117 replies to this topic

[The Napkin]

Habs/Gorges agree to 6 year deal
The Montreal Canadiens announced a new six-year contract extension for Gorges on Sunday, a deal reportedly worth $3.9 million per season.

[FelixMantilla]

Nappy, here's even better news about the Canadiens.....

Last-place Canadiens fight during practice

Before you click, guess who is involved!

[MoGator71]

Nappy, here's even better news about the Canadiens.....

Last-place Canadiens fight during practice

Before you click, guess who is involved!

Too easy.

[MiracleOfO2704]

Apparently this is a Canadiens-only thread for the time being.
Gauthier apologizes for hiring Cunneyworth



If I'm Randy, I'm quitting right now and laughing through the press conference.

[PedroSpecialK]

The shambles of this team bring me great joy. Josh fucking Gotges earning $650k AAV more over twice the term of what's left for Dennis Seidenberg brings me an indeterminate amount.

What a joke that franchise is right now.

[canderson]

nm wrong thread

Edited by canderson, 02 January 2012 - 06:02 PM.

[Blacken]

NHL12 thinks Jumbo Joe was traded to the Avalanche:

Spoiler

[Spacemans Bong]

Apparently this is a Canadiens-only thread for the time being.
Gauthier apologizes for hiring Cunneyworth



If I'm Randy, I'm quitting right now and laughing through the press conference.

He's 1-6 and his genius strategy so far has been to sit his best young players. He hasn't bought a single new idea except a brief flirtation with a Leblanc-Desharnais-Cammalleri line. Nobody's coming out of this mess with a better reputation.

[Spacemans Bong]

The shambles of this team bring me great joy. Josh fucking Gotges earning $650k AAV more over twice the term of what's left for Dennis Seidenberg brings me an indeterminate amount.

What a joke that franchise is right now.

The years are the years, but you know better than most that a huge portion of that $650K difference is going to be eaten up by Quebec taxes.

[PedroSpecialK]

Still, despite his defensive acumen, he's still on the small side for NHL defenders and provides minimal toughness and zero offense. They need to be using that money (along with that of Kaberle and Gomez) on big-money players that may become available over the course of their rebound. Put it this way - would any other team in the NHL offer Gorges either 6 years or $3.9m AAV?

Edited by PedroSpecialK, 03 January 2012 - 04:35 PM.

[NickEsasky]

I hope Cunneyworth gets Rosetta Stone, so when he's ultimately fired he can say "Fuck you all very much" in perfect French.

[The Napkin]

DiPietro is injured again. While not normally newsworthy this time it happened while he was
already on injured reserve

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Rick DiPietro and Mike Mottau weren't going to play Tuesday night -- DiPietro isn't even off injured reserve, having been out a month with a groin injury -- but both were sent back to Long Island for medical evaluations before the game with the Hurricanes.
DiPietro's could be any number of things -- his groin, his surgically repaired knee, which has had many problems, or even something new. DiPietro wasn't going to be ready to even dress as a backup on this trip, which has stops next in Anaheim on Friday and Phoenix on Saturday, but he was along to get some work in.

[Greg29fan]

Tortorella was fined a "significant" amount for his comments after the Winter Classic that NBC and the NHL conspired with the officials to send the game into overtime.

[SidelineCameras]

Tortorella was fined a "significant" amount for his comments after the Winter Classic that NBC and the NHL conspired with the officials to send the game into overtime.

Shocking.

[rajagopalanator]

What a joke that franchise is right now.

Tell me about it. They're probably not quite as bad as their record indicates, but as a Habs fan by birth (I know, I know) I honestly hope the Habs can keep up the shittiness, tonight aside, to grab a pick. It's like the Red Sox debacle, in Jets-esque cap hell, a former GM that made Matt Millen look fantastic by comparison, and marginally more core talent than the Oakland Raiders.


The good news for the Habs is that the younger crop of second- and third-liners is somewhat strong; the bad news is that the Habs have exactly zero top-line forward talent anywhere in the system. Patches maybe, Cole maybe, Eller's intriguing, but is more of a second-line prospect with a strong 2-way game, and Pleks is really solid, but again is more of a second or third-line center. Now the Bruins have shown that you don't need elite top-line forward talent to win it all, and the Habs may end up emulating the four-very-solid-lines approach (NB, Seguin is exciting, but needs a lot of work still on his two-way game... then again Subban needs more)--honestly, applying a bit of portfolio management theory to hockey, the four-solid-lines approach makes a TON of sense. Leblanc, Eller, AK, DD, Cole, Pleks, and Patches all would seem to factor into the team's future--we just need more of those types of prospects, especially of the big-*and*-fast variety.

On the d-line, I'm actually really bullish on the team's prospects. Emelin's a stud, the Markov contract won't look as bad next year, Kabs has been fantastic (certainly better than Spacek), Gorges is dependable (though no Seidenberg), and Subban will be okay (but by no means the next Bobby Orr, or even worthy of the all-star game). One of Beauliau and Tinordi should pan out too.

I'm hoping for a full out tank this year, with the hopes that someone takes on Cammy for picks, pray for the end of the Pylon Gill era, and hope that a potential amnesty clause in the next CBA can get us out of the Gomez contract. We won't get Nail, but there's no harm dreaming . The team's good enough to finish between 6th and 10th every year (or between 3rd and 5th next year), but needs a lot of work on the forward ranks. It's going to be the decade of the Bruins, barring cap casualties--hell, y'all have gotten production out of Pouliot--so I'm just hoping that we can keep the rivalry competitive. As much as I hate the B's, they make the game a lot more fun to watch.

Also, thank god for the end of Jacques Martin. Claude isn't Babcock, but I still can't believe we ran him out of town for jokes like Guy, Gainey, and JM. A lot of the problem in Montreal is the result of its media/fans--they're too quick to run someone out of town for a bad week/being russian/speaking english, and lead to short-termist decisions by management (see: the Gomez trade, the Kabs trade). Reminds me a bit of the Yankees when Steinbrenner was meddling. I actually think that's where Boston has it right: it has an involved enough fanbase/media to put pressure on management to field a competitive team, without so much circus so as to encourage extreme short-termism, i.e. New York, Dallas, Oakland, Montreal.

Sorry for my vent--I just needed to let it out to educated posters, instead of the scum of HF or the NHL forums. Even if y'all are theoretically the enemy. As a Sox-Habs-Pats fan, it's my second team debacle in a season--just thank heavens for the pats.

[rajagopalanator]

Tortorella was fined a "significant" amount for his comments after the Winter Classic that NBC and the NHL conspired with the officials to send the game into overtime.

How on earth do player fines top out at $2500 for permanently damaging a person's life, while a coach can get dinged $30,000 (yeah, that's what Torts ended up paying) for running his mouth? I get the integrity of the league thing, but something still doesn't seem right.

[MoGator71]

How on earth do player fines top out at $2500 for permanently damaging a person's life, while a coach can get dinged $30,000 (yeah, that's what Torts ended up paying) for running his mouth? I get the integrity of the league thing, but something still doesn't seem right.

I'm thinking because playes have a union and coaches don't. Max fines are likely something that has to be collectively bargained.

Also if they want to dock a player they can suspend him, and he loses game checks.

[cshea]

All-Star "Starters" announced...It's the Sens + Timmy and Dion Phaneuf. Michalek, Spezza, Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson all got voted in (and in fairness, a case could be made for all 4 to be All Stars to begin with).

No captains named yet, but I'm guessing Alfredsson is one. The other should be Selanne, IMO.

[NYCSox]

Wait, Ottawa has that many fans?

[Toe Nash]

All-Star "Starters" announced...It's the Sens + Timmy and Dion Phaneuf. Michalek, Spezza, Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson all got voted in (and in fairness, a case could be made for all 4 to be All Stars to begin with).

No captains named yet, but I'm guessing Alfredsson is one. The other should be Selanne, IMO.

Huh? Spezza is 11th in the NHL in points, so sure. Karlsson is 1st for D-men. But Alfredsson and Michalek are 68th and 78th, respectively and both have negative +/-. The team is better than expected but only 6th in the conference. Even if you put a heavy weight on goals rather than points Michalek is behind Stamkos, Kessel, Gaborik and Neal just in the East.

I'm no expert on the Senators but I see Michalek as a borderline all-star, and I don't think Alfredsson is deserving at all this year. Neither should be starters in any sane voting (nor should Spezza, as Giroux, Kessel, Stamkos and Malkin are having better years). And if you think the ASG should be based on the last year-and-a-half or so, no Senator was better than 62nd in the NHL in scoring last year either.

[kenneycb]

Meh, it's the All-Star Game so Alfie should start just like Ripken and Gwynn did for all those years. Career achievement, especially with the game in Ottawa. It's not like it determines home-ice or anything.

[FL4WL3SS]

But really in the end, who the fuck cares? It's an exhibition game that is easily forgotten about once it's over. Off the top of your head, do you remember who was snubbed and who got in undeservedly in 2007? Probably not.

I haven't watched an all-star game in probably 10 years.

[cshea]

Alfredsson deserves to be in as a life time achievement type of thing. He was a perennial 70-80 point guy in his prime, has decent numbers this year, has played his entire career with Ottawa, and is their captain. I think a spot for him makes sense. I agree that Michalek is borderline, but he was top 5 in goals, and even overtook Kessel for the league lead for a bit before getting hurt. I see no problem with his inclusion.

I guess I'm just OK with those guys being based on Ottawa being the host city. If the game was in Florida or something, yeah, they shouldn't be there.

[timlinin8th]

But really in the end, who the fuck cares? It's an exhibition game that is easily forgotten about once it's over. Off the top of your head, do you remember who was snubbed and who got in undeservedly in 2007? Probably not.

I haven't watched an all-star game in probably 10 years.

I do remember this though:

[Toe Nash]

I guess I'm just OK with those guys being based on Ottawa being the host city. If the game was in Florida or something, yeah, they shouldn't be there.

I'm OK with them being there, just objecting that there's any legit argument other than "it's in Ottawa."

[MoGator71]

But really in the end, who the fuck cares? It's an exhibition game that is easily forgotten about once it's over. Off the top of your head, do you remember who was snubbed and who got in undeservedly in 2007? Probably not.

I haven't watched an all-star game in probably 10 years.

The most recent play I can remember at all from an ASG is Owen Nolan calling the corner and beating Roy. Before that it's Mario making an absolute mockery of the thing scoring video game goals in Pittsburgh, and that was like 20 years ago.

[The Four Peters]

The most recent play I can remember at all from an ASG is Owen Nolan calling the corner and beating Roy. Before that it's Mario making an absolute mockery of the thing scoring video game goals in Pittsburgh, and that was like 20 years ago.

He actually beat Hasek. And that was a top 3 All Star Game moment for me, along with Bourque's winning goal in Boston and something else that I can't remember at the time.

[Spacemans Bong]

The best thing is when it goes to your city and they have the FanFest, because then you can get your picture taken with the Cup. And you get free hockey cards. That was cool too.

Edited by Spacemans Bong, 05 January 2012 - 01:04 PM.

[Blacken]

then you can get your picture taken with the Cup

Only then?

[kenneycb]

Only then?

For Habs fans nowadays, yes.

[Spacemans Bong]

Especially ones who grew up in Northern California.

No Cups for us.

[Jettisoned]

I'm OK with them being there, just objecting that there's any legit argument other than "it's in Ottawa."

Karlsson rules so hard that they needed to add his linemates?

[MoGator71]

He actually beat Hasek. And that was a top 3 All Star Game moment for me, along with Bourque's winning goal in Boston and something else that I can't remember at the time.

Concussion-like symptoms?

But generally speaking the ASG used to be pretty cool. It was never like a "real" game, but there was a point of pride in those old Wales/Campbell games, and you felt like, while guys weren't going to run each other through the glass, they actually cared about winning vs. losing. Sometime in the past 10-15 years in devolved to the Pro Bowl on ice, and that makes me sad. The NHL and MLB games were the 2 best; now they all suck.

And yes, the Fan Fest/Skills Competition thingy is pretty cool to go to.

[Blacken]

I watched the Skills Competition last year and was kind of entertained, what with Timmy taking the biggest digger of his li...week behind his net in the skills competition. I vaguely remember seeing part of the game, too.

[TheRealness]

He actually beat Hasek. And that was a top 3 All Star Game moment for me, along with Bourque's winning goal in Boston and something else that I can't remember at the time.

Yeah, the only two I can distinctly recall are Bourque's game winner, and the Nolan point. I recall Heatley getting 4 goals one time after his fatal accident, but I don't remember when that was.

[BrazilianSoxFan]

I recall Heatley getting 4 goals one time after his fatal accident.

Wait, what?

[TheStoryofYourRedRightAnkle]

That's some obfuscatory sentence structure right there.

[jsinger121]

TSNBobMcKenzie

Injury curse of 2012 draft class continues. Odds-on fave to go No. 1, Sarnia's Nail Yakupov, suffered knee injury last night in WJC finale.

[PedroSpecialK]

Oof. First Galchenyuk now Yakupov? Sucks for Sarnia, but they'll be leaning heavily on Spooner now.

[The Napkin]

flames.com
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced today the acquisition of centerman Blair Jones from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Brendan Mikkelson.

[PedroSpecialK]

Poor guys had Iginla taking offensive zone draws, they can use all the centers they can get.

[TheRealness]

That's some obfuscatory sentence structure right there.

He's still alive. I was sure you folks could connect the dots.

[nayrbrey]

http://www.sbnation....ences-divisions

NHLPA refuses new alignment plan, seems to be the first shot in a CBA fight for 2013....


Edit- Bah "Start new threads" nevermind....

Edited by nayrbrey, 06 January 2012 - 08:04 PM.

[jsinger121]

Real_ESPNLeBrun

Source confirms what Aaron first reported. Todd Richards takes over for rest of year RT @Aportzline: #CBJ have fired coach Scott Arniel.

Edited by jsinger121, 09 January 2012 - 09:47 AM.

[Blacken]

Dustin Penner hurt himself while eating pancakes.

Yes, I'm serious.

http://sports.yahoo....-155530523.html

[slidingsideways]

Penner is actually being kind of awesome about this.

So it seems as though I need to address Pancakegate for those in the sports media world, as well as those following #pennercakes on twitter, in light of the recent phenomenon I've created.

Right off the bat, I'd like to clarify a few things.

For example, they were vegetarian pancakes. The injury happened as I was sitting down to eat, not mid-bite. And yes, I did finish them.

[...]

In an effort to end the entire experience on a high note, I'm partnering with MayorsManor to sponsor a 'Pancakes with Penner' breakfast. In the weeks to come we'll be setting up a special raffle. Fans will be able to purchase tickets for $1.00 for a chance to have a pancake breakfast with me. All the money raised will go to charity...while we enjoy some delicious pancakes!

Dustin Penner hurt himself while eating pancakes.

Yes, I'm serious.

http://sports.yahoo....-155530523.html

[Blacken]

CGY gets:
Mike Cammallieri
Karri Ramo (G prospect, KHL)
2012 MTL 5th

MTL gets:
Rene Bourque
Patrick Holland
2013 CGY 2nd

[AMcGhie]

According to ESPN, the Next classic is Red Wings/Leafs at Michigan Stadium (110k). They're also looking to host a second outdoor rink for other things (the Michigan equivalent of the Beanpot, AHL games, etc).

[PedroSpecialK]

That is awesome. Glad to see them start to include Canadian teams, hopefully opens the door for Bruins/Habs at Saputo or Molson Stadium down the road.

[smastroyin]

I'm thinking B's Nordiques right on the St. Lawrence river.