Have to bring it up.....

AB Habman · Guru

Have to bring it up.....

The Kahuna · Guru

Everyone is assuming Gainey doesn't have a valid reason for benching Bulis, maybe he does. He's the coach, it's hs decission. As long as we're winning why question it? Any good team player would probably agree.

AB Habman · Guru

The Kahuna wrote:

Everyone is assuming Gainey doesn't have a valid reason for benching Bulis, maybe he does. He's the coach, it's hs decission. As long as we're winning why question it? Any good team player would probably agree.

That's my point! It doesn't matter anymore what the reason was, we need him for the playoffs. We may win now without him but in the playoffs we need our best. If I were Gainey, I would start playing him again so he's sharp for the playoffs.

The Kahuna · Guru

You'd have to ask Gainey, my best guess is Bulis did something to get benched...maybe said the wrong thing, who knows. Personally I think Bob's doing a pretty good job at this point...on a 6 game win streak, I won't second guess him

11rings · Member

I would agree that Bulis needs to be back in the lineup, however, I don't think it should be at the expense of Downey or Murray, I really believe that Zednik and Ribeiro need to sit on the pine for a while. Both Z and R have not been producing.

beakermania · Senior Member

11rings wrote:

I would agree that Bulis needs to be back in the lineup, however, I don't think it should be at the expense of Downey or Murray, I really believe that Zednik and Ribeiro need to sit on the pine for a while. Both Z and R have not been producing.

Yes that line has not been producing, but they did play an amazing game Saturday night. The cycling and puck control of these two, along with Kovy, was very impressive. They had plenty of scoring chances and drew a few penalties. Unfortunately a couple of posts and some good goaltending kept the line off the board, but I would give them a few more games to see if they can keep it going.

Jonny G · Senior Member

Personally, I don't think that Ribs has much more offensive upside than Bulis, if at all. And Bulis definitely has more defensive upside. I've had a hard time figuring out why Ribs is in the lineup instead of Bulis. It seems to me that the second line contains a bit of a clash of playing styles -- all three players are puck carriers.

Jonny G · Senior Member

beakermania wrote:

Yes that line has not been producing, but they did play an amazing game Saturday night. The cycling and puck control of these two, along with Kovy, was very impressive. They had plenty of scoring chances and drew a few penalties.

Despite my previous post, I do agree with you, Beak. They played a strong game on Saturday night.

Habs and Avs Fan · Veteran Member

I hope none of you said that Downey should be there instead of Bulis, how is that ???? Lmfao funny people, Bulis brings offense and help to the second line, throw Zed down to the 4th or 3rd line, sit Downey, Downey will take a bad penalty once in a while and Bulis is better defensively and obviously offensively than him. The last game Bulis played he was physical too and had a good game. I'm really hoping to see Bulis in next game, so it's gonna be sit Downey, or Zednik, I hope not Ribs. And I agree that Bulis needs to start going in to get into playoff form.

11rings · Member

not sure about the bad penalty comment on downey, I do not recall him taking one bad penalty. Besides i don't believe downey's good is to score goals. No question bulis is a more skilled player than downey, however, downey's role on the habs is simply an intimidation factor, it seems that the habs have become a more physical team since the addition of murray and downey to the lineup.

I really think we should be looking at sitting ribeiro instead,

24 Rings · Guru

The Kahuna wrote:

Everyone is assuming Gainey doesn't have a valid reason for benching Bulis, maybe he does. He's the coach, it's hs decission. As long as we're winning why question it? Any good team player would probably agree.

Totally agree. We've won 6 in a row and it looks like we're gonna be in the play-offs. Does anyone really think that Gainey doesn't have a plan by now? The guy obviously knows what he is doing. He didn't just bench Bulis for no reason. Something happened that has earned him a spot on the bench. As long as we win, I don't really care if Bulis is in or out of the line-up right now.

barry33 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

The Kahuna wrote: Everyone is assuming Gainey doesn't have a valid reason for benching Bulis, maybe he does. He's the coach, it's hs decission. As long as we're winning why question it? Any good team player would probably agree. Totally agree. We've won 6 in a row and it looks like we're gonna be in the play-offs. Does anyone really think that Gainey doesn't have a plan by now? The guy obviously knows what he is doing. He didn't just bench Bulis for no reason. Something happened that has earned him a spot on the bench. As long as we win, I don't really care if Bulis is in or out of the line-up right now.

The plan is GOALTENDING..plain and simple.

24 Rings · Guru

barry33 wrote:

The plan is GOALTENDING..plain and simple.

Agreed, but you can't deny that the team is playing better as a whole, infront of Huet. They are actually outworking their opponents and generating +30 shots a game. I think he has also added a nice mix of toughness into the line-up.

barry33 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

barry33 wrote: The plan is GOALTENDING..plain and simple. Agreed, but you can't deny that the team is playing better as a whole, infront of Huet. They are actually outworking their opponents and generating +30 shots a game. I think he has also added a nice mix of toughness into the line-up.

No question 24..Gainey has brought a key ingredient that Julien was unable to get out of these guys..accountability. And that has resulted in harder work. That and goaltending that has been nothing short of outstanding is a recipe for success! GO HABS GO!

AB Habman · Guru

OK, it seems like there's division on who should sit so Bulis can play.

I'll ask you this?...If you're a coach and tomorrow you're going into playoff game one..which two players do you sit out of the lineup? Downey, Bulis, Sunny, Ribs, Zed , Plecs or Murray?

For myself, it's an easy decision...I would sit out Sunny and Downer.

This is also why I think Gainey needs to start using Bulis and mend fences for a better chance at gettng past the first round.

barry33 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

OK, it seems like there's division on who should sit so Bulis can play. I'll ask you this?...If you're a coach and tomorrow you're going into playoff game one..which two players do you sit out of the lineup? Downey, Bulis, Sunny, Ribs, Zed , Plecs or Murray? For myself, it's an easy decision...I would sit out Sunny and Downer. This is also why I think Gainey needs to start using Bulis and mend fences for a better chance at gettng past the first round.

I agree..come playoff time no one drops the gloves anyway so Downey will not be of much use. May as well work him out of the lineup now.

wright · Veteran Member

barry33 wrote:

AB Habman wrote: OK, it seems like there's division on who should sit so Bulis can play. I'll ask you this?...If you're a coach and tomorrow you're going into playoff game one..which two players do you sit out of the lineup? Downey, Bulis, Sunny, Ribs, Zed , Plecs or Murray? For myself, it's an easy decision...I would sit out Sunny and Downer. This is also why I think Gainey needs to start using Bulis and mend fences for a better chance at gettng past the first round. I agree..come playoff time no one drops the gloves anyway so Downey will not be of much use. May as well work him out of the lineup now.

With the new rules it is not the old NHL so Downey's fighting ability is not as necessary. Still, Barry would you not agree that Downey's presence in the lineup and more particularly on a line with Bonk has made Bonk a better player? With Downey protecting him, Bonk has played with a lot more intensity.

AB Habman · Guru

wright wrote:

barry33 wrote: AB Habman wrote: OK, it seems like there's division on who should sit so Bulis can play. I'll ask you this?...If you're a coach and tomorrow you're going into playoff game one..which two players do you sit out of the lineup? Downey, Bulis, Sunny, Ribs, Zed , Plecs or Murray? For myself, it's an easy decision...I would sit out Sunny and Downer. This is also why I think Gainey needs to start using Bulis and mend fences for a better chance at gettng past the first round. I agree..come playoff time no one drops the gloves anyway so Downey will not be of much use. May as well work him out of the lineup now. With the new rules it is not the old NHL so Downey's fighting ability is not as necessary. Still, Barry would you not agree that Downey's presence in the lineup and more particularly on a line with Bonk has made Bonk a better player? With Downey protecting him, Bonk has played with a lot more intensity.

I actually think it's Begin that gives bonk space and the two have a good thing going with the PK.

plouf · Guru

Bulis should be there over Downey come playoff time, or sooner. I get the impression it's a little dispute being settled. Bulis is a good player, and not usually an attitude problem, so I'm sure we'll see him back, at least this year.