What Do You Think Of The New Defensive Core?

[mtl_-Habs4Life-_mtlc]

Spacek - 35 years old - maybe 30 to 40 pts

He had 45 points last year on a pretty terrible Buffalo team. Despite his age, I'd say he's capable of at least that playing alongside Markov on the PP.

Gill - 34 years old ; Big , really big but slow . In fact he was often referred to on this site, when he played for the Leafs as one of those orange triangular things you put on the road - maybe 10 to 20 pts

He's slow, but he was acquired to play a role that suits him - killing penalties and clearing the front of the net. As long as he plays a decent positional game he won't look like a pylon too often, and he will be useful. 10 - 20 points is still better than Komisarek's output.

Marra - 30 yrs old . I've heard the name before but his signing is IMO nothing major.

Just another # 5 or # 6 D man which we this team has plenty of

Mara is underrated, he's definitely not a #5 or 6 guy. Top 4 at least, with offensive upside. Good pickup by Gainey.

It looks like the D did get older and possibly slower but time will tell

Other than Markov , not much in the way of quick puck moving D men although I don't know much about Spacek

When you consider that we lost Bouillon (33), Dandenault (33), Brisebois (38), and Schneider (40), and replaced them with Spacek (35), Mara (29), Gill (34), you realize that the D actually became younger (Average age of the first 4: 36, average age of the 3 replacements, just under 33).

Mara and Spacek are both good puck movers, not on the same level as Markov obviously, but considerably better than what we had.

[amp73]

When you consider that we lost Bouillon (33), Dandenault (33), Brisebois (38), and Schneider (40), and replaced them with Spacek (35), Mara (29), Gill (34), you realize that the D actually became younger (Average age of the first 4: 36, average age of the 3 replacements, just under 33).

I didn't include Schneider "cause he was a rental all along - just BG's band aid solution and Boullion I entriely forget about - I guess that shows you what I thought of him

I still think they got older but then again the Habs have all these prospects in Hamilton or the Jrs that they never give a chance to

[mtl_-Habs4Life-_mtlc]

You can bet that at least a couple veteran D men will be injured this season, and guys like O'byrne, Weber, Subban, and Carle will get their chance. None of those 4 are ready to make a full time jump into the NHL IMO.

[fourtrax]

On paper this defense looks better than the Pittsburgh core that just won the Stanley Cup.

Time will tell of course.

The only problem is that unlike Pittsburgh, we don't have a Crosby or a Malkin.

[FirstStar]

I don't understand why everyone is upset about BG getting Spacek. Sure he's 35, but so was Kovalev when he had his 84 point season.

Everyone screamed when BG brought in a 39 year old Schneider, yet, he turned around our pp.

Lang at 38, was our leading scorer before he was injured last season.

Need I say more?

I like our defensive core, I really believe Bob's acquisitions were directly related to Price, giving him every reason to succeed this season. If Price doesn't bounce back this season (with all the help BG brought in), then I'm afraid to say, he might end up like Thibo... But, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, new defensive core and a new goalie coach.

Let's go Price, no more excuses, this season falls on your back.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

I don't understand why everyone is upset about BG getting Spacek. Sure he's 35, but so was Kovalev when he had his 84 point season.

Everyone screamed when BG brought in a 39 year old Schneider, yet, he turned around our pp.

Lang at 38, was our leading scorer before he was injured last season.

Need I say more?

Not all old guys are bad, but its not a trend one wants to repeat.

I like our defensive core, I really believe Bob's acquisitions were directly related to Price, giving him every reason to succeed this season. If Price doesn't bounce back this season (with all the help BG brought in), then I'm afraid to say, he might end up like Thibo... But, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, new defensive core and a new goalie coach.

If thats how you insulate a goalie thats a job failed. The aquisitions were nice, and the D will be better, but they have to they were one of the worst in the league last year.

On Price, thats a little harsh IMO. Hes still only in his 3rd year also on the goalie coach, I'm still waiting for proof that Rollie was to blame for anything other than that one measly quote.

Let's go Price, no more excuses, this season falls on your back.

Why pin a season on a 22 year old tenders back? If he gives the team average goaltending thats fine, the team shouldn't need to rely on him.

[DA_Champion]

Why pin a season on a 22 year old tenders back? If he gives the team average goaltending thats fine, the team shouldn't need to rely on him.

I agree :-)

I was against the defensive moves (I'm for developing youth) until I realized this would be good for Price's development.

He should have an easier time this year, face fewer shots and weaker shots. .905-915 would be and should be enough for a competitive playoff spot.

[FirstStar]

Not all old guys are bad, but its not a trend one wants to repeat.

Just making a point that a 35 year old may not be as bad as some make it out to be.

Why pin a season on a 22 year old tenders back? If he gives the team average goaltending thats fine, the team shouldn't need to rely on him.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put it all on his back. Basically, what I'm saying is that we can't give him anymore excuses. It's make or break time. He won't be able to blame the team, his defensive core or his goalie coach. It's his 3rd season and it's up to him to prove his worth, no more excuses, this is make or break for Price, imho.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put it all on his back. Basically, what I'm saying is that we can't give him anymore excuses. It's make or break time. He won't be able to blame the team, his defensive core or his goalie coach. It's his 3rd season and it's up to him to prove his worth, no more excuses, this is make or break for Price, imho.

Did he ever blame the team, defense or goalie coach? I'm seriously asking I never heard otherwise. Even so, if the team has a repeat of last years efforts, I will continue to blame the defense. Its not an excuse its reality, if you play bad defense it makes your goalie look bad, vice versa for good defense.

It is his 3rd season, but hes still only 22, most goalies are just getting a taste of the NHL by that time or maybe getting a crack at their first year. What Carey has done so far in his career has exceeded my expectations and by comparison to how goalies develop usually it has been a blessing.

Its not make or break time yet, he has a bit more rope IMO. If hes average this year, its a plus.

[FirstStar]

Did he ever blame the team, defense or goalie coach? I'm seriously asking I never heard otherwise. Even so, if the team has a repeat of last years efforts, I will continue to blame the defense. Its not an excuse its reality, if you play bad defense it makes your goalie look bad, vice versa for good defense.

It is his 3rd season, but hes still only 22, most goalies are just getting a taste of the NHL by that time or maybe getting a crack at their first year. What Carey has done so far in his career has exceeded my expectations and by comparison to how goalies develop usually it has been a blessing.

Its not make or break time yet, he has a bit more rope IMO. If hes average this year, its a plus.

He did blame his defensive core, maybe not in front of the media, but by pointing at em and with gestures. When I say excuses, I'm talking about the fans and some cases the media. We've had 2 years of making excuses for him(myself including)... If it wasn't the "D" in front of him, it was Rollie, off ice distractions and the sophomore curse. In his defense, the "D" was horrible last season and could be that Rollie did more harm than good. But, time has now come for Price to prove himself and take responsibility.

There's no more curse, we got a better D backing him up and a goalie coach who did very well in Florida. Therefore, it's up to Price to show his true colors. I'm not expecting him to become the next Marty over-night, I'd just like to see a lil more consistency from him.

While we're on the 22 year old goalie topic, let's look at goalies (recent goalies) who have done well. Hiller, Varlamov, Mason and Ward. Seriously, he's going into his 3rd year, all the goalie's mentioned, have had periods of greatness, greatness I have not yet seen from Price. Unless you count the odd game where he excelled. To be in the same category as the Hiller's, Mason's, Varlamov's and Ward's, he will have to play like them.

Just like Ward did after his Stanley Cup run, I'm expecting Hiller, Varlamov's and maybe Mason's game to go down a lil this season. That's just a part of the maturing process for goalies, Ward came back 3 year's after his stellar Cup run, to prove that he's still a great goalie. But they all possess something that Price lacks (despite the team and all the excuses), they've all had periods of greatness.

That's all I ask from Price this season, consistency and periods of great goaltending.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

He did blame his defensive core, maybe not in front of the media, but by pointing at em and with gestures. When I say excuses, I'm talking about the fans and some cases the media. We've had 2 years of making excuses for him(myself including)... If it wasn't the "D" in front of him, it was Rollie, off ice distractions and the sophomore curse. In his defense, the "D" was horrible last season and could be that Rollie did more harm than good. But, time has now come for Price to prove himself and take responsibility.

I'm still waiting for the evidence against Rollie.

There's no more curse, we got a better D backing him up and a goalie coach who did very well in Florida. Therefore, it's up to Price to show his true colors. I'm not expecting him to become the next Marty over-night, I'd just like to see a lil more consistency from him.

Again on the goalie coach, wheres the proof that it was him that gave them good goaltending, Vokoun was amazing before he got there.

While we're on the 22 year old goalie topic, let's look at goalies (recent goalies) who have done well. Hiller, Varlamov, Mason and Ward. Seriously, he's going into his 3rd year, all the goalie's mentioned, have had periods of greatness, greatness I have not yet seen from Price. Unless you count the odd game where he excelled. To be in the same category as the Hiller's, Mason's, Varlamov's and Ward's, he will have to play like them.

Just like Ward did after his Stanley Cup run, I'm expecting Hiller, Varlamov's and maybe Mason's game to go down a lil this season. That's just a part of the maturing process for goalies, Ward came back 3 year's after his stellar Cup run, to prove that he's still a great goalie. But they all possess something that Price lacks (despite the team and all the excuses), they've all had periods of greatness.

That's all I ask from Price this season, consistency and periods of great goaltending.

Price was great in his rookie season, had a bad playoffs but he was arguably a top 3-5 goalie in the league during the 07-08 reg season.

Jonas Hiller is 26 FYI, and Mason played on an amazing defensive team. Varlamov I'll give you but he has 6 career reg season starts and 13 playoffs, thats hardly a reliable sample. Ward has proven nothing yet IMO hs had 1 great playoff run and 1 great late season stretch drive, hes shown nothing to prove he deserves his accolades of a top goalie in the league.

You said you want consistency from Price, whats Ward been then?

[mtl_-Habs4Life-_mtlc]

The only problem is that unlike Pittsburgh, we don't have a Crosby or a Malkin.

Very good point, but we have a number of players who are very good offensively - not the caliber of Crosy or Malkin, but sufficiently good to make a deep playoff run if they gel together well, and the defense holds up.

He should have an easier time this year, face fewer shots and weaker shots.

Lets hope the improved defense restores his confidence, and he stops letting in the weaker shots.

[FirstStar]

I'm still waiting for the evidence against Rollie.

Again on the goalie coach, wheres the proof that it was him that gave them good goaltending, Vokoun was amazing before he got there.

Price was great in his rookie season, had a bad playoffs but he was arguably a top 3-5 goalie in the league during the 07-08 reg season.

Jonas Hiller is 26 FYI, and Mason played on an amazing defensive team. Varlamov I'll give you but he has 6 career reg season starts and 13 playoffs, thats hardly a reliable sample. Ward has proven nothing yet IMO hs had 1 great playoff run and 1 great late season stretch drive, hes shown nothing to prove he deserves his accolades of a top goalie in the league.

You said you want consistency from Price, whats Ward been then?

Taking over for Swiss Cheese, chasing him out of Carolina and winning the stanley cup. Like i said, his game slipped, which I can deal will since he did win em a cup. Before Ward took over, the Caines were en route to being eliminated by Montreal. How can you even say anything against ward?

Huet played most of the season. Price was brought to tears after a horrible loss, that's when Carbo shipped him back to Hamilton for a month.

He did play good hockey after Huet left (regular season), but I wouldn't say great, specially since he tanked in the playoffs.

Ok Hiller is 26, proves my point that they brought Price up to soon. The reason did so well and was prepared, was cos he went through the proper channels.

We're going on 3 years with Price, I like the kid and I blame his career so far, on them bringing him up to soon.

Being a goalie myself, he has yet to really impress me more than a game at a time.

I say it again, I expect to see consistency from Price this season. Don't care if he loses, as long as he comes up with a performance, a performance that lasts more than a few periods.

Once again, stay with me here... Fans and media have made excuses for Price, you yourself took a clip where Rollie said, "I want Price to play deep in his net...". Look over the boards from last season and fans started to question Rollie, saying he turned Price from a Hybrid goalie to a butterfly goalie. It's on these boards, my point is... The excuses are over.

As for our new goalie coach, he did produce 2 starting goalie's in Anderson (who signed this offseason, probably going to be a #1) and in Vokoun. The real proof for him, will be this upcoming season.

I'll repeat myself for arguments sake... There's no centennial, there's no Komi bringing him to bars and hookers, there isn't Rollie to take the blame, there isn't a sophomore curse in the 3rd season and there's a much better core of d-men in front of him to lighten the load.

How long are we going to come up with excuses for him?

I want nothing more than to see the kid excel, but if he doesn't show some sort of consistency, then I'm sorry, I see him ending up like Felix Potvin and Jim Carrey.

It took 3 years for Ward to come back and help his team become contenders again... They did eliminate the Bruins, a team who blanked us. Ward and the Caines only lost to the 08-09 Stanley Cup Champs.

He has every reason to succeed this season and imo no reason not too, the balls in Carey's court.

[amp73]

Very good point, but we have a number of players who are very good offensively - not the caliber of Crosy or Malkin, but sufficiently good to make a deep playoff run if they gel together well, and the defense holds up.

Other than the 3 UFA signings, IF they click and two of them re gain their form, after them it goes down hill fast

[357908_1475251331]

can o'b pick up on my mistake of putting like pleks at left wing? that my only question, and i think he will make good for me.

SO MUCH IMPROVED, but that's just my opinion.

[Kubby31]

We've had 2 years of making excuses for him(myself including)... If it wasn't the "D" in front of him, it was Rollie, off ice distractions and the sophomore curse. In his defense, the "D" was horrible last season and could be that Rollie did more harm than good. But, time has now come for Price to prove himself and take responsibility.

There's no more curse, we got a better D backing him up and a goalie coach who did very well in Florida. Therefore, it's up to Price to show his true colors. I'm not expecting him to become the next Marty over-night, I'd just like to see a lil more consistency from him.

That's all I ask from Price this season, consistency and periods of great goaltending.

Some good points you raise hear ,I won't disagree.

Really hoping price has a great season,I'm confident he will be ok,not a bad defensive core he has working with him out front,should make a big difference opposed to last season's.

[FirstStar]

Some good points you raise hear ,I won't disagree.

Really hoping price has a great season,I'm confident he will be ok,not a bad defensive core he has working with him out front,should make a big difference opposed to last season's.

Me too, it's time to buckle down, he has no reason not to succeed this season.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

Taking over for Swiss Cheese, chasing him out of Carolina and winning the stanley cup. Like i said, his game slipped, which I can deal will since he did win em a cup. Before Ward took over, the Caines were en route to being eliminated by Montreal. How can you even say anything against ward?

Because you said you wanted Price to be consistent, Ward, after that big run has been nothing special.

Huet played most of the season. Price was brought to tears after a horrible loss, that's when Carbo shipped him back to Hamilton for a month.

He did play good hockey after Huet left (regular season), but I wouldn't say great, specially since he tanked in the playoffs.

Price had one tiny bad stretch in the reg season, like any goalie would. He was shipped bc Huet was the starter. I would call his play great, I would even call it outstanding.

He tanked in the playoffs but what does that have to do with his play in RS, which is what I referred to all along.

Ok Hiller is 26, proves my point that they brought Price up to soon. The reason did so well and was prepared, was cos he went through the proper channels.

We're going on 3 years with Price, I like the kid and I blame his career so far, on them bringing him up to soon.

That doesn't prove your point at all. Thats one case, when Mason and Varlamov came up they're young too but they too are isolated cases, theres no rules to development its case by case.

Being a goalie myself, he has yet to really impress me more than a game at a time.

I say it again, I expect to see consistency from Price this season. Don't care if he loses, as long as he comes up with a performance, a performance that lasts more than a few periods.

Consistency IMO is an extrmely overused word in sports. As long as at the end of the day, the result is good, who cares about consistency?

Once again, stay with me here... [i][b]Fans and media[/b][/i] have made excuses for Price, you yourself took a clip where Rollie said, "I want Price to play deep in his net...". Look over the boards from last season and fans started to question Rollie, saying he turned Price from a Hybrid goalie to a butterfly goalie. It's on these boards, my point is... The excuses are over.

I don't understand whose making excuses, theres a fine line between an excuse and reality. I'm going to talk goalie coaches but in terms of poor defense, the only goalie to ever be amazing in a bad defense was Dominik Hasek, if you have poor defense it equals poor results... period.

As for our new goalie coach, he did produce 2 starting goalie's in Anderson (who signed this offseason, probably going to be a #1) and in Vokoun. The real proof for him, will be this upcoming season.

He didn't "produce" Vokoun, did you ever see that guy in Nashville? The guys been great for a while. Again you're making the assumption that the goalie coach makes an incredible impact without even knowing what exactly he does.

I'll repeat myself for arguments sake... There's no centennial, there's no Komi bringing him to bars and hookers, there isn't Rollie to take the blame, there isn't a sophomore curse in the 3rd season and there's a much better core of d-men in front of him to lighten the load.

How long are we going to come up with excuses for him?

I'll say the truth, whether its an excuse or not is for you to decide. If something is going on that hampers his performance, is the truth whether people like it or not.

It took 3 years for Ward to come back and help his team become contenders again... They did eliminate the Bruins, a team who blanked us. Ward and the Caines only lost to the 08-09 Stanley Cup Champs.

The best team only wins a series like 55% of the time so those results don't exactly say a lot.

[FirstStar]

Because you said you wanted Price to be be consistent like Ward, when after that big run Wards been nothing special.

Price had one tiny bad stretch in the reg season, like any goalie would. He was shipped bc Huet was the starter. I would call his play great, I would even call it outstanding.

He tanked in the playoffs but what does that have to do with his play in RS, which is what I referred to all along.

That doesn't prove your point at all. Thats one case, when Mason and Varlamov came up they're young too but they too are isolated cases, theres no rules to development its case by case.

Consistency IMO is an extrmely overused word in sports. As long as at the end of the day, the result is good, who cares about consistency?

Once again, stay with me here... [i][b]Fans and media[/b][/i] have made excuses for Price, you yourself took a clip where Rollie said, "I want Price to play deep in his net...". Look over the boards from last season and fans started to question Rollie, saying he turned Price from a Hybrid goalie to a butterfly goalie. It's on these boards, my point is... The excuses are over.

I don't understand whose making excuses, theres a fine line between an excuse and reality. I'm going to talk goalie coaches but in terms of poor defense, the only goalie to ever be amazing in a bad defense was Dominik Hasek, if you have poor defense it equals poor results... period.

As for our new goalie coach, he did produce 2 starting goalie's in Anderson (who signed this offseason, probably going to be a #1) and in Vokoun. The real proof for him, will be this upcoming season.

He didn't "produce" Vokoun, did you ever see that guy in Nashville? The guys been great for a while. Again you're making the assumption that the goalie coach makes an incredible impact without even knowing what exactly he does.

I'll repeat myself for arguments sake... There's no centennial, there's no Komi bringing him to bars and hookers, there isn't Rollie to take the blame, there isn't a sophomore curse in the 3rd season and there's a much better core of d-men in front of him to lighten the load.

How long are we going to come up with excuses for him?

I'll say the truth, whether its an excuse or not is for you to decide. If something is going on that hampers his performance, is the truth whether people like it or not.

It took 3 years for Ward to come back and help his team become contenders again... They did eliminate the Bruins, a team who blanked us. Ward and the Caines only lost to the 08-09 Stanley Cup Champs.

The best team only wins a series like 55% of the time so those results don't exactly say a lot.

Why are you trying to read more into what I'm saying? Point is, excuses have been made for him over the last 2 years and that time is over. Ball is in Carey's court.

[fourtrax]

Point is, excuses have been made for him over the last 2 years and that time is over. Ball is in Carey's court.

And his point is that what you consider an 'excuse' is just part of the reality of player assessment league-wide.

[FirstStar]

And his point is that what you consider an 'excuse' is just part of the reality of player assessment league-wide.

Ok, so it may have some truth to it, I wasn't debating if there was truth to it or not... Regardless, all the excuses that were made, can't be made this season (they've either worn themselves out, been fired or no longer apply). He's going to have to stand on his own 2 skates, ball's in Carey's court.

It's time for Carey to shine... get some consistency under his belt. It's my opinion that all the reasons (or reality) for his play, have been taken care of; He has no reason not to succeed.

The biggest thing going for him this season... A better defensive core.

[DA_Champion]

FirstStar,

What would you consider satisfactory?

What does stand on his own two skates mean?

A lot of goals last year seemed to go in just because Komisarek was randomly whacking around the net, I didn't count, but I figure just that change alone should lower his GAA.

[S-Bah]

I think Price is in for a breakthrough year with this team up front it should give him the chance to shine and the confidence in his teammates to help him accomplish the same feats he has in the past. In Junior and the World's and with Hamilton.

I think Price is in for a breakthrough year with this team up front it should give him the chance to shine and the confidence in his teammates to help him accomplish the same feats he has in the past. In Junior and the World's and with Hamilton.

[risteenhuis]

A lot of discussion about Price. Price is our goalie not "the new defensive core".

Mara is the player that I know the least about. Some fans think he is underrated. I really don't know. However given his age I think he will hold one of the top 6 spots on D. Top 4, maybe.

Spacek is good offensively. I believe that he is also a good passer and average defensively.

Gill is huge. Sure he is slow but obviously his positioning must be good or he would have been long gone from the NHL. With the Cup in his back pocket I will assume his game is still good.

Our top 6 all have NHL experience. Markov, Hammer, Gorges, Mara, Spacek, and Gill.

Montreal also has a few young D prospects including O'bryne, Weber, Subban and Belle.

Last season it was Markov, Hammer, Gorges, Brisebois, Bouillon, Dandenault, O'byrne, Komi, Schneider, and Weber.

Schneider and Brisebois are likely retiring this summer. Schneider helped our PP a lot but with his age and injuries it is likely that he will retire soon. Brisebois was simply old and slow. He should have retired the previous summer.

Dandenault was mainly used as a forward or spare. It was nice that he could play forward or defence as a spare. It is far cheaper to have a rookie as a spare player.

Bouillon was small. Had some good games for Montreal but most of the past two seasons he was not able to compete at the NHL level.

Only Komi has found a job. Our defence will be better without Brisebois, Bouillon, Schneider, and Dandenault.

I hope that Weber, Subban, O'bryne and Belle get a chance to play this season. They appear to have skills that could result in the development of a top defenceman. Weber and Subban have lots of offensive skill. They could become an elite offensive player very soon, maybe even this season. O'byrne might become the next Komi with shot blocking and bodychecking. Belle might be a solid overall puck moving D. At this moment the top 6 appear to be set. However Weber or Subban might get a chance on the 4th line as they have tons of offensive skill. O'bryne would probably be given lots of opportunity on the 3rd pairing to develop his game as his game was good two seasons ago putting one of the veteran D in the press box allowing O'bryne to develop against the weaker teams. Belle is a hard player to figure out. Tons of talent. Good skater. Good shot. Seems to have become a good defensive player in Hamilton. If Montreal trades away one of the veteran D it will be to make room for one of these young D. With injuries. Some of these players will be needed.

[dso67]

our D has improved drastically from last year.

old; Markov, Komi

Hammer, Gorges

Boullion, Breezer

Dandy, Schnieds

new; Markov, Spacek

Gorges, Hammer

Gill, Mara

Weber, Obyrne

Gone are Komi, Boullion, Breezer, Dandy and Schnieds.

IN are Spacek, Mara, Gill. and Weber Obyrne and likely Carle or Subban might get a look.

Breezer, and at times Komi looked like pylons, Schneider wasn't very effective as a top d because of age, Boullion has a hard time staying healthy with the way he plays and Dandaneault lost out to younger players.

Now we have Spacek and Mara who are both responsible in their own zones, Weber and Obyrne who will only get better as they get experience, Gill WILL be effective IF he is used properly. We as habs fans cannot expect him to be CHARA. He isn't anywhere close to the defenceman Chara is and we have got to accept that. If he's played with Mara on a shutdown line, he can be effective.

my d-lines would be: 1st- Markov, Obyrne - groom him like Komi

2nd- Spacek, Weber - Have someone responsible with Weber

3rd- Mara, Gill - you have Mara who plays solid D, and Gill who can play effective shutdown.

and then with injuries or weaker teams you work younger guys like Subban or Carle in to get experience.

THOUGHTS?