Saku on the point

[Tuggy]

Originally Posted by habsfansam

I have to disagree... Gainey will be a buyer (for the type of guy that people seem to want... ie a big scoring winger) only if the CBA is straightened out by then. If not, there is no need to mortgage the future of the franchise (or even trade away one of our assets like a Hainsey, Hossa, Komi, Perez... etc) to make a run at what... the 2nd round?? There are far too many teams that are heavyweights in the East (Ottawa, Philly, NJ, and Toronto if they can maintain their game) for Gainey to be a big buyer thinking that we can compete all the way to the top. if the habs have to run that gauntlet, we'd get crushed by whatever western conference team shows up... we're just not big enough or skilled enough YET.

I can see him picking up some guy that won't impress you initially, as a depth building measure... then we've got another large, responsible body to ice against the monsters of the east.

Actually i wouldn't be surprised to see the habs stand pat to maintain some of our depth so that we can be rested and competitive at the seasons end.

It's all hocus-pocus now anyways. We'll be in the hunt and that's good enough for me this year... no need to get too revved up over recent success. In another two years, i think we'll make a lot of noise and be very scary to play in the playoffs... then maybe stanley darlin' will come home?

Ok maybe not a "big" buyer but I don't see any reason why he wouldn;t go out and get someone from a team that is out of the playoff picture. But we are only 30 games into the season and who knows what the standings will be at that point. Plus the impending CBA problems teams probably won't be too quick to go out and get guys currently under long team contracts. BUT BG may look to getting an UFA...but like you said there is no point in selling the farm only to get beat out by TO or Philly.

I guess I am just excited to see the team playing well and being competitive every night But I think this play is just the tip of the iceberg for what we can expect for years to come from our Habs because they are plenty of young guns just waiting to get their chance.

[Tuggy]

Originally Posted by Guy Caballero

There's no way they'd get rid of Morrow. He's going to be awesome.

Exactly why I want him with us But your right he would be tough to get.

[teemu_s]

Originally Posted by Tuggy

Exactly why I want him with us But your right he would be tough to get.

There are two players I'd like to get from Dallas. First Brendan Morrow. And the second, even better player is Jere Lehtinen. Three Selke Trophy wins can't be wrong. Earlier this season, when Lehtinen was injured, Morrow played in front of the net in PP. Right after Lehtinen came back he took Morrow's place there. Although Lehtinen is not the most physical player out there, he is probably one of the most intelligent.

[smnhppu]

Originally Posted by Guy Caballero

Ward? No. Hands of stone at the NHL level. His shot release is AHL-speed, not NHL-speed.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Ward as a viable power forward. He's scored at every level, and I think he'll show up as a scorer in this league, he seems to display the right tools. Hopefully he'll put it together this year.

[Native]

Originally Posted by smnhppu

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Ward as a viable power forward. He's scored at every level, and I think he'll show up as a scorer in this league, he seems to display the right tools. Hopefully he'll put it together this year.

I'd also like to see Ward given a thorough chance. Hampered by a slow start (4th line ice time doesn't help) and of course, the injury. If he's willing AND able to stir-up a ruckus in front of the net on the PP, then he's got a steady job. Although I'd like to see (and experience, like more active trading teams) an instant fix, à la prototype power forward, I don't think that's BG's intention (for now).

As for the splendid PP output against the Preds, I was also pleasantly surprised to see both Saku and Ribs on the same unit. Putting all your eggs in one basket. At first, I wanted Saku behind the net (only because I want him to rack up the points). Then, I thought of Ribs on the point and who'd I prefer (and have more confidence in) skating back defensively. Anyways, the PP success is certainly a welcomed bonus, and if we're going to start winning those tight games, we need the PP.

[Tuggy]

Its amazing what 4 PP goals can do...just checked the special teams stats and we are ranked 11th on the PP!!