Highlights of Canadiens 3-2 win over Sabres in Roberval Quebec

Lucky buggers....



T tags: Hockeyville Canadiens Sabres highlights video Roberval Quebec

Canadiens acquire Lang

Lang to Montreal in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2010 going back to Chicago. What can the 37 year old Lang bring to the Habs? I would say about 20-25 goals and about 50-60 points. Lang scored 21 goals and 54 points in 76 games with the Blackhawks last year. But he could put up more points with a higher talent base in Montreal. 2 years ago in Detroit he scored 20 goals and 62 points in 72 games. The year before that (2003-04) he scored 29 goals and 74 points in 63 games with the Capitals. His career stats can be found here.
The Habs also resigned Patrice Brisebois today. I don't know how much Brisebois will make, but I do know he was making $700,000 last season. Lang will make $4 million this season and then become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Tack about $4.7 million onto the Canadiens' cap spending and that should put them around the $54.8 million mark.
What does that say about what Bob Gainey thinks about the chances of landing Sundin? He made his move NOW and is moving on. Of course, Lang could always be traded later on, but I doubt it.
Lang is a natural center, so Montreal is deep down the middle: Koivu, Plekanec, Higgins, Lang, Lapierre..pretty solid. Is Lang the #3 center then? Yeesh.
Lang is another one of those guys though.....great Olympic success for his Czech homeland, but no Stanley Cup. Playoff numbers aren't that spectacular either. But hey, who's to say, right?
Montreal is looking really good as a contender right now. Can they handle that label? We shall see. Kudos to Bob Gainey for being aggressive.

T Tags: Blackhawks+trade+Robert+Lang+to+Canadiens

Sundin has met with the Leafs and will meet with Montreal before Monday **UPDATE**

From TSN:

Sources tell TSN Mats Sundin and his representatives JP Barry and Claes Elefalk met with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher Friday morning. Joe Nieuwendyk, recently hired as Fletcher's assistant was also involved in the discussions.

Sources say Fletcher outlined his plan for the team this season and assured Sundin that Toronto will keep the door open for the 37-year-old captain in the event he decides to resume his career.

"It was a very relaxed meeting," said Barry on AM640 Radio in Toronto. "It was a chance to reconnect since Mats was in town and talk about the changes on the Maple Leafs and make sure Mats was aware of everything that was going on with the team."

Sources say Sundin is also expected to meet, or speak with the Montreal Canadiens before returning to Europe on Monday.

"Whatever happens to me, whether I'm not going to play tomorrow or whatever, I know Toronto's always the team in my heart," Sundin said Thursday. "When I retire, whenever that happens, that's not going to change."

So, if Fletcher's Leafs have any success this season (and that's a stretch) and are in the hunt for a playoff spot, you can bet Sundin will return to Toronto. But that is unlikely. The fact that he is meeting with the Canadiens' brass before Monday may be a matter of convenience because Montreal isn't that far away.
I just wonder:
-is Mike Gillis anywhere near Toronto? He is going to be patient and leave the door open for Sundin
-is this TSN not mentioning or having sources knowing/telling them that Sundin is/has met with Gillis or any other interested teams' GM's in the time he spends here?
-I'm sure the Bruins were the team in Ray Bourque's heart when he was dealt to the Avalanche for a chance to win a Cup in Colorado.

Who knows for sure. There's no point in taking that report literally that Sundin will only play for Montreal of Toronto or retire.

Monday, he'll return to Sweden and do nothing but run, work out, fish, play poker and golf. Until there is word out of Sweden that he has begun preparation skating, then there's no point in getting any hopes up at this point.

**UPDATE** Sundin has had the talks with Leafs brass and has stated that

"It was a nice meeting but what was said wasn't anything that hasn't been said before."

He will no doubt say the same thing after he meets with Montreal and then go back home to ponder his future.

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+talking+to+Leafs+and+Canadiens September+2008 update

Tanguay asked to be traded out of Calgary twice last season

From the Calgary Sun:

"I'm really looking forward to training camp", he said. "This is the most mythical hockey team. I feel like a baseball player just traded to the Yankees.
Twice last season I asked the Flames to trade me, and Montreal was on my wish list both times," he said, vowing to carve a permanent niche for himself in his home province. "I'm 28, and this is my ninth NHL season".

Tanguay, who only recorded 58 points last season, found himself on a "defensive" line with Craig Conroy and Owen Nolan, which ticked him off.

"I thought they traded for me from Colorado because I could generate offence."

So Tanguay was less-than impressed with Keenan and then agreed to waive his no trade clause to go to his dream team.
Like a said before, it's a francophone playing in Montreal, where he'll play his heart out. This will only benefit the Habs, who shed themselves of dead weight Michael Ryder and add an enthused Tanguay. Now if Carey Price proves Bob Gainey right this year (for trading Huet last season and making Price #1), then the Canadiens should win the East.

T Tags: Alex+Tanguay+happy+in+Montreal Canadiens trade Flames french

JP Barry on CKAC 730 this morning

He reveals absolutely nothing is happening with Sundin. We can bank on his self-imposed August deadline as a thing of the past.
When the interviewer asked Barry which team's offer he would personally choose, he said Montreal or Vancouver.
Barry also hinted that Sundin is not jumping back onto the Leafs ship because they are rebuilding.
If you want to waste anymore of your life, the link to the CKAC interview is here. First you'll be wasting 25 seconds of your life waiting for it to load, and then you'll waste about 7 minutes listening to Barry say the same things we have already heard over and over again.
Hey, I'm a sucker. But you don't have to be :)

Credit to Eric Engels for the link.

T Tags: JP Barry+CKAC 730 radio+interview link Mats+Sundin news no+decision Canucks Canadiens

Bob Gainey feeling a little pessimistic about Canadiens getting Sundin

Translated from Corus Sports.com, a Montreal sports site: Bob Gainey said:

"It's hard to be optimistic. We haven't had much contact with him. It appears he's not interested. He hasn't asked many questions about the organization."

"We haven't spoken to Sundin's camp for at least a week. There's nothing new, he hasn't decided anything yet. He told me he'd decide in August and today's the 26th. We'll know, provided he respects his own due date, his decision should come sometime throughout the next week. "

"We're going to wait for his decision until September if we have to. On paper, we have the perfect team for him. There's certainly room for him with our team."

"I know that certain other teams are presently over the salary cap. We'll have to see...If Mats doesn't join us, maybe we'll discuss things with those teams."

Bwaha! I still don't see Sundin going to Montreal anyway. Never have believed he'd go to the most fierce rival of the Leafs.
I wonder if Gillis is feeling the same way that Gainey is.
Sundin, as Gainey had mentioned, had said that he would make his decision in August. Well, there are only 5 days left in August, Mats. Hope you got your ducks in a row.

Also, the Canadiens have unveiled a logo for this season celebrating their 100 year anniversary. The logo will be displayed at center ice and as a patch on Canadiens jerseys. It is pictured below.




T Tags: Sundin+not+talking+to+Canadiens no+decision August+deadline

Sundin's agent repeats that Mats will decide if he'll play by "around" August 1st

Confirmations. Denials. Confirmations again. Today, the Toronto Star has quoted JP Barry as saying:

"Hopefully, we'll know (Friday) whether he's going to play or not. It might take a little longer to figure out the team situation," Barry said.
"I'm just waiting for him to say for sure that he wants to play. That's still step one."
Barry and Sundin have arrived at what the agent called a "soft deadline" of Friday to make that first key decision. Barry said Sundin will need the time after that to physically prepare for training camp if he does not retire.

This kind of reminds me of the Ents in the Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers film/book, when the trees held an Ent Moot, or meeting between the Ents.

"War, yes. It affects us all. But you must understand, young hobbit. It takes a long time to say anything in old entish, and we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say.

"
The sequence of the Ents meeting was right smack in the middle of the war at Helm's Deep and was such a contradictory change of pace to the point where you almost wish the Ents' meeting was not even in the film.
A feeling of "let's get this over with already".

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+may+make+decision+around+Friday August+1

Where is Sundin Part 3: French hijack crisis

Waiting For Stanley has sources all over the globe. Shockingly, one of my best sources in Montreal just happened to be in the old Montreal forum tonight buying Habs jerseys to use as toilet paper, (yeah he's rich!) There he came across the hijacking of Sundin by Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau. It appears that the Canadiens have one-upped Mike Gillis this time.
My source tried to understand what Carbonneau was yelling at him in french (because he's from BC and not bilingual) and he barely made out the word "image" (pronounced "eemaj") which is french for picture. Yeah he heard that word in a lousy french film when he was younger, or maybe it was in a girlie mag, right Mr. X? I guess Carbonneau wants to send a message to all the Sundin-chasers out there. So does Sundin, apparently. My source also said that Bob Gainey just stood there with no expression on his face, which doesn't suprise me one bit.
It looks as though the two crazy Hab freaks are going to keep Sundin at gun point until August 1, when Mats is supposed to make his decision.
Word is that Sundin tried to call Cliff Fletcher, but Cliff wasn't much help. Apparently Cliff offered a trade to Gainey and Carb for Sundin's life but Mats refused it. Poor Mats is so terrified, he's forgotten that he is not a Leaf anymore.
All is not lost though. Another one of my most closest sources has told me in the past hour that Mike Gillis is on a plane to Montreal right now to try an old school takedown. Guess who's joining him? Harold Snepsts and Garth Butcher. Run for your lives, boys!

Gad, I hate hangovers. And I hate waiting for August 1.
Oh, by the way, this is a response to this.

T Tags: Mats+Sundin Canadiens hostage gunpoint

JP Barry's comments on Team 1040

As expected, Barry didn't let many cats out of the bag during his interview with Pratt and Taylor this afternoon. But he did kind of narrow it down as to who Sundin may choose.
I don't have the interview word-for-word, but I took notes. The following is as accurate as I could make it.

-Barry mentioned that it was unfortunate that the Sundin story wouldn't stop. Sundin had been spending time with his family. When he got home, the story from DN was out that he had already signed with the Canucks. So he went on record to the other Swedish paper to set it straight.
-The fact that Sundin needs more time to think remains.
-Barry said that Sundin wants to be an impact player on a team and be at a top level on the team chooses and as well in the NHL.
-Barry stated that there were other teams besides Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal that were telling the agent that they would drop players and make cap space in order to attain Sundin's services. He didn't mention any names.
-Barry mentioned that Sundin is focussing on the offers from Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. He likes Canada, eh?
-Joe Nieuwendyk is trying to coax Sundin into playing with Toronto again. Joe and Mats are still great friends. Only problem there, is that the Leafs are rebuilding. Sundin would return to the Leafs out of loyalty.
-Playing with the Sedins and the possibilty of representing Sweden in 2010 in Vancouver intrigues Sundin.
-Sundin wants to be on a team that he himself can help win. Detroit it seemed was ruled out by the Sundin camp because they already had what it takes to win. That seems to be what Barry implied.
-Sundin is going to decide whether to side with loyalty and play with the Leafs, or winning and pick another team.
-Barry said that a reasonable timeline for Mats' decision will be at around August 1st.
-Of course, Barry did say that money matters, but it matters to any athlete. Duh.

Pratt and Taylor then interviwed Tony Gallagher, whom I tuned out immediately because the first thing he said is that the Leafs are going to make the playoffs next season because of Ron Wilson's run and gun coaching style. Piss off! What a tool.

So there you have it. It looks like it's mostly down to Montreal and Vancouver. It seemed that Barry ruled out the Rangers.

Vancouver seems the best fit now because

1. We don't currently have a captain and Mats could fill that role. We know from what Barry said that he likes to be the "difference-maker".

2. The Canucks are good enough to get into the playoffs already, and screw all of you who think otherwise. We barely missed last season because of injuries that took a toll.

3. Montreal already has a captain in Saku Koivu. You wanna talk about a Messier situation. How about Sundin strolls into Montreal and takes the "c" away from Saku? Don't think so. Like I've said over and over, I can't see Mats going to a rival team of the Leafs either. That would be crazy.

4. Show me the fucking money. Gillis has done that.

Mike Milbury blasted the Canucks' offer sheet just before Barry went on the air, but who cares what Mad Mike thinks? He's fucking MAD!

If I could put time in a bottle....
I'd fast forward to August 1st.
T Tags: JP+Barry+interview+with+Team+1040 Mats+Sundin Canucks Leafs Canadiens no+Rangers no+Red+Wings

Swedish Sundin poll has Mats returning to Leafs....BAH!!!

As reported by CBC, Swedish papre Aftonbladet has a poll up below any mats Sundin articles asking what the bald wonder is going to do. Over 32,000 votes have been cast.

Where believes you Mats Sundin plays this autumn?

Toronto (37.3%)
Montreal (5.7%)
New york Rangers (27.0%)
Other (10.5%)
Retires (19.5%)

It must be something in the food they eat or the water they drink. Do you see the Rangers clearing cap space to sign this guy? Nope. And why would Sundin go back to a rebuilding Leafs team besides out of honor. I'm sure he wants to win.
Funny how the Canucks aren't even on the list. Regardless, only 10% voted "other".

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+poll where +will+he+play? Aftonbladet Leafs Canadiens Rangers Canucks

Sundin talks with Aftonbladet- Still Undecided

This was found and translated by a poster named Lugaid at the HF Boards:

There has been speculation about that you could be waiting until Autumn?

- No, I won't be doing that. If I decide to continue with hockey I'll make a decision in august, or maybe even in the end of this month. If I'm going to play it's gonna be the entire season, I want to be there from the beginning, when the training camp starts.

Vancouver offered alot of money?

- Yes, it's flattering and a fantastic offer. It's nice that a club thinks I have that level of competence.

Does the money matter in a potential decision? You have enough, right?

- If you're a professional hockeyplayer, the money does play a part in the gathered picture for a decision. But there's alot of other factors that play in too. If it had only been about the money I would have signed with Vancouver.

Can you concider signing for the two years they offered? You have said earlier that you wanted to take one year at a time?

- Yes, but it's pretty rare to be offered a two-year contract at my age. I haven't even thought so far, but of course it's flattering.

Vancouver has said that it'd be an extra plus for you to play the 2010 olympics on home ice if you'd except their offer.

- I'm really not sure that I'll play another olympic tournament. You should never say never, but it feels very far away.

Is Toronto still an alternative?

- Nothing's out of the picture. I got a very good offer from them too as well as from Montreal. But Vancouvers contract was in a league of its own if seen to the money.

Toronto has been getting alot of new players and got rid of some others...

- I haven't been following closely, but Joe Nieuwendyk has entered club management and he's a fantastic leader and a real winner. I think he can help alot in the process of building a team strong enough to fight for the Stanley Cup in the future. I think they can get a good team already this year.
- And of course I feel alot for Toronto after thirteen seasons there. It feels like home. But we'll see. I haven't got as far as to thinking about teams yet.

Are you surprised about the enormous interest for you?

- Not sure about surprised. I was very happy with my season. And it's a nice recognition that so many have shown interest.

What is it that has kept you from a decision wether to continue playing or not?

- I want to feel like I can handle to recharge the batteries again for another long season and all that comes with it.

Body feels OK?

- Yeah, I've been kept away from long-term injuries fortunately. It's mostly small scale injuries that most players my age feel. My hip, a shoulder and a knee.

What are you doing right now?

- I'm just trying to enjoy the swedish summer. It's been pretty calm so far. I've been out to the swedish archipelago and up to Norrland for some fishing.

Earliest in a week Sundin will make a decision about continuation or not. With it will come the definitive answer to where - or if - he'll play next season.

(Link and pic from Aftonbladet article.)

So there you have it. Mum's the word for Sundin right now. He has left us with no angle or preference as to what he'll do. Do you really think he hasn't thought about where he is going to play? Not likely. When you're sitting out on a lake with the line out waiting for the big one, you're at peace. It's at times like that when you think about how awesome BC is compared to Quebec or Ontario, Mats. Ontario is suburbanite hell, you know that. Montreal is a kickass city and a great place to play. But there will be a ton of pressure there. You don't want to eat cheese for a living do you Mats? You don't want to be pressured to learn a 3rd language do you?
In BC, we are so laid back. We have the best pot in the world. We have superb mountainous scenery and some of the best fishing anywhere. Oh, and our team is better than those Easterners think. Sure, our 2008-09 schedule sucks, but the pot will take care of that!

Forgive my sarcasm. I am past the point of caring from a personal standpoint on where Sundin ends up. It is kind of fun reporting it though. That Swedish paper DN really created a shitstorm and increased his hits by millions I'm sure.
My opinion on where hMats plays and why has not swayed.

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+still+undecided July+21 Canucks Leafs Canadiens interview Aftonbladet newspaper

.....and screw the Canadiens too

The previous post was written with some spiced rum in my veins. Today I stand by my opinion. Here is another example of something said that bugs me, and unfortunately it comes from my fave online analyst Spector.

As I've said before, if it all about the money, (Mats Sundin) will sign with Vancouver. If it's about familiarity, he'll return to the Maple Leafs. If it's about playing for a potential Cup contender, he'll sign with Montreal. Those are the only teams who appear to have a legitimate shot at signing him.

That statement in itself is slanderous to a Canucks team that really isn't that bad. I've already ranted about the new forwards we have and their potential. Now what team in the League wouldn't want the goaltender and depth on defence that Vancouver has? It's awesome to say the least.
The Canucks are not dead. They have a chance to make some noise with one of the best goalies in the world, the deep defence core and revived offence.
All this talk about the Canadiens being a serious contender revolves around one thing in particular: Carey Price. What I saw late last season was Canadiens management giving the young Price the vote of confidence by trading away Huet at the deadline. And what happened to Price in the playoffs? Well let's just say it was not very Cam Ward-like from the Hurricanes' Cup run a couple years ago. Will Price become the consistent #1 guy? Pressure's on, kid.

T Tags: Sundin Canadiens Oilers Leafs Carey+Price Habs+suck

Sunday hits: Vandenbussche, Vinnie, Sundin, God

From Sportsnet:

Former NHL enforcer Ryan VandenBussche was cleared of assault charges Friday stemming from a brawl outside a bar in which he admittedly punched a police officer in the face, threatened to kill another, and was Tasered three times and pepper-sprayed before being subdued.
VandenBussche's lawyer successfully argued that his client's history of concussions and a hard shove against a wall during the altercation legally rendered him a "non-insane automaton" that cleared him of criminal responsibility for his actions -- including a punch that broke a police officer's nose and orbital bone.

It's been 2 days since this news broke out, I know. But don't you smell the foul stench of bullshit from this ruling? Now a history of concussions can get you off the hook for beating on cops. Whatever happened to accepting responsibility for your actions? Oh right, lawyers who get paid huge dollars can take care of it.

---

The Lightning have signed Vinnie Lecavalier to an 11-year contract extension worth $85 million.The deal begins in the 2009-10 season and will pay Lecavalier $10 million in salary and bonuses for the first six seasons of the deal, then $8.5-million in 2016-2017, $4-million in 2017-2018, $1.5-million in 2018-2019 and $1-million and 2019-2020.
This deal will kick in after next season, as Lecavalier will make $7.167 milion this coming season in what would have been the final year of his contract.
I'm not sure I've seen a descending-scale contract quite like that before. "$1 million in 2019-20"? Well, I guess Vinnie will be about 40 years old by then. But what if he's a 40-year-old who can still score 25-30 goals? He'll be a steal!

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According to our favorite guessing guru:

...I am being told more and more that Mats is going to return to the NHL and a source this morning told me that, "He will be Canadien by week's end, and the Habs know it. It is being kept quiet so the team can make the needed moves to clear cap space without teams being able to completely take advantage"

Anybody want to wager that this is NOT going to happen?

---

The guys at Holy Taco couldn't have put description of the clip below any better:

Since it’s Sunday we should all be reminded that our God is a vengeful God who will strike us down whenever he feels like it. As we all know, he doesn’t like coveting, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, murdering, working on the Sabbath (blogging isn’t work, right?), or gays. But now it looks like we can also add “filming rain storms” to the list of things that pisses God off.

The woman was fine. Apparently she said the lightning went through her left hand that was holding the camera, across her back and through her right hand that was holding a metal railing. No wounds suffered, she said, just a big zap. I'm not believing this story. If you get hit by lightning, you're going to feel more than just a zap.
But who gives a shit what I think, check out the clip. Pretty insane footage.


http://view.break.com/536314 - Watch more free videos

T Tags: Ryan+Vandenbussche+cleared+of+charges Lecavalier+massive+contract+extension Mats+Sundin+to+Canadiens Woman+hit+by+lightning+video

The Sundin Dilemna

Yes, I have decided to kick this Sundin issue to death until he makes up his mind...for now.
There are all different reasons out there why Sundin is going to or not going to sign in whatever location.
The two front-runners, according to most media outlets, are Vancouver and Montreal.

The argument FOR Sundin playing in Montreal is that the Habs are already a Stanley Cup contender and just need Sundin to put them over the top. The location is close to any home he may have in the Toronto area, blah blah blah, if he has one.
My argument AGAINST Sundin playing in Montreal is that I don't know what would possess him to play for a division rival of Toronto. Would you? Would you take the heckling every time the Habs came to Toronto to play? I am not so sure that Sundin would make that choice, especially after being the man in Toronto for all these years. Sometimes players of Sundin's magnitude sign in another Division or even Conference to distance themselves.
As much as Gainey has been wooing Mats, I don't think I can see him going to Montreal on morals and ethics alone. If that makes any sense.

Now we have major rumors swarming the net (including Pratt and Taylor on Team 1040 recently) that the Canucks are indeed close to signing Sundin. I won't believe that until I see it.
The arguments that keep resurfacing AGAINST Sundin signing here are that "Mats is too old to want to put up with Vancouver's crazy travel schedule." I find that argument debatable. That's a guess to assume something like that. But then again, I'm guessing and speculating myself right now.
Personally, I can see Sundin signing here on the basis that Vancouver is further from Toronto, unlike Montreal, if he were to jump to a new team.
Now, the question of Mats' motives comes into play. How much desire does he have to win the Stanley Cup? Would he shock most people and rejoin the rebuilding Leafs at this stage of his career? His desire would then be questioned. His integrity and loyalty would not. Remember what he said prior to last season's trade deadline: "I am a Torontonian."
You can't rule out him going back to the Leafs. It's just that, we're offering him a buttload more cash.
Maybe GZ Expat has a point. Sundin could very well sit out until Christmas or February and choose to offer his services to the team that is looking to be the closest thing to a Cup winner. If (a major if) the Leafs were in a playoff hunt come February, and Sundin was still sitting in the sidelines, you would have to think his loyalties would lie in Toronto and he would sign there. Who knows.
Like most people are pointing out: Sundin is a wealthy man, and he is newly married. Why is he going to rush back? Damien Cox of the Toronto Star has an article out today wondering if the "flame has all but burned out" for Sundin. Cox states:

So now that the July 1st furor has died down and Sundin appears no closer to committing to a new club, or even to returning to the Maple Leafs for another season, it's probably worth listening to what the man has said so far.
He's said he's not sure whether he wants to play any more.
That sounds like a hockey player with a lot of miles on his chassis for whom the fire, at least temporarily, has gone out.

Now either Cox is being a bitter Leafs fan, or he could just be speaking truth.
I tell you what. I am as guilty as the next pundit, and I think that Eklund and Howard Berger lured a 'Sundin-to-Vancouver' and 'Sundin-is-in-Vancouver' line and everyone bit on it. It may be about time that we accept that all this hype stemmed from an unreliable source and that we may be no further ahead with Sundin then we were say 2 weeks ago.
Make no mistake, Gillis is aggressively pursuing Mats. But he may not get him. If he doesn't, we aren't doomed. You know Gillis will pull off a serious trade for another Top 6 forward.

T Tags: Sundin+to+Vancouver+Canucks rumors truths lies

Ohlund could "sell Canucks" to Sundin

It doesn't hurt to have a few Swedes on your team that are summering in Mats Sundin country. Mattias Ohlund jokingly said this yesterday:

"If Mats calls, trust me I will put in a good word for the team," Ohlund chuckled Monday. "I haven't spoken to him or the Canucks or anybody regarding him. Maybe I should call him. I don't know if it would help or not. I guess it couldn't hurt."

No, it wouldn't hurt, Mattias. Now go get him drunk and force him to make promises!

More on this from Elliot Pap at the Vancouver Sun and more Sundin news from Spector.
It appears the people are saying the Canadiens have the best chance at signing Sundin because they are more of a contender. I say "piss off". If Sundin plays here, we have an excellent chance. At least we have a better defence core and a world class goalie. I wouldn't sell the farm on Carey Price yet. He could fold like a cheap suit still as he is young.

T Tags: Mattias+Ohlund Mats Sundin Canucks Canadiens

Hatcher's heroics tarnished by boarding penalty

Don Cherry almost took the words right out of my mouth after the Habs game when he said that he was going to do a feature on the brilliant defensive play of Derian Hatcher, only to have the colossal defender almost turn Francis Boullion's head into a cube and almost costing the Flyers Game 3. Moments before the boarding penalty I was actually saying to Temujin how good Hatcher has been in these playoffs. Sometimes I don't watch the puck or puck carrier on the t.v. screen. I'll watch the people behind the play or away from the puck. I've noticed that Hatcher is playing positionally very well in order to compensate for his lack of speed. He blocks shots. He makes people pay with crunching hits in the defensive zone. He has no fear.
It's this kind of play that may be the Habs' undoing. The Flyers are picking on the dingle-dangle smaller skilled players and putting fear into them. We'll see if this continues to keep the Kostitsyns and Kovalev off the scoresheet most of the time.
Yeah, Hatcher can be a goon at times, and he really lost his marbles by running Boullion that late in the game with a 3-0 lead. The media is bashing him for it.
But I'm willing to look past that and acknowledge Hatcher's great play. He is a leader back there in many different ways.
Oh....and don't forget.... he is the only non-Canadian captain in NHL history to hoist the Stanley Cup.



HATCHER TUBE

-Hatcher nails Alex Steen AND his own teammate Lupul. Boooom!

- Hatcher breaks fellow American Jeremy Roenick's jaw in 1999.

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So what are your thoughts about the Habs' chances in this series? Is Carey Price, the 20 year-old goalie sensation going to rebound after a somewhat shakey game 3? (No, he could NOT see 2 of those goals against.) Screen-city. The Canadiens coaching staff said that he was "rattled" after last game, but defended him because he is so young and has a lot of pressure being put on him.
The Flyers are playing physical, yet not disciplined enough. Bt I think they have the recipe to beat Montreal. Added to their fortunes is that Mike Knuble will return to their lineup on Tuesday. That is a big lift, especially on the power play.

T Tags: Derian+Hatcher Francis+Boullion boarding Flyers

Habs-Bruins and Caps-Flyers thoughts, Sharks in trouble

Habs-Bruins Game 7
What a game this is going to be. After a thrilling finish to Game 6 and a Bruins win to force this series to 7 games, who really knows what to expect in Game 7. I would say that you won't see what happened in the 3rd period last game to happen in the final game. Both teams should be a little more cautious.
A big key to this game may be how composed the Habs will be after brain farting in Game 6. Is Carey Price going to be the difference?
Something I really noticed in Game 6 was the asshat play of Alexei Kovalev. I think a really big reason Kovalev did not show up was because Saku Koivu returned from a broken foot for the first time in the series and the spotlight wasn't on the Russian anymore. Think of it this way: Kovalev wore the "c" in Koivu's absence and was a force to be reckoned with just before the playoffs and in the first 5 games of the series as well. Hell, he had 6 points in the first 5 games. Koivu comes back in game 6, and Kovalev plays 21:46, has only 2 shots, no points and was a -3. Some guys love the spotlight, and Kovalev is one of them. Let's see how he rebounds (or acts) tonight.
Personally, I think he's a highly gifted selfish jackass.
5-2 Habs win tonight is my prediction. But I sure hope I'm wrong.

**UPDATE** 2 assists for Kovalev and a bunch of points for the Kostitsyn Buthas and the Habs destroy the B's 5-0. Carey Price showed a lot of composure for a kid in Game 7.

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Flyers-Capitals Game 6
All the talk about the Flyers-Capitals game tonight revolves around (of course) Alex Ovechkin. Can he get his offence going in the postseason? One last chance to be a playoff hero since game 1. At least Semin and Fedorov picked up the slack in Game 5 to prolong the series. But it will be a masterful upset if the Caps beat Philly in front of the crazy-spirited blood-hungry Flyer faithful tonight. I say the Flyers end it tonight 4-2.

**UPDATE** Holy crap, it's a Russian Mob takeover tonight! Ovechkin becomes the hero and Semin and Backstrom majorly contribute in a 4-2 Caps win. Now the Flyers are in trouble as they have to beat the surging Caps in front of a sea of red tomorrow.

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Unless Joe Thornton can lead by example and show some more heart and offence, it looks as though the Flames will take their series. When I watch that series, I hardly watch the puck. I just follow Thornton around the screen. It's not because I got some kind of sick love affair with the guy. No, it's because I have been hacking the slug for the whole series and I want to know for sure that my accusations are justified. And they are. I don't care that Big Joe has 1 goal and 5 assists in 6 games. As decent as that is, there are too many times where he refuses to shoot the puck in key areas and too many times that he lacks grit and pays the price. Joe doesn't go, the Sharks don't go. How about this... in 64 career NHL playoff games, Joe has only 10 goals and 44 points.

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Nothing made me happier than to see the Ducks lose last night. I refuse to cheer for Scott Niedermayer and especially Todd Bertuzzi. Even better news from the Ducks camp is that Scott Niedermayer has been fined $500,000 by the League for not reporting to training camp last fall, as he was considering retirement. Ha! (Update: Bob McKenzie says that the team itself fines Niedermayer.) I guess there is a rule about that in the CBA. Couldn't happen to a better Duck and a bigger cheating GM in Brian Burke, who really kept Niedermayer and Selanne out of the Ducks lineup to save cap space. (Burke is fighting this fine and trying to reverse it. So then, Selanne WAS at training camp then?

**UPDATE** I think Selanne had a double bogey on his first hole.

T Tags: Canadiens Bruins Game+7 Flyers Capitals Game+6 Joe+Thornton+sucks Kovalev+sucks

Bruins-Habs goal-a-thon

Alright, who watched the Bruins-Habs game tonight? When was the last time you seen something like that? 5 goals scored in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period. Back and forth. Back and forth. I know the Bruins' team D sucks, but what has happened to the composed Habs D? Gonzo. And it made for one of the most thrilling finishes that I've seen in quite a while.
Are the Habs going to be able to stop this crazy Bruins squad at home in game 7? My guess? I HAVE NO DAMNED CLUE! Kovalev didn't look interested or sharp tonight. This is not the time for him to dry up. Yet the Habs just need to settle down and play their style in front of their fans in game 7 and I think they'll be fine.
What the hell is wrong with Glenn Murray? Useless tit. Phil Kessel and Marco Sturm on the other hand... wow.

T Tags: Bruins Canadiens comeback goals Kessel Kovalev Sturm

Which team can come back in their series?

With one series being over and six others being on the brink of being over, let's go through the six and analyze which team has a chance at making a comeback.

Canadiens-Bruins (Habs lead series 3-2).
We finally saw the human side of Carey Price last night. He let in 2 very soft goals in the 3rd period last night in a 5-1 loss and appeared to have lost his focus. Is this the end of Price's run? How will the youngster handle the pressure after a poor performance like that? I don't know him well enough to answer that, but he did say that he doesn't have very many bad back-to-back games and vows for a better performance in game 6. But this series just got a hell of a lot more close than it should have last night. Game 6 is going to be great in all of its importance. Jeez, the Bruins are explosive sometimes, and Tim Thomas is ......well, a god actually. I can't predict the outcome of this one, but the Bruins have the momentum now. If they win game 6, they may have a lock on game 7.

Flyers-Capitals (Flyers lead series 3-1).
I think you can almost bank on this series being over. The Capitals were so red hot going into these playoffs, that I wondered if the young team would cool off if they finally lost a game. That is what has happened. Ovechkin has been silenced and is on the verge of losing it. Sergei Fedorov can't hit an open net. Yeah, this series is ending up the way it should have, I suppose. The Flyers are rolling along just fine.
I haven't seen so many giveaways in a series in quite a while though. Sloppy hockey, but very entertaining hockey.

Avalanche-Wild (Avalanche lead series 3-2).
The Avs have won 2 games in a row and have outscored the Wild 8-3 in that span. The comeback player of the year, Jose Theodore is playing so damned well right now. A guy named Gaborik, whom the Wild are relying on in order to have any chance, is pulling a whodini act and is pointless in the Wild's 5 games so far (19 shots though).
I would consider this series to be all but over in 6. Next game is in Denver.

Rangers-Devils (Rangers lead series 3-1).I think the Rangers remind me of the Hurricanes when Carolina won the Cup a couple years back. Their defence rarely offensively contributes in goals but is sharp in their own end. The depth in forwards is killer. Lundqvist is playing like Cam Ward did. Is anyone going to stop the Rangers? The Penguins might in round 2, but the Devils won't in round 1.

Stars-Ducks (Stars lead series 3-1).
The Stars have barely let up on these Ducks the whole series, and are about to finish off the defending champs. Dallas' hustle is pretty much second-to-none in these playoffs, and if anyone is still questioning Turco's ability in the playoffs, they need a bullet wound.
Hey it's never over until the fat lady quacks right? Somewhere in the world I can see Oprah Winfrey standing in front of a mirror, ready to start making Duck noises.
Oh, and thanks for comin' Bertuzzi! (not) Nothing makes me happier than seeing Bert and the Fowl teeing off early.

Sharks-Flames (Sharks lead series 3-2)
Never count out a team from Alberta. As well as the Sharks are playing right now, it's not great enough to convince me that the Flames can't come back in this series. No lead is ever safe in this series, and that is one big reason why it's so fun to watch.
Look out for Cheechoo though. He seems ready to heat up.
Joe Thornton to me, is a cross between the Sedins and Bertuzzi. He has the speed and skill for a big guy, but he doesn't always use it to his advantage. Errant passes get intercepted. He doesn't always shoot when he should. Brilliant at times. Ass at other times. Not a clutc guy as much as he could be.
The real dudes on this team are Patrick Marleau and Ryan Clowe. By the way, the Canucks NEED to acquire Marleau this summer. Wouldn't he be a great fit?
Out of all the nearly-finalized series' left, I'd say the Flames have the best chance to come back. Next game is in Calgary.

What are your thoughts? Do you disagree with me on any of these points? It's ok, you can tell me if I'm full of shit.

T Tags: NHL Playoffs Round+one Carey+Price+meltdown Thornton+sucks Gaborik+sucks

Thursday NHL Links and stories

A crazy story coming out of Montreal:

The city's mayor is seeing red - and white and blue - after firefighters painted several fire stations to show their support for the Montreal Canadiens.
As the Habs prepared to face the Boston Bruins in the first game of their playoff series on Thursday, Mayor Gerald Tremblay was getting ready to send in work crews to clean up the impromptu paint jobs.
"And we're going to send the bill to the (firefighters') union... it's tolerance zero," he said.

I guess the point there is that the city is trying to stop the grafitti issue and it doesn't help deter the issue when firefighters paint Habs logos all over the stations. Check out the rest of that story. It's a good read. Hate to say it, but I agree with the mayor on that one.

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The Ottawa Sun also had a piece on the reaction of Sens fans after the game 1 loss to the Pens. One fan quipped:

When the boogie-man goes to bed, he first checks his closet and under his bed for Gary Roberts.

Indeed. Gary Roberts was playing on the 4th line and was a force out there. Even though I hate the Pens with all that I am, I really am a big fan of Gary Roberts. He just keeps ticking, and looks to be a Sens killer again. Sens fans seem to be feeling quite pessimistic right now, and I don't blame them. But like one fan said, "suck it up and cheer for the team to turn it around."
Word is that Alfredsson is only riding and exercise bike at this point and is recovering from neck and back injuries. That means that he probably won't play in round 1. Hey, I or you can say all you want about European captains, but this is a serious blow to Ottawa. Alfie proved himself to be a great leader in last year's playoffs.

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Can you believe that the Sharks finished the regular season with an 18-2-1-1 record? It's no suprise that the Flames win over San Jose was a shock. What are they planning to do to change their fate?

"We just need to get more traffic on him," Sharks center Joe Thornton said. "We gave him shots that he saw and when he sees the shot he's going to save it every time. We're going to have to work for our goals this series."

There is a potential upset in the making in this series, but can you really trust the Flames to be consistent and finish off the Sharks? Not me.

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Sure, Martin Brodeur gaffed on Callahan's go-ahead goal last night and the Rangers never looked back. But that's not the point. The Devils need to score more goals, and it doesn't help that captain Jamie Langenbrunner, who is a player that can get this team rolling, is pointless in his last 5 games. He also only has 2 goals in his last 14 games. If Langenbrunner doesn't snap out of it, the Devils are probably done. Oh yeah, you can also tack on the fact that Scott Gomez looks primed to bury his old team.
More bad news for the Devils: Brian Gionta is nursing a "sore side". He did not play much in the 3rd period last night.
Even more bad news for New Jersey: What the hell is wrong with Patrick Elias? His production has tanked for too long.

T tags: Montreal+firemen+graffiti Gary+Roberts Senators+killer Alfredsson+injury+update Brian+Gionta+injury Scott+Gomez+is+the+man Langenbrunner+cold