Thursday, March 5, 2009

Trade Deadline : Frustrating Day for a Habs Fan

Yesterday, I was in front of my computer for almost the whole day following the NHL trade deadline on TSN TradeCenter. I was very excited, but in the same time anxious. You never know which players the GM would get to strengthen the team, but in the same time, you don't want to see one of your favorites players leave. As the deadline timer approaches to zero, all I can see was our rival teams getting better and better. The Rangers have acquired Derek Moris and Nik Antropov. The Pittsburgh Penguins have obtained Bill Guerin for a draft pick. Even the Sabres and the Flyers have made some minor changes. But what about Bob? Nothing...Once again he stays inactive. I know he has done some changes prior the deadline like Schneider and Metropolit, but is he really serious that he is comfortable with this team for the playoffs? Just because we won 4 games straight against top notch teams doesn't mean we don't need to improve. Beside we won them because of Halak, not because the team is doing well. Giving 40-50 shots per night isn't a good sign. Has he already forgotten the bad streak we had 2 weeks ago? How can he believe we can win the Stanley Cup with this team? We all know the Canadiens is missing a Big Centerman to carry the team. I mean, he can at least obtain a good player for the team's centennial year. I am sure that If Bob Gainey is able to get Vinny Lecavalier for the centennial year, it doen't even matter if we win the cup or not, the fans would forgive him. But this won't happen, not even a small trade. This leaves the majority of the fans frustrated and disappointed.

When you think that things can't get any worst on the day of the trade deadline, the Habs lost that night against the Buffalo Sabres 5-1. The Sabres completely owned the Habs. We thought our Canadiens were finally out of their bad streak, but last night showed us otherwise. The Habs were making the same mistakes they were making. Carey Price have not gotten back his confidence yet and allowed another 5 goals to the opponents. Everyone hoped that he could stand up and make the important save and become the Carey Price we knew last year. It did not happen and it might have gotten worst. I now wonder if we have not bring him up too fast from the minors. We might have completely destroyed his confidence. This is probably what happens when a rookie goaltender has too much success at the beginning of his career and can't coop with the problems in a big market like Montreal. I am not saying we should give up on him and trade him. No. We should give him time to develop. There is too much pressure for a 20 years old. He might need a bit more experience in the AHL, to progress more before joining the big league. We can now see why the goaltending position is the toughest position in professional sports.

No comments:

Post a Comment