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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2004 1:11:54 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2004 2:30:29 GMT -5
Hainsey had a slight injury last game according to some posters on another board. One more point won by the Dogs in their last game or lost by the Crunch in theirs and first place and a first round bye is there for the Dogs!! Great to see how well Sasha has adapted to NA hockey. Pleks is his steady self and racks up another 4 points...nice. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Apr 9, 2004 8:51:38 GMT -5
Pleky will make the Habs out of camp this summer, if there is a new CBA.
He leads the Dogs in points (21-43-64 in 73 games), assists (43), +/- with +20, and game winning goals with 9. All that and he's defensively responsible and a regular dynamo out there.
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 9, 2004 9:37:24 GMT -5
Assuming, of course...  I think Plekanec will be in tough to make the team out of camp next year. He's a smallish center, on a team that is already full of smallish centers. Who would he beat out? Koivu, Ribeiro, Begin, Dowd? Dowd is his best chance, as he might not even be brought back, but that would leave him as the fourth line center, and make us embarrassingly small down the middle. I think Perezhoghin has the best chance at making the team out of camp. He leads the team in goals, and is a satisfying +19, one behind Plekanec. This despite it being his first year in North America, he's rookie in the AHL, and by his own admission, he had little understanding of English to start the season. Which could explain his slow start. Plus, he's a sniping right winger with speed, something the club is still desperately searching for. Unlike Plekanec, Perezhoghin has an easier path to the NHL, with guys like Dagenais, Ward, and Dackell as his main competition (assuming Kovalev is gone, and Ryder and Zednik are on the left wing). |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Apr 9, 2004 10:11:25 GMT -5
I wouldn't be surprised to see both Plekanec and Perezhogin make the jump next season.
Current crop of centres
Koivu C 5'10 181
Ribeiro C 6' 176
Bégin C/LW 5'11 185
x Dowd C 6'1 190
x Juneau C/LW 6' 193
x Perreault C/LW 5'11 184
x = quite possibly gone.
Plekanec C/LW 5'10 200
Heights and weights are as per the Habs official Web site. As it stands, Plekanec would be our most solid centre physically, and being the youngest would be a good bet to add useful weight.
Bulis, Dagenais (?), Perreault (x), Sundstrom (who may also be gone - though I hope not) and Langdon are the competition on LW.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2004 10:51:10 GMT -5
I wouldn't be surprised to see Pleks, Perezhogin, and Hossa all making a good case in camp for what likely will be a couple of spots on the roster (including bench) once the inevitable house cleaning happens over the summer. Just too many pending UFA's and RFA's that I just can't see re-signed.
I wasn't aware that Pleks also played left wing, but he sure is a good playmaker from what I have seen in the four or so games of his that I have watched.
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Post by Bob on Apr 9, 2004 11:03:03 GMT -5
Assuming, of course... I think Plekanec will be in tough to make the team out of camp next year. He's a smallish center, on a team that is already full of smallish centers. I think Perezhoghin has the best chance at making the team out of camp. . Plus, he's a sniping right winger with speed, something the club is still desperately searching for. Unlike Plekanec, Perezhoghin has an easier path to the NHL, with guys like Dagenais, Ward, and Dackell as his main competition (assuming Kovalev is gone, and Ryder and Zednik are on the left wing). Perreault and Juneau are definitely gone. Plekanec brings all the skills required of a third line centre including defensive responsibility, ability to kill penalties, grit and some offensive abilities. He may lack size but not strength or skating ability. Perreault only brings the ability to shoot the puck. The top four centers would be Koivu, Ribeiro, Plekanec and Dowd. Begin has been used at left wing as well as center this year and could see some time there in the future. His versatility along with his energy are his strengths. Hossa has played well with Plekanec and could be given a shot playing with him in Montreal. That would leave Montreal with Bulis, Dagenais, Hossa and Begin at the LW position with Langdon serving the enforcer role. As for Perezhogin, Dagenais, Dackell and Ward are not his competition. Dagenais is a LW, Dackell is a checking winger and Ward is ticket for 4th line duty and the PK. Ryder, Zednik and Kovalev, however, probably will be. I believe that regardless of the outcome this year, Gainey will sit down with Kovalev and have a heart to heart talk with the guy. That scenario would leave Montreal with Ryder, Zednik, Kovalev and Ward at RW. To me it looks like Kovalev is the key to Perezhogin making the team next year and, at this point, I think Plekanec has a better chance. And a closer look seems to indicate more weakness at LW than any other position. |
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 9, 2004 12:49:20 GMT -5
Perreault and Juneau are definitely gone. Plekanec brings all the skills required of a third line centre including defensive responsibility, ability to kill penalties, grit and some offensive abilities. He may lack size but not strength or skating ability. Perreault only brings the ability to shoot the puck. The top four centers would be Koivu, Ribeiro, Plekanec and Dowd. Begin has been used at left wing as well as center this year and could see some time there in the future. His versatility along with his energy are his strengths. Hossa has played well with Plekanec and could be given a shot playing with him in Montreal. That would leave Montreal with Bulis, Dagenais, Hossa and Begin at the LW position with Langdon serving the enforcer role. As for Perezhogin, Dagenais, Dackell and Ward are not his competition. Dagenais is a LW, Dackell is a checking winger and Ward is ticket for 4th line duty and the PK. Ryder, Zednik and Kovalev, however, probably will be. I believe that regardless of the outcome this year, Gainey will sit down with Kovalev and have a heart to heart talk with the guy. That scenario would leave Montreal with Ryder, Zednik, Kovalev and Ward at RW. To me it looks like Kovalev is the key to Perezhogin making the team next year and, at this point, I think Plekanec has a better chance. And a closer look seems to indicate more weakness at LW than any other position. I'd rather have Zednik and Ryder on the left wing (though it doesn't appear to matter to Ryder). And Dagenais plays right wing, which would make him Perezhoghin's competition. Not saying Plekanec can't make the team, just that I think he will have a tougher time than Perezhoghin. Plekanec brings a lot of what we already have, AND he has Chris Higgins as direct competition. Higgins, I think anyways, is more highly regarded by the organization than Plekanec is. Not sure what Gainey is planning on doing, but if I was Bob Gainey, I'd offer Kovalev a one and one deal; first year, $2.8 to $3 million (Perreault type numbers, I guess), and the second year, at the CLUB'S option, at a much higher salary. Say $4 to $4.5 million (Koivu type numbers). That way, if Kovalev performs, he will be worth the money. If not, we walk away. $3 million is a big chunk of change, but we've paid guys like Savage, Rucinsky, Audette, McKay, Czerkawski, Perreault and even Quintal money like that, I think its worth a one year experiment. Sorry HabsAddict! I'd then go with this: Zednik - Koivu - Kovalev Ryder - Ribeiro - Dagenais/Perezhoghin (whoever wins) Bulis - Begin - Sundstrom Langdon - UFA/Higgins/Plekanec/Dowd - Ward Losers of the roster battles make up the two spares. Out: Juneau, Perreault, Dackell Money works out to be equal, and there are openings for at least two rookies to fight for. But we are getting WAY ahead of ourselves... |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2004 12:54:41 GMT -5
I'd rather have Zednik and Ryder on the left wing (though it doesn't appear to matter to Ryder). And Dagenais plays right wing, which would make him Perezhoghin's competition. Not saying Plekanec can't make the team, just that I think he will have a tougher time than Perezhoghin. Plekanec brings a lot of what we already have, AND he has Chris Higgins as direct competition. Higgins, I think anyways, is more highly regarded by the organization than Plekanec is. Not sure what Gainey is planning on doing, but if I was Bob Gainey, I'd offer Kovalev a one and one deal; first year, $2.8 to $3 million (Perreault type numbers, I guess), and the second year, at the CLUB'S option, at a much higher salary. Say $4 to $4.5 million (Koivu type numbers). That way, if Kovalev performs, he will be worth the money. If not, we walk away. $3 million is a big chunk of change, but we've paid guys like Savage, Rucinsky, Audette, McKay, Czerkawski, Perreault and even Quintal money like that, I think its worth a one year experiment. Sorry HabsAddict! I'd then go with this: Zednik - Koivu - Kovalev Ryder - Ribeiro - Dagenais/Perezhoghin (whoever wins) Bulis - Begin - Sundstrom Langdon - UFA/Higgins/Plekanec/Dowd - Ward Losers of the roster battles make up the two spares. Out: Juneau, Perreault, Dackell Money works out to be equal, and there are openings for at least two rookies to fight for. But we are getting WAY ahead of ourselves... Not a bad scenario. I can also see BG doing some looking around for a big 2nd line winger on the market. He will have some cash and roster spots to play with, that's for sure. |
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Post by montreal on Apr 9, 2004 14:18:14 GMT -5
Pleky will make the Habs out of camp this summer, if there is a new CBA. He leads the Dogs in points (21-43-64 in 73 games), assists (43), +/- with +20, and game winning goals with 9. All that and he's defensively responsible and a regular dynamo out there. Cote leads the Dogs in +/- with a +26  But Pleks 9 GW's is very impressive. He's got 111 points in his 2 years in North America. If there's a season next year (and I don't think there will be) but I don't think Pleks or Perezhogin make the team out of camp, but they should see some time with the Habs for sure. It's impossible to say, as it depends on what they do at camp, what moves Gainey makes from here till then, who else is at camp- will Kastsitsyn be signed, will Dags be brought back, etc... I hope that Pleks and Perezhogin make the team but I'd be happy just to have a season to watch. |
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Post by Goldthorpe on Apr 9, 2004 14:56:01 GMT -5
I'm surprised nobody is mentioning Higgins as being able to make it next year. I thought he had a nice season for a first AHL experience. I did not see him play this year, so maybe someone else could tell me how is he doing in Hamilton?
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Post by Bob on Apr 9, 2004 15:44:22 GMT -5
I'm surprised nobody is mentioning Higgins as being able to make it next year. I thought he had a nice season for a first AHL experience. I did not see him play this year, so maybe someone else could tell me how is he doing in Hamilton? I was one of those who overlooked Higgins. If the Habs are still grooming him for LW then he is probably a better candidate for 3rd line at that position than Hossa. |
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Post by Bob on Apr 9, 2004 15:55:41 GMT -5
I'd rather have Zednik and Ryder on the left wing (though it doesn't appear to matter to Ryder). And Dagenais plays right wing, which would make him Perezhoghin's competition. Sorry, I thought Dagenais started the year on RW and then switched to LW when Ryder was put on Ribeiro's line. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Apr 9, 2004 16:23:50 GMT -5
Sorry, I thought Dagenais started the year on RW and then switched to LW when Ryder was put on Ribeiro's line. He did. |
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Post by blaise on Apr 11, 2004 13:36:20 GMT -5
There will be heated competition for vacated roster spots next preseason. Several Bulldogs will be presented with an opportunity to outshine their teammates. Last year, I thought Plekanec and Higgins were the closest to making the Habs. The progress shown recently by Perezhogin complicates the picture. I don't pooh-pooh the reappearance of a dark Hossa.
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But Pleks 9 GW's is very impressive. He's got 111 points in his 2 years in North America.