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ya i like that 4th line and in time with injurys it may happen.dandy may need to go to make room but..
I think you need to let Max play in AHL all year. Let him learn his chops there. He's not a fourth line player. You don't want him running around on the fourth line up here. Let him get comfortable in his boots being the big guy in Hamilton. Let him experience the AHL playoffs out of the spotlight
my thoughts exactly...sadly I doubt we'll be able to resign all the forwards that are free agents (Pleks, Higgins, Koivu, Kovy, Lang, Tanguay) hopefully he can resign most / all of them but if not Max-Pac will get a shot next year
~Listen to the rooster! He knows what he's saying!
No one seems to by commenting on the new audio of Carbo and Gainey that was posted earlier but, there is some interesting stuff. Two thirds of the way through the french Q and A with Gainey he is asks what he thinks of Kovalev's comments earlier this week about wanting to stay with the Habs. Bob, cool as cucumber, says something along these lines,"We'll see, if Alex is able to play like he did last year, I think we can continue together... there will be no problem."
I would suggest this is a fairly clear message that he is not prepared to sign a contract with him until he sees which Kovy we will see this year. In light of Robert L's post today, this may even be construed as a direct reference to the rumours that have begun to circulate; of Kovalev having instructed his agent to approach Gainey with a contract scenario.
I, for one, am glad to hear that Gainey has not joined the Kovy love chorus and is laying down the gauntlet and demanding more than one good year and some nice talk. While it may seem flattering to have a player of his caliber sound so committed it is important to hold the player in question to a sustainable standard. If he displays that ability this year great, if not we have options.
By contrast, when talking about Koivu, Bob admits that with a player like Koivu, that has proven his commitment and value to the team over a long period of time, he is willing to "add an element" to his considerations. But, that finally the player has to compete for his spot on the team and that he believes a player like Saku... and the others, are willing to live by their performance on the ice.
No free passes?...BG, "I can't"
Sounds about right to me.
Although Kovalev did lead the team in play off points, he seemed to shy away from the front of the net against Philly. I felt sorry for Saku last year because he seemed to be the only one willing to make that sacrifice.
I guess it just shows us how lucky we are to have Bob Gainey at the helm and his "What have you done for me lately" attitude.
Very good thread, again, Eric.
Kovalev is a playmaker (THE playmaker on our team). he can drive the net but he shouldn't be asked to be the one standing in front of the goalie. a quarterback can't call and direct plays from the scrimmage line.
Kovalev had the most points in the playoffs, it's true but, he let us down big time in the critical games 2,3,4 of the Philly series. I was debating this the other day with another poster and decided to check out the numbers from those games.
Kovalev: 0goals, 1 assist, 6 shots, 0 blocked shots, 1 hit, 0 takeawys, 6 giveaways. No game star selections
Koivu: 3 goals, 1 assist, 12 shots, 1 blocked shot, 5 hits, 2 takeaways, 2 giveaways. Chosen as a game star in all three games.
I'll leave you guys with that, I gotta run.
Right now, And I Mean Right Now, I would rather have Koivu than Kovalev next year. Anytime your GM has to convince your STAR player to play, that "star" player, I for one can do with out. Koivu comes to play every night without any push from BG or Carb's. I also can see a scenario where neither returns. I trust in BG to do the right move for the Hab's, whether that's getting rid of one or both, or keeping both, I know BG will do the right thing for the Hab's, even if it's not what's best for Koivu and Kovalev.
KJD, I agree with your assessment. Besides the fact that he is very intelligent people forget that Gainey has privileged insight into these players that we, as fans, can never fully see.
You know one thing your post brings up, that has not been acknowledged enough is the great job Carbo did with Kovalev. As Carbo pointed out in his interview, the most successful coaches are the ones that are able to get the best out of their best players. We should not forget that Carbo played a significant part in getting a career season out of Kovalev.
I am going to make this point on a more current tread.
Right on twocents,see my comment to Jim M below.I have faith and not blind faith, that Gainey will make the correct and most logical choice for this team.
Frank
With Gainey it has always been about the team and how to make it better. There is no other way, even if the fans will gripe about some players moving on or rookies not being on the team immediately.
Jim
I'm sure you are right on board with Mr. Gainey's "What have you done for me lately" attitude when it comes to Kovalev. One year does not make a super star and I still say he was MIA when it came to the front of the net against Philly.
Dave
Actually, I have that attitude about all players. I had absolutely nothing bad to say about Kovy last year. As for the playoffs, a lot went wrong, but I think that it wasn't our time. You know what blues musicians say about paying your dues.
Unfortunately ,he wasn't the only one missing from there ,even though I don't believe his job is to go there.
Why are we rushing this kid Max to play in the NHL?
IMO, he had a good camp and still has to brush up on his defensive game and will do just find in Hamilton under Don Lever.
Maxime Lapierre has earned a spot on the team with his hard work and grit. Remember it was Maxime who was over confident last year at this time in believing he won a spot on the team last year and then was sent down to Hamilton to brush up on his game. He came back a better player after his tenure in Hamilton. Same goes for Kyle, he's earned a spot as well as om Kostopolous. Sadly, I cannot say the same for Begin.
I feel Max Pacioretty will be a better player in Hamilton logging plenty of ice time than playing on the 4th line in Montreal with about 5 minutes if ice time.
We just have to be patient with the kid and he know his time will come. I'd rather have a confident kid being called up to play for us than a kid riding the bench all season.
DEVELOPMENT=SUCCESS=WINNERS
It just shows we have alot of depth on our team and perhaps a trade could happen with Begin or Dandeneault very soon than what we anticipated.
BTW, I've observed that no won has mentioned Mats Sundin in the past week or so. Mats who?
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Retro ,you just want him close by to be able to watch in person.By the way ,envy you and the season the Dog's should have.Mat's was mentioned down below although not positively.
HabFab!
I will be a great host and make sure your stay in Hamilton is memorable should you decide to come and see the Baby Habs play.
Would like to make a Bulldogs Summit, but I cannot do it by myself with my work scehdule and social activities outside of work.
Reading your short bio, I should be the one envious of you HabFab!
You grew up in the greateast city in Canada and watching the Habs play in the wonderful 70's at the old Forum is priceless.
Sad to see the old Voyageurs are not in Halifax anymore.
We're lucky as Habs fans living in Southern and Western Ontario to have the Habs have a farm team here, although I wish more fans would come out to support the young guys.
Many Bulldog fans and supporters believe we'll have an exciting young team this year, definitely many highlight reels.
Maxwell, Trotter, White, Maxwell, Weber, Valetenko, Desjardins, etc. are the new wave of Habs prospects to congregate in Hamilton with many more coming.
Yes, I will be watching Max and meeting the young guy in person.
I don't want to rush the kid, let him enjoy his tenure in the Hamilton playing with the other young guys with plenty of ice time and develop more.
If Max is for real as many are prediciting, I predict a short stay in Steeltown. He won't be riding the buses much in the AHL.
I love to hear players like A. Kostitsyn, Plekanec, Komasarek, O'Byrne, Lapierre, etc. who loved playing in Hamilton and developing their skills.
They are much better players now than if they played right away in Montreal.
Just wish Latendresse would have rode the buses in Hamilton more to see how life is in the AHL before playing in Montreal. Is Lats better now in Montreal in his third year? Time will tell.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Retro,Yeahhh!!!...can see your social activities and all the hardships that must bring.As for the Voyageurs,in the mid 70's when I first entered the work force, had to come down to Halifax twice a year on business.Always attempted to see them play.A Sam Pollack stocked team was always competitive.And Halifax's lose is Hamilton's gain in this story.Am not a native Haligonian but never the less, a beautiful part of the country.
One thing is certain.
You also grew up in Montreal where the best looking women live in Montreal.
Man, I was 15 back in the fall of 1979, our Grade 9 French class field trip was to Montreal and we stayed at the Bonaventure.
Was not able to attend a Habs game but we visited the sites and at night we
snuck in the local Disco with some classmates and had the best time of my life with some mature MOntreal girls!
To be young again!
Surely you have some stories you can share with us HabFab growing up in Montreal?
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Not on this site bro.
Wow I thought I'd be the only one supporting Begs here... I was wrong. Guy goes out there and flies (well sort of) knocking around anyone he has to and raising morale..
more or less, I agree with Demers and Begin. And I like both Lapierre and Begin quite a bit. 1000 AHL players is taking a little to much poetic license but what the heck, it sounds better.
If this team is strong enough that Lapierre and Begin belong in the press box, then it will be a good season in Montreal. That is quality depth.
The simple truth is that Gainey and Carbo don't have to set anything in stone right now. Gainey has restocked the pond with a school full of talent that will provide a bunch of tasty meals in the years ahead. I saw a lot of Max playing for Michigan last year. Getting more college hockey than you can possibly watch is one of the benefits of having the DirecTV sports package down here in the States. He played on the first line for the top ranked Wolverines -- one of his mates won the Hobey Baker as the top collegiate player -- and never looked out of place. Most people, myself included thought that Gainey might let him play his sophomore year in NCAA D-1. Sans his mates, who were seniors, he would have to step it up a notch and show more leadership on the squad. He must have convinced the management of the club that there was nothing more to learn playing for Red Berenson for them to sign him. Poor Red! (Red is one of the really good guys to play for from everything I've heard.) He obviously made a big impression on everyone at camp. We all know what he did against the Wings the other night. Yet, many of us, myself included, would be terribly hypocritical to call for his immediate spot on the team. Isn't that one of our major rubs against Lats? Yes, it would have been great for them to be treated equally, but maybe Gainey and Carbo have learned something from the Lats experience? I have no doubt that Max is gonna be a keeper and and real gem in the years ahead. There is no need to rush his development though. We ain't the leafs.
"We ain't the leafs." Thank God!
I was talking about this very thing with a buddy of mine, Brian. Listening to the leafs sycophants you'd think Luke Schenn is going to be the next Bobby Orr. Now the kid can throw his weight around, and he might become a great player in 3 or 4 years, but you have to wonder if all the pressure these morons are putting on him might be the start of his demise. To pin all your hopes on a kid is just plain stupid, or leaf-like.
I agree with you. Max is going to shine, but in my opinion he will develope a lot better playing 20 to 25 minutes of quality time (PP, PK, 1st line duty) in the AHL rather than spot duty in the NHL. I'm sure he'll get a call up for some games this year, but not on the 4th line.
Watching the Habs during the preseason, time is indeed on our side. It's amazing how, for the most part, what ever "hobo stew" they decided to throw on the ice, the Habs performed really well for the most part. I have this sense that Gainey and Carbo are turning the Habs back into the "Ford Motor Company" of hockey. Let's assemble a group of interchangeable parts that function regardless of what happens. Remember Sam Pollack's response to Red Fisher asking him how he could demote Al MacNeil after winning the '71 Cup? "I just rearranged the cabinet."
"Hobo Stew" thats' good.
I really believed we owned Detroit for two out of the three periods we played them the other night.
On another note, it should be interesting to see how well Detroit fares this year, because I for one, think they have a great big bull's eye on the front of their sweaters, and the Prongers and McLarens of the league will be gunning for them, big time. Heads are going to roll in the Motor City.
You're right about the 'Ford' analogy. I remember us wondering who would fill out the third line last year. This is certainly a nice dilema, no?
We all act as if we will face the Wings if, God be with us, we get to the Finals this year. Their goaltending leaves a hell of a lot to be desired in my opinion and they may not even come out of the West. If they do and the Wings face a relatively healthy Habs squad for all the marbles in the Centennial Year, my scratch is on Price vs Osgood or whoever.
the devils gm was being interviewed the other day on XM radio and he was saying that prior to the cap, he liked his players to get some good time in the ahl but now with UFA status at 27 you are missing a whole stage in their career. because of this he thinks that players have to play earlier than they used to and room has to be made for them. why keep a kid in the ahl who can play in the nhl and waste a few years and lose them at 27.
i'm not saying that players shouldn't be developed in the ahl, but if they are clearly ready, then why not let them play.
when all is said and done, at least we have this problem with pax and we're not leaf fan who drank the koolaid and believes that kumelin will score 40 and robbie earl is crosby's long lost brother.
For all the blood and guts that Begin leaves on the ice he sure doesn't get much respect. 1000 other players like him in the AHL? Damn I'm watching the wrong league!
To true, Andrew. Steve Begin is the Rodney Dangerfield of hockey. The guy wears his heart on his sleeve, night in, night out. He is great example to the kids on how the game should be played. He typifies the meaning of HEART. He might not play all 82 games, but you know he won't be throwing paper airplanes while he's sitting in the press box.