Hey And-o

AB Habman · Guru

Hey And-o

Ando · Guru

...yeah, And-o noticed!

And-o keeps thinking that Saku must be hurt again...but the Habs need this guy to pick-it-up BIGTIME in order to string some wins together.

No excuses though...this guy should be racking up some points playing with the likes of Kovalev!

...And-o thought a guy like Kovy was supposed to give Saku the winger he needed to have 100 points????!!!!! YEAH RIGHT!

Jonny G · Senior Member

Not to mention that the first line may as well only have 2 players on it. For some reason, Zednick seems to feel as though he can protect the puck with only one hand on his stick. Almost everytime he touches it, it's a turnover.

I also agree that Koivu is probably a little hurt. Nonetheless, he should be showing a little more leadership to and support for the 3rd liners who have been producing.

24 Rings · Guru

You guys pretty much summed it up. Maybe it's line chemistry with Koivs? He seems to like to play a really fast style and Kovy certainly doesn't like that - he likes to slow it down and float. Ryder isn't especially a run and gun guy either. Maybe fire Bulis, Begin or Higgy with Koivs to add some speed and guys who will go digging in the corners. Line wouldn't be big but they would have a lot of intensity and speed, some of which may rub off on Koivs. And yeah, I think he has a nagging injury too.

barry33 · Guru

Jonny G wrote:

Not to mention that the first line may as well only have 2 players on it. For some reason, Zednick seems to feel as though he can protect the puck with only one hand on his stick. Almost everytime he touches it, it's a turnover. I also agree that Koivu is probably a little hurt. Nonetheless, he should be showing a little more leadership to and support for the 3rd liners who have been producing.

barry33 predicts a miraculous recovery for Saks right around Olympic time

plouf · Guru

Since when did interpretation of players' reaction to goals mean s**t?

I'm still waiting for some real evidence of Koivu's negative effect on this dressing room. If, as many people seem to think, Montreal is a team made up of selfish, lazy bums, maybe then if there's a negative reaction to Koivu, it's because he so often makes them look bad.

In other words...you can "prove"anything you want, but I'm not convinced.

w/r to the idea that "Koivu is a saint" and "you can't criticize him on this board"...I disagree. It's only that Koivu gets singled out by you lot. That's why he gets defended with so much gusto around here.

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

Since when did interpretation of players' reaction to goals mean s**t? I'm still waiting for some real evidence of Koivu's negative effect on this dressing room. If, as many people seem to think, Montreal is a team made up of selfish, lazy bums, maybe then if there's a negative reaction to Koivu, it's because he so often makes them look bad. In other words...you can "prove"anything you want, but I'm not convinced. w/r to the idea that "Koivu is a saint" and "you can't criticize him on this board"...I disagree. It's only that Koivu gets singled out by you lot. That's why he gets defended with so much gusto around here.

Koivu is a leader and the captain and as such, when things are going poorly, he gets singled out, right or wrong. Just like the coach. This is true of your best players on any team.The bottom line is that there are problems in that room and whoever the captain is, he needs to take alot of the heat for that and, conversely, be a big part in helping to fix it. We all have our favorites. I defended CJ to the end but now believe it was the right move. If Koivu is part of the problem, or the solution, I am convinced that Gainey will fix it one way or the other. Personally I am convinced that Koivu could be a bit of both..the problem and the solution. But until I am at liberty to say why I will support him and let Gainey make those judgements. GO HABS!