A late-summer bummer
posted by Mike Boone at 6h54 EST on Aug 27
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Submitted by Puck Bard on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 19:27.
Booney, That's HI-larious about the Colin Farrell reference. Well done.
Submitted by Bozo McBozo on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 17:41.
Is Lang gonna blow chow in that picture or what!

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 15:17.
Thanks Vince for reposting those possible alternatives to acquiring Sundin. I don't watch enough to really comment intelligently on the fit of those players, in terms of style of play. What I can do is look at stats.
Marleau: good size. At 28 y/o, he's just coming into his prime. He's under contract for another 2 years, although I am not sure what the cap hit is. Only scored 19 last season, but previous to that, he was consistently 25-35 goals. Seems to be weak defensively with a +/- of -19, although +/- numbers were better in the past. He'd be Carbo's whipping boy if he turned in a -19 here though. Anyone know what bugging this guy? Someone said he has a no trade clause. Maybe he wants out of a bad situation.
Gomez: middle weight at 5'11" 200 lbs. So he is not the power forward we are looking for. Healthy as he played 81 games last year. 16G 54A 70Pts +3 70 pts sounds great, but all those assists make him a playmaker, not a scorer. Under contract for another 4 years at $7.357M cap hit.
Who would you move out to make room for Gomez? Pleks, Koivu, Chips, Lapierre? Not Lapierre as Gomez is not a shutdown artist. If you get rid of Chips, you are getting rid of our biggest centre when we need more size. Koivu is our captain. And Pleks is our best goal scoring centre. Not exactly what we are looking for.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:35.
SACKIC SIGNED 1 YEAR DEAL

Submitted by RetroMikey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:24.
We should have kept Grabovski centering the line between the Kostitsyn brothers!
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by New on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 17:26.
That is an interesting idea and I'm sure it has a sort of merit if Grabovski turns the corner and plays to his potential. I suspect he was promised a trade when he stomped out last spring on the western trip. The league needs stars so I hope you're right about him but I think the Habs already have better young centers than Grabovski. Heck, the Leafs let Wellwood go and he's better than Grabovski.

Submitted by RetroMikey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 17:54.
Wellwood was let go because he did not take care of himself physically, started to gain the pounds and spent less time in the gym. You might call him the Pillsbury boy!
Mikhail is solid as a rock! Strong, muscular and skill!
I bet Andre and Sergei wish they had Guy experiment this line together last season. Bad mistake letting him go.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by New on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 18:33.
We'll see. Strong, muscular, skilled, he may have been but he was minus 6 in his 27 NHL games. (Wellwood is 189 games, 108 pts, minus 10)I thought Grabs was knocked off the puck pretty easy. You may be right about Wellwood, but Van might be able to change that. So Wellwood can get better, and has been better. I think Grabs was as good as he's going to get.
I bet Andrei and Sergei are glad they got the ice time last year, like blondes, and are looking forward to long careers and the good life regardless of who the coach puts between them 20 minutes every other night.

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:32.
For sure! We should have kept Samsonov, Dagenais, and Niinimaa too. Ahh well, I heard Bob is talking to Alexei Yashin's agent to try to fill the heartless coward role that was left empty when they left.

Submitted by RetroMikey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 17:55.
Obviously, you've never seen him play in Hamilton as much as I have.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:23.
SUMMIT NEWS
WE JUST HAD ANOTHER FATAL ERROR ON OUR SUMMIT BLOG TODAY>
So here is todays news, we have a total of 81 people coming to the Summit
If you have not paid for your tickets on paypal yet, do so right away.
We have 6 tickets that have not been paid for, so who ever wants them, get in touch with myself or Robert ASAP.
Now that we know how many people are going this year, we will need to know who will need discounted hotel rooms, who will want to go on the Bell Center tour, who will be attending the pre game dinner (where we will auction off stuff, like a pair of season tickets, donated by Vicky, set of Gretsky hockey cards donated by Robert and much more that Chuck is getting from the Club) and who will be attending the after game get together.
Each Summit officer for each event will need this info so as to reserve a spot for you at each event. Stay tuned
IAN

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:41.
E-mail me before 5 PM. I'm at work after that time.

Submitted by Vince is Possib... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:17.
I know I am reposting this, but I would love to hear some more opinions about Plan B centres for the upcoming year, as these guys will be free agents, and trade bait:
Best
Henrik Sedin - 76 Points
Keith Tkachuk - 58 points
Victor Kozlov - 54 points
Patrick Marleau - 48 points
OR- If NY wants to get rid of a 28 yrd old 70 point centre for a 37 year old 78 point older centre who will only last 2 yrs max, great,
Lets Free up some room and TAKE SCOTT GOMEZ!
Next best
Robert Lang - 54 points
Mike Cammalleri - 47 points
Mike Comrie - 49 points
T. Connolly - 40 points
Mike Peca - 34 points
_________________________
"ITS NOT EASY BEING GREEN...FOR A SUPERSTAR"

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 15:45.
Is this plan B for the Leafs or the Canadiens?
Submitted by New on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 18:05.
I don't know about all this sudden focus on Sundin having migrated into the Habs need to trade someone. The Habs don't need to trade anyone. The team needs to get better, and by gosh it has.
The Habs would have been stupid not to make Sundin an offer. The Habs were smart to sweeten the pot to TO for an early chance. For whatever reason that got out. But frankly, all an agent has to do is buy a couple promo slots in a paper or two, and us Habs fans are screaming that we have to, absolutely have to, get Fantastic Puckshooter from the Russian Superior Supper League before someone else grabs him.
Look at last years "oh if Emelin comes over we'll be ok" example. Who is Emelin and why are they saying such nice things about a guy who has never dominated anything?
Then guys like Shawn Belle slide into town, and no one notices. Here's a young man with all the tools, who if given the chance, might make this team. BGL rolls in and everyone says "The Habs will play two inches taller." but do we really realize his value. This man can play hockey. He doesn't have to fight people. But the next time some @****** punches Carey Price in the face as he passes through the crease he should figure out that 18 other players have his number, and that BGL backs them up. Look at Tanguay. He is a really good hockey player, not an average player on good teams, he is a really good hockey player.
This is going to be a different team. Denis has had a rough go, but is a NHL goalie. Kovalev proved something last year, and SK showed a flash of something great. Price and Halek will work it out. Higgins is going to explode, if he's physically able. Lats should show us what he will be at age 27, and then we'll finally know. Look at Boone's favorite defenseman, Gosh Georges :), he got a chance, got motivated instead of scared, and look what he did.
And the Habs should easily, but might not make the playoffs.
It's gonna be a ride.
So if the right deal comes along the Habs are one of the few teams who have the assets to make it happen. But throwing away those assets for third line centers who are retiring in a couple years isn't necessarily the best course of action.
Submitted by PeterStone on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:53.
Lang .. slow as molasses ... NO THANKS. Now , if I am trying to fill a void at Center ... which I believe we are ...
Oy obvious # 1 target is Mats Sundin ... my plan B is
Viktor Kozlov ...
Can he be had ... I would say, YES ... Washington is over the cap ... @ Center they have, in NO particular Order, Federov, Nylander, Backstrom, Kozlov and a couple of Defensive Centermen ...
Kozlov is affordable at 2.5M$ and he gives you flexibility at seasons end, as he doesnt decimate your cap space .. he has good size at 6'4" , in or around, and his game has come around ... he isnt Sundin, but he is definitely a player .. still young wnough to contribute, and he will feel right at home here with the Kostitsyn's , Kovalev and Markov.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:59.
yes but you forget one thing ... Koslov doesn't move koivu to our # 3 centerman .... Sundin does therefore .... Anyone that isn't better than koivu doens't get consideration ex: lang, lombardi , marleau , and god know who else
Submitted by PeterStone on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:08.
thats a very good point .. but what it does do ... is it allows you to not over extend Koivu during the season. As we have seen playoff after playoff ... our playoffs go as Koivu goes ... and if he goes down ... we are in trouble ..
Another thing I like about this move, is come Feb ... you still have loads of room to pick up that "rental" that can take you to the next level .. ( conference final ... cup final ... ??? )
You are right tho, he certainly isnt above Koivu ... not like Sundin ...

Submitted by Chorske on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:33.
Where did this Schneider nonsense come up? The entire board has been thrumming with calls for a big centre all summer long. Was it bordeom? Was it the fact that Maple Leaf issued a recall, making us all switch to Schneider?
We have enough D. One thing that makes us KILLER right now is that we have the league's highest scoring team from last year still intact, with a great new forward (Tanguay) and the league's best muscle (GL) to boot, AND we've got 6 million to play with. This is not money we NEED to spend on an aged Dman. This is money to get that big centre... or fill in holes in February.... or resign/extend key guys.
The whole Schneider idea is bad bad BAD.

Submitted by mrhabby on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:07.
me thinks its an okay move. who knows.he has always had a quick first pass, efficient, experienced snd still makes our D even stronger and more balanced taking pressure off the others.

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:06.
Good points Chorske. But this is all in the realm of speculation at this point. We have a pretty good consensus going here that Sundin is a good fit for Montreal. But we have been guessing about him for 2 months now. The comments by BG have caused a few of us to cast our eyes elsewhere, even if we haven't completely given up hope for landing Sundin. And there has been plenty of speculation about who we could bring to Montreal that could play first or second line centre, that has the size, the scoring, and the faceoff ability, etc. There aren't many that fit the bill and it is unclear how BG could bring them here.
Now after first or second line centre, probably our other weakness is a top 4 D. Yes, we have Markov, Komi and Hamrlik. And I think Gorges, Obyrne and the Cube bring a lot to the rink, but another top 4 puck moving D would be an upgrade.
True enough - we have enough D. But we have enough C as well. Its a question of upgrading. So if you have some more great ideas about who would fit the profile at centre ice, how much it would cost to trade for him, and what it would cost salary wise, I'm all ears. But I hope you won't object if I comment on some of the rumours that are out there, even if they are from bs sources.

Submitted by Chorske on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 15:41.
I guess my thinking is that you can't TEACH someone to be a nasty net crasher, but you can teach someone to play decent D (and them let them gain experience the hard way, by making mistakes). Our young Dmen need to step up, end of story. There may be weaknesses, but none that need a 5 million dollar fix, using a stopgap stalwart whose best years are behind him. We have experienced guys on D in Markov and Hamrlik. That's enough. Let the young guns learn from them.

Submitted by Habhopeful on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:59.
Is everyone assuming the Schneider rumour is true? Isnt it Eklund who said it or is there another sports source your hearing it from??
Cause I wont believe a word eklund says and if any of his rumours ever do happen to come true, well he'll still have to work on getting them right more than once every 50 rumours...
"If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:19.
True, the source does make it rather doubtful. But I think e4 means that he didn't completely fabricate it. So perhaps he was talking to the second cousin of Brian Burke's barber, and he thinks Schneider is going to Montreal. LOL Hey, its august. What else is there to talk about?

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:54.
Schneider: 39 y/o Under contract until July '09 with cap hit of $5.625M. I like that he would only be under contract for this season. And let's face it, compared to Chelios, he's a youngster.
He missed 13 games last season due to an ankle injury, then 2 more games with a hip injury, then 2 more games due to a wrist injury. In spite of missing 17 games, he still put up 12G 27A 39Pts +22. So last year he was a bit injury prone, put he still put up decent numbers.
His +/- was third best on the team last season. He contributes on the pp with 5G last season. His average TOI was 22:18 so it sounds like he was a top 4 D with Anaheim.
He's only 5'11" and 191 lbs, so he doesn't seem to be a bruiser, but some guys hit above their weight class, like the Cube. And his +/- suggests that he gets the job done at both ends of the rink while doing pp duty.
Okay, I like him, and I think it is a big plus that he would only be under contract for one year, since we have some major negotiations coming up at the end of the season. If I am not mistaken, the Ducks are $1.313 above the cap right now, and they need to get Selanne signed. So the Ducks need to get rid of him and it might not cost us too much. Since they have cap issues, they will likely be looking for a prospect or a pick.
Could be a decent plan B. We could use some top 4 help on defense while our prospects mature in Hamilton. And he would likely help replace Streit on the pp.
Submitted by edmond on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:09.
Forget about Sundin, Lang, Conroy. Lombardi would be good especially as he is a local guy (Hudson) and his speed fits well with our team. Would be willing to take a chance on Marleau as last year's stats are not reflective of his career and he is still young. He would be a great addition to the team. San Jose would dump his salary as Thornton gets all of the first line ice at centre.
Failing Marleau or Lombardi how about Sergie Kostitsyn a centre? He is a great playmaker, responsible defensively, has guts and I think would flourish in the role of centre. All of our guys, including Sergie, will play bigger with Laraque on the team so give him a try. Lapierre is not really a centre and would be better on the wing.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:40.
Carbo mention that at his golf tournament yesterday about trying S.Kost at center .... he also mentionned Ben Maxwell and that he couldn't wait to see him at training camp

Submitted by joeybarrie on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:11.
Lombardi doesn't have as many goals in his 4 years in the NHL as Sundin had last season.... We need someone on the FIRST LINE.

Submitted by Habhopeful on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:38.
The reason being he has been on 3rd or 4th line his whole time in Calgary, he is being held back on the Flames, He will breakthough once he leaves that team...
"If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:23.
If anything, the Canadiens need to target a top line asset that will with them four or five years down the road. Why not make a pitch for Jeff Carter?

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:25.
I can't see Philly dealing with a fellow Eastern contender.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:41.
maybe.... maybe not ... but they need to get under the cap somehow

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:35.
Unless they get the players they want, which are either inexpensive or up and coming prospects. It's true that teams tend not to deal with division rivals and conderence foes, but if it serves their needs best, then they will.
Do you think Gainey batted an eyelash when the Leafs gave two bodies for Grabovski?
Say Gainey offers the pick he got for Huet, David Fisher, Matt Carle and Max Lapierre for Carter. The Flyers would listen for sure as it serves some of their needs as per keeping an inexpensive center versus Carter's big contract and puts a pair of young D-men in their stable, as well as a draft pick in a decent round for a wild card.

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:53.
There is a big difference between Grabovski and Carter. Sure, Montreal and Toronto made deals before, but none were very significant. Chad Kilger, Doug Gilmour, Grabovski...they were all depth moves.
A Carter deal would likely be a big trade, with all sorts of valuable assets going in each direction. Jeff Carter would be a welcome addition to 29 other teams, so I'm sure he could get offers of equal quality from western teams rather than deal him to an already strong, eastern contending team.
Plus, Jeff Carter would return much more than what you proposed to offer. All of those players are depth players. Carle and Fisher will be nothing more then 3rd and 4th dmen, and that's their ceiling. They are more likely 5th and 6th. The Flyers would want NHL ready players, or a top prospect like McDonaugh and a roster player.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:56.
Ok maybe the Grabovski trade wasn't a blockbuster one but i woundn't classify it under the kilger categorie either..... Grabs was never really given a decent chance( cuz pleks and koivu same type of players same size) and we only traded him cuz we have too many small centers ... but believe you me, he'll be part of the rebuilding process in TO ( im a habs fan til I die) and I would not be the least surprised that he will be top 3 scorer on that team this year...

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:05.
I wouldn't be surprised either. But is that because he is that good, or because the rest of the Leaf forwards are that bad?
I don't deny Grabovski could turn into something good, but the risk involved in us trading Grabovski to a rebuilding Leafs team in no way compares to Philly trading us Carter. Even if Grabovski is good, he has no chance to hurt us in the playoffs for at least 3 or 4 years b/c the Leafs are that bad.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:22.
hahahah good point

Submitted by mrhabby on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:20.
leafs suck thats why GRABS will do good.he is just so small.we need bigger. I for one was getting tired of the smurf action getting hammered by other players.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:27.
come on you would think that with the multitude of small great players ... people would stop making absumption( no clue how to write that word) about small players ex: Gionta , st-louis our own koivu , plecks, .... briere... grabs has all the tools in my mind and finally this year he will be able to show it.. The Laffs maybe bad but grabs linemates if he gets Antropov and Blake should make for a nice line grit- blake
playmaker- Grabs
Scorer- Antropov
But make no mistake leafs suck

Submitted by Habs fan in SF on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:33.
plus didn't philly sign jeff carter to a new multi-year contract? i see him and brad richards being untouchable for them.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:42.
of course by brad you meant Mike hahahahahaha

Submitted by Habs fan in SF on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:05.
oops! yes, i meant mike. my bad! i wouldn't mind having both brad and mike on the habs though ...

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:37.
Yes they did, but they also shopped carter for Sundin. Philly is quite clogged down the middle. Briere is there too.
Submitted by roadrunner24@ho... on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:00.
I Would love carter in MTL

Submitted by Mike T on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 13:44.
I believe that Philly will be looking to get rid of Carter...have a look at their salary cap/roster make up here ->http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=PHI&season=0809
They need defense....i would send O'Byrne, Fischer, and Lapierre (if Halak heats up through the season, maybe bundle him...Biron will be receive a hearty upgrade in $ this offseason)
Kovalev - Pleks - A Stits
Tanguay - Carter- Higgy - this primes Higgy for his breakout and would probably be the number one line at the end of the day
Lats - Koivu - S Stits - giving latendresse these two skilled playmakers could prime him for a breakout - while koivu and s stits are both defensively reliable
Laraque - Lappy (or Chippy) - Tommy K - a menacing line to say the least

Submitted by The Professor on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 14:18.
I like that move better than I like the Sundin move for the simple reason that we'd have a player locked up longer and cheaper, and he'd be part of the team as it grows, unlike Sundin who would take a max 2 year stint. Seeing as we're looking to eventually replace Koivu, Carter would actually be an ideal guy to bring in.
Of course, this is probably all wishful thinking as I'm sure the Flyers brass are keenly aware that given another good centreman we're atop the conference in a heartbeat.

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 15:46.
Perfect sense!

Submitted by the real vinnydj on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:52.
Welcome back Matt Schneider? I might like this

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:54.
I like it too. Much better choice than a Lang or Nylander.

Submitted by Richard on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:28.
It looks like we might get a Mat after all!
Ummm... But why do we need a defenseman???
______________
Hab a nice day.
Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:53.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16569

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:57.
Damn, now that Eklund has said it, it will never happen!

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:01.
Hey Robert,
I sent a message to Ian but since you're on or around the site, please make sure my 2 tickets are not sold to anyone else. I have not as yet received an invoice, but I will pay immediately when I do.
Go Habs Go!!
Habsrule

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:08.
They might not have sent out the invoices yet. Just in case, check your junk mail folder, sometimes filters direct them there. I doubt there has been an omission Paul, as you were the first to speak up on the additional tickets.

Submitted by mrhabby on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:50.
rob L.when should we expect the tickets in mail????

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:57.
Judging from last season, perhaps 2 to 3 weeks from now.

Submitted by Habsrule1 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:14.
Thanks Robert....I'll check it out!
Can't wait to meet you guys.
Go Habs Go!!
Habsrule

Submitted by the real vinnydj on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:55.
It's an E4 also, wooah wooah wee woahh (Borat voice)

Submitted by carmine007 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:51.
Like my signature say's and I stand by those same words Mike.... See below!!
Come on Mats add a Coupe Stanley, Championship to your great career!
It's NEVER over til it's OVER!

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:34.
A must read for all true Habs fans. Don't pass this up - it is precious stuff!
Maurice Rocket Richard - The Sports Illustrated Interview 1960
As all of you who read my site regularly surely know, I have been undertaking the heavy endeavor of documenting the Montreal Canadiens 100 seasons. Close to a dozen posts have been published so far, and I am currently working on the middle 1940's, researching and writing on just about all I can get my mits on that I find interesting. Early this morning I came across this Sports Illustrated interview with The Rocket - Maurice Richard, done late in the 1959-60 season.
The piece, taken from The Rocket's final NHL season, literally, it blew me away!
As I read through it a second time, the human being inside the legend began to emerge and layers were pealed away from what we all always recognized as Habs fans, in Richard, as being a larger than life figure.
Revealing, isn't the word!
The perception that comes out of this article, is of a mortal being, not unlike you and I, who is staring straight at a career crossroads.
http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/08/maurice-rocket...

Submitted by Moey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:51.
Thank you for that Robert, it was an excellent read.

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:58.
YW Moey, I could read it over and over, m yself.

Submitted by Hoegarden on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:09.
It's bookmarked and I too will read this again and again.

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:27.
There's no Plan B with Lang. Halfway decent numbers on a team with no depth doesn't translate into anything we want to bring to Montreal, where those numbers would be take a Bonk like dive.
Plan B is....the lineup the team has now!
A first place lineup!
Gainey has said it all along that he is comfortable heading into the season with the lineup the team has. Tanguay and Laraque are great improvements, and all these kids are one year better.

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:26.
I say "don't get someone just for the sake of making a move"although I have been mesmerized by a healthy Marty Havalet ,shoulder problems are a big non healing problem in Hockey.And no more small or old guy's Bob!go habs go

Submitted by Habs fan in SF on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:09.
i don't see lang or nylander as improvements. don't just make a deal for the sake of making a deal. i don't think gainey is dumb like that. i see a lot of similarities with both of these players to czerkawski - when we brought him in a few seasons ago and he was a major bust. if you're gonna go out and get a robert lang, i would hope they wouldn't give up a young everyday player or a prospect.

Submitted by bigjames on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:51.
just wanno know if that is snow or dandruff on lang's collar in the pic?

Submitted by mrhabby on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:02.
could be snot.

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:10.
Or he could be reenacting the scene from "There's something about Mary"

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:35.
LMAO, some of those curls look a little stiff!

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:42.
I was just reading the article by Daniel Tolensky. This is very interesting.
>50% Decline, Goals from 36 to 37: 12 Players (34%)
>20% Decline, Goals from 36 to 37: 23 Players (66%)
>50% Decline, Points from 36 to 37: 5 Players (14%)
>20% Decline, Points from 36 to 37: 21 Players (60%)
Based on this, Vancouver looks even sillier for offering $20M over 2 years.
The declines are steeper than I realized. The players that managed to maintain or improve as 37 y/o are few and far between. One thing to consider: who were Sundin's linemates last year? Who would they be this year if he signed with Canadiens? I'd say he would be getting a definite upgrade with us.
Last year, Mats put up 32G 46A 17+/- 78Pts. I'd say he is capable of coming close to those numbers with us, even if he is a year older. Factor in a big physical presence, strong leadership skills, and top notch face off skills, and I'd say he is worth the kind of numbers most have been hoping/expecting him to sign for - around $7M.
But alas, BG's comments suggest that it is about time to move on. I still think that Sundin's new bride could be an important factor in the delayed decision and the final destination. I'm surprised that she is rarely mentioned.
Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:34.
double post
Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:33.
The wheels on the bus go round and round ............. Once again I will not refuse to believe Sundin is not coming here until I hear a confirmed report stating otherwise. Gainey said he is not optimistic.......what if he said he is optimistic.....would it have been any different....no...NOBODy but Mats knows (or at least is eilling to publicly divulge) anymore than that. Gainey's options when presented with a question about Mats would be Yes, were very optimistic (meaning a possible huge letdown and negative backlash if Mats did sign elsewhere or a backlash from MAts who boviously wants his privacy respected).
The other option would have been "No comment" ....I can just see that plastered on the front of every paper in Montreal ....."Gainey refuses to speak to media about Sundin at charity golf tournament"). The third option and the answer I would expect even if Mats were coming or at least considering it was "well we're not too optimistic right now ....blah, blah,blah". Mats has supposedly not decided he is playing at all this year .....that would definitely be a cause for "not too optimistic". At no point did Gainey say he the deal is dead ......he said "not too optimistic" . I refuse to take part in this roller coaster ride of he said she said because until we hear it from the 6 foot 5 horses mouth this is all irrelevant. Nothing has changed ....Mats is undecided about playing hockey this year .......then comes the team selection. If Gainey had said that Mats is playing and it doesn't appear it will be with us then I might be ready to readdress Marleau, Lang, etc.
Only in Montreal would something as subtle as what Bob said be overanalyzed as such. Laps just said something similar but everybody involved must be feeling the same as nobody seems to know anything. Montreal has always been the best fit and where Mats should play if he decides.....if he chooses not too it will be a stupid hockey decision based on the alternatives. Maybne it isn't a hockey decision...that seems the most likely scenario .....retire??? family??? those cncern me but we are stillt he best hockey decision and as long as MAts is not retired and is still a "hockey player" I have to believe he will make the right hockey decision.
"It ain't over til it's over and it sure as hell ain't over before it's begun" .....let the guy decide in the order he said he would.

Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:31.
If Meat ball can't see the light we don't need him and his prima donna old carcass ,screw u Matt's!!!!

Submitted by bigjames on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:46.
i just don't feel it, sorry. happy to be proved wrong, but just do not feel this happening.
Submitted by krob1000 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:51.
I just don't think what Gaieny said changes the situation from a two days ago. I don't see how anything has changed....someone explain that part to me. I bet three weeks ago if Gainey had publicly spoke his response would have been the exact same. How would it have been different then? Can anyone involved in this situation say they are optimistic?? The guy isn't working out and hasn't said he'll play. I just don't see what has changed.

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:06.
What has changed is that the optimistic possibility that many had. Many hoped that Gainey and Sundin had been talking and just were not public about it. Now, that is all clarified to not have happened. Gainey's address to the media basically just brings down the hope a bit because it let's us know nothing was happening the whole time, when before we may have hoped it was.

Submitted by Hoegarden on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:10.
Best hockey city in the world, most storied franchise in hockey, team finishes first in conference, lots of Euros on the team, best fans anywhere, money and more money, what is missing here ? Regardless of final outcome, his attitude leaves one wondering.
Let's assume he signs with us for a moment but fails to produce like the fans will expect him to in the first 10 or so games.
I can just hear the fans screaming about his shape, commitment and attitude. The Press would run out of ink and paper on this. This is not laff-land where losing is Ok.
Bob is a man of few words and I'm sure he carefully prepared his answer before he showed up on the golf course yesterday.

Submitted by Bill H on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:17.
Mike - from Yogi Bera to Ol' Velcro Lips to rubenesque sopranos, I think this is a very well written piece. Thanks for your efforts today and all summer trying to find interesting perspectives.

Submitted by Moey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:01.
Lang will do just fine, who cares how he plays, Shelly left a huge hole in the eye candy department, this guy will fit in quite nicely.

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:16.
Moey,!
Maybe I could fill in for the lack of eye candy, a little chubby, but not chopped liver.!

Submitted by Moey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:32.
Well Ian, at a certain age one can just dream....I doubt any of these guys are into grab-a-granny.

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:38.
Had a great laugh!

Submitted by MikeL on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:07.
lol, I'm assuming with that criteria you ruled Sundin out long ago.

Submitted by Moey on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:15.
No I never ruled out Sundin, I was convinced he would sign here. The good of the team comes first, but if there's no Sundin I have no problem with Lang, I like 'em tall, dark and handsome.

Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:06.
SUMMIT NEWS
WE JUST HAD ANOTHER FATAL ERROR ON OUR SUMMIT BLOG TODAY>
So here is todays news, we have a total of 81 people coming to the Summit
If you have not paid for your tickets on paypal yet, do so right away.
We have 6 tickets that have not been paid for, so who ever wants them, get in touch with myself or Robert ASAP.
Now that we know how many people are going this year, we will need to know who will need discounted hotel rooms, who will want to go on the Bell Center tour, who will be attending the pre game dinner (where we will auction off stuff, like a pair of season tickets, donated by Vicky, set of Gretsky hockey cards donated by Robert and much more that Chuck is getting from the Club) and who will be attending the after game get together.
Each Summit officer for each event will need this info so as to reserve a spot for you at each event. Stay tuned
IAN

Submitted by Maurice9 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:55.
Ian:
Of those 6 tickets not paid for is there a pair available?
If so I may be interested - looks like the work schedule may be clear.
Cheers.

Submitted by Robert L on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:05.
For sure! No seating arrangements have been set out yet. Everyone will have their tickets side by side. Send me your info and I'll pass it along to Ian.
Click on my profile tab and send me an e-mail. We need a full name, address, and phone number.
Ian will be happy to add sone fans from the East Coast!

Submitted by Ian Cobb on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:15.
Yes,but hurry. Send to Robert and he will get it to Vicky for an invoice
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 09:52.
CBSC Makes Right Decision .. The Broadcasters Magazine ..... http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/
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