8 games in... Where do we stand?

Our beloved Habs are playing very well right now. Here are some early season thoughts on each player currently on the roster:

Forwards:

Steve Begin: 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating. Steve had a slow start to the season, but since he was scratched for one game he's taken his game to another level.

Kyle Chipchura: 1 goal, o assists, +1 rating. Chips seems to be making good progress getting used to the NHL game. Playing solid defensive hockey, but still making some mistakes.

Mikhail Grabovski: 1 goal, 1 assist, even rating. Grabovski started slow, but it seems like he has found his home on the wing (not centre). Good talent and great speed. Lots of potential.

Chris Higgins: 3 goals, 4 assists, +2 rating. Higgins is playing great hockey. He's working hard every shift and seems completely invested in the success of the Canadiens.

Saku Koivu: 2 goals, 6 assists, +3 rating. Saku has been playing hard and winning tons of face-offs. He continues to be a great leader and a great player.

Andre Kostitsyn: 1 goal, 0 assists, even rating. Kostitsyn is the odd man out right now. He didn't make a great impression during his first few games, but look for him to try and prove himself when he next makes it into the lineup.

Tom Kostopolous: 0 goals, 2 assists, -2 rating. Tom made some very costly mistakes early, but he's now playing with a purpose and using his size. Looking like a valuable 4th liner.

Alex Kovalev: 4 goals, 3 assists, +2 rating. Kovy seems more interested in winning than ever. He's doing what we all expect him to do and maybe even a bit more.. Lets hope he continues it.

Guy Latendresse: 1 goal, 0 assists, -1 rating. Guy had a brutal start to the season. He responded well to being benched and is starting to use is size to his advantage. The jury is still out on 'his tendreness', but hopefully he can live up to our expectations.

Garth Murray: Murray has only played one game and is currently sidelined due to injury.

Tomas Plekanec: 1 goal, 5 assists, -1 rating. Pleks is getting better with every game. He's showing great vision and has the potential to be a real force for the Habs as we move forward.

Michael Ryder: 1 goal, 3 assists, even rating. Ryder is really struggling right now. Don't give up on him just yet, but don't be surprised if you hear that Bob Gainey is shopping him around.

Bryan Smoliski: 1 goal, 2 assists, -1 rating. Smokes has been a great surprise so far for the Habs. Doing well in the face-off circle and on the penalty kill. He's playing his role nicely.

Defence:

Francis Bouillon: 0 goals, 0 assists, +2 rating. Franky is playing decent hockey. No glaring weaknesses night now but certainly could be playing better.

Patrice Brisebois: 1 goal, 2 assists, even rating. The breezer is making a few too many mistakes in his own zone, but he's working hard and desperately wants to succeed. We'll see...

Mathieu Dandenault: 1 goal, 1 assist, even rating. I'm loving Dandy as a forward. He's skating well, using his size and doing a good job on the penalty kill.

Josh Gorges: Odd man out on the crowded blue line. He's only played one game this season and didn't look ready for the NHL just yet. I could be wrong, but looks like he needs some work.

Roman Hamrlik: 1 goal, 4 assists, +2 rating. Playing great defensive hockey and even chipping in offensively. He isn't making mistakes and looks very calm and comfortable out there. Great pickup by Gainey.

Mike Komisarek: 0 goals, 1 assist, +2 rating. Komi's been excellent thus far. He's been playing a very physical game and intimidating the opposition. Keep it up Komi.

Andrei Markov: 3 goals, 3 assists, even rating. Who thought we should have kept Souray over Markov this off season? If you did, you now see why Gainey made the choice he did. Markov is playing very well.

Mark Streit: 1 goal, 3 assists, -3 rating. Streit has yet to find his game this season. I don't know what the answer is, but he needs to step it up a notch.

That's it for now...

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