Comments on: Canes Country Clash - Northeast Division

By: Erratic Kovalev Derailing Habs : Canes Country

Erratic Kovalev Derailing Habs : Canes Country — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:30:24 +0000

[...] the upcoming All-Star Game — and were pegged as the Eastern Conference’s favorites. So when I picked Boston, not the Canadiens, to win the Northeast Division, it raised a few eyebrows and maybe smelled of [...]

By: repenttokyo

repenttokyo — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:43:35 +0000

That wasn’t what I was saying at all. I personally think Halak is a great talent, and that if Price falters Halak can pick up the slack. Gainey evidently feels the same way. Montreal is blessed with a backlog of young talent in net.

By: Cory

Cory — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:09:37 +0000

I said people are forgetting how good Bergeron is. You suggested I’m forgetting how good Halak is. Getting Bergeron back is a much bigger deal for Boston than Montreal having Halak.

By: repenttokyo

repenttokyo — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:17:06 +0000

Comparing Bergeron to Halak? I don’t understand…

By: Cory

Cory — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:42:49 +0000

I wouldn’t ever compare what Bergeron has accomplished with Halak. He’s a good backup, but Boston’s two backups are as good or better.

The difference between what I said and you is you have a “this is how it is” tone. You still haven’t told me how Boston, if they play like they did last year, won’t be improved with the additions of Bergeron and Ryder (playing under Julien again). Montreal lost Streit, who was a perfect fit for what they did with him. Tanguay’s a nice addition, but I truly worry that Kovalev can score like he did last year.

Like they say, the proof will be in the pudding. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Montreal take the division — that’s what everyone is saying. But I think the Bruins can give them a run for their money.

I always enjoy a good discussion, Repent, so thanks for always chiming in. Your opinions are always informed and well thought out.

By: repenttokyo

repenttokyo — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:22:37 +0000

I think YOU are forgetting how good Jaroslav Halak is if Price fails.

sparing the rhetoric about counting people out before the bell rings, we CAN make predictions based on available facts, as was done in this article, and I just don’t see the talent on the B’s to overcome the habs.

Bergeron is great, but 90 percent of players are never the same after an injury like he suffered - cole is a perfect example, keith primeau, etc - and he could be one hit away from disaster. I hope he isn’t, bc he’s on my fantasy team, but it’s still a possibility.

By: Cory

Cory — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:09:20 +0000

I didn’t fault the team, I was questioning Bubba’s claim that Carbonneau is a “great coach.” He’s done nothing to prove he’s “great” in my eyes to this point.

I think we can all agree saying “there’s no way” the B’s can top the Habs is a bit much. There are plenty of ways. Montreal was an injury-free team last year for the most part, and Price still doesn’t do it for me. I think a lot of people are forgetting how good Patrice Bergeron is and the kind of impact he can make.

Let’s not forget that last year Koivu even said his team wouldn’t be winning the Cup, and they were at the bottom of most predictions to start 2007-08. The ended up at the top of the EC. Carolina was given no shot in 2005-06. You can never count out any team until the games are played.

By: repenttokyo

repenttokyo — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:07:04 +0000

I’m sorry Corey, but as someone who lived in Montreal last year and is now a season ticket holder in Boston, there is no way that the Bruins will finish ahead of the Canadiens this year. I say this as a passionate Habs hater.

I also don’t see how you can fault the team for being the top team in the east and yet ‘not coming out on top’. Detroit did that for YEARS and no one knocked the team - especially since they kept finishing first overall.