Club De Hockey Canadien

[TaxLawyer71 0]

Pouliot has been great. I had no expectations when he arrived and I was doubtful that he would be able to play on the 2nd line with Gomez and Gionta, since he joined them he elevated their line to #1 again (until Kostitsyn comes back and joins Cammy and Pleks). Gomez and Pouliot are reading each other well and are clicking well. He scores goals by going to the net hard or by receiving feeds from Gomez. He has really soft finishing hands and a quick strong release. Scores 5 on 5 and on the PP, it's so refreshing to have a guy out there who seems to be embracing the role of a shooter, a scorer, a power forward. His size and speed make him a rare gem in the habs top talent, he's 23 and showing great promise, and as you pointed out he's still 23, hold on to him good.It's weird to see Latendresse being so successful in Minny, it's a shame he couldn't do that here but he only has himself and his attitude to blame for that. It's a win win for both teams and I'm happy we now have a Quebecois to be really proud of on the team.

Pouliot was born in Ontario.

[digitalmonkey 929]

not really..He is extremely pissed off..At least put him on waivers and let someone have a chance to pick him up...This is much more embarrasing IMO

He has a no movement clause so they can't put him on waivers.You're a genious. Please elaborate on what the earthquake in Haiti has to do with hockey? Those people will always be dead so was Gainey obligated to keep Laraque forever?

[00Lenny 0]

He has a no movement clause so they can't put him on waivers.You're a genious. Please elaborate on what the earthquake in Haiti has to do with hockey? Those people will always be dead so was Gainey obligated to keep Laraque forever?

My buddy and I actually had a discussion about this last week and found ourselves differing HEAVILY, which is super weird because we're both cynical leaf fans and agree on everything about the habs.I basically feel that Gainey PROBABLY didn't handle this like he could've and should've. I have nothing against him buying out Laraque's contract, he is a 4th-line enforcer who isn't really fighting, playing 5min a game, and getting paid.....$1.5m/year? Apparently he was a dressing room issue too, although I've never heard anything more concrete to that effect than WILD rumors. Even the timing I don't have a huge problem with, if the timing is given some sensitivity (which apparently it wasn't). Gotta realize that you're essentially firing a guy at a time when he is worried his family might be buried in rubble, and if not, helping rebuild their shattered lives.I'm not aware of how Gainey handled it specifically, but Laraque spazzing out to the media suggests to me that maybe Gainey didn't show much sensitivity to the issue. (I heard a rumor that George found out he'd been bought out from a media outlet? THAT wouldn't be cool.)

[coesillian 0]

Pouliot was born in Ontario.

This is true, he isn't a pure bred Quebecois, but his father is and Pouliot is a francophone so that's pretty close. If he chose to call himself a Quebecois I would not question it, I don't know what his stance is on his heritage but it's fun for Quebecois' to have french kid to cheer for.

[digitalmonkey 929]

My buddy and I actually had a discussion about this last week and found ourselves differing HEAVILY, which is super weird because we're both cynical leaf fans and agree on everything about the habs.I basically feel that Gainey PROBABLY didn't handle this like he could've and should've. I have nothing against him buying out Laraque's contract, he is a 4th-line enforcer who isn't really fighting, playing 5min a game, and getting paid.....$1.5m/year? Apparently he was a dressing room issue too, although I've never heard anything more concrete to that effect than WILD rumors. Even the timing I don't have a huge problem with, if the timing is given some sensitivity (which apparently it wasn't). Gotta realize that you're essentially firing a guy at a time when he is worried his family might be buried in rubble, and if not, helping rebuild their shattered lives.I'm not aware of how Gainey handled it specifically, but Laraque spazzing out to the media suggests to me that maybe Gainey didn't show much sensitivity to the issue. (I heard a rumor that George found out he'd been bought out from a media outlet? THAT wouldn't be cool.)

I think the important thing to remember is that we don't know how things went down. Also, yeah Laraque lost his job but its not like he's not still getting paid very well. How does keeping Laraque help any family that might be buried in rubble or dead?

[Zach6668 513]

I think the important thing to remember is that we don't know how things went down. Also, yeah Laraque lost his job but its not like he's not still getting paid very well. How does keeping Laraque help any family that might be buried in rubble or dead?

It probably hurts them, tbh. He said he's going to focus his time and efforts on aiding the relief efforts now. Heh.

[gruven 530]

I have heard through a couple of credible sources that Gainey offered Laraque the option of being bought out but publicly saying that he was being given a leave of absence to deal with haiti, and laraque declined because he was pissed that he was being bought out. The issue of him not fighting anymore was too big to ignore. On a sidenote, I know Laraque somewhat (2 years together in Hamilton), and he is definately the 'speak your mind without thinking' type. It wouldnt surprise me if the above was true, and he started calling people to complain and that's how it got out...

[mrdannyg 274]

I have heard through a couple of credible sources that Gainey offered Laraque the option of being bought out but publicly saying that he was being given a leave of absence to deal with haiti, and laraque declined because he was pissed that he was being bought out. The issue of him not fighting anymore was too big to ignore. On a sidenote, I know Laraque somewhat (2 years together in Hamilton), and he is definately the 'speak your mind without thinking' type. It wouldnt surprise me if the above was true, and he started calling people to complain and that's how it got out...

I hope that is the case. Would be pretty crazy from a PR perspective to just ditch the guy right after Haiti...easier to just do the above or give the situation a couple weeks. If the above is true, I'm cool with how Gainey acted. Given Laraque's on-ice personality, the above explanation wouldn't surprise me.

[Zach6668 513]

Anything interesting going on in Montreal on February 6th or 7th?My girlfriend and I will be there for the 2 pm Pens game on the 6th, and will stay until some time on the 7th.The plan so far is standard, just drink at the hockey game, and drink more at night, then try to not be dead the next day. I might stick around on the 7th though, if I do feel ok. I haven't decided whether or not I'll drive or take the train yet. Driving is a pain, but offers more flexibility in terms of when I leave on Sunday.

[coesillian 0]

Halak has never started a game after a loss in his entire career with the Habs.

[Piddle Duck 0]

I need Pouloit and Plekanec to have big nights tonight if I have any chance to beat the Halifax Gaywads tonight.

[mrdannyg 274]

I need Pouloit and Plekanec to have big nights tonight if I have any chance to beat the Halifax Gaywads tonight.

Wait...you're Steve? What?p.s. you should also mention you need Cammalleri and Bergeron to not have big nights.p.p.s. I'm pretty sure my name is already insulting enough.

[Piddle Duck 0]

Wait...you're Steve? What?p.s. you should also mention you need Cammalleri and Bergeron to not have big nights.p.p.s. I'm pretty sure my name is already insulting enough.

LOL, you must have signatures shut off. I just wanted to get your attention. Piss ya off. Maybe that will force one or three of your players to take revenge and end up in the box where they can't destroy my team tonight.

[mrdannyg 274]

LOL, you must have signatures shut off. I just wanted to get your attention. Piss ya off. Maybe that will force one or three of your players to take revenge and end up in the box where they can't destroy my team tonight.

Yes, yes I do. I would've returned the favour with a joke about your team's name, but its too awesome. And really, what could be funnier than a Fearsome Beaver?

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Markov calls out Carey Price?According to the TEAM990 radio in Montreal, Markov approached the goaltender after the 4-3 loss in overtime and told him "If you are not going to play with heart, stay home. We don't need you here." check tsn.ca

[mrdannyg 274]

Markov calls out Carey Price?According to the TEAM990 radio in Montreal, Markov approached the goaltender after the 4-3 loss in overtime and told him "If you are not going to play with heart, stay home. We don't need you here." check tsn.ca

Yikes. Looks like Halak might be the one to stay after all!

[coesillian 0]

that doesn't seem like a thing Markov would ever say or do, especially since the OT goal by St-Louis was nothing short of a perfect shot by MacDonald. I hope this isn't true.However it does make me wonder what Price's value might be... nah I rather not think about it.

[TaxLawyer71 0]

I call BS too:1. Price actually wanted to fight Janssen at some point in the first period. Price obviously had his head in the game.2. Like Coesillian pointed out, this is not Markov's type at all. Markov also actually had two clear chances to close the game in OT, I just can't see him blaming Price so openly afterwards. 3. The Habs were severely outplayed throughout the game and were lucky to pick up a point. Price was not the problem.

[Zach6668 513]

Price wanting to fight Janssen was stupid. First of all, it's Price's fault he got smoked. He hit Janssen as much as Janssen hit him. Secondly, he'd get murdered by Janssen. Real tough of him to drop his gloves and try to get at Janssen while he kept his goalie mask on, lol. Having said that I like Carey Price for the skill he brings to the game. Every time I've watched him play live, he's made some ridiculous saves.The Habs have bigger problems than Carey Price, although it'll be a hell of a decision between him and Halak for their future. Both seem like pretty awesome goalies.

[bdc30 0]

We were just talking about this at work...and as much as I like the guy, I think it's Price that has to go. The team just has no confidence in him, and it shows in how they play when he's in net. He's not the type of goalie that can come in and stand on his head while getting outshot every night by a 2:1 margin. He'd be great on a defensively focused team that could clear the puck out of their own end and limit the shots against, but this isn't the club for that.

[coesillian 0]

Price hasn't been very good this season, he really hasn't found his zone and doesn't look comfortable out there. It's also true that the team plays better in from of Halak, they play with more confidence and Halak is guy making key saves.But this isn't a reason to dump Price. So maybe we'll play Halak more for the rest of the season and maybe even going into the playoffs (the brass doesn't seem too inclined to do that but they may not have a choice come playoffs). Think long term, even medium term, Price is going to be a special goalie, the guy is 22 now and struggling a little bit, it'll come around for him there is no reason to panic and quit on him yet. He's the future, a superstar in the making and still very green. As you said bdc, Price would be better suited on defensive team, under Martin this can happen, probably not this year but in time.be patient with him.

[coesillian 0]

Price and Markov at practice today:Those in the pressbox did call the warm and fuzzy Price/Markov hug an event, of course, after yesterday's maelstrom that followed reports of a heated exhange between Price and Markov after last Wednesday's overtime loss to St. Louis.Price wasn't around today to talk about it, but Markov was. He wore a bemused smile, said nothing had happened, rolled his eyes about journalists whose goal in life is to produce "bad stories" and said the club isn't distracted by these things.-sourced from habs inside out aka: The Gazetteall the reports about the markov/price incident revolved around the primary report from the Team 990, no other source corroborated the claim to my knowledge. HI/O didn't even mention it until today when they said that there really wasn't anything to report. -1 for the Team 990, +1 for HI/O.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Here's another rumour:Price to the Devils for a package that includes Patrice Cormier. Lou is already planning the next 3 Stanley Cup parades and countless Habs fans are not even interested in who else is included in the package. They're just excited to be getting a francophone player.I made this one up, but they all start somewhere.

[Zach6668 513]

Here's another rumour:Price to the Devils for a package that includes Patrice Cormier. Lou is already planning the next 3 Stanley Cup parades and countless Habs fans are not even interested in who else is included in the package. They're just excited to be getting a francophone player.I made this one up, but they all start somewhere.

lol, I didn't see the hidden text until I clicked reply, but it's funny. I think lots of Habs fans would honestly take the bad end of a lopsided trade to get a francophone back. Inevitably, the francophone doesn't live up to the ridiculously massive expectations and crumbles under the pressure of the media and fans only to be dealt away to blossom somewhere else.

[fleung22 1]

I saw this and suddenly thought "Serge has gotta see this"