Whom Do We Miss Most Right Now?

[ChitownHabby]

Feel free to move this thread if it already exists but the search button didn't retrieve what I was looking for...

Of all the players missing from the past 2 seasons that were on the Canadiens roster, what one player do you think would be the most helpful at this exact moment? The current 2-5 team, thats bad in front of its own goal and worse in front of the other goal.

My answer might shock people but I actually believe it is Michael Ryder. Please wait before you ridicule me. Mark Streit and Alex Kovalev are the obvious answers but Ryder is a more subtle choice for a few reasons:

#1 - His play in his zone has improved greatly on the Bruins.

#2 - He would be the perfect RW to play alongside Gomez and Cammalleri.

#3 - He uses his size effectively now, throws the body and protects the puck well.

#4 - He has a dynamite shot on the powerplay.

#5 - He is a low maintenance player and personality.

Streit is an obvious choice but I'm not sure how he'd perform in Montreal as a top defenceman, I was never convinced about him but if he played like he is now, then he'd be the absolute best choice at the moment, even though he'd be yet another undersized player with a cannon shot like Bergeron. What remains to be seen is how MAB compares to Streit in his own zone, if he's even somewhat comparable I think a top 6 guy like Ryder would be more help.

Kovalev's skills would be welcome of course, however, if he isn't playing like he did in 07-08 (which is the other 90% of his career) he is a frustrating and polarizing figure on and off the ice. He would be named Captain out of obligation but he has never been a person that has led others. He kind of seems to march to L'artiste's own drum.

Koivu's leadership is clearly missed, it is plainly evident for everyone to see that he was a much better captain than he was EVER given credit for but as much as I love Koivu, I can truly say Gomez is a better player at this stage in their careers and Plekanec's ability to kill penalties and better wheels probably give him more on-ice value.

Komisarek from 07-08 would look amazing on this team right now. Last year's and this year's Komo can park himself in Toronto thank you very much.

07-08 Huet would also look fantastic but maybe Bob wasnt that crazy b/c Cristo has struggled mightily since leaving here.

[GreekHockeyCoach]

While I'm a huge Koivu and Kovalev fan, I voted for Streit. While I do see your point about Ryder, I feel that Streit has proven that he is the most talented player that we've let go.

[ChitownHabby]

Agreed, I guess the recent call-up of MAB influenced my opinion. The biggest shame about Streit is that we are the ones that found him and brought him out of obscurity! The one that kills me about Ryder is that we drove him out of town even though he had 1 bad season out of 4. I wish I could find my post the day he signed with the Bruins I distinctly remember saying he would go on to have a solid career as a consistent 25-35 goal scorer per year.

How badly could the Habs use that on the second line right now? That's why I voted for him.

[skidzz41]

Id have to say koivu because he was our number 1 center. and he made the players around him play great

[ChitownHabby]

Curious who was the other that was voted for? Huet?

[gracie12]

While I'm a huge Koivu and Kovalev fan, I voted for Streit. While I do see your point about Ryder, I feel that Streit has proven that he is the most talented player that we've let go.

And the worst part is that unlike guys like Kovalev, Souray, Ryder - even Koivu etc - Streit has said repeatedly if he had been offered a contract mid season he would have easily signed for $2m/yr for 4 years. Ugg.

I think my personal answer depends on a few factors. Since you started "besides markov" then I have to look at this hypothetically as if we were still having markov in the lineup. Even with the defense we have now, I think we would have been ok, with a healthy markov.

What I think we need badly is a top 6 forward. Kovalev may be the "obvious" choice but he's also too expensive for us to have been able to keep the rest of our top 6. Losing Gionta, for example, to sign Kovalev would have just been a lateral move. Ryder too - $4m - way too much to add to our current top 5.

That leaves me with Tanguay. He's affordable, fast & would likely have fit in beautifully with the rest of our top 2lines.

Id love to see what

Tangauy-Gomez-Gionta

Ak-Pleks-Cammy

could do. And we could have afforded to do this.

Curious who was the other that was voted for? Huet?

Souray, Maybe?

Actually, considering how abysmal our PK has been, maybe it was BONK! (although we've made up for him where it counts with Mara...in the beard dept).

[ruuvimeisseli]

For me either S.koivu or Streit

[habsinottawa]

I'm gonna say Robert Lang, and before I get the boo's, let me just say that he was that big centre we always wanted/needed. He did everything that he was supposed to, and performed beautifully till his injury. And now he's in Pheonix. Lame

[amp73]

None of the above but if I had to choose one it would # 27

Although I liked most of the guys listed they played here before and the team wasn't very sucessful so why bring anyone of them back , none are game breakers / superstars that are miraculously going to change this year's team around

And I'm not impressed with current lineup either .

I don't know what to do And I'm not paid to worry about either but I'm not sure if collectively this year's group is any good under JM's coacing style

As I posted previously, JM couldn't win a Cup with a stacked Ottawa team, couldn't bring a poor FLA team to the PO's so I'm not expecting him to do much with this lineup

[ColRouleBleu]

I'm gonna say Robert Lang, and before I get the boo's, let me just say that he was that big centre we always wanted/needed. He did everything that he was supposed to, and performed beautifully till his injury. And now he's in Pheonix. Lame

+1

[swimmerpuck]

At this time, right now, today - no doubt in my mind - Mark Streit! Offensive skills and could at least eat some defensive minutes to relieve the survivors. Once again I'll say it's not just Markov missing if it's today we are talking about. And he played forward. Has a blast from the point that the injured don't have.

[jessome17]

it's Souray for me. Or Streit, but Souray's shot.. you can't replicate that!

[habs-24]

Ryder right down to Higgins on that list should still be on this team

[ChitownHabby]

Surprised that Kovy only has 2 vots out of 18 so far. Thought the bandwagon would be in full force post-saturday. Ryder and Streit remain my top 2. I guess I forgot Souray and Huet on the Poll. Doesnt change my vote though. I still think a 25-35 goals from Ryder along with another right handed shot and decent size is what this team needs most currently, if MAB pans out. My vote was an optimistic one regarding him.

The point about Robert Lang is definitely worth noting.

[habs-24]

Surprised that Kovy only has 2 vots out of 18 so far. Thought the bandwagon would be in full force post-saturday. Ryder and Streit remain my top 2. I guess I forgot Souray and Huet on the Poll. Doesnt change my vote though. I still think a 25-35 goals from Ryder along with another right handed shot and decent size is what this team needs most currently, if MAB pans out. My vote was an optimistic one regarding him.

The point about Robert Lang is definitely worth noting.

Bob just gives up on guys too easily.... Ryder,Lang just for example

[kfourni]

It has to be Streit for me. He did it all, and without him we were no longer 1st on the pp

[habsin09]

CLAUDE JULIEN

[GreekHockeyCoach]

Surprised that Kovy only has 2 vots out of 18 so far. Thought the bandwagon would be in full force post-saturday. Ryder and Streit remain my top 2. I guess I forgot Souray and Huet on the Poll. Doesnt change my vote though. I still think a 25-35 goals from Ryder along with another right handed shot and decent size is what this team needs most currently, if MAB pans out. My vote was an optimistic one regarding him.

The point about Robert Lang is definitely worth noting.

I added them for you.

[jst-onge]

For me its Ryder, problubly in the end what cost Carbo his job next Streit but not as a d-man third line with Lapierre and Latandresse, they were so dangerous as a unit because you had some bangers a crashers and someone to see the play develop and make a good pass.

[roy_133]

We're 1 top 6 winger short even when healthy and the PP looks like it could use some help so for me it's definitely Kovalev.

Kostitsyn Gomez Gionta

Cammalleri Plekanec Kovalev

[Bourne]

In terms of team need, Streit was without a doubt the worst decision to allow to walk. He was defensively sound in comparison to Souray and despite a debate I had elsewhere, I believe he was more than able to play in our system as a top line defenseman. His productivity in Long Island only proved his season with Montreal was not an Andrei Markov fluke.

However personal opinion and who I ultimated voted for was our beloved captain, Saku Koivu. His leadership and ability to rally the team alone speaks volumes to what is now lacking in the organization and until now he never once played with strong well established linemates consistently, which is why I believe he never had the breakout years many thought was possible. Despite that the team just played better, they played for him which is the defination of leadership when the team as such respect and admiration for their captain. The day he signed with Aneheim was a heartbreaking because it was then the Canadiens I loved died. He was the final long term Canadiens that was forced out of the team and signed for a measily $3.250 that we could have easily matched.

The loss of Kovalev was hard pressing as well especially since we could have afforded him if we dropped some worthless contracts (Yes Gill I am glaring at you) although Kostitsyn might have been axed from the top six line however he is a bust anyhow in my opinion. I would have adored something akin to this as our lineup looking back of course.

Cammalleri - Gomez - Kostitsyn

Kovalev - Koivu - Gionta

Moen - Lapierre - Latendresse

Whomever

Markov - Spacek

Hamrlik - Streit

Mara - Gorges

Ah hindsight, made worse we could, with some wiggling and dealing have included Tanguay in there too. What could have been...

[koreysecord1992]

Kovalev gets my vote.

[Larry-Launstein-Jr]

Considering the major injury Markov just had, Streit would have been the perfect player to fill in. He is a good puckhandler with solid defensive skills, and has a good shot. Big mistake letting him walk.

[cooch-a-mania]

Considering the major injury Markov just had, Streit would have been the perfect player to fill in. He is a good puckhandler with solid defensive skills, and has a good shot. Big mistake letting him walk.

+1.... huge error letting this guy go.

[MLSE_Mgmt_A_Disgrace]

Huet got my vote. I think he was sent out of here before he should have been. Price needed the experienced goalie with him for at least one more year.