Ryder, Brisebois, Gorges scratched tonight

Typo on Ryder 8th rounder

The club is above the experts predictions at this moment. The points have come with the power play clicking as the best in the league. We are still week 5 on 5. I do not believe we have a #1 centre. Nothing against Saku but he would not be a number one centre on most clubs in the playoff mix. The thought of trading Ryder is interesting to me. A third round pick that has a great shot but what can we trade him for. Another player who is under achieving and making the same amount of money to keep our cap in line perhaps. The trade deadline comes a little eary this year and if Ryder stays off the score sheets a change of scenery may be inevitable.

Have been giving some thought to all the negative comments of late about the Habs (including myself).But when one takes a close look at the standings, they are not doing too badly, tied for third in the conference, just 5 out of first and 8 from 1st overall in the league. I think theres more parity in the league now than ever before. Just look at the standings in each division. Do anyone feel the way that I do that there should have been a penalty when Begin on injured, sure looked like a hook to me. Good luck Habs on Sat.

TradeRyder!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me, after all the crap you've layed on Ryder, everything that you said about him...and now you don't agree with him being benched...you just answered a question for me !!!!!

Cant wait for the game to start and watch the Habs offense explode without Ryder. RIGHT!

ok, I'm happy ryder's benched but what about smolinski??? it's not like he's any better and if I do remember well, he's playing on the first line..yeah I don't understand carbo...he confuses me gohabzzzz

May be sitting out a game will benefit Ryder but it had to be done. I still can't comprehend this slump that we're in. I mean we have a healthy team that played so well at the start and then all of a sudden they quit. In any professional sport, winning and losing is a team effort and unfortunately our team of professionals have not put any effort in any of their recent games. For the amount of money that these guys rake in, a solid effort is the least they can do. They owe it to every fan out there. I hope we see a good product on the ice tonight because I'm so desperate for a win.

I'm still not convinced that Anaheim has to make a trade to free up cap space for Niedermayer. www.nhlnumbers.com states that they are presently more than $6 mil under the cap without his salary. His salary would be prorated to just over $4 mil since 1/3 of the season is over. Therefore, they are still under the cap. Even www.nhlscap.com has Anaheim under the cap (if you prorate Niedermayer's salary). Am I missing something here or is this just Brian Burke beating the bushes? Selanne is a unrestricted free agent so if he came back say with 20 games to go in the season they would only have to give him around $2-2.5 mil. As I said earlier in the day, something stinks here.

There are a ton of Ryder comments so I may be repeating what other guys have said. At the start of the year Ryder and the Habs agreed to a one year deal for around $3mil. It was mutually beneficial. Ryder assumed he would have a great scoring year due to the fact that Montreal has so few scorers and he would get plenty of ice time. This ice time would probably be with guys like Koivu and Higgins and Ryder would also be on the powerplay. He could then break the bank as a free agent with another team next summer. Montreal looked at it from the viewpoint that there's no way they are going to resign him long term (at an over inflated price) but he would help them shine this year by playing his butt off for free agency. Win-win situation. OK, Ryder has hit the skids but we're only 1/3 of the way through the season. The motivation on both parties' sides hasn't basically changed. The Habs should play Ryder on a regular shift until he breaks out and starts scoring again (it's not that he's a jerk like Samsonov). If he does we probably will make the playoffs. Then he can ride off into free agency and we can replace him next year with Sergei K. Win-win.

I think with all the talk about Monsieur Ryder we should not be forgetting something. His new position should be a boost for our powerplay. Thank you.

I can get behind these scratches but what Carbonneau has to prove and has not yet done in his short reign is that he can coach his way out of a slump. We don't have any serious injuries, we don't have a crazy schedule. This is the same team that played great hockey to start but either: - the other teams have figured us out which means other coaches are smarter than ours or - Carbo can't motivate his players in any effective manner. A measure of stability and calm without being inflexible while maintaining authority and confidence is the black magic of success. It's not easy to master but you either have the knack or you don't. I think this year will prove Carbo's ability in this aspect one way or another.

I think the way things materialize in Montreals playing system, that if Crosby played here, he wouldnt prosper the way he has. If you dont have a proven system then no one is going to play to their abilities. Take Bonk for example, or maybe Briere seen something.

CHUCK V. These comments seem all out of wack. I wish we went back to numbered comments. When you said "At the risk of starting a childish argument", were you talking to me or DTD. I couldn't tell but I think it was DTD, sorry!

Well Guy if running Ryder out of town is your intention you're one step closer. In my humble opinion the issue with Ryder is his centermen.If anyone truly believes Saku is any where near where a first line centermen needs to be then I can only imagine what your second, third and fourth line guys are like. Nobody needs to tell me how terrific, courageous and dedicated that Saku is.He's a termendous individual.Did you see Higgins goal the other night set up by Saku? now how many other decent plays did he make.He's lost his speed and endurance for probably obvious reasons but remember wingers rely on the play making abilities of their centermen. Try sticking Chip with some goal scorers and you'll see what I mean.Instead Guy has decided to turn him into a copy of himself. A shot blocker stuck on a third or fourth lines with people like Begin or Smolinski or any other of our fourth liners who combined in total exceed the number of quality goal scorers on the team. Mr. Lafleur wasn't all that far off the mark is he. Not to worry though Habs fans we have a couple of rookies coming in from the AHL that ought to make us a far better NHL team. I saw Guys press conference yesterday.He has as much control and influence in the dressing room right now as he did when they tanked at the end of last year.Funny Guy can't seem to get 20 guys to play his system (whatever that is) so I guess we get 20 new guys eh Guy. This business of don't blame the coach blame the players suggests some need to better understand what leadership is and that's exactly what a coach has to instill.It's a matter of follow me boys I know the way there. Can you really tell me he does and if so based on what evidence.The fact that he played on a good team with a good coach that won stanley cups. Good players don't always make good coaches. The proof will be in the pudding tonight.I'm keeping my fingers crossed

Warning: long, considered post below: Kiprusoff's 0.886 save percentage just might scare Calgary into acquiring a proven Huet-type, and their current backup is some guy named Curtis McElhinny, whose 0.872% isn’t any better. If we could deal Huet, Ryder, Streit and Dandy for Phaneuf, a pick and change, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Hamrlik was like a father to Phaneuf, helping him grow and mature in Calgary. Phaneuf is francophone, albeit from Manitoba, and Calgary desperately needs the solid goaltending. Calgary is a Western team, and our old players won’t come back to hurt us since we hardly ever see the Flames. Calgary gets:

• One of the best five or six goalies in the league, IMO, who carried the Habs on his back when no one else showed up to play, and whose good health would have dragged the lacklustre Habs kicking and screaming into the playoffs last year. How much more could he do for the fiery Flames, with Iginla at the helm and a better defence than we had last year in front of him? And if he really is hurt, it isn’t bad – even Huet says he’s fine.
• Calgary is 13th in the West, even though they score a lot (5th in the West in goals for), because their D and Kipper’s weak goaltending are killing them. And this way they wouldn’t have to give up any scoring to improve between the pipes. A strong D man, even Phaneuf, isn’t as vital as a strong goalie. Good thing we’ve got at least two. :)
• Ryder has proven for three years that he can score, and will do so in bunches with Iginla, Tanguay, Langkow and friends at his side.
• An all-heart lightning quick d-man who can also play a solid defensive forward role, in Dandy. We won’t miss his speed, as we have loads.
• A serviceable PP blueliner in Streit.
• A fair bit of salary, but Huet, Streit and Ryder are UFAs, so no long-term commitments and they can renegotiate at their leisure.

On our side:

• ALL OF OUR FORWARDS WOULD BE FORWARDS!
• We get a large, excellent, hard-hitting, shot-blocking, defensively-solid D-man, and the missing piece of the defensive puzzle that we need to win. Last week we were 7th in the league in goals for – we can score. But when our D is lousy, our forwards take less chances, forecheck less, score less, and we all whine and bitch here…. Carbo knows this, which is why he’s gone through a dizzying array of D-men to try to round out our top 4. Phaneuf is the guy - and he's only 23.
• We’d get one of the hardest-playing guys in the league. Only Ryan Smyth plays harder.
• We’d gain a scary shot from the point.
• We’d be decreasing our nightly press box payroll significantly, and we’d be down to two surplus d-men, which is a good number.
• Hamrlik taught Phaneuf a lot, mentored him in Calgary, and played on his pairing. No chemistry growing pains there.
• Il parle français, tabarouette! He (and his family?) might like to move to a French-speaking city.
• Phaneuf makes just under $1-million, and we unload a fair bit of salary.
• Price gets the playing time he needs and Halak backs him up, playing in the league where he belongs. After hauling our sorry butts around over 16 games last year, he’s at least earned his backup job.
• We get one of the most feared D-corps in the league, and make room for the young guys we always say are languishing in the minors, so our lines look something like: Higgins-Koivu-Kovalev A. Kostitsyn-Plekanec-S. Kostitsyn (even Gainey says he’s ready) Latendresse-Chipchura-Begin Smolinski-Lapierre-Kostopoulos Extra: Grabovski Markov-Komi Hamrlik-Phaneuf O’Byrne-Bouillon Extra: Gorges, Brisebois Now tell me, who’s going to push these bad boy D-men around in front of our net?
What do you think?

TommyB, I believe most of us would love to see Mike break out of this awful slump but I too totally agree with you. One fact that some folks may also refresh their memory with is that of the 30 goals he scored last year, 17 were on the PP. He therefore was getting a lot more "opportunities" with the extra duty on the PP and luckily for him and us all, it paid off. The magic touch has gone for now on our 1st line (Koivu has but one goal in the last 15) and Carbo, like the rest of us, never expected this unfortunate turnout. Ryder was also a fan favorite when he was playing in Hull for Claude Julien and Julien is the one who gave him a shot at the bigs. Drafted at #216, he obviously was a shot in the dark to make it and make it he did. In any case, points in the standings are more important than trying to figure out what is bothering Tom,*** or Harry... A stint in the pressbox is in order, for the benefit of the team and player concerned. If he's out of the picture for two or three games and the slump continues, then the pressure will disappear quickly for him and someone else will have to take it (sounds like Smokes for now).

Someone just please give me one other example of a situation like this!!! Just one!!! Where you bench a guy for bad luck!! O.K. you can't use Grabovski after Saturday's game....it has to be from another NHL team.

Ryder might want out on MTL, but he wouldnt play bad cause of it. IF he has another 30 goal season he will be able to get more money on the open market. Why would he play like crap on purpose? Makes no sense. Wouldnt you play your *** off if at the end of the year you can sign somewhere for 5m per? Instead of the 2 or 3 he is getting this year?

Has anyone considered that maybe, just maybe Ryder wants out of Montreal? Here are a few things to think about: 1) It took forever, and an arbitrator to get him to sign a 1 year contract. 2) He's a UFA at the end of the year. 3) Its easier to drive a bum out of town than a star. 4) He know that coaches will look at his past record (ala Theodore) and say "he'll regain his scoring touch with us". Ryder's performance this year is self-inflicted. He had his chances on the top line (like last season), but isn't doing anything with them. As much as I believe Carbo still has a lot to learn as a coach, you cannot blame him for Ryder's lack of production this year. I really believe that Ryder wants out, and this is a nice, subtle way of doing it.

I sure hope we get to see the line that I've wanted to see all season: Begin, Lapierre and Kosty. That is a true energy line. Not likely to score any goals but they should be able to buzz around and pester Chara like black flies on a moose. So tonight we have Higgs, Komi, Plek, Kostistyn, Lapierre, Chipchura, Lats, O'Bryne and Price in the line-up with Halak on the bench. Sweet. Sure I'd like to see Gorges in there (if we aren't going to play him, please trade the kid for his own sake), but that's lots of young blood. At this point I don't really care if they win or lose, as long as these young guys are working hard and developing.

So much has been said on here in defense of poor Michael Ryder, and that he should not sit in the pressbox because he is our only 30 goal scorer. OK, let me list a couple of other names of some guys who scored 30 goals or less last year: Joe Thornton - 22 goals (92 assists) Marc Savard - 22 goals (74 assists) Daniel Briere - 32 goals (63 assists) and now our dear Ryder, the last 3 years: 30 goals (28 assists) 30 goals (25 assists) 25 goals (38 assists) Ryder's best point total just touches what one of the above-mentioned players gets in assists. Why treat Ryder like one of the top players in the league? Are you support Ryder all the way guys really that impressed with him? Ohhhhh....he's our top scorer the last 3 years. Big deal! Top scorer on a team that couldn't put the puck in the ocean. Am I as a Hab fan supposed to be impressed with a team-leading 30 goals but little else, notably his assist total? Ryder is not an upper-echelon kind of player, and he's been treated more than fairly. In fact he has been tried with everyone on the team. So at this point, with his 3 goals, the coach has decided to sit him for a game. And that's a major crime with so many of you guys? I hope Michael Ryder breaks out of this slump, and I hope it happens here in Montreal, but I really don't think it is going to happen. Certainly not this year, and therefore not likely it will happen for him next year... in Montreal..

Hey People I was so discouraged after the last couple of games that I decided to stay away and try to regain some sanity. First question is Dandenault in the line up tonight after the best tackle by a Montreal player since LAST YEAR'S Grey Cup. or did he receive a 1 game suspension?? Don't take the Bruins lightly dispite our record over them. They want to get a win for Julien tonight. I also think it's time for Gainey AND Carbonneau to sit down with EACH player and do an evaluation of what is expected of them and what they expect. I'm truly a fan of Steve Begin but I'm wondering if Lapierre can now fulfill that role of energizer bunny and s**t disturber. Pair O'Byrne with Hamerlik and let Ryan grow the way Komisarek grew while making mistakes the last couple of years. We wonder why there is no scoring punch THERE ARE 2 DEFENCEMEN on the forward lines DAH!!!!. Streit is NO replacement for Ryder he had a career year last year and scored 32 points Ryder had 30 Goals. Tonight is a big game for Price after giving up 4 goals in each of his last 2 starts and 3 against Toronto last Tuesday he'll have to shut down the Bruins. And finally with a wealth of defencemen in the system: Streit, Dandenault, Gorges, Carle, Biron, Valentenko, Cote, Brisebois and well the youngsters at the U S Universities package a couple with Halak or Danis (Huet as a LAST resort) and bring in a goal scorer.

DTD - I hardly ever miss a game. Are you trying to make a point?