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?
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 15:52.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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........................
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.
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"
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
>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!
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!
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
And Sept. 30 against the Habs at the Bell Centre.
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:28.
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.
Submitted by joeybarrie on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:35.
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...
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
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.
He is and would be :S
what a weird statement.
"Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"
Submitted by joeybarrie on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:29.
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...
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.
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.
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
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...
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.
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
LOL, didn't even realize it was one! :)
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p
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!
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:32.
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.
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p
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!
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!
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).
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...
There, that'll be the sign!
Once Gainey trades a roster player away to clear spaces, we'll see it as Sundin approaching!
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:33.
sundin won't leave toronto
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:05.
So now we'll have Luigi saying "Tabernac"!
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"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"
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.!
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:35.
don't know about your numbers but i agree with you , something like that is on the horizon.
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!
They may compete for a championship against the NHL winner, but not for the Stanley Cup.
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"Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock, Lions In Winter, p 191
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:36.
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.
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?
Submitted by mrstewart61 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 13:30.
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.
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If a man speaks in a forest where no woman can hear him, is he still wrong?
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.
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 - $200 each ticket. so yeah, a nice little return for me. i have no serious issues with scalping. you want them to go away? if people stop buying, then they'll go away. as long as there's a demand, they'll continue to gouge lazy people who don't buy tickets as soon as they go on sale.
It just depends on what type of a society that one wants. You generaly get what one deserves.! Is this something that should be available to the average family or not.??
I can't see how to avoid it. Even if the Habs sold all of the tickets for 5$, 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".
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
Submitted by HAB-PROFESSOR on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:47.
Plan B:
Perrault for faceoffs?
Damphouse?
not that I think Sundin isn't coming....he is.
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.??
Submitted by HabsWin09 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 14:42.
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.
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.
Submitted by ReverendJim on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:28.
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...
Submitted by Mikeishockey2 on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:38.
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.
Submitted by ReverendJim on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:49.
About I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife.
While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking.
I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life.
The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there.
I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette.
The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey.
And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..."
Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game.
I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks.
My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves."
Have a nice day.
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