Kevin Lowe vs Bob Gainey

flowerpower · Veteran Member

Kevin Lowe vs Bob Gainey

Key Lime · Guru

I think this summer is a hit or miss period for Gainey. He must fill those needs. Whether he does it through trades, free agency or filling the holes with a rookie who lights it up in the pre-season. The reason I say that he must is that EVERYONE (fans, media) know exactly what those needs are. They stick out like a sore thumb.

AB Habman · Guru

I think Lowe did a better job and picked up better players. He was active when he had to be such as at the deadline. Say what you want about Pronger but the guy is HUGE for the Oilers. Peca is also HUGE in these playoffs. Roloson, HUGE also. He's building with key players, not filllers.

So far, Gainey isn't in the same class as Lowe. Also Lowe accumulating forwards like Samsonov that fit todays NHL. Speed and skill.

I think Gainey will get there also...hopefully this season but for now a step behind Lowe!

Andy · Veteran Member

It's Jason Arnott time !!!!!! I beleive Bob will get him.

Habtastic · Guru

Habs and Oilers were also in a different situation. Habs didn't grab a bunch of free agents because they wanted to test their farm team this year; a group of rookies that were more impressive and plentiful than the Oilers bunch. There were plenty of goalies available at the deadline, but no centers or top D to speak of unless you wanted to get ripped off, and Gainey didn't. I think Lowe really overpaid for Roloson, but it worked out for him in the short-term.
I think they are both excellent GMs, but they were coming into the season in different situations (Oilers building for now, Habs for the future), so it is a little hard to compare.

Habtastic

Muller93 · Guru

Habtastic wrote:

Habs and Oilers were also in a different situation. Habs didn't grab a bunch of free agents because they wanted to test their farm team this year; a group of rookies that were more impressive and plentiful than the Oilers bunch. There were plenty of goalies available at the deadline, but no centers or top D to speak of unless you wanted to get ripped off, and Gainey didn't. I think Lowe really overpaid for Roloson, but it worked out for him in the short-term. I think they are both excellent GMs, but they were coming into the season in different situations (Oilers building for now, Habs for the future), so it is a little hard to compare. Habtastic

I was about to post the same thing. Gainey knew this year was not the year.

His plan was to test his rookies and then figure out what he needed.

Trust me...Gainey will fill ALL holes in the off season. Wait for a bit more seasoning from the rookies and future players like Chipchura and Latendresse...Look out for an 08' cup run...Thanks to BOB.

plouf · Guru

I'll say one thing Muller, you've been consistent with this line all year.
I pretty much agree with you and I hope you're right.

Plekanec, Higgins and Komisarek look like the real deal. I'm glad to see Koivu re-signed and that Gainey was able to get over himself a bit and admit he screwed up on Theo (by shipping him out). I like that we still have Souray, Rivet, Markov (sorry, I know he sucked in the playoffs, but he was really strong in the playoffs before...I think it's been a long season for him with 2 injuries) and Bouillon. And Bonk turned out ok, but it may be too late for him. Garth Murray: great pickup.

For the forwards:
I say keep the Koivu line intact. Obviously Higgins and Koivu have some chemistry, and Ryder could score 35 goals if he rebounds from his injury and an inconsistent sophomore year.
The Kovalev line will have to be redone in light of Bulis's departure and the fact that Ribeiro is not a second line centre. Ideally Gainey will pick up a big right-shooting power centre for this line. I think we will see someone like Perezhogin, Kostitsyn or Latendresse as the left winger. In my opinion Gainey needs to see if these young guys are the real thing before bringing in a big-name sniper.

That leaves Plekanec, Bonk and Ribeiro. One too many centres.

Personally I liked Plekanec leading a speedy third line while Bonk teamed up with Begin on an energy line. I would send Ribeiro to Hamilton. He might come in handy as a fourth-line centre who chips in on the power play though.

So I'm seeing us ditching Bulis, Zednik, Ribeiro and Sundstrom
and replacing them with:

a top-line big right-shooting centre
Kostitsyn (could be that sniper)

and maybe:
Latendresse (might be ready to come straight from junior)
Lapierre (deserves a shot on the fourth line)

(Chipchura will still be in the minors next year I think)

That leaves us with a pretty young lineup, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran two-way winger in the mix somewhere. I hope whoever it is does better than Bill Lindsay.

Projected lineup:

new centre- Kovalev, (Kostitsyn?)
Koivu - Ryder, Higgins
Plekanec - Murray, Perezhogin
Bonk - (Lapierre?), Begin
bench: Downey
[Latendresse a possibility, but he'll probably start out in Hamilton, on a line with Ribeiro and Dagenais

]

-- Edited by plouf at 14:03, 2006-05-07

Muller93 · Guru

plouf wrote:

I'll say one thing Muller, you've been consistent with this line all year. I pretty much agree with you and I hope you're right. Plekanec, Higgins and Komisarek look like the real deal. I'm glad to see Koivu re-signed and that Gainey was able to get over himself a bit and admit he screwed up on Theo (by shipping him out). I like that we still have Souray, Rivet, Markov (sorry, I know he sucked in the playoffs, but he was really strong in the playoffs before...I think it's been a long season for him with 2 injuries) and Bouillon. And Bonk turned out ok, but it may be too late for him. Garth Murray: great pickup. For the forwards: I say keep the Koivu line intact. Obviously Higgins and Koivu have some chemistry, and Ryder could score 35 goals if he rebounds from his injury and an inconsistent sophomore year. The Kovalev line will have to be redone in light of Bulis's departure and the fact that Ribeiro is not a second line centre. Ideally Gainey will pick up a big right-shooting power centre for this line. I think we will see someone like Perezhogin, Kostitsyn or Latendresse as the left winger. In my opinion Gainey needs to see if these young guys are the real thing before bringing in a big-name sniper. That leaves Plekanec, Bonk and Ribeiro. One too many centres. Personally I liked Plekanec leading a speedy third line while Bonk teamed up with Begin on an energy line. I would send Ribeiro to Hamilton. He might come in handy as a fourth-line centre who chips in on the power play though. So I'm seeing us ditching Bulis, Zednik, Ribeiro and Sundstrom and replacing them with: a top-line big right-shooting centre Kostitsyn (could be that sniper) and maybe: Latendresse (might be ready to come straight from junior) Lapierre (deserves a shot on the fourth line) (Chipchura will still be in the minors next year I think) That leaves us with a pretty young lineup, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran two-way winger in the mix somewhere. I hope whoever it is does better than Bill Lindsay. Projected lineup: new centre- Kovalev, (Kostitsyn?) Koivu - Ryder, Higgins Plekanec - Murray, Perezhogin Bonk - (Lapierre?), Begin bench: Downey [Latendresse a possibility, but he'll probably start out in Hamilton, on a line with Ribeiro and Dagenais ] -- Edited by plouf at 14:03, 2006-05-07

Great post plouf.

It's true...what the heck to you do with Ribeiro? You know, even I will admit he has a certain skill. I can't stand the guy but I wonder about the chemistry of Ribeiro with Kovalev.

I think Kovalev would work well with a big winger like Bertuzzi and a two way guy like Arnott at center. I just don't think Ribeiro creates the space a horse like Kovalev needs.

So where does that leave Ribeiro? He is not a first line center...he can't play with Kovalev...and I prefer Plek for his speed( Ribeiro has zero speed).

I think Ribeiro should spend some time in Hamilton but I doubt he would claer waivers...he might work well on a up and coming team like Pittsburg??

barry33 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

Habtastic wrote: Habs and Oilers were also in a different situation. Habs didn't grab a bunch of free agents because they wanted to test their farm team this year; a group of rookies that were more impressive and plentiful than the Oilers bunch. There were plenty of goalies available at the deadline, but no centers or top D to speak of unless you wanted to get ripped off, and Gainey didn't. I think Lowe really overpaid for Roloson, but it worked out for him in the short-term. I think they are both excellent GMs, but they were coming into the season in different situations (Oilers building for now, Habs for the future), so it is a little hard to compare. Habtastic I was about to post the same thing. Gainey knew this year was not the year. His plan was to test his rookies and then figure out what he needed. Trust me...Gainey will fill ALL holes in the off season. Wait for a bit more seasoning from the rookies and future players like Chipchura and Latendresse...Look out for an 08' cup run...Thanks to BOB.

Just wait til NEXT year!! Or the year after!

24 Rings · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

I can't stand the guy but I wonder about the chemistry of Ribeiro with Kovalev.

What chemistry? Can someone please tell me what the chemistry is because there was never any to begin with. Chemistry usually means you produce and Ribs certainly doesn't do that. I would also say it was a disappointing campiagn for Kovy as well. For all the praise he recieves the guy should have 90 points.

Muller93 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

Muller93 wrote: I can't stand the guy but I wonder about the chemistry of Ribeiro with Kovalev. What chemistry? Can someone please tell me what the chemistry is because there was never any to begin with. Chemistry usually means you produce and Ribs certainly doesn't do that. I would also say it was a disappointing campiagn for Kovy as well. For all the praise he recieves the guy should have 90 points.

Ya 24 Rings...that's what I meant. I did not see any chemistry so I am not sure why the remained on the same line.

As for Barry33...it takes time to build a contending team. Gainey technically came in two season ago( can't count the lockout because nothing happened and the rules all changed for GM's). What?....do you think Gainey could produce a cup contending team over-night.

Let me just say...I have not felt very happy with the direction of this team for years. I have never felt this team was going anywhere. Until now. So here it is...Barry33...I'll meet you at Dolan's pub in Fredericton for Keith's when the habs win the cup in 08'...mark my words.

24 Rings · Guru

I figured that is what you meant. In my opinion, Ribs is as good as gone. He's had the whole season to show what he can do and didn't bring his A game - whatever that is.

barry33 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

24 Rings wrote: Muller93 wrote: I can't stand the guy but I wonder about the chemistry of Ribeiro with Kovalev. What chemistry? Can someone please tell me what the chemistry is because there was never any to begin with. Chemistry usually means you produce and Ribs certainly doesn't do that. I would also say it was a disappointing campiagn for Kovy as well. For all the praise he recieves the guy should have 90 points. Ya 24 Rings...that's what I meant. I did not see any chemistry so I am not sure why the remained on the same line. As for Barry33...it takes time to build a contending team. Gainey technically came in two season ago( can't count the lockout because nothing happened and the rules all changed for GM's). What?....do you think Gainey could produce a cup contending team over-night. Let me just say...I have not felt very happy with the direction of this team for years. I have never felt this team was going anywhere. Until now. So here it is...Barry33...I'll meet you at Dolan's pub in Fredericton for Keith's when the habs win the cup in 08'...mark my words.

That is a deal Mulsey. Actually I too am happy with the direction the team is taking.,.just being your typical impatient habs fan (THANK GAWD I am not a Laffs fan). But we have some good young talent and alot of $ to spend on free agents this summer....so barry33 will be following the transaction wire this summer beer and spatula in hand.