Alexei Morozov

After scoring 83 points at the RSL and dominating the scoresheets at the WC so far, how do you estimate his odds to get a NHL-contract next season? I don't know about his contract situation in Russia, so what did he earn in Kazan last season and how much would it take for a NHL-team to bring him back to North-America? Moreover, is Morozov actually willing to return?

Sorry, if there is already a thread about that topic, but after using the search engine of the board, I have merely found a thread at the Oilers subboard.

He could play, but I doubt any NHL team would be willing to meet his demands.

Apparently he made 4 million US this season while playing at home, with housing, car, etc. paid for, so ..

They say he wants 3 mil in the NHL, and he himself says he wants to be on a Stanley Cup contender. Otherwise, he stays put in Ak Bars.

Apparently he made 4 million US this season while playing at home, with housing, car, etc. paid for, so ..

Wow, if that's the case, I see no NHL team, that will match these numbers. At least if you have a responsible GM...

He has such a chemistry with his Ak-Bars linemates, that I really hope he will stay put. Even though it wouldn't be good for CSKA :)

Unless he plays for between 1 and 2 million dollars, I don't think teams are gonna risk signing him, he's put up good numbers in the NHL, but not good enough to warrant him getting 3 million + IMO

Wow, if that's the case, I see no NHL team, that will match these numbers. At least if you have a responsible GM...

So that means JFJ is in talks with him right now?

Wow, if that's the case, I see no NHL team, that will match these numbers. At least if you have a responsible GM...

I disagree. What he's done in the RSL is unparalleled, as well as combined with a strong showing in WHC (not to mention past successful seasons in the NHL).

With an increase in the salary cap, I could see a team looking for wingers giving him $3m, no question.

the main change I've observed with Morozov, is his confidence.

there is no doubt that he can play in the nhl if he wants to, but i dont think anyone is willing to give him 3 million dollars pr. year. if he lowered hes demands to about 1.5 i think a couple of teams will be interested.

there is no doubt that he can play in the nhl if he wants to, but i dont think anyone is willing to give him 3 million dollars pr. year. if he lowered hes demands to about 1.5 i think a couple of teams will be interested.


Samsonov made 3.5 last year (underservedly so), why not give a guy 3 mil. You know 25 goals is a given with him...But if a player cares for the money and not for playing in the best league in the world, I wouldn't give such a player a single penny, IMHO

Samsonov made 3.5 last year (underservedly so), why not give a guy 3 mil. You know 25 goals is a given with him...But if a player cares for the money and not for playing in the best league in the world, I wouldn't give such a player a single penny, IMHO

Agreed. However, Morozov said he'll only play on a cup contender.....this implies he wants to win, opposed to just playing for a high paycheck on a lesser team.

I know Morozov has at least expressed interest in playing over here. If he does so it will be a paycut, so it won't be for the money.

Like an earlier poster said, Morozov's confidence is his problem (I won't go into his fear of body contact). I think he would be an NHL star if he comes over.

Anyone remember the short-lived KLM line in Pitts? Kovalev, Lemieux and Morozov.

I'd score goals on a line with Lemieux and Kovalev back then:)

No doubt Morozov is a good player, when in RSL play offs this year, he looked heads and shoulders above everyone else. But the specifics of the NHL are such, that you have to be in management plans for the first 2 lines, you have to get a proper playing time, pp time and so on. You can be a good player (Examples: Zinov'ev, Kajgorodov, Sushinsky, Haritonov, Yashin for some stratches of his career, Bjakin, Kasatonov (his late stages in Boston) I can go on forever), but if the management and coaching stuff don't take care of you, you won't show anything...I think if you give Gretzky 3 shifts a game he wouldn't have become the Gretzky we know..

Just to clarify things, let's take the Montreal Canadiens: You have some young francophone(sp?) group of players Latendresse, Laperriere, who are ok, have some promiss...Than you have Grabovsky who's an established international player, chempion of RSL, good showings for Belarus' at the Olympics and World Chempionships, and he almost doesn't get a chance. Same goes for Kostyzin, who's got a tremendous talent as well...

Or let's look at Boston: they have no problem giving Brad Boys, Bergeron all the playing time they needed to sucseed, they've been playin a whole bunch of young d-men, who are so turnover prone, it's funny to watch them play, but Zinov'ev who came in as a super star of RSL got no playing time at all...

Just to clarify things, let's take the Montreal Canadiens: You have some young francophone(sp?) group of players Latendresse, Laperriere, who are ok, have some promiss...Than you have Grabovsky who's an established international player, chempion of RSL, good showings for Belarus' at the Olympics and World Chempionships, and he almost doesn't get a chance. Same goes for Kostyzin, who's got a tremendous talent as well...

Or let's look at Boston: they have no problem giving Brad Boys, Bergeron all the playing time they needed to sucseed, they've been playin a whole bunch of young d-men, who are so turnover prone, it's funny to watch them play, but Zinov'ev who came in as a super star of RSL got no playing time at all...

it may have something to with russian players not being used to the NA style of play. some of them are talented as hell, but never makes it in the nhl.

No doubt Morozov is a good player, when in RSL play offs this year, he looked heads and shoulders above everyone else

Not true. Kulemin > Morozov. Kuryanov >= Morozov. Marek >> Morozov.

Not true. Kulemin > Morozov. Kuryanov >= Morozov. Marek >> Morozov.
Only in RSL finals and semifinals and only after a flu

Through the season he WAS "heads and shoulders above everyone else"

Only in RSL finals and semifinals and only after a flu

Through the season he WAS "heads and shoulders above everyone else"

Well, the claim was about the PO. Plus, all of ZZM was "heads and shoulders" above in the regular season. Morozov wouldn't have had his 100 points without the linemates.

Just to clarify things, let's take the Montreal Canadiens: You have some young francophone(sp?) group of players Latendresse, Laperriere, who are ok, have some promiss...Than you have Grabovsky who's an established international player, chempion of RSL, good showings for Belarus' at the Olympics and World Chempionships, and he almost doesn't get a chance. Same goes for Kostyzin, who's got a tremendous talent as well...

Still all comes down to a different style of play in the NHL, really. Latendresse and Lapierre have the physiques to survive while learning on the job. Grabovsky showed some great moves and speed, but he would have been out for the season with concussion troubles if he had spent any significant amount of time with the Habs. He still has things to learn about protecting himself in the North American game. But I hope he'll be up with the Habs next season. With his head up and his eyes wide open.

Kostitsyn's spot on the team came down to a head-to-head showdown with Latendresse in training camp, and Latendresse simply (though slightly) outplayed him and won the spot. It all turned out for the good anyway, since Kostitsyn got a nice confidence booster by finally turning in a consistently top-notch performance in the AHL, and by season's end he had cemented his spot as a regular with the Habs. (Which he will return to next season). He also finished rounding out his 2-way game to the standards expected in the NHL too. (A process that he had been making steady progress on in Hamilton over the last couple of seasons, and a process which I think that Grabovsky still probably has barely begun... except given Grabovsky's age, they might allow him to skip ahead, even if he's not exactly ready, just to try to be sure to retain the asset, if it comes to that).

Still all comes down to a different style of play in the NHL, really. Latendresse and Lapierre have the physiques to survive while learning on the job. Grabovsky showed some great moves and speed, but he would have been out for the season with concussion troubles if he had spent any significant amount of time with the Habs. He still has things to learn about protecting himself in the North American game. But I hope he'll be up with the Habs next season. With his head up and his eyes wide open.

Kostitsyn's spot on the team came down to a head-to-head showdown with Latendresse in training camp, and Latendresse simply (though slightly) outplayed him and won the spot. It all turned out for the good anyway, since Kostitsyn got a nice confidence booster by finally turning in a consistently top-notch performance in the AHL, and by season's end he had cemented his spot as a regular with the Habs. (Which he will return to next season). He also finished rounding out his 2-way game to the standards expected in the NHL too. (A process that he had been making steady progress on in Hamilton over the last couple of seasons, and a process which I think that Grabovsky still probably has barely begun... except given Grabovsky's age, they might allow him to skip ahead, even if he's not exactly ready, just to try to be sure to retain the asset, if it comes to that).


What are you a PR Rep for the Canadians? Do you still believe any of that after this season? No offense but your Coach is garbage, and so is your hockey system. There is NO way Lats out played Kosty, you guys caved into the fans and the media wanting more French people on the team. The Habs are down right retarded. They get a bunch of non physical, super fast offensive, spark plug, Russians and try to play a defensive system. How does that make ANY sense? Have you seen our National team? Those are our best defensemen and THEY can't even play a defensive game and you guys expect Kovalev and Samsonov and Perezhogin and Grabovski and Kosty x2 to play a defensive game? The way the Habs are set up if Ovechkin came over to you guys instead of Wash, he would have had the same year Samsonov had. All this offensive talent and the islanders with their 1.5 lines worth of hockey players and a back up goal tender made it to the play offs over you guys. Including Valentenko and Emelin you guys will have 9 VERY talented Russians on the team. Your Captain is a great European style player too, why not let them play their game? I don't think your goalies are so weak that you need to compromise so much.You have a chance to have an INSANE offensive juggernaut of a team but sadly you guys will never let that happen because the players aren't from Quebec. Maybe if you guys let the French media coach less, things would be better.

Wow, so we've already wasted the Kostitsyns, Grabovski, and Perezhogin? And Emelin and Valentenko are "wasted-to-bes"? I agree with your overall point about how it's ridiculous for the Habs to try and mould these offensive-based players into defensive moulds, but sheesh, at least wait until they get consistent playing time before you denounce our whole system as a waste of talent (much less devote your signature to it). About the only case you could make is when Latendresse got promoted to the first line over Perezhogin when Higgins was hurt, but Perezhogin was working very well with Bonk and Johnson in a defensive role that they didn't want to change the dymanic that trio had.

Look man, you guys turned 2 world class hockey superstars into garbage on skates. If these guys can't play in Hab land you think a few young guys who are no where as good or as experienced as Samsonov and Kovalev will be treated any better? You don't think you are stunting Perezhogin's development and confidence? Some how i am supposed to think that these other guys you will do a better job with? What is going to change? Look what Buffalo did this year, you guys have a lot more potential talent then them and what do you guys do. There is no reason it couldn't have been you guys playing the Rangers right now. If only you guys had Lindy Ruff or Ted Nolan or any coach that can understand sentences with more then 3 words.

Lindy Ruff, that's the guy who scratched Tomas Vanek in the playoffs last year, right? And Afinogenov spent five seasons with the Sabres before he exploded - would you say his development was stunted at all?

So somehow we turned a couple of world-class players into garbage, yet players like Koivu, Higgins, Souray, Plekanec, Markov, and Komisarek all acheived career highs last year. That's weird.
And shouldn't the fact that Guy Carbonneau is a rookie head coach be taken into consideration?

I second VladNYC wholeheartedly :handclap:

I second VladNYC wholeheartedly :handclap:

Then you're welcome to refute any of my points instead of chirping in with meta-comments...

I think you guys just don't like that two Russians, justified or not, are under heavy fire from Montreal fans/media so you're turning it against the team instead to displace the blame.

Mind you, I don't think Kovalev and Samsonov should share the full brunt of the blame either, but at least a decent-sized portion of it.

Then you're welcome to refute any of my points instead of chirping in with meta-comments...

I think you guys just don't like that two Russians, justified or not, are under heavy fire from Montreal fans/media so you're turning it against the team instead to displace the blame.

Mind you, I don't think Kovalev and Samsonov should share the full brunt of the blame either, but at least a decent-sized portion of it.

I don't get it: you admitted yourself that they are missused. What there to refute?

What are you a PR Rep for the Canadians? Do you still believe any of that after this season? No offense but your Coach is garbage, and so is your hockey system. There is NO way Lats out played Kosty, you guys caved into the fans and the media wanting more French people on the team. The Habs are down right retarded. ...
Well, in the interests of not adding any more unnecessary bandwidth to a thread on Alexei Morozov, feel free to bring the debate to the Habs forum... and hope that somebody quotes you there. ;) <plonk>

I don't get it: you admitted yourself that they are missused. What there to refute?

That the Habs system isn't a waste of talent and that Kovalev and Samsonov aren't as blame-free as VladNYC would like everyone to believe. That's what you agreed wholeheartedly with, right?

Lindy Ruff, that's the guy who scratched Tomas Vanek in the playoffs last year, right? And Afinogenov spent five seasons with the Sabres before he exploded - would you say his development was stunted at all?

So somehow we turned a couple of world-class players into garbage, yet players like Koivu, Higgins, Souray, Plekanec, Markov, and Komisarek all acheived career highs last year. That's weird.
And shouldn't the fact that Guy Carbonneau is a rookie head coach be taken into consideration?

Vanek got benched because he didn't have confidence in him self nor did the coach have confidence in him. IMO its is ok to bench a Rookie. The Reason Max exploded was because of the new NHL and the sabres new system. Buffalo was a defensive team before the lock out. Slava Kozlov called his time in Buffalo during this time the worst year of his life. The only reason Max exploded and Vanek exploded and Roy exploded was because Lindy saw that he has a bunch of very fast very offensive minded players and he went with it. Max would have been a bust had he played in Montreal right now. A no vision coach like Carbs would never let Roy-Vanek-Afinogenov happen because they seem like a liability together but they work. Why? Because Lindy trusted them and let them do their thing. He didn't try to put square pegs in round holes like they do in Montreal. Sure there are some utility players that can play any where and just do an ok job but that is not the kind of thing you make a system around.

Pleks had 47 points
Higgins had 38 points

I would think the zamboni should be able to get atleast that from the players on a team's top 2 lines.

There are a ton of defensemen with more points then that, Cambel, Souray etc.

Koivu had a great year- he is a great great player, imagine how much better it would have been on an offensive team.

So what if Carbs is a rookie coach, either you can coach or you can't. Is this his first time behind a bench EVER?

So somehow we turned a couple of world-class players into garbage, yet players like Koivu, Higgins, Souray, Plekanec, Markov, and Komisarek all acheived career highs last year. That's weird.
And shouldn't the fact that Guy Carbonneau is a rookie head coach be taken into consideration?

Plekanec/Higgins career high 47 and 38 points.......lol.:biglaugh: Those guys have the talent to be much better than that.

Fact is, those guys fit in best to Montreals system - but they're still being misused. If they were on another team they would have been developed MUCH better. Same goes for Kostitsyn, Perezhogin, etc.

Look at the second half of Plekanec's season, he was lights out. There is no coincidence that it happened when he was no longer burdened with the Russian super-duo of Kovalev and Samsonov any more. Higgins started out on fire but was injured for 21 games and struggled after his return. If you think the Habs had the horses this year to play run and gun hockey, you're wrong. Claiming they have more potential talent at forward than Buffalo is laughable. I would however like to see things opened up for three offensive lines next year if we can land a big time UFA scorer. Kovalev, though super talented, is a discontented lazy bum and should be gone as soon as possible unless you like players who don't try and hit the post more than they score. Samsonov despite his small stature is one of the biggest wastes of space in the NHL. All he does is skate around in circles like a figure skater and throw an insanely weak wrister at the goalie's chest every once in a while. Anyway, this certainly went off topic and should be on the Habs forum.

As far as Morozov goes, why would Pittsburgh not want to bring him back? They need wingers. The question is whether they would be willing to pay enough for Morozov to want to make the trip back to North America instead of collecting a paycheck in Russia.

Morozov probably won't go to the Pens. He wants a "Cup contender"

I guess what I am observing here is "their portion of blame". There must be several longer posts that place the rest of blame. Looking... Looking... Still looking... Hmm

As far as Morozov goes, why would Pittsburgh not want to bring him back? They need wingers. The question is whether they would be willing to pay enough for Morozov to want to make the trip back to North America instead of collecting a paycheck in Russia.
I imagine that lots of scouts from lots of NHL teams have seen the "new Morozov" by now, so they'll have some good ideas about how he might transition back into the NHL. I certainly don't have any idea. But I do notice that guys like Ville Peltonen, Tony Salmelainen, Glen Metropolit, Randy Robitaille, Petteri Nummelin, Denis Arkhipov, Vladimir Orszagh... well, you can probably dig out a fairly length list of guys who came to the NHL, went (back) overseas, came back again... all signing for $1Mish or less. Nobody was risking $3M+ on them, despite their respective levels of success overseas.

Now, granted, Morozov's numbers are more phenomenal than most. But still. It's going to be a pretty risky proposition. After all, you can pick over the NHL scrapheap at the end of the UFA signing extravaganza and get a Viktor Kozlov for $865,000 to score 25 goals/50 pts... who wants to gamble that Morozov is going to be more effective than Kozlov? :dunno: Maybe he would be a star. Maybe he wouldn't, I don't know. But $3M+ is a big dice roll in the modern salary cap environment.

A team like Pittsburgh, or Washington, which might have some salary cap "slack" in the very short term, would be good teams to roll the dice I'd think, so long as Morozov can settle for a 1-year deal. :dunno:

(I hope he does come over though, since I still have him lingering on my keeper league roster. :) )

Wow, how did this thread become all about how the Habs are wasting their prospects talent? Next season will be the real test of what kind of direction they'll go in, firewagon hockey or defensive doldrums...as for Morozov, he's a king in Russia, playing for a great team and making lots of money, why would he go to the NHL, just for the sake of it?

Look at the second half of Plekanec's season, he was lights out. There is no coincidence that it happened when he was no longer burdened with the Russian super-duo of Kovalev and Samsonov any more. Higgins started out on fire but was injured for 21 games and struggled after his return. If you think the Habs had the horses this year to play run and gun hockey, you're wrong. Claiming they have more potential talent at forward than Buffalo is laughable. I would however like to see things opened up for three offensive lines next year if we can land a big time UFA scorer. Kovalev, though super talented, is a discontented lazy bum and should be gone as soon as possible unless you like players who don't try and hit the post more than they score. Samsonov despite his small stature is one of the biggest wastes of space in the NHL. All he does is skate around in circles like a figure skater and throw an insanely weak wrister at the goalie's chest every once in a while. Anyway, this certainly went off topic and should be on the Habs forum.

As far as Morozov goes, why would Pittsburgh not want to bring him back? They need wingers. The question is whether they would be willing to pay enough for Morozov to want to make the trip back to North America instead of collecting a paycheck in Russia.

Sorry to tell you but without Kovalev and Samsonov and the Russians on this team you guys wouldbe below Washington. You can spew bs from Racist french radio all you want, everyone else knows how good these players are and they have the stats from elsewhere in the league and international play to prove it. PLEASE PLEASE i hope you guys send all your Russians to a rival team, like the Islanders or something you guys will be biting your elbows and kicking your selves after the beating you get. The fact that you guys were even a contender to be in the playoffs despite everything the Habs organization does shows how good these players really are.

The only reason Buffalo seems "deep" is because of how well Lindy's system is designed for his players. He is a brilliant brilliant coach. Notice all the Sabres have had their best year post the new NHL and once the new system started. He really knows how to bring out the best out of his players, where carbs does the opposite. Danny Briere is a great player but no where close to Kovalev and Afinogenov had nothing on Samsonov. Look at how he handled his new guys, giving them chances and letting them be on the first line, constantly trying to change things here, calculate things here. Meanwhile Carbs wouldn't even put your best winger and center together.

Keep alienating your stars, see where it will get you.

I'm gonna try to comment on some of the earlier responses and tweak my thoughts, so they are more clear:

1) As for Grabovsky getting concussions on the NHL level, we all know that AHL is a meat grinder, and many times rougher than the NHL.
2) I've seen Lats play, he aint too bad, but so much playing time, I'd be getting goals and points and I can hardly skate:) I've seen Perezhogin, Kostyzin and Grabosky play, they can skate circles around Lats and the other guy whose last name is hard to spell
3) When the Habs got Sammy, I thought omg a line of Kovy-Koivu-Sammy would tear the East apart, yet that line got very little time to gell and was broken up, while the team was having them play a type of hockey which is against their believe. Now you add Grab, Kostizin, Perezhogin, Markov, Souray on D, and this has to be the highest scoring team in the east, instead, well we know what happened

Nothing against the Habs (except that I live in Boston and support a pitifull franchise called the Bruins), but they were just a good example of what I'm trying to express.

Same could be said of Morozov in Pittsbrugh, Oleg Petrov in Montreal, Kovalenko (he's so good and it took him years to get some playing time) and many others I mentioned earlier...

I kiinda hit a dead end in what I'm trying to say here, but basically there are two major factors:

1) Cold war is long like over (some would say it's coming back, but like I read in a good magazine (American btw)it's Westerner's fault, since instead of wellcoming Russia into the Western society, West infiltrated all the ex Soviet Union republics, expanded NATO to Russia's borders and etc), but in people's mind in NA too many Europeans is a bad thing, too many Russians - even worse (Unless it's Detroit's Russian five who were one of the best players ever, and came to NA already established)
2) Giving a local kid playing time, while he doesn't deserve it can be justified, giving a foreigner extra playing time to get used to the new rinks, and you get critisized left and right...

Sorry to tell you but without Kovalev and Samsonov and the Russians on this team you guys wouldbe below Washington.

That's funny, we played almost the entire season this year without Kovalev and Samsonov and finished above Washington. What was your point again?

Oh wait, you don't have one. You're just mad that your "countrymen" are being vilified, and it's not without just cause either. I don't know where you are or what kind of access you have to Hab games, but I can only assume you didn't watch many. To suggest that Kovalev and Samsonov are totally blameless is absolutely absurd in every sense of the word. While I don't agree with Carbo's system, it's also up to the players to conform to the team - not vice versa. The players who did buy into the system seemed to do pretty well this year, in fact.

And it's pretty convenient to point out that Higgins had "LOL only 38 points" without telling the rest of the story. Like the part where he got 38 points in 61 games this year when he played injured for a large portion of the season, compared to 38 points in 80 games last year. I'd call that a marked improvement, wouldn't you?
Anyway it doesn't matter HOW well he improved his totals, your argument appeared to be that the Canadiens were throttling all their offensive talent and everybody was wilting under Carbonneau - you've been grasping at straws ever since I disproved that.

I'll be willing to give your "Habs system = waste" theory a bit more thought when the Kostitsyns, Perezhogin, Grabovski, Emelin and Valentenko all bust or get shipped off somewhere else. Call me when that happens.

EDIT: and speaking of international play, I'm sure you noticed as well as everybody else that Kovalev didn't get so much as an invite to play for Russia this year. But I'm sure that was Carbonneau's fault too. Or our racist French media that you seem to be such an expert on. Boy, you've seen the games, you know our media...where in Quebec do you live?

That's funny, we played almost the entire season this year without Kovalev and Samsonov and finished above Washington. What was your point again?

Oh wait, you don't have one. You're just mad that your "countrymen" are being vilified, and it's not without just cause either. I don't know where you are or what kind of access you have to Hab games, but I can only assume you didn't watch many. To suggest that Kovalev and Samsonov are totally blameless is absolutely absurd in every sense of the word. While I don't agree with Carbo's system, it's also up to the players to conform to the team - not vice versa. The players who did buy into the system seemed to do pretty well this year, in fact.

And it's pretty convenient to point out that Higgins had "LOL only 38 points" without telling the rest of the story. Like the part where he got 38 points in 61 games this year when he played injured for a large portion of the season, compared to 38 points in 80 games last year. I'd call that a marked improvement, wouldn't you?
Anyway it doesn't matter HOW well he improved his totals, your argument appeared to be that the Canadiens were throttling all their offensive talent and everybody was wilting under Carbonneau - you've been grasping at straws ever since I disproved that.

I'll be willing to give your "Habs system = waste" theory a bit more thought when the Kostitsyns, Perezhogin, Grabovski, Emelin and Valentenko all bust or get shipped off somewhere else. Call me when that happens.

EDIT: and speaking of international play, I'm sure you noticed as well as everybody else that Kovalev didn't get so much as an invite to play for Russia this year. But I'm sure that was Carbonneau's fault too. Or our racist French media that you seem to be such an expert on. Boy, you've seen the games, you know our media...where in Quebec do you live?

Hmm 73 games played by Kovalev and 63 by Samsonov 61 by Perezhogin is playing with out them? The 3 of them put together 15% of your points this year despite their awful year. They contributed to 16% of your game wining goals (6) meaning they gave you 12 points in that alone. Take that away and you would be with 30 games won at 66 points, right below Washington. Keep that in mind, that awful year Kovy and Samy and Perezhogin had is what separates you from Washington.

As for Higgins, how is that impressive for a guy on your top line?
Higgins has 0.62 points per game, if a Russian had that he would get run out of Montreal. How do i know that? Because kovy had 0.64 points per game and you guys are calling for his head on a pike. I wouldn't call that any thing to dance for joy about from a guy that some how got to play with your #1 center who has 75 points, i wonder how many of those 75 points would be shared with Kovy if he played on that line?

Your good players ARE Willting who cares about your AHL caliber players and their improvements?

Samsonov - Career 0.74 pts per game player. This year: 0.41
Kovalev- Career 0.78 pts per game . This year: 0.64
Bonk - Career 0.56 pts per game. This year 0.31

Average decrease in production rate from these guys in one year was 24%

The forwards that are doing well are Koivu and Ryder. One is a future hall of famer and the other is bred for Canadian old skool hockey.

Souray has 64 points, too bad as a defensemen he is -27 for the year and -28 for his career. Maybe you should put this guy on offense. A defensemen who is -28 is no defensemen.


As for Kovalev, we are the deepest team in the world at forward, the average age of our forwards is 24 and the oldest is 31. Kovalev would be 3 years older then our oldest forward, we can live with out this kind of experience on offense, Montreal cannot.

The forwards that are doing well are Koivu and Ryder. One is a future hall of famer and the other is bred for Canadian old skool hockey.

Souray has 64 points, too bad as a defensemen he is -27 for the year and -28 for his career. Maybe you should put this guy on offense. A defensemen who is -28 is no defensemen.


1) Saku Koivu-HoF? hmmm...
2) Didn't you say yourself that even the best Russian D-men can't defend worth a damn? Why shouldn't that apply to Canadian defensemen, he's putting up great numbers in a Sergei Gonchar-like fashion, maybe Gonchar or Zubov should be moved to foward too...

1) Saku Koivu-HoF? hmmm...
2) Didn't you say yourself that even the best Russian D-men can't defend worth a damn? Why shouldn't that apply to Canadian defensemen, he's putting up great numbers in a Sergei Gonchar-like fashion, maybe Gonchar or Zubov should be moved to foward too...

1) Absolutly
2)

Gonchar is +39 career
Zubov is +146 career

They aren't a defensive liability. It's great when your D can contribute but it shouldn't be at the cost of defense. Trust me no one is harsher on our defense then Russian fans.

Morozov probably won't go to the Pens. He wants a "Cup contender"

If I was in Morozovs skates I'd ge me atleast 3 year contract with Penquins, then work my composite stick off to get to play with either Crosby (or Malkin) and win me some rings.

Boston still has the rights to Zinoviev. They should offer him and Morozov contracts.......their chemistry and talent is outstanding.

Morozov -- Zinoviev -- physical powerforward

great line:yo:

That the Habs system isn't a waste of talent and that Kovalev and Samsonov aren't as blame-free as VladNYC would like everyone to believe. That's what you agreed wholeheartedly with, right?

The Habs system sucks big time !! You guys drafted talented offensive dynamos like Perezhogin, Kostitsyn, Latendresse, Grabovski, Higgins, PLekanec, etc. and turn them into 3rd line grinders :help: thanks to Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau as they are the main reason for this crappy system and talent killers. Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau are not fitting at all with the players they have in their hands.... which all came from Ex-GM Andre Savard. The youngsters they have now are the youngsters that were made to fit and succeed with Andre Savard, not Bob Gainey.

Back then, Ex-GM Andre Savard wanted to implant his own system based on talent and speed just like he did with Ottawa, but he got dumped by the organization before he could do anything. Now you guys have under your hands some good offensive weapons, but can't use them properly because of Gainey defensive philosophy.... sad.... :shakehead The arrival of Gainey was the worst thing that happened to the habs in this decade. Andre Savard should've never leave. The habs would've been an offensive powerhouse just like Buffalo under Savard's Reign...

Seriously, do you believe that Kostitsyn, Latendresse, Perezhogin, Grabovski, etc. will become offensive threat under the actual defensive minded system of the Habs ? If yes, you'll be very dissapointed.

Unless he plays for between 1 and 2 million dollars, I don't think teams are gonna risk signing him, he's put up good numbers in the NHL, but not good enough to warrant him getting 3 million + IMO

How much does Ny Islanders pay to Yashin for example. So 3mil to Morozov would be small bill if referred to Yashin.

Morozov for 3+ mile real.

Morozov for 3+ mile real.

you got a sad logo...OUR Guy, our super star, our coach, and his son will be playing for the Swiss :(

I think it's stupid to argue that Europeans in NHL have to be much better than the local talent, and will have much less of a chance, as well as playing time to showcase that. It's a fact!

Sorry to tell you but without Kovalev and Samsonov and the Russians on this team you guys wouldbe below Washington. You can spew bs from Racist french radio all you want, everyone else knows how good these players are and they have the stats from elsewhere in the league and international play to prove it. PLEASE PLEASE i hope you guys send all your Russians to a rival team, like the Islanders or something you guys will be biting your elbows and kicking your selves after the beating you get. The fact that you guys were even a contender to be in the playoffs despite everything the Habs organization does shows how good these players really are.

The only reason Buffalo seems "deep" is because of how well Lindy's system is designed for his players. He is a brilliant brilliant coach. Notice all the Sabres have had their best year post the new NHL and once the new system started. He really knows how to bring out the best out of his players, where carbs does the opposite. Danny Briere is a great player but no where close to Kovalev and Afinogenov had nothing on Samsonov. Look at how he handled his new guys, giving them chances and letting them be on the first line, constantly trying to change things here, calculate things here. Meanwhile Carbs wouldn't even put your best winger and center together.

Keep alienating your stars, see where it will get you.
Wow, just wow. I thought I saw everything dumb you could possibly say, then I see this.

The Habs system sucks big time !! You guys drafted talented offensive dynamos like Perezhogin, Kostitsyn, Latendresse, Grabovski, Higgins, PLekanec, etc. and turn them into 3rd line grinders :help: thanks to Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau as they are the main reason for this crappy system and talent killers. Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau are not fitting at all with the players they have in their hands.... which all came from Ex-GM Andre Savard. The youngsters they have now are the youngsters that were made to fit and succeed with Andre Savard, not Bob Gainey.
Higgins and Plekanec were drafted as projected third liners. Latendresse is 19 freaking years old, what the **** are you talking about. Hell, Kostitsyn, Grabovski and Latendresse were drafted when Timmins was running the draft.

Back then, Ex-GM Andre Savard wanted to implant his own system based on talent and speed just like he did with Ottawa, but he got dumped by the organization before he could do anything. Now you guys have under your hands some good offensive weapons, but can't use them properly because of Gainey defensive philosophy.... sad.... :shakehead The arrival of Gainey was the worst thing that happened to the habs in this decade. Andre Savard should've never leave. The habs would've been an offensive powerhouse just like Buffalo under Savard's Reign...

.
Unbelievable, was Savard ever GM or coach of the Sens? No, so what the hell are you talking about. How could he have implemented anything in Ottawa? Do you even remember who the coach was with the Sens, if you did, you wouldn't have said what you just did.

Wow, just wow. I thought I saw everything dumb you could possibly say, then I see this.


Brilliant rebuke of my points, you must be on the debate team in your middle school.

Bakc to the point: Morozov says he will most likely go to the NHL after the WC.

Bakc to the point: Morozov says he will most likely go to the NHL after the WC.

I hope it is to a team that knows how do deal with Russians. Would love to see him on Pitts and since they are contender it might work out. If not, a team like Wash who has the money should make him an offer he can't refuse. On that note, Wash should bring over the whole ZZM line, now that would be something.

contender

Well, is a first round guaranteed exit considered a contender?

ZZM

As far as I am concerned the more of them stay the better: the younger kids are not going to improve playing against donikas and varnakovs.

What about Semin-Zinoviev-Morozov line in Washington or Ovi-Zino-Mo
I am sorry about Zaripov but I think he is too weak for NHL games

Well, is a first round guaranteed exit considered a contender?



As far as I am concerned the more of them stay the better: the younger kids are not going to improve playing against donikas and varnakovs.

Wouldn't be out the first round with Morozov. Did u even watch the playoffs?

Well, is a first round guaranteed exit considered a contender?


Theres no reason why the Penguins shouldn't improve next year. They were the 5 seed in the east this year, who played a very good Ottawa team. Heck if you make the playoffs anything can happen (example:Oilers last year). The Pens have too much talented youth and potential, not to mention that Crosby kid (heard of him yet?)

I really want him to come back.

i doubt it will happen nkow, but last season wasn't he rumoured to go to detroit? He would fit in perfect in their system, not to mention they have alot of euros; he would seem to be the perfect fit. Imagine datsyuk-morozov-grigorenko

i doubt it will happen nkow, but last season wasn't he rumoured to go to detroit? He would fit in perfect in their system, not to mention they have alot of euros; he would seem to be the perfect fit. Imagine datsyuk-morozov-grigorenko

I like Zetterberg-Datsyk-Morozov even better!

Hmm 73 games played by Kovalev and 63 by Samsonov 61 by Perezhogin is playing with out them? The 3 of them put together 15% of your points this year despite their awful year. They contributed to 16% of your game wining goals (6) meaning they gave you 12 points in that alone. Take that away and you would be with 30 games won at 66 points, right below Washington. Keep that in mind, that awful year Kovy and Samy and Perezhogin had is what separates you from Washington.

As for Higgins, how is that impressive for a guy on your top line?
Higgins has 0.62 points per game, if a Russian had that he would get run out of Montreal. How do i know that? Because kovy had 0.64 points per game and you guys are calling for his head on a pike. I wouldn't call that any thing to dance for joy about from a guy that some how got to play with your #1 center who has 75 points, i wonder how many of those 75 points would be shared with Kovy if he played on that line?

Your good players ARE Willting who cares about your AHL caliber players and their improvements?

Samsonov - Career 0.74 pts per game player. This year: 0.41
Kovalev- Career 0.78 pts per game . This year: 0.64
Bonk - Career 0.56 pts per game. This year 0.31

Average decrease in production rate from these guys in one year was 24%

The forwards that are doing well are Koivu and Ryder. One is a future hall of famer and the other is bred for Canadian old skool hockey.

Souray has 64 points, too bad as a defensemen he is -27 for the year and -28 for his career. Maybe you should put this guy on offense. A defensemen who is -28 is no defensemen.


As for Kovalev, we are the deepest team in the world at forward, the average age of our forwards is 24 and the oldest is 31. Kovalev would be 3 years older then our oldest forward, we can live with out this kind of experience on offense, Montreal cannot.

With the 8 millions of Kovy and Samso spent on other players let's say Sykora and Shanahan we would have had better resultats and we wold probably be over the rangers in the standings

So do not put all the weight just on one side fo the balance...

And by the way, Plekanec doesn't have a big ppg average but we prefer it to Ribeiro and people in Montreal like the Kostitsyns, Grabo and other russians prospect way more than what you think

Don't forget that It's not all about the stats

If you think that there isn't even one NHL team willing to take a gamble on Morozov next year, then you must be loopy. Due to the lack of scoring wings available next year I could actually seeing a bidding war panning out for him.

Maybe NJ, so he doesn't continue to light up Brodeur and to replace the (likely) missing offense of Gomez.

If you think that there isn't even one NHL team willing to take a gamble on Morozov next year, then you must be loopy. Due to the lack of scoring wings available next year I could actually seeing a bidding war panning out for him.

I tend to agree with you - I could see a bidding war erupt and Morozov end up with a 4.5-5 mil a year deal. Too many teams need a scoring winger.

I tend to agree with you - I could see a bidding war erupt and Morozov end up with a 4.5-5 mil a year deal.

No NHL team could justifiably spend more than $2 million on Morozov, and even that might be generous.

After gaining post-draft press as the world's best player outside the NHL, Morozov went on to spend seven seasons proving that things are a bit different inside the NHL. His numbers consistently amounted to those of a middling depth scorer, and closer examination of his game didn't reveal much else.

I'm glad for his success in Russia, but there's no reason to be fooled. He spent his prime years on some loose, offensive minded teams, but was never outstanding. Now he's 30 years old. Why should any NHL team expect a significantly different Morozov than the one they saw in Pittsburgh?

No NHL team could justifiably spend more than $2 million on Morozov, and even that might be generous.

After gaining post-draft press as the world's best player outside the NHL, Morozov went on to spend seven seasons proving that things are a bit different inside the NHL. His numbers consistently amounted to those of a middling depth scorer, and closer examination of his game didn't reveal much else.

I'm glad for his success in Russia, but there's no reason to be fooled. He spent his prime years on some loose, offensive minded teams, but was never outstanding. Now he's 30 years old. Why should any NHL team expect a significantly different Morozov than the one they saw in Pittsburgh?

We've seen players like Eric Cole, Daniel Brier and much more flourish under the NEW NHL. Morozov might be another one who could perform much better than he did before in the Old NHL days. There is just one reason.

I agree with you, by the way. Risk is too much.

Vanek got benched because he didn't have confidence in him self nor did the coach have confidence in him. IMO its is ok to bench a Rookie. The Reason Max exploded was because of the new NHL and the sabres new system. Buffalo was a defensive team before the lock out. Slava Kozlov called his time in Buffalo during this time the worst year of his life. The only reason Max exploded and Vanek exploded and Roy exploded was because Lindy saw that he has a bunch of very fast very offensive minded players and he went with it. Max would have been a bust had he played in Montreal right now. A no vision coach like Carbs would never let Roy-Vanek-Afinogenov happen because they seem like a liability together but they work. Why? Because Lindy trusted them and let them do their thing. He didn't try to put square pegs in round holes like they do in Montreal. Sure there are some utility players that can play any where and just do an ok job but that is not the kind of thing you make a system around.

Pleks had 47 points
Higgins had 38 points

I would think the zamboni should be able to get atleast that from the players on a team's top 2 lines.

There are a ton of defensemen with more points then that, Cambel, Souray etc.

Koivu had a great year- he is a great great player, imagine how much better it would have been on an offensive team.

So what if Carbs is a rookie coach, either you can coach or you can't. Is this his first time behind a bench EVER?

You are so right.

Vanek got benched because he didn't have confidence in him self nor did the coach have confidence in him. IMO its is ok to bench a Rookie. The Reason Max exploded was because of the new NHL and the sabres new system. Buffalo was a defensive team before the lock out. Slava Kozlov called his time in Buffalo during this time the worst year of his life. The only reason Max exploded and Vanek exploded and Roy exploded was because Lindy saw that he has a bunch of very fast very offensive minded players and he went with it. Max would have been a bust had he played in Montreal right now. A no vision coach like Carbs would never let Roy-Vanek-Afinogenov happen because they seem like a liability together but they work. Why? Because Lindy trusted them and let them do their thing. He didn't try to put square pegs in round holes like they do in Montreal. Sure there are some utility players that can play any where and just do an ok job but that is not the kind of thing you make a system around.


Pleks had 47 points
Higgins had 38 points

I would think the zamboni should be able to get atleast that from the players on a team's top 2 lines.

There are a ton of defensemen with more points then that, Cambel, Souray etc.

Koivu had a great year- he is a great great player, imagine how much better it would have been on an offensive team.

So what if Carbs is a rookie coach, either you can coach or you can't. Is this his first time behind a bench EVER?


Higgins is 23 years old and he finishes the season with 22 goals in 60 games, on a full season of 82 games it make 30 goals... Not bad for a first/second liner who is somophore and really good 2-way forward.

Plekanec was sucking big time while playing with Kovalev and Samsonov and by mircale when the coach split them he was the most productive forward from january until the end of the season with 38pts in 42 games...

Don't talk **** when you don't know the fact, both are very good young players. Same for Kostitsyn and Grabovsky.

(I agree thought your comments about our coach, he sucks, and our defensive minded system, while we got a speedy teams and we should be offensive minded.) - Carbo sucks, but I just hope he will have a better system next year.

Morozov instead of Lang in Detroit would be fun! :handclap:

detroit is the perfect fit for him 2 dangerous scoring lines

holmstrom-zettenberg-datszyk
morozov-filllpula-samuelsson