Gill To Return to Montreal
by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 7:33 PM EDT
in Habs Rumours and Signings
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In a mostly unsurprising move, the Montreal Canadiens have re-signed Hal Gill to a one year contract for $2.25 million. Here is the team's official statement. It's is surprising however that Montreal gave Gill the same salary as he was given 2 years ago. This signing, without a salary decrease for Gill, likely means James Wisniewski is definitely not being brought back next season, if you believe Markov is sure to be signed that is (I do).
It certainly was no secret that a deal had been made on Tuesday, as Hockey Inside/Out, RDS, the Canadiens official twitter account, and Steven Hindle were are all reporting it as "nearly done".
Gill's strengths as we all know are his defensive presence and veteran leadership. An alternate captain with the Canadiens the last two years, Gill was instrumental in bringing P.K. Subban into borderline superstar status within his rookie year. Subban and Josh Gorges had gone to management personally and asked for Gill to be retained, showing his value in the dressing room.
Gill scored 2 goals and added 7 assists and 43 penalty minutes last season in 75 games while putting up a -9 rating against tough competition.
RDS also reports that Dustin Boyd and Nigel Dawes have tentatively signed one-year deals with Barys Astana, in Kazakhstan. The Canadiens have yet to confirm any reports as both players are under contract until July 1. Boyd came to the Canadiens in the Sergei Kostitsyn deal. He managed one goal in 10 games before finding better success with the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL). There he had 20 goals and 9 assists in 47 games.
Dawes was part of the trade with the Atlanta Thrashers for Brent Sopel and saw four games with the Habs. He had 28 points (14 goals) in 19 regular season games and 22 points, matching his goal total, in 14 playoff games.
Meanwhile, after a close finish for a shot at the Calder Cup championship, the Hamilton Bulldogs are looking at a long-term deal to stay in the Hammer.
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This puts a crimp in hopes that there will be a real upgrade to the top 4 for next season (which having both Markov and Wisniewski would have represented).
This move doesn’t rule out Wiz, it rules out Hamrlik. Of the Canadiens nine UFA’s, only Wiz and Darche, of those that should be retained, have earned raises. A good chunk of Hamrlik’s $5.5M could go to #20 if Gauthier chooses that route.
I’d written off Hamrlik from the start, so I didn’t even include him. The reason I say Wiz won’t be brought back isn’t due to salary, but personnel. You already have Markov, Subban, Gorges, Spacek, Gill, Emelin, and Weber, with Diaz ready for a call up from the AHL. I don’t think any of those top 7 guys is bad enough to sit for extended periods, so I don’t see Wiz in the plans.
The only way I can see Wiz returning is if Spacek is moved, and I just doubt it’ll happen.
There’s also the issue of upgrading the forward group, which is where some of that salary cap space should go to.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ll also get a bit of room with the cap going around 60 to 61 million, if the reports are correct.
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on May 31, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s okay, I guess, so long as he is a third-pairing guy. More of a team-building signing than a hockey move.
I agree completely. Seems to me that Gills role this year will be mentor and weak minute guy. I doubt he’ll be paired with Subban for the whole year and be forced into top competition, but he may start the year there as Emelin gets used to North American hockey.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem is that Spacek is already there taking 3.83 million on the cap to be an effective 3rd pairing veteran. If they can move Spacek then I’m all for this. Gill is fantastic at what he does. My only fear is that this is a sign of a fatal lack of ambition with regards to the blueline.
Running:
Markov-Gorges
Gill-Subban
Spacek-Emelin/Weber
as the defense would be a disappointment IMO. The current market for forward stinks so I’m not looking for much of an improvement there.
I think Spacek will be able to handle 2nd-pairing minutes with either Gorges or Subban, but having Spacek and Gill is less than ideal. It certainly doesn’t fill me with feelings of security. I was hoping Hamrlik would have been brought back for one more year playing those 2nd-pairing minutes, Spacek on the 3rd-pairing and the Habs going after some short-term (ideally one year) forward depth rather than a top-6 guy. Signing Gill might mean Gauthier is looking to spend medium-to-large money at forward and I don’t think that gets you all that much.
The forward market does stink this year: Tanguay is probably the best guy out there with Laich and Cole the only other top-6 guys who interest me. I don’t think Tanguay will be available and even though Laich and Cole are from North America and have size they aren’t better than Kostitsyn. I wanted short-term moves and while hoping next year’s forward batch would be improved but I guess Gauthier has something else in mind.
With Penner possibly out of favour in LA already judging from Lombardi’s softball coments, and Edmonton a schizophrenic mess with no plan other than get younger and suck Hemsky and Penner could potentially be available next year. Of course, you can’t make a move like signing one of those guys to big money until Eller is ready for top-6 duties and you have settled your top-4 defensemen (hopefully Emelin becomes one during the season while Gorges and Markov are under contract).
There’s a lot of uncertainty for Gauthier right now: Subban and Price’s RFA deals, when Eller develops centre, Emelin’s ability to handle 2nd-pairing minutes in the NHL, Weber becoming an everyday defenseman. Signing Gill for one-year and spending medium money on some forwards this off-season is the relatively safe move for him, while I want him to take a Bautista swing and try to hit a Home Run in a year while playing it safe and unspectacular this year. If he did hope to set everything up for the 2012-13 season (while making small improvements for 11-12) he could end up not getting what he wants and the team in a worse position. In terms of short-to-medium term job security the smart move is probably what Gauthier is doing. My dreaming is just for the airchair GM that I am with nothing on the line.
Maybe they see Emelin as a top-4 D-man in the this-year timeframe? If so, Gill-Subban until Emelin gets used to the NHL would not be a bad plan. Mind you, I don’t see what’s wrong with Spacek-Subban in this scenario.
I think Spatch is better than advertised, and would still be ahead of Gill on the depth chart, but still, having both is less-than-ideal — and this is a terrible market to try to move Spacek in.
Exactly. Either one is top notch as a 3rd pairing guy and both can handle 2nd pair minutes (Spacek might be better in that regard). But they’re redundant on the roster and together make enough to preclude adding a solid player to the 2nd pairng or keeping two good 2nd pairing guys they already had (Hamerlik and Wisniewski).
If Emelin is actually 2nd pairing good then they’re golden. I wouldn’t risk it, but I also don’t have a scouting staff working for me so I don’t have the kind of information to be certain about it either way. I know I’d be a lot more comfortable with him as a 6/7 until proven otherwise.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we’ll see Spacek on the right-side of the 3rd pairing with this move. Markov’s a left-sided guy, Gill’s a left-sided guy, I think Spacek is better on the left side. Subban on the right, Gorges alongside Markov on the right, and an empty space for Emelin/Weber.
I think you nailed it on the head with the team-building nature of the move. There are reports that the cap could go as high as $63 million when the NHLPA uses the escalator, assuming they will. Giving Hamrlik $4million or so wouldn’t prevent the Habs from adding forward depth. To give you an idea of my thought process, here’s my everything-goes-perfectly lineup for next year though the estimates are probably too low:
Move around $2.5m (in lieu of one of the 3rd-line winger) to make up for bad estimates of Pacioretty, Gorges, and Markov and the Habs would still have room to sign one a 3rd-line winger (whether it’s one of the Minnesota guys I want or someone else).
Signing Gill instead of Hamrlik frees up just under $3 million, meaning that Gauthier could go after a guy like Laich, Cole, or Gagné instead of signing a perceived 3rd-line guy. I wish I could get inside his head and figure out what he’s thinking.
I love the off-season. So many possibilities to think up and dream about. Off-season is Best Season (once you’re eliminated from the playoffs).
I think Pacioretty will be in the 1.5 range. Sure he’s been great and I expect him to remain so but he’s 21 and only has the one good year. He’ll make a little bit more on a “show me you can do it again” contract. Compare to Backlund of Saint Louis who has two 20 goals seasons now and received 2.25.
White is a cheap body with upside for the fourth line that you don’t have. No point to Halpern at 1 million to only play 4th line.
I know a lot off people want him gone, but I like bringing Pouliot back for the same salary to play bottom line offense. He gets the puck into the net on even-strength and can be a good option to give Desharnais and Eller someone with talent to play with. Moen and Pyatt can cover for his defensive ineptitude.
I do like the idea of a future d-corp of
Markov-Gorges
Emelin-Subban
??-Weber/Diaz
If Emelin and one of Weber/Diaz pans out. The kind of player Tinordi projects to would fit the 3rd LD. If not, a Gill type for that position is easy to find.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the reason you’re seeing Halpern as written in is Eller’s injury. With Eller out to start the year, a stop gap measure is needed. I like Ryan White but I don’t know if he can center a line in the NHL yet.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually played around with this before Eller was announced to be out 4-6 months. I just don’t put a lot of value on young players with 3rd/4th line upside. White can play on the PK which does give him some additional value, but in recent years those type of players have been cheap on the free agent market.
White’s qualifying offer is only $660,000 or so so you can plug him in there, and I liked what I saw from him in Montreal but I don’t think he’s better than Halpern.
He’s not better than Halpern, definitely not. But he’s a completely different player, and Montreal has a need for an energy guy like White.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Coop,
I was with most of the things you have posted since you have been here, I try not to comment against others as I’m merely a spectator when it comes to speculation, but to say you want Pouliot back…. I think I have to question my alliances.
Pouliot over Halpern? No. Doesn’t seem to fit. However, PG has been able to find plugs that work for us (Moore, Halpern) I’d like for them to have a little more consistency throughout. Halpern brings more to the table than Pouliot (IMHO).
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jun 2, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I totally respect the other side on this debate. I just like Pouliot’s even strength production on the bottom lines and think he’s showing signs of coming around as an overall player. If someone likes another player for the roster spot I’m cool with that.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 2, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I also like Pouliot’s production at ES, but what turns me off in his play is that two years in a row, the last 20+ games of the season and playoffs he was beyond words useless. That’s not a good sign when he’s consistently disappearing at the most important time.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 2, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, we’re all armchair GMs around here…lol
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but don't forget...
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by Kevin van Steendelaar on May 31, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
When we’re not armchair coaches, scouts, intermission analysts or, the most fun, colour commentators.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
And we can have fun telling him how wrong he is based on our own biases and prejudices. Just like on forum.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
In all fairness, both Corey Pronman and Pierre McGuire (so either end of the spectrum) see Emelin as a 2nd pairing guy, and a good one to boot. And he’s a long-time pro, not a raw rookie.
I agree with you: I still don’t see why you need Gill if you have Spacek, but having both Emelin and Subban in your top-4 for cheap (not to mention Gorges!) really opens up possibilities for spending that money at forward. The Habs really could use a tough-minutes RW to play with Pleks and free up Kostitsyn to burn third-liners with Eller.
There’s also the off chance they move Spacek.
Ok, I’ll have at it since you asked. ;-)
You’re massively overpaying Hamrlik. If you’re prepared to give that kind of money to a defenseman, sign Wisniewski because a) he’s better than Hamrlik and b) he’s far younger and more durable long term.
I’m doubtful that Pacioretty can be had for so little. Yes he’s just exiting his ELC, but he looked damn good last year, and I think he has some leverage with the complete lack of forwards on the market.
Brunette is a good depth forward, I used to love watching him when I lived out west and he played for Colorado, but at 37 he’s far, far, far too old for the Habs to sign considering the kind of player he is, and his skating has always been a huge weakness in his game, something the Habs live on.
Miettinen however would be a deft pickup. He’s just the kind of guy that would thrive with Montreal. Defensively sound and capable of 20 goals and 40 points in a defensive system, and probably not very expensive, although I think he would probably be in the 2.75-3M range. I would be very, very happy if we picked up Miettinen to play with Eller.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Brunette and Hamrlik would be one-year stopgaps while the Habs wait for young players (Emelin) to develop.
I’m not exactly sold on Wisniewski. He put up tremendous offensive totals and I love him on the breakout (especially carrying the puck). Winning the puck and Marking though, i haven’t been impressed with what I’ve seen. If the team thinks Emelin is going to develop into a top-4 guy for 2012-13 and they lock up Gorges think having Wiz for another 3 years at $4 million is unnecessary (especially if Weber or Diaz can become a bottom-pairing guy). If the Habs think Emelin’s ceiling is bottom-pairing defenseman, then signing Wiz makes sense.
I honestly don’t think Minnesota is crazy enough to let Miettinen go, he’s mint. He played tough minutes this year (though I think it was with Koivu) and did well. I’m really hoping for one or two quality 3rd-liners this off-season, whether they’re the Minnesota guys, Torres, Halpern brought back, Higgins, Fedotenko, Dvorak, or Belanger I don’t really care. Just a little more two-way depth on one-year deals would be terrific. Your concerns about Brunette make sense to me, though as a one-year filler I don’t think he’d be too bad.
All said, I’m just dreaming of Penner. When I was thinking about the configuration I posted my thought process was basically “how do we set up to keep the core of the team and add Penner”… so short-term deals and luck (LA not liking Penner, Eller developing into a 2nd-line centre, Gomez bouncing back and a team wanting to acquire him next off-season). I’m bound to be disappointed.
Maybe the Habs can convince the Kings that Penner was a total flop and they’d take him off their hands for a first, since they’re soooooooooooooo desperate for size.
But Lombardi is too smart for that.
:(. Crushing my dreams. Maybe Gauthier takes Lombardi out drinking at the draft, or Molson convinces Anschutz that Penner is awful, or they get the league to create a rule that all Penners must play in Montreal to make up for the team’s bad height genes.
What a great trade that was for LA, notwithstanding the bad luck Penner had to start his time with the Kings. It was like Emdonton decided Colton Teubert was a very good prospect because he played at the World Juniors and was a former 1st-round pick. At least that’s the impression I got from Tambellini’s press conference.
Well, you never know:
"Dustin is at the crossroads of his career," Lombardi wrote in an email to Sporting News. "He can choose to use his athletic ability to either become a dominant power forward in the National Hockey League or be a dominant number four hitter for the El Cid Lounge in a men’s softball league — the choice is his."
But I thought it was a great trade for the Kings too. I was disappointed when the Tinordi-and-a-first rumor turned out to be a hoax. Mind you I’m not high on players of Tinordi’s style.
I saw that quote, which is what planted the seed of hope in my brain. I’m open to the possibility that it was just Lombardi being sarcastic with some lowly sportswriter though. Now that the Kings have him I don’t think that misdirection would serve any purpose other than some personal amusement for Lombardi.
I don’t think it was bad luck that Penner wasn’t playing well. Copper and Blue went over it and all his underlying numbers were sharply declined as well. What happens with Penner is he struggles whenever a coach rips him in the media. He’s not a player that gets motivated in that way. He worked great under Pat Quinn because he’s an old school coach who, if he’s going to rip a player, will do it to his face. MacT ripped Penner in the media to no result, Terry Murray ripped Penner in the media to a terrible result. I don’t know why the coaches can’t just figure out that they need to let him play his game.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he’d actually do pretty well under Martin.
Martin appreciates hockey sense and positioning more than rambunctious hell-raising. Penner is smart enough to play a system. Martin also is known for making sure that his guys are well-conditioned, which would help prevent Penner from getting lazy about exercise the other knock against him.
He should hit free agency next year and would be a great pick up.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, I think he’d be a good fit. People see Penner’s size and think he should be knocking people around like Lucic, when his real strength is controlling the puck and not losing it, plus he has sweet hands.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Penner would be a fantastic fit, but I can all but guarantee you he’d immediately become the designated media/fan whipping boy as well.
Well they need to have one (heh, more like 5) of them anyway. I’d prefer that it was an actually good yet misunderstood player than one that legitimately stinks.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
What if we still had Gomez? ;-P
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s a great criticism sponge isn’t he. I’ve heard far less ill-informed Kostitsyn bashing since he’s started having a terrible season.
Still get groundless Spacek bashing though.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
It also sheltered Gionta from some likely deserved criticism, as even though his goal scoring was rock solid, his point totals weren’t great.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Loosely translated from Olivier: Gionta is a badass. He was the Habs’s best chances-for forward. He suffered from a lesser version of the same malady as Gomez (remember the first 10-15 games where he had one goal on umpteen shots?). He was generating enough chances, personally that a 35-goal season with average luck would have been a reasonable expectations.
I agree, I’m mainly talking about his assist numbers, which through 2 seasons in MTL haven’t been impressive.
Those first 10 games or so, Gionta probably should have had 10 goals if the puck was bouncing the right way.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Going back to their New Jersey days, when Gomez and Gionta play together, Gionta’s goals rise and assists fall. Which should be expected looking at how they play together. You could probably just add their two totals together and parcel back the goals and assists equally to the two to show their value relative to more balanced players.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Penner wins because of the ‘laziness’ factor. Gomez couldn’t buy a point, but at least people mostly figure he’s trying, plus he’s bound to bounce back offensively, and people only care about stats with guys like him.
Penner’s big and doesn’t hit, he has a long skating stride so he doesn’t pump his legs, and he’s a cerebral player rather than a go-go-go type; he’s going to be labelled as lazy and heartless and that’s a lot less forgivable. Unless Penner scores 30-35 goals… scoring a lot just makes a lot of apparent sins just go away.
You’re right, but Gomez makes $7,357,143/year. A lot of people can’t see through that.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
should be easy -
to convince Kings that Penner was a total flop because his play down the stretch already proved that, the 2 points in 18-20 games (including playoffs)
call a dog a dog
true that
it would be too much to expect scoring from your top line players …. or leadership, quality play in the D end, or winning results for the team. I’m sure he’s dancing for the joy about over-paying for an average, 2nd line player.
Is it too soon to say, I told you so? [I guess so.]
Uh, yes, it would be, that’s sort of my point.
And if he really is as bad as you think, I’m sure Lombardi won’t have any trouble finding a sucker to dump a guy like Penner. He’s only signed for one more year at 4.25 million, can still get you 25 goals (apparently while sucking out loud) and he has plenty of size. I’m sure some blind GM would pick him up.
Incidentally, if we’re going to be bashing him on boxcars, let’s at least get them right. He had 8 points with the Kings (3 goals, 5 assists) in the 25 games he played with LA, not just 2 (that’s his playoff total). Not great, but he has been shooting 5.6%.
Gomez does project to being far more moveable next summer.
As MathMan loves to point out, a 5% team even strength shooting percentage shouldn’t be a permanent aflliction. Gomez should return to at least 55 points next season.
A 55 point centerman with a real salary of 10 million over 2 years in a 45 million cap floor league is a trade asset rather than being unmoveable like Gomez is now.
Think about it, next year they could trade Gomez for assets.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
If Eller continues to develop. That’s the key to the whole Gomez thing for the Habs. If Eller is 2nd-line ready in 2012-13 and the CBA doesn’t change drastically, the Habs could trade Gomez for assets and then go out and get a quality player on big money. Or, if they spend this off-season, they can use it to lock up the young RFAs.
In any case, things are looking up for next year if Markov is re-signed. A little more luck for Gomez and Eller, some injury luck and next season should be fun.
I think you really overestimate Hamrlik.
As for Wisniewski, he was risky for about a month while he figured out the system, but from then on he was solid. He made no more bone headed mistakes than Hamrlik did, that’s for sure. I know MathMan disagrees, but from what I’ve seen, and judging by how JM deployed them, Wiz was the stronger player on that pairing. Would I rather have Hamrlik over Wiz killing a penalty? Sure, but not for 5 million when you can get a superior PK guy in Gill for less than half the price.
I agree that Minnesota isn’t likely to let Miettinen go, but we can dream. And every year teams let players go who were seen as not expendable.
As for Penner, I sure wouldn’t mind him on the Habs, but I’m pretty sure he’s a natural LW, and I’m not sure how well he plays the right side. From what I’ve seen his best play has come on the LW with Hemsky on the RW.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve seen him in Edmonton a bunch. He doesn’t really have the style of play that is side dependent. He tends to try and occupy the center of the ice by means of strength and positioning. I’d see him working well with Pleks and Cammaleri playing a methodical style and letting Cammaleri shift to the right side in the offensive zone for one-timer plays like they sometimes did with Kostitsyn.
His best play is with Hemsky because that’s the only quality forward Edmonton has had during his tenure. He’s also been able to carry lesser players on a line like Cogliano-Brule last year.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember I had friends who are Edmonton fans swearing up and down that Brule was going to be a breakout player this year, but you’re right, he was carried by Penner.
Luckily for the Habs he wouldn’t need to carry, he’d just have to compliment.
Hemsky is the real prize among the Oilers though (I know Penner isn’t an Oiler anymore). Last year when there were trade rumours I was hoping against hope that we’d acquire him. He’s a top flight right winger who’s solid on both sides of the puck and fairly physical. If Edmonton is stupid enough to trade him Gauthier better get in on it.
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by Andrew Berkshire on May 31, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember saying something similar a few months ago here. Hemsky would be great, his strength is five on five scoring which is still a weaker area of the Habs lineup. He’s not great on the powerplay but they wouldn’t need him there.
Plus we could call him and Pleks the Czech Connection.
I get the impression that the current Oiler regime wants to build a forward core presently aged 24 and younger so Hemsky could well move.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
The Habs are only weak in 5-on-5 scoring because their sh% was depressed (sadly masking a massive turnaround in puck possession), but I’m all for adding more and more 5-on-5 skill. Not like the special teams are hurting.
I know, but the other disciplines are already great and the 5 v 5 defense is strong with a solid goaltender so the 5 v 5 scoring is the area that could most be improved.
That or penalty differential. Turning that around would be a big plus.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re right about where Tambellini wants to go, to the dismay of smarter Edmonton fans. Any good GM should be looking for a balanced lineup, not just a bunch of young talent. Moving Hemsky in his prime might seem like you’re getting a king’s ransom, but my best is they’d lose big time. I mean look how badly they lost the Ryan Smyth trade. That just makes me want to trade for him more.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
The Chicago and Pittsburg cup wins were a god-send to incompetant GMs. Now you can excuse your teams ineptitude by deliberately sinking down the standing to get high draft picks. Never mind that both franchises needed to make a bunch of other smart moves to get all the way.
Edmonton’s current strategy is essentially, suck worse than everyone long enough and eventually we’ll end up good. Which is at least better than their old one, churn assets until they’ve lost their value and hope to throw ridiculous money at UFA’s to get the star player they can’t find or develop.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s amazing how people see a couple high picks in Toews and Kane and assume that’s all it takes. Nevermind the brilliant drafting of Keith, or the trades for Sharp and Ladd, or getting lucky with Byfuglien in the 8th round.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention depth guys like Versteeg and Bolland or even Hjalmarsson.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Every team needs to make smart moves to win a Cup.
What if the Hawks had chosen Kessel in 2006 instead of Toews? Kessel was in the argument for number one before falling to 5. If the Hawks made a mistake there do they win the 2010 Cup?
The Canadiens have struggled to find an elite player for the better part of two decades. Now they potentially have two and one of them was delivered with a top 5 pick.
Most of the elite players have been delivered at the top half of the draft so it isn’t a bad strategy if you are a competent GM with the skill to properly assess talent. If you aren’t it doesn’t really matter what you do, you will fail. I am looking at you Doug Maclean.
And Edmonton fans have gone so long without real talent they’ve lost the ability to recognize it. When it showed up in the form of Hall and Eberle they were dumbfounded.
by Stephan Cooper on May 31, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Very true. They’re also “blessed” with a management group who are a bunch of self congratulating fools.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Gott im Himmel, any desire I had to start seriously following my home-town team has been beaten away by the never ending saga of the Kevin Lowe machine. Guy loses credibility as GM and just hires a puppet to keep his little empire intact.
At least they can draft creditably now. Stu MacGregor actually seems to know what’s what.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
On that note, I think part of Edmonton’s much discused free-agency problem is that they’ve got a reputation around the league. Sheldon Souray broke a long standing code of silence when he talked to the media for a reason I think. But the local media is largely in the Oilers pocket and the story became what a terrible guy Souray is rather than weather what he was saying was true.
I’ve often thought that the team’s injury problems aren’t the bad luck many Edmonton fans make it out to be, put indicative a poorly run medical system combined with managerial pressure to bring back guys before the recovery is complete. Souray made a point of saying that both Montreal and New Jersey were classy, respectable organizations that didn’t have these kinds of problems.
by Stephan Cooper on Jun 1, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that Souray was voicing a league wide opinion among the players on Oilers management. They’re a bit of a joke. And people like Dan Tencer and Gene Principe are just sycophants.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 1, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Never will and will never see what Penner brings other than a big body. He’s no different than the skiddish russians who chose when he wants to play. If I were LA I would be disappointed in him. As for having him in a Habs Uni, I’d be disappointed in management.
Keep what we have, sure up the back end 3rd and 4th lines, and sort through the defensive pairings. We also need a back up. I know Auld was decent in the role, but hardly see the ‘mentor’ role being used here. Another yougn-ish tender would be good. Knowing and accepting your role (I guess Auld did that) as a back up, and being able to put in 20 games .. as much as it is fun watching Price pull down big totals in GP and W… it would be nice if we don’t burn him out too soon.
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jun 2, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
This is basically the reason I think Penner would become the whipping boy.
Penner is a guy that doesn’t hit, but will go against two guys along the boards and come up with the puck. Doesn’t pump his legs but keeps up with Andrew Cogliano on the rush. Doesn’t seem to go fast yet more often than not finds himself in the right spot at the right time. Doesn’t score tons but still carries lesser teammates in outchancing his opponents.
He’s got bad publicity because he has a more cerebral style that the media (especially the very superficial Edmonton media) doesn’t associate with a big man. But he’s a great player and a strong 5-on-5 driver. And I suspect he is the kind of player Gauthier and Martin like to have.
Bringing in a young backup would be huge folly. Price doesn’t like being challenged for starts, he likes knowing he’ll start most games so he can prepare. There can be upgrades on Auld that fill the same role, it might be likely we see Sanford or Macintyre from the Bulldogs get a chance to play in the NHL. No matter what though, at this point Price will be getting 65-70 starts per year, and at no point did he look tired.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 2, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
How do we know “Price doesn’t like to be challenged for starts?”
I don’t think we can make any assumptions based on the circumstances surrounding his career. He has gone through the natural goaltender progression, just ahead of the regular curve. but those struggles were going to come regardless of who he was playing with. No goaltender avoids that adjustment.
If you use Price’s actual comments on the situation, Halak actually helped his progression. He was not working as hard and the fact that he lost his job forced him to work harder and mature. Now if we assume that your assumption is correct, would he have worked harder if he didn’t have to earn his starts? Would he be where he is right now without Halak if the Habs had Auld in 2010 and didn’t make Price earn it?
That is a narrative that has become a fact without any actual facts. It is wholly based on perception. We can’t even look at it statistically because we can’t determine when Halak became “a challenge”. Was Halak a challenge after he took the job or the whole time he was the backup?
Price has also stated several times that he’s far more comfortable knowing that he’s getting starts instead of waiting for a decision like he had all of 09-10. That’s solely what I’m basing my observation off of, not any narrative. He wants to start and be in his own world and not care about the backup. I’m pretty sure most starters feel the same.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jun 4, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Wis....
…was in their long-term plan anyway….Too many years and too much $$$$….I would like to see hime back but as an UFA someone is going to offer him stupid $$$$
long term D plans
keeping both Spacek & Gill makes perfect sense – Hamrlik was never in the plans. Both those old vets will be off the books at end of ’11-12.
If PG can’t sign Markov, he’ll probably try hard to sign Wiz in June.
The plan/hope is that Y(Emelin) will replace Gill in ‘12/13 in the top 4 and possibly Tinordi is ready to be #6 Dman in 2 years. With PK, Gorges and Markov (or Wiz) signed long-term, they’ll be looking for Weber, Diaz, and/or Nash or TBD veteran acquired by trade or FA to round out the 8-man D corps.
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