Jacques Demers Plays Habs GM, Picks Dream team

by Robert L on May 8, 2009 3:22 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

At RDS this past week, former coach Jacques Demers pronounced his thoughts on how he'd handle the Canadiens 10 free agents and the manner in which he would reconfigure the club's composition for next season.

Demers listed the players he would resign and why, who he would trade away, and which players he would acquire via trades and free agency in trying to rebuild the team. The choices somewhat mirror a small fraction of popular opinion, in that it resembles some of what is being said about individual players and the team as a whole by fans, media, and consensus onlookers.

Here are his ideas, translated from the RDS post, followed by what I think of each.

Unrestricted free agents

Saku Koivu:

Koivu a beaucoup donné au Canadien et il aura 35 ans en novembre. Cependant, en raison de sa maladie et des blessures, c’est un peu comme s’il avait le corps d’un athlète de 45 ans. Il n’a jamais triché en ce qui concerne ses performances sur la patinoire et il mérite d’être apprécié ailleurs. À mon avis, ce serait la meilleure chose pour lui d’aller jouer ailleurs.

Koivu has given an awful lot to the Canadiens and he'll be 35 in November. Because of health concerns and injuries, it is as though he has the body of a 45 year old athlete. He's never shortchanged the Canadiens with his effort on the ice and he deserves to be appreciated elsewhere. In my thinking, it might be best for him to leave the scene.

Demers fails to note that this so called 45 year old athlete finished second in playoff scoring and hit Zdeno Chara in the first round more often than a slew of less courageous bodies. Still viewed by too many for what he is not as a player, rather than for all that he is, I still believe Koivu is a keeper for two more seasons. It is true that he tends to max out after giving it his all after 16 to 18 minutes, but a better supported Koivu would offer a generous upside on his usually consistent output. The two week tease of him productively centering Kovalev and Tanguay begs for further investigation. The bottom line in going forward with Koivu, depends largely upon the club bringing in a center capable of assuming a larger role than either Plekanec or Lang were able to provide this past season. The former's regression, and the latter's mid season injury, placed undue focus on Koivu, highlighting once more, for cynical viewers, that too much is being asked of him. His shortcomings should not be confused with the failures of others. On a whole other matter, having a European captain play his entire career in Montreal and retire a Canadien has unspoken dividends against several arguments concerning playing in the city for this organization. The respectful thing to do would be to allow Koivu to determine his own fate by putting his asking price on the table. If it were to be a fair demand, sign him. If otherwise, allow the long standing captain of the team a window of opportunity between now and July 1 to say a proper "so long" to Montreal on his terms. Koivu deserves the most dignified of partings, should that be his choice. It would be no less than heartbreaking to see him in any other jersey than that of the CH, playing out the string.

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Lapierre and Laperrière on the same team! That would become very frustrating, having to listen english broadcasters mistake the two constantly.

I forget were I read or heard this but apparently Antropov isn’t the greatest of teammates in terms of attitude. I think I read that a few former teammates didnt have the best things to say about his attitude and say that he is one of the most difficult linemates you can have. I’m not entirely sure what they meant by that but I don’t think he’s right for the Habs.

~~~aroundthehabs.blogspot.com~~~

by gillis on May 8, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t listen to the english broadcasts – even RDS tends to make me turn down the sound.

On Antropov…I knew there was something amiss…gives logic as to why Brian Burke would want to turf him off so blatantly. I’ve always seen the player as a more than occasional no show – now it is clearer as to why.

Gillis – please post a link here to your season end summation. I wanted to include it here, but lost the e-mail you sent me.

My apologies for that – I get about 50 e-mails per day her to sort throught, and I must have absentmindedly lost it. It was an interting read….I hope you can add it in here. Thanks.

by Robert L on May 9, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem, its: http://aroundthehabs.com/2009/04/montreal-canadiens-of-20082009-analysis.html

I also now have a part II at: http://aroundthehabs.com/2009/04/montreal-canadiens-of-20082009-analysis_22.html

~~~aroundthehabs.blogspot.com~~~

by gillis on May 9, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just wait, if and probably when Koivu decides to play elsewhere for the next couple of years, all the same people that say negative things because he’s european and we don’t need him are going to turn around and talk about how very european and un captain Canada it was of him to go elsewhere. I honestly beleive Koivu is the best 2nd centre we can hope to have. If he wants to stay on for 8M$ for 2 years, I would keep him. He’s one of the best playoff players we can hope for and has lots of experience for youngsters to grow on.

by soccer1983 on May 8, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Koivu’s shortcomings have always been more about what certain fans ask or demand, more than it ever has been about the sweat he gives. I have a brother I beat over the head on that issue constantly.

by Robert L on May 9, 2009 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Couple of things

1. Thanks for the analysis Robert, and more importantly thanks for getting this article and dissecting it.
2. Either give Koivu the contract that keeps him a Hab so he can (and should) retire in the Bleu, Blanc and Rouge…if not, get him to Minnesota so he can play with his brother. We shoulda drafted Mikko a few years back as a tribute to Koivu…and an improvement to our team…so allow him to leave if he isn’t in our plans. I hope he won’t leave, but if he does I hope it is to Minnesota.
3. The free agency debacle could weaken the team as much as it could help the team. I like the thought that Bouwmeester could replace Komisarek, but that ain’t realistic. Antropov makes no sense unless he sings cheap…ain’t gonna happen. And where did St. Louis come from?!
4. If Halak ain’t gonna get a chance to take the job from Price, trade him! He is worth a fair amount in spite of his lack of experience. He would EASILY be the starter if Price weren’t here and should be traded if we can get value since WE aren’t getting full value from him if he is gonna be the backup.
5. Trading for Vinny could be good, but at what a price…and what kind of decisions would have to be made in the future if the contract stays the same. Now if Vinny agrees to take a contract like ALL of the Wings accepted, then we should pull the trigger and see what happens.
6. This is a tough year, most teams build through the system, and it appears we are going the way of Colorado and New York, how has that worked out recently? Don’t do too much and for god sakes, don’t gut the system for players that will likely not be long term solutions. Beauchemin is a testament, what was the reason we didn’t keep him? Please don’t let PK or Weber be the next Beauchemin.

by blockersave93 on May 9, 2009 1:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1 – Hey, it’s kinda my job.

2 – I hear ya on all that. We woulda grabbed Mikko, but Minny snapped him up one spot ahead of the Habs taking Komisarek.

3 – It’s all speculative, but no one cries over Komi if the Habs land Bowmeester.

4 – Halak’s value increases annually. The key might be to trade him when he’s on a roll – to max the return.

5 – The longer the Habs wait on Vinny, the cheaper the price. Believe it or not, Tampa is a hell of a lot more compromised in that scenario thatn they are letting on. The lightning franchise is at stake. The Canadiens will exist forever. Gainey knew that, and decided not to play their game.

6 – Beauchemin was just a re – entry waiver snafu by Gainey, as the CBA had changed. He hasn’t made the same mistake twice, at least.

by Robert L on May 9, 2009 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live in Tampa

The ‘Ning are trying, but this city is just not engrossed in hockey and won’t ever be. This is a football state and everything else comes second. This area only has 3 rinks for people to get into the game. If the kids aren’t playing, you aren’t building a fan base, and none of the owners have gotten it. There are some hardcore fans, but they need to work on getting more. There is a story every day about how the finances are in order…are those stories to convince the public or the owners? I wouldn’t be surprised about a trade in June before the contract takes effect in July.

This is a good article from Raw Charge the ’Ning blog:
http://www.rawcharge.com/2009/4/14/837881/the-pending-lecavalier-trade

by blockersave93 on May 9, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Candiens Circa 2009-2010

Robert:

-just wondering what races through the brains of some fans and the so called media experts including Demers. sure bring in Lecavalier and his 11 year no trade contract. his cap hit is only about $7.2 million and St Louis’s is only $5.25.. add that to Markov’s hit of $5.75 and Hamrlik’s of $5.5 and in 4 players you have approximately $23.7 million or about 47% of the cap projected to be $50 million in 2010-11

-you can now split about $26.3 million between 16 players. yep those impact players will surely score a bushel of goals playing with AHLers and ECHLers

-people get you collective heads out of your asses !!!….there is a reason Tampa cannot afford those two players…same reason the Canadiens cannot afford them…they have cap killing contracts…especially Vinny and in his case potentially a franchise killing contract….11 years from now you want a $7.2 million cap hit from this guy….please tell me your intelligence exceeds that of the morons in the francophone press and their unsavoury desire to purge anything outside a pur laine lineup and who are also promoting Patrick Roy for coach

-I will not waste time disecting the rest of Demers desires but to say Lantendresse has been progressing every year is similiar to saying we are all getting older with every passing year…except for place of birth and primary language there has been little of note for Gui…he is generally a no show and has a long long way to go

as for Koivu; to say he has given everything to the club and then to summarily dismiss him from the team is the typical bullshit coming certain corners of the Montreal media. as Marv Levy once said " once you start to listen to the fans soon you"ll soon be sitting with them" lets hope Gainey & Gillett give the media their just due—’ FU and thank you very much for the input…your contribution will be given the attention it deserves’

by pfhabs on May 11, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reason Lecavalier’s contract is a noose in T Bay has do to with them not being able to pay their bills, and little else. His 7.8 per annun is not much of a worry for Montreal. If the Canadiens presently had a player that good – capable of close to 50/100 – wouldn’t that be what he would earn? In four or five years from now, the cap could be at 65 to 70 million, and that deal becomes a bargain then.

I’ve noted three years of constant progression in every area of Latendresse’s game, from his skating to his defensive awareness, to his recognition of scoring opportunities.

There’s a little joke in that pic of me next to Demers that I didn’t get into – it’s a frog on my head if you can see it. My litlle inside joke on the french media thing. I’m always for the best players, coacges, managers – regardless of language. It help to have some french Canadiens on the club because they understand very well the inherant pressures of Montreal for all players. To suggest the club should be filled to capacity with them is pure media madness and anargument that never had logic to begin with. I won’t even dignify it, really.

by Robert L on May 11, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1. Vinny is a player no doubt but he is now 1 shoulder surgery and 1 wrist surgery closer to diminished returns in comparison to other impact centers. can Pitt continue to carry Crosby, Malkin & Staal—-whether in salary or ice time something has to give and Staal would look good as a young #1 centre in CH land. Robert, the cap in 5-6 years ? your crystal ball is awfully good…will he last another 6 ? what about the cap hit in yrs 6-11 its the same but he will not be and it will cost big time in their ability to ice other talent….for me for a bushel full of reasons Vinny is NOT the answer

2. to be fair Gui has progressed but he’s still an inconsistent 3rd liner who doesn’t always come to play nor to hit…to dismiss Koivu as Demers did but to re-up Gui because of some incremental progression is nothing more than language based. Saku has more heart, more work ethic, more talent, more skill but let’s dump him because …well..you know why…what stupidity

3. as for some members of the francophone media they are nothing more than politically driven cockroaches for whom this club is nothing more than a vehicle for their thinly veiled agendas and winning a Cup is not necessarily of primary concern in that mix…although Gainey has made many errors this year calling out that vermin and not giving a rat’s ass about their desires is a reason to keep Bob…

btw I did not notice that little bit of a dig but will go to look for it….to really appreciate the Montreal media pressure, fans should at least go to the french websites and use a translator…only then will they realize why UFAs for the most part will not come to Montreal….Boivin says nothing publically to defend his players and then opens his pie hole and indirectly supports this media faction…he should be fired for such complicity

by pfhabs on May 14, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs