nah, Weber didn't get that stick modified for nothing, he's got some arms to break.

The biggest fear Leafs fans should have in the health of their team after the 1st round. Should be a physical series, Habs will try to trap them and be very physical.
- Symba007

Yes, my biggest fear is exactly this, but not from clean stuff.

I fear crosschecks, slashes, knee on knee, elbows to the jaw, blind-sides and goalie cave-ins. I expect the Habs to do all of these things and the refs and the league to do nothing except give the Habs more powerplays.

Yes, it puts them in a bit of a no-win. If they come out of the North, it will be because the North is weak and Covid and reasons. If they don't, it will be a failure.

On the other hand, too bad. This team needs to put on their big-boy pants in the playoffs at some point. Champions need to learn to not get crushed by expectations.
- Aetherial

The team needs to keep playing the way they have been. They're better than everyone in North. They're better than the Habs in every position based on the way both teams have played.

Obviously any team can collapse but this team is built differently and has played differently than previous teams. They're not run and gun and have the GAs to prove it. They need to elevate their game as the playoffs progress.

Yes, my biggest fear is exactly this, but not from clean stuff.

I fear crosschecks, slashes, knee on knee, elbows to the jaw, blind-sides and goalie cave-ins. I expect the Habs to do all of these things and the refs and the league to do nothing except give the Habs more powerplays.
- Aetherial

Good thing we have the situation room on our side.

There's still part of the population/fan base that gives great value to having local players on the team.

Especially the older generation who saw the team win with plenty of Québécois in the 70's.

Hell even in cup winning team of 93 had plenty of local players on the team, playing big roles to win the cup.

It will remain an issue they need to consider, it's just diminishing with time.

Fun fact, they make all the fuss in the world about needing a french speaking coach and the best one they ever had was Scotty Bowman. And despite being born in Montreal, the guy barely speaks french.
- Scabeh

that is the case in general for people being born in Montreal (/Quebec)

The media sucks.

We are at the point where its 90% made up.
- Santo_44

That sounds made up

that is the case in general for people being born in Montreal (/Quebec)
- MaximusAurelius

Are you trying to say people born and raised in Montreal dont speak French ?

The team needs to keep playing the way they have been. They're better than everyone in North. They're better than the Habs in every position based on the way both teams have played.

Obviously any team can collapse but this team is built differently and has played differently than previous teams. They're not run and gun and have the GAs to prove it. They need to elevate their game as the playoffs progress.
- Canada Cup

The ONE thing I'm still worried about is the talented players' propensity for trying to force skilled plays. Gotta have discipline to identify when you need to make a safe play.

That sounds made up
- Canada Cup

Its cold hard facts

Good thing we have the situation room on our side.
- TheMussel

After watching the 2 series against the Bruins, I don't expect even reasonable refereeing and standards to be maintained. One side will be able to do whatever they want.

That sounds made up
- Canada Cup

90% chance it is based on his stats

Are you trying to say people born and raised in Montreal dont speak French ?
- Santo_44

yup

Good thing we have the situation room on our side.
- TheMussel

Posts Pretend Wolf Blitzer meme

yup
- MaximusAurelius

you do realize that the west island is only a part of MTL right

Its cold hard facts
- Santo_44

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The team needs to keep playing the way they have been. They're better than everyone in North. They're better than the Habs in every position based on the way both teams have played.

Obviously any team can collapse but this team is built differently and has played differently than previous teams. They're not run and gun and have the GAs to prove it. They need to elevate their game as the playoffs progress.
- Canada Cup

Feels like one of those situations where every non Leaf/Hab fan is looking at this series as a lock for the Leafs.

Kinda how I see VG and the Canes as a lock. As a fan its hard...but this is a lopsided series in terms of talent, readiness, health, and one team is going in with a hot streak and the other isnt.

you do realize that the west island is the rich part of MTL right
- Symba007

Fixed for Max's frame of reference

you do realize that the west island is only a part of MTL right
- Symba007

I'm not even from Montreal and I know this is bs.

Its very multicultural and yeah there are a lot of non French speakers...but if you are born and raised there you will learn French.

you do realize that the west island is only a part of MTL right
- Symba007

To be fair, the French spoken in HoMa doesn't sound much like French to the untrained ear.

It's crazy to think we have the following players currently on the shelf but will be joining the team soon(ish):

Zach Hyman
Nick Foligno
Frederick Andersen
Riley Nash

That's pretty ridiculous. Keefe is going to have quite the lineup puzzle to figure out.

It's crazy to think we have the following players currently on the shelf but will be joining the team soon(ish):

Zach Hyman
Nick Foligno
Fredrick Andersen
Riley Nash

That's pretty ridiculous. Keefe is going to have quite the lineup puzzle to figure out.


- mjones242

Can we dress 30 skaters?

Can we dress 30 skaters?
- TheMussel

Roll out 5-6 lines? I like it!

I feel its the same as the "good ol Ontario boy" argument. Its mostly the older crowd that actually cares about this.

It definitively is dying. I mean its nice to see a hometown guy put on the sweater and win...but its also cool having a person coming from a different culture experiencing and loving your own culture.
- Santo_44

I think it takes a bigger proportion in Quebec because of the differences between Quebec and the rest of Canada.

I'm all for trying to get local talent when it makes sense. Hence why I didn't have a problem with the Drouin trade when it happened despite loving Sergachev as a prospect. It was an opportunity to get a former 3rd overall local guy who was only 21 at the team and coming off a 53 points season.

The kind of opportunity that's hard to say no to.

Now obviously that trade is the worst Bergevin has ever done but I get why he did it.

90% chance it is based on his stats
- Symba007

Half the time, it is correct 100% of the time.

To be fair, the French spoken in HoMa doesn't sound much like French to the untrained ear.
- TheMussel

All of it is enough to make a Parisian cry

that is the case in general for people being born in Montreal (/Quebec)
- MaximusAurelius

Nonsense.

Most people in Montreal end up being bilingual.