With Slovakia's tight win based on Jaroslav Halak's tight goaltending versus Russia, the goaltending debate for the Habs is picking up so much steam its beginning to scald. The problem is most armchair observers seem to be using logic reminiscent of a certain San Jose Sharks pro scout.
The Montreal Canadiens are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Tampa Bay (who have two games in hand) and two ahead of the New York Rangers who hold one game in hand. We may just make the playoffs this year, and if we do, we'd likely want the strong goalie we had for much of the season to try and keep us in against Washington, New Jersey, or whoever we get seeded against.
Reality however, states we'll likely make a first round exit unless we perform a miraculous upset. Our team has been too up and down to really be consistent - our longest winning streak all season is only three games. In that case we need to be focused as much on the future of the franchise, and which goaltender we hold on to. No matter what Pierre Gauthier thinks, both of our goalies are RFA at the end of the season and we really can't afford to have them both alongside a resigned Thomas Plekanec.
And this is why we need to resign Carey Price and trade Jaroslav Halak.
I'm sure right now there's coffee hitting your monitor not unlike a Jason Blake wrist shot to the chest of a goaltender on those words, but hear me out. Price has had certain flashes of brilliance this year, and is statistically better in save% than Olympian Marc-Andre Fleury, Ottawa savior Brian Elliot, LA starter Jonathan Quick, and most other hyped up underachievers (I'm looking at you, both Philedelphia goaltenders, all three goaltenders to suit up for the Maple Leafs this season, Nicklas Backstrom, and both Nashville goalies). Admitted Halak's .923 is nicer than Price's .911 but it's not like Price is making a huge gap of less saves - especially as he's generally been put in following a Halak loss, suggesting the team wasn't bringing much effort anyway (further proven by Price's GAA being higher than goaltenders with worse save percentages, though still a reasonable though not outstanding 2.81).
So Price can compete, he just isn't playing as well as Halak right now. But here's where the future comes in.
Halak is a positionally sound goalie, will be 25 at the end of the season, has calm emotions and fast reflexes. His weaknesses are controlling the puck, and his size ( 5'11 is short for a goaltender). While reflexes don't degrade quickly, it's unlikely they will ever improve noticeably, and as he's already positionally sound there's not a whole lot of upward motion. Halak can practice with the puck but he's never going to get four inches taller.
Price, 22, is excellent with the puck (can you name four goaltenders better than him with the puck?), 6'3, and has just as sharp reflexes. His biggest issues are a weak glove hand (that is nonetheless greatly overplayed), some positional awareness issues, and having some difficulty dealing with the emotional stress of working in the Montreal environment. In short he's immature. Funny thing is, in the league, there aren't a whole lot of mature 22 year old goaltenders - let alone 22 year old goaltenders to begin with. He calms down and works on his positioning, and he's got a clear advantage on Jaroslav, who has effectively reached his ceiling. Is it really a gamble to say that Price will be a different player at 24 than he is at 22?
Can we risk giving up that potential to try to hold on to our eighth place seed this season?
Can we risk not getting any return for our current hot goaltender?
Showing posts with label aspects of the habs that lead me to alcoholism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aspects of the habs that lead me to alcoholism. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday Top Ten: Signs Your Team Might Be Falling Out of the Playoffs
Tuesday top ten time, and as we're halfway through the season, it's time to chronicle what might be signs that your team will be golfing at the end of April, so
Top ten signs your team might be falling out of the playoff race:
10: Your goaltender was reminded he is, in fact, Cam Ward
9: Hopes for your team rest at least partly on a goaltender aquired in December.
8: No one in Montreal wants your French-Canadian star centre.
7: Have been blown out this season by the Leafs
6: Contingancy plan on your star player getting injured is a player not good enough for the Leafs.
5: Your playmaking centre has had his size be a trending topic on twitter more times than points he's gotten this year.
4: You traded a former fourth-overall pick for a player you have healthy-scratched in the past week.
3: Your team is allowing Chris Osgood to actually face a few shots a game.
2: After spending $20 million this season on new free agents, the one bailing your team out the most is a $750 000 a year defensemen who injured his own goalie in the stanley cup finals.
1: The league is feeling too much pity to find a reason to suspend Chris Pronger.
Top ten signs your team might be falling out of the playoff race:
10: Your goaltender was reminded he is, in fact, Cam Ward
9: Hopes for your team rest at least partly on a goaltender aquired in December.
8: No one in Montreal wants your French-Canadian star centre.
7: Have been blown out this season by the Leafs
6: Contingancy plan on your star player getting injured is a player not good enough for the Leafs.
5: Your playmaking centre has had his size be a trending topic on twitter more times than points he's gotten this year.
4: You traded a former fourth-overall pick for a player you have healthy-scratched in the past week.
3: Your team is allowing Chris Osgood to actually face a few shots a game.
2: After spending $20 million this season on new free agents, the one bailing your team out the most is a $750 000 a year defensemen who injured his own goalie in the stanley cup finals.
1: The league is feeling too much pity to find a reason to suspend Chris Pronger.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Your guide to enjoying the habs at home.
I live in Toronto. It's a rough city to be a habs fan in; as we had the audacity to ship them via free agency a penalty-box timekeeper pretending to be an all-star defenseman.
That said, living in Ontario, or really anywhere outside of la belle Province makes it incredibly challenging to actually enjoy a Habs game. RDS is hard to stumble upon, Hockey Night in Canada coverage is lacking, and six hour commutes are somewhat inconvenient to see your team.
I'm going to try and keep this fairly affordable and vague. Not everyone can commit thousands of dollars to a home theatre.
So here I present: The Essentials to Creating a Home Habs Experience
1: You will need a TV. Not a computer, not a laptop. NHL Gamecentre on their website has some incredibly unfortunate restrictions with blackouts.. and internet connection latency
2: You'll need a cable box or sattelite. This unfortunately is non-negotiable. You simply wont get more than a dozen games without it.
3: Order the channels! If you need english coverage, you'll be shelling out around $140/season for the Center Ice package, which is great. If that seems a bit excessive you can cut the cost in half by simply ordering RDS, which only sets you back $6 a month, though you get no other teams and your games will be in French. If this is a problem to you, pull up a laptop and watch the game while listening to the CJAD feed off the internet: http://www.cjad.com/
4: Your experience is going to be limited if you don't have good seating. A good couch or big recliner really helps take the edge off of going 0-10 on the man advantage.
5: Beer, scotch, bourbon, or ginger ale. While not openly promoting alcohol, a good sipping beverage really does add to the experience. And if you like your drinks with kick, they can help you forget it after an embarassing home loss. There's also the added subtle team loyalty if you drink Molson, or only drink Molson when the team is leading. The one buddy you could convince to watch the Habs with you will truly understand your committment.
6: Snacks. Both satisfying and an excuse to leave your seat during commercial breaks and embarassing defensive lapses.
7: Either a buddy or twitter. Just so you're not potentially drinking alone in your basement watching a hockey game with commentary that you don't understand. If you're really good at this you might even want to start a hockey blog.
That said, living in Ontario, or really anywhere outside of la belle Province makes it incredibly challenging to actually enjoy a Habs game. RDS is hard to stumble upon, Hockey Night in Canada coverage is lacking, and six hour commutes are somewhat inconvenient to see your team.
I'm going to try and keep this fairly affordable and vague. Not everyone can commit thousands of dollars to a home theatre.
So here I present: The Essentials to Creating a Home Habs Experience
1: You will need a TV. Not a computer, not a laptop. NHL Gamecentre on their website has some incredibly unfortunate restrictions with blackouts.. and internet connection latency
2: You'll need a cable box or sattelite. This unfortunately is non-negotiable. You simply wont get more than a dozen games without it.
3: Order the channels! If you need english coverage, you'll be shelling out around $140/season for the Center Ice package, which is great. If that seems a bit excessive you can cut the cost in half by simply ordering RDS, which only sets you back $6 a month, though you get no other teams and your games will be in French. If this is a problem to you, pull up a laptop and watch the game while listening to the CJAD feed off the internet: http://www.cjad.com/
4: Your experience is going to be limited if you don't have good seating. A good couch or big recliner really helps take the edge off of going 0-10 on the man advantage.
5: Beer, scotch, bourbon, or ginger ale. While not openly promoting alcohol, a good sipping beverage really does add to the experience. And if you like your drinks with kick, they can help you forget it after an embarassing home loss. There's also the added subtle team loyalty if you drink Molson, or only drink Molson when the team is leading. The one buddy you could convince to watch the Habs with you will truly understand your committment.
6: Snacks. Both satisfying and an excuse to leave your seat during commercial breaks and embarassing defensive lapses.
7: Either a buddy or twitter. Just so you're not potentially drinking alone in your basement watching a hockey game with commentary that you don't understand. If you're really good at this you might even want to start a hockey blog.
Monday, November 2, 2009
I'm a bad Habs fan.
Guys, I have a confession. I'm a bad Habs fan.
There are a lot of things that make me a bad habs fan, here's a list of the reasons:
I don't think it's appropriate to boo the team I love if they're evidently trying, or to boo a specific player on the team I love if he's had a rough night yet is still trying.
I believe singing songs referring to, or referencing the term "goodbye" should be reserved for when we actually win a playoff series or knock a team out of playoff contention.
I don't think my team's rich and illustrious history needs to have a 30 minute ceremony before every regular season game.
I desire success but I only expect effort
I think the captain of my team should be the leader of the players, not the player who's most fluent in the language of the reporters.
If my team has a rough night and defensively collapses, my mind doesn't immediately jump to "goaltender controversy"
My love of things catching fire and my love of hockey are only connected on playoff series with actual trophies on the line.
When a player is underperforming I don't associate that with media pressure, or ostracize him for his origin, be it French Canadian or Belorussian.
I think, through his time with the team, Bob Gainey has been a good general manager, and calling for his removal every time he makes a move that isn't for Vincent Lecavalier is inappropriate.
Finally, I think 1993 was a long time ago, and I want to get back to that, but I don't think every time we're near the playoffs it's fair to our goaltending staff to start mentioning Patrick Roy.
This makes me a bad Habs fan. Who's with me?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Shout outs and liveblogging
Well, my hockey-watching friends are all pre-occupied tonight, which means I will be doing two things
1: First trial run of the Habs Drinking Game
2: First trial run at liveblogging a game.
This could be amazing, or a disaster - odds are it'll be hilarious either way.
I don't like doing blog shoutouts too often because I'm of the belief that most habs fans tend to already read the same blogs I do, but that's not always the case.
I found a blog about someone who began following the Canadiens recently after being a Sabres fan and fell in love with the team; I can relate somewhat as I have a very soft spot in my heart for Columbus and to a much lesser extent Phoenix. That said, he was disenfranchised with our sometimes goon-like behaviour in our first two games, and I found this to be a perspective I hadn't seen before. I also thought it was outright wrong at the time and commented as such, but I can see how someone used to the finesse history of the team and started watching us when we had almost no physical presence may not appreciate the turnaround. It's a perspective I'd legitimately never seen before, and think it deserves attention from all five of my readers.
http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/?p=3572
Its refreshing to see our fanbase make criticisms that have some legitimacy instead of "Gomez doesn't speak French" "Price cant make a glove save" and "Carbo should be fired". I still see that last one, incidentally.
The other post is off of LionsInWinter and I think is perfect in addressing the panic mode some people are in and the issues facing the habs today. I won't steal his thunder and he doesn't need justification for me linking him, so check it out
http://www.lionsinwinter.ca/2009/10/habs-rough-start-was-expected.html
1: First trial run of the Habs Drinking Game
2: First trial run at liveblogging a game.
This could be amazing, or a disaster - odds are it'll be hilarious either way.
I don't like doing blog shoutouts too often because I'm of the belief that most habs fans tend to already read the same blogs I do, but that's not always the case.
I found a blog about someone who began following the Canadiens recently after being a Sabres fan and fell in love with the team; I can relate somewhat as I have a very soft spot in my heart for Columbus and to a much lesser extent Phoenix. That said, he was disenfranchised with our sometimes goon-like behaviour in our first two games, and I found this to be a perspective I hadn't seen before. I also thought it was outright wrong at the time and commented as such, but I can see how someone used to the finesse history of the team and started watching us when we had almost no physical presence may not appreciate the turnaround. It's a perspective I'd legitimately never seen before, and think it deserves attention from all five of my readers.
http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/?p=3572
Its refreshing to see our fanbase make criticisms that have some legitimacy instead of "Gomez doesn't speak French" "Price cant make a glove save" and "Carbo should be fired". I still see that last one, incidentally.
The other post is off of LionsInWinter and I think is perfect in addressing the panic mode some people are in and the issues facing the habs today. I won't steal his thunder and he doesn't need justification for me linking him, so check it out
http://www.lionsinwinter.ca/2009/10/habs-rough-start-was-expected.html
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The 2009-2010 Habs Drinking Game!
The 2009-2010 Montreal Canadiens Drinking Game!
How you play is simple. Have a glass with a mixed drink or a beer ready [with spares on the way when you run out] as well as a shot glass with hard liquor for the "Take a shot" category"
Prior to the game you need to choose whether you're Optimistic or Pessimistic. This will matter later, in the "Take a Shot" section
Feel free to come up with your own! I'll add them if you comment.
Sip:
- Neutral zone turnover
- Commentators mention the size of Gionta, Cammelleri, Gomez or Gill, or the speed (or lack thereof) of those players.
- Bad pun involving Carey Price's last name
- Commentators make some form of sentiment towards Markov's absence
- Fans boo a player on the habs
- OLEEE! (with Montreal leading)
- Failed Montreal powerplay attempt
- Spacek shoots wide
- Laraque fight
- Bob Cole makes an obvious error
- Mispronounced names by commentators. Bonus sip if it's an obviously english-rooted name (or Gomez).
-Offensive zone faceoff win for either team.
- Former habs legend involved in puck-drop
- Gorges Laraque on the ice with five minutes left in the game with Montreal trailing by one. Sip for every separate shift he takes.
Two sips
- Carey Price beaten glove-side. Take a bonus sip if it's off of a complete failure of defensive coverage
- Ceremonial faceoff taken by someone on Montreal who's last name doesn't begin with a G and isn't Michael Cammalleri.
- Commentators mention the size of Ryan Obyrne
- Kovalev or Koivu mentioned
- OLEEE! (with Montreal trailing)
- Any fight not featuring Laraque
- A potential goal for either side is sent upstairs to be reviewed (This is added to any additional drinking the goal or non-goal induces, see below)
Pour and down a shot
- Montreal scores on the powerplay
-If you chose Optimism at the beginning of the game, an even strength or shorthanded Montreal goal. If pessimistic, any goal scored by the opponent. Apply the Carey Price gloveside two or three sips if necessary.
- Any predominantly third or fourth line player scores (Metropolit, Moen, D'ags, Chipchura, Moen,Laraque [see also 'chug beverage'], Paciorretti, Stewart, Latendresse, Lapierre)
- Hal Gill scores
- Montreal Loss
Chug your beverage
- Latendresse directly in front of the net
- Gorges Laraque getting a point
- Montreal Win
- Montreal Loss if you're not drinking a Molson beverage.
- A goal for either side is disallowed
BONUS DIVISIONAL RIVAL DRINKS
These are to be used when we face our divisional rivals
Leafs
Sip
- Komisarek penalty
- Commentators mention "1967", Grabovski or Komisarek's leaving the habs,
- You can read something on Ron Wilson's cheat sheet
- Orr or Rosehill fight
Two Sips
- Any mention of the Courtnall / Kordic trade
- Jim Hughston acts condescending towards a fight
Boston
Sip:
- Any time you wish you could see Komisarek get punched by Lucic one more time
Two Sips:
- Marc Savard chooses to shoot instead of pass
Ottawa:
Sip:
- Any Montreal fan reaction to Kovalev
Buffalo
- Sip for every Leafs jersey you see in the stands.
How you play is simple. Have a glass with a mixed drink or a beer ready [with spares on the way when you run out] as well as a shot glass with hard liquor for the "Take a shot" category"
Prior to the game you need to choose whether you're Optimistic or Pessimistic. This will matter later, in the "Take a Shot" section
Feel free to come up with your own! I'll add them if you comment.
Sip:
- Neutral zone turnover
- Commentators mention the size of Gionta, Cammelleri, Gomez or Gill, or the speed (or lack thereof) of those players.
- Bad pun involving Carey Price's last name
- Commentators make some form of sentiment towards Markov's absence
- Fans boo a player on the habs
- OLEEE! (with Montreal leading)
- Failed Montreal powerplay attempt
- Spacek shoots wide
- Laraque fight
- Bob Cole makes an obvious error
- Mispronounced names by commentators. Bonus sip if it's an obviously english-rooted name (or Gomez).
-Offensive zone faceoff win for either team.
- Former habs legend involved in puck-drop
- Gorges Laraque on the ice with five minutes left in the game with Montreal trailing by one. Sip for every separate shift he takes.
Two sips
- Carey Price beaten glove-side. Take a bonus sip if it's off of a complete failure of defensive coverage
- Ceremonial faceoff taken by someone on Montreal who's last name doesn't begin with a G and isn't Michael Cammalleri.
- Commentators mention the size of Ryan Obyrne
- Kovalev or Koivu mentioned
- OLEEE! (with Montreal trailing)
- Any fight not featuring Laraque
- A potential goal for either side is sent upstairs to be reviewed (This is added to any additional drinking the goal or non-goal induces, see below)
Pour and down a shot
- Montreal scores on the powerplay
-If you chose Optimism at the beginning of the game, an even strength or shorthanded Montreal goal. If pessimistic, any goal scored by the opponent. Apply the Carey Price gloveside two or three sips if necessary.
- Any predominantly third or fourth line player scores (Metropolit, Moen, D'ags, Chipchura, Moen,Laraque [see also 'chug beverage'], Paciorretti, Stewart, Latendresse, Lapierre)
- Hal Gill scores
- Montreal Loss
Chug your beverage
- Latendresse directly in front of the net
- Gorges Laraque getting a point
- Montreal Win
- Montreal Loss if you're not drinking a Molson beverage.
- A goal for either side is disallowed
BONUS DIVISIONAL RIVAL DRINKS
These are to be used when we face our divisional rivals
Leafs
Sip
- Komisarek penalty
- Commentators mention "1967", Grabovski or Komisarek's leaving the habs,
- You can read something on Ron Wilson's cheat sheet
- Orr or Rosehill fight
Two Sips
- Any mention of the Courtnall / Kordic trade
- Jim Hughston acts condescending towards a fight
Boston
Sip:
- Any time you wish you could see Komisarek get punched by Lucic one more time
Two Sips:
- Marc Savard chooses to shoot instead of pass
Ottawa:
Sip:
- Any Montreal fan reaction to Kovalev
Buffalo
- Sip for every Leafs jersey you see in the stands.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ten reasons to stay optimistic
Andrei Markov looks to be out somewhere between two and four months with a tendon problem having introduced his leg to Carey Price's skate.
This is, naturally, one of the worst things that can happen to us, but it's important to stay optimistic so here's ten reasons to stay optimistic following last night's game and Markov's injury:
10: Basically impossible for Markov to hurt himself in our next match against the Leafs on Oct 31.
9: Markov will be able to gain stellar insight hanging out with Rick Dipietro, Pascal Leclaire, Tim Connolly and Marian Gaborik. He may also play mentor to Mike Van Ryn.
8: Yannick Weber is actually pretty okay at moving the puck around
7: So offensively deep our fourth line centre can get a powerplay goal
6: We aren't the Atlanta Thrashers
5: Our winger demanding a trade is not actually playing for us anyway
4: Huge advantage over last season, not getting tired out having to stand for so many Centennial celebrations
3: Those new guys are actually pretty good
2: That Price guy seems pretty good
1: At least we can beat the Leafs
This is, naturally, one of the worst things that can happen to us, but it's important to stay optimistic so here's ten reasons to stay optimistic following last night's game and Markov's injury:
10: Basically impossible for Markov to hurt himself in our next match against the Leafs on Oct 31.
9: Markov will be able to gain stellar insight hanging out with Rick Dipietro, Pascal Leclaire, Tim Connolly and Marian Gaborik. He may also play mentor to Mike Van Ryn.
8: Yannick Weber is actually pretty okay at moving the puck around
7: So offensively deep our fourth line centre can get a powerplay goal
6: We aren't the Atlanta Thrashers
5: Our winger demanding a trade is not actually playing for us anyway
4: Huge advantage over last season, not getting tired out having to stand for so many Centennial celebrations
3: Those new guys are actually pretty good
2: That Price guy seems pretty good
1: At least we can beat the Leafs
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Repeat after me; it's only the pre-season
We've seen all three faces of the Canadiens now.
Their first game was defensively minded, offensively talented, and netted us a win, with Carey Price doing his job.
The second featured our defense not focusing enough but our talent preserving a win.
The third was reminiscent of the last two years when occasionally we just forget to skate defensively.
I guess the priority here is to stay calm. Even at our worst there was silver lining, Spacek got a goal, and there is certainly some talent buried there.
I'll be in the corner my gin. Lots of gin.
But as I drink, at least i know that only half of our team was on the ice, and Martin still has a chance to beat some life into the team if this happens again.
Their first game was defensively minded, offensively talented, and netted us a win, with Carey Price doing his job.
The second featured our defense not focusing enough but our talent preserving a win.
The third was reminiscent of the last two years when occasionally we just forget to skate defensively.
I guess the priority here is to stay calm. Even at our worst there was silver lining, Spacek got a goal, and there is certainly some talent buried there.
I'll be in the corner my gin. Lots of gin.
But as I drink, at least i know that only half of our team was on the ice, and Martin still has a chance to beat some life into the team if this happens again.
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