Josh Gorges

posted by Mike Boone at 16h13 EST on Jul 9


Three-year contract worth a reported $3.3 million.

Boone is delighted.

Gorges made $495,000 last season when he proved he deserved a regular spot on the blue line.

This news was posted to the Comments section yesterday by one of our spies in Kelowna.

The official blah-blah:

“Josh established himself as a key member of our defensive squad last season. His reliability and solid
play made him one of our most improved players. He is a young defenseman with a very good work ethic,’’ said
Bob Gainey.
Gorges, 23, will begin his fourth season in the NHL this fall. In 2007-08, he set career highs in games
played (62), points (0-9-9) and shots on goal (41). Gorges took part in the final 52 games of the season and
played in all 12 playoff games.
A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Gorges was acquired by the Canadiens from the San Jose Sharks
on February 25, 2007 along with a first-round selection in 2007 (Max Pacioretty), in return for Craig Rivet and a
fifth-round selection in 2008. He played 165 career games in the NHL, scoring 19 points (1 goal, 18 assists),
and serving 89 penalty minutes.




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Comments

Wow what a deal! Its amazing how Bob can sign all these guys to cheap contracts after other players who are not even as good are getting sign for huge amounts. As of now here are what I think the lines would be like for the year. Fowards Tanguay-Plekanec-Kovalev Wow think of all the skill, Sundin might be here A.Kostitsyn-Koivu-S. Kostitsyn Again more Skill Higgins-Chipchura-Latendresse I want this to be more of a scoring line and it would be if we had Sundin on #1 and that would push Koivu back here and Chips to the fourth line but right now as it looks this is a grity hard working line the would contribute at both ends of the ice. and the #4 Laraque- Lappierre/Begin-Kostopolous I couldn't decide between Lapierre and Begin so I'm think maybe playing the 50/50 if we don't have other centers injured or not playing. And sundin added we have 3 great scoring lines that I don't think any other team has. And I'm really liking the energy from this 4th line. Defence Markov-Komisarek This duo was great last year Hamrlik-O'Bryne same as Markov and Komisarek Boullion-Gorges This would be a very decent third pairing Goalies Price pretty sure hes going to be #1 Halak If we didn't have Price I wouldn't mind having this kid as our #1, A lot of people would be surprised but I think this kids got searious potenial to be a star and just hasn't showed much of it. And who knows who else might making it MaxPac, Valenteko ect.

pher pher's picture
I hope the next time I log in there'll be a new post saying we've signed Sundin! Please, Please, Pleaseeeeee let this be true.

Lee Hayes's picture
It's a little like X-Mass eve...trying to get to sleep, hoping that the big present under the tree is for you, and it just happens to be Mats all hog tied in a Habs uniform!! Go Habs Go

J.T.'s picture
Ha, Lee! There's an image. Can we shake it to guess what it is? Do we get to knock him down to a five-million dollar contract if we promise to untie him before we take the pictures? http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Lee Hayes's picture
I don't think Mats has any shame(so untying him might not get the desired discount!), you've seen the nutcracker pic's haven't ya? Go Habs Go

Xtrahabsfan's picture
There is no doubt what so ever if Sundin joins the mother of all hockey teams "THE HABS" the Stanley cup is OURS!!!!!!!!!

WOOHOO! i wasn't afraid we wouldn't sign him but this is great news nonetheless. our man Gorges.

Ian Cobb's picture
LAST MAN STANDING< I BETTER GET TO BED> GOODNIGHT

T-roy West's picture
Ian: I just wrote down on a piece of paper, eight possible line combinations with Sundin in the lineup, and there are more. The thing is they all look pretty good. Doesn't that speak volumes about this team? Without Sundin were pretty good but with him we are down right scary.

holy combinations and permutations batman!!! (sorry i'm a math guy)

Ian Cobb's picture
I know, I was really excited last year when I saw what Bob was doing at the begining of the year. But this year I'm ready to cancell summer and get it on. We are in for a treat this year.!

Ian Cobb's picture
For something to do. what are your 4 lines useing Laraque and Sundin. Remember, Koivu, Kovalev, and Sundin all have to play on diferent lines. I say for the third line, Tanguay, Koivu and Laraque. First line, AK47 ,Plecanic, Kovalev Second line,Higgins Sundin, Sergie K. ? Forth line ? ? ?

sidhu's picture
Tanguay-Sundin-SK74 AK46-Pleks-Kovy Higgins-Koivu-Latendresse Laraque-Lapierre-Kosto Bench: Chipchura, Begin

Lee Hayes's picture
Lotta if's involved...but I think I like your combinations the best out of what's been proposed so far. Go Habs Go

Hud's picture
I for one, wouldn't necessarily separate the three... A line of Tanguay-Sundin-Kovalev would definitely scare a lot of teams, and they couldn't do the "put 2 guys on kovy" thing like they did in last playoffs. Tanguay could be switched with Higgins on the 3rd if everything goes to hell. A.Kostitsyn-Plekanec-S.Kostitsyn = real quick and shifty line, to make the other team dizzy and exhausted. Higgins-Koivu-Laraque/Lats...i see potential there Begin/stewart-Lapierre-Kosto/Laraque/Lats = The punisher line

Ian Cobb's picture
I don't think they will break up one of the best lines in the league last year. Ak, Pleks and Kovalev

Hud's picture
I would be on your side there Ian, but adding a premier player like sundin, I would be tempted to give him the best winger we have. You know? ;)

Vid's picture
A bit premature to be talking about lines that include Sundin, unless you know something we don't know. Even then in 1-2 years time we'll have a big vacancy down the middle where that big center that everyone believes we need should be.

twocents's picture
You know what Ian, I don't think we will be talking about 1st, 2nd or 3rd lines if ______ signs. I think it will be 1a, 1b and 1c. The line that is playing best in a game will end up with the most minutes.

Ian Cobb's picture
You are correct, I posted below that Carbo loves to roll 4 lines and the first 3 lines will have equal ice time.

twocents's picture
It will be very difficult for teams to play against us with the scoring balance a line up like this will have. Even good defensive teams can sometimes key in on and neutralize two strong scoring lines but, with three looking like this... it's going to be something else. Man alive!

Ian Cobb's picture
2 cents-- When you look at the youth, speed and talent it just makes me feel a little giddy. Something like sitting at a table holding a Royal Flush.

Very good point. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

jody1974's picture
Hard part is Lats can not play on the 4th line. So if his playing for the habs he has to be on 2nd or 3rd line " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

ebk's picture
I don't agree with that, he can contribute on any of the bottom two lines.

T-roy West's picture
I like those lines Ian.:)

The Teacher's picture
Andrei-Pleky-Kovalev Latendresse-Sundin-SKostistsyn Tanguay-Koivu-Higgins Laraque-Lapierre-Begin/Kostops/Chipper/etc Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

likehoy's picture
i can't see tanguay on the third line...he wanted out of calgary cause he didn't want to have too much defensive burden...he'll hate montreal if we do the same to him again. Albeit, both koivu and higgins are great two-way players...but cause they have to be more defensively responsible...they won't put up the great numbers koivu and tanguay can put up, and perhaps higgins... koivu can maybe fit into the two-way role better as a vet...but i see tanguay given more freedom on the offense on the top two lines.

Ian Cobb's picture
I see the top 3 lines getting about the same ice time this year. Carbo loves to roll 4 lines,and we sure have the horses now to run 4 lines now.!!

likehoy's picture
impossible to give all 3 lines the same ice time... i can't imagine seeing pleks kovy and andrei on against crosby malkin and co... power v.s. power doesn't work when kovy and andrei don't back check.

Ian Cobb's picture
That looks good except why not put Laraque on your 3rd, don,t you think that line is a bit light?

Ian Cobb's picture
And I think Lats has to go to the 4th line

The Teacher's picture
Can't put Latendresse on line number 4 Ian. Not a fefensive player. As Jody says we can always flop Laraque when we need to. Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

Ian Cobb's picture
I wonder if Lats is a press box back up this year? With the addition of Tanguay Laraque and Sundin. If no Sundin then I see it.

ebk's picture
Ian he might play his way there but I see him getting a good shot at playing on the 3rd line with or without Sundin. With all his faults, the kid is still a decent hockey player, has good size and is strong. He just needs to learn that this aint the Q and he aint no puck handler and I think he will be ok.

jody1974's picture
impossible Ian. Lats is not a defensive player. We some how have to develope his scoring ability " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

Ian Cobb's picture
I sure don,t see Laraque on the 4th line, he can play both ways so I sure see him on the 3rd for sure and Lats will be a spare part.

jody1974's picture
Laraque will be a regular on the 4th line and Carbo will flip flop him when our small players are getting run at.. " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

twocents's picture
That's the way I see the forward lines looking to start off... and man that looks great. I can't see any other team in the east matching those lines and only one in the west.

jody1974's picture
Looks good to me, but i can not see lats being on 2nd line, but not much else we can do " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

Federov: 1 year for 4 million. Ouch! GO HABS.

jody1974's picture
way to much... Should have gotten 2 million and bonus " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

Great move BG. Compare this signing to the Leafs signing of Jeff Finger. Gorges will make 1/3 the money for twice the quality minutes.

Ian Cobb's picture
They signed the finger when they intended to sign a whole hand.

How lame is it that TSN hasn't even noted the Gorges signing yet. That's pathetic. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11353

Habhopeful's picture
They did... http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242944&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_nhl "If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."

Ian Cobb's picture
I,ll bet they notice when we sign Sundin, it was said before but lets buy his sweater in red white & blue and have a parade down Young st.

joeybarrie's picture
Not sure what they are waiting for on the signing tracker, HOWEVER it is the 3rd headline on their home page...

I know I'm getting a little off topic, but who is Jason Missiaen??? I know he's a goalie but does anyone have any info on him and how good he is??

Komi For Captain's picture
Saw a little video on him from TSN yesterday. Guy is 6'8"!!! Rollie said he's surprisingly co-ordinated for a guy his size. I know he's a little too light and Timmins said he wants Jason to fill out while he's at University. I also liked the comments from the TSN video from P.K. Subban. Subban was saying that he was trying to shoot at Missiaen from the point but he's so big there's no opening. If you can find the video, you can see this kid drop to butterfly and his shoulders still cover the crossbar.

Chuck's picture
Then I guess that there will be no complaining about him going down into the butterfly too early! :) __________________________________

Habs_Rule's picture
Excellent signing! He deserves a huge raise!

twocents's picture
I read somewhere earlier on here that 'he that shall not be named' might prefer a one year contact. I would think BG would consider that a blessing with all the signings ahead of him next summer. With Sundin around for two years there is no way all 4 big name Ufa's(Koivu, Kovalev, Komisarek and Tanguay) would be able to be signed, not with Plekanec and Higgins being Rfa's too. Even if Sundin is on a one year contract we might lose at least one of these guys. So I hope _____ says, 'Bob how about 7 mill. for a year and we try to bring the Cup to your fair city' Bob smiles, they shake hands...

The Teacher's picture
I would sign Sundin for 2 years if he wants, that way we can let Kovy go after this year. Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

Ian Cobb's picture
Got to go along with the horse on this one TEACH. You can't milk every ounce out of a man and then throw him on the scrap heap.

jody1974's picture
Ok so we keep Koviu for life and let Kovalev go. So we balance it out for you Ian...lol " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

Moey's picture
Oh Ian, trust me thay can and they do. Us oldies have to stick together, these kids today!!!

Moey's picture
What's up with this trade Kovi crap? Do you really think that we would even have had a rat's ass chance of finishing first last season if it wasn't for him? Sure I have my favorites, Koivu, Kovi and Breezer. They all have something in common...heart. They all did exactly what was asked of them, Koivu for his leadership, Kovi for his turnaround, Breezer for his outlet passes and just happy to help when asked. You can't put a price on any of it. I would be happy for all of them to finish their careers as Habs.

twocents's picture
Who do you see as a likely candidate not to return?

Moey's picture
Breezer won't be signed if they have their defense wrapped up. He was as Ian has stated an insurance policy. But if they feel they need him I'm all for it. He's got a laser from the point, his passes are bang on and he is a veteran presence. He's the only one wearing bling from 93.

twocents's picture
Sorry, I was talking about from next year's incredibly large and talented group of Habs that will be free agents. It will be a really difficult situation. Most notable UFA's(Koivu, Komisarek, Kovalev, Tanguay) Most notable RFA's (Higgins and Plekanec)

The Teacher's picture
Exactly, and on that front, my pick is Kovy to go. One year does not mean much to me. At 4.5 million, keep him, sure, but he'll want more, and nahhh, better to give it elsewhere. Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

Moey's picture
I'd give 4.5 million if you would go elsewhere.

Are you a troll? From the description I've been given, you sound like one. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

The Teacher's picture
She can be Koivu12. Guess when you have no argument it's ok to insult others. Talk about being a hypocrite Moey. Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

Moey's picture
You have no argument and neither do I. All you do is speculate. I just don't bother, it's a waste of time. I saw what was last season, I have no idea what this season will bring. Get over the insults, it's part of the game.

The Teacher's picture
Yawn, I'm not even going to bother with you. You've proven it's a complete waste of time. Laraque will make them Pay the Price!

twocents's picture
OK but, as I said before, if Sundin signs for 2 years shedding Kovy's 4.5 still won't likely allow us to sign the rest to new contracts.

jody1974's picture
Fully agree with that one Teach. Hopefully he gets off to a fast start and his value goes up. " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

joeybarrie's picture
Why exactly would we want to let Kovi go?