Post-lockout Lineup

[tinyzombies]

Why in the world would you shift Eller to wing for Gomez?

I don't like Eller in the middle from what I've seen. I think they should see if he can score. I also think Gomez's bicep will be healed and he can return to a decent level of play. Also, since the season starts soon and we have a new coach and system, we need his experience. I don't see him playing his way to Hamilton. I think he'll be a Hab. And he's a better center than Eller.

Even when they were booing him in NY, he was putting up 70 points. They expected him to repeat that one big year he had with Gionta. He's not that player. But he can easily dominate from the third line if he's given some size or someone to help dig out pucks (Prust?). He's never had that here. And if you give him Gionta and roll three lines, we can catch teams flatfooted. Especially at home.

I'm not counting my chickens, but I think they have to let him play and see (if he's in shape and works hard in camp).

Also, there's no guarantee Eller is going to take the next step either.

 

[JAVO16]

I don't like Eller in the middle from what I've seen. I think they should see if he can score. I also think Gomez's bicep will be healed and he can return to a decent level of play. Also, since the season starts soon and we have a new coach and system, we need his experience. I don't see him playing his way to Hamilton. I think he'll be a Hab. And he's a better center than Eller.

Is that really the excuse for his play the last to season ....

 

[tinyzombies]

Is that really the excuse for his play the last to season ....

It's true isn't it?

And this:
Scott Gomez will not play on Wednesday because of a concussion.
He sustained the injury when Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers checked him behind into the boards on Monday night. Myers received a three-game suspension on Tuesday for the infraction. Gomez tried to play another shift after the hit, but he was forced to leave the game and with only 12 contests remaining he may have suited up for the final time this campaign. Gomez has recorded a mere two goals and 11 points in 38 games.Wed, Mar 14, 2012 01:26:00 PM

Scott Gomez (eye) returned to action on Thursday March 8.
Gomez missed two games due to the injury. He has two goals and 11 points in 36 games this season.
Fri, Mar 9, 2012

 

[tinyzombies]

Montreal GM Marc Bergevin doesn't plan to buy out the contract of Scott Gomez.
Bergevin said: "He's a Montreal Canadien, so he'll come here and we'll see what happens. But I'm not buying him out." However, starting the year in minors isn't out of the question even though Bergervin didn't touch on that subject.
Source: Sportsnet.ca Wed, Jul 4, 2012

 

[Kriss E]

Because he's pretty much done and we'd be out from under his contract.

And he's not a great fit here anymore, we have too many puck moving guys on the backend, and not enough muscle.

I hope he could come back and be great, but at this point I think it's best to just move on...

So because we have too many puck movers, you're thinking not bringing back our best one is the better option?

The guy hasn't been good in 4 years. I hope I'm wrong here, I really do...

4years ago he had a career year.
3years ago he was on pace for 2pts short of his career year halfway through the year, then unfortunately got injured.
Since then, he's been hit hard by the injury bug and only played 20 nhl games.

This season is his first back when he got to enjoy regular playing time. He managed to stay healthy, just a tiny upperbody injury that kept him out for a couple games, and made the KHL All-Star team.

Needless to say, it'll be interesting to see what he can do here. To say he hasn't been good in 4years is completely dishonest and misleading, and you know it. If we had 4 PK Subban with Emelin and Gorges, then yea, you'd have a point. But when it's guys like Kaberle, Weber and Bouillon, no. Also, you never just turn your back on a player of Markov's caliber unless there's no other option, that's just stupid.

At this point it is safer to assume that Markov won't be 100%.

How about not assuming anything and just observing for once? What are the chances he gets injured based on the previous years? Pretty high. Does that mean he'll necessarily get injured? No. Does that mean it'll be a season ending one? No. Does that mean he won't help us? No.
So let's stop making assumptions. If he gets injured, we have other PMDs that can come in.

This. Which is why it has to be top 6 or Sarnia for him. He won't play more than 14 minutes a game on the Eller line if it's the 3rd, especially since we'll most likely be playing our 4th line more since it's better this year.

I disagree. Nothing wrong with playing along side Eller to perfect a more defensive role at the NHL level on top of facing weaker opponents.
Also, I'm expecting Eller to have developed some more. Last year with Moen-AK, they absolutely owned their opponents. They were rarely stuck in our zone and controlled the play in the offensive zone a lot, often dangling through players with creative passing. Moen benefited from it greatly, almost doubling his best career scoring rate.
I expect nothing less if Gally is placed there. I think Gally's stickhandling and creativity is better than AK's, I think both have similar accelarration speed, so we'll see how Gally's skills translate to the NHL, but I wouldn't be opposed to him starting on the 3rd next to Eller.

That's also assuming Eller stays on the 3rd line.

 

[Monctonscout]

Tomas Plekanec might miss the start of training camp due to an upper-body injury he sustained while playing for Kladno in the Czech Republic.
"It's nothing serious," he said. "I should be playing in a week, 10 days maximum, maybe quicker when I get proper treatment." Plekanec was hurt in late December. He enjoyed tremendous success in the Czech Extraliga alongside Dallas winger Jaromir Jagr. Plekanec generated a whopping 21 goals and 46 points in 32 games.

 

[Monctonscout]

I don't see superstar. Star, yes. His skating isn't good enough and he doesn't seem to be the hardest worker. Also, I read where he's a pass-first guy.

His skating? I find his skating is well above average. He just doesn't skate full speed all the time and play like a chicken with it's head cut off. He is more of a guy that will find open ice and make agile cuts to create space for himself and to set up a play.

In the OHL and WJHC he showed both the ability to needle a pass through traffic as well as a laser wrist shot.

Wether he is ready or not I think it will depend how he looks early on. One of his main qualities when drafted was his work ethic and willingness to play a 200ft game.

 

[baldrick]

Tomas Plekanec might miss the start of training camp due to an upper-body injury he sustained while playing for Kladno in the Czech Republic.
"It's nothing serious," he said. "I should be playing in a week, 10 days maximum, maybe quicker when I get proper treatment." Plekanec was hurt in late December. He enjoyed tremendous success in the Czech Extraliga alongside Dallas winger Jaromir Jagr. Plekanec generated a whopping 21 goals and 46 points in 32 games.[/QUOTE]


Now I see why there were so many calls to trade him!

 

[Monctonscout]

Raphael Diaz is projected to return to Montreal for the team's condensed training camp by the middle of this week.
The Canadiens rearguard was excellent in Switzerland's National League A during the lockout, where he racked up seven goals and 29 points in 32 games with EV Zug. Potential fantasy owners should exercise caution before jumping on him, thinking he can carry that momentum into the NHL season. Diaz has plenty of experience in the Swiss League, but this will be just his second year back on the smaller rinks of the NHL. He had 16 points in 59 games with Montreal during his first season and he may need more time to get acclimated to the changes of the North American game.

 

[hersky77]

How about you stop mentionning a short-sample tournament and focus instead on his awesome play with Sarnia? He's been dominant in the OHL.

I'm not into rushing a prospect into the line-up, but if he outperforms others during the camp I'm all for giving him an opportunity. Hell, why bother bringing him to the short camp if he's going to get cut anyway?

Im not against him playing this year, but in my eyes he needs to have superb camp in order to get those 9 games. He is a great hockey player and he will be in the top six next year, but I would rather let him dominate the ohl than not dominate in the nhl.

 

[Habtchum*]

Raphael Diaz is projected to return to Montreal for the team's condensed training camp by the middle of this week.
The Canadiens rearguard was excellent in Switzerland's National League A during the lockout, where he racked up seven goals and 29 points in 32 games with EV Zug. Potential fantasy owners should exercise caution before jumping on him, thinking he can carry that momentum into the NHL season. Diaz has plenty of experience in the Swiss League, but this will be just his second year back on the smaller rinks of the NHL. He had 16 points in 59 games with Montreal during his first season and he may need more time to get acclimated to the changes of the North American game.

Diaz should be given - at least- secondary PP minutes. His shot is way more precise than Subban. Weber should be given a real shot too.

As for Galchenyuk, I would keep him at OHL level dor the rest of the season. No need to have him in the NHL while the Habs have already 23 NHL big contracts (players with experience) to pay for.

 

[overlords]

Is that really the excuse for his play the last to season ....

Wasn't Gionta the one with a torn bicep?

 

[JAVO16]

Wasn't Gionta the one with a torn bicep?

Well, yeah, but I thought tinyzombies was saying that Gomez was also suffering from a less serious bicep injury ( though it's not like it could make his shot much worse). In any case, what I was saying is that, whatever his injuries where, they probably weren't serious enough to explain his abysmal play in the last 2 years.

 

[Raider917]

does the original schedule still stand or are they revising it?

 

[PunkinDrublic*]

does the original schedule still stand or are they revising it?

It would have to be revised seeing as they will only be playing within their division.

 

[Raider917]

It would have to be revised seeing as they will only be playing within their division.

all 48 games will be divisional?

 

[overlords]

all 48 games will be divisional?

I'm sure he meant conference.

 

[Raider917]

I'm sure he meant conference.

i like it like that anyway. every year should be that way. like mlb used to be until interleague play ruined it.

 

[Habtchum*]

I'm sure he meant conference.

It's probably gonna be:

7 games vs the other 4 divisional teams

And

2 games against the 10 other reams of the Conference.

I would had liked 5 games vs own division (20);
3 games vs the 10 other Conference (30)
For a total of 50 games

OR

4 vs own division (16)
2 vs rest of conference (20)
1 vs each team of the other conference (15)
+1 extra game against one team of the other Conference
For 52 games

 

[PunkinDrublic*]

I'm sure he meant conference.

Oui, that's what i meant...thanks

 

[tinyzombies]

Galchenyuk's lateral skating did not impress me at all at the WJC. His straight ahead speed was fine. The guy could barely turn. Definitely a creative player with a nice release though.





Even with a healthy Markov, not sure how we match up with Boston. We lost Gill, which is huge if Horton is back and healthy. Not to mention the Rangers, who are a deep team. And our centers are small. Eller isn't, but he's not the strongest player. I dunno... We got bigger on the wing tho... sheesh. Gill solved a lot of problems, now we have them again.

Since we have a new coach/system, we'll likely be a bubble team - 8th place again. So we're playing Boston or New York first round.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

Its not like we are going to have to worry about till next fall at the earliest... This lockout is a complete joke....both Fehr and Bettman should be fired...good lagacy Gary you idiot

Even though the lockout is over...both Bettman and Fehr should still be fired

 

[Raider917]

is the trade deadline going to remain the same date?

 

[overlords]

is the trade deadline going to remain the same date?

Pushed back to early april, I think.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Galchenyuk's lateral skating did not impress me at all at the WJC. His straight ahead speed was fine. The guy could barely turn. Definitely a creative player with a nice release though.





Even with a healthy Markov, not sure how we match up with Boston. We lost Gill, which is huge if Horton is back and healthy. Not to mention the Rangers, who are a deep team. And our centers are small. Eller isn't, but he's not the strongest player. I dunno... We got bigger on the wing tho... sheesh. Gill solved a lot of problems, now we have them again.

Since we have a new coach/system, we'll likely be a bubble team - 8th place again. So we're playing Boston or New York first round.

You should've watched him in the defensive zone against Canada... I didn't notice anything of the sort, great mobility to say the least. He was probably USA's best defensive player in that game.