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Monday 10 March 2014

Monday Mornings with Mitchy

This is the Habs without Carey Price.

Scary thought, isn’t it?!

The Canadiens went out to the West Coast of the United States and struggled picking up just two of a possible eight points.

Peter Budaj needs to be commended for his efforts this season, providing Price a stable backup. But that’s all he is, a backup. With more starts, against formidable opponents, the inevitable happened. Budaj looked average and Dustin Tokarski faired no better.

Price is the Canadiens' MVP. Plain and simple. And he better get back soon.

Montreal isn’t in jeopardy of missing the playoffs, however this stretch could prove to be costly. With how tightly contested the Easter Conference Standings are, a couple points could be the difference between playing the Bruins/Penguins in the first round, or the 6th seed.

You get the point.

Time to get some magic potion, or perhaps have a chat with Max Pacioretty about his amazing healing powers, because the Boston Bruins visit the Bell Centre on Wednesday.

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GM Marc Bergevin needs to be commended for his efforts at the trade deadline. I understand that fans LOVE and become attached to prospects. But that’s all they are, prospects.

There’s no guarantee that picks and prospects will ever amount to anything. But there is a guarantee that Thomas Vanek makes the Canadiens better.

The Habs HAD a glaring weakness, one that I spoke about just one week ago on this blog. Bergevin realized what that weakness was and addressed it. Not only should his trade excite the fan base, but it should also excite everyone in that locker room.

And even though I still don’t think the Habs are contenders for the Stanley Cup, they do have the potential to win a couple playoff rounds. One of the best goalies in NHL, a top-5 defenseman, two guys that can score 40-goals and one of the best two-way centres in the game. Yeah, I don’t think anyone wants to meet the Canadiens in the first round of post season.

Playoff experience could be a tremendous thing for many of the youngsters on this roster.

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I feel bad for coach John Tortorella. Heading into the season, I bet he looked at the roster the Vancouver Canucks had, and took the job with utmost enthusiasm and hope. Fail.

Now, the Canucks look lifeless, play a terrible brand of hockey and are going nowhere, fast.

Trading Corey Schneider at the draft had everyone raising their eyebrows. Then turning around and trading Roberto Luongo is baffling. Looks like things are going to need to be blown up in Vancouver and I wouldn’t trust GM Mike Gillis for a second if I’m ownership. 
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The SLICK awards

MVP of the Week: Tyler Seguin
Crafty Worker Award: Marc Bergevin
Lost Award: Garth Snow
Silent Assassin Award: Dean Lombardi
Invisible Award: Dave Nonis
Panic Award: Mike Gillis
True Leadership Award: Steve Yzerman

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