Episode 13 – The Habs Are Halfway There, But Where The Hell Are They Going?
January 4, 2010 | 6 Comments
We give a full assessment of the Canadiens’ first half of the season – deep and thorough. We discuss the Plakanec contract situation and Gainey’s moves so far, as well as half-mark grades to each of the players on the habs roster.
Habs Radio Episode 13 Part 1 [14:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Habs Radio Episode 13 Part 2 [13:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Habs Radio Episode 13 Part 3 [15:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Habs Radio Episode 13 Part 4 [14:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
6 comments ↓
Plekanec is the most exciting player for the Habs for the last 10 years, a superstar in this league. What are you smoking? This guy is a good player and that’s it. He is small, weak on the puck as the season progresses and the physical play picks up. If the Habs build their future around Plakenec what a sorry state of affairs the francise is in. Calling a guy with 10 goals a top scorer is a joke. He has a Mike Ribiero type skill set but with a much greater work ethic and that’s his worth. I’d trade him for a physical presence in a heartbeat.
Just want to thank you guys for the great podcasts I really enjoy them. Agree with most of what you see on the ice for the Habs except for your love affair with Pleks. Also don’t share your optimism for the second half. Hope I’m wrong on both counts.
Hey Dusty,
First of all, thanks for listening, and for the thought-provoking comments on Pleky. Like we said in the podcast, it definitely remains to be seen if Plekanec can continue this pace into the late season and the playoffs. But the player we are seeing this year is much MUCH better than any earlier version. He is also getting better in almost every hockey situation: The PK, the PP, and in gritty areas along the boards, in the corners, and behind the net. I agree that the Habs need a physical presence on forward, but then again, every team would LOVE to have more skilled power-forwards. Those guys are in short supply. Finally, if the Habs get rid of Pleks, who replaces him at center, realistically? That’s a daunting question, because it’s safe to say, without him, the Habs are nowhere this season.
Hi Patrick,
The point I was trying to make about Pleky is a response to all the “sign Plekanec to 5 mil long term contract” stuff I have been seeing all over the different Hab sites. I think the Habs are a long way from being the Cup contender we all want and the team needs to get bigger, stronger and meaner for this to happen. Tomas is a very good player and I to see the improvement you point out. I hope he is signed to a reasonable deal (under 4 mil)and not lost for nothing. However, he is not the key to a contender so I hope Bob doesn’t go crazy on us. So summing up then, my desire is not to get rid of him, but hopefully acquire some players like Malone or Hartnell down the road or package him in the future for that type of player. Seeing him play small without a true physical presence on his line is not his fault just a reality.
You are right, the Habs need to get bigger, meaner and stronger, and more skilled – in other words, better – to win the cup. And I think in a perfect world, the Habs could sign Pleks for under 4 million, and trade Halak and Hamrlik for Hartnell and Coburn. But I just don’t think any of those things are gonna happen. So if Bob doesn’t want to be left empty handed, he really has two choices for the immediate future: Sign Pleks for the 5-6 million he is going to ask for, or trade him at the deadline with a larger package and hope to get some good players in return. Obviously, if Bob is able to get an offer he can’t refuse, then everything is on the table – but barring that, I still feel the Habs are a better team with Plekanec the mechanic, than without him.
Again though, it’s all about what Bob thinks he can get in return for Pleks – and as soon as his name is mentioned – you know there will be a leak and the situation gets messy (like last year’s Lecavalier trade rumors debacle).
It will be an interesting next few months that’s for sure.
Agreed.
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