|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 22, 2002 16:42:45 GMT -5
Well, I was going to review the first quarter of the year, but Viper did such a damn fine job at it and echoed my thoughts, I decided to post grades instead with some comments...
Zednik: A-....has been great. Seems to have developed the goal scoring instinct he didn' have last year. Should have a career year.
Koivu: A....what more can you say. The guy was supposed to be gone to a better place up above by now... but this is Saku Koivu we are talking about. Not only is he healthy, he is excelling playing the most physical sport out there and centering the top line. Truly a miracle.
Audette: D+...what a bust he has been. Expected to score 30+ goals per year he will be lucky to get 20
Gilmour: C-...hopefully he picks it up in the 2nd half
Perreault: B+...all the guy does is score and score and score...and win draws...
Czerkawski: D+...truly a horrible start to what should be a short career in Montreal. The next Berezin for sure. He can thank Saks and Zed for his few points
Petrov: C-...less effort, stone hands,a little bit slower= a declining Petrov
Bulis: B+....who woulda thunk it? Bulis was THAT close to being out of the plans...and then we get blown out twice, the checking line is re-united and little Jan emerges as a solid 2 way player with solid offensive skills. He can be our Niklas Sundstrom for years to come
Juneau: C+...I'd give him a higher note if the PK was doing better
Dackell: C+..see Juneau
Kilger: D-...man this guy is frustrating. He plays like you want him to play 1 game out of 4 or 5(last Saturday against NJD a good example of how we want him to play). He has size, he has speed, he can hit...DO IT CHAD!!
McKay: D+...has been injured, but his impact has been pretty close to nothing...aside from that good game in Carolina
Lindsay: C...does his job...doesn't complain..decent 4th liner
Blouin: B-...has done what he has been asked to do
Ribeiro: hasn't played enough
Brisebois: B+... a great start so far. Is earning his fat paycheck
Markov: A+...what a start. The first part of the big 3 of the new millenium is in place and getting better each game. Sky is the limit.
Rivet: B-...could be a little more physical, but does his job and has played with a painful wrist injury
Quintal: D-...worst plus/minus on the team...hurt Hainsey alot. If Quintal ever plays his 1000th NHL game with the Habs(he is around 910..) that will be a bad sign. Komisarek can't arrive soon enough
Dykhuis: E...His game has declined severly...makes a few bonehead plays per game(remember Kovalev's goal...)...needs to be replaced soon or improve dramaticaly. Poor Brisebois has to play with him..
Hainsey: C-...I don't blame the kid at all for what happened. He was paired with a pylon in Quintal, got scratched after a bad game, was told by the coaching staff to stop playing his game and surprise, surprise once Q got hurt, Hainsey went +4 playing with.............
Traverse: C...this man...(uh? Marc? WTF? a C for Travesty?)...yes a C...the guy has zero confidence in himself, no muscle and not much offensive ability. And he has done a decent job. Not the worst Habs D by far...
Theodore: C-...a dissapointing start but there is hope because he is a slow starter and re-gained some of his form in his last few games. Still, the guy is the freakin Vezina and Hart winner. We expect alot out of him and he may not be able to do it until he is named the number 1 and plays the vast majority of games.
Hackett: A+...has been outstanding. Stole wins against Detroit and Ottawa and got us huge points we will need down the stretch.
Well...there's the review...Habs are on pace to equal my 90 point prediction for them and they should be able to sneak into the playoffs again...where they will be a darkhorse candidate to defeat their opponent in the 1st round.
|
|
|
Post by Viper on Nov 22, 2002 16:56:04 GMT -5
Tks for the compliment MP much obliged i like your grades pretty close to my thought's i'll add that i'm with you on the Theodore being the one and only dude in town. As i mentioned in the article the Hackett excellence is gonna provide a better solution to our problems elsewhere as his value is definately way up even though the need is low. Come deadline time a borderline playoff club may anti up considering the fact Hack's salary will be 90 percent paid already and the extra playoff revenue's would be very useful to a team who can sneak in and make some noise. (see a certain hab team last year) watch for a deal with possibly Pitsburgh (big time anti up if that happens) but i'm thinkin waestern team someplace who might just need the extra little push in the stretch. I hate to hope for injury to anyone but it sure would help. I'm also totally not concerned regarding the Theodore Skeptic's. He's a true competitor and is probably as hard on himself as some fans have been he'll bounce back no doubt and when he does the team will follow. That's gonna be a huge confidence boost.
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 22, 2002 16:57:25 GMT -5
Hmm...Hackett for Kovalev ;D
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 22, 2002 21:55:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by habwest on Nov 23, 2002 1:05:11 GMT -5
Good stuff Marc. I might disagree with a + or - here or there but my impressions pretty well conincide with yours. I might be a tad kinder to Petrov as I think that he was hurt by the line uncertainty. It's funny about Dykhuis, a couple of years ago he was proppng Brisebois up and now it appears to have flip flopped. And at the risk of being heretical, Markov has blossomed after undergoing the Green/Therrien treatment. Maybe it can't be all bad. You know, focus on the basics and once you've got that down start adding the creative parts of your game back into the mix. From a longer term perspective you might end up with a better all round dman than allowing defensive mistakes to turn into bad habits that are hard to get rid of and which might undermine Hainsey's overall effectiveness in the future. Just a thought. Fire away. Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by montreal on Nov 23, 2002 2:37:37 GMT -5
Well I'll chime in here. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
The good Hackett, damn what a turn around from missing so much time, and its so great to see him having success, after some tough times. His .930 save % is around 5th in the league, Hackett has been great so far, and Theo/Garon should pay attetion to Hack's rebound control, cause they could learn a thing or two.
Koivu, what more can be said about the captain. He's the most skilled forward we have, and our heart and soul guy. Glad he's still with us, and going strong (what a move he put on Scott Stevens last week)
Zednik, what a start, he's picked up where he left off before someone left their brain on the bench when they went for a cheapshot. If only this guy had better hands. He gets the goals, but he's our leading shooter (but somebodies gota shoot the puck). His speed and great balance are sorely need, hopefully he keeps it going on this pace.
Bulis, Ok I admit, I gave up on Bulis before this season started. He was great in the preseason last year (6 goals) but he never found the offencive touch he showed in preseason. But the Bulis-Juneau-Dackell line has been one of our best lines every night. He could work harder, as he skates,skates, skates, then lets up some. But overall, he is playing very good, and at 24 is still young, with good size, speed, skating, and some offence ability.
Markov, WOW thats about right. Man has he been great this year. He's got 5 goals already which is the same amount he had all last season. At 23 years old, his best years are still ahead of him, as he seems to get better with more confidence. He still makes an odd mistake here and there, but he has been our best defencemen stats wise (+6, 15pts) and he looks like he's really having fun out there, and I'm having fun watching him produce.
Brisebois, has had a good season so far, and even though he's a -2, I give him credit since he's got Dykhuis for a partner. He's been good in his own end for an offencive defencemen, and is putting points on the board, and is good on the PP. Still has his bad games hear and there, but overall he has been solid, IMO.
Juneau, I really like what he brings to the team. Even though our PK sucks bad, he has played well in his own end against the top lines. He doesn't have the offence ability he used to, but he does chip in the odd point here and there. Good pickup by Savard, and I admit, I was surprised when Savard got him, but I'm glad he did.
|
|
|
Post by GoMtl on Nov 23, 2002 2:39:27 GMT -5
d@mn good idea, and good job with the marks. i agree with basically all of them other than traverse (i would agree with an equal mark to hainsey), eventhough his confidence is low and he doesn't hit, doesn't mean you should give him an easier mark. that's like in school when the special ed. kids get all A's for having the teachers do there work for them, when you're bustin your a$$ for C+'s (doesn't work like that in the NHL, and shouldn't anywhere).
|
|
|
Post by Vichab on Nov 23, 2002 2:56:38 GMT -5
I agree with the grades. And the comments are bang on, particularly with juneau and Dackell.
Only matter i would quibble with is Saku. When i saw an A i assumed that you were one of those profs who won't give an A+ but then i saw Markov. I would give Markov that grade but Saku has to be seen as equal if not higher than Markov. He is our mvp, our heart and soul, our only center with any skill, who shows up every game and has the points to prove it. This from a guy who missed last year not with just any injury but C. I love Saku and have always thought that he was a great player but he has surpassed all expectations this year. Not only does he still have the skill, his stamina is remarkable given he started from scratch less than a year ago. Mario said Saku's C was worse than Mario's and the Eveready keeps giving. MT still hasn't found a wing for him and SAku keeps elevating the play of players who are given the privilege to play #11. Just ask Aud. I would hate to think where we would be this year without Saku. Losing Markov would hurt but we might as well pack it in without Saku. I always hated kids who got an A and complained but i know Saku is not that type so i figured I post my support for a grade revision to A++.
|
|
|
Post by montreal on Nov 23, 2002 2:58:51 GMT -5
Part II The Bad.
Theodore, sorry but for the MVP of the league, and best goalie, I expected more from him. Maybe I'm just pissed, cause every time we get blown out, its Theo in nets, and that should happen (except the NJ game, that was Hack). For the money he makes the pressure is on, and he hasn't lived up to it yet. I'll give him credit, he has gotten better, but he still isn't there. I fully believe he will turn it around, but as of right now, I'm not happy with his performace so far. Can't be too hard on him, as he was just great last year.
Traverse, should be in the ugly part, but his play hasn't been that bad, as he's playing the best hockey I have seen him play. Don't get me wrong, he still makes too many mistakes, but overall, his play isn't that bad considering how useless he was last year. He still needs to get stronger, so he can be more phyiscal. I do look forward to when he becomes our 7th defencemen again. A good fill in, but not a regular.
Perreault, its tough to put him here, as he is getting a lot of points so far (so he did this time last year), but since he's slow, soft and lazy, and I have watched him coast into his own end, then he surely belongs here. His line of Gilmor Perreault Petrov/Chow is painful to watch, as they are very weak in their own end. Perreault is a great faceoff guy, with a wrister the can hit the top corner for sure, but his weak play in his own end, keeps reminding me to pray Savard doesn't resign him.
Petrov, nobody, and I really think nobody works harder then Oleg. The problem is all his hard work does little on the scoresheet (you don't get points for spins and twirls, or he would led the league) I like Petrov, as his speed is great for the team, but the problem is he does nothing useful with that speed, as turnovers happen way to often. I do put him in with Perreault, in that I hope AS doesn't get him inked, but something tells me I am forced to watch one of them.
Kilger, sorry to Kilger fans, but I'm not happy with his play this year. For a guy that has been benched more then once, he should come out firing on all clinders, but that hasn't been the case. Yes he's young, big, can skate, good speed, but he doesn't put it all together, and has no offence ability whatsoever. I don't buy that the team is not using him right. He shouldn't be on one of the top lines, cause he doesn't know what to do with the puck when he has it, his instincts are very bad. It's easy, Chad when you are on the ice hit everything. He's not doing that, so here he is.
|
|
|
Post by montreal on Nov 23, 2002 3:12:53 GMT -5
Part III
The Ugly.
Dykhuis, not playing well is an understatement. He has sucked so far. He is making a lot of mental errors, and is finding his way into the box way to often. He has little offence ability, and his passing is nighmarish. He does have good wheels, and very good skating, but needs to be more phyiscal, and he should start bringing his brain to work with him. I don't know what will happen with him, but I hope for the teams sake he gets his act together. If we had a replacement, I would sit Dykhuis over any other player, he needs a night or four off to get his head in the right place.
Quintal, don't understand this, as he was very good in the playoffs. But now, he's slow out there, and looks lost most of the time. He has gotten a little better lately, but he has to get much better. Retirement needs to come sooner then later.
Gilmor, the guys done so much in his great career, and was our leader last season, but if he hasn't picked it up by Christmas, he should hang them up (like he was going to last year). I think he will turn it around, but if not, we can't keep him on the 2nd line, waiting for the playoffs so he can produce. Me thinks Hossa or Bulis would do a much better job.
Czerkawski, tons of talent, but very little work ethic. I have seen some good moves, but it's just to far in between all his floating/coasting that he does. If he never plays again its too soon. I used to say AS's worst move was resigning Traverse (I take that back) his worst move was getting Chow, (I understand why, and its a gamble worth taking, but Chow sucks) He's is so soft and lazy, that he makes Perreault look like a hard worker. BOO to Chow
Audette, was great in the playoffs, and looked really good before his injury. But this year, he hasn't done much at all. I still think he'll get 20+ goals, but hopefully it will be with another team. One of Chow/Audette's got to go, I guess I prefer it be Chow, but not by much.
|
|
|
Post by montreal on Nov 23, 2002 3:25:50 GMT -5
Ok I'm on a roll, so might as well finish the rest of the team.
The rest.
Rivet, didn't know where to put him, as he has been good and bad. I understand he has a hurt wrist, but he can't pass, and does turn the puck over a little too much. He seems to play more phyiscal, and I loved his game against Mario and the Pens the other night. Good stuff. Plus he's our best shot blocker, IMO and from what I hear, a real leader on the team. I wont be harsh on him this year cause at 1.5M he's doing a good job, but when he starts making the big bucks (3.5, 3.25M) then he has to bring his game up a level.
Dackell, Dacks has been good this year, and his line has been our best, so he should be in with the good guys. His playoff performace might be what bothers me about him, but overall his play in his own end is very strong, and even though the PK is so bad, he's been good for the team. He will get his 30 pts as he seems to do every year. Not a bad guy to have on the team. Good move by Savard for getting him for next to nothing.
McKay, boy is he slow. But he does bring a phyiscal presence to the team (when he catches up to the play ;D ) and for a 4th liner he's not be bad, as he is good in his own end and works the boards well. But he is getting a nice paycheck, so I do expect to see more from him. If we make the playoffs, he's the kinda guy we will sorely need, when Perrault, Chow, disappear.
Lindsay, well we got him for nothing, and he's done his job from day one. He doesn't have much skill but he can hit with the best of them, and brings energy to the team. Not a bad guy to have on the team in his limited role.
Blouin, don't know why we got him, but he does give us more size and phyiscal play. I don't think we have lost a game yet with him in the lineup (I could be wrong its very late) He doesn't seem to have any skill with the puck, but he sure can hit and he sticks up for his teammates which is great to see.
Ribs, its too early to say, but he has to be better in his own end then he was last year. He can make some great things happen with the puck, but without it he's a liability. Hopefully he gets stronger, and learns to skate better. Last year he got knocked off the puck way to easy, and was brutal in his own end. That has to change or his days in Habland could be over.
|
|
|
Post by Rhiessan on Nov 23, 2002 6:05:45 GMT -5
I pretty much agree on the marks except (oh boy i'm gonna take a beating for this but) I like Chow. I know he doesn't exactly have the best defensive presence or hustle on the back check but he does come back and doesn't make nearly as many figure 8's as Audette in the neutral zone. He's got a better shot than Audi, he's stronger on the puck, a better stickhandler, makes some nice passes and is a pretty good forechecker even throwing a bodycheck now and then. I think that outa the chances that Zed and Saks create that Chow is gonna cash em more often than anyone else.
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 23, 2002 9:18:26 GMT -5
d@mn good idea, and good job with the marks. i agree with basically all of them other than traverse (i would agree with an equal mark to hainsey), eventhough his confidence is low and he doesn't hit, doesn't mean you should give him an easier mark. that's like in school when the special ed. kids get all A's for having the teachers do there work for them, when you're bustin your a$$ for C+'s (doesn't work like that in the NHL, and shouldn't anywhere). As for Traverse...well if I would have told you he was a +2 after 20 games back in October..what would you have said? I mean he is a 7th d-man and because of that we shouldn't expect too much
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 23, 2002 9:20:16 GMT -5
I agree with the grades. And the comments are bang on, particularly with juneau and Dackell. Only matter i would quibble with is Saku. When i saw an A i assumed that you were one of those profs who won't give an A+ but then i saw Markov. I would give Markov that grade but Saku has to be seen as equal if not higher than Markov. He is our mvp, our heart and soul, our only center with any skill, who shows up every game and has the points to prove it. This from a guy who missed last year not with just any injury but C. I love Saku and have always thought that he was a great player but he has surpassed all expectations this year. Not only does he still have the skill, his stamina is remarkable given he started from scratch less than a year ago. Mario said Saku's C was worse than Mario's and the Eveready keeps giving. MT still hasn't found a wing for him and SAku keeps elevating the play of players who are given the privilege to play #11. Just ask Aud. I would hate to think where we would be this year without Saku. Losing Markov would hurt but we might as well pack it in without Saku. I always hated kids who got an A and complained but i know Saku is not that type so i figured I post my support for a grade revision to A++. Well, Saku did not start off ''on fire'' and in some games he hasn't really been there. But I see your point. GO SAKU GO
|
|
|
Post by JacquesInFL on Nov 23, 2002 10:00:23 GMT -5
Good work on the report cards.
I see where most of the grades are coming from. But considering how excellent Juneau's line has been defensively (I mean, those three together have rarely been scored against even strength), it seems JoƩ and Andreas should not occupy the same general range (C+ to C-) as Gilmour.
Brisebois, IMO, earns an A- thus far. He's logging huge minutes and playing great hockey despite being burdened with Dykhuis.
|
|