It's early to say we're happy with Bergevin, but I think what has happened already means an improved team.

* We got rid of the dysfunctional leadership and replaced it with one people seem happy with so far. That in itself, with no personnel change, will mean less contention in the room and more focus to play.

* We've seriously upgraded our bottom 6, and for the long term with Prust and Moen. It didn't come cheap, but there is some continuity to work with.

* Our young guys are growing. Subban, Eller, and Emelin in particular, assuming all return, should be more reliable this year and demonstrate a little less growing pains.

I would love to upgrade the top 6, but to do so we need to find a taker for Bourque or consider moving Gionta. I hope we do both by the deadline in February. Then there is Gomez... Can't wait to see how Bergevin and therrien deal with him.

It would be nice to upgrade the D as well, but we need to offload Kaberle first.

I don't see all of this work happening before training camp.

This statement seems backtrackish, is he ready or not?
- eihcnerf

Think he means he's probably ready but there's too many guys ahead of him.

- eihcnerf

(frank)ing train wreck in here!!

Haven't ever seen him play a full game. But I happen to be connected to real scouts, from teams that play in the National Hockey League--broadcast on real national television. And they tell me he could be in the league next season. For real.
- EricEngels

Aww, the ole " I'm in the room" go to. Well Red Fischer was in the room for 50 years, played cards with the Rocket and Beliveau on the trains and all that poop. Didn't stop him from being wrong on multiple occasions.

He played 73 games last year, and has been shockingly durable throughout his career.

Also, the Habs sell $4.5M worth of beer every game.
- oniremosewa

at some point playing for the Habs the 41 yr old will get hurt for half the season

I dont think the habs are into anything big. we have a descent lineup. Bergevin said in is interview that he would like to see bourque come back to is 27 goal shape and be part of the top 6. So I guess he will give i'm a chance. Kaberle wasn't THAT bad last year, if he gets back to shape too, he can only bring good things to this team. If Kaberle would have been on free-agency we would have signed im already and everybody would have been happy.

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole
Bourque-Plecanec-Gionta
Armstrong-Eller-Moen
Prust-White-(prospect swaps)

Georges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Kaberle-Bouillon
backup:Weber-Diaz-Blunden

next year Bouillon will retire, Kaberle or Markov will be traded. and Tinordi-Beaulieu will go up.

Gomez will be sent to the AHL or a team will be willing to trade a bag of pucks for I'm.

if there is a trade it's going to be in the mid-season and our trading chips are Kaberle-Bourque-Eller-Plecanec-Markov-Budaj

Bergevin is new to this job and made clear he wants to give everybody a chance to play and prove themselves.

Forget about Ryan

He accepted?
- QuebecPride

not yet.

Maybe try Iafrate too?

I dont think the habs are into anything big. we have a descent lineup. Bergevin said in is interview that he would like to see bourque come back to is 27 goal shape and be part of the top 6. So I guess he will give i'm a chance. Kaberle wasn't THAT bad last year, if he gets back to shape too, he can only bring good things to this team. If Kaberle would have been on free-agency we would have signed im already and everybody would have been happy.

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole
Bourque-Plecanec-Gionta
Armstrong-Eller-Moen
Prust-White-(prospect swaps)

Georges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Kaberle-Bouillon
backup:Weber-Diaz-Blunden

next year Bouillon will retire, Kaberle or Markov will be traded. and Tinordi-Beaulieu will go up.

Gomez will be sent to the AHL or a team will be willing to trade a bag of pucks for I'm.

if there is a trade it's going to be in the mid-season and our trading chips are Kaberle-Bourque-Eller-Plecanec-Markov-Budaj

Bergevin is new to this job and made clear he wants to give everybody a chance to play and prove themselves.

Forget about Ryan
- LaraqueIzDaBest

Top 5 pick, right there.

He played 73 games last year, and has been shockingly durable throughout his career.

Also, the Habs sell $4.5M worth of beer every game.
- oniremosewa

Nothing like paying $10 and change for really crappy beer.

Haven't ever seen him play a full game. But I happen to be connected to real scouts, from teams that play in the National Hockey League--broadcast on real national television. And they tell me he could be in the league next season. For real.
- EricEngels

real scouts? from real nhl teams? on real national t.v.? really?


in that case, i'm taking your word on pateryn. for real.


but what about the rest of this train wreck of a team. 2 more years of medicrity? if we're lucky?

Aww, the ole " I'm in the room" go to. Well Red Fischer was in the room for 50 years, played cards with the Rocket and Beliveau on the trains and all that poop. Didn't stop him from being wrong on multiple occasions.
- eihcnerf

How can you defend someone watching a webstream on a laptop over someone who has talked to actual people who have actually scouted him?

Think he means he's probably ready but there's too many guys ahead of him.
- PRICEless

Well other then Weber and Diaz, both whom suck and should be gone anyways who is exactly holding this stud back anyways?

at some point playing for the Habs the 41 yr old will get hurt for half the season
- Oilhab

He was injured last season. And I believe he scored something like 2 goals in his last 27 games of the season.

Started strong, then his age caught up with him (which is completely normal). I think 4.5 is a quite expensive, and I believe Dallas signed for a marketing "push" as much as what he'll bring to the team on the ice.

How can you defend someone watching a webstream on a laptop over someone who has talked to actual people who have actually scouted him?
- Oilhab

Easy. I have faith in QP's scouting ability. And he should be scouting for the Leafs.

Well other then Weber and Diaz, both whom suck and should be gone anyways who is exactly holding this stud back anyways?
- eihcnerf

I'd say he's behind Tinordi, Beaulieu and Ellis on the depth chart... wich would normally mean he's less NHL-ready than those guys..

real scouts? from real nhl teams? on real national t.v.? really?


in that case, i'm taking your word on pateryn. for real.


but what about the rest of this train wreck of a team. 2 more years of medicrity? if we're lucky?
- rob121

Fine with me.

The most interesting 11 pages of back reading yet.

How can you defend someone watching a webstream on a laptop over someone who has talked to actual people who have actually scouted him?
- Oilhab

It's called The Damien Cox syndrome. If everyone says white, because, well it is most likely the most logical thing to say, then say black. You'll get a reaction for sure.

real scouts? from real nhl teams? on real national t.v.? really?


in that case, i'm taking your word on pateryn. for real.


but what about the rest of this train wreck of a team. 2 more years of medicrity? if we're lucky?
- rob121

Have to ask; do you really think the team's as bad as they played last season?

Not saying they're great, or on their way to that this season. But are they as bad as they showed last season?

The most interesting 11 pages of back reading yet.
- braidan

ya but the next 11 will make up for it.

The most interesting 11 pages of back reading yet.
- braidan

Backreading is for sissies.

I'd say he's behind Tinordi, Beaulieu and Ellis on the depth chart... wich would normally mean he's less NHL-ready than those guys..
- PRICEless

So guys that aren't NHL ready are holding back this NHL ready stud dman? I'm calling Bobby Smith on this.

Easy. I have faith in QP's scouting ability. And he should be scouting for the Leafs.
- eihcnerf

I agree he should be scouting for the leafs, along with Mayor McCheese and RussianSource.

Backreading is for sissies.
- mcmanmat

This time it is totally worth it.

It's called The Damien Cox syndrome. If everyone says white, because, well it is most likely the most logical thing to say, then say black. You'll get a reaction for sure.
- Pecafan Fan

Damien Cox could tweet that he stirred his morning coffee with his own Richard, and nobody would pay attention.