Seb

Sounds good to me! Just hope his knee is going to be recovered and that he isn't ruined before his career even starts.

That's why we're here: entertainment.

I think Kaberle has stabilized the PP, but they now lack the shot from the point that can actually get to the net. Subban is too predictable, and is blocked or misses the net A LOT. So either he needs time to work it out, or the PP needs someone with a more accurate wheelhouse ejector.

Well I don't have any first hand accounts of any of these prospects, just what I get spoon fed around here. But I have faith Timmins will do his job and take the BPA regardless of where they pick. And I hope it works out! But a top 3 selection would be fun, in any case.

I was gonna say... giving a minimum increase to a UFA player is essence putting a restriction on what you can offer him, making it an inherent contradiction.

I'm not against drafting another defenseman. If the BPA is a D, take him. That Reinhart kid is intriguing, but I don't know much about him. If the Shea Weber comparisons are for real, then he's tough to pass over. If you build the best blue line out there, that's a good foundation for long term success. Better than having scorers who go hot and cold and only help when they're on.

So Galchenyuk is American. I had no idea. I guess I just guessed he was Russian based on his last name. Interesting.

Good read. This is a quiet thread. Since it's so quiet, let's stare at something else: The top 3 picks of the last ten entry drafts, since that is what us #FailForNail, #BlowForGrigorenko or #SuckForGlachenyuk people are hoping for: 2011: 1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2. Gabriel Landeskog 3. Johnathan Huberdeau 2010: 1. Taylor Hall 2. Tyler Seguin 3. Erik Gudbranson 2009: 1. John Tavares 2. Victor Hedman 3. Matt Duchene 2008: 1. Steven Stamkos 2. Drew Doughty 3. Zach Bogosian 2007: 1. Patrick Kane 2. James van Riemsdyk 3. Kyle Turris 2006: 1. Erik Johnson 2. Jordan Staal 3. Johnathan Toews 2005: 1. Sidney Crosby 2. Bobby Ryan 3. Jack Johnson 2004: 1. Alex Ovechkin 2. Evgeni Malkin 3. Cam Barker 2003: 1. MA Fleury 2. Eric Staal 3. Nathan Horton 2002: 1. Rick Nash 2. Kari Lehtonen 3. Jay Bouwmeester At the very least, each one of these players is an NHL player. But there are some serious superstars in this list, and though nothing is guaranteed in a draft, a top 3 pick is something you have to try very hard to screw up. Keep sucking, Habs!

Well, I'm on the #BlowForGrigorenko bandwagon, but if the Habs win tonight, at least it's against the Leafs. Without giving them a point.

Yes. This.

If PG can get a good return for him, by all means, move him. But if it's underwhelming, I have no problem signing him to 3.75M$/4-5 years. Once this disaster of a team is sorted out, and Ak is the #6 forward, he'll contribute 40-55 points every year. He hits, he skates, has a shot that has to be respected, but he's streaky. Seriously, the Habs are not full of offensively gifted prospects looking for a roster spot, and you won't get any better on the open market. AK is a known commodity, and you might sign someone at 4M$+ as a UFA who has the same stats, but hasn't spent the last 3 seasons in a defensive system. You will never fill your team with a bunch of 30 goal scorers who are consistent. 3.75M$ is reasonable for what he brings, he's comfortable in Montreal, and he's not a distraction in any way in the lockey room. Remember, Erik Cole signed for 4.5M$/year after putting up 26 goals for the Canes. AK can score 26 too, and he's 26, not 33 like Cole. Appreciate what AK is as a player, what he brings, and you'll realize if he signs for about 3.75-4M$/year, you're getting excellent value. Streaky or not, 30 goals or not. In a cap system, value is everything.

Watching it. Good game so far. Beautiful day, too. 1-1 so far.

5 years at 3.75 mil is better than anything you can get on the open market. Get rid of Gomez, Moen, and in a season or two, Gionta, and keep stocking up the forwards from within the organization. Take that cap space, go get a stud D (with good knees), because a star UFA D signing works out more often than a star UFA signing, IMO.

I'm intrigued by Claude Loiselle. From what I've heard, he's a smart, level headed lawyer, had a good career in the NHL, franco and is currently the Leafs' capologists. As far as bringing in Lacroix to mentor, why would he? He'd be grooming someone to take his job? It doesn't work that way. Loiselle is being groomed by Brian Burke in Toronto, and though I'm not big on Burke and his ego, as a manager, I like him. He's bold, he's clear in his demands of the team, he's clear about what he wants his team to be, and he surrounds himself with as many of the best hockey minds he can (Loiselle, Nonis, Dudley, Nieuwendyk[gone now, but he advised there for a while, didnt he?]). I think Burke's ego issue is more of an aside to his managerial skills and philosophy, as opposed to his GMing being dependent on his attitude. Therefore I think it's legitimate to assume Loiselle would have had a good chance to watch Burke work, and be involved in the group decision process. Say what you want about Burke, but I'd rather have him than Gauthier as GM right now. I still hate the leafs, though. (And no one better say "no way, he works for the leafs, I hate the leafs!". This isn't grade 4.) Article on Loiselle at EOTP: http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2012/1/1/2675104/claude-loiselle-to-be-habs-next-gm Barring any other superstar franco candidates, this is the guy I'd want to see given an opportunity. (And yes, the GM will have to be franco.)

I'm with you. It's not a terrible deal, there's definitely some upside, but I am also of the opinion that PG could have gotten more. I feel like PG/BG have/had a policy of not all-out shopping players to avoid the inevitable rumours that would surround that player. So they engage only a couple of teams, and once a satisfactory deal is reached, they pull the trigger.

Pierre Lebrun just said a GM told him he didn't know Cammalleri was available, and would have made an offer. Tunnel-vision Gauthier?

Not like Cammalleri was doing much this season, anyway. Take the 2nd and almost 3 million in cap space, and run.

GAUthier press conference just said it.

Bourque + holland + 2nd vs Cam + Ramo + 5th

Damphousse is right: at least they acted. Let's see what happens here.

Flames are tight on the cap, so big money coming back. At least Feaster has been embarrassing himself too. Battle for 29th best GM, this trade right here.

Yeah, they're running an embarrassing outfit.

Yeah, unless this is a deal that was in the works before his comments, it reeks of desperation. We'll see I guess. I'm hoping it's a decent return, but not holding my breath.

James Duthie just tweeted that Cammalleri was told he's been traded, but not to whom (who? whom?).

I got a Koivu #11 jersey. I considered the whole "don't get a jersey with a current player's name" thing, but I figured at that time that Koivu would still be worth wearing once he was gone. And he is. (I got it in 2005-2006ish).