Listen to me Not the Rest

Frank the Critic · Member

Listen to me Not the Rest

brooklynhabfan · Guru

Frank the Critic wrote:

Yesterdays game, Montreal vs. Pitt., it is obvious that there was problem with NOT ONLY goaltending but team cohessiveness and players morale. I mean Aebischer had a bad game, he's not perfect. This goaltender before coming to the habs org. was playing with the Avs and he was pretty damn good. He was in a stable organization where there was no pressure imposed on him. Why is he a scrap now and with Colarado he won 7 of his last 8 to finish off his career with that team. It does not help when the fans start chanting HUET every 5 min. He has to adjust to the new conference. In the west, its oriented more defensively rather than offensively like in the east. So I tell all the fans give him time and be PATIENT.
Cheers.

While I enjoyed listening to you and not the rest (a feat to do with my eyes), I found myself in the strange situation of realizing your points were sort of similar to the rest.

So should I not listen to you, or should I? My brain hurts, and I need to lay down...

Frank the Critic · Member

I mean the majority do not agree with my ideas. I mean when theo was in montreal i defended him but thats a long long story. Anyways you'll here alot of rask, noxious comments from me lol. So stay tuned this is only the beginning.

Cheers, by the way where r u from Guru

NEWFIEHABSFAN · Senior Member

agree with the new guy, give abby a chance!

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

So what are you saying, keep putting him in until he feels comfortable, i mean its only the playoffs we are trying to make right, no big deal....think that over again. Huet is the guy we all agreed on to get us in there, so lets not try and make Abby comfortable now and keep starting him until he gets his first win, lets sit him for a while, and give it a try in the next week or two.

Frank the Critic · Member

Look Huet is needed to make the playoffs I agree, there is no question about that. However he is not the sole guy. Abby in my eyes should be the #1 goalie for the sole fact that in the playoffs we need him to perform well. Cause Huet has no experience and the playoffs are a whole new atmosphere and game. Huet has performed well but not great. Dont get me wrong I love Huet as a goalie but Abby is the guy to go with in the playoffs. Players change there game, intensity is higher and aggressiveness is higher. Cause as we have seen teams like Ottawa seem to play good in the season, but in the playoffs they choke. So Huet is essential for the Habs to achieve the stanley cup however abby is the guy thats gonna get the clutch performances based on his past. We shall se wut happens.

barry33 · Guru

Frank the Critic wrote:

Yesterdays game, Montreal vs. Pitt., it is obvious that there was problem with NOT ONLY goaltending but team cohessiveness and players morale. I mean Aebischer had a bad game, he's not perfect. This goaltender before coming to the habs org. was playing with the Avs and he was pretty damn good. He was in a stable organization where there was no pressure imposed on him. Why is he a scrap now and with Colarado he won 7 of his last 8 to finish off his career with that team. It does not help when the fans start chanting HUET every 5 min. He has to adjust to the new conference. In the west, its oriented more defensively rather than offensively like in the east. So I tell all the fans give him time and be PATIENT. Cheers.

Actually Frank, I will be one who agrees with you. I have been saying from day one this season that one of THE major problems has been the dressing room and the players in it. You can tell that these guys do NOT pull for each other nor do they really care about each other in a manner that is required for a team to be successful. I really saw this last night as I was at the game. I paid very close attention to the players and their reactions in different situations. What I saw was very troubling indeed. I saw players on the bench actually not listening to either Gainey or Carbo when they were talking to them. They would simply stare off into space. I saw Kovalev tell Rivet to "F Off" when he was telling him that he needed to pass the puck in a certain situation (my seats were 3 rows behind the habs bench). I saw players look very indifferent when certain players scored. This is a team in terrible, terrible trouble in that dressingroom and it is very apparent that it will take more than this season for Gainey to fix it.

Frank the Critic · Member

Thanks Barry for giving me props

Muller93 · Guru

barry33 wrote:

I saw Kovalev tell Rivet to "F Off" when he was telling him that he needed to pass the puck in a certain situation (my seats were 3 rows behind the habs bench). I saw players look very indifferent when certain players scored. This is a team in terrible, terrible trouble in that dressingroom and it is very apparent that it will take more than this season for Gainey to fix it.

Really Barry? Holy smokes. So who does Kovalev get along with??? And why was he given the "A".

I will admit, Kovalev looks like a bit of a jacka$$ out there. I watched one play last night where the habs turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Kovalev just skated around and suddenly chased a guy...I KNEW he was going to take a lazy penalty...and he did!

I do think guys like Rivet, Koivu, Higgins, Bouillion, Begin, Souray actually give it everything they got out there. But with other dimwits running around...this is a team in big big trouble I guess.

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

So you have teams like Carolina with Gerber, NY. Rangers with Lundquist and Buffalo with both Miller and Biron.

These are just examples now, but the comment on picking up Aebischer for us to have in the playoffs i think is wrong. I don't think that is Gainey's motive, like the rest of the guys/girls on this bored said about 2 weeks ago, If the habs make the playoffs its going to be because of Huets play. Now, the goaltenders i mentioned above are prime examples, and here's why:

Gerber, big reason why Carolina is where they are at in the standings, HOWEVER he has no playoff experience, so what will they ever do, my guess is play him.

Lundquist, another reason why NY is where they are in the standings, HOWEVER he will be the guy, even being a rookie now, to backstop this team in the playoffs.

Miller/Biron, both goaltenders have played really well to have Buffalo where they are today HOWEVER, either one take your pick, whoever Ruff decides to go with for the playoffs, neither has a minute of experience in the playoffs.

So what i'm trying to say, these teams are all in the top 4 in the conference, and with the way Huet has bailed us out after Theo's brutal showcase this season, if Huet was to be our #1 guy from start to finish and we finished in the top 4, would we still think about Aebischer for the playoffs?

barry33 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

barry33 wrote: I saw Kovalev tell Rivet to "F Off" when he was telling him that he needed to pass the puck in a certain situation (my seats were 3 rows behind the habs bench). I saw players look very indifferent when certain players scored. This is a team in terrible, terrible trouble in that dressingroom and it is very apparent that it will take more than this season for Gainey to fix it. Really Barry? Holy smokes. So who does Kovalev get along with??? And why was he given the "A". I will admit, Kovalev looks like a bit of a jacka$$ out there. I watched one play last night where the habs turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Kovalev just skated around and suddenly chased a guy...I KNEW he was going to take a lazy penalty...and he did! I do think guys like Rivet, Koivu, Higgins, Bouillion, Begin, Souray actually give it everything they got out there. But with other dimwits running around...this is a team in big big trouble I guess.

Nahh I dont think it is that bad Mulsey. I put Kovy in the same class as Jagr. Tremendous talent who is tempermental. Rennie has found a way to harness that and look at Jagr now. Hopefully Gainey can do the same with Kovalev.

skov1044 · Member

Caper_hab_fan wrote:

So you have teams like Carolina with Gerber, NY. Rangers with Lundquist and Buffalo with both Miller and Biron. These are just examples now, but the comment on picking up Aebischer for us to have in the playoffs i think is wrong. I don't think that is Gainey's motive, like the rest of the guys/girls on this bored said about 2 weeks ago, If the habs make the playoffs its going to be because of Huets play. Now, the goaltenders i mentioned above are prime examples, and here's why: Gerber, big reason why Carolina is where they are at in the standings, HOWEVER he has no playoff experience, so what will they ever do, my guess is play him. Lundquist, another reason why NY is where they are in the standings, HOWEVER he will be the guy, even being a rookie now, to backstop this team in the playoffs. Miller/Biron, both goaltenders have played really well to have Buffalo where they are today HOWEVER, either one take your pick, whoever Ruff decides to go with for the playoffs, neither has a minute of experience in the playoffs. So what i'm trying to say, these teams are all in the top 4 in the conference, and with the way Huet has bailed us out after Theo's brutal showcase this season, if Huet was to be our #1 guy from start to finish and we finished in the top 4, would we still think about Aebischer for the playoffs?

i have to disagree ,yes lundquist and gerber are big reasons for there teams success

but those teams have something the habs do not,

a scorer ,someone who can put the puck in the net ,

it doesnt matter who is in the net for the habs ,they cant score

MC Girl · Guru

skov1044 wrote:

So what i'm trying to say, these teams are all in the top 4 in the conference, and with the way Huet has bailed us out after Theo's brutal showcase this season, if Huet was to be our #1 guy from start to finish and we finished in the top 4, would we still think about Aebischer for the playoffs? i have to disagree ,yes lundquist and gerber are big reasons for there teams success but those teams have something the habs do not, a scorer ,someone who can put the puck in the net , it doesnt matter who is in the net for the habs ,they cant score

Were the 4 fab. goals last night not enough? They looked pretty freakin' good to me. None were fluff, all were goals to be proud of. Not like the weak goals Abby let in.

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

No, i agree Skov, we don't have the scoring, but were on the topic of goaltending, and my point is go with Huet for the playoffs and not Abby. Any hockey fan knows the habs don't have the offense like Carolina and NY, but what about Buffalo, there not stacked. Anyways, just wanted to confirm my post is strictly about the goaltending situation.

The Kahuna · Guru

If they do manage to squeak in to the playoffs, Huet's lack of playoff experience doesn't worry me a bit. In 1985/86 one Patrick Roy had no playoff experience, in 1970-71 a guy named Ken Dryden had no playoff experience...those guys did just fine

doodie · Veteran Member

The Kahuna wrote:

If they do manage to squeak in to the playoffs, Huet's lack of playoff experience doesn't worry me a bit. In 1985/86 one Patrick Roy had no playoff experience, in 1970-71 a guy named Ken Dryden had no playoff experience...those guys did just fine

a guy named steve penny !!!!!

skov1044 · Member

Caper_hab_fan wrote:

No, i agree Skov, we don't have the scoring, but were on the topic of goaltending, and my point is go with Huet for the playoffs and not Abby. Any hockey fan knows the habs don't have the offense like Carolina and NY, but what about Buffalo, there not stacked. Anyways, just wanted to confirm my post is strictly about the goaltending situation.

i understand u are on the topic of goaltendinng,i agree huet should be in net for the playoffs

my point is even with a great goaltender (remember theo when he was mvp) the habs will always be a eight place team without a sniper

barry33 · Guru

MC Girl wrote:

skov1044 wrote: So what i'm trying to say, these teams are all in the top 4 in the conference, and with the way Huet has bailed us out after Theo's brutal showcase this season, if Huet was to be our #1 guy from start to finish and we finished in the top 4, would we still think about Aebischer for the playoffs? i have to disagree ,yes lundquist and gerber are big reasons for there teams success but those teams have something the habs do not, a scorer ,someone who can put the puck in the net , it doesnt matter who is in the net for the habs ,they cant score Were the 4 fab. goals last night not enough? They looked pretty freakin' good to me. None were fluff, all were goals to be proud of. Not like the weak goals Abby let in.

Actually the 4 goals and 41 shots were nice..but what you need to do is put them in context. Pitts is the worst defensive team in the league and the habs have managed only 10 goals in 3 games on them. So instead of feeling good about those 4 goals, I thgink we need to be concerend

The Kahuna · Guru

doodie wrote:

a guy named steve penny !!!!!

I wanted to mention Penney, but I left him out because he didn't win the cup. Still his rookie debut in the playoffs was impressive too. If you want do dig in to the history books you could also mention playoff rookies/cup winners Jacques Plante 57/58 & Bill Durnan 43/44

The Kahuna · Guru

skov1044 wrote:

Caper_hab_fan wrote:
No, i agree

i understand u are on the topic of goaltendinng,i agree huet should be in net for the playoffs
my point is even with a great goaltender (remember theo when he was mvp) the habs will always be a eight place team without a sniper

Hey, I'll take 8th place every year with a hot goaltender going in to the playoffs. Hot goaltending traditionally wins stanley cups.

24 Rings · Guru

The Kahuna wrote:

Hey, I'll take 8th place every year with a hot goaltender going in to the playoffs. Hot goaltending traditionally wins stanley cups.

8th place is not even close to being guaranteed this season, especially on a team this volatile.

The greatest playoff goaltending performance I have ever seen was Giguere and they came up short, although he got them to the dance.

Another "tough one" against Washington tonight.

skov1044 · Member

The Kahuna wrote:

skov1044 wrote: Caper_hab_fan wrote: No, i agree i understand u are on the topic of goaltendinng,i agree huet should be in net for the playoffs my point is even with a great goaltender (remember theo when he was mvp) the habs will always be a eight place team without a sniper Hey, I'll take 8th place every year with a hot goaltender going in to the playoffs. Hot goaltending traditionally wins stanley cups.

hot goaltending wins stanley cups

but 8th place teams never win !

Frank the Critic · Member

well caper, I mean look at a team like Carolina obviously they will put Gerber, because they're back up Cam ward although is over 500 in wins he still has lousy save % and gaa. When a team has 2 solid goalies like Huet and Abby u should use that to ur advantage regardless of how they are performing in the season, rather than the playoffs.

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

Its too early in Abby's montreal career to be put into the playoffs. Huet knows how this team plays in front of him now, he knows his defense, he knows what its like to take over #1. Sorry, but if Abby plays any games in the playoffs (unless Huet is hurt or playing like theo would) then he should be riding the bench.

Desi · Senior Member

I was also sorry to hear the Montreal fans shouting for Huet after Abby had let those first two softies in the other night. Where is everyone's class up there? Doesn't everyone remember booing Patrick Roy out of town -- and yes, that booing did help him decide to blow town.

Shame on the fans of Montreal, who should be down on their defensemen and forwards more than the goalies. Five guys have to get beaten before a shot on goal happens. Give Abby a break. We need to be as nice to our goalies as we can!

Now, having said all that, I have to also say that I don't believe Abby is a very good goaltender. I'v watched a lot of western conference games on NHL center ice this year (insomnia, you now) and I've seen Abby stink out some games worse than he did vs. Pittsburgh. His record for the year out there wasn't bad, but he's got Sakic and Co. to thank for that.

I don't care if Huet has never even SEEN a Stanley Cup game before. Based on what I've seen this season from both him and Abby, Huet's my man. Let's remember, Ken Dryden didn't play many games before he helped steal the Cup for the Habs in '71. Though, of course, he did have a little more help didn't he...

plouf · Guru

Huet's a pretty big guy too. Not as big as Dryden, but so different from Theo.

The Kahuna · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

8th place is not even close to being guaranteed this season, especially on a team this volatile.
The greatest playoff goaltending performance I have ever seen was Giguere and they came up short, although he got them to the dance.
Another "tough one" against Washington tonight.

You are correct, 8th is very far from gauranteed, what I meant is 8th is much better than 9th at the end and you can't win the cup if you're not in the playoffs

I also agree that it's fairly unlikely that an 8th place team will win the cup...but they've got a shot at it at least.
The habs playoff run a few years ago was way short of making the finals...but it was still a great ride for me as a fan!