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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3097
Location: Saskatoon!
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 Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: Open Habs Thread: Stretch Drive Time |
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Feel free to post general musings about the state of the Habs as we enter the stretch here.
The All-Star break is here, so that means two things start to become the main focus of the NHL. The first is the trade deadline, just a month away. The second is the playoffs and playoff positioning.
The Habs have 60 points in 49 games. There are still 33 games left to play, but 60% of the season is gone (meaning we're at a 100 point pace). We're closer to 1st place than we are to 9th, sitting only 6 points back of the Senators with a game in hand. We currently occupy the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference race, neck and neck with all of the Atlantic Division pretty much (the Rangers are the oddballs with the 9th seed).
Our biggest test down the stretch? 5 games against Ottawa. If we do well and take a majority of the points, we set ourselves up for a challenge for the division and conference lead.  If we do poorly, we could potentially fall back in the playoff hunt and are pushing just to qualify. We have 2 games with Ottawa on the first week of February, so it'll be a great test before the trade deadline to make a push.
What do we need to do to improve? What's a realistic goal? What are we willing to part with in order to make a deal?
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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Bell Centre Ghost
Haunting the Bell Centre since 2005
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Guelph
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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The crux is Huet - to keep him or not, and with or without a contract extension.
If we keep him with a contract extension - then the priority is to stay the course but have an eye to win within his contract extension as he seems to be a bona fide #1. So my willingness to trade prospects would lessen, but not be eliminated if it provides blueline depth, or a player that could click with Higgins and Koivu. This is also important given what sask mentioned (the anniversary and Koivu) and also w.r.t. Kovalev, who has completely turned his game around.
If we keep him with no contract - then I say we maximize the season. The team is developing quicker that I expected so I would be willing to take a chance on this year. It might seem counter-intuitive, but if we are willing to have a lower draft pick (with Huet playing well), and not gain any new prospects by trading him - then go for it - to a degree. Trade prospects in areas where we are deep (e.g. wingers) for a shot at this year. Otherwise, why keep him? Tanguay comes to mind.
If we trade him for prospects, then stay the course. Continue to develop with Price in mind.
Don't trade him for immediate roster help. It doesn't make any sense because Halak and Price may not be ready this year.
_________________
The fans represent the soul of the organization. This is their team. Us, we simply try to make it better. They tell us when things are going good, and when they are less so. We don't always give them the impression that we are listening, but we are. |
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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3097
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:37 am Post subject: |
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For the record, here's how the Habs look at it:
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ea78dd16-cbbe-45c1-b0de-315a8b0e8ac8&k=75490
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"Ottawa is a fantastic team and they're going to get some points down the stretch, but if we can match them and overtake them, that means we're playing some great hockey, too."
But Higgins said the Canadiens have to be aware that their goals are ahead of them.
"There's still a team ahead of us in the standings and it's dangerous thinking, thinking that we've accomplished something. We haven't accomplished anything. We still have 30 something games remaining and you don't accomplish anything with that many games left. None of our markers or goals have been met yet. When we make the playoffs, that's a marker. The ultimate is to win the Cup and that's our goal."
Saku Koivu, the Canadiens captain and Higgins' linemate, agreed and said: "You'd rather look at the teams in front of you and catch them than think about teams below you." |
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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E.L.3000
Big in Japan
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1409
Location: Stuntin' like my daddy
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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If Ryder, Higgins and Koivu can get going, and the Pleks line stays hot: watch out NHL.
Best passing team in the league, and according to Pierre - the fastest team in the league.
_________________
John McCain is fit as a fiddle… Is 71 the new 30?” - Fox News' Rich Lowry
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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3097
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| 2 Girls, 1 E.L., 1 Cup wrote: |
If Ryder, Higgins and Koivu can get going, and the Pleks line stays hot: watch out NHL.
Best passing team in the league, and according to Pierre - the fastest team in the league. |
Or, you know, we acquire someone that gets the Higgins-Koivu combo going while ditching Ryder for a pick.
What do you reckon Cheechoo would cost?
Of course, I'd ask about Tuomo since Chicago and him seem to be at their end... but I have no idea what his value should be viewed at right now.
Of course, there's J-P if Nashville were sellers, but I think they'll maintain and try and make some playoff money to recoup the losses.
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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Bell Centre Ghost
Haunting the Bell Centre since 2005
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Guelph
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
What do you reckon Cheechoo would cost? |
That would be an interesting mix. Scoring and grit is something we don't have in one player. Is he available? And let me throw the question back at you - what would you give up?
_________________
The fans represent the soul of the organization. This is their team. Us, we simply try to make it better. They tell us when things are going good, and when they are less so. We don't always give them the impression that we are listening, but we are. |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1552
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:05 am Post subject: |
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 [/i] |
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Bell Centre Ghost
Haunting the Bell Centre since 2005
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Guelph
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:17 am Post subject: |
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| razzmatazz wrote: |
| [/i] |
muh? Does this have something to do with the drunk driving thread?
_________________
The fans represent the soul of the organization. This is their team. Us, we simply try to make it better. They tell us when things are going good, and when they are less so. We don't always give them the impression that we are listening, but we are. |
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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3097
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:31 am Post subject: |
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| Bell Centre Ghost wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
What do you reckon Cheechoo would cost? |
That would be an interesting mix. Scoring and grit is something we don't have in one player. Is he available? And let me throw the question back at you - what would you give up? |
He's having a lousy year, so you never know if he's available or not. Knowing Doug Wilson, he isn't. And if he was, now that I've given it a bit of thought, he'd likely ask for Guillaume as part of the package. Or Chipchura, or a Kostitsyn (presumably Sergei).
Personally, to me any prospect we haven't signed yet is available for the right player except for McDonagh. So that includes Paccioretty, Fischer, Subban, White, Maxwell, Wyman, and the rights for Emelin and Perezhogin. Guys that are signed that could be available is a much smaller list... I'm not willing to part with young guys that are on the team beyond a guy like Gorges or possibly Halak. You might persuade me to deal Guillaume for the right player, but I don't think a struggling Cheechoo is that guy. In Hamilton, I don't want to see Price moved (duh), Chipchura, and Valentenko (preferably we keep him and O'Byrne). That doesn't leave much selection for guys under contract, though.
There's just one forward spot to me that I'd like to see improved upon ASAP, and that's that gaping RW hole. Long term, Sergei looks like a keeper, but I'd like a veteran to come in there that offers something different, be it grit, good size that creates space, a good RH shot (which was what Ryder was for us), or strong 2 way play without being a drag offensively. You know, the anti-Ryder at this point.
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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razzmatazz
Go Habs Go! Vive le CH!
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1552
Location: Burnaby, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| Bell Centre Ghost wrote: |
| razzmatazz wrote: |
| [/i] |
muh? Does this have something to do with the drunk driving thread? |
Stretch drive... |
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E.L.3000
Big in Japan
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1409
Location: Stuntin' like my daddy
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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OK, you asked for it, and here it is. I was perusing the other 29 teams' rosters and I have created a comprehensive list of right-handed right wings. These are the more pertinent findings:
Guys who might be players Gainey is looking into if he is actually looking to bolster the right side:
Ales Kotalik: Buffalo is struggling, his name has been mentioned before as a potential odd man out in Buffalo
Jason Pominville: His numbers look decent on a horrid Buffalo squad. He's a bit soft and has a rather crummy contract
Jarret Stoll: Really struggling in Edmonton and also looking like an odd man out. Known primarily as a centre and more for his physical play than his offensive ability, but we don't have too many of his player types on our team
Trent Hunter: Was a rookie the same year as Ryder, similarly plateaued offensively. Not sure if he's a Nolan guy, and is arguably better without the puck than Ryder
Robert Lang: A centre, I know, but he might fit with the team as a rental. He might like the atmosphere with Kovy and Hamrlik as leaders/mentors
Petr Prucha: Mostly plays on the left side, not sure why the Rags would trade him for such little value. He's their Ryder
Ryan Kesler: Not looking like an offensive force for the Nucks, I like his upside as a 25 goal scorer/banger and solid two-way play
Nikolai Zherdev: He's playing well now in C-Bus; don't see him being available
Mark Parrish, Bill Guerin: vets who are probably useful to their playoff-bound teams
I'm guessing Cheechoo isn't up for grabs, and if he is - pounce.
The two names I could see the Habs inquiring about are Fedorov (if he gets healthy) and (believe it or not) Brad fuckin' Richards. If Tampa is last in the East with no hope of getting out of the cellar, and has no owner and an unsure budget, if I were Feaster I'd be ready to listen. No doubt he would ask for Price initially.
_________________
John McCain is fit as a fiddle… Is 71 the new 30?” - Fox News' Rich Lowry
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