OK Muller...

AB Habman · Guru

OK Muller...

JohnM · Guru

Not sure there is such a problem in the room. Every time the team does poorly, this kinda rumour comes out.

What I can say about Ribs, is he had his chance to step it up when Kovy and Sak were out and didn't do anything. He is leading the (+/-) in the (-) category and Ryder is doing better without him.

Personally, I think it's time for Ribs and Boullion to go. Both these guys are at -10 and even though the Cube tries hard, he just doesn't cut it out there. Bundle these two guys off for a change of scenery.

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Not sure there is such a problem in the room. Every time the team does poorly, this kinda rumour comes out. What I can say about Ribs, is he had his chance to step it up when Kovy and Sak were out and didn't do anything. He is leading the (+/-) in the (-) category and Ryder is doing better without him. Personally, I think it's time for Ribs and Boullion to go. Both these guys are at -10 and even though the Cube tries hard, he just doesn't cut it out there. Bundle these two guys off for a change of scenery.

Johnny I agree totally and 110%. There are 2 schools of thought when the team does poorly and there are injuries. School one has that the coach cannot adjust to these injuries and that he must go because he is unable to motivate the troops and come up with a game plan to compensate. School two says that the guys who had every opportunity to shine when the stars are out and step up, did not, and the team suffers. Obviously you know which school I go to. Guys like Ribiero and Komisarek and Perezhogan (and I do not care if you get 30 seconds of ice time or 30 minutes, you need to do something with the ice time given to you) had an excellant opportunity with Saks, Koivu,Souray and Markov out to step up and prove they belonged. Either they could not do it, or did not care to make the effort to do it. I look at Toronto. They have some key injuries but guys like Wellwood and Stajan or Steen have stepped up and done the job. That my friends, is the difference.

Muller93 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

My question is though, with Kovy having verbal matches with Begin, is it possible that Begin is the off ice cancer?

Begin does not have the abilities(offensive) to monkey around like that. He is a great fringe player who makes a living game by game. It would be stupid for him to create off ice havoc---on his own accord.

Ribero, on the other hand grew up in Quebec with offensive talent( a trait loved by the Quebec population longing for the Lafluer days). Ribero has a false sense of entiltlement due to 24+ years of people in Quebec holding him up as "special". Of course this is all IMO but I have heard about his bizzare attidude from some realiable sources inside the hockey world.

In reality he is a wingnut with limited overall ability. What this guy needs is to get shipped to Columbas or Carolina where no one cares a lick about him. He might grow up and recognize that life exists outside of the "Belle Province". And you know what...I think he would produce offensively for one of those rinky dink teams. Kinda like a Petr Klima or Marius Cerkauski(sp?) or an Andrei Kovalenko.

All those guys had offensive talent but NO understanding of a team game. It was all individual "look at me stuff". Great if you want to never play for a winner.

The time is right to ship this clown away.

AB Habman · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

AB Habman wrote: My question is though, with Kovy having verbal matches with Begin, is it possible that Begin is the off ice cancer? Begin does not have the abilities(offensive) to monkey around like that. He is a great fringe player who makes a living game by game. It would be stupid for him to create off ice havoc---on his own accord. Ribero, on the other hand grew up in Quebec with offensive talent( a trait loved by the Quebec population longing for the Lafluer days). Ribero has a false sense of entiltlement due to 24+ years of people in Quebec holding him up as "special". Of course this is all IMO but I have heard about his bizzare attidude from some realiable sources inside the hockey world. In reality he is a wingnut with limited overall ability. What this guy needs is to get shipped to Columbas or Carolina where no one cares a lick about him. He might grow up and recognize that life exists outside of the "Belle Province". And you know what...I think he would produce offensively for one of those rinky dink teams. Kinda like a Petr Klima or Marius Cerkauski(sp?) or an Andrei Kovalenko. All those guys had offensive talent but NO understanding of a team game. It was all individual "look at me stuff". Great if you want to never play for a winner. The time is right to ship this clown away.

You're probably right about Begin! I was just using another french player as an example that it could be one of many players causing the cancer in the dressing room.

Your post on Ribs seems well thought out as a spoiled french player taking advantage of the Quebec people who are holding him high on a pedestal in hopes of another great!

Keep in mind though that they have been right on their analysis on many great french players that have not only played with the Habs but in the leaque. Sure, they by nature are partial to their french players but why not? There have been many great ones pass through the Habs organization! Is it possible that they are at least partially right of Ribs being talented enough to be special!

My point is, let's not blame the fans on what the player does with his chance or what nationality he is! There are many spoiled hockey players whether by their parents or fans but still have a fine career playing close to home!

Ribs has talent to be a third or fourth line center with maybe a little ice on PP! Because of injuries and the lack of depth, he is being asked to play above what should be expected!

-- Edited by AB Habman at 18:34, 2006-01-03

Muller93 · Guru

Problem with that AB is Ribero is not in the mold of a third or fourth line guy. Those lines are checkers and grinders. Which one is Ribero? Neither.

What he brings to the table(supposedly) is offense which belongs on the first or second line. Ribero does not have the speed/strength/or power to be on any contending teams scoring lines. And there you have a problem.

The problem with the French media is that they wish so hard for a great offensive French Canadian, that they would be willing to tag any kid drafted by Montreal as "great". Unfortunately Ribero has been the only offensive French Canadian draftee in a few years. Thus they praise him like the second coming. When in fact he is far far from anything useful. The sad part is that Ribero still feels entitled to the thrown...that he never earned and never will.

I recall when a plug named Gilbert Dionne scored 8 goals in 20 games or something. Suddenly, he was better than his father according to those guys!!!! Ya right, I watched him play in Fredericton and he was similiar to Ribero--- a fancy boy.

AB Habman · Guru

Careful Muller, You're starting to sound prejudice. By the way Dionne was a big part of that Cup win! He played great against LA.

Muller93 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Careful Muller, You're starting to sound prejudice. By the way Dionne was a big part of that Cup win! He played great against LA.

No. Just frustrated by the apparent ongoing French-English thing in the Montreal dressing room. The question is what is up with that? It's childish and that screams Ribero. IMO

Secondly, Guy Carbonneau is one of my all time favorire habs as I have stated on here numerous times. I think he is French Canadian...eh?

Careful AB, I only speak of the stupid French-English division with disrespect, not prejudice.

AB Habman · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

AB Habman wrote: Careful Muller, You're starting to sound prejudice. By the way Dionne was a big part of that Cup win! He played great against LA. No. Just frustrated by the apparent ongoing French-English thing in the Montreal dressing room. The question is what is up with that? It's childish and that screams Ribero. IMO Secondly, Guy Carbonneau is one of my all time favorire habs as I have stated on here numerous times. I think he is French Canadian...eh? Careful AB, I only speak of the stupid French-English division with disrespect, not prejudice.

Fair enough. Your posts also explain why it's so hard to play for the Habs!

By the way, I also liked Guy and Muller! Good leaders! They would of had Ribs working harder for sure!

heet_150 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

By the way, I also liked Guy and Muller! Good leaders! They would of had Ribs working harder for sure!

I sometimes wonder if Koivu is too nice of a guy. Perhaps his method is to lead by example (I can't remember the last time I thought that Koivu wasn't giving it his all), rather than kicking someone's butt or calling them out in the dressing room for poor efforts.