Travis Hamonic-D-6′0, 192 lbs.-Shoots Right- 2nd round pick (53rd Overall)

Positives:  Is a hardworking player with a strong competitive streak…plays a hard-nosed defensive style and will sacrifice his body to block shots…good skater who brings energy to the game.

Negatives:  Doesn’t have much of an offensive upside…Needs to work on his playmaking skills…plays a style bigger than his body and could be injury prone at the pro level.

Analysis:  This was a curious pick by Snow.  Hamonic possesses some qualities of a shutdown defenseman (which the Islanders need, considering Brendan Witt is not getting any younger) but he seems to be one dimensional.  He also probably could have been taken a round or two later.

My grade for the pick:  C

Avery was signed to four-year contract on July 2nd, and brings with him a fierce attitude that will fit in nicely with the Stars already aggressive bunch. Avery comes from the New York Rangers where he finished last season with 15 goals and 18 assists in just 57 regular season games. He did have quite the playoffs, as he had 4 goals and 3 assists in eight games.

Dallas fans have to like the idea of Sean Avery teaming up with Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott. This will make for a nice balance of rough lines that teams will certainly have to be aware of when they take on the Stars.

Avery is not just a physical player, but also one who can attack the net and make those around him better because of the presence he brings. The Stars reported that he is exactly the type of player that will complement their style of play.

The Stars have been locking up players they feel will not only make an impact this year but for the next few seasons, and that is what they believe Avery will deliver. This kind of firepower has to have the Stars as a favorite to make tons of noise in the 2008-2009 season, and it will be exciting to watch this team perform especially with the addition of Sean Avery.

The fact the Fernandez is working out at the Bruins annual development camp shows what type of player he is and that leadership should not go unnoticed. With the 2008-2009 season being a contract year for Fernandez, he is out to prove why he was and still is an elite NHL goaltender.

The Bruins players are seeing just what Fernandez is to the team, as he is working hard to get back. That is a lost trait it seems like in the world of sports and while Fernandez understands he must be patient in his return, there is so much more he can provide Boston with in terms of leadership and guidance. Especially for the prospects, as having veteran leadership is something that we see all the time that makes teams as successful as they are.

Sure the young talent is the future, but experience goes a very long way especially in the NHL. So I think a lot of Bruins fans are anxious to see what the upcoming season will bring for Manny Fernandez because he is the type of guy you want around, and in the Bruins case back.

To be honest with you I consider Ryan Malone a good forward, while he may not enter in the elite category of the NHL he can still raise some eyebrows.

But don’t you think 7 million dollars a season is just too much for a guy that has not yet produced over 70 points?

In my opinion I believe Tampa bay will either sink or swim during the next season.

Either way it should be fun for everyone to see Steven Stamkos play along with Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Malone, Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis.

The Montreal Canadiens are heading into draft day so far without signing any of their RFA’s or UFA’s. With the top priority for the Habs being the Mark Streit situation, there has been no news since the end of the Habs post season campaign. One has to think that Gainey is up to something.

Mats Sundin–who the Canadiens tried to acquire at the trade deadline–has yet to make up his mind about his future, or has he?
David Shoalts of The Globe and Mail wrote an article called “Sundin Coy About Future”. In this article Mats Sundin was asked if he was going to retire or return to the Maple Leafs, Sundin replied,

“I do think I have a lot of different options I can explore. I think I still want to end my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf. Saying that though, the way the situation is right now, I don’t have everything in my control either.”

Sundin went on to say,

“There’s got to be a mutual agreement there. And as I said, I don’t have anything I can say about what’s going to happen next year yet. I don’t know. Obviously what’s going to happen in Toronto is very interesting, and it’s going to affect my decision in the future.”

When Sundin was asked when he thought his decision would be made, Sundin had this to say,

“In the next month or so, I guess.”

Wow. For someone who said in late February that he wanted to stay in Toronto he sure changed his mind quick.

If Sundin becomes a UFA come July 1, Montreal will surely knock on his door again. Sundin made $5.5 million last season and if one reads between the lines he will want more to play next year. Will the Habs clear some space to accommodate him? I believe so.

With Bob Gainey studying what’s happening around the league right now, is he also planning something? Gainey has a plethora of young players to sign and his pick in this year’s draft to go along with a potentially un-happy goalie in Jaroslav Halak to deal with. Will Gainey make something happen at the draft and worry about signing players after the draft to see what he has left?

There are rampant reports in Montreal that the Tampa Bay Lightning could be preparing a trade including Vincent Lecavalier and Evgeni Artyukhin. Could Gainey be secretly in on this deal? With the sale of the Bolts being imminent, I find it hard to believe that the new owners wouldn’t want Lecavalier’s star power on the team but they could also want to start their own team with Steve Stamkos expected to be their pick in this year’s draft.

Then there is the Marian Hossa sweepstakes which will commence on July 1, 2008. Hossa will be the most sough after UFA this summer. With most likely almost all the 30 teams in the NHL already talking to his agent, Hossa will have exactly what he wants. Gainey also went after Hossa at the trade deadline. Will he attempt to sign Sundin and Hossa? Is Gainey preparing something at the draft to enable him to do so?

The goalie situation is also interesting. With Carey Price being the franchise goalie it and the Habs needing an experienced goalie to help Price develop and provide some relief duties, will Gainey go after disgusted goalie Olaf Kolzig? Kolzig was basically replaced buy Christobal Huet when the Canadiens traded him there at the deadline. Kolzig has said that he will not be returning to the Washington Capitals.

TSN wrote an article on Kolzig, when asked about his feelings on how the turn of event affected him Kolzig replied,

“For me it was disappointing the way it ended. It’s unfortunate because they have a good team here now. It’s a fantastic team, fantastic group of guys. Not to be part of that is going to be tough, especially after 17 years and three years of what we went through post lock out.”

When Kolzig was asked about his future he had this to say,

“I haven’t completely made up my mind. For me it’s all about my family. The situation has to be good for my family. I still feel that I can be a dominant goalie in this league. If the offer is not out there…. I’ll just sit by the pool with a six-pack.”

It is too quiet in Montreal right now. Nothing is going on. Some are speculating that there is something going on. Gainey could be setting the table to do something at the draft to either set his team up to sign a couple of UFA’s (Sundin, Hossa) or acquire a player to entice one or both of those players to come to Montreal. Gainey has to make his team better than last year as all NHL eyes will be on the Habs considering all the celebrations planned for this year.

Colin Wilson - C-6′1, 215 lbs.-Shoots Left

There is much speculation about the future NHL career of Colin Wilson. Scouts seem to view him as either a solid, two-way forward with potential or a big time bust waiting to happen. There are certain aspects of Wilson that are indisputable, though: He does possess NHL-caliber size, is strong in protecting the puck and is reliable defensively. His scoring ability may be limited, but many draft observers like his power in driving to the net and the fact that eschews fancy moves in order to net the puck in an expedient fashion. However, concerns linger over whether he will ever be more than third line player for many teams.

How he’d help: The Islanders are one of the few NHL rosters that does not field a legitimate first line center. This dearth of talent makes almost any prospect who can play the position attractive. Nevertheless, Wilson’s upside seems too low to spend a top 5 pick for and New York will almost certainly look elsewhere to address it’s needs.

Lafleur said in his column that both Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev will be unrestricted free agents after next season. He went on to say that the Habs should re-sign Kovalev and let Koivu go. Lafleur had a few comments to add,

“I have the conviction that Kovalev is more useful to the Canadiens than the captain, especially if Kovalev continues to play as he did this year.”

 

Lafleur also had this to add,

“Not that Koivu doesn’t have his place on the team or that he hasn’t given everything to the Habs during his career in Montreal. But business is business and the best possible team must be given to the fans. In this regard Koivu is an excellent (chip) who could bring interesting dividends (in return).”

Saku Koivu is slated to make $250,000 more than Kovalev this year at $4,750,000.

Perhaps some agree that this must happen. Maybe some do not agree.

Something to take note of in the case of Mr. Lafleur, these recent comments about the Habs are coming from the same person who commented earlier this past season that the Canadiens were a team with 4 fourth lines and wouldn’t accomplish much. I guess Lafleur ate his words at the end of the season.

Alex Kovalev has undoubtedly the most talent on the Habs roster. Saku Koivu is talented but also has the  most heart on the team. If the Canadiens were to re-sign the talent and not the heart, they would have to replace it. Sure there are some players on the Canadiens who have heart. Unfortunately most of those players don’t have the talent or sheer determination that Koivu has.

Some numbers of note for Guy Lafleur:

Drafted first overall in the 1971 amateur draft by the Habs.

3 Art Ross Trophies

2 Hart Memorial Trophies

1 Conn Smythe Trophy

3 Lester B. Pearson Trophies

5 Stanley Cups

These stats are impressive but do they make him an expert in today’s NHL? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But like I said if the Habs do not tender a contract to Koivu they will have to replace his talent as well as his determination.

The top blue-line prospect for the Canucks had a promising future in the NHL. Unfortunately for us the fans, we will not get the chance to see Bourdon flourish in the NHL.

Prayers and best wishes go out to the Bourdon family as well as the Canucks organization and their minor league team the Manitoba Moose.

This is a sad day to say the least. I hope that the NHL will help the Bourdon family in whatever aspect it can.

First off, Habs gm Bob Gainey was selected as best gm this year by his peers. This according to RDS. This latest news for Gainey should be even more evidence for Habs fans as their own gm has been chosen amongst 29 other gm’s and by 29 other gm’s as the best among them. Bob Gainey is slowly but surely making the Canadiens an organization of the future. Perhaps it is not going fast enough for some fans but consider this, why would all the other general managers in the NHL vote Gainey as gm of the year? Gainey has accomplished almost all of what he wanted too, almost. Good for the rest of the league’s gm’s for noticing.

Secondly also according to RDS, Pierre Boivin President of the Montreal Canadiens, was not surprised to learn that his gm Bob Gainey was voted as the best gm of the year. When asked about the Habs Boivin had this to say,

“We have a direction and we are respecting it. Our goal is to have a competitive team for years to come.”

When Boivin was asked about what the chances of the Canadiens obtaining a free agent starting July 1, were he had this to say,

“The most important thing is that we are close. Before we were not even in the race.”

Pierre Boivin thinks that his team has a good chance to land a free agent or two because of the succes of his team in the regular season and told RDS this,

“When you finish third in the league, and first in your conference, you are one of the best teams. We can’t control the choice of individual players but we will be in the running for sure.”

RDS questioned Boivin about the fact that some Russians might go back and play in the new Russian league and that they could lose Andrei Kostitsyn and had this to say,

“We’ll do everything we can to keep our players. Our Russians had a good season. In that group we have leaders and players which are still developing so we will keep them with us.”

Another article by RDS states that impending Restricted free agent Andrei Kostitsyn wants to stay in Montreal. This is a good thing as Kostitsyn still has alot to offer the Habs and it would be a shame if they lost him.

The Cincinnati Cyclones–a Canadiens affiliate team in the ECHL–has made it to the final series, winning their first three series 4-0, 4-3 after being down in the series 3-2 and 4-1. During the regular season the Cyclones had a record of 55-12-1-4 giving them 115 points and the triple crown consisting of winning their division, conference and being the number one team in the league. The cyclones are in the final against the Las Vegas Wranglers and will try to bring home the Patrick J. Kelly trophy. Currently after two games the series is tied 1-1.

Even if the Cyclones don’t win the trophy, it is more proof that Bob Gainey is making the Habs an organization to be proud of and not just a team. Last year the minor team of the Habs the Hamilton Bulldogs won the Calder trophy, now the Cylcones have a chance to win their league’s respective trophy. Bob Gainey deserved to win the best gm in the league. Perhaps the Cyclones might not win but at least they made it to the final. The Habs now have to get past the second round next year, and with talent still in Hamilton and Cincinnati, the future looks bright.

Sure, it was a 19 game playoff run, but it didn’t do much for the development of the future Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jiri Tlusty, he of nude photography fame, scored a whopping two goals in 19 post-season games. Yikes. Even Andy Wozniewski managed to score four. Tlusty’s playoff disappearing act certainly doesn’t bode well for the future, although it’s not like he and the Leafs will be playing in playoff games anytime soon.

Speaking of two, that’s how many playoff games Justin Pogge, the franchise’s anointed goaltender of the future, the goaltending prospect the brains upstairs chose over Tuukka Rask, started out of 19. Yeah, that’s really going to help him develop into a top-flight NHL calibre goalie. Well done coach Greg Gilbert, well done.

Alex Foster, who I believe got into a few games with the big club a few months ago, also contributed a measly two goals.

So did Jay Harrison, but he added 10 assists and was one of the few bright spots for the Marlies. Where the was this guy this past season? How is it humanly possible that Andy Wozniewski made the Toronto Maple Leafs - Andy Wozniewski! - out of training camp, and Staffan Kronwall got the call when Carlo Colaiacovo went down with his annual season-ending injury, while Harrison was toiling in the minors? Ridiculous. Straight ridiculous.

If you’re wondering, John Mitchell led the Marlies in goal scoring with eight and David Ling led the team with 17 points. For the full scoring breakdown, check out the layout.

A serious lack of discipline devastated the Marlies against Chicago. The Wolves averaged more than eight power plays a game in the five game series and they made Toronto pay, scoring 10 power play goals on 41 opportunities. Last night they were 3-for-9 with the man advantage. In contrast, the Marlies scored two power play markers all series. It’s pretty obvious the Marlies are the farm team of the Leafs. Much like the big club the Marlies can’t score on the power play or kill penalties, either. Idiots.

In my honest and ever-important opinion, Greg Gilbert should be fired for choosing to play Scott Clemmensen ahead of Pogge. It was an absurd decision and one that could only be allowed to happen under this franchise. Someone - i.e. Cliff Fletcher - should have stepped in and made sure Pogge was between the pipes. What you have here is another, might I add shining, example of Toronto Maple Leafs player development. Textbook MLSE development. You know how we do.

The optimist in me wants to believe that Pogge won 50% of the games he started, and that Tlusty, who finished fifth on the team in playoff scoring with 10 points, is going to be one fine NHLer. But the realist in me knows that Tlusty went AWOL, that a great opportunity to see what Pogge could have done has been lost, and that this franchise is being run by some people who clearly don’t know what the they are doing.

I need a drink.

Mikkel Boedker-RW-5′11, 201 lbs.-Shoots Left

Mikkel Boedker is considered to be among the top offensive prospects available in the 2008 Draft behind Steve Stamkos and Nikita Filatov. A gifted playmaker, he also possesses top-notch quickness and a laser accurate shot. He recently posted 6 points in 6 games during the World Juniors Championships, proving he has the ability to perform on a big stage. Boedker is a hard worker who toils constantly to improve his game. However, two major detriments to him being drafted are his lack of elite defensive skills and an unwillingness/inability to play the gritty style so crucial for success in the NHL.

How he’d help: Boedker’s offensive skills certainly could land him a spot on an Islander team so desperate for scoring. Coach Ted Nolan would probably like his willingness to improve and would work with Boedker to adapt his technique so that he could flourish in the tough Atlantic division. Be that as it may, the 5th pick could be a bit high to select him as there will still be more well-rounded players on the board at that point.

Bob Gainey–general manager of the Habs–will have 10 million more to work with next season in cap room, not to mention the salaries of Christobal Huet–2,750,00–Michael Ryder–2,950,000– for a total of 5,700,000. Being that the Habs were already 4 million under the current cap, if the cap rises to 56.3 million the Canadiens will be 10 million under the cap, factor in the 5,700,000 that they will not be paying to players this season and that is 15,700,000.

Add in player which the Habs were still paying for like Garth Murray being paid a little over 500,000, and it’s even more.

Mathieu Dandenault has voiced his unhappiness at playing so little last season, and it would seem that he no longer has a place with the team. If the Canadiens chose to buy Dandenault out of the remaining year of his contract they will still save money. It’s not ridiculous to suggest that the Habs might have over 16,000,000 to work with for next season.

To that 16,000,000 factor in that if the Habs chose to keep Brian Smolinski–who becomes an un-restricted free agent July 1,–which it appears that they won’t, then they would most certainly sign him for less next season as this season his salary was 2,000,000. What would they offer a player who’s best days are behind him? Perhaps between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000, there would be more money saved. The Habs would be better suited to not tender a contract to Smolinski and save all of the 2,000,000, Smolinski is a nice guy and did help out in a minor way, but aren’t there any players in the minors who couldn’t be any worse? The Habs would be better off trading for, or bringing up someone to replace Smolinski.

Let’s presume for arguments sake that the Habs will have between 16,000,000 and 18,000,000 to work with. Even if the Habs re-sign RFA’s like Ryan O’Byrne, Josh Gorges, Corey Locke, Maxim Lapierre, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak and Andrie Kostitsyn, they won’t bust the bank. First off there is no-one who could say out of those 7 RFA’s who will return. Andrei Kostitsyn has been rumoured to have listened to an offer from the Russian Elite League. Halak wasn’t happy with his playing time last year, and wants to play more than 25 games next season. Mikhail Grabovski pulled a disappearing act in Phoenix last season when the coach didn’t play him, so in reality who will be back?

Let’s presume that they all will, Lapierre who made 562,000 last season won’t be making much more, let’s say 700,000. O’Byrne is still too young and didn’t play much, his salary was 590,000, so let’s say 800,000. Gorges played well especially after the mid-way point of the year, his salary was 495,000, so let’s say 1-1.5 million. Locke has almost never played for the Habs, his salary was 495,000, let’s say 6-7,00,000 for him. Andrei Kostitsyn will be the most expensive signing as he made 612,000 last year and with his 26 goals, 27 assists for 53 points and a +15 rating in the regular season to go with his 8 points in 12 games in the play-offs, he will most likely make 1.5-2,000,000 next season. There is Halak who made 500,000 last season, he would be looking for something between 1.5-2,000,000 as well. Lastly Grabovski who made 700,000 last season will probably go up to 900,000 or 1,000,000.

If, and that’s a big if all those RFA’s end up being signed by the Habs next season, taking into account the highest numbers that I provided, the Habs would be looking at 7,700,000. Now these numbers are an approximation, and could either go up or down, but these numbers only work if the Canadiens keep all their RFA’s, which they might not. Let’s round it off to 7,000,000, if the Habs have between 16-18,000,000 to work with then they will have 11,000,000 after they sign all their RFA’s–if they keep them all–and would be able to attract a nice high profile free agent, or two.

Yes the Canadiens have some players to sign 2009-10 season as well but the cap will probably rise again, and they might not keep all those players either.

For the sake of argument the Habs are in good position this year, even if they chose to keep all their RFA’s. Let’s hope that the brains–Bob Gainey–behind the Habs will use his money wisely and help get the Habs closer to what hasn’t been here in 15 years.

Ferland who seemed to be a career minor leaguer, chose to go and sign in Europe. Probably a wise decision as the Habs were never going to bring him to the big leagues. Ferland played a couple of games in the NHL, but never showed any kind of readiness to remain there. There were no rumours that any of the other 29 NHL teams were interested in him, which is why Ferand most likely chose to play for a European team. There was no room for him with the Canadiens, and it’s about time he left the organization. Ferland has been playing in the system for too many years. Feralnd’s departure leaves room for someone else, a fresh face.

Ryan White is a 6′ 213 pound centre who was able to have 72 points in 68 games this season. He could help out the Hamilton Bulldogs for a season or two. At 20 years of age he still has a few years before it will be essential for him to make the NHL. White’s stats are better than Ferland’s. White is an all-around better player than Ferand was.

One leaves, another arrives. Let’s hope that White will help out the Habs minor system next season. The Canadiens selected White 66th overall in the 2006 draft.

First off, Bob Gainey ( general manager ) thanked the fans for their support through-out the season, especially during the play-offs. Gainey stated that the fans support made the atmosphere of the city a great one, and that the fans made the whole Habs organization feel special.

Gainey went on to say that the Philadelphia Flyers were the better team, and deserved to move on. He also stated that the Flyers did well in their off season by acquiring good players, and that they started their rebuilding after a bad season in 2006.

Gainey stipulated that he now knows, having gone through the play-offs, where the holes are in the team, and that they will look to fill those wholes in the off-season either with free agents, or by their minor league system. Gainey also added that he wants to be a contender next year, and for years to come.

Bob Gainey said that he would be looking for a forward in the off-season, but failed to mention what type of forward he would be looking for.

Carbonneau said that the Habs lost as a team, and that no one player was to blame. The young players grew together, and saw what they will need to perform better in next years play-offs. He went on to say that Carey Price was tired, but that Price also now knows that the play-offs in the NHL are different than in the minors, and that he will be back next year in better physical, as well as mental shape to start the season, and that he will be better in the play-offs to come.

Gainey said that he is aware of the rumour that Andrei Kostitsyn is being tendered a contract by the Russian Super League, and that he accepts the reality of the situation. Gainey knows of the possibility, if Kostitsyn decides to go to Russia, he would deal with it when it would happen, and is fully prepared to do so.

Gainey said about Michael Ryder that Ryder tried to change his game, and that last year he scored 15 five on five goals, this year he scored 13, but that at the end of the day, the Canadiens were a better team without him. Gainey also said that Mark Streit will be interviewed, and if he wishes to stay with the team, perhaps something can be arranged. As for the other free agents, Bob Gainey has not made his assessment of the whole team yet.

Gainey said that by draft day 2008, the Habs will know what direction they are going in for next season, and what type of player(s) could help them.

On the question of if the centennial changes anything, Gainey said that it does as all the media will be focusing on Montreal, and that some pieces of the puzzle are already in place, now they just have to complete the puzzle.

Fabian Brunnstrom was in Montreal this past Saturday, are the Habs interested? Gainey said that they are interested, and have given their proposal to him, and his agent, and that the Canadiens should know by late this week, early next week what Brunnstrom’s intentions are.

Gainey was asked if the team needed more size and grit, to which he replied that they do, but that they are a fast team, and would like to remain as such, but that some more grit couldn’t hurt.

Gainey also replied to the fact that some teams could tender an offer to Andrei Kostitsyn, like the Edmonton Oilers did to a player of another team, and said that it is a posibility, but that he can do the same also. Basically giving an un-official warning.

Well now that the season is officially over Bob Gainey will take a deep breath, and a little break before starting again, the Habs need some little tweaking to be a real contender, what will Bob Gainey do?

Mark Streit, he has some potential, but failed to show up for many games in the post season. Yes he had a couple of good games, but for the salary that he will demand next season, is it really worth it? Streit is a good puck mover, and has a good shot from the point, but he didn’t use it much, and had a hard time against the bigger teams he faced in the play-offs.

The power-play, what in the world happened? Well teams figured out that Andrei Markov always passes the puck to Alex Kovalev, and shut that lane off, then it was to Streit, and teams shut that lane off too, so the power-play was almost non existent.

Carey Price, well, unfortunately he showed that he is still a rookie, he did win his first play-off series, and made some spectacular saves, but also was rattled and let in some cheap goals. Price is only twenty years old, and will rebound from this, he gained valuable experience in the post season, and will have to work on his glove side high holes, although there are unconfirmed reports that he was a little injured as well. Look, you see in this kid that he has the potential to be great, this was a stepping stone, or a learning curve, so do be too hard on him.

Basically the team in the series against the Philadelphia Flyers, out played played the other team, they couldn’t finish. What the Habs needed and need for next season is for Guillaume Latendresse to play like the player he is supposed to be, or to get a player like Milan Lucic, and perhaps if, and only time will tell, if the Habs don’t have gritty decent size forwards in Hamilton, which they do, then they will have to acquire a few. Along with possibly inquiring about Jeff Carter, he would be a good centre for the Habs. The forwards that don’t hit, meaning the scorers, did their job, they got points, perhaps too little, too late in the game, but they did it anyways, you can’t fault them. The fourth line however, was atrocious, and will have to be much better next season.

All the Habs need is a good power forward, and a couple of good gritty players to help Tom Kostopolous, and Steve Begin in the hitting department, as more defense-men are coming up, and they know how to hit. This post season was not a let down as the Canadiens were fore-casted to not make the play-offs, so the team should sort of be happy, however next year is the centennial, and all the media in hockey will be in Montreal, if the Habs don’t want to look like chumps, then they will have to take what they hopefully learned and apply it next season.

They out-played the Flyers, but didn’t get any lucky bounces, but at least they were not dominated, something to look forward to. Let’s hope that Price has a great rebound year next year, and leads the Habs further in the post season.

Flash, and dash, that’s right, flash, and dash. The Canadiens showed through-out the regular season that they have skill, and great passing, and that they are a fast skating team, unfortunately, that rarely goes anywhere in the play-offs, unless a team has more than two players who can hit on a consistent basis. The problem is that when only an injured Mike Komisarek, and Francis Bouillon, and also a slightly injured Roman Hamrlik are doing most of your team’s hitting, you have a problem. When those players are not injured, they can put the hurt on, and make you feel like you got hit by a truck, even little Bouillon’s hits hurt, but when they are hurt, and doing 90% of the hitting, it means that the rest of your team has issuses.

Where was Maxim Lapierre? Lapierre played decent against the Boston Bruins, decent, but then almost disappeared in the Philadelphia Flyers series. Where did he go? For someone of good size to play hockey, what did he bring to the Habs, besides his speed, I’ve never seen someone hit the glass so much, it’s like he wanted it to seem like he hit someone, but was afraid that people were going to put a contract out on him. Lapierre has speed, and good size, so he should be good on the fore-check, unfortunately he prefered hitting the glass rather than a body. Lapierre had a marginal face-off rating, so what was wrong with putting in a Gregory Stewart, who showed that he can play the style required of a third, or fourth line player? Lapierre will have stiff competition next training camp, he might go back to the Hamilton Bulldogs for the second year in a row, this time he might not get called back!

Mathieu Dandenault, this player has to be bought out of the final year of his contract. Last season was abysmal as a defence-man, and this year he almost saw as much of the press box as he did the ice. Once again he was put in the press box due to the fact that he wasn’t doing much, as usual, to be replaced by Guillaume Latendresse. Hopefully the Habs will buy Dandenault’s contract out, and we won’t have to hear him not being happy.

What happened to Brian Smolinski? he was pretty good against the Bruins, and in the first game in the Philly series, then he also made a disappearing act. He is someone else that shouldn’t be back with the team next year, he’s a nice guy, but you know what they say about those. He did what he could, but it wasn’t enough, and he doesn’t have many seasons left in him to say he will do better next year. The Habs should thank him for what he brought but they won’t be re-signing him next season, his money could be put to other use.

Michael Ryder, who’s that? Oh yeah, he’s the guy who took his benching in the play-offs lightly, and was busy making paper airplanes in the press box instead of studying the other team. Well, he had a really bad year, and was un-noticable in the post season, now one could say, one bad season, but the previous three were good, and that he still has time to rebound. Yes he does, but the plane thing pretty much killed him in most people’s eyes in Montreal. His almost three million dollar salary could also go elsewhere, sorry Mike, but bye!

So far, we have Ryder making almost three million, Dandenault making 1.7, and Smolinski making 2 million, right there the Habs have 4.7 million that they could use for something else.

Guillaume Latendresse, this guy is still young, and the Habs brought him up too fast, he should have played a couple of years in Hamilton, and maybe he should play at least one year there. Latendresse could be a Milan Lucic, without the speed as Latendresse has none. Guillaume has the size, and the hands to be a power forward, but he doesn’t do what he needs to in order to have success, he can’t skate fast, so then he should either be in front of the net, or drive towards the net, and crash in the corners to make defense-men cringe when they see him. On him I wouldn’t give up just yet, with Ryder most likely gone, it could be Guillaume’s last chance on a top line in Montreal. The coaches have to tell him to drive hard to the net, and crash, or else he will either go back to Hamilton, or be traded. Latendresse has potential, being on the third, and fourth lines this year but still managed to score over 15 goals. If he is trained the right way, Latendresse could be a dominate power forward, but will he be? I think his last chance is coming, if he doesn’t pan out next season, he won’t like the out-come.

Tom Kostopolous, he deserves another stint with the Canadiens. He was out of gas after game two of the Philly series, can you blame him? Along with Steve Begin, and Saku Koivu, Kostopolous was the only forward delivering hits and making things happen during the Habs post season, hello, is there anyone else? Kostopolous I would sign for two years, he deserves it.

Saku Koivu, what do you say about someone small who plays big? Koivu did his job and more since coming in mid-way through the Bruins series, he scored, assisted and hit some people, basically he was trying to lead by example, which few followed, be it because of injury, or lack of effort, too bad, Koivu should go far in the play-offs as he has been with the team the longest, and has endured the media in all his years here.

More to come in part 2.

Avery played the whole game, obviously not knowing what was wrong with him. Apparently he suffered his injury while blocking a shot. He must have been going through alot of pain, but dealt with it and played anyway, proving that the annoying bastard that he is, is able to deal with pain and play.

Since Avery came into the league, he has been a pest to put it mildly. Fortunately for him, he can also play hockey, and he has good hands as well, adding more value to the way he plays. Unfortunately for him, it’s a 50-50 split on his team as to who likes him, and the only reason he is a media darling, is the fact that he gives the media plenty to write about seemingly on a weekly basis.

That being said, if I was a general manager of a team other than the Montreal Canadiens, I would take him on my team, but not at the salary that rumours have put between 3 and 4 million that his agent will be looking for for the 2008/09 season. He does pose a risk, but has talent, and can disrupt the other team, ask Martin Brodeur about that one. He’s a talented pest, although he goes over board sometimes, he is still a good player.

At least Sean Avery didn’t go out because of a vicious hit from behind, which he has also done a little of, but few can boast that they have not done the same. Avery also was not the victim of a high-stick to the eye, as Saku Koivu was a couple of years ago, he got injured blocking a shot, and dealt with the pain for the whole game, way to be a real man.

Although as I stated, I would put Avery on my team if it were anywhere else than Montreal, he isn’t one of my favorite players, as talented as he is, he is a risk. However, I am glad to see that it doesn’t seem to be a life threatening injury, and that he should make a full recovery, and continue to be hated around the NHL. He went out the right way, not the cheap way.

Now, no-one else said that, perhaps he is the only one who paid attention to it, Guy Carbonneau said on a conference call after last night’s game, that he was not aware of that incident, so he couldn’t comment on it. Supposing that Gagnon’s statement is true, wow, Ryder better not wonder why he isn’t playing any more. If this is true, and Carbonneau gets evidence, well let’s just say that there was a doubt already that Ryder would not be back next season, but now, there is no doubt.

What in the world was he thinking, sure that might be funny if the Habs were winning 6-2 with one minute left to play, but when your team is down, and you are playing games, well frankly, it’s moronic! Ryder who had a really bad year after having three good ones, and playing poorly in the play-offs, where does he come off trying to have fun? I guess that not playing really doesn’t bother him that much.

Perhaps with the fact that even Ryder knows his future in Montreal is finished, he decided to have a little fun in antagonizing the Philadelphia Flyers fans. Well Mikey, I hope you enjoyed it, because if you did do that, you are most certainly assured of not playing for the Habs next year, congrats!

Instead of studying how the Canadiens could beat the wall that is Martin Biron, and reporting back to the coach, he decides to have a little fun, hey buddy, your team is having problems, why don’t you try and help find a solution, instead of creating more bad press which the team doesn’t need, or have time for right now!

It’s too bad, Ryder did score 25 goals his rookie season, and then followed that up with two 30 goal seasons, he can score, perhaps it was just a bad year, but he could have put more effort into his game, unfortunately Ryder is a one dimensional player, he isn’t too good at the defencive aspect of the game, so when he doesn’t score, he looks even worse.

The conundrum which is Michael Ryder this year continues, instead of being angry at the fact that he isn’t playing, or trying to help the team in another fashion, he decides to have fun, well Mike, laugh while you can, I don’t see you making more, or even the same amount of money you made this year, no matter  where you end up, laugh buddy, thanks for nothing this year. If only he would have made an effort, maybe the Habs would have kept him at a reduced salary, but now if this is true, forget it! Let me be the first to say, na-na-na-na, hey-hey-hey goodbye!

First off, you’re damn right we are touchy! Do you know why, because unlike some people who just like certain sports teams, we live and breathe the Montreal Canadiens, we don’t just like them. You sir, seem like a poser fan to me, willing to attach himself to whichever team is doing well, and join the band wagon as they say. That’s why we are so touchy, but you would know that if you were a true fan of whichever team you like.

Secondly, we give our superstars nicknames like ” The Flower ” and ” The Rocket ” because we have the brain power to invent, or come up with an original name, instead of adding letters to a name like you do, no imagination. Boom-Boom was because he had a booming shot, the Rocket was because he flew around the ice, need any more help as to why certain players had nicknames like that, or maybe Habs fans should send you to an imagination course as you are lacking some.

Next is the arrogant, and sometimes cruel, oh you poor baby, grow a pair and get out of grade school would you! What’s your problem? Toronto is the most arrogant province in Canada about everything under the sun, why do you think that no-one except the weird Maple Leafs fans like that team? So before you start accusing, look at yourself buddy, and get your head out of your arse! We are not arrogant, we simply want to believe that every year, we have a chance to win, what’s wrong with having faith in your team?

Then comes jokes, you say that we are touchy, but you don’t like our jokes, what’s the matter, is there too much truth in our jokes about the Leafs? Here’s another one for you, why do Leafs fans drink their coffee from glasses, because all the cups are in Montreal! How’s that for a joke, loser.

Winning ten cups since the last time the Leafs won one is pure luck? What planet are you from? Are you serious, do you even know who played on the team during that period? You know, all the Hockey Hall of Fame ones, but they were all lucky to win though. Do you know anything about hockey, or are you just a sore loser?

We boo Zdeno Chara, and Darcy Tucker not because one is tall, and one is from Toronto, but because even-though they are both good players, they are both cheap bastards. Of course I would have taken both of those players on my team a few years ago when they were in their prime, but they aren’t on my team, and every-time we play them, they cheap shot us. Get your facts straight you moron!

Of course you even see Habs shirts in your newsroom, that’s because the Habs are Canada’s real team. The Habs are liked Canada wide, and the Leafs are hated Canada wide, deal with it, stop being a damn baby! Do some checking as to how many team shirts are sold in Canada, and around North America for both teams, and get back to me you troglodyte.

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, sorry you don’t like it, too bad, it’s not for the Leafs, it’s for the Habs so shut up! You don’t like it, then don’t listen to it. Ole means thief in Nigerian, good for them, who cares, we didn’t steal anything, we won it, but you wouldn’t know what winning is would you? Perhaps it is from European soccer, but the fans like it, the players like it, and so does everyone else, so who cares what you think!

Leafs fans don’t smile much at all, no kidding, do they have something to smile about? I wouldn’t be smiling if the last time my team won the cup was in 1967 either. And have you been to the Leafs building lately, you could hear a fly fart in there! Some one I know went to a game at the Bell Centre when the Habs played the Leafs, he being from Toronto, said that there is no life down there, and that he loved his experience over here.

Look Mike, I can call you Mike right? Too bad Mike it is, listen, every person says why they don’t like teams, but knocking people is a different story, you can have your opinion, but don’t publish it!

I dislike the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I don’t go as far as to publicly embarrass them, they have some rebuilding to do, but with the right person at the helm they will be back, and perhaps win a cup some time. Who the hell do you think you are printing that trash? Yes some people in Montreal go a little too far sometimes, but who doesn’t? Oh ya, sorry I forgot who I was talking to, your rendition of a celebration is probably chanting yeah, after your team wins a big game, and then go home. When you find out where you are from, or where the rock is that you crawled out from under, destroy it, and take some interest in your team, who ever it may be. Be excited when they win, and take it to heart when they lose. Follow their minor league system, and drafting, and see how the players you like do, then you can call yourself a fan, and perhaps write another article about why you hate the Habs next time, instead of their fans! People often hate what they can’t understand, you must hate many things. Habs fans are the seventh player on the ice, you can’t hear crickets during a game here.Wake up Mike!

I don’t hate Leafs fans, every one is different, I don’t like the Leafs, but I say nothing about the fans, they will have a decent team soon enough. As for you, you sir are an arse to put it mildly. Next time you decide to write an article about something you know nothing about, find out the facts, if you attack the team , you will only get mild disagreements, when you attack the fans, your attacking the people, believe me, you don’t want to do that! Congratulations on being the most hated person to Habs fans, way to go Mike. Who wants to be like Mike, no-one!

This year’s Rookie Draft features only one “Can’t Miss” prospect….Steve Stamkos, a scoring dynamo whose potential appears to be just slightly below that of current Hockey Gods Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Unless the Universe completely implodes before June 20, it seems to be as certain as Death and Taxes that Stamkos will end up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who hold the #1 pick.

Trying to ascertain where the rest of the field of prospects might be drafted has produced a great deal of heated debate, especially among Islander fans. There is a huge contingent who declares that obtaining a player with offensive skills should be the highest priority. There is an equally large group who is of the opinion that the Islanders should take the best player available, regardless of the position he plays.

Where Ms. Luck was exceptionally cruel was in how she chose to let the season play out. Up until the last day of the season, the Isles had an opportunity to move up another spot to the #4 position, which would have narrowed the speculation and increased their chances to pick the player that they want, whomever he may be. However, even though their 79 points tied St. Louis for the season, it was the Blues who won the tiebreaker. A few losses here and there coupled with a little bit more success on the part of St. Louis and the Draft landscape might be looking remarkably different.

Alas, it was not to be. GM Garth Snow is now charged with the Herculean task to determine which of the remaining available skaters might alter his team’s fortunes for the better. Though there are excellent players beyond just Stamkos, they all come with question marks regarding their individual games. Should Snow select poorly, his decision could have ramifications for years to come.

Lady Luck….Baby….I promise to do the dishes, clean the bathroom and cuddle with more frequency. Fine…we won’t have Arby’s more than once a week. I’ll do anything you want.

Just don’t reject my advances again.