by Willey
No longer did the save percentage of Carey Price, nor the effectiveness of Jeff Halpern in the faceoff circle encompass my conversations with my 2 year old daughter Marley. Instead two thoughts have plagued my mind.
First; how do they get the caramel into that delicious Caramilk bar which I am actually enjoying as I write this, and second what can I do to further cement my position as worlds best dad in the eyes of my daughter, vis-a-vis through Santa Clause.
I mean with so many toys out there what do I do? Should I go with the drum set and deal with the headaches at a later time or do I go with the Barbie dream house? With such tough decisions on the horizon I turn to you, my fellow Habs addicts, for the answer to this conundrum. Which is it drums or Barbie?
Why am I telling you this?
The truth be told, the only reason these thoughts have even remotely crept into my head is that in the land of the Blue Blanc Rouge, everything seems to be, well, A-OK!
How can one complain about a team who despite injuries to key players continue to sit atop the North East division, and among the leaders in the Eastern conference?
I know I have told you that I am the consummate pessimist and I can surely think of a few things which continue to anger me; mainly Dustin Boyd and the lack of physicality. But we are amidst the holiday season man. It’s the time of giving and caring and I for one will not be a Debbie Downer.
Instead, I now choose to embrace the positives and reflect only on the week that was.
The Week That Was
This past week the Habs faced the likes of the Edmonton Oilers, NJ Devils and San Jose Sharks.
Now in years past this sort of week would have sent shivers down my spine, with the expectation that when all was said and done a two or three point week was all that one could have expected.
I must say, however, that the team that I see before me is a team which reminds me of the days of old. The days of Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson who on a nightly basis would take me out of my seat and ultimately send me home with 2 points in the bank, on the way to cup win after cup win.
I am really trying not to get ahead of myself here because lord knows we are just a third of the way through the season, but I am beginning to have serious beliefs that this team can take us all to a place that none of us have experienced since 1993.
This team continues to prove that they can overcome adversity and can play against any team in this league no matter how good, and not get embarrassed. Simply put, they are a team!
Wow, I cannot believe I said that! Somebody slap me quickly! I am becoming an optimist.
Enough of that, back to the ice.
Despite picking up five out of a possible six points this past week, with victories over the Devils, Sharks and an overtime loss to the Oilers, the talk of the town has centered on two things. First, the injury to Andrei Markov and second the healthy scratch for two consecutive games of the highly touted PK Subban.
For the sanity of this blog and for anyone reading it, I am sorry but I am not going to get into this. Although I have my opinion with the Markov injury and, like I am sure many of you do too, carry around a wish list of players I’d love to see in the Blue Blanc Rouge. The fact is that I am truly uncertain as to how Pierre Gauthier will react.
Furthermore, a lot of my sentiments are echoed and quite frankly expanded on with the analysis of my fellow blogger and good friend Tyg’s summary of the Markov angle: http://aa.habsaddict.com/2010/12/pierre-gauthier-prone-to-panic-or-man.html.
Now when it comes to Subban-gate, I just cannot do it. I apologize now but I just won’t. Everything I have read, heard and seen on literally every source of sports pertaining to the Montreal Canadians lately, is about PK Subban.
What is one led to believe when nearly all so-called "experts" contradict one another on the subject. Is this positive to his growth or counter productive; Motivating or de-motivating; necessary or foolish?
The Habs are winning and PK has a bright future ahead of him. What else is there to say?
I therefore leave you with 5 questions which have presented themselves from the week that was.
Five Questions
1 -Before this week started Scott Gomez was sitting on two goals in 24 games. By weeks end he doubled his production with two more. Do you think Gomez has jump started his season?
2 - Roman Hamrlik is on pace for a 44 point season with a + 21; his highest production since 2000-01 while playing for the Islanders. Given the salary cap is going up a reported $2.1 million for next season is he a player you would retain and if so at how much?
3 - Has Yannick Weber cemented himself as a regular NHL D-man?
4 - With the emergence of Alex Picard and Weber is it in the Canadiens best interest to acquire another top D-man to replace the big minutes usually played by Andrei Markov?
5 - Carey Price has played all but two of the 27 games the team has played this season. How many games should Carey play?
---
Willey was the shinning light among the wicked growing up as the lone Habs fan in Toronto. Pray to Holy Ghosts of the old forum and all shall be answered I was told, and just like that my family was transferred back to Montreal and away from the damned. Olé Olé Olé.
3 comments:
Thought provoking!
OK, here's my take:
1 - Well, he might have been turning things around, but Gomez is out right now so who knows.
2 - I would retain Hamr for one more year if for no other reason than to make sure that Spacek has a decent year next year. Hamr would have to come at a discounted price, though. Roughly $2-2.5 Mil.
3 - Yes, 100%. I'd like to see a lineup with him AND Subban. The other possibility is that Weber could be used as trade bait.
4 - With Subban in the lineup too, perhaps not. There are no superstars on D for the Habs but, as a collective, they are incredibly effective.
5 - Should or will play? I'm thinking 60-65 is a good target but he is on pace to play far more than that.
Willey - glad to have you back and my take - as a female - anything Barbie was always my first choice just FYI. Great blog and thanks for shilling mine. Onto your questions!
1 - I hope so but even if he hasn't he's necessary on the PP and PK, as evidenced last night vs. Ottawa.
2 - Yes, at around half of what he is making now or less. Certainly no more than that. I'd keep him if only because he's the only one who can settle Spacek down for some reason, and we still have at least another year of Spacek.
3 - I think so. He plays simple but solid hockey.
4 - No. I did think it was necessary when Markov first went down, but the defense is still getting it done just fine.
5 - I'm with Kamal on this - no more than 60-65. We'll need him fresh for the post-season festivities.
Whats up my peoples !!!!
First off, a Barbie house.....really? What happened to equal rights and trying to overcome the sexism of this world?
I have to admit my my thought process is constantly flip flopping. I hated Hamrlik at season start but now feel as though he must remain a Hab.
I thought Weber was another guy who should go and thought Henry should ahve been our 7th D-man. Now look at what Weber and Picard are doing.
What I like about this team is that they continue to surprise me. Jus when I think they will bomb they come through with a big performance. Just when I write off Spacek he has a monster game.
Just when I declare Eller should be sent to the AHL he scores a goal and an assist.
I will summarize my 5 questions in one point. With or without Hamrlik, Picard and Weber in the line-up, Price playing 60-70 games, Gomez finally starting to play well....none of this matters unless PG addresses the need for size and grit both on D and in the top 6.
We have a good team but if we go up against any club with a physical style then we will have difficulty.
When or when will this be addressed?
Post a Comment