116 replies to this topic

[ForumGhost]

 

So the season should be starting sometime next week. Let's get Subban signed! Also, the buyout system is changed. From what I understand, buyouts will not count against a team's cap. Good news for us! Will Gomez be bought out before the season starts?

[Dalhabs]

Now we need to resign Subban ASP. Saw u already wrote this  a well... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE NHL IS BACK!  Its so good news for both my swedish team (Which didnt sign any lockout'd players and will have easier oposition now) AND that there will be the best hockey in the world on tv again. 

[JCPetit]

Bergevin will quickly buy out Gomez and Kaberle. That will leave room for a few trades.
My prediction is that Galchenyuk, and maybe Gallagher, will make the team.
Looking at Nathan Beaulieu, I believe that he has a good chance to be called up if there are injuries, which is a given with a brutal calendar. The kid is looking great. He has incredible skills: a silky smooth skating stride, a great slap shot, good size... He is already very to the NHL IMO.

[Helmethead]

From what I've read so far, no buyouts till this summer; at which point two will be allowed that won't count against the cap. So get used to seeing gomer for a shortened season. (Unless they chose to bury him in the minors)


January 6th is the celebration of the Epiphany.

e·piph·a·ny [ih-pif-uh-nee]

1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.

2. an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.

3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

God Bless!

[ForumGhost]

In any case, I doubt that with such a short amount of time till the season begins, there won't be much time for pre-season maneuvering anyways even if we did free up cap. However, I expect to see Kaberle and Gomer gone as soon as the season is over.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

YEAH BABY!

 

 

I will refrain from speculating on what Bergevin needs to do until I have some sort of clue about the nature of the CBA - dlbalr is of course here to enlighten us all - but one thing we can all agree on is that PK needs to be signed.

 

I'm not optimistic about this season, but right now I'm just ecstatic to have a season at all!

 

GO HABS GO!!!!

[JCPetit]

I am not very optimistic too. Just glad that there will be hockey. And I wish that the Habs will improve over last year. IMO, the defense will be better, but we need more fire power up front. I don't think that Galchenyuk or Gallagher will provide that, if they make the team. It will have to come from the likes of Lars Eller, Brian Gionta and Rene Bourque. Nothing guaranteed.
What will really help IMO is the presence of a new, experienced coach behind the bench. I am quite sure that Therrien will have a better control on his bench than Cunneyworth. If you recall, Martin was very close to the 8th place in the standings when Gauthier fired him. With Bergevin as GM, I feel confident that we won't see mistakes like the Kaberle's trade anymore. When you think about it, it did not make much sense to fix a temporary problem (Markov's injury) by acquiring an aging unidimensional player with a long term expensive contract.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

I agree with the gist of your analysis, JC. As I've pointed out elsewhere, the team subtracted two top-6 forwards and replaced them with nobody...unless you consider Bourque a top-6 forward, which to my mind is a bit like considering Kaberle a top-4 defenceman. On paper, this team is significantly worse than the one that started last season up front.

 

Now Markov coming back strong would make a huge difference. His absence was THE reason we failed so miserably last year. But I don't think it's sensible to count on Markov being Markov at this point. You're now talking about an aging defenceman prone to catastrophic injuries who has barely played competitive hockey for three years. So rational analysis can't infer too much from his return. (I agree that Kaberle is no Markov, but I still think - in sheer hockey terms - we're better with Kabs than without him; so I wouldn't be in a hurry to dump his contract until after this 'season' is over).

 

Cole is a year older, and while Patches and PK - and even DD - could very well find new levels, the path of player development seldom runs so smooth. They are terrific young guns but it would be unwise to assume that they will do more than last season.

 

Galy is not likely to be saviour, not for this season. You can never assume that a rookie will come in and make a big impact.

 

So, our main hope lies in a team that catches lightning in a bottle, courtesy of a new coach ('a change is as good as a rest') and the team's burning hunger to redeem itself after a disastrous season last year. We could then become more than the sum of our parts and scrape into the playoffs on sheer joyous momentum. I think that we have a better chance of being 'that team' this season than most clubs do...but that's still just a hope at this point.

[JCPetit]

Good analysis Cucumber. You are right in saying that each year brings one or two teams to beat the expectations. The Habs might be one of them.

[JMMR]

The buyouts will not begin until the following season though.

[Commandant]

Bergevin will quickly buy out Gomez and Kaberle. That will leave room for a few trades.
My prediction is that Galchenyuk, and maybe Gallagher, will make the team.
Looking at Nathan Beaulieu, I believe that he has a good chance to be called up if there are injuries, which is a given with a brutal calendar. The kid is looking great. He has incredible skills: a silky smooth skating stride, a great slap shot, good size... He is already very to the NHL IMO.

 

No buyouts til summer.

 

Also with the Cap being 64.3 and the Habs being at 53 (with 7 to sign) post Gomez buyout, I'm not convinced we use two buyouts.  We might, but its not 100%

[Chris]

Yes, Gomez will be gone for sure. Kaberle, not so sure. if i remember correctly he would have just 1 more year.

 

CC, i like your amnalysis but i don't agree the forwards are worse than last year. Pacs Cole DD were excellent. Should be again. The 2nd line could be good but with no buyouts i assume Gomez gets a chance this year and Galy stays in Juniors. I could be wrong. People bash bourque, but i would rather have him than AK46. Bourque stunk last year but with an actual coach, system and direction i expect he will be better. Gionta will be healthy.

 

With Moen healthy, He and Eller will be on the 3rd. I ove the 4th line, Prust Nokeleinen Armstrang White. People are really underestimating this team being much tougher and harder to play against. They will be a better PK team not using the top guys like Pleks.

 

Defense will be average IMO, unless Markov comes back to 90% of what he was. I would go

Gorges markov

Subban Emelin

Boillon Kaberle with Diaz #7.

 

being bitter about another lockout i really hope the fans let both sides have it. It would be so nice iffans could muster up the courage to not attend games for a week or so. It won;t happpen but i hope it does. I'm not renewing my NHK package until nexdt year, and i won;t go to any games. I'll watch some on cbs sports and NHL network since i already get them.

[JCPetit]

In Montreal, the lock-out makes no difference. The fans just eat hockey. They are starved right now. The fever will be high right from the start.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Yes, Gomez will be gone for sure. Kaberle, not so sure. if i remember correctly he would have just 1 more year.

 

CC, i like your amnalysis but i don't agree the forwards are worse than last year. Pacs Cole DD were excellent. Should be again. The 2nd line could be good but with no buyouts i assume Gomez gets a chance this year and Galy stays in Juniors. I could be wrong. People bash bourque, but i would rather have him than AK46. Bourque stunk last year but with an actual coach, system and direction i expect he will be better. Gionta will be healthy.

 

With Moen healthy, He and Eller will be on the 3rd. I ove the 4th line, Prust Nokeleinen Armstrang White. People are really underestimating this team being much tougher and harder to play against. They will be a better PK team not using the top guys like Pleks.

 

Defense will be average IMO, unless Markov comes back to 90% of what he was. I would go

Gorges markov

Subban Emelin

Boillon Kaberle with Diaz #7.

 

being bitter about another lockout i really hope the fans let both sides have it. It would be so nice iffans could muster up the courage to not attend games for a week or so. It won;t happpen but i hope it does. I'm not renewing my NHK package until nexdt year, and i won;t go to any games. I'll watch some on cbs sports and NHL network since i already get them.

 

Actually, I agree that our bottom 6 will be significantly improved. Prust and Armstrong are quality additions and will indeed add much-needed sandpaper and agitation. It's the top-6 that worries me. I see no reason for preferring that slug Bourque over Kostitsyn (indeed, the Bourque we saw last year was barely an NHL player) and we don't even have a hypothetical replacement for Cammy. A healthy Gio will help, certainly.

 

Markov is the great X-factor. But he is a bonus at this stage, not part of the core.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

If Montreal buys two players out, it'll be Gomez and Bourque.  Montreal doesn't have to use it immediately on the summer.  They can use it next summer if they wish to.

[habs rule]

Thank zeus we are finally talking hockey and not contract nonsense. To all those who say that's it "I am not watching anymore," you weren't really a fan anyways so who cares? The NHL felt they had to get a flawed system fixed. I don't know if they accomplished that but these are pretty smart guys and I am sure that they can figure out what their business model needs. I have seen so many posts where guys are saying they are done and then spout "facts" that are completely false, as I say not real fans. Now lets get PK signed up and on side, we still got some holes to fill, but there are some ufa's kicking around. Lets get off to a good start and suprise everyone and go deep in the playoffs.

[dlbalr]

From what I've read so far, no buyouts till this summer; at which point two will be allowed that won't count against the cap. So get used to seeing gomer for a shortened season. (Unless they chose to bury him in the minors)

 

It hasn't been mentioned for a bit but in the detailed proposal sent from the owners that started this whole process, burying contracts in the AHL is no longer an option (nor is the European option that Chicago took with Huet) and it appears the NHLPA agreed to that.  If true, I think it can be definitively stated that Scott Gomez will be on the Habs this season.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

Thank zeus we are finally talking hockey and not contract nonsense. To all those who say that's it "I am not watching anymore," you weren't really a fan anyways so who cares?

 

As annoying as those folks are, nobody has a right to tell anyone if they are a fan or not.  Or a "true" fan for that matter.  Just ignore them.  One less person to talk hockey with.

[JoeLassister]

 

It hasn't been mentioned for a bit but in the detailed proposal sent from the owners that started this whole process, burying contracts in the AHL is no longer an option (nor is the European option that Chicago took with Huet) and it appears the NHLPA agreed to that.  If true, I think it can be definitively stated that Scott Gomez will be on the Habs this season.

And that I'll win my 3 months Avatar Contest  

[habs rule]

 

As annoying as those folks are, nobody has a right to tell anyone if they are a fan or not.  Or a "true" fan for that matter.  Just ignore them.  One less person to talk hockey with.

I think I have the right to give my opinion of the comments of others, I did not name anyone personally, I am talking about a large group of people over many blogs etc. It does not necasarily apply to anyone on this site. So it is my opinion like it, don't like it, matters not to me. Oh and I have been ignoring them for 3 months, just thought I get one shot.

[Commandant]

If Montreal buys two players out, it'll be Gomez and Bourque.  Montreal doesn't have to use it immediately on the summer.  They can use it next summer if they wish to.

 

The more I think about it, the buyout will be Gomez and whoever has played the worst out of Markov, Kaberle and Bourque.

 

If all three of those players are useful and have good seasons, there will be no second buyout. 

 

With Gomez gone and a cap of 64.3, everyone fits under the cap, the only reason to buy a 2nd player out is to sign a UFA who will replace that player.

[JoeLassister]

 

The more I think about it, the buyout will be Gomez and whoever has played the worst out of Markov, Kaberle and Bourque.

 

If all three of those players are useful and have good seasons, there will be no second buyout. 

 

With Gomez gone and a cap of 64.3, everyone fits under the cap, the only reason to buy a 2nd player out is to sign a UFA who will replace that player.

Even if we play Galchenyuk and his 3M$ cap hit ? I believe that Desharnais will need a new contract as well.

[Habinator33]

 

The more I think about it, the buyout will be Gomez and whoever has played the worst out of Markov, Kaberle and Bourque.

 

If all three of those players are useful and have good seasons, there will be no second buyout. 

 

With Gomez gone and a cap of 64.3, everyone fits under the cap, the only reason to buy a 2nd player out is to sign a UFA who will replace that player.

 

I'm figuring they will do a second buyout since Subban still needs a contract which isn't factored in right now, Galchenyuk has a 3m hit if he makes the team, and Desharnais will also be due a nice raise especially if he picks up where he left off last season.

[Commandant]

Even if we play Galchenyuk and his 3M$ cap hit ? I believe that Desharnais will need a new contract as well.

 

If you wanted to you could use the bonus cushion to effectively make Galchenyuk's cap hit 950K, and take the penalty for any bonuses he hits, one year later when Gionta, Kaberle, Markov, and others are off the books and it would be easy to manage that 2 million or so.

 

There are ways to manipulate things.

[hab29RETIRED]

 

No buyouts til summer.

 

Also with the Cap being 64.3 and the Habs being at 53 (with 7 to sign) post Gomez buyout, I'm not convinced we use two buyouts.  We might, but its not 100%

Since we can't buyout Gomez to start this year, what happens this year will drive the buyout decsions.

 

Depending on how Bourque plays, I'd either trade him or buy him out.  If has a good year, trade him (he isn't the kind of guy i'd want around for 4 years), and if he sucks like i think he will, buy him out.

 

If gomez has a decent year (not expecting a good year, just hoping for a 40+ point year), he may be tradeable, since his actual salary is a lot less then his cap hit.  That would allow us to buy-out the remaining year of Kaberle or Prust if he shows he is not worth $3M.  We have to keep in mind that if DD has another year like last year, he is going to be getting a big raise and at some point we need to pay PK the $5.5M+ he will require.  The longer we wait, the more he is going to command.