Date: 02/11/2017
Opponent: Minnesota
Location: Xcel Energy Center
Loss: 6-3
Montreal Goalie: Price (L)
Minnesota Goalie: Dubnyk (W)
Montreal goalscorers: Gallagher (2), Shaw
Minnesota goalscorers: Cullen, Niederreiter, Ennis, Suter, Spurgeon, Foligno
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota. Show all posts
Saturday, November 04, 2017
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Game #65
Habs Take Round-About Way To Secure Rare 2 Points
Details
Date: 01/03/2012
Opponent: Wild
Location: Montreal
Win: 5-4 (SO)
Habs Goalie: Price (W)
Opposition Goalie: Backstrom, Harding (L)
Habs goalscorers: Subban, Eller, Pacioretty, Desharnais (1, SO)
Opposition goalscorers: Kassian (2), Heatley, Setoguchi
Play of the game
The play we have been waiting for all year, the play that may have made us a playoff-bound team came out tonight. It was, of course, PK's PP goal. Last year ended with a reminder of the kid's shot and a warning to the PK units of 2011-2012 to watch out. Well, no one has had anything to worry about all year. If they were worried at this point of the season it would have been because Subban had been blasting shots, like the one he took tonight, by everyone.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the domeForwards
David Desharnais - Game Puck
3 points on the night give him an astonishing 50 on the season. He also scored the lone shootout goal and gave the Habs two points that they so desperately needed and wanted...right? David has to be the biggest surprise of the year, doesn't he? We talk about Emelin and Cole and Pacioretty, but we always had hopes for those three, did anyone ever expect this kid to be leading an NHL team in scoring in March?
Max Pacioretty
Max also had a multiple point night as he picked up goal 26 and points 47 and 48. As good as his line has been and as exciting as it has been to watch these are really numbers of second-line (ideally) players. Max has had to rise up to be a top-2 winger and top-3 forward thanks to the play of Plekanec, Kostitsyn, Gomez, Gionta and Cammalleri. Those are the players that cost us this season, not Gauthier, not Markov and not Martin.
Erik Cole
At -3 and no points I didn't want to put Erik in, I even considered Geoffrion for the single reason of being a Geoffrion, but in the end I had to go with #72. Cole was strong tonight and was better than all the other forwards who, surprisingly in a 5-4 win, didn't really contribute that much at all.
Defencemen
Tomas Kaberle
He is in here mostly for his offensive play as he wasn't too hot in his own end, but, then again, who really was?. He was a big reason why we scored 3 PP goals tonight as he brought a calming presence and manages to find players in space. He now has 2o points (2 tonight) in 36 games since joining the Habs (a 46-point pace) and is the type of player that a team needs and we'd need if he wasn't here. Just think of how bad the PP would be if he never arrived; believe it or not, I think it would probably be worse.
PK Subban
I loved the hits and I loved the moves. Desh robbed PK of the game puck tonight as I felt that this was one on Subban's better games. Defensively he wasn't at his best, but I have to look past that as I feel no one on the team really was. His goal was a rocket that I wish we saw more of as it really seems unstoppable when he connects.
Goaltender
Carey Price
I didn't like the clearing attempt (was he going for goal) right up the middle along the ice late in the third. That no-no of a play was picked off and translated into a goal just a few seconds later. I also wasn't a huge fan of 4 goals on 30 shots (.867) and 3 in the last 4 minutes. Had we lost I probably would have gone with Budaj and heading into a shootout I expected a loss (thanks to our inability, this season, to score and to not get scored on). Carey, however, surprised me with a solid shootout and saved his dome and bagged himself a win.
Comments
The Habs have 17 games left and it is becoming hard to know what to hope for at this point because I like to win, but logic says lose. Up until 2 weeks ago I had one thought and that was playoffs. I knew that it would be tough, near impossible really, but I still wanted to get in. Yes, it is good to worry about the future, but worrying about the future hasn't done a whole lot of teams any good in the past, so I worry more about the present. Then came the string of losses and the Kostitsyn trade and I seemed to have all of the hope sucked out of me. Chasing teams like Florida, Toronto and Winnipeg made me think that, as bad as we are, we'll still make it because, boy are they bad teams. Then we went and lost to Florida and Tampa and I realized that we are worse than some bad teams, it had really sunken in. So, now I can see the value in coming bottom 5 (or better yet, bottom 2) as coming 9-12 is more a Toronto kind of thing.
This weekend, however, I will cheer hard for the win. I love the fact that Toronto hasn't made the playoffs in 8 years and hope that the Habs can be a big part of why they won't make it again. Seeing them be as bad as they have been for the past 45 years always bring a smile to my face.
An interesting little piece of trivia that I came across today was the fact that Blake Geoffrion actually had a family member 4 generations back play for the Habs too. That player was Billy Coutu who was a previous captain, won a Stanley Cup in 1924 with the Habs and is considered, by the Hockey News, as one of the 100 best Habs ever. There is no blood relation to speak of (maybe why no one has mentioned it), but Billy was Blake's Great, Great, Great Uncle or Boom-Boom's Great Uncle. This is where it may get complicated. Coutu was married to Howie Morenz's Wife's Mother's Sister, so was an Uncle-in-law to the great #7. In fact, the two played together. Coutu is also known for being the only player ever to be banned for life by the NHL, that happened in 1927 when he attacked an official.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Game #73
Winnesota Mauled
Details
Date: 20/3/2011
Opponent: Wild
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Habs Goalie: Auld (W)
Opposition Goalie: Theodore (L), Backstrom
Habs goalscorers: White, Kostitsyn, Subban (3), Wisniewski, Moen, Pyatt
Opposition goalscorers: Koivu (PS)
Play of the game
A missed call left Kostitsyn flattened after he had played the puck around. With some great play from his linemates, and to his quickly regaining his own feet, Andrei was back in to receive a puck in the slot. A split second later, he undid Theo's confidence with another high shot. It was the gamewinner minutes in, it felt like it.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the domeForwards
Benoit Pouliot
Just as the key to the last game was the last 40 minutes, this game swung right from the start. By the time the game was 21 minutes old, the Canadiens had basically won and Pouliot had been involved in all three goals. The pre-game was a all Pouliot (his first game back in Minnesota) and so was the first few minutes as his line injected superior energy against the Minnesota bewildered. Not all his assists were big time plays, but the first goal certainly was, a highlight play for the reel.
Andrei Kostitsyn
Looked invigorated every time the camera panned to him (except maybe after 7-1). His goal was truly exceptional and his play meant the Wild D had a lot to worry about on two lines. His stat line only shows a single goal, but his pass to Eller (no goal) in the third was also sublime. The dangerous forward is back for the time being.
Ryan White
Great first goal against Theodore blocker side and a brilliant game through and through. Back when I predicted White would make the team in 2009, this is what I had in mind. It's safe to say he won't do this every time, but perhaps a little injection of confidence in Minnesota will help Ryan to open up like this more frequently.
Defencemen
PK Subban - Game Puck
It was a game ago that McGuire spoke of the emergence of a superstar. It didn't take long. Tonight's game showed Subban to be dominant in many situations. His first goal was his usual determined puck protection turned goal and the second and third showed us all the utility of his protracted wind up. But as I said to my wife as we watched, the amazing thing about Subban is that his goals were probably not his best contributions. I would count his outlet pass on important Goal #1 as example of more play, as well as other outlet passes. But in this near shutout, he also had multiple minutes of calm and controlled defensive play.
Roman Hamrlik
Most nights this performance from the Brigadier General would merit a game puck, or at least the best defender spot. He was slick and looked comfortable despite the minutes of the season. I think it shows the difference of the system and the wins the system has afforded. 20+ minutes this season is not equal to 20+ minutes in Roman's previous seasons. It's no wonder he wants to extend his millionnaire days in this city.
Goaltender
Alex Auld
Good concentration and good luck gave him a real-game shutout. The only blemish being a classy breakaway move by little (big) Koivu. In 2 straight games, Auld has done the job and performed the important task of allowing Carey to rest. Tonight, Alex returned to his early season form, filling his team with belief and calm.
Comments
One of those games for the Habs. Goals came quick and on nearly every chance. Minnesota seemed determined to show Canadiens fans that other teams can let up more odd man rushes than the defence we complain about. As the praise flows, it is important to recall that this result will have little effect on the Buffalo game.
The result does, however, have an enormous effect on the playoff security of this hockey team we watch. 87 points moves them closer to a certified place in the playoffs. 0.500 from hear (9 points) would clinch regardless of what anyone else does. It closes the door to teams lower down coming through a bit more. And it puts the heat on the Boston Brutes.
Speaking of unsportsmanlike reactions to being down by more goals than your team can score. I thought the refs did a great thing by ejecting Clutterbuck when they did. It probably saved the Habs another injury.
Monday, December 20, 2010
WJC 2010 Primer
The Drafted (Aka, Where's Tinordi?)
The World Junior Championships face off in 6 days. For hockey fans, this is a time to enjoy hockey organized and officiated by someone other than the NHL cartel, to see flowing hockey and watch players playing for pride and joy.
For most fans of NHL teams, most Canadiens fans included, it's also a time to get a quick look at some of the prospects that up until now (whatever your best intentions were to go see junior games) you've only read about in a scouting report.
It is both a chance to evaluate the prospects and the scouting department, as other teams prospects (passed by in the draft) emerge as well.
This year the Montreal Canadiens were looking primed for a very good representation at the championships. Up until last week, they had three forwards poised to play for Team Canada (the team it means most to make). Unfortunately for those keen on seeing Bournival and Brendan Gallagher, they were cut at the last moment. As a result, Habs fans will have to make do with watching 2009 first rounder Louis Leblanc on Team Canada and 2009 third rounder Joonas Nattinen on Team Finland (both centres).
By all accounts, Louis is set to have a possible scoring breakout and could well be the star for Team Canada. Nattinen, on the other hand, seems to be along for the ride. Even so, it should be a good week's worth of amateur scouting for us all. Hopefully there will be pleasant surprises.
NHL draftees
As I said, it will also be a chance to observe many other drafted players from other NHL franchises as they power their teams to wins and cause the mistakes that lead to losses.
In all there are 93 juniors on the rosters as they stand right now (some include players who may yet be cut). So, Montreal's twosome is below the NHL average for sending players to Buffalo.
The teams that will be required to send the most representatives for scouting and schmoozing with their prospects are Florida, Minnesota, Detroit and Washington. Each team has 6 prospects spread over a few different teams.
So what does this say about Montreal scouting? Well hard to say really. Getting players onto Team Canada is the hardest thing to do, and Montreal almost had three. Had those two not been cut, we'd also be talking about a top tier team.
Yet, it's still difficult to compare Montreal's scouting of a first rounder and Nattinen to Detroit's haul of six players while winning the NHL and relying on late rounders yet again to make up ground. And Florida just did it in style as they posted two to team Canada and three to the next strongest American squad. Washington and Minnesota relied on Euros for their good showing, yet Minny has Granlund who may end up being the star of the show, and Washington has some underrated Russians on board.
If it's quality rather than quantity that spells success, then lots of Timmins reputation is riding on Leblanc's shoulders. , as there's no guarantee he'll be the player for Canada or among the top at the tournament.
The Timmins Watch
For fun, I looked through the rosters of the junior teams and looked at players the Habs could have drafted.
There are a boatload of players that were chosen before the Canadiens had a pick, and so nothing to do with Timmins (17 in all).
The following group are those who were passed over in favour of Louis Leblanc. Based on play thus far, we can't really call these mis-picks. there are 16 in that group at this tournament.
Where it starts to get interesting is the group that could have been had instead of London Knights "stalwart" Jarred Tinordi. Remember, the Canadiens traded up a pick to get Tinordi and could have potentially had a couple from this group of 28 players:
Obviously it's too early to write off Tinordi altogether, and big D's have the habit of being slow developers (yet worth waiting for). Still, there are a quite a few exciting names here, and a tournament of hockey might start to raise questions about that June day trade and pick.
The American defenders alone, all selected to vie for the medal ahead of Jarred, will be interesting to keep an eye on.
The lists get shorter and less interesting as we go. But as we get a chance to see Nattinen, it might be interesting also to watch the 18 players drafted behind him in 2009.
Many of those players were also selected behind Mac Bennett (also not a National team calibre player yet), Alexander Avtsin, and Dustin Walsh (whose currently 6th in scoring at that powerhouse which is Dartmouth).
Finally, while no one would ever confuse Michael Cichy as a candidate for the National Team, it worth keeping an eye on two players who were taken after him in the 7th round of the 2009 draft: Carolina defender Tommi Kivisto (Finland) and yet another Detroit Swedish defensive find (possibly), Adam Almqvist.
There's the undrafted by the score, but no scouts thought those would be worth more than Petteri Simila, so it's hard to fault anyone for missing them.
So as you're all watching Louis Lebalnc skate circles around Americans and wondering where on earth Tinordi is. Have a look around and notice the wealth in talent at this tournament.
For most fans of NHL teams, most Canadiens fans included, it's also a time to get a quick look at some of the prospects that up until now (whatever your best intentions were to go see junior games) you've only read about in a scouting report.
It is both a chance to evaluate the prospects and the scouting department, as other teams prospects (passed by in the draft) emerge as well.
This year the Montreal Canadiens were looking primed for a very good representation at the championships. Up until last week, they had three forwards poised to play for Team Canada (the team it means most to make). Unfortunately for those keen on seeing Bournival and Brendan Gallagher, they were cut at the last moment. As a result, Habs fans will have to make do with watching 2009 first rounder Louis Leblanc on Team Canada and 2009 third rounder Joonas Nattinen on Team Finland (both centres).
By all accounts, Louis is set to have a possible scoring breakout and could well be the star for Team Canada. Nattinen, on the other hand, seems to be along for the ride. Even so, it should be a good week's worth of amateur scouting for us all. Hopefully there will be pleasant surprises.
NHL draftees
As I said, it will also be a chance to observe many other drafted players from other NHL franchises as they power their teams to wins and cause the mistakes that lead to losses.
In all there are 93 juniors on the rosters as they stand right now (some include players who may yet be cut). So, Montreal's twosome is below the NHL average for sending players to Buffalo.
The teams that will be required to send the most representatives for scouting and schmoozing with their prospects are Florida, Minnesota, Detroit and Washington. Each team has 6 prospects spread over a few different teams.
So what does this say about Montreal scouting? Well hard to say really. Getting players onto Team Canada is the hardest thing to do, and Montreal almost had three. Had those two not been cut, we'd also be talking about a top tier team.
Yet, it's still difficult to compare Montreal's scouting of a first rounder and Nattinen to Detroit's haul of six players while winning the NHL and relying on late rounders yet again to make up ground. And Florida just did it in style as they posted two to team Canada and three to the next strongest American squad. Washington and Minnesota relied on Euros for their good showing, yet Minny has Granlund who may end up being the star of the show, and Washington has some underrated Russians on board.
If it's quality rather than quantity that spells success, then lots of Timmins reputation is riding on Leblanc's shoulders. , as there's no guarantee he'll be the player for Canada or among the top at the tournament.
The Timmins Watch
For fun, I looked through the rosters of the junior teams and looked at players the Habs could have drafted.
There are a boatload of players that were chosen before the Canadiens had a pick, and so nothing to do with Timmins (17 in all).
The following group are those who were passed over in favour of Louis Leblanc. Based on play thus far, we can't really call these mis-picks. there are 16 in that group at this tournament.
Where it starts to get interesting is the group that could have been had instead of London Knights "stalwart" Jarred Tinordi. Remember, the Canadiens traded up a pick to get Tinordi and could have potentially had a couple from this group of 28 players:
Obviously it's too early to write off Tinordi altogether, and big D's have the habit of being slow developers (yet worth waiting for). Still, there are a quite a few exciting names here, and a tournament of hockey might start to raise questions about that June day trade and pick.
The American defenders alone, all selected to vie for the medal ahead of Jarred, will be interesting to keep an eye on.
The lists get shorter and less interesting as we go. But as we get a chance to see Nattinen, it might be interesting also to watch the 18 players drafted behind him in 2009.
Many of those players were also selected behind Mac Bennett (also not a National team calibre player yet), Alexander Avtsin, and Dustin Walsh (whose currently 6th in scoring at that powerhouse which is Dartmouth).
Finally, while no one would ever confuse Michael Cichy as a candidate for the National Team, it worth keeping an eye on two players who were taken after him in the 7th round of the 2009 draft: Carolina defender Tommi Kivisto (Finland) and yet another Detroit Swedish defensive find (possibly), Adam Almqvist.
There's the undrafted by the score, but no scouts thought those would be worth more than Petteri Simila, so it's hard to fault anyone for missing them.
So as you're all watching Louis Lebalnc skate circles around Americans and wondering where on earth Tinordi is. Have a look around and notice the wealth in talent at this tournament.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Attitude Is Everything:
Latendresse And Pouliot After Big Night For Gui
You know those cliches you don't like to hear? Like "attitude is everything".
That really is the last thing you want to hear when you're trying to get something done and it's just not happening. Kind of like when you're battling for your NHL job as a scorer and you just can't score a goal, get an assist or even put two games together that would merit your inclusion on a top line.
"Change your attitude, attitude is everything" is exactly what Guillaume Latendresse needed to hear in Montreal. It's exactly what he didn't want to believe.
6 weeks on from a trade that sent the Guillaume with a terrible attitude out of town for Benoit Pouliot, we are seeing proof positive at what an attitude adjustment can do for a player.
3 games ago, Guillaume had a good game with 7 shots on net for the Wild in their win against Calgary. The next game, he took less shots, but was rewarded for effort with 2 goals in a big win against Chicago. Last night, Guillaume posted a 4 point night with a goal and 3 assists vs. the Penguins – he figured in every goal and potted the game-winner. Not only is Guillaume making up for lost time in the stats races, he's also helping his team win in the process – two things which he had lost touch with in Montreal in his closing shifts.
The renaissance of the player reflects his new positive take on life, and his teammates positive take on him. Everything about the change is evident in this quote below:
The remarkable trade
Tempting as it would be to castigate Bob Gainey over the shipping of the new 12-goal man, you have to think his mere removal from the lineup in the condition he was in was a boon for the team. Add to that the fact that Gainey too picked up a reclamation project that looks to be going right.
Benoit Pouliot, like Guillaume was on the outs on his former team. The day he was traded to Montreal, he hadn't played much either in minutes or games for the Wild. Yes, there was an injury, but there were also benchings.
Although Ben's new start hasn't been the stuff of NHL front page like Gui last night, he's certainly done alright. In 9 games, he's netted 4 goals with no assists in 5 wins, 3 losses and an OTL. Moreover, he's actually been a complement to someone other than Maxim Lapierre, which is something Guillaume tried and failed to accomplish many times over in Hockey Mecca. I can also tell you that Pouliot has already eclipsed Latendresse's marks in both star selections and domes, despite only appearing in one third the games Gui played in. In his interviews, Ben has been positive too, probably belying his new found positive outlook away from the Minnesotan winter.
Statistically speaking...
Montreal Canadiens play
Minnesota Wild play
As you can see, back in the bad old days, Guillaume was a bad player on a better team, while Benoit wasn't winning many friends as someone who could have been helping but instead allowed the 4-9-1 start to happen.
Since the trade, things have turned around for both. Guillaume's taking more shots, with many more going in – 0.48 goals/game – and a much improved shooting percentage. Amazingly, Pouliot has matched Guillaume goal for goal, shot for shot, rate for rate. 0.4+ goals per game is nothing to sneeze at, and is hard to duplicate. Pouliot has done that in his 9 games, netting 2 game-winners in the process. What's more, Pouliot has been shooting 2.5 times a game, like Gui, to fuel his goal totals.
The future
While we don't have eyes into the future, we do have some knowledge of the past. People know, for example, that 20% shooting is not sustainable over time, people know that streaks come and go and 30 games is not enough to project with (much less 9 games). Both these players will slow, both will settle into something a bit less than their current streak suggests. Where that will be is an answer for another time.
For the moment it is unclear to me who will win the Latendresse-Pouliot trade in absolute terms, one thing that is clear is that both teams to this point are winners. Both teams have replaced a tired and negative cog in their machine with a well-oiled component that contributes in a big way to productivity and winning.
That really is the last thing you want to hear when you're trying to get something done and it's just not happening. Kind of like when you're battling for your NHL job as a scorer and you just can't score a goal, get an assist or even put two games together that would merit your inclusion on a top line.
"Change your attitude, attitude is everything" is exactly what Guillaume Latendresse needed to hear in Montreal. It's exactly what he didn't want to believe.
6 weeks on from a trade that sent the Guillaume with a terrible attitude out of town for Benoit Pouliot, we are seeing proof positive at what an attitude adjustment can do for a player.
3 games ago, Guillaume had a good game with 7 shots on net for the Wild in their win against Calgary. The next game, he took less shots, but was rewarded for effort with 2 goals in a big win against Chicago. Last night, Guillaume posted a 4 point night with a goal and 3 assists vs. the Penguins – he figured in every goal and potted the game-winner. Not only is Guillaume making up for lost time in the stats races, he's also helping his team win in the process – two things which he had lost touch with in Montreal in his closing shifts.
The renaissance of the player reflects his new positive take on life, and his teammates positive take on him. Everything about the change is evident in this quote below:
"It's great for me to have the chance to play on a team like that," Latendresse said. "The chemistry's great. I like everything here."He likes everything. Everything! That surely stands in contrast to his exit interview on RDS during which he slagged off managers, coaches, media and just about anyone else. The day he left, you'd be right in saying he liked nothing about being in Montreal.
The remarkable trade
Tempting as it would be to castigate Bob Gainey over the shipping of the new 12-goal man, you have to think his mere removal from the lineup in the condition he was in was a boon for the team. Add to that the fact that Gainey too picked up a reclamation project that looks to be going right.
Benoit Pouliot, like Guillaume was on the outs on his former team. The day he was traded to Montreal, he hadn't played much either in minutes or games for the Wild. Yes, there was an injury, but there were also benchings.
Although Ben's new start hasn't been the stuff of NHL front page like Gui last night, he's certainly done alright. In 9 games, he's netted 4 goals with no assists in 5 wins, 3 losses and an OTL. Moreover, he's actually been a complement to someone other than Maxim Lapierre, which is something Guillaume tried and failed to accomplish many times over in Hockey Mecca. I can also tell you that Pouliot has already eclipsed Latendresse's marks in both star selections and domes, despite only appearing in one third the games Gui played in. In his interviews, Ben has been positive too, probably belying his new found positive outlook away from the Minnesotan winter.
Statistically speaking...
Montreal Canadiens play
| Player | Record | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | G/G | GWG | Sh | S% |
| Latendresse | 11-11-1 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 0.087 | 0 | 27 | 7.41 |
| Pouliot | 5-3-1 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.444 | 2 | 22 | 18.18 |
Minnesota Wild play
| Player | Record | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | G/G | GWG | Sh | S% |
| Pouliot | 4-9-1 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0.143 | 0 | 19 | 10.53 |
| Latendresse | 15-6-0 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 0.476 | 2 | 51 | 19.61 |
As you can see, back in the bad old days, Guillaume was a bad player on a better team, while Benoit wasn't winning many friends as someone who could have been helping but instead allowed the 4-9-1 start to happen.
Since the trade, things have turned around for both. Guillaume's taking more shots, with many more going in – 0.48 goals/game – and a much improved shooting percentage. Amazingly, Pouliot has matched Guillaume goal for goal, shot for shot, rate for rate. 0.4+ goals per game is nothing to sneeze at, and is hard to duplicate. Pouliot has done that in his 9 games, netting 2 game-winners in the process. What's more, Pouliot has been shooting 2.5 times a game, like Gui, to fuel his goal totals.
The future
While we don't have eyes into the future, we do have some knowledge of the past. People know, for example, that 20% shooting is not sustainable over time, people know that streaks come and go and 30 games is not enough to project with (much less 9 games). Both these players will slow, both will settle into something a bit less than their current streak suggests. Where that will be is an answer for another time.
For the moment it is unclear to me who will win the Latendresse-Pouliot trade in absolute terms, one thing that is clear is that both teams to this point are winners. Both teams have replaced a tired and negative cog in their machine with a well-oiled component that contributes in a big way to productivity and winning.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Game #36
Minnesota Is The Latest To Take Two Points Away
Details
Date: 17/12/09
Opponent: Wild
Location: Montreal
Loss: 1-3
Habs Goalie: Price (L)
Opposition Goalie: Backstrom (W)
Habs goalscorers: A. Kostitsyn
Opposition goalscorers: Earl, Koivu, Clutterbuck
Play of the game
No beating around the bush tonight, let's call a spade a spade, shall we? We had one good play all game which works well for this section of the report at least; that play of course is Andrei's goal. The goal itself started with a swift pass from Gomez near the offensive blue-line. Kostitsyn then went up the right-side, on his backhand and was only thinking 'shot'. The sniper now has confidence which means that he will try backhands from beside the net, and tonight that is what worked for us. It was a quick reply to Minny's opener, but we couldn't keep the game tied for long.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome
Forwards
Scott Gomez
An assist and some pretty decent play earns Scott our top-centre award. It is nice to see him playing well, but I do fear that the Habs don't seem to be playing as well since his return - coincidence? I hope. He chipped in with a team-high 5 shots which, although some were NOT scoring chances, shows that he is at least trying to get things going.
Glen Metropolit
I was happy to see that Martin went back to Glen tonight and I actually thought that he did an alright job. He wasn't our best centre, but he did bring some diversity to our attack with bouts of inspiring play. The two things that I really liked were his ability to bounce back from a couple of rough games and his face-off abilities; he went 9-3.
Andrei Kostitsyn - Game Puck
Someone said that they would like to see Andrei do well in wins and not just losses and I tend to agree. He is, however, on quite a roll and I believe that he just happened to get hot while the team was slumping. For now I will refuse to admit the two are related, but I really hope that we can see both happen at once in the near future. Tonight he scored his 9th and had a very impressive 4 take-aways.
Defencemen
Jaroslav Spacek
Our reluctant #1 did a pretty good job tonight. I doubt when he signed with us he thought that #3 would become #1 so fast, but, I suppose, you gotta do what you gotta do. The Habs only let up 21 shots and you have to thank Jaro for some of that. Sound play in his own end and no-risk hockey meant that he was giving our goalie a chance to be good to great for an easy win. Of course the result was different, but at least he tried. Jaro ended at +1, he was on the ice for nearly 26 minutes.
Paul Mara
I wasn't ecstatic to see Mara back, but I did realize tonight that he is a decent piece to the puzzle. In an all healthy environment one has to think that he has his place while Bergeron and O'Byrne move over to the 4th line and press-box respectively. He was our other D-man to end at +1 and played 22+ minutes of calamity-free hockey.
Goaltender
Carey Price
I can't blame Carey for the team's shortcomings, but he really wasn't that great tonight. That said the offence is welcome to win us a game from time to time. How about a 7-4 win? 6-5 perhaps? How come Edmonton and Phoenix and all these other 'weak' teams can do this and we can't. Our D did the job tonight by letting up less than 25 shots, Price gave us a decent chance at OT with 3 goals against, but when you never score a big amount those efforts seem to get forgotten.
Comments
We live through these streaks every year, sometimes more than once and, you know what, we aren't the only team to do it. Playoff teams do it, Cup champions do it and so we can do it and we'll be aright. It isn't fun to lose, it isn't fun to not score, but that is sports, the important part is the learning to be better than you've been. Tonight could have been period 4-6 of the Devils game as far as I was concerned, it was a defensive battle in which neither team really attacked the net. There were chances here and there, but this was far different from a Caps or Pens type game. There are 3 things that I picked out tonight that I would like to share. Latendresse - he was better than he was this year with us, but not better than he once was. He is still slow and lacks creativity, I believe he had no place on our team and, although he may be slightly better than some of our current players, I stand by that as we aren't at full capacity right now. The Habs are too clean of a team to win - we got two calls all night and one against. I am not suggesting that we take more penalties, and am glad that we didn't, but we really have to get a little grittier to draw some. We have to force the opposition to take their own dumb penalties instead of allowing them to play us clean. Martin - it was a great call to have Price out with 2:30 to go in the third. You don't see that much in the NHL so I applaud him for giving it a shot. Plus, all of the Wild's wayward attempts on goal should show that an empty net doesn't necessarily equate to a goal. I believe it gives you a much bigger advantage than it is thought to and that it really doesn't make the situation as bad as some would have you believe.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Latendresse For Pouliot
Meeting The New Hab
In a move that flies completely in the face of those who advocate deadline only trading, Bob Gainey has moved Guillaume Latendresse for Benoit Pouliot of the Minnesota Wild. Arpon Basu wonders whether it's a trade of untapped (or indeed non-existent) potential here...
While he's right and many may question the professional scouts read on the tentative NHL beginnings of Benoit Pouliot, Guillaume Latendresse's time in Montreal was beginning to try on the young man. Reports mere minutes after his trade talk of his relief to be dealt away from the furnace of Montreal hockey.
It's a hard trade to take for the biggest believers in Latendresse, but it would be hard even for them to deny what has become clear – that despite his talent, he will probably never acquire a taste for hanging out in front of the net, despite mentioning Tomas Holmstrom in every other interview. Seeing as he's opting not to go the route of power forward, it seems Gainey and the management have opted to put the stakes of just under a million on a player with a different complement of talents, and just about as much size. One of those talents does happen to be skating – which may just fit in better with a team that had to slow down for Gui at times.
Benoit Pouliot himself is a Franco-Canadian, and speaks French. So although the omission of Latendresse takes the number of Quebecers to the equal season low of three, it maintains the RDS correspondents at an equilibrium.
He was once judged to be a massive talent and in the Crosby draft was even considered to be the next man in the pecking order. Central scouting had him as the #2 consensus pick, scouts compared him to Lecavalier. Since that time, his progress has been rocky – rockier, it must be said than Latendresse's. However, Pouliot has been groomed the traditional way, and for the most part in a defensive system – two things that may help him to adjust better to life under Jacques Martin than Guillaume.If you want a taste of speculative good news, it is that his former coach (and hockey guru) Jacques Lemaire was supposedly plugging for the kid in Jersey as recently as last Tuesday, so take that for what it's worth. Thanks to Saskhab for pointing out my frantic misread of a headline – to make up for it, some speculation that actually did take place (Habs last year) and whatever he says today on his blog, Mirtle liked Pouliot second best in July 2005 – better than Ryan, Johnson, and Brule.
At the junior level, he was once an unknown who became a rookie of the year in the OHL (and the CHL!), and then a 4th overall pick. His biggest achievement post-draft to date has been a gold at the World Junior champs with 5 assists in 6 games – team that Latendresse also made (but didn't really play for) and Chipchura captained. Following that, another good year in junior with improved totals and then on to the AHL.
While he has certainly not set the world alight in the AHL, he has nonetheless put up 38 goals and 84 points in 143 games. Again, the Houston Aeros have been a mirror of their parent Wild club, stressing defence over all else, so his points may sell him short. The fact he made a prolonged playoff run last year may also have given him some experience of value in his apprenticeship, though now it feels like we're clutching at straws.
At the NHL level, it's also been a trial. When you consider Guillaume's 50-odd goals in the big leagues, it seems like a big step down to Pouliot's nine. And another big leap to call that potential equal to, or superior to, that of Guillaume Latendresse. However, his route to the NHL has been so divergent from Lats'. Never has he enjoyed the extended wing time with Saku Koivu or even Robert Lang that Guillaume did. Nor has he been reserved preferential treatment for development opportunities. That is until this season.
I could go on, but what you will all want to read on the new guy has already been written. Go fill your boots with: "The Ballad of Benoit Pouliot", an article that relays the Minnesota Wild fan's thoughts on our new ward very nicely.
Who wins the trade?
Well, some text from the article on Pouliot could have been lifted straight form the Guillaume Latendresse archives:
However, never would anyone attribute the following to Big Gui:
There's optimism in knowing that a player coming to play a game where skating is half the battle doesn't need summer courses to keep up with the slower half of his peers. There's optimism knowing that a broken player weighed down by unreasonable expectation will be replaced by one with expectations of his own. There's optimism in knowing that only 4 years ago about 30 men trained to evaluate players said the new guy was a better bet than the outgoing. If for no other reason than those, I find positive thoughts in this trade.
While he's right and many may question the professional scouts read on the tentative NHL beginnings of Benoit Pouliot, Guillaume Latendresse's time in Montreal was beginning to try on the young man. Reports mere minutes after his trade talk of his relief to be dealt away from the furnace of Montreal hockey.
It's a hard trade to take for the biggest believers in Latendresse, but it would be hard even for them to deny what has become clear – that despite his talent, he will probably never acquire a taste for hanging out in front of the net, despite mentioning Tomas Holmstrom in every other interview. Seeing as he's opting not to go the route of power forward, it seems Gainey and the management have opted to put the stakes of just under a million on a player with a different complement of talents, and just about as much size. One of those talents does happen to be skating – which may just fit in better with a team that had to slow down for Gui at times.
Benoit Pouliot himself is a Franco-Canadian, and speaks French. So although the omission of Latendresse takes the number of Quebecers to the equal season low of three, it maintains the RDS correspondents at an equilibrium.
He was once judged to be a massive talent and in the Crosby draft was even considered to be the next man in the pecking order. Central scouting had him as the #2 consensus pick, scouts compared him to Lecavalier. Since that time, his progress has been rocky – rockier, it must be said than Latendresse's. However, Pouliot has been groomed the traditional way, and for the most part in a defensive system – two things that may help him to adjust better to life under Jacques Martin than Guillaume.
At the junior level, he was once an unknown who became a rookie of the year in the OHL (and the CHL!), and then a 4th overall pick. His biggest achievement post-draft to date has been a gold at the World Junior champs with 5 assists in 6 games – team that Latendresse also made (but didn't really play for) and Chipchura captained. Following that, another good year in junior with improved totals and then on to the AHL.
While he has certainly not set the world alight in the AHL, he has nonetheless put up 38 goals and 84 points in 143 games. Again, the Houston Aeros have been a mirror of their parent Wild club, stressing defence over all else, so his points may sell him short. The fact he made a prolonged playoff run last year may also have given him some experience of value in his apprenticeship, though now it feels like we're clutching at straws.
At the NHL level, it's also been a trial. When you consider Guillaume's 50-odd goals in the big leagues, it seems like a big step down to Pouliot's nine. And another big leap to call that potential equal to, or superior to, that of Guillaume Latendresse. However, his route to the NHL has been so divergent from Lats'. Never has he enjoyed the extended wing time with Saku Koivu or even Robert Lang that Guillaume did. Nor has he been reserved preferential treatment for development opportunities. That is until this season.
I could go on, but what you will all want to read on the new guy has already been written. Go fill your boots with: "The Ballad of Benoit Pouliot", an article that relays the Minnesota Wild fan's thoughts on our new ward very nicely.
Who wins the trade?
Well, some text from the article on Pouliot could have been lifted straight form the Guillaume Latendresse archives:
"With the regime change in Minnesota, many were expecting Pouliot to fall by the wayside. Certainly there would have been enough reason to. But Chuck Fletcher decided to give the youngster another shot. Pouliot came into camp this season ready to prove himself and, again, he has certainly shown flashes of what he is capable of."
However, never would anyone attribute the following to Big Gui:
"But what stood out most to me, was that he skated hard without actually looking like he skated hard. It dawned on me that maybe this is one of the reasons that he has been given the label of lazy. Because, quite simply, while everyone looks like they’re skating on the ice, he looks like he’s skating above it."
There's optimism in knowing that a player coming to play a game where skating is half the battle doesn't need summer courses to keep up with the slower half of his peers. There's optimism knowing that a broken player weighed down by unreasonable expectation will be replaced by one with expectations of his own. There's optimism in knowing that only 4 years ago about 30 men trained to evaluate players said the new guy was a better bet than the outgoing. If for no other reason than those, I find positive thoughts in this trade.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Trader Bob
Not Unless This is Dallas '96...
The trade deadline always brings a load of expectations, triumphs and disappointments.
For the supporters of down and out teams, it brings something to cheer about (at least until the fans realise they were fleeced 5 years on...). And for the supporters of contenders, it brings hope of filling all those gaps that we've been discussing ad nauseum for months.
Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are used to rolling out the lines "In Bob We Trust" for just about any move that comes from the GM's office. Usually that trust refers to the faith we have in his do little or nothing approach. Two years ago with the Canadiens looking down and out and ready to claim some draft picks (thanks, Swiss Dave); Gainey responded by making a single trade – well ahead of deadline day (Rivet and pick for Gorges and pick). He did not cash in on demand for league sweetheart and Montreal defensive millstone Sheldon Souray. Last year, with Habs fans gagging for some reinforcements for the Cup run, he instead traded our number one goalie (and UFA) for a second round pick.
In fact, if recent history is to be a lesson to Habs fans – it would be to enjoy March 4th outdoors and catch Toronto's trades the next day. Gainey makes few moves a season, and this one, he's exceeded his usual quota already.
Nevertheless, Gainey is a top GM. He rarely gets blown out in a trade, but has been known to blow his witless peers away. On the eve of the deadline, here's a retrospective on his trading record as a GM – with evidence to throw behind "In Bob We Trust" (and for the cynics, to cast doubt over all that hoopla).
Full career
Trades as a GM: 79
Trades 1992-1996: 42 (8.4 moves per year over 5 seasons)
Trades 1997-2009: 37 (3.7 moves per year over 10 seasons excl. lockout)
Trades 2003-2009: 21 (4.2 moves per year over 5 seasons excl. lockout)
Trades for cash: 2
Trades for future considerations: 5
Trades for draft picks: 5
Trades for minor leaguers: 20
Trades for NHL players: 47
Trades for NHL stars: 12
Montreal Canadiens
Trades as a GM: 21
Trades for cash: 0
Trades for future considerations: 1
Trades for draft picks: 2
Trades for minor leaguers: 6
Trades for NHL players: 12
Trades for NHL stars: 5
Top 10 trades
1. Kevin Hatcher for Sergei Zubov (1996)
2. Josef Balej and 2nd for Alexei Kovalev (2004)
3. Shane Churla and Doug Zmolek for Darryl Sydor (1996)
4. Jon Casey for Andy Moog (1993)
5. Mathieu Garon and 4th for Radek Bonk and Cristobal Huet (2004)
6. Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen for Joe Nieuwendyk (1995)
7. Bob Errey, Todd Harvey and 4th for Mike Keane, Brian Skrudland and 6th (1998)
8. Craig Rivet and 5th for Josh Gorges and 1st (2007)
9. 1st and 2nd for Alex Tanguay and 5th (2008)
10. 2nd for Robert Lang (2008)
Worst 10 trades (No real horror stories here)
1. Mike Ribeiro and 6th for Janne Niinimaa and 5th (2006)
2. Cristobal Huet for 2nd
3. Brian Bellows for Russ Courtnall (1992)
4. Ulf Dahlen for Mike Lalor and Doug Zmolek (1994)
5. Mikhail Grabovski for Greg Pateryn (2008)
6. Richard Jackman for Cameron Mann (2001)
7. Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen for Joe Nieuwendyk (1995)
8. Trent Klatt for Brent Fedyk (1995)
9. James Black for Gord Donnelly (1994)
10. Neal Broten for Corey Millen (1995)
Finally, proof he believes in Montreal Canadiens development of defensive forwards:
1. 5th for Mike McPhee (1992)
2. Todd Elik for Brent Gilchrist (1993)
3. Paul Broten for Guy Carbonneau (1995)
4. Bob Errey, Todd Harvey and 4th for Mike Keane, Brian Skrudland and 6th (1998)
5. Juha Lind for Scott Thornton (2000)
6. Donald Audette and Shaun Van Allen for Martin Rucinsky and Benoit Brunet (2001)
If Gainey doesn't make many trades, he makes even less bad trades. While he stole Sydor and Zubov from under the noses of opposing GMs, he has never been stung the same way himself.
If there is a word of caution, it is that he makes his worst trades from positions of weakness (i.e., those trades where he feels addition by subtraction is the way to go). Given that KOvalev has been rejuiced, the danger of him doing this again in the next couple of days is low. However, as he showed last season – he's capable of surprising with a reeking poor trade near the deadline for no reason.
Realistically, Gainey signalled his completion when he picked up Metropolit (asking prices for centres rising too high for his liking). Add to that he made a trade that almost pushed his top 10 all time (and could with more observation). It seems unlikely that anything bigger than big would happen from Bob – even if the frenetic Hockeybuzz does want us to believe it for hits.
For the supporters of down and out teams, it brings something to cheer about (at least until the fans realise they were fleeced 5 years on...). And for the supporters of contenders, it brings hope of filling all those gaps that we've been discussing ad nauseum for months.
Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are used to rolling out the lines "In Bob We Trust" for just about any move that comes from the GM's office. Usually that trust refers to the faith we have in his do little or nothing approach. Two years ago with the Canadiens looking down and out and ready to claim some draft picks (thanks, Swiss Dave); Gainey responded by making a single trade – well ahead of deadline day (Rivet and pick for Gorges and pick). He did not cash in on demand for league sweetheart and Montreal defensive millstone Sheldon Souray. Last year, with Habs fans gagging for some reinforcements for the Cup run, he instead traded our number one goalie (and UFA) for a second round pick.
In fact, if recent history is to be a lesson to Habs fans – it would be to enjoy March 4th outdoors and catch Toronto's trades the next day. Gainey makes few moves a season, and this one, he's exceeded his usual quota already.
Nevertheless, Gainey is a top GM. He rarely gets blown out in a trade, but has been known to blow his witless peers away. On the eve of the deadline, here's a retrospective on his trading record as a GM – with evidence to throw behind "In Bob We Trust" (and for the cynics, to cast doubt over all that hoopla).
Full career
Trades as a GM: 79
Trades 1992-1996: 42 (8.4 moves per year over 5 seasons)
Trades 1997-2009: 37 (3.7 moves per year over 10 seasons excl. lockout)
Trades 2003-2009: 21 (4.2 moves per year over 5 seasons excl. lockout)
Trades for cash: 2
Trades for future considerations: 5
Trades for draft picks: 5
Trades for minor leaguers: 20
Trades for NHL players: 47
Trades for NHL stars: 12
Montreal Canadiens
Trades as a GM: 21
Trades for cash: 0
Trades for future considerations: 1
Trades for draft picks: 2
Trades for minor leaguers: 6
Trades for NHL players: 12
Trades for NHL stars: 5
Top 10 trades
1. Kevin Hatcher for Sergei Zubov (1996)
2. Josef Balej and 2nd for Alexei Kovalev (2004)
3. Shane Churla and Doug Zmolek for Darryl Sydor (1996)
4. Jon Casey for Andy Moog (1993)
5. Mathieu Garon and 4th for Radek Bonk and Cristobal Huet (2004)
6. Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen for Joe Nieuwendyk (1995)
7. Bob Errey, Todd Harvey and 4th for Mike Keane, Brian Skrudland and 6th (1998)
8. Craig Rivet and 5th for Josh Gorges and 1st (2007)
9. 1st and 2nd for Alex Tanguay and 5th (2008)
10. 2nd for Robert Lang (2008)
Worst 10 trades (No real horror stories here)
1. Mike Ribeiro and 6th for Janne Niinimaa and 5th (2006)
2. Cristobal Huet for 2nd
3. Brian Bellows for Russ Courtnall (1992)
4. Ulf Dahlen for Mike Lalor and Doug Zmolek (1994)
5. Mikhail Grabovski for Greg Pateryn (2008)
6. Richard Jackman for Cameron Mann (2001)
7. Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen for Joe Nieuwendyk (1995)
8. Trent Klatt for Brent Fedyk (1995)
9. James Black for Gord Donnelly (1994)
10. Neal Broten for Corey Millen (1995)
Finally, proof he believes in Montreal Canadiens development of defensive forwards:
1. 5th for Mike McPhee (1992)
2. Todd Elik for Brent Gilchrist (1993)
3. Paul Broten for Guy Carbonneau (1995)
4. Bob Errey, Todd Harvey and 4th for Mike Keane, Brian Skrudland and 6th (1998)
5. Juha Lind for Scott Thornton (2000)
6. Donald Audette and Shaun Van Allen for Martin Rucinsky and Benoit Brunet (2001)
If Gainey doesn't make many trades, he makes even less bad trades. While he stole Sydor and Zubov from under the noses of opposing GMs, he has never been stung the same way himself.
If there is a word of caution, it is that he makes his worst trades from positions of weakness (i.e., those trades where he feels addition by subtraction is the way to go). Given that KOvalev has been rejuiced, the danger of him doing this again in the next couple of days is low. However, as he showed last season – he's capable of surprising with a reeking poor trade near the deadline for no reason.
Realistically, Gainey signalled his completion when he picked up Metropolit (asking prices for centres rising too high for his liking). Add to that he made a trade that almost pushed his top 10 all time (and could with more observation). It seems unlikely that anything bigger than big would happen from Bob – even if the frenetic Hockeybuzz does want us to believe it for hits.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
How Much Do We Hate The Rangers?
Help Them To Help Ourselves?
I say if it hurts Boston, I can get into bed with the Rangers.
The trade deadline is a perilous time to be playing badly. If you are a team whose plan it is to make the playoffs and win – it is even worse. Fans, coaches, players pressuring the GM to make sure the bump in the road doesn't become an ides of March pothole.
The trade is perilous because the partner smells the blood and the desperation. They circle like the hunting dogs and can tear you apart if you're not careful.
But choose your partner carefully and create a symbiotic benefit – this is as safe as it gets.
The Canadiens have lost 8 of 10, it might as well be 8 and 10 for the hysteria. All the while the baying from the wolves calls for trades, trades and more trades. I'd like a trade too. But realising that I'm going to watch this team next year and the year after that, I am reticent to go too far.
This morning I was reading Pierre Lebrun's article for ESPN. He writes of the pitiful pair that cling to 5th and 6th in the East – our Habs and the New York Rangers:
He goes on to say that Montreal may have a way out thanks to, and I quote:
Young assets like our 5-goal-a-game goalies you mean? Maybe Ryan O'Byrne? Scoring stars Sergei Kostitsyn and Guillaume Latendresse? Enough, Topham. Save it for another time. You're forgetting the point...
The Rangers have nowhere to go:
Is it just me, or is there something here?
Untie the hands of the Rangers and let them tie us to Scott Gomez? Isn't Redden just an older overhyped D in the Komisarek mould? No, wait, he's actually done something in his career...
I don't know if I want a millstone contract to come out of this but there must be a way to help each other here. After all, Montreal and New York in the playoffs is a whole lot better for everyone than Florida and Carolina.
Want wriggle room Glen? How about a prospect for Kalinin? A draft pick for Naslund?
If you don't like the Rangers (and that'd be understandable because none of you like the losing Habs either at the moment), then how about Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Minnesota.
If we have to trade, for goodness sake, get some bargaining power Bob. I don't have the stomach for anymore stars for draft pick trades...
The trade deadline is a perilous time to be playing badly. If you are a team whose plan it is to make the playoffs and win – it is even worse. Fans, coaches, players pressuring the GM to make sure the bump in the road doesn't become an ides of March pothole.
The trade is perilous because the partner smells the blood and the desperation. They circle like the hunting dogs and can tear you apart if you're not careful.
But choose your partner carefully and create a symbiotic benefit – this is as safe as it gets.
The Canadiens have lost 8 of 10, it might as well be 8 and 10 for the hysteria. All the while the baying from the wolves calls for trades, trades and more trades. I'd like a trade too. But realising that I'm going to watch this team next year and the year after that, I am reticent to go too far.
This morning I was reading Pierre Lebrun's article for ESPN. He writes of the pitiful pair that cling to 5th and 6th in the East – our Habs and the New York Rangers:
Montreal has dropped eight of its past 10 games, while the Rangers are winless in five, both teams showing all the signs of panicky groups that have lost all confidence. Once both teams fell behind in their respective road games Monday night, the slumping shoulders were noticeable, as was their tentative play.
He goes on to say that Montreal may have a way out thanks to, and I quote:
scouting star Trevor Timmins, also has a bounty of young assets to use at his trade disposal
Young assets like our 5-goal-a-game goalies you mean? Maybe Ryan O'Byrne? Scoring stars Sergei Kostitsyn and Guillaume Latendresse? Enough, Topham. Save it for another time. You're forgetting the point...
The Rangers have nowhere to go:
The long-term, nearly untradeable contracts of Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival (nice season, boys) have tied Sather's hands in a pretty serious way.
Is it just me, or is there something here?
Untie the hands of the Rangers and let them tie us to Scott Gomez? Isn't Redden just an older overhyped D in the Komisarek mould? No, wait, he's actually done something in his career...
I don't know if I want a millstone contract to come out of this but there must be a way to help each other here. After all, Montreal and New York in the playoffs is a whole lot better for everyone than Florida and Carolina.
Want wriggle room Glen? How about a prospect for Kalinin? A draft pick for Naslund?
If you don't like the Rangers (and that'd be understandable because none of you like the losing Habs either at the moment), then how about Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Minnesota.
If we have to trade, for goodness sake, get some bargaining power Bob. I don't have the stomach for anymore stars for draft pick trades...
Monday, December 01, 2008
World AIDS Day
A Day To Consider The Devastation
Every year since 1988, December 1st has been set aside as a special day of education and recognition of the world wide HIV/AIDS epidemic. On days like today, I like to take the chance to put hockey to one side for a few minutes and reflect on this important disease.
The disease is doubly devastating in the way it afflicts the sufferers and contributes to the poverty in which it flourishes. Thanks to the Global Fund and some initiatives from Western governments, more patients are receiving treatment. What's more, education about the disease (such as that against the notion that any bodily contact - allegedly held by half of China's population) is helping to make battling the disease itself easier. But as we know there is still a long way to go...
A red ribbon for World AIDS day adorning Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium
Being that this is a hockey blog, I thought I would research and bring to you a story of how HIV/AIDS and hockey have crossed.
The NHL and AIDS
Since people became properly aware of HIV/AIDS and conscious of the serious complications and health issues involved, there have been stories of HIV/AIDS in the sporting world. Most famously there was Magic Johnson, who is still HIV-positive (thankfully not having progressed to full-blown AIDS thanks to treatment), and tennis superstar Arthur Ashe, who unfortunately passed away as his immune system was decimated by the disease.
The NHL has not been immune to HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day, and the tales of massive devastation around the world, it is worth remembering the story of Bill Goldsworthy – the first NHL player to contract HIV, and indirectly lose his life to the terrible disease.
The hockey
Bill Goldsworthy was quite a hockey player. Signed to the Bruins after some impressive seasons in the OHA, he played a total of 31 games over 2 seasons. His second year of shuttling up and down to Boston minor league affiliates coincided with the advent of the Bobby Orr era in Boston in 1966.
Bill, like many NHLers of his generation, would receive his real chance with the NHL's expansion to 12 teams from the Original 6. Claimed from the Bruins by the North Stars, Bill used his first full season to carve out a place for himself in the setup. By the playoffs, he was a scoring star (with 8 goals and 15 points in 14 games) on the team helping the up-and-coming franchise to within a game of pipping the Blues for the honour of facing the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals. Notably, he was the leading playoff scorer that year ahead of St. Louis's Dickie Moore and Stanley Cup winners Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Lemaire and Jean Beliveau.
By 1969-70, he had found some linemates he really clicked with and established himself as a reliable 30-goal man. In fact, during his heyday – the 6 seasons (450 games) from 1969 to 1975 – Bill scored 213 goals and 185 assists for 398 points. Among his achievements include a 48 goal season in 1973-74, 37 playoff points in 40 games, and being named a member (and playing for) of Team Canada for the 1972 Summit Series. He was also the first player to score 200 goals with an expansion team.
Goldsworthy was well loved in Minnesota, too. He was their first real star. He was named team captain in the mid 1970s and won fans hearts with his goal celebration dances. He was also only one of two players to have his number retired by the North Stars. His number 8 was retired in 1992.
The tragedy
The way in which Bill's life ended could not have been more unlike his playing career. After suffering through years of alcoholism, he was diagnosed with HIV in late 1994. This story from just after his passing tells a tragic tale in which the man who fought his way to the NHL and to the heights of the hockey world in the 1970s was completely knocked about by his disease:
He was the first NHL player to be confirmed with the HIV virus, but his story is common. It is just one tale of the devastation, in this case psychological, but in many others physical, sociological and economical, that HIV/AIDS can cause.
Thank you for indulging me in my tangent today. If you do feel compelled to learn more about the disease and what you can do, I recommend checking out the following sites today:
UNAIDS
Global Fund
CBC story
The disease is doubly devastating in the way it afflicts the sufferers and contributes to the poverty in which it flourishes. Thanks to the Global Fund and some initiatives from Western governments, more patients are receiving treatment. What's more, education about the disease (such as that against the notion that any bodily contact - allegedly held by half of China's population) is helping to make battling the disease itself easier. But as we know there is still a long way to go...
A red ribbon for World AIDS day adorning Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium
Being that this is a hockey blog, I thought I would research and bring to you a story of how HIV/AIDS and hockey have crossed.
The NHL and AIDS
Since people became properly aware of HIV/AIDS and conscious of the serious complications and health issues involved, there have been stories of HIV/AIDS in the sporting world. Most famously there was Magic Johnson, who is still HIV-positive (thankfully not having progressed to full-blown AIDS thanks to treatment), and tennis superstar Arthur Ashe, who unfortunately passed away as his immune system was decimated by the disease.
The NHL has not been immune to HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day, and the tales of massive devastation around the world, it is worth remembering the story of Bill Goldsworthy – the first NHL player to contract HIV, and indirectly lose his life to the terrible disease.
The hockey
Bill Goldsworthy was quite a hockey player. Signed to the Bruins after some impressive seasons in the OHA, he played a total of 31 games over 2 seasons. His second year of shuttling up and down to Boston minor league affiliates coincided with the advent of the Bobby Orr era in Boston in 1966.
Bill, like many NHLers of his generation, would receive his real chance with the NHL's expansion to 12 teams from the Original 6. Claimed from the Bruins by the North Stars, Bill used his first full season to carve out a place for himself in the setup. By the playoffs, he was a scoring star (with 8 goals and 15 points in 14 games) on the team helping the up-and-coming franchise to within a game of pipping the Blues for the honour of facing the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup finals. Notably, he was the leading playoff scorer that year ahead of St. Louis's Dickie Moore and Stanley Cup winners Yvan Cournoyer, Jacques Lemaire and Jean Beliveau.
By 1969-70, he had found some linemates he really clicked with and established himself as a reliable 30-goal man. In fact, during his heyday – the 6 seasons (450 games) from 1969 to 1975 – Bill scored 213 goals and 185 assists for 398 points. Among his achievements include a 48 goal season in 1973-74, 37 playoff points in 40 games, and being named a member (and playing for) of Team Canada for the 1972 Summit Series. He was also the first player to score 200 goals with an expansion team.
Goldsworthy was well loved in Minnesota, too. He was their first real star. He was named team captain in the mid 1970s and won fans hearts with his goal celebration dances. He was also only one of two players to have his number retired by the North Stars. His number 8 was retired in 1992.
The tragedy
The way in which Bill's life ended could not have been more unlike his playing career. After suffering through years of alcoholism, he was diagnosed with HIV in late 1994. This story from just after his passing tells a tragic tale in which the man who fought his way to the NHL and to the heights of the hockey world in the 1970s was completely knocked about by his disease:
For a while, Goldsworthy fought his fate. He worked for the Minnesota AIDS Project, attended a benefit in the Twin Cities with Johnson and took his medication. But around last Christmas, he began to make excuses not to spend time with Ness, Loerch or his children. He was drinking heavily again.
"He went to the doctor in January or February and the doctor told him as far as the AIDS was concerned, he was in great shape. He had gotten through the winter without any infections or setbacks and the doctor said he could live for a year or more," Loerch said. "He was dead within six weeks.
"He drank himself to death. Bill looked very healthy until the last few months, and that was because he started drinking. Bill was in good shape. Alcohol just takes a toll on your body.
He was the first NHL player to be confirmed with the HIV virus, but his story is common. It is just one tale of the devastation, in this case psychological, but in many others physical, sociological and economical, that HIV/AIDS can cause.
Thank you for indulging me in my tangent today. If you do feel compelled to learn more about the disease and what you can do, I recommend checking out the following sites today:
UNAIDS
Global Fund
CBC story
Friday, October 31, 2008
On Scoresheets
Trying To Find Time Of Event Ain't Easy
On Scoresheets
Trying To Find Time Of Event Ain't Easy
Remember Lang's breakaway?
I was a bit confused as to how Robert Lang was the one to eventually exit the penalty box when the three Habs were in there for a minute or so. I know the RDS guys were confused for a second too, but I think they had an explanation.
So today, I wanted to check what happened. No luck.
Although, the NHL GameCenter scorekeepers often keep a 5 secondly account of goings on in a game, there is a 1:40 black hole when Lang and/or Higgins should have been exiting the box. The omission is curious, considering a breakaway is quite a noteworthy occurrence.
So I tried a trusted source, but there I am told that Josh Gorges had a scoring opportunity 9 seconds after Chris Higgins penalty should have expired. But then, they also have the Habs playing with 3 skaters for far longer than they did and then suddenly becoming 5 when Hamrlik returns. So they make errors...
I think the explanation must be innocent enough, the scorers saw 26 instead of 20 and delayed a little on entering the data (Lang may be slow, but 9 seconds from centre to goal is excessively so, Latendresse 07 slow).
Does anyone know what happened? It's nagging me now. Did Lang come out when his penalty ended or Higgins'? This is one of those rules only the refs need to know, not us casual fans...
I was a bit confused as to how Robert Lang was the one to eventually exit the penalty box when the three Habs were in there for a minute or so. I know the RDS guys were confused for a second too, but I think they had an explanation.
So today, I wanted to check what happened. No luck.
Although, the NHL GameCenter scorekeepers often keep a 5 secondly account of goings on in a game, there is a 1:40 black hole when Lang and/or Higgins should have been exiting the box. The omission is curious, considering a breakaway is quite a noteworthy occurrence.
So I tried a trusted source, but there I am told that Josh Gorges had a scoring opportunity 9 seconds after Chris Higgins penalty should have expired. But then, they also have the Habs playing with 3 skaters for far longer than they did and then suddenly becoming 5 when Hamrlik returns. So they make errors...
I think the explanation must be innocent enough, the scorers saw 26 instead of 20 and delayed a little on entering the data (Lang may be slow, but 9 seconds from centre to goal is excessively so, Latendresse 07 slow).
Does anyone know what happened? It's nagging me now. Did Lang come out when his penalty ended or Higgins'? This is one of those rules only the refs need to know, not us casual fans...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Game #9
Habs Penalty-Killers Steal the Show and a Couple of Points
Game #9
Habs Penalty-Killers Steal the Show and a Couple of Points
The Canadiens Game in Review
Date: Thursday October 30th, 2008
Opponent: Minnesota Wild
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
Team Stripes
Date: Thursday October 30th, 2008
Opponent: Minnesota Wild
Venue: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
Team Stripes
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (W)
Opposition starting goalie: Josh Harding (L)
Habs goalscorers: Francis Bouillon, Andrei Markov
Opposition goalscorers: Brent Burns
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
The play of the game for me wasn't just one quick play that lasted just a few seconds, but was instead a play, or series of plays that lasted 5 minutes and 51 seconds.
During nearly 6 straight minutes the Habs were shorthanded for all but 10 seconds and faced 2 successive 5-on-3s. Price was phenomenal, but so were our penalty-killers (other than those who took penalties #2, 3) who allowed Price to see every puck and kept the shots against down and from the outside. That group that deserves mentioning, led by Markov and Gorges, there was Bou, Komi, Saku, Pleks and Kovy.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Carey Price
Carey played his best game since the end of last year's regular season. He was imposing in his net as he gave the Wild shooters very little to shoot at. His patience against shooters was very good tonight as was his movement - up, down, left, right, he was everywhere. He followed the play so well and was obviously into the game in a big way.
Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Saku Koivu
It was a special night tonight for Saku as he was playing against his brother, for only the third time ever, and both their parents were in attendance. A Habs-Minnesota match-up doesn't happen that often these days which makes these games that more special for both boys. Another exciting factor is that these two are both at the height of their careers, both were wearing the 'C' and both are presently on scoring leaders. It was actually the first time since the Sutter brothers (Brian and Darryl) in 1986 that 2 brothers/captains have faced-off against each other. Koivu was on the ice for both goals, playing a big role in each. He was also one of the best forwards at penalty-killing tonight.
Alex Tanguay
Alex collected 2 more assists tonight giving him 5 on the season. He was very good on the point of the power-play tonight and did well killing penalties too. It was truly a special-teams/new-NHL type of game and players like Alex thrive in those situations.
Tomas Plekanec
Pleks was our most dangerous forward tonight and came ever so close to scoring a third goal for us near the end of the 3rd. His line is obviously having a little trouble so far this year, but at least the chances are there. I know, however, that they can be better. Despite playing quite well tonight I know that Tom can be faster when it comes to skating and quicker with his hands as too many passes are being intercepted or are simply too obvious.
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
One of the problems with having a lack of depth on the blue-line is that your top guys run the risk of being over-used. The good news is that, despite our situation, in Andrei we have one of the best in the league, probably second only to Lidstrom. He can do absolutely everything and never seems to get too tired, so carrying Brisebois and co. becomes much more manageable with this super-human talent on our side. He was absolutely phenomenal on the PK and it was also great to see him get one on the 5-on-3 - his first of the year.
Josh Gorges
Bou isn't the only one who is about to leap-frog Komi on the depth chart. Gorges played a very solid game tonight. He racked up over 8 minutes on the PK which is something you may see on the Ducks or Flyers, but is a rare occurrence in Montreal. He kept things very simple tonight which meant no mistakes, smart plays and knowing when and when not to use his speed and puck-handling abilities.
Goaltender
Carey Price
I am happy that Carey played so well tonight. Winning games in Minnesota is never easy, especially not this year. He was our best penalty-killer, it's a good thing too as the Wild had 10 PPs which lasted more than a 1/4 of the game. The NHL wants power-plays and scoring chances and goals, but unfortunately for them, at 0/10, Price doesn't.
Eye-Openers
In this new section we are going to try and shed some light on certain plays or events that would otherwise go unnoticed
Dome hockey team
We're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Saku Koivu
It was a special night tonight for Saku as he was playing against his brother, for only the third time ever, and both their parents were in attendance. A Habs-Minnesota match-up doesn't happen that often these days which makes these games that more special for both boys. Another exciting factor is that these two are both at the height of their careers, both were wearing the 'C' and both are presently on scoring leaders. It was actually the first time since the Sutter brothers (Brian and Darryl) in 1986 that 2 brothers/captains have faced-off against each other. Koivu was on the ice for both goals, playing a big role in each. He was also one of the best forwards at penalty-killing tonight.
Alex Tanguay
Alex collected 2 more assists tonight giving him 5 on the season. He was very good on the point of the power-play tonight and did well killing penalties too. It was truly a special-teams/new-NHL type of game and players like Alex thrive in those situations.
Tomas Plekanec
Pleks was our most dangerous forward tonight and came ever so close to scoring a third goal for us near the end of the 3rd. His line is obviously having a little trouble so far this year, but at least the chances are there. I know, however, that they can be better. Despite playing quite well tonight I know that Tom can be faster when it comes to skating and quicker with his hands as too many passes are being intercepted or are simply too obvious.
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
One of the problems with having a lack of depth on the blue-line is that your top guys run the risk of being over-used. The good news is that, despite our situation, in Andrei we have one of the best in the league, probably second only to Lidstrom. He can do absolutely everything and never seems to get too tired, so carrying Brisebois and co. becomes much more manageable with this super-human talent on our side. He was absolutely phenomenal on the PK and it was also great to see him get one on the 5-on-3 - his first of the year.
Josh Gorges
Bou isn't the only one who is about to leap-frog Komi on the depth chart. Gorges played a very solid game tonight. He racked up over 8 minutes on the PK which is something you may see on the Ducks or Flyers, but is a rare occurrence in Montreal. He kept things very simple tonight which meant no mistakes, smart plays and knowing when and when not to use his speed and puck-handling abilities.
Goaltender
Carey Price
I am happy that Carey played so well tonight. Winning games in Minnesota is never easy, especially not this year. He was our best penalty-killer, it's a good thing too as the Wild had 10 PPs which lasted more than a 1/4 of the game. The NHL wants power-plays and scoring chances and goals, but unfortunately for them, at 0/10, Price doesn't.
Eye-Openers
In this new section we are going to try and shed some light on certain plays or events that would otherwise go unnoticed
When is a penalty ever going to be our fault? That is a question I would like to ask Carbo. It seems that he argues every call that goes against us, so does that mean the players are getting off easy. Arguing calls is a good strategy as you may be inadvertently influencing future decisions, but only with certain refs. The opposite is of course a possibility as some refs use arguing as the fuel they need for even more bad and bias calls. I have no problem with how Carbo treats the refs and actually think arguing, in the long run, does more good than bad. What I am concerned about is our players learning that penalties are neither useful, nor a necessary part of the game. I want to see players benched, players yelled at and basically players becoming scared of taking penalties. Some penalties (a trip on a breakaway, a slash on a 2-on-1 etc.) are worth it, but the majority of ours tonight were useless and resulted in no good. We took 10 minors and we didn't even have Laraque in the line-up. That is way too many and the players must be made aware of that. We won't be able to go 10/10 every night on the kill so we were really playing with fire. Stupid penalties to me are as bad, or even worse, than brutal giveaways or horrible goaltending, because, generally, they could be avoided if the player were only thinking a little clearer.
Overall Comments This game lacked a bit of flow. It started great with both teams flying and some good chances at both ends. Then came the penalties, call after call, both ways - 17 minors, or 34 minutes (>1/2 the game). The result of this were grins on NHL executives faces and frowns on the fans'. What happens when there are this many penalties is the flow is totally disrupted. The excitement the league is constantly trying to create was staring them in the face in the first few minutes, but then they followed the book and put both teams on the PP, more to the home team of course. I would have no problem with this if the calls were good calls, but they weren't. Because of poor referees and horrible league-wide mandates we are left with too much judgement in the hands of 2 men and the players and fans alike are left there wondering why we are man down. What was a hook tonight may have been a solid defensive play 2 nights ago, a blatant dive was perhaps a reason to call a trip and maybe a cross-check to the back was just part of hockey. Can you imagine the strike-zone being knees to chest one day followed by left side only the next, how about a face-mask in football being a slick tackle a week after being called. The NHL has a real problem here as they really have no defined rules. The calls are left to the sole (x2) discretion of refs who clearly don't understand the game, nor watch much other hockey. Their discretion and desire to meet their quotas costs teams on a nightly basis and tonight it cost the fans.
I did, however, like how the Habs adapted to the new rules tonight. No, I wasn't happy that they couldn't learn from their mistakes and simply stop taking penalties, but more so with how they defended and ultimately attacked when they had their own chances. We are getting pretty spoiled so far this year as we near expect a win each time out, but it isn't always that easy. It isn't always Habs-Good-Game=Win, Habs-Bad-Game=Loss. The other team is trying to win too, and who knows maybe they are having a good game as well. Tonight Minnesota did play a good game and we matched with a superior effort, and even better these 2 points came on the road.
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