[Lizard King]

Man, wishing for your favourite team to get creamed is good bitter!

While I detest the Habs, I can certainly feel your pain. Soft D and less than stellar goaltending.....hmmmmm....where have I heard that before?

I typed that more out of frustration than anything. I would prefer Theo to start playing great and the team winning again, and at the least competing for a playoff spot. That would be great of course, but unless I see some improvements in the next month before the trade deadline, Im going to start calling for heads!!

I doubt this has any merit, but Sundin's name is bouncing around in trade rumors, apparently he's unhappy. I can see him being pissed at the situation he's in, but he's a Leaf for life, I cant see him going anywhere, not of his asking anyway. Word is Ottawa, Philly and Montreal have there eyes on Doug Weight..yeah thats what Ottawa needs another front line centre, geez arent they satisfied up there? I wonder what will happen to that team if they win the Cup, how many of those players can they really keep?

[tigerthelion]

Yeah Jagr's been great and he's my pick for the MVP thus far too, but it's very frustrating watching him the last few games. Nothing to do with him, just the fact that he is given absolutely no room on the ice, teams everynight now are putting two guys on him, and the last game in Boston for example PJ Axelsson's job was strickly to be JJ's shadow. He has to work hard for any chance he can get, but that's the thing, unlike other years he is willing to pay the price and is working his butt off.

And no, I'm not Darcy's brother (that would be Cody), different bunch of MacPherson's altogher actually...he's a good friend of mine though.

Oh, ok I got the wrong Macphersons.

I know the Hurricanes and Sabres are doing great this season but the Rangers have shocked me the most.

[tigerthelion]

I hope the Flyers cream the Habs tonight, then it might actually force the team to get rid of some the dead weight on that team. Im starting to lose faith in Theodore, I dont understand whats wrong with him this year? Either he has some personal issues, or the "new" NHL is too much for him...maybe both. I hate to bash him, he played awesome in his MVP year, and I figured he was our man for years to come, but unless he snaps out of this, were going to be a sinking ship. The Canadiens need to have a solid goalie in there, our D isn't exactely the greatest, actually it stinks imo, Rivet, Komisarek, Souray and Dandenault are nothing special and it shows. Markov is good and I like Boullion, he's the only one who isn't afraid to throw his weight around and he's quick, he's a small guy but he plays big which I like. But our D is crap overall. Im starting to think Huet should get the reins for a time, evertime Ive seen him play he's been solid and makes big saves, plus I like his style always up and square to the shooter ala Bill Ranford, I prefer that to Theo's butterfly. I don't think Theo is big enough to be going down all the time, yes the equipment is smaller, but he aint no big guy himself, at least Roy who was the butterfly master was 6"3' or 4 and covered alot of net, and was alot quicker than Theo, and played his angles better...he was the best ever, nuff said. I think Theo needs to stay in position more and not stay down so long, once he goes down he stays there and cant recover from rebounds and cant handle wrap-arounds well....ok Im done over analyzing this, he's sucking ass and Ill leave it at that.

HUET for NO.1!!! Who's with me??

I remember asking you about Huet a little while ago. It seems like he has played well in all his games this season. I think the Habs are shopping Theodore for sure. I heard a rumour of Theodore for Giguere but what would that do? That's like trading an apple for an apple.

Regarding Boullion, he's a strange case. He was more of a Bobby Orr type guy in the AHL. I remember watching his end to end rushes on a consistent basis. In the NHL, whether the coaches told him not to rush as much or what, he just doesn't have the offense. He is a little guy but he is solid. I just want to know what happened to his offensive flair. I know he's playing against better players than in the AHL but I don't even see a big effort for him to rush the puck.

[ryan93]

I doubt Philadelphia would still be interested in Doug Weight now that they've got Petr Nedved. They were one of the teams rumored to be interested in him before the Nedved deal yes, but that pretty much put the end to those.

I have heard Ottawa, Edmonton...even heard Anaheim mentioned as a possiblity last week if they are still in the running at the deadline. By the deadline teams won't be on the hook for much for his contract, so i would assume he'll get a lot of interest. I'll go out on the limb and say he ends up in Ottawa.

[tigerthelion]

Good gravy - check this out hockey fans:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ovechkin+collection&page=1&lv=1&so=0">http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=o ... &lv=1&so=0</a><!-- m -->

Great video. He really impresses me with his physicality. I was led to believe that all Russians were soft but Ovechkin isn't afraid of contact, that's for sure.

Well, he got one more highlight to add tonight. Not a pretty goal but a goal nonetheless. Crosby just made up 3 points in the scoring race on Ovechkin with his 3 assists and 1 goal. I knew the Caps were bad but after watching that game, UGH hock: . I think there are at least 6 AHL teams who would beat the Caps in a 7 game series.

[j-monster]

Good gravy - check this out hockey fans:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ovechkin+collection&page=1&lv=1&so=0">http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=o ... &lv=1&so=0</a><!-- m -->

Holy crap on a bun! hock:

OK, I'll say it. Ovechkin as rookie of the year, hands down.

I thought for sure Crosby would win it, and let there be no doubt, Crosby is having an awesome year, especially for his young age and the lack of talent in Pittsburgh. But Ovechkin this year has just been on another level. I can't remember the last rookie who just consistently scores goals that make you say, "No, he just did NOT do that, did he?" Friggin' unreal.

And there are so many other good rookies this year... Phaneuf, Lundqvist, Prucha, Svatos, and so on. But Crosby is clearly #2... and Ovechkin is clearly #1.

Who will have the best career between Ovechkin and Crosby? Who knows? Hell, who cares right now, let's just enjoy watching them play! :thumb:

[j-monster]

While I detest the Habs, I can certainly feel your pain. Soft D and less than stellar goaltending.....hmmmmm....where have I heard that before?

Ugh... don't remind me.

[ryan93]

Sidney Crosby definitely had the upper hand on Ovechkin tonight though. I thought Sid had an awesome game, and picked up 4 points in the process. The guy just has amazing vision, as evidenced on the 2nd Mark Recchi goal tonight, beautiful feed from Crosby.
I thought Ovechkin had a very quiet night tonight, didn't generate a whole lot. He did score the loan Caps goal, but it was anything but your classic Ovechkin goal. It was a pretty nice shot, but Fleury should of had it and just looked lost on the play.

Round 2 of the Ovechkin/Crosby head-to-head battle, hands down went to Crosby.

[cferneyh]

OK, I'll say it. Ovechkin as rookie of the year, hands down.

Can only agree with you. The funny thing is that coming into the season I had the perception that Ovechkin was a crybaby (due to his suck attack at the World Juniors the year before) and Crosby was THE MAN. However, after having seen them play this year, it looks like those perceptions need to be reversed.

[Lizard King]

OK, I'll say it. Ovechkin as rookie of the year, hands down.

Can only agree with you. The funny thing is that coming into the season I had the perception that Ovechkin was a crybaby (due to his suck attack at the World Juniors the year before) and Crosby was THE MAN. However, after having seen them play this year, it looks like those perceptions need to be reversed.

Agree 100%, this kid is the next superstar of hockey, imagine if he played on a really good team..yikes! And it has to be said...

HOW BOUT THAT JAN BULIS!!

4 goals vs. Philly last nite, who saw that coming. hock: Not to mention Huet got the win, I hope he starts the next game, I want Montreal to really put this guy to the test, see what he's made of.

[ryan93]

Bulis wasn't expected to play last night, which fueld speculation that a trade involving him was in the works. Turns out he did end up playing though, and scored 4 goals! Helped earn the Habs a big 2 points, and if they decide to go that route, probably helps gain some trade leverage involving Bulis as well.

Bob MacKenzie said on TSN last night that he fully expects the Edmonton Oilers to have a new defensemen by tonight. He threw a couple of names out there, including Dick Tarnstrom and Jaroslav Spacek. He also mentoined that Pittsburgh made Tarnstrom a healthy scratch last night, but said he's not sure how much could be read into that. Also mentioned that the Oilers made Jani Rita a scratch, but Craig McTavish said that was strictly the coaches decision.

[fingernailsonhull]

Couldn't agree more than Alexander Ovechkin gets the Calder Trophy. It has become obvious that Crosby still has quite a but of maturing to do, and perhaps not winning the Calder will humble him a little bit and make him realize that he still has work to do.

[The Darkest Canuck]

i think Huet Should start tonight too, and if he wins, possibly in Toronto too on Saturday, because the Leafs seem to know how to get to Theodore...all depends how Huet would play tonight though...Theo's still #1, but if Huet's hot, why not take advantage of the situation and give Jose a little rest at the end of this road trip, still possibly win a couple, and have a healthy, rested Theodore for the next home game.


the only member of the defense i'd like to see go is Dandenault, he was an ok temporary fix to fill the spot of Briesbois, because he's got a lot of experience and he came at half the price, but realistically, Montreal need one more top defensemen to be a threat, Markov, Rivet, Souray, Komasarik, Boullion, Streit, (insert top defenseman here)__________, would be a really good blueline IMO, not the best, but better than what Montreal's had in a long time, it would take some pressure off the goaltender too.

up front, you were right cfer, Bonk sucks, we need a better 3rd line centre, Koivu, Ribeiro, Begin, and...yeah, one more...maybe even trade Bonk for a 3rd line winger that can contribute offensively and promote Begin...

Plecanek, Kostitskyn, Parazhogin, and Higgins have all shown signs of improvement and potential this year, Kyle Chipchura is waiting in the wings, as are Latendresse, Price, and Kostiskyn's younger brother...

and in 6-1/2 years, if the price is right and the team isn't doing too shabbily, there's always the chance Montreal could pick up Crosby .

[keithtalent]

I'm hoping Huet doesn't play tonight, he's beat us the last 2 times we've played Montreal! Hasek will be starting for the Sens, that will make it 8 games in a row. Murray certainly isn't worried about playing him too much.

[tigerthelion]

Bulis wasn't expected to play last night, which fueld speculation that a trade involving him was in the works. Turns out he did end up playing though, and scored 4 goals! Helped earn the Habs a big 2 points, and if they decide to go that route, probably helps gain some trade leverage involving Bulis as well.

Bob MacKenzie said on TSN last night that he fully expects the Edmonton Oilers to have a new defensemen by tonight. He threw a couple of names out there, including Dick Tarnstrom and Jaroslav Spacek. He also mentoined that Pittsburgh made Tarnstrom a healthy scratch last night, but said he's not sure how much could be read into that. Also mentioned that the Oilers made Jani Rita a scratch, but Craig McTavish said that was strictly the coaches decision.

Well, it appears Bob was CORRECT for once. I just saw that Tarnstrom was traded for Cory Cross and Jani Rita. :thumb: