Habs Talk: 2015-2016 Part I, by Andrew Saadalla Part I of my 3-part series on the conclusion of the Habs' 2015-2016 season.

Re-Post because of new blog, but would love to hear your thoughts, Andrew. Hope all is well with you and your family. Priorities, friend. We all got 'em.


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I hate to say this, but MB is in a no-win situation.

Let's say he makes a major trade: That'll cost us a young, big-name player on our team. (Galchenyuk, Subban, Pacioretty, Price, Gallager, Beaulieu). We'll (Fans) scream blue murder unless an equally big-name player comes back....and even then, if the cap-hit is greater, we'll scream louder.

It'll also likely cost us picks and/or prospects if we want something better than the above mentioned players. We don't have many prospects that teams are falling over themselves for (Because our picks lately have all come in the 20-30 range in the first round. The past 10 years: 6 picks between 20-30, 3 picks between 10-20, 2 picks under 10. 2007 was the only year with more than one first round pick...yet we yell at the Ice Caps coach for under-performing...yikes.) And if we start trading away our picks of value, we become the Leafs: a Team constantly trying to apply a bandaid to an artery rupture, hoping a trade will miraculously fix what ails us.

And look, we all hate the coach...his decisions nauseate us, leave us screaming in frustration. But in general, he's winning games. In fact, this is the ONLY YEAR he's coached this team where his average is below .600. Even this year, where our team sucked harder than a crack whore whose welfare money wore out, he still managed a .500 average. He makes us pull our hair out, and yet...

So, as much as it pains us to hear it, right now, riding the wave, no matter how nauseous it makes us, might be the intelligent choice. It took the Leafs YEARS before they figured that restocking the cupboard might be the best bet, instead of ordering out all the time because there's nothing to eat.

I'm not saying it's all puppies and rainbows, but maybe we should wait until after the draft before firing everyone, trading everyone else, and lighting the Bell Centre ablaze, using 2-4 Molson boxes as kindling...

....maybe. Time will tell.

This is a no deadpoulet and pete26 zone

This is a no deadpoulet and pete26 zone
- mr.peanut

Go frank yourself.

Go frank yourself.
- deadpoulet

Just right (frank). The filter edits for you.


You have also violated the rules of this thread.

Re-Post because of new blog, but would love to hear your thoughts, Andrew. Hope all is well with you and your family. Priorities, friend. We all got 'em.


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I hate to say this, but MB is in a no-win situation.

Let's say he makes a major trade: That'll cost us a young, big-name player on our team. (Galchenyuk, Subban, Pacioretty, Price, Gallager, Beaulieu). We'll (Fans) scream blue murder unless an equally big-name player comes back....and even then, if the cap-hit is greater, we'll scream louder.

It'll also likely cost us picks and/or prospects if we want something better than the above mentioned players. We don't have many prospects that teams are falling over themselves for (Because our picks lately have all come in the 20-30 range in the first round. The past 10 years: 6 picks between 20-30, 3 picks between 10-20, 2 picks under 10. 2007 was the only year with more than one first round pick...yet we yell at the Ice Caps coach for under-performing...yikes.) And if we start trading away our picks of value, we become the Leafs: a Team constantly trying to apply a bandaid to an artery rupture, hoping a trade will miraculously fix what ails us.

And look, we all hate the coach...his decisions nauseate us, leave us screaming in frustration. But in general, he's winning games. In fact, this is the ONLY YEAR he's coached this team where his average is below .600. Even this year, where our team sucked harder than a crack whore whose welfare money wore out, he still managed a .500 average. He makes us pull our hair out, and yet...

So, as much as it pains us to hear it, right now, riding the wave, no matter how nauseous it makes us, might be the intelligent choice. It took the Leafs YEARS before they figured that restocking the cupboard might be the best bet, instead of ordering out all the time because there's nothing to eat.

I'm not saying it's all puppies and rainbows, but maybe we should wait until after the draft before firing everyone, trading everyone else, and lighting the Bell Centre ablaze, using 2-4 Molson boxes as kindling...

....maybe. Time will tell.
- Darksyde

First of all, thanks for your kind words. I truly appreciate all of the encouragement, and you're right- it's important to remember what matters most in life. Cheers to you!

You bring up a lot of interesting points. It's an emotional time for Habs fans everywhere, without an ounce of a doubt, and we as fans place so much of our faith in an entity that unites us all despite our differences.

Everyone has their take on what worked, what didn't, and what will. "Riding the wave" makes a lot of sense because frankly, what else can we do? We've all been let down, and you can bet that MB and MT lost a lot of sleep over this past season.

However, I still believe MB will do what's necessary to improve this team. I asked for his resignation if he doesn't address the lack of scoring on the top two lines this summer, but it seems like he won't be willing to make a statement move just for the sake of pleasing us.

I like MT. I've defended him throughout the course of the season, and I understand why he'll be back next season. I do expect him to be on a short leash, so to speak, and that the first half of the season will determine his fate.

Hope that sheds a light on my thoughts!

Nice post Darskyde, but I am not sure I have it in me to be patient. Like you said, time will tell but man, the apathy that set in in January is going to take a long time to shake, especially if Bergevin remains as active in the off season as he was during the season. All they needed to do was play .500 hockey from December onwards to get into the playoffs. The response from management was horrific. We land Edmonton's 3rd string goalie (at best) and are forced to take John Scott because Maloney said mean things to Bergie. We became a joke and that is unacceptable, especially when the team appeared to be on the upswing.

First of all, thanks for your kind words. I truly appreciate all of the encouragement, and you're right- it's important to remember what matters most in life. Cheers to you!

You bring up a lot of interesting points. It's an emotional time for Habs fans everywhere, without an ounce of a doubt, and we as fans place so much of our faith in an entity that unites us all despite our differences.

Everyone has their take on what worked, what didn't, and what will. "Riding the wave" makes a lot of sense because frankly, what else can we do? We've all been let down, and you can bet that MB and MT lost a lot of sleep over this past season.

However, I still believe MB will do what's necessary to improve this team. I asked for his resignation if he doesn't address the lack of scoring on the top two lines this summer, but it seems like he won't be willing to make a statement move just for the sake of pleasing us.

I like MT. I've defended him throughout the course of the season, and I understand why he'll be back next season. I do expect him to be on a short leash, so to speak, and that the first half of the season will determine his fate.

Hope that sheds a light on my thoughts!
- Andrew Saadalla

Hey Andrew. I echo all of the other posters in wishing you and your family well.

The issue I have with MT is that his shelf life has expired. For him to be on a short leash gives power to the players IMO. I have a hard time believing that this group will stand behind this coach and may find motivation in getting the guy canned. The game changer is Price but if the core shows the kind of leadership they have this season, this thing could potentially get uglier.

I'm sure hoping we don't stand pat, for sure, Cyber...but at the same time, I'm not asking to sell the farm for the hopes of a Cup run. You point out that we needed to play .500 hockey in December to get a playoff spot...so what? That would all but guarantee that Price and Subban would have been rushed back for said run, possibly to the detriment of their career.

Tweaks should be coming, I hope, and hopefully to our liking! (*COUGH*trade DD*COUGH*)

As for the whole, "Trades are hard" quote that has been blown WAY out of proportion, trades ARE hard when you're in a city like Montreal. Because no matter what you do, it's going to be dissected 300 ways, and judged for the entire careers of players both coming AND going. And Yahweh help you if the return isn't 250% better that what you gave in this town...

Hey Andrew. I echo all of the other posters in wishing you and your family well.

The issue I have with MT is that his shelf life has expired. For him to be on a short leash gives power to the players IMO. I have a hard time believing that this group will stand behind this coach and may find motivation in getting the guy canned. The game changer is Price but if the core shows the kind of leadership they have this season, this thing could potentially get uglier.
- Cyberhabs

That's very kind of you, thanks.

I don't think it has expired. Just because we're fed up, doesn't mean we're right in assuming he deserves to get canned, just as much as I will admit that I could be wrong as well.

The players seem to love him, honestly. I'm just speculating but based on my observations, he's got their support.

First of all, thanks for your kind words. I truly appreciate all of the encouragement, and you're right- it's important to remember what matters most in life. Cheers to you!

You bring up a lot of interesting points. It's an emotional time for Habs fans everywhere, without an ounce of a doubt, and we as fans place so much of our faith in an entity that unites us all despite our differences.

Everyone has their take on what worked, what didn't, and what will. "Riding the wave" makes a lot of sense because frankly, what else can we do? We've all been let down, and you can bet that MB and MT lost a lot of sleep over this past season.

However, I still believe MB will do what's necessary to improve this team. I asked for his resignation if he doesn't address the lack of scoring on the top two lines this summer, but it seems like he won't be willing to make a statement move just for the sake of pleasing us.

I like MT. I've defended him throughout the course of the season, and I understand why he'll be back next season. I do expect him to be on a short leash, so to speak, and that the first half of the season will determine his fate.

Hope that sheds a light on my thoughts!
- Andrew Saadalla

Let's see what Bergevin does this summer. I've heard/read enough whining for one day.

Let's see what Bergevin does this summer. I've heard/read enough whining for one day.
- stinger67

Stinger, do you not realize that there's a solid 5 months of whining ahead ?

You should start mentally readying yourself lol

I'm sure hoping we don't stand pat, for sure, Cyber...but at the same time, I'm not asking to sell the farm for the hopes of a Cup run. You point out that we needed to play .500 hockey in December to get a playoff spot...so what? That would all but guarantee that Price and Subban would have been rushed back for said run, possibly to the detriment of their career.

Tweaks should be coming, I hope, and hopefully to our liking! (*COUGH*trade DD*COUGH*)

As for the whole, "Trades are hard" quote that has been blown WAY out of proportion, trades ARE hard when you're in a city like Montreal. Because no matter what you do, it's going to be dissected 300 ways, and judged for the entire careers of players both coming AND going. And Yahweh help you if the return isn't 250% better that what you gave in this town...
- Darksyde

The city will explode if they get off to a 5-10 start. The team needs 2 legit top 6 guys. That isn't tweaking and although some of the call ups have played well, I didn't see one that seemed to be on the path to developing into a legitimate top 6 guy. It's going to be near impossible for this management group to fill that void. I am not certainly not in the blow it up camp but this presser was just the cherry on top of the disaster sundae that was this season. I have been following this team for 40 years. I can't recall watching an end of season post mortem and being this dejected. The game plan is Price coming back and playing like he did last year and even that wasn't enough.

Stinger, do you not realize that there's a solid 5 months of whining ahead ?

You should start mentally readying yourself lol
- Habs Talk

Most of it will be done by him


(Relax I'm joking)

Most of it will be done by him


(Relax I'm joking)
- mr.peanut

Wait... are you referring to me...

Cuz you don't need to tell me you're joking. Just because I hit a rough patch doesn't mean I don't expect you guys to be the haters that you've been all season haha

I kinda love it

yeesh...someone post the scooby doo pic

Wait... are you referring to me...

Cuz you don't need to tell me you're joking. Just because I hit a rough patch doesn't mean I don't expect you guys to be the haters that you've been all season haha

I kinda love it
- Andrew Saadalla

It's for stinger

For you hope for all the best in your life

The blog was going OK all until the part where you said the season was going well until the Kasian incident.
Problem is that happened before the season started...

It's for stinger

For you hope for all the best in your life
- mr.peanut

back track harder

The city will explode if they get off to a 5-10 start. The team needs 2 legit top 6 guys. That isn't tweaking and although some of the call ups have played well, I didn't see one that seemed to be on the path to developing into a legitimate top 6 guy. It's going to be near impossible for this management group to fill that void. I am not certainly not in the blow it up camp but this presser was just the cherry on top of the disaster sundae that was this season. I have been following this team for 40 years. I can't recall watching an end of season post mortem and being this dejected. The game plan is Price coming back and playing like he did last year and even that wasn't enough.
- Cyberhabs

Theyll sign Weise. Put him next to Patches and DD on the first line. Then you have EGG on the 2nd line...

Theyll sign Weise. Put him next to Patches and DD on the first line. Then you have EGG on the 2nd line...
- l3ig_l2ecl

come on

True, but I did mention that he never played in a regular season game...

My wording was off, definitely.

Hope you enjoyed the rest of it nonetheless!

True, but I did mention that he never played in a regular season game...

My wording was off, definitely.

Hope you enjoyed the rest of it nonetheless!
- Andrew Saadalla

never apologize...especially to this riff raff

never apologize...especially to this riff raff
- Pie

Agreed, besides, you Blog for the Habs...so, well.....

Blogging is Hard!™

Just right (frank). The filter edits for you.


You have also violated the rules of this thread.
- mr.peanut

Ouff