With Bulis being out for 4 weeks (ouch!) I hope this gives Marcel another chance to prove himself, as their is another roster spot open, and Perreault is definately not the answer as we saw last night, Hossa has the most experience from our players on Hamilton, so I guess that means he's probably next to be called up, Balej has a slight chance , but i'm sure CJ wants to see the chemistry that Hossa-Koivu-Zednik rekindled...so the LW spot on Koivu's wing has to be filled with a player from Hamilton or a trade with the former being the most likely
This is too critical a time to be breaking in youngsters in the hope that they will fit into the lineup and contribute right away. I'd rather deal a low prospect and a pick for a veteran.
IMO, the next chance Hossa will get will be at next year's training camp, and rightly so.
This is too critical a time to be breaking in youngsters in the hope that they will fit into the lineup and contribute right away. I'd rather deal a low prospect and a pick for a veteran.
IMO, the next chance Hossa will get will be at next year's training camp, and rightly so.
Agreed. Balej I like, Hossa I don't but it's not the time for either IMO.
First-line wingers are not a dime-a-dozen but if we can pry one free, ok. Meanwhile, let Ward have a shot at it.
I think ward deserves a spot on the first line. This guy gives his 100% every game. He Could make thinks happen for that line.
I like Wardo, but he's got hands of stone and he can't keep up to Saku and Zed. I don't think it would work. Fourth line and PK is just about right for him.
Agree....Ward on the 1st line.
He might have some offensive upside and might turn out to be more then just a 4th liner...I already think he's a 3rd liner.
I like Wardo, but he's got hands of stone and he can't keep up to Saku and Zed. I don't think it would work. Fourth line and PK is just about right for him.
I'm not so sure he has hands of stone. Give him a chance...
Honestly I'd like to see Hossa back, but I know that it won't happen. He is big, he has good hands, all is a question of confidence and hard work. He seems to be doing well in the Ahl, and he has looked good with Saku and Zednik before. But I'm sure that they will try to find a solution in Montreal. I guess they will try Ward first, but I'm really not convinced that it will work. I like the player but he is not enough fast and his hands are not that great....I guess that it will finally be between Kilger or Perreault, since I doubt that any good top 6 forward is available very cheap, and I think that Gainey would be better to keep our draft picks and prospects. But really, I'd like to see Hossa get a chance.
I dont know why people say that Hossa should stay in the Farm? He has 59 NHL game experience and he played some valuable time on the top two lines. He wasnt sent back because he was a liability to the team but more because he wasnt producing. I'm tired to see him in the AHL. If Dagenais is with the big club Hossa should be there too and i'm sure that he will break out this time.
I dont know why people say that Hossa should stay in the Farm? He has 59 NHL game experience and he played some valuable time on the top two lines. He wasnt sent back because he was a liability to the team but more because he wasnt producing. I'm tired to see him in the AHL. If Dagenais is with the big club Hossa should be there too and i'm sure that he will break out this time.
If you are a top-six forward and you aren't producing, you ARE a liability, if for no other reason than someone else could be producing in your spot. Holding on too long to guys like Audette, Savage, Hoglund, Bure, Bellows, etc. cost us entire seasons in the past.
I'm all for developing young players, but there comes a time when you have to get serious about winning. Maybe if we were Colorado or Detroit there would be room for a guy like Hossa on a top line, but we have to fight for goals every night and we're currently fighting for our playoff lives.
I'm not willing to bank on Hossa. If he trains hard in the off-season and has a good camp, sure, he can have a spot if he earns it over Balej, Kastitsyn, Perezhogin, or whoever else he's competing with, but he has done SQUAT to earn that spot this year.
If you are a top-six forward and you aren't producing, you ARE a liability, if for no other reason than someone else could be producing in your spot. Holding on too long to guys like Audette, Savage, Hoglund, Bure, Bellows, etc. cost us entire seasons in the past.
I'm all for developing young players, but there comes a time when you have to get serious about winning. Maybe if we were Colorado or Detroit there would be room for a guy like Hossa on a top line, but we have to fight for goals every night and we're currently fighting for our playoff lives.
I'm not willing to bank on Hossa. If he trains hard in the off-season and has a good camp, sure, he can have a spot if he earns it over Balej, Kastitsyn, Perezhogin, or whoever else he's competing with, but he has done SQUAT to earn that spot this year.
This isn't a fair assessment of what he was producing when he was up... Hossa was largely playing with Ribiero for those 15 games and though he wasn't awarded with points for his efforts, Ribs had FAR more space than he does now... now Ribs largely gets by on space created by Zed or on his own, Dagenais is a waste of space for anything other than shooting. If Ribiero works on his shooting, he and Hossa could become a very good tandem (2 guys who are playmakers and who can shoot... plus Hossa hits, skates, and creates space) in the future.
Yes, Hossa has confidence issues, but if we can afford to give Komi time to learn why set the double standard for our other prospects?? He'll never get into the NHL game and mindset playing against minor-leaguers... the kid has too much talent not to be given the chance to succeed with regular linemates. Hell, stick him with Begin and let him push the kid to perform.
The major point here is that if we call someone up from the farm, hossa should get the shot because he is a more effective NHLer right now than all of the other prospects down there (Plek, Balej, Higgins, etc... all failed to make ANY impact when they were up in any fashion... no hits, few shots, no speed--though we know Balej has speed to burn--no space and bad defense). If we are gunning for the playoffs, then Hossa isn't a burden on the 4th line while a guy like Begin or Ward plays up.
The lack in performance when sent down was largely due to disappointment... since christmas he's been a new guy and his point-totals show that.
I like Wardo, but he's got hands of stone and he can't keep up to Saku and Zed. I don't think it would work. Fourth line and PK is just about right for him.
You mean hands like the ones Zednik seems to have lately....? Hmmm I understand...
How's Hossa been playing the last month in Hamilton? If he's been intense then he should get a call-up.
But I hope next year they let him play at center. He could be the big center habs need. He could replace Juneau on the third line and play with Sundstrom and Ward... Or maybe at the lw with Ribeiro, they've add sucess in the past ( wasn't Kilger on that wannabe line? )...
You mean hands like the ones Zednik seems to have lately....? Hmmm I understand...
Zednik's never had good hands. That's one reason he doesn't pass. When you get 8 shots a game, however, you're gonna get your goals. The problem is that he hasn't been getting enough shots lately, because he's not paying the price to get them (last night notwithstanding).
This is not the time to give a rookie a chance. This is crunch time. Where every missed opportunity means something. Where pressure is high, and checking tight.
Perreault is not a perfect fit, nor is he long term Canadien. But in the short term, if we do not get a legitimate NHL first line winger with size, Perreault is the least of the evils.
In key situations, he can be used for faceoffs. Hey, he was 4 for 4 last game.
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