Post-Game Talk: Habs Steamroll Wings 7-3 -- Pleky with 1000th NHL game!!!

[SergeConstantin74]

I'd prefer sending Kotka down for the time being and give a real shot to Scherbak. I'd hate losing him without knowing what he can do on a regular basis and in an offensive role in the NHL.

 

[1909]

Whats he going to learn in the AHL? Its not like he doesn't know how to make a pass or shoot on net. He makes a few good offensive plays a game. Lets not forget he had his goal taken away from him last night.

He might be able to get points (goals and assists) and re-gain some confidence doing so.....

 

[Cole Caulifield]

LOL le bodyguard de Roch Voisine (MT)

The poll should be "Which former habs coach called a former habs player the worst captain in history?"

 

[the]

Stop attacking my Michou!

 

[holy]

Y'already know the doubters starting to doubt their own doubt out here.

 

[1909]

I disagree with such a definitive pronouncement. He had strong games early on where he not only showed that he belonged but was actually an above average player in every facet of the games. People here are two quick to jump throw the towel on every player (even the pros) after the smallest samples.

Kotkaniemi will have poorer stretches and some good ones. He definitely has the hockey sense, puck handling and playmaking to a superior level. It is also extremely uncommon for me to see such a young player able to generate offense at times while being so responsible defensively. He's been flat for the last 2-3 games but the abilities are still there.

Some people here are extremely harsh on Danault, for that reason we all know about, but despite being underrated on this board, the fact is Danault is not an ideal scoring line center. And the Habs have questions marks there. At any time, Kotkaniemi can emerge as the go-to guy.

I think it may be time to sit Kotkaniemi for a game or two before continuing the nine game experiment. But it's tough justifying that after a huge win. I know the ultimate decision is a tough call but I'm personally more comfortable with him in Montreal than going back to be coached by daddy. By stubbornly refusing the AHL option, the Kotkaniemis are not making things easy.

Too bad. Bouchard would take care of him, and Kotka could be called up at anytime during the season.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Juulsen with a team high 4 give away, some were ugly. I know, I know.....patience

3rd most minutes on the team, that's a top 4 defenseman time. He shouldn't play that much yet. Habs have 14,5 millions $ worth of defensemen hurt/healthy scratch. In a perfect world, Juulsen is a 13-15 minutes 3rd pairing guy right now.

 

[Gainesvillain]

The tank needs Kotka in Finland (can we not save a year on his ELC pls Bergy??), Alzner and Scherbak back in the lineup.


Great PGT Runner77, thanks!

 

[Andrei79]

I disagree with such a definitive pronouncement. He had strong games early on where he not only showed that he belonged but was actually an above average player in every facet of the games. People here are two quick to jump throw the towel on every player (even the pros) after the smallest samples.

Kotkaniemi will have poorer stretches and some good ones. He definitely has the hockey sense, puck handling and playmaking to a superior level. It is also extremely uncommon for me to see such a young player able to generate offense at times while being so responsible defensively. He's been flat for the last 2-3 games but the abilities are still there.

Some people here are extremely harsh on Danault, for that reason we all know about, but despite being underrated on this board, the fact is Danault is not an ideal scoring line center. And the Habs have questions marks there. At any time, Kotkaniemi can emerge as the go-to guy.

I think it may be time to sit Kotkaniemi for a game or two before continuing the nine game experiment. But it's tough justifying that after a huge win. I know the ultimate decision is a tough call but I'm personally more comfortable with him in Montreal than going back to be coached by daddy. By stubbornly refusing the AHL option, the Kotkaniemis are not making things easy.

I'm usually patient with young players, but my problem here is the gap between what he's going wrong and what I feel is a tolerable weakness in his game.

What I mean is his lack of pace is getting more evident. But more importantly, he's not reading openings and his timing to become a passing option is completely off. Part of it is playing with Armia, who does little to create space, but a big part of it is the gap between the speed he can handle and NHL speed.

For me, it's been the case since game 1, but only getting worse.

 

[Goodbahd]

I'd prefer sending Kotka down for the time being a give a real shot to Scherbak. I'd hate losing him without knowing what he can do on a regular basis and in an offensive role in the NHL.

I’d prefer to let Kotka learn up here. Scherbak ain’t NHL material anyway. We’ve got a winning record, no need to mess with the chemistry. Scherbak is just a lite version of Galchenyuk at best anyway.

 

[ImNeverWrong]

You're fn up the tank!!! They're not keeping this up. Lol

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Too bad. Bouchard would take care of him, and Kotka could be called up at anytime during the season.

Yes. I wonder if despite the agreement, they can convince him to change his mind...

 

[Gravity]

So we have to currently stop competing and winning in order to possibly start competing years from now? Lol ok.....sheesh

Yes. Remember how we missed out on McKinnon/Barkov because we thought we were set with Galchenyuk?...

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack ... Groove's Food Porn:

Is this Osaka? The neon signs over the canals... that's what it reminds me of. More so than Tokyo. Edit: I used to live in Japan; lived 5 years in Tsukuba. I was the original Japan-based poster, going back to 2003. Although my experience in Japan dates back to 1994, and emphasized Kobe and Osaka back then.

 

[MasterDecoy]

I love Michel commenting the game. I love Michel commenting the. I love Michel commenting. I love Michel.

CTRL-ALT-DEL

 

[CAR3YPR1CE]

I'd eventually like to see Kotka back to Finland.. Scherbak traded for a pick or struggling prospect already in the AHL.. And roll these lines..

Tatar - Danault - Gallagher
Drouin - Domi - Byron
Lehkonen - Peca - Armia
Hudon - Plekanec - Shaw
Deslauriers - delaRose

 

[417]

3rd most minutes on the team, that's a top 4 defenseman time. He shouldn't play that much yet. Habs have 14,5 millions $ worth of defensemen hurt/healthy scratch. In a perfect world, Juulsen is a 13-15 minutes 3rd pairing guy right now.

It's not an excuse for not being flawless

 

[Adriatic]

I'd prefer sending Kotka down for the time being and give a real shot to Scherbak. I'd hate losing him without knowing what he can do on a regular basis and in an offensive role in the NHL.

How do you not know by now what Sherback can give you? Pretty evident.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

I'm usually patient with young players, but my problem here is the gap between what he's going wrong and what I feel is a tolerable weakness in his game.

What I mean is his lack of pace is getting more evident. But more importantly, he's not reading openings and his timing to become a passing option is completely off. Part of it is playing with Armia, who does little to create space, but a big part of it is the gap between the speed he can handle and NHL speed.

For me, it's been the case since game 1, but only getting worse.

I understand. I actually felt he was really solid in the first few games and that speed wasn't an issue at all, even against strong opponents. So we haven't seen it exactly the same way. That happens.

One thing is for sure, I would have preferred his nine game trial to be a lot more stretched. This is NOT an easy call to make at this point. He's extremely young and even if we forget the training/experience, he's growing from a purely biological standpoint, maturing physically and mentally.

In an ideal world, he would have spent his time between the AHL, the NHL and the WJC. Second best scenario was to stretch the 9-game trial, send him to the WJC and then make a decision. Now, they may have to roll the dice a bit.

But between daddy and the Habs, I really hope it will be the latter.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Seeing Plekanec back with the Habs and maybe retiring as a Hab makes me sad that Koivu didn't.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Juulsen with a team high 4 give away, some were ugly. I know, I know.....patience

I think you're right about noticing them, totally fair - but it's also an absolute guarantee that young players like Mete and Juulsen will have some nights where it's tougher. Let's hope the coaching staff allows them to adjust and learn properly.

 

[scrubadam]

He might be able to get points (goals and assists) and re-gain some confidence doing so.....

He looks plenty confident to me out there. Points in the AHL don't count in the NHL. All that will do is have him pile up against inferior players. If he was slow on the play, making bad passes, bad rushes etc... I would understand. He just isn't lucky right now but he is making good plays each game and I don't really see him a step behind.

 

[Andrei79]

I understand. I actually felt he was really solid in the first few games and that speed wasn't an issue at all, even against strong opponents. So we haven't seen it exactly the same way. That happens.

One thing is for sure, I would have preferred his nine game trial to be a lot more stretched. This is NOT an easy call to make at this point. He's extremely young and even if we forget the training/experience, he's growing from a purely biological standpoint, maturing physically and mentally.

In an ideal world, he would have spent his time between the AHL, the NHL and the WJC. Second best scenario was to stretch the 9-game trial, send him to the WJC and then make a decision. Now, they may have to roll the dice a bit.

But between daddy and the Habs, I really hope it will be the latter.

All fair points.

Curiously though, why do you prefer the AHL vs Pori ?

 

[SergeConstantin74]

How do you not know by now what Sherback can give you? Pretty evident.

The team was a mess last year when he played. Really not a good situation for a young player.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

It's not an excuse for not being flawless

Not an excuse, just a fact.

 

[montreal]

poor wings, even with one of our worst seasons ever we smoked them last year and this game was in the bag. Great game from Tatar, will be interesting to see how much he can produce. Congrats to Pleks on 1000. One things clear, Niemi hates hearing about the Habs tanking. How funny or sad is it that the guy 21 goals in 5 games for 2 teams comes in puts up a 2.46 and a .929 saave % which cost us better odds at getting that 1st or 2nd OA. Now he comes in and rattles off back to back wins.

I thought Kotka had his worst game yet, and not the best game for Juulsen either but at least he's getting a ton of TOI. Guess we'll see how it goes for both as well as Mete.