The Habs Are Looking for a Turn Around Post All-Star Game

The roller coaster Canadiens have been one of the top NHL stories so far this season.  They have suffered key defeats to the likes of the Columbus Blue Jackets and struggled against historical rivals like the Boston Bruins.  On top of that the Habs have had to deal with language issues in a Province which seems to put politics ahead of everything and everyone.

http://www.getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2012/01/protest-against-canadiens-de-montreal.html

Despite all the issues, it appears that turnaround is underway in Montreal. We saw signs of a turnaround for the Habs on New Year's day 2012 with the signing of Josh Georges. This signaled to us a commitment by the Habs to the rebuilding process.

http://getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2012/01/signing-of-josh-georges-sign-of.html

Josh Georges tucked the big contract under his arm and stepped into the role of a leader and the expected results are starting to shine thru.

The turnaround with the Habs continued when they got rid of "magic" Mike Cammalleri. This guy was supposed to be a leader in Montreal but when times got tough he turned to the media to bad mouth the organization and his team mates. The tiny Tasmanian devil has made his way to Calgary and we wish him the best.  Karma is a "bitch" and once "magic" Mike figures that out he will be riding the bench again in Cow Town.  

http://www.getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2012/01/getrealhockeycom-community-is-almost.html

We think that the Habs will rebound faster than expected.  There is no time to waste for Canadiens management but the rebuilding process seems well underway for the time being.  It is an exciting time to be a Habs fan. Some good drafting and some solid trades should keep the NHL buzzing about Montreal for the next 3-5 years.

The Habs showed this promise by clobbering the Red Wings last week by a score of 7-2.  It might be a one off for 2012 but it is a message to the rest of the NHL that Montreal is not a push over anymore.  The team has got its spunk back and if you clash with the Habs you are going to have to put up a hell of a fight to win.

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/montreal-canadiens/Breakdown+Habs+clinic/6052453/story.html

We need a blogger to cover the Canadiens for us as soon as possible. If you are a big Habs fan and you want to blog for the new GetRealHockey.com please email us @ getrealhockey@gmail.com.

http://www.getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2012/01/getrealhockeycom-community-is-almost.html

Georges, Subban and Price will be the core of the team and you as blogger will bring all the latest Habs' news to the Montreal faithful on a game by game basis.

The Signing of Josh Georges - Sign of a Turnaround for the Habs

The Habs laid down the big dollars today and signed Josh Georges to a 6 year extension for $3.9 million per year.  This signing was the first piece of good news for Habs' fans in 2012.  Hopefully it won't be the last.

Seriously though, it is nice to see the Habs making some smart moves.  The same GM who re-signed Markov and traded for Gomez seems to have taken a smart pill on New Year's eve and he finally did something good for the team and not bad, as per usual. Signing Georges is a commitment to youth and to rebuilding.

The Canadiens will have to get Subban  and Price under contract in order to give Montrealers something to cheer about.  Rebuilding is still the name of the game in Montreal but at least those three signings would shorten the recovery period.  Hockey is a way of life in Montreal and we expect that the Molson family will relent this summer and bring in some new hockey people into the front office.  Signing like Markov and trades for guys like Gomez have to be part of the past.  The Habs need good drafting and they aren't going to get it from the guys running the ship right now. look at the team running the Canucks and the Bruins.  The front office of these organizations should be replicated in Montreal.

The Habs can and will rebound.  It is a matter of when not if.  The only question is will they act decisively enough to fast track the process.  If the owners of the Habs truly respected the fans and put a solid product on the ice; Montreal fans and players  would respond and make Montreal a Stanley Cup champion again.

 

Carey Price can't do this #### all alone !!! Come on Habs, WAKE UP !!!

November is behind us now and unfortunately for Montreal Canadiens it is the same old; same old. The team has really struggled this year.  It was easy to blame Carey Price out of the gate for the early season problems but it has become evident to everyone in the NHL that the issues in Montreal have nothing to do with the play of their star goalie.  

A quick look at team stats gives you a good indication in terms of what is ailing the Habs.  If you looks at the NHL leaders in plus/minus; you can't find a Hab until you hit 15th with Josh Georges at +12.  On top of that there are no Habs in the top 30 for league scoring.  The soft hockey in front of Price has to be playing with Carey's head.  Every time Carey Price goes to the rink he knows that he is going to be under the gun.  If you watch the Habs in action; Price is often out of the net playing the de facto third defenseman.  This unneeded play leads to bad goals which saps everyone's confidence on the ice and in the stands.   

Habs fans have blind faith in their team but the screams for change will start to be heard before the end of the year. The Habs have made some very bad decisions in the last few years.  They signed Markov to a massive contract despite his history with injuries and they failed to make a splash in terms of trades.  It is incumbent on management to shake things to at least remain even in the newly competitive NHL.  Montreal's GM has backed the team into a corner. They are saddled with the Gomez and Markov contracts and it would not surprise us to see Price ask to be traded.  Price would be a big asset to any team making an end of year run for the Cup. It could be fire sale time in Montreal if the Habs don't make the playoffs. Everyone loves the boys in red, blue and white but even but you have to feel sorry for them a little bit.  They are bending under the pressure of playing in Montreal and it doesn't look like it will get any better soon.