Comments for Montreal Canadiens http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com Discussion on everything Montreal Canadiens Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:48:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on A viewpoint on Habs upcoming season by Gerald Norton http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/07/24/a-viewpoint-on-habs-upcoming-season/#comment-200 Gerald Norton Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:45:31 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/07/24/a-viewpoint-on-habs-upcoming-season/#comment-200 Great look at the past season. As a Sens fan, I've got some seriously open wounds when it comes to the Habs, a team I formerly (when we got to own you) liked. Now? Not so much. The final Habs in Ottawa game is one of the worst nights of my life...it was absolutely a horrible experience being at the Bank, so bad I actually had to head down to the bar to finish out the game after the second period...oh the humanity. But I digress, I d think the Habs "over-acheived", but I don't say that as any sort of insult. I say it as a reflection of how some key players had played in the past, namely Kovalev, who frankly came out of nowhere after 3 years of absolute mediocrity, and Markhov who had flashes in the past, but stepped up beyond all expectation to fill the massive void left by the loss of Souray. Can they do it again? Absolutely. Will they do it again? That, to me, is the question. Because if they go back to their normal selves, Montreal will come back to earth (still make the play-offs mind you). If they pick up where they left off? It'll be another fun season for Habs fans, and maybe some more long nights at the Bank for us Sens fans. Great look at the past season. As a Sens fan, I’ve got some seriously open wounds when it comes to the Habs, a team I formerly (when we got to own you) liked. Now? Not so much. The final Habs in Ottawa game is one of the worst nights of my life…it was absolutely a horrible experience being at the Bank, so bad I actually had to head down to the bar to finish out the game after the second period…oh the humanity.
But I digress, I d think the Habs “over-acheived”, but I don’t say that as any sort of insult. I say it as a reflection of how some key players had played in the past, namely Kovalev, who frankly came out of nowhere after 3 years of absolute mediocrity, and Markhov who had flashes in the past, but stepped up beyond all expectation to fill the massive void left by the loss of Souray. Can they do it again? Absolutely. Will they do it again? That, to me, is the question. Because if they go back to their normal selves, Montreal will come back to earth (still make the play-offs mind you). If they pick up where they left off? It’ll be another fun season for Habs fans, and maybe some more long nights at the Bank for us Sens fans.

]]> Comment on A viewpoint on Habs upcoming season by PeterS http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/07/24/a-viewpoint-on-habs-upcoming-season/#comment-151 PeterS Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:06:37 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/07/24/a-viewpoint-on-habs-upcoming-season/#comment-151 You hit the nail on the head! I disagree that the Canadiens overacheived last year...they have a lot of young talent in a Conference that seems to be high on mediocrity. Your comments on Price / Kovalev are right on....Price's playoff work could swing him either way...drive him to play better or result in loss of confidence. He also will have the burden of being the starter from start to finish on a long season. Kovalev makes you wonder, also. As long as you guys keep that wonderful power play, you will be a threat in every game you play. I am a Sabres fan (and the blogger here) and Montreal is my favorite opponent to see right now. I predict Buffalo & Montreal will be battling for the Division title come March '09. You hit the nail on the head! I disagree that the Canadiens overacheived last year…they have a lot of young talent in a Conference that seems to be high on mediocrity. Your comments on Price / Kovalev are right on….Price’s playoff work could swing him either way…drive him to play better or result in loss of confidence. He also will have the burden of being the starter from start to finish on a long season. Kovalev makes you wonder, also. As long as you guys keep that wonderful power play, you will be a threat in every game you play.

I am a Sabres fan (and the blogger here) and Montreal is my favorite opponent to see right now. I predict Buffalo & Montreal will be battling for the Division title come March ‘09.

]]> Comment on What coach Carbonneau needs is Carbonneau the player by The Teacher http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/02/22/what-coach-carbonneau-needs-is-carbonneau-the-player/#comment-12 The Teacher Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:16:41 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/02/22/what-coach-carbonneau-needs-is-carbonneau-the-player/#comment-12 Habs inside/out site, which I own, says Montreal has to prepare for the season this year when Koivu has to be replaced by a bigger center with size and skill to amtch the other contenders. Also, Gainey has to address the need for a couple of power fowards, a need not met since Leclair was traded. Finally, another shut down foward to stop the opposing teams best line has to be added, this is where Timmons will help, as he has a great eye for talent, a couple of better free agent acquisitions would help. Habs inside/out site, which I own, says Montreal has to prepare for the season this year when Koivu has to be replaced by a bigger center with size and skill to amtch the other contenders. Also, Gainey has to address the need for a couple of power fowards, a need not met since Leclair was traded. Finally, another shut down foward to stop the opposing teams best line has to be added, this is where Timmons will help, as he has a great eye for talent, a couple of better free agent acquisitions would help.

]]> Comment on Carbonneau: A better coach, with better players by A GOOD COACH? « COACH’S NETWORK http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/02/02/carbonneau-a-better-coach-with-better-players/#comment-6 A GOOD COACH? « COACH’S NETWORK Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:11:26 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/02/02/carbonneau-a-better-coach-with-better-players/#comment-6 [...] a great hockey coach, actually he’s one of the best ever on why he was such a good coach via Canadiens.com. “well I had great players that made me look [...] [...] a great hockey coach, actually he’s one of the best ever on why he was such a good coach via Canadiens.com. “well I had great players that made me look [...]

]]> Comment on The value of Mark Streit by Randall Wright by Steve http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-4 Steve Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:48:38 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-4 You would be correct in the assertion that I misread the value of the deal. $6 mill for 3 years is actually a good deal given what I was saying in my previous comment. He warrants around $2 mill as a free agent if he's a UFA. You would be correct in the assertion that I misread the value of the deal. $6 mill for 3 years is actually a good deal given what I was saying in my previous comment. He warrants around $2 mill as a free agent if he’s a UFA.

]]> Comment on The value of Mark Streit by Randall Wright by Anonymous http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-3 Anonymous Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:50:20 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-3 Hi Steve. I think you misread Streit's agents salary demands. He is looking for 2 million a year for 3 years. Some of the comparisons you give are interesting, particularly Zidlicky. The reality is though, that all of the above mentioned dmen are getting minutes that represent a first or second defense pairing, Streit is seeing the majority of his minutes as a third line forward, playing defense usually when there is an injury. No question, though, he is a key component at the point on the powerplay. His production may entice a rival gm to offer a contract above 2 million a year. Hi Steve. I think you misread Streit’s agents salary demands. He is looking for 2 million a year for 3 years. Some of the comparisons you give are interesting, particularly Zidlicky. The reality is though, that all of the above mentioned dmen are getting minutes that represent a first or second defense pairing, Streit is seeing the majority of his minutes as a third line forward, playing defense usually when there is an injury. No question, though, he is a key component at the point on the powerplay. His production may entice a rival gm to offer a contract above 2 million a year.

]]> Comment on The value of Mark Streit by Randall Wright by Steve http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-2 Steve Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:15:07 +0000 http://canadiens.hockeyanalysis.com/2008/01/16/the-value-of-mark-streit-by-randall-wright/#comment-2 If Streit is asking for $3-6 million a year, there's no way he'll sign for under $2 million. A 51 point power play specialist is pretty valuable in the NHL. Ryan Whitney is making $2.5 million, Paul Mara is making $3 million, Marek Zidlicky is making $3.2 million, Sheldon Souray is making $6.25 million, Kim Johnsson is making $4.8 million, Sami Salo is making $3 million, Dan Boyle is making $3.625 million, Niclas Havelid is making $2.7 million, Tomas Kaberle is making $4.25 million. If he's remotely comparable to HALF these D-men he's going to get more than $2 million. If Streit is asking for $3-6 million a year, there’s no way he’ll sign for under $2 million.

A 51 point power play specialist is pretty valuable in the NHL. Ryan Whitney is making $2.5 million, Paul Mara is making $3 million, Marek Zidlicky is making $3.2 million, Sheldon Souray is making $6.25 million, Kim Johnsson is making $4.8 million, Sami Salo is making $3 million, Dan Boyle is making $3.625 million, Niclas Havelid is making $2.7 million, Tomas Kaberle is making $4.25 million. If he’s remotely comparable to HALF these D-men he’s going to get more than $2 million.

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