Karine Hains: Should He Stay of Should He Go? When Claude Julien was fired as head coach of the Habs, Dominique Ducharme was given the job on an interim basis, after 2 months at the helm, should he stay or should he go?

Maybe a question more related for now is when is Price ready to come back and play? For us to go far we need Price at the same level he was at last year’s play-in series which may in turn answer these questions on how far we go in the playoffs in conjunction with the lineups DD puts out there and if he or MB will stay or go. Allen is a great backup but we need Price to come back and on his game

Maybe a question more related for now is when is Price ready to come back and play? For us to go far we need Price at the same level he was at last year’s play-in series which may in turn answer these questions on how far we go in the playoffs in conjunction with the lineups DD puts out there and if he or MB will stay or go. Allen is a great backup but we need Price to come back and on his game
- habs88888

I don’t think we’ll see the Price from the bubble back. That was after 5 months of rest, as much as it pains me to say, the numerous injuries have caught up to Price and he now has limitations he didn’t have. That’s why it’s important to find a line-up that can both score and defend appropriately, the days this team could just ride on Price’s coattails are over in my opinion.

I don’t think we’ll see the Price from the bubble back. That was after 5 months of rest, as much as it pains me to say, the numerous injuries have caught up to Price and he now has limitations he didn’t have. That’s why it’s important to find a line-up that can both score and defend appropriately, the days this team could just ride on Price’s coattails are over in my opinion.
- Karine Hains

I still see that the team plays better in front of Price, he may not be the one as from the bubble but he still gives us a better chance to go deep. Maybe the past 2 games give us a different feel but will need to see if that’s for here to stay. That being said, DD would not have the guts to bench Weber once he is ready to play, even with a 3rd pairing role I don’t think DD will do it. I would hope he proves me wrong

I don’t think we’ll see the Price from the bubble back. That was after 5 months of rest, as much as it pains me to say, the numerous injuries have caught up to Price and he now has limitations he didn’t have. That’s why it’s important to find a line-up that can both score and defend appropriately, the days this team could just ride on Price’s coattails are over in my opinion.
- Karine Hains

Hopefully the new US TV contracts provide some cap relief down the road, where Price's contract is still an albatross, but not as much as it is today (at least percentage wise).

Price is a slightly above goalie at this point, who can steal a game now and then. But the bottom line, is if the Habs play a puck possession game they should be fine with Price in nets. If they spend most of the game in their own end, then they are not strong enough defensively (at least right now) to compensate for Price's diminishing skills.

I still see that the team plays better in front of Price, he may not be the one as from the bubble but he still gives us a better chance to go deep. Maybe the past 2 games give us a different feel but will need to see if that’s for here to stay. That being said, DD would not have the guts to bench Weber once he is ready to play, even with a 3rd pairing role I don’t think DD will do it. I would hope he proves me wrong
- habs88888

Oh he won’t scratch Weber, but pair him with a mobile D instead of with Chiarot:

Edmundson-Petry
Romanov-Weber
Chiarot-Kulak/Merrill

that still gives you balanced pairings and you use Weber less, you give him a better chance to be successful

Hopefully the new US TV contracts provide some cap relief down the road, where Price's contract is still an albatross, but not as much as it is today (at least percentage wise).

Price is a slightly above goalie at this point, who can steal a game now and then. But the bottom line, is if the Habs play a puck possession game they should be fine with Price in nets. If they spend most of the game in their own end, then they are not strong enough defensively (at least right now) to compensate for Price's diminishing skills.
- Mashadar

Agree, with Price’s current level of play, the Habs have got to be better overall to get anything done and the sooner everyone in the organization realizes us that, the better.

Oh he won’t scratch Weber, but pair him with a mobile D instead of with Chiarot:

Edmundson-Petry
Romanov-Weber
Chiarot-Kulak/Merrill

that still gives you balanced pairings and you use Weber less, you give him a better chance to be successful
- Karine Hains

That’s the thing as well, as much as we are uncertain about Price we don’t know what version of Weber we will see on any given night based on what we have observed this season, agree you use him less maybe less mistakes.

Also his hard slap shot missed the target more than most and the chances of it hitting one of our players as a result is prolly higher

That’s the thing as well, as much as we are uncertain about Price we don’t know what version of Weber we will see on any given night based on what we have observed this season
- habs88888

We’ll see a better version if he’s paired with someone who completes him. He’s not been injured all season and his pairing with Chiarot struggled mightily early on, need to move on from that to have a chance.

We’ll see a better version if he’s paired with someone who completes him. He’s not been injured all season and his pairing with Chiarot struggled mightily early on, need to move on from that to have a chance.
- Karine Hains

His hard but off the target slap shot also scares me, feel like it has a higher chance of hitting one of our players than the net

That’s the thing as well, as much as we are uncertain about Price we don’t know what version of Weber we will see on any given night based on what we have observed this season, agree you use him less maybe less mistakes.

Also his hard slap shot missed the target more than most and the chances of it hitting one of our players as a result is prolly higher
- habs88888

Did we try Romanov with Weber earlier and DD said that was not a pairing he wants ?

His hard but off the target slap shot also scares me, feel like it has a higher chance of hitting one of our players than the net
- habs88888

Good point as well, the power play has done better without him, not only is the shot often off target but it seems like all the players think it’s the only option they have when Weber is on the ice, they always try to set him up and it doesn’t work 9.5 times out of 10. Giving him less ice-time (using him while shorthanded but not on the PP) would also help.

Did we try Romanov with Weber earlier and DD said that was not a pairing he wants ?
- habs88888

We tried it, but in a first pairing position, besides, Romanov keeps improving and with so many variables changed, it might be better now.

Good point as well, the power play has done better without him, not only is the shot often off target but it seems like all the players think it’s the only option they have when Weber is on the ice, they always try to set him up and it doesn’t work 9.5 times out of 10. Giving him less ice-time (using him while shorthanded but not on the PP) would also help.
- Karine Hains

Unless we have another top 4 offensive d to complement Petry you will always see Weber on the PP, something hopefully we will get this off season

Karine
Hains: Should He Stay of Should He Go?
When Claude Julien was fired as head coach of the Habs, Dominique Ducharme was given the job on an interim basis, after 2 months at the helm, should he stay or should he go?
- Karine Hains

John Tortorella for coach.

As most are aware Bergevin's ongoing attempt to retool the club continues to flounder without the cup window ever opening, it is likely Molson will end the experiment, unless there is a surprising upset in the first round. However, this seems unlikely as the team as constructed seems incapable of winning 4 games out of 7 against Edmonton or Toronto. It is likely we lose in 5 or 6.

New GM's often choose to keep the existing coach for a short while while they begin to retool/rebuild. This buys them time. However, I suspect the interm tag may provide reason enough for Bergevin's replacement to cut ties with the league's worst head coach.

A coaching staff with positive energy and the ability to mold and guide young talent will be essential for both the Habs and Laval during the rebuild. There are many suitable coaches, but Ducharme is not suited for the role. Keeping Ducharme only serves to extend Bergevin's failed experiment.

This off-season is set to be a time for change, signalling the rebirth of the Canadien's dynasty. Case closed.

Unless we have another top 4 offensive d to complement Petry you will always see Weber on the PP, something hopefully we will get this off season
- habs88888

That in time will be Romanov and you don't have to have 2 d-men on a PP wave, most of the teams have one per wave, just saying.

That in time will be Romanov and you don't have to have 2 d-men on a PP wave, most of the teams have one per wave, just saying.
- Karine Hains

I know but right now for 2nd wave we put Weber on there instead of someone else

As most are aware Bergevin's ongoing attempt to retool the club continues to flounder without the cup window ever opening, it is likely Molson will end the experiment, unless there is a surprising upset in the first round. However, this seems unlikely as the team as constructed seems incapable of winning 4 games out of 7 against Edmonton or Toronto. It is likely we lose in 5 or 6.

New GM's often choose to keep the existing coach for a short while while they begin to retool/rebuild. This buys them time. However, I suspect the interm tag may provide reason enough for Bergevin's replacement to cut ties with the league's worst head coach.

A coaching staff with positive energy and the ability to mold and guide young talent will be essential for both the Habs and Laval during the rebuild. There are many suitable coaches, but Ducharme is not suited for the role. Keeping Ducharme only serves to extend Bergevin's failed experiment.

This off-season is set to be a time for change, signalling the rebirth of the Canadien's dynasty. Case closed.
- Jackie Daytona

hey bud

Because of key Injuries and Bergevin pushing the panic button Montreal Is toast.

As most are aware Bergevin's ongoing attempt to retool the club continues to flounder without the cup window ever opening, it is likely Molson will end the experiment, unless there is a surprising upset in the first round. However, this seems unlikely as the team as constructed seems incapable of winning 4 games out of 7 against Edmonton or Toronto. It is likely we lose in 5 or 6.

New GM's often choose to keep the existing coach for a short while while they begin to retool/rebuild. This buys them time. However, I suspect the interm tag may provide reason enough for Bergevin's replacement to cut ties with the league's worst head coach.

A coaching staff with positive energy and the ability to mold and guide young talent will be essential for both the Habs and Laval during the rebuild. There are many suitable coaches, but Ducharme is not suited for the role. Keeping Ducharme only serves to extend Bergevin's failed experiment.

This off-season is set to be a time for change, signalling the rebirth of the Canadien's dynasty. Case closed.
- Jackie Daytona

Why can't Montreal beat Edmonton? They've done well against them this season. Shut down McDavid and Draisaitl and they fold. Not saying they're necessarily the favorite, but it's defintiely doable.

Why can't Montreal beat Edmonton? They've done well against them this season. Shut down McDavid and Draisaitl and they fold. Not saying they're necessarily the favorite, but it's defintiely doable.
- apex123

why did you read his post?

As most are aware Bergevin's ongoing attempt to retool the club continues to flounder without the cup window ever opening, it is likely Molson will end the experiment, unless there is a surprising upset in the first round. However, this seems unlikely as the team as constructed seems incapable of winning 4 games out of 7 against Edmonton or Toronto. It is likely we lose in 5 or 6.

New GM's often choose to keep the existing coach for a short while while they begin to retool/rebuild. This buys them time. However, I suspect the interm tag may provide reason enough for Bergevin's replacement to cut ties with the league's worst head coach.

A coaching staff with positive energy and the ability to mold and guide young talent will be essential for both the Habs and Laval during the rebuild. There are many suitable coaches, but Ducharme is not suited for the role. Keeping Ducharme only serves to extend Bergevin's failed experiment.

This off-season is set to be a time for change, signalling the rebirth of the Canadien's dynasty. Case closed.
- Jackie Daytona

why did you read his post?
- mr.peanut

Ducharme looks lost more often than not.....if he wins in PO's he will easily stay, if not the door will be opened for HC improvement.