More on Gorges, etc.

posted by Mike Boone at 6h47 EST on Jul 10


Pat Hickey talks to the man.

Meanwhile, San Jose signs defenceman Christian Ehrhoff to a three year contract for three times what  Gorges is making.

And the Globe's Tim Wharnsby looks at spiralling salaries in the NHL.




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likehoy's picture
i dunno if you guys read the hickey article but signing sundin would put us over the 23-man roster limit...so signing brisebois would put us over...and then sundin would be two over. who gets relegated? chipchura again? begin/kostopoulos?

William_Holden_Is_Hot's picture
Begin...PLEASE

Monsieur Dandenault aussi! "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

The Morning Skate : Watching the River Flow .. by Stu Hackel .. NY Times ..... http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/the-morning-skate-watching-...

The Illegal Curve .. By Ezra Ginsburg reports ..... an excerpt .. Things are starting to turn around for the Vancouver Canucks, who were rejected by Mats Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry earlier this week worse than Screech on Saved by the Bell. Demitra is a career point-a-game scorer who struggled at times last season (15 goals) with countrymen Marian Gaborik in Minnesota, but nonetheless he will instantly make the Canucks anemic offense better. Demitra is a 9-time 20 goal scorer who will look very nice on a Power Play unit alongside the crafty Sedin Twins. For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.

coutNY's picture
NHL, RUSSIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE REACH TRANSFER AGREEMENT http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243045&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

Before we all forget last year, other than the Kommy injury, Les Habs ducked the injury front remarkably well. Mtl lost very few games to injury and 2-3 healthy scratches for most of the second half of the season. It is doubtful they will be so lucky again.

FSLN's picture
First of all the Brisebois rumour is Bullshit because there's no way Gainey would sign him for two years. If he comes back it will be for one year at low pay and will probably mean that Gainey is going to move Dandy. IMO as long as we are hanging on to Dandy it doesn't make that much sense to bring in an 8th d-man. All that said Brisebois wasn't bad last year. He was good in the playoffs and showed he can work well from the point on the PP. That game where his goal stood up against the Bruins made me take back a lot of the mean things I've said about him over the years. If he can be re-signed for one year at around $750,000 I think he would be a great reserve and could help out if our power play gets wobbly without Streit. I think there's more value in that signing than any other vetran D-man we could bring in.

SmartDog's picture
Can't say I agree but an excellent thought-provoking post, and the best case for Breezer I've seen. (You related?) If only he'd stop coughing up the puck! ~Listen to the smart dog!

FSLN's picture
Why thank you Smart Dog! And no, I am not related. :)

SmartDog's picture
np. ~Listen to the smart dog!

Who are the most likely candidates for 7-8 D? #7 will play a lot. Dandy played zero games last year at the defense position. Has Carbo talked to him about dropping back to D again. Oh that's right, Carbo doesn't talk to anyone........................

SmartDog's picture
He doesn't talk to anyone.... and he sure doesn't LISTEN.... hmmmmm...wait a minute... OH MY GOD!!! CARBO IS TOMMY!!! ~Listen to the smart dog!

Who is Tommy? "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

The Cat's picture
Yeah I think so too, a two year contract would make no sense at all.

I agree 100%. Brisebois last year showed that he can be an effective backup D-man; he can't play 82 games plus playoffs, but 30-40 games is still very do-able. And some of the body checks in the playoffs had me hooting in amazement, as I didn't think he had those in him...I was wrong. Signing a veteran 4th D-man would send the wrong message to all of the prospects coming up.

24 Cups's picture
REB - I couldn't care less about their feelings, we're trying to win the Cup. O'Byrne is a good prospect who will take time to step in and be a quality guy. He may play along side Hamrlik this year but that doesn't mean that he's a top four defenseman at this precise moment in time. And he's also not a puck moving defenseman right now. I feel the Habs should bring in an experienced guy for one year. If nothing else, we need the insurance in terms of injuries. The guys in Hamilton need more seasoning and should not be thrown into a playoff round when everything is on the line. We're not building for the future this year, it's time to go for the whole bundle. The Original 24 Cups

What if we get Sundin though? We could give OB and Gorges some time to play and then perhaps get that experienced D at the deadline. God knows the teams who spent like drunken sailors the last few years will want to get someone out. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

24 Cups's picture
Koivu12 - I feel your point is well taken, even in more ways than the issue we just discussed. In a perfect world, it would be great to get Sundin and another Dman. Right now, that would require a shuffling of the deck of cards, which as you point out could easily wait until the trade deadline. Even if we don't get Sundin, then the same idea applies to when we would add the missing pieces. Not everything has to be done right now. Of course, I'm not talking about trading our brains out for guys like Hossa and Campbell at the deadline, but rather middle of the road guys who can fill a need and not break the bank in terms of traded players. The Original 24 Cups

SmartDog's picture
>Signing a veteran 4th D-man would send the wrong message to all of the prospects coming up VEry good point. Though D players take longer to mature. I'm not sure who's left that would be ready for next year? ~Listen to the smart dog!

coutNY's picture
O'Byrne... is our 4th. And Valentenko is ready as he'll ever be.

Robert L's picture
I hope it's bullshit, but for now it's right there with a source quoted to boot. It's not like it is Eklund! ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

coutNY's picture
MONTREAL VS. DETRIOT preseason opener in the Joe Louis.... See what we're made of... to be the best you've got to beat the best! http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/SPORTS0103/80...

Robert L's picture
And Sept. 30 against the Habs at the Bell Centre. ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

But you didn't hear people questioning his moves BECAUSE he was making great moves and he was a Stanley Cup winner YEAR AFTER YEAR. Something the Habs haven't done even once in 15 years.

joeybarrie's picture
What are you babbling about now???

FSLN's picture
I think it might be best to ignore him. Maybe he'll go away if we don't feed him...

Grabbed The Cup's picture
Better yet people, stop lifting those rocks and he won't crawl out from under them.

Robert L's picture
I'm not sure if anyone caught this earlier. I been snoozzzzing all morn after night shift. According to Le Journal, quoting good friend Gino Rosato of Ferrari, Patrice Brisebois is on the verge of signing a two year deal. http://www.canoe.com/sports/nouvelles/archives/2008/07/20080710-110008.h... ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

showey47's picture
Why would we waste the cap space and roster spot on him. I hope this is for an assistant coaches role, we are way too deep in real defensive prospects to waste another 2 years on a player that no other team would sign.

Ian Cobb's picture
That is great news Robert, I was getting worried that we might loose some of our posters on here. The Brisbois bashers.

Wonderful. Let's hear some posters comment that he is an economcal signing.

He is and would be :S what a weird statement. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

joeybarrie's picture
Breezbye rumors to encourage obyrne to sign. Unless of course, we have a coaching spot available... Cause that the only way we'd sign him for 2 years...

Grabbed The Cup's picture
Whether he's signed or not, we don't have to fret about seeing that much of him this year. Gorges is established, and O'Byrne will be given every opportunity to secure his spot, this year Brisebois WOULD be an insurance signing.

Robert L's picture
Maybe we fans could pass the hat around and take up a collection for Brisebois and send him on a trip to Paris to take his mind of hockey while Gainey changes options. ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

SmartDog's picture
WTF? Everything was going so well. ~Listen to the smart dog!

coutNY's picture
Oh know.... You here that rumble... here it comes the triple B's ~ Bandwagon of Breezer Bashers are going to start howling at the very thought! I know don't kill the messenger...

Robert L's picture
I'd so prefer that roster position go to a kid! The only argument for Brisebois at this point is that he'd fit the pay scale, and where else could they get the same combination of experience and homwbrew at such a low cost. Two sides of the coin on this. I wish that coin would just stand on edge. ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

twocents's picture
Very nice quip Robert... very nice

Robert L's picture
LOL, didn't even realize it was one! :) ............................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p

SmartDog's picture
It's a no-brainer. Would you rather TWO more years of Breezer, or: a. sign another low-budget veteran b. try someone from the farm c. trade dandy for someone d. ANY of the above!!! The fact that it's supposed to be for TWO years makes me think it's bogus. We have a solid core and several good guys in the pipeline... would Bob sign on for TWO years of puck give-aways? I can't imagine. ~Listen to the smart dog!

or bring back the great patrick traverse?

Robert L's picture
D, no contest! His Ferrari friend did say he did not know what team it was with, tho! Maybe the Bruins or Leafs are about to give him a huge raise. ............................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p

SmartDog's picture
I really can't see him being signed in Montreal. I COULD see another team being so stupid - he looks good on paper... ring holder, puck-moving D-man, can play the point on the power play.... only we know the AGONY. And only we at HIO have done the calculations of what happens with him in the line-up. Oh woe is us... Good quote BTW. ~Listen to the smart dog!

SmartDog's picture
Damn right! And rightly so.... we LOSE with him on the ice, we WIN with him in the press box. He makes passes to the other team as a matter of course.... I was glad we let Streit go, but if it means 2 more years of Breezer, hell, bring him back! ~Listen to the smart dog!

The Cat's picture
I agree with you. In his defense though, he was one of the few that upped his game in the playoffs.

coutNY's picture
Boy I'd hate to be that guy.... Yeah, you know the one that put us over the edge of free space, so we couldn't sign, you know the other guy...

We have room for Sundin even if we sign Briser and O.B. We have more guys on the roster than we are allowed and a couple guys (Chipchura and..) will be designated to the minors or bought out and that will create the cap room we need. We already have 23 signed before O.B., Sundin or Briser. There is definitely room (only 23 guys are on the roster at once).BTW we haven't signed him yet but as Robert L pointed out you aren't going to find his experience at his pay. I also wonder how seriously the team takes the tradition side too.......Has there ever been a cup won in Montreal that at least 1 player from the previous winner wasn't on?(excluding the first of course).

coutNY's picture
Just stirring the pot... I actually suggested his services in leu of Streits Departure because of his affordability a few days back. As long as they don't try to play him over 10 mins 5-on-5 (or #6 position)and restrict him to PP mostly I'd be happy. I think he was over used which added stress to our man Hamrlik. In BOB we trust...

SmartDog's picture
ARRRGGHHH!! You're really f***ing with my day! ~Listen to the smart dog!

Robert L's picture
There, that'll be the sign! Once Gainey trades a roster player away to clear spaces, we'll see it as Sundin approaching! ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

sundin won't leave toronto


doug's picture

Revolution No. 9's picture
WTH? That article is almost a year old. Surely there's something better to talk about.

Robert L's picture
So now we'll have Luigi saying "Tabernac"! ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

Quebec's linguistic watchdog, the Office quebecois de la langue française (OQLF), is the biggest effing waste of money on the effing planet (relatively speaking of course) "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

jody1974's picture
How's your day going?? " Drive is on for Cup # 25 "

Ian Cobb's picture
Last year I posted that within a few years we would see a Major league in Europe and North America. Made up of 10 teams in Europe, the USA would shrink to 10 teams and Canada would have 8 teams. This league of 28 teams would be fighting it out for Lord Stanley's Cup by the year 2015. This format is well on it's way now.!

don't know about your numbers but i agree with you , something like that is on the horizon.

Grabbed The Cup's picture
An interesting idea Ian, and one I would love to see, but logisticlly speaking it would be a nightmare. The only option would be to have a severely unbalanced schedule. I suppose they could work it out so each of the European teams plays each other 8 times and has one 10 game road trip per year where they play in North America for a total of 82 games. The NA teams would also each have a 10 game road trip once a year playing each Euro team once. Don't see it happening though. *edit* Just realized my Euro schedule doesn't account for the games for visiting NA teams, see what I mean, a logistical nughtmare!

Robert L's picture
They may compete for a championship against the NHL winner, but not for the Stanley Cup. ........................................................................................................................................... "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191

they'll call it the Super Cup

MikeL's picture
I hope not. If so, it should be like the MLB, with two divisions that never play (not including interleague). The time difference alone would kill me personally, having to watch the Habs play a game in Russia at 2 in the morning.

Nicolas St-Henri's picture
Actually, you would probably be watching the games in Russia at around noon our time (7 or 8 hour time difference right?). Pretty sweet on a Saturday or Sunday, don't you think?

Interesting article on David Desharnais on RDS. Check out the video on the right (some in English). Also, they talk about Yannick Weber in the 2nd video. Perhaps some day he will replace fellow Swiss Mark Streit but with better defense. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?

coutNY's picture
I was surprised to see Straka defect to the Czec league... Die-hards are Rangers or nothing, I guess... Shanahan next?

coutNY's picture

Ian Cobb's picture
Vancouver already knows that Sundin will not be signing with them now. So it is retire, Toronto or Montreal.

twocents's picture

the real vinnydj's picture
Mats has 2 choices now, Montreal or.....Montreal! Sweet, Eklund proving once again that he is a moron!

coutNY's picture
technically they, meaning the Canucks, are not out yet. THey're only at 47 million with Demitra cost $4 million that leaves them around 10 million of free space... but have a few RFA's on their plate. also signing Demitra could be a sign to Sundin that the Canucks are serious at being a contender... by adding a vetran top six forward. just speculating.

I realize Eklund is what he is but he has been saying Demitra to Vancouver since before Demitra came out and publicly declared it his first choice. Vancouver also has a ton of cap space (14 million before Demitra) so although I don't think they really have a chance at Mats it is not because of the Demitra signing....it is because they have a set of twins and the best goalie in the game but noone else.

the real vinnydj's picture
Oh wow, Eklund at it again. Just when the Marleau rumours starting to go away for the 9th time.

Habs fan in SF's picture
i was once guilty of scalping ... back when i was in college i was watching espn sportscenter one late evening (procrastinating my studying - as usual) when i saw cal ripken jr. announced his retirement at the end of the season. i immediately jumped online and purchased 10 tickets to what was to be his last game EVER, which was at Yankee stadium. I paid roughly about $30 each - so a $300 investment. i then proceeded to sell them all on ebay for roughly $125 - $200 each ticket. so yeah, a nice little return for me. i have no serious issues with scalping. you want them to go away? if people stop buying, then they'll go away. as long as there's a demand, they'll continue to gouge lazy people who don't buy tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Ian Cobb's picture
It just depends on what type of a society that one wants. You generaly get what one deserves.! Is this something that should be available to the average family or not.??

Revolution No. 9's picture
I can't see how to avoid it. Even if the Habs sold all of the tickets for 5$, they'd all still be sold out to everyone camping out on day 1 of sales (as they currently are). And then 80% of them would be immediately turned around for profit. That's just human nature and "supply vs demand".

Connecticut Man1's picture
I am thinking the average family can not afford the face value price coupled with all of the extras (food, souvenir, etc.). We go see the Hartford Wolfpack (the rags farm team) and it costs about the same for everything as it would to take our family to a movie with the extras (popcorn, drink, etc.). Taking our entire family (2 adults + 4 kids) to an NHL game is nearly unthinkable. lol

HAB-PROFESSOR's picture
Plan B: Perrault for faceoffs? Damphouse? not that I think Sundin isn't coming....he is.

Ian Cobb's picture
I just phoned the justice office and was advised that only if a citizen of the province of Quebec who puts in writing a formal complaint, can they start an action for unfair marketing of tickets at the Bell Center or who ever. Scalping is an illegal transaction but a formal complaint must be sent by registered mail. So who will follow up now.??

Cops used to arrest scalpers right on the street. No one had filed complaints. But now the box office is the scalper. You can't buy those seats at the box office BUT you can on the internet via auction and for more than facevalue.

MikeL's picture
Are you telling me not one person in all of Quebec has ever filed a complaint for that? I find that hard to believe.

Ian Cobb's picture
Mike L---I'm not telling you that, the Justice dept told me that. Most people just blow hot air, very few ever get there hands dirty doing the right thing.!!

"Very few peoople get their hands dirty doing the right thing" ....true that Ian. I will also predict that if someone does take action that the scalpers will have no problem doing what they need to delay any restrictions.....they are opportunists and although I am very bitter (that's why I see the Habs in Ottawa...because I can)there needs to be something formally done or I can't really blame them.

Connecticut Man1's picture
Blogivism 101, Professor I. Cobb: How the combination of Blogging and activism can make a real difference. :)

MikeL's picture
wow, that's incredible

ReverendJim's picture
Reading Hickey's article made me think...If we ever do get Sundin and sign O'Byrne, we have 24 players. One over the NHL limit... I think Dandy will lose his spot...I think that sucks because he's very loyal and still useful. Not the best player, but the same can be said about (quote Mike Boone) Tom The Bomb...

Mikeishockey2's picture
Dandy take up 1.5 million, and didn't even play 65 games. He got 14 points. Is he worth it? I Dont think so.

ReverendJim's picture
Can we really evaluate his effort and will and determination by the number of points he produced? How points did Bégin have? Exactly...