2008 Offseason: Habs Edition

Post #21 » by **spykelee** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 5:35 am

so the canucks offered sundin 20 mil for 2 years... I dunno, even though thats a flattering contract, the canucks aren't close to a cup, and seemingly have no connection with sundin, I don't think they stand a chance. I really think that if he comes back, he's in toronto... money isn't really the issue, it's where his heart is

Other than that, I liked the Kostitsyn deal as well. That's more than reasonable for sure. It did suck to let Streit walk, and after not signing any of the big names on day 1, and putting all our eggs in the sundin basket, I'm hopeful Sundin accepts but if he doesn't, it will likely be very close to the same team back next year, not that that's a bad thing, but still...

sh00n · Post #22 » by **sh00n** » Wed Jul 2, 2008 10:35 pm

It looks like Sundin isn't going anywhere for the time being. He's not looking for cash, he wants to win if he comes back.

Post #23 » by **Snayr** » Thu Jul 3, 2008 8:13 pm

Yup... looks like Sundin is taking his time as far as a decision goes. Too bad to see Streit go too... signed a very nice contract with the Islanders. Anyways no onto the most recent news. The Montreal Canadiens have signed Georges Laraque to a 3 year deal worth 4.5 million dollars... and Marc Denis to a one year two way contract.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242393

The Canadiens have also traded Mikhail Grabovski to the Maple Leafs in return for Greg Pateryn and a 2010 2nd round pick.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=2 ... -canadiens

Post #24 » by **spykelee** » Fri Jul 4, 2008 5:24 am

Like the grabovski trade. There just wasn't any opportunity for ice time in MTL, and I'll take an 18 year old defensemen and a 2nd round pick for him. The Laraque signing is huge. We desperetely needed some toughness, that couldn't have been evidenced anymore than in that philly series. And Laraque is actually a quality player as well as a top notch enforcer. He can net you a few points and isn't as much of a liabilty as some other strictly enforcers. I love his comment on how he elbowed Boulion last year and nobody did anything about it... Quality signing, and if anything, I think we could almost use another 1 of these guys.

Dont mind the marc denis signing as well. provides descent enough back up ability should either of halak or price get injured or struggle etc.

sh00n · Post #25 » by **sh00n** » Sat Jul 5, 2008 6:55 pm

LOVE the Laraque signing. This guy is going to be huge for us this year, I can't understand why he didn't get more ice time for the Pens in the playoffs.

Maybe the Denis signing is a sign of Halak getting packaged to bring in another scorer?

Here's hoping!

Rumors in Montreal are saying the Habs are going after Bertuzzi for a one year deal. I'd be all over that if I'm Gainey, I don't see Todd asking for much given his recent performances the last few years.

Post #26 » by **Snayr** » Sat Jul 5, 2008 10:59 pm

As long as we know Sundin will NOT be joining us, or if we know we have enough cap space to also sign Sundin (ex: Signing Bertuzzi on the cheap) then I am all for it. I don't think Halak will be traded, Denis is just insurance incase one of our goalies goes down, or we can't re-sign Halak.

Also, this is a little article about Streit signing with the Isles:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/is ... ?track=rss

sh00n · Post #27 » by **sh00n** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 5:30 am

DAMN IT! Bertuzzi to the Flames.

Post #28 » by **Celtics_Champs** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 2:02 pm

Larauqe vs Lucic. Wow. Adding more to the rivalry. :clap:

Just came over here to ask your guys take on Ryder? Do you still think he has the capability of 30 goal seasons, or was last year when he was in the doghouse a preview of what he will be like for the bruins?

Post #29 » by **Snayr** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 3:16 pm

I'll say this about Ryder... he's not worth the 4 mill/season he's getting. However, that being said... Julien gets the best out of him usually so... he'll getchya 20-25 goals probably. He's got a great shot, and that's about it.

sh00n · Post #30 » by **sh00n** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 4:31 pm

Ryder can score and that's all he can do. In most likelihood, he'll be the Bruins' best scorer next season, but he's getting paid way too much to do it. He always tries to do too much with the puck and turns it over, and he's a horrible passer. He'll have a game with a hat trick then have three games with no production at all.

Post #31 » by **Celtics_Champs** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 5:48 pm

Oh ok. Thanks. Yeah, he was overpaid, but who isn't? So your saying, he has a great shot, but doesn't have many other tools to his game? That is fine, I just want someone who can put the puck in the net!

Post #32 » by **Snayr** » Tue Jul 8, 2008 8:51 pm

Yeah he is an extremely streaky scorer. He'll go long stretches where you won't even notice that he is out there on the ice unless he turns the puck over yet again.

Anyways, on the Habs side of things:

The Canadiens have re-signed RFA Jaroslav Halak to a 2 year deal worth 1.5 million! WOW! I have to say that is one heck of a great signing by Gainey to retain Halak for that little!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242836& ... lines_main

Post #33 » by **Snayr** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:41 pm

Habs have re-signed Gorges to a 3 year 3.3 million dollar contract. Another great signing by Gainey! (Cool fact: My cousin Jessica is friends with Gorges)

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242944& ... dlines_nhl

sh00n · Post #34 » by **sh00n** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:48 am

Love the Gorges signing. Super cheap, and he has potential to be something special still. If only he didn't turn into a dummy some times on the ice. He'll make 3 nice plays then out of nowhere make a stupid pass that ends up in either a goal or a nice scoring chance for the other team.

Post #35 » by **Snayr** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:35 am

Habs made a minor trade today, trading Corey Locke to the Wild for Dman Shawn Belle...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243160

sh00n · Post #36 » by **sh00n** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:28 pm

Not a big fan of the Locke trade, I liked Locke a lot.

In other news, Sundin has supposedly contacted Vancouver and Montreal and told them to put their best offer forward and he'll decide in 7-10 days. o___o

And Vancouver blew a big chunk of their cap on Bernier and Demitra, so this could bode well for us; especially if he does want a Cup.

Post #37 » by **Snayr** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:09 am

Yeah... I don't get why we need any more Dmen... we're loaded with young talent there right now. However Locke was never going to get a crack with us so... he's better off in minny.

As for that Sundin bit, that's interesting. Hadn't heard that yet. *Fingers crossed he's looking for that cup*

sh00n · Post #38 » by **sh00n** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:57 am

In other news, Gainey is also looking at grabbing Shanahan, who almost signed with us if it hadn't been for a flight problem and the Rangers calling him. He had schools picked for his kids and everything in Montreal, but I think something was wrong with his wife's ticket and they couldn't let her on board. By chance the Rangers called him and got him a flight to New York, and he signed. Sigh.

Plan B if Sundin/Shanahan can't be acquired is Patrick Marleau via trade.

Gainey's supposedly also interested in Teppo Numminen and Mathieu Schneider.

Post #39 » by **Snayr** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:46 pm

Yeah I've heard all of that... and I've also been told to be on the lookout for either Dandy or Begin being traded for picks this week, to make a little room salary wise, for Sundin. If that happens, we're all but guaranteed that he's signing with the Habs.

sh00n · Post #40 » by **sh00n** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:28 pm

Hmm. Not sure how I feel about that. . . I can deal with Dandenault leaving but he's still a cool guy. Losing Begin would suck though. . .

YOUR MATS TODAY REPORT
Today in Sundin...I am being told more and more that Mats is going to return to the NHL and a source this morning told me that, "He will be Canadien by week's end, and the Habs know it. It is being kept quiet so the team can make the needed moves to clear cap space without teams being able to completely take advantage"