Comments on: 3 THINGS CANADIENS SHOULD GET BETTER AT

By: NSkid

NSkid — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:44:31 +0000

I agree. If the Haps could get any of those 3 the Haps will make a good playoff run. Maybe not the cup but im not exspecting that to happen. but in the next year or 2 they will be the #1 team of the NHL~!

By: lwhite

lwhite — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:53:30 +0000

A first line player beside the Tinman(Kovalev)
15 less Europeans
A plane ticket for the over-rated, over-paid Koivu

By: percussio

percussio — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:09:59 +0000

1 - Olli is a captain and the centerpiece of that team. If he goes, its as a rental and he's way too pricey for a guy like Gainey for a mere rental.

2 - Sergei definetely is all those things, he would make a great center, you just have to watch him play and pay attention to the details and you can tell. In my opinion he is a better and more complete player than his brother Andrei. But by making him a center, you move Koivu ... never gonna happen, lets be realistic. You move Koivu and thats a lack of respect and a big message you send. He would be traded before that happened.

There's no way the captain is leaving his position and if anyone goes to center, its Higgins ( natural center). Kostitsyn is a natural left winger like his brother.

Maybe as a 3rd center for an offensive flavoured 3rd line.

Latendresse - Kostitsyn - Lapierre

I would prefer a better right winger but at least Lapierre has the speed. Latendresse needs to fill out his role of power forward a little more and should hit hard along the boards then obstruct the goalie.

Cant wait for Pacioretty though. Next step for upcoming years ... acquiring right wingers !

3 - Samsonov ... in montreal ?! Are you insane !!!!!!! It'll be a cold day in hell before Sammy steps foot in montreal.

4 - Chipchura is most likely remaining in Hamilton. I think the organization wants him to gain a little more experience first. Smolinski isnt doing his job all that well but to bringg in Chips at this point, I doubt thats a move they'll make. Persoanlly though, I would. Get rid of Smolinski for 3 hockey sticks for all I care. He may be of worth in the post season though, we'll see. At least he has experience.

5 - We need Streit for the powerplay and he'll play on offense for the sheer sake of giving him ice time. He's only good to us on the PP with 30 of 39 points coming from there. He is not great on D, he makes more and more mistakes as of late. I would not move O'byrne. The better and more confident O'Byrne gets, the more offensive chances Hamrlik can afford to take.

Gorges has been playing great hockey. He's an excellent 6th D man and Carbo loves his attitude. A real team player. Always shows up and never complains.

By: percussio

percussio — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:37:16 +0000

We need a Gordie Howe hat trick type player ! I also see you've noticed that only 1 non Canadian captain has ever won the stanley cup.

By: percussio

percussio — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:34:11 +0000

I appreciate the compliment. I try to have a little objectivity and knowledge about what Im posting … most of the time anyways lol

By: percussio

percussio — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:27:54 +0000

Jokinen IS the Florida Panthers ... I think Jacques Martin goes before he does. I doubt that despite the rumours, he will be moved. You build around this guy, he's a true first line center.

Sometimes all I want to do is move Koivu but year after year they keep him because he's the heart and soul of the team even though the Habs have some great leadership who are coming up.

So imagine, if Koive stays, why would Jokinen go ?!

By: Canadiens81

Canadiens81 — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:42:03 +0000

I agree that if we had Cole and Hossa we would go far. I'm hoping if we are able to get Hossa we won't have to give up Higgins. I don't know if we would have to give for Cole I heard Carolina is trying to trade him anyways. And I was thinking we could trade Bouillon instead of Streit seeing as he is not a free agent at the end of the year and thus wouldn't be a rental. But I guess we will have to wait and see what Bob Gainey does.

By: KomPlete_Karnage

KomPlete_Karnage — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:55:31 +0000

That's a dream lineup,i would sleep with Bob Gainey if he pulled that....

I believer you think I want Streit out,but actually,he's one of my tops.BUT

1:To get value,you gotta give value
2:Markov,Komi,Hamrlik,O'byrne is the top 4 for next year....unless Big O goes.

Your Cole-Higgins-Hossa line would be a killer...

But look:

Cole-S.Kostitsyn-Hossa doesn't look bad at all,if he would be willing to go at center,imagine the whirlwind caused by this line...

If we really had Hossa+Cole,we would be in the East Finals against either OTT or NJ...If not,we should get eliminated in the second round(I hope not,but in all fairness)

By: Canadiens81

Canadiens81 — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:40:00 +0000

It would be great if the Habs could get Erik Cole. But I wouldn't trade away Streit. Yes he has a poor +/- but he is good on the PP. We should play him on the 4th line(He's played pretty good there) and put him on the point on the PP(We should do this next year when one of our many d-man prospects are ready to come up). I know most Habs fans are hating on Latendresse but give him time he is still young. They have him on the 3rd or 4th lines in a checking role when really he should be on the 3rd line with Sergei K. and a better center than Lapierre. If we could get Cole and Hossa(in a perfect world) our lines could look like this:

Andrei K.-Plekanec-Kovalev
Cole-Higgins-Hossa
Latendresse-Koivu-Sergei K.
Begin-Smolinski-Kostopulous

Markov-Komisarek
Hamrlik-O'byrne
Gorges-Streit

I think we would go far in the playoffs.

By: darcysucker

darcysucker — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:07:40 +0000

you mentioned trading smolinski and a pick for someone, well Smolinski has a no trade clause, so you can't really trade him, we're stuck with him till the end of the season