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Kovalev gets offer; qualifying offers to RFAs
posted by Kevin Mio at 20h09 EST on Jun 29
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About Kevin Mio
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Kevin Mio
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Kevin Mio is a Montreal Gazette editor who grew up playing hockey, watching the Canadiens every chance he could on television and reading articles about the team by some of the people he works with today. He still remembers going to the Forum with his father to watch the Canadiens and was even fortunate enough to skate on Forum ice with his minor hockey team.
From Mats Naslund to Saku Koivu, he has always enjoyed watching the small, speedy and skilled players, while also admiring the gritty players that are essential to any team’s success.
From his one-on-one interviews with members of the team to a look at other coverage of the Canadiens, he will keep fans posted on their favourite team and looks forward to sharing his love of hockey with other passionate fans.
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Keep the KKT line intact and get the Sedins.
Doesn't matter much who we put with them....we will have 2 excellent lines.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
Too much money to get all 5. We still haven't even addressed our D and we're wrapping up 25 mil per year long term on those guys??
there's always the breeze.
Koivu at about $3.5M, Kovalev at $4M, Tanguay at $5M, and the Sedins at $5.5M each.
$25M or so for 2 lines is not that bad.....we have another $10M or so for our D, so we play mostly young guys with what we have already signed, plus Komi at $4M or let him go.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
It does look possible
HR1...the sedins are looking for more than 5.5m a year try 7-7.5m
Where did you get that? the only contract i read about was 12 years at $63M. That's $5.25M each.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
And I've read that Montreal is one place they'd like to play. No idea if it's true though.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
the kkt line not the kkk line.
Some prospective for day 1 tomorrow…
Last year 31 free agents signed with new teams, notables include: Finger, Huet, Campbell, Commodore, Rolston, Redden, Streit, and Ryder. The year before 23 free agents signed with new teams. Bob is against the clock with his plan, hope he gets some answers with his Plan A’s before his plan B’s (Tanguay and Koivu) are gone.
Fearless prediction: we sign McKee after Komi leaves assuming we can get him at half-price on re-entry waivers.
Fearless prediction 2: he's a more effective player than Komi last year, although he plays the same number of games because of 20+ lost to injury as per his norm.
The only thing a pud like McKee will be good at is fishing the puck out of the net after someone walks around him like the statue he is.
I agree! All the astute GMs in the league often do their free agency shopping at the equivalent of Dollarama!
I hope Bob remains thrifty and doesn't spend too much of the owners money!.
I hope Komisarek doesn't get more than 3 mil. I would rather lose him than pay him more than that. He was completely useless last year. He's basically starting his career all over again next year in my mind. In the season before last, he was very good defensively but was looking for him to make big strides in his offensive game. And I'm talking about moving the puck forward, not necessarily scoring because nobody expects him to do that. However, I didn't think it was possible, but he got worse with the puck and makes some of the worst decisions I have ever seen. After the season he had he barely deserves 2 mil. The only problem is that a lot of idiots in the league are going to throw a lot of money at him if we don't sign him and he might very well turn out like everybody once thought. I just don't want to get stuck with him if he doesn't turn it around. We already wasted 5.5 mil last year on Hammer, that one was a little different because he deserved a contract like that and just didn't perform. Komi deserves nothing and thats what he should get. And don't take this the wrong way, I really want to keep him because I have hope he will be good someday, I just fear giving him a contract he's not going to deserve until 3 years from now.
soooooo we give up on a player who we drafted , developed , help him grow into a force on the blue line. then when he had a bad year we throw him out the door.
Did I say give up on him? I'm just saying the time is now to go for it all with this much money, and to give a lot of it to him after the massive steps backward he took last year would not be a good move.
mrhabby:
Ever hear of the guy named Michael Ryder. The forward who had 3 great years with Monteal & had one bad year.
What happened to him?
oh yeah..i remember him.lol. i agree. teams spend tons of money developing players and then its see ya.
Yes. I am sure that Mr. Gauthier has a chance to get Janne Niiniimaa back from Switzerland to fill Komisarek's void, so all is good!
the idea of giving up on players (some) who are young , not even truly developed yet and throw them away is beyond me.
I think its simple really. Tanguay and Koivu "sort of" underplayed last year. Being injured and all. And what drives contract negociations? Stats. Both of them (maybe not Koivu, did not check) have "lower" stats than last year.
GM and Agents will compare similar players, see what type of contracts they have and go from there. That simple. So Bob waits until July 1st, see what these guys get offered from other teams and if the price is right, he will re-sign them. If the offer is too high : good bye.
I want Koivu and Tanguay back, let's see what happens. I'd give Tanguay the same amount of money he made last year, or maybe a little less but for a longer term (3-4 years). Koivu, he's probably looking for term as well. I would want nothing less than have Koivu retire in a Habs jersey. Sign him for the rest of his career.
If you were looking at it from a management perspective, perhaps the GM should also take a hike after last year's debacle.
Trust me, it won't sit very well with me if we lose Saku? Could you imagine if the Bruins got there grubby little hands on Saku...It sends chills down my spine. It could happen? Claude Julien is the coach and got Ryder to play their. OUCH!!!! OUCH!!!!! What would the FANS think then? I for one would be PISSED!!!!!!! ENOUGH SAID. Just a food for thought? Go Habs Go!!!!!!!!
Julien coached Ryder since Juniors. Little different case.
Have some faith in the GM.
He always gets his players at free agency.
Look at how he managed to steal Tom Kostopolous away from the Kings. Sergei Samsonov from the Oilers and Big George Laraque, PETA spokesman from Pittsburgh!
Looks like Zubov will not be resigning in Dallas. Forget about Schneider, Zubov is a puck moving and PP Grand Master!!
zubov has many miles on the engine ..getting him to perfom in dallas is one thing but montreal is another thing.
So does Schneider. I think signing a Beauchemin and a Zubov is a definate upgrade from a Komi and a Schneider. For about the same $$$ too!
Imagine these pairings on Defence:
Markov-Beauchemin
Hamrlik-Zubov
Gorges-O'Byrne/Weber
Pretty impressive!
you forgot breeze
I don't know... he's getting up there in age, and he's fairly injury prone.
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Montreal: Home to the worst fans in sports.
Thumbs up. Just noticed he was out there yesterday and is now on my list to watch until tommorow. Let's hope we make him a good offer. That would mean no Komi though.
Hab Cap Space.
The cap is set at 56.8M this year which makes it appear that Montreal has about 33M to spend. That may not be necessarily true. Gainey will have to subtract 1.8M for injuries and late season trades which leaves us at 55M. Using some backward mapping budgeting, he will also have to subtract 4M for an anticipated cap drop in 2010 and another 4M to re-sign RFAs (Price, Sk74, Laps, Halak) for 2010 in terms of pay raises. He can still spend this money in 2009 but I would refer to that as strictly short term (one year) cap spending (8M). Some examples of this would be Lang, Schneider, Chipchura, Dandy, Stewart, and RFA raises. That leaves 23M for long term cap spending which could be used to chase players such as Kovy, Tanguay, Komo, the Sedins, Gaborik etc. Failure to budget this way could turn us into the Rangers or Flyers in very short order. As well, one breakout year by MaxPac or Sergei could lead to a Bolland like contract which would have to fit into our budget.
24...as far as the drop goes that can somewhat be addressed with short a short term contract or two with an aging vet like schneider/chelios and maybe even a guy like Kovy or Hammer (possible buyout if need be as I can see that happening to a lot of older guys next year........the waiver wires will be busy IMO). By then we should have mcdonaugh ready for sure and at least one other forward whose affordable salary could ease that pain....that'll obviously be the importance of the farm system in a cap world). As far as the 1.8 or so for the deadline......perhaps given Gainey's cautious nature he will do that....I don't seeit as a necessity though....from what I have seen cap issues haven't exactly ruined the Flyers and even the Penguins who were forced to sit guys out managed to overcome those. If you are up against the cap then you may have to shed one semi important player...now worse than an injury in the grand scheme of things...and if there is a long term injury cap space is created again.....if a player is available who is worth the cons that come with being up against the cap ...I go for it....total risk/reward thing on that last little bit of coin IMO....but then again....Gainey is Gainey and will always err on the side of caution.
So you're saying Gainey is going to wait until next year to get aggressive with free agents because the cap may drop?
Rich - Not at all. Let's split the difference on the 4M cap drop which would give us 25M for long term free agent signings. I'm assuming we are now re-signing Kovy, let's say for 5M. So that puts us at 20M. Depending on salary, you could probably get 4 players with that amount of money. So then the question becomes, which ones do you choose and how do you break it down in terms of forwards and Dmen?
Bill Guerin received 2mil from Pittsburgh for one year. That certainly sets the upper limit max on what we would pay for Lang to come back for a year. Key words being one year.
?? why does that definitely set the max on Lang?
Guerin, Lang, and Tkachuk are all basically the same type of player at this point in their careers. They are hired guns in their late 30's who act as mercenaries to roam from team to team to help provide veteran experience while squeezing out another year on their career at decent coin. Last year the bar was around 4M, this year Tkachuk and Guerin have settled for half their previous salaries. Lang should be in the same situation, especially in light of his injury from last year. As well, signing Lang would probably be a white flag that we are still weak at centre and have no choice but to turn to a 39 year old. His play was admirable last year, but come on, are we moving forward or not?
Johnny Oduya just re-signed with New Jersey for 3mil a year.
And Komi wants 5 mil+ for a long term deal. Good luck! Thank you uncle Lou for setting the proper market for D-men this year. 2-2.5 mil for Lang for 1 year. In a heart beat.
if only...
Trades:
Jokinen --> Plekanec, 4th rounder
Kaberle --> rights to Komisarek, D'Agostini, Chipchura, Fischer, 1st rounder
UFA Signings:
Sedins 6M (6-8 years) or 5.25M (10-12 years)
Lang 2M (1 year)
RFA Signings:
Barker 4M (5-6 years)
Higgins 2M (4-5 years)
D'Agostini 0.875M (2-3 years)
Stewart 0.75M (2-3 years)
Latendresse 2M (3-4 years)
* If Lang is unavailable or not in form, then we stick with Metropolit. If he is, sign him and buy out or trade Metropolit. Or keep him as a spare.
Sedin Sedin AK46
SK74 Jokinen Pacioretty
Latendresse Lapierre Stewart
Higgins Lang Laraque/Weber
Markov Kaberle
Hamrlik Barker
Gorges O'Byrne/Weber
Price Halak
Can't sign D'Agostini if you are also planning on trading him for Kaberle. Also...maybe it's just me, but I am totally not into Jokinen.
Though I am all for the Sedins at this point.
WOW, talk about throwing a sold sign on the farm !!!!!
Are you sure your not mixing up Kaberle with Lidstrom? Might as well give them Price, Kostitsyn's and Pacioretty while your at it.
This sounds like an NHL 09 trade: Jokinen for Pleks? In a heartbeat. But, do you really think Sutter is as stupid as Milbury?
Kaberle will be traded west if there are teams willing to overpay. For the moment, Kaberle stays put. Offensive D-man for less than $5 mil are rare.
Barker probably won't be let go by Chicago. Definitely an "if only" post, sanj91.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
NHL 09 trade: I like it.
My Hab forwards (in NHL 09) are as follows (i'm in 2011-2012)
Getzlaf - Kane - Hemsky
Kopitar - Morrow - Plekanec
Little - Dawes - 1st overall pick in '10
2nd overall pick in '10 - Higgins - 1st overall pick in 2011
And I still have cap room to spend!
Of course, I still have Komisarek. He happened to win the Norris last year.
Oh, and Getzlaf has 78 goals this year, with 7 games to play in the Reg season.
I knew even before posting that the Kaberle trade was highly unlikely. Teh more likely alternative is signing Beauchemin or Ohlund. However, I believed the Jokinen trade to be pretty realistic. Calgary needs to dump salary. Jokinen did not perform. They're getting a 2nd line center back, plus a pick, plus they subtract about 3M in cap space.
Kaberle --> rights to Komisarek, D'Agostini, Chipchura, Fischer, 1st rounder?????? Why not a kick to the junk as well?
sholi2000.com God Bless Our Infantry 2PPCLI
Lotsa rumours out there. Question is, which ones are true, and which ones are leverage? And which ones are BS! I hope the Sedins DO end up Habs. These guys are really good, rarely are injured and have great chemistry. Vinny be damned!
~ Listen to the smart dog - he knows his poop!
NOOOOOOOOOO SEDINSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
... Rob Blake has signed for another year at 3.5 million by the Sharks.
We should sign Ole-Kristian Tollefsen from Columbus! Big defensive d-man who will be great to have against Boston, Toronto and Philly. Maybe he wont be a regular, but we should let Brisbois retire and give Tollefsen the spot. He could play about 50 games a year and be happy with that. We would be able to sign him for about 800K. What do you guys think? It would take a lot of heat off Komisarek (who I hope will sign today!). Tollefesen would take the fights that Laraque wont take because of his "code".
HFN - I just read about Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and have followed him the past year or so and have nothing but nice things to say about him. He has sandpaper which we lack and the price is right for our 7th D and he's a stay at home type which we need. This organization should reach outside the box and sign someone like Ole rather than soft puck moving D. In my book he is in the running and on my short list for that spot. IMO Komo has played his last game for the Habs and i even think the supposed 4 million they offered him is too much.
Then we agree on one thing :) But I think a 5 year 20-22 mill deal for Komi would be good! I would just love to see Komi and Tollefsen against the Bruins. Tollefsen would probably shake up Lucic a bit!
Our most efficient and productive line last year?
1st line of Tanguay - Koivu - Kovalev.
We should aim to resign all three, then bring in the other new/big names.
If/once the new names arrive, do not alter Koivu's line (hoping that they would remain here with us).
Shift the lines between first and second regarding each line's performance and production, but at all costs, try hard to keep this line.
I guess this is one disadvantage of having so many free agent contracts finishing in the same year. Not enough time to give everybody offers before the july 1 deadline.
Not enough time? You mean like it wasn't possible to sign someone like Komisarek during the season? It's Gainey's "policy" of not signing players during the season that is the problem.
Enjoy tomorrow as the Habs end up with SFA in the UFA thanks to Bob.
All this money to spend and free agents are still going to tell Bob to shove it up his ***.
Komisarek was consistently the WORST player on the ice last year. Worst passer in the league by far. Was most likely injured most of the season. Put up no points. Couldn't defend 3 liners. Lucic whooped him several times. Thought the first time was a fluke because of his shoulder, but he showed us in the playoffs that he's pretty useless. I loved this guy up till the end of last year when I realized how horrible he was with the puck and now think he needs to make vast improvements to his game to get a big contract and be looked as a top D-man in the league. So tell me why Gainey's such an idiot for leaving sooooo much room with soooo many UFA's out there, check the list, there's a lot of valuable guys out there that could be available. Your probably a guy that complained about the draft too when all we need is big forwards and that's all they picked were big strong forwards but you probably complained that they didn't get a superstar or an nhl ready player. Too many idiots on this site. Take Exit716 and beat it if your gonna say stupid *** like this.
I usually just ignore his troll-like comments. Little value in any of them. But it bothers me when his potty mouth comes out. He really shouldn't drink before 4 PM.
Hey, we put up with your sour attitude but we don't have to put up with your foul language. You can be a grouch without swearing. Try it or get out.
Spoken like a true fan. (sarcasm)
You love Burke so much, why aren't you a fan of the laffs?
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
Enjoy the Cincinnati Canadiens next year.
Gainey is going to lose out again.
It's not a matter of having enough time. Instead, you tender offers to the players that you probably don't want to lose. If you make an offer to everyone, and they all accept, then you leave yourself little wiggle room to add a free agent from another team after July 1st.
it's getting close. today should be a big day.
glad to hear the Kovalev offer from Gainey's mouth. i would love Tanguay to be the 3rd UFA to be signed, though. and Bob has been dealing with five teams in the past couple of days--awesome to see him be active.
I wholeheartedly agree about Tanguay. I'd really like Koivu to stay, too.
Chuck - You snd J.T. must have a Habs bobble head collection version 2008 that you don't want to break up.
The talk here in the West Coast(which is by far the most beautiful place on this shrinking planet) is all about the Sedins going to the greatest team in pro sports...Les Canadiens .Another dead on prediction by Xtrahabsfan on it's mark....DAM I'M GOOD!!!!!
They aren't signed yet, Nostrodamus.
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Beliveau is the best that ever was.
...Steve ...I believe the Sedins are indebted loyalty wise to Burke ...if they sign outside of Vancouver ...it would be ...unfortunately with the Leaves
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
The Sedins are so overrated. Won't be a weel before all the people who thought Koivu sucked would be begging for him to come back. They have zero grit, and just aren't good enough to be the top line on a contending team.
Have you watched them play throughout the year(s)?
I did (I live near Vancouver) and you're 100% wrong. They're not the fist fighting kind if by "zero grit" you mean that. However, they're not afraid to go in the corners, in front of the goal and fight for the puck. Their puck possession, passing and scoring is excellent and they're defensively minded as well. They missed, if I'm not mistaken, 7 games total so far since they were drafted 8 years ago
They have been 80+ points scorers for the last five years in a row (I don't think Vinny can claim that). What else do you want?
In canucks playoff run this year they were their best players (each had 10 points). Luongo was the one that tanked against chicago.
Before you pass judgement get your facts straight.
Ali B.
Wow I though Montrealers were bad with Price...Luongo tanked it? If it weren't for Luongo you guys wouldn't even have made the playoffs...Holy *** man I don't know what games you watched...The team couldn't adjust to Chicago's style of play...they couldn't keep up pace...don't go blaming Luongo...
Knowing is Half the Battle...
...I will back You on THAT Ali ...Right On ...NOTHING wrong with the Sedins character
...BUT they won't become Habs ...if Burke is Anywhere close to Our offer ...they will be Leaves ...or re-sign with Vancouver
...if they sign with Us I will be VERY surprised
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
For the salaries they're asking for, and the term, it would be absolute insanity. They put up 1st line points for a first or second round knock out team. I would rather pay players like Koivu and Tanguay half what the sedins want for less than half the term and not tank our team within 5 years. They'll put up slightly less points but actually take LEADERSHIP roles which I've never seen the Sedins do in Vancouver. Whenever a clutch goal is needed it's always Burrows, Kesler or before he retired, Trevor Linden. I don't see the grit in the corners that you see, from what I've seen Henrik basically hangs around the perimeter to pass to Daniel in the slot and that's about their only move. I also think it's a big problem that in so many years Vancouver hasn't found a single person who can produce with them on a line for a full year.
As for facts, you might want to check yours before sounding so cocky. They haven't been 80+ point scorers for ANY years in a row. They've both topped 80 points two times, last year and 2006-07. 5 years includes the year before the lockout, in which they were 50 point scorers. Henrik had his best year so far last year, but regularly he averages about 12 goals a season. How in the world can you justify giving a guy 6.5 million per season for 12 goals? TWELVE! I don't want Lecavalier either, because his contract is disgusting and way too long, and it would cost way too many assets to aquire him, but at least Montreal would have it's french canadian star it's been missing for so long. The Sedins do what? perhaps get us an extra two wins in the regular season, but Vancouver hasn't done anything of note in their careers. They've also missed 24 combined games since they were draftyed, not 7, but that's still very respectable. They've only missed one game since the lockout. But you are mistaken, very much so.
Spending stupid amounts on free agents for short term MINOR gains is stupid, and let's hope Gainey doesn't make this mistake.
Thank you...I couldn't agree more and had to argue with two other knuckleheads who think they're going to sign here for 5.5 mil/yr...when according to TSN...the canucks offered 6.3 and they're holding off that offer...
Knowing is Half the Battle...
I hear your point and agree in not spending huge bucks and overpaying for UFA's in general. I think this would not be the case for the Sedins, however. First of all, we need some top line players on this team (it's been a while) and in today's NHL they are top line players. They are reportedly asking for 12 year/ 63 million dollar deals, representing a cap hit of 5.5 million each per season. Very reasonable for top 15 scorers in the league. The term is too long I think, but maybe can be brought down some, in length. (7 or 8 years?) Even at that, I like them much better than Koivu and Tanguay on this team, who BTW, would never take half of what the Sedins make. They made 4.75 and 5.5 million last year. I do like both those players, but the Sedins are just better, and by quite a bit. Good all around players who probably will even get better.
Bottom line is we need players on this team and top line guys. Every team has multiple 5 million dollar plus players on their teams. Many have 7 million dollar plus players. That is just the market for 1st line guys. I think paying them around what they are looking for and having them on our team will provide the Habs with much more than "minor gains" and will far from cripple the team going forward, in relation with what they will bring. We can't just have a team of 3 million dollar guys. That's where we've been in terms of quality and have been Perennial "middle of the packers". We need a bold new direction and this is the best there is right now. Save money for Kovalchuk next year and then we have the best line in the league for years to come ;-)
well said a berke.
Actually if you would have done a lick of research you'd realize it wasn't well said at all. In fact he made up almost everything he said.
On the contrary i dont think the Sedins are over rated at all.I live on the west coast and have been to alot of Canucks games over the last two seasons and the brothers Sedin are terrific hockey players.They have fantastic chemistry.Both are extremely hard to knock off the puck as they always seem to have it on a string.I would take them over Lecavalier any day.They aren wussy's either.They do provide a little grit and good defensively as well.Plus both are entering their prime.BG please go get these 2 ....it would be a awesome,trust me,they are really really good players.Peeeeesowt Homies!!!
"That means Saku Koivu and Alex Tanguay will have to wait until after July 1 before receiving any offers from the Canadiens, the French-language sports network says."
No, it means they have to wait a MINIMUM one day longer than Kovalev.. IF true, as in June 30th or longer..
Did someone cut out of day of June without telling me?
Really, eh.
Panic in Montreal!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999
We all better hope Bpb's computer doesn't crash!! He only communicates through e-mail.
If he does nothing, which I hope he does not, he should step down. he would be great on the Simpsons as he looks and acts like Krusty the clown.
"The Canadiens win the Stanley Cup"
Anyone who thinks Koivu won't get offers from other teams on July 1st is freakin crazy.
IMO he will get serious offers from Minnesota and Anaheim.
By offering Pleks a contract, Koivu is pretty much a done deal in Montreal.
It's a real shame because I would have really liked for him to finish his career in Montreal (and I'm sure he would've liked it also). Unfortunately getting underappreciated for a decade and a half has finally caught up with him. I hope he goes somewhere where people respect what a great person/hockey player he is and realize he can't win the Stanley Cup on his own.
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Koivu for Prime Minister :)
as pleks is an RFA...giving him a qualifying offer keeps him as an asset for the team...it doesn't spell out koivu's end...it just says...we might as well keep plekanec since we can and bait him in a trade.
- Pride + Envy = Second Place