Streitened circumstances
posted by Mike Boone at 10h38 EST on Jun 12
The team has a lot of balls in the air, in terms of contracts. The main priority is Andrei Kostitsyn, who can become an RFA on July 1, as can Josh Gorges and Jaroslav Halak.
De Foy also points out that Alex Kovalev and Saku Koivu are entering the final year of their contracts. And the team will want to lock up Mike Komisarek, who can become a UFA on July 1, 2009.
Streit's 34 points on the power play tied Streit with Nicklas Lidstrom for second among NHL defenceman, behind Sergei Gonchar's 46. Streit's salary was $600,000. Lidstrom's was $7.6 million. Gonchar made $5.5 million.
Citing the $1.875 million Francis Bouillon will make this season and $1.75 for Mathieu Dandenault, de Foy says $2.5 million would not be unreasonable for Mark Streit.
Streit's agent, Pat Brisson, says there are no negotiations underway with the Canadiens.Â
Another factor: Streit prefers playing defence. There are rumours in New York that the Rangers will pursue Streit and promise him a spot on D.
• • •
The team is talking to Don Meehan, who represents Kostitsyn (and brother Sergei). They've had preliminary talks. and there will be more meetings before the draft next week.
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Comments
Submitted by The Cat on Sun, 06/15/2008 - 10:29.
I don't understand the love for Streit, hes not a good defenseman and he isn't that good of a forward. He had a good year and was decent on the Power Play but again largely because of Kovalev's great year (especially on the PP). You just cant break the bank for a guy like that.
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 23:26.
Am I the only one who feels like we're never ever ever gonna sign a big name? Or even sign just anyone to a big contract? Markov's was sizeable, but far from what other teams are paying their players (I don't think it even cracks the top 30 highest paid).
I get the feeling that the mentality is: Streit's gonna need to be paid a hefty salary this year. Time to let him go! Same with Souray (although not the same situation and obviously was 100% the right choice in that case).
Thoughts?
Ex nihilo nihil fit
Submitted by habitual on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 11:30.
It's not that simple as "never." Thowing big money at players doesn't necessarily work. Prime examples are Ottawa and Tampa Bay, who have a ton of lolly invested in their top three players, leaving table scraps for the rest of the roster. If you pay table scraps, you get schnauzers.
If you wade through the comments below, you'll see all the RFAs and UFAs that Les Boys have this year and next. BG has no easy task in trying to tie up Komy, AK47, Higgy, Pleks, AK27 and Saku.
And even if he does manage to make it all work and enough lolly left, the UFAs that are available this year are highly unlikely to be difference makers.
Besides, isn't resigning core, rising stars and holding onto our good veterans the same as signing a big name?
Submitted by habs can on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 21:07.
so Boudreau takes the Jack Adams trophy, even tho Carbo deserved it more. After all, habs won the eastern conference, NOT the Caps. But of course the NHL are as usual anti-habs.
Submitted by saku11saku11 (not verified) on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 11:02.
i'm not bashing GC but look up Boudreau's winning percentage - The caps SUCKED before he got there.
Submitted by habitual on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 11:32.
You're entitled to say you think Boudreau is a better coach than Carbo, but what exactly gives you the right to say Boudreau is a better person? It's not as if you know both of them well enough to make that statement.
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 10:08.
You are a piece of work again! You think a fan is something that blows hot air. Maybe you should just apply for the job, I'm sure they are just waiting for you to show them how to win the cup!
Submitted by G-Man on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 05:23.
Again you say that Carbo and Gainey are incompetent, yet "The Montreal Canadiens are the Greatest Organization In the world". You do realize you are contradicting yourself every time you post, right?
Gilbert
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 23:29.
Milk and Cookie Time.
Submitted by showey47 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 21:25.
Considering boudreau started the season in the ahl and the caps needed the last game of the season to make the playoffs.
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 23:27.
fosho
Ex nihilo nihil fit
Submitted by Exit716 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 21:22.
Why didn't Babcock win it?
There's no anti-Habs bias, just the recognition they don't need to sell tickets in the Montreal market.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 21:20.
Barry Trots wasn't nominated but was my choice.
Submitted by showey47 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 20:18.
If the rangers are already promising streit a position on defence isn't that considered tampering since streit is considered habs property till july 1st? Anyway, months ago i said streit will get more money than most people think. The problem being us hab fans see streit as a player who takes a regular shift as a 4th liner and plays the point for the powerplay. Meanwhile the rest of the league will see him as a powerplay specialist defenceman. If there is any doubt what one trick ponies recieve on july 1st take a look at guys like sheldon souray. I'm not saying streit should get that kind of money but what i am saying is that he will be getting more than most people think. If he gives bob a hometown discount i say about 2.5 to 3 million, if he hits the open market i'm gonna say anywhere between 3.5 to 4 and maybe more. The fact that streit is also versatile enough to play forward or defence can only add to his market value.
Submitted by filincal on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 23:48.
I think Streit's powerplay numbers aren't a fair assessment of his worth. His stats have more to do with Markov as it was last year with Souray.
I really like Streit ,but as a d-man he just seems too weak. Tons of talent not enough grit.
I can't see him getting more than $2.25mil a year.
I BLEED BLEU BLANC ET ROUGE!!!
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 20:29.
WOW Showey that is big bucks! I realy like Streit and I hope we keep him, but on the market 3 or 4 mil., I would be shocked. I think his #s are around 1.7 to 2 mil. But hell I think I,m worth more than that also!
Submitted by showey47 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 20:45.
Well buddy the guy was third on the team in points only 7 behind pleky and was second in the league for powerplay points for dmen. Streit has major bargaining power.
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 20:52.
You could be right, I have said that he was the glue that bound a good part of this team together, I love his game but I love it a lot less at 3.5 or 4 mil. Ian
Submitted by New on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 19:46.
I think they will sign Streit if it is reasonable, otherwise the team will wish him all the best in Tampa or Florida. I think there are probably six D-men on Montreal that play better D than Streit already, and more on the way. He was good on the PP last season, not so much in the playoffs when I thought he got a little pressured and excited.
Andrei K is another story. He could turn out to be a very good player, or an average player. If his agent wants very good player money now it could prompt an offer sheet that would put the team in a bad spot. Then again his shot from the point might make us forget Streit if he stayed on.
I could see Graboski, Ryder, Streit, Dandy, and Andrei K all moving if the right package (pre-draft) came along. Mainly because space is getting tight, and in Andrei's case his agent will tell him to go for the money now. Ryder will do well where ever he lands, so someone might fork out something for a week extra to talk to him before FA time.
Then again all that wondering goes out the window if the right deal turned up and some high priced help moved in/out.
Submitted by howtathor on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 23:13.
I can't see them letting one of the K brothers go. One fuels the other and when they are on the ice together, it's like magical. Bob will make him a good offer. He's a keeper!
Submitted by sidhu on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 17:43.
Canadiens off-season gameplan according to TSN:
http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=240496&lid=headline&lpos=s...
Submitted by sidhu on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 16:47.
Osgood and the Cup:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/chris_osgood_gets_to_third_base
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:57.
KROB-1000 & Tommy B, The fun is about to start again. Watching all the moves that are surely going to take place this centenial year. Tommy you said it right, Bob's got the job and his staff is now second to none in the league, they will make all of the assessments and the moves will be made to give us the best shot at going deeper into the playoffs.
We are still a way's behind the quality of the Detroit squad, but each year we will be better as we develop the farm.
Krob 1000, what did I miss about Ryder,s situation??
Submitted by krob1000 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 16:14.
Re Ryder: The same thing we all missed .......a whole season of Ryder playing hockey and instead we were treated to a soap opera. Anyways I wish Ryder the best wherever he ends up and I am now finally comfortable letting that one go lol. Ian I couldn't agree more about the fun starting. I think this summer will be more active than those of the past both for us and the rest of the league. The quality free agent pool is significantly down so I wouldn't be surprised to see the draft a little more active on the trading front this year. Yeah we are behind Detroit but I think if we had one more forward we would have at least been the team to make it out of the East and get pounded in the final. Gainey has some tough decisions to make and I am under the assumption that he is going to try and make a big splash. We all know he tried to land Hossa and others at the deadline but I would be disappointed if we don't end up with a top tier forward this offseason. The Penguins rolled the dice and it paid off. They made it exactly where either Montreal or they were expected to with Hossa. The gamble was with regards to whether or not there would be some upsets in the West. I thought there would be.........wrong. I really thought Colorado would fare better but they were so hurt they looked like a cellar dweller more than a contender. Oh well......let the fun and games begin. What will Bob do???? I am guessing something big but oddly enough the same guys we targeted at the deadlin ewill likely be the targets now (Sundin, Hossa, Jokinen,etc). I would be thrilled with any one of those guys (without grossy overpaying) but I have a feeling we may see something big from off the board. This is the year to make a big move (he tried at the deadline) so this offseason will be very telling and could very well be Gainey's equivalent of a Stanley Cup final. The heat is on Bob to do something from outside (media,fans,etc) and likely within the locker room as well.
Submitted by Barts on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:10.
On Eklund's website today:
"More talk today that Vinny LeCavalier may be seriously considering NOT re-signing and instead testing the market. Mainly the French Canadien market. Now, while I know many will say that the Taxes in Quebec will seriously hinder this, you need to take into account the enormous amount of endorsements that would be there for Vinny in Montreal. He is a good looking, very personable French-Canadian Superstar. pretty much the likes of which we have NEVER seen in the modern marketing era. Vinny could likely DOUBLE a salary of max money if he were to go to Montreal. And he is considering it I am told."
Be still my beating heart...
I know Eklund doesn't have much credibility, but I will cling to anything regarding Lecavalier in Montreal.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 18:14.
Vinnie's declaration on June/10/08. I want to stay in Tampa.... http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/2008/06/lecavalier-reit.html
Submitted by PeterStone on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:35.
Eklund has no credibility. I will agree with the statement that Vinny would make lots of DOUGH here in endorsements if he came ... but .. i dont believe he is coming.
Submitted by Barts on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:39.
First of all, I did mention that Eklund has no credibility... I have never seen him predict anything in the two years I've been 'occasionally' visiting his website.
Secondly, I am not so sure Vinny wouldn't like to come here... whether he will or not, is a totally different ballgame.
But I will carry the torch for that scenario, no pun intended.
Submitted by PeterStone on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:54.
yes you did say that about Ek .. and I agreed with you wholeheartedly ...
I dont believe I said he "wouldnt like to come here" as I have never spoken to Vinny ... so I cant say that he wouldnt want to come here ... I am just extrapolating based on the statements I have heard regarding his desire to stay in TB ... so based on that ... and based on the fact that they would be dumb as nails to let him leave ... I believe he wont be here ... makes sense doesnt it ?
Submitted by Barts on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 19:02.
We must stay positive... I believe he will be here, one day.
Submitted by TommyB on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 15:07.
I like Mark Streit, and I think he is a useful asset to have around. However, there is always the question of at what price? We can sit here and debate the issue, and great points will be made on both sides of the coin.
Bob Gainey, on the other hand, has a blueprint in mind of what he needs to keep his Canadiens competitive, and to challenge for the Cup as soon as possible. Bob also has the luxury of knowing what he has in his development system, and how close guys are to making the jump to the NHL. I'll trust Gainey and staff to decide what is best for the Canadiens, and keep my own list of favorites and hopeful acquisitions to myself....at least for the time being.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 19:20.
Tommy B - Nice post and makes sense. I remember when i was young decades ago that astute GMs when faced with a decision like Streit's contract and his odd value to the club or should i say specialised value they would always use the same theory and that was if this player sustained a major injury and be out for two months or so , how much would the team miss him or how would the team adapt without Streit. IMO if Streit was injured initially we would have a problem on the PP and maybe a bit at the forward position but eventually that problem would be solved where as if we missed Kovy,Marky,Pleks,Komo or Saku for a long period the team would suffer so Streit's value , though i like him and his smarts , isn't really top drawer so i wouldn't break the bank. It's very true that other team's have mentioned him and the Rangers are really on his trail... http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2008/06/11/2008-06-11_r...
Submitted by TommyB on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 19:26.
Yeah, a good way to put it in perspective nightmare. And it is not surprising that other teams would be interested in Streit's services. We both agree that he has some value on any team, so it stands to reason that certain teams looking for what Streit can bring to the table would be interested in signing him, while at the same time Montreal may be looking in another direction and keeping an eye on the payroll.
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:54.
Streit will be signed by Gainey. For how much? I don't know but he wants to stay here and we need him. Smart hockey player and he can execute with skill.
Submitted by krob1000 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 14:05.
I agree Mr. Hoffa as long as Streit's stats don't attract a very large offer (very likely though) from a team with cap space. Puck moving defensemen are few and far between but if he is affordable I would love to have him back. His defense is questionable though (by no means poor but if he is going to log serious minutes on defense he needs to bepaired with a either Hamrlik or Komisarek to offset his shortcomings. Is he a top four defensively???? He would likely play on the third pairing(if someone is hurt) or a fourth line forward position again with Montreal and 1st pp unit (same role as this year). How much do you pay a utility guy who may be the best utility guy in the game???That is the question but he has no real position aside from super power play point man. I'd love to keep him but money will talk.
However, if he goes and we have more money to play with I think we have forwards like Sergei K, and Pleks who could man the point on the pp. Hamrlik is no slouch either. This one could go either way and I think the largest factor will be money and Streit's desire to play here for less or take the bigger offer and go elsewhere (there will be a bigger offer). Given the stage of his career I think he will take the money and run. I'd love to see the Habs land two forwards because we are essentially short one given that we have fumbled the Ryder situation. Landing one forward will help but we need two top nines now with Ryder out of the equation.
Submitted by T-roy West on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 16:05.
Krob: Who would you take off the first two lines to replace them with the two you want to p/u?
Submitted by krob1000 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 16:28.
I have maintained all along that Higgins is the ultimate third liner. When we have no room for Higgins on the top two lines we will have enough firepower to win. I also wonder if Sergei is ready to play top six. I know he needs those guys but if we had a third line of Lats, Higgy and Sergei K (Higgins of course relearning the center position I think we would be in pretty faie shape). This hypothetical situation is if we were fortunate enough to land not one but two bigger fish. The more likely scenario has us landing 1 big name in which case we are in a situation very similar to last year with the big name replacing Ryder's spot on the second line. In that scenario it then has to be decided between Higgy and and Sergei for the last spot.
There are several ways this could play out but I also wouldn't be surprised to see our top line split and us starting from scratch this year to test some new combos.
Too early to tell I guess is the best answer T-roy...I know nothing but Higgy is our benchmark. His game is suited for a third liner. I think he could someday score forty goals if on a first line but I think he would be more effective scoring 25 on a third line and playing two way hustle hockey with powerplay time (if he remembers his job is to go to the net).
Submitted by T-roy West on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 21:43.
Krob, I've been saying the same thing as you all year about Higgins staying on the third line. The only difference is I would put either Lappierre or Chipchura in between Higgins and S. Kostitsyn. But that would leave Lat's on the fourth line unless he plays with Koivu and whomever we pick up. If the Kovalev line splits up then it really changes the landscape. All I really want to see is that every line has at least one player, who can and will, pay the price in front of the net because in the playoffs we failed at that and obviously teams like Detroit excelled at it.
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 17:55.
Good posts and i agree with almost all of it. IMO Higgy is the guy that would fit the third line perfectly at LW and add an offensive spark it needs and should be used at center only if we are desperate as he's one of the top ten two way wingers in the league so why switch him to a semi new position with a learning curve and Sergei played his best in the top six and was only mediocre on the third line , he needs skilled line mates. I like your idea about two new forwards though and next year the line up shouldn't be made around Lats as his time has come where he has to make the line up as kindergarten is over.
Submitted by krob1000 on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 16:25.
double post ----ahhh good to be back messing posts up again.
Submitted by habitual on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:23.
The reason the PP didn't miss a beat from the previous year was because Streit was on the point. He sees the ice well and makes good passes. Marky got 32 points on the PP, but is on the small side and I wouldn't want him to be pulling a regular shift and out on the first line PP - it's a long season.
The comment about Streit's lack of grit is misplaced. Detroit did well with finess, didn't they, and is Lidstrom a bruiser?
So Streit is important .. and yet, there are all those "must keep" players who need to be signed
What to do if Sreit can't be signed for a reasonable buck? Well ... seems to me it depends on how BG sees the rest of the D panning out. Will O'Byrne be ready for a full season? Will Valentenko (spelling?) be ready for the jump? The difficulty is that except for Marky the rest of the D don't have offensive flair and it is dangerous to go through a season with only Marky on the PP. So, scoff though you may, but there may be room for Breezer to QB the PP. Be fair: he moved the puck well in the playoffs.
Submitted by saku11saku11 (not verified) on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:53.
very good point about the offensive skills of the Dmen - very limited. i'd like to have streit but as stated before there is a cap on his value. i think little kots will be on the point on the PP next year - not sure if it's the first or second unit.
habs biggest weakness is defense - keep streit or not i'd like to see BG make a move to get a solid #4 guy (assuming markov, hammer and komi are 1,2,3). habs have depth a defense but i think they have a few 6th defensemen.
Submitted by sidhu on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 14:15.
Totally agree that BG should get another top 4 defenseman -- look at how having 4 solid defensemen helped Detroit in their Cup run. I doubt, though, whether Streit fits that bill, particularly considering Carbo's preference to play him as a forward.
Submitted by sidhu on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 12:58.
I agree with the general sentiment expressed below - Streit is a good player but he's not part of our core and isn't necessary for the club moving forward. Yes Streit was key for us on the PP, but so was Souray the year before and we did fine once he left.
Let him go... use our money instead to sign AK46 and Komo to long-term deals and to acquire some more scoring and grit.
Submitted by AndyF on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 12:52.
I think people who feel he fizzled out are letting themselves get influenced by the fact that he was injured. Komisarek was also ineffective in the playoffs, but I don't think I would want to let him go, either. Players don't play well when they're hurt. ( Look at Malkin... )
I saw Streit really move the puck well last year, even when he was playing on D. As a power play specialist he can be excellent!
Don't be fooled by short-term injuries -- Streit can add a lot of value to any team.
Submitted by sam on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:45.
well, if he was playing hurt well before the playoffs, and i mean a good chunk of the last month or two before the real season, then i will keep my doubts to myself about him. but i noticed his playing ability dip WELL before the playoffs and well before people started asking questions about him. he's a great guy to have as a backup D or forward, but it's a bit much to ask for 2M a year for a replacement, isn't it? sign the young stars first.
Submitted by ebk on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 13:56.
It's debatable what he is worth but in Streit's last 40 games of the season, he put 37 points on the board, so I'm not sure what dip in performance you are referring to.
Submitted by sam on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 14:03.
same problems he had in the playoffs - couldn't clear the puck, started having problems making quick decisions, offensive zone fumbles, etc.
i noticed it well before the playoffs started.
Submitted by Hoegarden on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 12:23.
I posted this on June 4th;
Streit; How much is he worth and how many teams are truly interested in him now that the playoffs are behind ? I was so high on this player but I now feel he is great for the "new NHL regular season" but not quite tough (mental and physical) enough for the "real season". That's probably Bob's biggest decision to make this summer, to keep him or not.
-----
So now, in comes Brisson, bluffing his way to the negotiation table. My initial question of how many teams are interested in him remains.
He's nice to have around especially if injuries are a problem but his playoff performance against Philly cleary demonstrated that Bob has to reassess his role and value to the team. I would not be too greedy if he really wants to stay in Montreal.
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 12:08.
I don't think we'd miss him him all that much. Any defenceman with a hard shot would get a lot of points on a Montreal power play. Streit has trouble keeping the puck in the offensive zone on the PP, has trouble clearing it out of the defensive zone at even strength, is not solid defensively and can be replaced for less than Streit is likely to ask for. It's nice to have a guy who can play forward and D, but not so nice that we should pay $2M or more for him.
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
Submitted by hab faithful on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 11:56.
why would you pay a guy $3.5 million/year when he's horrible defensively?
Forget it Bob. We don't need him. He says he prefers being a defenceman, yet he can't even clear a puck. I'm sure we can land someone alot cheaper, to replace him. We need to improve defensively, not get worse. Remember Souray? Streit is no Souray, except that he's worse defensively!
Submitted by Kris on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 11:40.
Thanks Boone for keeping us English up to date. I wish I could read french better so I could get more information. Its hard living in Southwestern Ontario and getting any gossip about the Habs. It is so bad here we know what time Cliff Fletcher takes his Flomax everyday.
Submitted by saku11saku11 (not verified) on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 11:30.
i'd prefer we have streit in the line-up but obviously only for reasonable salary. he does not appear to be a $2.5M plus player. i'd keep him for less than $2M - i'd offer him a three year deal worth $2M each year and leave it at that.
Submitted by Corio on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 11:26.
GO go gadget Gainey!
Submitted by sam on Thu, 06/12/2008 - 11:25.
awesome news.
i like the guy but we don't need him right now or in the near future. he just filled a spot for a month or two and then things started going bad for him, imo (just a month before the playoffs). i don't feel he's part of our core.
good news. thanks :)
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