I will concede....

AB Habman · Guru

I will concede....

Nil d · Guru

Excellent post, Ab.

I would place more importance on the regular season than you do (after all, if the players suck during the year, there is no playoff season), but that's just a matter of degree.

I like where the Habs are right now. I'd say they are about one big cetreman and a star defenseman (if there are any left to be had) away from being a Cup contender. And this: they have some $9-10 million in salary cap room to play with to get these guys in the off season!

I concede they will not win the Stanley Cup this year, but a few moves this summer could put them right in the thick of it for next year!

AB Habman · Guru

Nil d wrote:

Excellent post, Ab. I would place more importance on the regular season than you do (after all, if the players suck during the year, there is no playoff season), but that's just a matter of degree. I like where the Habs are right now. I'd say they are about one big cetreman and a star defenseman (if there are any left to be had) away from being a Cup contender. And this: they have some $9-10 million in salary cap room to play with to get these guys in the off season! I concede they will not win the Stanley Cup this year, but a few moves this summer could put them right in the thick of it for next year!

Nil, I do find the regular season important to get to the playoffs. But once were there, it seems more trivial.

We're not far off from playoff success like you say. I don't mean upset a team but have more expectations to win a few series.

I also think Markov is on his way to being a star defensemen but we need more support behind the blue line like you say.

Key Lime · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

I remember in the last season, our conversations were all similar (with a little less sensitivity) on Saks. Some thought like we do today that he was underachieving and especially late in that season as Ribs over took him in points. He merely got tired out. He redeemed himself in the playoffs when he was paired with Kovy. The two were our best players which is how it should be. I'll say again, that he looks relaxed on the ice and not trying to out-do himself like he was before the Olympics and his contract signing. He was just trying too hard then and taking silly penalties while his plus/minus fell. He is keeping it simple now and being a little more effective. For example, last night on the PP, he got the puck and simply passed it back to Souray who blasted it. Before the break, he probably would of raged the puck to the half boards looking for the crease pass and then he would of eventually lost it while falling to the ice or hooked the player who took it from him. I actually hope that he keeps playing this way because he'll be more rested up and not get himself injured for the playoffs. Just keep it simple and distribute the puck to your linemates and let a guy like Higgins continue to carry it. I'll concede that Saks will again totally redeem himself in the playoffs and along with Kovy, be our best players. Regular season will mean squat to me when the playoffs are on. Also, I feel over-all that we're a better team than we were going in last time but unfortunately we'll be playing a much better team than Boston was. The important thing is our best players will be our best players in the playoffs! It's just human nature to worry more during the season because we all want to see the playoffs. We especially concentrate on our core players because we know they can play better because they have proved it in the playoffs or in Sak's case, also at the Olympics. This season has been no exception as we have scratched and clawed our way into a playoff position. No one can argue though that expectations are higher for core players while almost every player has been criticized this season along with the likes of Kovy and Saks. You heard it from me now, that I'm not as worried anymore about making the playoffs. Our best players like Kovy and Saks will be our best in the playoffs. Be prepared though, because the regular season chat will probably mimic itself next season. What else are we going to talk about in a sports forum but our players. Our expectations will be no different unless Gainey adds an elete player in the off season that is paid alot and is proven. That player will be prone to criticism also if he doesn't meet personal expectations.

Hey! AB, that was awesome. I love every chance that I get to challenge you. This time, it's not going to happen. I just hope that besides Saks and Kovy, I hope our best player will be our goaltender. If that happens, it means we have a chance.

AB Habman · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

AB Habman wrote: I remember in the last season, our conversations were all similar (with a little less sensitivity) on Saks. Some thought like we do today that he was underachieving and especially late in that season as Ribs over took him in points. He merely got tired out. He redeemed himself in the playoffs when he was paired with Kovy. The two were our best players which is how it should be. I'll say again, that he looks relaxed on the ice and not trying to out-do himself like he was before the Olympics and his contract signing. He was just trying too hard then and taking silly penalties while his plus/minus fell. He is keeping it simple now and being a little more effective. For example, last night on the PP, he got the puck and simply passed it back to Souray who blasted it. Before the break, he probably would of raged the puck to the half boards looking for the crease pass and then he would of eventually lost it while falling to the ice or hooked the player who took it from him. I actually hope that he keeps playing this way because he'll be more rested up and not get himself injured for the playoffs. Just keep it simple and distribute the puck to your linemates and let a guy like Higgins continue to carry it. I'll concede that Saks will again totally redeem himself in the playoffs and along with Kovy, be our best players. Regular season will mean squat to me when the playoffs are on. Also, I feel over-all that we're a better team than we were going in last time but unfortunately we'll be playing a much better team than Boston was. The important thing is our best players will be our best players in the playoffs! It's just human nature to worry more during the season because we all want to see the playoffs. We especially concentrate on our core players because we know they can play better because they have proved it in the playoffs or in Sak's case, also at the Olympics. This season has been no exception as we have scratched and clawed our way into a playoff position. No one can argue though that expectations are higher for core players while almost every player has been criticized this season along with the likes of Kovy and Saks. You heard it from me now, that I'm not as worried anymore about making the playoffs. Our best players like Kovy and Saks will be our best in the playoffs. Be prepared though, because the regular season chat will probably mimic itself next season. What else are we going to talk about in a sports forum but our players. Our expectations will be no different unless Gainey adds an elete player in the off season that is paid alot and is proven. That player will be prone to criticism also if he doesn't meet personal expectations. Hey! AB, that was awesome. I love every chance that I get to challenge you. This time, it's not going to happen. I just hope that besides Saks and Kovy, I hope our best player will be our goaltender. If that happens, it means we have a chance.

Good point! I think we can throw Huet in the mix. He'll be a factor also! I assume he'll get the start if he continues his solid play.

Cleghorn · Veteran Member

Nil d wrote:

Excellent post, Ab. I would place more importance on the regular season than you do (after all, if the players suck during the year, there is no playoff season), but that's just a matter of degree. I like where the Habs are right now. I'd say they are about one big cetreman and a star defenseman (if there are any left to be had) away from being a Cup contender. And this: they have some $9-10 million in salary cap room to play with to get these guys in the off season! I concede they will not win the Stanley Cup this year, but a few moves this summer could put them right in the thick of it for next year!

Nil what self-respecting Habs' fan from our era concedes any season that the Habs will not win the Cup this year! Did we concede in '71? Did we concede in '86? Did we concede in '93? Did we concede when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

AB Habman · Guru

Cleghorn wrote:

Nil d wrote: Excellent post, Ab. I would place more importance on the regular season than you do (after all, if the players suck during the year, there is no playoff season), but that's just a matter of degree. I like where the Habs are right now. I'd say they are about one big cetreman and a star defenseman (if there are any left to be had) away from being a Cup contender. And this: they have some $9-10 million in salary cap room to play with to get these guys in the off season! I concede they will not win the Stanley Cup this year, but a few moves this summer could put them right in the thick of it for next year! Nil what self-respecting Habs' fan from our era concedes any season that the Habs will not win the Cup this year! Did we concede in '71? Did we concede in '86? Did we concede in '93? Did we concede when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

I think what we're saying is, it's more plausible in the next few years than over the last decade. We always concede a hope to win but now it's more reallistic.

-- Edited by AB Habman at 17:10, 2006-03-10

Nil d · Guru

Cleghorn wrote:

Nil what self-respecting Habs' fan from our era concedes any season that the Habs will not win the Cup this year! Did we concede in '71? Did we concede in '86? Did we concede in '93? Did we concede when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Well I remember '86 and '93 well, but I wasn't around when the Pearl Harbor thing happened. (But then that was the States; Canada was already well in the war).

And I caught that little joke - yes, it was indeed the Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbor, not the Germans.

In any event, it's good to stir up enough of your passion to get you posting again, Clegger!

JohnM · Guru

AB, this post was well thought out and well stated. You will get no arguments from me on this one.