I'm still not sold on...

[OldCraig71]

I'm not even sure where to aim my anxiousness, but I have a feeling last year was the best we'll see for a long time to come

Darren Dregger - interviewed on 690 this AM - said most people thing the team played over their heads last year. He also remarked that our season will rise or fall based on Carey's performance. And though he said it was only pre-season, he was surprised that Carey Price looked like **** last night. God help us.

I agree with with all of this post. We were supposed to be in for refreshing changes with a new guy at the top but it looks like more of the same to me.

 

[WhiskeySeven*]

I'm not even sure where to aim my anxiousness, but I have a feeling last year was the best we'll see for a long time to come

Darren Dregger - interviewed on 690 this AM - said most people thing the team played over their heads last year. He also remarked that our season will rise or fall based on Carey's performance. And though he said it was only pre-season, he was surprised that Carey Price looked like **** last night. God help us.

If Darren Dreger told me it's hailing fireballs outside i'll still stick my head out and look. He has zero credibility.

God help people who take him seriously.

 

[OldCraig71]

God help me.

 

[durojean]

Price - not sure he's elite
Gorges - think he's easily replacable
Diaz - meh...
Moen - see Gorges

 

[Habskrieg]

Therrien.

I know he helped the team build a more offensive game. The team liked it. But our woes during the last third of the season and our dismal playoffs can't be pinned on the lack of Emelin.

Back when Carbo was coach, in his second season. He wouldn't keep a line together for a full game. Nobody would build chemistry. Now with Therrien, I see the polar opposite. He's being too stubborn and fails to adapt enough. Like when he's extremely strict with younger players and very lenient with vets. Or when he couldn't adapt the team to the Sens. Or find a way to improve our special teams. Plus, our defense is a good offense, our defensive play is absolutely abysmal...

I'm sure he knows more than me, but I'm not convinced he's taking the right approach.

 

[Habs4thewin]

I don't understand why Bergevin is already on people's hate list ?

 

[Agnostic]

If Darren Dreger told me it's hailing fireballs outside i'll still stick my head out and look. He has zero credibility.

God help people who take him seriously.

Judge Dreger for what he says not who you think he is shakehead) , in his 690 interview he was 100 percent bang on.

 

[habsfanatics*]

Gorges
Price
White
Briere

 

[Hoople]

I want to build around the following going forward, the rest can walk or be traded once the season is done:

Pacioretty - Galchenyuk - Briere
Bourque - Plekanec - Thomas/Collberg
XXXXX - Eller - Gallagher
Prust - Dumont - McCarron

Gorges - Subban
Beaulieu - Emelin
Tinordi - XXXXX

Price
Budaj

McCarron on the 4th line?

Ho-lee-****.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Eller and Emelin's names are in this thread really?

Bourque plays a half season while injured then next season is one of our best forwards and he's still a whipping boy?

No wonder some posters just stick to prospect threads.

 

[Souffle]

1. David Desharnais

2. Gionta (1 year older and coming off another injury, i am doubting his capabilities in a top 6 role)

3. Travis Moen (which Moen will we see?)

It's a good discussion list. I think Gionta, when not bicep-torn, is a good player overall who does a lot of little things well enough to make him valuable even when he's not scoring at 35 goal pace. To me, he's fine.

Desharnais is a tough one. He's been talked about so much on these boards (I haven't read it all) that I'm doubtful there's anything original to add. But here goes: I remember when Sergei Zholtok came out of nowhere, on some very bad Habs teams, and played well in a top C role. Those teams were crap up and down, but he looked good. My concern with Desharnais is that he might be that type of player -- a product of opportunity. Sometimes a player with undeniable NHL skills, along with some serious limitations, only manage to succeed on teams starved for NHL depth. Sometimes that kind of player, when properly surrounded and complemented, can also thrive on good teams. I just don't know which he is.

About Moen, I think he's a useful player -- he's an honest checking winger who's strong on the fundamentals of positioning and details. His treatment by Martin and Therrien was very different. As I see it, he was overused by the former, and underused by the latter. Basically, I think he's a solid veteran checking forward, maybe a little expensive, but it's up to Therrien to use him better.

I saw Markov's name a few times, and I would agree, to the extent that the question is: top pairing, all situation defenceman, or smart veteran with an elite specialty who can be exposed if used too much? I think he's the latter at this stage -- you just can't reverse serious injuries and age. But, just to be contrary, defencemen can sometimes do it. To take one example, Aucoin (aka, Augroin) defied all reasonable expectations and kept playing good hockey after he was written off by most for injuries and age.

As for other candidates, I'd say that both Briere and Murray are obvious choices -- but that's natural, given that they were both taken off the scrap heap. They could have a lot to prove, depending on one's expectations. Their success really depends on how the rest of the team does. I predict disappointment if the team as a whole struggles. I just don't think they have it in them to be good players if the core players they're supposed to complement can't put together a good season.

 

[onemorecup*]

1. David Desharnais

2. Gionta (1 year older and coming off another injury, i am doubting his capabilities in a top 6 role)

3. Travis Moen (which Moen will we see?)

add the following

cube

Diaz

Briere

 

[onemorecup*]

It's a good discussion list. I think Gionta, when not bicep-torn, is a good player overall who does a lot of little things well enough to make him valuable even when he's not scoring at 35 goal pace. To me, he's fine.

Desharnais is a tough one. He's been talked about so much on these boards (I haven't read it all) that I'm doubtful there's anything original to add. But here goes: I remember when Sergei Zholtok came out of nowhere, on some very bad Habs teams, and played well in a top C role. Those teams were crap up and down, but he looked good. My concern with Desharnais is that he might be that type of player -- a product of opportunity. Sometimes a player with undeniable NHL skills, along with some serious limitations, only manage to succeed on teams starved for NHL depth. Sometimes that kind of player, when properly surrounded and complemented, can also thrive on good teams. I just don't know which he is.

About Moen, I think he's a useful player -- he's an honest checking winger who's strong on the fundamentals of positioning and details. His treatment by Martin and Therrien was very different. As I see it, he was overused by the former, and underused by the latter. Basically, I think he's a solid veteran checking forward, maybe a little expensive, but it's up to Therrien to use him better.

I saw Markov's name a few times, and I would agree, to the extent that the question is: top pairing, all situation defenceman, or smart veteran with an elite specialty who can be exposed if used too much? I think he's the latter at this stage -- you just can't reverse serious injuries and age. But, just to be contrary, defencemen can sometimes do it. To take one example, Aucoin (aka, Augroin) defied all reasonable expectations and kept playing good hockey after he was written off by most for injuries and age.

As for other candidates, I'd say that both Briere and Murray are obvious choices -- but that's natural, given that they were both taken off the scrap heap. They could have a lot to prove, depending on one's expectations. Their success really depends on how the rest of the team does. I predict disappointment if the team as a whole struggles. I just don't think they have it in them to be good players if the core players they're supposed to complement can't put together a good season.

nice post , bottom line

IF YOU WANT TO WIN ANYTHING THE FOLLOWING HAVE TO GO , FORGET THIER ROLE , BASE IT ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RESEMBLE A CONTENDER WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR CAREER AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE

Gio, DD, Briere , Moen , Cube , Markov , Drewiske, Murray , Diaz

thats a 40% roster shuffle

 

[onemorecup*]

Price - not sure he's elite
Gorges - think he's easily replacable
Diaz - meh...
Moen - see Gorges

gorges is very replaceable , dime a dozen

 

[onemorecup*]

I agree with with all of this post. We were supposed to be in for refreshing changes with a new guy at the top but it looks like more of the same to me.

agreed we should of started retooling sooner

next year we have all d except gorges as free agents

Pk will be resigned but the rest all have to go except Emelein , this is why it was very imnportant for Tinordi and Pateryn be phased in sometime this year but these clowns may play it safe with these crappy vets

 

[JusticeBeaver]

It's season #2.

Let's not kid ourselves here, this is a long term project. IMO this team has a lot of filler and will be nothing like the (ideal) finished product.

 

[Tyson]

Price is my biggest question mark. If he falters, it is over for a playoff spot. That second goal last night was brutal.
Desharnais in the top 2 lines will never allow Montreal to be taken seriously.
Habs size overall is a concern.

 

[onemorecup*]

Judge Dreger for what he says not who you think he is shakehead) , in his 690 interview he was 100 percent bang on.

bang on in 82 games last year we miss the playoffs and we will miss it this year

 

[izzy75]

bang on in 82 games last year we miss the playoffs and we will miss it this year

Yup - we're missing this year. I'll be back in 7 months to remind ya

 

[ECWHSWI]

I wouldn't want Bergevin as my stock broker, this I know.

Don't worry, he probably doesnt want you as one of his hockey guys either

 

[onemorecup*]

price is my biggest question mark. If he falters, it is over for a playoff spot. That second goal last night was brutal.
Desharnais in the top 2 lines will never allow montreal to be taken seriously.
Habs size overall is a concern.

briere gio gallagher dd all in your top 9

ouch

 

[WakeUpNHL]

1. Therrien
2. Bergevin
3. Desharnais
4. Moen
5. Briere
6. Bouillon
7. Drewiskie
8. Gionta
9. Dumont (who needs Lapierre and his proven playoff performance and size?? We have a 5'7" rookie who can't fight and has barely played in the league!)

But most of my anxiousness is directly aimed at Bergevin and Therrien. Two arrogant doofuses who are going to undo what little good we've mustered over the past decade.

Good list... i would replace Moen and Gionta with Diaz and Gorges.

Also, agree 110% with Therrien and Bergevin. The signing of Desharnais and Briere sends out the signal that it's $business$ as usual for the Montreal Canadiens.

 

[onemorecup*]

yup - we're missing this year. I'll be back in 7 months to remind ya

lets start an i told you so thread about february

 

[onemorecup*]

good list... I would replace moen and gionta with diaz and gorges.

Also, agree 110% with therrien and bergevin. The signing of desharnais and briere sends out the signal that it's $business$ as usual for the montreal canadiens.

i wouldnt replace those 2

just add them to the list plus markov

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Judge Dreger for what he says not who you think he is shakehead) , in his 690 interview he was 100 percent bang on.

Dreger has Nonis and a couple of sources, he's a good insider. But when he starts giving his opinion on the players everyone should turn their tv off, he's not a very knowledgeable person when it comes to the players.