Of course Vinny LeCavalier is a better player... But there have been nights when Ribeiro made a fine mess of the opposition as well. So many comments about how he ***** the bed, yet the accomplishments he's done have been consistently avoided because he's not big.
Vincent LaCavalier, almost every one of us would grin ear to ear, and host a party if he came to the habs... Personally, I would love to see it, however for the time being, he cant be considered an option. Unless Bob is planning something (I would love to see it, and the whole Richards thing always keeps it interesting... Trading Vinny to us would allow them to keep Kubina, Richards, and possibly give them a solution for the crease as an example as to how the deal CAN be believable)... Ribeiro is the solution right now...
Now, The topic is based on the premature belief that Ribeiro has played his last game as a Canadien... Well, I got to say I for one am not entirely convinced that's the case. Yeah he had some bad stretches... But they were also varied with good spells as well. There's no way he'll ever be mistaken as the go to guy... But he can be an asset if he posts up 51 points on what many consider a sophomore jinxed season. The thing is, Ribeiro has arrived now. he's heading in to year 3 where most NHL'ers improve. He's already shown us a very solid 65 point season. He's definately got the potential to be a solid # 2 center. And a piece to a puzzle. His strength is always questioned, but I believe he has at least justified a place in the show.
People then criticize his performance in the alst few games... However he wasnt the only one, and he gave it a good go in the final games. He has proven he can perform at the NHL level... And playoff performance has truly many myths attached to it with many players. However there are many players who get stymied in one playoff round, then explode in others... Mike IMO can be a catalyst for a playoff round, because he's got talent to be a # 2... Vinny, on the other hand, is a talented #1... He'd knock a much more talented #2 in Koivu on our roster... However until it happens we can only hope.
For the time being, I am content with Ribeiro as #2... While he's not the greatest we can ask for, he's not nearly as bad as many make him out to be. Considering his youth, it is safe to estimate his best seasons are still in front of him... Furthermore, it's also not out of the question that he may someday outproduce Koivu's best 70 point season (whom is my favourite hab currently... so I am not putting him down). That's not too shabby to ask for from a second line threat... In fact, it's things like this that make coming in to Montreal a scarier thought as the games go by. Add to this the elevation of guys like Ryder, Higgins, Perezhogin,Plekanec, Lapierre, Komisarek, Cote, and to a degree Streit, Markov, Souray... heck even Huet, Aebi, Price, and Danis...
There's a tonne of talent here. I didnt even name them all... that's just a good look at the youngsters. We have solid depth veteran wise, is it honestly all that bad to see Mike Ribeiro grow with these boys, and see what comes out before we start trading pot away before giving it a taste?
I believe Ribeiro CAN be the answer to be the competent # 2 we need. Even in a poorer season, he did well enough to say he helped the club this year. Next year, is the year IMHO, to make the final caste on Ribeiro. If he is loyal to the team, he will make himself a more competent player... I saw forms of this happening since January, when I started seeing him playing well, in a 2-way system. He was backchecking, hitting guys, skating was decent... even very solid from time to times... He's shown improvement... I believe it should be enough to not look around heavily for an alternative... If a better situation came around, then fer shure... But he wasnt a source of major problems this year... That much must be said.
You made a good post, but please for the love of god: Punctuation and Paragraphs!!!
I don't think you see the big picture. It's not rocket science. Let's assume that Gainey bring in an offensive center via either trade (Richards) or free agency (Arnott or Savard). If the Habs don't give up a center in return, they would have five centers. One would have to go. Richards/Savard/Arnott on the first line, Koivu on the second. Who would play on the third and fourth lines? Plekanec is suitable for either one, Ribeiro for neither. So the roster would have Richards/Savard/Arnott, Koivu, Plekanec, and Bonk, with Ribeiro as the fifth wheel. Therefore, if Gainey feels he has to have a big scoring center, and Koivu has a no trade contract, and Plekanec does an excellent job on the third line, isn't is logical that he should seek to trade Ribeiro?
That`s pretty much what I was saying. But the argument was "replacing Ribeiro by Plekanek" wich I thought was replacing a small guy but another. My thinking was move Ribs on the side or trade him because Ribs can`t be a centerman on the third or fourth line.
To me it`s a given that next year:
Saku(1st line)
Bonk(3rd line)
Plekanek(4th line)
Or you can have Bonk on 4th and Plek on third.
As for Begin, he fit well with Bonk as a winger.
Meanwhile it`s imperative that we should get a physical(or at least bigger) centerman to play on the first two lines. If we not, we won`t have a progression.
That`s pretty much what I was saying. But the argument was "replacing Ribeiro by Plekanek" wich I thought was replacing a small guy but another. My thinking was move Ribs on the side or trade him because Ribs can`t be a centerman on the third or fourth line.
To me it`s a given that next year:
Saku(1st line)
Bonk(3rd line)
Plekanek(4th line)
Or you can have Bonk on 4th and Plek on third.
As for Begin, he fit well with Bonk as a winger.
Meanwhile it`s imperative that we should get a physical(or at least bigger) centerman to play on the first two lines. If we not, we won`t have a progression.
Could you give Pleks even less credit?? He is on the small side but in opposite to Ribs, he can skate in this league can shot and is stocky enough to play against any centers in the league.. Didnt he prove it against Eric Stall???
Thx
Last edited by NewHabsEra: 05-07-2006 at 02:48 PM.
One step at a time. Your hat trick won't come bing-bang-bing. Dagenais was the easiest to replace--he was just sent to Hamilton. Gainey was stuck with a stumbling Théo for awhile, but when Huet showed what he was capable of, Théo was exposed as being both superfluous and expensive. Unfortunately, there's no easy resolution for Ribeiro. Obviously Gainey won't waive him because he has some value. Therefore, Gainey would have to trade him, sign a UFA, or both. Then the payroll would jump and there would be less left for signing other players. It would be logical to trade both Ribeiro and Aebischer, but it doesn't have to be in the same trade. If Gainey succeeds in signing a UFA center who is a better firtthan Ribeiro, he might consider trading Ribeiro and/or Aebischer for draft choices to maintain the payroll at a tolerable level.
Trading Ribeiro is something that a lot of fans would like . But Gainey him , has to trade Ribs for someone or something . Not the same .
who , from all the centers would be a better second center than Ribeiro , would be enough good to play as a first liner , if ever Saku is out for a while , and is having a similar contract ( let say around 1.5-2.5 m $ ) ?
That's what you not only have to find , but also that you have to sign or to get via a trade , with another team that doesn't neccessarly wants Ribeiro in return .
So , for those who wants Ribeiro to go , who do you think that could be better than him , for +- the same kind of contract ?
Trading Ribeiro is something that a lot of fans would like . But Gainey him , has to trade Ribs for someone or something . Not the same .
who , from all the centers would be a better second center than Ribeiro , would be enough good to play as a first liner , if ever Saku is out for a while , and is having a similar contract ( let say around 1.5-2.5 m $ ) ?
That's what you not only have to find , but also that you have to sign or to get via a trade , with another team that doesn't neccessarly wants Ribeiro in return .
So , for those who wants Ribeiro to go , who do you think that could be better than him , for +- the same kind of contract ?
Plekanec is better so Gainey doesn't need to pursue another center to replace Ribeiro. If Gainey adds a center, it isn't with the idea of replacing Ribeiro because that can be done simply by putting Pleks name in his spot on the line-sheet.
Trading Ribeiro is something that a lot of fans would like . But Gainey him , has to trade Ribs for someone or something . Not the same .
who , from all the centers would be a better second center than Ribeiro , would be enough good to play as a first liner , if ever Saku is out for a while , and is having a similar contract ( let say around 1.5-2.5 m $ ) ?
That's what you not only have to find , but also that you have to sign or to get via a trade , with another team that doesn't neccessarly wants Ribeiro in return .
So , for those who wants Ribeiro to go , who do you think that could be better than him , for +- the same kind of contract ?
I wouldn't let Ribeiro go unless you have someone already to replace him. I think Plekanec is close, and honestly would like to see him and Kovalev together, but until we see long term what he can do, i don't know if i am ready to hand it over to him.
But here is the thing imo. Ribeiro hasn't been able to replace Koivu during injuries either. So is it much of a risk giving Plekanec the role, and trading Ribeiro for picks or prospects. That will be the question Gainey will answer.
If he doesn't get another centre, my guess is better wingers to insolate Ribeiro and Koivu. As much as i like Higgins, he'd be better on second line or third line. Bulis just isn't a top 6 forward. It would be interesting to see Ribs and Saku have legitimate top 6 forwards instead of guys like Zednik or Bulis, and even Higgins (although i look for him to get better).
Trading Ribeiro is something that a lot of fans would like . But Gainey him , has to trade Ribs for someone or something . Not the same .
who , from all the centers would be a better second center than Ribeiro , would be enough good to play as a first liner , if ever Saku is out for a while , and is having a similar contract ( let say around 1.5-2.5 m $ ) ?
That's what you not only have to find , but also that you have to sign or to get via a trade , with another team that doesn't neccessarly wants Ribeiro in return .
So , for those who wants Ribeiro to go , who do you think that could be better than him , for +- the same kind of contract ?
It doesn't have to be someone with the same type of contract. It could be for a higher paid player if Gainey gets rid of other contracts. I'm thinking of Zednik, Bulis, Bonk, and Aebischer. Gainey might save money by replacing Zednik and Bulis with Kostitsyn and Ferland. Maybe he could also replace Aebischer with Danis, and Bonk with Lapierre.
Okay.. I see a lot of posts compliementing Tomas Plekanec, so much to say he's a better option than Ribs on the second...
All I have to say to this... is how do you all figure?
Pleks is a player I like, however he hasn't proven that he can do any better in a second line role.
So many fans have forgotten our team's statement on the wall...
"To you with failing hands, I pass the torch. Be yours to hold it high".
I have complete belief in this philosophy... and IMO so does Gainey,Carbonneau, Jarvis and others who have worn the jersey of les canadiens in the past.
Ribs won out the second line role. Plekanec has not PROVEN he is the better answer to the second line role... Therefore, he should not get the second line role...
For those who dont remember... Ribeiro won his role over Yanic Perrault...
Okay.. I see a lot of posts compliementing Tomas Plekanec, so much to say he's a better option than Ribs on the second...
All I have to say to this... is how do you all figure?
Pleks is a player I like, however he hasn't proven that he can do any better in a second line role.
So many fans have forgotten our team's statement on the wall...
"To you with failing hands, I pass the torch. Be yours to hold it high".
I have complete belief in this philosophy... and IMO so does Gainey,Carbonneau, Jarvis and others who have worn the jersey of les canadiens in the past.
Ribs won out the second line role. Plekanec has not PROVEN he is the better answer to the second line role... Therefore, he should not get the second line role...
For those who dont remember... Ribeiro won his role over Yanic Perrault...
Did you watch the Playoffs? Going into the post-season your post would of held some weight but man, now is not the time to bring back the "what has Plekanec done to take Ribeiro's role". It's pretty clear that it was Ribeiro's time to step up and he didn't so now his spot is open season... and then you look at the playoffs and you see another young center who was one of our top-forwards every game and it's just childs play from there on.
Okay.. I see a lot of posts compliementing Tomas Plekanec, so much to say he's a better option than Ribs on the second...
All I have to say to this... is how do you all figure?
Pleks is a player I like, however he hasn't proven that he can do any better in a second line role.
So many fans have forgotten our team's statement on the wall...
"To you with failing hands, I pass the torch. Be yours to hold it high".
I have complete belief in this philosophy... and IMO so does Gainey,Carbonneau, Jarvis and others who have worn the jersey of les canadiens in the past.
Ribs won out the second line role. Plekanec has not PROVEN he is the better answer to the second line role... Therefore, he should not get the second line role...
For those who dont remember... Ribeiro won his role over Yanic Perrault...
You know what, as much as I liked Plekanec, I like your train of thought. In fact, I'm really awaiting next years battle in training camp: Chipchura, Emelin, Kostitsyn, Lapierre, Ferland, Cote, Latendresse will all be fighting for spots and all of them are quality players. I still have my doubts about Ribeiro though, but at the salary he's making, I'm willing to give him a chance.
Did you watch the Playoffs? Going into the post-season your post would of held some weight but man, now is not the time to bring back the "what has Plekanec done to take Ribeiro's role". It's pretty clear that it was Ribeiro's time to step up and he didn't so now his spot is open season... and then you look at the playoffs and you see another young center who was one of our top-forwards every game and it's just childs play from there on.
Yeah I watched the play-offs. Every game.
Yes Pleks played well, but as Gainey said those who aren't part of the solution are part of the problem.
Nothing was solved when Koivu went down, and BOTH guys were fired up in the last game... Game 5 was a write off for our team... and 3/4 both guys played well...
You may ask what the difference is... Well, the difference is between both guys, Ribeiro has more proven scoring skill (which is essential on a scoring line), and was not outplayed by any large margin by Pleks. Pleks can definately be Ribeiro's replacement some day... But until he shows consistently that he can do better in that role... He will not have it. Look at how the brass treated Audette after his injury... He LOST his role to Ryder before they cut him loose. He even had a chance to win it back... but it just couldnt happen. B-Cause Ryder outperformed him regularly... The same goes for Yanic/Ribeiro.
Pleks would have to do the same to him, as what Ribs did to Ribeiro.... essentially beat him out.
I kid, I kid.
