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Some may recall, but Carbonneau was considered a great defensive prospect but was also a high scoring junior prospect when he was drafted - 182 points in 72 games for the Sagueneens in 1980 and had 94 points in 77 games his last year in the AHL. Sure, the QMJHL had some pretty absurd offense numbers those days but that's still good for 23rd best all time there (Lemieux holds the record at 282 points in a single QMJHL season - lol). The Habs developed him mainly as a checking line C and never really gave him a chance to develop his offense. He's the best of his era in that role. He was also a leader on the team and, despite the role, did contribute on offense despite rarely having line-mates that could score much. He also set the club record for short handed goals in a season twice. 3 cup rings (captain for one of them), 3 Selke trophies (and he unquestionably deserved more - 83, 84, 85, 86 and 90 are the years he should've won the Selke, or at least 2-3 of those years, beyond the 3 he did win in 88, 89 and 92). Worth noting for those that don't remember, he also won the Jack Adams in 2008 as coach of the year for the Habs...wasn't right that he was fired the following season. I don't see this as marginal at all...the Habs of the late 80's through early 90's were generally strong well rounded teams that really had no "superstar" offensive players - they were well balanced teams. We're talking about an era that pumped out 100 point a year players all over the league and I think the only one they had in the 80's was Naslund in '86. Carbonneau was the lynch pin of the defensive style they played...well, beyond Roy in net...lol.

I don't agree for a couple reasons: The Habs had plenty of cap room, he represents a strong upgrade even if RD isn't a significant need, there are no FA's worth signing and no trade targets that provide equivalent return without giving up a lot. The question is whether this would have represented the best use of current resources and assets to improve the club. Frankly, they could have done this and looked to move Weber out in the not too distant future (as he continues to age and his contract becomes an albatross)...and probably looked to move Subban in a couple years as he enters the final year or two of his contract. We just gained a bunch of value dealing Shaw - that was a good trade...this kind of deal would have been a very similar thing. We didn't do it so the offer sheets are intriguing tactic. I give Bergevin props on the Shaw deal, I give him credit for making a run at Aho (even if he wasn't aggressive enough - though they probably match either way). I think he should make a big offer to Marner - $12.7M a year range...using up cap room on band aids is becoming tiresome.

I guess our discussion on this thread is probably going start to wind down but I'd like to add this. I was listening to a Toronto sports radio show earlier today, I can't remember who made this comment, but the guest on the show was asked about the possibility of an offer sheet to Mitch Marner by some rival team. This is what the guest said at one point about offer sheets. He said, Montreal did it exactly the way it's supposed to be done. They picked a player they really wanted, on a team that was vulnerable, with a reputation for not wanting to spend a lot, and Montreal structured the deal exactly the way it's intended to work. They heard that Carolin'a last offer was $7.5 million, so they offered a million above that per year and then heavily front loaded it hoping that Carolina might balk at having to give up that much money over the next 12 months. Montreal didn't set the compensation, that was already in place, but he said Montreal intentionally kept the offer within their own internal cap so that Aho wouldn't be making more than Carey Price and in the event Carolina didn't match Aho's contract wouldn't handcuff them and put them in cap trouble a year or two down the road. He said even though Carolina matched, he said Montreal's offer was well planned and was perfectly set up so that it suited them and the player perfectly. Bergevin has taken some heat and criticism, but from people whose agenda isn't just to bash Montreal, such as some commentators and players, I have heard nothing but praise for Bergevin's attempt. My final thoughts on this is that I think he did very well and if Carolina didn't match we'd all be singing his praises. It was a good move and might possibly change the future dealings of teams regarding UFA's. For me, I think he's done a very good job and that's a turnaround from what I thought and wrote a little over a year ago. We still have the rest of the summer to go, and his biggest trade last year was late in the summer, so let's wait and see what he does! We know, without a doubt, that his goal is not just to look good, but to make our team better.

I think that we overhype the expansion draft. Don't worry about it. Build the best team possible... protect your 7 + 3 + 1... and then lose one player and move on. The teams that did this came out fine. The teams that tried to do trades to play around with the expansion draft... Florida, Columbus, Anaheim, they are the ones who lost the most. You lose your 12th best player (or 13th, 14th, 15th if you have good young players) ... so does everyone else. No need to set your roster a year in advance on this.

I like the signing, salary is easy to work with, term is good. Brings punishing, physical play, as well as a good first pass and sound decisions in his own zone. Also has experience playing against top 6 opposition having played next to Big Buff. His career is also trending in the right direction, his responsibility and role has been growing, his numbers have been growing. All in all I like the player, I like the contract, and I like what he brings to the table. With that said, he is not an ideal candidate to play with Weber, they bring too many of the same elements to the table to be good complimentary pieces for each other. He is however, an ideal candidate for Petry, who could then go rogue and help the forwards more often, knowing he has a steady force holding down the fort behind him. This signing does improve the D, but it does not improve it in a significant way, and does not bring Weber an ideal partner. I see... Mete - Weber Chariot - Petry Kulak - Juulsen While it may be better than anything we could have put together last season, it is not a big enough leap forward to transform us into a team that can make some noise in the playoffs, much less a low key contender, which is disappointing. I am not disappointed with the player, he will have a positive impact on this D. I am not disappointed with an improvement, because it is one. I am disappointed with CURRENT situation, because a lot can change from now until training camp, but thus far, having the cap to fix some important holes and make quantum leap improvements to this roster, we only have decent improvements to show for so far. I will keep a measured and patient approach leading into training camp, but I think we can all agree this is a welcome step in the right direction towards improving the team, it is also not nearly enough.

Ya... but by then we will be 2 time champions and the decision will be easy!

Never heard of him, AHL guy?

Please. I'm trying to forget and forgive.

The you protect 4 and 4. Build the best team you can. Take your medicine and lose one player. It is what it is. Build the best roster you can and maybe 2 or 3 players you have are attractive... oh well... lose one keep the rest. Dont go out and pass up opportunities to add players or trade guys away a year in advance just cause its coming.

It was worth it

Or get creative again and pick up a contract a team at cap limit or to clear cap space, and get a draft pick and or prospect. ( much like Mason / Armia last year ).. Use it to your advantage if there is an opportunity!

Good that MB is reinforcing Laval. Imagine if his job were to reinforce the Montreal Canadiens? Oh...wait a minute...