Streit surprised by Canadiens' indifference
posted by Mike Boone at 8h27 EST on Jul 5
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Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 12:05.
With or without Sundin, we still have a great nucleus of young and old players.
What concerns me is a lack of right handed players on the team. Yes, Sundin is a right handed sniper and Bob is doing his best to pursue him to land and sign in Montreal but IMHO, he will never wear a Habs jersey. I feel his heart is still in Toronto to wear the C for one last season than go on a contender.
I want to wish Grabovski all the best in TO. I am disappointed we let him go. Hope it does not come back to haunt us down the road.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by Chuck on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 13:03.
Unfortunately, Grabs had to go; because of the numbers game, there just wasn't a place for him on the Habs. I hope he does well in Toronto... just not well against us!
As for Sundin, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he ended up back with the laffs. He'll wait long enough so that they become his only option, thereby taking the decision out of his hands. It's the path of least resistance, if you will.
It'll also make him look like a hero in the minds of laff fans, much like Captain Edward John Smith is looked upon as a hero for going down with the Titanic. Hossa takes less mone just to have a chance at a Cup? Mats will top that by taking less money to play for a team that has no hope of going anywhere.
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Submitted by smiler2729 on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 09:55.
Every single day somewhere on this great Habs site, somebody has to voice their displeasure with GM Bob Gainey and it ticks me off to no end!
To all you Gainey bashers, GO ROOT FOR ANOTHER TEAM! You obviously know nothing about running a successful hockey franchise so Leaf Nation awaits you all! Leave Bob alone, for the love of God, he is the best thing to happen to Canadiens management since Sam Pollock! He is smart, he is crafty, he is patient (a virtue none of you bashers have) and he is successful.
Let me ask you this, and I dread your responses, WHO WOULD YOU RATHER BE THE HABS' GM???
As for Mark Streit, I liked him but he disappeared in the playoffs (other than that one big goal in Game 7 vs. Boston, but who in the NHL doesn't beat Tim Thomas?)
Streit is not worth the money he wanted.
Submitted by William_Holden_... on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 13:19.
Gainey is also a zexy beast....vavoom
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:55.
Gainey didn't sign Laraque to appease the media, he did it to make the team better.
Some people have to tune into the media to get a clue of what is going with the team. They might need that to formulate their own opinions on whatever.
I doubt Gainey watches 110% to figure out his next move.
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:55.
pat s, if you think that Gainey makes his moves based on what the fans and the media think, then you're WAY out in left field.
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Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:58.
Same time, same thought, and we're probably from the same generation, right?
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 21:07.
Great minds think alike, Robert!
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Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 21:14.
I wasn't thinking that at all....really!
Submitted by JIMVINNY on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:14.
I would think you should be grateful that people are starting to agree with you. Instead, you're sucking on sour grapes, and further distancing yourself from rational fans. And I hear the leafs got a new GM, who is making plenty of reactionary transactions. But at least he's not relaxing... I'm sure they would love to have you as a fan. Enjoy!
Submitted by joeybarrie on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 19:56.
I doubt very much Gainey HAS to do anything. He didn't get anyone cause of the press, media or anyone other. AND AGAIN, conservative won 1st in the east last season. Why mess with a great team??? We didn't lose the ship like Pittsburg. HOLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS BATMAN. Relax. Gainey knows what he's doing. He is the GM.
Submitted by linp on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 21:07.
Get your fact straight. The coach who won the world championship retired and is now coming back to coach to team. Don't BS here!
Submitted by linp on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 07:49.
Can you read English? Lippi is the one who won the World Cup. Donadoni didn't win the World Cup. He just lost the Eurocup. So he has to resign. Read what you wrote and what I wrote.
Submitted by FSLN on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 16:59.
Lawl, i was going to say. He seems to be vehemently disagreeing with you while what he's saying is actually exactly what you said....
Submitted by joeybarrie on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:15.
And again, guys like you are why the BIG NAMES wont sign for us. Want to fire someone, look in the mirror.
Submitted by joeybarrie on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:13.
Pat, Hockey is not Soccer. There is no Collective Bargaining Agreement in International Soccer. Besides, the French kept their coach. How come 29 other teams didn't fire the GM. You know whats wrong with the NHL. Rent a player Free Agents and Hire to Fire Coaches and Managers. DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE DARK DAYS BEFORE GAINEY. Look how far he has come.
Submitted by JoshH on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 18:43.
I find it funny that the Rangers are still mentioned as in the running for Sundin.
According to nhlnumbers.com, the Blue Shirts only have $3.8 million left in cap space and really don't have an options to cut out the required room to fit Sundin under the cap.
If Mats is indeed going to play in the NHL next year, I think his options are between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
All three have positives, (Vancouver = $, Toronto = familiarity, Montreal = chance at a ring) but unless a suitor comes out of left field, I think these are the three most likely destinations for the big Swede.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:05.
I find it funny that people count them out! Where there's a will, there's a way. I think the signing of Naslund was partly to entice Sundine - and 4 million in cap space can be made if a team is determined enough. The blueshirts could do it.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by JoshH on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:31.
Not trying to be a jerk, but how do you see the Rangers clearing that kind of space?
Cap space can't be created out of thin air.
If you were the Rangers, how would you go about it? Who would they trade?
Just curious.
Cheers
Submitted by Bouleau noir on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 18:11.
I you have 7 millions to spare and a centenary dream season in your agenda there is no doubt that Sundin would have been the single best add-on option for the occasion .... in term of both contract and team imrovement.
Not many players would consider signing for a single year and none could have improved our squad the way Sundin could have in that single year.
Now that Sundin is an improbality I can see that there could be another under 7 millions option out there that could deliver the same potential boost to our team and could also be possibly obtained in a trouble free single year signing contract.... a Federov + Selanne combo package.
Those pieces are arguably a better addition to our existing roster than Sundin alone would have been because they would fit in so nicely.
Tanguay, Koivu, Selanne
A.Kostitsyn, Plekanec, Kovalev
Higgins, Fedorov, S.Kostitsyn
A dream team for our centenary season ? as always it takes two to tango ... in this case it takes three ... which would makes it even less likely to happen.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:08.
With you on Federov - I keep bringing him up... at 38 and not much of a scoring threat anymore he'd come cheap I think. But a GREAT mentor, he plays such a smart game in every aspect - position, face-offs, clutch situations, skating out of trouble. When I think of Kovalev and stick handling, I think of Federov and overall game mastery... like the teams brass - he was a senatational 2-way guy. And seriously - would you take him or Dandenault as your extra forward. Puhlease...
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 21:05.
SD, Fedorov came up the other day. I must say I find the option intriguing but, I have a few reservations, based basically on questions to which I don't have answers. These is them:
1- Has he lost a lot of his speed? He was a comet back in the day.
2- He is making over 6 mil. this year, Is it reasonable to think he would sign in the 2.5- 3.5 mil. range? I don't see Gainey wanting to pay much more than that.
3- I remember Bowman in the late nineties criticizing him for his focus and lack of consistency. Has he worked that weakness out of his game?
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 21:54.
These are fair points...
1. He's lost a little speed for sure, but he's not slow - and he's so smart as a player he's tough to play against. His other skills - great passer, great defensive skills (the Blue Jackets even used him as a D a couple of times) still seem strong.
2. I'd be surprised if he's more than a 3 million dollar guy now.... much more than that and I'd say no, I see him as a 1 year rent-a-veteran, almost but not quite like Roberts. His point totals for the last 3 years. 43-42-54...nothing stellar, about 15 goals a season, but he's a 2-way player more defensive now. His best was his last season - pre-UFA, and a little bit of a revival playing in Washington.
3. Federov's a bit of a prima donna. He pissed of the Wings because he held out one year - I remember the Bowman thing but I think it was just typical coach stuff... I don't think he's had a lot of critism, though like Jagr and some other guys, his talent level is so high, when he's not turning other guys inside out people say he stinks.
That's about what I know - I can't say I've watched a lot of games in the last year or two with him, but saw a couple and he looked good to me.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 12:12.
Federov has a tenedency to play only when he wants to throughout his NHL career.
He won't give you 100% every game, and I'll label him a lazy dog.
Type of player I would not want in Montreal.
The fans and media would be on his back during his tenure here if he were to sign.
Guy Carbonneau would have major headaches having him on our team for sure.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 22:45.
Well, if all those factors are as described, he certainly could be a nice addition. But, I wouldn't want signing him to preclude being able to sign Sundin, if and when he makes up his mind. I guess if Gainey took that risk he could identify how he would deal with Sundin's cap implications in advance. It would likely mean moving some parts for picks. I can only see Begin and Dandenault as valid options that would have any financial impact. We would then have to have a kid as our seventh D, for it to be a net gain money wise.
Being seventh D doesn't do a young guy much of a favour in terms of development and it doesn't provide much injury insurance. It all seems pretty nip and tuck to keep the Mats window open. I'd say if we had a firm no from Mats at this point Fedorov would be a good option. But, we don't have that and I would hate to not pick Sundin up because we didn't have that extra 2-3mil. to play with. I think I would still wait and see, if Mats says no, we would have to trade to get that center....or maybe Fedorov is still unsigned come August and he could still be an option. phew...sorry for the long post!
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 17:34.
Something just for laughs....
I was just checking out J.T.'s site, at http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com/ and noticed that she had been hit by enough anonymous blogger bullcrap that she had to enable a comment moderator.
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com/2008/07/administrative-note.html
I had to smile. Been there. Had to do that!
A year ago, another blogger gave me the idea to start a tag that asked other bloggers to name their worst anonymous commenter attack. I had alot of fun with that post.
http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2007/02/anonymous-comm...
If you follow the link at my site, you can read my entry into the Anonymous Commenters Hall Of Fame. I was literally harrassed by a fan of David "I've got the pin, where's the grenade" Aebischer for about a week. His comments were so bad grammatically and so ragingingly insane and inane that I almost pissed myself with laughter reading them. Too bad I didn't save them all.
One warning: there is an abundance of foul language, most of it mispelled!
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:23.
I don't know if anyone posted it in an earlier thread, but Grabovski contract with the laffs is worth $850,000. I'm sure that after hearing what Jeff Finger was signed for, he's got to be a little dissapointed!
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Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:31.
He made $725,000 last season, so yeah, he's probably disappointed in what was offered to him.
I thinks Grabs will put up numbers in TO, but at best he'll become nothing more than a mirage player. That's my term for guys that look interesting in numbers but are far from bringing a complete game. Think Marc Savard, Spezza, Ribiero...centers who you will not see on the ice at crucial moments and for important defensive end faceoffs.
Submitted by mjames on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 18:03.
I disagree with your assessment of Grabs. I truly believe you will see another St Louis once he gets experience .
mjames
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 12:14.
I agree.
Check youtube.com and see Mikhail Grabovski on an end to end rush against the Marlies last season and scoring.
Simply the best hockey goal I ever saw. A Bobby Orr classic. I was there. Were you?
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 20:52.
He will always have the challenge of being small and too easily bumped off the puck. There's no question of his talent, but I question his character as well.
I'll agree that he has St. Louis type offensive thrust and instincts, but St. Louis was a big exception to the rule as far as smaller players go.
Submitted by RetroMikey on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 12:19.
Robert L
Do you remember when the Habs drafted Guy Rouleau from Hull OLympiques back in the mid 80's?
He tore the QMJHL in scoring and was paired with Luc Robitaille in Hull.
One of the most fastest and skilled players ever to come out of the QMJHL. Only 1 problem...he was 5'9".
That only means one thing back then in the NHL..bye bye! Sad story.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Submitted by nick on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 19:47.
Maybe not St. Louis, but Grabovski leaving will bite us in the ***. Had he more playing time I believe he really could have developped. There was a real improvement seeing him from the first game of the season he played in, compared to the last that he played in. With that said, as much as i'd like to see him play, there isn't really room with the CH for him anymore, unless someone like Plekanec got hurt. All in all, Not worth having him sit in the pressbox 3/4 of the year.
Submitted by The Cat on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 18:07.
No offense man but no friggin' way.
Submitted by arcosenate on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:37.
eklund says shanahan has always wanted to play in montreal? maybe as a visitor in a rangers uniform. jeeze, he's way off.
Submitted by the real vinnydj on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 18:37.
Didn't Shanny turn down an offer from us to play for the Rangers a few summers back? For less money if I recall correctly...
Submitted by Exit716 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 19:02.
Yeah, $10 million over two years for a Rangers deal of one year at $4.
His wife didn't like Montreal.
Maybe Bob can call him up and give him a two way deal between Hamilton and Cincinnati.
Submitted by originalsix on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:21.
eklund is also saying:
The Canadiens are rumoured to be talking deal with LA for Patrick O'Sullivan. A few teams including Atlanta are considering O'Sullivan as well..
Where does he get these retarded rumors from!
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:26.
There is more sunbstance on a few used sheets of toilet paper.
The gist of his site is rumours. If there are none, he creates them. That is how he gets hits. Some people think he's a pipeline, but a pipe is often something that is sucked from or blown into!
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:17.
Eklund is about as plugged in as a solar powered flashlight.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:42.
Do you think it's even a single individual? Or, is it a staff of two or three who have no real connections. Maybe they just earn their money scouring hockey sites and are instructed to make stuff up when things are slow. Ya know, just to keep the hits coming.
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 17:00.
Exactly! Hockey Buzz is a huge site and it has it's daily rumours and gossip. It churns the stuff out like a mill. It's all to be taken with a grain of salt.
People in the hockey business such as scouts and GM's are usually very tightlipped about player movement. To us, it is all entertainment, but to the players whose names are invloved in rumours, it is about their livelyhood and families. GM's wouldn't compromise their relationships with players by feeding the media any names. It also lowers the value in trades as players whose names are bandied about are thought to be unwanted, thus lowered the price.
If a GM is dumb enough to throw a name out there it can kill a players worth. Look at how Bryan Murray handled Ray Emery. One year he is the goalie in a Stanley Cup final and a year later he had to buy him out because he was unwanted by 29 others team. Not exactly a wise move. All he did was create an expensive scapegoat.
When a rumour site or journalist in the media can take a quote and attach it to a GM, they'll get alot of mileage from it. That is why they remain so tightlipped.
That also explains why most rumours are completely unfounded. Members of an organization are also pretty much sworn to secrecy.
Suppose Canadiens assistant GM Pierre Gauthier was ever found to have dropped a name at anytime, he'd likely pay the price with his job.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 17:19.
That why Fletcher's time in Toronto has been so sad and one reason we're lucky to have the management we have here. It makes for some slow news days but, it's all in the best interest of the team.
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:01.
He had a chance to play for us last year, and turned the Habs down. That sure doesn't sound like someone that's always wanted to play for the Habs.
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Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:16.
Every year at this stage in the free agent summer, there are about 70 name players getting nervous about their careers. They'll say just about anything to get signed somewhere.
Sometime next week, you could hear someone such Owen Nolan saying, "I've always been curious about ending my career in Nashville/Carolina/Florida. My family loves country music/NASCAR/Disneyland. Coming here was my first and only choice!"
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:33.
Wrong spot. Above^
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:21.
Yeah, your so right. The insincerity hits a new level around now.
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:33.
LOL, that's the word I couldn't find!
By the way Twocents, I liked your post on the 2003 lineup from earlier. I had to save it for when the Gainey bashers come out again. It's a perfect testament to his work.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:40.
Yeah, that's a good idea. I was getting caught up on some older threads this morning and was shaking my head over some of the hard core anti-Gainey stuff and thought it would be interesting.
Submitted by Bouleau noir on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:10.
Your right .... but he was Gainey's top choice in 2006 ... last summer Briere was our top choice.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:40.
Doesn't sound like Bob is looking for any more forwards this summer, but if he were to pick up one more, the only ones remaining I would want are Demitra or Federov.
Federov, at 38, obviously in a 3rd or 4th line role and at a modest salary... But he's such a smart 2-way player, has a handful of rings, moves the puck extremely well, and is a great student of the game - there's a lot he could teach our kids. He played well in Washington and seemed to enjoy it - he'd be a great role model, teacher, and leader. Plus the Red Wings fans hate him since he snubbed them a decade ago.... just in case we happen to meet up with them next May. :)
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:43.
It has to be a centre SmartDog. There's getting to be a bottleneck on the wings and it looks like Sergei and Gui could be centered by Max or Chipper.
I know you like Demitra, but I don't. I'll leave it at that.
Either way, I don't see Gainey making any moves in that regard until the Sundin siuation has been clarified. No sense making a move he will wish to undo later.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:11.
I suspect you're right re. Sundin. And I think the team is great as is for now - I'd rather keep the cap room than add another big paycheck.
I'm not going to argue for Demitra - I don't actually love him - I just think he's the remaining guy with scoring power.
As for Federov - I have to admit, he's one of my all-time favorite players so I might not be thinking totally clearly... but hear me out. I think that as a veteran 3rd or 4th line player he'd be better than Begin or Kosto who themselves are better back-ups than what we had last year - and both players play a punishing game - 82 games is neither likley nor desirable. Federov on the other hand, brings a ton of intangibles in experience, skill, and leadership. Most cup winners have a guy or two like that who's been down that road before... we don't. And also, I think he'd come cheap so the gamble is not a big one.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by mbplekfan on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:01.
I would definitely look at adding Fedorov if he would come cheap. I would look at maybe 60 games for him with an up and comer from Hamilton platooning the other games. Stewart maybe?
Fedorov is solid on faceoffs and plays a sound defensive game and can eat minutes late in close games, he also plays the point on the PP and could mentor Sergei on that position.
It all would depend on his relationship with Kovalev. If they are friends it would work, if they are rivals it wouldnt.
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:57.
I don't think his offensive numbers will fall off. He has a pretty decent nose for the net and the skills to get there. Maybe his plus minus will slide a bit? Then again, as a full time D, maybe his defensive game will get a serious chance to develop?
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:37.
There's a big drop in powerplay prowess on the island.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:39.
With you on this. I think this deal is going to be a bust.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:47.
Here's what the Islanders lineup looks like:
http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=Stats
They will be in a race with the Leafs for Tavares!
Submitted by Xtrahabsfan on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:57.
lol,smallll teammmmm....
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:19.
The tagline on the banner on their homepage says it all:
"Grit. Character. Heart."
They had better have lots of those three, because there sure doesn't look like there's a lot of skill on that team.
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Submitted by The Cat on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:39.
I like their goaltending and their defense, they just suck offensively though. But beware, Ted Nolan can do a lot with nothing.
Submitted by Robert L on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:22.
They have maybe four or five players on the Isles that could improve the Habs. After Dipietro, Witt, Campoli and Okposo, the pickings are pretty slim.
Anybody in a hockey pool this season ought to grab that Okposo kid as a late round darkhorse. He will lead the team in scoring with maybe 55 points.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:10.
Ouch - Streit is the top scorer by 13 points. Geurin is 37... a sinking ship.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by The Cat on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 13:34.
Of course his numbers will fall off, anybody that goes to the Islanders sees their numbers drop.
Submitted by showey47 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 13:20.
i think his offensive game will fall of quit a bit. He doesn't have nearly the offensive weapons to work with(especially on the powerplay)then he did in montreal. Next season i give him tops 35 to 40 points, 40 being generous.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:02.
If his plus-minus slides any more they'll find it in the harbour.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:11.
Maybe that explains the Islanders problems of late? Hard to skate in the Harbour! Don't they know your supposed to skate on the top side of the ice?
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:16.
Hard to skate with cement shoes on too! Sorry - didn't mean to poke fun at the gangster minority.... please forgive!
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:20.
Two Cents-- Wolf Island ah. Well then you are not to far away to join some of the HIO posters in our back yard for a get together, pool and Bar-B-Q day. On July 26 in Belleville. Give me a phone call. And that goes for the rest of you out there, just let me know who and how many. We have about 10 so far.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:27.
Ian, Thanks very much for the invite. I'll get in touch with you.
Submitted by johnny_habs_4ever on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:16.
*** Breaking News ***
Mats Sundin loves to eat California sushi rolls, according to high profile agent JP Barry.
This could only mean one of two things:
1) Mats is trying to send a cryptic message to Brian Burke of the Anaheim Ducks that he wants to finish his career in California - no questions asked.
Or
2) Mats is struggling to decide whether to accept a 50 million yen one-year contract to play for the Kokudo Keikaku of Tokyo, Japan. Little does he realize that the contract is only worth about $468,000 USD.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:58.
This isn't news - I heard it already from Ekland. Only it wasn't sushi, it was sezchuan, and it wasn't California rolls it was prawns and it wasn't Sundin, it was the Sedin twins. But almost, practically the exact same!
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by joeybarrie on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:32.
Bob Gainey can use this and have California roll sushi delivered from Kaizen after every practice.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:15.
Why is an 8th place team so tight to the cap? A good question in ... Cap Trouble .. boston.com ..... http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:03.
They knew they had a problem as soon as the Ryder contract was signed:
Previously at the Bruins Blog:
"By adding Michael Ryder's $4 million annual cap hit to the mix, the Bruins are at $54,361,666. They must still add Dennis Wideman's number (at least $3 million annually) to their total, which would put them over the $56.7 million cap ceiling. The Bruins must dip below the number by the start of the regular season."
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:11.
I'll listen to your 2 cents anytime.
We have one of the great students of Sam Pollack at the helm. He quietly and professionally has proven to me his fantastic managerial skill, just like when he played, top of his class.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:00.
Sometimes GM's send messages to their coach that are not "verbal" as in the case in Calgary. GM Sutter shipped out a few of Keenan's pets Eriksson,Hale and co. and kept a doghouse boy in Conroy. In Montreal Gainey did not resign Carbo's pets Brisbois and Streit and put his #1 boy Lats in an awkward position , interesting.
Submitted by Jim M on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:33.
NM_49
Bryan, I don't think Gainey does or would act in such a fashion. I think he's pretty direct in his approach. I think the decision on Price is proof of that.
I don't think Gainey has to show anybody who the boss is by sending messages. They already know.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:11.
Jim - I didn't say that Gainey was trying to show he was the boss. He quietly eliminated those tendencies that coaches get into and i know Streit was a poor example but one anyway. I know your a Gainey cheerleader as i am somewhat now more so than during last season but he's not God like you think.
Submitted by Jim M on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:47.
Bryan
I don't think he's God at all. My justification for being a big Gainey backer is that his batting average for decision making is well above the norm, and that is how a good executive should be measured. Not by perfection! I also happen to think that his character and demeanor are exceptional.
I read and hear some criticism from people about him and the job that he's doing, but it's easy throwing darts when we don't know the whole story, or if we haven't been in a position to make important decisions at this level(I know it's only a sport, but to some it's a religion). His is not an easy job.
Some may criticize my admiration for the man after reading this post, but I couldn't care less. My bullshit antenna is bloody good and Gainey passes any test that I can come up with( as if my opinion would count).
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:33.
Jim - I think the team got much better faster than he expected and I'm a stickler for depth and i get vex when he goes into these long periods of inactivity when simple minor deals (non roster) would solve the problem. He's the best man for the job in this city for sure but i just wish he'd be more pro active which is needed in the New NHL. We are on the same page but my page isn't as squeaky-clean as yours i guess , have a great day and enjoy the nice weather with a pint , sounds like a good idea.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:29.
Very well said, gets right to the heart of the matter. No one's perfect but, few are as impressive.
Submitted by showey47 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 13:29.
I for one think that gainey is a top 3 g.m. in the league. I wonder what would happen if gainey didn't have to deal with all the negatives that came with playing in montreal like the leagues highest taxes,language,politics and the unforgiving french media? I think us smart ones know the answer.
Submitted by longtimehabsfan on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 16:22.
What would happen is he would win another Cup. See Dallas 1999.
Submitted by Haber for life on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:24.
I agree, Gainey is top three for sure... I wouldn't "trade" him for another GM right now, I think he's the best we've had in a long looooong time. The guy is all class, super smart, keeps his emotions in check
(with all the troubles he's had in his family), and yet continues to be the best at his poition (top exec last year).
I have a friend who told me once that "once you're a winner, you always know how to win".... Bob has been a champion multiple times so he knows what it takes. And relevant to todays discussion, he built a Championship team in Dallas, so again, he knows what to do and how to do it.
I for one feel totally secure knowing the team is in his hands.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:05.
I agree. He inherited what we all know was a mess but hes turned it around - pointe finale. Has he made mistakes? Of course. A lot of GM decisions are gambles - it's the nature of the job. You can't name a GM who hasn't.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by joeybarrie on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:12.
You don't think Carbo was included in all decisions???? Then you don't realise Carbo is Gaineys boy...
Submitted by New on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 12:05.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Carbo's job is to lead the coaches. Gainey's job is to lead the hockey management team. I would not be at all surprised if Carbo's opinion was valued but not solicited on player issues. Likewise I would not be surprised if Gainey was not consulted for on-ice issues.
Submitted by SmartDog on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 14:06.
LOL Nice subtlety! I would not be surprised if it works pretty much like that.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:27.
jb - I'm sure they were and it was probably hinted during the last season but coaches have a way of going back to their own tendencies or setting things up to go that way.
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