Has the season self-destructed??
The constant injuries and lack luster play has certainly been tugging away at the optimism I had coming into the season. A quarter of the way through it’s still pretty hard to read exactly who this team is. But although it is hard to discern it’s not really something that can be faulted on management.
I’m not saying that there haven’t been moves (or “non-moves”) made in the last few years that I think were bad in hindsight leading up to today… but what I am saying is that one can’t honestly measure just how good this team is
We’ve been without our best player and other players who were keyed in as integral parts of this team.
When compared to last year’s team and the “core” that the Habs had prior to this season it still speaks loudly to me that this group is 10-11-0 after 21 games… without Markov… and other pieces of the puzzle also out.
There’s a great article on the numbers without Markov over at Lions in Winter… check it out.
There’s been quite a bit of doom and gloom from what I’ve been hearing in regards to the season and the talk about a “rebuild” has begun. Honestly, I think we’ve just begun “the rebuild”.
Read more…
Posted by Yves Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Categories: My thoughts
Tags: Andrei Kostitsyn, Andrei Markov, Brian Gionta, Guillaume Latendresse, Max Pacioretty, Maxim Lapierre, Montreal Canadiens, Ryan O'Byrne, Slump
What’s with all the fuss at 2-5??
Listening to some stuff going on you’d swear it was February and the team was looking like they were going to miss the playoffs.
Not sure why but it almost seems to me that expectation is always so high. When the “new” guys were being signed, I didn’t expect a whole lot to happen during those days… but I must admit that after the summer was over I did feel a certain optimism. There were new players with both offensive and defensive skill.
Going into tonight the Canadiens have lost 5 straight and perhaps it feels a little worse because they started out with 2 wins in a row.
But let me ask a couple of questions…
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Posted by Yves Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Categories: Montreal Canadiens
Tags: Bob Gainey, Jacques Martin, Montreal Canadiens, Slump
Slump?
Habs haven’t played up to their talent level.
So far this season it hasn’t quite been like the last. More injuries to key players… and we’ve seen flashes of what the farm guys can give.
Personally, I think if there is a time to slump in a season it’s now. Coming off the all-star break. Still alot of games left and the rush is on.
Of course, by slump, I don’t mean it’s “the time” to loose for a month. But if there is a time to have some struggle… here it is.
That being said…. if there is a time in the season where you want to peak… it’s going into the playoffs. For sure.
Guys back from injury… time for something to happen. Get the sync back…
I suspect that Gainey will once again be a buyer this year. Not sure if Vinny is the guy.. although, if you can get him please do!!
Lookin’ forward to a win today!
Posted by Yves Date: Saturday, January 31, 2009
Categories: Montreal Canadiens
Tags: Bob Gainey, Slump
Habs and the monkey
It has been a while since I’ve posted.
In these last few weeks my total enthousiasm was somewhat stumped… The team that I’ve seen as having great potential and talent seemed to hit an early season wall and most chemistry had flown out the window.
I’m not sure that I’m in panic mode yet. There are new faces and I think they’re facing their first challenge together… some of the young guys are facing new challenges in being on a team that is expected to deliver.
There have been some positive signs.
The 4th line has played well pretty much consistently.
But, there seems to have been a lack of heart for the most part at times and that is what concerns me the most.
On last night’s game, I was very happy to see them rally back…. tie the game… Price stood on his head a few times (almost literally)… I was also very happy to see some enthousiasm coming from the bench when Alex Tanguay scored that shootout goal.
I’m hoping we’ll see lot’s of heart in the next few games. I read that Komisarek is out for a month. That is not good news…. and this team is gonna have to play hard without one of their emotional leaders.
Here’s a chance for some other guys to step it up in the dressing room.. as well as on the ice. I think Komisarek being out another month is a BIG opportunity for O’Byrne….. O’Byrne had a rough game last night. Let’s hope he starts playing the way he should….. responsible on D and physical.
Let’s get the monkey off their back!
Posted by Yves Date: Friday, November 21, 2008
Categories: Game comments, Montreal Canadiens
Tags: Alex Tanguay, Mike Komisarek, Ryan O'Byrne, Slump
