Bleacher Report - Articles by Matt Eichel

Andrei Markov Declines Captaincy; Coach Jacques Martin Never Offered It

Matt Eichel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:42:19 -0400

The speculation surrounding the 28th captain of the Montreal Canadiens continues to swirl.

After a story from the Montreal Gazette reported that Andrei Markov declined the captaincy offered to him by the club, head coach Jacques Martin has denied any reports that he or GM Bob Gainey offered the captaincy to Markov or any other player.

Speculation has been said that Markov is the top choice in being named the successor to Saku Koivu as the leader of the Canadiens.

Other players named as being possible candidates to wear the "C" are Maxim Lapierre, newcomer Scott Gomez, and dark horse Josh Gorges, who captained the Kelowna Rockets to a Memorial Cup in 2004.

Francois Gagnon of the Gazette has also thrown his nomination for captain to defenseman Roman Hamrlik.

Martin has said that both he and Gainey will announce the successor for Koivu at the end of training camp.

With Lapierre, the Canadiens will have a French-Canadian captain, something that will resonate with the fans. With Gorges, there is a leadership quality that he understands. He's won at a level as a captain in the Memorial Cup and knows what it takes to be a captain.

With Hamrlik, there is experience and he resonates with the European players in the dressing room, as does Markov.

However, despite not being officially offered the captaincy, Markov's hesitant attitude towards being captain has proven that he will not be the choice of the coach and GM and will not be wearing the "C" anytime in his career with the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens P.K. Subban Impressing Media Already

Matt Eichel — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:52:21 -0400

Under the glaring microscope that is the Montreal hockey world, rarely does a player dawn a Canadiens jersey and not get criticized in one way or another.

Meet P.K. Subban.

Sorry, you already know about Subban? Forgive me, he was a lightning rod for Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa last Christmas.

But with a new season arriving, Subban is ready to put the Team Canada jersey behind him (for now) and the Montreal media is enjoying how well Subban fits into le bleu, blanc, et rogue.

Not only is he popular with the media because of his outstanding play and his friendly and boisterous personality, but Subban has taken a step to win over more fans by taking French lessons.

Growing up in Toronto, Subban has always spoken English, but feels that it is necessary as a part of playing for the Canadiens to speak the language of the team.

What's more? He said he wants to play for the Canadiens.

What's not to love about the former Belleville Bull defender? With four years of junior hockey behind him, the only place for Subban, in his mind, is a spot on the Canadiens defensive core.

Twice scoring over 10 goals (14 in 2008-09 and 15 in 2006-07), his career on the blue line in Belleville was successful. His career-high 76 points last season was good enough to place him third on the Bulls, behind LA Kings 2007 pick Bryan Cameron (81 points) and Anaheim Ducks 2007 pick Eric Tangradi (88 points).

But doing so as a defender is why the Canadiens scooped Subban up in 43rd overall in 2007. In a draft year that included fellow draftees Max Pacioretty, Yannick Weber, Andrew Conboy, and former pick Ryan McDonagh.

But for Subban, whether or not he will make the big club off the hop is never out of the question. He wants to be in the NHL and knows he can make a difference.

With stiff competition on the Montreal blue line, especially with the arrivals of veterans Hal Gill, Jaroslav Spacek, and Paul Mara, Subban's edge may be slim to beat out the likes of Weber, Ryan O'Byrne, and Mathieu Carle.

Yet, under Subban's silky smooth personality, lies a determination and a love for the game that many in the Canadiens organization are glad to see.

He may not be playing with his good friend John Tavares, but P.K. Subban has already found a good home.

And maybe, just maybe, No. 89 will be on the blue line in 2009-2010.

Montreal Canadiens Search for a 28th Captain

Matt Eichel — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:47:13 -0400

Leadership is a funny thing in Montreal.

You can be either a raving success and the love of the city or you can be the scapegoat and have your skates booed off of the ice shift after every shift.

It's a teetering tight-rope balance that some have managed to walk across without getting burned, while others were simply not up to the fans' expectations.

When you ask a Montreal fan about Saku Koivu, you may get an answer such as, "Saku did great things for the city" or "He was the heart and soul of the Canadiens for years."

Yet something vital is missing.

Saku Koivu never won a Stanley Cup with that legendary captaincy letter on his left shoulder. As the longest-serving captain, along with the great Jean Beliveau with nine seasons as the leader, Koivu never once made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Fans in Montreal expect a leader to lead their team to greatness and nothing else. At least that's what was the case in the 1950's, 60's, 70's, and to a lesser extent 80's and 90's.

Have Montreal fans gone soft on their captains?

No. They simply have not had a great leader in a while and Koivu embodied that "heart of a warrior" mentality that accompanies the Canadiens' captaincy.

To have a great leader, he must be confident and supported well by a cast that is able to aid the team along in the quest for a championship.

Through nine seasons in Montreal, the best the Canadiens could find for Koivu went from Brian Savage, to Martin Rucinsky, to Michael Ryder, to Alex Kovalev.

All were flashes in the pan in the sense of their careers as Canadiens (with the exception, at times, of Kovalev).

Unlike Koivu, other Canadiens' captains had a great supporting cast.

Rocket Richard had Henri Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, and Jacques Plante.

Jean Beliveau had Dickie Moore, Gump Worsley, and Jacques Laperriere.

Yvan Cournoyer had Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, and Guy Lafleur.

In this day and age in the NHL, having a supporting cast can make or break a team. If the team gels, the season can go well. If injuries hit and the team does not gel, a season can go south.

Yet as the first search for a captain begins, Canadiens fans can only hope and pray that a repeat of the mid-1990's constant captain change will not happen again, when the Canadiens traded five of their captains in six seasons.

On the current roster, Andrei Markov has been mentioned as a strong contender for the vacant captaincy. Montreal Gazette's Red Fisher agrees that Markov does not merely inherit the captaincy, but deserves it.

Pressure? Of course, especially since Markov would be the second European captain in franchise history.

But as the offseason winds down and training camp is just around the corner, fans have to start asking themselves, who is our leader?

Never before has there been so much debate about who will take over the reigns as the Canadiens' captain. There has always been a leader that succeeded the last.

Canadiens' legend Henri Richard commented that everyone on the ice should be a captain and the letter is merely a symbolic gesture.

Perhaps Richard, who once wore the letter, is right. But as Beliveau succeeded Richard, Cournoyer succeeded Beliveau, and Savard and Gainey succeeded Cournoyer, the Canadiens' captaincy is one of the ultimate leadership positions in professional sports.

And the Canadiens are not taking this decision lightly.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Welcome Adam "Pacman" Jones

Matt Eichel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:07:32 -0400

After head coach Mike Kelly announced that he would not be taking any more phone calls on his weekly coaches show on Winnipeg's local AM radio station CJOB, the Bombers have reportedly signed former Dallas Cowboy and bad boy Adam "Pacman" Jones to help with their punt return and special teams.

According to SIsports.com, Jones, 25, decided to sign with the Bombers for one year over the inaugural United Football League, which only has four teams playing a six-game schedule.

If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers season could take any more twists and turns, right now was the perfect time to take some..

The CFL still has ten weeks left in its regular season.

The 3-5 Bombers have not only gone through immense turmoil with their new coach and the fans disapproval of his multiple offseason moves, including the departures of Kelly Malveaux, Zeke Moreno, and Derek Armstrong.

Throw in the QB debate between Stefan LeFors and Michael Bishop and the rocky seasons continue to rock the Bomber boat.

Jones, who was suspended six games in the 2008 NFL season after an alcohol-related altercation with a team-provided bodyguard, has spent part of his suspension in an alcohol rehabilitation program.

Now, Jones is ready to bring back his football career to life with the Bombers, yet the question remains is Jones going to become a distraction for the Bombers, who already have enough distractions.

However, Winnipeg's director of player personnel John Murphy thinks Jones arrival in Winnipeg is a no-brainer.

As he told SIsports.com, "From a marketing standpoint, a business standpoint, and a football standpoint, I could got to 100 NFL training camps and every preseason game and more people will hear and know about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the next two weeks—from the coverage we'll receive—than in the last 10 years."

The Bombers kick off the CFL's week 10 in Saskatchewan as the host their arch-rivals in Regina September 6 before coming back to CanadInns Stadium for the Labour Day Classic Banjo Bowl September 13.

Montreal Has New Players and New Outlook, Same Old Goal of Winning Stanley Cup

Matt Eichel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:41:09 -0400

Every franchise that has had the dream to win a professional sports championship has had to start from the ground up. Take the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, even the Detroit Red Wings as prime examples of teams that at one point were not prime contenders.

One team on the cusp of greatness in today's NHL is the Montreal Canadiens.

A franchise chocked full of history, including some of the greatest names, teams, coaches, and heroics in the NHL and beyond, the Canadiens largest roster re-vamp has many speculating if the overhaul will harm or help the future fortunes of the once proud franchise.

Centering most successful champions has been the goaltender—Grant Fuhr for Edmonton, Billy Smith for the Islanders, Barrasso for the Penguins, to name a few.

To pair up Carey Price with names such as these would be unfair and has already been done by too many in the media. Montreal-mad hockey fans are already getting upset and impatient at the development of Price—even after a mere two seasons into the young goalies NHL career.

Price's rebound for the coming season from a mediocre 2008-09 campaign will cement how well the Canadiens can compete night in and night out. As has so many past Montreal netminders, the fate of the entire team rests on their shoulders and has failed numerous times in the forms of Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett, and Joceyln Thibault.

But Price is no Thibault, no Hackett, and especially no Theodore.

To make that point even clearer, the influx of defensemen who have the size and strength to get the job done in their own zone may help Price in his third season.

Just as Kevin Lowe, Charlie Huddy, Paul Coffey, and Randy Gregg cemented the Edmonton Oiler defense of the early 1980s, the Canadiens are trying to find their top defensive corps to become a team that can rely on their back end not giving up goals.

Adding slow, but steady 6'7" Hal Gill and 6'4" Paul Mara gives the Canadiens much needed size as they replace spots previously held by 5'8" Francis Bouillon and 6'4" Mike Komisarek.

Throw in Jaroslav Spacek, a seasoned veteran with a great first pass as well as a tremendous point shot to replace the aging Mathieu Schneider and the Canadiens have cemented their offensive point presence.

Championship teams also relied on their offense coming through in the clutch. Gretzky and the Oilers did it. Lemieux and the Penguins did it. So did Yzerman and the Red Wings.

The largest question mark surrounding the 2009-2010 Canadiens is who will be the offensive leader?

Adding veterans and former New Jersey teammates Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta as well as former Calgary Flame Mike Cammalleri, most fans and critics have ridiculed GM Bob Gainey for acquiring small players up front once again.

After seeing captain Saku Koivu, Chris Higgins, and Alex Kovalev depart Montreal, the Canadiens still lacked the big, first line centre.

Yet, the Canadiens have acquired more speed in Cammalleri and Gionta and have also upgraded in the grit department with the addition of Travis Moen.

Moen, Gionta, and Gomez all share a total of four Stanley Cup rings between them, an invaluable asset to a young Canadiens lineup.

Young teams need leadership and the Canadiens have found that in former Stanley Cup champions. The questions still remains who the captain will be yet the influx of leaders such as Gomez, Gionta, and Gill will help the young players such as Max Pacioretty, Matt D'Agostini, and the young Kostitsyn brothers.

The 2009-2010 Canadiens are a new team from the one that took the ice last October with high hopes of possibly contending for the Stanley Cup.

But this October, the Canadiens are a new team, with a new lease on life, new names on the jerseys, but with the same expectations as the previous 16 seasons—bring home a 25th Stanley Cup.

The NHL's Demise In Phoenix: Gary Bettman's Mistake

Matt Eichel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:06:16 -0400

If provoked, no one prefers to have to swallow their pride.

Not even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

I can understand that. But what I cannot understand is Bettman's unwavering, and somewhat annoying, persistence to try and persuade both the NHL, fans, and media that the Phoenix Coyotes can be a viable NHL team in the future.

Bettman could have swallowed his pride and admitted that moving the former Winnipeg Jets south to the Arizona desert was not a viable business deal.

Except, Bettman defends his position and uses both Pittsburgh and Washington as prime examples of franchises that have rebounded.

First of all, both Pittsburgh and Washington have been around since 1967 and 1974 respectively. They have built their franchises around many different players and have gone through the regular ups and downs as has any other NHL franchise.

Both have tasted playoff success and defeat and have seen players come and go.

But what both Pittsburgh and Washington had was a dedicated fan base and a hockey market that cared for their team. Cared for their team even with other multiple sports franchises in the area.

The Coyotes have had amongst the worst attendance records in the NHL, having gone from an average of 15,582 (22nd in NHL) in 2006 to an average of 14,875 (28th in NHL) in 2009.

The 2004-05 NHL lockout hurt the Coyotes badly as they had finished 19th in NHL attendance, the highest since 2001, yet fans began to lose interest when the NHL returned.

Combined with the emergence of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals as Super Bowl finalists and the perennially powerful Arizona Diamondbacks of the MLB and Phoenix Suns of the NBA, the Coyotes have been lost in the mix in the Arizona sporting scene.

Since the move from Manitoba, the Coyotes have lost over $300 million. On the ice, the Coyotes have only seen post-season action five times, never advancing, only winning a combined 10 games in those five playoff appearances. Even worse, the team has only finished over .500 five times.

In a place where ice and snow are rarely, if ever, seen, the Coyotes lack of success and big name talent as of late, has crippled the franchise. And now Bettman, for the third time, has been faced with the issue of what to do with the team.

In the first move, Bettman cited having a business model for growth into both American and European markets as a good enough reason to move the Jets, despite the over 20,000 supporters who cried "Save Our Jets".

Now, Bettman's business model is starting to show some cracks and he is surely not going to be the first to admit he made a mistake.

Still fighting to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, Bettman's delusion that a team in the desert can make money still lives on.

Let's hope that, for all hockey fans, Bettman smartens up sometime soon.

A 24 Cup Perspective: Kaptain Kovy to Replace Kaptain Koivu?

Matt Eichel — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:43:26 -0400

A report out of the Russian paper Sovietsky Sport says the Montreal Canadiens are considering not re-signing current and long-time serving captain Saku Koivu and then signing Alex Kovalev to a one-year deal and handing the "C" over to No. 27.

Koivu's already expressed a possible interest in leaving Montreal at the tail end of the Boston Bruins' sweep of the Canadiens in this years playoffs.

"If I'm not signed by July 1, I don't think I'll be back in Montreal," commented Koivu.

"Finishing your career with one team would be awesome in a way, but it's too early to say because I don't know what the team's plan is."

Now opens the newest and perhaps most painful chapter in the ongoing Koivu-Kovalev leadership debacle.

Koivu, the nine-year captain of the Canadiens and 21st overall pick in 1993, will definitely not be back in bleu, blanc, et rogue if the Canadiens were to sign Kovalev. The chemistry of the team, especially over the last two seasons and playoffs, has been night and day when either Koivu or Kovalev has donned the "C".

Last year's first-round play against the upstart Bruins got off to a winning start thanks to an inspired effort by Kovalev, including a Game Two overtime winner. But it was a goal which many fans thought was borderline selfish that Kovalev would not come off after coach Guy Carbonneau had called his interim captain off the ice.

Despite what Saku Koivu has gone through and done for the Montreal Canadiens organization in his 15 seasons in Montreal, he has not done what many long-serving captains of the Canadiens do—win a Stanley Cup.

Only three times in his nine-year stint as captain have the Canadiens even advanced to the second round. Over all those second-round visits, the Canadiens have only won a combined three games.

Koivu's career has been plagued by injuries and by a tough and resilient battle with cancer that made him a lightning rod for a first-round upset of the Bruins in 2002.

Yet, it seems as if Koivu's desire and enthusiasm has collided with his leadership style and the other leader in the dressing room—an actual Stanley Cup winner in Alex Kovalev.

Whether the Canadiens are serious about signing Kovalev to a reported $6 to $7.5 million contract for only one year and then handing number 27 the captaincy, is only known by the big boss with the hot sauce in the Bell Centre.

If Kovalev does sign and becomes the full-time captain, I cannot see him only signing for one year and no more after that—unless the Canadiens go straight into rebuilding mode in the 2009-2010 season.

With the mantra of the Canadiens sure to change even more than a departure from their long-standing captain, Kovalev could be the catalyst and ideal leader for the new version of the Canadiens come next season.

With seven other unrestricted free agents including Mike Komisarek, Mathieu Schneider, and Robert Lang looming on the July 1 horizon, the plot has thickened.

For Bob Gainey, the fun has only begun.

B/R NHL Community Leaders: Second Round Picks

Matt Eichel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:47:36 -0400

If you are a NHL Community Leader and have not submitted your picks yet, make sure to add your picks to the list before long by editing this article.

It's round two, and here we go. Round two predictions from some of the community leaders among the NHL community.

Dave Nichols (Washington Capitals CL)

Eastern Conference

Boston in five. Carolina's power play is really struggling and Cam Ward played lousy against Boston in the regular season. The Bruins are rested and ready.

Washington in seven. Are you kidding me?

I'm going to need a defibrillator at the ready for the next two weeks. Varlamov will be the key to this series and it will definitely live up to the hype.

Western Conference

Anaheim in seven.

I think this is where Osgood folds. Anaheim is playing too well up front and with Detroit's lackluster penalty kill; the Ducks can really take advantage

Vancouver in six.

I like the Canucks. Vancouver is really on a run at home and they've had time to heal from the first round scrum against the Blues. The goalie match up, Luongo vs. Khabibulin, will be awesome.

Revo Boulanger (Boston Bruins CL)

Eastern Conference

Boston in six.

Reason: Purely irrational writer's favoritism. Boston in three lines deep, four lines tough, and has a defenseman that has lights on his helmet so low-flying planes don't hit him, plus a goalie with a nick-name of "Tank."

Carolina has two deep lines, four defenseman with funny names, a goalie that has a ring and a nice, short, easily pronounceable name.

Washington in seven.

Reason: The Brashear factor—Pittsburgh has put the lights-out NHL wet-dream young talent at forward, offensive-first defense and a pretty good goalie. Washington has conservative and sublime offense, stalwart defense, and a goalie whose name no one can remember.

Western Conference

Chicago in six.

Reason: Cool uniforms that don't have what looks like a '60s era television with a hockey stick in it. Vancouver has a great goalie in Roberto Luongo, a pair of identical and productive first line forwards in the Sedin twins, Mats Sundin rounds out the cast and has been much more productive since he hasn't been made to have to decide things.

Chicago has a vast stockpile of talented youth, a fanbase that recently re-discovered that there is a hockey team in Illinois, and one of the coolest uniforms in all of sports.

Detroit in seven.

Reason: I don't claim to be smarter than everyone as far as they know. Anaheim has benefited from being real big, somewhat mean, and not having to extend them too hard in slapping the Sharks around.

Detroit is a threat because everyone says so, and when is the last time everyone has been wrong?

Matt Eichel (Montreal Canadiens CL)

Eastern Conference

Boston in six.

Considering how the Hurricanes took out New Jersey in the last 80 seconds of the first round, Boston may have their hands full if they relax too much after an easy first round.

Boston's got the depth to win, but if they don't go hard, they may flounder. Eric Staal is heating up at just the right time.

Washington in seven.

The first, hopefully, of many epic showdowns between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals are just a team that has been all together all season. With Varlamov in net now, the Capitals are a threat and he will be the key.

Western Conference

Anaheim in seven.

The Wings have such a deep team, but their goaltending is lacking—just the opposite of the Ducks. Jonas Hiller played well and stole a few games from the Sharks.

Vancouver in seven.

Another game seven, you say?

Chicago's offense will test Luongo, but Vancouver's experience and their depths will outdo the young Chicago squad.

Alan Bass (NHL CL)

Eastern Conference:

Boston vs. Carolina

Boston in six.

Washington vs. Pittsburgh

Washington in seven

Western Conference:

Detroit vs. Anaheim

Detroit in six

Chicago vs. Vancouver

Chicago in six

I don't have enough time to write explanations...

Montreal Canadiens Centennial Season in Review

Matt Eichel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:40:57 -0400

It began with so much promise. On the heels of a first place finish in 2007-08 and the emergence of Carey Price and Alex Kovalev as leaders of the Montreal Canadiens and the arrival of Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay, the 100th season in Habs history proved to be quite the opposite of so many seasons that had come before.

Begin Slideshow

A 24 Cup Perspective: The Montreal Canadiens "Un-Bandwagon"

Matt Eichel — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:14:41 -0400

Every spring, fans from all around the NHL, who may not have their favourite team in the postseason dance, may jump on what many refer to as a "bandwagon" and carry on with that team until their demise. Maybe, they pick up another team on the way too.

It seems that every spring though, with the demise of any team, there becomes what I like to call an "un-badwagon".

Simply put, it's the opposite of a bandwagon. It's where fans get off the bandwagon and start trashing the team that they had such high hopes and aspirations for.

And in Montreal, despite the faithful 21,273 fans that have passed through the Bell Centre gates for 85 games since October, they have expressed their interested in being "un-bandwagoners".

Booing the American national anthem is by far no means of showing they are trashing their team. It shows no class for whining about not winning in their previous seven playoff games.

But leaving the stands before the game is over and not seeing their team out to the end only brings about signs for an "un-bandwagon".

As both BR senior writers Revo Boulanger and Miah D. expressed, their distaste at fans leaving the Bell Centre stands in Game Three amongst many still proud and young fans, the sad fact is that many fans do not understand how to be truly loyal and patient.

For Canadiens fans, who in the past have been accustomed to winning seasons and long playoff runs deep into May and June, the last sixteen years has been arduous and, at times, frustrating.

As for the "un-bandwagon", sure it happens to every team. But when it is the Montreal Canadiens, it seems more people jump on the "un-bandwagon" to revel in the Canadiens demise than were even cheering for the Canadiens in the first place. Watching a 24-time Stanley Cup champion crash and burn, and in their Centennial season no less, has become the ultimate "un-bandwagon".

With the booing of the national anthem and the poor play of the Canadiens combined, the "un-bandwagon" has become something pretty formidable. For a Habs fan, it turns into a bitter taste in the mouth knowing that not only is it ridicule time, but it's time for a long summer.

I bet St. Louis Blues fans aren't going to get ribbed. But wait, they didn't have their Centennial season this year.

This playoffs is a hard pill to swallow. One thing is for sure.

I will never be on the Canadiens "un-bandwagon".

You can read Miah D's article here.

Matt Eichel is a Community Leader for the Montreal Canadiens here on Bleacher Report along with Miah D. and Daniel Arouchain. Matt also co-hosts Habs All Out Radio, a in-depth talk radio show devoted to all things Montreal Canadiens.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

A 24 Cup Perspective: Montreal Canadiens Only a "Mediocre" Team

Matt Eichel — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:57:35 -0400

When recapping Game One of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont did not mince any words. When talking of the visiting Montreal Canadiens, he called them "an average, if not mediocre hockey team."

Dupont also went on to state the obvious: The Canadiens do not have considerable scoring power beyond the first line of Alex Kovalev, Alex Tanguay, and Saku Koivu. On the flip side, the Bruins are able to roll four lines of attack, having six 20+ goal scorers in black and gold.

In no way are the Canadiens of 2008-09 anywhere near any of the dynastic teams of old. They do have goaltending in Carey Price, who was the only player in Game One to show any signs of being in the series as he, at times, kept the Canadiens in the game. Yet, without Andrei Markov and with Mathieu Schneider playing hurt, Dupont called out the Canadiens as a desperate team.

However, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Boston finished 23 points ahead of the Canadiens in a complete role reversal from last season. Boston's great play all season under head coach Claude Julien is perhaps in the range of a Jack Adams Trophy. With the successes of the Bruins this season, they are said to be gearing up for a deep playoff run, and the Canadiens are only the appetizer.

Wait, did the Canadiens keep step with the Bruins in Game One?

The Bruins were in total control through the first period of play, then they stepped back, took a coffee break, and let the Canadiens in through the back door to tie the game at 2-2. Josh Gorges' undisciplined penalty did the same for the Bruins, who managed to capitalize on the mistakes.

That is what will characterize a deep Boston Bruin playoff run: capitalizing on the other team's mistakes.

Either the Bruins will dictate the play and capitalize on their opponents mistakes, or they will be caught napping and lose the play dictation.

As for the series, it has only begun. All may not be rosy in Canadiens nation, but if their last meeting of the regular season and Game One of the playoffs say anything, it showed the Canadiens can keep up with the big, bruising, high-octane Bruins squad.

Anyone remember last year's playoffs? An underdog team took the top seed to seven games.

Yet, Dupont's closing remarks on Game One came as no surprise. "The future's not hard to see for the Canadiens."

"Not like their past."

Yannick Weber: Montreal Canadiens Diamond in the Rough

Matt Eichel — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:38:23 -0400

Hopefully, the Montreal Canadiens don't mess up, this time, with this Swiss native.

After toying with Mark Streit—on forward one night and back on the blue line the next—the Canadiens eventually gave up on the Swiss blue liner.

A big mistake in hindsight, but it's done and gone.

The Canadiens are on the verge of possibly losing a well worn Stanley Cup champion in Mathieu Dandenault by doing the exact same thing—putting a defenseman up on forward and then switching him whenever.

Sure, these players are versatile and maybe enjoy it here and there, but there's a new kid in town and he's got potential pouring out of his ears.

Swiss born, 20-year-old Yannick Weber is the real deal and he's a defenseman.

As the Swiss blue liner got his second call up of the season from the Hamilton Bulldogs, which he is leading in goals, assists and points by a defenseman all in his rookie season in the AHL, there are rumblings he will only be used on the power play.

Fair enough, Weber is known for his booming shot and expertise at moving the puck around on the man advantage, but besides the power play, rumour has it he'll be a third liner.

What?

This is Mark Streit all over again and if that episode taught us anything, he was better as a defenseman.

How many points did Streit have as a defenseman?

He had 62-points. He has 55-points so far this season with the league's worst team.

If there's any warning here, it's to hold on to this kid and not to juggle him between forward and defense. Stick him on defense and leave him there.

With both Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider out and Francis Bouillon out for a bit more too, this kid deserves to play in the top six.

Even if they dress Dandenault as a seventh defenseman, don't put Weber up on the forward. Keep him defense.

Please, Mr. Gainey, this kid's got 16 goals and 44-points in the AHL as a rookie.

His potential is too great to be pulling another Mark Streit.

Mikhail Grabovski: Out of Montreal, Paying DIvidends for Toronto

Matt Eichel — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:37:02 -0400

With 46 points in 75 games in his sophomore year in Toronto, the future looks bright for Mikhail Grabovski in blue and white.

Yet, the Montreal Canadiens should be happy they shipped Grabovski when they did.

Known to be a player with an angry streak and a character for misbehaving, Grabovski's antics have become known league-wide.

From his abuse of the official in a game against his former team to taking off on the a late season western road trip last season, Grabovski's tantrums have not given him such a good reputation, especially with his former club.

During a 6-3 drubbing at the hands of the Leafs in early November, Canadiens captain Saku Koivu exchanged pleasantries with Grabovski while the latter sat on the ice. What was exchanged was left up to the imagination.

"He gave Mikhail some special advice," said Alex Ponikarovsky as a translator for Grabovski.

"Koivu told him something, but (Grabovski) doesn't want to say. Just some special advice he'll use in the future." added Ponikarovsky.

"Grabovski respects Koivu and he's the only guy in the Montreal room he respects. he thinks Koivu is a super special guy and hockey player. He just doesn't pay attention to the rest of them."

And why would he? After being shipped up and down, back and forth between the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL and the Canadiens, Grabovski had had enough and it eventually boiled over into his temper tantrum and his taking off after a game in Phoenix.

Grabovski missed the team flight on purpose, upset that he was yet again a healthy scratch.

"The Canadiens knew what they had in Mikhail, but you have to find room for people." admits Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson.

"A guy like that needs to play 17, 18 minutes to be effective."

And Grabovski's 46 points this season shows how those minutes needed to be added to his repertoire.

"[The Canadiens] have an unbelievable group of forwards over there, so much skill."

And thus with the Sergei Kostitsyns and the Matt D'Agostinis getting the call over Graboski, they decided to ship him to Toronto.

With so much passion and motivation when playing his former club, Grabovski has started a new chapter in the Toronto-Montreal rivalry.

Yet, Grabovski has had such a temper and been as undisciplined as Sergei Kostitsyn. And having two of those pouty players in the lineup may not be good for any team.

Add to that the fact that Sergei and Grabovski are at each others throats every time they play each other, and the rivalry is going to pick up with Brian Burke and Ron Wilson at the helm as well.

Still, all I've got to say is thank goodness the Montreal Canadiens traded Mikhail Grabovski.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers To Get a New Home

Matt Eichel — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:02:13 -0400

Tradition can only go so far.

As for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, "the house that Jack (Jacobs) built" will soon not be the home for the Blue and Gold.

As plans have been laid for months now, the current plan has been passed forward to start constructing a new stadium on the University of Manitoba campus along Chancellor Matheson Drive for a new semi-enclosed football stadium.

Along with the federal government, Winnipeg businessman and executive vice-president of Canwest Global Communications David Asper is heading the charge for the new stadium.

The new stadium is to have 30,000 permanent seats with the ability to accommodate 45,000 seats if needed. It will be built on the currently semi-unoccupied eight hectare area on the U of Manitoba campus.

Along with the construction of the new Bomber stadium, Asper is also to assume control of the Bomber franchise in one year as soon as construction begins. The stadium is scheduled to begin being built in the spring of 2010 and be completed by spring 2011.

Asper has contributed $100 million in private money to the stadium project, while the federal government has contributed $15 million and the provincial government up to $20 million.

As for CanadInns Stadium near Polo Park in Winnipeg, the City of Winnipeg has agreed to sell the site for market value (around $10 million) to Asper's real estate company Creswin Properties Ltd., which is then planning on a new commercial development where the stadium stands currently to subsidize the cost of the new stadium.

According to Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz, "that's a win-win for all."

"Not only will Winnipeggers benefit tremendously from these new facilities that guarantee a future home for our Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but the new retail at the existing site is projected to generate millions in new municipal taxes."

U of Manitoba president Dr. David Barnard commented that the stadium will "transform the university into a year-round sport and recreation destination [that] will position [the U of M] as a leader in athletic and community development across Canada."

Not only that, but it will keep the Bombers alive and well in Winnipeg.

As one tradition may die, another one will be born in the windy city.

Long Island A Formidable Task for the Montreal Canadiens

Matt Eichel — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:42:16 -0400

Tonight's game in Long Island may make or break the Montreal Canadiens season.

With Carey Price out with the flu and Jaroslav Halak to make his first start since a 5-2 embarrassment to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canadiens may have their hands full with a New York Islanders squad full of confidence as they hope to play spoiler at least once this season.

Eliminated first out of the playoff picture and currently sitting first in the NHL Draft Lottery, the Islanders have shown strong performances as of late, including a, 2-0, shutout of the league leading Detroit Red Wings.

They've kept pace with the Philadelphia Flyers, losing only, 4-3, and losing only, 5-3, to the Washington Capitals, however far from the Canadiens the Islanders are, they have given the Canadiens headaches and tantrums all season.

On November 1, the Islanders blew a, 4-1, lead to lose 5-4 to the Canadiens, after dominating the first 40 minutes of the hockey game.

Recently, on March 12, the Islanders squeaked out of the Bell Centre with a 3-2 overtime win in which the Bell Centre faithful booed the Canadiens off the ice, in a game that cost the Canadiens a costly point.

Now, the Canadiens walk back into Nassau Coliseum with a task against the feistiest team in the NHL at this stage of the season.

Without Sergei Kostitsyn and possibly without Roman Hamrlik, although he made the trip, the Canadiens have two points up for grabs that hopefully will not go squandered.

This game at hand may prove to be critical for their playoff lives, with a win pushing them over the New York Rangers into seventh and a loss putting them in a more susceptible position for elimination by the up-and-coming Florida Panthers.

The teams, who have nothing to play for, may be the most dangerous teams for those who have something still to play for.

Montreal Canadiens' Kaptain Klutch Comes Through Again

Matt Eichel — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:33:16 -0400

Who says Saku Koivu isn't the heart and soul of the Montreal Canadiens?

After netting his career-tying fifth game winning goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night in a thrilling, albeit unnecessary, 3-2 win, Koivu's celebration and the reaction of his teammates shows how much heart Koivu really has.

"I saw the net wide open and maybe I got too excited about it," admitted Koivu.

"I think it hit his glove, but then I got the rebound and I just wanted to get it in."

After blowing a 2-0 lead during the latter stage of the third period, the Canadiens were able to salvage that all important extra point in overtime.

Even if it was a salvaged win during a game against one of the lowliest teams in the Eastern Conference, it was a game the Canadiens dominated both in shots and in the flow of play.

"We played a good team game. We'd like to have won 2-0 and got the confidence from that, but we'll take it." said Koivu.

With the ninth place Florida Panthers also winning on Thursday night, the Canadiens two points become even more crucial. Also with a game at hand on the Panthers and two points up on them, the Canadiens will host another team on the brink of the playoffs in the Buffalo Sabres.

The line of Alex Kovalev, Alex Tanguay, and Koivu may be the solution to the Canadiens scoring woes as they have been dynamite in the last two games.

However, the Canadiens must be wary of becoming too reliant on their first line and hope that other lines and players can pull some of the scoring weight, as we saw with Guillaume Latendresse's 12th goal of the season.

"But the most important thing is we were reliable and consistent throughout the game." admitted head coach and GM Bob Gainey.

And at this time in the season, that is what the Canadiens have been searching high and low for: consistency.

With Buffalo coming into the Bell Centre for a Hockey Night In Canada matchup, consistency could go a long way. And two points could get them closer to those New York Rangers.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Sources:

www.tsn.ca/nhl

Montreal Canadiens: What's Up Bob Gainey's Sleeve?

Matt Eichel — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:40:27 -0400

Is it me or do the Montreal Canadiens always go through the motions this time of year?

Or is that the deal with all NHL teams vying for a playoff spot?

This year around, the Canadiens are not enjoying as much room from the rest of the Eastern Conference rat race as they were last season.

But with Bob Gainey behind the helm, the Canadiens have been getting back to the basics.

This raises the question: What's up Bob Gainey's sleeve?

With the returns of Alex Tanguay and Guillaume Latendresse, what will be happening to Matt D'Agostini and Max Pacioretty? Two players, who have worked hard to keep the Canadiens in the middle of the playoff picture, who will be very hard to send back down to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

And what of Sergei Kostitsyn? He's got 11 points in 13 games in the AHL with the 'Dogs. Think the Canadiens could use a little late season spark?

And who's the man down the stretch for the Canadiens? Is it still the flop between Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price? Or will Price regain form as he did down the stretch last season?

With the New York Rangers surging alongside the Canadiens, Gainey's return to the basics may have come at the right time or altogether too late.

If anything, if the Canadiens miss the playoffs in their centennial season, it will be an utter disaster and with so many free agents on the horizon, there will be a good deal of shuffling.

For Canadiens fans, the best thing to do is to cheer and not criticize.

Mr. Gainey has helped the Canadiens in a jersey. Let's hope he does it again behind the bench.

Guy Carbonneau Says Goodbye as Inconsistency Catches Up with Montreal Canadiens

Matt Eichel — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:40:41 -0400

It was only a matter of time.

Besides, what do you expect when the Montreal Canadiens have only won three times on the road in the last month and a half?

In the footsteps of other Eastern Conference teams who are massively underachieving such, as the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said goodbye in a somber tone to the former Canadiens captain and head coach Guy Carbonneau.

Now Gainey takes the bench boss job for the second time in three years. Can his presence bring about a world of change?

Gainey's comments regarding the inconsistency of the Canadiens' game from period to period and from game to game was the nail in the coffin of many games that were within reach to win.

As for Gainey's new approach to the young Canadiens squad, they will be more aggressive, more positionally sound, and a more disciplined team that will compete and maximize their scoring chances.

Gainey's last tour behind the bench saw the Canadiens lose a first round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, despite being up by two games early in the series.

But in a season where there is tremendous pressure on both players, coaches, and management to get the job done, Gainey has taken matters into his own hands.

It was not to save his job that Gainey let Carbonneau go. It was the simple fact that Carbonneau was not getting through to his players and the players simply stopped playing for a coach who was the assistant coach at the All-Star Game in Montreal.

Poor Carbonneau, everyone must say. It must be hard not having the players want you around anymore.

Truth is, that's how it goes in professional sports.

As for Gainey, the rest of the season is his to coach. And beyond?

Names that come to mind as candidates to be behind the Canadiens bench in their 101st season are Larry Robinson, Michel Therrien, and Bob Hartley.

Patrick Roy may have even been on the list if it were not for his antics with the Quebec Remparts behind the bench.

As for the remaining 16 games in the NHL season for the Canadiens, the balance between golfing and playing a second season hangs in the balance.

So Mr. Gainey, again, we, sometimes impatient Canadiens fans, wait on you to deliver what we want and need: a winning team. A Stanley Cup winning team.

Bob Gainey May Be Confident in the Canadiens, but When Will it Finally Work?

Matt Eichel — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:15:54 -0500

Bob Gainey got Mathieu Schneider for a reason.

Right now, Schneider looks like he hasn't missed a step in Montreal.

Thing is, everyone else does.

After another dismal road effort, the Canadiens are becoming more and more likely to be clawing their way into the playoffs.

Such a far fall from the top. It always hurts the most when you're coming down.

Losing to the Ryan Miller-less Buffalo Sabres and then the rebuilding Atlanta Thrashers, the Canadiens, who were touted to be Stanley Cup favourites at the start of the season, are looking more and more like a team that will be cannon fodder for the giants in Washington, New Jersey, or Boston.

But don't count the Canadiens out just yet.

Carey Price may be struggling, and Jaroslav Halak may be the man for now, but the Canadiens play their best hockey when coming from behind, being the underdogs.

Three times in their recent playoff history since 1998, the Canadiens have upended three first and second seeds in six to seven games. Even if they didn't make it much farther, the Canadiens made history in the process.

So if the Canadiens recent months of March have anything to say about how they will march into the playoffs, will the Canadiens make it?

However, Bob Gainey is currently and obviously not worried about winning the Stanley Cup in their centennial season. He's more worried about the future and building the Canadiens.

Granted, he's taken a team that was floundering in mediocrity to a team that is a serious contender year in and year out.

There's always bumps in the road.

For Gainey's sake, let's hope the fans in Montreal are as patient.

Montreal Canadiens Waiting for Trade Deadline

Matt Eichel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:01:11 -0500

If you're a fan of any NHL team, you want your squad to be the best it can be going into the Playoffs.

As such, fans in Montreal are getting restless for Bob Gainey to make his move.

Days after taking center Glen Metropolit off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers, Gainey recalled defenseman Ryan O'Byrne and re-assigned Kyle Chipchura to the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

These moves can only mean one thing: A trade is imminent.

With Mathieu Dandenault and Georges Laraque both saying that they are interested in leaving Montreal, and the deadline coming tomorrow afternoon, the Canadiens are only hours away from shuffling the lineup. And it could be big change on the way.

In Robert Lang's absence, it has become apparent that the Canadiens once again need a big centerman down the middle, and that Glen Metropolit is not the long-term answer.

Steve Begin is gone, and the "grinder count" in Montreal is down to four.

With the Mathieu Schneider trade the biggest move so far by Gainey, the Canadiens are looking to deal some inconsistent players, such as O'Byrne, or perhaps even Higgins.

And with Tomas Plekanec starting to heat up, could he be used as bait in the next few hours as well?

Big moves have gone down in past years, but this season, something is different.

Everyone's waiting for the last minute for the big deals.

Guerin? Tkachuk? Who knows?

We now, once again, play the waiting game.

Montreal Canadiens Paying the Price with Halak in Net?

Matt Eichel — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:18:40 -0500

Jaroslav Halak has usurped Carey Price as the "franchise goaltender" and has become the No. 1 man in Montreal.

Well, at least for now.

Halak, who was, at best, an average goalie when Price was on the sidelines due to injury, has shown flares of brilliance that would beg the question if he is the better goalie.

Well, at least for now he is.

Price may only have two wins in his last 11 games since the All-Star Break, and obviously switching from his red pads to his white pads hasn't helped either. Is his confidence shaken, or is Halak just too much of a challenge to become the full-time starter?

Well, at least for now, his confidence is shot and Halak is in net.

And that is that.

Once again, Montreal Canadiens fans have to taste the pros and cons of going with a duo in the net. It is reminiscent of many tandems—from the Patrick Roy-Brian Hayward duo, to the Andy Moog-Joceyln Thibault duo, to the Jeff Hacket-Jose Theodore duo.

This time around, it's two young netminders trying to cement themselves in the rough sea that is the Montreal hockey story.

Halak has not seemed to recover from that one year he almost took the Canadiens single-handedly into the playoffs with spectacular play in the March of 2007.

Always on the top of the goaltending standing in the AHL, Halak has had a heck of a time getting into the role of an NHL goalie—obviously a large step from the Hamilton Bulldogs.

If Halak has regained his confidence, it could not have come at a better time. It seems that in years past, Canadiens goalies get on a roll at the end of February and tear through March.

Gone are the March flops of Theodore and Hackett.

If you tell Halak to beware the Ides of March, he would simply ignore you.

And if Halak isn't up to the task, let's hope that Price has another spectacular March performance in store for Canadiens fans.

With one year left after this season on both Halak and Price's contracts, this march to the playoffs may define who will be the No. 1 man in the future.

For the sake of the fans and the team, Mr. Gainey, let's hope one of these young goalies comes out of the melee and grasps the No. 1 job for good.

Montreal Canadiens Need To Make a Move

Matt Eichel — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:47:17 -0500

Am I the only person who realizes that the Montreal Canadiens need to make a move?

Despite bringing in veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider to help the defensive core as well as work on the power play, the Canadiens are still lacking.

And lacking a lot.

Bob Gainey is still looking for that power forward that can make a difference down the middle. Robert Lang had been that difference, but now he's gone.

Bringing Gainey and the Canadiens back to square one.

Questions gather around the coming storm in Montreal.

Is Guy Carbonneau on the way out? Possibly not, with the way Gainey has been managing.

What about the criminal ties to the Kostitsyn brothers? A distraction, involving the one consistent goal scorer in a Habs jersey.

Is this all Carey Price's fault? Not at all! He's a franchise goalie, but he, like all other goalies, cannot be called upon to stop everything and anything thrown his way.

Who else is on the way out? Chris Higgins? Tomas Plekanec?

As Guy Lafleur continues to assail Gainey and his decisions as GM, can he make the right moves to save a centennial season that was supposed to put the Canadiens above sixth place in the East.

Is Vincent Lecavlier coming or not? Maybe, the rumours have re-surfaced.

But when is giving up too much just too much?

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Montreal Canadiens: When Are Too Many Grinders Too Much?

Matt Eichel — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:15:56 -0500

Every team needs their enforcers, the grinders, and those who get under the skin of their opponents.

But when is too many enforcers too much?

The Montreal Canadiens have a revolving door of grinders, who pack up their third and fourth lines and make their way into the top two lines on occasion.

Names such as Steve Begin, Tom Kostopolous, Maxim Lapierre, Georges Laraque, and on occasion Mathieu Dandenault and Guillaume Latendresse come to mind when asked about Canadiens gritty grinders.

Is this too much of a good thing?

In the past, I've aired on the side of only one or two gritty grinders, preferably those who can put the biscuit in the basket. Begin and Lapierre have shown flashes of offensive brilliance here and there, but in the long run have been confined to a solo job of being a grinder.

Add into that the signing of a fighter in Laraque this summer and the arrival of Kostopolous the summer before and there seems to be a clogged street towards who is the main grinders.

Taking a look at other NHL teams' grinders, such as the Anaheim Ducks, which may include Rob Niedermayer, Sammy Pahlsson, Travis Moen, George Parros, and Ryan Carter, there is alot more offense on those sticks that the stick of the Canadiens.

In Montreal, with so much depth in their prospects in the AHL, why are we spending money on grinders who together may score a combined 30 goals?

Instead, we could be giving a rookie prospect such as Kyle Chipchura, Matt D'Agostini, and Max Pacioretty the full-time job of trying to become a 20-30 goal scorer while being grinders.

With all the injuries suffered this season within the Canadiens lineup, those players have been given their chances. Yet, if there were no injuries, they would just continue their season in the AHL getting anxious to start an NHL career.

Add to that the fact that in the past Begin and Kostopolous have been known to take undisciplined penalties at the worst possible times, why are we jeopardizing success at those times with so many of these players?

Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Steve Begin takes a penalty in the third period that leads to a Daniel Briere goal that would eventually clinch the game, the series momentum, and ultimately the series altogether.

With both Begin and Kostopolous in contract years, GM Bob Gainey has some thinking and sorting to do.

Re-sign the grinders and hope they score more often and improve.

Or let them go and bring up young talent from the AHL.

The ball's in your court Mr.Gainey...

...please make the right decision.

Three Moves I'd Make if I Were Canadiens GM Bob Gainey

Matt Eichel — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:31:31 -0500

Note: Before I go into this article, I must admit that being the Montreal Canadiens GM may be the hardest and most pressure-packed job in the NHL. I write this with the utmost respect for Bob Gainey and the moves and the team he has built.

It's panic time in Montreal.

No, I'm not talking about the trade deadline.

I'm talking about the trade deadline and their current slump.

Already, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has made a move, adding a top four defenseman to the ranks with the return of Mathieu Schnedier.

Yet, there are other moves to be made. And situations and player roles to be addressed. And last, but not at all least, a myriad of free agents looming this off-season in the Canadiens lineup.

Deal Tomas Plekanec, Ryan O'Byrne, and a fourth Round Draft Pick to San Jose for Joe Pavelski & a second round Draft Pick.

Tomas Plekanec is a far cry from last season's performance. And it is mostly due to the lack of consistency shown by Alex Kovalev.

Plekanec thrived centering Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn in 2007-08, but since Kovalev is not on pace to come near his 83 points scored last season, Plekanec will probably not fare well either.

Plekanec's 11 goals and 14 assists are a far from his 21 goals and 33 assists at mid-February last season. Yet, his 50.5 face-off percentage is a bare improvement over last season's 49.5.

Still, Plekanec has an offensive upside as long as he is playing with skilled wingers, of which San Jose has many including Jonathan Cheechoo, who is also needing a boost in San Jose.

Pavelski, who is currently slotted as the No. 2 centre in the Sharks depth chart has 40 points in 52 games so far this season and is a big reason why the Sharks are doing so well.

Under no circumstances would Pavelski be traded one-for-one for Plekanec. If the Canadiens threw in Ryan O'Byrne, the Sharks have a defenseman that could possibly take over full-time if Rob Blake retires.

Pavelski's 54.5 face-off percentage could aid the Canadiens who's top face-off man is Saku Koivu (53.5 percent). Pavelski may not add size, but his speed and quickness would blend right into the Canadiens lineup.

Deal Chris Higgins, Jaroslav Halak, and a third Round Pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Ryan Malone and a second Round Pick

Chris Higgins was on the trading block last off-season when the rumours of Mats Sundin were circling. Now, Higgins has not improved, despite injury, and his name has been mentioned during the Vincent Lecavalier rumours.

In 32 games, Higgins has managed only seven goals and six assists, far from his 27-goal, 52 point performance last season, also plagued by injuries. Higgins has not lived up to expectations of being the Canadiens power forward of the future.

Jaroslav Halak is a good goalie, but his weaknesses have shown maybe that it is time for a move. He started to show potential when he almost single-handedly got the Canadiens to the playoffs with Cristobal Huet out of the lineup in 2006-07 only to not dress in the final game of the season. That was when everything went south for Halak.

So far this season, Halak has been average, having stellar games and then backing them up with mediocre games. His 12-10-1 record with a 3.06 GAA is far from when he went 10-6-0 with a 2.68 GAA in 2006-07.

Ryan Malone showed that he could be a great asset for any NHL team and decided to do that when he left the Pittsburgh Penguins in the off-season to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he signed a seven-year deal.

Yet, Malone struggled through his first month in Tampa to eventually find his scoring touch in November and December before only scoring eight points in his last 18 games. And in Tampa, perhaps Malone may not get a shot at success until the end of his contract.

Malone's power forward like play is needed in Montreal. His work in Pittsburgh was noticeably helpful for the Penguins in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008.

His 16 points in 20 playoff games where no fluke, despite not showing up in the Finals, Malone's upside can only improve with a change of setting.

Deal Alex Kovalev and Sergei Kostitsyn to the Anaheim Ducks for Chris Kunitz and a third Round Draft Pick.

This one may be tricky. Especially since Kunitz's gritty style of play matches so well with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Yet, the Ducks depth of gritty power forwardesque players may hurt them.

The Ducks have pure scorers in Teemu Selanne and Brendan Morrison, yet the Ducks could use another playmaking winger.

Alex Kovalev's demise from hero in Montreal last season to possible trade bait has many wondering where he will go. Kovalev would be a decent fit in Anaheim.

The first line could consist of Bobby Ryan moving up with Getzlaf and Perry, while Kovalev takes the second line with Selanne and Andrew Ebbett or Todd Marchant.

With Kovalev and Selanne on the wings, whichever centre plays between them, they will benefit. Especially since Kovalev is a good set up man and Selanne can put the puck home. It could bring back the memories of the Selanne-Paul Kariya days in Anaheim.

Sergei Kostitsyn has known to be a bit of an inconsistent whiner when it comes to his play. Whenever he does not play well, he sulks and takes bad penalties, which is why a new place to play may be in order. Kostitsyn has a tremendous upside and great potential, only if he plays with the right players.

His grit, combined with his offensive upside, could help the Ducks on the third and fourth lines along with Rob Niedermayer, Travis Moen, Ryan Carter, and Co. Kostitsyn is another player with a deadly shot and gritty style of play.

Kunitz's grit and determined style of play would be a welcome addition. Kunitz is a proven 20+ goal scorer and his grit is proven in his 80+ PIMs seasons the last two seasons. Kunitz has only to go up in his career and the hit on the Canadiens cap space is not too significant.

Overlook/Outlook

The Canadiens do have grit, but mostly in their back end with Mike Komisarek, Roman Hamrlik, and Francis Bouillon. And yet with their gritty forwards up front, they don't put the puck in the net nearly as often as Malone or Kunitz do. Adding Kunitz, Pavelski, and Malone could make the lineup look like so:

Malone - Koivu - A. Kostitsyn

Kunitz - Pavelski - D'Agostini

Pacioretty - Lapierre/Chipchura - Dandenault

Kostopolous - Begin - Laraque

And these players have what the Canadiens need: grit and speed.

Possibilities and conjectures are all. But we wait for Mr. Gainey's next move.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Is Mathieu Schneider What the Montreal Canadiens Need?

Matt Eichel — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:23:05 -0500

Gone is two draft picks and in is a former face in the Montreal Canadiens locker room.

"There were other players that looked like they may be available," was Canadiens GM Bob Gainey's comments after acquiring former Stanley Cup winning defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers.

"It was just a matter of timing."

For the Canadiens, it could not have come at a better time.

Schneider joins a squad that is looking for consistency as the season begins to wind down towards the playoffs. With his veteran presence and recent history in Montreal, his return to the team that picked him 44th overall in 1987.

After spending seven seasons in bleu, blanc, et rogue, including a Stanley Cup win in 1993, Schneider returns to a team that he was hoping that he could come back and play.

A two-time 20+ goal scorer, Schneider not only adds leadership and experience, but possesses great puck handling, passing, and defensive skills.

Yet, the question has to be asked: Is Mathieu Schneider what the Canadiens need?

Looking at the track record of Bob Gainey in the past few seasons, considering he let Sheldon Souray, Cristobal Huet, and most recently Mark Streit go for nothing besides one measly pick between the three, his approach at the trade deadline is going to be more pro-active and aggressive.

Gainey's been looking and looking long and hard.

Schneider popped on the Canadiens radar as soon as the question was asked about acquiring a top four defenseman.

When the Canadiens were amidst the Vincent Lecavalier and then Jay Bouwmeester rumours, the possibility of Schneider's return to Montreal seemed to be the closest move towards reality.

Now with the situation of a top four defenseman now out of the way, what's Gainey's next move?

From the standpoint of the Canadiens' current slump, there are other moves on the way.

Players such as Tomas Plekanec, Alex Kovalev, and Chris Higgins may have new addresses before the March 4th trade deadline.

The Canadiens may go after a big body up front, possibly a power forward, but may also go with a consistent face-off man such as Ottawa Senator's Antoine Vermette (57.6%) to replace the injured Robert Lang.

Power forwards are hard to come by and with the absence of Lang in the size and strength category, the Canadiens may be looking still for that impact player.

Either way, Gainey has made his first move and it's a not just good, it's smart.

Schneider was hoping that he would make his way back to Montreal. And with him also being an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, the Canadiens could possibly afford to deal other defenseman away, such as Ryan O'Byrne, or afford a retirement possibly from Patrice Brisebois.

Nice first move Mr. Gainey.

And now we wait again.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

The Rise and Fall of the Montreal Canadiens Continues

Matt Eichel — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:31:27 -0500

Are Montreal Canadien fans ever going to be in for any more dynasties soon?

Not likely.

With the past dynastic regimes of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, all, but a distant and colourful memory, the 1990s and 2000s have been unrelentingly cruel to the hockey team that everyone thought was never going to fade.

As did the British Empire, all empires fall into mediocrity, with only their history to remind them of, perhaps, better days before.

The sun seemed to set on the Canadiens franchise during the first round of the 1994 playoffs, when they took on the Boston Bruins.

Patrick Roy was battling through injury and even came back to battle to get the Canadiens within a 3-2 series lead; yet, the Canadiens could not overcome the Bruins and there ended what could have been the last true Canadiens dynasty.

You're probably thinking "What's this guy thinking?”

Dynasty?

1994 Montreal Canadiens?

Give your head a shake!

Should the 1993 Canadiens even have won that 24th Stanley Cup?

Not at all.

With the goaltending they had in Roy and the exceptional defensive game with Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and the offense from Brian Bellows, Vincent Damphousse, and Denis Savard, they overcame all the doubters.

With the exit from the 1994 playoffs in seven games, it would mark the end of Roy's days playing in Montreal in the postseason, only a year after an exceptional run that saw one of the most dominating goaltending performances in NHL playoff history.

It was in 1995 that mediocrity set in.

New management in Rejean Houle and head coach Mario Tremblay, no playoffs in 1995 in a shortened season, a quick exit after a 2-0 series lead over the New York Rangers and the sad goodbye to the Montreal Forum all pointed to tougher times ahead.

Without a franchise net minder, the old Montreal Forum and lack of playoff success, the Canadiens 1998 Quarter-Final victory over the, heavily-touted, Pittsburgh Penguins was the only bright spot in a very dark time that still somewhat lingers today.

Sure, the Canadiens have made history, such as their 3-1 series comeback over the heavily favoured Bruins in 2004 or their 6-5 comeback win over the Rangers last season.

The second round has only resulted in three second round wins in four appearances, two of them sweeps.

The dynasties of the olden days rarely, if ever, were swept.

It begs the question: is this the same team?

Former players becoming management is not a new phenomena. Serge Savard had success as the GM in 1986 and 1993 before being unexpectedly let go.

Others, such as Houle, have made a mockery of the Canadiens franchise.

Bob Gainey has brought relatively decent success to a franchise and a city yearning for a 25th title. But the pieces are not even close to being set.

As a fan, it is hard to be critical, but at the same time, easy too.

There are pieces in bleu, blanc, et rogue that will help this team to number 25, yet until the other pieces are on their way, the Canadiens will sit, wait and wish things could be better...

...sooner the better.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

The Problem of Not Knowing Where the Bottom of the Montreal Canadiens' Barrel Is

Matt Eichel — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:06:05 -0500

For not one second am I going to blame Carey Price for this slump.

And why?

Because, it's simple.

The Montreal Canadiens have buckled under the enormous pressure to win in their centennial season.

Ever since the injury that put leading goal scorer Robert Lang out of commission for the season, coupled with the return of inconsistent forward Chris Higgins, the Canadiens seem to have hit a wall.

Except this wall isn't a soft one that they seem to bounce off of immediately.

It's more of a wall where they have fallen flat on their faces and haven't realized that they're actually bruised and bleeding from the impact.

After two disappointing routs at the hands of their two Albertan rivals in two games, the Canadiens have left their fans wondering if the barrel can get any bigger.

Trouble is—no one, as of right now, knows how deep the Canadiens' barrel is.

And to say the truth, the worst is not over, by a long shot.

With only two games of this season high six game road trip under their belts in embarrassing fashion, the Canadiens now have to face one of the best netminders in the world in Vancouver, face the dynamic duo of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, and do more hotel visits in the next week or so before every seeing the Montreal skyline.

To be blunt, the Canadiens are soiling their pants just thinking about it.

For a team that had so many expectations for a great centennial birthday, the plans have been mixed with success and failure all over the board.

But instead of pointing fingers and saying that the ship is sinking, let's put the actual truth out there.

This is a typical Canadiens season. It always happens that they fall flat on their faces at some time during the season. Ever since the domination of the late 1970s have the Canadiens gone through a season without considerable embarrassments.

And for the record, this team needs to find that passion. You're not just wearing a jersey on your back.

You're wearing a legacy, Mr. Higgins.

A history, Mr. Kovalev.

A passion, Mr. O'Byrne.

And an entire city's hopes that its team can finally win that 25th Stanley Cup, Mr. Koivu.

I'd pull up my bootstraps, hope Bob Gainey has something up his sleeve, or we won't be seeing the first Finnish captain raise the Stanley Cup anytime soon.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Why NHL Fans Shouldn't Abandon Ship During the Rocky Times

Matt Eichel — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:04:46 -0500

In Montreal, there's a panic.

In Ottawa, they're trying to get their act together.

In Toronto, they've already accepted they're rebuilding.

In Vancouver, the team may have found what is ailing them.

In Pittsburgh, they're hoping that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can carry the team.

In Calgary, they're hoping that they don't sink too low to give up the Northwest Division lead.

In Edmonton, more panic.

That sums up only a fraction of the NHL's fan attitude when it comes to their beloved NHL teams.

As a diehard Montreal Canadiens fan, there's a bit of a panic going around the community about how the Canadiens are slipping lately.

Let me address something that all NHL fans need to know.

It only gets darkest before the dawn.

Panicking over a two- or three-game losing streak could be the difference between a playoff spot or a tee time at the golf course.

Yet, in the grand scheme of things, fans seem to panic when they come to the conclusion that their team needs a miracle.

I'll take the Ottawa Senators situation this season: a team, two years removed from a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, as well as having the loss of Wade Redden on the blueline and a dynamic starting goaltender.

Sure they're going through a hard time and may not make the playoffs. Yet, with the talent they possess, they can deal and get out of the hole they've dug themselves much faster than some teams could. The trade bait that Jason Spezza or Dany Heatley could command puts the Senators in a prime position to improve if their superstars don't play to form.

If they do perform, perfect! Ottawa is back in the picture and the fans have nothing to panic about and hopefully will not abandon ship.

As a Canadiens fan through the late 1990's and early 2000's, those were difficult days cheering for le bleu, blanc, et rogue. When Martin Rucinsky was the top scorer with under 50 points, there were many games I wondered if I'd ever see them win the Stanley Cup ever again.

Yet, they've dug themselves out of that hole and now they're annual playoff contenders.

Sure, they're in a rough strip as of late. Giving up two shorthanded goals in Calgary to another slumping Flames squad may not be the best way to snap that ugly streak.

Yet, being fifth in the Eastern Conference is nothing to panic about.

In the current situation of the Canadiens, the only time to panic is when they start losing games that will affect their position in the standings as well as their playoff chances.

Right now, the games may not matter as much as they will mid-to-late March, but better get the kinks out of the motor now than later.

So, to all you fans who seem to abandon ship prematurely or panic on a regular basis over a two- or three-game losing streak, please take a seat and take a deep breath.

Everything will sort itself out in the end.

Even if it takes a five- to six-game losing streak to work itself out.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Alex Kovalev's Departure from Montreal Canadiens Only a Matter of Time

Matt Eichel — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:14:56 -0500

It's only a matter of time before Alex Kovalev either gets dealt or he goes unsigned by the Montreal Canadiens.

It might be the only way that the Canadiens can get anything kicked started when it comes to their poor play as of late.

With the All-Star MVP Kovalev only showing signs of brilliance during that All-Star Game in Montreal, the Canadiens are yearning for Kovalev to perform in the other jersey he wears in night in and night out: le bleu, blanc, et rogue.

For every diehard Montreal fan, the ship is sinking on a two-game losing streak.

When it comes to the Kovalev ship, most have already jumped ship.

With impeding free agency on the horizon for the Canadiens former 83-point producer, his return does not seem to be in the Canadiens plans if he continues to not produce.

True, he is not the former 30+ goal scorer and many Canadiens fans should see that especially since he is near the end of his career, nowhere near his prime.

Yet, the mantra on the bench and around the organization is: Alex Kovalev has decided not to show up in the Canadiens centennial season.

Sure, he made the All-Star Game on home ground a rousing success scoring the winning goal and capturing the MVP.

But besides that, no one will remember Kovalev for anything he did in a Montreal sweater, save maybe his overtime winner in Game Two last playoffs.

For a player who came over struggling in the Big Apple with the New York Rangers and then signing a four-year deal promising to bring a Stanley Cup to the Canadiens for a 25th time, Kovalev has yet to deliver on that promise.

With so many free agents on the horizon, other players such as Alex Tanguay, Saku Koivu, Mike Komisarek, and Robert Lang will draw more attention from GM Bob Gainey than will Kovalev.

It's a sad story of a good hockey player who didn't mind showing up to games night in and night out.

But in the hockey-mad city of Montreal, you cannot hide anywhere when you are inconsistent.

It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah.

Whatever Happened to Dynasties in the NHL?

Matt Eichel — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:10:48 -0500

With the NHL's trade deadline only weeks away, many teams are willing to deal their future superstars and gain more firepower for that one shot at getting the Stanley Cup.

What ever happened to building a team with the same players year in and year out?

It seems that the true age of NHL dynasties has died.

The last, true dynasty could be either the Detroit Red Wings of the late '90s or the Pittsburgh Penguins of the early '90s, yet the only last, true, purely dominant dynasty would be that of the Edmonton Oilers of the mid-to-late '80s.

The Oilers managed to keep Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Kevin Lowe, Grant Fuhr, and Paul Coffery together from their entrance into the NHL until the team fully disbanded in the early '90s.

Five Stanley Cups in seven years with players who would clean up at the NHL Awards.

Yet, the demise of the '80s Oilers dynasty has given rise to not only the modern day wheeling and dealing of players to bolster lineups but to the overall demise of any possibly dynasties.

With 30 teams in the NHL, it would make it ever more difficult to win year after year.

Since the Oilers dynasty, only Pittsburgh and Detroit have been able to repeat, while other teams such as the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche have managed to win multiple times over a few years.

Yet, with the rumours of so many players coming and going, from Vincent Lecavalier to Jay Bouwmeester, what goes through the minds of NHL GMs in today's post-dynastic NHL?

In the days of the legendary Montreal Canadiens GM Sam Pollock, there were numerous Hall of Famers such as Guy Lafleur and Ken Dryden. Not only did Pollock keep his big stars, but he made keen and prudent deals, sometimes at the deadline to get the players he needed.

Never did Pollock ever deal away any of his big stars at the deadline. He made shred moves, such as trading away Ernie Hicke and the Canadiens first pick for Francois Lacombe and the California Golden Seals first pick, where Pollock took the Canadiens all-time leading scorer.

During Pollock's tenure in Montreal, he would capture 12 Stanley Cups, nine of those as the GM.

Glen Sather, another legendary GM of the Edmonton Oilers in the '80s, brought a young, talented team from the obscurity of the NHL to the dynasty of all dynasties in the '80s. Yet, due to financial troubles in Edmonton, Sather had to deal away those players.

With the financial situation of the NHL currently, many players have the freedom to pick and chose which suitor seems best. Fewer and fewer players care to play their entire careers with one team.

And if they do, there is always those times where rumours are out that the team could dealt them for a bigger, better, brighter future.

This season, life-long Tampa Bay Lightning Vincent Lecavalier is on the supposed trading block. He's got a contract that is going to take him to his 40th birthday in a Lightning uniform, with a "C" on his shoulder.

So why trade him? Isn't he the No. 1 pick in 1998 that you wanted to build this team around?

He has won a Stanley Cup in Tampa, but if they want to win again, shouldn't they keep him?

Across the sunshine state, Florida Panthers top pick defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has also been rumoured to be on the trading block this season.

Why would the Florida Panthers, who have turned their fortunes around since drafting Bouwmeester in 2002, give such a valuable commodity up when they are in the midst of making the playoffs for the first time since 1999-2000?

Simple. Because they fear that Bouwmeester will go where the money goes, not where a loyalty may lie in the team that selected him third overall.

Unlike Lecavalier, who opted to sign long-term to stay with the Lightning the rest of his career, Bouwmeester may take an alternate route and choose to go elsewhere in hopes for more money and a chance of winning.

Yet, the Panthers now have a shot to make the playoffs with the lineup consisting of Nathan Horton, Stephen Weiss, David Booth, and Tomas Vokoun.

But why is it that players may never play their entire career with one team?

Is there politics that are behind the NHL curtain that fans are not obliged to see?

Take Steve Yzerman for example.

Played all 1,514 games of his career in a Detroit Red Wings jersey amassing 1,755 points. Nineteen of those seasons Yzerman wore the "C" on his shoulder and pretty much bled Red Wings out of his veins.

One of the greatest captains in NHL history, he was rumoured to be on the move to the expansion Ottawa Senators in 1993 after Scotty Bowman became head coach in Detroit.

This shows that even the legends of the NHL were expendable. Yet, Yzerman improved his defensive game and finished out his career with three Stanley Cups in Detroit.

Other legendary players, such as Joe Sakic (Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche) and Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) played their entire careers with the team that took them in the draft and build their team around. Both became champions within those franchises and both are now the figureheads, the one player that signifies those franchises.

Lemieux was part of what I will call a "mini-dynasty" in Pittsburgh that was brought down far too soon and was dismantled far too quickly. With the likes of Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, Kevin Stevens, Tom Barrasso, and Larry Murphy, the Penguins captured two consecutive Stanley Cups.

Yet, after a hard-fought and heart-breaking dismissal in Game Seven of the Wales Division Finals to the upstart New York Islanders in overtime, the two-time champions seemed to fade back into a team that would have hopes and aspirations that they would never live up to again.

By the 1997-98 season, the Penguins were without Lemieux and have only recently made it back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

It's hard as a fan to cheer for a player knowing full well that he could be on the move at any time.

It seems anyone is expendable. Even the superstars.

But my question to NHL GM's is this: Why trade away a good player who can make your team great for players who can only make your team good?

Sure, every team needs role players, checkers, and enforcers.

But for those teams who have picked the Lecavalier's, the Bouwmeester's, and the Crosby's to be the cornerstones of their franchises—is it really worth trading that one franchise player?

As it was with the Edmonton Oilers of the '80s, they had a great cast of role players such as Messier, Kurri, and Lowe, but at the center of it all was Gretzky. The franchise player.

In Pittsburgh in the early '90s, there was a great cast, with Lemieux at the center. The franchise player.

In Detroit in the late '90s, there was a great cast, with Yzerman at the center. The franchise player.

To become a dynasty, you need that player. But you also need those around them to compliment them.

So my challenge to NHL GM's is—think twice about trading your Lecavalier's and Bouwmeester's. Maybe it's not them that is the trouble, maybe it's the team around them.

If this trading of superstars continues from team to team, year to year, then so much for the dynasties of the NHL.