fixing habs

wright · Veteran Member

fixing habs

Figaro · Guru

At home, don't the Habs entre to Coldplay's Fix You? Maybe Chris Martin should play centre.

But seriously, Montreal needs a few key pieces and time. It's like making jello. You have to mix it just right and take it out at the right time or it's all runny and no one wants it.

One mistake to aviod is signing too many free agents. The great teams are build from within, with few brought in. These days, we see lots brought in, but a team, if you want to sustain it over time, has to have internal depth. That or make a very lopsided trade (look at Colorado and Ottawa.)

JohnM · Guru

After the game last night they interviewed some of the Vancouver players who were going through rough times around X-Mas and everyone was calling for changes. Nonis and Crawford stuck with the team and the players basically realized no one would bail them out of their mess other than themselves. They realized effort and teamwork win games... Maybe it's time for our guys to do the same.

AB Habman · Guru

JohnM wrote:

After the game last night they interviewed some of the Vancouver players who were going through rough times around X-Mas and everyone was calling for changes. Nonis and Crawford stuck with the team and the players basically realized no one would bail them out of their mess other than themselves. They realized effort and teamwork win games... Maybe it's time for our guys to do the same.

They also left the fancy ways behind and became physical! That's how that big team turned it around! Can we do this with a small soft team?

24 Rings · Guru

I think we also have to accept that the Canucks are a BETTER team than the Habs. At Christmas, the 'Nucks slumped for two weeks tops and sh*t hit the fan in Vancouver, but the Habs are going on 2 and a half months.

And back to one of my favourite subject, my ol' buddy Bonk!!!! He was personally resposinsible for a couple of goals. Why does this guy even bother to suit up? Can he do any less out there, short of shooting on Theo himself?

I was embarassed to watch the rest of that game after it was 6-0 with 6 minutes left in the first. What do we do, what do we do...???

wright · Veteran Member

There were several reasons why Ottawa gladly traded Bonk away. He does not check well, he does not block shots, win faceoffs, nor does he play with any grit and determination, and of course he can't score.

The Habs have to find away to upgrade themselves at center. Koviu is more like a very good number two center, Ribs is simply too undesirable as a quality center, and Bonk..... the less said the better. To be seriously competitive, strength down the middle is a must. Gainey needs to either trade or sign a free agent in the off season that upgrades the position. Of course the team needs an upgrade in goal, and on defence.... In other words a significant rebuilding job.

24 Rings · Guru

wright wrote:

There were several reasons why Ottawa gladly traded Bonk away. He does not check well, he does not block shots, win faceoffs, nor does he play with any grit and determination, and of course he can't score. The Habs have to find away to upgrade themselves at center. Koviu is more like a very good number two center, Ribs is simply too undesirable as a quality center, and Bonk..... the less said the better. To be seriously competitive, strength down the middle is a must. Gainey needs to either trade or sign a free agent in the off season that upgrades the position. Of course the team needs an upgrade in goal, and on defence.... In other words a significant rebuilding job.

Agreed.

I'm curious, does anyone out there actually think Bonk is a good player and that he contributes? If anyone does, please enlighten me as to the virtues of Bonk?

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

After the game last night they interviewed some of the Vancouver players who were going through rough times around X-Mas and everyone was calling for changes. Nonis and Crawford stuck with the team and the players basically realized no one would bail them out of their mess other than themselves. They realized effort and teamwork win games... Maybe it's time for our guys to do the same.

Novel thought..unfortunately too late for the cabbage patch coach lol

plouf · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

wright wrote: There were several reasons why Ottawa gladly traded Bonk away. He does not check well, he does not block shots, win faceoffs, nor does he play with any grit and determination, and of course he can't score. The Habs have to find away to upgrade themselves at center. Koviu is more like a very good number two center, Ribs is simply too undesirable as a quality center, and Bonk..... the less said the better. To be seriously competitive, strength down the middle is a must. Gainey needs to either trade or sign a free agent in the off season that upgrades the position. Of course the team needs an upgrade in goal, and on defence.... In other words a significant rebuilding job. Agreed. I'm curious, does anyone out there actually think Bonk is a good player and that he contributes? If anyone does, please enlighten me as to the virtues of Bonk?

First of all, Bonk can be, and has often been, a very good checking centre. He also showed a lot of grit the past few seasons in Ottawa, and has talent to be a good player in the offensive zone. I'm not sure what has happened (lack of speed in the new NHL is probably part of it), and there's no doubt he's been a disappointment this season, but he was far from worthless for Ottawa. Remember, they were one of the best teams in the NHL for several seasons with him as their number 1 centre. Regardless of the talent they had (and the first round losses), that counts for something.

Trapper John · Member

24 Rings wrote:

wright wrote: There were several reasons why Ottawa gladly traded Bonk away. He does not check well, he does not block shots, win faceoffs, nor does he play with any grit and determination, and of course he can't score. The Habs have to find away to upgrade themselves at center. Koviu is more like a very good number two center, Ribs is simply too undesirable as a quality center, and Bonk..... the less said the better. To be seriously competitive, strength down the middle is a must. Gainey needs to either trade or sign a free agent in the off season that upgrades the position. Of course the team needs an upgrade in goal, and on defence.... In other words a significant rebuilding job. Agreed. I'm curious, does anyone out there actually think Bonk is a good player and that he contributes? If anyone does, please enlighten me as to the virtues of Bonk?

His virtue is... ah..... ummmmm........He has a funny name?????

Nil d · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

And back to one of my favourite subject, my ol' buddy Bonk!!!! He was personally resposinsible for a couple of goals. Why does this guy even bother to suit up? Can he do any less out there, short of shooting on Theo himself?

Interesting scenario - a forward who can't score against a goalie who can't make saves! We should encourage this - at least one of the two would break out of their slump!