hab29RETIRED

I don't know why we should feel this way. The Rangers are willing to eat Redden's contract - and he his contract commitment is about the same as Gomez. Edmonton is weak on defense and even though they are a small market team, are willing to eat Souray's contract. So I really don't understand why sending Gomez down isn't an option. I do agree he is untradable.

I understand that, but I think you have to have the same attitude of NYR and EDM, where they pretty much went into the year, already were committed to send Redden and Souray to the minors if they couldn't be traded, and in Redden's case, they knew a trade wasn't possible, while Edmonton was trying to trade Souray, but made it clear they not only didn't want him back with their team, but didn't even want him with their own minor league team. With Gomez, I think the habs need to commit to send him down this year and eat be willing to eat the cost. Next year when his salary goes down, they can see if there is a taker for him. But there are some interesting oppertunities on defense this year (Bieksa, along with resigning Markov, Gorges and Wiz). there is a real oppertunity to solidify our defense. We already are solid in goal and having a solid goalie and Defense will go a long way to help the development and growth of young guys like MaxPac, Eller and Desharnais. Up front we have speed to burn, but at the backend, we currently don't have the personnel to effectively clear our zone, let alone help the transition game. This year, it was scary how Subban seemd to be the only guy who could effectively clear the zone.

Gomez hasn't had just one bad season, he pretty much sucked during his last year with the Rangers and his first year in Montreal. The last three years he has point totals of 58, 59 and 38. Kovolev had 65, 47 then 84 points, before going back to his usual 65 points during his last year with the habs. Kovy had also dropped down to 45 point range before, but he never had three straight reason of sucking. Gomez's recent track record suggests that he is an under 60 point guy. You can't build a real contender if you are paying $7.3M for a guy where the best case scenerio is 60 point. They have a chance to really revamp their defense this summer, but with Price and Subban to resign the following year, they not only can't give multi-year deals to Dmen this year without getting rid of Gomez, they also need to ensure they factor in future increases to Price, Subban and Eller that will be required. Gomez has to go. Next year, the habs are going to be have $10.8M of cap space eaten up by Gomez and Spacek, that's way to much to be paying guys that aren't worth even half of what they are getting paid.

Gomez did play with MaxPac and he didn't really wasn't all that much better. I just don't think its worth the risk going into training camp with Gomez and then try and get rid of him if he lays another egg.

I'm not saying they'd be able to make straight up deal, but if you offered picks and prospects a deal could be done. Hell, SJ pretty much got Thornton for spare parts from Boston. The Pens are in cap trouble and picking up picks and prospects along with Cammi, would free up $2.7M in cap space and fill a hole in their lineup to boot.

I'd have to disagree. Games 6 & 7 I thought Eller was outstanding - despite being injured - he should have been given a chance to take Gomer's spot.

I'm a firm believer in building a team from the goal out, with the key being having a very mobile defense that supports the transition game. Here's what I'd like for next year: Defense: -Markov - 3 yr/$14.5M -Gorges - 4 yr/$12M -Wiz - 3yr/$14M -Gill - 1yr/1.5M -Bieksa - 4yr/$16M - ONLY if we can find a way to dump Spacek and Gomez Of course, the only way the Dmen signings would be possible is dump Gomez. His last interview showed character, but we've heard similar messages. I think you bury him the minors next year. The following year, when his salary comes down, you try and trade him. I know that some may hesitate to sign Markov for three years. But Serge Savard thought Chelios was done done back in the early 90's becuase of his knee injuries and moved him for a washed up Denis Savard - who should have have been a hab a decade earlier!! So, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a three year deal - but would hope for a hometown discount. If we could find a way to get someone to take Spacek off our hands, dumping both Spacek's contract and Gomez, gives us an extra $10.8M and I think that would allow us the flexibility to sign Markov, Bieksa and Wiz. We would have a pretty amazing top 5 of Markov, Subban, Bieksa, Wiz and Gorges. Goalie: -I hated signing Auld and hated him more this year, becuase IMO he was worse then I even thought he would be. His so-called success and numbers this year are an illusion given the level of competition he faced. I don't want him back. Not sure if NJ has resigned Hedberg, love to get him or see if we could make a deal with the Isles for Nabakov. Up front I want us to get bigger and tougher. I really hope the habs don't dump AK46 - I don't get the hate for him, particularly in the regular season, because IMO, Cammy also pretty much sucked in the regular season. I also don't want the habs to make the same mistake with Pouliot, as they did with SK74 or Grabs and see another former hab become a solid young star with another team. However, if we are going to keep him, he needs to be playing with skilled guys, not pluggers like Moen, Darche and Halpern. I don't want to see Gomez, Moen, Halpern (useful this year, but want more size on third/4th line). Darche or Pyatt wouldn't be bad depth players, but my fear of bringing Darche back is having JM playing him on the top two lines or the PP again. Darche is a 4th line player and if he is ONLY going to be used as a 4th line player, he would be a good depth player to have, but for some reason JM seems to have a hard on for Darche and Moen this year and kept throwing them on the top two lines. Yes we were dealing with injuries, but there were other better options. So the forwards that are UFA/RFA's that I want back are mainly kids and AK46. Forwards: -AK46 - 2yr/$7.5M -Pouliot - same as this year - 2 yr deal -White -Weber -Desharnais -MaxPac -Pyatt (more for depth) I would give eller a chance at the #2 centre position, move Desharnais to the wing and then sign or trade for a BIG centre who could be either a workable solution as a #2, but would be a real solid #3. i think a guy like Brooks Laich would be great. Lastly, this may not be popular, given Cammilari's production in the playoffs, but I'd explore whether the Pens would be interested in moving Malkin for Cammi plus picks/prospects. I know the likelihood of them wanting to move Malkin is slim, but they are stacked at centre and Cammi would finally be the ideal winger to play with Crosby. The move would also give them a lot more cap flexibility. Getting Malkin is probably a stretch, but I think it is worth pursuing for the habs - they would finally get the elusive BIG centre and superstar up front they have lacked for over 20 years (I don't consider Damphouse as a big centre - despite Tremblay's converting him from LW to centre). But it is a stretch, so here is the lineup I'd like to see for next year, without the malkin wet dream: Cammi-Pleks-Ak46 MaxPac-Eller-Gionta Pouliot-Laich-Desharnais White-Big Fourth line centre -Pyatt/depth from farm Subban-Bieksa Markov-Wiz Gorges-Weber Gill Price Hedberg If we could swing a deal for Malkin - we would have an amazing top three of Malkin, Pleks and Eller.

That's what also scares me. I think I've made it clear i'm not a JM fan. Although, I think starting with him having the chat with White (game2??), he seemed much more communicative with his players in this series then I have seen over the past two years. I just hate the handling of Pouliot, the fact that Weber only played 3 games and Eller/Desharnais getting less time then Gomer. This is a young team and they need to play more. I still say if Gorges, Spacek and Hammer hadnt had injuries, PK would not have gotten the chance he did to put up a pretty good numbers during the last 1/3 of the season. Muller I think has been pegged for NJ, ever since his ex-linemate Maclean got fired and sounds like Pearn is being considered now for Ottawa.

I wanted him back in the series over Spacek, but no way do I want him back next year.

Eller showed he deserves a shot to challenge for the #2 line position. I think we can find at least 10 options better then Gomez for a fraction of the price. But you're right, this is a topic for another thread.

Yep. No Markov, no Gorges, no MaxPac. Then we lost Desharnais, right when he was playing with confidence.

Well I hope this was the last game as a habs for Gomez, Moen, Mara, Hamrlik and Spacek. Unfortunately, I think Pouliot will also be gone the same route as SK74 this summer.

better team, but no goalie. If they have to change goalies three times like they did against Buffalo, they are done. For some reason for the past 20 years, the Flyers have felt a goalie isn't important. Without Price tonight, there is no OT. I want to see the Bruins get beaten by the Flyers and then Flyers hammered by Washington. After that I don't care. I do have a feeling though that with the flyers goalie situation, Bruins should win.

I was thinking the same thing - Had a bad feeling after the last two OT's.

what sucks is that I think the Bruins have a pretty easy route now to the Eastern final.

FXCK!!

frankly don't care who scores - long as its a hab but man, i can't take this back and forth action. amazing pace!!

Can't see that happening - even the Bruins lover, Cherry didn't pick the fake pick for Montreal by going with Gomer tonight.

I missed most of the first 1 1/2 periods, we had a team even that ended up in a pub. I watched there but was in a foul mood when the bruins made it 2-0 and hat to take a lot of crap from co-workers. I was finally able to leave after the first period. I found out it was 2-2 checking by iphone on the way back to the car. I thought it was over after Cammy's miss, and couldn't belive that shot by Subban. It's going to be hard watching this OT, I really hope Subban or Eller pop the winner - they deserve it!!! Can you believe Neely's reaction when they showed him after Boston was called for the penalty. It was like how is that a penalty?? Thats the biggest issue with the damn bruins, they don't even think blatent calls are actually penalties!!!

I'll go with SUbban. BUt man, I can't take this anymore. I think by the time we are done, I will have an ulcer!!

man what a shot by Subban!! Don't get why he isn't playing more tonight, it think this is so far his lowest point total. Also can't believe they didn't call Marchant for pulling him down at the end

WTF, the only guy who is pressing hard for the us is Eller.

Just landed - waited anxiously to check the score and great news - game 7!!! I got in trouble from the stewardess at take off when I didn't turn off my iPhone, ibut it was worth it - comforting having to turn it off when the Habs took the 2-1 lead. I won't be able to see the highlights until I get home. Was the Lucic hit bad enough to warrant a suspension?

Wasn't Galley also with the Kings when the Habs beat them in 93' or did he go to LA afterwards? I think Healy also lost to the habs when he was with the Isles in 93.

1-0, but its going to be a rough night for me. I had to cut my business trip short, so am flying back home from Denver in an hour and have to board in 40min. Listening to the game on CJAD at the airport, but won't know who won until I land in Calgary. Go Habs go!!