We're not talking about salary or term. Straight up production. Nobody is talking about Sekac's paycheque vs. Smith-Pelley's.

Point is, each player brings something different. Sekac couldn't hit like DSP if he was playing against 12 yr olds. Sekac wasn't putting up points in Montreal, and the guy they got for trading him isn't either, but all of a sudden Sekac should have been kept? For 3 (frank)ing assists?

Give me a break.
- 3M

by the way, I wasn't advocating we should've kept Sekac instead of getting DSP...I'm in favour of that trade, and hope it works out... in fact if one thing is painfully clear from this trip out west is that we need more muscle on the team. The Sharks DOMINATED us... and we couldn't even push back.

And I was answering your question truthfully... I'd raher have Scott Gomez with is CURRENT contract than Lars Eller right now... He's got 24 pts in 40 games...that's a lot better than Eller.

I was going to bed midway through the second...but then the habs scored two quick ones...I got suckered into the rest of the game.
- TouenneTiiTree

I was planning on going to bed after the first when they had fewer shots than LA had goals, until Galchenyuk got credited with a meaningless shot at the end of the period. Getting embarassed like that is not going to keep me up watching all night. It could have been 0-0, but 1 shot? ONE (frank)ING SHOT? Talk about pathetic.

More like Smith-Jelly lol
- DoubleDown

lol

All I keep thinking is Albert Haynesworth
- DoubleDown

I don't think they're the same, but that thought is terrifying.

He's so dominant he could turn that D into elite.

http://news.nationalpost....puck-era-officially-back/

I was pointing out lately that there was so much clutching and grabbing let go this season in the NHL, looks like this is the result. We are back to the pre-lockout days.

I wonder what they'll do this time...get rid of the blue lines?

All I keep thinking is Albert Haynesworth
- DoubleDown

yup

- stinger67

*googles konica minolta*

http://news.nationalpost....puck-era-officially-back/

I was pointing out lately that there was so much clutching and grabbing let go this season in the NHL, looks like this is the result. We are back to the pre-lockout days.

I wonder what they'll do this time...get rid of the blue lines?
- stinger67

From what I saw these last few games, it feels like they are letting more things go in the west... I saw lots of stick work and interference these past few games that went unpunished where it would usually be called.

by the way, I wasn't advocating we should've kept Sekac instead of getting DSP...I'm in favour of that trade, and hope it works out... in fact if one thing is painfully clear from this trip out west is that we need more muscle on the team. The Sharks DOMINATED us... and we couldn't even push back.

And I was answering your question truthfully... I'd raher have Scott Gomez with is CURRENT contract than Lars Eller right now... He's got 24 pts in 40 games...that's a lot better than Eller.
- TouenneTiiTree

It really is shocking how little he produces given his ice time

http://news.nationalpost....puck-era-officially-back/

I was pointing out lately that there was so much clutching and grabbing let go this season in the NHL, looks like this is the result. We are back to the pre-lockout days.

I wonder what they'll do this time...get rid of the blue lines?
- stinger67

Puts some numbers on the habs in perspective.

Galchenyuk is having a good season.

From what I saw these last few games, it feels like they are letting more things go in the west... I saw lots of stick work and interference these past few games that went unpunished where it would usually be called.
- TouenneTiiTree

They always have let more go in the West. For whatever reason it is like a completely different league.

Then they dominate the East in the playoffs because playoff officiating goes straight to West rules.

It really is shocking how little he produces given his ice time
- DoubleDown

This is the third time I'm saying this... but Brian Flynn has got as many points...

And nobody even knew who Brian Flynn was until last week...

Eller just plain sucks. 3rd liner at best.

From what I saw these last few games, it feels like they are letting more things go in the west... I saw lots of stick work and interference these past few games that went unpunished where it would usually be called.
- TouenneTiiTree

This has ALWAYS been the case. The West practically plays the game under a different set of rules.

EDIT: And the "low sticking" call. Love that rule.

Good blog, Eller Engels.

This has ALWAYS been the case. The West practically plays the game under a different set of rules.
- 3M

As a fan of a western team I disagree. It changed in June 2011.

They always have let more go in the West. For whatever reason it is like a completely different league.

Then they dominate the East in the playoffs because playoff officiating goes straight to West rules.
- blarneylad

Which is utter garbage.

As a fan of a western team I disagree. It changed in June 2011.
- golfingsince

Gainey and company built a small fast team thinking the league had changed its ways. Too many teams (especially the big slower teams out West) couldn't handle such a drastic change and in the interest of parity the rules have reverted.

This has ALWAYS been the case. The West practically plays the game under a different set of rules.
- 3M

Well I've always known it was a more physical game... I'm talking about all those little things with the stickwork and poop. Seems in the East as soon as you stick is parallel to he ice, or the free hand comes around its a penalty...

Last night Doughty had his stick blade in habs players gloves all night...used his stick to create interference...all those little things they've been cracking down on.

Which is utter garbage.
- BINGO!

As a fan yes.

But if you are a GM you have to worry about the things that are in your control.

And having a guy like Sekac in the playoffs play a perimeter game just wouldn't be a solution to the playoff rules.

I wish another body (Eller and a pick) could have been used to land that size though.

Gainey and company built a small fast team thinking the league had changed its ways. Too many teams (especially the big slower teams out West) couldn't handle such a drastic change and in the interest of parity the rules have reverted.
- blarneylad

They are not SLOWER...

Bigger, faster, more physical.

Well I've always known it was a more physical game... I'm talking about all those little things with the stickwork and poop. Seems in the East as soon as you stick is parallel to he ice, or the free hand comes around its a penalty...

Last night Doughty had his stick blade in habs players gloves all night...used his stick to create interference...all those little things they've been cracking down on.
- TouenneTiiTree

Hooking still gets called. But if it is a good Lacrosse hack its okay. At least according the calls that are being made.

Habs get away with a lot of that too. Subban is always using his stick.

The interference is bad now too, guys slowing down forecheckers in a puck race or trying to pressure the guy with the puck. I think if a guy alters another guys skating path it should be interference every time. Unless he has his feet planted and was already occupying that space.

But the league is what it is, that is why I don't see a future on this team for guys like Desharnais or even Plekanecs unless one or the other is centering the third line.

Those Western teams all have size up the middle and seemed to control the play for the better part of 3 full games.

Fred will love this blog.
- hscesq

They are not SLOWER...

Bigger, faster, more physical.
- TouenneTiiTree

Allow me to change my wording then.

They have way less agility. They can skate straight lines fast no doubt. Having the red line removed allows these guys to get a full head of steam otherwise they would be overexposed by their lack of lateral and first three step speed.

It's pretty clear the Habs should focus on the draft and tank the rest of the season.

Well I've always known it was a more physical game... I'm talking about all those little things with the stickwork and poop. Seems in the East as soon as you stick is parallel to he ice, or the free hand comes around its a penalty...

Last night Doughty had his stick blade in habs players gloves all night...used his stick to create interference...all those little things they've been cracking down on.
- TouenneTiiTree

If his name wasn't Drew Doughty, or if he was black, those things would've been called.