Have to ask again...

AB Habman · Guru

Have to ask again...

davidb · Guru

AS this season goes on, I am beginning to wonder if BG was the best they could do to run this team

AB Habman · Guru

davidb wrote:

AS this season goes on, I am beginning to wonder if BG was the best they could do to run this team

Notice after Roy got the best of him, Gainey didn't use him after that. It was a chance for Downer to make a statement and potentially give the Habs some energy but instead he skated backwards away from Roy who comes in and gives him a shot to the head and drops him. hard to fight when you can't skate backwards to start with.

ray · Senior Member

AB Habman wrote:

why do we have Downer again? The guy sucks! One of the favorite Habs goes down and he finally drops his gloves only to look more silly. Gainey signs Ivanans( a monster of a player) than doesn't use him and picks up Downey who is no stronger than Begin without any of his hockey skills. Just can't understand that one??????????????

Wow lets hold on a sec, Yes Downey isn't a superstar but atleast he gives it his all. This guy is one of the toughest guys around, and the team comes first. Believe me right now he is ticked that Roy got the better of him, but atleast he showed some emotion and heart. Yes he shouldn't play every game, but when he does, he knows what is job is and gives it his best. About your comments about hes no tougher than Begin, well I beg to differ, I know this guy personally and I love what he can bring to a team, whether he plays every tenth game or not. He may not have the talent of Kovy, Saku or even Begin but this guy loves the fact he is now a part of the greatest franchise on earth, whether is be playing on the fourth line, in the penalty box or in the press box, this guy knows what it meens to put the Habs jersey on!!! Its too bad other guys on the team didn't.

AB Habman · Guru

ray wrote:

AB Habman wrote: why do we have Downer again? The guy sucks! One of the favorite Habs goes down and he finally drops his gloves only to look more silly. Gainey signs Ivanans( a monster of a player) than doesn't use him and picks up Downey who is no stronger than Begin without any of his hockey skills. Just can't understand that one?????????????? Wow lets hold on a sec, Yes Downey isn't a superstar but atleast he gives it his all. This guy is one of the toughest guys around, and the team comes first. Believe me right now he is ticked that Roy got the better of him, but atleast he showed some emotion and heart. Yes he shouldn't play every game, but when he does, he knows what is job is and gives it his best. About your comments about hes no tougher than Begin, well I beg to differ, I know this guy personally and I love what he can bring to a team, whether he plays every tenth game or not. He may not have the talent of Kovy, Saku or even Begin but this guy loves the fact he is now a part of the greatest franchise on earth, whether is be playing on the fourth line, in the penalty box or in the press box, this guy knows what it meens to put the Habs jersey on!!! Its too bad other guys on the team didn't.

I could accept him more if I knew we didn't already have a goon in our system. Why sign one and then not use him, then add more Cap money with another? I'm not knocking Downer as much as I'm questioning why we need him at all? I prefer Ivanans because he was already signed and is bigger and looks intimidating. Let's face the fact, they both suck as players!

ray · Senior Member

AB Habman wrote:

ray wrote: AB Habman wrote: why do we have Downer again? The guy sucks! One of the favorite Habs goes down and he finally drops his gloves only to look more silly. Gainey signs Ivanans( a monster of a player) than doesn't use him and picks up Downey who is no stronger than Begin without any of his hockey skills. Just can't understand that one?????????????? Wow lets hold on a sec, Yes Downey isn't a superstar but atleast he gives it his all. This guy is one of the toughest guys around, and the team comes first. Believe me right now he is ticked that Roy got the better of him, but atleast he showed some emotion and heart. Yes he shouldn't play every game, but when he does, he knows what is job is and gives it his best. About your comments about hes no tougher than Begin, well I beg to differ, I know this guy personally and I love what he can bring to a team, whether he plays every tenth game or not. He may not have the talent of Kovy, Saku or even Begin but this guy loves the fact he is now a part of the greatest franchise on earth, whether is be playing on the fourth line, in the penalty box or in the press box, this guy knows what it meens to put the Habs jersey on!!! Its too bad other guys on the team didn't. I could accept him more if I knew we didn't already have a goon in our system. Why sign one and then not use him, then add more Cap money with another? I'm not knocking Downer as much as I'm questioning why we need him at all? I prefer Ivanans because he was already signed and is bigger and looks intimidating. Let's face the fact, they both suck as players!

Well AB Habman, I don't know why Ivanans isnt with the team,but Gainey knows of Downey when they were in Dallas. Maybe Bob knows something we don't. Maybe he thinks Aaron is a better skater then Ivanans or maybe better skilled. Secondly, Downey may not be the best gifted player in the world, but atleast hes in the show, and you and I are writing on a website, so he must have some talents as a player! I would love to be doing what he is doing right now, better than what I'm doing in my life. One other thing Downey has been in league for about 5 years now how many games has Ivanans been in, two. Yes very intimidating!

-- Edited by ray at 03:55, 2006-03-19

AB Habman · Guru

ray wrote:

AB Habman wrote: ray wrote: AB Habman wrote: why do we have Downer again? The guy sucks! One of the favorite Habs goes down and he finally drops his gloves only to look more silly. Gainey signs Ivanans( a monster of a player) than doesn't use him and picks up Downey who is no stronger than Begin without any of his hockey skills. Just can't understand that one?????????????? Wow lets hold on a sec, Yes Downey isn't a superstar but atleast he gives it his all. This guy is one of the toughest guys around, and the team comes first. Believe me right now he is ticked that Roy got the better of him, but atleast he showed some emotion and heart. Yes he shouldn't play every game, but when he does, he knows what is job is and gives it his best. About your comments about hes no tougher than Begin, well I beg to differ, I know this guy personally and I love what he can bring to a team, whether he plays every tenth game or not. He may not have the talent of Kovy, Saku or even Begin but this guy loves the fact he is now a part of the greatest franchise on earth, whether is be playing on the fourth line, in the penalty box or in the press box, this guy knows what it meens to put the Habs jersey on!!! Its too bad other guys on the team didn't. I could accept him more if I knew we didn't already have a goon in our system. Why sign one and then not use him, then add more Cap money with another? I'm not knocking Downer as much as I'm questioning why we need him at all? I prefer Ivanans because he was already signed and is bigger and looks intimidating. Let's face the fact, they both suck as players! Well AB Habman, I don't know why Ivanans isnt with the team,but Gainey knows of Downey when they were in Dallas. Maybe Bob knows something we don't. Maybe he thinks Aaron is a better skater then Ivanans or maybe better skilled. Secondly, Downey may not be the best gifted player in the world, but atleast hes in the show, and you and I are writing on a website, so he must have some talents as a player! I would love to be doing what he is doing right now, better than what I'm doing in my life. One other thing Downey has been in league for about 5 years now how many games has Ivanans been in, two. Yes very intimidating!-- Edited by ray at 03:55, 2006-03-19

Isn't Ivanans a rookie to the NHL? Hard to compare when he hasn't been given a chance yet. The big question again...why sign him then not use him?????

Just to add to an old thread also. The count down for a Downey scrap falls at 16 games. Hardly worth the wait.

-- Edited by AB Habman at 04:40, 2006-03-19

Power · Veteran Member

AB Habman wrote:

why do we have Downer again?

I`m with you on this one, Downey has never been more than middle weight fighter and never going to be more, and that BG knows him is the only reason for him being in Montreal(They must be buddies). He is decent skater for goon(better than Ivanans), and he is good tackler, but lets face it, he doesn´t bring nothing new to the team. We already had 2 fighters in farm who would do anything for chance to be "regular NHL players".

AB Habman · Guru

Power wrote:

AB Habman wrote: why do we have Downer again? I`m with you on this one, Downey has never been more than middle weight fighter and never going to be more, and that BG knows him is the only reason for him being in Montreal(They must be buddies). He is decent skater for goon(better than Ivanans), and he is good tackler, but lets face it, he doesn´t bring nothing new to the team. We already had 2 fighters in farm who would do anything for chance to be "regular NHL players".

Seems like a waste of a waiver pickup to me! If Gainey is bringing his buddies than he needs to bring in Madano and Zubov rather than Downer.

By the way...why did he lose a draft pick for Simpson who isn't good enough to play in Chicago? I'm tired of these fillers. Get us some players already. Oh well, there's always the off season.

Habtastic · Guru

Gainey knows there is a problem in the room and both Downey and Simpson have an excellent reputation of being dressing room guys and so I think they are here as much for that as for their toughness.

Habtastic

barry33 · Guru

Habtastic wrote:

Gainey knows there is a problem in the room and both Downey and Simpson have an excellent reputation of being dressing room guys and so I think they are here as much for that as for their toughness. Habtastic

Gainey has made some moves that have just baffled me and yes, this is one of them. He signs Pete Vandermeer to a one way contract last summer which, you would think, would indicate he wanted to keep him in Montreal. Instead, he cuts Vandermeer and keeps Ivannis. Then after Ivannis gets hurt, keeps him in Hamilton..and goes out and gets Downey. At times he seems to just be flying by the seat of his pants.

Habtastic · Guru

Yes, the Vandermeer thing was dumb, plain and simple.

Habtastic

AB Habman · Guru

barry33 wrote:

Habtastic wrote: Gainey knows there is a problem in the room and both Downey and Simpson have an excellent reputation of being dressing room guys and so I think they are here as much for that as for their toughness. Habtastic Gainey has made some moves that have just baffled me and yes, this is one of them. He signs Pete Vandermeer to a one way contract last summer which, you would think, would indicate he wanted to keep him in Montreal. Instead, he cuts Vandermeer and keeps Ivannis. Then after Ivannis gets hurt, keeps him in Hamilton..and goes out and gets Downey. At times he seems to just be flying by the seat of his pants.

Barry, I forgot about that signing also. Gainey has had some brain cramps for sure.

mdmrules · Member

AB have you seen Ivanans handle the puck ever?

Man it is UGLY... I don't cringe when Downey touches the puck.. in fact wasn't he in on a goal the other night? A key goal at that... Ivanans has had one fight that I can remember when he fought Chara... he walked away with a broken face... Why is he such a necessity in your eyes?

Downey is what he is... Its a waste of time to complain about a guy that barely plays... who cares if he sucks or not... he will probably never win or lose us a single game. Why don't we just start complaining about the training staff while we are at it... they get almost the same amount of ice time.

Power · Veteran Member

mdmrules wrote:

AB have you seen Ivanans handle the puck ever? Man it is UGLY... I don't cringe when Downey touches the puck.. in fact wasn't he in on a goal the other night? A key goal at that... Ivanans has had one fight that I can remember when he fought Chara... he walked away with a broken face... Why is he such a necessity in your eyes? Downey is what he is... Its a waste of time to complain about a guy that barely plays... who cares if he sucks or not... he will probably never win or lose us a single game. Why don't we just start complaining about the training staff while we are at it... they get almost the same amount of ice time.

I have to defend ABs point of view on this.

Habs had Ivanans and Vandemeer already, why bother to sign someone who doesn´t bring anything new to the team and lose 450000 or what ever he makes and keep these 2 in Hamilton? Someone said that Downey is good locker room player, maybe so. In that case why didn´t BG sign/acquire him earlier and leave vandemeer signed because he has one way contract and has never played even one game in NHL.

Puck handling skills, H#l! they are goons not Crosbys/Gretzkys only thing what I expect from goon is win fights and make other teams respect/afraid him. Ivanans lost fight to Chara by punch what was cheap shot when ref was in middle. Downer lost fight to Roy who was injured most of the season or not willing/afraid to defend Crosby because Pens was forced to acquire Cairns to do this job. What I have seen in other forums and even here someone mentioned that Ivanans won fights againts McGrattan last season when they where both in AHL and that is good achievement if that is true.

In PP would be good idea to put Ivanans standing in front of goalie to make some screen, because what I have seen Habs games there is no one doing this dirty work so it would be good to try that.

Nil d · Guru

Power wrote:

In PP would be good idea to put Ivanans standing in front of goalie to make some screen, because what I have seen Habs games there is no one doing this dirty work so it would be good to try that.

Very good point, Power. I'm a big fan of shooting from the point and jamming the crease.

Jody Shelley, who can barely skate, scored 25 goals his last year in Major Junior (with the Halifax Mooseheads), and I dare say over half of them were on the power play, with pucks caroming in off his chest, legs, ass, etc.