Depth

AWOL · Veteran Member

Depth

Ando · Guru

Fear not! This years version of the Canadiens has four pretty solid lines with enough talent to bump guys up and down (and even off) of the top 2 lines (stay tuned for these). And, Hamilton could offer up guys like Kostitsyn, Latendresse, Locke, Hainsey or Cote for up to 10 games if absolutely necessary to fill-out the roster.

How soon we forget that our 3rd and 4th lines once consisted of guys like Trent Cleary, Juha Lind and other career minor leaguers. In fact, I even remember one blustery winter's eve when the Habs had so many injuries that Craig Darby....yes Craig Darby...was our #1 centre (that was And-o hell). Those were the days when a Hab game was nothing but a 60 minute penalty kill. Talk about a tragic! And many hab fans used to blame Therrien and Vignault for their decisions!!!

Thank God that the Molson family was able to stop the slow bleed by hiring Mr. Bouvin to find an owner that was committed to the revival of our glorious Habs! This lead to the hiring of Andre Savard who immediately turned around the scouting and drafting department with his ability and his hiring of Trevor Timmins. Also...AND THIS IS SOOOOO UNDERSTATED...credit to Savard for recognizing that he was truly out of his element in terms of managing the entire operation...hence his hand-off to Bob Gainey!!!

...thus, the Habs have depth, breadth, width, height, volume AND A FUTURE to accompany their glorious past! Make no mistake....THEY ARE BACK!!!

davidb · Guru

Boy, I think you should give that same pep talk to the boys before the game tomorrow night. They could use a talk like that in the dressing room. Great post

AWOL · Veteran Member

Thanks for a great response. My jitters have settled for now.

barry33 · Guru

I feel we have one of the deepest systems in the league right now. Alot of the reason is because, as much as we whine about it here, the reason we have so much depth is that we do not hang onto players forever. They are given a few years to prove themselves (see Ward, Hossa, Turner Stevenson) and if they do not pan out., they ship out. This allows room for the nest crop to come in and show what they have. I feel that, as agonizing as this can be for us when we complain that we give away players, it is working because we continue to draft well. Short term pain=long term gain.

habgirl · Guru

GREAT POST! It is great to see that enthusiasm from you And-O! Usually it's only myself, Mrs. Hab and a few others being so positive about the boys.

davidb · Guru

Hangirl I will turn over a new leaf. I will do my best to be more positive

habgirl · Guru

David, that wasn't intended as a shot at anyone - as Habs fans I think we generally are all positive! (we've kinda had to be over the last few years). :)

I love your posts, keep 'em coming!