions. The first round is loaded with defenders and centers. Could Montreal use more defenders? Sure why not but I just don't see it happening with the first round since in their draft position. The main reason is because at their rank, the quality of centers is similar or better than the quality of the remaining blue liners. Gainey was pretty blunt about the lack of any pressing need on the blueline. "Long-term sustainability" on D, he called it. So that bodes poorly for the idea of the Habs drafting a defenceman, although there's always the view that says "draft the best player possible regardless of position." Still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Cullen is out of his mind if he expects the Habs to draft Niemi according to EHM, this guy is a beast ! just like Guillaume Latendresse and Tuomo Ruutu !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neech Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Gainey was pretty blunt about the lack of any pressing need on the blueline. "Long-term sustainability" on D, he called it. So that bodes poorly for the idea of the Habs drafting a defenceman, although there's always the view that says "draft the best player possible regardless of position." Still. Not so much at the 25th position, you might as well try to address your needs at that point. That article had basic information, but anything else he could have written at this point would be speculation. Good article, I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habitforming Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 (edited) Scott Cullen should stick to the Leafs. He's far more accurate when he talks about a team he follows then he is when he looks at scouting services rankings and then thows a name out there. You can bet Timmins and co. have an eye out for one or two specific players in the 25th spot. But, if those guys are off the board then I can also see the Habs taking Pickard at 25th if he is still there. It's Price's best friend, and his back up from Tri City who is also big, cool, calm, and plays the same game. Let's face it After Yan Danis is gone July 1st, what do they have in the cupboards for goalies. Edited June 16, 2008 by Habitforming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 From what I noticed, Cullen is really a stats guy more than anything. Perfect for online fantasy season / sports pools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Scott Cullen should stick to the Leafs. He's far more accurate when he talks about a team he follows then he is when he looks at scouting services rankings and then thows a name out there. You can bet Timmins and co. have an eye out for one or two specific players in the 25th spot. But, if those guys are off the board then I can also see the Habs taking Pickard at 25th if he is still there. It's Price's best friend, and his back up from Tri City who is also big, cool, calm, and plays the same game. Let's face it After Yan Danis is gone July 1st, what do they have in the cupboards for goalies. Cullen is an admitted Habs fan. Don't remember where he mentioned it... He is also a statistician, and only a statistician. He doesn't think he knows everything, he just looks at numbers and is good at interpreting them into something that is interesting to the readers (Power rankings, player rankings), none of it is subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wamsley01 Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Cullen is an admitted Habs fan. Don't remember where he mentioned it... He is also a statistician, and only a statistician. He doesn't think he knows everything, he just looks at numbers and is good at interpreting them into something that is interesting to the readers (Power rankings, player rankings), none of it is subjective. That is why his opinion is nonsense. Statistics do not tell the whole story and can be manipulated. How can you rank Osgood vs Luongo? All the stats say that Osgood is better. Does he have a strength of defense ranking that factors into his Player ranking? Or does he have a stat that helps evaluate why nobodies who play with Thornton have a tendency to have a spike in their goal and point production and how do you rank them against players without an elite centre at their disposal. It takes more than looking at a black and white stat sheets to make a proper evaluation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athlétique.Canadien Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Scott gets kudos for identifying Pacioretty as our number one forward prospect. But, after that what he states is obvious. Hossa, Sundin or Holik or whoever on July 1! (Maybe others, maybe not at all!) Two weeks to go. News is boring right now and every fan knows what the team needs. I could, as could many a poster on here state the obvious. Gainey sort of stated the obvious with his concern for offensive scoring in the end of season PC. And, why not acquire more scoring? Damn straight! Sign all the players back except for Ryder and Smolinski. Bob could just spend less on a UFA and give Ryder some good money on a one year deal. It's clear that Gainey likes the kid. He's by all indications (according to BObs approach with him) - a "Gainey type player". He might also bring back Smoke. Who knows? Cullen seems to state the obvious on many other teams too. The internet is having a reverse effect on the media in this way IMO. Some fans have so much interest with random media links and personal research, that they have become more knowledgable than the article writers. Two weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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