Florida is leading in a weak division so to compare the Habs to them is a poor comparison. When you look at the top contenders in the conference ( Pens, Rangers, Flyers, Bruins) the Habs are years away from being true contenders to win the conference.
Why are Florida the 'leaders in a weak division' but the Bruins (with two points more) 'one of the top contenders in the conference'?
Regardless of what they look like right now, we dropped 2 big-minute players for 2 rookies. Markov was supposed to replace one of them, but he didn't play.
Pretty simple really. Gionta wasn't as good, Plekanec had a tough year, Cammalleri struggled...boom, no offensive depth. That can't really be prepared for in the offseason though.
I agree with you, but let's face it -- seven months ago there were few crocodile tears at losing an aging Hamrlik (which ironically was well-timed since he hasn't played well). The loss of Wiz hurt (though many didn't think so) but still... imagine knowing that all our forwards were coming back and that Pacioretty, Desharnais and newly-signed Cole were about to have a dynamite year. Meaning that with almost the same 96-point team in place as last year, we were adding a new powerful forward line! Wow! There'd be no way any Habs fan would've predicted we'd be worse. But we were. And like back in September when we couldn't imagine being worse, now we can't imagine being better. But we will be better. Because this game doesn't operate only on logic or stats or what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. So much is momentum and confidence, and both build on themselves. Florida, St-Louis, New York are flying higher than anyone could've imagined; Washington, Buffalo, Anaheim, San Jose and our Habs are having bad seasons, and no one saw it coming to that degree. Boston's a bubble team. The deck will be reshuffled next season just like it got reshuffled this season, and suddenly playing the same cards won't get the same results. We still need to rework our roster, but I'll repeat we are NOT a last-place team.
I agree with you, but let's face it -- seven months ago there were few crocodile tears at losing an aging Hamrlik (which ironically was well-timed since he hasn't played well). The loss of Wiz hurt (though many didn't think so) but still... imagine knowing that all our forwards were coming back and that Pacioretty, Desharnais and newly-signed Cole were about to have a dynamite year. Meaning that with almost the same 96-point team in place as last year, we were adding a new powerful forward line! Wow! There'd be no way any Habs fan would've predicted we'd be worse. But we were. And like back in September when we couldn't imagine being worse, now we can't imagine being better. But we will be better. Because this game doesn't operate only on logic or stats or what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. So much is momentum and confidence, and both build on themselves. Florida, St-Louis, New York are flying higher than anyone could've imagined; Washington, Buffalo, Anaheim, San Jose and our Habs are having bad seasons, and no one saw it coming to that degree. Boston's a bubble team. The deck will be reshuffled next season just like it got reshuffled this season, and suddenly playing the same cards won't get the same results. We still need to rework our roster, but I'll repeat we are NOT a last-place team.
I can easily imagine us being better. The question is how much better compared to other teams. Because going up 3-4 spots in the standings is good, but it's not a playoff position.
There's also the fact some people are having great years. Say Cole loses a step, Desharnais somewhat struggles with a big target on his back, and we didn't manage to make signifcant improvements via trade/FA, does that offset internal growth/comeback seasons?
Gear yourself for a playoff run, reassess midway through the season is what I figure we should do. I just hope they don't blow loads of money and term on second-tier players (or even worse, good young players in a trade or 2) for a desperate attempt at a lower playoff spot.
While I was excited for a top 5 pick as much as anyone, I've come to the conclusion that it's actually a good thing we're playing well to end the year. While the season until recently was a disaster, the team appears to have rediscovered it's Mojo, and all that appeared lost going forward, doesn't actually seem that far away...
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Price brokeout last season, and while we were all excited for him, there was a question in the back of our minds if he could do it again. Despite the teams struggles through the 1st three quarters of the season, Price has remained excellent throughout and has shown himself to be an All-Star goalie for the foreseeable future. I think we all are more confident that he can be "that guy" now that he has done it in back to back years in the NHL.
A TRIO OF CENTERS
They may not be the biggest trio of centers, but in DD, Pleks, and Eller we have ourselves a very good set of centers, all under 30. All three guys are two way guys, guys who can produce as well as be responsible defensively, and I for one wouldn't be shocked if we could count on them to produce at 70-60-50 points per season respectively for the next few years. Considering their defensive acumen, that's damn good production.
PACIORETTY
I think it's fair to say that Max has shown he's a young, big, top line forward that can score in bunches. Heading into the year most of us didn't know exactly what to expect, if he'd be a difference maker at all, but I think the results speak for themselves, and I don't think anyone could have expected more. He looks like a 30/30 guy going forward, with the upside for more.
SUBBAN SHAKES THE SLUMP
Halfway through the season, Subban was struggling significantly. He was sophomore slumping, and his upside suddenly came into question. He's since put it back together and I think it's reasonable to believe that he will come out and have a monstrous 2012-2013. Him becoming a two way star who can throw highlight checks and get under the skin of opponents is not too far off.
MARKOV BACK
He certainly took his time, but now with Markov back and getting comfortable it seems like everything is coming together. The PP, the overall mojo of the team, he was signed to be an elite player for us, and him finishing strongly certainly bodes well for next year.
EMELIN
While he's clearly suffering a little bit from exhaustion, the Habs have found themselves a young defensive and physically imposing studn who can also move the puck. Emelin reminds of Volchenkov of the Sens, with a bit more offensive upside, and he looks like a big part of the blueline going forward.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Before Moen got hurt, he Gorges, and Cole emerged as true veteran leaders of this team. All three deserve A's on their sweater, and Gorges might end up with the "C" before too long.
TEAM SIZE/TOUGHNESS
With Emelin, the infusion of size into the lineup, along with the Brad Staubitz pickup and Ryan Whites return, the Habs are suddenly a pretty tough team as opposed to the softest group in the league. It seems as though there's been a significant culture change over the last calender year. I think it's pretty fair to say this long standing issue has been addressed.
THE KIDS ON THEIR WAY
The habs don't have a great group of prospects, but they do have a great group arriving in Hamilton next season. Tinordi, Beaulieu, Ellis, Kristo, Gallagher, Bournival, Holland, etc, there is serious influx of talent inching towards the show especially along the blue line. As the Habs aim to bounce back next year, the reinforcements are in place to step in for the injuries that are bound to happen.
All in all, it's been too little too late for this season, but when looking at the organizational big picture, and all the question marks heading into the year, pretty much EVERY SINGLE ONE looks better and a surer bet going into next year that it did into this. The Habs are back folks, it's just going to be next year we reep the rewards...
LOL means absolutely nothing to be winning some now with nothing to gain no pressure-- leafs do it all the time and havnt been to the playoffs in 8 years- winning now is for losers when nothing to gain
what's "good" is to end the season with young players getting lots of opportunities to perform in key situations & against the best of the opposition.
Accumulating points in the standings at this stage is only detrimental to the organization, and even more so if it gives ownership any inclination that anything short of a complete leadership overhaul at the front office level is absolutely necessary.
there's no carry-over in momentum from a "strong finish", points-wise. That said, if young guys are getting bigger minutes/important roles, and succeeding so much as to lead to more wins than losses, the "value" of getting them that kind of experience & the carry over that can have to offseason training/confidence, probably outweighs the negative effect of sliding down a few spots.
in any case, with this draft class, outside of Yakupov at #1, I don't know that there is any more assurance that the 2nd overall pick is going to end up any better than the 6th-7th-8th...
so unless we are looking at trading the pick, it's not such a big deal either way.
