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Post by Gord on Mar 25, 2002 16:45:23 GMT -5
According to RDS.ca, Audette will return to the lineup next week. He and Koivu participated in full practice with the team today, and he will return Monday against the Penguins, or April 4th against the Flyers. Doctors have given Koivu the green light to return to play whenever he declares himself ready. What a day that's going to be man, I would love to be in the Molson Centre that evening. www.rds.ca/cgi-bin/nouvelles?site=rdw&action=4&SPODIR=canadien&sport=LNHCAN#56794 |
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 25, 2002 17:24:05 GMT -5
I hope Donald pulls a Ryan Smyth and comes back tomorrow  What a dramatic, full of emotion end of the season it will be! |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Mar 25, 2002 17:33:15 GMT -5
MP.
I have to agree with you that Theo (when he stays in his crease and doesn't try to handle the puck) is the best Hab on the ice. I still say we need to hold on to Hackett and drop Fiset when Hack is back but Theo has gone up in my ratings 5,000%. Shows how low I used to consider him.
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 25, 2002 17:40:53 GMT -5
HFLA, kinda of out of context...but you are correct..one of these days, Theo is gonna look like a fool when he tries to handle the puck.
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Post by Andrew on Mar 25, 2002 17:42:52 GMT -5
As much as I'd like to see Koivu back this year, I don't think it's a very good idea. I can't see how he'd be anywhere near 100% physically or emotionally. This is a bad time of year to jump right into it, given the higher intensity levels of games, featuring daily cheapshot attempts to injure.
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 25, 2002 17:50:28 GMT -5
You would have to think Koivu would barely play 5-10 minutes per game...probably on a 4th line against the other team's 4th line or against a softer line.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Mar 25, 2002 21:56:02 GMT -5
You would have to think Koivu would barely play 5-10 minutes per game...probably on a 4th line against the other team's 4th line or against a softer line. ...With how this team is playing and a playoff spot at stake, you really think Saku would play 5-10mins on a 4th line? The unfortunate thing about Saku's comeback is that he is badly needed, will be heavily sollicitated and the mighty Finn is not a men to take things smoothly... Like Andrew, I fear this comeback happens very early and in the worse of circumstances, but on the other hand, I strongly doubt the docs would be insane enough to give him the green light if they felt he couldn't handle it. He's cancerless and passed the physicals, what else can you say but Goooooooo Sakuuuu! |
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Post by Raven on Mar 25, 2002 22:00:14 GMT -5
I'd be happy with 7 or 8 minutes a game on the 4th line and constant PP time...there's not much contact on the PP and he can be a huge help there. Also, even if he only plays 7 or 8 minutes a game it'll give such a moral boost to the team that might just propel it to the 2nd round (assuming we make it to the 1st) it's much different seeing a guy in the locker room and in practice, it's a completly different story when you're looking down the bench and seeing the man sweating, breathing heavy and dying to get back in it. I think we need Koivu more for team moral than actual play although he will, without a shadow of a doubt, be very helpful on the ice.
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 25, 2002 22:02:40 GMT -5
...With how this team is playing and a playoff spot at stake, you really think Saku would play 5-10mins on a 4th line? The unfortunate thing about Saku's comeback is that he is badly needed, will be heavily sollicitated and the mighty Finn is not a men to take things smoothly... Like Andrew, I fear this comeback happens very early and in the worse of circumstances, but on the other hand, I strongly doubt the docs would be insane enough to give him the green light if they felt he couldn't handle it. He's cancerless and passed the physicals, what else can you say but Goooooooo Sakuuuu! Yes...come on...you think he will comeback play 15 minutes per game, all the PP's et all? |
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 25, 2002 22:03:37 GMT -5
I'd be happy with 7 or 8 minutes a game on the 4th line and constant PP time...there's not much contact on the PP and he can be a huge help there. Also, even if he only plays 7 or 8 minutes a game it'll give such a moral boost to the team that might just propel it to the 2nd round (assuming we make it to the 1st) it's much different seeing a guy in the locker room and in practice, it's a completly different story when you're looking down the bench and seeing the man sweating, breathing heavy and dying to get back in it. I think we need Koivu more for team moral than actual play although he will, without a shadow of a doubt, be very helpful on the ice. Yup, even if Koivu contributes nothing, just the emotional boosts he will provide will only make us a better team.According to the media outlets, there was alot of energy in practice today... |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Mar 25, 2002 22:22:45 GMT -5
Yes...come on...you think he will comeback play 15 minutes per game, all the PP's et all? I guess we'll see. My prediction is on his first game he'll play a little less then 10, second game he logs over 10 mins and after that he never logs less then 15. I'm not saying that's what I wish for or think should happen, but MT won't play an inept Yannic Perreault for 18 mins when Saku is on his bench... |
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Post by Johnny Verdun on Mar 25, 2002 23:43:25 GMT -5
I'm with Andrew. The idea of Koivu coming back makes me nervous. I know it would be incredibly emotional and would be a lift for the fans and the team, but it seems to me even more foolhardy than Lindros' famous return to game six of the Jersey series 2 years ago. The fact is that everybody else is going at full throttle, the pace is faster than in October by a fair bit, and the risk of injury is therefore high for someone whos timing and quickness are at training camp levels. I know it wouldn't be as dramatic, but what does everybody think of Koivu playing two games in Quebec before even thinking about joining the hunt with the boys here?
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Post by Gord on Mar 25, 2002 23:58:03 GMT -5
I think Saku will enjoy a nice honeymoon period of several games after his return. Who wants to be the first one to drill him heavily into the boards after all he's been through? His respect level from other teams will be at an all-time high, and he's going to be afforded a little more space out there.. for a while. Assuming we make the playoffs, though, that space will shrink quickly. By then, hopefully he'll be back to full strength and conditioning.
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Post by HFTO on Mar 26, 2002 9:00:36 GMT -5
Gord, Saku may get a one or two game grace period with the lack of respect in the NHL these days I trust no one.
As far as Saku goes I would love to see him back but I too am cautious.Anyways if Saku can't play close to the minutes he's use to I don't think he'll come back.I'm not saying he's gonna jump in the first game and play 18 mins but if he feels after one or two games he can't play at his level he will shut it down.
HFTO
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Mar 26, 2002 11:37:11 GMT -5
Saku playing on snowshoes with a cane is faster than Ribs wearing speed skates.
Audette shooting backhand with one arm is more accurate than Lindsey's shot.
The number of minutes they contribute is entirely uop to them.
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Post by Gord on Mar 26, 2002 11:46:34 GMT -5
Maybe we could take Ribs into wearing clap skates.  |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Mar 26, 2002 16:38:47 GMT -5
Ribs is not a bruiser or a speedy smurf, but he produces at every level he has played. I like him a lot more than Chouinard who coasts at every level he has played at.
As a former player who didn't have the size or talent to make it, I hate to see players with ability and no desire or heart. I'll take Ferguson, Lambert, Riseboro, Duff, Bouchard, and Gainey on my team anytime over Bure and Yashin. That's the way cups are won. The name on the front of the jersey has to be more imoportant than the name on the back!
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Post by MPLABBE on Mar 26, 2002 16:47:58 GMT -5
I think Saku will enjoy a nice honeymoon period of several games after his return. Who wants to be the first one to drill him heavily into the boards after all he's been through? His respect level from other teams will be at an all-time high, and he's going to be afforded a little more space out there.. for a while. Assuming we make the playoffs, though, that space will shrink quickly. By then, hopefully he'll be back to full strength and conditioning. That's another thing...who would want to mash him now? especially in the first few games...eventually, it will wear off. |
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