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Can we afford to lose Bonk?


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This may seem like a bizarre question, but Bonk is generally viewed as overpaid; he'll be a UFA this summer; and most seem to assume that he'll be gone, given the need to resign the D, and so forth.

However, Bonk seems to have become our secret weapon and a major anchor among our forwards. Everyone assigned to play with him seems suddenly to improve - witness, now, Samsonov, all of a sudden transformed into a little buzzsaw out there. He IS the checking, two-way C we've needed for years and is in a perfect situation in Montreal, where he's being used precisely as he should be (unlike in Ottawa).

The standard thinking is that Pleks is the replacement, but Pleks is a different kind of player - faster and shiftier but not as robust, and it's doubtful whether he has that knack of making others better.

Thoughts?

Edited by The Chicoutimi Cucumber
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if he agree to sign for a little less, let me say around 1,8 our 2 mils during 2 seasons, i will be happy. If he ask for a raise... sorry but let him go.

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if he agree to sign for a little less, let me say around 1,8 our 2 mils during 2 seasons, i will be happy. If he ask for a raise... sorry but let him go.

Frankly, i think he's earning his salary. look at the dudes running this team - carbo, gainey, jarvis. they all appreciate sound defense and want to build a team around it. i wouldnt be surprised if they try hard to keep him (maybe even north of 2 mil).

penalty kill is so crucial in the new NHL. he would be very, very tough to replace.

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Frankly, i think he's earning his salary. look at the dudes running this team - carbo, gainey, jarvis. they all appreciate sound defense and want to build a team around it. i wouldnt be surprised if they try hard to keep him (maybe even north of 2 mil).

penalty kill is so crucial in the new NHL. he would be very, very tough to replace.

I'd have to agree. At least one of Bonk or Johnson needs to stay, and if it's only one, I'd keep Bonk.

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Bonk's making 2.4 or so now. I can't see any reason he'd make less next year, based on his play this one.

He's worth every cent, and as far as I can tell he's pretty happy. He had a rep as a dressing room cancer in Ottawa but we've heard no complaints from or about him in Mtl. I think the way Bob stood up for him all last year made him feel valued by the organization.

Peca got 2.5 in Toronto. I'd say that's about the right rate for a premium checking center who isn't going to get 20 goals. I'd keep him for that ballpark, happily.

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If the Habs are unable to find a #2 center, Bonk will be back.

If the Habs can find someone to fill the role of 2nd Center, then Plekanec will fill Bonk's spot on the 3rd line.

Though, they would have to find the center before the trade deadline because the Habs wouldn't want to risk losing Bonk to another team while they attempt to sign a UFA in the offseason at the same time.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Habs have Kyle Chipchura in Hamilton. Though, he'll likely need at least another half-season in the AHL next season, so even if the Habs were to sign Bonk, it would be a short-term deal.

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I agree ... people are going Bonkers over Mr Bonkers

I for one think he would happily sign for Mtl at (4 - 4.5 Mil) for two years.. what I dont know is what his WIFE and family want>... I think she would preffer to go to the states,... I dont know why but Im getting that feeling! and to counter that it would take 3 Mil per year or more.

one thing for sure Bonk and Johnson are not going to be traded before deadline unless to get that no2 centre so we will lose at least one in the summer.

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They bought a house here..

today if you dont buy a house your basicaly throwing money away in rent! and besides if u have money buy property... Im sure bonk has made money that property probably went up in value at least 3% since he bought it!

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Bonk is an above average player that specialises in a pk/forchecking role so I dont see why he would not deserve an above average salary in the 2.25-2.5 mill range.

I would say also offer him a 300k-500k performance bonus at 50 points that if he could earn if he regains the scoring touch he seems to have lost a little of during the lockout

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The remaining of the season will exposed what this team is all about.........failure to qualified for the playoffs,....qualifying but getting dumped in the first round......or going strong and further,....all of this will be necessary before assessing the UFA situations of the marginal cases, (unlike Markov for exemple).

Teams within the new CBC are pushed to invest in their youths and make room for them........Bonk would be in the way even if he was willing to sign for a year only.......but anyhow that is something I am convinced he would never be interested in.

Edited by PB
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today if you dont buy a house your basicaly throwing money away in rent! and besides if u have money buy property... Im sure bonk has made money that property probably went up in value at least 3% since he bought it!

but its a pain in the ass moving your entire family all over god's green acres. i'm sure bonk would like to stay in Montreal. He has fathered a child here.

Edited by fromage
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this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5.

GO HABS GO!

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this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5.

GO HABS GO!

there is no way they will both sign for next year, we have to make cap room for 2 of our 3 UFA defense and Higgins, Perez and Plex are RFA... With the salary cap, we can't affort these guys over 2 mils each... sorry but it is THEM or A good center... I'd go with a good center player...

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this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5.

GO HABS GO!

Exactly, I couldn't have said it better myself bro :) We need to keep our key players and to me Bonk is one of them just like Koivu, Kovalev etc.

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We definitely can't afford to lose Bonk. The more I watch, the more I think it's worth giving him the raise it takes to keep him with the Habs. Cuttting loose Rivet, trading Perezhogin, and handing Bonk a piece of the savings would be a great move in my book.

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Right now Radek Bonk is one of the most important player to the team.

I hope he will accept a cut i salary and stay another year. I don't think that Plekanec will take is role but maybe Chipchura.

And with so many key players becoming UFA at season end the Habs of 2008 might look very different, but Im confident we will see a better team next season even if Bonk, Aebischer and Souray might be gone.

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This is how I see it... Johnny & Bonk Stay; Everyone else who does not shape up and start playing with heart is on the chopping block/trading block either this season or next!

Either way I'm confident that we will be fine as soon as the team builds some chemistry and our scorers and playmakers who are being paid to be SO; start acting like they can!

As for as I'm concerned no one is free from a TRADE or CUT (except for Bonk & Johnny); from Carbo to Gainey; coaching and managements patients is wearing out! Don't be surprise if there is a big shake up!

GO HABS GO!

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