Showing posts with label Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stars. Show all posts
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Montreal Over Powered by Dallas
Date: 19/12/2015
Opponent: Stars
Location: Montreal
Loss: 2-6
Habs Goalie: Condon (L)
Opposition Goalie: Niemi (W)
Habs goalscorers: Carr, Byron
Opposition goalscorers: Spezza, Benn (2), Sharp, Seguin, Eaves
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
Trade 2013 Winners So Far
The Montreal Canadiens are still in the running for the biggest impact trade of 2013.
It wasn't the one yesterday, though if you'd told me in mid-slumber that they got that guy Drew-something from LA for picks, I might have thought otherwise. The trade that still stands is the one that brought in Michael Ryder for a second go-around with his goal every other game and 14 points in 15.
And it shouldn't surprise that a classic player for player trade be in the running for such a nod. One has to give a lot to get a lot. And Erik Cole was a lot.
It wasn't the one yesterday, though if you'd told me in mid-slumber that they got that guy Drew-something from LA for picks, I might have thought otherwise. The trade that still stands is the one that brought in Michael Ryder for a second go-around with his goal every other game and 14 points in 15.
And it shouldn't surprise that a classic player for player trade be in the running for such a nod. One has to give a lot to get a lot. And Erik Cole was a lot.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Insert Headline:
The Spin and the Motive for the Erik Cole Trade
Canadiens unload Cole to the Stars.
Erik Cole has been traded to the Stars.
Erik Cole's contract traded to the Stars for UFA Michael Ryder.
Canadiens acquire Michael Ryder from Dallas.
Stars and Canadiens swap scorers.
Erik Cole has been traded to the Stars.
Erik Cole's contract traded to the Stars for UFA Michael Ryder.
Canadiens acquire Michael Ryder from Dallas.
Stars and Canadiens swap scorers.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Game #61
Habs Dismantled At Home, Again
Details
Date: 21/02/2012
Opponent: Stars
Location: Montreal
Loss 0-3
Habs Goalie: Price (L)
Opposition Goalie: Lehtonen (W)
Habs goalscorers: None
Opposition goalscorers: Garbutt, Ribeiro, Wandell
Play of the game
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome
Forwards
Rene Bourque
Hit the cross bar, made that pass (probably hoped Gomez wouldn't be the shooter) and looked threatening on a few occasions. It's a sorry story for a team that claims to be vying for the playoffs that a) this represents one of the best efforts in a late season game and b) represents one of their top 6 forward's best games of the season in the uniform.
Erik Cole
He looked one of the best forwards again. But the season must be wearing on him too, as his moments of threat were less so than we've be used to in the past. Perhaps sick himself, and allegedly playing with ailing players, he at least has an excuse I can swallow.
Max Pacioretty
I guess it has to be Max. He had 4 shots, apparently, and 5 not so memorable hits, so that's something. Really he was as guilty as all the rest of allowing Dallas to defend exactly the way they wanted to.
Defencemen
PK Subban - Game PuckI liked Subban's game better than most. He was on for the Ribeiro goal, but he had his man covered, and can rightly be upset with his teammates on the play. Overall, he was sound in his coverage of his assignments and played a big role in keeping the anemic home team's hopes alive for as long as they were. He also looked better than he has in the past on the PP. Maybe one day the Habs can look forward to a goal from the point.
Alexei Emelin
The Russian rookie is making his presence felt more and more with each passing shift. This game was not marked with highlight hits. Instead, I noted some more good breakouts and contributions to attempts to break the team's duck.
Goaltender
Carey Price
One can't blame Price for the loss. I could do without another bad goal on what was an unnecessary giveaway. Let's be honest though, better that happens on goal #3 in a game with no other signs of life than a future, potentially meaningful game.
Comments
It is sometimes nice to fall back on the saying: "it was not for lack of effort". This game was lost because of a comprehensive lack of effort, however. The team came out happy to concede many shots, many chances and with a willingness to drop behind a goal. Given the knowledge that they were without many of their best elements, and were relying on players who have been most often disappointing in generating offense, the strategy must have seemed misguided, even to them. There were a few good chances, but scarcely a great one, and really the Habs could only claim to be pacing Dallas after that first goal, never dominating.
The realization of what it means to watch a bad team is dawning on me now. This team is not an unlucky bunch that deserved a better fate. No, they are one of a number of teams that is good at a few things (ultimately too few) in a fairly well balanced league. They are below average, or bad if you will. If the Habs were in the West, given the defending we have seen on display from the more disciplined teams out there, they might even be giving Columbus a real run for Nail, in my opinion. They're closer to Columbus than to Boston.
So they're bad. He's having a mood swing. Does this mean I have given up on playoffs? Strangely no.
Though I have no illusions of experiencing playoff elation, I am still of the opinion that there will be a couple of pretty bad teams in the playoffs this season. The redeeming feature of this Habs team remains the fact that they are not that different to Toronto, Florida, Winnipeg, Tampa and others who stand real chances of participation.
With the trade deadline coming up, one has to think that the next game will decide a lot. Another loss, particularly one lacking feeling, will be a nail in many coffins, alas unlikely now a Nail in the draft. The worst kind of end to the season is looming. Let's hope we find some enjoyment yet.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Game #34
Price Proves His Value To The Team With Rare Off-Night
Details
Date: 21/12/2010
Opponent: Stars
Location: Dallas
Loss: 2-5
Habs Goalie: Price (L)
Opposition Goalie: Lehtonen (W)
Habs goalscorers: Darche, Gionta
Opposition goalscorers: Burish, Benn, Skrastins, Richards, Eriksson
Play of the game
Price made a great save on Eriksson in the second, but I felt that our second goal was a nicer play. That goal gave the Habs hope; hope for this game, hope that we haven't completely lost it. The goal was crafty and was scored on the PK to boot. Good work by Gionta got him the puck and he quickly fed Gomez. Scott then went u the right side and waited for Gio. Brian took the pass and placed a perfected slap-shot up and over Lehtonen.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the domeBrian Gionta - Game Puck
His goal clinched him the Game Puck, but I felt that a Dome was a certainty. He played well with Scott again tonight and they both benefited a lot for MaxPac too. Gionta now has 12 goals and could still very well hit 30 by the time all is said and done.
Tomas Plekanec
Remember when Gomez's line had nothing going? I think that the main reason was Moen being there or when Gomez himself was missing. Well it was more of the same tonight. By benching Kostitsyn we have taken a legitimate sniper away from Pleks and replaced him with a rookie that will be lucky to end with 10 points. Despite it all Tom still played a good game, but when his line is going (with its potent regulars) they can be a whole lot better than good.
Max Pacioretty
With 7 shots (and another 4 misses) Max was looking like he would be bringing home the Game Puck. He unfortunately failed to capitilize though, but he was still worthy of the Dome. He is a different player than the one we saw last year and if he can keep this up it will only get better from here on in.
Defencemen
Hal Gill
Some off-nights left the door open for Gill. He also did well to end with a +1 rating. I can't say that I noticed him much, but in a game like this that is about all that I can ask for. It is still frustrating for me that he doesn't use his size or ever shoot hard, but after a season and a half of play like that I can't say that I am surprised.
Jaroslav Spacek
Jaro did well to stay out of the trouble that his partner was getting into. I actually thought that he didn't have a horrible game in his own end. One thing that I would like to see change, however, is that it would be nice to see him use that shot of his to hit the net. It seems that a lot of his one-timers miss high or wide and that is something that shouldn't be happening so often.
Goaltender
Alex Auld
Well that is a blow to the stats. 5 goals on 17 shots (and a few of them weak) is what I call a bad game. Now, he didn't get bounces and not everything was his fault, but it shows that when he isn't on we aren't quite the same team. I won't go on much as we all saw what happened, but if his team can't bail him out of games like this the season could go south (much like it often does around Christmas time) very fast.
Comments
Martin listened to Brunet and the rest of the media (mostly the French media) and Kostitsyn sat. It addressed one problem (shut Ben up for one night), but didn't see to help the team. Maybe it will be a wake-up call for AK, but I doubt it. That is because I don't think that he is doing too much different from when he is playing well (scoring goals). We know the type of player that he is and that bothers a lot of people. In an ideal world we could have Darche, Brunet and Patrick Poulin on every line, but we aren't that lucky. We may not be as good of a team with AK the non-50-goalscorer instead of AK the 50-goalscorer, but I think that I can say with certainty we are better with him than without him. A team is made up of a lot of different pieces; tonight we took away a very interesting piece because the people that really run this team yelled quite loud for a change. It is funny that the people that bleed Bleu-Blanc-Rouge the most are those that try and pick apart the team one piece at a time, but it is a sad fact. Once they have their way with Kostitsyn (like they did with Koivu and Kovalev) you can bet that Plekanec could be next. Ridiculous? Just try and remember when they were telling us that we don't need Markov. Still believe them Pierre Gauthier? I hope not.
Last Time in Dallas...
The last time the Canadiens visited Dallas was the 8th of March, 2009. Kovalev scored as he recovered from his long walk, Kostitsyn made the dome after a month of criticism and overblown allegations, Carey Price won a rare game that winter and Guy Carbonneau was the coach.
It was an auspicious time, because that game was the last of a road trip, the beginning of a return to backup duty for Halak in the face of form and the last act in Guy Carbonneau's reign.
18 months on a lot has changed. Only one of the starting All-Star team from that season is actively playing for the Canadiens. The team has a new captain, a new coach, have jettisoned the Halak issue and mostly have new personnel throughout.
The last time this team was in Dallas wasn't the catalyst for all that happening, but it certainly seemed to represent some sort of deadline for Bob Gainey, a self-imposed threshold to take control and take a new direction.
That point in time was also significant for Dallas. Because just as the Canadiens used those two unexpected points to eventually vault to eighth where they would win a tie-break to make the playoffs, Dallas needed these points. The two teams were two of the sad sack stories of 2009. Montreal was defending conference champion with a complete loss of poise from January. Dallas were perennial favourites off a conference final appearance struggling through a bad start and pretty bad February themselves. A moral victory that included beating the Sharks and then the playoff rival Ducks was curtailed by the Montrealers. And losing to the laughing stock item of February in early March led to a run that was soon to become 2 wins in 11 games and no playoffs.
At the same time on the banks of the Mersey...
Both franchises also shared more than a game in time. In early 2009, they also had the shared fate of being beset with owners who leveraged their way to everything in their empires, just when leverage was going out of style in a bad bad way.
Partners in crime (the Liverpool saga was criminal, as a Reds fan I can assure you) George Gillett and Tom Hicks were only beginning after the New Year to discover that the sports jewels they held in summer of 2008, before all hell broke loose in London and New York, were going to be the millstones round their respective necks.
Gillett, who was probably on the shakier ground to begin with was the first to move. Rumours that he denied in December 2008 of a sale, were now being confirmed in March. Hicks must have known he wouldn't be far behind, as he was defaulting on loans in April. And a default on a $100 million loan is not usually something that just creeps up on you.
As a fan of the Canadiens and the Reds, I am happy to say that the Gillett days are behind us. Luckily as a football fan, I can say the same about Hicks. Yet 21 months after that last meeting, the Stars are still the property of Tom Hicks (at least formally - it's well known he's trying his best to free some cash by releasing the Stars).
And what can new owners do for you?
Well, at least initially, it seems they can ignore their own debts as they try to establish a reputation as team the fans can like. Montreal's new ownership has meant less ceremonies and better hockey, an overhaul in ethic on the team.
Dallas is winning enough now, but fate has handed them a healthy hand. If they lost Richards or Ribeiro before the deadline would Hicks' money back them replacing either one? That said, new owners aren't always that quick on the uptake in this way...
So as we watch the puck drop tonight in the Big D, downing the appropriate Molson refreshment, let's remember how fortunate we are not to be reading a piece again about the frosty looks that will be shooting between former buds Gillett and Hicks, and even that Captain Obvious ("Pas facile de gagner sur la route") is going to be renting a luxury box, not standing on one behind the bench, even if Kostitsyn is still looking for a way to be a 25-goalscorer without a no-goal game.
It was an auspicious time, because that game was the last of a road trip, the beginning of a return to backup duty for Halak in the face of form and the last act in Guy Carbonneau's reign.
18 months on a lot has changed. Only one of the starting All-Star team from that season is actively playing for the Canadiens. The team has a new captain, a new coach, have jettisoned the Halak issue and mostly have new personnel throughout.
The last time this team was in Dallas wasn't the catalyst for all that happening, but it certainly seemed to represent some sort of deadline for Bob Gainey, a self-imposed threshold to take control and take a new direction.
That point in time was also significant for Dallas. Because just as the Canadiens used those two unexpected points to eventually vault to eighth where they would win a tie-break to make the playoffs, Dallas needed these points. The two teams were two of the sad sack stories of 2009. Montreal was defending conference champion with a complete loss of poise from January. Dallas were perennial favourites off a conference final appearance struggling through a bad start and pretty bad February themselves. A moral victory that included beating the Sharks and then the playoff rival Ducks was curtailed by the Montrealers. And losing to the laughing stock item of February in early March led to a run that was soon to become 2 wins in 11 games and no playoffs.
At the same time on the banks of the Mersey...
Both franchises also shared more than a game in time. In early 2009, they also had the shared fate of being beset with owners who leveraged their way to everything in their empires, just when leverage was going out of style in a bad bad way.
Partners in crime (the Liverpool saga was criminal, as a Reds fan I can assure you) George Gillett and Tom Hicks were only beginning after the New Year to discover that the sports jewels they held in summer of 2008, before all hell broke loose in London and New York, were going to be the millstones round their respective necks.
Gillett, who was probably on the shakier ground to begin with was the first to move. Rumours that he denied in December 2008 of a sale, were now being confirmed in March. Hicks must have known he wouldn't be far behind, as he was defaulting on loans in April. And a default on a $100 million loan is not usually something that just creeps up on you.
As a fan of the Canadiens and the Reds, I am happy to say that the Gillett days are behind us. Luckily as a football fan, I can say the same about Hicks. Yet 21 months after that last meeting, the Stars are still the property of Tom Hicks (at least formally - it's well known he's trying his best to free some cash by releasing the Stars).
And what can new owners do for you?
Well, at least initially, it seems they can ignore their own debts as they try to establish a reputation as team the fans can like. Montreal's new ownership has meant less ceremonies and better hockey, an overhaul in ethic on the team.
Dallas is winning enough now, but fate has handed them a healthy hand. If they lost Richards or Ribeiro before the deadline would Hicks' money back them replacing either one? That said, new owners aren't always that quick on the uptake in this way...
So as we watch the puck drop tonight in the Big D, downing the appropriate Molson refreshment, let's remember how fortunate we are not to be reading a piece again about the frosty looks that will be shooting between former buds Gillett and Hicks, and even that Captain Obvious ("Pas facile de gagner sur la route") is going to be renting a luxury box, not standing on one behind the bench, even if Kostitsyn is still looking for a way to be a 25-goalscorer without a no-goal game.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Game #48
Laraque's First Goal As A Hab Comes As His Mind Must Be Elsewhere
Details
Date: 14/01/10
Opponent: Stars
Location: Montreal
Win: 5-3
Habs Goalie: Price (W)
Opposition Goalie: Turco (L)
Habs goalscorers: Gionta (2), Laraque, Pouliot, Cammalleri
Opposition goalscorers: Petersen, Ott, Modano
Play of the game
There were a lot of choices tonight as there were goals, good hits (especially Spacek's) and some great saves. With most of our minds, however, on Haiti and not hockey I thought that it was fitting that BGL finally scored for us. To me the play-of-the-game wasn't for the goal itself, but for the circumstances surrounding it. Here you have a Haitian-Quebecois who has family down in Haiti and who must find it very hard to go on with life as normal. So, for him to score a goal, his first, must have meant so much to him and to those close to him - for that fact, and for his very excited celebration it also meant a lot to me. I am not positive that BGL has a place on this team, but I know that he is a great guy who somehow has a place in our hearts.
Dome hockey team
The 6 players we're playing in a no changes, do or die contest in the dome
Forwards
Michael Cammalleri
This was a nice game for Mike and he put the icing on the cake with a very nice looking goal in the third. He also got in on one of our PP goals (finally we get a couple at home) as he collected an assist on Gionta's first of the night. Camms led the team in shots tonight and also, surprisingly, in blocked-shots too.
Brian Gionta - Game Puck
What hands! Brian showed just how quick he can be and that he truly is a natural goalscorer. His 2 goals tonight were both the work of those quick hands and of great positioning as both came from in the slot (where he is constantly fighting off bigger players). Beyond the goals, however, he was probably our quickest player as well as our best forechecker. Burke really dropped the ball when he didn't ask Gionta to play for the USA, but, since helping out that buffoon is the last priority on my list, I am kind of glad that he'll get the rest instead.
Benoit Pouliot
Remember the other person in the Latendresse trade? The one with soft hands, quick legs and the ability to play on one of the Habs top-2 lines? That player is Pouliot and he continued his very impressive play tonight. He has given us that #6 forward we have needed for years and is fitting in so well with the G's; so much so that they actually have decided to not exclusively to themselves. Tonight Ben contributed with a goal and an assist and 4 shots.
Defencemen
Roman Hamrlik
A good night of work, which included being on the ice for no goals against, came to a head in the third where Hammer played a part in the last 2 goals. Our 5th goal, where he picked up his assist, was off of a great pass from Roman to Mike Cammalleri who was 150' away at the opposite blue-line. He and Spacek also made up our best defensive pair and his only blemish would have to be a very questionable interference call.
Jaroslav Spacek
Markov is playing alright lately, but he hasn't been at his best in a few games. It is, therefore, good news that Jaro and Roman are playing so well. Spacek was on the ice tonight for 3 of our goals and none of Dallas' which, when considering the scoreline, is quite impressive. His ice-time dipped below 20 minutes tonight (mostly due to his non-usage on special teams) - something which I didn't think was the best of moves. I see no reason for keeping Jaro off the PK (I would favour him over Mara at the very least) and also think that he should get some more time on the PP. I am, however, happy with his usage at 5-on-5 as he was second in that department (only 18 seconds less than Markov).
Goaltender
Carey Price
Carey started the game with a weak goal, but rebounded nicely after that to put in a solid effort. It was one of those games that the team gave him a chance to win rather than relying on him to do the same for them - a nice change for sure. I would like to see Martin call on both goalies this weekend as the schedule is about to get quite busy until the Olympic break.
Comments
It has been 4 years since Dallas last rolled into Montreal and while some of the faces are still the same this is a far different, less competitive, team. Montreal, however, didn't take advantage of what seemed like a weakish opponent and this game was too close for too long. What did it for us tonight, however, was the PP as it chipped in with 2 goals. Add to that the fact that we got a goal from the 4th line and all of a sudden we seem to forget about our 1st and 3rd lines' struggles. With a closer look, however, one could clearly see that Plekanec and Camms need help and right now, barring a trade, I think it has to be Sergei (until his brother is ready of course). Also, D'Agostini and Pacioretty continued their very weak play as that line, to me, was pretty useless. That means that the Habs are basically carrying 2 ineffective lines and one that needs a boost. Sound familiar? Of course is does as that is how we survived the first half, so I guess we can just keep on doing that... Our defence, for its part, was pretty weak tonight and, considering we have no injuries there, that is again a big worry. I don't see us making any moves on the blue-line before the end of the year so something must improve, we must learn a way to be better and play better together. We can't keep scraping out wins (not that this was a scrape-by) if we want to do more than finish 8th and get sent home in round 1. With 10 to play in January I still think it is imperative that we find a way to get 12 points (that would satisfy my January goal of 17) because this may be the healthiest and best we are for the rest of the year, who knows - I just know that you can't always be waiting to make your move tomorrow.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Game #66
Stars Fail to Capitalize on Gifts From Refs and Habs
The Canadiens Game in Review
Date: Sunday March 8th, 2009
Opponent: Dallas Stars
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Team Stripes
Score: 3 - 1 Win
Date: Sunday March 8th, 2009
Opponent: Dallas Stars
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Team Stripes
Score: 3 - 1 Win
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (W)
Opposition starting goalie: Marty Turco (L)
Habs goalscorers: Andrei Kostitsyn, Alexei Kovalev, Christopher Higgins
Opposition goalscorers: Loui Eriksson
Play of the gameThe play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
The play of the game had as much to do with Dallas' shortcomings as it did with our brilliance. Towards the end of the first period we took a series of penalties that could have been devastating to a fragile team that has trouble winning on the road. With the Stars already leading 1-0 we were really playing with fire and it was going to take a big effort to come out no worse for wear. We did it though as we managed to kill off 4:45 straight, including 3:25 straight at 3-on-5. Dallas didn't exactly test us too much during this stretch, but the important thing is that we held our ground. By not going down by 2 or 3 we seemed to gain some confidence and I think that this helped us a lot and I believe that it was the main reason we came back to score 3.
Game puckTrophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Tomas Plekanec
Pleks was our bet penalty-killer tonight and was very effective during the 5-on-3s. In all he played over 5 minutes of short-handed hockey and was very energetic for most of it. Aside from that he played a solid game which include a team lead in shots (3) and a very respectable 10-7 face-off record.
Dome hockey teamWe're going into the last minute with these 6 (and they're attached to the ice, so they're not coming off)...
Forwards
Tomas Plekanec
He played well with Kovy again tonight, but I think MaxPac added a little more energy to their line which slightly improved their overall make-up. All 3 players were quite dangerous offensively, but it was Tomas that had the most chances - he came very close in the 2nd to beating Turco on a wrap-around.
Andrei Kostitsyn
Andrei was much more effective tonight as he made a return to the RW. I know that one of our readers has been asking for this switch and I think he has a valid point. I always liked the Koivu-Andrei duo that we saw earlier in the year and I think he can bring a lot more to Saku's line than Higgins can. His departure from Plekanec's line isn't something that I think hurt the team tonight, nor will it hurt them in the coming days. He and Kovalev are our 2 best shooters and I am all for spreading them out. Tonight Andrei had some great chances and just seemed more involved altogether. He scored a goal and had at least 3 other glorious chances.
Alexei Kovalev
Kovalev scored an excellent goal to put us up 2-1. The goal wasn't just a great shot, but came at a time when we needed something to happen. He played a great game tonight and, like Plekanec, did extremely well on the PK. His goal was his first in 4 games and I know that as we move down the stretch we'll be seeing more of this. He currently sits at 16 goals and 31 assists and I wouldn't be surprised if he hit about 23 goals and 40 assists - I expect a strong push from the Habs over the next few weeks and Alex will certainly be at the centre of that.
Defencemen
Ryan O'Byrne
It is nice to see someone other than the big 3 in here for once. Ryan played over 17 minutes tonight which included over 4 on the PK. He kept his game about as simple as he could which is exactly what I want from our #6 defenceman. I certainly wish that Komisarek would look at this performance as a reminder of how simple defence can be when you don't take yourself out of position.
Roman Hamrlik
Roman and Ryan were our best duo which is the first time a pairing other than Markov and someone has held that distinction in quite some time. Roman, like his young protege, also played a simple game tonight as I never really noticed him getting into trouble. He picked up his 23rd assist of the season on Kovalev's goal to give him an impressive 27 points on the year.
Goaltender
Carey Price
I didn't think that Carey should have gotten the start tonight as I feel that winning is something one should be rewarded for. Halak won us games we should have lost and all Carey has done of late is lose games for us. Tonight, however, he found a way to get the win. I can't say he was tested too much early (especially not on Dallas' PPs), but when he was he made saves to keep it close. His puck-handling was bad, but was way better than Turco's who, for his part, should be ashamed of how poorly he handles loose pucks. Towards the end of the game Carey made some great saves when we needed him to preserve our lead.
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
It is possible that when Gregory Stewart fought (or punched) Ott we woke up. I didn't, however, like why he was fighting the Star's agitator. Ott was, at the time, flying all over the ice and hitting everything that moved. The key to his play was that it was clean and that it was giving Dallas a clear advantage in the energy and momentum departments. Why then did Greg fight him? I see it more and more often throughout the league where a player must fight, to defend himself, after he makes a good hit. There is no reason that Ott should have to fight or why we should even touch him at all. In fact, if I had my way Stewart would have been tossed from the game as his assault was unprovoked and uncalled for. It is a sad state we are in now in the NHL where every clean hit is followed up with a scrum and some punches. I am sick of fighting for no reason and find that this type of fighting is as stupid as the premeditated boxing we see when Laraque is in the line-up. I am happy that in this case the Habs were able to feed off the incident and were able to turn the tide in the game, but I wish they would have done it differently. What happened to the Habs intimidating teams by fighting or, heaven forbid, by scoring goals? I for one wish we were a smart enough team to know that a clean hit isn't worth us taking 4 minutes of penalties, after all it isn't always going to result in a change of momentum and a comeback win. More often than not these stupid penalties will come back to haunt us and I would love to see us completely take them out of our game-plan.
Overall CommentsCarbo pulled out all the stops tonight as the lines were changed, the 7th defenceman was relegated to the press-box and he made a confusing goaltending selection. It was a pretty classic display from our coach who has so few tricks up his sleeve. The changes, however, seemed to all pay off for us tonight, especially the line changes. I think Guy may have finally found 4 combinations that maximize our assets. There are of course a few minor changes that can be made when we are healthy - 2 of Sergei, Gui and Lang would join Higgins on the 3rd line, Lapierre, and Kostopoulos would join Stewart on the 4th, MaxPac and D'Ags would fight for that spot on Plekanec's left and O'Byrne would have to beat out Bou for a roster spot. Other than that I think we have a line-up that can help us win a little more often. Tonight our balanced approach paid off as we got strong play from each line and goals from the top 3. Dallas, however, could have easily run away with this game, but with strong penalty-killing we held off. After we weathered that storm I felt a little better about our chances. Unlike Friday night in Atlanta we caught a few breaks in this one and that was probably the difference. I wouldn't say that we played a great game, but we were at least as good as Dallas. We thus ended this trip 1 point short of our goal and we now enter the last 16 games with a mountain to climb. The good news is, however, that we are half way up and we know the best route to the top, we've done it before.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Top 6 Defenceman?
Target Sydor
It's a funny thing when it comes to Habs bloggers and trades – everyone seems to adopt a pet project.
In the summer, Arpon Basu of The Daily Hab-It was hot on Lang for about a month before the trade eventually happened. In retrospect, his instincts were right. Though, in actual fact, he had Lang here for faceoff wins and occasional scoring – rather than faceoff losses and team scoring lead...
Enter the trade deadline, and everyone is staking their territory again. The dreamers talk of Lecavalier and Bouwmeester – I wonder if they remember the salary cap? Erik Cole was just what we needed for a few minutes last week. Robert L of Eyes On The Prize is asking for another D in the form of Niclas Havelid.
I happen to think that Robert is right about the need still being at defence (or at least in a defensive-minded player). I think he's even on the right track in looking for a not-too-flashy fit-into-4th/5th/6th spot guy at this point.
Given the recent addition of Schneider, is it necessary though?
Schneider is instantly a top 2 offensive D for us and a top 4 defensive one. Mike Komisarek seems to be doing less damage as number 5 again. But, look down the lineup and tell me you're comfortable with Brisebois/Dandenault/Janik/O'Byrne/Henry in a tight playoff game.
So I have decided to put a trade stake in the mud for all to criticise and mock after we don't make the deal. I don't choose Havelid – who it should be pointed out has mostly been a regular defenceman on some pretty awful teams over his career.
Buying a house
You know that old adage about buying real estate? Never buy the best house in the bad neighbourhood. Buy a lesser house on the top street. I feel the very same way about defencemen, you know. Location, location, location.
That's why I suggest Darryl Sydor to be parachuted in to bolster our defence corps for the final portion of the season (however long that may be). Here's why:
– He has won two Stanley Cups
– He has played in no less than 5 Stanley Cup finals, including last year's
– Won a Memorial Cup and a WJC
– His teams have only missed the playoffs once since 1996 (and you can't blame him for LA)
– He has been a key deadline addition before (for Tampa)
– He says things like this:
– People say this kind of stuff about him:
– He is a respected leader
– He's not signed beyond this season
– He fits into our budget
– Gainey has used Sydor to build a champion before
Even if it weren't for anything I just listed above, the one thing that makes Sydor the target of choice is the fact he is a born winner. He frequently finds himself on teams that win (well after LA, anyway). From Junior, to 1993 to Dallas to Tampa to Pittsburgh to Team Canada. Winning follows him around in unexplained ways.
One simply cannot say the same about Niclas Havelid who has made the playoffs twice in 8 years, is rarely on a team that scored more goals than it allowed. Robert tells us he made the Stanley Cup finals. he doesn't note that Giguere's save percentage behind Havelid had to be .945 just to get there and lose.
Havelid is associated with losing. It's probably not his fault, but it's true. He has nothing to teach Josh Gorges. From the sounds of it, Darryl Sydor does:
Just an idea...
In the summer, Arpon Basu of The Daily Hab-It was hot on Lang for about a month before the trade eventually happened. In retrospect, his instincts were right. Though, in actual fact, he had Lang here for faceoff wins and occasional scoring – rather than faceoff losses and team scoring lead...
Enter the trade deadline, and everyone is staking their territory again. The dreamers talk of Lecavalier and Bouwmeester – I wonder if they remember the salary cap? Erik Cole was just what we needed for a few minutes last week. Robert L of Eyes On The Prize is asking for another D in the form of Niclas Havelid.
I happen to think that Robert is right about the need still being at defence (or at least in a defensive-minded player). I think he's even on the right track in looking for a not-too-flashy fit-into-4th/5th/6th spot guy at this point.
Given the recent addition of Schneider, is it necessary though?
Schneider is instantly a top 2 offensive D for us and a top 4 defensive one. Mike Komisarek seems to be doing less damage as number 5 again. But, look down the lineup and tell me you're comfortable with Brisebois/Dandenault/Janik/O'Byrne/Henry in a tight playoff game.
So I have decided to put a trade stake in the mud for all to criticise and mock after we don't make the deal. I don't choose Havelid – who it should be pointed out has mostly been a regular defenceman on some pretty awful teams over his career.
Buying a house
You know that old adage about buying real estate? Never buy the best house in the bad neighbourhood. Buy a lesser house on the top street. I feel the very same way about defencemen, you know. Location, location, location.
That's why I suggest Darryl Sydor to be parachuted in to bolster our defence corps for the final portion of the season (however long that may be). Here's why:
– He has won two Stanley Cups
– He has played in no less than 5 Stanley Cup finals, including last year's
– Won a Memorial Cup and a WJC
– His teams have only missed the playoffs once since 1996 (and you can't blame him for LA)
– He has been a key deadline addition before (for Tampa)
– He says things like this:
I just think that if you’re going to spend an hour a day in practice, you should do it right. Why go out there and waste time?
– People say this kind of stuff about him:
Unlike Mark Recchi, who openly chafed at his reserve role, Sydor refused to become a distraction, quietly doing some extra skating in order to keep ready.
– He is a respected leader
– He's not signed beyond this season
– He fits into our budget
– Gainey has used Sydor to build a champion before
Even if it weren't for anything I just listed above, the one thing that makes Sydor the target of choice is the fact he is a born winner. He frequently finds himself on teams that win (well after LA, anyway). From Junior, to 1993 to Dallas to Tampa to Pittsburgh to Team Canada. Winning follows him around in unexplained ways.
One simply cannot say the same about Niclas Havelid who has made the playoffs twice in 8 years, is rarely on a team that scored more goals than it allowed. Robert tells us he made the Stanley Cup finals. he doesn't note that Giguere's save percentage behind Havelid had to be .945 just to get there and lose.
Havelid is associated with losing. It's probably not his fault, but it's true. He has nothing to teach Josh Gorges. From the sounds of it, Darryl Sydor does:
Following Game 2, as several Penguins answered questions with dazed looks on their faces, unable to comprehend what was happening, Sydor sat down in a corner of the dressing room. Soon, the most respected player in the Penguins’ room, was joined by Brooks Orpik, Hal Gill, Ryan Whitney and Rob Scuderi. They wanted to hear what he had to say.
“We just talked about what was happening, why we were losing,” he said. “They wanted to know what it looked like out there.”
And they were listening. Intently. That’s why Therrien is turning to Sydor’s experience tonight. The hope is that the 15-year veteran will calm down the rattled Penguins.
Just an idea...
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.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
NHL Discipline
Avery Suspended Indefinitely
I know this is a polarising issue. Generally speaking I sit somewhere between Mike Komisarek and Jeff Marek of the CBC. I think a lot of what he does goes too far, I think he is probably a big jerk, but some things he does (like that screening the goalie – full within the rues at the time) well that's creative and interesting.
I wouldn't have normally felt the need to comment on Sean Avery or his comments (which should be ignored anyway and won't be repeated here today), but I thought the NHL's own behaviour in this matter interesting enough for comment:
It’s a funny thing the mind of an NHL disciplinarian. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how it works. The NHL has now suspended Sean Avery for making inappropriate comments about another player and his personal life:
While his comments were certainly deplorable. But Avery let fly at a noon-time pre-game press call in Calgary on a Tuesday in early December. I fail to see how his comments would have reached me (a keen follower of the NHL) much less the masses of people Bettman concerns himself with – those who switch on televisions in the US. By suspending Avery, the NHL has brought attention to the statement and of course their response. By making a fuss over this the NHL has brought this disrepute on themselves.
In considering alternative course of action on this matter, I tend to agree with this commenter form the CBC website when he says:
Indeed, Avery should be deplored for saying these things. But the question should be asked of the network too. There was no need for this tape to be made public as commenter suggests. Will there e some discipline in that case. Is there no call for common sense, decency and editorial good judgment on the part of those who fuel these NHL fires?
NHL discipline on the whole
Now I applaud the NHL for their response here. Once the tape was out and broadcast, they should stand against sexism and bullying. In fact, if anything, I wish they would do more of that – be a little bit more consistent with their responses to acts we all deplore. We know people are turned off by Avery and that’s fine – punish him. But we are also aware that people are turned off by violence like hits from behind, high-sticking and acts of revenge carried out in the name of some code. The NHL is a hapless bystander in maters such as these.
If I thought this was a turning point in NHL discipline, believe me I would be pleased. By my suspicion is that it isn’t. I refuse to be giddy about the NHL's sudden moral quest while they don't do a worthwhile thing about dangerous play.
I wouldn't have normally felt the need to comment on Sean Avery or his comments (which should be ignored anyway and won't be repeated here today), but I thought the NHL's own behaviour in this matter interesting enough for comment:
It’s a funny thing the mind of an NHL disciplinarian. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how it works. The NHL has now suspended Sean Avery for making inappropriate comments about another player and his personal life:
Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, for conduct "detrimental to the league or game of hockey," the league said. The suspension was imposed following inappropriate public comments about the personal lives of opposing players, and not pertaining to the game, made by Avery yesterday.
While his comments were certainly deplorable. But Avery let fly at a noon-time pre-game press call in Calgary on a Tuesday in early December. I fail to see how his comments would have reached me (a keen follower of the NHL) much less the masses of people Bettman concerns himself with – those who switch on televisions in the US. By suspending Avery, the NHL has brought attention to the statement and of course their response. By making a fuss over this the NHL has brought this disrepute on themselves.
In considering alternative course of action on this matter, I tend to agree with this commenter form the CBC website when he says:
"... slap avery on the head for saying it, but slap the broadcasters/publishers as well for getting the statement out to the public. the cameraman's boss should have simply sent the tape to bettman and had him/them deal with the issue behind closed doors. putting the comment out there for all to hear was the biggest blunder..."
Indeed, Avery should be deplored for saying these things. But the question should be asked of the network too. There was no need for this tape to be made public as commenter suggests. Will there e some discipline in that case. Is there no call for common sense, decency and editorial good judgment on the part of those who fuel these NHL fires?
NHL discipline on the whole
Now I applaud the NHL for their response here. Once the tape was out and broadcast, they should stand against sexism and bullying. In fact, if anything, I wish they would do more of that – be a little bit more consistent with their responses to acts we all deplore. We know people are turned off by Avery and that’s fine – punish him. But we are also aware that people are turned off by violence like hits from behind, high-sticking and acts of revenge carried out in the name of some code. The NHL is a hapless bystander in maters such as these.
If I thought this was a turning point in NHL discipline, believe me I would be pleased. By my suspicion is that it isn’t. I refuse to be giddy about the NHL's sudden moral quest while they don't do a worthwhile thing about dangerous play.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Elusive Power Forward
When was the first time we heard this term? Power forward? What does it mean?
I can vaguely remember my introduction to the concept of power forwarding around the time of Kevin Stevens. Kevin Stevens was a power forward – no other way to describe him. At that time in the NHL, one could throw around several names of forwards who one would put into the power bucket: Rick Tocchet, Cam Neely, Gary Roberts and an up-and-coming Keith Tkachuk were all the prototypes.
It seems that nowadays the lines are more blurred. Beyond Iginla, who is a productive power forward anymore?
There are big forwards. Are they power forwards? Oleg Kvasha wasn't, Nik Antropov isn't. No, power forward goes beyond size. As the name implies, the defining characteristic is power.
In a bit of lazy research for the piece (I never rely on Wikipedia in my day job), I came across this entry on the definition of power forward, at least as far as concerned editors and readers on the internet's encyclopedia are concerned. The definition is certainly worth a peek, but what interested me most was the ensuing list of current power forwards in the league:
* Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers
* Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
* Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
* Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars
* Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis Blues.
* Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
* Brendan Shanahan, NY Rangers
* Gary Roberts, Tampa Bay Lightning
* Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit Red Wings
* Mike Knuble, Philadelphia Flyers
* Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings
* Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
* Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins
Two things strike me as odd about this list:
1) It is very short
2) There are only 2 Europeans
This led me through a whole range of thoughts. The obvious knee-jerk reaction is to criticise the make-up of the list itself (In a departure from my usual MO, I decided not to take this route).
Next, I found myself thinking about the definition that would lead one to posting an exclusive list that at once contains league MVP-types like Iginla and Lecavalier with virtual nobodies Lucic and Penner (I guess i couldn't resist chipping in on that front after all).
Ultimately, that led to a very short, and extremely uninteresting post (IMHO). The final stage of questioning has led me to the line of thinking that the power forward notion itself is outdated and even obsolete. The interesting part, I suppose, here is the factors that have led to this change over the past few years.
The passing of the power forward
There is no doubt that there once were power forwards in the league. There is no doubt that players like those famous names at the top of this post still skate in the NHL, and that there will always be players like that. However, what I think sets apart the "power forwards" that remain in the league is their talent – that is to say, they can do more than add power. Lecavalier is an all-around talent, Iginla can skate and shoot extremely well, Shanahan is a smart player.
In the past, specifically in the 1990s, there were forwards who could neither skate, nor pass particularly well – players who were happy to hack at a puck all night to get some goals. Todd Bertuzzi springs to mind.
These players were propagated by need. The league was in a new generation of defensive focus, together with better goaltenders with equipment almost twice as big as before. For years, plan A to score goals was to put a big man in the goalie's line of sight and send in a low shot. More than this though, the power forward was required to overcome the unbelievable level of hooking and obstruction that was being allowed to pass for hockey.
With the temporary implementation of the rules of hockey from the time of the lock-out up until present day, the need for power forwards has diminished. As smaller players are no longer hooked and held back, they can begin to show their own merits in the league out-competing many a power forward for a job. Incidentally, the "power forwards", never mistaken for the fleet of foot, also lamented the crack-down on hooking, as they were largely no longer capable of making any meaningful contribution at the defensive end of the ice either.
In addition to the change in rules, there has also been a general change in ethic across the NHL. The league is trying its utmost to make games flow better. Gone are breaks at every face off for the big oafs to rest. Going are opportunities to fight and intimidate. With them even more reasons to choose to employ an otherwise inadequately skilled hockey player.
The rise of the star player
Simultaneous with the extinction of the power forward (at least those with a dearth of skill) has been the rise of the all-rounder, the multi-purpose player. This is the rise of the star player. After all those years of GMs repeating the mantra of picking the best player, it seems to have rubbed off on coaches (well some, anyway).
The star players are the forwards that can be deployed in any game situation. They are the names at the top of the team scoring list. And they are the ones at the top of the ice time in all scenarios.
When I watch my Habs in important scoring situations I see Koivu, Kovalev and Higgins or Plekanec on the ice. If it's getting hairy at the end of the third and we need to hang on, strangely, its the same guys. What makes it strange is not that it is counter intuitive or anything, because playing the best players makes loads of sense to me on the level of intuition; but that it is something I am not used to after living through the trap years, the obstruction generation.
The rise of the star player is something that excites me. I think people around the league are generally excited about this too – that is unless your GM is still behind the times and signing the Bertuzzis of the league... Why wouldn't I be excited? Why wouldn't I want to watch Kovalev kill a penalty instead of Kostopoulos?
But how did this change come about?
To be perfectly honest, I am not entirely sure. If I were to venture a guess, I would say it has something to do with the quality of the young talent coming through into the league. Players like Ovechkin, Crosby and Malkin just should never be on the bench. I think coaches with established players of similar ilk (your Kovalevs, Alfredssons, Zetterbergs) have been affirmed in thinking what they might have always thought about playing the best guys.
But, this of course has always happened when strong generations came through the league. That's why I think the other factor in play here is the general trend towards youth in the league. It's simple, I guess. Young legs can be asked to do more. What's more the old guys are being asked to compete with young legs and so are becoming fitter themselves (Chelios?)
A combination of talent and fitness doesn't sound like a mind-blowing concept, but the fact is that in this league it was, not even that long ago. The move to youth and as a consequence fitness shows huge promise for the game, in my opinion. And as time goes by and skilled players can no longer be shown up on fitness, then we should hopefully see more stars like Ovechkin and Zetterberg running amok.
What of the coveted power forward for the Habs?
As always I come home to the Habs in these thought journeys. When it comes to this elusive power forward we are always on the verge of signing, trading for, concocting in a lab in the Saguenay, I think the time has passed.
That is not to say I don't think we'll have big players – we will. However, I just don't think they'll be able to make the league, much less the resurgent Glorieux on the basis of size alone.
I think some of the prospects may well have been prototypical power forwards in the past, but ultimately if Latendresse and Pacioretty don't skate in the NHL, the Canadiens won't build a strategy around their stationary masses.
Similarly, I think the time has come to stop worrying about the statures of our top two centres. Basically they should be judged on the sum of what they can bring to a hockey game (if I were being my normal difficult self, I might also add that both Koivu and Plekanec have more power on the puck than most players 6 inches closer to the rafters anyway).
As with anything else, I will gladly take thee size as a bonus if everything else is equal though. Give me a bigger Saku, I won't complain. But, I'd still rather have Saku Koivu than his brother, even if he is smaller, because he is strong and creative on the puck despite what his biometrics would suggest, but he is also faster and has a better handle on how the game flows.
Anyway, the summer rolls on, the power forward continues to elude us, and I, for one, couldn't care less about that...
I can vaguely remember my introduction to the concept of power forwarding around the time of Kevin Stevens. Kevin Stevens was a power forward – no other way to describe him. At that time in the NHL, one could throw around several names of forwards who one would put into the power bucket: Rick Tocchet, Cam Neely, Gary Roberts and an up-and-coming Keith Tkachuk were all the prototypes.
It seems that nowadays the lines are more blurred. Beyond Iginla, who is a productive power forward anymore?
There are big forwards. Are they power forwards? Oleg Kvasha wasn't, Nik Antropov isn't. No, power forward goes beyond size. As the name implies, the defining characteristic is power.
In a bit of lazy research for the piece (I never rely on Wikipedia in my day job), I came across this entry on the definition of power forward, at least as far as concerned editors and readers on the internet's encyclopedia are concerned. The definition is certainly worth a peek, but what interested me most was the ensuing list of current power forwards in the league:
* Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers
* Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
* Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
* Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars
* Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis Blues.
* Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
* Brendan Shanahan, NY Rangers
* Gary Roberts, Tampa Bay Lightning
* Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit Red Wings
* Mike Knuble, Philadelphia Flyers
* Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings
* Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
* Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins
Two things strike me as odd about this list:
1) It is very short
2) There are only 2 Europeans
This led me through a whole range of thoughts. The obvious knee-jerk reaction is to criticise the make-up of the list itself (In a departure from my usual MO, I decided not to take this route).
Next, I found myself thinking about the definition that would lead one to posting an exclusive list that at once contains league MVP-types like Iginla and Lecavalier with virtual nobodies Lucic and Penner (I guess i couldn't resist chipping in on that front after all).
Ultimately, that led to a very short, and extremely uninteresting post (IMHO). The final stage of questioning has led me to the line of thinking that the power forward notion itself is outdated and even obsolete. The interesting part, I suppose, here is the factors that have led to this change over the past few years.
The passing of the power forward
There is no doubt that there once were power forwards in the league. There is no doubt that players like those famous names at the top of this post still skate in the NHL, and that there will always be players like that. However, what I think sets apart the "power forwards" that remain in the league is their talent – that is to say, they can do more than add power. Lecavalier is an all-around talent, Iginla can skate and shoot extremely well, Shanahan is a smart player.
In the past, specifically in the 1990s, there were forwards who could neither skate, nor pass particularly well – players who were happy to hack at a puck all night to get some goals. Todd Bertuzzi springs to mind.
These players were propagated by need. The league was in a new generation of defensive focus, together with better goaltenders with equipment almost twice as big as before. For years, plan A to score goals was to put a big man in the goalie's line of sight and send in a low shot. More than this though, the power forward was required to overcome the unbelievable level of hooking and obstruction that was being allowed to pass for hockey.
With the temporary implementation of the rules of hockey from the time of the lock-out up until present day, the need for power forwards has diminished. As smaller players are no longer hooked and held back, they can begin to show their own merits in the league out-competing many a power forward for a job. Incidentally, the "power forwards", never mistaken for the fleet of foot, also lamented the crack-down on hooking, as they were largely no longer capable of making any meaningful contribution at the defensive end of the ice either.
In addition to the change in rules, there has also been a general change in ethic across the NHL. The league is trying its utmost to make games flow better. Gone are breaks at every face off for the big oafs to rest. Going are opportunities to fight and intimidate. With them even more reasons to choose to employ an otherwise inadequately skilled hockey player.
The rise of the star player
Simultaneous with the extinction of the power forward (at least those with a dearth of skill) has been the rise of the all-rounder, the multi-purpose player. This is the rise of the star player. After all those years of GMs repeating the mantra of picking the best player, it seems to have rubbed off on coaches (well some, anyway).
The star players are the forwards that can be deployed in any game situation. They are the names at the top of the team scoring list. And they are the ones at the top of the ice time in all scenarios.
When I watch my Habs in important scoring situations I see Koivu, Kovalev and Higgins or Plekanec on the ice. If it's getting hairy at the end of the third and we need to hang on, strangely, its the same guys. What makes it strange is not that it is counter intuitive or anything, because playing the best players makes loads of sense to me on the level of intuition; but that it is something I am not used to after living through the trap years, the obstruction generation.
The rise of the star player is something that excites me. I think people around the league are generally excited about this too – that is unless your GM is still behind the times and signing the Bertuzzis of the league... Why wouldn't I be excited? Why wouldn't I want to watch Kovalev kill a penalty instead of Kostopoulos?
But how did this change come about?
To be perfectly honest, I am not entirely sure. If I were to venture a guess, I would say it has something to do with the quality of the young talent coming through into the league. Players like Ovechkin, Crosby and Malkin just should never be on the bench. I think coaches with established players of similar ilk (your Kovalevs, Alfredssons, Zetterbergs) have been affirmed in thinking what they might have always thought about playing the best guys.
But, this of course has always happened when strong generations came through the league. That's why I think the other factor in play here is the general trend towards youth in the league. It's simple, I guess. Young legs can be asked to do more. What's more the old guys are being asked to compete with young legs and so are becoming fitter themselves (Chelios?)
A combination of talent and fitness doesn't sound like a mind-blowing concept, but the fact is that in this league it was, not even that long ago. The move to youth and as a consequence fitness shows huge promise for the game, in my opinion. And as time goes by and skilled players can no longer be shown up on fitness, then we should hopefully see more stars like Ovechkin and Zetterberg running amok.
What of the coveted power forward for the Habs?
As always I come home to the Habs in these thought journeys. When it comes to this elusive power forward we are always on the verge of signing, trading for, concocting in a lab in the Saguenay, I think the time has passed.
That is not to say I don't think we'll have big players – we will. However, I just don't think they'll be able to make the league, much less the resurgent Glorieux on the basis of size alone.
I think some of the prospects may well have been prototypical power forwards in the past, but ultimately if Latendresse and Pacioretty don't skate in the NHL, the Canadiens won't build a strategy around their stationary masses.
Similarly, I think the time has come to stop worrying about the statures of our top two centres. Basically they should be judged on the sum of what they can bring to a hockey game (if I were being my normal difficult self, I might also add that both Koivu and Plekanec have more power on the puck than most players 6 inches closer to the rafters anyway).
As with anything else, I will gladly take thee size as a bonus if everything else is equal though. Give me a bigger Saku, I won't complain. But, I'd still rather have Saku Koivu than his brother, even if he is smaller, because he is strong and creative on the puck despite what his biometrics would suggest, but he is also faster and has a better handle on how the game flows.
Anyway, the summer rolls on, the power forward continues to elude us, and I, for one, couldn't care less about that...
Monday, January 28, 2008
Why 79 trumps 71
(No, don't worry, it's not another Brisebois article. This one's about the littlest All-Star - Mike Ribeiro. Have to admit though, it is funny that Brisebois chose that number...)
How can 71 and 79 look so similar, but yet when they hit the ice and especially when they open their mouths, look so far. The space between 71 and 79 (is more than one Garon) and must be on that part of the curve where there is pretty much no horizontal component, because if the y-axis reads NHL star quality, the difference between the two is counted in tens, not single units.
Not even changing to the awkward looking 63 can hide this reality.
An article that was at one point on RDS, but now is found on La Presse makes my job very easy, as it illustrates the difference between the two post-lockout Habs at the All-Star contest this past weekend.
Check out the quotes:
I guess there's no love from Andrei then. Can't imagine why he would disown his old teammate.
Why doesn't this quote surprise me? Career goal fulfilled? No wait there's that trophy to win, the one in all his dreams - Art Ross.
Some would argue teams might actually look at past form (or at the possibility of signing someone reliable), but who am I to burst a bubble here?
I'm surprised they got that much out of Markov. What no hyperbole about how he's always planned on being an all-star, how he could get paid more than double what Mike Ribeiro now makes, how he wishes the superstars were friendly to him?
What you've got there is the best contrast and the biggest gulf in class (in my opinion) between two 5 million plus players in this league.
Andrei Markov, the serious professional was said to enjoy the all-star experience, but would have been equally as happy somewhere else while he rested for the real challenge ahead.
Mike Ribeiro, unable to get enough photos for himself to prove to people that he actually got to this game.
Markov the number one vote getter in the East barring Sidney Crosby. Ribeiro the second choice on a team that had to provide their single all-star.
Markov the cornerstone of the Canadiens franchise with management's faith and commitment as the highest paid Hab ever. Ribeiro, the guy who fetched us Janne Niinimaa.
Frankly, I don't know where all this resentment to Ribeiro comes from. I was pleased he got shipped out of town, and he should be thanked for that, not derided. If nothing else, it has given us a chance to watch an equally as talented offensive centre play with Kovalev. And one who plays defense at that.
Ribeiro could win the scoring title, and I know it would be like watching Sheldon Souray set the record for PPG by a defenseman - providing me with not much beyond a feeling that there must be something more to being good at hockey. Markov, consequently, rarely, if ever, leaves me feeling that way.
I suppose a lot of my feelings on Mike closely mirror those of HF10 at Four Habs Fans (though I'm not sure I could find as much vitriol as he does).
Mike may be an all-star, but he's not an all-star the way Andrei Markov is. Not even the way Alex Kovalev should have been. Not even within an order of magnitude.
While Mike may mistake what he hears people saying to him in Montreal for "Markov", I think that's as close as he'll come to the skill and pedigree of our top defenseman.
How can 71 and 79 look so similar, but yet when they hit the ice and especially when they open their mouths, look so far. The space between 71 and 79 (is more than one Garon) and must be on that part of the curve where there is pretty much no horizontal component, because if the y-axis reads NHL star quality, the difference between the two is counted in tens, not single units.
Not even changing to the awkward looking 63 can hide this reality.
An article that was at one point on RDS, but now is found on La Presse makes my job very easy, as it illustrates the difference between the two post-lockout Habs at the All-Star contest this past weekend.
Check out the quotes:
«J'aimerais être accompagné d'un coéquipier, ce serait plus facile de m'y retrouver» - Ribeiro
I guess there's no love from Andrei then. Can't imagine why he would disown his old teammate.
«La possibilité de participer à un match des étoiles me trottait dans la tête depuis longtemps. Cette saison, j'estimais que mes chances étaient excellentes et j'ai été déçu de ne pas avoir été choisi initialement.» - Ribeiro
Why doesn't this quote surprise me? Career goal fulfilled? No wait there's that trophy to win, the one in all his dreams - Art Ross.
«J'aurais peut-être obtenu plus d'argent si j'avais testé le marché des joueurs autonomes à la fin de la saison.» - Ribeiro
Some would argue teams might actually look at past form (or at the possibility of signing someone reliable), but who am I to burst a bubble here?
«Les journalistes russes me tapent sur les nerfs.» - Markov
I'm surprised they got that much out of Markov. What no hyperbole about how he's always planned on being an all-star, how he could get paid more than double what Mike Ribeiro now makes, how he wishes the superstars were friendly to him?
What you've got there is the best contrast and the biggest gulf in class (in my opinion) between two 5 million plus players in this league.
Andrei Markov, the serious professional was said to enjoy the all-star experience, but would have been equally as happy somewhere else while he rested for the real challenge ahead.
Mike Ribeiro, unable to get enough photos for himself to prove to people that he actually got to this game.
Markov the number one vote getter in the East barring Sidney Crosby. Ribeiro the second choice on a team that had to provide their single all-star.
Markov the cornerstone of the Canadiens franchise with management's faith and commitment as the highest paid Hab ever. Ribeiro, the guy who fetched us Janne Niinimaa.
Frankly, I don't know where all this resentment to Ribeiro comes from. I was pleased he got shipped out of town, and he should be thanked for that, not derided. If nothing else, it has given us a chance to watch an equally as talented offensive centre play with Kovalev. And one who plays defense at that.
Ribeiro could win the scoring title, and I know it would be like watching Sheldon Souray set the record for PPG by a defenseman - providing me with not much beyond a feeling that there must be something more to being good at hockey. Markov, consequently, rarely, if ever, leaves me feeling that way.
I suppose a lot of my feelings on Mike closely mirror those of HF10 at Four Habs Fans (though I'm not sure I could find as much vitriol as he does).
Mike may be an all-star, but he's not an all-star the way Andrei Markov is. Not even the way Alex Kovalev should have been. Not even within an order of magnitude.
While Mike may mistake what he hears people saying to him in Montreal for "Markov", I think that's as close as he'll come to the skill and pedigree of our top defenseman.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Game #36 Sergei Kostitsyn - The Lone Star in Dallas
Game #36 Sergei Kostitsyn - The Lone Star in Dallas
The Canadiens Game in Review
Date: Sunday December 23rd, 2007
Opponent: Dallas Stars
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Team Stripes
Final Score: 1-4 - Loss
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (L)
Opposition starting goalie: Marty Turco (W)
Habs goalscorers: Andrei Markov
Opposition goalscorers: Antti Miettinen, Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro, Stu Barnes
2007/08 first
There's a first time for everything, so they say. What they didn't tell you is that every game, something happens for the first time, you just have to look harder in March...
1st Game for Mike Ribeiro against the Habs (3 points)
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
This isn't the night to give the play of the game to the Stras, although I easily could. The play of the game was our lone goal, Markov's 9th. A quasi 2-0n-1 emerged as we broke into Dallas' end and S. Kots fed a beautiful pass through the defender's legs right to Markov. There Andrei made no mistake burying it as we avoided being shutout.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Sergei Kostitsyn
Many people believed that with linemates such as Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner in London over the past 2 years Sergei was the weakest on the line and wasn't a complete player himself. He may be the weakest of the 3, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He is a great player and he is a complete player. His pass was just one of many good, aggressive plays from the 20 year old tonight.
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
Sergei Kostitsyn
- He got his 4th point of the year in only his 6th game which for a Habs rookie is quite something. He will likely overtake Ryder in points soon as he continues to mow down certain defencemen and 4th-liners in that category
Kyle Chipchura
- I tend to notice him more in losses than wins. I notice him, however, for good solid fore-checking and all around gritty play. Tonight he was one of the few noticeable Habs
Mark Streit
- His best moments tonight came at the point on the PP, as a defenceman, and that his where he should be. Until that happens though I will put him in as a forward if he deserves it, which he did tonight. Whether or not he is a top 9 forward is irrelevant as our 4th best D should be playing D. Markov would be a great 1st-liner, but it doesn't mean I would take him off D
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
- A very nice goal, the Habs' only one, but an otherwise quieter game. Was the only Hab to finish in the + tonight and is now all the way up to -2 for the year
Ryan O'Byrne
- I noticed three things tonight that I really like to see - speed, size and effort. I think that if every Hab had just 2 of those qualities we would be fine. The problem is hat most have the capability for that, but only show 0-1 of those qualities in a game; Ryan Showed all three
Goaltender
Cristobal Huet
- Price never gave us a chance to win and seeing as Huet played well last night I think this was a no-brainer. Carey has yet to show me that he is anything more than an average goalie. I am not interested in what he did in the AHL or WJHC as those are both way worse than the NHL. We continue to throw away points by playing a goalie that we believe should, in theory, most of the time, for the rest of his career, now be a superstar
Eyes on Kovalev
Did he flit and float? Someone ought to keep track...
Maybe Alex's worst game of the season, maybe not. It was, however, his line's worst performance of the year, no question. Playing back-to-back nights continues to be a problem for Alex and co. and that is costing the Habs a chance at a lot of points.
Kovalev's Assessment - Average
Overall Comments
Dallas showed us what a truly great organization looks like and I don't believe we are far off. With many former Stars players/personnel running our team I am confident that the similarities between the teams will only grow. Imagine having 2 great goalies but declaring a #1. Imagine having your best player since 1995 honoured and respected by the team, fans and local media rather than being criticized. Imagine being able to get players like Ribeiro to produce. I think if the media would give Bob and Guy a chance that we wouldn't be imagining for too long.
Date: Sunday December 23rd, 2007
Opponent: Dallas Stars
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Team Stripes
Final Score: 1-4 - Loss
Habs starting goalie: Carey Price (L)
Opposition starting goalie: Marty Turco (W)
Habs goalscorers: Andrei Markov
Opposition goalscorers: Antti Miettinen, Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro, Stu Barnes
2007/08 first
There's a first time for everything, so they say. What they didn't tell you is that every game, something happens for the first time, you just have to look harder in March...
1st Game for Mike Ribeiro against the Habs (3 points)
Play of the game
The play you're straining to see on the press catwalk monitor...
This isn't the night to give the play of the game to the Stras, although I easily could. The play of the game was our lone goal, Markov's 9th. A quasi 2-0n-1 emerged as we broke into Dallas' end and S. Kots fed a beautiful pass through the defender's legs right to Markov. There Andrei made no mistake burying it as we avoided being shutout.
Game puck
Trophies are for the end of the year, play well in the game, you get a lovely puck...
Sergei Kostitsyn
Many people believed that with linemates such as Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner in London over the past 2 years Sergei was the weakest on the line and wasn't a complete player himself. He may be the weakest of the 3, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. He is a great player and he is a complete player. His pass was just one of many good, aggressive plays from the 20 year old tonight.
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
Sergei Kostitsyn
- He got his 4th point of the year in only his 6th game which for a Habs rookie is quite something. He will likely overtake Ryder in points soon as he continues to mow down certain defencemen and 4th-liners in that category
Kyle Chipchura
- I tend to notice him more in losses than wins. I notice him, however, for good solid fore-checking and all around gritty play. Tonight he was one of the few noticeable Habs
Mark Streit
- His best moments tonight came at the point on the PP, as a defenceman, and that his where he should be. Until that happens though I will put him in as a forward if he deserves it, which he did tonight. Whether or not he is a top 9 forward is irrelevant as our 4th best D should be playing D. Markov would be a great 1st-liner, but it doesn't mean I would take him off D
Defencemen
Andrei Markov
- A very nice goal, the Habs' only one, but an otherwise quieter game. Was the only Hab to finish in the + tonight and is now all the way up to -2 for the year
Ryan O'Byrne
- I noticed three things tonight that I really like to see - speed, size and effort. I think that if every Hab had just 2 of those qualities we would be fine. The problem is hat most have the capability for that, but only show 0-1 of those qualities in a game; Ryan Showed all three
Goaltender
Cristobal Huet
- Price never gave us a chance to win and seeing as Huet played well last night I think this was a no-brainer. Carey has yet to show me that he is anything more than an average goalie. I am not interested in what he did in the AHL or WJHC as those are both way worse than the NHL. We continue to throw away points by playing a goalie that we believe should, in theory, most of the time, for the rest of his career, now be a superstar
Eyes on Kovalev
Did he flit and float? Someone ought to keep track...
Maybe Alex's worst game of the season, maybe not. It was, however, his line's worst performance of the year, no question. Playing back-to-back nights continues to be a problem for Alex and co. and that is costing the Habs a chance at a lot of points.
Kovalev's Assessment - Average
Overall Comments
Dallas showed us what a truly great organization looks like and I don't believe we are far off. With many former Stars players/personnel running our team I am confident that the similarities between the teams will only grow. Imagine having 2 great goalies but declaring a #1. Imagine having your best player since 1995 honoured and respected by the team, fans and local media rather than being criticized. Imagine being able to get players like Ribeiro to produce. I think if the media would give Bob and Guy a chance that we wouldn't be imagining for too long.
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