EHM The Blue Line

At the risk of getting people mad that I am tooting my own horn. TOOT TOOT TOOT!

Well, was I right when I made the comments about Carbonneau and his ability to coach the Montreal Canadiens? Kovalev denies his comments , however they are definitely pointing in the same direction as I was with my comments a few weeks back.

The magazine quotes Kovalev as saying Carbonneau doesn't like Russians and that francophone players receive preferential treatment; that the coach doesn't talk to his players; and that the team's accent on defence stifles creative players like himself and Sergei Samsonov.

Again Kovie denies saying the above. But darn, that sounds about right doesn't it? Especially the last part.

Carbonneau not communicating? Guy gives preferential treatment to certain players? Guy coaches the wrong style for the type of team and players he has? Hmmm...sounds like Kovalev is doing major damage control. My guess, Alexei said exactly what was printed in Russia. Although of course Russian media is not known for being all that honest or credible.

Thoughts? CatchUp I know you have been waiting for this....

It doesn't seem out of line with what has been going on it would seem... and it's not out of character for Kovalev who has has been critical of his team to media before. So yeah I'd buy that this one stikes pretty close to the truth, even if you are blowing your own horn a bit When yer right yer right

I actually thought of your comments while I was reading this article on TSN tonight.

You defniitely hit the nail on the head - and I'm sure Kovalev said what he says he didn't say. It's painfully obvious that something has gone wrong in the Habs locker room. The remedy? Ship out Kovalev, Samsonov, Koivu et al. Purge the core of the team and rebuild around Souray, Markov and Huet. You want to play defense first? Get the players for it.

Cheers and good work detective batdad.

Didn't Patrick Roy himself allude to special treatment, in particular concerning Latendresse?

This sort of a mess won't sit well in Quebec. Then again, from what TSN was saying there hasn't been a solid lockerroom in about a decade. I agree with Mr. Up, either get a coach with a system complimentary to it's roster, or get a roster complimentary to it's coach's system.

CatchUp wrote:I actually thought of your comments while I was reading this article on TSN tonight.

You defniitely hit the nail on the head - and I'm sure Kovalev said what he says he didn't say. It's painfully obvious that something has gone wrong in the Habs locker room. The remedy? Ship out Kovalev, Samsonov, Koivu et al. Purge the core of the team and rebuild around Souray, Markov and Huet. You want to play defense first? Get the players for it.

Cheers and good work detective batdad.

What about release Carbonneau and keep the russians and Koivu???

Just asking here as Iam not very familiar with the matter

Edit: and I guess keeping Souray AND Markov will be too expensive, right??

flea wrote:What about release Carbonneau and keep the russians and Koivu???

Just asking here as Iam not very familiar with the matter

Edit: and I guess keeping Souray AND Markov will be too expensive, right??

I don't believe the Habs will fire Carbs and Kirkie after only one season. Granted, it might have been a disappointing season, but I think they'll get AT LEAST one more crack at it next year.

As far as players go, wouldn't you rather spend a bit of money on Markov and Souray OR 'waste' 8 mil on Kovy and Sammy next year? I personally think the Habs could spend that 8 million MUCH more effectively.

Cheers.

Look what I just found:

Souray stays, but how long?

Speculation was rampant that Montreal would trade free-agent-to-be Sheldon Souray at the deadline. But after sending another defenseman, Craig Rivet, to San Jose, GM Bob Gainey decided that, with his team still in the playoff chase, he'd keep Souray and try to sign him.

Word out of L.A. is the Kings dumped captain Mattias Norstrom so they can make a serious run at Souray, whose ex-wife, actress Angelica Bridges, and daughter live there. Bridges is expecting the couple's second child in May and Souray hopes the two can reconcile. Hmm.

Source: Palm Beach Post

Dont know if its a realiable source though....

The latest reports I've read have Souray considering re-signing in MTL over LA. Apparently, he's trying to talk the 'estranged' wife/girlfriend into moving to Montreal. We'll see.

Personally, I'd much rather see them re-sign Markov than Souray. If you're not re-signing him that gives you a chunk of change to sign an UFA D-man who isn't a pylon in his own end. i.e. Timonen, who I think should be a Habs target this offseason.

If what Kovie says is true...Markov...Souray....Markov...Souray. Who do you think Guy wants back? Hmmmm....

Timonen will go back to Nashville or go where there are 10 Finns--Philly, Dallas.

ROUND 2

Kovalev is on fire!!!!

batdad wrote:ROUND 2

Kovalev is on fire!!!!

I saw this yesterday, it was a bomb here in Montreal, listening sport radio, the comments were... exotics
The team is having a heck of a media attention lately. "Sleeping Gainey", flush or not to flush Koivu, President saying they could get a superstar now, and now, another chapter of the Kovalev-Montreal love and hate relationship!!

This summer will be a long one...

Big changes coming in Montreal. Big ones. But "No Vinny for you" [/Soup Nazi from Seinfeld voice]...at least not yet.


I predict: Koivu, Kovalev moved. Samsonov will be back, cause noone will take him. And you will lose 1 of Markov/Souray. However, if Gaineyor Carbonneau gets canned all bets are off. Samsonov bought out, cause still noone will take him or Montreal learns from Lou and Samsonov gets a sudden injury---Post Concussion Syndrome? Allowing to put him on the LTIR. which would be the right way to go.

But...the NHL will check into this and half way through the year (NHL is learning with Matvichuk, Connolly (who was hurt) and Kesler (who could likely have been back)...that this is the loophole) and Montreal gets busted forcing them into a trade at the 40 game mark...a big one.

People in the Russian media get killed for honesty.

I think the Habs should trade their entire roster with the Leafs for one season, then trade back. Just for fun. Wasn't Kovalev pretty much hailed as a saviour for the Habs when they brought him in? That team seems to have a knack for beating players down and/or making them go bald.

Heh. Habs...Leafs...funny. And no..Toronto cannot have Montreal's roster. They have a decent coach and would actually win with that Habs roster. Noone wants that do we?

Now, Perezhogin has possibly signed a contract in the russian league..

Good point batdad. John Ferguson Jr. for life.