Caper_hab_fan wrote:

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So i read up on what everyone thinks and its very interesting on what is being said, and who is being bashed the most.  I made up an evaluation of what i seen all year so far, give me your thoughts on this, i would love to hear back..... Koivu > B-  ( besides injured for a bit, koivu is a great 2nd line center) hint hint... Zednik > C- ( i've seen this guy play great, but not this year, pick it up zeddy) Kovalev > B ( this guy is so skilled with the puck, he needs a linemate with alot more potential) Ribeiro > C ( so he's not playing the way he did before the lockout, ok, don't bash him cause he's not scoring goals, he's still a great playmaker in my eyes, just needs the right chemistry) Ryder > B ( a surprise to all hab fans 2 years ago, and i still love watching the guy, keep up the good work Ryder) Dagenais > D- ( he has 3 or 4 games where he can put 3 or 4 points on the board, but is that enough to keep him around, sounds like AHL material to me.) Begin > B+ ( he's a work horse, he's got heart, and he's cheap, great energy, just careless with his penalties, good on the pk.  No issues with me.) Bonk > F ( why in the name of god did we pick this guy up, he is useless, never did like the guy, and never will.  He has done "nothing" i mean "nothing" for this club.) Bulis > C+ ( starting to pick up the points lately, but also being floated around the first and second lines a bit.  Always was a streaker, some games he's good, and others, downhill.) Higgins > B- ( i've seen him play at the jr level and i got excited with his energy, and i still do.  He's a great fourth liner for this club, he's young and he fits in well. Plakanec > B- ( i think the habs were looking for more out of him, even at an early start in his NHL career, but i think he's gonna be a great player in the future, hopefully he's still in habtown) Perezhogin > C ( Fancy russian, not finding the back of the net as he was expected to, don't get me wrong, i like him, but i don't love him.) Sundstrom > C- ( drove me nuts on the scoring lines, thats all.  Good defensive forward, but it seems we have enough of those.) Souray > C ( Not finding the net like he use to, and seems to be getting frustrated as well. He's not the quarterback D man the habs need.) Bouillon > B- ( i always like this guy, small but griddy, lots of heart, i see this guy wearing the C for montreal someday, but no, not a quarterback D man either) Komisarek > D ( He's a big boy, and a big hitter, but he's a little careless.  If this guy could get a little more smarter in his own zone, then we'd have a Pronger on our hands boys.) Markov > B+ (He's the closest thing we have to a quarterback D man, but i would rather have another one.  He's good, he's smart, he's hopefully there for the long haul) Rivet > C+ ( He's a big presents on the ice, he's got heart and grit, i always did like him, and as long as koivu is around, so will he.) Streit > D ( seemed like for the longest time only on the powerplay, and at that did nothing there either, i need to see more from him, but i still think having Komo or Hainsey in is better.) Dandenault > B- ( i don't know what to say, i like his speed, he seems to fit in well, i was expecting more offense from him, an average D man i would say.) Theodore > C- ( started the season off average, but hey there were suppose to be more scoring and scoring chances, but some of the goals he lets in makes me wonder if he only has one good eye.  I'm a big Theodore fan guys, back in the day when he booted Thibault out of a job, but i feel like maybe "Denis" will do the same to this guy.  Lets all hope he turns his game around, cause he's our pride in Montreal.) Denis > B+ ( coming in and making a great impression while Huet was out, i watched this guy in Hamilton while our boys were taking a year off, and i liked what i seen.  I think he's our future goalie down the road boys, possibly next year) Huet > C+ ( well.....he's a backup thats for sure, he's not the guy to backstop us to the playoffs if ya know what i mean.) Hope you guys enjoy, and i would enjoy your comments Caper_hab_fan

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Hey Caper, thanks for taking the time to go over the roster so thoroughly.  I'm sure some of your grades will be debated by the gang, but that's what we're here for.

Back in the "Old Days" of the '70's, I had kind of a "gut check" that basically boiled down to a confidence factor that I felt when certain players were on the ice.  For example, it never mattered how bad the situation was when Jean Beliveau was on the ice.  Even though it would be a grave mistake to compare anybody to #4, my point is really that I seldom get that feeling with any of our guys.  It used to be Theo, Souray, and Zednik that reassured me.  Today, I simply hpe for the best from the younger guys in particular.  I certainly like Ryder's hustle, and feel that Higgins can bring something to the game.

As for the Russians, I have never been a huge fan - no hostility toward the nation, culture, etc. - because it has always seemed to me that they florish, fumble, and sulk, in that order.  (Think Malakov.)  Still, the younger players need time to mature and find their games.  Now if we only had a few more good role models...