|
|
Post by Willie Dog on Nov 17, 2009 14:17:17 GMT -5
Thanks for posting t\he article NWT I've bolded what caught my attention in the article " Everybody always talks about how different it is, and a lot of these coaches told me that they started by doing things differently, but in the end they went back to doing what they did in junior because that is what worked for them. In my mind, I don't coach systems, I coach for people. Communication is really big for me and my staff, and we haven't changed that. If you manage the person rather than manage structure, first of all people see that you care about them and they are going to care about what you have to say. Secondly, I think that players also expect you to be there when things don't go well to direct them. My biggest thing is to make sure that I direct players in the right direction." "Assistant coach Martin Raymond and yourself both played hockey at McGill, with Raymond coaching the Redmen as well. Does the McGill experience influence you at all in the way you approach coaching? Well, it certainly does. First of all, some of our degrees are the same. We both have a masters in sports psychology, so obviously we are at the same level in that respect." " One guy who is very important in my life was Jean Pronovost. He played in the NHL, is in the Hall of Fame for Pittsburgh and he coached me at McGill. We then coached together at Rouyn-Noranda, and his approach still helps me today. Coaching is really taking one player one-by-one. The individual counts more than the team at first. They have all different aspirations and different goals for themselves. You can't motivate people in life, you activate something that already exists. So you have to activate their personal motivations for being there and for wanting what they want. Every player is different, and if you treat everybody the same, then I believe that you are not going in the right direction." |
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Nov 17, 2009 19:12:54 GMT -5
What's Corey Locke's story with the Habs. Is he out of our system now since being moved to the Aeros and now the Wolfpack?
The guy's 25...I know he's small for an NHL centre...but he puts up pretty good numbers...especially in the playoffs...and he's leading the AHL in scoring right now.
Did he ever get a really good shot with Montreal...not as a #1 centre...but as some scoring depth at that position?
|
|
|
|
Post by CrocRob on Nov 17, 2009 19:16:03 GMT -5
What's Corey Locke's story with the Habs. Is he out of our system now since being moved to the Aeros and now the Wolfpack? The guy's 25...I know he's small for an NHL centre...but he puts up pretty good numbers...especially in the playoffs...and he's leading the AHL in scoring right now. Did he ever get a really good shot with Montreal...not as a #1 centre...but as some scoring depth at that position? Not with the Habs anymore. He's in the Wild organization now. edit: He's actually a Ranger right now, playing for the Hartford Wolfpack after spending last season in the Wild organization (no NHL games). To date, he's a one-game wonder, his only NHL game coming as a Hab in 07-08. And no, he was never given a "fair shot" at the NHL. He certainly scores a lot at the AHL level, though. Locke also cleared waivers back in September. |
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Nov 17, 2009 22:45:22 GMT -5
Thanks, RS. Do you think he could've made it.....i.e. were the Habs wrong to give up on him?
|
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 17, 2009 23:40:51 GMT -5
Thanks, RS. Do you think he could've made it.....i.e. were the Habs wrong to give up on him? Yes and yes. In the stack of Gainey mistakes, this ranks around the middle. We need a finisher and that's his game, opportunistic and putting up numbers. |
|
|
|
Post by CrocRob on Nov 18, 2009 0:41:10 GMT -5
I can't say either way definitively. He's definitely opportunistic, but he has to be since he's really not a good skater and lacks the size to compete with the NHL in general.
I am surprised that he's not getting cups of coffee with bad teams, but his signing with the Rangers -- who have a dearth of talent at center -- and his subsequent and ongoing demotion may say enough.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 18, 2009 1:04:24 GMT -5
What's Corey Locke's story with the Habs. Is he out of our system now since being moved to the Aeros and now the Wolfpack? The guy's 25...I know he's small for an NHL centre...but he puts up pretty good numbers...especially in the playoffs...and he's leading the AHL in scoring right now. Did he ever get a really good shot with Montreal...not as a #1 centre...but as some scoring depth at that position? Habs traded him for Belle a few years back. At least Belle got in a few games with us this year and didn't look too bad. Heck, he looked better with the Habs than he did a number of games with the Dogs. Go figure. Locke is near the top of AHL in scoring, but I just cannot see his lack of foot speed and lack of size translating well to the NHL. Tons of hockey sense though. |
|
|
|
Post by goingfornumber25 on Nov 18, 2009 11:56:09 GMT -5
i'll be there at the game on tuesday and will give you my writeup. word is that subban has nothing going on from the shoulders up as far as hockey sense etc...i was told to just go and watch and see for myself, no questioning his physical abilities, i hope he isn't as bad as i've heard.  I watched him a fair bit at the WJC the last couple of years. I wouldn't say he has lousy hockey IQ. On a scale of one to ten, I'd rank him around a 5 to 5.5. Not great by any sense, but not terrible either. Adequate, certainly and his physical skills can make up for some deficiency. I'd heard that O'Byrne had really poor hockey sense, but I haven't seen evidence of that either. Mostly he was just awkward as hell. So, please let us know what you think of Subban (and everyone else), gf25, after the game. Thanks. if PK has a 5/10 for hockey sense then MAB and Brisebois run the mensa program for defensive excellence. to say that i thought i was watching a junior d-man in his own zone make mistake after mistake after bonehead error would be an insult to junior hockey players. i don't think this kid has a chance in hedoublehockeysticks in making the nhl as a defenceman. he was their worst defenceman last night, easily. it's one thing to watch him play with team canada where he's surrounded by great players who own the puck 75% of the time, its quite another to see him go into the corner to get a puck time after time and watch him go left when he should have went right 9/10, get beat in every battle, not because of size but because of smarts, and have no idea when he gets the puck where his teammates are and where the puck should go. one of the worst displays of hockey iq's and awareness and reads and anticipation i have seen in a long time for such an "elite" prospect. glad i went to see it live, also got to see sergei do his half-hearted routine shift after shift after shift. again he really pisses me off, i was going to go down by their bench and yell "hey sergei enjoy riding the buses, because if you think this is effort its all you'll be doing this year" and "hey sergei what are you made of glass? i thought you were supposed to have grit to your game" and "hey sergei have you broken a sweat yet?" the only prospect we have on the farm that has huge upside is ben maxwell, he stood out in this game easily. another note on PK, he stands still in his own zone, like literally just stands completely still when he gets the pass and then looks down ice as his wingers are skating looking for the pass and makes terrible outlet passes, since he doesn't read plays well and isn't moving most times he does this thing where he flips the puck high in the air to land around the opposing blue line, he did it 5-6 times in one game, that is his outlet pass. the only bright spot with this kid is on the PP down low when there is lots of room, the kid can stick handle for sure, can shoot the puck pretty well. a long term prospect for sure, look for him to be there at least this season and next at this rate. i think the only solution to his liabilities is to turn him into a winger, let him skate and shoot, although he's not liking contact in the pros, so he wouldn't be much of a forechecker. i'm hoping this kid somehow finds some hockey intelligence, but i'm not sure that is something that can be found. glad i went to see him in person, my contact sure had it right and kept texting me in the game how the subbinator was doing. i replied after the 1st period: "don't need to see anymore, a xxxxxx at reads, anticipating, positioning, i could go on, but i won't". "watching sergei float and avoid all contact pisses me off even more". enjoy |
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 18, 2009 18:33:15 GMT -5
I watched him a fair bit at the WJC the last couple of years. I wouldn't say he has lousy hockey IQ. On a scale of one to ten, I'd rank him around a 5 to 5.5. Not great by any sense, but not terrible either. Adequate, certainly and his physical skills can make up for some deficiency. I'd heard that O'Byrne had really poor hockey sense, but I haven't seen evidence of that either. Mostly he was just awkward as hell. So, please let us know what you think of Subban (and everyone else), gf25, after the game. Thanks. if PK has a 5/10 for hockey sense then MAB and Brisebois run the mensa program for defensive excellence. to say that i thought i was watching a junior d-man in his own zone make mistake after mistake after bonehead error would be an insult to junior hockey players. i don't think this kid has a chance in hedoublehockeysticks in making the nhl as a defenceman. he was their worst defenceman last night, easily. it's one thing to watch him play with team canada where he's surrounded by great players who own the puck 75% of the time, its quite another to see him go into the corner to get a puck time after time and watch him go left when he should have went right 9/10, get beat in every battle, not because of size but because of smarts, and have no idea when he gets the puck where his teammates are and where the puck should go. one of the worst displays of hockey iq's and awareness and reads and anticipation i have seen in a long time for such an "elite" prospect. glad i went to see it live, also got to see sergei do his half-hearted routine shift after shift after shift. again he really pisses me off, i was going to go down by their bench and yell "hey sergei enjoy riding the buses, because if you think this is effort its all you'll be doing this year" and "hey sergei what are you made of glass? i thought you were supposed to have grit to your game" and "hey sergei have you broken a sweat yet?" the only prospect we have on the farm that has huge upside is ben maxwell, he stood out in this game easily. another note on PK, he stands still in his own zone, like literally just stands completely still when he gets the pass and then looks down ice as his wingers are skating looking for the pass and makes terrible outlet passes, since he doesn't read plays well and isn't moving most times he does this thing where he flips the puck high in the air to land around the opposing blue line, he did it 5-6 times in one game, that is his outlet pass. the only bright spot with this kid is on the PP down low when there is lots of room, the kid can stick handle for sure, can shoot the puck pretty well. a long term prospect for sure, look for him to be there at least this season and next at this rate. i think the only solution to his liabilities is to turn him into a winger, let him skate and shoot, although he's not liking contact in the pros, so he wouldn't be much of a forechecker. i'm hoping this kid somehow finds some hockey intelligence, but i'm not sure that is something that can be found. glad i went to see him in person, my contact sure had it right and kept texting me in the game how the subbinator was doing. i replied after the 1st period: "don't need to see anymore, a xxxxxx at reads, anticipating, positioning, i could go on, but i won't". "watching sergei float and avoid all contact pisses me off even more". enjoy This is really disappointing. PK is the only guy on the farm I thought had huge upside potential. I really like his attitude. When Sergei first came up he was flying and doing better than his brother. Then he slowed down to the level of the rest of the team. If he can recapture the desire and drive............ but then I thought that about Kovalev......... For the first time I can say that even in Houle's reign, it wasn't this frustrating! |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Nov 18, 2009 18:41:02 GMT -5
Thanks, RS. Do you think he could've made it.....i.e. were the Habs wrong to give up on him? Yes and yes. In the stack of Gainey mistakes, this ranks around the middle. We need a finisher and that's his game, opportunistic and putting up numbers. This wasn't a mistake. He was traded for Shawn Belle who is a least a decent call up when a D man is needed. Locke is now on his 3rd NHL organization & still has just 1 game in the league despite his scoring at the AHL. That ought to tell you a lot. |
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Nov 18, 2009 18:46:51 GMT -5
I watched him a fair bit at the WJC the last couple of years. I wouldn't say he has lousy hockey IQ. On a scale of one to ten, I'd rank him around a 5 to 5.5. Not great by any sense, but not terrible either. Adequate, certainly and his physical skills can make up for some deficiency. I'd heard that O'Byrne had really poor hockey sense, but I haven't seen evidence of that either. Mostly he was just awkward as hell. So, please let us know what you think of Subban (and everyone else), gf25, after the game. Thanks. if PK has a 5/10 for hockey sense then MAB and Brisebois run the mensa program for defensive excellence. to say that i thought i was watching a junior d-man in his own zone make mistake after mistake after bonehead error would be an insult to junior hockey players. i don't think this kid has a chance in hedoublehockeysticks in making the nhl as a defenceman. he was their worst defenceman last night, easily. it's one thing to watch him play with team canada where he's surrounded by great players who own the puck 75% of the time, its quite another to see him go into the corner to get a puck time after time and watch him go left when he should have went right 9/10, get beat in every battle, not because of size but because of smarts, and have no idea when he gets the puck where his teammates are and where the puck should go. one of the worst displays of hockey iq's and awareness and reads and anticipation i have seen in a long time for such an "elite" prospect. glad i went to see it live, also got to see sergei do his half-hearted routine shift after shift after shift. again he really pisses me off, i was going to go down by their bench and yell "hey sergei enjoy riding the buses, because if you think this is effort its all you'll be doing this year" and "hey sergei what are you made of glass? i thought you were supposed to have grit to your game" and "hey sergei have you broken a sweat yet?" the only prospect we have on the farm that has huge upside is ben maxwell, he stood out in this game easily. another note on PK, he stands still in his own zone, like literally just stands completely still when he gets the pass and then looks down ice as his wingers are skating looking for the pass and makes terrible outlet passes, since he doesn't read plays well and isn't moving most times he does this thing where he flips the puck high in the air to land around the opposing blue line, he did it 5-6 times in one game, that is his outlet pass. the only bright spot with this kid is on the PP down low when there is lots of room, the kid can stick handle for sure, can shoot the puck pretty well. a long term prospect for sure, look for him to be there at least this season and next at this rate. i think the only solution to his liabilities is to turn him into a winger, let him skate and shoot, although he's not liking contact in the pros, so he wouldn't be much of a forechecker. i'm hoping this kid somehow finds some hockey intelligence, but i'm not sure that is something that can be found. glad i went to see him in person, my contact sure had it right and kept texting me in the game how the subbinator was doing. i replied after the 1st period: "don't need to see anymore, a xxxxxx at reads, anticipating, positioning, i could go on, but i won't". "watching sergei float and avoid all contact pisses me off even more". enjoy That's a pretty deflating read. I have only seen Subban at the junior level & there he looked very good. I guess he is a case of MTL fans overrating the prospects again. I bought into the "hype" around him & didn't realize he had so many shortcomings at the pro level. As for SK, I'm sorry to say I'm not surprised. |
|
|
|
Post by goingfornumber25 on Nov 18, 2009 18:49:39 GMT -5
if PK has a 5/10 for hockey sense then MAB and Brisebois run the mensa program for defensive excellence. to say that i thought i was watching a junior d-man in his own zone make mistake after mistake after bonehead error would be an insult to junior hockey players. i don't think this kid has a chance in hedoublehockeysticks in making the nhl as a defenceman. he was their worst defenceman last night, easily. it's one thing to watch him play with team canada where he's surrounded by great players who own the puck 75% of the time, its quite another to see him go into the corner to get a puck time after time and watch him go left when he should have went right 9/10, get beat in every battle, not because of size but because of smarts, and have no idea when he gets the puck where his teammates are and where the puck should go. one of the worst displays of hockey iq's and awareness and reads and anticipation i have seen in a long time for such an "elite" prospect. glad i went to see it live, also got to see sergei do his half-hearted routine shift after shift after shift. again he really pisses me off, i was going to go down by their bench and yell "hey sergei enjoy riding the buses, because if you think this is effort its all you'll be doing this year" and "hey sergei what are you made of glass? i thought you were supposed to have grit to your game" and "hey sergei have you broken a sweat yet?" the only prospect we have on the farm that has huge upside is ben maxwell, he stood out in this game easily. another note on PK, he stands still in his own zone, like literally just stands completely still when he gets the pass and then looks down ice as his wingers are skating looking for the pass and makes terrible outlet passes, since he doesn't read plays well and isn't moving most times he does this thing where he flips the puck high in the air to land around the opposing blue line, he did it 5-6 times in one game, that is his outlet pass. the only bright spot with this kid is on the PP down low when there is lots of room, the kid can stick handle for sure, can shoot the puck pretty well. a long term prospect for sure, look for him to be there at least this season and next at this rate. i think the only solution to his liabilities is to turn him into a winger, let him skate and shoot, although he's not liking contact in the pros, so he wouldn't be much of a forechecker. i'm hoping this kid somehow finds some hockey intelligence, but i'm not sure that is something that can be found. glad i went to see him in person, my contact sure had it right and kept texting me in the game how the subbinator was doing. i replied after the 1st period: "don't need to see anymore, a xxxxxx at reads, anticipating, positioning, i could go on, but i won't". "watching sergei float and avoid all contact pisses me off even more". enjoy This is really disappointing. PK is the only guy on the farm I thought had huge upside potential. I really like his attitude. When Sergei first came up he was flying and doing better than his brother. Then he slowed down to the level of the rest of the team. If he can recapture the desire and drive............ but then I thought that about Kovalev......... For the first time I can say that even in Houle's reign, it wasn't this frustrating! no doubt, i watch a ridiculous amount of junior hockey and bantam hockey and when i was told i wouldn't be impressed by his hockey sense, in fact would be depressed, i had no idea it could actually be that bad. he reminded me of komisarek in his own end, except mike can hit, battle, use his size, pk reminded me of a skinny kid who just took up the game and was afraid of getting hit. he also openly pouted on the pp when he wasn't getting the pass, i couldn't blame his teammates for ignoring his pleas for the pass (yes i could hear it from where i sat). even his shot when he teed off on it wasn't anywhere near 100mph, there is a reason why he has 1 goal so far. cheers |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 19, 2009 0:54:22 GMT -5
After losing 4-1 with a bad effort last night in Abbotsford in front of at least one or two Habsrus viewers, the Dogs put in a much more solid road effort tonight and win 2-1. Wyman (on the PP) and Desharnais with the goals. Onto the 'Peg they go for games on Friday and Saturday. Those fans in the Winnipeg area should check them out, as they only make two trips (4 games) there a season. Carle was back in the lineup tonight after being sent down by the Habs earlier today.
|
|
|
|
Post by roke on Nov 19, 2009 15:53:55 GMT -5
After losing 4-1 with a bad effort last night in Abbotsford in front of at least one or two Habsrus viewers, the Dogs put in a much more solid road effort tonight and win 2-1. Wyman (on the PP) and Desharnais with the goals. Onto the 'Peg they go for games on Friday and Saturday. Those fans in the Winnipeg area should check them out, as they only make two trips (4 games) there a season. Carle was back in the lineup tonight after being sent down by the Habs earlier today. I'll probably be there Friday... Saturday is iffy. I'll bring back some notes if I do go. |
|
|
|
Post by roke on Nov 21, 2009 0:13:42 GMT -5
Hamilton loses 5-3 to Manitoba thanks to 2 empty net goals from Mike Keane late in the game (Manitoba's only shots in the 3rd period). The Bulldogs simply dominated the third, played very well in the first, and were lackluster (with shaky goaltending) in the second period. I'll post more thoughts later on, but the guys didn't give up.
Desjardins got the loss, despite stopping the 4 shots he faced in the second and not facing a single shot in the third period.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 21, 2009 1:31:23 GMT -5
Hamilton loses 5-3 to Manitoba thanks to 2 empty net goals from Mike Keane late in the game (Manitoba's only shots in the 3rd period). The Bulldogs simply dominated the third, played very well in the first, and were lackluster (with shaky goaltending) in the second period. I'll post more thoughts later on, but the guys didn't give up. Desjardins got the loss, despite stopping the 4 shots he faced in the second and not facing a single shot in the third period. Funny game from the sounds of it. The Moose get their first shot of the period with less than two minutes left in the third up 3-1 with the Dog's goalie pulled and then it is 4-1. Dogs score two right after and then pull their goalie and give up their second shot and second empty netter (both to Mike Keane btw). Rematch tomorrow night...go get 'em boys!! Time to bag a moose. |
|
|
|
Post by roke on Nov 21, 2009 14:12:51 GMT -5
That's pretty much what happened NWT. Some thoughts:
*Both starting goaltenders were weak. Trotter's goal through the 5-hole on a rush into the zone was very weak, as was the third Moose goal on a 2on1 on Sanford (the defenseman was positioned perfectly and the only option for the Manitoba player was to shoot). I couldn't get much of a read on Desjardins, since he only faced 4 shots, all at the other end of the ice.
*The Bulldogs had trouble winning offensive zone faceoffs in the 1st and 2nd. They were controlling the play pretty well in the first, but couldn't get it done in the faceoff circle to flat out dominate. In the 2nd the Moose controlled the game but in the third, the Bulldogs came out flying.
*I liked what I saw from Conboy: effective on the forecheck, hitting, going to the net. His goal was well-deserved off of some great forechecking by Nielson (and I think Stewart who made the hit for Neilson to get the puck... I think).
Trotter goes to the right places in the offensive zone to score. He wasn't spectacular, but looked pretty good, and had some chances including the weak goal he scored.
Desharnais was disappointing, he might not be fully healthy. When I saw him last year he was very dynamic, creating offense whenever he was on the ice. This game, not so much, although he was strong on the faceoff circle in the third period.
Maxwell was alright. Didn't generate much offense, but carried the puck well, controlled it well, and was pretty responsible at both ends. He probably needs to work on his faceoffs because Boucher had Desharnais taking the faceoffs in the last couple minutes when both players were on the ice.
Carle looked solid. He seems to be focusing more on his defensive game and less on offense, but he's not completely defensive. I've read the right-handed Gorges comparison from someone (can't remember who) on the main board, and that may be apt. He was pretty good defensively, made an effective first pass most of the time, carried the puck once in a while and was good at the point on the powerplay. I think it was Carle who left his man alone in front of the net on the 2nd Moose goal though.
Weber was very good offensively. He was great rushing the puck last night, distributed the puck well, and I don't think he was bad in the defensive zone (I didn't notice him much). He was playing on the left side with Carle for most of the night, kind of peculiar seeing as how Belle and Benoit were paired together.
Belle Started off with a nice hit along the boards on a Moose rush, played solid, and then had some shaky moments in the second. An overall solid game from him, but with Hamilton down by 2 goals it seemed as though Subban, Benoit, Carle, and Weber were getting most of the ice-time in the third.
Speaking of Subban, he looked like a guy in his first season as a pro. Nothing really specatular, but at the very least decent. Made some nice plays defensively off the rush and behind the goal, was making a good first pass, wasn't afraid of the rough stuff after the whistle. Until the Moose made it 4-1 he wasn't taking many chances rushing the puck up the ice, but right after that goal he made a nice rush past a forechecker and distributed the puck in the neutral zone. His goal came at the side of the net in a scramble in front of the Manitoba goal. He and Kostitsyn were two guys who stepped up their game in the third period. On the powerplay he was roaming in the offensive zone a bit, but not as much as say Niedermayer or Green. Hopefully he'll get the license to roam more and create more opportunities and passing lanes as he gains more experience He's definitely not NHL-ready, but he wasn't as bad as what goingfornumber25 said.
Kostitsyn played a good game. He skated well, was talking to his tema-mates, made some nifty little passes to guys in full flight to enter the offensive zone, controlled the puck well in the offensive zone and set a couple shots from the slot in the third, one of which somehow didn't hit the net. He wasn't spectacular and controlling the game like a superstar, but it was a very good performance from him. Boucher had him double-shifting from the start of the third period, and he made a difference out there in the Bulldogs controlling the play. Once the Habs hit another skid, I think he might be called up.
Finally, after Keane's 2nd empty-netter both Kostitsyn, and then Maxwell broke their sticks on the Hamilton goal. I'm not sure why Kostitsyn did it, but (I think) Maxwell lost a battle along the boards at the offensive blue-line, allowing Manitoba to get it out and get the puck to Keane.
I won't be going to the game tonight, there's some actor from Hanna Montana who will be there, which means sitting in an arena with a bunch of kids with no interest in watching a hockey game... not a recipe for my enjoyment. That being said, last night there were 2 kids sitting with their parents going to their first hockey game, and older girl was repeatedly saying "this is awesome... I can't wait to go to school."... brought a smile to my face... too bad it wasn't soccer instead.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 21, 2009 14:29:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the great report Roke.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 21, 2009 23:05:09 GMT -5
Dogs get a split in the Peg with a 5-4 OT win tonight.
Subban with a laser to win it. Sergei (1+2) with a three point nights and Mathieu Carle with a four point night (2+2). Desharnais and Wyman with two points. Another game where they outplayed the opposition and deserved the win. Sanford in net for the W.
Back to the Dog pound they go on a positive note.
Edit: Carle got an assist on PK's winning goal, so a mere 4 points for the blueliner tonight. Interesting enough, Mathieu was not named a star for the game (and likely his pro game of his life). Dogs heavily outshoot and outplay the Moose, and they get the first and third star.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 24, 2009 23:02:25 GMT -5
Dogs lose 5-2 at home to the first place Rochester Amerks. The team could only field 17 skaters instead of the normal 18 due to call ups, injuries and the fact that their latest AHL contract signing has to clear waivers on Thursday (no idea why so long? oh well).
They just need to keep playing decent hockey 'til the reinforcements come, and then this team is a real contender (wait until all those NHL defensemen in Montreal have to be sent down...Subban should be ECHL bound at the end of the season due to the depth chart...that's how good they will be). Not to mention all those forwards currently in Montreal, they are holding their own down in the farm.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Bebop on Nov 25, 2009 16:56:14 GMT -5
Do you think either Bergeron or Leach would be sent down?  I think Bergeron would be good insurance if Markov is slow to recover or he would be good trade bait while Leach is a cheap #7 defenseman as we only pay him half the league min. if i remember correctly. |
|
|
|
Post by goingfornumber25 on Nov 25, 2009 16:56:49 GMT -5
signed grant stevenson on monday, not sure if that was reported, or if anyone cares  |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 25, 2009 17:26:26 GMT -5
signed grant stevenson on monday, not sure if that was reported, or if anyone cares It will make a huge difference as they need healthy bodies. Unfortunately he does not clear waivers until tomorrow. Some AHL time is likely to take a bite on him methinks, so not sure he will clear. He is a decent AHLer. |
|
|
|
Post by Lord Bebop on Nov 25, 2009 17:27:28 GMT -5
signed grant stevenson on monday, not sure if that was reported, or if anyone cares I think it was a good signing especially with noone stepping up offensively in Hamilton other than Deharnais. Stevenson could step in and add some much needed offense. He played a good part of a season in San Jose a few seasons back and got some ok numbers in a remember correct. I think they sign someone to a PTO on Monday as well......... |
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 25, 2009 18:59:58 GMT -5
Yes and yes. In the stack of Gainey mistakes, this ranks around the middle. We need a finisher and that's his game, opportunistic and putting up numbers. This wasn't a mistake. He was traded for Shawn Belle who is a least a decent call up when a D man is needed. Locke is now on his 3rd NHL organization & still has just 1 game in the league despite his scoring at the AHL. That ought to tell you a lot. I tend to be overly sensitive about Locke. He is not now and has never been a lock to make it in the NHL. He has tremendous talent, soft hands, a scorers nose and a chip on his shoulder. He produced as a junior. He is a slow skater, a big problem for a small forward. He is very much like Ribeiro. Great scorer in Jr. Chip on the shoulder. Soft hands. Smallish center traded for a defenseman. He is 25 years old. Some scorers not named Crosby don't catch on until they are 28. Trading Locke for Belle didn't doom the Habs to mediocrity. It's not like Ribeiro for Ninny (yet) and I hope it never is. Belle may fill in for a few games but he will never be a great scorer. Locke may never be one either, but there is a chance. High risk and reward but a low cost. Like putting $2.00 on a quinella at Blue Bonnets. High risk and reward at a low cost. ps. He never stole a purse, walked out on the team, missed a team plane or bus, mouthed off to the press, palled with the Mafia or fought with his neighbors driveway. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 25, 2009 21:16:27 GMT -5
Dogs sign 30 year old Ryan Murphy to a PTO and quickly get him into the lineup tonight to at least get 17 skaters in the game!!
0-0 after two periods, Desjardins and the defense holding the fort. Now we just need those forwards who are left to pot a few and win this puppy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gas on Nov 25, 2009 23:31:29 GMT -5
Tough 1-0 loss tonight. 1st time this season the Dogs lost back to back in regulation.
Although, to be fair, 7 of their top 10 projected forwards were not in the line-up. White, Pyatt, Kostitsyn, Wyman and Desharnais are in Montreal and Darche and Johannson are injured.
Not an excuse...just a fact.
2 players on try-outs too and they had a spunky new forward on the right wing named P.K. Subban. It's that dire in Hamilton.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 26, 2009 14:06:43 GMT -5
An interesting tidbit from the Hamilton Spec today on the only goal in last night's game.
"Jean-Michel Daoust scored the winner on a power play from right in front with one of his teammates sitting on the stick of goaltender Cedrick Desjardins. Instead of calling the Aeros for goaltender interference referee Jamie Koharski allowed the goal to stand."
So it seems the Habs and Baby Habs share two things in common right now...an epic injury bug and also really bad luck from their respective officiating crews.
Of course, the Masters of Sports Psych and Head Coach had his own positive spin on a bad situation, as follows.
The organization is stripped so bare that, at one point last night, the Dogs iced a line composed of three players, Mathieu Curadeau, Ryan Kinasewich and Ryan Murphy, who are all on professional tryout contracts.
It also marked the second straight game the Dogs iced a lineup that had one few skater than allowed by league rules.
"Once the guys who are out come back, the guys who are here now are going to be better because they will be able to handle more," said Dogs coach Guy Boucher. "This is a character builder and it has to make other people better. In a situation like we're in, we need guys to take charge."
Probably not that far off what Coach Martin is saying with the big club...this is an opportunity for other players to show what they can bring to the table given increased roles and responsibilities.
|
|
|
|
Post by franko on Nov 26, 2009 14:38:25 GMT -5
Just about time to change the thread title, no?
Maybe . . . "What's Left of the Hamilton Bulldogs 2009-2010"
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 28, 2009 13:25:09 GMT -5
Dogs celebrate having a full complement of 18 skaters for the first time in three games by winning the game for the first time in three games. It was a 4-0 shutout in Lake Erie. Sanford played the first two periods, Desjardins the last as they are back to back with a game at 1:00 pm today (yes it is on right now). Crazy turnaround.
Maxwell, St Denis, Carle and Glumac with the goals. Carle (1+1) was the first star!!
|
|
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/6F6VF25GCFF2HFJCOITRJSGNPE.jpg)
