Trade Gonchar in, Moen out!

[Jeff Price (no relation)]

there have been many signs leading up to and including yesterdays game. your just the last to notice.

It doesn't count until it shows up on the scoreboard. "Potential" means nothing. Results mean everything.

[Guest Stogey24]

It doesn't count until it shows up on the scoreboard. "Potential" means nothing. Results mean everything.

+ player in last 5 games.... You can't just look at a score sheet and think a player does nothing because he's not tallying points. He's finding his way in this league. He's dropped the gloves the past two games and had a nice PP assist last night. Not to mention the fact your expecting our youngest defensemen to be producing points when our top players are just starting to find their way onto the score sheet again.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Putting Beaulieu on the wing is a terrible strategy for developing a young defenceman. He needs to be learning his position at the big-league level, not trying to figure out how to be a forward. It's like Yannick Weber II or something.

I gather from comments here and from the radio feed that Gonchar looked damn good. That's nice, and if he can keep it up, so much the better. But sheesh, at some point the team has to fish or cut bait with these young defenders.

[DON]

Putting Beaulieu on the wing is a terrible strategy for developing a young defenceman. He needs to be learning his position at the big-league level, not trying to figure out how to be a forward. It's like Yannick Weber II or something.

I gather from comments here and from the radio feed that Gonchar looked damn good. That's nice, and if he can keep it up, so much the better. But sheesh, at some point the team has to fish or cut bait with these young defenders.

Beaulieu is much faster and tougher than Weber, so more fit for wing duty.

[Jeff Price (no relation)]

Nobody is talking about moving him permanently to wing, anyway. (Except maybe DON, I'm not sure.)

It's a matter of getting him extra ice time while dressed as a 7th d-man.

Two of my favorite offensive defensemen in the league benefited a lot from time on the wing. (Byfuglien and Burns)

[ICEWATER77]

It won't hurt Beaulieu to take a few shifts on the wing. I'm sure if you asked him he'd say "if it gets me in the game, i'll play anywhere". He didn't look outta place either, so what's the big deal? And I agree with Stoge, you can't measure the intangibles that a player brings to the table merely by looking at the scorecard. Case in point, look at PK last night. He didn't get any pts, didn't have any shots on net, but what he did by jumping in to confront Lucic speaks volumes. There are so many more ways a player can contribute to the overall game besides pts.

[Jeff Price (no relation)]

It won't hurt Beaulieu to take a few shifts on the wing. I'm sure if you asked him he'd say "if it gets me in the game, i'll play anywhere". He didn't look outta place either, so what's the big deal? And I agree with Stoge, you can't measure the intangibles that a player brings to the table merely by looking at the scorecard. Case in point, look at PK last night. He didn't get any pts, didn't have any shots on net, but what he did by jumping in to confront Lucic speaks volumes. There are so many more ways a player can contribute to the overall game besides pts.

I've been impressed the couple times Beaulieu dropped the gloves this year, too. But that's not what he's there for. Parros could do that, too.

The problem is, historically, his intangibles have not been good. He's looked out of place - a passenger contributing nothing on a very good team around him. The last few games he's had a bit more purpose, but that doesn't get you any credit until you start contributing. Beaulieu is on the team for one reason. It's certainly not a physical presence, nor is it defensive expertise. It's not "possession numbers," he hasn't been dominating any of the advanced stats areas. Beaulieu has one and only one real talent - driving the offense; causing our score to rise. That's why he's on the team, that's his job. As such, his contribution really can be judged on "What are you bringing to our offense? Are you making good things happen on the scoreboard by being on the ice?"

Given time, I hope the answer to those questions for Beaulieu will be a resounding "Yes!" Last night was a good start.

[DON]

Nobody is talking about moving him permanently to wing, anyway. (Except maybe DON, I'm not sure.)

It's a matter of getting him extra ice time while dressed as a 7th d-man.

Two of my favorite offensive defensemen in the league benefited a lot from time on the wing. (Byfuglien and Burns)

No not really..maybe would be best? I dunno?

I suggested it long ago that he may be a super winger; as he can hit, really skate (forwards, not so much backwards) well and shoot. And with bit of log jam on back end, he may get more playing time?

But others suggested he can 'learn defense' over time and would be more valuable as a puck-moving d-man, which may be true?

Hey the kid is young and lots to learn, so who knows how good a d-man he can be, given time and coaches vote of confidence?

[KoRP]

Anyone that can skate as good as NB, and has some obvious hockey/offense potential can play wing or defense.

There is something to be learned playing wing, about defense, and vice versa.

Last night when Gilbert went into the boards, NB slotted right off the wing onto the PP as a defenseman, and got a point on the goal on the rush.

Played some of each position, and had a great game,

As Tommy Chong once said....What's the hassle man?

[hab29RETIRED]

Nobody is talking about moving him permanently to wing, anyway. (Except maybe DON, I'm not sure.)

It's a matter of getting him extra ice time while dressed as a 7th d-man.

Two of my favorite offensive defensemen in the league benefited a lot from time on the wing. (Byfuglien and Burns)

Buff has never become anything close to a reliable dman. Because of his size, he is actually better suited as a power forward. Beaulieu is not the hulk that Buff is.

Dmen are in short supply and high in demand. I'd rather make sure Beaulieu becomes a solid top 4.

[Habs30/31]

Buff has never become anything close to a reliable dman. Because of his size, he is actually better suited as a power forward. Beaulieu is not the hulk that Buff is.

Dmen are in short supply and high in demand. I'd rather make sure Beaulieu becomes a solid top 4.

you got that right

and you can bet he will

[Habs30/31]

If you don't win more than you lose, how can you win four rounds?

We traded a fourth liner for an aging veteran and folks are acting like we just gave up Galchenyuk for Shane Doan.

This is an insignificant deal in hopes of boosting our powerplay. If it doesn't work, Gonchar won't play much longer.

Such bipolarity. One moment it's how awesome for Bergevin to dust Bourque so Therrien can play youngsters and the next it's our youngsters are dead because Gonchar might play a few games.

This is not a big deal.

yes but you can win more than you lose..................... and go out in the first round right away.......and never get close to a cup

did tbay not win more than they lost last season.........101 pts ................. never won a single game in play offs

how about the caps......have they not won more than they lost every year for the last 10 years ............. and stunk in the play offs losing more than they won

so yes you can dress murray and boulion and get some wins............ just not against the best teams in may

[Habs30/31]

Putting Beaulieu on the wing is a terrible strategy for developing a young defenceman. He needs to be learning his position at the big-league level, not trying to figure out how to be a forward. It's like Yannick Weber II or something.

I gather from comments here and from the radio feed that Gonchar looked damn good. That's nice, and if he can keep it up, so much the better. But sheesh, at some point the team has to fish or cut bait with these young defenders.

Gonchar did fine on the pp, could not hit the net but moved the puck around well. Still smooth as silk for an old guy.

However, a D that carries Gonchar, Markov and Weaver all playing at once in a seven game series. Has the forwards on the opposition licking their chops.

[Habs30/31]

It doesn't count until it shows up on the scoreboard. "Potential" means nothing. Results mean everything.

Well he has one less goal than DD.

talk about results !

[ICEWATER77]

good one 30!

[Jeff Price (no relation)]

Well he has one less goal than DD.

talk about results !

And 1/8th the points! Besides, DD has already proven himself a perennial .67 point per game forward. The results are already there. Let's see N8 begin producing though. Make me happy. Two more points tonight from the kid!

[hab29RETIRED]

And 1/8th the points! Besides, DD has already proven himself a perennial .67 point per game forward. The results are already there. Let's see N8 begin producing though. Make me happy. Two more points tonight from the kid!

1/8th the points with 1/100 the ice time

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

We all want Beaulieu to succeed. There's really no reason to sh*t on Desharnais, who is a real character player and a productive performer, to make that point.

As for the subject of this thread, Gonchar looks pretty good so far. I don't know if he can keep it up, but if he does, MB looks like a genius (again).

[hab29RETIRED]

I want both to succeed. Just responding to the ridiculous comment that he has 1/8 the points as desharnais.

We all want Beaulieu to succeed. There's really no reason to sh*t on Desharnais, who is a real character player and a productive performer, to make that point.

As for the subject of this thread, Gonchar looks pretty good so far. I don't know if he can keep it up, but if he does, MB looks like a genius (again).

[KoRP]

Gonchar has looked like what we needed, a PP specialist, and a veteran with some poise with the puck in his own end, and the knowledge of what to do with the puck looks contagious.

Against heavy hitting/forechecking teams, maybe he will show his age some, but so far I've liked what he has brought to the team, and really he didn't/doesn't cost much considering team needs, and salary after this year is zero...

There really are no negatives so far...

[ch_nl]

I was surprised. Almost chocked. And then, after some thinking, this might be a good trade after all.

The reason why we dealt for Moen in the first place was because his playoff abilities and the fact that he had won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim. A playoff player, in other words. But then came Prust. Two years younger, a bit tougher and Moen spent more time off the ice. Prust or Moen? They both bring the same kind of game, maybe Moen is a bit more useful on the PK.

Montreal is a contender this year.

Sergei Gonchar has that experience. He has also been assistant captain for a respectable amount of his NHL career. Twice he's been the top goalscorer among defencemen. It seems like he's a class act. Sure, he's overpaid, but that was Moen too. I just think that this team needs Gonchar more than Moen.

[Toronthab]

I was surprised. Almost chocked. And then, after some thinking, this might be a good trade after all.

The reason why we dealt for Moen in the first place was because his playoff abilities and the fact that he had won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim. A playoff player, in other words. But then came Prust. Two years younger, a bit tougher and Moen spent more time off the ice. Prust or Moen? They both bring the same kind of game, maybe Moen is a bit more useful on the PK.

Montreal is a contender this year.

Sergei Gonchar has that experience. He has also been assistant captain for a respectable amount of his NHL career. Twice he's been the top goalscorer among defencemen. It seems like he's a class act. Sure, he's overpaid, but that was Moen too. I just think that this team needs Gonchar more than Moen.

Good post. I'm certain he's going to have some bad games on those 40 year old legs and look terrible, but my guess is that on balance he's going to bring more pluses than minuses. I really like the way MT has quickly made room for him and thrown him straight into the fray with confidence building confidence. A wrister from the point into traffic and "clunk".. a goal and two assists on the night.

He is silky smooth and really slick on the PP, with a super shot.

May the good Lord grant him happiness and success with Les Boys.

[Habs30/31]

And 1/8th the points! Besides, DD has already proven himself a perennial .67 point per game forward. The results are already there. Let's see N8 begin producing though. Make me happy. Two more points tonight from the kid!

and dd was given a lot of time, patience and support from the coaching staff (and fans) whe he was trying to make his way. Beaulieu deserves the same.

was it not just last season when dd had one assist in the first 20 games.

easy on NB .....he is allowed to have an early career point slump.........

[Jeff Price (no relation)]

He's had 3 abortive seasons already. DD started putting up decent numbers from his first half season in the NHL, and never stopped. Beaulieu has to start producing NOW. You don't get a season's worth of zeros to get your act together. a few weeks, sure. then you get sent down to work on it and try again. eventually you run out of chances. NB hasn't run out yet, but nobody can claim he hasn't been given a fair chance in this quarter season. He has to start producing or he shouldn't be here.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

Until last night, nobody on our defence was producing much.

Doth protest too much.