Had to be Zednik.

barry33 wrote:

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Zulrath wrote:
I must have been out for this one...when did it happen? Who lost their A?-- Edited by Zulrath at 10:11, 2006-02-11
Trust me..there would be 8 guys in line on that team ahead of Kovalev to give an "A" to. What has he shown this year in terms of loyalty or effort? A joke.

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Must be some ego-strokage.

barry33 wrote:

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plouf wrote: barry33 wrote: Zulrath wrote: I must have been out for this one...when did it happen? Who lost their A?-- Edited by Zulrath at 10:11, 2006-02-11 Trust me..there would be 8 guys in line on that team ahead of Kovalev to give an "A" to. What has he shown this year in terms of loyalty or effort? A joke. Must be some ego-strokage. Way to go Bob..should go MILES to fix the leadership issues

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................ sarcasm dripping from those words...............

Muller93 wrote:

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barry33 wrote: plouf wrote: barry33 wrote: Zulrath wrote: I must have been out for this one...when did it happen? Who lost their A?-- Edited by Zulrath at 10:11, 2006-02-11 Trust me..there would be 8 guys in line on that team ahead of Kovalev to give an "A" to. What has he shown this year in terms of loyalty or effort? A joke. Must be some ego-strokage. Way to go Bob..should go MILES to fix the leadership issues Hey barry. I think it had to be done. You have to choose the "click" so to speak that is going to lead the team. This pretty much is a statement about who should be leading the team. Like it or not, it at least provides direction. I don't think kovalev is much of a leader either, but you have to have cohesion between you "c" and your "A"'s. I figure Koivu likes Kovalev and Rivet. This equals a strong message to the other clowns doesn't it?

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What message does it send to a guy like Begin who busts his butt night in and night out? You can underachieve, show up now and then, and get rewarded with an A?

AB Habman wrote:

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 I'm with Barry on this one. He doesn't deserve it! I also agree with Plouf, Gainey is stroking Kovy!

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That is precisely the problem on this "team". Too much ego stroking and worrying about how the stars are feeling. Not enough butt kicking and hard work. If any of you ever listen to former Hab PJ Stock in the Team 990, he made some really good points the other day. He daid that the biggest problem in the Habs room is that some of the veterans are not showing all the kids how it is done. They are not setting a good example. Kovalev has shown up to play when he felt like it all year. He has been selfish and got into it with Begin. Who would I appoint an A ahead of Kovalev?

1. Begin


2. The Cube


3. Higgins (young but he is the future of that team)


4. Komisarek (see above)

I think Theo had a lot of swing in the dressing room with Ribs, Dags, Begin but now he has none so the dressing room stuff is over now. He will play like a good little boy now.

barry33 wrote:

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Trust me..there would be 8 guys in line on that team ahead of Kovalev to give an "A" to. What has he shown this year in terms of loyalty or effort? A joke.

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Totally agree.  Kovalev is not a leader and will never be a leader. When Kovy pulled up lame against Boston in the playoffs, that was all I needed to see as far as his desire and dedication. 

barry33 wrote:

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Muller93 wrote: barry33 wrote: AB Habman wrote:  I'm with Barry on this one. He doesn't deserve it! I also agree with Plouf, Gainey is stroking Kovy! That is precisely the problem on this "team". Too much ego stroking and worrying about how the stars are feeling. Not enough butt kicking and hard work. If any of you ever listen to former Hab PJ Stock in the Team 990, he made some really good points the other day. He daid that the biggest problem in the Habs room is that some of the veterans are not showing all the kids how it is done. They are not setting a good example. Kovalev has shown up to play when he felt like it all year. He has been selfish and got into it with Begin. Who would I appoint an A ahead of Kovalev? Begin The Cube Higgins (young but he is the future of that team) Komisarek (see above) Wait a minute...wait a minute. So you want to give the "A" to a fringe player picked up on waivers because no one wanted him, AND he fights with the stars on the team? Good lord now I've heard everything... Begin has been a great pick up, and a major steal off waivers but that's it. Plus he was part of the REAL poison in that dressing room. Who better to figure out who the rats were in that dressing room then a proven hockey great Bob Gainey? I think these last two dealings should pretty much tell us what's what around hab land. Unless you assume you know more that Gainey...? Why would I assume I know more then Gainey? That is just an assinine comment. My point is that what leadership has Kovalev shown? At least Koivu leads by example with his effort. The captains are there to help the young players along and set an example. Kovalev's example? Have a ton of talent but show up every 8 games. So Higgins should follow his example? Plekanecs? Hopefully they will continue to look to Koivu for an example of someone who com,es to play. As for begin having the nerve to fight with Kovalev. Ho wdo we know it was not Kovalev's fault? Just because he is a star and Begin is not does not make him any less worthy of an A.

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Hey, I have agreed with you about Kovalev. All I am saying is you have to be careful who you give the "A" too. I figure Gainey was in an ideal position to figure out who the leaders are and who were the trouble maker's. AND Kovalev is considered a leader by his Russian counterparts around the league so who knows...maybe... just maybe Gainey does?

I like Begin, but I gotta question a guy who chooses Ribeiro as a playmate.

Certainly Begin, from an outsider looking in deserves an "A". But he did not get it and I am sure that is in part due to his role in the spoiled brat's club...

Gainey: won cups as a player, was the captain of the habs and the leader of all international hockey he played, once called the greatest player by the soviets, GM'ed Dallas...yup Dallas to the stanley cup, and actually is behind the bench watching the players interact. I gotta figure Gainey is not all that stupid. Don't ya think?

Muller93 wrote:

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barry33 wrote: Muller93 wrote: barry33 wrote: AB Habman wrote:  I'm with Barry on this one. He doesn't deserve it! I also agree with Plouf, Gainey is stroking Kovy! That is precisely the problem on this "team". Too much ego stroking and worrying about how the stars are feeling. Not enough butt kicking and hard work. If any of you ever listen to former Hab PJ Stock in the Team 990, he made some really good points the other day. He daid that the biggest problem in the Habs room is that some of the veterans are not showing all the kids how it is done. They are not setting a good example. Kovalev has shown up to play when he felt like it all year. He has been selfish and got into it with Begin. Who would I appoint an A ahead of Kovalev? Begin The Cube Higgins (young but he is the future of that team) Komisarek (see above) Wait a minute...wait a minute. So you want to give the "A" to a fringe player picked up on waivers because no one wanted him, AND he fights with the stars on the team? Good lord now I've heard everything... Begin has been a great pick up, and a major steal off waivers but that's it. Plus he was part of the REAL poison in that dressing room. Who better to figure out who the rats were in that dressing room then a proven hockey great Bob Gainey? I think these last two dealings should pretty much tell us what's what around hab land. Unless you assume you know more that Gainey...? Why would I assume I know more then Gainey? That is just an assinine comment. My point is that what leadership has Kovalev shown? At least Koivu leads by example with his effort. The captains are there to help the young players along and set an example. Kovalev's example? Have a ton of talent but show up every 8 games. So Higgins should follow his example? Plekanecs? Hopefully they will continue to look to Koivu for an example of someone who com,es to play. As for begin having the nerve to fight with Kovalev. Ho wdo we know it was not Kovalev's fault? Just because he is a star and Begin is not does not make him any less worthy of an A. Hey, I have agreed with you about Kovalev. All I am saying is you have to be careful who you give the "A" too. I figure Gainey was in an ideal position to figure out who the leaders are and who were the trouble maker's. AND Kovalev is considered a leader by his Russian counterparts around the league so who knows...maybe... just maybe Gainey does? I like Begin, but I gotta question a guy who chooses Ribeiro as a playmate. Certainly Begin, from an outsider looking in deserves an "A". But he did not get it and I am sure that is in part due to his role in the spoiled brat's club... Gainey: won cups as a player, was the captain of the habs and the leader of all international hockey he played, once called the greatest player by the soviets, GM'ed Dallas...yup Dallas to the stanley cup, and actually is behind the bench watching the players interact. I gotta figure Gainey is not all that stupid. Don't ya think?

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Muller- I am willing to give Gainey the benefit of a doubt. However, I am not willing to let him rest on his past laurels in Dallas. In Dallas he had a HUGE budget in the pre cap era and really did not have to be as creative as he needs to be now with the cap. Let's be honest. In the pre-cap era, many times (not all times..see NY Rangers) it was the GM with the biggest wallet who iced the competitive team.

Muller93 wrote:

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barry33 wrote: Muller- I am willing to give Gainey the benefit of a doubt. Willing? You have all but carved him a new.......face, since CJ got laid off.  And you are right, lots of teams had money. Rangers, Kings, Torona, St. louis etc. You still had to make the right moves and pick players with character to win. It was still a skill to gel the right players in Dallas. That just did not happen because he had "money". I suppose just as And-o once said..."we will see who is right when Gainey decieds what to do with Koivu"...and he was right, now we know who was right about Koivu and leadership etc. So know I suppose you and I will re-visit this argument in 1-2 years to truly judge Gainey. I personally think I am right. But time will tell I suppose....once again...

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Hey I am not writing off Gainey. But he is no different than any other GM right now. Time will be the judge of whether he can be successful under a salary cap system. I suspect he can.

Vancouver's farm system.

barry33 wrote:

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Zulrath wrote: I must have been out for this one...when did it happen? Who lost their A?-- Edited by Zulrath at 10:11, 2006-02-11 Trust me..there would be 8 guys in line on that team ahead of Kovalev to give an "A" to. What has he shown this year in terms of loyalty or effort? A joke.

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Gainey did fix the leadership issues, he said bye bye to CJ, and brought in some coaches who what the tradition in Montreal is all about,  BG, Carbo, and Jarvis will bring this team back to greatness.  No offence to CJ, he did a great job with what he was given, but you cant possibly argue with the new leadership, behind the bench.  And Barry, just so you know, AK wore an A under your buddy.  Maybe look at some old time game footage, like the Ottawa win when AK came back.  I just love how much you like to ride the guy who drove your buddy out of town.  It isnt gonna change anything man, suck it up and except the fact that AK is here to stay.  And btw thank god for that.  It is nice to have a game breaker on our team for a change.  In the past few years we have not had a legitimate first line player, and now that we do I am totally loving it.  When was the last time you saw your buddy win us a game by himself?  I saw AK do it first hand in Buffalo thursday.  So slam him all you want.  but I will keep saying this.  AK is the best player on this team night after night.  When you all say he played a bad game, look at more than the score sheet.  The great Mario Lemieux couldnt put up consistent numbers when he can be double teamed all night cause his line mates are a tiny shrimp, who wishes he was a 1920's gangster, and a rookie.  Look a little deaper for god sakes. And BTW AK over CJ any day of the week, and anyone who disagrees must not watch hockey at all.

rwp2le wrote:

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And one more thing Barry. Take a look at when our losing streak started.  Not when we were without Julien, when AK went out for knee surgery.  I would have to say the proof is in the pudding right there my equally as biased friend.  BTW don't think I am slamming you, I love reading your posts. Just simply stating my opinion.

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Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..once again every comment I make that goes against someone else's opinions comes back to me being bitter about CJ. I am glad that everyone has a built in excuse to discount my opinions...make me wonder..38 coach's from now will it be "You are just mad because Alexander Kovalev is Alex's great grandson and he did not liek CJ".  Give it a rest. Kovalev's stats and efforts speak for themselves. 14 goals? This is our highly paid sniper?!?? tie Domi has that many.

wright wrote:

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This seasons performance personifies Kovalev. When the mood strikes him, he can be a difference maker. The problem is it happens way too infrequently. In this era of obstruction calls, 14 goals on a goal starved team is just not enough. How many goals has Kovalev scored in the shoot out segment this season? This is supposed to be a spot for him to shine, thus far his performance has been up and down. Is it fair to lay all the blame at his feet? No. However he is one of the highest paid players on the team and one would expect him to take this team on his shoulders at least periodically, he has not done it enough. That rap of being a floater and inconsistent performer has followed him around his entire carear. It is deserved.       Time after time this season Kovalev has been set up in a goal scoring position and has not even hit the net, he must lead the league in shots gone wide! Unquestionably the guy has great talent, but it would be nice if he would show up more consistently. It seems many posters on this board take Koviu to task for lackluster performances yet Kovalev the most talented player on the team does not get the same evaluation.

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What bugs me about this guy is most people would give a limn to have half the talent he has and he just does not seem to care. In this day of salary caps and money being so precious on a team..I hate to tie up 1/8 of my cap for a guy who i snot playing near to his potential.