Comments on: Kostitsyn = The key we don't expect for the Habs future ..with others as we

By: GoalJudge

GoalJudge — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:38:26 +0000

Sorry, but I am not nuts.

People on the Island may speak soem english, but still french is prefered.
The same laws and policies that govern the rest of the nation don't hold true in Quebec, the easiest to pick on is bilingual signs in public.
As for being to the city, many times. If you want to argue fine, but I hold degrees in Poli-sci, so think before you waste your breath.

As for Gainey and them coming back. They will go where the money and the job oppurtunity takes them.
You think that if he lost his job tommorow, and was offered either a job in the AHL or QMJHL for 1 million or going to the Blue Jacket for a million, that he would stay in Quebec. Or worse yet, stay as an advisor to MTL for 500K or move to Phoenix to be a Coach or GM for 750K he is staying in MTL. Your nuts. The players, like the front office staff, follow the best oppurtunities. Like Sykora ditching Edmonton for less money, to play with Crosby and Malkin. That's oppurtunity.

MTL, like Edmonton, offers little right now. Why do you think Souray turned down a deal that he initially wanted. Because his prospects of being on another team for the same money, look better. He has been part of the team already, and knows the lack of direction. He will cut and run.
The only reason Koivu hasn't left is because he is not valued anywhere else as much as he is in MTL. End of Story.

They are all as faithful as their options.

By: ferron

ferron — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:51:55 +0000

your right on the money, stable linemates and consistent strategy like teams like NJ, Dallas,Detroit who have been playing the same strategy for the last 10-15 and being very suscesful at it! I say if Carbo can't find the rythm this year, he will be dismiss!

By: ferron

ferron — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:45:30 +0000

how about Malkin and Esposito for Pits?

By: ferron

ferron — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:40:48 +0000

either one of them can realy excell at face off and why would they want to be second line center if they can be first line wingers?

By: habsrock99

habsrock99 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:39:29 +0000

Putting Kostitsyn on the 2nd line will do 2 unreversable things. One, it'll hamper Plekanec's growth into the Habs #1 centre, which he is on course to become in about 2-3 years. And second, it'll kill Kostitsyn's confidence to the point that he'll do what Perezhogin did and sign with Russia. Plekanec will become the new Yanic Perreault when it comes to faceoffs and will take over for Koivu in like i said, 2-3 years. Koivu, bless him, he's my favourite player but his time on top of the Habs charts is coming to an end, sadly. And Plekanec will be the successor and if Kostitsyn grows into what his potential suggests, the Habs could have 2 good, young centre's who could lead victories to the Habs. But til then, Plekanec stays as the #2 Centre and Kostitsyn continues to battle for a roster spot.

By: Knowledge

Knowledge — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:55:10 +0000

Why would anyone put Plekanec on the wing when during the course of last year he became fantastic at Faceoffs. Carbo was putting him on for all the important faceoffs. Kostitsyn is a great prospect. But not at center, a lot of the scouting reports out on him have been saying he is not the greatest in his own end(which he slowly is improving with hamilton). A Center has to be the most defensively responsible of the forwards, taking the high slot. I think he'll be an impact player in about 4 years, but he's not the answer to the habs problems by any stretch of the imagination.

By: habsalicious

habsalicious — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:27:48 +0000

"Montreal does not have an environment developed that is anglophone friendly"

What the hell are you talking about? Have you ever been in Montreal? Why do you think guys like Gainey and Muller come back? Souray and Higgins are some of the fan favourites. It's fools like you who perpetuate Montreal stereotypes of anti-anglos. Heck, half the city speaks English and the other half is bilingual at varying degrees.

By: GoalJudge

GoalJudge — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:34:00 +0000

Saying that media and socio-political pressure, economics, and Language are not the reasons Montreal is having trouble signing players is just plain gullibility.

These have come up repeatedly why players do not want to sign, and a prime reason why they keep chasing the last great players to come out of Montreal.

Why else do you think that the LeCavilier to Montreal room NEVER dies?

Its not that there hasn't been comparable talent to shop for, especially before his 100pt Rocket Richard trophy winning season, or his Stanley cup.

It is precisely the results of the above reasons that Montreal is FORCED to wait for the kids to develop. Not that they prefer it. They have littel choice.
I will not argue that it only takes one or two players to act as a catalyst for other players to come to a team, Havlat in Chicago is a prime recent example of that, so has Sakic his entire career.

Montreal has not had a player or two like that since Roy left. Sorry but that's facts. It is not a case like the leafs, where despite having catalyst players on the roster, they still bungle it up. Montreal does not have an environment developed that is anglophone friendly, or having a major player on the rise for others to want to be apart of.

Carey Price might. MIGHT! Do that for the team, but not now.
Salaries clogged by mediocre signings, lack of post-season performance. Always trying to get deals on players, never accepting to overpay for top talent, although they are often left over-paying for the left-over talent anyways. This is problems in Montreal. Add that to the other reasons, and you have only history as an excuse to go there. And the past does not outweigh the paper.

Put any anglophone (english speaking, specifically non-bilingual) player in the situation of going to Montreal, with its problems and pressures, or say Anywhere south of the border that is not original six, although Boston or Chicago could qualify these days, and the player will most assuredly sign elsewhere. Why? Less hassle.

As good as Montreal could be, they aren't building a winner right now.
No matter how decent their prospects are.

By: MTL_HABS_24

MTL_HABS_24 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:30:28 +0000

"BY THE WAY WE STILL HAVE THE PK THAT MADE US NUMBER 1 AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST SEASON"

Not quite, we lost Bonk and it looks like Johnson's a goner too. But the philosophy is there. You don't have arguably the 2 best defensive forwards to ever play the game as your GM and coach and not have it rub off on the footsoldiers.

By: sheam316

sheam316 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:56:37 +0000

I don't think theres anything wrong with that team. I mean no Souray who cares. He scored 26 goals but was the cause of about 30 of them the other way. He wasn't a good leader. When Rivet left he should of took over the defensive leadership ability. But what did he do. Nothing. (To my knowledge anyways). Hamrlik gives us leadership on D. gives us a decent shot. (Which by the way we won't be number 1. But what did that give us. 10 place) and doesn't be made a fool of. As long as were at least 0+- on 5 on 5. It's a improvement. Whats the good of being number 1 power play if were 30th 5 on 5. Last time I checked most of the game is 5 on 5. And if more teams want to take pentalty's to check how good kovelev can be on the powerplay then go nuts. BY THE WAY WE STILL HAVE THE PK THAT MADE US NUMBER 1 AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST SEASON.