Habs Dump Cole for Ryder

Posted on February 26, 2013 by

Cole - byebyeWritten By: Iain Carnegie, BBBR

The question has been uttered a million times by as many people over the last few weeks.

What should we do with Erik Cole?

Apparently, unbeknownst to us, Mr. Bergevin has had the answer waiting in the wings, and today we became aware of it. In what I believe was unexpected to most Montreal fans, Erik Cole found himself once again packing his suitcase to head to another town. This time – Dallas.

The reward returning in our favour? Ex Montreal Canadien, Michael Ryder. Not to mention a third round pick in the next NHL entry draft. Marc Bergevin clearly came to Montreal with a vision and plan in mind, and he is keeping to that plan.

Cole has struggled since the beginning of this season, and has never seemingly turned it around. No one was sure if it was a lack of desire to play the game at all anymore, or if the overhaul to the franchise might be playing a card in the factor. Cole was heard several times saying that he felt that he was finished after this season, so it seemed that there was a lack of drive moving forward. Perhaps the lockout played a deeper role in some players than we thought.

It’s a shame in many ways when you consider the fashion in which Cole burst onto the scene here in Montreal last year. He seemed to be the cog in the system that we were lacking. Size, mobility and speed. Unafraid to head to the dirtiest areas of the ice, driving to the blue paint.

But that all disappeared this season. His heart seemed deflated, his body slow, his desire gone.

So we did what needed done with Erik Cole. We parted ways. And in his stead we will see a familliar face don le Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge. Michael Ryder returns after being away for 5 years.

I for one, was elated to hear this news. Yes it’s a bitter farewell to Cole – who I have utmost respect for in every possible way. But in honesty – I never wanted Ryder to go in the first place. He has great size and speed, and in my opinion, some serious hockey skills if he’s utilized appropriately.

Michael RyderThere’s no doubt that his original stint with Montreal came as a result of his relationship with Claude Julien. He had been coached under Julien in both the Juniors and in the AHL. Another likely reason that he chose Boston, when his contract was not renewed by the Canadiens in 2008.

But he’s a solid winger who over three seasons with La Flanelle managed to amass 76 goals and 70 assists in 144 games played. Those aren’t numbers to shrug a shoulder at. He also gained those numbers under a coaching and management team that was playing the wrong system for the players they had in the roster.

No one can argue there was a decline in his play here over the last year of his tenure, but one has to keep in mind where this franchise was heading at that time. Bob Gainey was at the helm not only of the organization, but causing turmoil behind the bench as he himself coached 57 games. He had tight reigns on Guy Carbonneau throughout, and (once again) in my opinion, nearly ruined this franchise.

With the re-introduction of Ryder into the line-up, several things change. We get more youth (by a touch), we get more desire, we get more skill set, and we get a player who is going to be allowed to play within his skill set based on the Canadiens new system. We also have a smaller salary to contend with while picking up another great draft position for the future.

Anyone who believes that Marc Bergevin didn’t have a plan for this franchise heading forward should currently be bowing their head in shame. Things are changing here in Montreal, and for the better.

Welcome home Michael Ryder ….

Posted in 2012-2013 NHL Season, Announcements, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, Northeastern Division, Trade Talk | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Visions Blurry Around the Montreal Canadiens

Posted on February 23, 2013 by

Blurred Vision

Written By: Iain Carnegie, BBBR

So by end of business today, the Montreal Canadiens still found themselves squeezed into first place overall in the Eastern Conference of the NHL. Who would have thought that? Fans in Montreal definitely have something to be joyful about. But are they?

Coming off a five game winning streak, something virtually unheard of here in Montreal, against the Lightning, Panthers, Flyers, Hurricanes, and Rangers – there were high hopes  of ‘putting it’ to the Islanders Thursday night, and extend that streak to six.

Unfortunately, the Habs had one of the worst games of their season against the New York franchise, giving up a 3-1 lead to lose in overtime. It was a meltdown by a team that had commanding presence in the first thirty minutes.

As things unraveled, Twitter exploded as fans went from praising the team to swearing at them and showing immediate criticism. One of my own followers went as far as to suggest that it was only a matter of time till the team returned to their play of last season.

Even during the five game winning streak, fans complained that the team was playing boring hockey.

It makes me wonder what on earth could finally make a fan base happy on a regular basis. Winning the Stanley Cup? Every team that has done that in a given season has had bad nights as well.

Last year, le Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge finished 15th in the Eastern Conference – dead last. There was little to cheer about and I will admit that – I too – was thoroughly disappointed and voiced my disgust. But there is a significant difference between these two seasons, and it’s a bit ridiculous to start snapping at the team based on where they are today, after one bad game.

There are far more significant things to be positive about with this years team and coaching staff.

The powerplay is greatly improved, much of that to do with the full recovery of Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges, the re-signing of PK Subban, and the improved play of Raphael Diaz. The defense as a whole is one of the best in the East. Only two other teams have given up less goals than the Habs.

Offensively, Les Boys are much stronger 5 on 5 in a significant way. Even though the top line struggled to begin the season, Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais have made great strides over the past few games, and appear to be in synch again. The management has infused the team with a “youth on fire”. The additions of Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk have proven to be substantial. They play well together, have incredible hockey skill sets, and inspire some of the veterans to keep that same pace. Players like Prust have shown Canadiens opposition that we do have size and attitude, and are a well rounded team to be reckoned with.

Overall, we are finally seeing the end to the old regime, that held onto antiquated systems for the type of team that they had built. With the new players and contracts, the release of others, the current coaching staff has finally been able to introduce a system that is conducive to the players, rather than vice versa.

In regards to the team playing “boring games” as of late, I would have to disagree. These games have not been boring. Montreal has recently been playing against teams that are very evenly matched against them, and they have played them tightly. Yet, during the five wins in a row, only two of those games were decided by one goal. These were well coached, tightly played contests that handed Montreal ten straight points.

Even if the games were considered boring by some, boring wins are preferable to exciting losses. At the end of the day, it’s the number in the ‘win’ column that trumps how exciting the game was to watch, and also the number that can get you closer to winning the ultimate prize.

Tomorrow, the Habs will be challenged once again as the New York Rangers come to the Bell Center. Again, Rick Nash will be out of the line-up, but the Canadiens will once again deal with Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers are sitting in eighth place and will be anxious to avenge their loss to Montreal at Madison Square Gardens, so it will not be an easy night.

If La Flanelle can manage to do the things they didn’t do against the Islanders, they can gain another two points. They looked tired against the Isles (4 games in 6 nights), and it cost them. Passes were sloppy and weak, defenders couldn’t hold the blue line on the powerplay, nor could they stop the competition from gaining easy access to the slot in front of Carey Price.

But they’ve enjoyed a short break and have the chance to once again wow in front of the home town fans, where they are 7-3-1 this season.

Just keep in mind as you watch the game tomorrow night. This is a much improved team over last season, and are giving us great things to cheer about. Let’s focus on that and keep the momentum moving in the right direction.

Posted in 2012-2013 NHL Season, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHL | 1 Comment

Habs Stop Skid – Kinda!

Posted on February 13, 2013 by

Emabarrassed Habs

Written By: Iain Carnegie, BBBR

Hide your faces – it was an ugly one.

It’s well known that the worst lead in hockey is the 2-0 advantage. Apparently, no one sent the Habs that memo, as they once again re-invented the wheel.

Up by three goals, just a little less than halfway into the last period, the Canadiens once again melted down allowing 3 unanswered goals to take the game into overtime, and then a shootout.

Now I will be fair here. There is no way that the second goal should have been allowed for Tampa. It was most definitely punched into the net by Victor Hedman; and his reaction after the review was more than enough to show that he was aware that he “got away with one”.

Having said that, the edge we saw from the Habs in their first four wins was not as apparent. They are beginning to take the foot off the pedal. It’s like they’ve been brought back to earth with a resounding thump, realizing that they are far from invincible.

There is no doubt that every team will have good and bad bounces, and that you can come out of some well played games on the wrong side of the score, but we have seen a distinct decline in the energy level of this team when it comes to the continued press.

On the Canadiens Post Game Show, broadcast on Montreal Hockey Talk, the question was put out to everyone as to whether this is a problem with fatigue, or Therrien being out-coached. I like Therrien, but I think it’s the latter. Every team is “fatigued” with the shortened schedule, and the lack of preseason play, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Habs bench boss has been out shined in the past four matches.

This team had the opportunity to send a well timed message tonight, and that message comes from the top down. They could have told the Eastern conference that even after losing three straight – they can bounce back, put the pedal to the floor, and bury their opponent as they’ve been able to do early in the season. Instead, they puttered, sat back, and squeaked out a win.

With one quarter of the season officially in the books, it’s not going to get any easier either. Looking at the next ten games, six are on the road, and the teams they face are no laughing matter. Granted, the Panthers (road game), Philly (home), and the Islanders (home) aren’t great threats on paper, they also have to face the Rangers twice (home and away), Carolina (home), the Penguins (home), as well as the Leafs, Senators, and Bruins (all on the road).

There has been a lot of talk about what game would be the litmus test for this franchise making the post season, and bringing some sort of glory back to the city of Montreal. But reality says that the true answers will only come over the next ten games. This team can go either way, and it’s in Michel Therrien’s hands to write the story.

There is pure raw talent on this team right now, and there are a few potential duds. How this team comes away from their structure will depend solely on how the captain of this ship steers it. If he can nurture the raw talent, and re-mold or disperse of the duds, this franchise could have a great run to the post-season.

But he has to step to the plate and lead this team. Utilize the talent that he has, at the right time, in the right place. It’s time for him to re-instill within all players on this team that there is never a time to let up. To find the right pieces of the puzzle to come  together with fervor – and not complacency.

Posted in 2012-2013 NHL Season, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHL | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Canadiens and Lightning Both Put Losing Streak on the Line

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

habs v lightning

Written By: Iain cerneige, #BBBBR

Shakeups and shakedowns were the name of the game over the past two days during on-ice practice, and in the Habs dressing room, and it comes as no surprise.

Many questions lingered in the air after the Canadiens posted their third straight loss, and an ugly one at that, at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There was very little the Canadiens have done right since the opening 15 minutes against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. We can talk line-ups all day long and wouldn’t be spared enough minutes to complete the conversation. We can talk about the demise of the powerplay since the return of PK Subban. We can even talk about individual players seeming to have lost their touch, or groups that have lost their chemistry.

One topic of conversation that I rarely read about is one that is paramount to this team getting back on the right side of the Win/Loss columns.

The Face-off circle.

It all begins at the face-off dot, and when you are giving the puck away more often than maintaining it, you definitively lower your chances of taking home victories. As of today, the Montreal Canadiens face-off percentage is at 45.6%, which is 27th in the league. The people that aren’t getting it done? David Desharnais sits near the team average, and believe it or not, the same can be said about Tomas Plekanec. The worst offender of the bunch is Erik Cole (22.2%).

The system that Michel Therrien has implemented for this team relies – or should I say demands – that les Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge gain a  much higher percentage of puck possession off the dot so they can do what they do best. Move the puck, cycle down low, and own the offensive zone; while they can ease the pressure on the defenders when winning the defensive zone and have control entering the neutral zone.

It’s time to look for someone with some serious talent within the coaching realm, and have this issue rectified. Letting it continue to slide will have long term detrimental effects on how far they can go in this season.

Tonight, the biggest visual change going into tonight’s puck drop, is the promotion of Brandan Prust moving up to the top line alongside Desharnais and Cole, in the hopes to spark something with the faltering pair. Pacioretty moves down to play alongside Brendan Gallagher and Alex Gelchenyuk (who celebrates his 19th Birthday today). This should significantly see TOI increases for the two young talents who are averaging eleven to twelve minutes a night.

At the end of the day, we’re watching two teams desperate to get back on track. While Montreal has at least pulled out a shoot out loss in the past three games versus some very tough opponents, the hunger may very well be stronger for a Tampa team that has lost to the Rangers (twice), Philadelphia, and the Conference leading New Jersey Devils.

We should know straight off the first face-off who’s the hungrier of the two.

 

Posted in Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, 2012-2013 NHL Season | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canadiens Get Back to Back Success

Posted on February 4, 2013 by

go habs go

Written By: Iain Carnegie, BBBR

Michel Therrien was asked a question at the end of last week during his time on “Tout Le Monde en Parle”, as the teams headed into it’s second back to back series of the season. At the time, the team was 4-2-0, and the question posed was whether the team would be 4-4-0,  5-3-0, or 6-2-0 by Sunday evening.

He didn’t bat an eye. He just responded with even tone. The Habs would win both games. And the team did not disappoint.

Many a fan was wondering how the team would react to the dismal showing against the Senators from the previous Wednesday night, when they took a solid beating in a 5-1 loss. In that game, Les Boys never found their rhythm, with sloppy puck handling, slow skating, and very few redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Buffalo was a .500 team coming in, with Vanek being on fire, and Miller showing his usual solid skills between the pipes. Plus, it was a matinee game which usually leads to teams starting slow and sloppy.

But it became apparent right out of the gate that this was a different team than the one that took to the ice in the nations capital a few days earlier. There were distinct changes to the line-up, as the Canadiens dressed seven defensemen and eleven forwards. The notable defenseman of the evening being PK Subban, making his 2012-2013 debut.

All lines contributed, and they seemed to have their legs back. They consistently controlled the neutral zone, cycled the puck strongly in the offensive zone, and back-checked consistently, giving Price less work than had been pushed on Budaj in the previous match. They outshot the Sabres 15-1 in the first frame.

It was also a night of monkeys being torn off players backs. David Desharnais was visibly relieved when he potted his first goal of the season, halfway through the second period, giving the Habs a 2-0 lead. He would find the back of the net once again in the third, and looked like a much more relaxed player throughout the afternoon. Rene Bourque was rewarded once again for his trips to the front of the net, as he beat Miller to open the scoring with a mere eight seconds remaining in the opening period. Eller managed to turn on the goal light for his first of the season, and Gallagher chalked up his third on a beautiful 2 on 1 break with Galchenyuk on his right wing.

Th difference was palpable. Montreal played a full sixty minutes of hockey, never letting up on the gas pedal. Not once did they sit back and try to protect their lead. Instead they just kept pushing – looking for that next goal.

You can listen in on my opinion during the Montreal Hockey Talk Post-Game Show and make sure you follow us on Twitter at @MtlHockeyTalk.

Click HERE to listen in.

The following day, with another 2pm matinee scheduled, the Habs welcomed the chance to make things even or extract some revenge on the visiting Senators. To say that they had something to prove would be far from accurate, but it definitely wasn’t the exact same team from the previous afternoon.

They seemed slower again, and not as crisp in their passing game. They were often kept to the outside portions of the ice in the offensive zone, and weren’t as capable in shutting down the neutral zone against the larger Sens.

Miraculously, Max Pacioretty was back in the line-up after being out just a week after emergency appendicitis surgery. Although Ottawa drew first blood, less than a minute later, Pacioretty made his presence felt, feeding none other than Desharnais for his third of the season. A little over mid-way through the first, Erik Cole scored the game winner from Bouillon and Subban.

One of the things that can be attributed to the success of La Flanelle this year sits squarely on the shoulders of Head Coach Michel Therrien. He has implemented a system that’s conducive to the players – not the other way around. He’s also mentoring a “team first” attitude, ensuring that it can never be about one single player. He’s managed that not only by preaching the philosophy, but by ensuring it through great ice time management, and solid line selections.

The back to back wins have put Montreal solidly into fourth place in the conference, with a chance to take over top spot in the Northeast Division with a victory against Boston on Wednesday.

Wednesday will be the true litmus test for this team. It will be interesting to see how the Bruins react to Therrien’s new system. They will have to deal with a much larger, tougher Canadiens team, that hasn’t relinquished any of it’s speed, but has evidently deepened their talent.

Montreal can’t win them all this season, but we all know how sweet a victory would be walking onto the ice Wednesday, and electrifying the Bell Center crowd with a huge win against our arch rival, taking over first place in the Division.

Posted in 2012-2013 NHL Season, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Northeastern Division | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Habs Collapse in Ottawa

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

Habs Sleep Pants

Written By: Iain Carnegie, BBBR

Apparently, the team didn’t get the memo, or they read it wrong.

What it said was, that Carey Price was getting the night off. Clearly most of the players inserted their own name in place of Price’s, and decided to take the night off as well; hanging Peter Budaj out to dry in his 2013 debut.

Every smart fan out there knew that this was going to be a tough test for the Canadiens, so we weren’t expecting a blowout in Montreal’s favour, but the misery the Habs displayed on the ice was incomprehensible.

The good start, with Plekanec nailing his fourth of the season, on an early Habs power-play wasn’t what set the pace for this game. It was clear – from early on – that both teams were going to be physical. Before the match was even six minutes in, there had been four fighting majors handed out.

Despite the fact that I’m extremely disappointed in the tightness and zero tolerance policy of the NHL officials, which clearly interrupted the flow of this game early on, it had no effect on the outcome of this particular contest.

Montreal clearly did not show up, and in particular, the first line of this team.

David Desharnais has been a complete disappointment all season so far. It’s like he has lost his vision and touch.He’s been fighting the puck and the play every step of the way.

The biggest aggravation has been Erik Cole. He looks like he’s already retired, or asleep. I’ve never seen so many pathetically soft passes and a lack of desire to head to the front of the net. Even as the Habs engaged strongly to begin the third, Cole was only sitting beside the net and taking shots from poor locations, when he could have driven to the blue paint and been more productive.

The other major equation was the lack of discipline. The team took eleven penalties – three of which were taken by a fiery Ryan White. It was his double minor that cost the Habs two quick goals that opened the game up in the Senator’s favour.

There was very little to praise Montreal about in this crusade. The power-play was weak, the penalty-kill was no better, the even strength play-making efforts were poor at best, and this clearly looked like a team that was playing back to back games with little to no preparation.

By the middle of the match, it was obvious the Canadiens were playing desperation hockey, and by that time, the air was solidly out of the balloon.

One of the bright lights of the night was the aggressive play by Brandon Prust. He was robbed by Craig Anderson twice in the third, but he never gave up on the play and constantly showed determination.

For the many that will try and blame Budaj for this outcome, re-watch the game tape and see how very little he can be blamed overall for this loss.

They head into their next outing against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (2pm start) with a two day rest, and with the arrival of PK Subban in the line-up. The crowd at the Bell Center should be deafening when he’s announced onto the ice. Hopefully that rest and two day preparation can spur a difference in their performance.

Sadly, that outing only sets them up to face the Senators again, in their second back to back of the season.

Perhaps they will take lessons learned into this second event with Ottawa, and step it up a few notches, because this is definitely not the same team that we saw in the previous three games.

Posted in Eastern Conference, Northeastern Division, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, 2012-2013 NHL Season | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Habs Ground Jets Under Officiating Duress

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

NHL RefsWritten By:Iain Carnegie, BBBR

The picture says it all. “Have another drink”. Clearly there was something more than Gatorade in the bottles of the officials during the Canadiens game against the Jets tonight.

I won’t make that the main topic of this post, but it is one that can’t be passed up on. Many calls during tonight’s game were soft at best, and on both sides of the puck.

The late first period call on Markov (Hooking) and the early call on Eller (Tripping) in the second were pretty weak. The call on Stuart (Cross Checking) in the second was equally as bad. But the worst had to be the mid-third period call on Prust (Diving) after being boarded by Antrapov.

At the end of it all, the Canadiens came away with two power-play goals, and two regular strength goals to complete a 4-3 victory and advance two more points up the Eastern Conference ladder.

It was their fourth straight win with four goals apiece in each of those victories.

The difference in this game compared to any other this season, was how the Canadiens reacted to a team that is much larger and also on a 3 game winning streak.

They popped out to an early 2-0 lead, but there was a definitive turning point in the second, when it became clear that the Jets were here to play. They answered with three unanswered goals (one on the PP) and you could tell this was a whole new test for the Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge.

Having said that, we witnessed once again, a team that refused to quit – for the most part.

On yet another power-play, Tomas Plekanec notched the third in his belt for the season, and put the Habs up 4-3 early in the third. From there on, the team seemed to gather more steam and get some quickness back into their game.

But the power-play became lackluster during a two minute man advantage, thanks to an Enstrom high stick call. They couldn’t find the glue and were all over the ice, running after the Jets in their own zone at times.

That play continued and nearly cost them as the Jets pulled Pavelec, and ran the Habs ragged for the last minute of play.

At the end of the day, Montreal showed real gum-shun in a tough fought battle. Once again, the line of Galchenyuk, Prust, and Gallagher was something to behold, and it earned Gallagher the First Star of the match.

Tomorrow will be equally as tough, as Les Boys go back to back for the first time this season, visiting the nations capital to take on the Ottawa Senators.

The Sens are hot to begin the season, having gone 4-1-1 in their first six outings, and sit 1 point ahead of the Habs in the East with one game in hand.

Tomorrow will be yet another true test as to what this team is really all about. Here’s just hoping that the officials in Ottawa drink less Gatorade than the one’s did in Montreal tonight.

Posted in Eastern Conference, Northeastern Division, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, 2012-2013 NHL Season | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment