Comments on: Montreal Canadiens: I'm confused…

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:39:19 +0000

Yep, and I was very upset that year because I wanted Kopitar. Turned out to be a great pick, and I'm the first one to say that I was wrong, although Kopitar is playing in the NHL right now and doing pretty well.

And don't get me wrong, I really wish Timmins is gonna prove me wrong again, I really do. But a week after the draft, this is how I feel.

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:36:14 +0000

Believe me when I say this: I'm very high on the prospects we have down in Hamilton. I think both Andrei and Sergei have potential top-six forward talent, and so does Grabovski although he's pretty small. Chipchura, in my book, will be a solid third line player with tons of leadership quality. But I don't see him as an offensive threath. Probably our next captain, but not our leader in terms of goals, assists or points. I'm not high of D'Agostini...I think he'll be a journeyman in the NHL at best.

I think the Canadiens did a pretty good job adding depth to our defense. Fischer and McDonagh both look like solid first round picks, and I'm pretty huge on Mathieu Carle. Don't know much about Ryan O'Byrne, but I've heard really good things about him. I just don't think we needed that many defensemen.

In my opinion, Pacioretty, as I said before, will probably become a pretty good checking forward, and solid third line player. I can see him doing a good job eventually playing alongside Chipchura. Now I don't hate the kid...I just don't think he's the type of guy you wanna spend a first round pick on. I think he brings to the table something that we could have had in the second or third round. Plus, and I know this is dumb (but it's often the case)...he just has one of those names that you have a feeling will never reach the NHL.

So basically, the selection of Pacioretty does address our need to increase size upfront, but not on our top-two lines in my opinion, which is what we need.

And I'm pretty aware that thos ploayers are 2-3 years away from reaching the NHL. But we gotta start somewhere, we gotta start sometime. And I think Esposito falling down was a golden opportunity for the Habs, and they didn't take it. We'll see in a couple of years if this will be another "Chouinard over Gagné".

By: Mr_Canuck

Mr_Canuck — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:25:44 +0000

Everying doubted the Habs when they drafted Price @ the 5 spot, and now it's seeming like a smart pick

By: skoalbandit

skoalbandit — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:19:59 +0000

briere got 95 points last year, the habs need someone who can light the lamp…would be lucky to get him for 5/6 years

By: Habroller

Habroller — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:15:22 +0000

The thing is we have several offensive minded forwards already in the farm system, much more ready to step up than the 2007 draftees. Gainey & Timmins went after so many D's because the club lacked DEPTH at defense. Our best prospect on D (Emelin) probably won't ever play for the Habs, and Bob had to do something to replenish our back-end.

Everyone can agree we're now set on G with Price being the second coming of Christ with better hands. Though lacking that bona fide superstar on offense, we still got plenty of young forwards less than a year away from the big club (and don't forget western centermen, most likely 2-3 years away from the CH, Maxwell & White who shined this year in the CHL).

With the Kostitsyns, Grabovski, D'Agostini & Chipchura as top-6 forwards ready to step-up in the NHL, the next move was to strengthen our offensive D, which was most probably rightfully done.

The need for increase in goals could not be addressed in 2007 draft as those players are 2-3 years away from the pro leagues. Don't underestimate our already drafted forward youth, there's a good reason we're ranked so high in terms of prospect depth...

p.s. How the drafting of Pacioretty over Esposito & Perron does not address our need to increase size upfront?

By: JJ-Dynomite

JJ-Dynomite — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:45:02 +0000

as a resident of belleville, ive seen Subban Play quite a bit, and if there was one player I would compare him to, it would be a Souray/McCabe type offensive defencemen. He's got a big booming shot, (although he likes too wait till the perfect pass too use it) but id say he has a slightly higher defensive ability.

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:43:32 +0000

Type mistake…What I meant was: "…he's not an offensive minded player."

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:42:19 +0000

I left Olivier Fortier out because, as much as I like the pick, he's the an offensive minded player. He's described as a two-way forward with a slight offensive upside, but I see him as a typical-Carbonneau kinda guy, who will be transformed as a defensive minded third line player...much like Maxim Lapierre.

Now I want to make something perfectly clear here...it's not ONLY about picking local talent. I mean, it's always nice to see a local boy on the team, no matter if you're living in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Detroit, etc...

But it's also about what the team needs. And my rant was more about the fact that, while we passed on local product, we also spent a lot of picks on defense while the more obvious need we had was an increase in goal scored and size upfront.

By: Habroller

Habroller — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:00:38 +0000

I guess you left out early 3rd-round pick Olivier Fortier from your rant for a good reason. Please explain why...

(he was taken only about 10 spots after Veilleux, do you even know him?)

By: WYflyerfan

WYflyerfan — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 10:32:08 +0000

I don't see how you can say the two most important hockey markets in United States. I can see NY but not Pittsburgh. NY because the size of the market. As for Pitts I don't see it. If Crosby wasn't there, there wouldn't be that many following them. They have been borderline broke for how many years. I personnally think teams like Detriot and Colorado have a larger following.