I gotta ask this to you guys about Craig, and be honest please.

Do you guys ever feel that he has either a really good game and then the next game he plays, he is just so nonexistant?

I feel that way. I've seen him take some pretty stupid penalties whe we needed him the most. I like the guy as a player but sometimes he just is so unfocused....must be me.

Nil d wrote:

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jeanthehabtiste wrote: I gotta ask this to you guys about Craig, and be honest please. Do you guys ever feel that he has either a really good game and then the next game he plays, he is just so nonexistant? I feel that way. I've seen him take some pretty stupid penalties whe we needed him the most. I like the guy as a player but sometimes he just is so unfocused....must be me. I agree with you on this - he is inconsistent - but that simply makes Rivet the norm amongst the Habs, not an exception.  Having said that, I feel he has many more good games than bad this year, so he's one of the least inconsistent ones, if I may put it that way.

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I think he's been our second best defenseman this year, far and away (much as I like Bouillon, and feel Souray should be our #2). He's had a couple of bad games, but he's so much more consistent than he used to be. Smart and tough, if a bit challenged in the skills department (esp. skating).

plouf wrote:

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 I think he's been our second best defenseman this year, far and away (much as I like Bouillon, and feel Souray should be our #2). He's had a couple of bad games, but he's so much more consistent than he used to be. Smart and tough, if a bit challenged in the skills department (esp. skating).

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I agree entirely, plouf.  Rivet is smart; he gives good interviews, and even speaks a little French.  Despite his French-sounding name, he is an Ontarian, although in that area (North Bay, I think), there is quite a bit of French spoken.

 

jeanthehabtiste wrote:

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I gotta ask this to you guys about Craig, and be honest please. Do you guys ever feel that he has either a really good game and then the next game he plays, he is just so nonexistant? I feel that way. I've seen him take some pretty stupid penalties whe we needed him the most. I like the guy as a player but sometimes he just is so unfocused....must be me.

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I neither agree or disagree because I just simply don't think he is that great a defenseman.  I honestly like the guy too and I think he is a positive influence on this team, but that is my opinion of him.

With the exception of Markov, our blueline is sub-average compared to the rest of the NHL.

jeanthehabtiste wrote:

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Man, all these answers come back as "marginally good" players. Do you feel we have any potentially GREAT players? Anyone?...you know..diamonds in the rough?

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Well our core is pretty good: Markov, Higgy, Pleks, Bulis, Koivs and Kovs. (Yes, Pleks and Higgy make up  part of our core now!)

Plus some up and comers: Huet, Perezhogin, Kostitsyn, Price and "blue" Chipchura (who knows about the last 2).

Decent role guys: Zeddy, Begin, Souray (all expendable though, but I would keep Begin)

I have been saying all along that this team needs more North American grit...look at the players I have named - predominantly Euros.  We should use our draft pick to take a big, strong stalwart denseman.  I would even consider trading Price for a better draft pick.

-- Edited by 24 Rings at 15:01, 2006-02-24

Melikes what Huet was doing before the Olympics though.  We should ride him for the rest of the year. 

 I didn't care for Rivet's play in the last season because he lacks in talent but he has worked hard this season to adjust his play in order to keep up. Actually he is playing the best hockey of his life now which is probably still pretty average in the league! My point is he at least consistently works hard!

 Also, I realize that he is the glue behind the scenes and if not for him, the dressing room would be a complete mess rather than just a little mess! He is our ultimate off ice leader while the other so called letters are playing their juvenile biased games! I really do think that he's the one player that can command respect off the ice from his peers! He takes all the pressure off Saks so that Saks can concentrate on his on ice play without worrying about the extra responsiblities off the ice!

 Just my thoughts, but no one knows for sure what happens behind the scenes except maybe Barry! I just think Saks can probably thank Rivet for his big contract! He is like a big brother always looking out for him so the little guy has a chance to succeed!

 Again, Rivet is more important to this team than we all probably think!

-- Edited by AB Habman at 21:07, 2006-02-24

I wonder who is leading this Finnish team then?
It must be someone other than Koivu, because Koivu isn't really a leader.
Oh wait, except when it's time to blame someone.

I think it was Muller who put it best today, when he talked about how much easier things go when a team is clicking. Hockey's a team game. Even Messier, one of the greatest leaders of all-time, couldn't do much with those late 90s Rangers. Was it his fault? Montreal hasn't had a great team for a while. Koivu's probably helping to get that Finnish team playing as a team, but I doubt it's that simple, and there are a lot of factors. Sometimes it's just momentum.

 Guys, trust me, there're alot of leaders on that Finns team! They also don't need motivation! This is their Stanley Cup!

 My point is Rivet has been a great Assistant to Saks! Every Captain has them! Habs is no different! He takes alot of pressure off Saks and makes his job much easier!

 Don't make this out to more than it is! You have to agree, Rivet is very important to Saks career thus far. Who is it that stood by him when he was very sick? Why would that support stop now?