I'm hearing a lot of people bashing his play this year. He has been a bit streaky, but to be honest, I am pretty impressed overall with his developement compared to last year. He is a pretty cheap replacement for Komi.

I think he's improved vastly over last season, and steadily throughout this year (except when he's playing forward). He's a tough kid and it's remarkable that he's doing this through all of his personal issues.

Oh c'mon, he scored on his own net last year! The guy's a bum!

Not only that, but he stole a woman's purse!

..but only to erase the pictures of him doing shadey stuff!!!!

He had a great training camp, got hurt, and was abysmal afterwards for a while when he came back. To his credit, he really has picked things up particularly as of late and should get credit for it. I wonder if that coincides with being paired with Markov, which in turn makes me wonder if he's a reason why Markov's been struggling lately - his slump coincides with O'Byrne moving with him. Not trying to start a major debate, but it's something I've noted.

He's an affordable player who's developing nicely. We're lucky to have him. I've heard on radio programs, other teams covet him, as he's a good skater for his size. A good player in this crazy salary cap era.

It should be noted that he won't be quite so affordable beyond this year. His actual salary nearly doubles; although that doesn't directly affect the cap hit next year, it will make his qualifying offer higher ($1.4 M). If he keeps up his current play, that'll be okay but if he reverts back to early season form, it could become a bit of an iffy contract.

I don't blame Ryan at all for that. Huet was getting a certain part of himself "cleaned" by the girlfriend of the woman who took photos. So the kid decides to protect the veteran from his wife finding out and gets the cell phone. It's pretty sad when the rook is saving the vet. "Shame on Huet" is the truth! (I have always had a conspiracy theory this is why Gainey traded him)

I am happy with the way his game is progressing. I just don't like it when he takes a panic penalty. But that's OK. Many of them look like sure goals that he prevents.

Haha AC, is this confirmed?

Markov wasn't good at the Olympics, so I don't think it's related to O'Byrne at all.

I actually think Markov has been better post-Olympics, so perhaps it was simply health related.

That's a good point, it could very well have just been a health thing. The timing lined up which is why I made a note of it a while back.

I feel like O'Byrne is progressing nicely! He will most likely never win the Norris trophy, but I'm sure that he will become a solid defensive d-man in the near future. Instead of ######.ing up like Bob did numerous times, Pierre Gauthier should lock him up long term right away. Offer him 10 million$ for 5 years. I'm sure he'd jump on it!

O'Byrne is one of the few players Gainey deviated from the 1 or 2 year policy to sign a couple years back. Both he and Gorges signed 3 year deals while the rest got short term contracts.

I'll find it. Obviously mainstream media stayed away so it's up to you whether or not to trust it. However, Ryan stealing a purse for no logical reason seems ridiculous. This version makes more sense.

I always like cheering for the underdog and because every fan jump on the poor kid last season..i kind of watch him more and cheer for him...but i can honestly say he is getting a lot better and well be alot better then komi just going to take time...

D-men take time to develop. He is cheap and big and has promise.

Don't forget he is still a kid. They make MISTAKES.

its only human to do so...

Yes, that right he, me and YOU are human too...

I am very happy with his development. He is another player that was a big part of the Bulldogs last Calder Championship. He can dominate in this league. I would like him to prove me right. And yes I believe in this KID!

He is no PK. but he is the big BURN!

GO HABS GO!

I'm really happy with O`Byrne

I know I know I slammed him last season

I think he genuinely has the CH tatooed on his chest, unlike Komi

It's amazing how much he has improved in many areas in just 1 season; plus, je takes less stupid penalties

You can tell has has matured on and off the ice, I like his confidence

You can tell has has matured on and off the ice, I like his confidence
[/quote]

I get a great kick out of people rendering their evaluations without taking into consideration the progression of the player. Komi was criticized before he got a few years under his belt. O'Byrne, give him a couple of years, he will be fine. Conboy at 6'4'', 200lbs won't your pugulist if ever till he gets there. Palushaj is a first year prospect at the AHL level and his stats will reflect that. Please take into consideration where they are at, before you dish them.

The funny thing is O'Byrne will be the #7 Dman next year if no trades of defensemen are made.

Gorges will be paired with Markov

Subban Gill

Spacek Hamrlik

I'd rather Hamrlik play with Subban on the 2nd pairing and put Spacek with Gill on the third.

Not to mention Carle who will likely stick with the team as an extra at the very least (waiver situation, plus he earned it with his improvements). That's why there will likely be at least one trade.

Asking Subban to clean up after Gill might be a little too much pressure.

Yeah, having him play with a 12 year NHL veteran is bad. That's way too much responsibility, what do those guys know about playing in the NHL?

If Sean O'Donnell is good enough for Drew Doughty, than Hal Gill is good enough for P.K. Subban.

If Gill beats O'Byrne on the depth chart than Martin NUTS!

Yes, but Doughty is WAAAAYY superior to Subban iMO.

I have to think that that's everyone's opinion, no offense to PK.

Not implying that he was. Just sticking up for Gill. And saying that young guys can develop even when paired with non-All-Star veterans.

Gill is good in certain situations but aweful in others. No matter how long he has been in the league, he is very slow and usually has to rely on his partner to patch up his errors.

I dunno Subban is on pace to have a 82 pt season hahahaha.

Bingo. He's at most a 6th dman. And a 6th dman at 2.250M$ is totally unnecessary.

He is a large part why the habs PK is top ten in the league. If you want to look at peeps overpaid look at Spacey...his salary is grossly larger than Gill for what each brings to the table.

Spacek (who just took a tripping penalty, mind you) plays 20-22 minutes of plus level hockey. He makes the going rate for those kinds of minutes. His offensive game isn't where it was in Buffalo, but again he's playing his off-side.

Gill at $2.2m is WAY better than Mara at $1.6m. Gill is a bit of a luxury player: his PK skills make him better than the prototypical 3rd pair D.

On Gill, I think he is a very steady defenseman if used properly.

On Toronto he was just thrown out there, in Pittsburgh he was used in situations that emphasized his strengths.

The only problem IN HINDSIGHT I have with Spacek is that the Canadiens blocked the ascension of Subban, Weber and Carle
with him. They surely didn't estimate Subban adapting so quickly.

With Hamrlik expiring next season they should be ok.

Once Hammer goes (something I'm not looking forward to, but which is inevitable), look for Spacek to revert back to his proper side and probably bring a bit more than he has thus far brought. Meanwhile, PK will have to step in and eat a fair number of minutes. Huge cap savings, conceivably without losing *too* much on D.

I like Gill. I do tire of fans always focusing on what a player can't do and ignoring what he can. Gill is a massive PK presence, some much-needed size on D, a veteran leader, and decently effective at keeping the slot clean. Teams need guys like that.

Anyone wearing last year's Stanley Cup ring is fine in my books.

There ya go again...taking the words right out of my head! I like what he is and has. What he doesn't have isn't there!

do any one think we should lock O'Byrne up to a long term deal?????

Sure, at the right price. With arguably the team's top 3 young d-men (Subban, Weber, Carle) all being RH shots, the organization doesn't have to rush to do so though. He's got one more year left (talks on an extension couldn't even start until July 1), lots could change between now and then.

but ob is 6,5 and a right hand shot and he keeps getting better and better..i dont think he ever be a allstar but with his size he could be a really good long term player for us if we sign him to a 5 year deal now at a cheap rate...i just hope he dont become a another komi..a good but over rate player that some other gm over pays for..his 25 now so in 2 year he become ufa..so i think if we could sign him soon to even a 3 year deal at a cheap rate it might be in our fav..

O'Byrne is getting better, I just hope that no one is expecting him to become a number 1 or 2 guy.

What is one of the issues that a lot of people harp about when it comes to the inept cap management by the Habs this year? Paying depth defencemen too much money. We currently have a $1.625 M healthy scratch and most would agree that Gill, the #5/6 d-man, makes too much at $2.25 M. In order to entice O'Byrne to sign an extension that's 5 years long, that's the type of money we'd be talking at the very least. Can he be more than realistically a 3rd pairing d-man in the future?

I like him, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to take the next step to really become a cog to build around. He has an arbitration eligible offseason coming in 2011, I could see the Habs maybe giving him a 2, max 3 year deal and hope to keep it around $1.75 M; otherwise, he may be gone quickly. Heck, given the recent tradition of players who wear the #20, he'll probably be gone this offseason.

A guy has a solid two month stretch and now we want him locked up, a year before his contract expires, for five years. Okay now. Good thing Matt D'Agostini didn't get the same treatment a year ago.

Let's see what guys like O'Byrne can do in the post-season, and what he can do when he's guaranteed a spot at training camp.

Whatever the case, the summer of 2011 is shaping up to be like the summer of 2007... 4 free agent d-men at once (Markov, Hamrlik, Gorges, O'Byrne). Not all will be retained... and Markov should be priority #1 yet again.

As long as one of those guys gets signed, (The Russian guy) I will be happy.

Heh, just realized that there are FIVE free agent d-men in 2011. Forgot to include Gill on the list. Gorges and O'Byrne will be restricted free agents with arbitration rights, one year from unrestricted free agency. So they'll be due raises, even if it is for just one year, that will essentially equate them with UFA pay level.

with the new nhl and the cap gms got to really do there jobs..they got to sign players before they become really good nhlers to get a deal..this is where bob made alot of mistake.he always try to wait last min to sign guys when they were playing great which always made him over pay..i think O'Byrne is just as good as komi and well be better them him in 2 year....O'Byrne as a better shot and a better figther the only thing he dont do great is run around looking for big hits so habs fan could fall in love with him..i know we got good D coming up but i really think locking up a 6,5 right shot that well fight for a couple of more years might be a good idea for the right deal..

So if you were the GM, what would you be willing to pay him, knowing full well that his ceiling may be where he is now, as a 3rd pairing d-man? There's a huge risk in giving this type of player a long term deal (mind you if he pans out, there's a good reward).

its hard to say but right now his playing with Markov as the first pairing most of the time..i think...playing with marko done alot for komi..so if your the coach and gm and you see obyrne playing their for the next couple of season you really might what to get him signed..i see a changing of the guard with markv and pk in a few years..so if you think ob can play along side subban in the future it might be worth locking him up..i would at least talk to his agent..but i would wait till the summer before any talks..

i think we should do a 3 year deal at about.. 1.25 mil, 2 mil, 2.25mil with a cap hit of 1.83...

Well for one thing Subban and O'Byrne are both RD, they won't be paired together.

! mill is fair, as i stated earlier, if there is no trades of defenseman he won't even have a spot in the top 6.

I would hope the best case scenario for him is if he can take over what Gill brings to the team, great Pk guy, 3rd pairing solid stay at home defenseman with size.

He is probably in the long term plans along with Gorges, Markov and Subban.

Agree with that part for sure. If more than one of those young RH D pan out, a guy like Gorges will move back to the left side long term.