Canadiens recall Sergei Kostitsyn
posted by Dave Stubbs at 7h21 EST on Mar 22
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Submitted by HabsFaith on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 21:17.
When rumours came out the Kovy talked to a russian paper again, didn't it mention something about him saying the Sergei only agreed to go to the minors knowing he'd be back around march 24th? Whether it's true or not, I'm glad he's back... that kid has a mean streak and one way or another, people will notice him on the ice
Submitted by HabsFan90 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:32.
Should've called up Webber to. He'll at least hit something.
Submitted by smiler2729 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 17:15.
So who goes down?
Submitted by Les-Habitants on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 20:34.
no one goes down, the roster limit is lifted after the trade deadline.
As long as they can keep it under the salary cap for the remaining games, they could recall all 50 players the habs have under contract in one form or another.
Then, once playoffs hit, I don't believe they have to worry about the cap hit either since technically the salaries are all paid for.
Submitted by smiler2729 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 21:11.
Thanks. I forgot.
Submitted by Harani on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 17:00.
RDS reports rumours of Lecavalier trade. That Vinny is coming to Montreal almost certainly at the NHL draft. I guess their ratin.gs are going down with the Habs debacle and need to make their stories hotter
Submitted by mrhabby on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:28.
dreamers.i will gladly eat me words if it happens...something called a falling salary cap.
Submitted by matraque on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:09.
They just quote the NY Post or something... Don't worry about RDS's. It's doing just fine. Welcome to Montreal, where the habs is always a hot topic no matter if they win or lose.
....
_____________________________________________________________________________
-Time to end Koivu's reign. Enough is enough.
-Come back home Vincent... We need you.
Submitted by Dennis on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:37.
My dad, who's 88, says the boys will wake up soon and start playing.
http://dennis-kane.com/
Submitted by 1010 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:38.
Hopefully your Dad is as wise as he is aged. I'm betting he is. My Dad told me a couple of years ago that Gainey should have kept Robeiro. He said that even though he was acting like a punk he would eventually grow up and help lead the team forward. I told my Dad that Robeiro was an embarrassment to the proud Habs and that dumping him was a smart move. My father can be very kind. He hasn't brought this up once. Although at 80 years of age maybe he can't remember the conversation. I know I'm not going to remind him.
GO HABS...
Submitted by tamzarien on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:13.
I laughed quite hard at a video on tsn today of Georges Laraque making a statement about how the Habs need to get in to the playoffs. Laraque of all people on this team should'nt comment. He has done little, if anything to put us in a better position to compete in the post-season.
Submitted by Chuck on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:06.
Here's the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
MONTREAL RECALLS SERGEI KOSTITSYN FROM HAMILTON
Kostitsyn earned 14 points in 16 games with ‘Dogs this year
MONTREAL, QC – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today that forward Sergei Kostitsyn has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Canadiens.
Kostitsyn, 22, has played in 16 games with the Bulldogs this season earning 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and 18 penalty minutes. The native of Novopolotsk, Belarus held a nine-game point streak from March 3rd until March 20th where he accumulated 13 points (four goals, nine assists). In 52 games with the Canadiens this season, the 6-foot, 190-pound right wing has registered 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) along with 64 penalty minutes. Kostitsyn was drafted by Montreal in the 7th round, 200th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Submitted by likehoy on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:57.
worst move ever...we couldn't recall sergei last night to neutralize the grabovski threat!?
- SAKU KOIVU'S HAND OF GOD.
Submitted by Expy on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:24.
RDS is slow. Everyone who has Kostitsyn's info knew he was "on his way back" at the beginning of the week.
Submitted by Qais on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:03.
At the moment, we're battling playoff spots, but once we make the playoffs, then it's time for Koivu & Kovalev to show. Remember Koivu last year, he was bright in the playoffs. So stop bashing for the moment.
14
Submitted by habs12345 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 18:37.
we are in the playoffs right now..these games are playoff games its show time but noone is comin too the show wtf except lapierre,kosto,lats and id say markov
Submitted by rut1212 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:37.
Koivu always comes to play, especially in the playoffs.
Submitted by jmsheehy19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:28.
What do you guys think the lineups gonna look like next year (disregarding possible FA pickups)? I'm all for a youth movement, but I don't want to just abandon our older youth (higgins, Lats, etc.)
AK-Pleky-SK
Tangs-Koivu-Patches
Lats-Laps-Higgins
Stewart-Chips-Kosto
Markov-Komo
Gorges-Obyrne
Webber-Dandy
Maybe don't resign Tangs and with the the money from him and kovalev go after a big FA like Bouwmeester. Hopefully they can unload Hammer and Laraque. I'd also be happy if some of the guys down in Hamilton get a chance. Dags or Glumac look like they could steal a spot.
Submitted by mrhabby on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:49.
weak down the middle. still the issue.
pleks a first line centre???
jbo..on his way to calgary/edmonton.
Submitted by jmsheehy19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:57.
I personally don't think Pleks is ready for first line duty, but considering I'm not counting FA's, he's the best we got in the system. In fact unless we get a Center we have more like 2 second lines and a very good 3rd line. I also agree on Jbo going to Alberta, I was just using him as an example of a big FA.
Submitted by Hockey Socks on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:14.
If Franzen is still available, I'd throw ludicrous amounts of money at him.
---
Hartley as coach, Pagé as GM!
Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:42.
i like franzen,but is he really that good or is he just a product of the system? Meaning if he comes out of that winning enviroment and talented lineup is he just as good?
Submitted by likehoy on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:57.
i feel the same way about franzen.
- SAKU KOIVU'S HAND OF GOD.
Submitted by HardHabits on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:51.
Kovy AND Koivu back next year? No way, not either of them. They should've both been traded at the deadline for draft picks.
Moreover Tanguay and Komi are the only 2 UFA's that should be considered for signing.
Top line should be Laps-Lats-Tang!!!!
Sit both Koivu and Kovalev.
Submitted by jmsheehy19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:55.
sorry, I meant AK as Kostitsyn, not Kovalev. Should of made that clear. And I still have faith in Koivu, though I'd understand if he wasn't resigned. But if that's the case they'd better sign an actual #1 center.
Submitted by HardHabits on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 14:15.
Faith is believing something you know isn't true.
The Koivu era must end, the sooner the better. I am a Habs fan not a Koivu one!
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"From failing hands" means from FAILING hands. Time to pass the torch!
Submitted by jmsheehy19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 15:58.
I disagree, he still can produce 60 points and is clutch in the playoffs; however, like I said I can understand if Gainey wants the Habs to turn a corner and not resign him. I think we are better with Koivu next year then without. Especially if we can't attract a big center.
Submitted by BC HAB on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:53.
Sergei return could be spark for Andre. Get Kovalev off that line and put Sergei there. I also thing gthat Pleks plays better without Kovi
Submitted by The Teacher on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:57.
Everyone plays better without Kovy because Kovy stinks.
Submitted by BC HAB on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:09.
However I have noticed that Pleks has picked up a few moves from Kovy over the years. But when Kovy plays Pleks doesn't try the moves for fear of offending Kovi
Plecks also has learned a few moves from Koivu as well. Like how he protects the puck, by giving the defender a little knudge to create a little room for himself.
Submitted by brad.men5 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:24.
Sergei's stats in Hamilton since being sent down. Not bad.
74 Sergei Kostitsyn GP16 G5 A9 P14 +4 PM18 PP2 SH1 S44
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Check out my blog!
http://canadienscentral.blogspot.com/
Submitted by HardHabits on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:23.
An article in RDS has Gainey heaping praise on Lapierre. A commenter suggested he be the next captain. Up to now 2225 have read the article and it has been voted 5 stars, seemingly by all readers. BG, please dont sign Koivu and make Lapierre captain next season. He's a true Hab.
Submitted by M.Neil on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:18.
Komo isn't going to get the contract he'll want next season, Koivu isn't the captan we need, Kovalev, looks like his contract is finished, smells like fire sale next year.
Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:44.
There is no fire sale since they will all be walking after the season and getting nothing in return. If gainey had no real intention of taking a run at it in the playoffs (which he clearly showed by adding nothing at the deadline) he should have traded all of these guys at the deadline and got something in return. I,for one am a big believer in maximizing your assets.Meaning if you have no intention of keeping some our ufa's get something back for them.
Submitted by boy from school on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:10.
LAPIERRE FOR CAPTAIN!
Submitted by HardHabits on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:13.
I have been posting that since Koivu's return way back when.
Submitted by boy from school on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:18.
you sir, have the gifts of foresight and wisdom.
Submitted by M.Neil on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 12:01.
It almost looks like everyone on the Canadiens wants to get traded, rather than turn their game around.
Submitted by t1tan5 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:49.
It's a sad day on HIO when all the 3N's are proven to be right.
Submitted by boy from school on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:47.
bout time
Submitted by notbigbird on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:25.
To me, this only makes sense if they play him with his brother. That could possibly (fingers crossed) ignite a spark. We could then have two lines going and that might infect the others.
Also keep the younguns in who can and will skate with some passion. Stewey and Max Pac come to mind. Dare I suggest sitting Kovy forever? I like and respect him, but I really do think this team will turn the corner only when he's gone. I think his presence holds others back from asserting themselves. That's not necessarily his fault, but it is what it is.
But I could be wrong. I'm used to it. :)
Submitted by projectpete19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:41.
I am now going to refer to koivu as the following, Saku "The Teflon Don" Koivu. kovy takes all the blame when our "captain" who does nothing never gets any criticism whatsoever.
Submitted by habsguy on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:44.
nobody here really gets what is going on. ( Including me ) !!!
This team is snake bit, they don't get a bounce, they have zero luck.
I'm not a huge believer in luck, but if luck has anything to do with it, we don't have any !!!.
And it isn't the whole team, the 3rd and 4th line muckers are doing there job, it's our skill players who aren't playing the basics.
It looked to me like they were playing scared, holding the puck too long, not using their speed, and not shooting enough.
You can't tell me that they can go from 1st to worst over night.
The leafs looked like they were having fun, our guys sure didn't.
How did we burn other teams with our speed last year and look slow this year.
The guys are young, they didn't get slower.
The season is far from over and if they can inject some fun back into the game and somehow turn Kovy, Kost, Plek, Higs and maybe Tangs around, (our skill guys) they may even make a good run.
One more thing, if you guys run Komi and Price out of town, we'll be sitting back watching them back bone some other team for years to come.
Submitted by Number31 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:55.
As Benoit Brunet said last night (and I'm shocked to say I'm actually agreeing with him and thanking him for saying this) is that hockey players are, well, just humans. They get depressed, they get hurt, they get frustrated, annoyed, and they get scared (as in scared it's all over). And when things go so wrong, it just seems like you're never going to get out of it... These sorts of problems cause guys to over-think and it kills their chemistry and their ability, since thinking leads to hesitation which is pretty much death in hockey.
I always said we had the most unluckiest team in the league. The refs don't like us, the bounces barely like us, way too many good things happen for the other guys... Even Jaro, who I thought was the luckiest guy on the team, seems to be losing his luck...
And the booing isn't helping either. It's making it worse...
Submitted by qstorm on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:10.
Maybe they should bring in a Zen Master teach them to meditate and clear their minds. Have them start young in Hamilton too. No Joke. I mean, why is it when a players who leave Montreal end up doing better somewhere else. They just have less crap to deal somewhere else than here.
Submitted by HNS on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:31.
Like Mike Meyers as the Love Guru?
"Crosby poops in da diaper, Malkin changes it"
Submitted by qstorm on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:07.
Exactly. :-P
Submitted by Mr.Bell on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:30.
Lapierre a 20 goal scorer this season! watch out! Hey, its the only thing worth watching a habs game now for me.
Submitted by I-no-u812 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:28.
Sergei who??? Is he supposed to be our saving grace? I THINK NOT!! This "team" is way beyond help now, what a disgrace! A total train wreck if ever i saw one.
Submitted by Bugs on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:21.
And play him where? 4th line? With his bro?
4th line: Metro and the Ks.
Lappy, Gui and the Bomb.
Plecky, the Artiste and Pac-Man.
Saku, Ti-Guay, and D'Ago?
Or D'Ago out, Andrei up and Dandy on the 4th?
Where's Sergei gonna play then? What's the point?
Hell with Sergei; put Stewie in!
Peace Out
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Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Earl of Fluppitburg, Baron of Fleenshire County and Knight of the Flannel Republic.
Submitted by jmsheehy19 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:13.
AK-Pleky-SK
Tangs-Koivu-Kovalev
Lats-Laps-Higgins
Stewart-Metro-Kosto
Markov-Gorges
Hammer-Obyrne
Dandy-Schneider
Maybe sit kovalev and play Patches. I'd be happy with those lines.
Submitted by Number31 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:57.
Play him with his brother. The Sedin Twins are a machine, so to are the Brothers K. It's like a symbiotic relationship. You can insert any center between them, it won't matter to them.
Toss BGL for Stewie ;)
Submitted by Habsman93 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:43.
Bulldogs Game Report 21-Mar-09
Chicago, Illinois – The Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Chicago Wolves 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday night. Brock Trotter had two assists and the game-winner in the shootout.
The Bulldogs opened the game's scoring at 4:30 of the first period. Mike Glumac received a pass from David Desharnais before releasing a shot that sailed over the right shoulder of Chicago starting goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. Trotter earned an assist on the goal.
The Wolves tied the game 1-1 at 18:25 of the middle stanza with power-play goal. Jamie Rivers fed a pass to Chad Denny, who one-timed a shot on net. The puck sailed over the left shoulder of Hamilton starting goaltender Marc Denis.
Chicago added its second goal on the power play at 2:35 of the final frame. Clay Wilson sent a pass to Brett Skinner, who rifled a shot that just went under the crossbar and past Denis.
Hamilton tied the game at 3:44 of the final frame. Following a scrum in front of the net a loose puck bounced onto the stick of Yannick Weber, who was stationed at the top of the right faceoff circle. Weber blasted a shot that beat Pavelec on the inside post.
The game went to overtime but neither team was able to score. In the shootout Yanick Lehoux and Trotter scored for Hamilton while Brett Skinner scored the only goal on Denis.
The Bulldogs continue their five-game road trip on tomorrow for a 5:00 p.m. EST. game against the Chicago Wolves. Fans can listen to every 'Dogs game on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, TALK 820. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the 'AHL Live' or 'TALK 820' icons on the Bulldogs website. All regular-season radio and online broadcasts will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to each scheduled game-time.
Tickets for all Bulldogs home games are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period:
1. HAM – Mike Glumac – 30 (David Desharnais, Brock Trotter) – 4:30
2nd Period:
2. CHI – Chad Denny – 3 (Jamie Rivers, Spencer Machacek) – 18:25 (PP)
3rd Period:
3. CHI – Brett Skinner – 3 (Clay Wilson, Joe Motzko) – 2:35 (PP)
4. HAM – Yannick Weber – 14 (Brock Trotter) – 3:44
Overtime:
No Scoring
Shootout:
Hamilton:Chicago:
Yanick Lehoux – YesBrett Sterling – No
Mike Glumac – NoBrett Skinner – Yes
Sergei Kostitsyn – NoJoe Motzko – No
Brock Trotter – YesClay Wilson – No
Riley Holzapfel - No
Scoring:
Hamilton: 1-0-1-0--3
Chicago: 0-1-1-0—2
Shots:
Hamilton: 10-9-6-4—30
Chicago: 16-8-9-5—38
Goaltending:
Hamilton: Marc Denis (38 shots, 36 saves)
Chicago: Ondrej Pavelec (29 shots, 27 saves)
Power Play:
Hamilton: 0-for-6
Chicago: 2-for-4
Attendance: 10,812
Three Stars:
1. CHI – Brett Skinner (1 goal, -1, 4 shots)
2. HAM – Marc Denis (38 shots, 36 saves)
3. CHI – Chad Denny (1 goal, 1 shot)
Flamboro Downs Workhorse: Brock Trotter
Submitted by Number31 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:35.
That was a wiiiiiild game. And the Bulldogs are undefeated in shootouts (4-0), Lehoux is also 100% in shootouts at 5-for-5 (he went twice the last game). Good times.
Submitted by Mitch.sc on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:58.
I really thought he would be down there till next season, or at least i was hoping.
Submitted by New on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:52.
I hope someone with skill can get a good copy of the Habs photo Monday and photoshop paper bags over each players head. It might sell better than the company produced one.
Submitted by P St. Pierre on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:06.
Paper bags over everyone's head but Lapierre's.
Submitted by qstorm on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:48.
He had a couple of decent games. Big deal.. so has everyone else. 3 games from now you'll have forgotten all about it. February it was Halak, last game it was Gui, 3 game ago it was price, in the game against the Oilers it was Koivu.. The problem is they can't bring it regularly or at the same time.
Submitted by P St. Pierre on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:43.
I agree that most of the team is on and off with the level of its play, but I disagree that Lapierre has only been effective recently. He doesn't show up on the scoresheet as much because let's face it, he's not really a huge offensive threat, but he does a lot of things well in terms of checking and being hard to play against. He's probably the hardest working forward on the team now that Begin's gone. I am by no means promoting him as the saviour of the season or a big scorer, but at least he's consistent.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:49.
Sunny days in Montreal!
Pop out the Dom Perignon champagne and Stolichnaya Vodka in the strip joints and nightclubs, Sergei is coming home to Montreal and leaving my hometown in Hamilton!
Sergei idol posters will be out in full force now.
The short tenure in my hometown has made Sergei a better hockey player than players who have worked hard all season like Glumac, Russell, Trotter, and Leroux to name a few, according to Bobby.
I'm lost and bewildered as many Bulldogs supporters why this Belarussian is being called up while we have a slew of hard working players not given the chance to play for the big club.
Another screw up by our Mr. know it all GM.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:16.
I don't think the short tenure has anything to do with it ...Sergei has ALWAYS been a better hockey player than any of the guys you mentioned in that post. I am all for guys getting a shot but we need Sergei right now and he is definitely NHL ready and never would have been sent down if not forhic off ice antics.....on the ice he never really deserved to leave.....he blew it and hopefully he realzes that because that attitude can't be tolerated....but there is NO doubt that he can help us on the ice.....NONE.....never was.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:57.
I disagree with you.
How is Sergei a better hockey player than the ones I mentioned?
Offensively gifted yes, but a defensive liability and overrated in my opinion.
We got too many offensive players on our team but not enough 2 way players who can come back and help the D.
I don't buy this short tenure making him a better hockey player being only a month in Hamilton.
I'll take players who work hard game in and out, work hard every shift, have the grit and character to play.
Look at the New Jersey Devils roster.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 11:30.
I think i would take glumac right now over sergei,from the bulldogs games i've watched online he looks like he works a hell of alot harder then sergei does.He also scores his goals from the blue paint,the place most of our forwards need a road map to find.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 13:17.
well said showey47
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by habsrdone (not verified) on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:15.
wrong. we have too many 4th liners, anot enough offensive skill. But SK is not the answer. he has a bad attitude and rarely shows up for games.
this team is imploding and needs to be blown up for good. But you know, this team would probably flourish very well in another city. I think the day will come that we no longer have an NHL team, just like the Expos.
the french media has destroyed this team and will keep on doing so, so ignorant francos.
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:01.
Sergei a defensive liability? actually he is regarded as a very competent two way player.....in junior and with the Habs....he is highly intellectual hockey player and is rarely out of position. His biggest on ice downfall is in the offensive end where often elects to overthink and wait himself out of chances and try an illadvised pass. defensive liability? hardly. He didn't get sent down for hoceky...he got sent down so the organization could save face in light of a an off ice scandal. Sergei Kostitsyn not gritty? he has more balls than guys who outweigh him y 40 pounds,......no grit? the guy if anything needs to learn to control and harness his emotion....Carbo ahd him under too tight a leash but the things you are describing are not at all what I have seen out of him for the last two season.....not even close.We'll have to agree to disagree then cause I see things the complete opposite way you do.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:40.
You live in Kingston and I am sure you watched him many times when the London Knights came into your city on a line with Sergei playing on a line with Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner at the OHA level .
I live in Hamilton and go to every game watching him play for the Bulldogs at the AHL level and analyze all players not just Sergei.
2 different levels of hockey, yes?
Has he improved in Hamilton? No.
Will he be a star in the NHL with Montreal? No.
Being called up after only 16 games in Hamilton and playing a total of almost 40 games in the AHL? Come on, has he really developed?
You make him look like he's another Alexander Ovechkin or Ilya Kovalchuk.
I said before the season Sergei was going to have the sophomore blues in Montreal but I never expected he would be the most immature and whining player on the team.
Not the type of player I would build my team.
We should have kept Mikhail Grabovski than Andre's little brother.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:39.
At least Gainey became realistic last night. When asked how many points the team needed next week, he said that their main goal right now was to win a game they played 60 minutes in and actually deserved to win. Yes the bar is that low now folks.
One guy who doesn't get it is Kovalev. He asked journalists if they wanted him to try to deke all 5 guys to score a goal. No Kovy, we want you to NOT try to do that. I guess he doesn't realize that that is exactly what he is trying to do right now. That and making blind cross-ice passes in his own zone.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by habsfan reduxit on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:14.
... might as well. In fact, this season is over; now might be a good time to get a look at the guys who will replace the UFA's for next year - bring up a whole bunch!
"News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is
advertising." - Lord Northcliffe, British Newspaper Baron
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:18.
I honestly beleve we may be headed in the right direction.......last night Gainey moved the team into a 3 scoring line format as best he could and he activated the defense (unfortunately we were down four at the time lol)....I like the approach and guys started to try and play a puck possession game.....recalling Sergei is a good indication we are going to focus on those things again......it will only work though if we play technically sound hockey and support each other, fowards realize that if a dman is jumping in they may have to help him recover, not surrendering our blueline followed by the top of the circles, and pressuring teams on the perimeter as well in our end.....time and space make ANY NHLer dangerous as evidenced by our tendency to allow feven fourth lines to score on us,etc. I am very encouraged by this move....and what I saw late in the game last night......there were moments where it appeared we were going to come back to life....they got sucked out of us but there were definitely moments where we not only pressured but moved the puck like last year......we need that badly.
Submitted by G-Man on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:26.
Last night, Gainey separated those who put in an effort from those who can't or aren't. Moving Laps up worked. Moving Kovy away from Pleks and AK46 didn't change much. Throwing Kovy and Koivu together didn't do much, either, but, then again, neither did they. The 4th line wasn't used much, so none of the 3 are to blame for any part of last night's fiasco.
Calling up SK74 is, as they say, "big whoop." Too many players on this team aren't good enough to compete game in game out. They are in poor condition and have not played more than 4 or 5 60 minute games this season. They have a lack of intensity and desire, but they still collect humongous pay. Wouldn't it be nice if players received money based on team wins?
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:34.
Pleks was actually benched for most of the third.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by habsguy on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:20.
he wasn't benched at all, he played a reg shift, as a matter of fact only a couple of forwards had more total ice time than him...
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:20.
i don't think he was benched as much as Laps deserved to play more and he tried to mix things up and spark Koivu and Kovy (both of whom have not been playing well for the last handful of games). I think he just thought that was his best chance.....I didn't notice pleks getting benched though....maybe he was hurt? he surely didn't deserve to be benched as he was one of the only guys who brought it every shift...he alwasys has and always does....
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:20.
I'd like to be positive like you but they have shown such pulses in the past few games only to crap the bed the following game. I think if he is gonna try what you are suggesting he HAS to play Dandy on D. The guy was great earlier in the year at jumping into the rush.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:28.
We miss Bouillon more than anyone thought we would ....he could join a rush (wasn't very threatening but just a presence opens up options and creates opportunity)...he ahd recovery speed. I would love to see Dandy in the lineup but the problem is who does he replace? OB actually can skate and hasn't been playing bad. Markov..No, Schneider.....too slow for big minutes but a legit 4th dman still and as long as used wisely...no, Hamrlik....underperforming but still more useful than Dandy......so it comes down to Gorges who is virtually the same as Dandy IMO and given his future here gets the nod and then there is Komi.....oh how the mighty have fallen....I really think I might dress Dandy in Komi's place right now...his passing has been awful, his hitting non existent, his decision making and hockey iq have all but vanished (likely confidence related), and he is slwoer this eyar than last for some reason? .....I would personally dress Dandy for Komi ...not long term but to send a message and it just may help us out offensively. If Bouillon were around right now you can bet that someone like Hamrlik or Komi would have seen the pressbox...maybe even Gorges just out of depth but we are too slow in the back end right now unless hte forwards make a collective effort to help out .....collective effort? that is the question...is that possible right now?
Submitted by showey47 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:37.
i would play dandy over boully even if frankie was healthy.Dandy is actually the better skater.Boully can throw the big hit when players cross our blueline but gets owned in front of our net because of his lack of size. Dandy has 3 cup rings as a defencman with the red wings and for some reason he isn't good enough to play D for us? I don't get it.
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 09:42.
I would absolutely sit Komi for Dandy right now.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by RH on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:10.
The Habs have ice in Brossard late morning today; not everyone is expected to skate.....
Is there anyone still left out there that's surprised by this? I guess there's not much that can be done to improve these guys games so, why make them work hard. I would've expected they'd have the day off today. You know, to heal the, er, battle scars that they, er, earned in last nights hard fought loss to the leafs.
Submitted by G-Man on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:30.
I think that Carbo's 28 minute skate did not sink in. If it were me, I'd skate them 4 times a week for 45 minutes. If they slack off, they can watch the game from the press box. These Habs are intensity and conditioning challenged. Either that, or they're saving it all for the Cup run...next season.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
Submitted by cynic on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:07.
Sergei is coming back, woohoo, we're gonna win the Cup for sure!
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:11.
Hoping they bring him up to play him with his bro. Which Center does Sergei play with in Hamilton? Why not bring that guy up to see if it might create a spark? I maintain that Kovy and Koivu have to go on a physical day to clear the air.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by krob1000 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:17.
I think he was playing with Mike Glumac (a big right handed center with 29 goals but is a little long in the tooth for an AHLer and may never get a real shot). I wouldn't mind seeing him taking Metro's spot to see what he's got but it isn't likely at this stage of the season and Gainey uses Metro on the pk.....I wish they had called him up instead of Maxwell for that stretch jsut to see what he had. I went to an exhibition game in Ottawa and Glumac was actually oneof the guys who stood out....he didn't make bad plays, looked smart and strong with the puck ......I never really got see any samples of his speed (or lack of some of noted) but he was one of the best players out there for the game I saw.
Submitted by Number31 on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:47.
Glumac isn't a center he's a winger.
I mostly heard "Kostitsyn to Weber, back to Kostitsyn to Maxwell" as he was used a lot on the powerplay (where Glumac is usually parked at the net). Played a lot with Chipchura's line (did quite the battle to get Chipchura to the empty net) and with Maxwell. Either way he fit in well with anyone's line on the team so it doesn't matter.
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:24.
Well if he has chemistry with Glumac then bring him up too because the chemistry we have now smells like rotten eggs.
I thought Glumac played pretty well in pre-season and I was surprised to see how old he was.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 08:00.
The team photo should feature the Lapierre line standing next to one ginormous turd. If anyone else but the guys on that line sit out practice today, Gainey needs to be removed. No one else deserves to sit out.
When guys went on therapy day earlier in the year, I think we all incorrectly assumed that it was physical therapy.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
Submitted by Dodger on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 07:37.
Hopefully he'll bring Denis with him.
Submitted by Captain aHab on Sun, 03/22/2009 - 07:41.
Technically, don't they have to actually BE a team before they pose as one?
Now who will sit so Sergei can play? Please tell me it won't be one of the kids. Or maybe it's just another way for Gainey to be able to avoid playing Dandy.
To the folks who keep saying that fans shouldn't boo when the team plays like they did last night. Do you think this never happens anywhere else than in Montreal? Get real folks. Even Koivu said the fans had the right to be pissed.
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From Hell's Heart I Slap At Thee!!
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