Comments on: And Now Back to….What, Exactly? 7 Questions for the Stretch Drive http://www.habsradio.com/2010/03/01/and-now-back-to-what-exactly/ Habs Radio is your source for original and entertaining analysis of all things Montreal Canadiens. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:30:33 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Patrick http://www.habsradio.com/2010/03/01/and-now-back-to-what-exactly/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Patrick Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:06:20 +0000 http://www.habsradio.com/?p=339#comment-162 According to Brian Burke, if forwards weren't young, good and fast enough to fit on Team USA's top two lines, they would not automatically fit into the 3rd or 4th lines, because Burke wanted a strong, physical presence, tough guys with scoring touch for the bottom two lines (with players like Malone, Kesler, and Backes - who all played great). Using the standard set by Team USA's own GM, the smallish and oldish Gionta and Gomez do not fit onto Team USA. And I agree that the players Burke did pick for the top two lines were all MUCH better than the GG's (Parise, Kessel, Ryan, Brown, Stastny, and Kane). So Gionta and Gomez missing Team USA was a good move. To me, a healthy Markov is the only player on the Habs who definitely gets called for duty on Teams USA and Canada. Cammi and Pleks are in the mix for sure, but they are not shoe-ins. No way. I would say, if anything, those guys have a better shot at Team USA than Team Canada. Bottom line: The Olympic tournament made me realize, with cold clarity, how far behind the talent curve the Habs really are. They don't have top-line players, but they are paying out top-line money. I hope PG can unload some salary, because otherwise, they are strapped. According to Brian Burke, if forwards weren’t young, good and fast enough to fit on Team USA’s top two lines, they would not automatically fit into the 3rd or 4th lines, because Burke wanted a strong, physical presence, tough guys with scoring touch for the bottom two lines (with players like Malone, Kesler, and Backes – who all played great). Using the standard set by Team USA’s own GM, the smallish and oldish Gionta and Gomez do not fit onto Team USA. And I agree that the players Burke did pick for the top two lines were all MUCH better than the GG’s (Parise, Kessel, Ryan, Brown, Stastny, and Kane).

So Gionta and Gomez missing Team USA was a good move.

To me, a healthy Markov is the only player on the Habs who definitely gets called for duty on Teams USA and Canada. Cammi and Pleks are in the mix for sure, but they are not shoe-ins. No way.

I would say, if anything, those guys have a better shot at Team USA than Team Canada.

Bottom line: The Olympic tournament made me realize, with cold clarity, how far behind the talent curve the Habs really are. They don’t have top-line players, but they are paying out top-line money. I hope PG can unload some salary, because otherwise, they are strapped.

]]> By: Eric http://www.habsradio.com/2010/03/01/and-now-back-to-what-exactly/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Eric Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:39:58 +0000 http://www.habsradio.com/?p=339#comment-161 Nice post P! This at least gets me INTERESTED in tonight's battle. That said, I think there are in fact players on this team that would fit in on Teams Canada and/or USA. For starters, an argument could be made (and has been) for Cammalleri belonging on Team Canada. Also, Markov and Plekanec, when healthy, are on either of those teams, IMO (especially USA). I also don't think Gomez and Gionta would have looked out of place on USA's 3rd or 4rth line. Nice post P!

This at least gets me INTERESTED in tonight’s battle.

That said, I think there are in fact players on this team that would fit in on Teams Canada and/or USA. For starters, an argument could be made (and has been) for Cammalleri belonging on Team Canada. Also, Markov and Plekanec, when healthy, are on either of those teams, IMO (especially USA). I also don’t think Gomez and Gionta would have looked out of place on USA’s 3rd or 4rth line.

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