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Since everybody gets their chance to play GM in here...
I'm sure that every Canadiens fan here recalls two seasons back, when right after the Habs signed Samsonov that they were essentially capped out and unable to jump on J.P. Dumont when Buffalo rejected his arbitration settlement. Dumont became a UFA and everybody hoped, including Dumont himself that the Habs would show some interest.
Gainey, who doesn't usually comment on dosiers that do not involve the team, had to explain that the 2 million left in cap space was essentially injury reserve money (it went to Lapierre and Halak among others) and needed to be kept and not spent at that time.
I see a similar scenario perhaps playing out with another RFS that could be of interest to Montreal.
He fits the bill for the Habs in many ways.
Kills penalties, plays center and is quick on the puck. Scores an average of 20 goals per season with third line wingers.Decent size and great speed. Extremely sound defensively and fairly good on faceoffs. Kills penalties, plays center and is quick on the puck.
Ottawa's Antoine Vermette.
Maybe Gainey should give Bryan Murray a ring and make an offer before arbitration prices him close to 3 million per year.
Suggest to Murray that the Canadiens could tend him an offer sheet in that neighborhood or slightly higher.
Murray bungles just about everything he has to handle under pressure.
It's worth a shot!
And hey, Vermette is francophone to boot!
Vermette's stats:
http://senators.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8468535&serv...
Senators salaries
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=OTT&season=0708
Top 3 reasons you hang around here:
1. Nothing worth talking about on the Laffs boards.
2. Your mommy won't let you go out and play.
3. You wish you could be a Habs fan.
Thanks for making us Laff!! We love seeing how pathetic you are.
Why are you insulting robert L?
you are slow
we could pick up boyle as a replacement for streit.any comments
Yeah hed definitely be a great replacement, quite the upgrade if you ask me.
He'd also be a way overpaid player.
I dont know how much hes making but Id be willing with 5-6mill/year, heck if Redden can get 6 mill, I believe Boyle is worth it. If we get him I have full faith in our blueline.
expensive,but I do remember him playing a GREAT GAME OF HOCKEY....
you are slow
Again from the top: please tell us who Gainey should have signed and for how much. Then after these signings tell us how to deal with the future contracts of the young upcoming stars on the team. Finally tell us how Gainey wasn't masterful in signing AK46 to significantly less money than Ryder in Bawston.
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback
Blitzen - well said. I asked the same question yesterday. For all those who dump on Gainey, which UFA deal of the past few days (Hossa doesn't count!) would you have wanted him to make for the Habs?
The Original 24 Cups
I agree - we're set for the future on D. A long term contract is not a good idea, not what we need.
The Red Wings got a good deal - a 1 year sniper.. htat's what we need.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Too expensive. 6 years, 40 mil per season, leaving the Canadians bankrupt next year, when Koivu, Komi, Kovalev, etc will be looking for big contracts.
See also: Sundin, Mats.
If you haven't read the article on the dubious reasons for the Jeff Finger contract you really have to! The upshot - based on their own comments they signed the wrong guy by accident...
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16043
~Listen to the smart dog!
SM - Awesome article and i'm not a bit surprised. Fingers is not that bad a "D" but the contract is crazy. The laffs , lol.
You should change your handle to "shamelessdriveforTavares09"
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback
Comparing the Finger deal to Campbell...lol You really do bleed Blue and White.
Thanks for the Laff!
~Listen to the smart dog!
SM - IGNORE.
Read that yesterday and it's great.
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Remember February 19th: The Comeback
Georges Laraque says no to Predators .. by John Glennon .. Tennessean ..... http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080703/SPORTS02/8...
I guess the Sundin watch will continue for another few days. After examining all the alternatives, I still feel the Habs should wait it out and maintian the cap space to sign Sundin. All logic dictates that it will come down to us and the Rangers. Vancouver may be offering more money but outside of their goaltending, they are a sinking ship. Toronto? If Mats goes back to the Leafs then you would have to really question his motives and his character. Signing with The Laffs or the Canucks would be raising the white flag on trying to win a Cup before retirement.
The only other big fish out there right now is Jagr. I don't feel the Habs should sign him. It would be a huge gamble and could have a major impact on the chemistry of the team. I can't see Jagr and Kovalev sharing right wing icetime and PP space. Don't get me wrong, I love the talent that Jagr displays and I also feel he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. I'm just not willing to pay the exhorbiant insurance premuims that come with him.
Selanne, Demitra, Straka, Naslund, Federov, and Bertuzzi are not even close to Sundin and Jagr in terms of present day performance and value. I can live with a one year contract for one of these guys, but anything more than that could quickly lead to diminishing returns or even catastrophic results.
The Original 24 Cups
24 - Well you have been consistent from the start of May on who you wanted (Mats) and you haven't changed and Bravo to you but i think we still need a good asset so we can deal from strength. If we procrastinate like you suggest and deal later , we'll be dealing a red apple for a green apple whereas if we had that extra asset plus prospects we can get something we need and improve the club without hurting it. Basically Jagr is the only one left , the others you mentioned don't interest me. A little off topic but the french press have been pretty good during this fruitless process but i read it more than once the hint they should trade Higgins. Could they be protecting the Great Gui now that Tanguay has arrived, lol. Why don't they try and trade Dandy to Vancouver where his ex-agent is GM , at least we would get a draft pick. Enjoy.
Pens may look to Naslund to replace Hossa .. in article "Fleury all but signed" .. by Dave Molinaro - Pittsburgh Post Gazette ..... http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08185/894519-61.stm
NM49 - This has to be Naslund's best bet. Sign for two years and get a chance to play with the best. Totally rekindle his career, assuming that the fire is still lit.
When it's all said and done, all of these guys that are left can sign on with other teams. Once somebody signs Demitra I will be able to really get some decent sleep. You have to figure that Vancouver is going to run out of patience and take this guy with another over the top contract. Suits me fine.
If Sundin goes elsewhere, then I can live with Selanne as our Plan B. Federov is Plan C. Standing pat is Plan D (for now).
The Original 24 Cups
24 - It was rumoured yesterday that Vancouver would give Mats a three day window , who knows. I could be patient and would drag the negotiations with Jagr as long as i can if the Habs are interested but i also heard yesterday that Gainey was involved in many trade talks from James Murphy whose semi reliable. Teppo's out there.
They are still at it , Ottawa Sun article "Interest Boyle-ing Over" .. by Bruce Garrioch ..... http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Senators/2008/07/03/6050341-sun.html
Now we start to see the desperate moves, by desperate men. Columbus just signed Huselius for 4 years at $4.75 per year. Ouch!
The Original 24 Cups
And the beat of the marching morons goes on.
Gilbert
Avery leaves Rangers,Jage in Limbo .. By John Dellapha .. NY Daily News ..... http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2008/07/02/2008-07-02_a...