Ottawa Was To Be Avoided By The Canadiens In The First Round

For the last few weeks of the hockey season, I was worried about who the Canadiens were going to play against in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. As I watched the Eastern Conference wild card position take shape, it was assumed that Montreal was going to finish in the top two spots. Ottawa was playing great hockey, and their goalie, Andrew "The Hamburglar" Hammond, was providing some outstanding goaltending. The Senators continued to win night after night, and went from being an after-thought in late January to a serious playoff contender.

Fast forward to Saturday, when the Senators faced the Philadelphia Flyers in the early afternoon, while the Canadiens were to play Toronto later that night. After Ottawa beat the Flyers in the afternoon, a win for the Habs meant facing the Senators.

I don't know about you, but I would much rather have the Habs play Detroit than Ottawa. Montreal has handled the Red Wings this relative easethsi season, while Ottawa has had Montreal's number. Ultimately, the Habs won 4-3 in a shoot out, and now have to face  the Senators in the first round, starting Wednesday, April 16th.

In their brief playoff history, Ottawa has owned the Canadiens. The painful memory of the 2013 playoff match up has many Habs' fans concerned. Personally, I DID NOT want Montreal to face the Senators in the first round. 

What do I think will happen? Well lets examine the results so far:

- Ottawa finished the season on a 22-4-4 run, one of the best in the league. Their goalie, Hammond posted a sparkling .941 save percentage and we thought Price's average was good. What is even more alarming is that Price seemed to be less focused in the last four or five games he played. And his average showed it; he had a poor .895 save percentage in his last half dozen games. Not the way you want to go into the playoffs.

- The Canadiens' leading goal scorer and point leader, Max Pacioretty, may be unavailable to start the series against Ottawa, while the Senators' rookies lit it up and carried the Sens into playoff positioning.  Mark Stone has led the Senators with 26 goals ( +/- 21) and played some outstanding hockey. Mike Hoffman, another great find for Ottawa, has chipped in with 21 goals and a +/- of 16. The Canadiens' rely heavily on goaltender Carey Price to win close games. Ottawa, on the other hand, has scored 238 goals to our 221. Despite a recent scoring spurt by the Habs to end the season, how long can that last without Pacioretty's contributions?

 - Finally, there is the question of team toughness. Every time the Senators play the Canadiens, they seem to get the best of them physically. The Habs lack the nastiness that Ottawa comes to the rink with every game. If Ottawa starts the series and establishes their physical domination early, then some players may be intimidated, as has been the case in the past with forwards David Desharmais and Tomas Plekanec.

For the Canadiens to win the series, they need:

• Carey Price can bring his A+ game
• Offensive contributions from the third and fourth lines.
• The power-play must continue to be 20+% efficient, as they have of late.
• To show some backbone, and not fear the Senators' physicality.

If not, the Habs may find themselves on the golf course after the 5th game. 

What do you think the Habs will do? Do they have it in them to continue past first round? 

 

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NHL Trade Deadline: Could the Montreal Canadiens Land Rick Nash?

Let me start by saying no, the Montreal Canadiens cannot land Rick Nash.

With the NHL trade deadline less than 48 hours away, Nash is the most coveted player available on the trade market.

Some may argue that L.A.'s Dustin Brown holds that title — because the Kings won't require as much in return — however, it's become unclear over the last 24 hours whether or not the Kings captain is available.

With endless rumors swirling about who will end up where, I thought it would be fun to throw out a scenario, albeit an incredibly improbable one, in which the Canadiens would find themselves landing the star winger.

The reality is the Habs don't have the roster players to match the rumored offer that the New York Rangers have on the table. It involves either Michael Del Zotto/Ryan McDonagh plus either Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky or Carl Hagelin, and a first round pick.

Montreal's advantage over the Rangers lies in there draft position.

Columbus is on track to have the first pick at this June's draft. If the two club's were able to hammer out a deal involving Montreal's first round pick, that would give Columbus two picks in the top ten.

With the Habs porous play, a pick in the top five seems more realistic and a top three pick is not out of the question either.

Now for the problem.

If Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson were to be interested in the Canadiens pick, it would have to be in a package including Scott Gomez.

Nash comes with a price tag of $7.8 million so the only way the Habs could make it work is if they were to send Gomez, and his $7.357 million, the other way.

Montreal would have to add a few assets to sweeten the pot, maybe Andrei Kostitsyn and a prospect —Louis Leblanc, Brendan Gallagher, or Michael Bournival — and maybe even their second round pick acquired from Nashville in the trade that sent Hal Gill to the Preds.

Of course, the only way this dream could become reality is if Howson were to be blinded by the possibility of drafting twice, early on in a draft. Keep in mind that this year's draft has many promising prospects such as Nail Yakupov, Mikhail Grigorenko, Matthew Dumba, Filip Forsberg, and Morgan Rielly, to name a few.

The unfortunate reality is that Gomez's downside more than likely outweighs another top pick in June.

If Montreal had more to offer, other than their pick, it would help their chances. But the Canadiens don't have anything to offer that could help Columbus' offense after Nash's departure.

As far fetched as it seems, if Howson were to bite would you be willing to part with a top five pick—and possibly top three—and a prospect to bring Nash to Montreal?

Would a superstar winger help out the Habs or should they hold off for the center they've needed for years?

What are your thoughts?

---
Sean is a freelance writer currently contributing to HabsAddict.com. He is also a regular blogger and frequent panelist on the Habs post game show at MontrealHockeyTalk.com

You can follow Sean on Twitter

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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ASG gets underway, Roenick on Subban, Flames Trade Morrison, Rumours and more

Morning puck addicts!

So how do you feel this morning not having had any hockey to watch last night?

Refreshed, and happy to have a break? Or jonesing like the addict that you are?

Ya, that's what I thought? :-)

But don't fret, because the All-Star festivities are upon us, with the skills competition and the All-Star game on deck. So enjoy the break from the intensity of the regular season, and soak in the fun that is the ASG!

Hockey News

RDS - Jeremy Roenick comprend bien Subban

TSN - FLAMES TRADE F MORRISON TO BLACKHAWKS FOR BLUELINER CONNELLY

PENGUINS' CROSBY RESUMES SKATING IN LOS ANGELES

SENATORS' ALFREDSSON HOPES TO RETURN FOR 2012-13 SEASON

CONCUSSION TALK SURFACES AT NHL'S ALL-STAR WEEKEND IN OTTAWA

DREGER'S MAILBAG: QUESTIONS ON WINGS, HABS AND CANUCKS

MCKENZIE: IS STARS CAPTAIN MORROW AVAILABLE FOR TRADE?

PowerScout Hockey - The 'Perfectly Built' Boston Bruins

THN - THN at the All-Star Game: Old Senators bring back old memories

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

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Habs/Lightning, NHLPA rejects realignment, Gionta returns, rumours and more

Good Saturday morning puck addicts!

Lots of hockey news this morn. The big bombshell that came out yesterday was that the NHLPA has rejected the NHL's proposed realignment of the divisions (and new playoff format).

The league is saying the rejection is unreasonable and without reason while the PA is saying that they asked the league for more info, which they did not provide.

Wow. If this is the beginning of negotiations between the PA and the league, we could be in for a lockout next year afterall. Gary Bettman and PA head, Donald Fehr, are scheduled to meet in Ottawa, at the All Star game, to start discussing the CBA. Man would it be something to be a fly on that wall of that meeting!

On the Habs front, Montreal plays the Lightning tonight in a game that will mark the halfway point of the season. They are coming off a 7-3 drubbing of the Jets, marked by a four goal, five point night by Lars Eller.

The Canadiens playoff hopes are only mathematically alive, but still, they would surely like to get on a bit of a roll here.

We'll see, starting tonight, how that plays out.

Habs News

Discussion Forum - Habs/Lightning game day thread

HabsAddict.com - Habs Roundup: Cammalleri, Eller, Cunneyworth, NHL Realignment

Hockey Inside/Out - Canadiens reach halfway mark

Multimedia: Emelin felled by Weber shot in practice, should be OK for Lightning

RDS - Pacioretty avoue avoir frappé un mur

Gionta sera de retour contre Tampa Bay

TSN - MARINARO: CANADIENS CAN'T AFFORD TO SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR HELP

Hockey News

HabsAddict.com - NHL Press Release - NHLPA Rejects Proposed Realignment

NHLPA Press Release - PA Comments Rejection of NHL Realignment

TSN - SIEGEL: TALE OF THE TAPE FOR LEAFS' FRANSON

SIEGEL: GRABOVSKI QUIETLY SURGING FOR MAPLE LEAFS

ESPN.com - First salvo has been fired in CBA battle

THN.com - Campbell: Brian Burke's illogical pro-fighting stance

PowerScout Hockey - Fighters Corner - Jan 6 - "Asham's Loyalty Sparks Pens..."

Spector's Hockey - Latest on Flames, Sabres, Canadiens and Stars

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images North America)

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Guaranteed Win Night II - hockey party for charity - Jan. 21, 2012

The Franchise and HabsAddict.com present
Guaranteed Win Night II

WHAT: GUARANTEED WIN NIGHT II
WHO: Presented by THE FRANCHISE and HABSADDICT.COM (Nick Murdocco, Gary Whittaker, Kamal Panesar)
WHERE: BRASSERIE SPORT 40 (8220 Metropolitain E, Anjou)
WHEN: Saturday January 21, 2012, 6 pm to 11pm
COVER CHARGE: Nothing, it’s totally free!
PRIZE DRAW: Tickets can be purchased for the prize draws at the event.
CHARITY: A portion of the proceeds go to Team In Training (a nonprofit fundraising program of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer).
SPECIAL GUESTS: Habs Tweetup members, TSN 990 radio personalities, Team In Training (TNT) Alumni

The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means right? Another Guaranteed Win Night! Oh, you were thinking about Santa Claus? Our bad.

To help ring in the new year in style The Franchise and HabsAddict.com are proud to announce our second “Guaranteed Win Night”! Just like last time, if the Habs lose you get a coupon for *FREE chicken wings so you come out a winner regardless!

If you want to see what you missed last time, here are pics from Guaranteed Win Night I: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150349038191616.343859.293450486615&type=1

Plus we are happy to welcome the Habs Tweetup members who will be having an official Tweetup in conjunction with the event! If you’ve always wanted to see what a Tweetup is all about, now is your chance!

So come out and watch the Canadiens take on the Leafs with us, January 21, 2012 at Brasserie Sports 40!

Does is get better than that? Yes, it does. Entry into the party is completely FREE so show up early because seating will go fast!

Also, there we will be giving away a ton of prizes such as tickets, jersey, gift certificates and more. Tickets for the draw can be purchased at the event with a portion of the proceeds going towards Team In Training (TNT) http://www.teamintraining.ca/mon/ (a nonprofit fundraising program of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer).

You can win VIP entry into the party for YOU AND FOUR OF YOUR FRIENDS which includes wings and nachos, drinks and a bunch of awesome swag!

Listen to The Franchise on TSN Radio 990 (www.tsn.ca/Montreal) every Saturday Sunday from 7am to 10am for your chance to qualify.

You can also qualify online at www.thefranchise.ca or www.habsaddict.com.

Keep checking the website for the trivia question (correctly answer the trivia question in order to qualify, winners will be announced on Sunday January 8, 2012 on the Sunday Shinny portion (9 – 10 AM) of the Franchise Weekend Morning show (TSN radio 990).

Once the game is over the lights get lower and the music gets louder as the on-site DJ and your great hosts at Brasserie Sports 40 will keep the party going!

So come out, watch the game and help out a good cause!

Guaranteed Win Night II is brought to you by:

Brasserie Sport 40, in Anjou
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brasserie-sports-40/140848159265945

CSG International
http://www.csgint.ca/

GameTags
https://www.gametags.ca/

Team in Training (TNT)
http://TeamInTraining.ca/Mon

Secret Garden Florist

*due to circumstances beyond our control, the chicken wings
had to be changed for another item of equal value...more details at the
party.

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Desperation: Habs Acquire Tomas Kaberle from Hurricanes for Jaroslav Spacek

Yes, you read that right. Here's the press release for your reading pleasure.

In an effort to plug leaks on the good ship Canadiens, General Manager Pierre Gauthier pulled the trigger on a trade.

To the Carolina Hurricanes goes Jaroslav Spacek and coming back to Montreal is Tomas Kaberle.

What a brutal move.

Not only would Spacek have fetched much more come trade deadline day, but he was in the last year of a deal that paid him $3.83 million per season.

Kaberle, on the other hand, has two more year (after this season) left on a deal that pays him $4.25 million per year.

Not to mention that he currently has nine points and is a minus-12 for the year. Worse yet, since being traded from the Leafs to Boston last season, Kaberle has only 18 points (1G, 17A) in 53 games (with the Bruins and Canes).

Keep in mind that this is a player who was brought into Boston to help them turn their powerplay around last year. And how did Boston do during the playoffs with Kaberle as their quarterback?

Zero goals and 11 assists in 25 playoff games for Kaberle and a PP that went 10-for-88 (11.36 percent) over four playoff rounds.

Here's what the Twitterverse is saying about the deal:

Dave Stubbs, Hockey Inside/Out
"I keep looking for even a tiny upside to #Habs Kaberle deal and... I can't find one"

Tony Marinario, TSN 990
"Tomas Kaberle is soft. He cant defend anymore. He killed Bruins Power play last yr in playoffs. 4.25M cap hit until 2013/14. This is bad."

Will Martinez, HeyMyNameIsWill.blogspot.com
"So what's on the agenda for this afternoon? An extension for Gomez?"

Kyle Roussel, Cowhide and Rubber
"This trade is silly. Buys JM more time, takes on a long contract. Not only do #Habs resemble the old Leafs, they now acquire their scraps."

In short, this is a brutal move of desperation from a GM who is clearly trying to save his own butt. And that has been the fear for the last few weeks...that Gauthier would start selling off parts of the team in an effort to squeak into the playoffs and/or save his own butt.

This move sets the Habs back on a lot of levels but, also going forward. Not only do the Habs have to deal with Scott Gomez's brutal contract but they now pick up another.

The bottom line is that this is a huge roll of the dice by Pierre Gauthier. For this deal to work out, Kaberle has to return to his pre-Bruins form, otherwise this is going to become another albatross for PG to bear.

Side Note

The deal is possibly an indicator that Andrei Markov will be out longer. More likely, however, it shows that Chris Campoli will be back in the lineup soon.

Either way, if Gauthier et al. expects Kaberle to a) revive the Habs powerplay and b) turn their season around, then this team is in even more trouble than I previously thought.

Calling Geoff Molson, calling Geoff Molson. The house is on fire and your GM just doused it with gasoline.

---
Kamal is a freelance writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and featured columnist on PowerScoutHockey.com. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on TSN Radio 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 9 - 10 AM. Listen live at http://www.tsn.ca/montreal/

Follow Kamal on Facebook and Twitter

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Delmas at Habs camp, Fehr as NHLPA head, Bettman on Olympics, and more...

RDS - CH : Delmas invité au camp des recrues
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/305001.html

TSN - The New Boss?
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331680

Bettman says sending players to Olympics is a 'mixed bag'
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331624

Spector's Hockey - NHL Trade & Free Agent News - Thursday, August 26, 2010
http://www.spectorshockey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1748:nhl-trade-a-free-agent-news-thursday-august-26-2010&catid=5:trade-rumors&Itemid=4

The Hockey News - Season Predictions
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/34718-The-Hockey-News-201011-NHL-regular-season-predictions-No-1.html

The Daily Habs-it - Will past be prologue?
http://dailyhab-it.blogspot.com/2010/08/will-past-be-prologue.html

Cowhide and Rubber - Why Montreal's Media will Fail
http://www.cowhideandrubber.com/how-montreals-media-will-fail
(Another non-hockey piece about mainstream media and social networking.  Must read!)

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