Glad to see you aboard. I’ve wondered just how you would fare in the NHL in the big league. You’re a talented young hockey player and not only that, you are also quite intelligent.

Hope tonights Game goes well for you.

Let’s be consistent

In California for 3 games against the Ducks, the Sharks and the Kings. And there is no Pacioretty in the lineup due to the 3 game suspension that was given after the Penguins game.

My wish list for this road trip is simple. Consistency.

I would look for this all across the board. From the line combinations to the intensity on the ice (and please, let’s be intense!) I’d like to see this team fire away at the opposing team’s goaltender. Keep it simple, far away from the pressure cooker of the hometown crowd (probably good for both Leblanc and Budaj), it’s an opportunity for these guys to make the simple plays and build some confidence.

Will it be easy? I doubt it. In today’s NHL, I doubt there is truely an easy stretch on the schedule. But this is a chance to get some of the positive energy that a young guy can bring to a team, playing his first game.

None of these 3 teams they will face are having stellar seasons…. but sometimes it seems to be harder to win against a struggling team.

So tonight and the next 2. Let’s not go the way of the yo-yo….. let’s be intense…. consistent.

(Please) Win!

Go Habs!

The uproar soon followed. I must admit, I felt that we were in for a long season. And honestly, we may be. Time will tell.

However, I try to be a “glass half full” kinda guy. An optimist.

When it comes to predicting the outcome of a season by looking at a team’s roster at the start of the year maybe you can, in a general way, assess where the team will finish. When it comes to predicting where a team will finish by looking at a team’s first 10-15-20 games…. you can make certain judgements… sometimes you’ll be right.

But sometimes, you’ll still be dead wrong.

In the last few years, we’ve seen predictions by experts that rated a team at the top of the conference…. the team barely makes it in. A team was rated as being out of the playoffs and they finish in the top spots of the conference.

There are so many variables it’s impossible to tell. Maybe your best guy gets hurt. Maybe a mediocre player has a career year and puts up surprising numbers which really helps raise his linemates production and the team in the overall standings. Maybe your GM makes a move that propels the team on a higher level…. or cuts the heart out of the group.

Just look at the Penguins of just a few years back when they won the cup. Going into the home strech, they weren’t even in the 8th spot. They were out of it. Sure, they had Sid, Malkin etc… But they were struggling big time. The last strech of the season, they hit a different gear and seemed to peak in the playoffs.

That’s not a one time occurance either. 8th seeds, 7th seeds, they occasionally go far. If your team really hits it’s stride at the right time of the year, you’ve got a shot.

So how good can these Habs be?

Well, there are positives for sure.

Erik Cole has been looking like the player they brought him here to be. He now has 6 goals and he’s always going to the net. Montreal has needed players like this for years. A bigger frame guy who goes into the other team’s goaltenders face…. and causes problems. Of course, to start the year, Mr Martin didn’t seem to want to play Cole much. Thankfully, that has changed.

Tomas Plekanec is a hell of a hockey player. We Habs fans have known this for quite some time. He has become much like Markov was a few years back. Our secret weapon.

Markov was quitely in the tops of the league in offensive defensemen. One of the very best.

Plekanec is such a good 2 way player. And it’s almost like it’s a secret because you don’t hear much about him. If it’s 5 on 5, penalty kill or power play, Tomas is on the ice and paying dividends. In fact, on the penalty kill he will sometimes generate offensive opportunities and rarely gives up on a play.

Our defense is depleted but some young guys are settling in. Gorges has been hitting his stride. Not that he’ll lead all defensemen in points or anything like that. But he’s a steady defensive precense. Josh is leading the team in +/- at +10. He wasn’t that strong to start the year but it’s coming together.

PK Subban is starting to settle in. Early in the season he gave up the puck alot and took some pretty bad penalties. Weber has looked really good at times, Emelin had a strong game the other night being quite physical.

Carey Price is looking like he’ll be the same goaltender we had last year. One of the best in the league, he will steal some games for sure.

Scott Gomez started looking alot better in the last game…. while many people expressed their desire to can him right away, if this guy can find it, he can be a heck of a puck mover. He and Gionta were looking like their New Jersey days last night.

Andrei Markov. Certainly, his contract is a risky one at best. If Markov can come back and be reasonably healthy this season, you can be assured that the special teams and the offensive game will be affected quick positively. Even with some diminished production due to his injuries, the guy has an incredible vision and hockey sense. Komisarek should be paying him a good chunk of his contract for making him look good for those Montreal years (I had to!).

Point is, it’s a guessing game. A crap shoot. You never know what can happen. There may not be another major injury this season. Or maybe, they will be decimated with injuries. You can only guess. If you’re “the expert”, the “arm chair gm” or whoever, it’s impossible to be completely accurate without an incredible amount of luck on your part.

My hope is that Montreal hits their stride and really click when the playoffs roll around.

I think they’ll make it in!

An important stat, in my mind, that sticks out right away is that Montreal has only picked up 2 penalties. (To Carolina’s 1)

They were so heavily penalized in past games that they would sometimes kill whatever momentum they were building.

Interesting note, Carey Price got an assist on the first goal (Cammalleri scoring, Plekanec with the other assist). While they seemed to need to find the offense just a little while back, who knew it would come from Price.

Scott Gomez and Max Pacioretty and leading the team with 4 shots a piece…. 32 shots after 2!! Limiting Carolina to 12 shots.

That’s my 1 concern…. Price is usually hot when he faces tons of shots…. but with only 12 shots, he may be a little cold.

On to the 3rd!

Mike Blunden has been recalled and while he won’t be the turning point of the season a guy like him could bring a whole lot of hustle and a whole lot of hits. Both of which I wouldn’t mind seeing right about now. I don’t think this can hurt the lineup any more then they’ve been suffering.

Petteri Nokelainen was acquired to add some depth in the center position. I would have preferred Betts… if he would have been healthy of course.

Let’s hope Petteri brings something. So far he’s won 18 face offs and lost 13. Not a huge stat there.

We need somethin’ folks.

Trade rumors… well, if you listen to call ins, you’ll likely hear rabid fans suggesting every possible scenario. Hey, we’re Habs fans after all right? Passion?? You got it.

Reports about Kostitsyn being on the block. Those rumors certainly aren’t new. We’ll see what happens.

My personal thoughts are that if the ship doesn’t change course, Mr Martin will be sailing somewhere else. And a player or 2 could sail the seas as well.

Tonight…. Habs vs Panthers. What will happen??

Stay Tuned.

To start, I would really like to say that I’m all optimistic and all is well. But I’m not sure that’s the case. At the same time, I really don’t think anyone should go so far as through the season down the tubes after 5 whole games.

1-3-1 start, are we done yet?

No, we’re not. We can go back many many years and look at several examples of teams who struggled out of the gates not only to land in the playoffs but some also did quite well. Anyone remember how terrible the Penguins were a few years back when they hit the half way point of a season out of the playoffs only to finish strong and win the cup??

Sure you do!

I’m not saying the Habs are going to win the cup this year. In fact, for the last 15 years or so, my gut points to Detroit as the winner. My point is it’s a long season and much can change, a quarter of the way, half way through. You get the point. However one thing is for certain. If the Canadiens do want to hit the playoffs…. well, gotta win some real soon.

But, not time to throw ‘em under the bus.

Max Pacioretty, Thank You!

Max Pacioretty is looking good out there. He seems to find the puck in front of him a lot and I like the fact that he’s shooting alot of shots on goal. The combination of Andrei Kostitsyn, David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty have looked really good out there. At times they don’t just look good but seem to dominate their opponents.

David Desharnais is a player that I enjoy watching. Going into corners and coming out with the puck against much bigger guys. Just always hustling, giving his all.

Alexei Emelin getting adjusted

At first Emelin would sometimes look out of place. The more he’s played I think he’s adjusting. One thing I do like about him is that he hits and at times hits hard. Komisarek used to give the Habs that kind of presence on defense and though Emelin is not as big he is more mobile. He seems to have good vision with some of his passing.

To start camp and the regular season it just seems to me that it’s an adjustment as the game is fast pace.

Erik Cole, we need you

When Cole was signed I thought “great, a bigger player who has a decent shot and will not only hang around the net but crash the net”. I figured that his presence in front of the net would bear fruits with some of our quick skating play makers. (Think Plekanec, Cammalleri, Gomez, Gionta)

But I’ve yet to see it. For some reason, Erik looks a little out of sync.

We need you Erik. I believe bro.

PK Subban needs to find D

One thing about Subban is that he can excite the crowd like no other. The man can skate circles around anyone and has some serious puck handling ability.

Problem is that when he’s tried to do too much and be “out there” with “carte blanch” creativity…. it’s cost the Habs in terms of goals.

The plus/minus stat is not an exact science, but for 5 on 5 play when you’re a -5, 5 games in the season then you’ve got problems.

We need you PK. But if I was coach, I’d ask you to tone it down a notch and make sure the risks aren’t too high.

Diaz and Eller

Watching Diaz last night I thought he looked good out there. He can skate, he can move the puck, he’s got a good shot and seems to have pretty good vision. Loved the patience he showed on his goal last night.

3 games in Lars Eller doesn’t have a goal and coming off injury, this is his training camp. But he’s looking good out there. Seems strong on the puck, can pass….. give him a bit and he’ll find the back of the net and get some assists.

I’m sure someone out there is still bitter about the Halak trade but so far the trade isn’t as one sided as some believed. Halak has been far from stellar in St Louis and the way Eller looks as a 22 year old NHLer in his 2nd second season makes me think we’ve got a good player on our hands.

We’re 5 games in. Bring on the Pens!

I remember watching this game and when the N.Y. Rangers were up 3-0, 4-0…. 5-0!!! I was demoralized. I was going to turn off the game but I generally always watch every game start to finish no matter what. On this night I did and I went from demoralized to amazed.

It seemed as though “it all went right” for the Rangers for the first half of the game and it just totally switched.

I figured Michael Ryder looked like he could have scored 10 goals in that second half. It was amazing to watch. I also remember that Kovalev goal where he falls to the ice with legs in the air. (Check out Scott Gomez playing for NY)

Classic moment in NHL hockey and a historic game. Coming back from a 5-0 deficit is no light task.

You remember this one?

Watching this video, my memories and even emotions come back…. pretty neat.

What do you remember most about this one?

I’m generally an optimist. Gotta be.

In years past there were some things that I didn’t like… like say the constant line juggling that we saw just a few years ago and some signings. I mean, honestly when the Habs first signed Hal Gill, I wasn’t sure how to feel because I could get past his former Leafs and Bruins jerseys… (I think Gill is a valuable asset today, not only on the ice but in the room from what we hear)

When Gauthier was hired, I didn’t know what to think. I was somewhat pessimistic.

But going into the fall this year I’m satisfied with what he’s done. I think Gauthier has done a decent job. Sure, someone can can point at a deal or two they don’t like or that may not have turned out 100%. But I’m not convinced it’s so different on many a team. Trades and drafts are sometimes a crap shoot. It’s like rolling the dice sometimes.

One move that I liked was the addition of Erik Cole.

When people talk about UFAs and over payment, it’s a given that UFAs are getting a pay day. Multiple teams trying to get in on signing players…. it’s a bidding war. It is what it is.

I’m looking forward to see Cole in a Habs uniform. As many have said, he just may be the power forward that the team’s been lacking for a number of years. He also may be a great mentor for Max Pacioretty.

When I think of the forwards I do think he may be a great compliment. Plekanec, Gomez, Gionta, Cammalleri…. speedy guys, they can move the puck…. if Cole becomes an annoyance in the crease of the opposing teams it should give these guys more room to move the puck. And Cole has the hands to score some goals. Habs fans know that all to well.

Plus, he loves playing in Montreal. He’s mentioned that he loves the atmosphere. He’s always been the villain. Now he can be the hero. I think he’ll love it… and that’s an other important aspect of the move. He knows that it’s a media frenzy.

I’m pumped up for training camps to start…. pre-season and the new season.

Here’s a couple of shorts vids of Erik meeting the media in Montreal.

Go Habs Go!

Erik meeting some new fans

If you were Pierre Gauthier and looking forward with $$, contract terms and player’s future potential in mind… and let’s say you could only sign one of these 2 guys…

Which guy would you sign?
For how much?
For how long?

Personally I’ve always been a fan of Andrei Markov. Always. He’s been one of the league’s premier offensive defensemen. I believe he’s loved Montreal and has been one of the cornerstones of this franchise.

But looking forward, would you offer him a long term deal for $5 million a year? I usually tend to feel nostalgic when looking at a player I’ve watched favorably for many a season so that is my natural tendency.

But looking at how Wisniewski played both with grit and with his offensive numbers… geez.

You know, I think I’d offer James a comfortable long term deal. He’s entering the prime of his career, has offensive skills, plays with some grit….

As for numbers, I’m not sure what I’d do. I’m thinking I’d offer him a 3-4 year deal. Maybe even up to 5 for a bit of a lower cap number. Given that he’s 27 years old he could very well have many strong years ahead.

What would you do??

The Montreal Canadiens organization does not agree with the decision taken yesterday by the National Hockey League. We can assure you that we have made our position clear to Commissioner Gary Bettman, and that he has agreed to make this issue a priority at the next General Manager’s meeting, which will be held in Florida on March 14-16.

Our organization believes that the players’ safety in hockey has become a major concern, and that this situation has reached a point of urgency. At risk are some of the greatest professional athletes in the world, our fan base and the health of our sport at all levels. Players’ safety in hockey must become the ultimate priority and the situation must be addressed immediately. As a proud father of three hockey players, I want to help create a healthy and safe experience for them, and I certainly never want any family to go through what the Pacioretty’s are experiencing at this moment.

The entire letter can be read here and I certainly encourage you to read it all.
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=555639

This letter is not written specifically to the Pacioretty incident and mirrors my concerns.

Max came within inches of being permanently paralyzed or even death. Enough is enough.

Even last night, another dangerous hit…. head shot by Kubina on Bolland.

Earlier in the season, another owner came out with strong words for the NHL. That being Mario Lemieux.

To do nothing is to agree that it’s ok to have these dangerous reckless hits.

Reckless hits need to be strongly discouraged.

I applaud you Mr Molson for taking leadership on this issue.

Blame the post not the hit

In a predictable turn of events the NHL came down with a strong position on the dangerous hit that left Max Pacioretty with a severe concussion and a broken C4 vertebrae.

“After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly — with both players skating in the same direction and with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.

“This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career.” – Mike Murphy, NHL

“The hockey play”. 3 words that can be used to explain anything that happens on the ice. Explaining the play does what? Why not try to eliminate dangerous plays.

There is absolutely no mention if Pacioretty could defend himself in anyway in this hit. League didn’t speak to him. Nothing. NHL Law.

Nothing in terms of any concern that a hit is possibly thrown on a player in vulnerable position.

There seems to be a bit of a difference between “NHL rules” and “society rules” however.

Somehow, in society, if you’re driving your car…. which is something alot of us tend to do from time to time…. if you drive to fast or recklessly… and happen to accidentally drive into a crowd of people or a pedestrian walking…. you’ll likely get charged with dangerous driving, careless driving…. whatever the charge.

But gosh, you didn’t mean to. Why was the pedestrian there?

Well, in society (and I’m sorry if the analogy isn’t 100% in line with NHL punitive system), we try to have people be responsible for their actions… even if they did not mean to “directly” cause harm in some way.

This blog article is not about Chara, I’ve been sickened by the list of serious injuries and the lack of accountability on players in so many cases. There is no clear line…. and seemingly no line or stand by the NHL or NHLPA to take these hits out of the league. Ultimately, it has little to do with a player’s intent. There has to be a strong position by this league and NHLPA to protect the players.

Another concerning part about the NHL’s punitive process… they speak to the aggressor but they don’t even speak with the victim. That is an “investigation”? Brilliant.

Time for change

And so many “experts” are pretty much saying…. “blame the post“. Are you serious? That is not a very intelligent stand. I don’t think you guys could become lawyers with that defense.

Ridiculous

This is a sport and these are life threatening injuries. Enough.