Saku Vs Kovalev

Johab · Guru

Saku Vs Kovalev

Power · Veteran Member

I expect pretty darn fast game when Finland and Russia meets, but they look distressingly talented and now they are even playing as a team what afraids me even more.

JohnM · Guru

Should be a good matchup.

superhab · Guru

I expect Saku to give Kovy a good clean check that will surprise the hell out of him. Should be fun to watch our captain beat captain floater

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Should be a good matchup.

I have to cheer for Saks who at least tries in a habs uniform. I am hoping that the floater and the hot dog on skates Ovechkyn are "Finnished" Friday.

Nil d · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Should be a good matchup.

Funny, when you see these guys play against Canada (especially Kovalev), you get a different perspective than when you watch them play for the Habs. I see Kovalev liked he played today, being a threat every time he's on the ice, hustling and hitting, and I would think "man, I wish the Habs had him on their team!", but yet here he is, and he frustrates the living Hell out of all of us.

It's an anomaly wrapped in a riddle.

barry33 · Guru

Nil d wrote:

JohnM wrote: Should be a good matchup. Funny, when you see these guys play against Canada (especially Kovalev), you get a different perspective than when you watch them play for the Habs. I see Kovalev liked he played today, being a threat every time he's on the ice, hustling and hitting, and I would think "man, I wish the Habs had him on their team!", but yet here he is, and he frustrates the living Hell out of all of us. It's an anomaly wrapped in a riddle.

THANK YOU JOHN AND NIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But hey..I am sure if we brought in the right players for lil Alex he would try. I mean..he IS in charge right? I think McNeil put it the best. He said "Why should we hope that guys like Kovalev bring that enthusiasm back to the habs..Bob Gainey should demand it!". Well put. But as Billy Shakespeare once said..there is the rub. The premedona players in the league are in charge. Not the GM's, not the coaches. And yet, some fans will continue to make excuses for them! 'Oh if only Montreal had another center", "Oh if only Alex had a Russian Center", "Oh if only we had Ollie Jokinnen". The list of things we want to do for these guys goes on and on and on. When does the "giving to your employer because he is paying you 5 million a year" start?

I truly feel that some are missing the big picture here and maybe it is because I have seen inside the malaise of some of these dressing rooms. I know that when CJ coached Kovalev even made a demand that Perzhogan be kept up and put on his line. Does that give you an idea of who is running the team? It is all about effort guys. Any one of you who can look me in the eye and tell me that some of these guys are making a legitimate effort night after night in habland that anywhere closely resembles what they are doing in Italy I will buy dinner.

plouf · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Nil d wrote: JohnM wrote: Should be a good matchup. Funny, when you see these guys play against Canada (especially Kovalev), you get a different perspective than when you watch them play for the Habs. I see Kovalev liked he played today, being a threat every time he's on the ice, hustling and hitting, and I would think "man, I wish the Habs had him on their team!", but yet here he is, and he frustrates the living Hell out of all of us. It's an anomaly wrapped in a riddle. THANK YOU JOHN AND NIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But hey..I am sure if we brought in the right players for lil Alex he would try. I mean..he IS in charge right? I think McNeil put it the best. He said "Why should we hope that guys like Kovalev bring that enthusiasm back to the habs..Bob Gainey should demand it!". Well put. But as Billy Shakespeare once said..there is the rub. The premedona players in the league are in charge. Not the GM's, not the coaches. And yet, some fans will continue to make excuses for them! 'Oh if only Montreal had another center", "Oh if only Alex had a Russian Center", "Oh if only we had Ollie Jokinnen". The list of things we want to do for these guys goes on and on and on. When does the "giving to your employer because he is paying you 5 million a year" start? I truly feel that some are missing the big picture here and maybe it is because I have seen inside the malaise of some of these dressing rooms. I know that when CJ coached Kovalev even made a demand that Perzhogan be kept up and put on his line. Does that give you an idea of who is running the team? It is all about effort guys. Any one of you who can look me in the eye and tell me that some of these guys are making a legitimate effort night after night in habland that anywhere closely resembles what they are doing in Italy I will buy dinner.

You're probably right Barry, but there are other ways of looking at it, including the obvious fact that Europeans excel at the International style game.

One thing I noticed about the Finns and Russians, for example, was that they were having fun out there. For some reason the pressure on the Canadian team seemed to make them grip their sticks tighter, get frustrated, look confused, etc...

Anyway, beyond the fact that we are habs fans, why is it more important to play for your club than your country I wonder? The money alone? Is that the only reason they play? Because you could equally say that the Canadian players didn't bother trying for the Olympics and THAT's the truly shocking thing.

Chris68 · Veteran Member

.... and the winner is .....

Muller93 · Guru

plouf wrote:

You're probably right Barry, but there are other ways of looking at it, including the obvious fact that Europeans excel at the International style game. One thing I noticed about the Finns and Russians, for example, was that they were having fun out there. For some reason the pressure on the Canadian team seemed to make them grip their sticks tighter, get frustrated, look confused, etc... Anyway, beyond the fact that we are habs fans, why is it more important to play for your club than your country I wonder? The money alone? Is that the only reason they play? Because you could equally say that the Canadian players didn't bother trying for the Olympics and THAT's the truly shocking thing.

Thank you Plouf!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No disrespect to the others but, I stand by my feeling that this has very little do do with effort, and more to do with international hockey( bigger ice surface) and the fact that on the habs, Kovalev and Koivu are all alone really. Like being left outside in minus 40 degree weather with no cloths on...they are exposed/isolated.

Who the heck else does the opposition have to cover?

Nil'd, you and I generally see eye to eye, but althoughI respect your thoughts, I stand by my feelings on this one. And Barry, your insight may be a little one sided? hmm?

-- Edited by Muller93 at 19:08, 2006-02-24

barry33 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

plouf wrote: You're probably right Barry, but there are other ways of looking at it, including the obvious fact that Europeans excel at the International style game. One thing I noticed about the Finns and Russians, for example, was that they were having fun out there. For some reason the pressure on the Canadian team seemed to make them grip their sticks tighter, get frustrated, look confused, etc... Anyway, beyond the fact that we are habs fans, why is it more important to play for your club than your country I wonder? The money alone? Is that the only reason they play? Because you could equally say that the Canadian players didn't bother trying for the Olympics and THAT's the truly shocking thing. Thank you Plouf!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No disrespect to the others but, I stand by my feeling that this has very little do do with effort, and more to do with international hockey( bigger ice surface) and the fact that on the habs, Kovalev and Koivu are all alone really. Like being left outside in minus 40 degree weather with no cloths on...they are exposed/isolated. Who the heck else does the opposition have to cover? Nil'd, you and I generally see eye to eye, but althoughI respect your thoughts, I stand by my feelings on this one. And Barry, your insight may be a little one sided? hmm?-- Edited by Muller93 at 19:08, 2006-02-24

GIVE ME A HUGE BREAK!! Are you saying that your insight and John M's is NOT one sided? PUhleeeeeeeeeease

JohnM · Guru

Nope, just facts.... See latest Olympics for more details.