2nd line center

macneil · Guru

2nd line center

Habtastic · Guru

Another show up when he feels like player... I would take it if nothing else better comes along, but I would wait to see if we could land a quality free agent first.

Habtastic

rwp2le · Guru

This is not bashing, but I think we need a first line center, we already have a 2nd line center in Koviu. We need a real solid playmaker with some finish. Big wouldn't hurt either. Arnott would be a good fit.

Rujie · Newbie

i have to agree with you on that koivu would be a great second line center, but arnott is not a star first line center. we need someone to take some pressure off koivu. i feel we need a big name player like Brad Richards. i can almost guarantee you if we had a top notch centerman and koivu centering the second line with this years same team we would go far. maybe include a defenseman or two and we would be all set.

Key Lime · Guru

I agree that Saks would make a very solid 2nd line center...Concerning a potential 2nd line center, there has been talk that we need that ideal "big" center. Why do we need a "big" center on the first line. Isn't a decent sized center enough. Look at what happened when we put Bonk on the first line. Size is not the determining factor. I agree that size plays a part but I think a first line center should be physically solid, a great nack for knowing where everyone is on the ice, a top playmaker with scoring ability. Size, well, we can leave that for the 3rd and 4th lines.

Sorry, I just look at Buffalo, NJ, and other teams who don't have that towering center and can still play a more physical game than most teams...

macneil · Guru

well maybe i misspoke when i stated a 2nd line center , what i should have wrote was a center for kovy and perez? whatever you want to call saks he is the center for ryder and higgins , if we could get lang for zeds id do it , he has played well with kovy in the past and we could let the other teams decide what line was 1st and 2nd.

24 Rings · Guru

Frankly I'm tired of all the so-called "rumours"...because that is all they are. If anyone really thinks Richards is coming to Montreal, do yourself a favour and go read some articles about the Richards situation. He ain't goin' anywhere. Robert Lang is old and a coattail rider. He had a half-decent season in Washington - playing with Jagr. And a good couple seasons in Detroit...playing for Detroit - no one has bad seasons in Detroit. Why would we want an old, soft centreman who was never really that good to begin with?

Chipchura will be in the line-up next year and will play the entire season and that is a start.

Habs and Avs Fan · Veteran Member

24 Rings wrote:

Frankly I'm tired of all the so-called "rumours"...because that is all they are. If anyone really thinks Richards is coming to Montreal, do yourself a favour and go read some articles about the Richards situation. He ain't goin' anywhere. Robert Lang is old and a coattail rider. He had a half-decent season in Washington - playing with Jagr. And a good couple seasons in Detroit...playing for Detroit - no one has bad seasons in Detroit. Why would we want an old, soft centreman who was never really that good to begin with?
Chipchura will be in the line-up next year and will play the entire season and that is a start.

Ya Lang's a good finisher but his best years are behind him, we need someone with potential also. Since Arnott had his best year this year since his rookie campaign, I'd make a run at him, even though he is 33 or 34 now.

Johab · Guru

As good as LAng is/was there is no way we would get him for JUST Zednik. And we already have a good second line center in Koivu. I would MUCH rather get a BONIFIDE NHL Center ( not taking anything away from Koivu...he is great ) but we need a guy who WILL be in the top 20 in scoring...consistantly. Koivu just isnt that guy, thats all...and im not sure Arnott is that guy either...

Key Lime · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

Frankly I'm tired of all the so-called "rumours"...because that is all they are. If anyone really thinks Richards is coming to Montreal, do yourself a favour and go read some articles about the Richards situation. He ain't goin' anywhere. Robert Lang is old and a coattail rider. He had a half-decent season in Washington - playing with Jagr. And a good couple seasons in Detroit...playing for Detroit - no one has bad seasons in Detroit. Why would we want an old, soft centreman who was never really that good to begin with? Chipchura will be in the line-up next year and will play the entire season and that is a start.

Is Chipchura as good as some people say he is? I don't know much about him. What's his height and weight and what type of player is he?...just curious.

hockeyman · Senior Member

Chip will hopefully be a great player for us in the future but he is certainly a few years away from cracking the lineup imo.

24 Rings · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

Is Chipchura as good as some people say he is? I don't know much about him. What's his height and weight and what type of player is he?...just curious.

This kid is a bonafied NHLer. He captained Canada's gold medal team at the WJC. He will never put up big numbers, but he will anchor a line with his size (6'3"), presence, hockey sense and leadership. He's captain material. I would compare him to something like a Keith Primeau (but not as big and may not score as much as Keith did). Exactly what the Habs need - a big Alberta farm boy with some grit.

plouf · Guru

Chipchura's not a true number one centre either. He's not a brilliant skater, and his skills are good not great. But he's got character, grit, smarts, etc...Either a solid #3, or a #2 along the lines of a Brind'Amour (if we're lucky).

We don't necessarily need a Brad Richards if someone like Chipchura gets up to speed quickly, because he's the ideal complement to a guy like Koivu. In two years a Chipchura, Koivu, Plekanec rolling top 3 could look quite nice. But Chipchura would have to advance quicker than expected I'd think.

doodie · Veteran Member

macneil wrote:

read on habfans.com (with a link to a site ) there are rumblings of a zednik for robert lang deal . he is 36 and make some good coin (over 5mil before the rollback i believe).does this make any sense to you , it would be worth a try ,has worked with kovy in pitts.

I think we should get a CANADIAN kid! is it me or does anyone else find there are waaaaay to many your-a-peein's on DA- HABS,and in the league.MY son mentioned that the SABRES have the most canadian kids on there team,if so look where there at!