Agreed but it feels like this bed is already made so debating it likely is moot
- Takemedrunkimhome

yeah, that's the thing, I think there's almost a consensus among fans and hockey talking heads, he should be sitting out... so hopefully there will be a debate internally with DD and MB, and Staal will finally sit lol

I'm not sure he even knows where the switch is anymore
- obie

I'm a few months older than Staal. Watching the game pass him by has been tough to accept but hard to deny

yeah, that's the thing, I think there's almost a consensus among fans and hockey talking heads, he should be sitting out... so hopefully there will be a debate internally with DD and MB, and Staal will finally sit lol
- Pat1993

"If" MB agreed to it I'm a believer he has to stand behind it or suffer future consequences. A man is only as good as his word

I'm a few months older than Staal. Watching the game pass him by has been tough to accept but hard to deny
- Takemedrunkimhome

Happens to the best of them, no escaping it

"If" MB agreed to it I'm a believer he has to stand behind it or suffer future consequences. A man is only as good as his word
- Takemedrunkimhome

I know people often think MB is very dumb, but I have a hard time believing this alleged agreement, it just sounds too silly... what would be these "future consequences" anyway, he will feel the wrath of the Staal family?

I'm just glad the Habs finally found their first line with Lehkonen-Evans-Byron

I'm just glad the Habs finally found their first line with Lehkonen-Evans-Byron
- Scabeh

they did carry the team last night loll

I'm not sure he even knows where the switch is anymore
- obie

At this point I think we need to waive him too much nonsense

I know people often think MB is very dumb, but I have a hard time believing this alleged agreement, it just sounds too silly... what would be these "future consequences" anyway, he will feel the wrath of the Staal family?
- Pat1993

Agents and players may not trust him or the organization. Use Eichel as an example, he was just Staal's teammate. I think teams like NYR and LAK would put together better packages but let's pretend MTL has the shot at trading for him. Eichel's comments the other day suggest he doesn't trust his current team, why would he want to hitch himself to another team he may not trust? Agents and players have long memories.

And the deal was made apparently because Staal didn't want to waive to go to Montreal and the way he was convinced was this promise. Don't make a promise you can't live up to and don't blame the other side for trying to hold you to your word

I'm just glad the Habs finally found their first line with Lehkonen-Evans-Byron
- Scabeh

There is humour in them being the scorers that got the Habs to the playoffs

they did carry the team last night loll
- Pat1993

it was the only line that was skating

Well, Caufield was the only one skating on his line.

Tatar still looks injured...or his pending UFA status plays in his head...Something is off in his case.

Karine
Hains: Harder than it Had to Be
For the second year in a row, the Canadiens will make the playoffs, not through the front door, but all roads lead to Rome as they say.
- Karine Hains

that's what she said

good morning, canada.

There is humour in them being the scorers that got the Habs to the playoffs
- Takemedrunkimhome

i feel like i can say this because i've been saying it for a while, but the fact that Jake Evans was deemed not good enough for this lineup at any point in the last 3 months makes me question Ducharme's sanity.

Agents and players may not trust him or the organization. Use Eichel as an example, he was just Staal's teammate. I think teams like NYR and LAK would put together better packages but let's pretend MTL has the shot at trading for him. Eichel's comments the other day suggest he doesn't trust his current team, why would he want to hitch himself to another team he may not trust? Agents and players have long memories.

And the deal was made apparently because Staal didn't want to waive to go to Montreal and the way he was convinced was this promise. Don't make a promise you can't live up to and don't blame the other side for trying to hold you to your word
- Takemedrunkimhome

MB agreeing with Staal to give him sufficient ice time to find his groove back and prove he can still play is one thing, but unconditionally promising ice time even if he continues to play poorly makes zero sense to me. players around the league shouldn't be very impressed with that kind of decision either

i feel like i can say this because i've been saying it for a while, but the fact that Jake Evans was deemed not good enough for this lineup at any point in the last 3 months makes me question Ducharme's sanity.
- DoubleDown

DD has done little to nothing to suggest the Habs should remove the interim tag after the season. A proper search should be conducted and completed before the draft

good morning, canada.
- kicksave856

'Murica, hello.

DD has done little to nothing to suggest the Habs should remove the interim tag after the season. A proper search should be conducted and completed before the draft
- Takemedrunkimhome

i accept the position. thank you.

it was the only line that was skating

Well, Caufield was the only one skating on his line.

Tatar still looks injured...or his pending UFA status plays in his head...Something is off in his case.
- stinger67

agreed... a week off might do some wonders for a lot of guys.

Before Caufield? Armia. Byron. Lehkonen. I'd sit Perry over him too. Under the assumption Staal is staying in the lineup due to his agreement with MB I'd go with: C - Danault, Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Evans. W - Tatar, Gallagher, Anderson, Toffoli, Caufield, Staal, and let the last two be fought for by Armia, Byron, Lehkonen and Perry, probably starting with Perry and Byron
- Takemedrunkimhome

i imagine everyone gets in at some point but based on their play last night i'd leave Evans-Byron-Lehkonen intact for at least a game.

MB agreeing with Staal to give him sufficient ice time to find his groove back and prove he can still play is one thing, but unconditionally promising ice time even if he continues to play poorly makes zero sense to me. players around the league shouldn't be very impressed with that kind of decision either
- Pat1993

I'm not going to defend MB's decision making in the slightest. I'm simply going to argue if you give your word you stick by it through good and bad. In theory, without that one OT goal from Staal the Habs aren't currently in the playoffs.

i accept the position. thank you.
- kicksave856

Google translate wins again

DD has done little to nothing to suggest the Habs should remove the interim tag after the season. A proper search should be conducted and completed before the draft
- Takemedrunkimhome

i've thought this for a while but then i also remember that this is the stupidest, most ridiculous NHL season we have ever seen and i wonder if this was an impossible task for him?

but then i remember that he had Xavier Oullet in the lineup over Brett Kulak at one point

'Murica, hello.
- Pat1993

what's up this morning? what are we debating? also, what did you have for breakfast?

I'm not going to defend MB's decision making in the slightest. I'm simply going to argue if you give your word you stick by it through good and bad. In theory, without that one OT goal from Staal the Habs aren't currently in the playoffs.
- Takemedrunkimhome

oh my