Accumulating points - Koivu

Key Lime · Guru

Accumulating points - Koivu

barry33 · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

Here's a little positivity sent Koivu's way. I've seen every Finnish game. I've also seen Koivu play with the Habs for the last 10 years or so. The fact that I've seen him so often...he shouldn't really impress me when he plays well. We all expect that from him. However, I have been impressed to see him so crafty and quick on the ice at the international level. Furthermore, he's also shown that he can accumulate points. It just proves what I've known all along, he's an excellent hockey player. I'm certain after his NHL career, he'll play a few more years in Europe and tear up the league just like Oleg Petrov is doing in the Swiss league for the past 3 years.-- Edited by Key Lime at 09:42, 2006-02-21

So we need to surmise one of 2 scenarios. One is that his improved play is due to better linemates, bigger ice, better coaching etc.. The other is that he simply tries harder while playing for his country. And let's be honest, only Saks knows which it is. I expect it is a bit of both.

Key Lime · Guru

There's no need to even think long and hard about it. It really is a combination of both Barry. In any case, before the Games began if you asked us "What would be the best outcome for Koivu at the Olympics?" The answer is exactly what he is living now, no matter what his motivations are.

-- Edited by Key Lime at 12:01, 2006-02-21

barry33 · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

There's no need to even think long and hard about it. It really is a combination of both Barry. In any case, before the Games began if you asked us "What would be the best outcome for Koivu at the Olympics?" The answer is exactly what he is living now, no matter what his motivations are.-- Edited by Key Lime at 12:01, 2006-02-21

Exactly! I am happy for the Smurf and just hope he brings that enthusiasm back to Montreal and is healthy. I think we all need to admit that his work ethic has been better in Italy then it has the last month in Montreal.

Power · Veteran Member

I think that you are both right, but without same kind of help from his line mates in Montreal what Saks gets from Selanne and Lehtinen at olympics. Things are not going to change much maybe little, but not too much. Lets keep hopes high because Habs need this Koivu if they are going to be in Cup chase.

barry33 · Guru

Power wrote:

I think that you are both right, but without same kind of help from his line mates in Montreal what Saks gets from Selanne and Lehtinen at olympics. Things are not going to change much maybe little, but not too much. Lets keep hopes high because Habs need this Koivu if they are going to be in Cup chase.

Amen to that Power!

Figaro · Guru

It isnt the ice or the coaching - it's the players he's playing with.

barry33 · Guru

Figaro wrote:

It isnt the ice or the coaching - it's the players he's playing with.

But does that explain why he is working his butt off as well? And yes, even the play by play guys have said that they have not seen Koivu work this hard all year. I guess in a way if you feel you will get better results by digging in the corner more and getting your wingers the puck it is natural you will try harder. If that is all it takes to see the Koivu I have seen this week then Gainey best be getting the man the wingers he wants.

Figaro · Guru

Because Koivu doesn't care about his Habs wingers now, perhaps, and is playing for his Finns. Hope he will bring that back to Montreal, though, because we need him.

jeanthehabtiste · Senior Member

Darn right, we need him.

Figaro · Guru

Time for a big trade, eh?
GP G A Pts
FIN T Selanne 5 6 3 9
FIN J Lehtinen 5 3 5 8
FIN S Koivu 5 2 6 8

1-2-3 in the Olympic standings. Imagine what might have been had Selanne chosen MTL over the Mighty Dorks

jeanthehabtiste · Senior Member

Key Lime · Guru

Figaro wrote:

Time for a big trade, eh? GP G A Pts FIN T Selanne 5 6 3 9 FIN J Lehtinen 5 3 5 8 FIN S Koivu 5 2 6 8 1-2-3 in the Olympic standings. Imagine what might have been had Selanne chosen MTL over the Mighty Dorks

He's another one of those "I want to play for a warm weather team". Pierre Maguire stated this about Selanne yeasterday on the Team 990. What is up with these "I want to play HOCKEY while it's 20 degrees outside?

Selanne can stay where he is. The Habs can't afford to gamble on those types of players anymore.

jeanthehabtiste · Senior Member

Muller93 · Guru

barry33 wrote:

So we need to surmise one of 2 scenarios. One is that his improved play is due to better linemates, bigger ice, better coaching etc.. The other is that he simply tries harder while playing for his country. And let's be honest, only Saks knows which it is. I expect it is a bit of both.

IT'S not A COMBINATION OF BOTH. Give me a freakin break already... The guy plays with as much heart in Montreal as he does for Finland...Geesh.

What it is Barry, is exactly what you and I have been saying all along. Koivu needs more offensive support than he has in Montreal. I'm not talking about Selanne because Kovalev is just as good....I'm talkin about 2-3 lines than are at some level an offensive threat.

THAT is why Koivu is doing so well...perhaps if we did not have that knob Ribeiro as our so called "second line center" we could all put the Koivu debate to rest for good. And this olympics is proving that fact.

plouf · Guru

As I predicted. Whether Koivu does poorly or well at the Olympics, it will somehow end up making the naysayers suspicious.

Reason why people defend Koivu with such tenacity? The fact that for the critics it doesn't seem to matter all that much what he does.

For Barry:Consider yourself swooped down upon

-- Edited by plouf at 19:26, 2006-02-21

JohnM · Guru

Gotta agree with you plouf. It doesn't matter what the guy does, certain people have a dislike for him and that won't change.

barry33 · Guru

plouf wrote:

As I predicted. Whether Koivu does poorly or well at the Olympics, it will somehow end up making the naysayers suspicious. Reason why people defend Koivu with such tenacity? The fact that for the critics it doesn't seem to matter all that much what he does. For Barry:Consider yourself swooped down upon-- Edited by plouf at 19:26, 2006-02-21

Like I said..I do not care WHY he is doing better at the Olympics. Like I said., if he needs new linemates to perform like that then go get em Bobby !!

Nil d · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

barry33 wrote: So we need to surmise one of 2 scenarios. One is that his improved play is due to better linemates, bigger ice, better coaching etc.. The other is that he simply tries harder while playing for his country. And let's be honest, only Saks knows which it is. I expect it is a bit of both. IT'S not A COMBINATION OF BOTH. Give me a freakin break already... The guy plays with as much heart in Montreal as he does for Finland...Geesh. What it is Barry, is exactly what you and I have been saying all along. Koivu needs more offensive support than he has in Montreal. I'm not talking about Selanne because Kovalev is just as good....I'm talkin about 2-3 lines than are at some level an offensive threat. THAT is why Koivu is doing so well...perhaps if we did not have that knob Ribeiro as our so called "second line center" we could all put the Koivu debate to rest for good. And this olympics is proving that fact.

Since I said I would not post another Saku post until the end of the month, I'm glad you're around, Muller, to state, as usual, my exact feelings on the subject for me!

Thanks.