Do the Habs even make the playoffs

[lucafen4]

Personally, I'm in love with the fact that these conversations now take place involving teams NOT named the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fans bragging how good they are... everyone else trying to spray reality in their face.

Oh Good Times!! Only appropriately, shall end with

GO LEAFS GO! (Yes I'm trolling - it's good natured - deal)

[newfcollins]

So who was this puck mover last year when their D was ok? Markov? No. Schlemko (who, I will say again, has not played yet this pre-season) is an upgrade over any puck moving D they had last year. If Mete makes the team and provides some speed and skill its gravy to what was planned. Jerabeck also has some potential once he's had time to adjust to the team and the NA ice. This Henny Penny stuff over the pre-season is a bit silly.

Actually, Markov was their best puck-moving defenseman. Not sure why you would think he wasn't.

And they had Beaulieu. Not as good, but better than what they have now.

[ericdaoust]

So who was this puck mover last year when their D was ok? Markov? No.

Yes.

[yougo]

Me thinks not! Not when they have Streit and Hemsky as replacements!

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic here. Both Markov and Radulov are huge upgrades to Streit and Hemsky.

[yougo]

So who was this puck mover last year when their D was ok? Markov? No.

You really have no clue about the Habs if you don't think Markov is not a puck moving D. You know what is the fastest way to move the puck? Passing. And you know who is an elite passer? Andrei Markov.

[The Bottlenecker]

It is only the preseason, but I don't think they have improved that much. Price will aver of be invincible. But he still can't score.

[rufio.85]

They lack the depth to say they'll be a top 3 in that division - Tor, TB, Fla are all significantly deeper

Really? Florida is significantly deeper than Montreal?
Maybe down the middle, but I don't see how the Panthers exactly have a loaded roster.

I think the Habs will squeak into the playoffs, but the left side of the defence is really hurting right now.
I agree that getting out of the zone will be problematic.

[ericdaoust]

Florida is not deep at all lol

[tweetdrivr]

I'll agree that Markov was an excellent passer. But he's lost several steps and the most effective puck moving defensemen are elite skaters and can lug the puck up the ice all night. The last one of those Montreal had was PK Subban (single tear). The Habs are going to be just fine and as I said will win the Atlantic.

[Jouko-Pouko]

The Habs D is not horrendous. The depth may be suspect but we really don't know. And Weber has been one of the top shots against suppression D men in the league. That won't change this season. The other piece, which is a knock on Bergevin, is that you have three of the top six (Schlemko, Alzner, Mete, Davidson? Jerebeck? Morrow?) who are new to the team and the system. Schlemko hasn't even had a chance to practice with the team yet. There are a myriad reasons why playing sooo many pre-season games is stupid and worthless and this sort of hand wringing is one of them. If I'm in the Habs locker room I find it hilarious that so many folks are getting their panties all bunched up over the f'ing PRE SEASON. Heck, I'd even sand bag the crap out of it so no one knows what we have come Oct 4. Fog and Friction baby. Mark my words...Habs will, barring injury, win the Atlantic.

This PRESEASON isn't the reason people think Habs won't go far, it's because their team just isn't very good. I couldn't care less about preseason results for any team but when looking at the Habs roster, it would be somewhere in the bottom-10 in the league without Price.

[tweetdrivr]

This PRESEASON isn't the reason people think Habs won't go far, it's because their team just isn't very good. I couldn't care less about preseason results for any team but when looking at the Habs roster, it would be somewhere in the bottom-10 in the league without Price.

Care to back that up with some comparisons? Not sure how you figure to know that when we haven't even seen them play as a group yet.
And they DO have Price so....you sort of have to consider him part of the team.

[2014olympicgold]

Tweetdrivr is like the Montreal version of Big Ev.

[ericdaoust]

Tweetdrivr is like the Montreal version of Big Ev.

Who?

[tweetdrivr]

Who?

Yeah I don't know who Big Ev is. I'm guessing a big homer for a particular team who was always defending them against unwarranted bashing?

[2014olympicgold]

Who?

Sorry IronSheik