Yardbarker: Montreal Canadiens

ESPN Summer NHL Power Rankings: Flyers ranked third in the East

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:56:29 -0500

ESPN.com released some incredibly early NHL Power Rankings and have the Flyers ranked third in the Eastern Conference, behind the Penguins and Canadiens. I can see why the defending Eastern Conference Champion Penguins are ranked higher than the Flyers, but what have the Canadiens done to prove they are better than Philly? Acquiring Alex Tanguay is enough to vault them past the team that worked them in the playoffs? Isn't Carey Price still their goalie? Anyway, at least the Flyers are getting some respect, although the rankings are done by Scott Burnside, whose predictions during last years NHL Playoffs were laughable. Click the link for the rankings.

MY LIST OF ALL TIME GOALIES

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:21:51 -0500

Here is my list of the best I've ever seen play . All 10 of these guys had there moments of greatness so here's to them , and as far as your list , HOW could you leave off CHRIS OSGOOD ? Come on dude ,granted this guy has had great defensive players but he still makes great saves and should get the credit for being one of the best goalies in the NHL for his consistency . Guys & Girls don't leave out OSGOOD that's a SIN ! By the way I'm not a red wing fan, I'm a NEW YORK RANGERS FAN ! Your list was cool but you know by now who I thought you overlooked. VERY GOOD TOPIC * * * * * FIVE STARS ! ! ! ! ! !

Questions Heading into the Centennial Season

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:44:02 -0500

A look at the questions facing the Montreal Canadiens this upcoming season.

Alexander Picard Re-Ups with Columbus

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:08:19 -0500

The first ever Maineiac player to be drafted, Alexander Picard, has resigned with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He only played in three games with the Blue Jackets last year. With the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, he had 11 goals and 18 assists in 48 games...

Habs Sign Pacioretty

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:07:47 -0500

Goddammit:

Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Thursday the signing of forward Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract (2008-09 to 2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Chris Summers is now a forward.

Unverified Voracity Digs Up Old Feuds

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:36:39 -0500

It might suck, though. Michigan Sports Center has been scouring Internet message boards for information on NCAA 09 and reports back with some problems:

To incorporate "wide open gameplay," the defenses in NCAA 09 reportedly have been incredibly dumbed down. By this, I mean that it is far too hard to play defense when lining up against the computer. When you are on defense, most people have reported that the opposing computer quarterback are way too accurate. The norm is only five or so incompletions a game according to some, and that is only because of dropped passes. On top of that, the computer's offensive line supposedly is way too dominant, even against the best teams in the game. With an extremely accurate QB and barely any pass rush, the results aren't good.

There are also widespread difficulties with editing the rosters (which I couldn't care less about, especially since you can download a whole roster for free from inside the EA Locker). Bill Abner's continued to post impressions at his blog and remains pleased -- "if I had to return the game and then decide whether or not to buy it, I'd be in line just like the rest of you, forking over my $60 and change" -- despite some annoyances; I trust him over some of the inveterate whiners that populate video game message boards. (Not that they don't have a point, but sometimes it's a bit much.) Abner does futz with the sliders excessively, so the issues above may be real on All American with default sliders but obviated if you're willing to tweak.

Law and Toomer. In the Thursday post rebutting Michael Rosenberg's column on Rich Rodriguez, I made passing reference to the distance between former Michigan stars Ty Law and Amani Toomer and Lloyd Carr. A couple folks have asked for background. Law left for the NFL after his junior year when his family filed for bankruptcy, and Carr did not take it well:

"He didn't care for me leaving, and I wasn't welcomed back for a while," said Law of Carr, who was Michigan's defensive coordinator but replaced Gary Moeller as head coach for what would have been Law's senior season.

Law says Carr "actually told me -- and that's what I feed on until this day -- that I would never see the third round. And that kind of hurt me. I know I thought I was one of the better players here on the team."

The animosity lingers; see the sidebar of that Page 2 article for further detail.

Toomer's issues with Carr are vaguer but just as real:

Did you hear from any of your former U-M teammates or Lloyd Carr after the win? No. The last time I heard a word from Lloyd was when I was playing in a (Michigan) game; it was my last play of my senior year. I caught a touchdown from Brian Griese, and I was walking off the field and Lloyd looks at me, looks at Griese, looks at me again, and goes, "Good throw, Brian." And that's the last thing he ever said in my direction.

Did you have a good relationship with Carr while at U-M? I thought we did, but I guess we didn't. So I don't know. I wasn't too upset to see the whole regime change.

FWIW.

Le Dominator is French for The Dominator. Pacioretty hype from Montreal's prospect camp continues to come fast and furious:

While Trevor Timmins, the Canadiens' director of recruitment, was reluctant to talk about individual players, he did venture the opinion that Pacioretty is "head and shoulders" above his peers.

... et chaque ...

Take this to the bank, people: Max Pacioretty will be with the big club when the 2009-'10 season begins. And he's going to be a good one.

But where will he be playing this fall? Probably Yost:

Pacioretty has played one season at the University of Michigan. It's unlikely he'll stay there for a full four years, but he is expected to return in September.

Knock on wood and all that. If he does return, plan on it being a Jack-Johnson-like victory lap, hopefully one just as freakin' awesome as JMFJ's senior year.

Cross is boss. Wolverine Historian has compiled the 2001 Illinois game, a comprehensive beating applied with some panache. I had totally forgotten what I think were back-to-back trick plays that got Michigan its first touchdown, and Todd Howard is subject to the most spectacular facemask penalty I've ever seen. In full:

Another day, another jab. The Ann Arbor News takes the opportunity presented by the "Rodriquez" settlement to launch another broadside at the athletic department. This was my favorite part:

Michigan used to be unique amid a national trend that's seen programs at other schools become less about student athletes and much more about the money that marquee sports can generate.

This isn't just orthogonally wrong, it's the exact opposite of right. The first sentence in Don Canham's Wikipedia article is "he became nationally-renowned for his ability to market and sell products bearing the name or logo of the school." Canham himself:

The only thing I did know was that were going to draw a hell of a lot more people than we ever did. Up until then, schools did not advertise. I almost got fired when I flew a helicopter advertising Michigan football over the World Series (in Detroit) in 1968. That was considered undignified. We ran ads in magazines and all the Detroit suburban newspapers. Our big gimmick was that we mailed ticket applications - that first year we mailed 400,000 ticket applications and sold coffee cups and things like that. We paid for the ads with the coffee cups. The premiums we came up with paid for it all.

The only thing unique about Michigan's place in the college football money grab was its status as first-mover. The rest of it is a complaint seemingly from another universe: Michigan's athletic department leadership has "little if any accountability or openness." The dastardly bastards in charge finished third in the Director's Cup, saw all their teams easily clear the NCAA's APR hurdles, and ran a massive surplus doing it. They must be held accountable!

By any reasonable standard the Michigan athletic department is one of the best in the country. It supports a massive number of student-athletes, does extraordinarily well in sports across the board, and does so without draining a dime from the university's general fund. Since the Ed Martin affair over a decade ago there hasn't been even the barest hint of NCAA problems. For this it gets harsher coverage from its local media than any program in the country.* I'm not asking for mindless homerism, but how about a shred of perspective?

The Ann Arbor News lists the phone numbers and email addresses for Martin, Coleman, and the Regents, exhorting you to "send a message." I suggest you send a different message to an organization that evidently has no interest in covering Michigan fairly by calling 734-994-6989. That message: "cancel my subscription."

*(I assume. No one else has been the target of a week-long investigative series that turned up virtually nothing, right? Washington might have a case given the Seattle Times' recent exhumation of the Neuheisel era at UW, but that actually seemed targeted at UCLA. If the Columbus Dispatch tried this they'd be under seige. Probably literally.)

Etc.: The NYT preview of Michigan approvingly references MGoBlog but contains some glaring errors ("Michigan did not land one quarterback recruit in the 2008 class"); Jim Brandstatter snaps back at Rosenberg; Michigan favored by seven against Utah.

Rewriting History: The '93 Playoffs

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:18:59 -0500

Revisiting the Spring of 1993 to see what would have happened if the Pittsburgh Penguins had won Game 7 against the New York Islanders. Would the Pens have gone on to win their third straight Stanley Cup? Now we have a pretty good idea, with a little help from WhatIfSports.com and their NHL sim technology.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:32:23 -0500

insert rock band miming.

Max Pacioretty is the last Michigan hockey player who hasn't announced his intentions to return for the 2008 season. When last we left our budding power forward, he was torn:

Heard it from a very good source that he would like to sign and that Montreal wants him but the family will have none of it. At this point, put the chances of him returning for his sophomore year at about 80%.

That was The Wolverine's Mike Spath about three weeks ago. Pacioretty is now at Montreal's rookie camp and... sigh(?)... impressing:

And Canadiens director of player recruitment and development Trevor Timmins was on the ice, watching his recent draft choices - plus a few free agent signings - skate through their paces.

Timmins spoke glowingly of Max Pacioretty, telling journalists "as you can see out on the ice surface, he's a big, strong, powerful athlete" who's a strong skater and likes to hit and finish his checks. Timmins thinks Pacioretty is "physically ready" to turn pro but has to work on aspects of his game, either as a University of Michigan sophomore or a Hamilton Bulldogs rookie.

At least Montreal isn't dangling a chance at the NHL at Pacioretty. If he's eyeing the AHL... well... that's a far less appealing alternative. Further quotes from Pacioretty, however, indicate he's open to the Bulldogs:

Pacioretty said "this is a big summer for me." He trusts the Canadiens to offer sound advice on whether he should turn pro or go back to Michigan.

"I couldn't tell you right now. We have to talk more about it and figure out how they (Canadiens) feel and that'll help my decision." Pacioretty is aware that the big club could use a power forward. "I think that's where they see my upside," Pacioretty said. "I'm able to play a more physical role. But I've got a lot of work to become a power forward."

Eek. Spath says Montreal wants him to sign, Pacioretty says he'll do what the Canadiens want him to do... 1 + 1 = dammit. HOWEVA, maybe Spath's source was premature? This article makes it sound like Montreal is expecting him to return to Ann Arbor (emphasis mine):

Trevor Timmins, the Canadiens' director of player recruitment, said yesterday that Pacioretty is physically capable of playing in the NHL, but the smart money says the Connecticut native will be a Wolverine for at least one more season.

Pacioretty, who is projected as a power forward, said as much yesterday when members of the media told him about Timmins's statement. While he said his strength was one of his assets, he also said he might have a way to go before he can battle along the boards with the likes of Georges Laraque.

Pacioretty had an outstanding season at Michigan. He played on Michigan's top line with Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, both of whom have signed contracts with the Phoenix Coyotes.

"Playing with those guys definitely helped," Pacioretty said. But Timmins and Pacioretty both feel the youngster will be able to survive - and thrive - in the wake of the departures.

"I was the guy doing the dirty work in the corners and I think that I'll be able to play a more offensive role now that they're gone," Pacioretty said.

"He's lost two outstanding linemates, but this will give him a chance to showcase his talents," Timmins added.

Spath's 80% now seems like 60% to me, but the above passage contains direct quotes from the two people closest to the situation that assume Pacioretty's hockey will be played at Yost this fall. Still... Michigan Hockey Summer and all that. We should know sometime soon, at least, as I doubt Montreal will drag out the decision much past the next couple weeks.

Also, in a BCS-like move that comes one season too late:

Also, the Division I Men's Ice Hockey committee will recommend that teams be required to have a .500 record or better to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin, of course, made the tournament (as a three-seed!) despite being under .500 and got to play at home. No more of that.

Montreal Resigns Halak

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:52:51 -0500

The former Maineiac goaltender who backstopped the Maineiacs net in the 2004-2005 season has resigned with the Montreal Canadiens. Jaroslav Halak has agreed to a two year, 1.55 million dollar deal with Montreal. Last year he had a 2-1-1 record with a 2.11GAA and a .934SV%. He was behind Cristobal Huet and Carey Price last year. He spent most of last year with the Hamilton Bulldogs where he...

Georges Laraque, Alex Henry & Marc Denis on their way to Montreal

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:31 -0500

Great additions to the Montreal Canadiens roster. How good are they and what could they bring for the Habs' organization?

The Habs lose Ryder, Streit and Danis and prehaps even the hopes for Sundin.

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:31 -0500

So Michael Ryder is gone for good with The Boston Bruins and Mark Streit and Yann Danis left for the New-York Islanders. What do all these players have in common? None of them received an offer from The Montreal Canadiens. But wait, Mats Sundin did. Too bad this guy is l.o.s.t.!

Mikhail Grabovski To Leafs

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:39:31 -0500

Mikhail Grabovski is no longer a player from the Montreal Canadiens. Now just guess where he is now!

Chicago to Host Next Year's Winter Classic

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:55:58 -0500

The Star-Tribune is reporting that the Winter Classic will be held in Wrigley Field on January 1st, 2009. The Blackhawks will face the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings. It's an Original Six match up. It should be a very good match up with the Blackhawk on the rise with players like Kane and Toews...

Penguins Free Agency Update

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:57:18 -0500

It has been a week of good news and bad news for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they have seen several roster gains, losses and signings as the free agency market swings into full motion. Ray Shero is quick to emphasize that he managed to keep the core in place, yet he lost his #1 post-season priority as Marian Hossa opted to take a 1-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. While managing to keep their defensive core, centers, and starting goaltender in place, the Penguins have lost the majority of their active wingers to the free agent market.

Isles Add A Little More Weight, But Who's the Backup Goalie?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:48:33 -0500

Center Doug Weight and the Isles signed a 1-yr deal. A Stanley Cup Champ, 4-time NHL All Star, 2-time US Olympian, 2-time World Cupper, he'll have a serious impact on the Isles with his extensive successful hockey experience. Experience is more of what the Isles need, especially when their backup goalie's is the unknown Yann Danis. Danis was just with the Habs, but he's still quite green. HE is supposed to backup DiPi???