Welcome to my first ever English blog. I’ll be using this section to talk about my favorite teams, and my favorite sports.
Since the NHL Trade Deadline was today, figured I would begin with my focus on my favorite team the Montreal Canadiens.
I have to admit that I was disappointed that GM Pierre Gauthier didn’t make any moves today to attempt to improve the team. I was really hoping in seeing a Power Forward, a goal scorer or a player to help protect the little guys. I know our cap room was limited, but a guy can always hope and dream. However, I am happy that he did not over pay for Dustin Penner of the Oilers, or should I say Kings now.
Here’s what I see for the rest of the season for the Habs.
Gauthier did however make a good pick up last week, when he acquired Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes from the Thrashers for Ben Maxwell. Sopel brings experience and a Stanley Cup to the team, which will help the Defense, especially if Spacek is gone for a long time. When looking at the D Core right now, we have lots of experience and 3 young guns. Hamrlik, Wisniewski, Gill, Sopel have the experience, then you have Subban , Weber and Picard who I consider the Young Guns. Now, let’s hope the injury bug will leave the team for good.
The offensive side of the puck is where I’m a little concern. You have guys like Plekanec and Gionta what work their butts off, and practically never takes a shift off. Then, you have guys like Gomez and Kostitsyn who decides to play sloppy, and rarely work, yet they play a regular shift and see time on the Power Play. Until, someone on the team steps up and calls these 2 players out, or until Jacques Martin decides that enough is enough, and they sit in the stands for couple of games. This team, will continue to struggle to score goals.
Another big issue I see with the offense if the lack of size and toughness. Too many small players, that get hammered every game. There’s only so much abuse a player can take before they are out. Don’t get me wrong, I like Travis Moen and he tries his best to stand up for his teammates, but he can’t do it alone. Let’s hope that the Habs will not face the Bruins or Flyers in the first round, because if they do it may be a short series.
When looking in goal, if I were to say that that I knew all along that Price would be awesome, I would be lying. I had my doubts at the beginning of the season and was worried since our back up was Alex Auld. Price as proven me wrong on multiple occasions and is playing like the star that we were hoping to get, when we drafted him 5th overall.
Price stats speaks for itself.
Wins: 28 (Tied 2nd)
Shutout: 6 (Tied 3rd)
Save Percentage: .919 (Tied 9th)
GAA: 2.41 (Tied 9th)
He’s been excellent and deserves to be praised.
The only concern I have, is if something happens to Price, we are in big trouble. Last season, if something would of happened to Halak, we had Price that was able to win one by himself. This season, we have Alex Auld, and that is a major downgrade.
Looking at the overall picture of this team, here are my final thoughts.
Do I believe that they can win the Stanley Cup? NO
Do I believe that this team is better than last year team? NO (lack of depth will be a problem)
Do I believe that they can surprise some teams in the playoffs? YES (in the playoffs you never know what can happen)
Depending on where the team finishes, will determine how far they will go in the playoffs.
Thank you for reading my first blog, and hope you will enjoy it. I welcome feedback and comments, good or bad, I welcome it all.
Serge.
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