FIGHT

92% Stormeymangeuxdebat
8% Rob121

FIGHT
- Not_Yan

Tavares is clearly a more explosive player, a little more flashy. Thats just not Stepan's style. To be honest at this point in time, I WOULD take Stepan over JT simply because you have the same point production, but Stepan gives you a 3rd defenseman on the ice as well. Now, JT may have a higher future ceiling in point production, that would change my mind. But if both players have careers that average 75 - 90pts, I would take Step for all the other things JT doesn't do.
- xcheckmajor

Tavares is clearly a more explosive player, a little more flashy. Thats just not Stepan's style. To be honest at this point in time, I WOULD take Stepan over JT simply because you have the same point production, but Stepan gives you a 3rd defenseman on the ice as well. Now, JT may have a higher future ceiling in point production, that would change my mind. But if both players have careers that average 75 - 90pts, I would take Step for all the other things JT doesn't do.
- xcheckmajor
- AdamFrench

I think Montreal's offense is better.
Ottawa's D is better--not by much.
Ottawa's goaltender has been better--no debate, and Lehner is a better back up than Budaj. It's a new year... eager to see how it plays out in both cities at the position.

Prospects? No, Ottawa's aren't better.

Coaching??? Why cause Paul Maclean beat Therrien before getting pummeled by Pittsburgh?

Sorry, not giving it to him. Can admit he outcoached Therrien in the playoffs, but both coaches were vital to their team's success last season. I don't think either one of them has the edge on terms of where their team finishes in the standings.

If Ottawa's better than Montreal, it's marginal, and even so, it doesn't guarantee them a higher finish in the standings.
- EricEngels

I think you are going to be surprised with what you see this year out of both the Sens and the Habs. The Sens are going in one direction, and the Habs, in the other.

The shortened season really helped the Habs last year, but can they compete with such a small lineup over an 82 game schedule?
Montreal's top 3 lines are pretty solid. I'll give them that. But are they even going to be able to play that 4th line as it stands? I have a feeling the top 3 are going to get tired out over the long haul, because over time, I think Therrien is going to realize that he can't trust White and Parros out there. Toronto has the same problem this season. Both teams top 3 lines are going to see ALOT of ice.

On D, their top 4 are solid, but they are lacking after that. All it will take is one injury (ie Markov is almost inevitable), and they will be struggling. Doug Murray can't even skate for god sakes.

But I would be most worried in net. Price has been on a downward trend for the past two seasons now. If Price doesn't regain his form, it's going to be a long season. Budaj is one of the worst backups in the league, so if Price goes on a skid or gets hurt, things become really bleak.

On the other side, Ottawa only got better. They lost Alfie, but added Ryan and MacArthur (who has put up the same point total over the past 3 seasons as Alfie). So Ryan is pretty much a bonus over last season. They basically added a 30 goal scorer to their lineup. Karlsson and Spezza are back and Weircioch looks like he's rounding into a fantastic puck moving Dman.

Ottawa also boasts the best 1-2 goaltending tandem in the league.

As for McLean, he isn't better than Therrien because he won a playoff series. I'm not sure where that comment even came from.

He's better cause he just won the Jack Adams.

i'm like 92% sure this is a stormey alt
- scotch_tape

Don't be an idiot.

fasten your seatbelts.

this is going to be a long painful season. no doubt about it.
- rob121

seems to me you said pretty much the same thing about last year and the habs won the division

it's funny cuz its the opposite of true
- Crimsoninja

It's even funnier, because you actually believe that.

Guys, leave rob alone.

Ty

Guys, leave rob alone.

Ty
- hscesq

but . . .

Guys, leave rob alone.

Ty
- hscesq

Should I be polite with Charliebox ?

its a running joke between yan and me. just calm the (frank) down.
- Crimsoninja

oh for crying out loud

I think you are going to be surprised with what you see this year out of both the Sens and the Habs. The Sens are going in one direction, and the Habs, in the other.

The shortened season really helped the Habs last year, but can they compete with such a small lineup over an 82 game schedule?
Montreal's top 3 lines are pretty solid. I'll give them that. But are they even going to be able to play that 4th line as it stands? I have a feeling the top 3 are going to get tired out over the long haul, because over time, I think Therrien is going to realize that he can't trust White and Parros out there. Toronto has the same problem this season. Both teams top 3 lines are going to see ALOT of ice.

On D, their top 4 are solid, but they are lacking after that. All it will take is one injury (ie Markov is almost inevitable), and they will be struggling. Doug Murray can't even skate for god sakes.

But I would be most worried in net. Price has been on a downward trend for the past two seasons now. If Price doesn't regain his form, it's going to be a long season. Budaj is one of the worst backups in the league, so if Price goes on a skid or gets hurt, things become really bleak.

On the other side, Ottawa only got better. They lost Alfie, but added Ryan and MacArthur (who has put up the same point total over the past 3 seasons as Alfie). So Ryan is pretty much a bonus over last season. They basically added a 30 goal scorer to their lineup. Karlsson and Spezza are back and Weircioch looks like he's rounding into a fantastic puck moving Dman.

Ottawa also boasts the best 1-2 goaltending tandem in the league.

As for McLean, he isn't better than Therrien because he won a playoff series. I'm not sure where that comment even came from.

He's better cause he just won the Jack Adams.
- Charliebox

GTFO

Tavares is clearly a more explosive player, a little more flashy. Thats just not Stepan's style. To be honest at this point in time, I WOULD take Stepan over JT simply because you have the same point production, but Stepan gives you a 3rd defenseman on the ice as well. Now, JT may have a higher future ceiling in point production, that would change my mind. But if both players have careers that average 75 - 90pts, I would take Step for all the other things JT doesn't do.
- xcheckmajor
- AdamFrench

We've read the same thing about Taylor Hall and JT a few times too

Habs suck and are going in the wrong direction

Budaj is the worst backup in the league

Last year: 13gp, 8-1-1, 9.08 and 2.29

oh my

I think you are going to be surprised with what you see this year out of both the Sens and the Habs. The Sens are going in one direction, and the Habs, in the other.

The shortened season really helped the Habs last year, but can they compete with such a small lineup over an 82 game schedule?
Montreal's top 3 lines are pretty solid. I'll give them that. But are they even going to be able to play that 4th line as it stands? I have a feeling the top 3 are going to get tired out over the long haul, because over time, I think Therrien is going to realize that he can't trust White and Parros out there. Toronto has the same problem this season. Both teams top 3 lines are going to see ALOT of ice.

On D, their top 4 are solid, but they are lacking after that. All it will take is one injury (ie Markov is almost inevitable), and they will be struggling. Doug Murray can't even skate for god sakes.

But I would be most worried in net. Price has been on a downward trend for the past two seasons now. If Price doesn't regain his form, it's going to be a long season. Budaj is one of the worst backups in the league, so if Price goes on a skid or gets hurt, things become really bleak.

On the other side, Ottawa only got better. They lost Alfie, but added Ryan and MacArthur (who has put up the same point total over the past 3 seasons as Alfie). So Ryan is pretty much a bonus over last season. They basically added a 30 goal scorer to their lineup. Karlsson and Spezza are back and Weircioch looks like he's rounding into a fantastic puck moving Dman.

Ottawa also boasts the best 1-2 goaltending tandem in the league.

As for McLean, he isn't better than Therrien because he won a playoff series. I'm not sure where that comment even came from.

He's better cause he just won the Jack Adams.
- Charliebox

Budaj was 8-1-1 last season guess 10-0 or bust eh?

Habs suck and are going in the wrong direction

Budaj is the worst backup in the league

Last year: 13gp, 8-1-1, 9.08 and 2.29
- Symba007

10-0 or he sucks hind tit

Should I be polite with Charliebox ?
- WaterBoy

Sure.

10-0 or he sucks hind tit
- AGalchenyuk27

He is not a guy you want to play as your #1 but as a backup, there is worse in the league.

I'm really hoping the Sens fall flat on their face and miss the playoffs.

Habs suck and are going in the wrong direction

Budaj is the worst backup in the league

Last year: 13gp, 8-1-1, 9.08 and 2.29
- Symba007

Emery levels of coasting.

I'm really hoping the Sens fall flat on their face and miss the playoffs.
- Pecafan Fan

*high fives*

I'm really hoping the Sens fall flat on their face and miss the playoffs.
- Pecafan Fan

Would be great.

I'm really hoping the Sens fall flat on their face and miss the playoffs.
- Pecafan Fan

doubt it happens, they are a well coached team