My thoughts on a few previous posts

AB Habman · Guru

My thoughts on a few previous posts

Muller93 · Guru

Like I stated before. Exactly how you gonna get rid of Ribero? The french fans think he is Gretzky and the media think he is "gifted". So if you are management, how you gonna get rid of a guy that the media demands plays 15-18min/game, yet is so overall useless that with him you stand no chance when the stakes get high??? Let's see, how do you do it???

Be smart and give him enough rope to hang himself that's how. Let the fancy boy play game in and game out for about 50-55 games and leave no doubt in anyone's mind that he is not all that good. Even some of the media is starting to admit it to themselves now.

And trust me, no team wants this guy so it does not matter when you get rid of him. He has very little value now, and will have very little value at the 50-55 game mark. This is the only way Gainey can cut him loose to build a real playoff team( Like I said, look for Gainey to use the cap room to get a real second line center and maybe trade a second round+ Ribero for a third/fourth string D-man).

No way this team can go deep into the playoffs with Ribero as our second guy( watch the games and see that other teams oten play their fourth line when he is on...they do not even worry about him.) That leaves Koivu playing against top lines and checkers as well on on PP and PK. No way he can keep it up all season long!

JohnM · Guru

When the game counts, 9 times out of 10 Ribs doesn't show up. Ryder was playing great last night and Ribs couldn't find the net.

Bonk, not sure like I said. So far he looks slow and isn't even playing against the other teams top line. He made a nice pass last night but is yet to hit the twine. For the $ he's making we could use a goal now and then. We are almost 20 games into the season. We were 5-0 without him as And-o mentioned.

D, I think that is our main weak point behind inconsistent goaltending. If Souray was as good as he was last time around, then I think we would be ok. However, it seems the new NHL has left him behind.

We are a better than average team if Theo is on his game. As seen last night with poor goaltending we are average.

Nil d · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Firstly for those that are bashing Theo. When he is on, he lets in a soft goal per game! Maybe he is back to form now! Big news: In the past seasons there was only 5 to 10 game stretches where he was sharp and didn't go down early otherwise this is the norm. So if he gets sharp with his timing, don't expect it to last. His big pay cheque won't change that! This team really needs a stud D-man especially for PP. Sorry but Souray doesn't cut it for carrying the puck and offense when he can't hit the net anymore. Markov has been great but can't carry the Habs defensively. Our PP has to get going overall! We may need different personal for this! For those bashing Bonk. Look out when he finds his form and confidence. Just a taste of this was the great play he made to get the puck behind Laffs net and then a great pass to Begin for a tap in. Remember this post near the mid season mark. You'll all be in love with what he'll bring to the table. For Muller 93: Ribs is finding his form and his wingers are missing some great passes. If Ribs was so terrible than CJ wouldn't be useing him. CJ and Gainey couldn't be that stupid! They see him putting up points and he has and will. Be patient like our management are! Remember Ribs is a young player with plenty of skill and vision. He is no bruiser or power forward! He is also no veteran! I was on his case early on because he wasn't playing well but I see him and Ryder playing better. The chemistry is there now! Bulis is an important player and hard worker! The comentary last night made it sound like we hit 30 posts! If that's the case and with 50/50 luck, we could of won 18-4. Well maybe our luck is running out and we were playing over our heads. The media didn't pick the Habs to do very well this season! All of them couldn't be that stupid! The Habs didn't look great on paper at season's start thus the media predicted an average season. Gainey will need to add in key areas such as D and center by mid season or we will be scratching to make playoffs. If we keep playing our little hearts out, it will only lead to more injuries and a snowball effect. It's great to be at the 100 posts mark but for me, I thrive for quality over quantity! I can tell by the lack of responses I get that I'm falling short! I'm still enjoying the board and posters so I'll keep trying. -- Edited by AB Habman at 17:38, 2005-11-13

Great post, Ab - as usual, despite your perceived lack of followups - and welcome to the 100 Club!

I agree with you on Ribeiro. I like him. Yes, he's a fancy-boy, but that works in today's NHL. Look at his stats; he's the third leading point man on the team, not far behind Koivu & Kovalev. He needs to bulk up - nothing but pasta and weight training for him next summer - but he's got all the moves. His skating has also improved, and he's got great vision on the ice. I think he and Ryder are a good team.

Pablo Honey · Veteran Member

People need to cut the Ribs bashing, it's getting old.

In the Leafs game I counted a number of times where Ribs used his great vision to set up his wingers. How many chances did Ryder miss? No one craps on him because he doesn't have Ribs' ****ty personality.

Yeah, he's a bit of a fancy boy as others have pointed out, but that's due to youth. His arrogance will taper off and when that happens you'll regret wanting to trade him.

And dare I say... I even noticed he's been forechecking as of late. :o

Muller93 · Guru

Well, he is third in scoring because he plays 15-19min/game and plays with Ryder and Higgins which are two solid line mates. With that many minuites, he should have a few points jsut based on statistics( I would likely have 2-3 points playing that many mins!) Actually, I know nothing of his arrogant personality. I just think he is very one dimensional.

When ALL you bring to the table is fancy moves and supposed point production, then you better be getting at the the very minimum a point per game. Look at Koivu, he gets points, plays defense, hits and plays the PP and PK. Even our rookies like Plek and Higgins can play both offense and defense.

Let me go on record here and say that I actually think Ribero is a skilled guy with great vision, but just because he is third in team scoring, please don't confuse that with playing good hockey.

Now is the time that Ribero needs to produce( we are playing some weak teams over the next couple of weeks so I actually expect him to magically apear. The when ottawa arrives...Back to the turtle position as expected). Sorry, my opinion is strong on this one.