Hockey Season 2012

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Wed, 2012-03-21 15:07

Fidel

That's it, goals against. For sure there is room for improvement on the goals for side of things. But goals against is where it will be easiest to make up the difference. And we won't need high-priced forwards to do that. We have the goal tending, no doubt about it. The young guys on the blue line are gaining valuable experience right now and newer forwards getting to know their line mates better with every practice and game.

What we need is to make the playoffs in each of the next few years and hopefully in higher positions than 7th or 8th. What we need are a bunch of guys willing to sacrifice their bodies like no other time in their lives and give 142.8% in that season that actually counts for something. The chemistry will happen and the stars will line-up for us. Just a matter of time.

Wed, 2012-03-21 15:44

#53

Boom Boom

Wed, 2012-03-21 15:47

#54

Fidel

lol!

Wed, 2012-03-21 16:02

#55

Fidel

Catchfire wrote:
Ship Gomez to Hamilton, give Markov the gold watch and pray for Yakupov.

Check, although I am not ruling out a surprise comback next season for our top five blueliner. Markov is a wizard on the back end if only his knees hold up. There are lots of D guys in the league playing with pins and screws in their knees. I think the Habs will make a decision on Markov soon, though. He's a prolific dishmaster with amazing vision for the ice as qb on the pp.

The good news is that these are glarizing weaknesses for a team that has lost too many games by small margins of error. They won't need new management or coaching to tell them how to fix these ones.

Quote:
Then buy some decent defenders.

I think we could use some improvement on D. We have good young guys learning their trade right now. Subban has good wheels, and Emelin the merciless has the punishing style of play we need. Tinordi will be a good prospect on the back. Kristo has amazing speed and needs to develop some strength for the big league.

Wed, 2012-03-21 20:12

#56

Tommy_Paine

Well, the Leafs had a better than average power play; and they did manage to bring their penalty kill from below dismal to something like average after Christmas. And, in spite of my prognostication at the top to the thread, they still managed to vie for a stellar draft pick.

A lot of fingers point to the goal tending, and there is some weakness there, but if you look closer there are some pretty astounding deffensive gaffs on a regular basis. That is a problem persisting under two different coaches, so the pressure is certainly on the players on that score. Which is odd, because there are times when any of the six Leaf deffence corps have shown that they know how to play the position, and play it well.

I figured the Leafs would have a challenge with a toughish schedule in March, but it was February that did them in.

A collective "WTF?" from Leaf Nation.

Wed, 2012-03-21 23:29

#57

Fidel

I think that special teams are important but not as much as they used to be. Come spring time they all play not to lose and power play opportunities are reduced. The Flyers were short-handed 3 more times than the Habs and yet allowed 22 more goals against than Montreal while on the PK.

Both the Habs and Leafs need to be better during 5-on-5 hockey and take scoring leads of even one goal more often and defend the lead. It is far easier to prevent goals than to scoreo them. The Habs simply need to stop taking so many penalties(thanks refs). I think the stupid penalties have been demoralizing for the Habs this year. The younger guys must learn to play dirty when refs aren't looking. It's either that or we need to start slipping cash to referees before games. I dunno.

But IMNSHO the Habs should pay me for my excellent analyses and insight. I'm an excellent manager/coach/scout/fan, and I'm gonna put in for a pension whether the Molsons like it or not.

Fri, 2012-03-23 00:01

#58

Fidel

Catchfire wrote:
... and pray for Yakupov.

I'd be counting lucky stars if we could manage to land that guy or Grigorenko, Galyenchuk or even Forsberg.

I think they can manage to blow the last few games without even trying.

NO Habs NO!

Fri, 2012-03-23 09:20

#59

DaveW

the notion that high draft picks inevitably and quickly turn around your franchise is a persistent one;

the recent records of the Islanders and Oilers (both last place, years later) suggest some nuance is needed

Detroit does just fine, decade after decade, with no high draft picks

Could it be hockey brains are the most important element in building a winner?

Fri, 2012-03-23 09:25

#60

Caissa

There are too many teams. That's the real problem. Diluted talent and a lack lustre entertainment package.

Time for a truly Canadian national league.

Fri, 2012-03-23 18:10

#61

Fidel

I concur.

But at the same time I wouldn't mind at all if the increasing numbers of talented players in Europe, Russia and the USA would come play in our league and our league only. I think for all its warts the NHL is the most elite hockey league in the world bar none. It used to be our game at one time, and it still is to a large extent. But things are changing. Geoffrion, Kristo, Tinordi, Grigorenko and so on are American born. Hal Gill, Gionta and Gomez are Yanquis afterall. And they are among the world's elite players regardless of their occasional scoring droughts.

Sat, 2012-03-24 17:43

#62

bekayne

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/jeffrey-simpson/its-hockey-schadenfreude-time-again/article2379784/

Presumably, Leafs fans wouldn’t keep buying a car model that performs poorly but costs a fortune. They wouldn’t buy a house with a mouldy basement or a leaking roof. Yet, apparently without remorse, guilt or discernment, they pay their money and offer their loyalty to a franchise that takes them for chumps.

Sat, 2012-03-24 21:02

#63

Michelle

It's amazing to me that our national broadcaster can't find a single woman or racialized person to host hockey games or do the punditry between periods. Honestly, what year is this?

People can't stand Cherry, but at least I've never heard of him pulling this kind of crap.

Sun, 2012-03-25 21:46

#64

Fidel

DaveW wrote:

the notion that high draft picks inevitably and quickly turn around your franchise is a persistent one;

the recent records of the Islanders and Oilers (both last place, years later) suggest some nuance is needed

And the Habs made a mistake in trading their first round pick in 07(12th overall) to the Rangers along with Higgins for Gomez, Pyatt and some guy named Busto. Who was the Habs first rounder handed to the Rangers? It was blueliner Ryan McDonagh at plus-24 after 75 games. He could have his name on the cup this spring if the Rangers go deep.

Some of the Habs more recent drafts have been Subban and Pacioretty. And this year's talent pool is deep with blueliners after Yakupov.

DaveW wrote:
Detroit does just fine, decade after decade, with no high draft picks

Could it be hockey brains are the most important element in building a winner?

I think it's a combination of things. Detroit's talent scouting and player development are surely first rate. Lidstrom and Holmstrom are good examples where low draft picks turned out well for them. And I think the "Russian Five" had a lot to do with Red Wing successes in the 90s. Federov and Larionov were instrumental for them again in 2002. And, of course, former Nepean Raider, then Peterborough Petes forward and first round pick Steve Yzerman was a big success story in Detroit.

And it seemed as though wherever Scotty Bowman went in his coaching career, there went Stanley.

And the Hawks made good with third rounder Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane, a first pick overall in '07.

First round pick John Tavares is seventh in points today and has had a positive effect for the Islanders. Tavares knows he has to work hard and that his high draft doesn't guarantee him or his team anything.

I can remember wishing Claude Gliroux luck on draft day. First rounder. Giroux was born not far from where I grew up. Good kid with a future in hockey.

And who knows which team will hoist the trophy this spring? It will be a brand new season in April. And unlike the days of dynastic rule come spring time in the NHL, it's not a given which team will win it all. It could be the Red Wings this year. Personally I think it would be great for their fans if the Blues win it all. I still can't help laughing at that Wuzzup Halak video on Youtube from 2010. HALAAAAAK! lol!

Thu, 2012-03-29 12:33

#65

Caissa

The Pierre Gauthier era in Montreal is over.

The Montreal Canadiens general manager was fired on Thursday, the team said in a release, stating "Pierre Gauthier has been relieved from his duties. The search for a new general manager is underway."

A news conference is under way with Canadiens owner and president Geoff Molson. There has been no announcement about Gauthier's replacement.

Molson said that former general manager and Hall of Fame player Bob Gainey will no longer be adviser to the team. That role now belongs to another former GM and Canadiens Hall of Famer ,Serge Savard, who ran the Habs from 1983-1995.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012/03/29/sp-nhl-hockey-montr...

Thu, 2012-03-29 13:11

#66

Catchfire

Who could have seen this coming?

Thu, 2012-03-29 17:12

#67

Fidel

I think the Habs need to finish last and have some luck at this year's draft.

Sure the sports writers today look like geniuses for lambasting Habs less than ideal picks past. They picked Andrei Kostitsyn in 2003 and left Parise, Brown, Getzlaf, Kesler, Seabrook, Perry, Richards and Carter for other teams to scoop up.

But Claude Giroux is another one they overlooked in 2006. He was still a kid then at 5-10 160 lbs. Bobby Clarke glided to the podium and promptly forgot the name of the player he was selecting. Most sports writers never heard of him. Every Flyers fan knows who Claude is today. He's a wizard with the puck who grew up a Habs fan in Northern Ontario. He's another one who could have been a rock star in Montreal.

Fri, 2012-03-30 09:39

#68

Caissa

Let's not forget the Habs drafting of Doug Wickenheiser, Fidel.

Fri, 2012-03-30 09:39

#69

DaveW

Dynasties in decline: compare and contrast...

http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/ChampionshipWins.html

Both the Canadiens and the Boston Celtics had sensational championship records from the mid 1950s to the mid 1980s; both won in 1986, and since then have won exactly one (1) title each.

Boston has recovered better, winning a title in 2008, while Habs had a run in 2010 but have collapsed again.

Who should do what , after Mtl fired Gainey/Gauthier pair?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=624816

Anything to learn from Celtics?

Fri, 2012-03-30 09:45

#70

Caissa

Lafleur's brushes with the law sure have shown his good judgement.

ETA: The first round was replete with players that would have been a better choice. Babych, Coffey etc.

Fri, 2012-03-30 09:48

#71

DaveW

I will take his athlete's judgement about what is needed around the net ... he knew that,

and

drafts are crapshoots: another NHL team passed on Savard, too, before Chicago took him in '80

Fri, 2012-03-30 09:48

#72

DaveW

double post

Fri, 2012-03-30 10:01

#73

DaveW

Well, no need to go back to 1980 to explain current failures since 1993;

and re Wickenheiser,
the whole Canadiens hierarchy was divided on Savard, including people on the ice who, uh, knew what the offence needed:

..." Despite his talent, we don't need a guy like Denis Savard. What we need is a big center, a heavy guy who's not afraid of physical hockey and who can stay in front of the net without being moved away by the big defensemen we have in the NHL nowadays."

Guy Lafleur -September 1980

Fri, 2012-03-30 10:05

#74

Caissa

Well, history has shown that Lafleur was wrong. From a pure keep the Montreal fans and media happy, they should have drafted Savard.

Fri, 2012-03-30 11:19

#75

Catchfire

A friend of mine are planning on watching the season finale, he being of the sad Leaf-fan stock. It will be interesting if the two teams end up being a point or two apart in the standings...I predict Toronto, 9-8 (SO) as a final score.

Fri, 2012-03-30 15:54

#76

Fidel

Caissa wrote:

Let's not forget the Habs drafting of Doug Wickenheiser, Fidel.

Or the Nordiques with Eric Lindros. After trading him the Nords were cup contenders.

I think good players have to be surrounded with the right players, too. It's not enough to have a Yashin or Ovechkin and iffy goaltending or a poor supporting cast.

Most of these Habs played last Spring and won the first two games against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Bruins. And they took the Bruins into game seven OT. No other team forced the Bruins as far in the playoffs last year.

We needed Markov, Gionta and Gorges when they were out with injuries. We were missing guys in a couple of key positions is all.

The Sens didn't make the playoffs last spring and are in this April. Habs will be there next season. We don't have Leafs syndrome. At least I hope not. Things are not that bad imo.

Sun, 2012-04-08 16:40

#77

Tommy_Paine

I think you have to look at the fact that only two Canadian teams have even made the playoffs, and it's been 17 years since a Canadian team won the cup.

And you can't really argue small market vs big market teams, either. Canadian teams sell out. The dollar is at par.

American management is beating Canadian management, is what it is.

The autopsy on the Leafs. What a stinker of a game that was last night. Fitting end.

For all the blather about Phanuef, he finished 12th in league scoring for defensmen. Not shabby at all. I would hope someone takes the C off his sweater and just asks him to play deffense. He's still capable of being one of the top defensemen in league. So that he doesn't finish a -10 in "+-" next year.

And what about Gardiner? Top scorer for rookie defensemen, and not by just a few points. The nearest rookie was 8 points behind. While Gardiner finished a -2, given the vagaries of that statistic, that's nothing to be alarmed about in a rookie.

And of course, Kessel and Lupul did well.

This team seriously under achieved this year. The disturbing point is no one on the outside at least has much of a clue why. I think it is symptomatic of two things. A very young team-- youngest in the NHL with perhaps a collective fragile confidence level, and related, lack of leadership first from the former coach, and second I hate to say, from the dressing room.

As dismal as things look, the Leafs have something I've never seen in a long time, and that is multiple serious prospects in the AHL and OHA in Kadri, Colbourne and McKegg.

Look for a couple or maybe one to be moved to get Rick Nash out of Columbus, whose asking price (unrealistic at trade deadline) will be much more palatable.

And look for Scrivens to replace either Riemer or Gustavasson next year.

Sun, 2012-04-08 16:55

#78

Fidel

Seven teams out of 30 are Canadian. At the start of the season Canadian teams have a 23% chance of winning the cup. And now it is down to a 12% chance if we ignore the oddsmakers.

I tend to think the cup is destined for the states come spring time.

Sun, 2012-05-13 00:23

#79

Boom Boom

Thread drift - sorry!

Mon, 2012-05-14 08:49

#80

Caissa

I'm pretty bored with the NHL play-off games of late. I'm looking forward to the Saint John Sea Dogs taken a shot at a second straight Memorial Cup.

Mon, 2012-05-14 17:44

#81

Fidel

I am now officially rooting for L.A. and Mike Richards of the north.

Are you a lucky little lady in the City of Light? Or just another lost angel...

Thu, 2012-05-17 21:11

#82

Fidel

Actress Alyssa Milano taking over NHL's Twitter account

Quote:
"During #PhxLAK Game 3 tomorrow I will be taking over the @NHL twitter account. You heard me." Milano tweeted Wednesday from her personal account, @Alyssa_Milano.

She's the boss.

Fri, 2012-05-18 00:18

#83

Boom Boom

???? What does Alyssa Milano have to do with hockey???

Fri, 2012-05-18 02:00

#84

Sven

Boom Boom wrote:

???? What does Alyssa Milano have to do with hockey???

I don't even know who she is. I was watching the Kings v. 'Yotes game tonight and they showed her on the screen at least a couple of times (being a "celebrity" and all).

And how 'bout them Kings, eh? Wow. I can't recall that kind of SC playoff domination in a long, long time. I think they're going to finish Phoenix off with a sweep on Sunday. If so, they'll have knocked off the #1 seed (Vancouver, 4-1), the #2 seed (St. Louis, 4-0), and the #3 seed (Phoenix, 4-0). It's quite remarkable. I hope they play the #1 seed in the East (Rangers) and kick their asses!!!

Phoenix lapsed into full-meltdown mode in Game 2...and, right there, I said, "They're done for this series." Psychologically, the 'Yotes are a spent force.

Fri, 2012-05-18 06:11

#85

Fidel

Boom Boom wrote:

???? What does Alyssa Milano have to do with hockey???

I dunno but think there are those who may not appreciate Don Cherry's propaganda or male dominated colour commentaries in general. And so there are those who tweet on twitter. The "twitterverse" is how a growing number of tweeple stay informed believe it or not. I don't actually tweet, but I know some people who do. And the NHL has a twitter account apparently. I was totally unaware of that fact until recently.

Fri, 2012-05-18 15:06

#86

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Boom Boom wrote:

???? What does Alyssa Milano have to do with hockey???

I'm going to jump in here -- I didn't know we were allowed to talk about hockey on rabble (!) go figure.

I think the reason they are showing Alyssa Milano on the big screen/tv all the time at kings games is (1) she is a super gorgeous (former) tv star and (2) it gives the kings cred in a weird way and exposure, like when then show Will Ferrel there or Vince Vaughn at Chicago games.

It makes hockey seem 'cool' especially in the states where it is not so well-loved as say baseball etc. I feel like the line goes "Aylssa Milano watches the Kings, and she's cool, so the Kings and hockey are cool. Come watch!"

Mike Richards always totes LA as a hockeytown as big as philly even -- so I think people are just trying to help him out with that statement before it crashes and burns.

Fri, 2012-05-18 15:13

#87

Caissa

I've never heard of her so the cred is lost on me but of course I am not the target audience.

I'd be happy to see all of the US team and the Stanley Cup be repatriated to Canada where it belongs before it was taken over by the NHL.

Fri, 2012-05-18 15:21

#88

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Alyssa Milano was in Who's the Boss with Tony Danza -- super popular in the 90s. And I think she was in other things and potentially posed nude? I think she is known for being 'hot' now.

I would love to see more Canadian teams in the NHL for sure, but I just don't think that will happen, espeically with Bettman around. Whenever US teams win the cup, or brag about how awesome their team is, it is always undercut by the fact that half of that team is Canadian, the other half is European and maybe five players are American. The cup ends up spending more time here than anywhere.

Fri, 2012-05-18 15:27

#89

Sven

Caissa wrote:

I've never heard of her so the cred is lost on me but of course I am not the target audience.

I'd be happy to see all of the US team and the Stanley Cup be repatriated to Canada where it belongs before it was taken over by the NHL.

That raises a question I've not thought of before: Who owns the Cup? Also, how did the NHL come to control it?

Fri, 2012-05-18 19:48

#90

milo204

good point since the cup was around before the nhl, it was originally for the best ranked canadian amateur club (in 1892)...it didn't become the nhl's trophy until the 1920's when most of the other leagues that would compete for it folded.

truthfully, it isn't supposed to be just the nhl that competes for it, and during the lockout year there was quite an uproar when adrienne clarkson suggested the best womens teams could compete for it...but as the NHL became the dominant league in north america it pretty much took over the exclusive right to hand out the stanley cup.

Sat, 2012-05-19 01:32

#91

bekayne

Jamaica is now an Associate Member of the Internationa Ice Hockey Federation

http://www.iihf.com/competition/272/news/news-singleview-2012/recap/6968.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=6249&cHash=6e030c7efd

Sun, 2012-05-20 23:24

#92

Fidel

Kaitlin McNabb wrote:
Whenever US teams win the cup, or brag about how awesome their team is, it is always undercut by the fact that half of that team is Canadian, the other half is European and maybe five players are American.

Yes I think there is a very real hockey gap developing in North America. I think the Rangers are mostly Canadian players but not by much. I think American players for NY Rangers are the next largest contingent. And America does have ice hockey talent. The U.S. is a legit hockey nation, and I'm afraid they could even surpass us some day. It's inevitable unless Canada has a baby boom or sudden influx of emigres to Canada giving birth to potential hockey players.

American Trevor Lewis of Salt Lake City, UT managed 5 shots tonight on Mike Smith of Kingston, Ontario. None of them crossed the line.

LA in 5 or 6.

Tue, 2012-05-22 10:30

#93

Caissa

My beloved Sea Dogs won last night. For the firdt time since the Mem Cup became a four team tournament (1983) all four teams are tied at 1-1.

Tue, 2012-05-22 11:49

#94

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

I like that US and Europe are developing in their hockey skill (I may live in Vancouver, but I am a fan of hockey, not bandwagons)

It creates for more exciting international compeition as well as leagues like the NHL. Sometimes I balk at the idea of hockey is Canada's games (I guess techinically it is lacrosse) because in reality, nobody claims ownership, it is a sport, and it is meant to be enjoyed. That being said, I get terribly upset when Canada loses, and feel a slight burn when the captain isn't Canadian...

It's such a strange Canadian thing.

LA definitely in 5 -- especially did you watch the post show interivew, PHX is already talking like they lost, they're just waiting for the axe to drop! Also the NYR are burned out from last round and from playing their star players 38mins a game -- they're toast unless playing the last five minutes of every game continues to work out for them.

Tue, 2012-06-05 13:40

#95

Caissa

What is old is new again in Montreal.

Michel Therrien has returned for a second stint as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, the team he coached from 2000 to 2003.

Newly installed rookie general manager Marc Bergevin confirmed the appointment in a statement released Tuesday morning.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2012/06/05/sp-nhl-montreal-can...

Wed, 2012-06-06 14:17

#96

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

TSN used the ever hilarious pun "old hab-its die hard"

I guess not so much a pun as hypenating a word, but still, well done.

related note: I am excited to watch the game tonight.

Wed, 2012-06-06 14:20

#97

Sven

Kaitlin McNabb wrote:

related note: I am excited to watch the game tonight.

It's just a matter of time before the Cup ends up exactly where it belongs: Southern California!!!

Wed, 2012-06-06 14:27

#98

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

haha.

but Wayne Gretzky made hockey acceptable there! (note: this is written with agreeing sarcasm)

If anything, if LA wins tonight, I am going to be really excited for Mike Richards because he is a gutsy hockey player AND if While the Men Watch has taught me anything, it is that after he shaves his beard and gets a makeover, he will be acceptable to 'like like'

Wed, 2012-06-06 16:54

#99

DaveW

there is a hockey hard-core down there, and they have waited since the Marcel Dionne era for this night ... go L.A.

as with Rangers in '94, this is a one-time only show of fan support...

Thu, 2012-06-07 05:57

#100

DaveW

Oooops,

I hate it when a team wins a Cup in the other team's barn, viz. the weird Kane goal at Philly in 2010, but that is what I will bet on for Saturday night in Newark ...

Thu, 2012-06-07 09:20

#101

Caissa

Patrick Roy says there are no hard feelings about being passed over for the Montreal Canadiens coaching job.

The goaltending legend says he wishes the best to the organization and to Michel Therrien, who was named the Habs' new coach on Tuesday.

Roy told a news conference that he appreciated having been interviewed for the job.

A former Montreal and Colorado Avalanche star, and current coach and executive in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Roy says he's drawn a lot of positives from the experience.

Among those positives were polls suggesting he was a fan favourite of Montrealers among the potential job candidates. Roy says he appreciated that support.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/06/06/patrick-roy-reaction-habs-coach-therrien.html

Roy would have been a much more entertaing choice. I expect Therrien not to last the season out. Habs fans want results.

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