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Post by blaise on Jul 3, 2004 19:30:42 GMT -5
The rumor as reported specifically mentioned Pisani, not Staios, but that would be even worse: Staios is 31. He was let go by Atlanta (after floundering in Boston and Vancouver) and picked up as a UFA by Edmonton.
Higgins isn't a smurf or soft player by any stretch of the imagination (5'11" 195) and he plays both ends of the ice. With his speed and hockey sense he could at least become a successful penalty killer. And by the end of the season in Hamilton he was coming into his own as a scorer. It would be important to take into consideration that this was his first pro year after 2 years at Yale, where he held his own as a scholar as wel as at an athlete. I don't think Hossa has half his intelligence or hockey smarts.
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Post by HabbaDasher on Jul 3, 2004 21:46:22 GMT -5
A few points I'd like to toss out:
1) Ribeiro was the Habs' best scorer last season.
Anyone who choses to ignore this fact is using selective reasoning. Ribeiro is among the most talented players the Habs have. In terms of pure talent (vision, hands, playmaking, moves) I would say he is THE BEST HAB CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT.
He is small & skinny.
To expect him to make a physical impression on the ice is unrealistic.
I personally don't like him, but cannot deny his value to the team.
2) Higgins was close to NHL caliber at the time he was drafted. I don't consider him to be an impact player, but a smart, solid one whom coaches feel good about sending onto the ice.
3) Hossa has all kinds of hardware, but whoever coded his software may have let a bug or two slip through. To have not graduated by this point, something must be wrong...
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Post by blaise on Jul 3, 2004 23:05:18 GMT -5
Eibeiro would do wonders in a no-check league/ ;D
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Post by Forum Ghost on Jul 3, 2004 23:45:04 GMT -5
A few points I'd like to toss out: 1) Ribeiro was the Habs' best scorer last season. Anyone who choses to ignore this fact is using selective reasoning. Ribeiro is among the most talented players the Habs have. In terms of pure talent (vision, hands, playmaking, moves) I would say he is THE BEST HAB CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT. He is small & skinny. To expect him to make a physical impression on the ice is unrealistic. I personally don't like him, but cannot deny his value to the team. That's kind of how I see him too. I'm not a fan of Ribs at all, but we can't deny the fact that he does have some skill and that he is valuable to the team as a no. 2 center. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's the "best Hab currently under contract". To me that honour goes to our captain. |
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Post by PTH on Jul 3, 2004 23:48:58 GMT -5
That's kind of how I see him too. I'm not a fan of Ribs at all, but we can't deny the fact that he does have some skill and that he is valuable to the team as a no. 2 center. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's the "best Hab currently under contract". To me that honour goes to our captain. Especially since I'm not sure that Ribs accepted his qualifying offer... Anyhow, I'm all for upgrading on Ribs if it can help the team, but I don't get everyone trying to trade him to fill other gaps, without replacing him. |
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Post by Forum Ghost on Jul 3, 2004 23:53:47 GMT -5
He's seen lots of soft point-getters in his day, and 65 points is hardly remarkable. He would trade Ribeiro even-up for Smyth in a microsecond despite the five-year difference in age, because Smyth brings both tangibles and intangibles to the rink that Ribeiro can never supply, such as physical presence and willingness to sacrifice for the team. However, it's the rest of the rumored deal that would give Gainey acid reflux that could hardly be neutralized with a proton pump inhibitor. If Lowe's offer was Ribeiro for Smyth, straight up, then I would be very disappointed if the deal didn't get done. I'm leary of including Higgins and Markov in the deal. I think that they are both key elements of future Habs teams. I don't see Ribs in the same way. I also think that he's not the type of player that Gainey likes. My gut feeling tells me that Ribs is not going to be a part of the young core that Gainey wants to build this team around. There's a good chance that I might be proven wrong on that, but I see Ribs as someone who is useful to the Habs now, but not someone who is going to be needed a few years from now. |
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Post by Montrealer on Jul 4, 2004 3:47:21 GMT -5
I think that, even if you don't like Ribeiro, his game went to another level last year when given the chance. I'm definately willing to see what he does over the next few years, maybe he'll evolve further, right? I mean, everyone freaks out when BALEJ is traded away, because of his potential - yet some of the same people have already traded (in their heads) a guy who scored 65 points (1993 equivalent - 100 points) and is still young. So he fell down to the ice as if he got shot. Maybe it was a nerve (man, those really are painful) that got pinched - maybe he's full of it and he learned it from his football (the real thing, i.e. what you can see later today) playing Father. Honestly, I don't care if he does that ten times a year if he puts up a point a game. That's not a cancer in the dressing room, it's his own form of performance art on ice. It doesn't mean anything, although it does get the other team upset... And I don't care about the other team one bit. So I say have some patience, people... Don't you remember the horrific years when OLEG PETROV was the leading scorer with less than 50 points? Sheesh, the short memories some people have!  |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 4, 2004 10:05:30 GMT -5
"We lose good leadership with the departures of Juneau and Quintal, but there are players able to meet the challenge. It's time for those guys to step up." "I think of Sheldon Souray, who had already had a good influence in the locker-room last year, of Steve Bégin, who is a leader in his way. Mike Ribeiro, Jan Bulis and Richard Zednik are also ready to meet the challenge..." - Julien quote from this article |
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Post by Skilly on Jul 4, 2004 13:56:00 GMT -5
So I say have some patience, people... Don't you remember the horrific years when OLEG PETROV was the leading scorer with less than 50 points? Technically, Oleg Petrov never led the Canadiens in scoring. Since 1993, the leading scorer of the Canadiens had less than 50 points three times. 1999 - Mark Recchi 47 points 2000 - Martin Ruchinsky 49 points 2001 - Saku Koivu/Petrov 47 points By the letter of the law Koivu was the leading scorer because they had the same goals and the same assists but Koivu did it in only 54 games. Petrov did it in 82 games. I was among the few that did not freak out over the Balej trade. But the general consensus amongst almost everyone on this board was if we could re-sign Kovalev the trade was good, if we did not re-sign him and did not win the Cup or go deep, then we lost a possible future prospect for a conditional pick next year. That isn't freaking out , just pondering what runs through the minds of the men in the know. |
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Post by blaise on Jul 4, 2004 19:35:58 GMT -5
Let's see if Ribeiro scores 20 goals again. I'd bet against it.
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Post by HabbaDasher on Jul 4, 2004 20:22:30 GMT -5
That's kind of how I see him too. I'm not a fan of Ribs at all, but we can't deny the fact that he does have some skill and that he is valuable to the team as a no. 2 center. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's the "best Hab currently under contract". To me that honour goes to our captain. I think Koivu is a more complete player, and certainly has better skating and more fire, character, grit, passion. But in terms of pure offensive skill, Ribeiro is better. Both are excellent passers, but Ribeiro is a more natural scorer and has softer hands. But if it came down to it, I'd rather have Koivu on my team. |
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Post by Montrealer on Jul 5, 2004 9:57:47 GMT -5
Let's see if Ribeiro scores 20 goals again. I'd bet against it. Hmmmm.. Ok, I'll bite. Let's have a fun little bet where if Ribeiro scores 20 next season (if it's a full season) I win, if he doesn't you win. Loser has to change his profile image to a simple JPG praising the winner for, say, two weeks. How about it?  |
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Post by ethan on Jul 5, 2004 12:07:01 GMT -5
Wait a minute here... Smyth and Pisani for Higgins, Ribeiro and Markov?  Whomever started this rumour is obviously smoking some great sh@#$t... where can I get some? Seriously though, I'm suprised that this one is even being debated... Our leading scorer, our top defensman, and one of our top prospects for an injury-prone semi-star and a fourth line winger? This deal makes no sense from any angle... unless of course you're an oilers fan. Even if you dislike ribeiro, the guy did produce quite well when he finally got some decent PT and linemates. To get Smyth I'd give up ribs, but not much more (maybe a 3rd pick or throw in winger like pisani...) |
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Post by blaise on Jul 5, 2004 12:07:54 GMT -5
Hmmmm.. Ok, I'll bite. Let's have a fun little bet where if Ribeiro scores 20 next season (if it's a full season) I win, if he doesn't you win. Loser has to change his profile image to a simple JPG praising the winner for, say, two weeks. How about it? You're on, kid. However, it's a bet I wouldn't mind losing because it would be in a good cause (the Habs doing well). I couldn't help noticing how badly he fell off at the end of the season, when the Habs were struggling to clinch a playoff berth. He added some meaningless points against a thoroughly deflated Buffalo team. Before those last 10 games I had just about been won over, but then came that stretch and his poor showing in the playoffs. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 5, 2004 16:16:45 GMT -5
Problem:
Ribs is the leading scorer on a team that isn't scoring very much.
Solution:
Trade the leading scorer?
I don't get it?
How about adding instead of taking away.
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Post by Skilly on Jul 5, 2004 18:08:56 GMT -5
You're on, kid. However, it's a bet I wouldn't mind losing because it would be in a good cause (the Habs doing well). I couldn't help noticing how badly he fell off at the end of the season, when the Habs were struggling to clinch a playoff berth. He added some meaningless points against a thoroughly deflated Buffalo team. Before those last 10 games I had just about been won over, but then came that stretch and his poor showing in the playoffs. Pssssst .... if I were you I'd haggle a bit to make sure empty net goals don't count. |
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Post by blaise on Jul 6, 2004 4:39:58 GMT -5
Pssssst .... if I were you I'd haggle a bit to make sure empty net goals don't count. ,, or goals that bounce in off his derrière. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 6, 2004 7:34:30 GMT -5
I couldn't help noticing how badly he fell off at the end of the season, when the Habs were struggling to clinch a playoff berth. . Did you also happen to notice the following in the last 10 games: Koivu 1 goals, 3 pts, -7 Ribeiro 2 goals, 8 pts, +2 The whole team collapsed at the end of the season and if not for one player, Kovalev, that elevated his play to superstar level and took his linesmate with him, HABS would have been gone in 4 in the playoffs. Theodore, Souray, Zednik, Koivu, Markov, you name them, they all fell flat on their face at some point. But I guess it's just more convenient to blame Ribeiro. Again  Ribeiro's detractors were sure he wouldn't make it the NHL. When he did they said he was just a second rate center that wouldn't even reach 50pts and maintain a decent +/- ratio. After posting a 65pts season and +15, now it's he's not gonna reach 20 goals again ? |
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Post by Maritimer on Jul 6, 2004 8:55:00 GMT -5
Ribiero is going to get better IMO
Why do I think that? Other than the drugs I take which lead me to believe that Stephan Lebeau is making a comeback I had the luxury of watching Mikey grow up in the AHL.
There is still one thing missing from Mikey's game that he had at the AHL after a few years of seasoning. That is the shift disturbing edge. In the AHL his final year he played with a spear after whistle, cocky, face wash attitude which helped him make room for himself and get into the game. Mind you he always had a behemoth (not Dagenais) on his wing to clean up the mess.
Give Mikey a power forward who will protect him after he dives and sprays the goalie and can put a few pucks in and I think you will see Mikey pick it up another notch.
I never really liked him but I respect him. People call him creampuff and compare him to Craig Janney but there is a difference. Most cream puffs play scared. I don't get that impression from Ribiero....some days motivation is an issue but he is not scared of anyone...put the big winger on his line and I think you will see him grow a few inches and put 15 lbs on in his mind.
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Post by Montrealer on Jul 6, 2004 11:27:37 GMT -5
I never really liked him but I respect him. People call him creampuff and compare him to Craig Janney but there is a difference. Most cream puffs play scared. I don't get that impression from Ribiero....some days motivation is an issue but he is not scared of anyone...put the big winger on his line and I think you will see him grow a few inches and put 15 lbs on in his mind. He doesn't play scared. He's Portuguese! If my girlfriend is anyone to go by - she'd try to run Zdeno Chara into the ground! |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 6, 2004 12:15:47 GMT -5
Ribiero is going to get better IMO Why do I think that? Other than the drugs I take which lead me to believe that Stephan Lebeau is making a comeback I had the luxury of watching Mikey grow up in the AHL. There is still one thing missing from Mikey's game that he had at the AHL after a few years of seasoning. That is the shift disturbing edge. In the AHL his final year he played with a spear after whistle, cocky, face wash attitude which helped him make room for himself and get into the game. Mind you he always had a behemoth (not Dagenais) on his wing to clean up the mess. Give Mikey a power forward who will protect him after he dives and sprays the goalie and can put a few pucks in and I think you will see Mikey pick it up another notch. I never really liked him but I respect him. People call him creampuff and compare him to Craig Janney but there is a difference. Most cream puffs play scared. I don't get that impression from Ribiero....some days motivation is an issue but he is not scared of anyone...put the big winger on his line and I think you will see him grow a few inches and put 15 lbs on in his mind. In his big season in Rouyn, Ribs got 167 pts but he also got 137 PIM. A friend of mine who was a coach in the QMJHL at the time Ribs was leading the league, has always told me that Ribeiro was the player every coach hated playing agaisnt. Not only because of his ofense but because of the nastyness and cockyness that came with his dominating game. Every opponents hated him with a passion. We haven't seen the end of Ribeiro. This player has been improving every aspects of him game since entering the league and I see no reason for this to end. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 6, 2004 12:49:10 GMT -5
In his big season in Rouyn, Ribs got 167 pts but he also got 137 PIM. A friend of mine who was a coach in the QMJHL at the time Ribs was leading the league, has always told me that Ribeiro was the player every coach hated playing agaisnt. Not only because of his ofense but because of the nastyness and cockyness that came with his dominating game. Every opponents hated him with a passion. We haven't seen the end of Ribeiro. This player has been improving every aspects of him game since entering the league and I see no reason for this to end. I haven't seen Hab's fans this unhappy with the teams leading scorer since Bernie Boom Boom Geoffreon led the Rocket in scoring. Give Ribs a break! |
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Post by Skilly on Jul 6, 2004 21:14:10 GMT -5
The whole team collapsed at the end of the season and if not for one player, Kovalev, that elevated his play to superstar level and took his linesmate with him, HABS would have been gone in 4 in the playoffs. Theodore, Souray, Zednik, Koivu, Markov, you name them, they all fell flat on their face at some point. But I guess it's just more convenient to blame Ribeiro. Again I made this point when every poster wanting to blame Theodore for the collapse. For some it is convenient to blame Theo, for some it is convenient to blame the annoited one, ....... fact is only one man elevated his game and alot of posters want to lowball him and call him inconsistent. |
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Post by blaise on Jul 6, 2004 21:46:40 GMT -5
Again I agree. The Habs wouldn't have done any better with Garon in goal. Also, Kovalev singlehandedly outplayed the entire second line. Unfortunately, some posters choose to ignore it, conveniently forgetting his shoulder injury and Julien's placing him on dysfunctional lines during the regular season. He embarrassed the bankrupt leading scorer and his inept cohorts once he recovered and was teamed with talented hockey players.
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Post by franko on Jul 6, 2004 22:14:12 GMT -5
I made this point when every poster wanting to blame Theodore for the collapse. Nice hyperbole. I don't think every poster blamed Theo for the collapse; some of us blamed Theo for collapsing after saying "count on me". Very Lalimish. But Theo's still with his team, and we are very much counting on him for the future. |
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Post by Skilly on Jul 7, 2004 20:58:16 GMT -5
Nice hyperbole. I don't think every poster blamed Theo for the collapse; some of us blamed Theo for collapsing after saying "count on me". Very Lalimish. But Theo's still with his team, and we are very much counting on him for the future. I will be sure not to exercise any exaggerations in my next gazillion posts. Most posters, and by most I mean close to 80% on here, felt that Theo let the team down. While not a word, save a certain outspoken Newfoundlander, was said about the offense scoring one goal or less in 3 of the four games against T-Bay. To me that would fall under the scrutiny of the offense, and the top 4-5 scorers, of which Ribeiro was the "main guy" this year. Goaltending did not let us down. The offense should have put the puck in the net more frequent. |
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Post by franko on Jul 7, 2004 22:06:22 GMT -5
Goaltending did not let us down. The offense should have put the puck in the net more frequent. A combination thereof, my good friend. Agreed that you can't win if you don't score goals (just ask the Sens). However, stellar goaltending also wins games/steals games, which is what a 5.5 million dollar man is asked to do -- and brags he will do. Sens lost confidence in Lalime; Habs weren't overly confident about Theo. However, as you say, the blame does not rest entirely upon him. It was a team melt-down. And as I said, next season (whenever that is) both Theo and Ribs will be counted on to redeem themselves (as will many others). |
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Post by Habit on Jul 9, 2004 7:44:23 GMT -5
Well... Back to Riberio:
I watched almost every Habs regular season game and Playoff game last year. While Ribs is a smallish 6'0" player, I have never seen him back down from anyone.
I remember one game in the playoffs against the Poo Bears where Ribs was in the corner being a real pain in the butt for the Bruins. Facewashing, pokie chest and the like agianst Green! Green is what 6'4" and 230 lbs?
While that was a mismatch, it did throw Green off his game and the habs won. That is the Ribs I seen more of in the season, than the soft permiter player most are describing here.
People keep saying thatQuintel had the CH in his heart. I think Ribs does too.
I only hope he playes like that every shift in the coming season. Whenever that is.
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Post by blaise on Jul 9, 2004 12:25:16 GMT -5
Well... Back to Riberio: I watched almost every Habs regular season game and Playoff game last year. While Ribs is a smallish 6'0" player, I have never seen him back down from anyone. I remember one game in the playoffs against the Poo Bears where Ribs was in the corner being a real pain in the butt for the Bruins. Facewashing, pokie chest and the like agianst Green! Green is what 6'4" and 230 lbs? While that was a mismatch, it did throw Green off his game and the habs won. That is the Ribs I seen more of in the season, than the soft permiter player most are describing here. People keep saying thatQuintel had the CH in his heart. I think Ribs does too. I only hope he playes like that every shift in the coming season. Whenever that is. If you saw nearly every Hab game you must have seen Ribeiro on his keister quite often. |
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Post by Habit on Jul 10, 2004 12:19:38 GMT -5
If you saw nearly every Hab game you must have seen Ribeiro on his keister quite often. Yes I have seen him on his keister. But the fact that he doesn't back down is still there. |
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