Martin runs a $%#@ing lively practice session

posted by Pat Hickey at 15h34 EST on Oct 29


Updated by Kevin Mio with link to Pat Hickey's report from Chicago in the Montreal Gazette.

Jacques Martin brought some emotion to the rink Thursday as the Canadiens prepared for Friday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Martin enlivened the practice session at Johnny's Icehouse – it's between the United Center and a shuttered Cheli's Chili House – with profanity-laced tirades to remind his players they weren't working hard enough. 

There will be some  major changes in the lineup tomorrow. Carey Price starts in goal for the first time since Oct. 17 and Andrei Kostitsyn will be on the top line with Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta. Mike Cammalleri will play with Tomas Plekanec and Maxim Lapierre. 

Defenceman Hal Gill was absent from practice for a therapy day.

Read Pat Hickey's full report here.

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Brian Gionta | Scott Gomez | Carey Price




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ParrySoundHabber's picture

TB 5 Senns 2  final


SeriousFan09's picture

For personal achievements:

Tanguay gets his first goal and an assist on the night, Kovalev continues his trek to 400 career goals with his 398th against Tampa, and Ovechkin edges more of a lead in the top goal scorers grouping, scoring two goals and one assist, bringing him to 13 goals and 9 assists in 12 games. So far, Ovechkin is maintaining a strong enough run to hit the 50 in 50 marker.

 

- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.


pic1983's picture

Who was the last player to hit 50 in 50? Gretzky? Did lemieux ever do it?


Chris's picture

Last player to do it officially (by the TEAM'S 50th game) was Brett Hull, who pulled the feat in both 1990-91 and 1991-92.  Mario Lemieux scored 50 in 46 in 1988-89.

Other players have scored 50 in 50 or fewer games but weren't recognized as such due to missing games with injury.  Mario Lemieux (twice), Cam Neely and Alex Mogilny all pulled that off in the early-mid 1990's.


ParrySoundHabber's picture

he will approach 200 pts at this pace. He's a horse


ParrySoundHabber's picture

If JM doesn't dress up as Dracula while we wheel around in our barber poles trouncing the Laffs (they don't need to dress up) I'll be very disappointed.

 

lol


andrewberkshire's picture

Francis Bouillon just got his first point of the season.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


yves_on_habs's picture

Andrei Kostitsyn on that top line.

I kinda like the 2 top lines for tomorrow night.

The way Cammalleri and Plekanec have been playing... put Max in front of the net.. there's potential.

I'm really hoping..... Kostitsyn breaks out of his slump on that line. It would be awesome.

 

- Yves -
Blog - http://yvesonhabs.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/yves_on_habs


gumper's picture

Gill takes a therapy day. Mental or physical? After last night I'm thinking maybe the former.


HabsoluteFan's picture

Watching Bolts/Sens game and Kovy seems out of place and uninterested.  Please don't jump on me for this but would you, considering the majority of fans are ready to give up on him, trade sergei for Ak27 ? I'm not saying it would happen but if kovy keeps being a flop in Ott...Anyway boring night and I got a bit nostalgic watching some kovy videos on youtube and I imagined:

Ak46-Gomez-Gionta

Cammalleri-Pleks-Ak27(considering he loves Montreal, could be the top 6 forward we need)

Also seeing Tanguay has yet to score a goal this year, whats up with this guy ?


TheIndian's picture

well news flash for you..Tanguay scored 2nite against Sens...:-)


TheIndian's picture

Well you said we need another top 6 forward, I say we need 2 of them, with AK46 being a flop so far..he is doing AK27 imitation to a perfection this year...the way pleks have been playing this year so far, if he had a decent winger Montreal would have won more games and scored more....Andrei is definitely NOT interested in playing..if a player things he can play one good shift in game and expect to score goal, not going to happen..I like lappy, but he is not the answer to our problem..I am tired of seeing AK46 floating from one end of ice to another, giving away puck repeatedly....I still don't understand why we wouldn't sign a player like Shanahan...we saw what Guerin has been doing with Penguins...on PP goal by Goligoski, he was such a perfect screen, something we have failed to see on Montreal's team and Shanahan is that type of player...seeing them lose as they did against Penguins is disheartning..


yves_on_habs's picture

As much as I loved seeing Kovalev when he was "on fire" in Montreal.. I'd never consider bringing him back.

Just because of those times that he becomes or at least looks un-interested and out of place.

Plus, there's no cap room. And even, I suppose, if there was at his age combined with his record of consistency.... the contract is too much in my opinion.

- Yves -
Blog - http://yvesonhabs.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/yves_on_habs


BeachHabFan's picture

"out of place and disinterested". yep, that's kovy alright. good to know he hasn't changed his ways


showey47's picture

I was with my bro at the nashville-ottawa game last thursday (i pvr'd the habs-islanders game). Kovy was booed all night because he was turning the puck over like crazy and was lazy as hell. Kovy wasn't brought back because martin's system is based on hard work in all 3 zones,on a good night kovy would work hard in one.


SeriousFan09's picture

What's up with Tanguay? Two busted shoulders starting from last year, hard to rehab from I would imagine.

No room on the cap for Kovalev and I don't think he would fit in with the Count's system.

 

- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.


andrewberkshire's picture

Not a chance in hell. We don't need an overpaid floater on this club. Plus we have zero cap room for him.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


HabsoluteFan's picture

Thanks for your input. What could we realisticly land considering we obviously lack another forward on oour top 2 lines ? Considering our cap space, is it even possible or will we have to be patient with the young ones ?


pic1983's picture

We have a huge problem in montreal with regards to trades.  Our cap space is extremely limited.  As far as I know George Laraque cant be sent down (does he have a no MOVEMENT clause or simply a No TRADE clause? I would certainly have no problem sending laraque to hamilton), Hall Gill, as chris said, was just signed as a UFA and unless he wants to be moved it wouldnt be good for business moving forward. 

So essentially, we can't trade Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta, Spacek, Moen, Gill, or Mara unless they want to be moved, and those players are the ones with the big contracts. 

We do have some cap relief this year because of the injury to markov.

Our most tradeable asset that gives us cap relief is andrei kostitsyn who clocks in with a cap hit of 3.25 million.  I have no problem packaging Andrei and Sergei with a pick, but for who? I wouldnt give up on andrei kostitsyn for nothing, I want decent return.

All that being said, I think we might just have to be patient with the young ones.  Pacioretty looks like he's getting better every game, and chipchura is finally starting to impress me.  D'agostini could probably use a little more seasoning in hamilton to learn what to do away from the puck.  What is key for our young players success is coaching.  They need good coaching, and maybe some special attention from the coaching staff to guide them along.  As for Guillaume latendresse, the guy really isnt showing anything at all. He needs to sit in the press box for a few games IMO.


andrewberkshire's picture

In my opinion what we would have to do to acquire a decent top 6 forward is get rid of some cap space in the form of trading, or waiving Laraque and sending him to the minors if he isn't claimed. The other way I could see us clearing cap space is to get rid of Hal Gill through a trade, who is marketable despite the opinion of some. I don't think Gill has been nearly as bad as people here seem to think, and he's been very good on the PK, but I don't think Gainey would have signed him if he knew Ryan O'Byrne was going to be as good as he was to start the season. When O'Byrne comes back I can see Gill be shopped a little, but not aggressively. The problem with this team right now is that we aren't in a position where we're willing to give up assets, so it would have to be draft picks, and high ones at that in order to obtain a good young forward at a reasonable cap hit. I'm guessing this isn't going to happen this season because the team is not likely to be a cup contender. Maybe next year we'll be further along and risk getting a top 6 forward if our own young forwards don't develop.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


Chris's picture

Gill may or may not be marketable (at the coin we signed him for, I fall in the latter group), but trading a UFA you just signed is a huge no-no.  Good luck getting any other FA's down the road.


Harditya_CareyPrice's picture

Monsieur Cristobal Huet est le gardien de but aujourd'hui dans le match entre Chicago et Nashville. Any chances that we'll see Niemi tomorrow?


pic1983's picture

i think we're going to see niemi.  If chicago intended on playing huet against us, they would have played niemi last night in my opinion. 


ParrySoundHabber's picture

Iv'e been pondering who they might toss at us all day.


BeachHabFan's picture

who came up with calling JM the Count?? that's AWESOME. "Lines Wan, tooo, thrrreeee, fooah". (still like count Blah from greg the bunny even better)

i'm thinking AK on the top line is reward/ultimatum. in other words, way to go laying on the body, we'll put you on top line to make  space BUT you better produce or you're riding the pine


Timo's picture

How is it AK gets promoted to the first line? Him and Lats are prime examples why Habs will never work... both players suck (one on purpose, the other jsut cause he can't do better) and yet they get a free pass game after game.


pic1983's picture

You cant always go with negative re-enforcement.  Sometimes you have to throw a struggling player a bone, and show him that you know he can do better.  THat's exactly what Martin is doing.  He's trying to see if some quality minutes with Gomez and Gionta can get Andrei going.  I think with the way plekanec is playing right now, Martin feels that he can be cammalleris set-up man and give up some secondary scoring.

If a few games playing wing with gomez and gionta doesnt get andrei going, then I think the next stop for AK46 is a few games in the press box.


andrewberkshire's picture

Clearly looking for a spark Timo.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


Ian Cobb's picture

I am going to just sit back and watch this seasoned coach put this team together. He has been one of our best acquisitions.


twocents's picture

I agree, Ian, he may not be the one to take us to the next level, when the time comes, but he is an excellcent choice to change the attitude and approach of this organiztion's players for the better.


Timo's picture

Next level? let's get to A level first... then we'll worry about the "next" level, whatever it is. Can we get to a level where the team doesn't suck and doesn't get blown to pieces by a quality opposition? Cause that would be awesome.


WindsorHab-10's picture

As much as I enjoy reading your posts, the last couple of days you have been way harsh & critical of the Habs which I don't think is fair considering they are a new team that has played together for only 12 games.

Relax & let it be. The way I see it, we've played 2 bad games (Vancouver & Penguins) and could have easily won the rest. I don't care if we're playing bottom feeders or the best teams, we need to be patient with this group & see what happens.

I like this team & think we'll be alright.


twocents's picture

I think we'll get better as the season goes on, Timo. But if you're talking about us never getting beat decisively, that reality doesn't exist. Not even for the best teams. If your waiting for that to be happen, you might as well give up the pursuit now. 

Detroit has already been beaten 6-2 by the the Sabres. Pittsburgh was shutout 3-0 by the Yotes this year. Calagary has been beaten 5-2 by Dallas. The Sharks have lost twice by the score of 5-2 already. And the season is young.

This is the reality of today's NHL. Now if we get slapped by every top team all year long, that's a problem. But at this point I have enough patience to not jump to the conclusion that the whole season is going to be like that. And, I don't think you've got much to go on to assert that it will.


pic1983's picture

Don't forget that detroit got beat on two consecutive saturdays last year 8-2 by two bottom feeding teams, and they went to the cup final.  If your team doest come to play, its easy for the opposition to rack up the score. 

Anyone who plays mise au jeu for hockey from time to time knows how much parity there is.  I can pick upsets like its nobodys business, but then the favorite's I pick end up losing a game which should have been a lock.  There is no such thing as a lock in the nhl anymore. Case in point, Chicago lost 2-0 to nashville last night, and nashville played a tough game just the night before against minnesota! 


likehoy's picture

when are we going to send stewart down and call up someone useful like pyatt or kostitsyn or whoever else is doing well in the AHL.

he hasn't played in 3 weeks.

- we need a MARKOV.


punkster's picture

As a matter of fact I would suggest we may actually see some sort of "action in the bullpen" by Sunday or Monday if AK and/or Lats don't come alive. And Stewart or BGL won't be the guys replacing either of those two. I doubt Martin is going to stop tinkering and next step may be a callup or two. Much as I like Stewart he'd be better off in Hamilton for the time being.


Timo's picture

Why this weekend? It's not like it hasn't been evident for the past 2 years that all 4 aforementioned players suck donkey balls. I don't understand what JM, or every other coach for that matter sees in these guys that they continue to get ice time and contribute to opposition's success game after game. I doubt anything will happen. But again... our problem is not players that are warming the bench most of the time... it's the bums that get paid 8 mil a yaer and bums on D that wouldn't be able to crack my beer league lineup.


Timo...Lats is french thats his ticket to stay in Montreal...Andre K...Makes 3 mill plus...and cant be sent down...Frustrating   EH...There has to be somebody better than these 2....


punkster's picture

Sheesh...if you're playing with beer league D that could crack an NHL lineup then what the heck are they doing in a beer league? And if you're playing with them then what the heck are you thinking man? Go for a tryout and get some real money. I know, I know, it's just a figure of speech. Fact is this team does not suck donkey gonads or anything else. There are 8 teams in the east and 7 in the west that are providing far greater suckage for their devoted fans and some haven't a hope in hell of improving. Vent, rage against the system, scream til you're blue in the face. You're allowed. But try to use a more realistic comparison. (Now if you had said that some showed less effort than your beer league friends then that would be realistic. But your beer league friends would never crack an NHL roster, not even ours)

PS...noon tee time...cloudy, high 12C :)


twocents's picture

I agree with the timing you suggest. It just makes sense. Martin will have seen more than enough by that time to make further adjustments. I could see Pacioretty being sent down too, despite the fact he has played much better with Moen and Metropolit.


GP HABS FAN's picture

Hmm, then we get to let another player sit all those games...its a never ending cycle and someone has to sit, might as well be him.


kordic's picture

I like the fact Gill had a therapy day. He needs therapy alright, mental and physical.

I don't remember The Count being this angry before, he can't be still upset that they cancelled Sessame Street.

In my opinion, at some point, this kinda talk might backfire on The Count.

 

 

I LOVE the Habs!!!


WindsorHab-10's picture

You guys are just nasty.


J. Ambrose's picture

I love watching Gill trying to turn as a forward dances by him. It's like watching a drunk on stilts in a strong gust of wind.


Habalisous's picture

Two things are missing to make this team great, an uninjured Markov and line mates for Pleks. If AK and SK ever decided to use their talents we would be a difficult team to beat. If that dosen't work out get rid of them and find someone else.

 

”You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” - Wayne Gretzky


pic1983's picture

Could you imagine washington losing Mike Green? They would still have ovechkin, semin and backstrom, but the emergence of mike green is what truly brought washington to the next level.

If we are still in the top 8 in the conference before markov gets back, then imagine how good we will be when he returns.


WindsorHab-10's picture

I hope management doesn't give up on the Kostitsyns too quickly. Like you said, they have talent and hopefully we'll get a chance to see them displaying it as Habs.


petrov14's picture

yes yes and yes.

______________________________________________________ Gionta for Captain.


J. Ambrose's picture

Thank God! I've been anxiously awaiting Pleks and Cammy getting 5-on-5 ice-time together (they've been paired on PP's). Pleks has become a premiere passer, and Cammy has a devastating one-timer. They are perfect together. And I've been lobbying for awhile to bump AK up to Gomez's line where he and Gio's intensity and work ethic just may be the right tonic for the somnambulant Belorussian. Hopefully JM has instructed him to simply get himself into scoring positions, and leave the playmaking to the G's. Simplify his game, and focus on his terrific shot.

I'd still prefer Laps playing alongside Metro, as I think they'd form, with Moen, a deadly shut-down line. But we are so woefully short of scoring forwards that "needs must." But it just may be time to promote Dags who is looking more and more ready for primetime. He is still prone to the odd mistake, but he's also showing some real offensive flair. 

Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing how these changes work. Now if only Jacques will stick with it for more than two periods and let some chemistry begin to develop!


"somnambulant Belorussian".  Good stuff.


HardHabits's picture

I don't want to burst anybody's bubble here but this team will take a good 2-3 years before it'll be a contender. However the good news, I am hoping because it is early in the season, is that the AHL Bulldogs will be where the future Habs will be built from, essentially from the bottom up. It'll take a few more months to determine but moreso it'll take a few years to right this ship. BG was in an enviable position this summer. The sad thing is that we haven't benn able to get decent draft picks in the longest while and although Carey Price is a potential superstar Kopitar is already one. Ditto for AKost versus Getzlaf. I know a lot of you say the Habs don't tank but how many people can argue with Pittsburgh's success.


pic1983's picture

DOnt forget that pittsburgh just happened to tank at the right time and got two of three best players we've seen in the draft since pretty much mario lemieux.  Theres plenty of teams in the league who have been picking in the top 10 for the last 9 years and they're still garbage.  Everyone looks to pittsburgh and thinks that tanking is the formula for success, but clearly that isnt the case.  Philly was terrible for one season, but its not like James Van Riemsdyk is a "lights-out" sensation like crosby or malkin.  They rebuilt on the fly, without tanking for multiple seasons.  Detroit, Anaheim, Calgary, New Jersey are examples of teams who all had success recently without tanking. 

And stop looking back to past drafts, because if we picked getzlaf instead of kostitsyn and kopitar instead of price, the course of this team would be very different.  YOu can't even say that getzlaf and kopitar would have the success in montreal that they are having with their current teams.  Kopitar grew as a player getting top line minutes in the NHL for a team with no expectations.  Its different then breaking into montreal as a 2nd, or 3rd line center with the whole world watching you, and getting on you when you dont perform.  Same thing for tavares.  He will get top line minutes no matter what in long island because theres no expectations for the team to perform immediately.  Could you imagine steve stamkos getting off to the kind of start he did last year in his rookie season playing in montreal? The kid would have been booed out of town! Hindsight is always 20/20, dont forget that.


twocents's picture

I am not sure it's what your suggesting, but I think there is very little chance that this team, as presently constituted, will finish in the bottom five in the league.

If tanking was the chosen way forward, and that's a whole other debate, none of these signings would or should have taken place this summer.

 


HardHabits's picture

What I am suggesting is that since we wont tank, and most likely finish 9th or 10th in the conference that it'll be a slow rebuild. The bright side being the farm and prospects. Hopefully the Habs braintrust has figured out that rushing the youth is a mistake with the prime examples being Latendresse and Price, with a nod to Pacioretty and D'Agostini. I don't mind going the New Jersey or Detroit route to winning and honestly despise the Penguins simply because they've drafted 2 first and 2 second picks in 4 years. That's akin to highway robbery. I hate the Pens now because of this. I hope that Malkin breaks a leg, Crosby an arm, Fleury a puck to the nuts and they lose Staal to free agency.


twocents's picture

I see, then I agree, that's clearly the route this organization is going.

The current approach with our D prospects does show more patience and I wonder if Pacioretty might be sent down if/when Sergei gets called up/traded. Latendresse's case is the product of a different situation/time. Price is doing what many high goalie picks have done, learned in the bigs. It's not pretty sometimes and I am not going to argue he couldn't have benefited from some time in the AHL, but others have come through this process well and I haven't given up hope that he will too. D'agostini had his needed in the AHL. He played at a high level down there. With him it's more of an issue of potential. He'll improve, but he's never going to be a building block. 

I agree patience is key over the next 3 years or so.


punkster's picture

I think you may be ignoring another huge factor. Making the playoffs means alot of extra available cash for salaries. The more games the more money. How much Bell Centre gate receipts for every post season game? Anybody know? If you don't tank you have to make the playoffs, no question. Then you have to play as many home games as possible. So 9th ot 10th doesn't cut itr


twocents's picture

I wasn't focused on the 9th/10th aspect of HH's post. I actually don't agree with it. I think this team will make the playoffs. And I think Martin will use the pursuit of that playoff position as a vehicle to install a more competitive culture in this organization. I think we are looking at 6th-8th.

My agreement was with the concept of a patient approach towards our prospects.


punkster's picture

:)


anotherhab's picture

Ya, your not going to get many big stars picking 15th to 18th every year!! Those Pens sure sucked and tanked for many years, however they were bloody lucky to get the #1 draw in 05 (Crosby) after picking Malkin at #2 in "04", Fleury #1 in "03". Whitney #5 in "02" and more recently Stall #2 in "06" --- Sick Sick Sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!


WestHab's picture

yep, wasn't long ago that Pittsburg were in Phoinex money trouble and Leaf team trouble.

now look! Thanks to tanking.


JB_15's picture

THIS is going to fire us up?

Take our most unproductive player, promote him to the first line, while splitting up our only real offensive trio to the point that our talent is now diluted -- making neither line all that dangerous.

Bravo.


avatar_58's picture

Not to mention sticking the guy with the most points on the 2nd line - proving hard work and results don't mean jack *** to Martin.


andrewberkshire's picture

Cammalleri is still going to get his 19 or so minutes in ice time. And he'll likely play a few of them alongside Gomez and Gionta. I don't see a reason to bash Martin here. If anything this looks like a way to jump start AK46 while rewarding Pleks with a decent linemate.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


pic1983's picture

Totally agree.  some people just dont see the big picture.

Kostitsyn already got sent to the 4th line, he knows that the coach isnt happy with him, and now he knows that the coach is throwing him a bone because he believes in him.  Seems like a better way to motivate then just constantly bashing a player. You send the message, and then you give the player the best opportunity to succeed.


Well i wouldn't say that. Plek is our second leading scorer behind cammy and Martin always has them as a duo on overtime anyways. Most of Cammy's goals were set up by Plek anyways, makes sense. 


WestHab's picture

As usual when you see these kinds of changes, they last only as long as you don't get scored on first.


Just met Tever Timmins during the first intermission of the Mocnton Wildcats game vs the Quebec Remparts here in Moncton! Not sure what to think of him wouldn't take a pic with me.

ParrySoundHabber's picture

Argos to buy Yotes?  Global news just reported it


Bill J's picture

TSN reporting the same thing


Harani's picture

Here the video of the practice from RDS. No doubt Martin is intimidating.

"All you need in hockey is good character, luck and skills" - Ovie


Habonic Plague's picture

I like this line change.  AK47 will need to play better with Gomez and Gionta -  if he shows any sort of lack of intensity it will be quite evident playing with these two guys.  I think moving Cammy to the 2nd line, will make that line very productive.  Now we have goalscoring, grit and playmaking on the second - I predict they will be the more productive line against Chicago.

 

For those that believe that AK47 is being showcased in a trade - I disagree.  We aren't going to get anything in value for him in return (especially the way he is playing).  He and SK have potential, but why would any GM trade a top 6 forward for potential - unless its a trade of potential for potential.....We are stuck with AK47 for the rest of the season and it wouldn't surprise me if SK didn't go anywhere either.  Both are more valuable to this team then their returns, for at least this season.

 

Looking forward to Friday and Saturday games - hope Komi doesn't let us down and gives us a couple of PP goals, although I think BGL or at least Stewart should be dressed for that game.

 

 

 


J. Ambrose's picture

Totally agree. The Pens showed how the better teams will focus on shutting down the top line, if all our scoring forwards are concentrated there. And something must be done to get AK going, because, as you stated, we are stuck with him; and benching him, or sticking him on a checking line, hardly seems beneficial in any way. 


filincal's picture

i liked the chemistry between Pleks  and Gio in the pre /early season. Maybe it would be TOO small of a line with them together; unless Martin throws BGL with 'em (like that will ever happen :(  ).

 

 

I BLEED BLEU BLANC ET ROUGE!!!


ReverendJim's picture

Totally agree an all points. But who's this AK47 you are talking about? ;)

We have AK46 and SK74...

Just yankin' your chain...


matraque's picture

Let's reward him in advance.  5 pts game tomorrow.

--------------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


Good point, the Kostitsyn boys arent going anywhere unless its back east.

The potential is untapped and is not going to bring much in the way of return. At some point this season if the team shows little chance of making the playoffs it will be time to ditch the vets and go with the youth.

Metro, Hamrlik, MAB...Spots better used by up and comers.


Harani's picture

In case some of you didn't understand my post below, what I was saying was that apart from the already players given in the top 6 (Gionta, Gomez, Cammalleri, Pleky) AK46 seems to be the other one that is capable of being one right now. He is the most capable first or second liner on the team after those 4 guys. MaxPac and D'Ags are not yet ready and Lats seems to be a lost cause at this point.

"All you need in hockey is good character, luck and skills" - Ovie


J. Ambrose's picture

Yeah, I think people (coach, management, fans) are being relatively patient with him because the up-side of a suddenly effective A-Kos is huge. He alone could raise this team's stock 1 or 2 positions by taking the pressure off the top 3 to do all the producing.


twocents's picture

I understood, Harani and I agree. I bet most people understood. It's just 'The Cat' that was a little confused.


linp's picture

Martin really tried to use all available resources. Plekanec plays well with Cammalleri. Lapierre likes to go to the net and also forecheck well. The only problem is his weak shots.

Gomez and Gionta should open up room for AK. AK needs to focus and engage. He should get open and shoot. At least he has a weapon if he uses it.

I still like the 4th line with Latendresse, Chipchura and D'Agostini. It looks good and played better than the 3rd line in Pittsburgh.


Ya the fourth has been solid. Chipchura, even though -7, is playing very well. Hard forechecking and backchecking and most of all sparking offensive plays. Seriously the last few games he's made some very nice passes to his linemates, sadly one of them is Latendresse who has done nothing from all the potential chances he has been given.


kevin m's picture

My personal view of the game:

Pittsburgh                         Montreal

awesome                          in awe

swagger                            stagger

played                              watched

took it to 'em                    took a lickin'

 


GuyDoon's picture

I'm wondering if this is a showcase of AKost, just as much as an effort to get him going. I like what JM is doing so far. He's trying to impress on the players that you have to work, work, work. His system calls for all out puck control, puck pressure. If you do, you look fast. If you back off, you look bad. Looks like the players still need to be reminded. Eventually, it will be second nature.


 ... a quote from Robert L. - Hal Gill, notorious for brutal puck handling, gave Pittsburgh fans a pair a gratuitus souvenirs. Consider for a moment, the upgrade it will be once he is dropped from the lineup and replaced by Markov..................................  from his latest blog .....   Pens make a quick meal of Habs .....   http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/10/29/1105706/penguins-make-a-quick-meal-of-habs


PureGuava's picture

Give the guy a break.

Latrendesse has been giving away the puck and making horrible plays for nearly three seasons and gets a by. Gill is a class act, and ever orginization he has played for loves him. He was brought in to be a big guy, and a leader in the dressing room.

 


Exactly. IF you play Gill 20 minutes a game like the Habs did yesterday of course he is going to make some mistakes. I have never been a big fan of his but if the Habs played him 14-16 minutes a game against the other teams 3rd or 4th lines like he should be, he would be fine.


habaholic68NJ's picture

Agree.  He can also play on the PK unit.


chilli's picture

I wish people would stop asking the same questions about Gil. Had you never seen him play before? He was on the Bruins, Leafs and the Pens. Here's the deal with him: he's a nice big kid, great in the dressing room, big smile and who happens to be 6'7 and playing a tough and fast sport. He's not that strong, a very slow skater, doesn't really like to hit because he has terrible balance on his skates and every once in awhile is forced to fight a guy who is 7 inches shorter than him - and he looses those fights, which is embarrassing to him. He's a 6th defenseman with value because of his reach, his shot blocking and his outlet pass. Outside of that - he's quite terrible - but I like him and I like him on this team - if he were being used as a 6th. 

Just because he is 6'7 does not mean he is out there to crush people or blast 100 mile/hr slap shots from the point. He's a tall version of a Toyota Carolla. Dependable when all the other cars are in the shop, but you don't want him out in tough weather or cruising chicks. 

So after every game, stop asking these same questions about the guy. If he had more value than a 6th - do you think the Bruins would gave given up on him and the Leafs/Pens would have dumped him?

The bigger question to me: why after 3 season of Latendresse being the worst player on the ice - is he still in the NHL? At least have him standing in front of the net as opposed to firing blanks from the periphery, shooting at the pads, missing open nets and constantly giving the puck away. 

 

 

 

 


newbrunswick troy's picture

Hey holy crap Chilli ...you tellin me i shouldn,t be using my 1997 rusted toyota corolla to pick up chicks...dang thats whats been wrong all this time...ha


Best post of the day. I totally agree with what you said about Gill (even though he pisses me off sometimes, I know years back there was always someone on Montreal to do that....Breezebye for example etc) and agree with what you said about Latendresse, he's just a waste of space, time, and money.