Player Discussion Former Habs & Picks watch: Gone but not forgotten (No Current NHLers) II

[Vachon23]

He was good, but many go on like he was a game changing, completely dominant Centerman, which he wasn't. He's a warrior for sure, like I said previously, but I'd never mention his name in comparison of the top Centerman of that era.

Just my take on it, no harm no foul

He is still the best center the Habs had since I follow hockey (2002)

 

[peate]

I was never a big fan of Saku, but he was far from overrated. More likely underrated by most of the league.

 

[beowulf]

Koivu, imo, could be the most overrated Habs player in history.

He played with heart & tenacity, however he was an average #2C. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He cracked 60 points only 3 times in his career. Decent numbers but definitely not a game changer by any means.

He was a better person than a player. His work in the community was invaluable and he did everything with class.

Did you every actually watch him play? Come on.

 

[Deebs]

Did you every actually watch him play? Come on.

I did, good player, just not great. Even better person

 

[crosbyshow]

An average second line center...lol

It's strange cause he was always the number one center with Finland at the Olympics and World Cup....he played with Selanne on his wing and Saku was always onenof the best player ...remember 2004 world cup....

He lost in final vs Canada...Lecavalier won the tournament MVP..and Saku..was.....runner up

 

[Treb]

He was good, but many go on like he was a game changing, completely dominant Centerman, which he wasn't. He's a warrior for sure, like I said previously, but I'd never mention his name in comparison of the top Centerman of that era.

Just my take on it, no harm no foul

He was dominant until his knee injury in 1996.

 

[beowulf]

Pleckanec is leading the Jagr owned Kladno team with 21 points in 14 games but alas they are back down in the second division. That also puts him 2nd overall in league scoring.

 

[montreal]

Pleckanec is leading the Jagr owned Kladno team with 21 points in 14 games but alas they are back down in the second division. That also puts him 2nd overall in league scoring.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

hard to be dominant with many of the teams he was on, there's no way he's the most overrated Hab, he's easily one of the best players we have had in the last 20 years.

The last 20 years is the Habs longest slump I would say. So yes he was our best center. Playing with plugs, well I wouldn't say that, maybe wingers who would be 2nd line wingers but not plugs. Ryder, Zednik, Savage, Ruzinsky, Higgins and Kostitsyn were valuable players but not legit 1rst line wingers.

It was a mistake to get rid of Turgeon and Damphousse and only keep Koivu at center position in a team such as le Canadiens. The second and third centers were so and so. Juneau, Bonk, Smolinsky, Perreault, well, not that they were bad but Habs could have better. Good mention about Plekky and Lang but it wasn't enough. The main force of the Habs that era was the goalie (Hacket, Theodore, Garon, Huet, Halak and later Price) and the defense.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Pleckanec is leading the Jagr owned Kladno team with 21 points in 14 games but alas they are back down in the second division. That also puts him 2nd overall in league scoring.

I never understood why Habs never signed Jagr, even when he was old, just because he had such chemistry with Plekky. Plekky wa a great warrior with the Habs, never complained, always loyal. He deserved to have Jagr.

 

[montreal]

just saw where Andrei Kostitsyn has left his KHL team, wonder what's up, if he's going to another team or another league or just calling it a day. He was 2nd on his team in points last year so even though he turns 36 in 2 months I would be surprised if he hangs them up. Man do I feel old after trading VHS tapes to watch him play in Russia in 2004.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Thought I'd share this snipet from an article about Tourigny:

"Tourigny said he has mellowed over the years — he’s no longer that aggressive in practice — he’s seen hockey change and has changed with it. In the past, he said, players weren’t interested in having relationships with their coaches. He said they were looking for someone fair, for ice time and the opportunity to win. Today’s players are looking for many of the same things, but also relationships and Tourigny understands that.

“I learned the biggest parts of my game from him,” said Andrighetto, who is now playing with the Zurich Lions. “He wants you to get to your full potential. Even if he gave you shit it was to make you better. He believed in me and so he would push me to get better. He gave me confidence."

“He’s like a big bear. He’s hard and soft at the same time. He has that perfect mix. You feel good around him because you know he cares about you.”

Surprised there's no mention of Sly

 

[Adam Michaels]

Kovalchuk officially signs with Avangard Omsk in the KHL. One year plus an option year.

 

[beowulf]

just saw where Andrei Kostitsyn has left his KHL team, wonder what's up, if he's going to another team or another league or just calling it a day. He was 2nd on his team in points last year so even though he turns 36 in 2 months I would be surprised if he hangs them up. Man do I feel old after trading VHS tapes to watch him play in Russia in 2004.

I noticed his brother might also be back after a year off from hockey. rumor that he might sign with Bratislava.

 

[OldCraig71]

I never understood why Habs never signed Jagr, even when he was old, just because he had such chemistry with Plekky. Plekky wa a great warrior with the Habs, never complained, always loyal. He deserved to have Jagr.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Kovalchuk was named co-captain. And it was apparently Emelin's idea (who is the captain).



Also:

 

[peate]

It's ove...wrong thread.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Scherbak turns 25 today.

 

[26Mats]

I never understood why Habs never signed Jagr, even when he was old, just because he had such chemistry with Plekky. Plekky wa a great warrior with the Habs, never complained, always loyal. He deserved to have Jagr.

I've heard form Aaron Ward, who played with him, and Gord Miller who talks to a lot of people in the NHL, that he was very critical of his teammates - in a way that crossed the line.

 

[montreal]

after not playing anywhere this year, Christian Thomas is going to Liiga. He was in the KHL last year but things didn't go well with just 3 pts in 20 games.

 

[montreal]

after the news of Thomas, oddly enough the next day we get news on the guy we traded for him, as Danny Kristo is leaving the KHL for the DEL.

one things for sure, Kristo must know a freaking ton of hockey players. Going from the USNTDP to Omaha to North Dakota, then 5 different AHL teams, 2 KHL teams, 1 SHL team, 1 NLA team and now 1 DEL team. That's a lot of teammates by age 30.

 

[LeHab]

Karl Alzner is back!...sort of.

Karl Alzner joins NBC Sports Washington’s pregame show

Alzner heard Caps are going after players way past prime, nothing to lose.

 

[MasterD]

Koivu, imo, could be the most overrated Habs player in history.

He played with heart & tenacity, however he was an average #2C. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He cracked 60 points only 3 times in his career. Decent numbers but definitely not a game changer by any means.

He was a better person than a player. His work in the community was invaluable and he did everything with class.

Hard to get more than 60 points when you play with Brian Savage, Oleg Petrov, Chad Kilger, Sergei Zholtok, Martin Rucinski... please.

 

[BrianTheSavage49]

He was dominant until his knee injury in 1996.

So much bad luck for Saku. His injuries, cancer, Justin William's stick to his eye .... but man he played his heart out every night and did the jesey proud.

 

[BrianTheSavage49]

Hard to get more than 60 points when you play with Brian Savage, Oleg Petrov, Chad Kilger, Sergei Zholtok, Martin Rucinski... please.

hey woah woah ... Brian Savage was always on track for a 50-goal season ... until Halloween


Don't forget the imfamous "Smurf Line" of Koivu, Petrov and the wrong Bure brother. It was like the Flyer's "Legion of Doom" line but just 75% of the size (and arguably skill)

ehhhh that post-Roy trade decade sure had some dark days.... dark days indeed ....