Notes: Head coach Guy Carbonneau will put rookie Guillame Latendresse on the second line with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Kovalev on Thursday, while Sergei Samsonov is on the fourth line with Steve Begin and Garth Murray. Centre Radek Bonk skipped practice Tuesday because of back spasms, but the Habs are confident he will be ready to play Thursday night against the Boston Bruins. He suffered the same difficulties on his back over the weekend, but was still able to play on Monday against Buffalo.- RDS/Montreal Gazette
After the day i'm putting in here at work, thats the best news i've heard all day....i hope Sammy's confidence doesn't go down the drain tho.....but i hope Latty's Confidence goes through the roof.
dont agree with this move , lats has done nothing to warrent a promotion to the 2nd line and it sets a bad example for the more veteran players who deserve it more than him . if im johnson, bonk , perez , or even begin , im wondering why not me instead of the so called wonder kid. i know carbo is trying to ignite 2nd line by not desturbing 1st and 3rd lines but if gui has done nothing on the 4th line with limited minutes and zero pressure , what is he gonna do on the 2nd line with 18 minutes and loads of pressure . i hoppe this doesnt backfire .
The important thing is Carb is at least doing something. I'm sure if it doesn't work, he'll try something else.
At least Lats has been taking the body. If he continues to do that, it'll give Kovy more room to carry the puck. Sammy has done no more than Lats in the first several games also.
I think it's a good move, now that Lats has paid some dues and shown desire on the 4th line. It's not so much that Samsonov is playing poorly as that he doesn't seem to fit on the line. Let's hope Lats can be the bruising finisher the line clearly needs.
plouf wrote: I think it's a good move, now that Lats has paid some dues and shown desire on the 4th line. It's not so much that Samsonov is playing poorly as that he doesn't seem to fit on the line. Let's hope Lats can be the bruising finisher the line clearly needs.
I actually think that they demoted the wrong player. In my mind Kovalev should have been sent to the 3rd line to be more defensive minded. I would also like to see a Samsonov-Koivu-Ryder line and a Kovalev-Higgins-Johnson line.
chelii chilli wrote: I actually think that they demoted the wrong player. In my mind Kovalev should have been sent to the 3rd line to be more defensive minded. I would also like to see a Samsonov-Koivu-Ryder line and a Kovalev-Higgins-Johnson line.
For now, I think the first line deserves to stay together.
One way to look at this is that Carbo has promoted Latendresse and demoted Samsonov. I don't see it that way. I see it as Carbo's attempt to create lines that work better as units.
I think the new "4th" line, if you want to call it that, will be good for Samsonov and the team. Begin and Murray should benefit from having Sammy on their line, and he'll benefit from being out there with players who play physical and open up the ice a little.
Similarly, I can see where having Latendresse on their line may open up some ice for Kovalev and Plecs -- AND give this line some muscle in front of the opposition net.
Having Sammy and Kovalev on one line was too much of the same thing -- lots of stick-handling razzmatazz and not enough elbow grease. That may change now.
Personally, I think I would've put Begin and Latendresse with Kovalev, and made a 4th line consisting of Samsonov, Plecs and Murray. But I'm not there at every practice to see the guys play together.
In any case, this may help Latendresse get his motor revving and we could use that right now -- and maybe for years to come.
One way to look at this is that Carbo has promoted Latendresse and demoted Samsonov. I don't see it that way. I see it as Carbo's attempt to create lines that work better as units.
I think the new "4th" line, if you want to call it that, will be good for Samsonov and the team. Begin and Murray should benefit from having Sammy on their line, and he'll benefit from being out there with players who play physical and open up the ice a little.
Similarly, I can see where having Latendresse on their line may open up some ice for Kovalev and Plecs -- AND give this line some muscle in front of the opposition net.
Having Sammy and Kovalev on one line was too much of the same thing -- lots of stick-handling razzmatazz and not enough elbow grease. That may change now.
Personally, I think I would've put Begin and Latendresse with Kovalev, and made a 4th line consisting of Samsonov, Plecs and Murray. But I'm not there at every practice to see the guys play together.
In any case, this may help Latendresse get his motor revving and we could use that right now -- and maybe for years to come.
Les Canadiens sont la
The problem with the Begin and Kovy bit is that it was done last season and they didn't click at all. In fact, a verbal fight between Kovy and Begin materialized after a game when Kovy critized Begin for shooting the puck when he may of been open. Anyone else remember this more clearly???
macneil wrote: dont agree with this move , lats has done nothing to warrent a promotion to the 2nd line and it sets a bad example for the more veteran players who deserve it more than him . if im johnson, bonk , perez , or even begin , im wondering why not me instead of the so called wonder kid. i know carbo is trying to ignite 2nd line by not desturbing 1st and 3rd lines but if gui has done nothing on the 4th line with limited minutes and zero pressure , what is he gonna do on the 2nd line with 18 minutes and loads of pressure . i hoppe this doesnt backfire .
If nothing else he'll stand in front of the opposions goalie to screen him,(which I don't think samsonov did much of) and get some rebounds.I like this move give the young guy a shot,can't do any worse,but he has to leave him for there for a pile of games so they can gel.
__________________
To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a committee
david mac neil
One way to look at this is that Carbo has promoted Latendresse and demoted Samsonov. I don't see it that way. I see it as Carbo's attempt to create lines that work better as units.
I think the new "4th" line, if you want to call it that, will be good for Samsonov and the team. Begin and Murray should benefit from having Sammy on their line, and he'll benefit from being out there with players who play physical and open up the ice a little.
Similarly, I can see where having Latendresse on their line may open up some ice for Kovalev and Plecs -- AND give this line some muscle in front of the opposition net.
Having Sammy and Kovalev on one line was too much of the same thing -- lots of stick-handling razzmatazz and not enough elbow grease. That may change now.
Personally, I think I would've put Begin and Latendresse with Kovalev, and made a 4th line consisting of Samsonov, Plecs and Murray. But I'm not there at every practice to see the guys play together.
In any case, this may help Latendresse get his motor revving and we could use that right now -- and maybe for years to come.
Les Canadiens sont la
The problem with the Begin and Kovy bit is that it was done last season and they didn't click at all. In fact, a verbal fight between Kovy and Begin materialized after a game when Kovy critized Begin for shooting the puck when he may of been open. Anyone else remember this more clearly???
It's hard to remember because it's blending in with various other incidents of this sort...
I'm all for the centre (of attention) experiment.
I think Kovalev would respond well to increased responsibility. There would be some growing pains, of course, and some lessons, maybe a few unexpected accidents. But I think with some positive encouragement and clearly stated parameters, and the occasional gentle reminders, he would develop well. The key is not to take away the blanket too early, but when you do, you have to be firm....without any yelling, of course. And remember, bedtime is bedtime, but always remember to read him a story first.
The Gui experiment on the second line should be a one-shot affair. He looks somewhat lost on the fourth line to begin with and last night proved he doesn't habe his place playing on the second line.
Is it too soon to try out a center from the bulldogs? ...since we're in the experimental phase....