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About Dave Stubbs
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Dave Stubbs
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About
Dave Stubbs has been a sportswriter since 1976, which was roughly a decade after he wore the first of many holes through the knees of his jeans playing nets in road hockey (using a modified butterfly popularized by Hall of Famer Glenn Hall). He still has the welts to show on his shins from that rotten, frozen orange ball.
Stubbs kept thick hockey scrapbooks filled with game summaries and Gazette and Montreal Star stories, collected dozens of Bee Hive Corn Syrup photos and put a fortune of hockey cards through the spokes of his bikes. First book ever owned: Scrubs On Skates, the classic by Scott Young (Neil's dad).
Stubbs's fantasy is to travel back in time to the 1950s and watch the great Canadiens dynasty that won five consecutive Stanley Cups. Or a decade earlier, to watch Elmer Lach centre Rocket Richard and Toe Blake on the fearsome Punch Line. Or at least to get Rogie Vachon into the Hockey Hall of Fame – where he belongs.
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The Disgruntled Goalie Fan
Sholi2000.com
2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Yo.
_____________________________________________________
Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Emir of Al-Hab Habbala, Sheikh of Sheestleton, and Apostle of the Successors of The Flannel.
Hey Dave Stubbs, is there any indication of what the defensive pairings will be for tonight? Thanks in advance!
Markov-Spacek
Gorges-Carle
Weber-Belle
Dave Stubbs
Habs Inside/Out
Sports Columnist/Feature Writer, Montreal Gazette
You're the best, Dave....mucho appreciado!!
Man, it's awesome that the game is on TSN2 tonight....argh!!!! Still over 3 hours to go!! Come on, drop the puck already!!! Go Habs!!!
i Like these lines for tonight, this is the best line-up we've had in preseason so far imo. It's going to be very interesting to see the tandems on D when the season kicks off...and also to the ones bashing Price or other players due to their play in preseason action, you need to understand that practices and games are 2 different things. These games are the first high pace ones they've played since april, give the guys a chance to get the rust off and get their timing back...don't put too much hope on preseason, I remember a certain Mariusz Czerkawski tearing it up in the preseason before scoring 5 goals in 43 games and being bought out by the habs. So give these guys a chance before judging them in the preseason, i'm a positive guy and think we're in for a treat this year. We may not win every game but we will compete on more nights than last year
Enjoy the game tonight,
go habs go !
Agree regarding the unwarranted criticisms. Too many "hopefuls" in the lineup every night. We have not seen "our team" yet. What we have seen, as far as some individuals go, is encouraging. We have seen some good spurts from the likes of Gomez, Cammaleri, and Gionta. Our major pickups over the summer. And, IMO, we have seen some indication that some of the holdovers are looking improved...Latendresse, looks like a different player to me. He's getting involved physically, and getting his nose dirty in the crease area. There are others, too, who look ready to turn the page from last year's disaster. As far as guys like Moen, Mara, and Gill...they are not the type of players you will really "notice". They go about their jobs quietly and efficiently. When guys like these stand out, it's usually for the wrong reasons. One more game before we see what the real team will look like. But I think we are going to be fine.
honestly, to me, latendresse doesnt look any different, i think thats just wishful thinking on our parts, we WANT him to be involved physically and going to the net, and shooting the puck, but i havent seen much of a change yet...
Nope. Not wishful thinking on my part. I feel he has improved, and you have to think he sees this as a make or break year for him. There is a feeling among some Habs fans that under J.Martin, guys will have to work hard game in and game out. Unlike playing for Carbonneau, who had his favorites and his goats. I can't recall offhand what Lats salary is, but it is not huge, You have to think he will want to change that sooner than later.
What's up with Mara?
Yeah, Mara only played the 1 game right??
Seems like Martin is having a good look at Belle too.
It's his 3rd game out of the 5 (I believe)..
- Yves -
Blog - http://yvesonhabs.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/yves_on_habs
rds reporting that Belle was put on waivers along with Sandford, Glumac and Darche
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/282813.html
they said it was done this afternoon, can't see he'll be on the line-up tonight yves
Great forward lines...those combos are really close to the complete roster when the season starts. Obviously MOEN and PLEK will replace MAXWELL and PYATT, but others are keepers in my opinion...and of course GILL / MARA / HAMMR / OBRYNE replace BELLE / WEBER/ CARLE...with GORGES in the press box...
its obvious that the cuts are already made......yes sir, lets get this season going!
1.The N.A.G. Veteran Youth Movement will bring us glory... 2.STEWY/MOEN/LAROCK/MARA/GILL will bring us respect... 3.All heed the Heckler, it is time to wake up!
Dang, I really liked the plek/gio, cammy/gomie combos. patches with P/G, AK46 with C/G had me really optimistic. ah well, may as well those lines (if they happen) a shot.
Go Gio Go!
Changing it up some.... Gionta,Cammalleri and Gomez playing tonight...
I kinda like those 2 top lines for tonight. Should be fun.
See what Maxwell can do with Andrei K and Cammalleri... and Gomez-Gionta-Pacioretty...
If those lines stick for tonight... it's lookin' more like the roster up front.
- Yves -
Blog - http://yvesonhabs.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/yves_on_habs
Where's the friggin game summary and event summaries??!??!!?
must have been a problem... can't find them on the NHL site, but found a box score on espn.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=290920001
Off topic (if there is one) but does anyone know how Theo Fleury is doing with the flames? I can't help but root for the guy, such an old classic!
can't find the pre-season stats, but i saw that he scored one last night, and I belive scored the only SO goal in game a couple nights ago. he seems pumped and determined to make the big club.
He scored a goal and an assist last night, and scored the shootout winner in his previous game. He's really making a go of it.
Sutter's been understated in his assessment saying that Theo was 'solid'
But you've gotta think he's doing as well as he could have hoped. Even if he's a spare part, I hope he gets into some NHL games.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
why was my comment deleted? Sorry to argue but that was pretty underhanded given my comment's calm nature, giving my opinion, not insulting anybody or using foul language. I dont know what made it get deleted but IMO that was pretty low
LOL
I got deleted once for saying that Begin had balls of solid rock. it was right after a Boston game where he spent the whole night in Chara face, I thought it was appropriate but the gods of HIO felt otherwise. Interestingly enought the next day I saw post from a Gazette staffer that contained language far more charged than "balls"
Balls, Balls, Balls, Balls.
Maybe HIO should publish a list of acceptable synonyms for words they don't want people using on their site...
1. Balls - round things
2. A$$ - Booteh... etc.
Heck.. just use this link http://www.hbo.com/alig/glossary/
That's a funnelling good idea! Too many sons of britches spouting all kinds of shetland pony on here!
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Hahah! Wow, that's awesome.
Cajones.
I suppose I coulda just refered to them as stones which makes for nice economy of language!
Cool, three forward lines of proper skaters almost, should make for a better night with such a mix put together. Would have liked to see Mara out there, he's not played 2 nights in a row now I think, any update on him? Markov and Spacek should make for a good PP unit and some proper D against Crosby and Malkin.
Hopefully Price has a good bounce-back night to shut up the haters.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
I LOVE THAT LINE-UP, I hope he starts the season like this:
1. Gionta - Gomez - Pacioretty
2. Cammalleri - Pleakanec - A. Kostitsyn
3. Latendresse - Lapierre - D'Agostini
4. Moen - Metropolit - Stewart
1. Keep the jersey crew together + big Power Forward that can score.
2. Super strong 2nd line.
3. Great 3rd line, Skill + size.
4. Big tough energy line.
I agree with your line-up with the exception of your take on Pax. He is fairly big, but very raw with no offensive flair that I've seen so far. He CAN'T score. I'm sure he will soon, but I still think he should start in Hamilton.
I agree bud, he's not a top 6 forward material ..yet.
Pre-season game notwithstanding, hope Pricer bounces back tonight.
Anyone know when the cuts/send downs for Hamilton are coming? Are they after tonight's game? Because I thought I read over the weekend that the Bulldogs' camp starts today.
Cuts are coming tomorrow.
So who is going to be in Laraques place while he's hurt
Stewart ? Neilson ? another person what do you guys think?
Also where the hell did we get Neilson from ???
He signed with HJamilton in 06 i think. He's undrafted. I think the 4th line is gonna be:
Moen - Metropolit - Stewart
Oh man....I am so excited..I just got offered tickets to the game from my Fairy-god mother of hockey.
These are good lines. Interesting that MAxwell is in there at 2nd line Center. He's played well.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Im curious, but why hasn't subban played ??
Did i miss something, has he been injured ??
why didn't you just point it out instead of showing everyone that you truly are one?
and not everyone has the time to read through 5-6 daily threads with 560 comments each. give him a break.
hurt in practice the other day, shot off the foot I believe
he took a shot to his foot yestreday morning at practice.
Yes. during practise 2 days ago, he got hit by a puck in the foot. So, for precautions and of course we all know it's painful, he got replaced. But I thought he would be back tonight....hmmm :s
----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN!!! -----
Thanks alot ! :)
That really, really sucks. I hope her gets to play one of the last two games.
I mean i know Martin is doing like hardcore cuts today, but it would be nioce to see him play atleast a game.
That third line should be our third line to start the season i think, it's got a good mix of different elements
agreed, I like this line up tonight.
"To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be it yours to hold high."
Bouillon back to Nashville, the only other team he's been with. 1 yr, $750,000
Good. I'm happy for him.
Wow! Awesome line-ups! I'll be there tonight so i'm thrilled. Malkin, Crosby, Cammy, Gionta, Gomez, Markov, Price, Spacek, AK...
Should be a good game!
Are these lines in the right order? Gionta, Lats, and Cami all in center position?
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
No, the centre is listed first. I've seen this method used on a couple of other sites but it messes me up for a second whenever I see it.
Gomez, Maxwell and Lapierre.
Maybe I missed it, but what happend to Subban ? Seems he hasn't played in a while.
hurt his foot in practice the other day
I'm thinking Price will have a good rebound game tonight. He needs to prove some people wrong and prove that he's ready. Although, I think people will find reasons to criticize him every game, he is due for a good performance and might even play the whole game.
You can count on me being there tonight. I'll cheering for Pricey all the way. And can't wait to see the the Gionta-Gomez duo together. And AKos centered by Cammi seems to be a good idea too. And the third line ought to click today. Lats-Laps-D'Ags are ready-made for the energy line. Not sure why we are dressing Gorges again after he played yesterday, I would have dressed Mara. But anywyaz...looking forward to a great game at the Bell tonight!
"All you need in hockey is good character, luck and skills" - Ovie
yea i think Martin will prolly let him play the entire game like he did for Halak last night. Price needs to start finding himself therefore he has to play a bit longer than 1 1/2 period.
----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN!!! -----
I really like the Lats-Laps-Dags line.
Probably will depend on how well Pacioretty does with the first line tonight, here's hoping he proves hes a top 6 forward this year, and not have to wait till next. But Im fine with either playing with Plecks when the season starts, so long as they get a chance to work togetehr without a lot of line changes at the start of the season.
...and Lats is back with Lapierre, while MaxPac gets another go with Plekanec.
Disappointing -- I've liked MaxPac and I think he'll be great, but I haven't felt he's shown he should be in that spot RIGHT NOW, while Lapierre and Latendresse have no long-term future together so it'll be a sign of team progress when they get split up.
Then again, MaxPac is promising enough that I can understand him getting another audition for the role -- Lats is a known, proven quantity, after all, and MaxPac not so much. And I admit to intrigue to having d'Ago play with Lappy and Lats -- a far more offensive winger than what they've had since, well, forever. Lapierre as an offensive center? Can't see it, but who knows, maybe it'll work.
EDIT: Wait wait. I didn't see this right, no Pleks, Gomez with Gionta (that HAS to be tried), and Maxwell with real wingers. No, not real wingers. The team's two best wingers.
Very interesting and very, very telling about how well they feel Maxwell has done.
i've seen only two pre-season games this year so i have no idea but has Maxwell done this well? to deserve a starring spot beside Cammy and AK? not doubting, just asking 'cause i have no clue. although i've liked Plec over the past few seasons, i don't feel he's a natural 2nd line centre. it feels like he always has to work up to that point to be effective and that's no good in the long run.
Interesting, Martin mixing up the lines. 3 solid offensive lines for the Habs.
http://www.Carey31Price.com
Cammy playing center kind of suprised me. I bet its to see if we need the depth, that he could fill in. Otherwise, he should have Gomez feed him the puck all year.
Still, its suprising that martin's even entertaining the option.
Edit: Re-read the lineup. Is maxwell playing C? Im too used to seeing the C in the middle of the line...sigh
My observations so far:
Team B is outplaying Team A, showing more grit, determination, and leadership. IMO the captain should be picked from Team B.
If Martin chooses to go with Halak as the starter and not Price BG shouldn't interfere. It's bad enough we lost Claude Julien over the Theodore/Huet controversy.
RE: Gainey should STFU. (oops, I mean not interfere ;-)
Agreed, the GM puts the tools in the box, the coach should be free to use whichever tools he sees fit.
I'm not expecting a lot of exhibition wins. With all our changes, Martin and Co. have more to look at and more decisions to make than many teams. Line combinations and hopefuls are the least of it. Since Jordan Staal isn't playing, I'm looking forward to seeing Thunder Bay's Tom Pyatt tonight.
Pyatt looked pretty good a few times last night. Good grit and grind, busy around the net. Feisty.
AWESOME!!! Both teams are icing more starters. Yeah baby!
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Actually, it looks like the Habs are only putting about 10 starters out.. but they're a strong 10, and the support cast is good.
It'll be great to see Gomez, Cami, and Gionta all on the ice together!
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
5 games in a row?? Wow... the NHL really likes to milk the Habs.
-------------- We have a new team! Mike Komisarek: 0-0-0
Neilson is back? Looks like there should be some entertaining scuffles!
“He knows, like, unnecessary facts about putting Sears catalogs on your shin pads.” Sean Avery on Don Cherry
Crosby and Malkin, gonna be a longggg night lol
http://www.Carey31Price.com