Comments on: Report: Habs sign forward Kostopoulos

By: MTL_HABS_24

MTL_HABS_24 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:53:32 +0000

I respect your opinion, but, with all due respect, what makes you think that Hamrlik is "a poor man's Souray"? Granted, the Flames are defensively better than the Habs, but we're getting a player who is MUCH better in his own zone (+22 I believe, instead of Souray's abominable -29). We'll miss Souray's slapshot on the powerplay, but we'll be a lot better 5-5, an area where we were atrocious.
In case you haven't been keeping track, Culimore's contract was bought out as soon as the trade was made, so he's not even a concern.
Many Kings' fans posted their opinion of Tom Kostopoulos, who is an energy player, and it's all been positive. Limited skills, but leaves it all on the ice every shift. Gainey's hoping to instill a good work ethics for the likes of Kovalev and the young guns that will crack the lineup this year. Every team has at least 2 of this type of player.
Bryan Smolinski is a responsible 2-way player who will replace Johnson (127 career goals) but with a marked improvement in goalscoring (266 career goals), so how can you justify calling him "just plain awful"?
So, to summerize, Montreal will not be mistaken for a contender, except maybe by unrealistic fans, but to say that they are destined for another lottery pick is just as unrealistic.

By: gregpb

gregpb — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:02:30 +0000

Ok then. Here goes. Let's take a look at the fantastic acquisitions the Habs have made. Let it be known that I love to see all Canadian teams do well and make the playoffs.

Hamrlik is a poor man's Souray and that isn't saying much. Cullimore is decent at best. Kosotoplous is a filler. Bryan Smolinski is just plain and simply awful. So the Habs who did not make the playoffs last year , basically got worst. I honestly hope they pull something off to get back to respectability. Hence why I posted the Habs are in a shit storm. Love to see them do well, but they are destined for another lottery pick.

By: habsoverserver

habsoverserver — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:57:58 +0000

since a defenseman was our top scorer, drafting defensemen is bob's way of adding firepower.

By: dog_farts

dog_farts — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:05:00 +0000

Damn, I was gonna ask "Who?"
I've never heard of him either. You have wonder how effort the G.M.'s put into researching these bums.

By: ferron

ferron — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:59:45 +0000

Thanks for the hard work Bob and we love the fire power you brought to this team the past three years Aebiescher, Niinimaa, Salmeilen, Samsonov, Hamrlik, Kostspoulos, Smolinski, thanks for telling Timmins to draft 11 deffensemen in 2 years it's OK we don't need guys like Esposito or Cherepanov, we already have plenty of talented offensive fowards? And last but not least for are great coach "Guy Carboneau" thanks Bob thanks, how can Habs fans ever repay you?

By: habsoverserver

habsoverserver — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:33:12 +0000

another bob "i love third line forwards, because i was one" gainey special.

By: MTL_HABS_24

MTL_HABS_24 — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:10:21 +0000

Well, we HABS fans appreciate your vote of confidence regarding our team and our prospects. It's certainly refreshing to hear from other teams' fans especially if it's (mostly) positive.

I also tend to believe that the HABS have just enough to squeak by and get a playoff berth this coming spring, IF we stay relatively healthy. The kids will be a year older and several could crack the lineup in the fall, BUT, you can't have too many rookies on a relatively young team. There has to be a balance and it will be up to Carbo to the right mix.

By the way, you didn't mention which team you root for, or was that by design? Also, why all the anger? Stay calm, you'll live longer.

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:27:29 +0000

Now, wait a minute !!!

Did you hear ONE fan in Montreal complaining about our prospects ?!? Geezzz...of course not, right now, it's pretty much the only thing we have to be proud of. We are pretty aware that we have good young talents, and sometimes, we even overestimate them...

But, just like any other fans, of any other teams, we do have some reasons to complain. The Canadiens finished the year 15th in the league in goals, but 28th at even strenght. Addition by substraction is all good, but now that Souray's gone (and believe me, I'm happy) we do have some questions about our offense. I mean, if we can't score more goals five on five, we're basically screwed since there's no way our Powerplay will be that good this year.

Now, I agree...our your players will be a year older. But you also gotta keep in mind that most of them have only played a season. Second season is always tough (for some unknown reasons). Latendresse, Lapierre, Kostitsyn, Grabovski, Chipchura, Maxwell, White, Yemelin, O'Byrne, etc...that's all good, but most of them aren't quite ready to be impact players for the team yet. And that's why we aren't so thrilled about THIS year. It doesn't mean we don't have any faith in the future.

By: jody200411

jody200411 — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:42:41 +0000

Let me stat by sayig I hate the damn CRABS! And the laffs for that matter

BUT you crab fans are turning my stomach.

You are rated #2 in JUNIOR prospects.
Technically your #1 in the AHL prospects.

What more do you want? Your makin me sick really. You guys have a future than most teams can only dream of. Why do you think the Laff fans are giving you hard time at UFA day? There jealous. And so am I, and so is every other NHL fan except for the ducks pens and kings fans. wow i cant believe how you guys react.

You talk about your defense like it is shit. just think about it

Hamrlik/Markov
Komisarek/Boullion
Dandenault/O'Byrne(maybe)

After the way Komi progressed last season, he is ready to be a top 2 guy. And if he isn't #2, then is one of the best damn #3s in the league. I saw him play in Ottawa twice this year and hes a force.
You know what your going to get from Markov. Most underated D-man in NHL.
Then you got Hamrlik who is great D-man. who cares about the 5.5 million. He was offered the same by 4 other teams but wanted to stay in Canada.

Dandenault isnt that great.

But Boullion was injured last year. If he can play the way he played 2 years ago, and O'Byrne can play the way he did in AHL, you guys will be VERY tough next year.

Geesh, 3 VERY solid D-men, and possibly 4 or 5.... Now you guys complain.

And im not even gonna start with your goalies. You have 2 SICK goalie prospects not to mention Huet might get back to form as well.

So stop the whining and *****ing!! If you dont like your team,give it to me. I'll gladly take it, especially your prospects. I just have to get rid of that CRABS symbol.

OH BY THE WAY:
if you dont think your team will make the playoffs next year, your dumb and dont know hockey. You finished what, 1 poit out last year? With a team full of youngsters.
Use commonsense for a second, one more year under there belt and the young players will be better.

While everyone complains the your CRABS did nothing his summer yet, you actually improved more than any other Northeast team.
Ever hear of ADDITION by SUBTRACTION????? Sheldon "skate by me" Souray is replaced with Hamrlik, and that cancer Samsonov is gone. AND YOUR YOUNG PLAYERS ARE OLDER!!!!!

I cant believe the fans in montreal really. It sickens me to see a team with such a bright management and future, and its not good enough for them!!!! What do you want???? I bet most CRAB fans are willing to give up there whole AHL team for Marleau or LeCavier. You guys are crazy.

The fans makes me hate the CRABS even more. I cant believe it...

Although, Id LOVE to see you miss the playoffs for a 2nd straight year and see all the fans whining and crying in Montreal. hah haha haha... But i just cant see it happening.

Now the Laffs on the other hand... ha ha ha... How bright is MLSE and JFJ ahahha.... Risking the future agian for a 10th-7th place finish....

By: CedrickRozon

CedrickRozon — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:26:37 +0000

I also cant help but notice that your top 10 WORST of the last TWENTY years all happened in the last TWO! missing a zero there

but anyway, thanks for making an idiot of yourself, you make everybody else feel better