david bernardi

I was at the game tonight. Pretty lacklustre effort from the Habs in
attendance. It didn't help that Koivu, Markov, Zednik, and Bulis weren't in
the lineup. The guys who were out there looked like they were just waiting
for the regular season to start.

On a positive note, Komisarek looked great. He is going to be a star, no
doubt about it. He's the total package. He can skate, pass, shoot, hit,
block shots--you name it. By season's end he'll be second on the Habs only
to Markov.

Plekanec is also ready for prime time. He's fast, feisty, and sharp on both
ends of the ice. He is beyond a doubt better than Juneau at this point. If
he isn't on the opening night roster I'll be seriously disappointed.

Hainsey showed very little tonight. He was very tentative and tended to pass
or dump the puck as soon as he got it. I'd be surprised, from what I've seen
this preseason, if he started the year with the Habs. I think his
"blue-chip" status is in jeopardy. Ward and Ryder looked good together and
could comprise two thirds of a decent checking line this season. Higgins and
Perezhogin look like they could use more seasoning. Ferland has no chance of
making the big club this year, IMHO.