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i see one of two things happening: 1) Sundin retires and lives out his life with his hot wife 2) He signs with MTL. I doubt he will go back to TO after they tried to trade him in February. The Leafs are deep into rebuilding and they really have no chance at a cup. Maybe in a few years, but by then Sundin will be too old. I find it funny that Canucks fans think their defense is great. It's hardly star studded. I think many defensive stats could be attributed to your godly goaltender. I think Montreal's defense is better in terms of depth and puck moving ability. If the Habs had Luongo, they would have gone far into the playoffs. All this being said, I don't think Sundin will sign in Vancouver simply because he has nobody to play with. He could play with the Sedins, but that would mean no balance on the lines. It would be like putting all your eggs into one basket and although it works in the crunch, you can't go a whole season like that. He could play with Demetra, but who else? Montreal was the highest scoring team in the league last year. They have plenty of firepower and added even more with Tanguay. It would be the best fit for him as a hockey player.
Yeah, Ryder looks like the better player like a one-toothed chick looks like a supermodel through a decent pair of beer goggles. Come on, Ryder a better skater than Tanguay?! He's barely a better skater than Lats.
Sorry, this was supposed to be a response to a comment below.
LOL all those Ryder comparisions were funny.
Laraque will make them Pay the Price!
Per Habs official site: O'Byrne has signed a 3-year deal.
That makes everybody!
-----
Go Habs Go!
Ryan O'Bryne has signed a three deal , unofficial but good sources , Team 990.
PRESS RELEASE
http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=...
MONTREAL -- Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Wednesday the signing of defenseman Ryan O’Byrne to a three-year contract (2008-09 to 2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Ryan acquired a great deal of NHL experience last season. He is part of our young core of defensemen and certainly has the potential of becoming a very good NHL player. He is big, intense and his physical play are important assets for our team.
As long he remains within snatching distance of ladies purses, he should have a long NHL career,’’ said Bob Gainey.
O’Byrne, who will turn 24 on July 19, will begin his second season in the NHL this fall. In 2007-08, he scored seven points (one goal, six assists) and served 45 penalty minutes in 33 games with the Canadiens, averaging 13:23 minutes of ice time per game. The 6-foot-5, 228-pound defenseman also played 20 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, posting eight points (2-6-8), a plus-4 differential and 49 penalty minutes. He was named to the Canadian AHL All-Star Team.
A native of Victoria, British Columbia, O’Byrne was selected by the Canadiens in the third round, 79th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons with the ECAC Cornell University Big Red from 2003 to 2006.
Shawn Belle under contract
The Canadiens also announced Wednesday the signing of defenseman Shawn Belle to a one-year contract (2008-09). Belle, 23, was acquired from the Minnesota Wild on July 11 in return for forward Corey Locke.
Habs open against the Sabres - sorry if this is a repost - it's new to me:
"The Buffalo Sabres will open the 2008-09 season at home against the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced today."
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/...
Why do the Habs always start on the road?
Here is my guess.
When you have a great, historic, wonderful, amazingly talented, and chapionship caliber team such as the Montreal Canadiens who are laden with history, you would want to make them start on the road to give greater lustre to another team's home opener. To put it simply, they want our franchise to help the others :)
Laraque will make them Pay the Price!
Chris Neil and a prospect have reportedly been traded to Chicago for Cam Barker.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16256
I cant see Ottawa trading Neil, hes too useful to them. Every team wants a Chris Neil.
Damn, Murray is dismantling this team one move at a time!
And I'm greatful.
We get Neil, the Sens lose McGratton and Neil!
Smart!
I think you meant we get Laraque. And as far as the trade goes, I think it's a good one for Ottawa. A former 3rd overall pick for a 3rd liner, good risk to take. They have Cody Bass coming up too, who can fill Neil's role.
Yes, I knew that! LOL, thanks!
Bryan Murray to Toronto(E5)
I think I have it figured out Robert.......it is not Brian Burke the Leafs are waiting for it is Bryan Murray. In the meantime he is ripping apart the Sens player by player to demonstrate his comittment to losing and abilities to ensure that even a winning team will not dare contend on his watch. The Leafs are salivating at the opportunity to speak to Murray as he appears to have the necessary tools to keep their "gloryless" streak alive. This also lends some to truth to the Sundin to Montreal rumours as Bryan Murray has refused to dishcush "Match Shundeen" following every game (apologies to anyone with speech difficulties....just kidding).
Haha That really made me giggle...Match Shundeen...
"If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."
That thought actually croosed my mind. It looks like he's working for the Leafs. Or maybe he's trying to appear incompetant enough that they will hire him!
Until Ottawa addresses their goaltending issues, they will go no where.
Fast, LOL!
Agreed, it has been their Achilles heel since they came into the league.
Laraque will make them Pay the Price!
Mike - some photoshopping that doesn't look half-bad! you've come a long way since the hockey hall of hair. . . keep it up!
Spotted Mats at the cafe in ikea scoffing down a plate of mearballs. go habs go.
A question I've been asking myself...and I wonder:
With this being the 100th anniversary...does it affect today's player? Would a young player today be excited about that? Would today's player take pride in that fact and therefore go out and play his guts out, game in and game out, to get into the playoffs and ultimately win number 25 in this our 100th anniversary? These are questions I want to say I know the answer to, and I want to say that answer is YES! But still, with today's spoiled athletes, I wonder about that.
Its a good question, and I think the answer is yes, but Ill add, I think its the Montreal hockey writers that are gonna make our players sick this year. Remember last year was a surprise year, but this year its the 100th, plus this year the habs are expected to win, so they wont get the same 'we'll give you the benefit of the doubt' treatment that prevailed last year when in the midst of a rough patch.
I think it's even more extensive than the local media. Yeah, they'll be on a more powerful form of crack than usual. But the players are also going to get hammered by the national media and the local media for away games. They'll be sick of hearing the same questions by the time the preseason is over.
Sorry... Accidental duplicate post.
It's a great question to ponder. There's one argument that these are just numbers--winning the 25th cup in the 100th year of the franchise is no more significant and no more of a great feeling than winning the 24th in the 84th (assuming I did my math correctly). From the player's perspective, it's a peak experience no matter what, and winning any given Cup takes no less grit or effort.
That said, I think it is an extra motivational tool in management's toolbox. It would be a storybook finish to commemorate the 100th year of the franchise with a Cup victory, and I think Carbo can (and will) impress upon them how it would cement their names in the history books, etc. In a long season that--with playoffs--can last 100+ games, you need every edge you can get.
I guess I wonder when and how he'll deliver the message. Does he pull it out at the beginning of the season and use it as a theme through the year? Does he bring it up during a slump to try and pull the team out of it? Does he use it in an inspiring motivational speech to kick off the playoffs? Or does he downplay it completely to avoid jinxing the team? It will be interesting to watch.
"25 for 100, baby!"
__________________________________
The Montreal Canadiens have always relied on their past to help motivate their players. When you have Hall of Famers like Jean Beliveau, Yvan Courneyer and Henri Richard (and all the rest) hanging out at the Bell Centre. Add in a coaching staff that bled bleu, blanc et rouge. Well, I don't think it will be that hard to motivate these guys.
"To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high."