Here's my report on the habs for the break, hope you enjoy:
Gomez:
I'm not afraid to say that Scott Gomez is one of my favorite players in the NHL. I like the way he plays and just think he's having a tough time right now I really do. But Scott you've gotta wake up. You're capable of so much better and you know it. He just seems to have lost his confidence out there and it's really a shame. I want to see the Gomez of the playoffs, I want to see the Gomez of those Stanley Cup runs in New Jersey. The guy who showed up every night and elevated his play, made his line better and setup some sweet goals. Heck he's never been known as a gifted goal scorer but he has been known as one hell of a play maker.
Gomez just needs a clean slate. He isn't going anywhere fans, sorry I know so many of you want him gone but he isn't going anywhere not only because he's an important part of our team but because with his cap hit no team will take him even if he does get paid less in coming years. I don't want him gone regardless but some people need to understand that. That being said we need to support him but he's gotta support himself too. He needs to get his confidence back and clearly needs fans and media support not to be shunned or hated on. I know he cares about this team and wants be successful. But I also know he isn't playing like Scott Gomez the coveted all star play maker from the New Jersey Devils. They did have a good team but he was a big part of the reason they did. He needs to be a big part of our reason. We have injuries now and the team needs him now more than ever.
He's gotta step up his game right now.
Price
Needs his team to stop taking dumb penalties that are costly and momentum shifting. Not kidding you I don't fault this guy one bit in a number of our losses in recent memory. When your team takes 3 penalties at the same time and on top of that takes several too many men penalties in a season (I wonder what the stat is) you really can't be blamed by them throwing away games. I'm not saying he hasn't let in some goals he'd like to have back or mishandled the puck ever, he has. But he's been a good goalie and the team needs to support him and stop ruining him by playing so bad defensively and taking dumb penalties. If it weren't for that Price would be doing a lot better. And another thing, play Auld please, thanks. He's a grown man he knows how to play also.
Jacques Martin
Makes some questionable decisions at times I think we can all agree. Anywhere from not taking a time out to taking a bad time out. Not pulling the goalie early enough at times. I find the habs this year have a seriously lack of control in the oppositions zone even on the power play and this direly needs to be addressed somehow.
Pierre Gauthier
What can I say, I like this guy. He goes and gets Wis for nothing. But then at the same time gives Lapierre away for nothing. I can only assume he's making cap space in case of a huge trade. Now I'm not saying we're going after Iginla even though it's rumored. But he freed up the Markov cap space, some of Gorges and even traded Lapierre to get rid of his cap room. Added Wisniewski so that adds cap but we could definitely fit Iginla in. We'd be giving up cap room in the process in that deal, not as much as Iginla's probably but some. If he makes the Iginla trade I'll be thrilled personally. Yes Iginla is 34 years old but I figure he has enough good years left. I want him on our team. He played with Cammalleri already. Cammalleri with Plekanec and Iginla would be a #1 line in the NHL that would match up against any other teams very well. I believe they will want Pacioretty in the deal though, that's the only problem I have with it. But you've got to give to get.
O'Byrne
I know he's an ex hab but just because I was speaking about Gauthier I think this trade will look very stupid if the Bournival kid doesn't pan out for us. I knew O'Byrne would be an NHL defense man and I also called the trade on my blog before it happened. It was a no-brainer because O'Byrne clearly was NHL ready. I'm happy for him that he's playing well and progressing.
