Habs fans topic 07-08

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

awesome to watch so far, wow!!!

[Adam91 0]

This is going great for the Habs so far..!!

They respect Kovy so much that when ever he gets the puck in the offensive zone 3-4 Sens go to him leaving Pleks and AK46 wide open, and that last pass to Pleks!! all 4 Sens were drifting towards the point thinking Kovy would pass it there.

[habsfan87 0]

yeah that KPK line is lookin pretty comfortable tonight

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

I can't stand Koivu anymore, what a bad penalty again.

[RadioGaGa 162]

That play along the boards...it looked like Kovy got hooked or held...but he's so strong and fights through that stuff that doesn't really look like he's being held up so he rarely ever draws that penalty.

[Dean_ 0]

The habs barely got the win last night, but a very great performance by the Kostitsyn, Plekanec, and Kovalev line. This line has definatly been the top line for the Habs the entire season.

[D3nZ 0]

They really missed Hamrlik last night, you could see the defence was week and very short with him not in the lineup and apparently he might miss tomorrow's game against the Leafs. The KPK line is amazing, they are really flying out there scoring highlight goals everytime. They are probably one of the best line if not the best line in the league right now. To all the rumors out there right now, I don't see the Habs doing a trade other then Ryder in the next 24h. They already have their line changes posted all over the net with Latender moving up to the first line and Higgy going back to the 3rd line.

[Dean_ 0]

They really missed Hamrlik last night, you could see the defence was week and very short with him not in the lineup and apparently he might miss tomorrow's game against the Leafs. The KPK line is amazing, they are really flying out there scoring highlight goals everytime. They are probably one of the best line if not the best line in the league right now. To all the rumors out there right now, I don't see the Habs doing a trade other then Ryder in the next 24h. They already have their line changes posted all over the net with Latender moving up to the first line and Higgy going back to the 3rd line.

I don't think they really missed Hamrlik last night Komisarek, Markov, and Striet all played pretty solid defensively, but it still wouldn't hurt to have him back in the line up

Here are the expected lines for thursday night vs leafs

1: Alex Kovalev, Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec

2: Sergei Kostitsyn, Saku Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse

3: Tom Kostopoulos, Bryan Smolinski and Steve Bégin

4: Chris Higgins, Maxim Lapierre and Mathieu Dandenault

[habsfan87 0]

defensively, but it still wouldn't hurt to have him back in the line up

Here are the expected lines for thursday night vs leafs

1: Alex Kovalev, Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec

2: Sergei Kostitsyn, Saku Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse

3: Tom Kostopoulos, Bryan Smolinski and Steve Bégin

4: Chris Higgins, Maxim Lapierre and Mathieu Dandenault

Why is Higgins on the 4th line, Latandresse hasn't played bad but he's too slow to get Saku and Sergei going. I really hope they get creative with the trade wires, the only names floating around are players like Jarrett Stoll, and Nagy..no offense to them but get rid of Ryder and maybe Halak and get a player.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Big dummy I am....I thought this was a 7:30 start...I'm watching TSN That's Hockey...while the game is already on HNIC.

[kosydar 0]

Are the Habs fans really booing Carlo after he got up from being hurt?

[RadioGaGa 162]

Are the Habs fans really booing Carlo after he got up from being hurt?

I thought they were booing the fact that he took out Koivu from behind with no penalty...

But, these are the same fans that were chanting "Leaf Sucks" while they were losing 2-1...so ya never know. The Bell Centre faithful don't always make the rest of us proud.

[bigdaddykane 0]

We need a trade, now, we need another line that actually does something, price was solid tonight, we lost to an AHL team because we have 1 line

[kosydar 0]

Are the Habs fans really booing Carlo after he got up from being hurt?

I thought they were booing the fact that he took out Koivu from behind with no penalty...

But, these are the same fans that were chanting "Leaf Sucks" while they were losing 2-1...so ya never know. The Bell Centre faithful don't always make the rest of us proud.

Could be. These are the same fans that would cheer every time a Canadien got hit because the thought the Leafs were getting a penalty, so who really knows.

[Oberon 0]

Ok here is what I don't understand is there another team in the league which has a captain playing on the second line. The only reason they call Koivu's line first is because he's a captain, when in reality he's a third liner at best. I would trade him for a bag of pucks the way he’s been playing lately. Komisarek or Kovy should be wearing the C. Actually there is one team in the show which rotates it's C - I think Nashville, that’s is what other teams should do as well, then politics will have less of an effect on a team's performance.

Cheers

Captaincy isn't about who puts up the best stats, it's about leadership. Who does the team respect? Who do they listen to in the locker room? It's great if your captain can score, but most important is that they're players who can lead by example through their overall effort and work ethic.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I think two of the best fans are habs & wild. What you want is a reaction, good or bad as long as they react to every play in the game.

Then you have the leaf suits that show up only in the middle of the period and clap their hands once in a while with major emphasis on not injuring your pals and loosing your voice during the game.

Ok here is what I don't understand is there another team in the league which has a captain playing on the second line. The only reason they call Koivu's line first is because he's a captain, when in reality he's a third liner at best. I would trade him for a bag of pucks the way he’s been playing lately. Komisarek or Kovy should be wearing the C. Actually there is one team in the show which rotates it's C - I think Nashville, that’s is what other teams should do as well, then politics will have less of an effect on a team's performance.

Cheers

Kovalev hasn't been "Captain" material in Montreal until this season. Yes, he has taken on a leadership role, and upped his game. But, you can't just take away a "C" from a guy like Koivu who has earned it over a long career in teh Organization...and outside of a subpar season (statistically) has done nothing to deserve losing his letter.

Komisarek MAY be a Captain in this League someday...but annointing him in what is his breakout year is not really something I would like to see happen. Give him time and an "A" for a while first.

[Neal 41]

Ok here is what I don't understand is there another team in the league which has a captain playing on the second line.

The Wild's current captain is a second pairing defenseman, Nick Schultz. The Oilers captain is a 3rd line checker, Ethan Moreau. The Flyer's captain is on their second pairing as well, Jason Smith. Buffalo's current captain is Jaroslav Spacek, definitely not their best defenseman either.

A smart team picks a player who can lead. It is easier to lead if you are an effective player who puts up points as no one, no matter how dumb, can question your value. But smart players will recognize leadership and intangibles not just goals and assists.

I would not choose Kovalev as it appears he has motivational issues at times and questions the coach and team direction in the media at times.

[Dean_ 0]

I think two of the best fans are habs & wild. What you want is a reaction, good or bad as long as they react to every play in the game.

Then you have the leaf suits that show up only in the middle of the period and clap their hands once in a while with major emphasis on not injuring your pals and loosing your voice during the game.

Ok here is what I don't understand is there another team in the league which has a captain playing on the second line. The only reason they call Koivu's line first is because he's a captain, when in reality he's a third liner at best. I would trade him for a bag of pucks the way he’s been playing lately. Komisarek or Kovy should be wearing the C. Actually there is one team in the show which rotates it's C - I think Nashville, that’s is what other teams should do as well, then politics will have less of an effect on a team's performance.

Cheers

Kovalev hasn't been "Captain" material in Montreal until this season. Yes, he has taken on a leadership role, and upped his game. But, you can't just take away a "C" from a guy like Koivu who has earned it over a long career in teh Organization...and outside of a subpar season (statistically) has done nothing to deserve losing his letter.

Komisarek MAY be a Captain in this League someday...but annointing him in what is his breakout year is not really something I would like to see happen. Give him time and an "A" for a while first.

I think Komisarek deserves to wear an A, he shows up every game, plays hard, and shows some leadership qualities.

[B-Nads 0]

I think Komisarek deserves to wear an A, he shows up every game, plays hard, and shows some leadership qualities.

I think he'll have a C on there eventually. The other player that has been suggested is higgins, but I don't see that happening unless there is a real turn-around in his play - he is working, but his numbers are lagging.

Kovy - well, I am glad he has turned it on this year, because I was definitely in favour of cutting him loose last year, in spite of the fact that he was the best talent they had. I love that he is leading by example, and the fact that he is a veteran Russian player helping the growth of some young, European talent makes him amn asset well beyond his on-ice play. Speaking of which, his defesive responsibility is really impressing me lately. I have always thought of him as a strictly offensive player - he is becoming an amazing all-around player. You don't really get to appreciate it while watching the televised games because you miss so much of the play, but the way he commands the pace of the game is incredible. Someone mentioned earlier how he so strong on the boards that he doesn't draw penalties. I think another part of the equation there is that he is so good with the puck that players can't truely commit to hitting him unless he really sets himself up,which doesn't happen often.

As for the comments regarding the fans' questionable behaviour, I have to agree. The only other arena I watched games in apart from the BC and the Forum is Le Colise. When I attend games at the BC and hear how little the average fan knows and what stupidity they come out with it just makes me want to shake my head - 10 000 people yelling shoot at a Hab who is fighting for the puck against a defenseman BEHIND the net, yelling pass at a forward who has two players between him and the only outlet, and the shit they cry for penalties on is ridiculous. The only consolation in all this is that I sat at the game Tuesday against the Sens with a bunch of their fans behind me, and they were just as stupid...

[RadioGaGa 162]

Kyle Chipchura will be a Captain in this League some day too.

The Habs made a minor League deal this afternoon, trading Franicis Lemieux to the Red Wings for Brett Englehardt.

Probably won't affect either NHL roster, but Frankie has struggled all year to score...but he is still hustling his ass off, and Englehardt has been a Bulldog killer the last few years, so getting him is nice...plus I think he and Manlow played together in Grand Rapids a few years back.

[RadioGaGa 162]

...my argument is if you’re a 3rd line player you get a lot less ice time to lead by example then a guy who gets 20+ minutes.

Captains who play 3rd line minutes aren't expected to lead by example (point production wise). They lead in the room, in practice, interact well with Media types and a lot of times act like a 3rd coach on the bench during games, when not on the ice.

[habsfan87 0]

I don't think there's anyone better to where that C than Koivu right now. He has all the players respect and in my opinion, if Ryder isn't playin like shit and havin the year he's havin, who's to say a Koivu, Higgins, Ryder line wouldn't be a great 2nd scoring punch. but none the less we need someone upfront to fill the void because unless we're gettin 5+ pp's a night theres just not enough right now.

[mack 44]

I'm going to assume you've never played hockey on an actual team with this kind of thinking. I'm not saying teams won't give a C to their best player (Edmonton in the 80s) just because, but generally speaking you give it to your leader. Maybe he plays 3rd line minutes (Fitzgerald, Johnson in Nashville) but they're leaders, either by example on the ice or in the locker room.

Never seen a leader shy or quiet? I didn't follow them a lot, but Yzerman fits that mold to me. I don't know what he's like in a locker room of course but he's a leader who just goes out and leads by example. You can say "oh yeah, he was scoring since the 80s" but he really showed me what a great leader he was when he accepted the fact he wasn't a scorer anymore and worked on other parts of his game.

Off-topic but Nashville doesn't rotate their captaincy; Minnesota does. A few teams don't even appoint a captain and just go with alternates.

[bigdaddykane 0]

...fuck my life

[Adam91 0]

yup.