IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 Obviously he could of handled Pare a bit better.. after the no call on the play. But, how they handled the Greig not engaging after the blindside HiT, and then targeted Stutzle without actually finishing Stutzle off. I think we sent a clear message of an eye for an eye for no accountability . I wouldnt doubt the final game will have zero drama and be a boring affair. Of course I've been wrong before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 4 minutes ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said: I got a different read on Xhekaj. I think these last two games have cemented his spot on the team opening night. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the team at all times. Im sure the team loves it and he wont be punished internally for it. Multiple Habs challenged Greig and he refused, even as Habs were cleanly targeting him he wouldnt engege. Xhekaj just casually reminded OTT they have stars on their team as well that can be targeted If Greig will and would not own up for his "head hunting" of Dach. Eventually he did and Dach settled it up. I don't disagree. I have no doubt that the players are very appreciative of his efforts to stick up for them. He just needs to be a little smarter and more disciplined in how he goes about it sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHabnut Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 58 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: I don't disagree. I have no doubt that the players are very appreciative of his efforts to stick up for them. He just needs to be a little smarter and more disciplined in how he goes about it sometimes. Yep. Try to hurt them as a statement, but do it within the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 Good article. Canadiens happy to have Xhekaj’s fight: ‘We stand up for one another’ (msn.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Heard an interesting thought on Melnyck today…namely that, if teams conclude that they can get the Habs off their game by running around and luring them into taking loads of penalties, that creates a positive incentive to run around against the Habs. So perversely, too much of a good thing from WiFi can make cheap-shotting us more, rather than less, likely. At the same time, I do believe these shenanigans send a signal that the Habs are not a team that can be intimidated. It’s all about that elusive balance…plus a competent PK would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 How is Xhekaj's defenisve play looking? Improved or still a work in progress? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 3 minutes ago, DON said: How is Xhekaj's defenisve play looking? Improved or still a work in progress? I would say a work in progress like every other young Hab defensemen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 9 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: Heard an interesting thought on Melnyck today…namely that, if teams conclude that they can get the Habs off their game by running around and luring them into taking loads of penalties, that creates a positive incentive to run around against the Habs. So perversely, too much of a good thing from WiFi can make cheap-shotting us more, rather than less, likely. At the same time, I do believe these shenanigans send a signal that the Habs are not a team that can be intimidated. It’s all about that elusive balance…plus a competent PK would help. I don't know about that theory, people are always looking for different theories. One thing for sure, if the Habs had a better power play then teams would be less likely to run around and take penalties against them. Hopefully Hutson can help in that regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 33 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said: Heard an interesting thought on Melnyck today…namely that, if teams conclude that they can get the Habs off their game by running around and luring them into taking loads of penalties, that creates a positive incentive to run around against the Habs. So perversely, too much of a good thing from WiFi can make cheap-shotting us more, rather than less, likely. At the same time, I do believe these shenanigans send a signal that the Habs are not a team that can be intimidated. It’s all about that elusive balance…plus a competent PK would help. I had the same thought. Do a dumb hit, wait for Xhekaj to lose it, score on the power play. Overly simplistic, sure, but it's not a far-fetched game plan for someone to think about if they're down or looking for a spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHabnut Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 40 minutes ago, DON said: How is Xhekaj's defenisve play looking? Improved or still a work in progress? Struble has looked better in preseason I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 3 minutes ago, BCHabnut said: Struble has looked better in preseason I think. I would definitely agree. Struble seems like a really mature young man and really focused, knows what he needs to do, doesn't try and do too much, plays a simple game. He is staying with the big team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmethead Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 I have two concerns. The first aligns with what you guys just mentioned. That teams will do whatever they can to entice Xhekaj into a reaction. The second is that after the last two games he’s well on his way on being typecast, kinda like how Gallagher was early on in his career. He’s officially on player safety’s radar and that’s not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted October 3 Author Share Posted October 3 10 hours ago, Helmethead said: I have two concerns. The first aligns with what you guys just mentioned. That teams will do whatever they can to entice Xhekaj into a reaction. The second is that after the last two games he’s well on his way on being typecast, kinda like how Gallagher was early on in his career. He’s officially on player safety’s radar and that’s not good. Xhekaj has no reputation as a dirty goon type - Gallagher has a reputation for being an asshole and a cry baby that he built over years. Xhekaj made a mistake with Pare but we can all understand why he did. The Stuzle hit was nothing because he missed. Marty praised, with caution, what Xhekaj did and universal praise from his teammates. The best solution to all of this nonsense is for the refs to do their jobs with consistency but I’m not very hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 55 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said: The best solution to all of this nonsense is for the refs to do their jobs with consistency but I’m not very hopeful. Well, that and instant ejection, suspensions & fines for fighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 11 hours ago, Helmethead said: I have two concerns. The first aligns with what you guys just mentioned. That teams will do whatever they can to entice Xhekaj into a reaction. The second is that after the last two games he’s well on his way on being typecast, kinda like how Gallagher was early on in his career. He’s officially on player safety’s radar and that’s not good. 12 hours ago, dlbalr said: I had the same thought. Do a dumb hit, wait for Xhekaj to lose it, score on the power play. Overly simplistic, sure, but it's not a far-fetched game plan for someone to think about if they're down or looking for a spark. Sure, this is something other teams could think of and maybe that would work for them when it comes to getting a PP goal or two and win a game. On the other hand, I'm not sure if the Marner, Stutzle, Petterson, Hughes, Kuch, etc would appreciate to see the chances of having Xhekaj retaliate on themselves after a teammate makes a dumb hit on one of ours. If I was Suzuki or Caufield, I surely wouldn't want Pezzetta or Mailloux to start the fire every other game against teams that carry some heavy hitters like Xhekaj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Pretty interesting suggestion coming out of the Quebec medias yesterday. Suggested that the NHL should not schedule preseason games involving "natural rivals". No Boston-Habs, no Sens-Habs, no Toront-Habs. Only games between the Habs and teams like the Devils, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, NYI, etc. Only games where the stakes are maybe just a little less important. No need to set the tone for the season that much. Just playing hockey, executing plays and evaluating personnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 11 minutes ago, JoeLassister said: Pretty interesting suggestion coming out of the Quebec medias yesterday. Suggested that the NHL should not schedule preseason games involving "natural rivals". No Boston-Habs, no Sens-Habs, no Toront-Habs. Only games between the Habs and teams like the Devils, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, NYI, etc. Only games where the stakes are maybe just a little less important. No need to set the tone for the season that much. Just playing hockey, executing plays and evaluating personnel. This makes the most sense but for travel... Also, the best deterent for dirty shenanigans and taking liberties on our stars is a lethal powerplay. Fix the powerplay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 52 minutes ago, JoeLassister said: Pretty interesting suggestion coming out of the Quebec medias yesterday. Suggested that the NHL should not schedule preseason games involving "natural rivals". Not a terrible idea, it doesn't take much to light the match when natural rivals play in exhibition games especially considering there is nothing at stake (ie a bad penalty doesn't hurt you in the standings). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurdBurglar Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Preseason games are to evaluate players against other team in a similar to NHL setting by using different levels of competition. Removing rival games lowers the competition bar. If rival game are removed due to the competition being too high, making the stakes higher, it’s almost just as well to remove all inter-team play during the preseason. A better idea would be having a set of preseason punishments that are harsh to be more a deterrent. Things like automatic doubling of fines/suspensions handed out during the preseason. For these AHLers, suspensions that apply to their AHL games and a suspension for their next NHL game, when they are eligible to play in the NHL. They will think twice if they could get passed over for a call up because they have to serve a suspension that they got in the preseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habs Fan in Edmonton Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 2 minutes ago, TurdBurglar said: Preseason games are to evaluate players against other team in a similar to NHL setting by using different levels of competition. Removing rival games lowers the competition bar. So you are saying that if Montreal played Dallas or Edmonton (not really rivals) than the competition bar would be lowered? I totally get that the extra travel would be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commandant Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 28 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: So you are saying that if Montreal played Dallas or Edmonton (not really rivals) than the competition bar would be lowered? I totally get that the extra travel would be an issue. I dont even think it needs to be western conference teams. Its just dont play Ottawa, Boston, Toronto and similar teams. They could easily play New Jersey, Buffalo, Columbus, Islanders, pittsburgh, etc. These teams arent major rivals and while it would increase travel slightly, it wouldnt be a huge deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzer Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 2 hours ago, JoeLassister said: Pretty interesting suggestion coming out of the Quebec medias yesterday. Suggested that the NHL should not schedule preseason games involving "natural rivals". No Boston-Habs, no Sens-Habs, no Toront-Habs. Only games between the Habs and teams like the Devils, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, NYI, etc. Only games where the stakes are maybe just a little less important. No need to set the tone for the season that much. Just playing hockey, executing plays and evaluating personnel. Go to 4v4 preseason games for more open ice. Fewer preseason games so teams don't have to have high roster counts, which would naturally eliminate some of the scrubs. Journeyman AHL guys don't need preseason evals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurdBurglar Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said: So you are saying that if Montreal played Dallas or Edmonton (not really rivals) than the competition bar would be lowered? I totally get that the extra travel would be an issue. I do believe the level of competition would be lowered for the preseason. The whole reason rivalry games are so good is because the motivation creates a higher level of competitiveness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 2 hours ago, JoeLassister said: Pretty interesting suggestion coming out of the Quebec medias yesterday. Suggested that the NHL should not schedule preseason games involving "natural rivals". No Boston-Habs, no Sens-Habs, no Toront-Habs. Only games between the Habs and teams like the Devils, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, NYI, etc. Only games where the stakes are maybe just a little less important. No need to set the tone for the season that much. Just playing hockey, executing plays and evaluating personnel. The big thing is the cost factor. Teams now send their players on the road on the day of a game to eliminate hotel costs. Some teams used to subsidize others coming in (Montreal did this with Florida, I believe for a while) and the switch to all closer opponents was to eliminate that. Granted, there are enough close-ish opponents that this could work for Montreal. But for Western teams (assuming the same principle is applied league-wide), that could be trickier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Guess it’s up to the owners to decide what is costing more in their eyes. Hotel rooms for 50 people or increased chances of losing players like Laine for months because of proximity rivalries. I say increased chances because of course Laine could have received the same hit against Pittsburgh or Detroit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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