Rocket Sports: 5 Up, 5 Down: Which Montreal Canadiens Are Thriving and Who’s Struggling?

Rocket Sports: 5 Up, 5 Down: Which Montreal Canadiens Are Thriving and Who’s Struggling?
- RocketSports

bring on the Islanders, go habs go!

bring on the Islanders, go habs go!
- Pat1993

Habs vs Patrick Roy's team!
Bit of a test for Primeau tonight....

Habs vs Patrick Roy's team!
Bit of a test for Primeau tonight....
- AmyJohnson

yeah, as much as I love Patrick, he's been dealt an old roster to coach with the Isles, and sometimes those games can get a bit boring since they have to play a more conservative brand of hockey, so I'm hoping it'll still be a good one tonight.

really hope Primeau steps up to the task, would be nice for him with all the naysayers bashing him after only 1 regular season game lol.

yeah, as much as I love Patrick, he's been dealt an old roster to coach with the Isles, and sometimes those games can get a bit boring since they have to play a more conservative brand of hockey, so I'm hoping it'll still be a good one tonight.

really hope Primeau steps up to the task, would be nice for him with all the naysayers bashing him after only 1 regular season game lol.
- Pat1993

Rick and talked about this a bit on today's podcast (available to listen in the blog post) but it's surprising they didn't give the Kings game to Primeau this week. Although given how they played, maybe it's better they didn't? lol

yeah, as much as I love Patrick, he's been dealt an old roster to coach with the Isles, and sometimes those games can get a bit boring since they have to play a more conservative brand of hockey, so I'm hoping it'll still be a good one tonight.

really hope Primeau steps up to the task, would be nice for him with all the naysayers bashing him after only 1 regular season game lol.
- Pat1993

The team has to be better as a whole. They may have to deal with some injuries yet again, but that just mean that others have to step up

Rick and talked about this a bit on today's podcast (available to listen in the blog post) but it's surprising they didn't give the Kings game to Primeau this week. Although given how they played, maybe it's better they didn't? lol
- AmyJohnson

I'm currently listening to it lol


but yes, I agree, I don't think it would've been a great night for Primeau to try and make a "comeback statement". what we saw last game was a bit concerning but then again I highly doubt this will be a recurring thing this season, I'm not too worried they'll figure it out fairly quickly. the fact that the top line players barely got any reps together during pre-season surely didn't help.

The team has to be better as a whole. They may have to deal with some injuries yet again, but that just mean that others have to step up
- deadpoulet

Agreed. They should be used to having to step up due to injuries by now, and guys just can't have mediocre games night in and night out anymore.

I'm currently listening to it lol


but yes, I agree, I don't think it would've been a great night for Primeau to try and make a "comeback statement". what we saw last game was a bit concerning but then again I highly doubt this will be a recurring thing this season, I'm not too worried they'll figure it out fairly quickly. the fact that the top line players barely got any reps together during pre-season surely didn't help.
- Pat1993

lol - that's fantastic! Enjoy the episode!!
Pre-season was a disaster this year, definitely. After such a poor showing on Thursday, they all really need to bounce back in a big way tonight. And that first line needs to do SOMETHING! lol

lol - that's fantastic! Enjoy the episode!!
Pre-season was a disaster this year, definitely. After such a poor showing on Thursday, they all really need to bounce back in a big way tonight. And that first line needs to do SOMETHING! lol
- AmyJohnson

for sure...!! hopefully they find their mojo tonight

The team has to be better as a whole. They may have to deal with some injuries yet again, but that just mean that others have to step up
- deadpoulet

yup. I know he obviously wouldn't solve all problems but Barré-Boulet has been looking good in Laval, a guy like him could always be called up if they need a little spark, although the issue currently seems to be more with the top 6.

yup. I know he obviously wouldn't solve all problems but Barré-Boulet has been looking good in Laval, a guy like him could always be called up if they need a little spark, although the issue currently seems to be more with the top 6.
- Pat1993

Barre-Boulet is a very very good AHL player, so I'm okay with him in Laval helping with some offense (although don't want him to bump prospects like Farrell out of the lineup) and he'll be a reliable occasional callup when needed. Would have preferred to see him with a 2-way contract this summer, as it was almost inevitable that he'd be heading to Laval at some point.

Barre-Boulet is a very very good AHL player, so I'm okay with him in Laval helping with some offense (although don't want him to bump prospects like Farrell out of the lineup) and he'll be a reliable occasional callup when needed. Would have preferred to see him with a 2-way contract this summer, as it was almost inevitable that he'd be heading to Laval at some point.
- AmyJohnson

I was also thinking the same but he's been better than I was expecting to be honest, he didn't look out of place when he played and gave a more than decent effort. but I agree he's more of a very good AHL player than a regular NHLer.

I was also thinking the same but he's been better than I was expecting to be honest, he didn't look out of place when he played and gave a more than decent effort. but I agree he's more of a very good AHL player than a regular NHLer.
- Pat1993

I was surprised that he did as well as he did in training camp - it definitely helped him solidify that opening night roster spot, but he just didn't have the consistency to maintain it. And Emil Heineman has been reallyyyy good.

yup. I know he obviously wouldn't solve all problems but Barré-Boulet has been looking good in Laval, a guy like him could always be called up if they need a little spark, although the issue currently seems to be more with the top 6.
- Pat1993

Maybe a guy like Heineman gets a look in the top 6 at some point, at least untill Laine gets back.

If Slaf cant go tonight things could get a little bit more complicated

I was surprised that he did as well as he did in training camp - it definitely helped him solidify that opening night roster spot, but he just didn't have the consistency to maintain it. And Emil Heineman has been reallyyyy good.
- AmyJohnson

yup, him and Kapanen could turn out to be two very good bottom-6 players.

Maybe a guy like Heineman gets a look in the top 6 at some point, at least untill Laine gets back.

If Slaf cant go tonight things could get a little bit more complicated
- deadpoulet

I would totally be down with seeing what Heineman could do in the top six! He's a really dynamic player, it couldn't hurt to try it out even for a period or so.

Slafkovsky's injury is very mysterious - will be interesting to see if he plays or not.

Maybe a guy like Heineman gets a look in the top 6 at some point, at least untill Laine gets back.

If Slaf cant go tonight things could get a little bit more complicated
- deadpoulet

oh right, he's a game-time decision, I read he potentially hurt his shoulder during practice.

(frank)ing injuries, shu pu capable, sérieux.

yup, him and Kapanen could turn out to be two very good bottom-6 players.
- Pat1993

Particularly if they can start to develop chemistry on a line together for the long-term this season, that could be good for future years.

I would totally be down with seeing what Heineman could do in the top six! He's a really dynamic player, it couldn't hurt to try it out even for a period or so.

Slafkovsky's injury is very mysterious - will be interesting to see if he plays or not.
- AmyJohnson

I don't know if anyone has been able to identify what happened exactly but Matheson's injury is also very mysterious, as there was no obvious play during last game where he could've gotten hurt.

I don't know if anyone has been able to identify what happened exactly but Matheson's injury is also very mysterious, as there was no obvious play during last game where he could've gotten hurt.
- Pat1993

the Habs don't need to try to set/extend another 'man games lost' record this season..........

oh right, he's a game-time decision, I read he potentially hurt his shoulder during practice.

(frank)ing injuries, shu pu capable, sérieux.
- Pat1993

Both Ghule and Matheson could be out tonight, but Matheson did travel with the team.

I really like what I saw from Hutson so far but hopefully we dont see too many 30 mins a night for him this season

the Habs don't need to try to set/extend another 'man games lost' record this season..........
- AmyJohnson

and the season before... it's insane

Both Ghule and Matheson could be out tonight, but Matheson did travel with the team.

I really like what I saw from Hutson so far but hopefully we dont see too many 30 mins a night for him this season
- deadpoulet

Don't want to overload him too early! I said something similar on today's podcast (in the blog post) - he's been lights out so far...he's going to be a key piece for this team.

Both Ghule and Matheson could be out tonight, but Matheson did travel with the team.

I really like what I saw from Hutson so far but hopefully we dont see too many 30 mins a night for him this season
- deadpoulet

for sure, that ice time was because they had to play with 5 dmen, I doubt we see that too often, especially not during his 1st year in the NHL lol.