Canadian expansion - according to TSN: NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly weighed in on the side of NHL expansion into Canada and increased revenue sharing on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver on Thursday. "We're very supportive of the Canadian franchises, not only because of the history and tradition, but also because of the results," Kelly explained on the TEAM 1040.
Could Hamilton really see a team? They already have an NHL size arena in place. Or will hockey return to Winnipeg? Or some other spot?
Foget expanding into Canada. Teams which create the least ammount of revenue, especially in the south, should be MOVED to Canada. The NHL shouldn't expand again, 30 teams is enough, maybe even too much. The NHL should definately bring more teams to Canada though, places like Hamilton and Winnipeg are perfect.
These things will never happen with Bettman in charge.
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 22:40.
Exactly!
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If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?
That's what I was getting at. There are so many teams that have a such a hard time filling seats and we have to share our revenue with all these teams, and we end up getting screwed. We are filling 21,273 seats, 41 games a season, and we are getting as much profit from that as Nashville, or Columbus.
And yes, Quebec City could probably support another team. As well as Hamilton and Winnipeg.
Sorry. I don't want the Habs to have to pay additional money to the welfare fund. It's near impossible to get a decent free agent in Montreal and NHLPA expects the Habs and their fans to prop up the competition.
Sorry.
Either move or fold up shop.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 15:30.
Can it get any slower than this? You know it's slow week when the stories are about a meat sandwich and Glen Murray being placed on, and then clearing waivers.
I can understand the posters who would like to have the meat sandwich...but Glen Murray? Come on now.
No TommyB, it can't possibly get any slower. But didn't that sandwich look better than Murray?
Gilbert
2008/09 is the season of the Habs
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:52.
HABS SUMMIT 2008
MAIN ORGANIZER-IAN
TICKETS OFFICER--- Vicky-Habschick
TOUR ORGANIZER----Stephen Herron
CHARITY officer--CHUCK AND ROBERT L
WEB MASTER----Stephen Herron and Robert L
ACCOMADATIONS---ROB SWEICK
PRE GAME DINNER--Bryan Traynor
AFTER GAME PLACE WITH ROOM,BAR--Bryan Traynor
Summit game will be Oct. 25th vs Ducks
It looks like we are ready to proceed with the ordering of tickets. We are just waiting until Stephen and Robert put the details up on the BLOG. Then I will add the link to this ad. A lot of interest, so order early as tickets will be first come first serve.
Boomark that site! Anyone who wants to go to the Summit will very likely need it within the next 24 hrs. or so. (Maybe sooner?) I am not sayin' we are there yet BUT...
Tic Tic Tic
Submitted by xaverian001 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:43.
Can someone please pass this article on to Mats?
http://thehockeynews.com/articles/17334-THNcom-Blog-Homesickness-will-hi...
At least the NHL worked in our favour when they gave the Caknuckleheads the worst schedule in the league. Hopefully Mats realizes the crazy travel sched is not worth the extra $2.5-3M per year.
Submitted by joeybarrie on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 16:44.
Since he doesn't already live in either Montreal, or Vancouver. A traveling schedule doesn't really matter since he will be away from home for the entire season...
I'll trust you this time... but i've got my eyes on you?!?!
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:23.
OK boys and girls.---Question- Who knows what ever happened or where PLEX-ANDREW might be.? I have not seen him on here for many months. Can we hold a summit with out him.? IAN
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:17.
sure he cleared...all the idiot GM's are broke with the ridicules contracts that were tossed around a few weeks back...
although Murray is a duplicate of Shannahan...he doesn't fit our puzzle.
Ok so really
Why not make a play on this guy?
He has decent 'speed' and has a massize frame...put him in front of the nets and lets score some goals. A player like this could show Lats the power forward role (love him, but I think he could be more aggressive). Try and sign him - get him for 2 mill +, make a play for a top 4 d'man and were in!
markov-komi
harlik -
brisebois-gorges-bouillon-o'byrne(-who i am excited about - BUT BULK UP!)
Sundin would be awesome to get, but if we lose ppl in waiting on Mats were gonna shoot ourselves in the foot
is smolinski gone?
what about tom k?
I'd take him if I were Gainey. (if the price was right) I realize his production hasn't been great the past couple of years, but he's a veteran and he's big and can play that gritty playoff style that this team lacked last year.
It's too bad the Murray from a few years ago isn't available, but I'd take him anyway.
Submitted by joeybarrie on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:09.
He isn't our man. He isn't the right fit. In fact the only things he has is size, and availability. Oh yeah and he's cheap... No no no...Not enough to sign him. Slow story weeks, and agents who want more money drive these things. MATS is the one. He will finally come HOME...
I really wish people would stop the Ryder / LeClair comparisons.
LeClair was 2" taller and 40 lbs heavier, was a "TRUE" power forward who hit was nasty, tough to move and could skate with the best.
Ryder is a fine hockey player with a good shot.
To compare the two, not even close !!!!!
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:30.
agreed
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If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?
Submitted by xaverian001 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 08:10.
Good morning everyone! I see we're off to a fine start this morning.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:42.
7 days until D-Day (Decision day for Mats)
Will you be disappointed??"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by Habs_Rule on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 05:31.
We should sign him since he is a power foward who is able to screen goalies during our PP opportunities.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 04:50.
A perfect example of why the Bruins will never win the cup. Get rid of a loyal guy like Murray for Ryder. It would be equivalent to the Canadiens waiving Bouillon and signing Jeff Finger.
no its not the same, honestly. God, how many people on here actually know their HOCKEY? I'm having serious doubts. Montreal fans (younger generation) are really making me doubt. I actually have better "hockey" conversation with the yanks here in frisco than some of the newly bred habs fans. Dont just be full on habs fans where you contrive trades of bouillon and a 2nd rounder for Crosby. Please, actually know your hockey outside of Montreal and know the business side of pro sports. There's no loyalty anymore and players shouldnt cry when things like this happens. To all the uneducated habs fans out there, research something before you say something. We should be an example to the rest of the league, but honestly, some of the fans on here are stooopid.
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:11.
People are getting pretty silly on here, just put up a picture of a coach, player, or a dead guy and a bunch of people on here will find him a spot on the roster. Funny.!!!
You sound pretty arrogant to me, to tell you the truth.
And I don't know which posts you're reading, but to me, the majority of people on this site were concerned when Huet was traded. They trusted that Gainey knew what he was doing but they were a bit worried about sending a good goalie away and going forward with two young guys. There were also lots of people questioning whether a second round pick was enough for Huet.
what are you talking about-i was just pointing out the hypocrisy-1 minute Huet is great and the other minute he's shit
alsi i said, i had to read posts, not all posts
did you read the bottom of my post-arrogant people don't write comments like that
thank you for the very accurate summary, and quite frankly-i've been saying this for the past year--the biasm/hypocricy on this website is an absolute joke, actually, it not even a joke, its downright sickening--the best thing--no matter what anyone says they cannot see this
before last years deadline i had to read posts on how great Huet was, Huet for ovechkin would have been considered a fair trade on this website-gainey sends him packing and huet all sudden is shit(this a classiic example of what you are saying)
having said that, the young hab fans no doubt love thier team, some are very insightful, and some I do agree with most times--in the end, all us want the samething-a stanley cup to return to montreal so i do respect that
Submitted by The Teacher on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 14:26.
"before last years deadline i had to read posts on how great Huet was, Huet for ovechkin would have been considered a fair trade on this website-gainey sends him packing and huet all sudden is shit(this a classiic example of what you are saying)"
Exactly how many times have you copy-pasted this piece?
17? 20? 45? 107?
Laraque will make them Pay the Price!
teach, i'm not fighting b/c i'm to busy today, but i read your posts and how many times you bring up same issues is not even funny
your one of the guys that was ridiculing me for saying gainey doesn't want tough guys on the team, i specifically said we need a super heavy weight on our team and you were one the guys to respnd and go at me a this, now all sudden laraque is your hero, if laraque doesn't get signed by gainey and i say we should get laraque you would say laraque will do us no good-so you know what, don't respond to my posts anymore b/c no matter what i say you are just going to twist it
no winning with you-your stubborn and thats all to it
Well honestly no one really thinks Boullion and a second rounder could get Crosby. But don't descredit all young fans, I am a young but definetly not knew Hsbs fan. I agree with you if you're opinion is that Ryder will Score far more this season than last. Seeing as he will get to play alongside either Marc or Patrice all year and get all the grease time on the power plays. And yes no way could Murray acomplish what Mike will next year because he got all those chances. But are the habs better off without him?
Yes, and for the same reason as we are better off without Souray, Cause a player that has an offensive upside and yet is a either a defensive liability, has no speed or rather insufficient speed, or has not enough room for growth. Fact is we like Serger Kostitsyn more than we like Ryder and thats never going to change, specially with the grit and intelligence he displays. Simply put er finished first in the east last season while Mikel Ryder road the bench.
Gotta love those Habs.
Submitted by NoTinFoilCups on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 04:16.
"Cause a player that has an offensive upside and yet is a either a defensive liability, has no speed or rather insufficient speed, or has not enough room for growth."
Hmmm... you just described Tenderness himself.
It bugs me when people say Ryder was a defensive liability. That whole line of Koivu-Higgins-Ryder was a defensive liability, the onus is more on Koivu IMO.
No not really at all. Koivu would be the best third line center in the league if only we had the depth. And don't even try to mention Higgins. Believe me Ryder is a defensive liability. What games were you watching, with a coaching staff like Guy, Kirk and Doug, believe me that they know their JOB. Why do you think they benched him.
Gotta love those Habs.
Our top two lines last year were both defensive liabilities, I agree Koivu would be a decent 3rd line centre, but he wasn't a 3rd line center..I'm not getting into a Ryder debate again.
Huh? Our top 2 lines were defensive liabilities?? Sorry Cat - you're wrong. Kovy, Pleks, and K1 pretty much lead our plus-minus with strong numbers. You can't do that if you're not playing a 2-way game. Ever watch Pleks back-check? The guy never gives up on the puck.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Corporate on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 08:20.
May be not that line.. but the koivu line was average defensively.. All three players were a combined -8.. You expect a little more defensively from a second line... I think that is what she tried to say... As for the first line.. they were great.. Defensively and offensively..
Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor
hey man, no discredit to the young habs fans out there. I just turned 34 so I'm starting to feel the itch to start saying thee old stories of walking to school barefoot in snowshoes. But by no means was my point about the habs keeping Ryder. I know he didnt fit into our plans nor could he excel playing here. Its the same as the leclair thing. If he would have played here his whole career, he would never have had the 50 goal seasons like he did. I salute ex-habs who achieve success outside. One thing we should recognize is its easy to play outside of Montreal where the pressure isn't as tough and where teams are more offensively minded and less on defense. A player like Ryder will excel on a team that is focused like that. Personally, I would have thought Pittsburgh would have picked him up. Could you imagine Ryder banking in on sidney's passes with a wide open net?
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:33.
You had snowshoes? Luxury!
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If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?
...and before I go to bed, which I might add its only 12:40 here in SF, and no, I'm not some newly bred hockey fan who caught onto hockey because of bettman's super marketing skillz, i was actually born and raised in Montreal, anyways, to get to my point here, somene is gonna knock me for saying offensive players dont gel here in montreal...yeah, I already know that we led the league in scoring, but that's cuz we spread it out amongst players. Most players here in Montreal need to step up defensively as well as offensively, which I like. Ryder was purely an offensive guy, who will excel in that role outside of here. Im not saying I want his offense in order to sacrifice our defense. Just saying with the coaches we have, players should be expected to play a two way game, which I like. But that brings up a question...why is latendresse still playing a regular shift? Carbs as well as anyone should realize that you need to do something in order to get the "guy" chants. I'm out. Cheers.
Submitted by Corporate on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 08:24.
Latendresse is 21 years old. he never really played a defensive game until he hit the big club.. Why is he still on a regular shift... 16 goals playing mostly on a 3rd line that is supposed to play defensive... He will mature like any other player... In the off season he is working on his speed and his physical aspect.. He will do fine, just give him a chance..
Mostly in montreal, we want results here and now... Anyone that doesn't produce should be out... Thank God we waited for Kovy and Andrei and pleks to get it going... Take anyone of those players out and the dynamic of the team is very very different..
Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:58.
Corp - Just give him a chance , give me a break Checkout his last 35 games.
Submitted by Corporate on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 22:23.
Well he scored the same as Koivu... Should we bench Koivu also...
Players win games, teams win championships.
- Bill Taylor
I thought so too,
Lines for this year without the aquasition of another player
A.Kost Plek Kova
Tanguay Koiv S.Kost
Latt. Pacioretty Higgins
Laraque Chipchura/lapierre Kostopo
Thats how good Max is I watched him play injured and I couldn't believe it.
Future Impact player.
Gotta love those Habs.
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 09:36.
I'd like to see if Patch could play centre. Could he possibly be developed into that big centre we lack?
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If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?
I wonder what the logic is between a guy who made 17 goals 13 assists, -4 in 63 games last year isn't worth 4.15 million for one year after being a long time veteran on the team...BUT mike ryder who made 14 goals, 17 assists, -4 in 70 games is worth 4 million next year, or should i say 4 million the year after and the year after.
its a no brainer. I'd rather have Ryder than Murray any day. 7 years younger, pure sniper, on a line with savard? Hello? I'm telling you, Ryder will produce next year. Not saying I'm sad to see him go, BUT put him on a line with a pure playmaker and a coach who likes him and no media pressure? Mark my words, Ryder is gonna have a decent year and good for him. There will be those fans out there who hated Ryder and wanted to bench/trade him who will bash gainey for not signing him. Its only a matter of time.
SO ryder will cost 4 Mil plus 1/3 of 4.15 of murray's buy out for 2 years of the 3 in his contract. 5 million for ryder then. Murray is a pure goal scorer but couldn't get it together even with guys like savard. Ryder will most likely do better, but is not worth the price. He's also worse defensively than murray. I have faith in ryder, than he's bounce bad, and i hope he does, he never complained or ask for a trade(to my knowledge) and was very professional(with the exception of throwing paper airplanes out into crowds during playoffs). I don't think it's a good business decision though. Also, although i think ryder will bounce back, there is no garuantee, or he may play good years 1 and 2, and horrible 3, or any combo like that. You never know, he's not coming off a career year and that's the issue. He's gonna make 4 mil off the worse year in his career.
About I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife.
While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking.
I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life.
I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette.
The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey.
And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..."
Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game.
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