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Better days ahead for Price

STEPHEN BRUNT

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:56 AM EDT 07/05/08

Habs goalie wasn't good enough to steal the Cup ...Read the full article

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  1. Mike B from Canada writes: Thank you Les Habitants. Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau, Carey Price, Alexei, Sergei, and the rest of the TEAM, you have made me start following ice hockey again after a long time away. Best of luck for next year, and as Mr. Millar says, In Bob We Trust!
  2. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ditto to above comments.

    For a team that many pundits didn't even give a chance of making the playoffs this season, the Habs had a tremendous year.

    Look forward to being able to see more of the Habs on the national broadcasts on HNIC next season and will again enjoy seeing them play the Bruins at the Metro Centre in Halifax this coming fall.

    BTW Carey Price had a great rookie season and will only get better with age and experience.

    Cheers.
  3. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: You Hab fans are delusional.
  4. Rob C from Canada writes: The word is out on the glove hand---Carey Price=Steve Penney (sorry hab fans, that a fact). Go get another goaltender, do Lef fans a favour and trade him to Ottawa
  5. Globe Insider subscriber content
    ex- Easterner from Calgary, Canada writes: Rob C, I agree. No glove, along with being out of position and overplaying on side to side moves. Twenty year old's aren't supposed to get tired, particularly in the Stanley Cup; but I'll go with that and accept that as an excuse for the seemingly lack of concentration on deflections.

    Price can't handle the puck very well and he makes me nervous every time the puck is in the Habs end. I'm a life long Habs fan so I hope I'm wrong.
  6. Tom Henderson from Canada writes: Might not the loss to philly be better placed on the heads of the 18 skaters who were in front of Price?

    The goalie can only score in very exceptional circumstances.
  7. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Great article. I am a neutral observer (Leaf fan), and I still believe Price will be a great one. The "no glove hand" comments are nonsense. Do you think Price and the coaching staff are just going to say "Yep-no glove hand, let's work on your butterfly". I'm thinking he may be aware of the issue and will be working on the problem during the off-season. I still don't know how anybody could stand the pressure of playing goalie in that city.
  8. Ian m from United States writes: This no-globe hand thing is complete c**p - of all the problems a goalie could have, the easiest one to fix.

    The Habs are in great shape for next year - quick forwards, great defence (played badly in the last game here mind you) and good goaltending. I agree with Brunt 100% - Price has a great future, but not every good goalie is Ken Dryden. I don't think Martin Brodeur won the cup in his rookie season either.

    Too bad as the sens are on the downside and the Leafs might get sent down to the AHL, there will be rally no interesting games to watch in the NE divison next year except for when the Bruins come to town.
  9. Tom Sawyer from Canada writes: Have to agree with the thought that Price is the latest of a long line of Montreal goalies who are touted as the next Dryden - Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Andre Racicot, Steve Penney.....sound familiar. This kid got Canada a gold and was excellent in that tournament. He did well this year but showed he is not infalliable. Give it some time before you pronounce him the next king.
  10. Nick Wilson from Canada writes: It is true that Carey Price looked more like Steve Penney than Patrick Roy against the Flyers. But people tend to forget something very important. Patrick Roy was officially made the # 1 goaler late in the 1985-86 season by then Habs coach Jean Perron. The Habs did the same thing with Price. However, when the playoffs started, Roy didn't have as much pressure as Price. Roy was backed-up by solid veteran Doug Soetaert. The Habs 1985-86 regular season was ordinary at best (86 points), they barely made it to the playoffs that year. Moreover, the expectations were low in 1986. The Habs surprised everybody in 1986 and to this day, this remain one of the weakest team to ever have won the cup. Price has been placed in a impossible situation. If you need a culprit, blame Bob Gainey. He's the one who traded away Huet and have the Habs started the playoffs with two rookies in the net. I've been saying that all along, Gainey's a gentleman but he is not a good GM at all. So is Brian Burke, the most overrated GM in the NHL.
  11. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: The only thing that Habs fans can blame Bob Gainey for is managing to transform a previously derided team to the first place in the Eastern Conference... However, I would thank him instead of blaming him for such an accomplishment.

    Did anyone else notice that the rookie Price managed to keep the Canadiens in the playoffs longer than both Huet and Theodore did elsewhere?

    Cheers.
  12. bob smith from Canada writes: Price didn't have anything to do with Montreal losing. There are a couple crucial pieces missing from the Canadiens if they hope to have more playoff success in the next couple years and I'm sure Gainey will find them. For those who think scoring and winning in the regular season is anything close to doing the same in the playoffs, look at the Habs-Bruins, Habs-Flyers head to head records regular season vs. playoffs.

    And, why can't one Montreal fan admit this was a terribly disappointing end to the season? I can't stand the fall back "well, we did better than we were projected to do, so I am happy". That is pretty cheap. You were also projected to destroy the Bruins and waltz around Philly. Please don't base your entire expectation for next season on the 'expert panel' projections on TSN's season opening show. You would be better off going with Maggie the Monkey.
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: bob smith from Canada:

    Agree with the first paragraph of your post.... disagree with the second one.

    As a lifelong Habs fan, I just cannot admit that this was a "terribly disappointing end to the season."

    The Habs exceeeded expectations and accomplished a great deal this past season (ie. First place in the Eastern Conference.) The Habs' future is very bright, their young rookies like Price will learn from their experience in the past year and I will get to see even more of the Habs both at the Halifax Metro Centre in the fall and on HNIC next year.

    As a Habs' fan, what's not to like about that? Sorry to disappoint the Bruins' fans that I am not personally crushed about the Habs exodus from the playoffs.

    BTW Go Sid Go!

    Cheers.
  14. bob smith from Canada writes: Okay Mr. Miller...'terribly' disappointing is probably an overstatement. But do you seriously set your expectations for the coming season based on the preseason projections? That just seems silly.

    My comment is based on the sudden shift from "We're going all the way" to "Oh well, we did better than Bob McKenzie thought we would" or something to that extent.

    Those preseason predictions somehow ease the pain of an unexpected playoff exit even though those same prognosticators had Montreal in the Conference Finals without breaking a sweat!
  15. Ian m from United States writes: Bob, I don't think anybody thought the Habs were going all the way. They migh thave been able to beat Philly if they had done some things better, but full value to Biron, Briere and Umberger for a great series. I don't think Montreal would have beaten Pittsburgh. Still, it's fun to have your team play a couple of rounds, especially if the future looks good. What kind of fan doesn't at least hope their team will win? The Habs did make great strides this season.

    (you want delusion, start reading Shoalts' columns after labour day)

    The Pittsburgh-Detroit final will be really good hockey.
  16. bob smith from Canada writes: Agreed Ian. Pittsburgh - Detroit would be an amazing final...not to mention Bettman's wet dream.
  17. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bob Smith from Canada:

    Reasonable Hab fans never once said that the Habs would "go all the way"... If you recall that my only wish was to see mes Habitants reach the Eastern Final to play against the Nova Scotian born Captain ...

    Maybe, next year...

    On the other hand, the Flyers deserve full marks. They played very disciplined hockey and were the better T-E-A-M in this series.

    Cheers.
  18. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: At least Price is getting to play with the big team in Montreal. The gold medal goalie of the previous year is still on the farm, riding the bus, eating the hamburgers. He will be a big time goalie someday, but not with the team who has his rites now. Afterall, he is not a boat player, if you dont come by boat or aerofloat, ur not good enough to play on that team.
  19. bob smith from Canada writes: Thanks for sharing Proud Canadian.
  20. Mike C from Philadelphia, United States writes: Well one last post to all of you drowning your sorrows in Molsons, or Labatt Bleus, or Rickard's...then I'm off to start on the Pitt Chickens fans. If the Flyers had lost, then the season was better than expected... they were supposed to lose, remember? Hat's off to Gainey, Carboneau? Are you kidding me? The Habs' lack of will and determination falls directly on the coach, and filling the team with soft euros is Gainey's fault. I guess you all have the Flyers written off against the Penguins, too. When Sid the punk gets slapped around a few times, we'll see won't we? It was Canada against the Flyers and now it's Sid against the Flyers because he's from Canada. Whatever, the Flyers beat the top seed and the team that has this year's MVP. Why can't the same happen to the Pens? This is no fluke folks. The worst record to the conference finals has never happened before. Enjoy the summer. Your team got an early start to it. GO FLYERS!
  21. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Proud Canadian from Canada writes: At least Price is getting to play with the big team in Montreal. The gold medal goalie of the previous year is still on the farm, riding the bus, eating the hamburgers. He will be a big time goalie someday, but not with the team who has his rites now. Afterall, he is not a boat player, if you dont come by boat or aerofloat, ur not good enough to play on that team.

    What does "that team" have to do with Price and the Habs???

    Comparing your team to a team that hasn't done much in 3 seasons isn't much of a comparison. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
  22. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: It turns out Price was playing with an injury in the semis. Reported today on RDS. Would not be surprised if it was the glove hand that got smacked (bone broken, maybe?) with a stick when that goal was scored (Richards, I believe) in one of the earlier games. The kid had a lot of guts; he just needs more time to develop. Habs won't miss Huet.
  23. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Dave The Rave- If he was injured, do you think he should have told Carbo he couldn't go and hand it over to Halak? Too much pride? Too much pressure? Did he hurt the team or help it? Interesting.
  24. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: Price will shine for many years...with the Canadiens...looking forward to the Centennial year and the 08 - 09 season, with a nice mix of Canucks, Yanks, and Euros...especially the hardest working Captain in hockey.... Koivu
    Proud Canadian....what a jerk.
  25. Sam Naydiuk from Gresham, United States writes: Finally. I'm sick of everyone smashing on Price, calling him a human sieve and all that. He's a great goalie, just look at his accomplishments in the past two years.

    If you're of the other viewpoint, I guess the Habs would have gotten this far with Christabelle Huet, eh?
    Give me a break.
  26. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Don't worry Sam, they are just Hab haters. They've only shown up since the Habs got eliminated.

    leaf fans should be jealous b/c they're paying $4 mln for a 31-yr career backup and their prospect goaltender is riding the pine in the AHL

    the sens situation is worse. Their goaltender is a thug and they can't get rid of him.
  27. Rob C from Canada writes: ....Claude (PC) was that a Haiku? Who in the name of Gump Worsley are you babbling about?
  28. Rob C from Canada writes: I agree, the rest of the team deserves as much or more blame than Price - He is a kid and too much pressure was placed on him after the trade. I hope he bounces back, but if he doesn't, I don't really care because I'm a Leaf fan...(yeah go ahead & bring it on, but we have a goalie here)
  29. Rob C from Canada writes: Pat B - Toskaloa is the real goalie in Toronto. Pogge can stay in the A for all anyone cares
  30. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: There is some controversy about the report on Price being hurt during the semis. If indeed Price suffered an injury to his hand from that stick blow by Richards, it could be that Carbo and Gainey decided to give him a rest during Game 4 in the hope he could come back in Game 5. If you watched the Game Price was clearly very tentative about using his glove hand. This would indicate either a broken bone or a pinched nerve--either one incredibly painful if you have to catch a puck. Should Carbo have started Halak? If Carey said he was ready he had to trust Carey. As a footnote, I was watching the Lightning/Isles '04 playoff series on NHL Network today with DiPietro vs Khabibulin. DiPietro made mistakes not unlike Price. The kid needs time and the confidence of his coach. Win a few, lose a few. Builds character.
  31. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mike C from Philadelphia, United States:

    Geez, Mike C.

    Gracious in victory, I see.

    You really should have looked up the word, jingoistic, when one of your fellow Americans asked you to do so.

    Despite being impressed by the Flyers' recent discipline in the Habs series, Flyers fans like you will continue to be your team's downfall.
  32. Rob C from Canada writes: No Bobby Clarke was the team's downfall - they will never win with him hanging arond the team. The fans are just fans - they boo safe landings at the airport. No class personified - Hey - It's Philly. Bad karma all around - Why did Curt Fludd refuse to report there? The Broad Street bullies are still to this day a black eye on hockey. There is a definite black cloud over the sorry place - ever been there? No wonder everyone that lives there is such a pricI<. It's Philly....The place makes Newark look like San Diego.
  33. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Rob. You're bang on. The place has been renamed "Killadelphia" because it is the murder capital of the U.S. There are more murders in Philthy than in NYC despite having 6x less the population of NYC. They lover their guns in PA.

    Most of those Orange fans have never laced up skates in their lives, they wouldn't know the difference between a left-handed or right-handed stick. Most of them didn't know what a "Carey Price" was until two weeks ago. Due to their inferiority complex of being the forgotten city between NY and DC, they'll blindly cheer for anything related to the city.
  34. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Billings;

    Prices biggest critic is steve allan. He is a habs fan.

    PC; Claude... Pogge played for the Canadian Juniors but was not invited on the initial list. He made it by hard work.

    He just turned 22 a couple weeks ago and is still learning... unlike a very few phenoms who play goal at a young age.... he is following a regular career path for goalies in the NHL (Although I am a little ticked he isn't playing in the AHL playoffs).

    Robert Miller;

    I don't think Mike C was out of line with his comment. Considering all the BS I have read on these threads over the past season... rather tame for a winning fan as far as I am concerned.

    To the rest.... the only time I ever cheered for Philly was in 1974 when they became the first expansion team to ever win the Stanley cup.

    Pretty much hated them ever since..... although this year they are starting to grow on me. They may have more Canadians dressed than any other team..... and I think they will beat the Pens.... or at least take them to 7.

    Cheers
  35. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Oh and Billings;

    Re; Toskala.

    Kiprusoff is one year older and backed up Nabokov prior to being traded to Calgary.
    Navokov is two years older and pretty much split last year and the year before (in terms of games and minutes) with Toskala.

    Your crack at the Leafs about a 31 year old career backup doesn't cut it... better look for another one.

    Cheers
  36. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Loucks. It's not a crack.

    He is 31.
    Until last year, he had been a backup for all of his career.

    The rest is all spin. The same can be said about Biron.
  37. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes:...He is 31.
    Until last year, he had been a backup for all of his career.

    Yeah and.... so what's your point? Now he's a starting goalie and doing a fine job.

    What are you getting at?

    The career backup Biron just made the MTL shooters look like a team of peewee's. So what's does being a career back up, expecially on a team with Goaltending depth (SJ -Nabokov, Toskala, and Kipper; Buffalo - Hasek, Miller, Biron) have to do with there current play?
  38. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Billings- I will give you credit for sticking with your opinion no matter how stupid it may be. Toskala and Biron are "career backups" ? I guess that makes you a career backup to the people on these threads that know about hockey.
  39. Mike C from Philadelphia, United States writes: Man Pat, who is writing this stuff for you? There is no way the lettuce guy at a Harvey's buger joint is coming with that. Just for the record, I've played ice hockey my entire life and still do today. Would love to lace em up with you to show you the right handed stick I have. Maybe after the whistle you can whine after I "finish my check" like that dope Begin did the other night. "Kill, Phil- adelphia... say what you will. The Flyers are playing hockey this weekend. The Habs Price is sooooo happy to be fishing. Pathetic. At least tell fans you can't wait til next year or something...not tell them you can't wait to turn your cell phone off. Wuss. Couldn't handle the second round... How is he going to go further when he buckled like a house of cards?
  40. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Mike C- Enjoy the next few games. When the smoke clears, the Cup will be in Dallas.
  41. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Mike from Philthy....

    How long before you and your fellow thug Orange fans start whining about officiating? First game? First period? Or have they already started...
  42. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes:
    PC; Claude... Pogge played for the Canadian Juniors but was not invited on the initial list. He made it by hard work.
    He just turned 22 a couple weeks ago and is still learning... unlike a very few phenoms who play goal at a young age.... he is following a regular career path for goalies in the NHL (Although I am a little ticked he isn't playing in the AHL playoffs).

    You are right Scott. "he is following a regular career path for goalies in the NHL" The path will end with another of the 29 teams in the league having Justin Poggee as their goalie. Mark my word. He will not be the big kahuna in nets in Toronto. They cant even play him in the AHL playoffs, where does that leave him with that organization.

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