Gorges deal done! as Habs find coaching replacements from within
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Jul 22, 2011 10:30 PM EDT
in Habs News
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PrintAnd breathe Habs fans, as the Montreal Canadiens have signed defenceman Josh Gorges to a one-year deal, avoiding next week's arbitration hearing. Thought the team will not disclose salary, it is being estimated at a $2.5 million dollar deal.
In the meantime, instead of looking around to find a replacement for departed assistant coach Kirk Muller, the Canadiens decided to promote from within.
On Friday the organization brought up Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) coach Randy Cunneyworth and assistant coach Randy Ladoceur as members of Jacques Martin's coaching staff.
With Perry Pearn still on the Habs coaching roster, it is expected that Ladoceur will work from above during games, relaying his observations to the bench.
The Canadiens also announced Cunneyworth's replacement in The Hammer, by bringing on Clement Joidin from the Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL). Joidin spent four seasons with the Oceanic, before announcing his departure in April.
It is also be a return the the Canadiens organization for Joidin, who held numerous positions in Montreal from 1997 to 2003. It will be the veteran coach's second stint as a pro head coach. Joidin was the bench boss with Halifax Citadels from 1990-92.
Live out west and have a kid in hockey? Several of Perry Pearn's summer hockey camp programs are still taking applications for August.
Carey Price is riding the horses in Quesnel, and by the end of the weekend should be helping out Olaf Kolzig with his Charity Golf Tournament. .
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Supprised about the Randys moving up. They’re known as good developement guys, I would have thought they were more valuble in Hamilton.
Would have liked to see Gorges locked up long-term but a one year deal isn’t so bad. Even as a UFA he isn’t a big flight risk.
by Stephan Cooper on Jul 22, 2011 10:36 PM EDT reply actions
A few people are saying that with the 1 year deal they’re expecting he’ll head elsewhere next year. Could go either way, either a Plekanec-like situation, or he feels burned by the low money and term, considering many were predicting something in the $3-3.5M range. I sure hope he stays though. One of my favourite Habs, for sure.
by despisethesun on Jul 22, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
If he felt that burned he wouldn’t have signed, he’d just go to arbitration as planned.
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by Andrew Berkshire on Jul 23, 2011 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
One year for Gorges was probably the best decision he could make. Coming off a big injury that ended his season early, one season away from Unrestricted Free Agency, and anything resembling a good defenseman being in high demand (though teams tend to go for offensive types so that last point may not be correct). I would have liked to see a multi-year deal but that’s how it goes.
For a long term deal he probably wanted to be payed UFA money for his UFA years and the org didn’t want to risk that on an uncertain knee and want the contract to reflect that risk. So both accept getting a one year so they can negoitate the long-term next season on more certain premises. The org trades future contract security and efficiency for more flexibility and the chance to hedge their bets.
The Gorges deal is pretty similar to Plekanec’s. I doubt resigning him will be an issue next summer if that is what the org wants.
by Stephan Cooper on Jul 22, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Who was the last Habs RFA who was signed into his UFA years? I’m thinking it has to be…. Jose Theodore! Talk about an overreaction!
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keep it up PG
makes no sense to overpay on a long-term deal at $3mm+ per when there’s no way Gorges would’ve gotten more than $2.5mm for this season from an arbitrator. If he proves to be healthy and gives Habs 50+ games in the reg season and good playoffs, the money you save this year can be applied to contract he signs next off-season .
Plus there’s always the chance that Habs move in another direction next offseason depending on how Yemelin shows this season given that Gorges, Gill and Spacek will all be expiring – that’s ~$8.75MM that’ll be there for a top 4 Dman. Might be Gorges, might not.
the money you save this year can be applied to contract he signs next off-season .
In real money, yes. In salary cap money, no.
by Simon Lamarche on Jul 23, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems like there’s a lot of cap space left, even of they want to keep a decent buffer. There may be another move left in this offseason.
by MathMan on Jul 23, 2011 5:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think you're right, could be a big move ....
But we might not see it until the season starts. Right now, team is showing the stability that PG talked about, but also some big question marks with Markov, Gorges, Eller, Gomez and Yemelin. With $5-6MM of cap space and a number of teams still working on changes, who knows what might happen between now and Xmas?
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