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2009-10 State of the Habs


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Yes, I know it is premature to say what the state of the Habs will be in 2009-10, but there have already been some changes made here, with a new head coach. And there may be some more sweeping changes coming, especially if there is new ownership coming in.

I think, at least for the time being, they are in a state of transition. But it is not all bad for these guys, either. I have maintained that the real Habs are somewhere between the team that won the Eastern Conference two seasons ago, and the one that finished a dismal eighth last season. I still think that talent-wise, this is a 4th-6th place team. And there is that wild card of whether Jacques Martin can make a big difference in how they play.

Can we get anybody in the UFA market to sign here? Can we trade our way into a higher draft position so we can get a marquee player early on in the draft? Can we start doing a better job of drafting in the lower rounds, like Detroit has done so well for so long? These are all questions waiting to be answered, and those answers will go a long way to determining how far this team goes going forward, not just in the 2009-10 season, but beyond as well.

:unsure:

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A little too early to say about where they will end up I do agree with you however that they are somewhere between the team that showed up the past two seasons. I think Martin in a great fit and the guys will actually have to earn their playing time. By that I mean they will be working hard during practices and they better show up in shape cause with so many young hungry guys waiting to come up there will be spots to be earned.

We shall see - so far the changes look good to me.

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If the cap goes down, I think the habs will be in a really good position. Teams who are loaded with many top name players will have to be sellers and it will be our chance to buy. Lots of good things can happen for the habs. I would love to get Kovalchuk.

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  • 1 month later...
Once again, we're bringing back another one of the forum's popular threads. If there's anything that's not player- or coach-specific about the Habs that you'd like to discuss, you've come to the right place -- anything from the team's place in the standings to their general 'state' is welcome here.
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Im quite impressed with the new stock of the team, I think that we have added players who will skate every night, and aren't afraid to go to the net. Even though our top line is small, I think that they have the heart that we lacked last year. As well as matching, or exceeding the talent that we had last year. With our D upgrades, and the defensive system that our new coach will preach, I think we can also expect a solid season out of Carey. Not that we can fault him for our struggles last year, but he will feel as if he has alot to prove, and that can only mean good things. My prediction is top four in the conference.

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I am going to take a wait-and-see approach to all of this, to see just how much time and effort it takes for this team to jell. I like many of the changes they've made, but I'm still waiting with bated breath to see how the young players pan out now that it appears they will be given more opportunity to play.

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I am going to take a wait-and-see approach to all of this, to see just how much time and effort it takes for this team to jell. I like many of the changes they've made, but I'm still waiting with bated breath to see how the young players pan out now that it appears they will be given more opportunity to play.

Which young players are you referring to?

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I assume he was referring to the likes of Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, Josh Gorges, Guillaume Latendresse, Maxim Lapierre, Max Pacioretty, Matt D'Agostini, Ryan O'Byrne, Carey Price, and Jaroslav Halak.

Pacioretty is the player with the least experience at the NHL level and more than likely will start with the Bulldogs this season IMO. D'Agostini is yet to be signed as is Stewart (not mentioned?)... the rest have been around for at least two years already (some three) and have seen their fair share of ice-time already.... they are not young players the way I see it and the opportunity to play more, for the most part, may not ne more than it was previous. Then again that's just my opinion (based on the players already signed. But a trade could change alot for some perhaps

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Pacioretty is the player with the least experience at the NHL level and more than likely will start with the Bulldogs this season IMO. D'Agostini is yet to be signed as is Stewart (not mentioned?)... the rest have been around for at least two years already (some three) and have seen their fair share of ice-time already.... they are not young players the way I see it and the opportunity to play more, for the most part, may not ne more than it was previous. Then again that's just my opinion (based on the players already signed. But a trade could change alot for some perhaps

They may not be young players, "The way you see it," but they are young players the way I, and other members here, see it. It all boils down to expectations really. Specifically, expectations on those younger players we have just mentioned. Sure, Pacioretty and D'agostini may not make much of an impact... But they might make just enough of a minor impact in a limited capacity to make a difference. Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, and Guillaume Latendresse, despite having a few seasons under their belt, are still raw at the NHL level and are steadily improving. This year we can all expect them to be better, and that could make all the difference in the world on offense. What if Andrei nets 35? What if Sergei and Gui net 20 each? That's something major, my friend.

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Lots of changes have been made and lots are still to come. For me its to early to talk about the state of, because this team first has to become a team and hit the ice.

I really hope this shakeup will workout, but I do think we are still in for some more reshaping and rebuilding. Right now I am still in the middle if this team will have their successes or not. I think when they do, it will take some time and with some additions down the line.

Anyways, I am exited for this upcoming season, cant wait for the puck to drop.

Go Habs Go!!!

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Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, and Guillaume Latendresse, despite having a few seasons under their belt, are still raw at the NHL level and are steadily improving. This year we can all expect them to be better,............

Not necessarily

Maybe, and I'm not saying it will happen, what we have seen of them the past couple of seasons is as good as it 's going to get for these three

Noen of the three are superstars

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Not necessarily

Maybe, and I'm not saying it will happen, what we have seen of them the past couple of seasons is as good as it 's going to get for these three

None of the three are superstars

In my mind its doubtful they will ever be superstars either... they could improve slightly perhaps. But they could also be gone if they don't.

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In my mind its doubtful they will ever be superstars either... they could improve slightly perhaps. But they could also be gone if they don't.

You said it

I agree

AK probably nothing more than a 50 to 60 pt player in his best year

SK ..30 to 40 if he's lucky

and Lats about the same

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The team looks good, like the changes. But the real test will come when the puck drops against the leafs.

I wouldn't be using the Leafs as a measuring stick against NHL teams. The Leafs no matter how good or bad they are always get pumped to play the Habs. They play like a Stanley Cup team against us when they are playing and then look like a midget team against other NHL teams. The Habs have to look at how they play against teams like Boston, Philly, Detroit, San Jose, Anahiem, Pittsburgh, and Washington. How we play against these teams will tell how good or bad are team really is.

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I wouldn't be using the Leafs as a measuring stick against NHL teams. The Leafs no matter how good or bad they are always get pumped to play the Habs. They play like a Stanley Cup team against us when they are playing and then look like a midget team against other NHL teams. The Habs have to look at how they play against teams like Boston, Philly, Detroit, San Jose, Anahiem, Pittsburgh, and Washington. How we play against these teams will tell how good or bad are team really is.

I wasn't really using the Leafs, it was more about the start of the season (seeing what the new crew does on the ice).

Last year it seemed we played well against the good teams and poorly against the bottom dwellers. Looking for a turn-a-round this coming season.

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I wasn't really using the Leafs, it was more about the start of the season (seeing what the new crew does on the ice).

Last year it seemed we played well against the good teams and poorly against the bottom dwellers. Looking for a turn-a-round this coming season.

true! we need to beat everyone good or bad no more nights off! some of our former leaders seemed to take nights off against the so called weaker teams! and we would lose out on seemingly easy points :D

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The team looks good, like the changes. But the real test will come when the puck drops against the leafs.

Man,what a match-up for a season opener...

I soooooooooo badly want this win for us,and I will say right now,in front of all those toronto-make-me-laugh fans,that we are going to kick some butt on opening night.

So be prepared.

Leafs suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk........GOHABSGO.

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