At Least Kovy's Doing the Right Thing

Key Lime · Guru

At Least Kovy's Doing the Right Thing

AB Habman · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

Kovy seems to be in a mini-slump but at least he has the right approach. He's setting himself up in the slot and is taking shot after shot on net. How many shot has he had on net in his last 3 games anyway...Tim Thomas surely tasted a lot of rubber regards of Kovy's stick. I think 60-70 points is just about what he'll give you; eventhough, he's talented as heck! Get him a sniper and that's a whole different story. With a sniper on his line he would attain the one point/game status. Without a sniper, like I said, 60-70 points.

The important thing is, he's getting the puck passed to him in key areas. He should start scoring again soon. My concern is, he needs to put some trust in his linemates rather than try to do so much on his own. Tonight was a good example of hogging the puck just a little too long when he has mates in the open.

Key Lime · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Key Lime wrote: Kovy seems to be in a mini-slump but at least he has the right approach. He's setting himself up in the slot and is taking shot after shot on net. How many shot has he had on net in his last 3 games anyway...Tim Thomas surely tasted a lot of rubber regards of Kovy's stick. I think 60-70 points is just about what he'll give you; eventhough, he's talented as heck! Get him a sniper and that's a whole different story. With a sniper on his line he would attain the one point/game status. Without a sniper, like I said, 60-70 points. The important thing is, he's getting the puck passed to him in key areas. He should start scoring again soon. My concern is, he needs to put some trust in his linemates rather than try to do so much on his own. Tonight was a good example of hogging the puck just a little too long when he has mates in the open.

Is it lack of faith in your linemates or does he have love affair with the puck? I think it's a little of both. His predisposition to hold on to the puck is inborn but the lack of a goal scorer on that line doesn't help. I think Gainey has now tried almost every forward to complete the Ribs/Kovy line. Gainey is going to have to choose one winger and stick with him . In the off-season he can go hunting for that winger.

Habtastic · Guru

In the off-season he can go hunting for that center... Ribs has got to go.

Habtastic

AB Habman · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

AB Habman wrote: Key Lime wrote: Kovy seems to be in a mini-slump but at least he has the right approach. He's setting himself up in the slot and is taking shot after shot on net. How many shot has he had on net in his last 3 games anyway...Tim Thomas surely tasted a lot of rubber regards of Kovy's stick. I think 60-70 points is just about what he'll give you; eventhough, he's talented as heck! Get him a sniper and that's a whole different story. With a sniper on his line he would attain the one point/game status. Without a sniper, like I said, 60-70 points. The important thing is, he's getting the puck passed to him in key areas. He should start scoring again soon. My concern is, he needs to put some trust in his linemates rather than try to do so much on his own. Tonight was a good example of hogging the puck just a little too long when he has mates in the open. Is it lack of faith in your linemates or does he have love affair with the puck? I think it's a little of both. His predisposition to hold on to the puck is inborn but the lack of a goal scorer on that line doesn't help. I think Gainey has now tried almost every forward to complete the Ribs/Kovy line. Gainey is going to have to choose one winger and stick with him . In the off-season he can go hunting for that winger.

Key Lime, I agree! I don't think Murray works on that line. I would go with Bulis or stick with Zed. Zed seems to create room for the two even though he isn't scoring because he can get the puck deep with his strength.

AB Habman · Guru

Habtastic wrote:

In the off-season he can go hunting for that center... Ribs has got to go. Habtastic

Actually if Ribs goes, Gainey needs to replace him with a skilled passer. I think Ribs has played better since the Olympics at least. The guy has been doing his job and passing well with good vision. His mates need to finish those plays. Also he has been a plus player since the Olympics so his defensive game is coming along.

I don't mind seeing him gone but the guy in my opinion is the best passer we have. How many players can take a hard pass like Markovs and one time pass it while taking the heat off the pass across crease right on Bulis's stick for a tap in? Sure, it would be great to have a more complete player as a second or third line center but until that's done, Ribs isn't hurting us now in his play or salery.

It will depend on which way Gainey goes in the off season. If he keeps tinkering with adding more guys like Simpson and Downey then I would keep Ribs. If he actually takes the next step and grabs an elite centermen than Ribs wouldn't be missed.

heet_150 · Guru

Key Lime: I don't think it is lack of faith, or a love affair with the puck. I just think that it is the way he has played his whole life. He is a very skilled skater and puck handler, and was probably told by his coaches from early on to use his skills to create chances for himself. It is a pretty thing to watch, but sometimes I wish he would use the confusion he creates to find the open man.

Habtastic: I think you are right about Ribeiro. It is too bad that we don't see the effort from this guy that we see every once in a while.

AB: While I really liked the Perezhogin-Plekanec-Bulis line, I think Murray should be on the third line. Murray has shown some grit, and he's got wheels to keep up with the either Perezhogin or Bulis. The only questions are, will Zednik ever show up to play at a high level, and who do you sit? I wonder if Zednik hasn't made himself odd man out?

JohnM · Guru

Ribs is gone in the offseason. His play this season reminds me of his play in the playoffs last year...

24 Rings · Guru

The thing I can't stand about Kovy is that he seems to hold onto the puck for way too long in the offensive zone. I can count about 4 or 5 times last night where he barfed the puck up just inside the blueline, because he tried to dangle the whole team. He is snakebit on those shots from the bottom of the circle. He missed another great chance last night. Despite all this, I still thought he played a pretty decent game last night. We really don't have any other forwards who can open the opposition up like he does.

heet_150 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

We really don't have any other forwards who can open the opposition up like he does.

No kidding, he was drawing two sometimes three guys to him while stickhandling in the offensive zone. But, like you said, he tries to go a bit too far, and gives up the puck. Still, really enjoying watching him these days.

Key Lime · Guru

The way I see Ribeiro...he's lucky. The reason is that he hasn't been traded 3-4 times already. He has skills and some nights looks great on the ice. Some nights. Players like that become the travelling salesman of hockey. A small , skilled player who is a really a third line center due to his inconsistency. The Habs have given him all the chances to showcase his talent. His talent is not the problem. I question his heart. This is why I think he's lucky for not to going from team to team yet. BUT as he gets older, that could be his destiny if he doesn't change his outlook on what it takes to be a consistent pro. Too bad though...local boy, talented. It was all in his hands.

24 Rings · Guru

Fittingly, Healy sounded like Ribsy's biggest fan during the game...

AB Habman · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

The way I see Ribeiro...he's lucky. The reason is that he hasn't been traded 3-4 times already. He has skills and some nights looks great on the ice. Some nights. Players like that become the travelling salesman of hockey. A small , skilled player who is a really a third line center due to his inconsistency. The Habs have given him all the chances to showcase his talent. His talent is not the problem. I question his heart. This is why I think he's lucky for not to going from team to team yet. BUT as he gets older, that could be his destiny if he doesn't change his outlook on what it takes to be a consistent pro. Too bad though...local boy, talented. It was all in his hands.

Think about what you just said. He should be our third or fourth line guy if we had more depth down the middle. On this team he has to play on the top two lines because we need those offensive skills. It's not like Gainey is losing the farm on his pay cheque. He was our best bang for our buck in the last season when he led the Habs in points. If you equate his pay per points, it actually works out to be way better value than Saks.

My point is, he isn't hurting us now until and if Gainey fills the holes in the off season. Remember Gainey has been at the helm for three years and he felt that Bonk was the answer for defensive reasons. It's very possible he actually doesn't see a need for another offensive talent but we'll know more this off season.

JohnM · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

He was our best bang for our buck in the last season when he led the Habs in points. If you equate his pay per points, it actually works out to be way better value than Saks. My point is, he isn't hurting us now until and if Gainey fills the holes in the off season. Remember Gainey has been at the helm for three years and he felt that Bonk was the answer for defensive reasons. It's very possible he actually doesn't see a need for another offensive talent but we'll know more this off season.

Ribs is hurting this team for the main reason that he seems to have no heart. It doesn't seem to bother him whether the team is winning or losing. He racks up some points during the regular season, mostly on the PP and is a heavy (-) player most nights. I would much rather have a guy like Bulis as second line center than Ribs who is most likely to pull another no show when crunch time hits. Ribs belongs on a team like Columbus, not a lot of hitting and not a lot of caring.

Key Lime · Guru

JohnM wrote:

AB Habman wrote: He was our best bang for our buck in the last season when he led the Habs in points. If you equate his pay per points, it actually works out to be way better value than Saks. My point is, he isn't hurting us now until and if Gainey fills the holes in the off season. Remember Gainey has been at the helm for three years and he felt that Bonk was the answer for defensive reasons. It's very possible he actually doesn't see a need for another offensive talent but we'll know more this off season. Ribs is hurting this team for the main reason that he seems to have no heart. It doesn't seem to bother him whether the team is winning or losing. He racks up some points during the regular season, mostly on the PP and is a heavy (-) player most nights. I would much rather have a guy like Bulis as second line center than Ribs who is most likely to pull another no show when crunch time hits. Ribs belongs on a team like Columbus, not a lot of hitting and not a lot of caring.

I'd like to see how he does in the last stretch of the season and the playoffs before I can say he has no heart...BTW What is up with that hat/tuque with the top cut off that he wears after games during interviews? His hair pops out on top. He looks like a human turnip...he does seem like he's in his own world. My question is now that that the Theo, Dags, Ribs (Three Amigos) trio has been dismantled, who is he close with on the team?