Noise/Bruit: Hamrlik in awe of Montreal

There may have been some earlier problems with the HabsWorld link due to server issues. The article has now been restored. T.C. Denault tc.denault@habsworld.net

We're happy to have Roman Hamrlik as a member of our Habs. You've made great contributions thus far but I believe the best of Montreal is yet to come.

19. (15) Pavel Valentenko, D, 20 Acquired: 5th round, 139th overall, 2006 The young Russian blueliner’s first season in Hamilton is going roughly, but in a good way. “I’d probably say he’s one of the most hated players in the AHL,” Timmins laughed. “He wants to make a big hit every time he’s on the ice. He wants not just to hit you, but to hurt you.” Despite his aggressive play, with only 39 PIMs in 45 games, he’s not dirty. And at 6’2, 220 pounds, Valentenko’s got the size to make a few dents in people. Coming over to North America has been beneficial for his development. “He’s made a commitment to us – he could be getting a lot more money in Russia, but he’s here and it's paying off,” Timmins said. “He’s a character player.” Beyond the big hit, Valentenko’s also got the big shot, recently winning the AHL’s hardest shot competition with a 102.7 mph blast – and while that booming cannon isn’t translating into goals, he is creating scoring chances, evidenced by his 12 assists. “He really learns quickly and we’re just taking his development day by day,” Timmins added. “By Christmas he was the player who had improved the most according to his coaches. At the start of the season he was taking too many risks to make the big hit,” he said. “We need him to be reliable every night to play in the NHL as a call-up.” Now someone tell me how in the Hell this kid dropped four places in the rankings???

Here is this weeks stats where we place in a 30 team league. GA--200 we are now in 13th place, better than 17th place last week. Points--89 tied in 4th place with Pittsburg & Dallas same as last week. GF--230 alone in 1st place this week. Very nice little move this week into the top half of the league with our goals against. A good sign for the defensive side of our game, maybe peaking at the right time of year.

RDS is reporting that Halak will get the start against the blues Tomorrow The tank is full, now let's map the route for the drive to 25!!

HOLY CRAP Rough translation from RDS: "If he'd agreed to waive his no-trade clause, centre Mats Sundin of the Leafs would be a Montreal Canadien today. "According to the Toronto Sun, the Swede would have been traded on deadline day in exchange for Higgins and a first, second and third-round pick." Apparently, if Kaberle had waived as well, he'd have been off to Philly in exchange for Jeff Carter and a first-round pick. Fletcher seems to realize he needs to clear out the dusty vets and replenish his supply of draft picks. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat

Halak gets the next start.

Here's another reason why we should be thankful that George Gillett owns the Habs (and, in particular, not Mark Cuban): http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/031108dnspomavsa... And in a related story, a nice shout out to HI/O: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/

Each day at my site I do a rundown of links for the day, both official languages, everything pertaining to the Habs. Check it out. http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/03/habs-for-break...

Also off topic; comments from Simon on Pronger and interesting comments from bloggers following article. http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/16731681.html

Wow, just a little off topic but has anyone noticed boullion's plus 8 so far this year?? "If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."

Great stuff on your links Kevin. thanks

Yeah respect for Habsworld! Great site! I am les_glorieux on there :D

A quick look at the BOTTOM of plus/minus stats in the league: Radek Bonk -26 Daniel Briere -25

Wild Flower, if you're out there this morning. Just read your post of last night on why Ottawa would trade Corvo. This morning's Ottawa Citizen has an article on him. quote When he was traded on Feb 11th, he didn't exactly leave on cordial terms. He asked Murray for a trade. He was not very happy in "small-town attitude" Ottawa for every mistake he made, it was all over the papers, "ridiculous" scrutiny. unquote Imagine him in Montréal ??

I love it. Hamrlik is seeing what Montreal REALLY offers. He does pay the high tax dollars for a reason! I prefer it to think of it as a luxury tax for the luxury of having the best hockey fans in the NHL. I'd love to hear how he feels about the snow ;) "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?" "Four blind mice, Four blind mice, see how they suck?"

I must admit during last years off season I was amazed at the size of the contract the Hamrlik received...best money the Habs spent in a long time.

It's nice that Hamrlik bucked the trend of shunning Habs offers at deadline. Although, he did get a surprising payday, but well worth every penny this year. I also heard few comments on our western road trip how much more physical Hammer played than with his stint with Calgary west coast. Great to have him at his best....GO HABS GO

Since we're linking to other sites here, check out this one: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/scn-sa-pacioretty3mar16,0,537117.... It's a nice look at Habs first-rounder Max Pacioretty, as his college team tried to win the national U.S. college championship. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com