Andrei Kostitsyn scored a goal for Belarus and Tomas Plekanec had an assist for the Czech Republic today.
• • •
Jason Blake says he'd accept a trade out of Toronto.
Big lineup for that stiff, who scored 40 in his UFA season and then 15 after the Leafs signed him to a five-year, $20 million contract.
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NIGHTMARE-- On Weber,s injury, they are keeping it quite with the memorial cup next week. This should be a great tournament. All 4 teams have a ton of drafted players. I think I'll be going to Kitchener and take in a few of the games. It is fantastic hockey at this level, they have so much to play for.
Should be fun...I've got tickets for a couple of the games (Belleville Bulls, seeing as how they are the team I am pulling for!).
Ian - Have a great time in Kitchener and it seems to be really well organized, Enjoy.
What's the story with Danny Markov - is he an UFA this summer?
He played in Russia this past year, as Detroit wasn't willing to meet his contract demands. What I don't understand is how nobody else stepped to the plate to pay him.
The guy is a great physical d-man, capable of a great first pass in addition to his bodychecks. Everyone forgets that he is on Russia's powerplay squad...which is pretty significant considering they also have guys like our own Markov and Gonchar.
If he's a UFA this summer, I wouldn't mind making a pitch for him - he's strong, gritty, gives 110% every night, delivers beautiful open ice hits, and to top it off, is Andrei's bro.
Think about it BG!
everything you said is true!
but unfortunately danny markov is not related to andrei markov in any way, they aren't brothers or even relatives - cool as it may have been.
With all the talk of mtl needing to get a big forward after seeing the height difference between Philly and Mtl players on the one hand and the on the other hand with Gainey not having any issues with mtl lacking size or grit, it got me curious about Detroit.
I haven't watched them much but having looked at a lot of their players, they're not exactly a big team. At least in recent years they don't seem to be known for their hitting or grittiness. Does Lidstrom ever make a huge bodycheck? What makes Detroit such a good team?
I've been pondering that exact thing the last couple games while watching Detroit Vid. Perhaps that is what Gainey means when he says they want to use skill and speed to win and that they just need a little more of it. Detroit seems to control the puck the whole game and therefore allow few opportunities for the opposition to score. Size, so it would appear, is not the most important ingredient. However, you do have to be tenacious and that is something the Habs should have learned. And that means every shift. Your big guys also have to be the ones to challenge the D in front of the net. Like Franzen and Holmstrom. We had absolutely no one, at least no one who as willing, to do that. Kovalev, to his credit, tried it in game five but the reality is that shouldn't be his job.
The Wings are proving what Gainey said when he smirked in the year-end press conferance about the Habs needing size. Gainey clearly believes that toughness and grit were not their downfall. If Detroit wins the cup, and does it with the first Euro captain to boot, that will have those saying that Burkes' Ducks are the blue print for success re-thinking their position. When the GM rating was posted on here, and Burke was rated number one, I disagreed and rated Holland and Lamorello ahead of him. Holland, it would seem, is as good as any GM we have seen in a long time.
GO HABS.
Excellent post guys....
Detroit as now made the playoffs 14 years in a row,... they won the cup more than any other franchise during that period,... that makes Ken Holland the best GM out there.
Detroit's and Holland's philosophy is '' puck possession ''.
Its the core principle upon which drafting is conducted, playing strategys are devised and players developpement are sketched.
When scouting they are always on the look-out for players showing puck handling abillitys,.... they hardly never have the chance to get early picks yet their team never lacks talents.... they stay away from '' project''prospect.
I too felt releived when Gainey smirk at the simplistic suggestion about his team needs of size..... I just loved hearing him stating that our identity his to be offensive, on the attack, fast, intelligent, opportunistic,... exciting ! oui monsieurs ! ... exciting ! As he said, players need to know what to expect when we approach them to come and play here... its clear to me now that Bob has embedded the CH with a distinct philosophy we will prosper and remain prosperous just as Detroit are.... and for pretty much the same reasons.
Detroit are a tireless bunch of smouth skaters where you find the D supporting the attacks and the forwards supporting the D back in their zone and they are alone at the top with their best shots on goal differential during the season... their game is highly collective and their mind are set on ''puck possession'' ... winning 75% of their face-offs tonight his part of the details that make them the great team that they are... playing hochey there is rewarding for the talented one and Rafalski didn't hesitate to leave the Devils behind and joined them this year.... instead of coming here as Gainey was wishing last summer ( Briere along with Rafalski where the pair Bob's was after to get ). When you got Lindstom, Dastsuk and Zetterberg to show the way and a couple of " mules " like Holmstrom and Hanzen ready to die in front of the opposing nets you have all that is needed to be a cup winning team..... and an exciting one at that.
In addition to their skill you can't talk about the Red Wings success without talking about their grit and committment. These guys play extremely hard, whistle to whistle, they finish their checks and their fwds will go into the dirty areas (i.e. holmstrom, franzen, cleary). Their skilled players will not shy away from contact either; and when you drop them (if you can) they will bounce right up. Add a backline with Lidstrom, Kronwall, Rafalski and Chelios and it's not hard to see why they are the best team left in the playoffs.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in discussing the Wings and their success, is the tremendous leadership that must be exhibited for them to be where they are now; from the coach down. In other words, Babcock has had to communicate to his players that this is the sort of effort and work that is necessary, and create a culture where everybody knows that's the standard and nothing less will be acceptable; by anybody. To do that you need strong leaders, guys (usually) with skill who will do what is asked of them, and guys who the rest of the team will follow. The Wings are following, and they look unstoppable.
Montreal is still a young team, but this is the one area that I think we have to address before we can think about becoming a team like the Wings; which is where I'd like to see them aim. Outside of Koivu, I think we're thin here.
Gainey in the press conference has put into words the model upon which Montreal will be defined from now on.... he realises the importance of having an identity as a team and as a franchise ... Ken Holland did just that in 1995 while watching their 5 Russians playing as a 5 men unit controlling the game in a way that was as convincing as it was awe inspiring and decided to invest the franchise in that direction... successes followed and a winning attitute and culture became the norm.
Winning attitude (work ethic) is a by product of knowing successes and the will henceforth to always play up to that standard.
We have established new standards for ourselves this season and it came as a result of our speed and of our creative offensive talents ... most goals scored in the league ... best power play in the league ... conference champion ... this relative success is ours and Gainey is wise by insisting to further along a path where our offensive and our attacks will be a big part of our futur successes as a team and as a franchise.
Now that our Selke winning coaches and GM have recognised and supported our offensive ways there will be no longuer any doubts left to stop the Rafalskis and the Brieres of this world to come here when invited and our own players will think twice before leaving us like Perezhogin did or Kostsitsyn could .. if sustainability is to matter those elements are important.
Successes,... identity,... pride in our game,... players will come,... leadership will emerge....
Bouleau - I could be wrong but i don't think you would have posted this right after the Red Wings were brought to the seventh game by the lowly Predators in round #1.
Detroit dominated Nashville, despite the number of games that one went. Nashville's goalie stood on his head, must've faced about 45 shots per game avg. Regardless, that series certainly doesn't call into question anything that's been posted, IMO.
Wencz - Sorry if i was out of line and i'll go and stand in the corner but if i'm not mistaken my post was for Bouleau as i stated.
chill out man, nothing personal, just disagreeing with your point, that happens in here from time to time. no need to punish yourself for making a point that i disagree with, but this nightmare of an attitude... maybe some time facing the corner would be beneficial.
The Preds made us looked bad this season at the Bell,.... parity is for real and Trotz is a great coach... the Wings went throught Avalanche in 4 and are doing well against Dallas..... cup or not this year my respect for the Wings will not be altered.
I am here to just say that I like Bob Cole. I know he's not nessisarily a traditional play by play. there was an article in the globeandmail the other day about how he tells a story when he broadcasts I like him. He also has a GREAT voice. And now another banner will hang from the rafters of the famous forum in Montreal. The Canadiens win the Stanley Cup! ........Beautiful.
As for Don Cherry hey I watched him tonight and I thought he was entertaining. Some of those guys on tsn are boring Pang Dreger Barnaby.
What a great OHL game that just finished. Belleville wins 6 to 3. 7th game for the championship goes in Kitchener Monday Night 7pm on Rogers. Two points for Suban and Weber was out injured.
Goal tender Murphy for the Bulls is the difference, he is the quickest goaler I have seen in many years. Keep your eye out for this kid down the road.
60 min. of high tempo, no slackers in this one.
Ian - Thanks for the report and Monday night should be a great game and the last assignment for our OHL watch dog for this season. You did a great job on filling us in on our Ontario prospects. Is their any word on Weber's injury.
Dumb play by Ribeiro at the end, but also a stupid dive by Osgood. He takes 100 mile/hour shots with that equipment and he can't take a wimpy hack like that from a wimpy player? Come on.
Say what you will about CBC, but their broadcast duo of Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson is talented. Hughson rarely mixes up names and he's on top of the play all over the ice. Simpson seems to know exactly how each situation has unfolded and he often sounds like a coach in the way that he describes plays. He was also a decent enough hockey player that his comments on how the players are competing carry validity. The game wasn't the most exciting one I've ever seen, but it was enjoyable nonetheless because those two bring a quality that CBC desperately lacks throughout their staff.
Agreed. Hughson and Simpson are a really good team. Let's hope we get them for the finals.
Look at the bruises around Draper's eyes. How can anyone play this game without a visor?
Heh, I would guess it takes some balls and some toughness....Both things draper has in abundance.
And sheer stupidity. Don't forget that. It seems like some NHL players struggle with the notion that you get two eyes when you start your life, and they've got to last you.
Ribeiro!
What a piece of shit!
First effing. Now 'SHIZZIT'! LOL
And- you might want to have someone look at that blown gasket ;)
Hey if i said that at school on monday tomorrow i would get in trouble.....maybe i should flag it as offensive
Language!
lol.. I wonder what would happen if I flagged that for the guy who writes the blog...
What happened!? I missed it!