Bright Future For Habs
Posted 2:41 PM ET | Comments 1
This is my first post on Hockeybuzz and I plan on doing it regularly. I've followed this site for 4 years and enjoy reading rumors, predictions and thoughts. I've been a habs fan since 1992. I was 9 years old and made the travel team in a small town in southwestern Ontario. My coach suggested to watch the nhl to gain an hockey iq. Back then I only had public access t.v. CBC, a Detroit station, and a weird french station was available for nhl. rnrn I was right in the middle of leafs and red wing fans. To be honest I watched the leafs a bit and never enjoyed it. Doug Gilmore was impressive to watch, incredible skater, but for the rest of the team I didn't get a feeling for. I followed the wings for a short while and loved Stevie Y and bruiser Probert, but never had that connection I was looking for. So I went to the library and took out some hockey books and read about every team and history. I was looking for character and unique passion, what defines an organization. My choice then became obvious.rnrn I started to watch the habs at the right time. The team made a great off-season move in bringing in Vincent Damphousse, who I enjoyed watching his whole career in Montreal. They had a great veteran line-up with the best goalie in the game. To be honest I didn't watch every game in the regular season, this was due to early bed time and not getting every game on t.v like today. But I watched every playoff game that season. I may not of understood systems (traps or dennis savard on 3rd line) or how important powerplays are in playoffs, but it was the most exciting hockey to watch. I've been an intense fan ever since.rnrn Hab fans have been disappointed since that great cup run 1993. We've watched them trade away Patrick Roy, Pierre Turgeon, Vincent Damphousse for low returns. I can't remmember many good trades for the rest of the 90s. From 2000 til now they made some good choices and some bad, but now I believe we have the best gm since the 93 cup run.rn rn Marc Bergevin has played the game and been groomed properly in Chicago. Thank god this guy speaks fench. He's patient and knows the only way to build a true contender is through the draft. Free agency signings are for small holes in the lineup, depth players, back up goalies, veteran face off guys. Going after the high end players usually causes cap problems and rarely works out. Bergevin will do the same for this year free agency as he did last year. Don't expect the highest touted UFA guy on the habs. Bergevin will target a 4th line centre (great on face-offs) and a veteran for depth and leadership. The habs have been after Jagr for the past 2 years and they will go after him again this year. The guy makes sense for the team on ice and off ice. rnrn I see next years team like this:rnrnpacioretty - desharnais - gallagherrnjagr - plekanec - giontarngalchenyuk - eller - prustrnbourque - free agent - moen rnrnMarkov - emelinrnSubban - gorgesrnboullion - diazrntinordirnpricernbudajrnrn The lines will be mixed up all season long due to injuries/slumps/possibke trades....but feel this is a lineup to contend. If they do get jagr I know most ppl would want him with youngster galchenyuk to develop him into the right pro, but come playoff time jagr and pleky will be linemates.rnNext blog I will keep it to pure hockey talk and go more in depth to decisions/opinions and fun history. Hope everyone enjoys.
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