OR he comes back feeling better than he's ever felt before as a hab, provides his team with stellar goaltending, and successfully carries his team to the playoffs, at which point Weber announces against all odds that he had been following an intensive physiotherapy and training program, and that he'll be 100% and able to play in the post-season.
- Pat1993

Pat...put down the drugs will ya? This has really gone too far.

OR he comes back feeling better than he's ever felt before as a hab, provides his team with stellar goaltending, and successfully carries his team to the playoffs, at which point Weber announces against all odds that he had been following an intensive physiotherapy and training program, and that he'll be 100% and able to play in the post-season.
- Pat1993

Aaaahahahaha! Good one.

Will’s boy?
- pete26

I think so.

Pat...put down the drugs will ya? This has really gone too far.
- Karine Hains

I'm trying to balance out this very depressing season with an intense and powerful form of unconditional optimism.

Aaaahahahaha! Good one.
- hunglikeapuck

I'm trying to balance out this very depressing season with an intense and powerful form of unconditional optimism.
- Pat1993

Wait till it’s January, minus 20, habs are 18 points out of a playoff spot, and you are sitting down ranting about the poor performance they just had against the Columbus blue jackets on a Tuesday night

Wait till it’s January, minus 20, habs are 18 points out of a playoff spot, and you are sitting down ranting about the poor performance they just had against the Columbus blue jackets on a Tuesday night
- cburgess

you don't have to be supportive, but you don't have to go out of your way to completely shatter my dreams either...

I just want them to take their time for the new hire, don’t just go for the first french speaking guy out there, search for THE best candidate and interview the hell out of him, once you have your man, he can start planning even if u only name him post season.
- Karine Hains

Sure, but that has to happen sooner than later... or just fire MB and put someone in charge temp, with the direction to not (frank) anything up.

Ideally, the new guy has been in place for a while before the trade deadline.

I’d like you to be right, but i doubt you are....Don’t see Molson pulling the trigger now, would be an exercise in futility since nothing would change because of it. Let his contract run its course and really search for the replacement this season, announce them as soon as the season is over and move forward. Give the new GM the freedom to bring his own staff abord even if it means paying a coach and 4 assistants for nothing for 2 more years. The Bell Centre isnt full anymore, this team is losing money as it is...
- Karine Hains

If Molson vision for his team is to go on rebuild mode, the sooner he gets his new GM, the better. That means he can assess which assets he is willing to sell at the trade deadline to get maximum value. It will also give him time to recruit his scouting staff so they can be prepared for the next NHL draft and not waste the picks they got in return. Because let's say that you are in Bergevin shoes at the trade deadline with no contract extension in sight, what the hell are you supposed to do? Buy? Sell? Do nothing?

Sure, but that has to happen sooner than later... or just fire MB and put someone in charge temp, with the direction to not (frank) anything up.

Ideally, the new guy has been in place for a while before the trade deadline.
- Mashadar

I would tend to agree, but with no significant ufa to trade away this year, it’s probably not a huge deal. I would imagine the current roster is what they have come seasons end. That’s when stuff will need to be changed

If Molson vision for his team is to go on rebuild mode, the sooner he gets his new GM, the better. That means he can assess which assets he is willing to sell at the trade deadline to get maximum value. It will also give him time to recruit his scouting staff so they can be prepared for the next NHL draft and not waste the picks they got in return. Because let's say that you are in Bergevin shoes at the trade deadline with no contract extension in sight, what the hell are you supposed to do? Buy? Sell? Do nothing?
- AK27

My thoughts as well. Time to start looking now. Bergevin should have been out long ago, but the run on the backs of Price, Danault, etc last year had the stars align for them and made him look competent when he's not.

Will’s boy?
- pete26

Nope, Colin

Not too many ghosts and goblins out tonight.

Weird..
- pete26

not a single one. could be because i forgot to turn the light on. everybody and their mothers(cans or not) were out getting food, tho

ducharme must have had one hell of a summer to become so bad after leading the team to the SC final.


maybe the team just sucks?

danault was the heart and soul.

If Molson vision for his team is to go on rebuild mode, the sooner he gets his new GM, the better. That means he can assess which assets he is willing to sell at the trade deadline to get maximum value. It will also give him time to recruit his scouting staff so they can be prepared for the next NHL draft and not waste the picks they got in return. Because let's say that you are in Bergevin shoes at the trade deadline with no contract extension in sight, what the hell are you supposed to do? Buy? Sell? Do nothing?
- AK27

yep, seems pretty obvious to me.

My thoughts as well. Time to start looking now. Bergevin should have been out long ago, but the run on the backs of Price, Danault, etc last year had the stars align for them and made him look competent when he's not.
- apex123

I think he is a good enough GM to win a Stanley cup if the franchise players that make the core of his team are already there, he can make some good trades and add the finishing touches that will push a pretender club to a legit contender. However, I think he has proven that he doesn't really have what it takes to build a team from scratch, he is not a visionary manager and he doesn't have the stone cold approach of a Lou Lamoriello. He is WAY too emotionally involved in his players to make the tough, unpleasant moves like contract negotiations or trade a longstanding veteran if it means it can improve the club in the long run.

ducharme must have had one hell of a summer to become so bad after leading the team to the SC final.


maybe the team just sucks?

danault was the heart and soul.
- Gramps28

I'm sure Pete 100% agrees with this assessment.


but yeah about Ducharme, I don't really get what's going on, I have no doubt he's a competent coach and that the players respect him, but it seems he's unable to implement any kind of significant adjustment to the way his team is playing right now.

I would tend to agree, but with no significant ufa to trade away this year, it’s probably not a huge deal. I would imagine the current roster is what they have come seasons end. That’s when stuff will need to be changed
- cburgess

A new direction has to be set and they need to decide who they want to keep and who they might trade. Also, if they are willing to take on contracts to facilitate trades for others, at the deadline, for picks or prospects.

The sooner the new person is on board, the sooner all that poop can start being figured out.

ducharme must have had one hell of a summer to become so bad after leading the team to the SC final.


maybe the team just sucks?

danault was the heart and soul.
- Gramps28

Hindsight, but was his coaching really that good, once he took over?

Habs record was 15-16-7.

So, he was given the benefit of the doubt for the playoffs but really the team was a mess and looked like poop before their turn around against the Leafs.

I think he is a good enough GM to win a Stanley cup if the franchise players that make the core of his team are already there, he can make some good trades and add the finishing touches that will push a pretender club to a legit contender. However, I think he has proven that he doesn't really have what it takes to build a team from scratch, he is not a visionary manager and he doesn't have the stone cold approach of a Lou Lamoriello. He is WAY too emotionally involved in his players to make the tough, unpleasant moves like contract negotiations or trade a longstanding veteran if it means it can improve the club in the long run.
- AK27

I have to agree with this, although I do consider that this characteristic can also have its share of positive aspects when managing a team and developing an honest organizational culture. I like the fact that he's close to his players and really cares about the team. but yeah, at the end of the day if you get too passionate as you say it might prevent you from making certain decisions that would improve your team in the long run...

I'm sure Pete 100% agrees with this assessment.


but yeah about Ducharme, I don't really get what's going on, I have no doubt he's a competent coach and that the players respect him, but it seems he's unable to implement any kind of significant adjustment to the way his team is playing right now.
- Pat1993

To me, last summer they played their heart out to get Price and Weber a cup, Ducharme has very little to do with it. Price and Weber are now MIA and this team seems to have lost the will to win or even to play. I don’t think Ducharme can find a solution either, the deer in the headlight look in the press conference is still there and it’s not just an act, he seems out of his depth.

To me, last summer they played their heart out to get Price and Weber a cup, Ducharme has very little to do with it. Price and Weber are now MIA and this team seems to have lost the will to win or even to play. I don’t think Ducharme can find a solution either, the deer in the headlight look in the press conference is still there and it’s not just an act, he seems out of his depth.
- Karine Hains

agreed, they barely have any conviction in their play, as though they don't believe in themselves at all and have sadly accepted that competing is impossible if those guys aren't in the lineup. I know the current roster has important flaws, but I still think they could do much better than what their current record indicates. it's frustrating, the season is still so young yet we're already compelled to call it a total failure.

you guys want another positive?

looks like ARZ will draft quite late.
CAR are 8-0, Habs 2-8

you guys want another positive?

looks like ARZ will draft quite late.
CAR are 8-0, Habs 2-8
- fidopro

"another"..? so what's the other positive? lol

you guys want another positive?

looks like ARZ will draft quite late.
CAR are 8-0, Habs 2-8
- fidopro

Now imagine having both those picks.

And another 2nd.