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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McLean’s Pub Call Of The Wilde: Long Odds In Vegas

February 17, 2018

By Brian Wilde

 

The Montreal Canadiens road show continuing in Las Vegas where the Golden Knights have been the surprise of the season this season leading the Pacific Division in points. The Habs have been the biggest surprise of the season the wrong way with what looks like a 30 point drop in the standings. Not much expected for Montreal fans in this one, but that’s why they play the games.

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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.

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  • Patrick Moss says

    Thanks Brian, as always. This year is crazy time and rumors will always always start and spread like brush fire.

    Two thoughts. First, can we please not use “bullet in the chamber” metaphors for hockey articles right now? I know you didn’t mean anything by it and I know you’re heart’s definitely in the right place, but considering the climate, and how raw everyone’s feeling (rightfully) are right now, it’s best to leave that alone.

    Second, and this is hockey related, what’s with the infatuation with Sam Bennett? I don’t get it. Saying he has more points than Pacioretty did at the same age isn’t a fair comparison. Compare his third SEASON with Pacioretty’s and it’s not close. Bennett’s numbers are on a downward trend. I’ve heard you or Grant say “he needs an opportunity,” but he’s only averaging 30 seconds less than Galchenyuk over his career, and as maligned and sidelined as Galchenyuk has been, he has accomplished a great day more. Finally, even though Bennett is a top 5 pick, there are PLENTY of busts who’ve been drafted in the top 5. I don’t see that as an argument in his favor either.

    Hoenstly, I don’t see it at all and would really appreciate what I’m missing and why you and Grant are so high on him exactly. This isn’t a challenge, I honestly want to know what you consider him a viable top 2C.

  • habz24 says

    The biggest problem is the way the draft lottery is currently structured. Habs are playing sleepy shit hockey because the bottom 5 get a chance at thee best draft players. So its a race to the bottom,at home yes they may show a tiny bit more enthusiasim infront of paying fans but on the road its all out drag your ass TANKMODE.
    Its shamefull that this happens and it all can be easily avoided. Simple.insted of the bottom 5 only going into the draft lottery,make it all 15 teams that dont make the playoffs go into the lottery,they draw at ssns end 1-15 boom theres your system. That will make games more competative down the stretch because tanking will be eliminated.until this happens youll see this joke,fake hockey like tonight.blows my mind how nobody else sees this.oh no theres no tanking,theyre pros,ya bullshit. Fix the draft system.

  • Darren Dembicki says

    Game Grades:

    Goaltending: 💩

    Defence: 🤬

    Pacioretty: 🤮

    Drouin: 🤔

    Galchenyuk/Scherbak: 😊

    Gallagher: 😈

    Julien: 😵

    Bergevin: 🙄

  • Adamo Sacchetti says

    Brian here’s the truth. The Habs don’t hire the best for certain jobs and this has cost them dearly in the last quarter-century. The hire the best french-speaking people available, but not the best people. They can’t have Babcock. They can’t have Ray Shero. They can’t have Lamourello. They can’t have Steve Yzerman. They can’t have Larry Robinson. They can’t have Joel Queneville. They can’t have Scottie Bowman today. They can’t have Toe Blake today. The list goes on and on. The Habs are a symptom of the referendum movement of the 1970’s. God forbid mainstream media would voice this, lest they be labelled racist. I’m sick of this shit. If anyone has a contrary opinion, I say this: You are entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.

  • Michael Cordeiro says

    I’ll admit that I was one of the first to hash tag #firebergevin when I read that tweet. Thanks for clearing up that rumor Brian.