[AMA Thread] Eric Engels – Sportsnet (9pm ET tonight)

9 comments

1. Eric, huge fan thank you so much for stopping by.

   As someone who’s covered the Canadiens org so closely for so many years, what’s been the main fundamental change overall with the new management group that has had the biggest positive impact as far as you’ve witnessed? It seems like Montreal went from an undesirable, negative pressure-cooker of trials and tribulations, to an upbeat, modern and sought-after organization and locker room to be a part of, from the bottom to the top. Everyone willing to run through a wall for eachother, be it management, coaches or players, and it’s attracting attention from the league’s stars in a market that has traditionally been difficult to generate that sort of buzz.

   I know this is a result of several things together, but if you had to choose one keystone I’d love to hear your thoughts.

   Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, we’re very grateful for the opportunity!

2. Hey Eric,

   I asked Arpon in his AMA who will get the most goals this season between Caufield and Laine ([here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Habs/s/a9HMEAtY2D)) – he picks one, I’ll take the other, and loser buys a round of beers in the playoffs. He chose Caufield, are you doubling down on Caufield leading Laine in goals?

   If so, I’m prepared to either buy you both beers or get drunk in the playoffs.

3. Hey Eric, I was curious what your thoughts are on a player like Kapanen making the team out of camp this year if he continues to have a great pre-season? I understand that wouldn’t happen if they were keeping him as an extra, but could he realistically beat out Evans or even Dvorak for their job?

   If a player like Dvorak isn’t looking great, could he be one of the extra forwards? Could he possibly be sent to Laval? I obviously would like to see Dvorak have a bounce back year, but I don’t see him on the team after this season and I don’t see his value being very high in a trade considering his salary and play since becoming a Hab.

   Thanks Eric. Love your coverage of the Habs. Very even keeled and it’s nice to have a voice of reason in a market of perpetual highs and lows.

4. Hi Eric,

   Really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to help shed some light on our favourite team. I’ve got 2 questions:

   1- Considering the heavy competition for our D-core what are your predictions for our starting 6?

   2- Who do you believe is maybe one of our less talked about guys that is primed for a big year?

   Thanks!

5. Who is your favorite habs player?

6. Always enjoy your reporting and also your appearances on Sick with Tony.

   Just wondering, what’s been the most interesting conversation you’ve had so far in camp, whether it was with a player or someone on staff, or perhaps the most interesting thing you’ve witnessed to this point.

   Thanks for coming to the sub.

7. Hey Eric,

   Thanks & wishing you the best of stories this season!

   Once, I randomly met a very famous past team captain at an RBC…oh the irony. He was just a regular customer and I almost said something but I decided knowing that it was him was good enough…then I asked the teller he was at before me, just to make sure.

   You must have had some various interesting fan or player encounters over the years, what’s the funniest story or the best story you’d like to relay? Cheers.

8. Hey Eric,

   Ever have any questions you really don’t want to ask? You know you’ll upset the player of management but you still have to fire it off?

   All the best.

9. Hey Eric.

   Do you have any theories behind the correlation between how teams structure their salaries and team success? Do teams need those big stars, or do you think the handicap they receive from big salaries makes them sacrifice too much depth to succeed?