"Being evaluated" simply is a way to cut off media questions about it. Once he makes that statement, it ends the discussion. You won't know for certain if Couturier is playing tomorrow until the team takes the ice for warmups.
- PLindbergh31

Its possible, sure. But he could do the Stamkos-Cooper shtick, and say he has no further information. Day to day/unfi to play. Just don't know when the day comes. Every day Cooper says the same thing.

Also, I would think that if the ACL has a bad tear, he would leave for surgery pretty soon. I don't know much about it, but my suspicion is that staying in the bubble unnecessarily has a small chance of aggravation, not to speak of the pain.

Reading tea leaves, like I said.

So the options to replace Couturier would be Raffl, Frost, and Lindblom.

I think if Raffl is ready he would be the way to go. He's a responsible defensive player who is versatile to move up and down the lineup. I think he would be the safe choice.

Lindblom is a true inspiration, kicking cancer in the teeth is such a wonderful thing. What courage and heart this kid has. I don't think it would be fair to put him in a playoff elimination game after not playing since early December. He's a heck of a player and I'm looking forward to seeing him play next season after the benefit of a full training camp.

Frost gives you some offensive upside, and creative playmaking, seems obvious that Vigneault doesn't trust him as he hasn't dressed for a playoff game as of yet despite healthy scratches and injuries.
- PLindbergh31

I'd be fine w/ Lindblom. His attention to detail is so high that I would actually have no qualms about throwing him in there cold.

Its possible, sure. But he could do the Stamkos-Cooper shtick, and say he has no further information. Day to day/unfi to play. Just don't know when the day comes. Every day Cooper says the same thing.

Also, I would think that if the ACL has a bad tear, he would leave for surgery pretty soon. I don't know much about it, but my suspicion is that staying in the bubble unnecessarily has a small chance of aggravation, not to speak of the pain.

Reading tea leaves, like I said.
- PT21

Who knows really. I think the fact the Couturier was unable to return in an elimination game isn't a great sign. He's a pretty tough guy that has gritted out injuries before. I'm not optimistic he's going to play any time soon. Hope I'm wrong.

I wanna say that I like these year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs with back to backs. I like the idea of forcing teams to play their back ups.
- SuperSchennBros

It's also great with only one day between games when they're not back to back. Taking travel and arena availability out of the equation really improves things.

I'd be fine w/ Lindblom. His attention to detail is so high that I would actually have no qualms about throwing him in there cold.
- Tomahawk

I know it's NHL hockey, and you can't put players in bubble wrap, but say Lindblom plays and takes a hit like Farabee absorbed last night? I wouldn't want to see that.

You tell me. You are the king of sarcasm here.
- PT21

King of Sarcasm is pushing it. More like Seigneur of Snark on a good day.

I know it's NHL hockey, and you can't put players in bubble wrap, but say Lindblom plays and takes a hit like Farabee absorbed last night? I wouldn't want to see that.
- PLindbergh31

He had Ewing sarcoma, not osteoporosis.

I'd be fine w/ Lindblom. His attention to detail is so high that I would actually have no qualms about throwing him in there cold.
- Tomahawk

My ranked choices would be:

1. Raffl (by far)



2. Lindblom (starts on 4th line)
3. Bunnaman
4. Andreoff
5. Frost

King of Sarcasm is pushing it. More like Seigneur of Snark on a good day.
- Tomahawk

Like the respirator masks, he can dish it out, but apparently he is immune to the reverse flow.

My ranked choices would be:

1. Raffl (by far)



2. Lindblom (starts on 4th line)
3. Bunnaman
4. Andreoff
5. Frost
- PT21

I'm fine with anybody but Frost. I love Frost like a son, but this series is not for him (yet).

Like the respirator masks, he can dish it out, but apparently he is immune to the reverse flow.
- PT21

Dad-est joke of the day.

great trade for the blues. 4.5 for a backup isnt smart money managment.
- login

Wait so the Habs are paying Price a boatload and just added a 4.5 mil backup?

I'm fine with anybody but Frost. I love Frost like a son, but this series is not for him (yet).
- Tomahawk

Lines?

My preference:

Roo-Laughton-Jake
JVR-Hayes-TK
Bee-Grant-Pitlick
Raffl/Nate-Nate/Bunnaman-NAK

Rest the same.

Its possible, sure. But he could do the Stamkos-Cooper shtick, and say he has no further information. Day to day/unfi to play. Just don't know when the day comes. Every day Cooper says the same thing.

Also, I would think that if the ACL has a bad tear, he would leave for surgery pretty soon. I don't know much about it, but my suspicion is that staying in the bubble unnecessarily has a small chance of aggravation, not to speak of the pain.

Reading tea leaves, like I said.
- PT21

No coach is allowed to give anymore info than the player is unfit to play.

I'd be fine w/ Lindblom. His attention to detail is so high that I would actually have no qualms about throwing him in there cold.
- Tomahawk

I would. How is that fair to the kid?

Wait so the Habs are paying Price a boatload and just added a 4.5 mil backup?
- hereticpride

Its essentially a 1 year deal to rest Price.

He had Ewing sarcoma, not osteoporosis.
- Tomahawk

He had a rib removed, did he not?

He had a rib removed, did he not?
- MJL

He had the same rib resection that Chris Kreider has....with a kevlar or carbon fiber repair. He should be fine and im sure he'd be wearing a rib protector

Why are we so against giving Frost a shot but Lindblom who just had cancer and hasn’t played a game in how long should be insterted in the lineup?
- ClaudeFather

Lindblom is a proven NHL player. Frost isn’t. In fact Lindblom was on his way to a career year before the cancer. Frost has never been impressive to date. Lindblom offers a spark of motivation. Frost doesn’t.

It's also great with only one day between games when they're not back to back. Taking travel and arena availability out of the equation really improves things.
- Scoob

Sure but we’ve seen back to backs anyway.

I would. How is that fair to the kid?
- MJL

I think you're underestimating him.

I'd be fine w/ Lindblom. His attention to detail is so high that I would actually have no qualms about throwing him in there cold.
- Tomahawk

I second this. Plus, why would AV tell the media how hard he’s worked and use the words “he’s days from being ready” if AV wasn’t serious about playing Lindblom?

Raffl would be my first option, I’m unaware if he’s hurt or not. Lindblom would be my second option. My two players to sit would be Grant and Farabee.

Lindblom is a proven NHL player. Frost isn’t. In fact Lindblom was on his way to a career year before the cancer. Frost has never been impressive to date. Lindblom offers a spark of motivation. Frost doesn’t.
- SuperSchennBros

He was on his way to a career year in November of 2019... lot has happened since then.

I’m actually very impressed with how balls out G and Jake went even after Couturier went down. Whether Couturier is Healthy or not, I’d keep rolling with Giroux at center and Laughton on his wing along with Voracek. If things go south and Couturier is in the line up, AV does what’s always been done, especially with their backs against the wall...put the top line back together.

Laughton-Giroux-Voracek
JvR-Couturier-Konecny
Lindblom-Hayes-Pitlick
Raffl-Thompson-???

Aube-Kubel or Grant. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I think you're underestimating him.
- Tomahawk

I hope you're right.