i think part of what contributed to the struggles of S.Kost/Higgins (particularly Kost... Higgins created many of his own problems with poor off-ice habits) was the fact that they saw their ice-time/roles + opportunity to contribute offensively diminish directly as a result of bringing in Lang/Tanguay.
from a psyche pov, it couldn't be "positive" to those guys to see their GM go out and get offensive "reinforcements" after each of them had just had very good years (Kost a strong rookie showing & Higgins a career best season).
that we went out and got a top-6 LW (giving up as many assets as we did), with both being LW's, certainly couldn't have had a positive impact on them believing that the team had faith in them for the near future.
targetting a guy who clearly brought an element missing to the team (toughness) would have been one thing... but bringing in another soft-ish (or "skilled") winger sends a completely different message to the guys still there.
no way to statistically "prove it", but I don't doubt that it had a negative effect, especially on S.Kost, and we all saw how that later played itself out.
kind of thing that a GM who has a strong feel for the pulse of his team would have done a much better job managing...
I don't know what you're talking about. When Higgins came back from injury, he was given his top 6 ice-time after a few games that Lats didn't get a point. He struggled pretty much until he was put into a checking role late in the season.
SK struggled for whatever reason, but he wasn't demoted to a marginal role or anything. He had steady PP time.
I hate the Bruins, but Seguin seems like a good kid. Should I feel guilty?
At first I thought he looked like a good kid too but for some reason, he looks like a ******bag this season. He got a great start and I think his head got too big.
Andrei Kostitsyn is averaging a point a game with Nashville
We all know he won't keep it up but I am glad to see he is having some success. In the meantime, the 2nd round pick we got for him might be ready in about 2017.
3rd point in three games and the game is not over. What a deal for the preds, **** you gauthier.
I'm happy with the return. I never thought he was worth that much on the market anyway and it looks like he wasn;t in the habs plans either. I don't know what's better though, having people whine that he was traded or having people whined that the habs "wasted anotehr UFA asset by not selling."
Wow what a great hit. Not sure if he gets suspended but wow what great timing
I hate seeing player being hurt like that but I don't think it was a dirty hit. Voracek needs to be more careful. You can't play with the head down like that... especially against Kronwall.
Doesn't anyone get it? Players underachieving and doomed to failure as a Hab will always, almost always succeed elsewhere. We're that ****** an environment and our pro scouting/development/coaching has been that terrible. Don't look to Timmins. He drafts NHL'ers consistently. Look at the guys in the GM booth. We need a much more stable, nurturing environment because the amount of guys who we pick up and go to absolute **** is staggering, just as the amount of guys who suck for us leave and do well elsewhere is. Although I should point out that no one we've given up except Halak, Grabo and Ribs is really a big difference maker, the depth would still be great to have (Lats, Streit, Higgins, Souray, Ryder, D'Agostini, Bouillon, Koivu, Lapierre, the Kostys, McDonaugh, and hell if you wanna go back to Andre Savard- who some say never gave up good parts either- why not mention Robidas and Asham? These players do not make us a Cup winning team IMO but it sure as hell beats what we've got now). SK for example would be 4th on our team in points. But an upgrade on the 2nd line over what we've got now? For sure.
Last edited by Hab-a-maniac: 03-06-2012 at 08:37 PM.
bruins win 5-4. for all the **** leaf fans were talking at us, it looks like they are going to miss the playoffs for what? 8 straight years?
B-but they've got Frattin, Grabo, Kessel, Ross, McKegg, Biggs, Kadri, D'Amigo... yeah it's nice, but where's the goalie? Where's the D? It's odd that Burke could help build up the cupboard at forward but on D it's just a bunch of overpriced vets and shaky young ones. Carlyle is capable of fixing it but they need a real leader and captain. Dion Phaneuf is no captain that's going to lead the Leafs anywhere. Here's a putz that couldn't even co-exist with Jarome Iginla, the nicest and easiest to get along with teammate in the world!
B-but they've got Frattin, Grabo, Kessel, Ross, McKegg, Biggs, Kadri, D'Amigo... yeah it's nice, but where's the goalie? Where's the D? It's odd that Burke could help build up the cupboard at forward but on D it's just a bunch of overpriced vets and shaky young ones. Carlyle is capable of fixing it but they need a real leader and captain. Dion Phaneuf is no captain that's going to lead the Leafs anywhere. Here's a putz that couldn't even co-exist with Jarome Iginla, the nicest and easiest to get along with teammate in the world!
We have like 5 forward prospects better than Ross Frattin McKegg and Damigo. Biggs is just another Armstrong.
