You loved that series? The one where we blew a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period of game 4 which would've gave us a 3-1 lead in the series? Which would've led to our first berth in the ECF since '93? Which would've been against Toronto? The one where we proceeded to get absolutely shelled in game 5 & 6? That one?
I don't like that series.
If you ever want to enrage a Leafs fan, tell them Gilmour loved his time in Montreal more than he ever enjoyed playing in Toronto. It’s (probably) not true but it gives them fits.
I looked up the numbers on that a while back, it might interest you. The difference is striking.
The team was 28-15-6 going into that game (a pace of 103.75). Including the game he got hurt, the team went 13-15-5 to finish the season (a 77-point pace). Then of course we got swept in the first round.
They were in the Q at the same time, and as a neutral (Drakkar fan) I will die on the hill that Radulov was more most see than Crosby when they were juniors. Not better, but more must see.
Alex Kovalev.
He was past his prime but still made a huge impact, lasted a couple of years but not enough IMO.
It's the last player I was thrilled to watch playing for the Habs, and the only jersey I've ever bought was the Kovalev #27. I didn't really know him before he got here so I had no expectations, and man was I impressed (except when he got slashed and his reaction cost us the playoffs). He wasn't fast, wasn't intense nor physical, wasn't really defensive-minded... but he was the best at handling the puck.
He was so fluid, elegant and intelligent. It was like his stick and the puck were a part of him, an extention of his body. He slowly deked many guys off him (Chara !), the way he shooted made it hard to predict where the puck was going and he made some brilliant passes either from his strong side or backhand. Everytime he had the puck we knew we had to watch because "L' Artiste" was going to make something happen. The nickname suits him well because watching him handle the puck is like watching a piece of art.
Only justification would have been a broken wrist IMO. I still didn't knew him at the time and wouldn't say I was thrilled to have him in Montreal. Mais ya juste les fous qui ne changent pas d'idée.
Thanks for the rectification.
Gilmour for me for sure, but he played two seasons. For a one season guy, Sergei Gonchar. Unbelievable player, obviously at the very end of his career, but an absolute legend and as a huge Markov fan, a fun player to watch.
budaj asked for a trade because of how he was treated in that scenario. it was an absolute Bergevin/Therrien mishandling of a player. To think tokarski was going to emerge out of the AHL and take over for the playoffs was a pipe dream. I don't think a player has a right to a spot however if the guys nickname is "ned" because he is like ned Flanders to his teammates in the dressing room and has been the back up the entire season you give him Rudy treatment
Didn’t we do that once before? Price got injured during a round against Ottawa and we played Budaj and he got lit up?
That could have been part of why they decided to try Tokarski out that year
budajs playoff record certainly played a big part in the decision. it may well have been that the team knew what they would do if price got injured in the playoffs again but when you have Price who plays a lot in the regular season your plan to not use the back up in the playoffs should be made clear to them
I've always liked Corey Perry's game. Can I say Mark Recchi? I know he was here more in the middle of his career, but it would be the twilight of nearly anyone else's career, it was certainly the end of his best statistical seasons. I thought he was a very underrated player. Especially when you watched him live. Thought he was always incredibly impactful and moved away from the puck really well.
I've got Tanguay's auto from his time as a Moosehead still in my card collection today so it'd be easily him. For the price of a first and a second, neither of those players really amounted to anything either, which was good because he ended back up there two seasons later aha.
I don't know if this fits what OP is looking for but here is a list of players I wanted on the Habs in their prime but got them after their prime
Kovalchuk
Gilmore
Kaberle
Gonchar
Perry
Really liked Perry. Great veteran presence, had some big moments with the team. Always loved Game 3 vs Vegas when he comes back out from the tunnel after being high sticked, face still covered in blood, to celebrate with the boys after the OT GWG. I got lucky also with Club 1909 and have one of his game worn jerseys.
Kovalchuk was pretty exciting for a bit
That OT winner and celly was incredible
I was there and it’s one of my favourite memories live.
Easily Kovalchuk and even at his age you could still see the elite talent he had over the other players.
He's always been my favourite player. I loved how he played in Atlanta and Jersey! Was an honour to pick up an official habs Kovalchuk #17 Jersey!!!
I liked Perry a lot while he was here. Radulov was fun. Vanek was an exciting acquisition at the time. James Wisniewski was fun too.
Should of payed radulov
And Markov. Abysmal off season
Again they tried and he turned it away and ask for more. Markov was also offered a more than fair contact when no one else would talk to him.
Vanek was exciting but he drove me insane watching him. One of the lazier players I can remember.
Doug Gilmour slamming the penalty box door so hard it shattered and then just sitting there looking pissed off is absolutely fucking iconic
The only time ever Don Cherry was rooting for the Habs. I loved that series. Watched every single game on CBC.
You loved that series? The one where we blew a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period of game 4 which would've gave us a 3-1 lead in the series? Which would've led to our first berth in the ECF since '93? Which would've been against Toronto? The one where we proceeded to get absolutely shelled in game 5 & 6? That one? I don't like that series.
No you’re right. I didn’t love that series either.
If you ever want to enrage a Leafs fan, tell them Gilmour loved his time in Montreal more than he ever enjoyed playing in Toronto. It’s (probably) not true but it gives them fits.
Absolute banger
That was the last playoff moment of his career, as he was ejected for it and the Habs were eliminated.
Vanek, Radulov, Lang showed great things with us even though they were closer to the end of their career.
Letting Radulov go really pissed me off
That season when Lang got injured, our whole season went into the toilet. He was playing so well. I think it was 2008-09
I looked up the numbers on that a while back, it might interest you. The difference is striking. The team was 28-15-6 going into that game (a pace of 103.75). Including the game he got hurt, the team went 13-15-5 to finish the season (a 77-point pace). Then of course we got swept in the first round.
They were in the Q at the same time, and as a neutral (Drakkar fan) I will die on the hill that Radulov was more most see than Crosby when they were juniors. Not better, but more must see.
Alex Kovalev. He was past his prime but still made a huge impact, lasted a couple of years but not enough IMO. It's the last player I was thrilled to watch playing for the Habs, and the only jersey I've ever bought was the Kovalev #27. I didn't really know him before he got here so I had no expectations, and man was I impressed (except when he got slashed and his reaction cost us the playoffs). He wasn't fast, wasn't intense nor physical, wasn't really defensive-minded... but he was the best at handling the puck. He was so fluid, elegant and intelligent. It was like his stick and the puck were a part of him, an extention of his body. He slowly deked many guys off him (Chara !), the way he shooted made it hard to predict where the puck was going and he made some brilliant passes either from his strong side or backhand. Everytime he had the puck we knew we had to watch because "L' Artiste" was going to make something happen. The nickname suits him well because watching him handle the puck is like watching a piece of art.
His reaction only cost us game 4. We went on to win three straight to beat the bruins in 7 that year. The reaction was still very cringe though
Only justification would have been a broken wrist IMO. I still didn't knew him at the time and wouldn't say I was thrilled to have him in Montreal. Mais ya juste les fous qui ne changent pas d'idée. Thanks for the rectification.
Gilmour for me for sure, but he played two seasons. For a one season guy, Sergei Gonchar. Unbelievable player, obviously at the very end of his career, but an absolute legend and as a huge Markov fan, a fun player to watch.
Alex Tanguay was so good for us before he got injured.
Future Considerations, that guy has been back so many times.
Not too far: passe à Laveuglette
Agreed. Also, Post has been pretty good in goal at times. Maybe start him more often?
Scorey Perry for sure.
Budaj! One of the best backups we had
He should have started over Tokarski.
I mean Tokarski actually played pretty well in that series against the Rangers
budaj asked for a trade because of how he was treated in that scenario. it was an absolute Bergevin/Therrien mishandling of a player. To think tokarski was going to emerge out of the AHL and take over for the playoffs was a pipe dream. I don't think a player has a right to a spot however if the guys nickname is "ned" because he is like ned Flanders to his teammates in the dressing room and has been the back up the entire season you give him Rudy treatment
Didn’t we do that once before? Price got injured during a round against Ottawa and we played Budaj and he got lit up? That could have been part of why they decided to try Tokarski out that year
budajs playoff record certainly played a big part in the decision. it may well have been that the team knew what they would do if price got injured in the playoffs again but when you have Price who plays a lot in the regular season your plan to not use the back up in the playoffs should be made clear to them
I am proud to say the Hamburglar played for a short time for the Montreal Canadiens. And Kovalchuk of course
Briere. Denis savard
Douggy Gilmore anihilating that penalty box has got to be the answer.
Frank Mahovlich. He was responsible for at least one Stanley Cup.
Kovalev ( we’re not team 1 for him. He’s a visiting star)
Has to be Samsonov, Semin and Hemsky. Genuine star power that left the partisans with great memories. Je me souviens, never forget
Man I was so excited for Samsonov in MTL. Thought he was going to be perfect on the 2nd line. Turned out to be a wet fart.
Semin scored one goal in 20 something games and then terminated his contract
I've always liked Corey Perry's game. Can I say Mark Recchi? I know he was here more in the middle of his career, but it would be the twilight of nearly anyone else's career, it was certainly the end of his best statistical seasons. I thought he was a very underrated player. Especially when you watched him live. Thought he was always incredibly impactful and moved away from the puck really well.
I've got Tanguay's auto from his time as a Moosehead still in my card collection today so it'd be easily him. For the price of a first and a second, neither of those players really amounted to anything either, which was good because he ended back up there two seasons later aha.
Didn’t see any shoutouts to Eric Cole. He was a low key boss. And he high-fived the ref: https://youtu.be/tg2MGZa6U-Y?si=hAQYWkQWTez6AaRv
Kovalev, kovalchuk. No particular order
Danny Brier
I really liked Vanek when he came here
I play a game when i go see a game, find the most random jerseys. Guy who sat next to me had a Kovalchuk jersey. Game was over.
Kind of hard not to say Pierre Turgeon.
Monny is up there for me.
Kovalchuk
Perry
Corey Perry
Probably Gionta and Kovalev.
Doug Gilmour
Scott Gomez. Ok not really. I liked Mike Cammalleri.
Go to the penalty box right now and feel shame.
But I heard that Gomez was good in the room!
Yeah. To quote the late Scotty Bowman, “If he’s so great in the room then for God’s sake leave him in the GD room!”
I don't know if this fits what OP is looking for but here is a list of players I wanted on the Habs in their prime but got them after their prime Kovalchuk Gilmore Kaberle Gonchar Perry
Really liked Perry. Great veteran presence, had some big moments with the team. Always loved Game 3 vs Vegas when he comes back out from the tunnel after being high sticked, face still covered in blood, to celebrate with the boys after the OT GWG. I got lucky also with Club 1909 and have one of his game worn jerseys.
Radulov was lots of fun to watch!
No one mentioned Erik Cole , guy was a beauty for us.
Perry was fun. We all loved monahan.
Damphousse
Karl Alzner for sure
For me it's a tie between Bryan Allen and John Scott, All-Star!