Recrutes

Recrutes: Hockey scouting from a professional perspective from Grant McCagg and Habs coverage from a 33 year veteran covering the NHL from Brian Wilde.

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Call Of The Wilde: Mayday. Mayday.

October 21, 2017

By Brian Wilde

It’s very difficult to allow the most goals in the NHL (33) and score the fewest goals in the NHL (13) at the same time. This is quite a feat. You have to be really bad, not just losing but getting blown out, and not just blown out, but also blown out with just about the same score line, but the Montreal Canadiens have done it. What’s even more incredible is the Habs actually also lead the league in shots on goal at the same time. I’m sure no one has ever kept that stat, but I would say that’s a first in history. Sure worst scoring goals and worst allowing goals. Of course the legendary teams like the expansion Capitals and the Mickey Mouse Devils have done that, but to also lead the league in shots on goal? Come on!!! Who’s writing this unbelievable story? Because Habs fans would like it to end now, so the Wilde Horses we go….

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About Brian Wilde

Brian Wilde has worked in hockey since he was 20. He was the rink side host for the Edmonton Oilers at CTV and Ottawa Senators for Sportsnet. He was also lead reporter on the Montreal Canadiens for 17 years at CTV Montreal.

View all posts by Brian Wilde

  • lamoroso says

    The Habs Twitter is going down in flames. They should’ve won that game easily. Gibson did what Price should’ve done: make huge saves.

    Thanks for your COTW, Brian. Mon moral est bas mais je crois qu’ils peuvent se ressaisir en novembre. They should rewatch the tape of the 2nd period and build on that.

  • Marvin Matthews says

    I would love to share one Cup win with my son (he’s 19) . He’s tired of me talking about the ‘good old days’ and the seven Habs Cups I’ve seen. This is going to be a long trek.

  • Bob Watson says

    Call up Nicolas Deslauriers had enough of McCarron besides Deslaurier will hit more than 25

  • Joseph says

    Well done Brain,
    My question how the same player’s can be so not good in the first to a best period in the past few years breaking a team record with 30 shots. Than back to bad in the third period.
    Something not right.

    Yes Price didn’t look sharp. But the way the team playing you asking for miracles.

  • Steve B. says

    Thanks for the COTW. This is frustrating seeing this as the best they can do. I feel bad for Price. This isn’t him. Something is up. If not, he has to find a way to get his bad play out of his head. Breaking his stick on the 6th goal could be the breaking point… it might be the catalyst to fire him up to the Price we know, or it’s a sign that it’s stewing in his head (and at that point as a goalie, it’s very hard to clear the negative performance thought).

    One of the fortunate points is that I did not have to sit through the game. A bit too late to get through this one from Halifax. Reading this COTW and Brian’s Twitter timeline is enough to make steam come from my ears.

  • Terry Fisher says

    I’ve watched a lot of Hab games in my 51 years but that first period…..wow what a disgrace this group of “players” is. Missed the second and third but playing 20 minutes of inspired hockey isn’t gonna get it done against anyone. The Ducks were without 7 regulars and lost Fowler right after he tied his skates and this is the result?? Embarrassed isn’t a strong enough word right now. But the worst is yet to come. Bergy making that fateful phone call to save this dreadful start to the season and his job is terrifying to me. I’m usually a glass half full guy Brian, but this start with this core and the middling hockey we’ve been witness to for going on 25 years has to stop now. There isn’t a big enough bomb to blow this team up. What a shame!!

  • Pino says

    Office cooler talk this week was that Price didn’t take his off seasean conditioning as seriously as in the past. Brian, do you have any insight on this that you can share. As we get older, we need to work even harder to keep in the same shape/ reflex speed. I know it’s true for me, more so for an elite athlete.

  • Mathieu says

    Big George Laraque suggested (not in his exact words) the following yesterday during his show on 91.9. I kind of like it… but it’s going to be hard for some fans.

    The coming years will have deep drafts. Get as many picks and young current NHL players as you can by doing the following:

    -Trade Price
    -Trade Weber
    -Trade Pacioretty

    /discuss

  • Meagan Murphy says

    The only positives to come out of this disaster is its early in the season and it can possibly be rectified, granted this team has holes but the way they are playing doesnt even make any sense. Do they have the assets to get the ship back on track or do they do like every other team and pull a tank for picks, I never thought that the storied Canadiens would have to even think about the second option. Sad doesnt even begin to describe it.

  • Dave Trembley says

    Imagine you are an opposing coach preparing to play the Habs. You want to tell your players who they need to beware of, who they need to shutdown. You tell them key in on Pacioretty, to some extent Drouin, Galchenyuk, and be sure to block Weber’s shooting lane. Keep an eye on speedy Byron. That’s about it.

  • Chris Gill says

    I’ve never seen a goalie smash his stick against the post as hard as price did. The goal nearly fell of its moorings. And least some played with abit of a fuck your attitude. Shaw did. Even seen pleky and pax getting pissed and hitting people. And Carey getting into Perry’s face. At least we can see some of them care. If we are in same spot by start of December, Ill be buying my Dahlin jersey.

  • Trevor Birtch says

    The way things are going so far, they probably wouldn’t even win the draft lottery . Here’s hoping they can turn it around after 3 days off and playing at home.

    As per usual, great article Brian!

  • Steve Wilson says

    Brian/Grant. love this site and the great insight you both provide. I have only 1 big question for both of you and that is this.How long does it take for Hab fans to realize that good Gm’s build teams to win the cup,have propects to fill UFA’s.
    This team is built to battle for PO birth and hope your lucky for 16 gms. Old idea that you start with Def is dead, best goalie in world can’t win if you don’t score,good teams now have scoring talent and then add the Def pieces,Pitts,Chi,LA,Tor..etc.
    C men not available is a cope out they are if you willing to pay the price! After 6 yrs of a 5 yr plan fans have paid the price and we no better now than in year 1 IMO .NO 1 C man Prospects pools all but dry and a 3rd overall pick that is only still on team because they know they would lose him on waivers.
    Would love to hear both of you r thoughts on building a cup team in this cap era? Thanks guys