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UPPER MANAGEMENT
Fantasy Sports Neighborhood
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Welcome to THE UPPER MANAGEMENT. Fantasy Sports Neighborhood.
You are currently viewing the UM as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features.
The UM opened August 17th, 2007 as a handpicked 100 members who were asked to join for their smarts and community involvement. But the word got out that the UM neighborhood is not just your average start up community! .... Members begun jumping in from word of mouth .. and now the UM stands at 300+ members and over 30,000 posts and growing!
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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 Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: Season Preview-Montreal Canadiens |
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This is the centennial season for hockeys most storied franchise.Yes Leaf nation your team will never ever stack up to this organization.Grid just so you understand that means 100 years.Les Habitants will be front and center all season as the league is doing everything possible to showcase them. Best of all it means less Maple Leaf broadcasts on Saturday nights here in Canada.In addition the Bell Center will be home to the all-star game. Last season surprised many as they won the Eastern Conference, but failed miserably when faced with a physical opponent in the playoffs.This year they have a very similar roster and that will mean the same story unfolds.Great regular season, but will struggle when the physical game that is the playoffs arise.Should be a top 4 team and host in the first round.Strengths will again be the powerplay and goaltending.If Price can improve during the playoffs they have a legitimate chance at taking the conference, again as long as they can handle the more physical style.Added two home grown talents in Tanguay and Laraque, but big George will only be used when truly necessary as he doesn't fit in with the normal style of play. Tanguay was not overly happy with coming to Montreal either, as he does not want to be in a fishbowl.He better adapt to life in Montreal where hockey is religion.
1st A.Kostitsyn Plekanec Kovalev
2nd Tanguay Koivu Higgins
3rd Latendresse S Kostitsyn Dandenault
4th Begin Lapierre Kostopolous
Veterans Smolinski, and Laraque will see playing time up front also, depending mostly on who they are facing.Kyle Chipchura should also see minutes on a semi-regular basis.
Defense Pairings- They'll use 8 defensemen again based on needs as to who plays the 5 and 6 slot.
Komisarek Markov
Boullion Hamrlik
Brisebois O'Byrne
Gorges and Henry will be key also. Hamrlik and Brisebois are both getting older,neither handles big forwards very well either.With the depth at this position Dandenault won't be used as a d-man anymore.
Goalies
Price
Halak
Farm System
Montreal has several other defensemen in their system. Any of five guys should be able to step in and help if injuries occur with the big club.Yannick Weber may be the best of the bunch but should need at least a full season in the AHL before jumping up(his 100mph slapshot was the best at the OHL All-Star competition).Mathieu Carle really improved his defensive game but again a bit more time in the AHL is in store for him.Matt D'Agostini may be the best bet as a forward to come up if need be.
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darko
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 5356
Location: Melbourne, AUS
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Right now probably on par with Pittsburgh in East. If they could land Sundin it would put them over the top in East and very close to Detroit. Losing Mark Streit hurts alot though...
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I spoke to two people in Montreal about Weber, there are some who say he is NHL ready.The one guy says he is convinced they'll have him right from the start.That 100mph boomer from the point could be useful on the powerplay.
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Trinday
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:33 am Post subject: |
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Cranky, saying they never ever stack up is funny, specially how the Canadiens are up on us by what 8 years? Woopdi freaken doo. I am not saying we are better, nor do I believe so. I'm saying if we ever caught up to their Stanley Cup total in the future you wouldn't even think twice about us?
On the other side, I really like Montreal's team this year, with Laraque coming in this team should get much tougher, but still not as tough as many teams in the league. If they can somehow finesse through the playoffs and stay out of injury problems, I am picking them to go to the finals.
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:13 am Post subject: |
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Sorry Trinday but the numbers don't lie.
24 to 11 in Stanley Cups, more than double.
44 men who have worn le rouge et bleu et blanc are in the HOF.Compared to 16 for Toronto, almost 3 to 1.Just from those two points alone Leaf fans and their mecca of hockey garbage can go straight to hell IMO.It's media driven mostly, but far too many believe it.The NHL was never headquartered in Toronto, it was in Montreal, before Zeigler moved it to NYC.Yes the Laefs havea storied history, their legacy however will never reach that of the Canadiens in my life time or yours.
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Trinday
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry Cranky, but I never disagreed with you, but your blind ignorance while debating a fact is duely noted. Montreal's media is just as bad as Toronto's, and HOF entrees although a good gauge on how many talented players were on your team, mean nothing when comparing franchises. I will never say that at this moment Toronto is better as a whole then the Canadiens, in fact I will bow down to the superiority of the Canadiens, but to simply brush aside Toronto, with the hordes and hordes of hockey fans we have that would never turn away from any sort of losing season, and the history behind the club, is funny. Some of the most influential men in hockey were part of this organization, whether you'd like to admit it or not, Darryl Sittler, Larry McDonald, and Conn Smythe, to name a few.
I would never debate the quality of the team that Montreal has sustained throughout their many years of existence, but to disregard completely the effect Toronto has made on hockey as whole would be blasphemy upon hockey.
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hessshaun
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: Philly
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| Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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Great names.
Latendresse
Dandenault
Lapierre
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Signatures are for pussies.
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:49 am Post subject: |
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| Trinday wrote: |
Sorry Cranky, but I never disagreed with you, but your blind ignorance while debating a fact is duely noted. Montreal's media is just as bad as Toronto's, and HOF entrees although a good gauge on how many talented players were on your team, mean nothing when comparing franchises. I will never say that at this moment Toronto is better as a whole then the Canadiens, in fact I will bow down to the superiority of the Canadiens, but to simply brush aside Toronto, with the hordes and hordes of hockey fans we have that would never turn away from any sort of losing season, and the history behind the club, is funny. Some of the most influential men in hockey were part of this organization, whether you'd like to admit it or not, Darryl Sittler, Larry McDonald, and Conn Smythe, to name a few.
I would never debate the quality of the team that Montreal has sustained throughout their many years of existence, but to disregard completely the effect Toronto has made on hockey as whole would be blasphemy upon hockey. |
See like most other Leaf Nation members because they played in Toronto all of a sudden someone is much better than they really were.What the hell did Sittler do for the game outside of one big night? So what if Lanny had a big moustache.They are not in the class of players like Richard, Beliveau.Let's go with being so ignorant towards other teams the Leaf Nation can't get past the fact that since they last won a Stanley Cup in 1967 it's been presented in 3 other Canadian cities.I'm not blind at all Trinday.Read what assinine beliefs their fans have.The "cult" that is the Leafs Nation is truly ridiculous.I said before it's media driven.Do you realize the hundres and hundreds of horrid, piss poor excuses for a hockey game that the lovely CBC has shoved onto the rest of the country on Saturday nights for decades?Thankfully because of the Canadiens 100th anniversary, there will be a season with less Leaf games that the rest of the country has to suffer through.You really think that Saturday nights in this era need to have the worst team in Canada shown every week? I sure don't.No reason not to have an early start in Calgary and play the late game in Edmonton or Vancouver.Let the 5 million dwellers in Toronto have their team.Call me when they are actually good to watch.This is where i get so pissed off with Leaf fans.This season will be the 42nd of futility.Now even though most with a brain realize the only race they are in is the Tavares one, there are still hundreds of idiots gleefully predicting what a great season will be.Sorry but those are the idiots who know sweet tweet about hockey.By the way my cousin Dick Duff played for the Leafs, so i do know lots of the storied history of the Leafs.I also had another cousin play for the Canadiens in Joe Carveth.I am not dismissing the contributions of the Leafs, however Montreal has and will continue to be the model to which every organization is trying to catch.Leafs have certainly failed at that one for 42 years now haven't they?
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superpoon
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 1300
Location: Bridgeport, CT
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not really a fan of counting the Habs's 1915 and 1923 Cups, because those were before the NHL was a league by itself, but no matter they're still ahead by a mile... Toronto had 2 Cup wins before the NHL era also anyway.
Let me preface this by mentioning that I'm a Canadian citizen, and I grew up in the Toronto area as a little kid before moving to Detroit, and I'm a Wings fan.
Montreal is the center of the hockey world, especially in the NHL era. The NHL was created there. The NHL's predecessor, the NHA, had 6 teams... 2 from Montreal, 1 from QC, 1 from Ottawa, and 1 from Toronto. Montreal will always be the base for hockey, its as simple as that.
It would be foolish to say that the Leafs have not made a significant effect on hockey, starting way back with Conn Smythe. They are one of the few teams in the NHL that have had a bona-fide dynasty (Habs, Wings, Isles, Oilers). There are 3 teams that can be credited with the rise of the NHL. Before the 1940's hockey was still not mainstream, but 3 teams sparked it. Between 1941 and 69, the Canadiens, Leafs, and Red Wings won every Stanley Cup except for 1 (1960 Blackhawks).
While the Rangers may have been the original spark plug to bring hockey to the east coast of America back in the 20's and 30's, the 40's and 50's brought the first American hockey dynasty in the Red Wings and Gordie Howe, helping bring hockey into the U.S. mainstream. Obviously, today the Wings are the force in a league that has been far more competitive than ever, and have won the most Stanley Cups since the end of the Gretzky dynasty in Edmonton back in 1990.
But it seems like the Leafs have always played second fiddle in Canada to the Habs. The fact that they have fallen off for the past 40 years doesn't help, and the fact that they've completely fallen off the table for the past decade doesn't help either. Lost in all this has been the fall of the Canadiens, who haven't won since '92, and seemingly gave way to the Red Wings and Devils, who have won 7 Cups since then.
So, yes, the Leafs have given their share to the sport of hockey. They continue to be one of the (maybe #1) most valuable (financially) franchises in the league because of their amazing marketing machine. But their fall has been legendary; they haven't even seen the finals since that win over 40 years ago.
The resurrection of the Habs last year has brought back that grassroots dimension that will help save a currently troubled NHL. But again, the Habs are getting their first, and they will be the saviors of hockey in Canada, while the Leafs continue to trail them eternally. The Original Six are starting to rise again, with the Wings as the centerpiece and reigning Cup champs. From the resurgence of the Canadiens to the youth stockpile ready to be unleashed in Chicago. The Rangers are a perennial playoff team. The lowly Bruins even got into the fun last year, and they can only improve. The Leafs, now having severed their relationship with the latest face of the franchise in Mats Sundin, are being left behind once again.
Something that I think has generated a lot of animosity has been the fans. Leafs fans are characterized as... well let me put it this way. Remember the year before the Red Sox won their first World Series in 45 million years. The Leafs fans now and are Sox fans of then, wallowing in self-pity, yet not admitting that their team has not met expectations. This is why, when you look at the fans of all the other Canadian teams in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, they have this thing against the Leafs... its because of the fans, not as much the organization. Now, the Habs are the "Yankees" of the NHL, plus they're in Quebec, so of course they have an aura around them too, but that's more at the organization and not the fans.
Personally I don't really care, the Wings just won another Cup! I save all my hate for Colorado and New Jersey 
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This sig is to coerce Michael Clayton out of sucking balls in '08
Superpoon GFX Archive
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Trinday
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Cranky Canuck wrote: |
| Trinday wrote: |
Sorry Cranky, but I never disagreed with you, but your blind ignorance while debating a fact is duely noted. Montreal's media is just as bad as Toronto's, and HOF entrees although a good gauge on how many talented players were on your team, mean nothing when comparing franchises. I will never say that at this moment Toronto is better as a whole then the Canadiens, in fact I will bow down to the superiority of the Canadiens, but to simply brush aside Toronto, with the hordes and hordes of hockey fans we have that would never turn away from any sort of losing season, and the history behind the club, is funny. Some of the most influential men in hockey were part of this organization, whether you'd like to admit it or not, Darryl Sittler, Larry McDonald, and Conn Smythe, to name a few.
I would never debate the quality of the team that Montreal has sustained throughout their many years of existence, but to disregard completely the effect Toronto has made on hockey as whole would be blasphemy upon hockey. |
See like most other Leaf Nation members because they played in Toronto all of a sudden someone is much better than they really were.What the hell did Sittler do for the game outside of one big night? So what if Lanny had a big moustache.They are not in the class of players like Richard, Beliveau.Let's go with being so ignorant towards other teams the Leaf Nation can't get past the fact that since they last won a Stanley Cup in 1967 it's been presented in 3 other Canadian cities.I'm not blind at all Trinday.Read what assinine beliefs their fans have.The "cult" that is the Leafs Nation is truly ridiculous.I said before it's media driven.Do you realize the hundres and hundreds of horrid, piss poor excuses for a hockey game that the lovely CBC has shoved onto the rest of the country on Saturday nights for decades?Thankfully because of the Canadiens 100th anniversary, there will be a season with less Leaf games that the rest of the country has to suffer through.You really think that Saturday nights in this era need to have the worst team in Canada shown every week? I sure don't.No reason not to have an early start in Calgary and play the late game in Edmonton or Vancouver.Let the 5 million dwellers in Toronto have their team.Call me when they are actually good to watch.This is where i get so pissed off with Leaf fans.This season will be the 42nd of futility.Now even though most with a brain realize the only race they are in is the Tavares one, there are still hundreds of idiots gleefully predicting what a great season will be.Sorry but those are the idiots who know sweet tweet about hockey.By the way my cousin Dick Duff played for the Leafs, so i do know lots of the storied history of the Leafs.I also had another cousin play for the Canadiens in Joe Carveth.I am not dismissing the contributions of the Leafs, however Montreal has and will continue to be the model to which every organization is trying to catch.Leafs have certainly failed at that one for 42 years now haven't they? |
You are lumping all Leafs fans in one category. If I were to say to you that all Canadiens fans are rioting idiots who like setting shit on fire when they win a SINGLE playoff game what would you say? If you asked a sensible Leafs fan, like I think I am, I would tell you the Tavares race this year is believable, I have yet to meet a fan who is optimistic this year. So just keep hating the idiots who are optimistic, but never ever lump me in with those people, like I won't lump you with the rioting Canadiens.
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hessshaun
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: Philly
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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Crank is not even a Habs fan. But I can see what he is saying Trin, and I can parallel that with the ESPN being the Yanks and Sox network. It just gets disgusting and those huge fan bases also carry around huge packs of unintelligent morons. Unfortunately that is the cross you wear as well and the only way to not care about it is to win. Kind of out of your hands but my only advice is to become more of a dick. It works in Philly.
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Signatures are for pussies.
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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The resurrection of the Habs last year has brought back that grassroots dimension that will help save a currently troubled NHL. But again, the Habs are getting their first, and they will be the saviors of hockey in Canada, while the Leafs continue to trail them eternally. The Original Six are starting to rise again, with the Wings as the centerpiece and reigning Cup champs. From the resurgence of the Canadiens to the youth stockpile ready to be unleashed in Chicago. The Rangers are a perennial playoff team. The lowly Bruins even got into the fun last year, and they can only improve. The Leafs, now having severed their relationship with the latest face of the franchise in Mats Sundin, are being left behind once again.
Pretty close there.However the Flames, Oilers, and Senators reaching Stanley Cup Finals in this decade mean they are ahead of Montreal on that count.
My final point on this subject will be real easy to follow. Do the Leafs have a philosiphy? I've never seen nor heard of one. The Oilers and Canadiens both do. The philosiphy is at the heart and the deepest roots of hockey itself.They both key in on the following ingredients and always have.
Skating, Passing, and Shooting the puck. Those are the skills involved in the game at it's best. At it's worst are the Flyers and Ducks of the league, thinking the best way to win is through being the biggest and baddest.I've seen the Leafs at both ends of the spectrum, trouble is the one that has worked is far too often shelved for keeping guys like a Tucker or a Domi in a lineup.Yes Montreal and Edmonton have had their tough players as well, but it's never been the dominating factor for the style of play.
Nothing in the history of the sport is as exciting as "fire-wagon" hockey.Montreal perfected that style for decades and the Oilers under a former Canadien in Glen Sather and all who have followed, also perfected it. Sorry to any who disagree but that is exactly what the game is suppose to be.
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Trinday
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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The way the game is supposed to be played, and the way the game is one are two very different points. Look at a Chris Pronger or a Dion Phaenuf, would you reject them from your team because they are physical, rough, and at times dirty? Fuck no you wouldn't. In fact I think one of my first choices to build a team upon would be one of these types of guys. But that is besides the point.
Your philosophy junk is hilarious to me. Skating, passing, and shooting the puck are god damn basics, your theory is nothing more then a training session for retarded hockey players. You named two players that have come along at the time where the Leafs have been the weakest and use them as an example? WTF is George Laraque in Montreal for? Pirouettes? Next time you come up with your own philosophy you better not have a guy that is physical just like every other team in the league.
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Cranky Canuck
Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 1164
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| Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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No they are not just basics.I'll bet any amount of money you want i could still skate circles around you because that is the strength of my game.I could still make you look foolish because my passing skills are better, and i can still put more pucks in the net because i work at it more than you do.Your trouble is you have the 1970's onward mindset about the game, probably because you know nothing else.
I played minus helmets, with straight sticks,and on skates that are nowhere near todays technology.I also didn't come to the bench after 30 seconds looking like i was wheezing as so many of these superior athletes today do.
Your comprehension level is low as well.I said that both Edmonton and Montreal have had tough players, not denying that at all. Have you ever listened to the late Sam Pollock? Or Glen Sather and Kevin Lowe? They will all tell you time after time that what they look for in building a team.It's all predicated first and foremost on a philosiphy that you draft the best skaters, passers, and scorers you can get. Size and toughness can be gotten other ways. You play the game with an offense first philosophy sunshine.That's why it is a philosophy.
Pronger and Phaneuf?? Real bad choices and further proof your knowledge is that of a child. Try Savard, Robinson, Laperierre, Lapointe, if you want to talk about defensemen that could play both ends of the ice, be physical etc...All -time best regular season record, and the real reasons why a 16 save a night on average goalie named Dryden is in the HOF(as an added bonus they ended the brief Broad Street Bullies run). Try going after Huddy, Lowe, Gregg, Coffey, and Fogolin. Hmm all they did was shut down one of the greatest dynasties ever in the Islanders. Look at last years champions. Not a player like Pronger or Phaneuf on that roster.What was better hockey the Ducks ( Pronger suspended twice for idiotic plays) or the Red Wings ( led by Lidstrom who is simply brilliant at every facet of the game, and it all starts with the basic according to you anyway skill of skating)
Learn the game and come back when you know what the hell you are talking about.
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Trinday
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:03 am Post subject: |
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Cranky, I don't care what era you've played in. I don't care who you've watched play the game. Your blabbering on about how there were no tough guys on the Red Wings, what is Thomas Holmstrom to you? Grinder physical guy out going and hustling the guys to pucks. You can say what you want, but you really think that Dion Phaneuf and Pronger aren't core defence material? Get real. Stop being so fucken biased and open up a bit.
I agreed with you from the start, but you just keep fucken going. Montreal has a better dynasty, for sure, but to say Toronto isn't even close is something you have cemented in your head and won't let go. Maybe that helmet not on when you played did a number to you or something, but man I have never seen someone so stubborn. I'm leaving it at that, talk all you want.
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