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All players signed but one. Michael Ryder and this is what it looks like. I searched the net for a breakdown but couldn't find one so I made one myself. Here it is. Saku Koivu 4.750.000 Alex Kovalev 4.500.000 Sergei Samsonov 3.525.000 Cristobal Huet 3.000.000 Craig Rivet 2.470.000 Sheldon Souray 2.432.000 Radek Bonk 2.394.000 Andrei Markov 2.000.000 David Aebischer 1.900.000 Mike Johnson 1.900.000 Mike Ribeiro 1.900.000 Francis Bouillon 1.875.000 Mathieu Dandenault 1.700.000 Steve Begin 1.000.000 Michael Komisarek 946.827 Andrei Kastsitsyn 801.800 Christopher Higgins 672.980 Alexander Perezhogin 627.000 Mark Streit 600.000 Garth Murray 575.000 Maxim Lapierre 562.500 Yann Danis 543.400 Jean-Philippe Cote 495.000 Aaron Downey 475.000 Jonathan Ferland 450.000 Tomas Plekanec 450.000 Michael Ryder Total: 42.545.507 Goalies: 9.044.000 Defence: 10.275.800 Offense: 22.750.707 Average salary about: 1.625.000 22% spent on 3 goaltender. 25 % spent on 8 defencemen. 53% spent on 16 forwards.

In a place where the TV-stations don't even mention what's happening in the NHL offseason... Ok. I missed.

St Louis Blues is a great franshise. In how many consecutive season where they a playoff team? I hope this doesn't mean that the seats will be empty.

Why does everybody expects Zednik to play on the firsr line with Alex Ovechkin? Friesen, Zubrus and Semin are all better wingers in my opinion.

I think it would be fair to give Ryder just a little more than Ribeiro. 2.1 perhaps?

Just one player under a million and still they miss rightwinger for both of their first and second lines. Anson Carter had great chemistry with the Sedins. Vancouver has to find to cheap sollutions.

The Canadiens looks like one of the better teams in the east. Ottawa, Carolina and the Flyers are the only ones that have a better team on the paper. And yet, there's room to discuss that as the Flyers has lost Kim Johnson has departed and Esche/Nittymäki is a weaker duo than Huet/Aebischer. And there's also injuries. I don't know about this one, but doesn't Samsonov have a long list of missed games due to injuries? But then there's always surprises. Maybe a rookie will lift the Bruins to a division title. But pre-season things couldn't look better for the Habs. Now things just have to click as the talent and know-how is there. Bring back to cup.

Why on earth would Markov want to leave Montreal? What is it that he doesn't like? The climante? Anyway, Samsonov and Markov are the same age. Have they played with eachother at some point? Russias junior team? I hope the find eachother and takes a day flying with Kovalev.

I forgott about San Jose and as someone said; Arizona is close. But Vancouver?! Isn't Dallas closer?

If Souray want's to leave then it's better for all to let him lose. Just make sure that they get equal or better talent in return. If he wan't to go to Californa then the Kings are the only possibility as the Ducks are loaded at defence. Mattias Norström, Rob Blake, Aaron Miller or Ljubo Visnovsky. If the Habs add Aebisher they could even get Garon back.

And acording the "code" Aebischer is close to Florida...

As the roster has to be 23 names when the season starts, whom can start the season in Hamilton without having to clear waivers?

Markov is one of Russias most common names.

Just read this on the Canadiens homepage: “We were looking to fill in the open spot alongside Mike Ribeiro and Kovalev,” said Carbonneau. “A natural goal scorer with a really good shot, Sergei knows how to get free and Ribeiro and Kovalev like to find the open man. They should be a good combination.” Does this prove that Higgins, Koivu and Ryder will be the first line?

I didn't say that Mike Johnson is a hit-machine. I said that he's tougher than Zednik. (And Bulis). Have any of you ever seen Mike Johnson being pushed around? Me neither, but I have seen Jan Bulis on the Canadiens third line...

With this team, there's no need to rush a guy like Latendresse. Chipchura will get the call as there's no season without injuries.

I think that the Habs are tougher than last year. Mike Johnson uses his frame wll. He's not a soft player. We lost an european and added an american. That often mean that the team get's tougher. Mike Komisarek are getting better and better and tackles from defenders comes when they are right positioned. Mike Komisarek has just started... They lost Peter "Who" Vandermeer and Ratis Ivanans? So? What did they do last season? Im sure that there's no other player in the NHL that remember them. Todd Simpson? Some playoff toughness that can be found again at the trading deadline. And then there's Downey, Begin and Murray. Thing wiil be fine and remember that it's not the size that kills, it's the speed.

Looking good! I don't know if I'll be the first to say it but: I have hopes and expect the Montreal Canadiens go deep in the playoffs. THE MONTREAL CANADIEN WILL BE A CUP CONTENDER. After the series versus the Carolina Hurricanes whom later won the cup Peter Laviolette said that it was a tough series and many didn't realize who good the Habs played. Now the Canadiens are back and has fixed what was their akillies heal. Scoring. The first line could be an All-star line. The second line is interesting. Ribeiro and Ryder with Higgins. If this line will succed it will be leathal. They will make it if all 3 takes one more step in development. Ribs sets up Ryder and Higgins being the two-way player. The third line has added size and balance. Mike Johnson. I almost like this signing as much as I like Samsonov. Plekanec and Perezhogin can explode. Johnson making sure the kids can try and learn. Bonk, Murray and Begin. Pure energy. No one getting thru. This team is done. It's the perfect mix. Go Habs Go!

Looking good. But I wonder if not Mike Johnson could be used as a balance player to Mike Ribeiro...

Holy cow. Mike Johnson and Sergei Samsonov added and Richard Zednik gone. Now there's only one question left: What will happen to Aebischer?

I like this move.

Thanks a lot. Will you attend all camp?

Hmmm... Rucinsky. Sounds familliar in a way... I don't think this years UFA pool had anything other than Jason Arnott that was interesting. Now the Habs has signed Ribeiro so adding a UFA would not be very vise. A trade on the other hand would solve so much more. Zednik and Aebischer.

You're right I just took a few names as a was in a hurry. (I was at work and had to end my post). But here's some other interesting left wingers based on what teams could use a number one goaltender and a second line winger. Slava Kozlov, Atlanta. The have Kari Lehtonen but he's still unproven. A cheap sollution like Aebischer would be great for them. Kovalchuck is of course their first choice at legt wing. Fair trade? Others: Martin Gelinas, Alexander Frolov and Oleg Saprykin?

Markov will have to play even better than he did last season to get that kind of money. Markov will be making 2 million this year and if he continues what he started last season I think 3 million tops are what he's worth. Souray getting 5? It's a no-no. Souray has to end the season with a + in the +/- and at the same time get around 40 points if he want that kind of money. Rivet is reliable and 2.2 is about his value. Komisarek is the one that could be up for the biggest raise.