Yep, it seems Montreal now has a 3rd and 4th line that are really annoying to play against. Murray is a Begin wannabe, Plekanec and Perezhogin are the only not-too-physical guys but they've proven to be pests and add some speed. Plekanec is a good defensive player.

But hey, even Bulis had a slammin' hit two games ago, so I'd like to think he could figure in. I like maintaining the team speed, and I like his enthusiasm generally. Let's hope they find a way to keep Bulis.

wright wrote:

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One of the more subtle moves that Gainey has done in reshaping the Habs which appears to be paying dividends is making this a tougher more physical team. During the year he has added Downey,Murray and Simpson to the team. As time has progressed he has given these players more ice time even if it has been at the expense of more skilled players such as Jan Bulis.     Gainey even went out of his way to condone Kovalev's hit on Tucker, and Komisarek's response to the Islander's running Huet. Even though Komisarek ended up receiving a 5 minute penalty Gainey termed Komisarek's fight the proper response. One of the big weaknesses of the Habs has been their perception of being a soft team that could be pushed around, it would appear that that is no longer the case. Perhaps Gainey could not pull the trigger on getting a quality goal scorer at the trade deadline, but it appears based on the stronger team unity he was able to address another flaw on the team, toughness. He values that quality and obviously feels that if it means Bulis a 17 goal scorer with good speed is the odd man out, so be it so teams can't take physical liberties with the team. Bulis as an un restricted free agent probably will not be resigned by Gainey in the off season. One of several personnel changes Gainey will make to reshape the team.

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Komisarek's response got him a game misconduct.  Does anyone know how Fraser justified this penalty or was it just his usual officiating when the Habs are involved.

Some of the top names who remain slated for unrestricted free agency. WHere does Gainey spend some of the cap money he re-acquired when he got rid of Theodore? Of Course Huet is on this list, and we definitely want to keep him.

FORWARDS

- Joe Sakic, Colorado; Doug Weight, Carolina; Patrik Elias, Viktor Kozlov, Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Sergei Samsonov, Edmonton; Brendan Shananan, Detroit; Teemu Selanne, Anaheim; Anson Carter, Vancouver; Petr Sykora, Martin Rucinsky, Martin Straka, N.Y. Rangers; Mark Parrish, Los Angeles; Eric Lindros, Jason Allison, Toronto; Alyn McCauley, San Jose; Matt Cullen, Carolina; Peter Bondra, Atlanta; Alexei Morozov, Pittsburgh.

DEFENCE

- Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit; Rob Blake, Colorado; Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Ottawa; Marek Zidlicky, Danny Markov, Brendan Witt, Nashville; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Willie Mitchell, Dallas; Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay; Jaroslav Spacek, Edmonton; Joe Corvo, Los Angeles; Kim Johnsson, Philadelphia; Hal Gill, Boston; Jay McKee, Buffalo; Kenny Jonsson, N.Y. Islanders

GOAL

- Dominik Hasek, Ottawa; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix; Martin Gerber, Carolina; Cristobal Huet, Montreal; Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton; Manny Legace, Detroit.

AB Habman wrote:

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plouf wrote: Yep, it seems Montreal now has a 3rd and 4th line that are really annoying to play against. Murray is a Begin wannabe, Plekanec and Perezhogin are the only not-too-physical guys but they've proven to be pests and add some speed. Plekanec is a good defensive player. But hey, even Bulis had a slammin' hit two games ago, so I'd like to think he could figure in. I like maintaining the team speed, and I like his enthusiasm generally. Let's hope they find a way to keep Bulis.  As much as I agree with Gainey in adding toughness to unify the team, I also agree with you plouf. Bulis is gritty and skillled. The guy works hard and is a good professional. On a team that lacks offense, I would resign Bulis and his 15-20 goals a season.  The guy that I probably wouldn't resign is Sunny.

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As much as I like Bulis, he is presently making just over 1 million a year. In all probability he will look for an increase next season, and may use PJ Axelson's new contract of 1.8 million as a barometer to what he is worth. That price range would in my opinion be too steep, particularly when the habs need to resign Huet, and will have to give salary increases to restricted free agents, Markov and Ryder. Additionally Gainey will have to decide if he wants to resign the other ufa's on the Habs: Begin and Bouillion. Bulis will be 29 next season and the question is can he improve on this season to justify a pay increase?

skov1044 wrote:

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Fatherhab wrote: Some of the top names who remain slated for unrestricted free agency. WHere does Gainey spend some of the cap money he re-acquired when he got rid of Theodore? Of Course Huet is on this list, and we definitely want to keep him. FORWARDS - Joe Sakic, Colorado; Doug Weight, Carolina; Patrik Elias, Viktor Kozlov, Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Sergei Samsonov, Edmonton; Brendan Shananan, Detroit; Teemu Selanne, Anaheim; Anson Carter, Vancouver; Petr Sykora, Martin Rucinsky, Martin Straka, N.Y. Rangers; Mark Parrish, Los Angeles; Eric Lindros, Jason Allison, Toronto; Alyn McCauley, San Jose; Matt Cullen, Carolina; Peter Bondra, Atlanta; Alexei Morozov, Pittsburgh. DEFENCE - Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit; Rob Blake, Colorado; Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Ottawa; Marek Zidlicky, Danny Markov, Brendan Witt, Nashville; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Willie Mitchell, Dallas; Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay; Jaroslav Spacek, Edmonton; Joe Corvo, Los Angeles; Kim Johnsson, Philadelphia; Hal Gill, Boston; Jay McKee, Buffalo; Kenny Jonsson, N.Y. Islanders GOAL - Dominik Hasek, Ottawa; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix; Martin Gerber, Carolina; Cristobal Huet, Montreal; Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton; Manny Legace, Detroit. i expect to see parrish in a habs uniform i know the habs have tried on a few occasions to acquire him

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Didn't Parrish get traded at the trade deadline? Who is he suiting up for now?

Parrish is too small.  We need to add some size up front.  I like Bulis, but a lot of teams are interested in him and I think they will let him walk.  It's too bad because he is one of our best 2-way players along with Plakanec, Koivs and Higgins, but I think that Gainey sees the future in Higgy and Plakanec.

There are a ton of free agents, but you have to assume that a lot of the big guys aren't going anywhere Sakic, Lidstrom, Chara, Selanne, Shanny etc. but there is still a lot of quality players in there.  I heard some rumblings that the Habs were going to take a stab at Redden?  This might be pure garbage, but he would be a welcome addition to the blueline. 

Habual wrote:

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As a former naysayer, I am pretty trusting of Gainey's decisions at this point.   When Murray was moved onto the team, I thought Bob had lost it.   Likewise, I did not see any benefit we would get from Downey.   I dont feel that way now.   Habs possess 4 lines that can play defensively, can score (not that they always do), and can freight-train opposing puck carriers.   You would think a bunch of former defensive forwards were running this team or something.

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The regular play of Downey and Murray upfront seems to have added an inch or two, to all of the habs smaller forwards, and enabled them to play a more aggressive game. Do not feel that is pure coincidence that Bonk's play really began to pick up once he was put on a line with Begin and Downey. he started to drive to the net more and became less of a perimeter player. Previously without the benefit of begin and Downey on his wings Bonk was not as physical a presence. Although Downey, Murray and Begin don't hit the score sheet with regularity their presence has had a major impact on the play of forwards like Bonk.