great game!! No shame in losing a tight checking, perfect game like that. Reminded me of the Olympics, could have easily gone either way.
Go habs go!!
- hunglikeapuck

well... could he really have been expected to go all out for Hamilton knowing he's in the midst of breaking through in the NHL? whatever at least they didn't replace him with Bouillon
- DoubleDown

That's a recurrent problem with Beaulieu, his lack of consistency in efforts, especially defensively. They won't let that pass.

Trade deadline if the perfect time to sell, not to buy (for the Habs). Bergevin needs to unload guys like Gionta, Murray, Markov (if the return is good), Bouillon. Habs are not a contender and they need to continue to rebuild via trades and the draft....unless MB is delusional to the point to believe his team can make a run at the cup with this group.
- Symba007

Maybe he should, but won't. Bergevin wants the team to make the playoffs. There is too much money to make once in it.

Maybe he should, but won't. Bergevin wants the team to make the playoffs. There is too much money to make once in it.
- deadpoulet

There's the money aspect of it.

But would you rather see them push to make the playoffs and give players like Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Tinordi, Beaulieu much needed playoff experience, or see them sell everything and miss the playoffs, instilling a culture of losing to the young players?

I'm all for rebuilding, but right now, they are in a pretty good spot... I just don't see them sending that type of message to the players (selling and miss).

There's the money aspect of it.

But would you rather see them push to make the playoffs and give players like Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Tinordi, Beaulieu much needed playoff experience, or see them sell everything and miss the playoffs, instilling a culture of losing to the young players?

I'm all for rebuilding, but right now, they are in a pretty good spot... I just don't see them sending that type of message to the players (selling and miss).
- Pecafan Fan

i don't necessarily see it that way. say you trade Markov and get something of value in return... you're also saying to the young guys "we don't need him anymore because we think you're ready". that's not instilling a losing culture. by the same token, you can say that the status quo instills a culture of mediocrity which is no better than losing at the end of the day. i don't think anyone is saying players should be given away but if there is value to be had in a trade, it's the right thing to do. i'm not convinced that another 5-game wipeout in the playoffs is going to be of much benefit for the young guys.

i don't necessarily see it that way. say you trade Markov and get something of value in return... you're also saying to the young guys "we don't need him anymore because we think you're ready". that's not instilling a losing culture. by the same token, you can say that the status quo instills a culture of mediocrity which is no better than losing at the end of the day. i don't think anyone is saying players should be given away but if there is value to be had in a trade, it's the right thing to do. i'm not convinced that another 5-game wipeout in the playoffs is going to be of much benefit for the young guys.
- DoubleDown

You sell of Markov and other vets at the trade deadline, while you are firmly in a playoff position...you may as well tell the team "we don't believe in you."

http://hfboards.hockeysfu.../showthread.php?t=1612537

-fixed.
- stormey

why?

i don't necessarily see it that way. say you trade Markov and get something of value in return... you're also saying to the young guys "we don't need him anymore because we think you're ready". that's not instilling a losing culture. by the same token, you can say that the status quo instills a culture of mediocrity which is no better than losing at the end of the day. i don't think anyone is saying players should be given away but if there is value to be had in a trade, it's the right thing to do. i'm not convinced that another 5-game wipeout in the playoffs is going to be of much benefit for the young guys.
- DoubleDown

I don't think Beaulieu or Tinordi are ready to replace Markov. + if Emelin starts to struggle a defense without Markov won't be pretty. You only trade him if you know you will lose him this summer.

You sell of Markov and other vets at the trade deadline, while you are firmly in a playoff position...you may as well tell the team "we don't believe in you."
- stormey

it's saying "we don't think we're a contender right now."
and guess what? Marc Bergevin already said that in September. so what's the difference?

I don't think Beaulieu or Tinordi are ready to replace Markov. + if Emelin starts to struggle a defense without Markov won't be pretty. You only trade him if you know you will lose him this summer.
- deadpoulet

i think they will re-sign him at all costs, actually.

i don't necessarily see it that way. say you trade Markov and get something of value in return... you're also saying to the young guys "we don't need him anymore because we think you're ready". that's not instilling a losing culture. by the same token, you can say that the status quo instills a culture of mediocrity which is no better than losing at the end of the day. i don't think anyone is saying players should be given away but if there is value to be had in a trade, it's the right thing to do. i'm not convinced that another 5-game wipeout in the playoffs is going to be of much benefit for the young guys.
- DoubleDown

What I expressed is not what I think. I was trying to say what management might be thinking.



If you ask me, I wish they'd trade just about every veteran on this team.

You sell of Markov and other vets at the trade deadline, while you are firmly in a playoff position...you may as well tell the team "we don't believe in you."
- stormey

Nobody believes they have what it takes to go deep. A GM is there to think medium long term, not only short term like a coach.

this is true,
they also just wanted to test Tinordi before the deadline. I've said all along, both of them will be here after the deadline.
- EricEngels

That'd be pretty cool.

FREE OILHAB
- dt99999

Agreed

Nobody believes they have what it takes to go deep. A GM is there to think medium long term, not only short term like a coach.
- Symba007

I'm sure the players aren't thinking that way....or at least I would hope they weren't.

i think they will re-sign him at all costs, actually.
- DoubleDown

You think he would agree to a longer term deal if its structured with games played bonuses?

http://www.mediaite.com/online/blind-man-gets-his-guns-back-after-fatally-shooting-friend/

'MURICA!!!
- Pecafan Fan

"It's my constitutional right!!"

yee-hawww!

I'm sure the players aren't thinking that way....or at least I would hope they weren't.
- stormey

yeah i guess ultimately, as fans, we don't really care how the players react, because we don't think the team is good enough either way. i think it's mainly that we have been stuck in the same cycle of mediocrity (planned and accepted mediocrity) for 20 years, and we're willing to endure a few bumps and bruises to break out of that cycle. and im not talking about unloading Markov for a second rounder or something. i'm talking about getting real value in return. not sure there's much though.

While I agree it's highly unlikely they trade Markov, not doing so is the exact type of mistake that has kept this team mediocre for years.

Where would the Habs be today if they had traded Streit and Souray? I'd bet better than they are right now.

Eric Engels: Bell Centre Bore, Trade Talk, Reconvene the Competition Committee
- EricEngels

after 2 weeks off i forgot how utterly boring this team is. they play a peripheral game, have no life and are honestly a lottery quality team. therrien is a horrible coach who gets nothing out of his players and bergevin has no clue what he's doing. the biggest disgrace of all is that the fans keep buying tickets, selling out the bell centre and making this status quo of sheer mediocrity acceptable to all. i am so sick of the montreal canadiens. they are a phoney organization claiming their goal is to bring a stanley cup back to montreal but are really just in it for as much money as the they can bilk out of the fans.

There's the money aspect of it.

But would you rather see them push to make the playoffs and give players like Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Tinordi, Beaulieu much needed playoff experience, or see them sell everything and miss the playoffs, instilling a culture of losing to the young players?

I'm all for rebuilding, but right now, they are in a pretty good spot... I just don't see them sending that type of message to the players (selling and miss).
- Pecafan Fan

Usually I'd say they need to sell. It's the only way this team will eventually become a contender.

However, today I'm putting my business glasses on.

Even if Bergevin wants to sell all the Vets, there's no way Molson lets him do that. Molson will not risk failing to make the playoffs. It's a few million guaranteed in revenue to play 1 playoff series. Yes making it to the Stanley cup finals 3 years from now would make up for loss revenue this year, but in business, it's never about the future, it's about fiscal budget this year.

Unfortunately the reality in Montreal, where the team profits so much, is that the only way they sell is if they are 100% out of a playoff spot.

In the need to get bigger, when are we trading Tinordi, Eller and a 1st for St. Louis?

after 2 weeks off i forgot how utterly boring this team is. they play a peripheral game, have no life and are honestly a lottery quality team. therrien is a horrible coach who gets nothing out of his players and bergevin has no clue what he's doing. the biggest disgrace of all is that the fans keep buying tickets, selling out the bell centre making this status quo of sheer mediocrity acceptable to all. i am so sick of the montreal canadiens. they are a phoney organization claiming their goal is to bring a Stanley cup back to montreal but are really just in it for as much money as the they can bilk out of the fans.
- rob121

Even though I can't stand the Habs...either they are a crap quality team or Therrien is doing a good job.

Crap teams with bad coaching are generally not playoff teams. I'd say Therrien is doing an amazing job, considering he has PK, Price and maybe Patches to work with.

Even though I can't stand the Habs...either they are a crap quality team or Therrien is doing a good job.

Crap teams with bad coaching are generally not playoff teams. I'd say Therrien is doing an amazing job, considering he has PK, Price and maybe Patches to work with.
- stormey

gfy