posted by Kevin Mio at 11h12 EST on Nov 4


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It’s been a tough week for the Canadiens, with losses against Pittsburgh and Chicago before beating the Maple Leafs despite blowing a late two-goal lead. On Tuesday night, they lost to Atlanta in a sloppy game that saw numerous defensive breakdowns for the Canadiens. It doesn’t get any easier for the Habs, who play Boston on Thursday and welcome Tampa Bay to Montreal on Saturday.

Pat Hickey, Dave Stubbs, Mike Boone and Kevin Mio discuss Montreal's defence, which is struggling of late, as well as Andrei Kostitsyn's play, whether Tomas Plekanec should be re-signed now and what we can look forward to against the Bruins and Lightning.

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Comments

Trashknob's picture
I dont get why you guys do the cast so sporadically? Great weekly habs podcast: www.HabsRadio.com

Why is the puckcast so short now? Surely Stubbs, Hickey, and Boone can be goaded by Mio into talking about hockey for more than 21 minutes??? I think you could safely do an hour.  That would at least give Boone a chance to sober up!

Re: Carey Price, I'll admit to not thinking he's very good, but then again, it took Fleury a few years also.  Goalies tend to take more years to develop than forwards.  I think the mistake the Habs made with Price was bringing him along too early.

What if after all the hype Pleks and Halak are cornerstone of the franchise in a few years!

 


"Lecavalier is averaging about 63-64 points for the last 3 or 4 seasons" says Hickey.

Ummmm...Last 6 seasons:

78, 66, 75, 108, 92, 67.

Not sure how that averages out to 63-64 when the lowest is 66.


TripleX's picture

Man I can't win with some of you.  I agree!  Price is a victim of a combination of bad luck, bad team and bad fans.  Price can't be faulted for any goals, his stats are irrelevant.  People just don't get it.

He had two great games to start off the season?  What do you want?  To do this every game?

Halak is a pretender to the throne.  He has more wins?  Come on people, they were all easy games Price would have won in his sleep.  Of course it is sometimes difficult to tell when Price is awake.

We have to play Price every game, it is only a matter of time till we win one.  It is all in the statistics, just be patient. 

So, play Price.  We will win.  Eventually.

 

ps.  Same goes for Bobo.  Lousy team again?  Give him time.  I think a couple more five year plans and old Bobo will have it perfected.


Wow, 2 wins in so many starts.  Yes the stats lie, Price is great.  The referees and goal judges lie, as does the tv replay judge, those goals were not goals, in fact Price had shutouts, its all a conspiracy to prove Bob Gainey wrong, yes thats what it is.

And Halak bribed those referees too, and no wonder Halak is such a pretender, pretending to win 5 games in a row, and again its a conspiracy to make Price look bad, making Halak play those easy games,.

Maybe if we keep playing Price we'll win in the year 2012, five games in a row, and maybe even finish 9th and almost to the playoffs.


Fabio D's picture

Gentlemen, long time fan of the "PuckCast".

Think you're all doing a fantastic job with it, have great dialogue and echo much of what most posters submit to HabsInsideout.

Last night as I scrolled through my Expressvu guide, I noticed and tuned in to RDS's telecast of "L'antichambre" and TVA's "Attaque a 5".

It struck me as I watched and toggled between both shows that with all the coverage the Canadiens receive from the media in Montreal that there isn't an English equivalent of the above mentioned shows.

Are there or what are or could there be potential plans for televising the PuckCast after Canadiens Games? Maybe a half hour - 45 minute segment on one of the Montreal English channels? Or a notional provider so that Habs fans living across Canada can tune in to.

I think it would be a great addition to the TV airwaves and I would be interested in knowing if that notion has been kicked around at any time.

Thanks!

 


Eric37's picture

Guys...so neagtive already.  It's only November!  Just need to stay in the fight until Markov returns.  And no matter what anyone says, this isn't a cup team.  Let's just enjoy some Canadiens hockey!

E.


Well now, if Price is only good because of Markov, then is Price as good as everyone says?


mjames's picture

This question was raised in one of the recent PuckCast's but the panel deferred as they explained they were not  X's and O's experts and therefore did not know the answer.  The question relates to JM's famous "SYSTEM" A lot of posters talk about the SYSTEM with authority and suggest everyone be patient until the  SYSTEM kicks in. I am sure there is someone on here who can answer the following question. Can someone or anyone please explain what JM "SYSTEM" is?  I am curious. 

mjames


Habsrule1's picture

Look, neither goalie has been that great, but Halak is getting more wins....who cares why?

Play Halak until he has a "bad" game, then play Price. It's not complicated.

Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy


TheDagger's picture

Liambus suspended for the year and the play-offs for that hit.

"A month before the season I stop putting ketchup on my french fries." -Mario Lemieux on his off-season training.


Although I don't believe that the hit was clean (he had an elvow up), I have seen far worse hits go unpunished; this is a jnee-jerk reaction because of the severity of the injury. 

The problem is that the difference in physiology between a 16yr old and a 20yr old is HUGE!!!!  No way they should be playing a high speed, contact sport together, ever.


MikeL's picture

I'd say that's a little harsh considering many thought the hit was clean. It's really too bad the kid got hurt, but I don't agree with the severity of that suspension.


nickster13's picture

just goes to show you how guys need to learn how to take a hit to not get injured, and that means no turning as a guy is coming in to hit you


Geeze, I guess if your not a superhero you shouldn't be playing hockey if your just a mere human your mean?


nickster13's picture

sorry double post!!!


nickster13's picture

im going to be a realist here.

OUr team is playing fine, not allowing many shots and playing generally uptempo and well. Defence are playing well minus Bergeron and Carle who played weak all the time and last night respectively. the rest are playing smart, Forwards are playing well both ways for the most part, except for a few defensive lapses here and there which need to be cut down on. such as the centerman covering the slot type stuff. Big line is firing on all cylinders which is good, Lats and some others are not playing well for the most part, and him and Lapierre, if they cant score (and they havent) must at least play well defensively and Lapierre is having trouble clearing while i saw latendresse fail to cover his man in front last night.

Solutions:

trade the Kost brothers for some prospects or picks or something, we have enough guys in the wings to take spots, or maybe pick up a proven player who can put up around 50 pts, like Kost should be.

Send MAB back down to hamilton, no one would claim him on the way down anyways so little risk here. call up a steady D such as Belle who plays a simple hard nosed game.

Keep on coaching and implementing the system

keep playing Halak until he needs a break, since Price looks very fragile right now, so let him work hard in practice for the next little while until he is deemed less fragile

 

All in all guys, youre all freaking out and making it seem like were sunk, it aint that bad, just a few changes would go a long way


Habsrule1's picture

Guys, take a look at M-A Fleury's stats on hockeydb. He was no better than Price in his first couple of seasons. Price is not a great goalie yet, but he has the potential to get there....maybe not at 22 or 23 years old...maybe only at 24 or 25...but we should not let him get away. Play him every other game unless Halak is amazing....and play Price more if he deserves it too.

Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy


Kooch7800's picture

I would package of the kostitsyn brothers and see what you can get.  We need our defense back in a big way.  That is what killed the win against atlanta last night. 


avatar_58's picture

Are we all forgetting the team scored 2 goal leads over the other teams when Halak played? That Halak would have lost to the leafs had they not scored so often? That Halak had trouble with the Islanders when they came back to play?

Perspective here people. I like Halak but I don't get why people think he's that much better than Price. Both goalies let in very soft goals one minute yet save the game the next. The difference maker is in whether our offence can score and the defence stop chances. The offence showed up BIG time last night, no arguement. The defence sucked. Price let in some stinkers. We lost.

Had Halak been in net would we have won? I'm not so sure. I've NEVER seen Halak make the kinds of saves Price made last night. Price stretched completely out a few times due to very terrible defensive plays requiring it. Halak would have gone down, stayed down and watched it slide out of reach. How on earth can anyone argue this? Halak's saves are about position not effort. He is usually "just there" as someone shoots. In shootouts the shooter always hits his pads right on, or misses the net entirely. In the games he usually has a defenceman take out a lane while he goes low on ONE side.

Price, on the other hand, never has this luxury. He usually has to face 2 on 1 chances, breakaways and guys who dangle like Kovalev wannabes. Why is it that his saves are about flying around versus in position? Take a look at the last goal of this game. He had no chance, there were 2 guys perfectly setup and made an awesome pass. Unless he somehow stretched out with his hands up theres no damn way. The shot from the point glove side? All him, he should have had it. However come on now, any fool can see he has faced the tougher games this season compared to Halak.

Halak cannot take out the pens, red wings or capitals. We are going to see this very easily. Can he take out Boston and Tampa? Sure why not, both are having issues. However I bet all of his saves are run of the mill "in position" ones and we won't see any 2 on 1 chances foiled. It bothers me a great deal because I like both goalies but have to sit here and watch one praised and the other slammed for very different games....


TripleX's picture

Duh?  When a goalie makes easy saves because he is in perfect position.  Is not that what a good goalie does?

Price is 'always flying around" to make spectacular saves.  Perhaps, because he does not follow the play and his positioning is poor?


avatar_58's picture

So answer me this - when on a breakaway the best position is....?

When your defence kicks it into your own net, the best position is.....?

When your defence passes directly in front of the net causing a turn over the best position is......?

When it's  2 on 1 and your defence is way out of position, the best position is.....?

 

You tell me Halak would have all of those covered? BS, because it never happens when he's in net. Why is that exactly?


TripleX's picture

So answer me this - when on a breakaway the best position is....?

I believe Halak stopped a breakaway in his WIN 

When your defence kicks it into your own net, the best position is.....?

I would have my five hole covered with my stick down, as Price has been told numerous times

When your defence passes directly in front of the net causing a turn over the best position is......?

I would be in position to deflect the puck with my stick and i would not be on my knees looking for loonies.

When it's  2 on 1 and your defence is way out of position, the best position is....

I would be on my skates ready to move laterally and play the shooter expecting my D to take away the pass and or guard the receiver. In other words play the odds and be positionally sound.


avatar_58's picture

First off - breakaways are largely luck. For BOTH parties involved. The shooter is full of surprise adreneline and the goalie is caught off guard. Saving that puck comes down to guessing what the shooter will do, since many shooters (Ovechkin, Crosby, etc) have tricks you simply will not be ready for. Halak stopped one? Good for him, so did Price last night. However if you honestly blame the goalie for a play that should NEVER have happened then you will never be happy with our goaltending.

Five hole coverage? What about the corners? What about upstairs, if a player lifts it? Kicking into one's own net means the puck is on your doorstep. There is zero time to react and you try to cover the puck, as well as stop anything the opposition attempts to do. You do NOT stop and think "oh *** hey maybe Bergeron will score on me". Same goes for redirects - no goalie assumes his own D will screw up that badly. Yet ours does.

You would be in position for a bad pass? BS. You look forward and wait for your D to pass like an NHL defenceman, not a junior leaguer. Should Price NEVER trust his defence now? What is the point of them if they all they do is cause grief?


HABS_ADDICT_69's picture

So answer me these - TripleX?

What NHL team did U play net for?

What NHL team were U the Goalie coach?


RiverviewCanadien's picture

Nice, loved how you came back and answered every question, and I think you are correct on all, especially on the one where you would NOT be looking for loonies...awesome!


HABS_ADDICT_69's picture

And Halak is never on his knees?

Please get real!


RiverviewCanadien's picture

we know you hate Halak and are in love with Price...NEXT!


andrewberkshire's picture

Writing off someone like habsaddict69 would make sense, except you're agreeing with triplex who's basically the exact same character only a Halak fanboy and Price hater. Neither are right most of the time, both bash the goalie they don't like when it isn't necessary and it's gotten so so old. I've seen you make very good and constructive comments before, but like me, you get caught up a bit in the goalie debate and act like a jerk (not trying to insult, I did say like me after all). It's time we stop blaming the goalies and start looking for why neither has been anywhere close to their career numbers this season. Something is wrong defensively.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


slapshot777's picture

I agree with this post 100%. Couldn't have said t any better. STOP THE GOALTENDING BASHING, PLEASE


light_n_tasty's picture

I think there is something to be said for Halak being able to be in a spot where the puck just hits him.  Price overplays everything and is often out of position.  It's not just the D...Halak is in a better state of mind and knows where to be.  Price's positional problems, however, are nothing that some good coaching can't fix.  His glove side, on the other hand...


HABS_ADDICT_69's picture

Price overplays cause his D are SH-T!


light_n_tasty's picture

Price overplays because he is scared to death that he will let in a goal, rather than being confident that he will make the save.


andrewberkshire's picture

People love to lionize Halak because he's the "underdog" who'd fighting against the oppressive english starting goalie. It has nothing to do with Halak or Price's play.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


LOL... Well, I'm not so sure that Price would enjoy being labelled 'the oppressive english starting goalie'. Considering his background and all. But it sure seems,  when you take last year into account, that Halak has to fight harder to win over management. Although Martin seems much more balanced in his approach this year.

  GO HABS...


matraque's picture

Wow...

You are saying Price is no 1?  He's not... he's not showing it.

-------- We have a new team! Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2) Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


andrewberkshire's picture

Well the three best goaltender performances of the season all belong to to Price, so when big saves are needed that's who I'd rather have in goal. Pretty easy to rack up wins when you face 21 shots a game from the Islanders.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


matmacat's picture

Let's not compare Halak to Price, but both of them to Pavelec. That's how I'd like to see either of them play.


andrewberkshire's picture

You'd like them to face inept offense all night and be behind the play but still have the players shoot it right into them? Not to mention let in every good scoring chance and still have a sub-90% save %?

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


matmacat's picture

He's been more impressive than our goalies.


light_n_tasty's picture

Ha ha, you are so right.  Like that freakin open net in the first period that Gionta dribbled towards the goal.  It's no coincidence that every night we seem to run into a 'hot' goalie.


andrewberkshire's picture

I know, it's getting so frustrating. I'm sick of the "hot goalie" excuse, our shooters aren't getting the job done on many nights.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


matraque's picture

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pavalec+saves&search_type=&aq=f

--------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


light_n_tasty's picture

matraque's picture

Yeah it happens... Hope Price could stop those high glove sides more often.  Especially that beach ball from last night.

Halak looked kind of funny against the Islanders the other day... Too bad.

--------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


andrewberkshire's picture

Wow that totally proves that Pavalec should win the vezina! I could do the same thing with any goalie in the league (including Price). Pavalec wasn't great last night, we just weren't shooting well. He got extremely lucky that we flubbed chances on open nets several times (pulling a Higgins), and Cammalleri kept nailing Gionta with the puck.

__________________________________________

http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/


matraque's picture

Good post.

Halak would have stopped that beach ball.

4-4, we get at least a point and it's a different story this morning.

--------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


slapshot777's picture

Maybe, but against Toronto he let that shot go in over his shoulder for the third Laffs goal, on his knees. Then he let the tying goal slide by him, albiet a deflected puck off one of our defenders (spacek) I believe. If you break down the games of both goalies when ca be here all day long. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, both have let in questionable goals, both have had bad bounces go in against them (fluke goal).


The results this early in the season are a disappointment but considering that the team is virtually new there is no reason to panic. Having said that there is one area that is not very good and not getting beter, goaltending. Both Halak's and Prices's stats such as save percentage are AHL quality and that is the main reason we are not higher (say top five in division) in the standings. Price has zero confidence and Halak seems confident and still puts up some wins. Send Price to Hamilton to regain his game and bring up Sanford to back up Halak and try the former and see what he can do. Ed.


light_n_tasty's picture

A better solution IMO wold to get rid of the Sisters and Halak, and bring in a veteran goalie for 2 years to share the time with Price.  Of course that will never happen.


slapshot777's picture

Bring in Patrick Roy or even Olig Kolzig to work with both Goalies. Price right now may seem to need a little more confidence wise anyways. Who better to tell Carey how to deal with pressure in Montreal than Roy. Price may also feel more comfortable working with Kolzig rather than Groulx, seeing Kolzig was the owner of the junior team he played for.


light_n_tasty's picture

Oh, and I don't mean trade the sisters and halak for a goalie..of course a top six forward would also have to be involved.


Fant-HAB-ulous's picture

Too late for that. Price would have to clear waivers first...and that wouldn't happen.


matmacat's picture

No more Latendresse and Lapierre on the second line! I don't care if they each got a point last game. They are not second line material. All they do is brawl in front of the net after the whistle. Either you put AK and SK back there, or you make a move. No one else is offensive enough. Maybe Pac and Dags, but not yet.


slapshot777's picture

One of the biggest problems I saw last night with the Laps, Lats, of the world is that I always found them too close to each other, when a defenseman went to clear a puck all he had to do was make a decent pass and he not only avoided one player, but two players at the same time because they were so close to each other. They don't play spread out enough.


matraque's picture

Laps and Lats are fine on the 2nd. For now.

SK does not want to play for the Habs... hell, he does not even want to play for the Dogs.  I'm starting to think that AK does not want to play here anymore as well.

Package these guys, OUT!

--------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


matraque's picture

SK and AK for a D.  Do it Bob!

Price needs to steal games for us and he is not doing it.  I agree, it's time for Price to step up... We are still waiting.

And i like the fact that the French press and English press are pointing out the same stuff.  I watch, read and listen both.

Great show guys.  I think it should last longer.

--------

We have a new team!

Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)

Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way


Fant-HAB-ulous's picture

You know what I really want? I want to find a way to snaggle away that 1st Round Toronto pick that Boston has. I want that pick more than anything right now.


davecessna's picture

There's a load of talk concerning where Price will be next year. If I were him, I would jet as fast as I could away from this team and its legion of fanatics. I hope his finds his game, but I doubt he'll find it with millions of miracle expecting people riding his back. I just pray that Brian Burke doesn't decide that Price can carry his team better than Toskala.


HABS_ADDICT_69's picture

I think that CP will try to go to some city where the majority of fans not are ready to cut his throat all the time. Even when it is not his fault. I were him I would try to go some where warm!


He could go to the KHL.


Propwash's picture

And out west, so we play against him as little as possible, cause if he leaves, hes gonna have a big chip on his shoulder I bet.

 

Losers Even After Forty two Seasons


I didn't realize we as Habs fans gave up winning, heck then Price should play for the Laffs winning is not important.


cautiousoptimist's picture

If Halak steps up as a #1, and someone decides to give Price big bucks at the end of the season and send us a bunch of sweet picks in an RFA compensation package, that may not be the end of the world...

  1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
  2. Mike Boone: "With Gainey at my side, I'd walk into any dark alley in the world."

Exit716's picture

Those draft picks would be awesome. Timmins, if he still has a job would pick kids from Minnesota that won't be ready for the NHL until 2020.

 


davecessna's picture

I agree completely. I hope Price finds his game here, but there is every indication that Price is too fragile a human being. You cannot compare him to Roy at all. Roy was(is) an egotistical, chauvinistic, wife-beating jackass. That's how he was able to survive Montreal's atmosphere and develop as a goalie. Roy is not fragile at all. Price is a nice kid from bumf*** nowhere that got corrupted by the party life. He needs Columbus or Florida... somewhere he can develop without having to deal with the pressure of performing well. He caves under pressure, as we've seen time and time again.

That said, I wish him the best, here or otherwise, but Halak is our guy right now.


avatar_58's picture

Why would you sign Plenkanec now? Make him EARN his money. What happens when Gainey signs him for 3 years then he turns around and slacks off? No, I like seeing him worry enough about his job to push every night. Last year I thought he was soft and not worth re-signing. Gainey saw things differently and went for a "you get one year to prove yourself" attitude.

Why screw with that? Same goes for Price, Halak and anyone else not giving 100%. Signing players out of desperation and "what about next year?" will only hurt the team. I much prefer Gainey take his time and see who is worth it and who is not. We do not need another long term contract on a player who isn't pulling their weight.


Chris's picture

More important question might be "Why would Plekanec sign now?"  He's earning a big raise with every game...there is absolutely no reason for him to sign for a home-town discount when he is putting up a point-per-game as a Hab. 

Tomas is playing for a nice, big raise this summer, a contract that should set up the rest of his career.  The Habs might have been able to get him to sign last year, but I think you will see him commit to testing the market if he continues to play well.


MikeL's picture

That can work both ways, though. Look at Dominic Moore last season in Toronto. He played way over his head and the Leafs offered him a very respectable 1.5 million (that's if my memory is correct) a year, while he wanted 2.5 to 3 million based on his one good season. He ended up signing late into the off season for less than the Leafs originally offered him.


Chris's picture

You are right, Mike, but Plekanec isn't exactly a one year wonder either.  He's got a pretty proven track record of scoring 20 goals per year, and he's always been a good two-way player with his penalty killing.  The off-season last year will put some doubt in people's minds, but a big year this year shows resilience that GM's drool over. 


MikeL's picture

You're right. I was somewhat stretching with the Moore example, but just tried to think of a situation where waiting didn't work out for the player.

From the list you posted below, and the situation Plekanec is in, I see him gettin Nik Antropov-like money. Many felt Atlanta overpaid, so it might be a little less, but I seem him making something in the 4 million range.


Chris's picture

Hope it's closer to that total than the $4.5 million per totals given to Andy McDonald or Jason Arnott.


TripleX's picture

Brilliant!  Yes, it worked out so well last season when TEN players walked for NOTHING.  Why sign our best player Markov, and lock him in long term.  Why sign our most consistent forward in Pleks, before he tests the market after a breakout season?

Glad you are so happy with the performance of Bob and this disaster of a team he has created.  Glad you are happy with his terrific signings of Gomez, Gill, Spacek and MAB.  Glad you are so happy we are paying 8 million a year for a second line center who scores 16 goals a season.  Glad you are happy that we are up against the cap with no room to maneuver and no young players in the organization that can help this team.


Habsrule1's picture

Relax.

I guess YOU were happy with the 77 points and missing playoffs 4 out of 5 years BEFORE Gainey got here, right?

Go Habs Go!! "I can't hear what Jeremy (Roenick) is saying because my Stanley Cup rings are in my ears" - Patrick Roy


Exit716's picture

Yeah, having 10 free agents on a team is a recipe for certain success.

Did you miss last year?

You're essentially saying Gainey should only work part of June and early July and then take a nap for the rest of the year.

Just don't whine next year when Plekanec is elsewhere and Glen Metropolit is the number two centre.

 


cautiousoptimist's picture

That works if we're the only potential employer out there, but if we don't re-sign, say, Pleks, someone else will.  And then we've lost him for nothing.  Much better to sign and deal him -- even for a little less than he's worth -- than to let him join the parade of above-average players who've left here for nothing in the last few years.

  1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
  2. Mike Boone: "With Gainey at my side, I'd walk into any dark alley in the world."

avatar_58's picture

Depends on how you look at it. It's easier to sign a UFA than it is to trade a player who doesn't play as he should. Let's say Plek doesn't score more than 10 goals this season, but Gainey caved and signed him for 3 years. Now what? You are stuck trying to find a buyer for this guy hoping you will get a player in return who also won't underachieve,

Whereras UFA's don't nessesarily leave due to performance issues - they just chose not to resign. Cammalleri and Gionta are two guys we would *never* have gotten in trades. I like it. So honestly I wouldn't worry.


cautiousoptimist's picture

What's topping Bob from dealing, say, Gomez at the deadline, to free up cap space?  With the points he'll rack up this season playing alongside Gionta and Cammalleri, we could surely get better value than we spent for him.  Do any of our new signings have no-trade clauses? 

  1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
  2. Mike Boone: "With Gainey at my side, I'd walk into any dark alley in the world."

Chris's picture

"What's stopping Bob from dealing, say, Gomez at the deadline, to free up cap space?"

The fact that he is on a $8 million salary and $7.3 million cap hit makes him largely untradeable.  You need to find a team willing to eat that contract.  Glen Sather got lucky when he convinced the Habs to do it.  I don't see lightning striking twice.

As for the other guys, I don't know of no-trade clauses.  But trading a player you signed in the off-season (unless the player publicly pushes for it) is a bad idea.  UFA's like to pick their own destinations, so having their hand-picked team then trade them somewhere they don't want to be is the kind of move that can have negative repercussions later.


I agree with the "don't trade whatever UFA you signed" sentiment - that's why we kept Dandenault until the end of his contract, and why we will also keep Hamerlik.


mrhabby's picture

price is not going anywhere..the market for goalies is not active.

what can we expect from TB on saturday night. how about there A game. Vinny/st.louis always play well and with our weak dman could be ugly. need a big game from all players.


nick's picture

Not to mention Tanguay will probably get a hat trick just for not getting resigned in MTL. :P


J. Ambrose's picture

The most unsettling topic of the discussion is about the team's salary bind come the end of the season. Having to fill the bulk of the roster with contracts of $800,000. Bye bye Pleks and possibly both goalies. All thanks to Bob's big buys for three forwards. Geez, you think THIS season is ugly!


Fant-HAB-ulous's picture

I think you misunderstood. Next year we have 45.7 million committed. The cap right now s 58.3 million.

It apprently will drop, but only by a few million. We will have at least 10 million to sign our two UFA'S and 11 RFA's. Of those 11, only 5 (in my opinion) are worth re-signing (Price, Halak, Latendressem LaPierre and D'Ag)


Chris's picture

Cap is currently $56.7 million, to be more accurate, and expected to not change or potentially even fall, but only by $2.5-5 million as you said.

The big question is how much they can get Plekanec signed for, if at all...  Looking around the league, here are some comparable players and their current cap hits.  I've ignored guys signed to long-term deals as young RFA's, as they didn't have the leverage that Plekanec will have as a UFA.

  • Antropov (ATL) signed for $4 million per year for 4 years
  • Connolly (BUF) signed for $4.5 million per for 2 seasons
  • Sharp (CHI) signed for $3.9 million per for 4 seasons
  • Umberger (CBJ) signed for $3.75 million per for 4 seasons
  • Ribeiro (DAL) signed for $5 million per for 5 seasons
  • Horcoff (EDM) signed for $5.5 million per for 5 seasons
  • Handzus (LAK) signed for $4 million per for 4 seasons
  • Arnott (NAS) signed for $4.5 million per for 5 seasons
  • Fisher (OTT) signed for $4.2 million per for 5 seasons
  • Marleau (SJ) signed for $6.3 million per for 2 seasons
  • McDonald (STL) signed for $4.7 million per for 4 seasons
  • Nylander (WAS) signed for $4.875 million per for 4 seasons

Going through there, I don't think Plekanec is in the same league as a guy like Marleau, but the other guys aren't unreasonable comparisons.  Based on those numbers, I would say that Plekanec can expect anywhere from $3.5-5 million per year on a 4-5 year deal if he waits to get to the open market.  This is partially because the market for centers after Marleau and Savard (who probably won't make it to UFA) this summer isn't outstanding, although there are a lot of decent guys out there.  Other UFA's available this summer might include Savard (Boston), Saku Koivu (Anaheim), Cullen (Carolina), Jokinen (Calgary), Conroy (Calgary), Madden (Chicago), Jason Williams (Detroit), Weight (NY Rangers), Prospal (NY Rangers), Lombardi (Phoenix), Lang (Phoenix), Marleau (San Jose), Stajan (Toronto), Wellwood (Vancouver) and Morrison (Washington). 

Another thing that might keep Plekanec's salary demands lower would be a falling salary cap in the summer.  This is a less of an issue to me because he is no longer an RFA, so he can go to one of the number of teams that do have salary cap space if they are looking to improve.


Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!!

Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!! Sign Pleks now!!!

 

--Your local Redundancy Department of Redundancy

 

------------------------"Let this be a reminder that this organization will not tolerate failure." Dr. Evil


Eric37's picture

Hilarious photo!

 

E.


Fant-HAB-ulous's picture

I there was a "like" button, I would have clicked it.


Habscore's picture

First!!!

----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN!!! -----





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