truebluefan

With each passing game, we hear more and more criticism aimed at the man child that is Guillame Latendresse. My question is, "What was everyone expecting, a 50 goal season?" Being a 20 year old French Canadian playing for the Habs brings with it expectations that no 20 year old could measure up to (Okay, maybe one could...). It has been years since the Habs had a true French Canadian scoring threat. Think about it.....how far back do we go? The last time a French Canadian led the team in scoring was Yanic Perreault back in 01-02 and that was only because Koivu was out getting cancer treatment. Perreault's 56 points was a truly forgetable acheivement. So, who before that, Stephane Richer? The point being, the fans in Montreal have been lusting after a French Hero to lead the Habs back to glory, and many have annointed Latendresse as "La Prochaine" (The next one).

So, what has happened? Latendresse is pretty much on track to put up similar numbers as he did in his rookie year. He is still no natural scoring threat, still has some defensive skills to work on, still doesn't use his weight enough, but still shows those few minutes every game where he looks like he belongs in the NHL. So, basically he looks like a 20 year old kid that should be working on his game in Hamilton, not at The Bell Centre. The problem is that Montreal is not a patient hockey town; Latendresse was given some space last year; we applauded his successess, forgave him his shortcomings. Well Guillame, your 12 month honeymoon is over, welcome to the hockey town that is Montreal. Born in Quebec you say? Ever hear of Guy Lafleur? I hope so, because no matter what you do, it will never be enough. I feel bad for the guy, as I did when Mickey Ribs finally called it quits on the Montreal Hockey Circus. I did notice that Mickey is currently leading the Stars in scoring and I was not surprised in the least. Now that he is free of the impossible pressure in Montreal, he seems to have found his rhtymn.

So how long will it be before the Media drives Latendresse from the hockey shrine on Ste Catherine street? I cannot see how he can develop his game playing in Montreal without being second guessed every step of the way. Guy Carbonneau should take advantage of Latendresse's current sore back and ship the kid back to Hamilton for a few weeks of "conditioning". A few weeks of confidence boosting would do him a world of good, but more importantly, being able to breathe normally for a few weeks away from the Montreal Media would be even better for his mental health and the long term probability that he stays in Montreal, because if things remain the way they are, Guillame will be working on his english language skills sooner rather than later.


Paul Alexander

Æn7ropy

I can't stand him anymore, he doesn't do the effort, he's confused on his role and constantly f***'s up. He needs to be sent to Hamilton to regain himself.

If you don't score, you hit, if you don't hit you better as hell skate in the passing\shooting lanes. He doesn't do any of those, I wonna see Lapierre back who's just tearing up the american league and has learned his lesson.

habschick

Lantendresse right now is pretty much useless. I say send him down to the the minors (or bench him) and bring up Lapierre or someone who can take his spot.

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Æn7ropy

I'm seriously starting to think that Carbo can't due to orders from above (director of marketing or something)due to the simple fact that he's a young French Canadian (it's not stereotyping, I'm french canadian :P ). Look at the "uproar" (mostly from the media though not the population) when Lapierre was sent down.

I'm tired of the "he's young he needs time" crap, in the NHL you either perform or you let someone else play, kindergarten's over.

hockeyboy14

When Wellwood pushes you off the puck, you know you have a problem.

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Æn7ropy

While Saku hammers Ponikarovsky on his arse and gets away with the puck at the end of the first hehehe, I mean if he watches Saku do it and isn't inspired... I'm sorry but he's gotta be put to the pastures. The whole team is working while he finds excuses and is lost. He needs to get the point that it's not really just about goals, you gotta hit hard, drop in front of the puck or dog dang it if you have to drop the gloves, he's not 150 pounds jeez

Hell I'll get demolished but if I get the chance to play for the habs and it means dropping the gloves against big George (laraque or perros you choose) I sure as hell will if it means wearing the sainte flannel, yes even if it's just 2 minutes play 600 stitches and 5 minutes penalty.

Canuck

I really pisses me off when they send a guy like Maxim Lapierre down to the Minors when he works his ass off every single game he plays with the big club and actually get scoring chances and causes them. Like this guy would be a force on Montreal if the retards would keep him up there. He would be 10x more usefull than Latendresse right now. Were starting to see Latendresse be more aware out there now, hopefully he starts playing better.

But for Christ Sake call up Lapierre and keep him up.

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Æn7ropy

I agree but I understand that Lapierre is a 3rd-4th liner while Latendresse is ranked as a scorer so you have to give him more leeway but Jesus there are limits. Lapierre when he doeshn't score at least he hits if not he's in front of a puck if not he's pesting Crosby to the box.

Also Latendresse might need some Boxing lessons, I mean he's gonna get hurt real bad if he keeps going in scruffles and looking away when pushing someone. He grabs people but looks away, it's a good way to get suckered.

powerforward41

I agree with giving Lapierre time with the Habs, but Latendresse proved he could produce last season, and he is a hard worker. Now that Kostopolous (spelling?) is suspended, it will give someone *hint, hint* a chance to fill that in.

Æn7ropy

That someone was grabovski, meh

Latendress is hardly a hard worker, he often does two strides in the direction f the puck then stops before making more strides, he's rarely hitting, he's scared to really go fight and when he does he can't look at the otehr player in the face. He doesn't score to the standard he's expected to when he was on higher lines and never ever drops in front of the puck, hell when a player winds up he's no where to be seen.

I'm sorry, I know he's just a kid but this is the NHL you either do your job or leave the spot to someone who will and the habs are one of the top scouting teams in the league so there's plenty of players waiting for their chance.

I say bring up O'Byrne, he's got size and grit and the habs need it badly plus he can play. Oh crap sorry he's not from the Quebec province and it's bad for Marketing...






f_____ing separatists