Guys!

AB Habman · Guru

Guys!

barry33 · Guru

AB Habman wrote:

Alot of talk about our forwards and the concern of depth down the middle but how about our D? I personally think Gainey still needs to shore up our D somehow to fit into the new NHL concept. Rivet, Komi and Souray are solid with the opposing player coming in wide or slow but if that player comes in with speed and forces them to turn it takes them a full period. We have an average D at best. Enough to help make the playoffs but not enough to keep up with the faster tempo once we're there!

The writing is on the wall. I doubt very much that Souray will start the season in Montreal. The problem with Shelly is this. He is tough, physical and a good leader with an excellant shot, all greta attributes. Unfortunately he is slow afoot and not a good puck handler. Montreal has an abundance of dmen who are slow and poor puck handlers. Solution? Trade him to a team that has an overabundance of smaller/skating kind of dmen..a win win trade. Can you say Anaheim?

Johab · Guru

agreed with everything you said Barry until you said trade for smaller defensemen. I personally think we dont need to get ANY smaller. More trade for larger or same saize more mobile defensemen!

JohnM · Guru

Defence:

1) Markov - look for a much better season this year. He will be an unrestricted free agent and should be in the top 10 for defenceman in the league.

2) Komisarek - This is his year to step up alongside Markov and play solid defensively while Markov is putting up the points. I can see him slowly working his way on the PP.

3) Rivet - I expect a solid year. Nothing spectacular, but unrestricted free agency is coming up and he wants to try to prove what he's worth.

4) Souray - I unlike Barry, think Shelly will stay for his leadership. The team doesn't have much after Sak. Souray, Rivet and Begin will be needed this year.

5) Bouillon - Solid season, kinda like Rivet. He doesn't need unrestricted free agency to compete at 100%.

6) Dandy - I can see him picking up from where he left off in the playoffs last year. He was our second best defenceman in the playoffs if not best.

7) Streit - He will be nothing more than our 7th defenceman.

The biggest part of the D that will make them better than average is playing a full season together under the new NHL rules. It takes time to adjust and they have now had that time. This could be the most underated D in the NHL.

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

I have to say this again this year, i said it last year.....Cote is much better then Streit...i say that with confidence. I'm from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, i've been to many Cape Breton screaming eagles games back in the day, and alot of those came when J.P. Cote was the Captain, he was a great team leader and a great stand up D. He might not score 15 goals a season or have a 100 mph slap shot, but he is big, and strong and can hit. Streit can shoot and skate a bit, but i don't see anything in this guy that impresses me, at all. Cote was in the sports section of the paper all the time about being such a good leader at a young age and really respected throughout the community. i say Cote over Streit, you guys haven't seen him probably as much but take my word this guy is "SOLID".

Caper_hab_fan · Veteran Member

I forgot to add this little bit:

Name: Jean-Philippe Cote
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-2
Weight: 213 lbs
Birthdate: 1982-04-22
Hometown: Quebec City, Quebec

Talent Analysis

Plays a solid and safe stay at home physical game. Will take the body often, and has a strong work ethic both on and off the ice. Not known for his offensive upside, Cote can move the puck well, and has a decent shot from the point.

barry33 · Guru

JohnM wrote:

Defence: 1) Markov - look for a much better season this year. He will be an unrestricted free agent and should be in the top 10 for defenceman in the league. 2) Komisarek - This is his year to step up alongside Markov and play solid defensively while Markov is putting up the points. I can see him slowly working his way on the PP. 3) Rivet - I expect a solid year. Nothing spectacular, but unrestricted free agency is coming up and he wants to try to prove what he's worth. 4) Souray - I unlike Barry, think Shelly will stay for his leadership. The team doesn't have much after Sak. Souray, Rivet and Begin will be needed this year. 5) Bouillon - Solid season, kinda like Rivet. He doesn't need unrestricted free agency to compete at 100%. 6) Dandy - I can see him picking up from where he left off in the playoffs last year. He was our second best defenceman in the playoffs if not best. 7) Streit - He will be nothing more than our 7th defenceman. The biggest part of the D that will make them better than average is playing a full season together under the new NHL rules. It takes time to adjust and they have now had that time. This could be the most underated D in the NHL.

Johnny- I hope you are right because aside from someone taking the load off of Saks at Center we need someone to share in the leadership load too. I have been told that the kids on D really look up to Shelly and that Komisarek in particular, atributes alot of his improvement to Souray. having said that, if he wants to be closer to his daughter (family should always come first) and if Gainey can trade him for one a bit more mobile. I would accomodate hime.

macneil · Guru

one thing im looking forward to this year is the d , 3 of them (rivet markov and sourey) are ufa's next year and we all know how good ufa's to be play in a contract year (brian mccabe). they should be good enuf this year , its next year im worried about when we need to sign them .

Habtastic · Guru

Exactly what I was thinking, Macneil and Barry. I like the roster we have for now. I can see a couple of minor things happening (Aeb and maybe Bonk traded for picks/prospects and a minor free agent like Rem Murray or Greg Johnson to replace) unless something we can't pass up comes along. I am hoping we wait until training camp and see if any of the prospects force themsleves onto the team... like a Bryzgalov, and then make any necessary changes.

If we see by the trade deadline that we have a real shot at going deep in the play-offs, then we can take the plunge for a top player to help get us there, but until then, I want to see us continue to give larger roles to our youngsters and see what we got.

Habtastic