Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
Boone's Online Eeee-mail
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
The Puckcast
Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
The Other Wing
The Other Wing features regular Habs commentary by some bloggers we like.
The Rules
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.
Most Commented
Most commented posts from the last 7 days:
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
Mike Boone's RSS feed
PuckCast RSS feed
Other Wing RSS feed
Site concept and design by User Generation
Resources
Player info:
League info:
Habs Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens
For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan (scowan@thegazette.canwest.com).
For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative (gazadv@thegazette.canwest.com).
©2008 The Gazette, a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
Kristo, taken 56th overall, joins defencemen David Fischer and Ryan McDonough and winger Max Pacioretty as the latest American players to put on the bleu, blanc et rouge.
"It feels awesome to be headed to a great hockey town like Montreal," Kristo told the team's official website. "I had a good feeling after our interview with Montreal at the combines and I told my dad this morning that I thought I was going to be picked by the Canadiens. I've loved the Rocket since I was little kid too, so this really special to me."
This is something, no offense, that some ignorant people don't understand, that people outside of Canada love the Habs. I'm not from Canada and take it offensively when idiots act like there love for les habitant is greater because there from Canada. I'm 31 and only 1 team has EVER garnered my attention, and thats the Habs. If you can't understand an american's love for the greatest team in sports, than maybe your not the Habs fan you think you are. My late Grandfather is french canadian, so with PRIDE I say I am a Habs fan. If people don't get that the Habs are much bigger than Quebec, than maybe they should find a different team.
GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO HABS GO HABS GO HABS GO HABS GO HABS
Habdom transcends all boundaries.
------------------------------------------------------------
My ultimate dream: Captain Saku Koivu skating around the Bell Centre holding the Stanley Cup.
Considering our draft positioning i think bob and trevor did pretty well. I did notice bob spending some time at the sharks table(which was next to the habs table), he also took a walk over to the leafs table briefly before heading one table over to columbus. Then stopping off at the vancouver table on the way back (but it looked like he was just shooting the breeze with alain vigneault). He also spent alot of time on the blackberry last night and today. I think its gonna be a great summer for us hab fans.
There were alot of habs fans present at the draft and it was hilarious how much booing there was when the laffs were making draft picks or when fletcher would be shown on the center ice score clock.
What's up Showey my favorite HIO poster, I've missed your intellect lately. Nice to have you back my friend.
The whole 2008 draft ...... http://www.nhlentrydraft2008.com/selectionsNHL2008EntryDraft.aspx?round=...
The laffs gambled on Jimmy Hayes - F - 2nd Rd. #60 and Mikhail Stefanovic - F - 4th Rd. #98.
Andrew Loverock (G), invited to both camps last year.... what's the deal with him, was he drafted, do we own his rights....what?
I hope Dustin Tokarski (G) pick #122 gets a shot in Tampa as he impressed me in the Memorial Cup were he was the MVP.
Someone asked on another blog if Canadiens scout Canadian players..........
Timmons has had it a little tough this year, beginning at #56, but he may have pulled this one out of the bag with a rangy 6' 3" winger that can skate and an absolutely GIGANTIC goalie.
Looking forward to landing the big one: Sundin.
Gilbert
Here is what I think Bob Gainey’s priorities are from now to next season.
Priorty # 1 (a big forward to crash the net (preferably a center)
Possible candidates….1) Mats Sundin, 2) Brian Rolston, 3) Ryan Malone 4) Brenden Shanahan 5) Chris Gratton
Priority #2 (a top 4 defensemen that can take the body and is mobile) DON’T SAY STRIET!!!
Possible candidates…1) Brian Campbell, 2) Brooks Orpik, 3) Mike Rozival, 4) Rob Blake, 5) Brad Stuart
Priority # 3 (a reliable veteran back-up goalie)
Possible candidates…1) Curtis Joseph, 2) Ed Belfour, 3) Olaf Kolzig,
Obviously priorities #1 and #2 both can’t be filled yet if #1 is not, I hope he seriously considers #2…
# 3 should only happen if it’s one of these 3 guys…
I also say buy out Dandy + don’t sign Breezer or Smokes…
Grabovski is probably some of the bait used to get the Sundin rights…if not don’t expect in the NHL this year…
Lets hear what u guys think….
pat - point #1 - Theres hope for Sundin , looks like Rolston (LW/RW) wants to stay in Minn. but at his price (anyway he's not that type) - Malone wants to stay close to home which is Minnesota but doesn't seem to like their style (defensive) so it's Sundin only as Shanahan is old and has had concussions and Gratton not a top 6 so maybe we have to look at Brunette whose survives by his play in front of the net and is half the salary. point #2 - All are far too expensive and Teppo Nummenin is the answer at about 2 mil. or less. Please check out the breakdown on salaries by position/team and you will see our budget for "D" will be high once we sign Komo,O'Bey and Gorges. (check defencemen for MTL)... http://www.nhlnumbers.com/compare.php?season=0809 point #3 - Halak is far better than your suggestions and much cheaper.
I don't think priority #2 is a a bad idea, would love it if Bob could swing it, but I really don't think it's a priority of our GM's at this time.
GO HABS.
#2 is totally out of the question - we don't have the money, especially if we land Sundin.
The Original 24 Cups
Sorry to poke a hole in your Priority #3, but....do you think you can get any one of those three veteran goalies for less than what you have Halak signed at right now?
Halak presently is signed at $500,000 and is a RFA. An unproven goaltender at the NHL level, by virtue of the limited number of games he has played. Therefore, I do not see another team pulling a Kevin Lowe on us with Halak. Keep the two kids in goal. They are both capable. Price will be ready for number 1 status next year, after being thrown into the fire down the stretch and into the playoffs this year. Halak would be fine as his backup. Together, you will pay $1,350,000 for the year for both! You think you can get one of your three mentioned veteran backup goalies for better money? Think about the money....that's what Gainey will have to be thinking about if he is to deliver a fraction of what some people who write here are suggesting or dreaming about.
You the man Tommy, although we might not have a choice when it comes to Halak, europe is calling.
Your on route, Tommy B. Europe is calling for everyone even Carey.
Fantastic post. My concern with signing Sundin is that priority #2 won't be possible. I would prefer (as I noted below) where we can achieve both priorities - a top forward along with a top four defenseman. Having Rolston and Rozsival would be just fine with me.
I like Grabovski. I know he isn't the strongest player and he didn't exactly show what he's capable of in the 24 games he played with us but I think it's because we never tried him on the wing. In Hamilton he scored 20 points in 12 games, while playing on the wing. Playing center requires a little more defensive responsibility and defence obviously isn't what Grabovski is being asked to provide. Also he was horrible in the faceoff circle, winning under 50% on many nights. If we do end up getting Sundin, then we would would be able to try him out on the wing.
A.Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev
Tanguay-Sundin-S.Kostitsyn
Higgins-Koivu-Grabovski
Either of these lines could be considered a top line. Koivu and Sundin could be switched and Grabovski and Higgins could be switched as well. Depending on who plays better on their off-wing.
Does anyone have concerns about Saku bolting if Sundin comes in?
Just a random thought.....
Koivu will have what he has asked Gainey of doing the previous season.... putting together a cup contending team while he is at it.... if Sundin joined in and with Tangay already on board this is exactly what the CH will be.... not only will they be the most exciting team to watch in Pro hockey but also the one having the better chances to win it all.... Koivu will be all smile !.... I am already all smile with the addition of Tangay alone as it will improved further on our already excellent ways of last season of speed, finesse and killer transition.
Saku will be fine. I am not convinced he is as unhappy as all the media outlets make him out to be. He is finally on a winning team. he also knows that he is slowing down... Cancer, eye... He hasn't had a healthy year since his first year...
If Saku accepts his role on this team they can go real far.. Assuming Sundin comes in... We wi=ould have 3 strong lines and a character fourth line... That is something we haven't seen in over 20 years...
Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor
I don't see why that would be an issue. The key is winning. Too much emphesis was placed on Saku's lack of a smile on the ice last year.
The thinking in the Toronto media is that Sundin either signs with the Habs or he retires. Sundin would be an excellent fit with the club. something that I'm sure Gainey is trying to convince him of right now.
I'm not sure that Hossa is as good a fit. Keep in mind that he is probably looking for $8-9 million dollars per year over a long term deal. I just don't believe he is that type of elite player (Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin). I would much rather take a shot at two players for the same amount.
The advantage to taking Sundin over Hossa, is that Sundin will only be with us for two years at the most and not be a drag on the team in year five like Hossa could potentially be. For that matter, Sundin is a center, and much more of a team player than Hossa is.
Some may disagree but even at his age, Sundin is the better player. There are no question about his skill level both off and on the ice.
Montreal adds Tanguay & Sundin (maybe).
Pittsburgh loses Hossa (probably) & Malone.
Looks like Pittsburgh may not be the dominant force in the East, that so many "experts" have annointed already.
T.C.
tc.denault@habsworld.net
Was nodding my head the entire time I was reading, TC. Nice post
If Pittsburgh stops trying to sign Hossa, why wouldn't they up their offer to Malone? Or are the sides that far apart in terms of what they think he's worth?
I think Malone is feeling like PIT wants Hossa more than him and is not going to come back even if Hossa doesn't sign with PIT. I think PIT put all there eggs in the Hossa basket and will lose Malone and Orpik aswell as the people they traded for Hossa in the first place. Then factor in Malkin and Stall and you start to see there's alot of issues with PIT, where as Montreal is going to be a better team than last year, adding Tanguay and possibly Sundin, while only losing Streit, Smolinski and Ryder.
When does the evaluation camp start...???
http://www.bleacherreport.com/users/2098-Kevin_van_Steendelaar
It seems most are very excited about the prospect of acquiring Sundin. But, as Mio has pointed out, signing him will make things tight in terms of signing our RFAs and will preclude the possibility of signing any other UFAs. To me, an alternative and preferable approach would be to acquire two quality players instead of Sundin. For example, sign Selanne and trade for Bieksa (for Grabovski, Cube, and a 2009 4th round pick):
Tanguay-Koivu-Selanne
AK46-Pleks-Kovy
Lats-Higgins-SK74
Begin-Lapierre-Kosto
Bench: Chipchura, Stewart
Markov-Komisarek
Hammer-OB
Gorges-Bieksa
Bench: Brisebois
This is just an example, but the broader point is two quality players (a top line forward plus a top four defenseman) may be better than getting a premier forward.
Either way, Go Habs Go!