Ando wrote:

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...there are too few spots for too many guys having similar attributes!

And-o is convinced that Bob-o will pull-off a dousy around 'trick-or-treat' time!!!

Having said that...And-o expects a few surprises (and perhaps disappointments) when the opening day roster is announced!

(P.S.  Is And-o the only one who thinks that there are just WAYYYYYYY too many 'sticky' notes cluttering up this board now?!?!?!?!)

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Just a question. How long have you been predicting that Gainey will pull of a dousy?...It's not going to happen. Sammy was his dousy for this year.

THAT is why I think that Latendresse has to stay. He is a big, tough power forward who is tough to knock off the puck and goes to the net with authority. Now if he does stay, who goes? Well here is my list order:

1. Downey- if not for his Gainey/Carbo connection from his Dallas days he would not have a job in Montreal..or probably anywhere else for that matter. The day od the enforcere who cannot play the game is long gone..and Downey cannot play the game.


2. Perezhogan- too many other players just like him. To be honest he reminds me of Josef Balej..and we all know how he turned out


3. Ribs- if we could get a center. For now he gets to stay due to the process of elimination


4. Murray- if you keep Downey then Murray goes.

Habtastic wrote:

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OMG! Did Ab just disagree with And-o?!

Habtastic

P.S. And yes And-o, I am feeling the clutter, as well.

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Sorry, I am new to the boards, but I am just wondering why and-o always talks in third person, and am I the only one who finds it pretentious and a littler annoying.

Again I dont want to come off as the new guy tyring to break up the club, just wondering if there is any deal with that????

Seems to me the choice is relatively easy one.

Habs need people that can score and we know that Latendresse, Kostitsyn, and Perezhogin are certainly better than Downey and Murray in that regard.

Second the need for two enforcers on the roster isn't that great because we have Rivet, Souray, and Komocop on the back end can all drop the gloves.  I am also certain if last night's hit is any evidence that Guy doesn't shy away from physical play.

I think we need to keep all 3 young guns on our roster and dump Downey to Hamilton.

But should Gainey and Carbo so choose to keep both Downey and Murray, he should keep Latendresse at least for the minimum number of NHL games (I think junior eligible players can play 16 games...it might be less...before we send them back to junior)  and send Kostitsyn who wouldn't have to clear waivers down.

But I would prefer we keep all 3 scorers to give them a chance to develop along with Murray and send Downey out to pasture.

I don't know why there is such animosity for Downey on this board. Sure, he will never be confused for Mario Lemieux, but he works hard, bodychecks hard, crashes the net, wears down opponents, plays consistently, was a plus player, and gives Montreal one of the few enforcers who can keep up. No, he's not the best fighter, but he is a blessing to have on the fourth line when there are injuries. Our kids need playing time, why keep them in the press box when Downey can step up and give us the option to be a little tougher if we need to be for a game.

Also, I know we habs fans drool at our enormous number of talented prospects who are or nearly are NHL ready, but is there such a thing as being too young? If we look at our forwards, Higgins, Perezhogin, Plekanec, and Murray are all sophomores. Ribeiro and Ryder are still young, and need leadership instead of providing it. Koivu and Begin seem to be the only true leaders in our forward core with Kovy providing some as well.

Our kids need playing time, and having them in the press box won't help anyone. If there are long term injuries, they can be called up.

plouf wrote:

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I agree traveling hab,

Kostitsyn should start in Hamilton.

But if Latendresse is going to make the team (Gainey would have to be absolutely sure he's ready for a full NHL season as a top-3 line player), then we have problems, because I don't think Downey is useless either.

I'm going with And-o's theory - A TRADE.

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