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In todays Star an article by Mark Zwolinski says and I quote,
"The Montreal Canadiens, who acquired exclusive negotiating rights to Sundin from the Leafs until July 1, have reportedly left Sundin highly impressed with the organization."
Here's the link....
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/451304
I wouldn't want Jagr but in his defense, he did play well in the playoffs.Its true he only won cause of Mario, but its also true that Mario only won as soon as Paul Coffey came to Pittsburgh.
Ahhhh. Paul Coffey :)
My favourite defenceman :)
You want the Cup?
This is it.
1 year. 10 million.
Why not? Koivu and Kovalev UFA next year. The time is NOW.
Gotta do what ya gotta do.
10 million, Mats.
And we go for the Cup.
That is too much. Sundin will likely, if he plays, get into 50-60 games this season, and bring along 22 goals and 60 points. The team would restructure itself to fit him in, so probably Pleks drops time and points. Really what you're buying is possible leadership and possible clutch performance.
I hear what you are saying and I like Sundin but he never took the Leafs anywhere. Guys like him help take teams to a place, and are important parts. But by himself, I have never seen Sundin push a team to play better.He is a great fit in NY.
Guys like Crosby take teams somewhere. You want to spend 10, go for a shooter, a finisher. You have plenty of set up guys.
Then again, Ryder was a shooter, and he sat in the doghouse all year.
sundin had no one to play with in TO thats a fact. mtl has so many weapons, even more than NY if he were to play with the HABS he could have 70-80 points. We have not had the big centre for years and he is impossible to stop down low.
So a guy who has never played less than 70 Games in a non strike year and
has never finished a season with less than 72 points is going to play 50-60 games
and register a career low in points? This prediction is based on?
Who knows man....who knows....
The only "shooter" as you describe it who might be worth 10 million would be Ovechkin. With the best player in the game making 8.7 million, he doesn't even deserve that.
Sorry, wrong window.
But the point remains!
12 Million - 3 years? Too little?
Before people get all nervous about AK46 signing elsewhere, think about this...if it was the trade deadline and someone offered Two first-rounders, a second-round pick and a third-round pick for AK46, would you make that deal?? Well if any team wants to sign him to a Carter like deal, that's what they would have to give up...for a guy with 1 yr of NHL service (vs. 3 yrs for Carter) I don't see too many NHL teams taking that chance, so people just relax, he isn't going anywhere and there isn't anyone making that offer, if they did and I was Gainey... I'd take the compensation package instead!
Good comment.
I can't think of a single team that has those kinds of picks to spare.
Ughh.. not what I wanted to read about today. *covers ears & closes her eyes* No, no, no.
GO HABS!
I would guess it's more about the length of deal than the price.
I think AK wants to bring his wife and daughter over from Belarus and is no doubt looking for a little long term security.
He couldn't bring them over with $942,000?
He was a bubble player heading into last season. I can see why he didn't want to bring the family over if he was going to be going up and down between Montreal and Hamilton.
Money doesn't enter into that equation.
Look at it from his perspective...why would he bring his wife and daughter over to a foreign country where they probably don't know the language and would be on their own without some guarantee that he'd play the whole season in Montreal.
He's an integral part of the future. I'm pretty sure he's signed by this time tomorrow once we know that Sundin ain't coming.
You have a point there.
He'll be signed regardless of what we know about Sundin. I still don't get the opposition to getting Sundin. It's mind boggling. OK he's an ex-laugh...who flipping cares! He's what we need when we need it.
Teach - I guess my idea (from a few days ago) of AK signing for two years and then teaming up with SK for a contract bonanza in 2010 isn't that far fetched. Part 2 of this new CBA is NHL teams signing their 3rd and 4th year building blocks to over-the-top, long term contracts to make sure they keep them in the fold. Can't see how the Habs will be any different. You may want to fasten your seatbelt in the next year or two as more new contracts are handed out. Especially in light of the fact that you have a tricky back. Pretty soon, playing in the NHL will be more lucrative than working at The Gazette sports department:-)
The Original 24 Cups
Yeah, I understand what you are saying and definitely agree with it.
We just have to hope builder Bob signs the right people. Seems like he is on the right track at the moment, but the Hossa rumours make me uneasy. They have largely abated at this point I am glad to see.
P.S. I think it started becoming more lucrative to be an NHLer after Red Fisher's 5th year on the job. You might be able to confirm that for me :P
P.S. The score was THAT bad yesterday? wheeew...at least you worked on the sun tan ;)
Good post Teach. I have no interest in Hossa at $8 mil a year over 6 or 7 years. I feel we have other options. As far as golf goes, I'm willing to take on any Montreal teacher in a head to head confrotation. If I lose, then accommodation, golf fees, and cocktails are on me. By the way, the internet has been a little slow down here in Stouffville, I was wondering how Italy was doing in the World Cup of soccer?:-)
Steve
Bah, we lost a coin flip. ;)
Not too unhappy since our three best players were missing from the game.
Italy doesn't lose in major events unless it's in penalty kicks, which is the worst way to end any sporting event as it just makes a mockery of the game IMO. I'm proud we took them to the shootout and if it wasn't for a lucky leg save in regular time we'd be in the final tomorrow :)
You can also say if it wasn't for a lucky hand and leg save by our goalie then we wouldn't have advanced either, but I'm willing to overlook that lol.
Hey, as I haven't golfed in 5 years you'd probably kick my butt, and on top of that you would probably apply the "senior" tag and go from the red tees wouldn't you? :P
I really can't understand the opposition and acrimony toward the possibility of Sundin signing here. Yes he was the captain of the enemy for so long, but us with him instantly makes us a contender, I'm with you on that.
Having him with us will also improve the ability of Koivu as well as Sundin to be stronger toward the end of the season as well. I see not one single drawback to him signing with us.
Does a player necessarily have to accept an offer sheet?
So who is plan B now that Sundin isn't in the picture?
Can't get anyone when we're mediocre can't get anyone when we're good.
July 1 will be another waste of time for Habs fans as the Randy McKays and Brian Smolinski come looking for a hand out.
No, an offer sheet means they have signed it. Teams can offer but if AKost doesn't sign it means nothing.
Penner signed the Oilers offer which is why Burke had to match it or else get draft picks in return.
Okay here are my proposed plans B, C, and D heading into next week: forget the Swedish Meatball, he's too preoccupied with Springtime tee off times and, between the Loafs and the Rangers, there'll be plenty of golf options for him to consider.
Plan B: phone, text mail,visit, or have a couple of friendly brews with Jagr and find out if he's interested.Unlike Bubblehead, this guy has won soemthing in the NHL.
Plan C: If Jagr opts out, then give Fedorov a call. Like Jagr, and unlike the Meatball, he too has won at the NHL level and may like to join Markov and Kovalev for a shot at the Cup.
Plan D: Always, always, have Georges Laracque's home number on speed dial. He would be a much better fight, oops I meant fit, on our 3rd or 4th line than La Tenderness.
Now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of the weekend and chck in on Tuesday.
Plan B- unlike the stud, he only won with Lemieux..which greatly devalues "his" contribution in my opinion. We need a BIG guy. Not to mention it was more than 15 years that he last held it.....
Plan C- Federov..as a third line defensive center with some offensive upside...an option sure, but seems like he wants to stay in Washington.
Plan D- I'm indifferent.
The Swedish meatball is the best plan, and no we shouldn't forget it.
if sundin does indeed sign, the possibility of playing a full season beside his brother would be very tempting...he'll take less than 4M but be ready to pay him 6M+ come 2 years.....
Hickey also points out in his coloumn, and I quote, "The big difference between them is that Carter has a longer track record in the NHL. He has played three full seasons - twice as long as Kostitsyn."
I believe that will be Gaineys key component in the money AK will be getting from the Habs.
Besides, worse case scenario (one I'm hoping against), some idiot GM offers AK some ginormous contract and we get a few 1st rounders coming here.
I doubt very much AK will be playing anywhere else but Montreal.
gotta disagree with you zep. the only way I would like to see AK46 leave for a couple of draft picks, is if in turn Gainey can turn around and use the picks to replace AK46. This team is a contender now.
Actually, we really aren't in disagreement. If you check again, I'm hoping against AK leaving for any draft picks. I never said Gainey should hold onto the picks he'd get, just that we'd be getting them if AK were to sign an offer sheet.