First Look, First Impression
Right so, yes I watched the Habs play last night on RDS, only an exhibition game, not exactly the squad that Carbo is going to ice when the season begins..But, but, meh, this is the same old shit, too small, can't generated enough scoring chances, and when there are chances to score, not enough finishers. The most glaring inadequacy is the defense, Souray is a bum, I am not sure, but it seemed to me that he was on the ice for all four Leaf goals. Please Bob move him and fast while he still has any value of return.
Positives, there were a few, the Koivu line looked solid, Saku looks good, he was the best forward out there last night. Carey Price looks like the real deal, he let in a flukey goal early in the first period, but had they left him in there the whole game, I think the Habs might have pulled this one out. Latendresse, I am still not sold on the guy, but he had a good first period, and does have nice chemistry with Bonk (who was also very good last night), so for the sake of appeasing the French media, give him a chance I guess...5 or 6 games, if he isn't ready let him act like a man amongst boys in Junior. Streit looked good, at least on the powerplay, he is soft in his own end, but he gets the puck on the net, unlike Souray (can anyone say Gaston Gingras).
This team is going to struggle this year I fear...Huet doesn't seem like the same goalie, no upgrade on defense, Kovalev and Sammy seem disinterested..Ribeiro is already on Carbo's shit list. It s going to be a struggle for this team to make the playoffs....Back to the drawing board Bob, this product aint gonna sell.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Saku Still A Question Mark
There is still a great deal of concern about the health of Saku Koivu's eye. Saku says that the eye has improved, but he still has trouble with peripheral vision, and is waiting to see how the eye reacts, during upcoming scrimages, and contact drills at Habs training camp.
You can't help but feel bad for the Hab's captain, if this guy didn't have bad luck he wouldn't have any luck at all. That said, this certainly adds extra emphasis on the fact that Bob Gainey has once again failed to fill a huge void at the center ice position. If Saku is not ready to go, that leaves, the top two center roles, probably in the hands of Mickey Ribs, and 2nd year player Higgins..possibly Bonk. Could this force Bob's hands, or will he maintain his steely resolve, to stick with his current line-up???...time will tell, let the rumours fly.
There is still a great deal of concern about the health of Saku Koivu's eye. Saku says that the eye has improved, but he still has trouble with peripheral vision, and is waiting to see how the eye reacts, during upcoming scrimages, and contact drills at Habs training camp.
You can't help but feel bad for the Hab's captain, if this guy didn't have bad luck he wouldn't have any luck at all. That said, this certainly adds extra emphasis on the fact that Bob Gainey has once again failed to fill a huge void at the center ice position. If Saku is not ready to go, that leaves, the top two center roles, probably in the hands of Mickey Ribs, and 2nd year player Higgins..possibly Bonk. Could this force Bob's hands, or will he maintain his steely resolve, to stick with his current line-up???...time will tell, let the rumours fly.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Slow Thursday
Well, it has slowed down out there right now...Dumont is a Predator, the Daze debate rages on. So in order to write, just to write, I figured I would give my pre-season prediction as to how I think our beloved Habs are going to fare this year.
Here it goes, I think the Habs are going to squeak into the playoffs again this year. I think that the lineup might be slightly better then that which was iced last year, but not improved enough to place them anywhere near the top off the Eastern conference. There are too many question marks, Saku's health, is Huet the real deal, is Carbo a big league caliber coach..Can this line up stay healthy, where is that big number one center, etc.
The East is wide open, Carolina proved last year, that any team can pull together, and make a run for Lord Stanley's cup..That said, it is my humble opinion that Les Habs 2006-07 will finish somewhere in between 6 and 8th this year, and probably be bounced in the first round. The more things change the more the stay the same, I fear.
Well, it has slowed down out there right now...Dumont is a Predator, the Daze debate rages on. So in order to write, just to write, I figured I would give my pre-season prediction as to how I think our beloved Habs are going to fare this year.
Here it goes, I think the Habs are going to squeak into the playoffs again this year. I think that the lineup might be slightly better then that which was iced last year, but not improved enough to place them anywhere near the top off the Eastern conference. There are too many question marks, Saku's health, is Huet the real deal, is Carbo a big league caliber coach..Can this line up stay healthy, where is that big number one center, etc.
The East is wide open, Carolina proved last year, that any team can pull together, and make a run for Lord Stanley's cup..That said, it is my humble opinion that Les Habs 2006-07 will finish somewhere in between 6 and 8th this year, and probably be bounced in the first round. The more things change the more the stay the same, I fear.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Dumont Madness Over, Prepare To Be-Daze-led
The Nashville Predator's signed J.P. Dumont earlier today, putting an end to the weeks of endless speculation which had JPD coming to the Habs....And the wild and wacky trade rumours that popped up, which were supposed to address the cap hit that a JPD signing would create.
Well I am glad that is over, the Habs have a glut on the wings, the signing of Dumont, was not a priority, and I am glad that Bob Gainey did not feel pressured to sign him, regardless of the emotional response, that some in the Montreal press and overvealous fans felt regarding Dumont. The Habs have no need for another winger, Dumont madness had more to do with the fact that he was a francophone, and less to do with any specific hole in the Habs line up. It made no sense to blow up the Habs line up, then sign Dumont, simply because he was a francophone. I am all for having players play for their home town team, sure if he was a number 1 center, or a top 4 dman, I'd have been all for it...Dumont didn't fit, case closed.
That brings me to Eric Daze, ever since the news broke that Daze's back was feeling good, and he felt healthy enough to restart his NHL career, the same nutty press and overzealous fans that had a chubby for Dumont, are now gaga for Daze. Sorry folks, the same thing I said about Dumont in the previous paragraph applies to Daze as well. I don't want to get political here, I lived in Montreal for 9 years, I am well aware of language and cultural issues that exist in Quebec. But this is hockey, not politics, hockey is not only a business, but a sport, its all about 24 players regardless of language, or culture, pulling together as a cohesive whole. I will say this again, if Dumont or Daze, were centermen, or defensemen, I would have been more than happy if Gainey signed them. The Canadiens and their fans are dieing for a local hero, shit there hasn't been one in Hab town since Patrick Roy left. But, Dumont or Daze are not the answer folks. Use hockey logic folks, leave the emotion for politics.
The Nashville Predator's signed J.P. Dumont earlier today, putting an end to the weeks of endless speculation which had JPD coming to the Habs....And the wild and wacky trade rumours that popped up, which were supposed to address the cap hit that a JPD signing would create.
Well I am glad that is over, the Habs have a glut on the wings, the signing of Dumont, was not a priority, and I am glad that Bob Gainey did not feel pressured to sign him, regardless of the emotional response, that some in the Montreal press and overvealous fans felt regarding Dumont. The Habs have no need for another winger, Dumont madness had more to do with the fact that he was a francophone, and less to do with any specific hole in the Habs line up. It made no sense to blow up the Habs line up, then sign Dumont, simply because he was a francophone. I am all for having players play for their home town team, sure if he was a number 1 center, or a top 4 dman, I'd have been all for it...Dumont didn't fit, case closed.
That brings me to Eric Daze, ever since the news broke that Daze's back was feeling good, and he felt healthy enough to restart his NHL career, the same nutty press and overzealous fans that had a chubby for Dumont, are now gaga for Daze. Sorry folks, the same thing I said about Dumont in the previous paragraph applies to Daze as well. I don't want to get political here, I lived in Montreal for 9 years, I am well aware of language and cultural issues that exist in Quebec. But this is hockey, not politics, hockey is not only a business, but a sport, its all about 24 players regardless of language, or culture, pulling together as a cohesive whole. I will say this again, if Dumont or Daze, were centermen, or defensemen, I would have been more than happy if Gainey signed them. The Canadiens and their fans are dieing for a local hero, shit there hasn't been one in Hab town since Patrick Roy left. But, Dumont or Daze are not the answer folks. Use hockey logic folks, leave the emotion for politics.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Favorite Rumour Site
Okay I will admit it, I started this blog as a reaction to the wild rumours that were being pooped out by other bloggers who claimed to be insiders, and who had me and countless other hockey starved Habs fans blindly refreshing their blogs, in the hopes that there was some validity to anything that they posted. I like to think of myself as a realist...A logic over fantasy type, that said, for 2 solid weeks I continually checked in on nhl-insiders, and the other one canadiensinsiders, thinking hey where there is smoke there is fire, or was it just the same twisted curiosity that humans have to stare at the wreckage of a car accident..I don't know.
There are however quite a number of bloggers who make a living peddling rumours. For the purpose of argument I will focus on only two. My favorite rumour mongerer is Spector.... He reports what he hears, and then comments. He is not someone who claims that he has umpteen sources, he simply reacts to what he hears, and 9 times out of ten I agree with him. I am however, not such a huge fan of Eklund, he is a different breed of rumour mongerer, he is of the type, that starts rumours, he has his connections, he makes news, he doesn't simply report and react to it.
Here is some classic Spector, all logic, no b.s http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5899900 , now compare this to Eklund's little whine this morning http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=2670 . Hey some folks like wild speculation, and puffed up egos, me I will stick with logic, and good solid hockey sense. Who does everyone else enjoy?
Okay I will admit it, I started this blog as a reaction to the wild rumours that were being pooped out by other bloggers who claimed to be insiders, and who had me and countless other hockey starved Habs fans blindly refreshing their blogs, in the hopes that there was some validity to anything that they posted. I like to think of myself as a realist...A logic over fantasy type, that said, for 2 solid weeks I continually checked in on nhl-insiders, and the other one canadiensinsiders, thinking hey where there is smoke there is fire, or was it just the same twisted curiosity that humans have to stare at the wreckage of a car accident..I don't know.
There are however quite a number of bloggers who make a living peddling rumours. For the purpose of argument I will focus on only two. My favorite rumour mongerer is Spector.... He reports what he hears, and then comments. He is not someone who claims that he has umpteen sources, he simply reacts to what he hears, and 9 times out of ten I agree with him. I am however, not such a huge fan of Eklund, he is a different breed of rumour mongerer, he is of the type, that starts rumours, he has his connections, he makes news, he doesn't simply report and react to it.
Here is some classic Spector, all logic, no b.s http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5899900 , now compare this to Eklund's little whine this morning http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=2670 . Hey some folks like wild speculation, and puffed up egos, me I will stick with logic, and good solid hockey sense. Who does everyone else enjoy?
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Who Stays, Who Goes....
Next summer is going to be an interesting time for Bob Gainey, 3 of the the Habs best defenceman are up for free agency. Markov, Rivet, and Souray, probably the 3 best dmen on the Habs right now, will all be looking for new deals. Of the 3, my favorite is Markov, I think he is a future all star, and should be priority number one. Which brings us to Rivet, and Souray. Rivet, is a career Hab, and has acted not only as an assistant captain, but also as the Habs player rep, for a few years now, I think that he has strong ties to the organization, and might be willing to take a modest pay raise in order to remain a Hab. Souray, I will tell you right now, I am not a huge Souray fan, I think he is way to prone to defensive brainfarts in his own end...that said, he is playing for a contract this year, I think Bob, holds on to him, until the trade deadline, then packaged with maybe a goalie, or picks, tries to land, the big talented center, the Habs have needed for years.
Next summer is going to be an interesting time for Bob Gainey, 3 of the the Habs best defenceman are up for free agency. Markov, Rivet, and Souray, probably the 3 best dmen on the Habs right now, will all be looking for new deals. Of the 3, my favorite is Markov, I think he is a future all star, and should be priority number one. Which brings us to Rivet, and Souray. Rivet, is a career Hab, and has acted not only as an assistant captain, but also as the Habs player rep, for a few years now, I think that he has strong ties to the organization, and might be willing to take a modest pay raise in order to remain a Hab. Souray, I will tell you right now, I am not a huge Souray fan, I think he is way to prone to defensive brainfarts in his own end...that said, he is playing for a contract this year, I think Bob, holds on to him, until the trade deadline, then packaged with maybe a goalie, or picks, tries to land, the big talented center, the Habs have needed for years.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Lets Talk Goalie
Is Huet a one year wonder, 3 million too much for one year of brilliance? What does Bob do with Abi? Yan Danis, this kid has exciled at every level (think he was the mvp, at the AHL allstar game last year), is he ready? What about Carey Price, is he the future, or a chess piece, for the Bob? Thoughts?
Is Huet a one year wonder, 3 million too much for one year of brilliance? What does Bob do with Abi? Yan Danis, this kid has exciled at every level (think he was the mvp, at the AHL allstar game last year), is he ready? What about Carey Price, is he the future, or a chess piece, for the Bob? Thoughts?
Muscle?
Still no interest in my little blog......okay how about if i throw this out there. What if, the Bob offers Tie Domi, a contract offer, nothing big, league minimum. The Habs are a small team, which is fine, the new NHL is built for speed, but the Habs have nobody that can take care of business, there is new true inforcer on this team. Tie Domi, sure he is old, sure he can't throw them like he used to be able to.....but the hey, he is gets under people's skin, he still has the ability to change the complexion of a game. Heck I'd sign him, just to piss off the Leaf Nation. Thoughts?
Still no interest in my little blog......okay how about if i throw this out there. What if, the Bob offers Tie Domi, a contract offer, nothing big, league minimum. The Habs are a small team, which is fine, the new NHL is built for speed, but the Habs have nobody that can take care of business, there is new true inforcer on this team. Tie Domi, sure he is old, sure he can't throw them like he used to be able to.....but the hey, he is gets under people's skin, he still has the ability to change the complexion of a game. Heck I'd sign him, just to piss off the Leaf Nation. Thoughts?
Nobody Interested???
Okay I have no meat....I haven't got Bobby on speed dial. I am a bored Habs fan, who likes to discuss all things Habs. Damn, thought I would have some takers. The good news of the day is that Saku is skating. The bad news is that Habs fans have been so saturated by rumour and inuendo, they have lost any sense of reality. I believe it was all a plot by the Leaf Nation...hahaha...blast away guys.
Okay I have no meat....I haven't got Bobby on speed dial. I am a bored Habs fan, who likes to discuss all things Habs. Damn, thought I would have some takers. The good news of the day is that Saku is skating. The bad news is that Habs fans have been so saturated by rumour and inuendo, they have lost any sense of reality. I believe it was all a plot by the Leaf Nation...hahaha...blast away guys.
Trying To Replace The Void Left By.......
So my fellow Habs fans, we have been on a two or three week rollercoaster ride...First it was a blogger named St. Patrick, claiming to be an insider, claiming that a deal was near. Then we had P.J. Stock spouting off at the mouth that Malkin was going to become a Hab. The madness that has been the Dumont to Montreal. Crazy rumours involving everyone from Souray to Ryder to Bonk to Komi..All this has lead us to a "deadline" mentioned by a dude named cardinaleye where the Caps would get Bonk and Ribs, for Morrison, and some other dude.
The only good that has come from any of this is that it has giving an opportunity to Habs fans to meet up chat, bite, scrap, argue, and fill the void of no hockey in mid-August. So what is the point of this blog...Do I want to ride the coattails of St. Patty, or cardinaleye, sure , if that means I can continue to rap with Habs fans. I can promise you this, I am not an insider, I won't make up rumours, I might report what I read, and comment, but I am not going to make shit up. This is a reality based blog, for Hab fans that wanna chat, nothing more nothing less.
So my fellow Habs fans, we have been on a two or three week rollercoaster ride...First it was a blogger named St. Patrick, claiming to be an insider, claiming that a deal was near. Then we had P.J. Stock spouting off at the mouth that Malkin was going to become a Hab. The madness that has been the Dumont to Montreal. Crazy rumours involving everyone from Souray to Ryder to Bonk to Komi..All this has lead us to a "deadline" mentioned by a dude named cardinaleye where the Caps would get Bonk and Ribs, for Morrison, and some other dude.
The only good that has come from any of this is that it has giving an opportunity to Habs fans to meet up chat, bite, scrap, argue, and fill the void of no hockey in mid-August. So what is the point of this blog...Do I want to ride the coattails of St. Patty, or cardinaleye, sure , if that means I can continue to rap with Habs fans. I can promise you this, I am not an insider, I won't make up rumours, I might report what I read, and comment, but I am not going to make shit up. This is a reality based blog, for Hab fans that wanna chat, nothing more nothing less.
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