youngnv Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Here are some key questions I feel it important to address when assessing a team's potential to be successful in the playoffs. Let me know if you feel my criteria are out of order, or if I am missing anything important. Also, feel free to assess the Canadiens using these, or your own set of questions. These questions are placed in order of importance, the top of the list being given more priority and weight than the ones at the bottom. Here goes: Q - Can the goaltender "steal" games for the team? A - 100% - Carey Price CAN steal games. If he does or not remains to be seen. Q - Doest the team have a solid core of experienced Defense? A - 100% - There is plenty of experience on this defensive core, there is also a balance between size and puck moving ability. Q - Are the forwards committed to back-checking and team defense? A - 50% - Some seem to be capable of playing a two-way game, others will have to step it up. Q - Are the players willing to "pay the price." (eg. blocking shots, taking hits to make plays, resistance to injury, etc.) A - 75% - Many of our players have playoff experience and have shown that they are willing to take the punishment of the post-season. Some players are still unproven in this capacity. Time will tell... Overall, I think the Habs are in decent shape in this regard. Q - Can the players "elevate their game" when necessary? A - 75% - Again, with a number of stanley cup champions on our team, we know they can elevate their game. On the other hand, there may be some players on the team who are not capable of doing so. Keep our fingers crossed. I feel this area needs improvement. Q - Can the players win battles in the corners play physical, but stay disciplined? A - 75% - Most of our players can play well along the boards. With a few exceptions, we're pretty disciplined. Q - Do the players have "playoff experience?" A - 75% - Undoubtedly there is lots of playoff experience on this team. Q - Is there enough depth to fill in for injuries and can the younger players play above themselves if called upon? A - 25% - I think we are hurting on the depth chart right now. Many of our young players have shown they can play above themselves for short periods, but have not been able to stay consistent. This year will be a major test for those players. Hopefully they can really pitch in and help out the team. Q - Are the players "buying in" to the coach's system and are they motivated with high team morale? A - ??? - Unknown at this time, however, I am optimistic. (maybe 75%) Q - Can the coach make adjustments on the fly, to counter the opposing teams? A - 75% - For the most part I think Martin can be flexible if need be. We shall see... Q - Can the team be successful on special teams? A - 100% - I think our #1 PP line could do a lot of damage, and our PK will be good enough. Q - Do we have "that player?" A player who can change the outcome of the game almost single handedly. A player who makes his teammates better just be being there. (eg. Lidstrom, Crosby, Iginla, etc.) A - 50% - I think Markov fits into that category. I hope that Cammy or Gomez might step into that role as well. As a whole though, I think we are still looking for that one impact player. We shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amp73 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I think the majority of your A's IMO are still " TBD " = to be determined or less than 50 % but then that is my opinion only as I am not sold on this year's squad much like I wasn't sold on the previous team's BG put together Can Price steal games Yes and we've seen he can blow them too Is the D experienced . Yes but so was last years D and it didn't make a difference IS the team committed to back checking and team D Are the players willing to "pay the price." I guess we'll have to wait and see - this is an entirely new team with a new coach Can the players "elevate their game" when necessary? They couldn't last year We'll have to wait and see Can the players win battles in the corners play physical, but stay disciplined? I think we are too soft Last we took too many uneccesary penalityes Do the players have "playoff experience?" Yes but what does it matter if you don't get into the PO's Depth We have fill ins for 3rd and 4th liners but if a 1st line guy goes down there is no one ready to take that spot Do we have "that player?" no I think Markov is a great player but he cannot single handliy change a game by himself like Crosby . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket-1 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Do we have "that player?" no I think Markov is a great player but he cannot single handliy change a game by himself like Crosby . It's weird because when Markov is on his A game, Markov shuts down the Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin and so on of this world with ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-K-46 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 when markov is in the zone he can be the best dman in the nhl he shuts down everyone (ovie,sid,malkin,kovalchuk) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngnv Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Do we have "that player?" no I think Markov is a great player but he cannot single handliy change a game by himself like Crosby . Don't compare him to Crosby. Compare him to someone like Chara or Lidstrom. I feel comfortable putting Markov in same category as Chara or Lidstrom. Each may have different strengths and weaknesses, but all three are all-star d-men. All three are leaders by example. All three are well balanced players meaning they are excellent defensively as well as great puck movers. All three make their teammates better just by being in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amp73 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Don't compare him to Crosby. Compare him to someone like Chara or Lidstrom. I feel comfortable putting Markov in same category as Chara or Lidstrom. Each may have different strengths and weaknesses, but all three are all-star d-men. All three are leaders by example. All three are well balanced players meaning they are excellent defensively as well as great puck movers. All three make their teammates better just by being in the lineup. I agree Markov is an all star D man , he makes the Habs better etc etc but he is not THAT player . THAT player IMo is a game breaker , a player that can change a game all by himself and Markov isn't THAT player I remember one time last year, or the yr before, on the PP he carried the puck into the other team's zone , circled and kinda through his hands up in frustration as there weren't any other Habs players around to dish off to . Anyways back on topic , " do we have what it takes to win " .....I guesss we'll find out when this team actually gets on the ice and plays 20 to 30 games together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habsnyc Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 to win in a salary cap world you need players who are far more valuable than their contracts. you need players whom other teams would pay 30%-50% more to be on their team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngnv Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 to win in a salary cap world you need players who are far more valuable than their contracts. you need players whom other teams would pay 30%-50% more to be on their team. I agree with that, although that is not the be all and end all. I tried to address that in the "depth" question: Q - Is there enough depth to fill in for injuries and can the younger players play above themselves if called upon? A - 25% - I think we are hurting on the depth chart right now. Many of our young players have shown they can play above themselves for short periods, but have not been able to stay consistent. This year will be a major test for those players. Hopefully they can really pitch in and help out the team. By this I mean that if young players like Latendresse, Plecanec, and the Kostitsyns, can step in and have career years, they will be of great value for the money we are paying them. The problem last year was that, for the most part, they weren't stepping it up. That is why I only gave the team a 25% rating on that question. If we are going to go far, our young (or cheap) players have to play above themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catt-_mtlc Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Don't compare him to Crosby. Compare him to someone like Chara or Lidstrom. I feel comfortable putting Markov in same category as Chara or Lidstrom. Each may have different strengths and weaknesses, but all three are all-star d-men. All three are leaders by example. All three are well balanced players meaning they are excellent defensively as well as great puck movers. All three make their teammates better just by being in the lineup. In my opinion Markov should have been nominated for the Norris trophy he was that good last year. Is he "that player?" A player who can change the outcome of the game almost single handedly? I think he makes his teammates better but we haven't had that type of player on this team in a long time. Kovalev showed flashes of that but we haven't had a consistent player like that since Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoked-b Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 A guy who will do anything asked if him and will lay everything on the line, give it all hes got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstStar Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 In my opinion Markov should have been nominated for the Norris trophy he was that good last year. Is he "that player?" A player who can change the outcome of the game almost single handedly? I think he makes his teammates better but we haven't had that type of player on this team in a long time. Kovalev showed flashes of that but we haven't had a consistent player like that since Roy. Well, just look at our record after Grabs knocked out Markov last season... I think it speaks volumes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramcharger440 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Well, just look at our record after Grabs knocked out Markov last season... I think it speaks volumes. i can't wait for grabovski to meet Mr. Moen this season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kubby31 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 A guy who will do anything asked if him and will lay everything on the line, give it all hes got. Sound like Captain material,but that's another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry-Launstein-Jr Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 A guy who will do anything asked if him and will lay everything on the line, give it all hes got. When the Canadiens find the next Rocket Richard, that's when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
357908_1475251331 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 remember last year when we took like 11 minor penalties in a row? might be an idea to start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoked-b Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 When the Canadiens find the next Rocket Richard, that's when. Thinking more along the lines of a grinder you know, but the Rocket still works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteenIsThaFuture Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 What it takes to win in 2 easy steps: 1. Score a lot of goals for. 2. Prevent a lot of goals against. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.