RDS is reporting that disgruntled Canadiens forward Sergei Kostitsyn will finally join the Hamilton Bulldogs on Tuesday after refusing to report to the AHL team last week after being cut from the Canadiens during training camp.
Sportsnet is reporting that the Canadiens made a deal with Kostitsyn to have him report to the Bulldogs in exchange for promising a trade to a new NHL team.
And Franccois Gagnon reports that SK74's two-way contract would pay him $585,000 – with the possibility of $265,000 in bonuses – were he to stay in Montreal, while his Bulldogs salary is $65,000 .... less than a Montreal bus driver.
sergei has raw talent but he thinks he's ready for the big leagues now. no sergei it takes a while to develop. first thing he has to do is drop the yo yo yo young punk attitude and be mr. yes sir yes sir three bags full sir guy. whatever.
In my opinion, Sergei's days are numbered in Montreal, he blew it here.
If he is to play, I repeat, if he is to play in the NHL, he'll have to prove it in Hamilton and show some teams that are interested in him.
I'm sure his agent Don Meehan has advised him as well to go to Hamilton and go play your best.
I really see no team interested in him based on his minimal games he's played in in Montreal and only 38 games or so in Hamilton.
I would not be surprised if no team is interested in him.
Just my opinion folks.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
You don't think any teams would be interested in a guy who lit up the OHL while transitioning to a new culture, who has put up nearly a point a game in the AHL in his limited time there (better than Pacioretty, D'Agostini and all our other young forwards), and has scored at a better clip than all his young peers in Montreal's development system in his limited action in the NHL? Throw in that he is an adept passer and is an above average defender for his age, and I think there are plenty of teams that would be very, very interested in his skill set. Guess we're agreeing to disagree.
I know that it is popular to not like the kid, but I have little doubt at all that he could be a top-6 forward on a lot of the crummy teams in the league.
Give an old fart like me Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner as wingers and I'll light up the OHL. I don't understand the label as him being a top 6 forward, I still can't get this in my head. I see more upside with Andre who has more potential, and find Andre has more skill and talent......when he wants to play.
By the way, I am listening to Team990 in Montreal at work and Normand Flynn is saying that Bobby has tried to shop Sergei around but witn no takers. When Normand speaks, everyone listens.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
Having watched all three guys a lot in the OHL (the Storm and Knights were big rivals at that point), Kane was certainly better than Kostitsyn, but I didn't see much to choose between Gagner and Sergei.
As for top 6 forward labels, I did say that it would be a crummy team that had him there. Andrei has more potential as I feel he has a better shot and drives the net harder when it behooves him. But Sergei is, at least in my opinion, a much better NHL prospect so far than D'Agostini, Pacioretty and possibly even Latendresse in terms of skill, two-way play and hockey sense.
I thought I had heard that Dale Hunter said that Sergei was more NHL ready than both Kane & Gagner when he was in London. I've said it before, the kid has talent, but his attitude will hurt him until he's given a gig the way Grabknobski was.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
Totally agree. His attitude will be his downfall. He needs a serious attitude adjustment and maybe there being no "takers" out there might give him his wake up call. I have to figure that there aren't many NHL teams willing to take on the problems.
...........
"To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high."
I STILL BELIEVE. I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.
SK74, AK46 and Plek for Marleau and Boyle
Humm... the salary cap issue?
Markov = $5.5 pro-rated to 2/3rds season 4 months out = IR space $3.8K
Pleks = $2.75K
Akost = $3.25k
sKost = $.816k
total = $10.6
OB's space being taken from Weber not much anyhow.
_____________________________________
SJ
Boyle = $6.6
Marleau = $6.3
Total = $12.9
$2.3 million shortfall and suffering the same problems SJ was this year with Cap issues. Doubtful they woud let Boyle go with so much invested into him. I am sure they could get creative and make it happen, but IMO very unlikely.
Hey guys - Bob made our bed when he brilliantly traded for our $7mm mighty mouse. We will be paying for this misstep for another five plus years. You can forget about the Boyle's and Marleau's.
mjames
Jump ship now cause you'll never be happy. Like Marleau would be such a HUGE upgrade, right?
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
Enough with the kid gloves.
If one of my employees decided not to show up to work, to create aggro within the team and to demand a move to a different department, he'd have his RoE in hand and be headed off to Emploi Québec.
While hockey isn't exactly the real world, you still have to pay your dues and GET WITH THE PROGRAM!
zero. ZERO sympathy for Sergei.
Hope he ends up in Phoenix. He'll be crying for Hamilton, let alone Montreal.
True Dat!
"And Franccois Gagnon reports that SK74's two-way contract would pay him $585,000 – with the possibility of $265,000 in bonuses – were he to stay in Montreal, while his Bulldogs salary is $65,000 .... less than a Montreal bus driver"- Now only if sergei worked through traffic like the bus driver does.
What? Bus drivers make more than $65, 000. What the frack am I doing getting this PhD in health science for?
I hope it does not cost you anything Ken. I got my PHC for free.
Dr. of Cobbism
All fun aside, it takes big balls to get where your going. Good luck!
Hehe, I said the same thing. Then i got stuck on the french only application form :(
OMG SHILOH....GIVE IT A REST!
You're wrong about Latendresse. He's done very well on the 3rd line scoring 16, 16, and 14(in 56 games) goals in his first 3 years in the NHL.
AND HE'S 22....FOR CHRIST SAKES!!
Sorry moderators.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
Pisses me off that were loosin more tallent on our team and we are most likely going to get nothing back. Fine his attitude sux, but why can other teams deal with it and we can't. How does Dallas deal with Rebeiro? How did Colorado deal with Roy? I just dont know why we're so crazy when it comes to attitude, just deal with it.
“Well, he’s a thoroughbred, and maybe your wife doesn’t recognize that, but then again, I can’t bake bread all that well. We all have different skills.” ...Bob Gainey "Classic"
Ribero is actually quite different in attitude on the Stars. But it's someting he realized on his own. He realized he didn't have the "hometown" backing to excuse him... It was similar to a nice swift kick in the arse. Roy's attitude was never a problem, crappy managment of the dark days of Houle/Tremblay were.
Sergei has lots of talent, but no coach would have allowed the indiscipline, self-entitled attitude. Imagine if he were in New York? Torts would have eaten him for lunch during preseason.
Anyone else really enjoying the fact that many of the NHL's top goalies are doing crappy, yet Price is on fire? I know I am....
It's early. I wouldn't hang my hat on the numbers just yet.
Go Habs Go
What habs fan wouldnt be? Im loving the bounce back from price, and hope all the bashers who said to trade him are enjoying eating crow right now.
I was never, and still am not sold on Robert Luongo. The guy has great regular season numbers, but can be abysmal at times, and I hate the way he never steps up and takes the blame. I remember him finally taking the blame last year after the 7 goal rout at the hands of the blackhawks in a decisive game 6, and I thought maybe he finally turned a page and learnt something about accountability. He was quick to cite yesterdays loss as a team loss, and lack of team effort, when he let in 4 goals on 4 shots, 3 of which were real softies. I dunno, when your 64 million dollar goalie lets in 4 goals on 4 shots in a short span, it takes the wind out of your team's sails.
Until this guy turns it around, and adjusts his attitude, I dont think hes the man for the number one job in the olympics. Hopefully he proves me wrong, and wins us a gold.
Respectfully,
Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Major-General of Fort Gainey Demolitions Depot, Rear Admiral of the II-Class Destroyer Red Armada, and Under-Secretary of Defense of The Flannel.
Its more his attitude than anything. I cant believe he was made captain of the canucks. I have never heard the guy take responsibility for a loss that was totally his fault until after game 6 last year against the hawks. Like I said, I thought he turned a page after that loss, but then I heard his comments after last nights game, and it was the same old luongo. As the captain, after 4 goals on 8 shots, 3 of which were real softies, you have to step up and be accountable.
I will not deny his unbelieveable talent, and great regular season numbers. I just think he is overrated, and that's completely a matter of opinion. I thought the fact that people were throwing around a contract that would pay him 8 million a season was an absolute farce, and the funny thing is, if it wasnt for the loophole in cba with regards to these super long-term deals, that is the kind of money he would have been asking for.
Interesting read: Toronto's two-headed monster
A Toronto remake of our own Price vs Halak?
More like Price vs Huet, veteran vs the new guy with potential. I can see "the monster" taking his job if it keeps up.
Right you are...
I was more alluding to the rivalry as it is perceived by the fans and medias...
Right now it's more or less a truce. Just wait til Pricey embarks on a series of 1 defeat... "Halak! Halak!..."
It is just a matter of time that Gustavson takes Toskala's place. He is a much better sound goalie. Toskala is mediocre at best.
In toskalas defence, its hard to be on top of your game when you had your confidence rattled by playing behind an abysmal team all of last season, and then watch as your GM goes out and signs (not drafts, and develops) a mid-20s free agent goaltender from europe. This is made even worse by the fact that toskala knows that burke already did this in anaheim. Burke is looking for any reason to demote toskala, and toskala knows it. Toronto is the goalie ruining capital of the nhl!
You have gotta be kidding! Latest from Eklund: "checking my email, the Canucks may be showing some interest in Sergei Kostitsyn as well as Grabovski out of Montreal." LOL! @ Grabovski...now you have proof why not to trust the guy!
"All you need in hockey is good character, luck and skills" - Ovie
I think eklund actually uses the eklund rumor generator!
I think he trolls the blogs to pick up rumors that fans want or suggest to gain support. 2 Days before Eklund report his Marc-André Bergeron rumor people were suggesting it and discussing it on HIO... Nothing like feeding the fury of ego to win the hearts of your audience.
Now it's gone mainstream! ~ RDSNewsflash! Checking my email Eklunds head is still surgically connected to his ***.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
You and others are judging Grabovski by what fans and the media have influenced you since you are in Montreal.
I. live in Hamilton have attended many Bulldogs games and have had the opportunity to chat 1 on 1 with Grabovski AND Sergei off the ice.
No contest, Grabovski has character and team ethic, Sergei does not.
As they say, don't judge a book by its cover.
I've made my comments on how I feel about Sergei which does not matter. It only matters now how the rest of the team in Hamilton feel about him coming and whether they accept him or not.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
I'm sure if you sat down with Earl Jones you'd say he's a great guy. We know the rest.
Not saying Grabs is not a decent guy. Catch somebody on a good day and voila, instant nice guy. Catch him on a bad day...YIKES!
----------------------------------------------------------- "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock
Fair enough... you know them all personally... hang out with them ya ya... In all honesty... unless you have a PHD in behavioral analysis... I don't think one can really sum up someone's work ethic, and character in couple little one on one chats.
My memory ain't what it used to be... but if I'm not mistaken, Grabovski during his last season with that Habs wanted to play. Kept getting shipped down, benched, made a stink about it. Missed a team flight and took his own flight to a game (for whatever reason). At which point, i believe Habs Inside Out folks were refering to him as a spoiled little primadonna.
Sergei at this point had semi secured himself a spot on the team. All was well. He played pretty well, kept his mouth shut.
At this point in history... one could have argued that Grabovski had a piss poor attitude and Sergei displayed the character and ethics the CH would have asked of him.
Over the last year...
Grabovski gets a top spot. I wouldn't say he earned it so to speak, I mean look at TO... but he got it. I'll give him credit where it's due.
On the other hand, Sergei is getting shipped back an fourth, displaying some bad attitude towards the CH management etc.
So now the situation is a little switched... Grabovski has a top spot... So of course he's quiet. Kostitsyn doesn't, so he's pulling the same stuff that got Grabovski traded.
So yes... Grabovski has a better attitude right now... Although Sergei's was better when they were both in MTL.
Mikey, I think you are missing the point entirely. Eklund said Grabovski out of Montreal. The last time I looked, Grabovski was with the leafs.
I'm sure Sergei character and team ethic would shine throug if he was the best player on the team too.
But as Bugs said, you missed Harry's point.
Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy
OOps! Sorry Ed and HabsRule1, I really overlooked Eklund's point. My apologies to Harani as well.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
Respectfully,
Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Major-General of Fort Gainey Demolitions Depot, Rear Admiral of the II-Class Destroyer Red Armada, and Under-Secretary of Defense of The Flannel.
Kick me in the butt Bugs. I missed the point. My apologies.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
Grabovski sure has been invisable on the Habs...LMAO....
I had to go see for myself...
Ouf.
Laughing takes the stress away from tonite's game.
I was surprised Komisarek's even in +/- department.
Oh and then I got it- he was in the penalty box for all the goals against..
No surprise there, you dont get minus if you're in the box when your team is scored on ;)
Good news. Like many others here, I wish him only the best and hope he proves his value and a quick invite back to the Habs. He has the talent - I hope the coach in Hamilton can help him tap into it.
Did you notice this quote: "Sportsnet is reporting that the Canadiens made a deal with Kostitsyn to have him report to the Bulldogs in exchange for promising a trade to a new NHL team."? Doesn't sound like a "quick invite back to the Habs" is an option.
It was also said he was never going to report to Hamilton... but if D'Ago or Pacio fail to get their game going, who knows maybe S Kost will get another look. Hearing things thrid hand from sports net doesn't make it set in stone.
You could be right and it would not be first time that a quote from a news story was completely false. There could be lots of other reasons for his accepting the assignment and if his stint there is successful, he could have a change of heart.
I hope he is not traded and if he is, it is not done until he is playing to his full potential and we can get something equitable for him.
Well the KHL said they would not take him this year because he is under contract (Apparently the KHL finally realized that maybe working WITH the nhl is better than working against them). NOt like Sergei had much choice. Gainey holds all the cards at the moment, and can pretty much ruin sergei's hockey career. Im sure someone spoke to him and told him that the way he has gone about things WILL cost him his hockey career if he continues.
Wouldn't it be wild if Gainey could trade SK for Perezhoigin? Or any Russian superstar?
... from Steven MacFarlane - Life in Montreal? Mikey Likes It! ..... http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2009/10/05/11304726-sun.html .......... an excerot ..... "It's pretty special playing for the Montreal Canadiens. It's an institution. It's a tradition. It's a religion, as they like to call it. It's kind of the centre of the culture that is French Canada," Cammalleri said.
Give the kid a chance. As one who has a lot of experience travelling to countries where I had no way of communicating properly, it does give someone a sense of isolation. Eventhough he's able to communicate some in English I'm sure there is a certain sense of not belonging completely. Its probably a part of the rebellion. Reverse the possibility and imagine yourselves playing for a team in Belarus away from a lot of what is familiar. Just an observation. Having said that he's on strike two and desperately needs a hit. Hopefully he can produce, integrate and contribute to the good team spirit that appears to be developing (although we haven't had any losing streaks as yet). So its wait and see.
You make a good point. Any everyone has their own challenges which is why I've been preaching to show this guy some direction.
He's going to feel MORE isolated away from his brother thought. Maybe Toronoto wants him and he can go play with Grab-asski and Komisnorik.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Good post BJ! Too many are bashing players that are not hometown boys here. You can grow feeling for a city even though you come from someplace else. No excuse for Sergei, I dont like the way he behaves, but people should let players get to love the team and city before writing them off.
Everyone from Sweden, Finland (swedish speaking), Norway, Denmark: Join th Facebook group "Montreal Canadiens Fan Club Scandinavia"!
Why are you all kissing this guy's butt? He's got a lousy attitude and no work ethic. Are you telling me that missing the team bus is acceptable in Belarus? Or arguing with a new coach? How long does it take to "grow feeling for a city"? How long do you give them to "get to love the team and the city"? Life just doesn't work that way. Poor baby. I know a lot of people working in cities they don't particularly care for, but they do it because they have no choice. He's got a choice. Play in Montreal or go home.
Although too classy to say it directly, I think there was a little hidden message in francois gagnon mentioning sergei's compensation. Sergei will make 65000 in the AHL vs. almost 800,000 (incl bonuses) in the nhl. THe guy loves the party life, and wants the bucks. Plain and simple. Thats the only reason why he would rather be traded than work hard and work his way back into the line up. He would rather play first line minutes on a bad team, which will give him a lot of points, so he can sign a lucrative long-term deal as an rfa. I mean everyone wants the big bucks, but hes just being young and impatient.
QUESTION TO HABS FANS:
What teams represent a good fit for sergei? Last I checked, even the leagues worst team have better, and more proven young players in their top 6 than sergei kostitsyn. I mean, even phoenix has Kyle Turris playing in the AHL! Where would sergei even go and get top line minutes? My guess is that at this point he probably wouldnt crack a top 6 on any team except for maybe colorado and florida?
On the other hand, if you're LaTendresse, you never need to have anything but the right last name. Take 4 years to get 50 goals, never learn to skate or shoot, never pass and certainly never drop the gloves. No problem - Hamilton's not in the picture.
This double standard doesn't appear to exist on other teams where talent is te benchmark.
A) Hes only going into his 4th season, so he has only played 3.
b) He has 46 goals in 209 (70 games/season average), for a 0.22 goals/game average.
In saying that, I challenge you to find me other players drafted in 2005, not including the first round, who beat those numbers (someone who has played a minimum of 160 nhl games, that on its own will be hard to find). Ill even help you, Paul Stastny is one, but he was THE steal of that draft. Go look, and then come back and tell me that GUI is a bust.
I agree 100%...
Let the Whinny little suck stew in Hamilton.
This was not meant in the case of Sergei. I am getting tired of him too, but I think we should keep him a bit longer so his value can rise or he decides to be a real hockey player for us.
My comment was directed at some of the comments here in the summer that was close to rasist towards european players and people in general. Many of the player from eastern europe are young and not coming from the same lifestyles that north america and northern europe are used to. We have to undersand that and give them time to adapt to a new culture.
Everyone from Sweden, Finland (swedish speaking), Norway, Denmark: Join the Facebook group "Montreal Canadiens Fan Club Scandinavia"!
You will find that there is a very strong racist element in La Belle Province.
mjames
Could you guys even imagine what this site would look like if Price had a similar start to Luongo this year? He's been atrocious!
__________________________________________
http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/
Same goes for Brodeur - he's letting in very soft goals
I think that's when we get the animated GIFs of Bob being burned in effigy.
Luongo will bounce back I'm sure, he's never been that great to start the season but by next month he'll be frustrating every skater in the Western Conference I'm sure, I'm pulling for him for Team Canada starter.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu.
Let us hope it is next month or at least until next week after the Habs chip a few softies past him...
Time to go with youth. Only one of Luongo and Brodeur should be selected, as backup to 2 of either Marc-Andre Fleury, Cam Ward, Chris Mason, Carey Price or Pascale Leclaire.
Thank you!
Out of the group you named, the player who i think is most likely to lead us to gold (and i am prepared for the outrage i am about to cause) is CAM WARD. Memorial Cup winner, Stanley Cup winner, Conn smythe trophy winner, and steadily improving in GAA and SV% over the last 3 years to with three straight 30 win seasons. Am I crazy for saying this? Probably. Just my gut feeling.
My knock on luongo is that once things go bad, he seems to have trouble bouncing back, which in such a short, high-stakes tournament, is not what i am looking for from my starter.
Good. This guy obviously has talent, he just has to learn his place and the intangibles that are a necessity to be a good NHLer.
Kudos to his agent (if it indeed was him) that gave him a much-needed reality check
Off topic, but are there any fans in Boston who want to check out a Harvard game to see Louis Leblanc play?
This pic by one of our posters as an artistic expression of last year is unreal. . . Check out the frigging Carbo mask in the corner. It's absolutely brilliant.
http://kibblesofsteel.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/allegory1.jpg?w=500&h=...
Thank you, Doug!
My Blog: http://kibblesofsteel.wordpress.com/
You know life is weird when Raycroft outplays Luongo... Just what our boys needed in back-to-back games: hungry, angry (or depressed) Canucks. (I'm hoping depressed).
Anyway, good on Sergei for putting the nailpolish away finally. Hope no one takes it too personal though... Maybe PK can set him straight :)
agreed. Apparently he did all this without speaking to anyone really in depth about his plans. I would be very surprised if Don Meehan condoned sergeis actions...Seems like sergei got a good talking to.
The only player you could get for Sergei is Yanne Ninnamaa ,he's not worth the problems.His bro Andre at least can claim brain damage but Sergei is a natural head case...what a waste........I'd try and trade em both for another Moen like player...
You unfortunately can't claim damage. You are and illiterate dolt. Brilliant - another 4th line player. You are the waste.
mjames
is this where I say.. good thing you arnt GM? Yes, I think it is.
i hope sergei tears it up down in hamilton,then we recall him and his trade value goes wayyyyy up and either the blackhawks or avalanche coming calling (c.barker,p.sharp) for sergei kostitsyn and halak or,the av's with j.m.liles and hejduk for s.kostitsyn and halak or something along those lines! i could actually see 1 of these two trades happening with us getting either liles or barker.
His trade value wont`go up just because of a good stint in hamilton. He`ll have to put up some numbers in the NHL for other teams to take notice. I`m still hoping he can develop here in Montreal
Funny, today was when he met with his agent. Reality check, I guess.
Well, here's hoping he rips it up, learns a lesson, and we can all look back at this and laugh. That, or, he rips it up, increases his trade value, and we get something decent in return.
just so long as there's some ripping going on
My Blog: http://kibblesofsteel.wordpress.com/
HA! Well where else was he going to go? Russia? It's not like BG was actually going to consider trading him simply because Sergei asked for it... Who does this guy think he is? Why not play a few more years and get more than 20 points in one season before you consider yourself a somebody who can demand these things.
OK, so...I just got in and reviewed all the posts so far, have thought this out very carefully, weighed the pros and cons, considered all the alternatives, prepared a series of witty statements and stinging responses and now I'm ready to wade into this debate.
Ready? Here it comes. The Punkster is now prepared to make a statement in regards to the subject of SK reporting to the Dogs. And here is the Punkster's statement:
Punkster has had far too much beer tonight to add anything relevant to this thread and as a result wishes to decline comment at this time.
You may now continue your discussion.
LOL way too much beer? A special occasion? ;)
What? I need a special occaision pass now? Jeez Louise, you sound like one of my ex-wives. LOL
LMAO Nah bud, I just get a bit curious (and jealous) when someone drinks beer. I am only 15, so hah. I've heard it's very addicting..my older cousin even gave me a scenario of when he ran out of beer.
"Oh my god man...I was transforming into this next freaky Homer..drooling... and thinking about how doh nuts! and beer would've definitely hit the spot.." If that's true, then beer must be some heck of an exotic drink ;) lol
Don't be jealous. It makes people say and do stupid things. And that is my cue to say goodnight. Do the same because I'm sure you have school tomorrow.
Yep. And I finally finished my essay..Goodnight bud.