ch_nl

My hopes for bringing in a UFA has faded since all the ones that looked interesting has signed elsewhere. But I do hope that one change is made before the season starts. But here's my toughts: - Saku Koivu is still the captain and the first line center of the Habs. - The management gave Mike Ribeiro a huge raise. That means two things. They are giving him a chance with this team and if he was hard to trade earlier, he's even harder to deal now. Still he's one of the most important offensive players on this team and had some chemistry with... - Alex Kovalev. The most skilled player on the team. But will likley see second line duty as I think it's time to promote our most productive player... - Michael Ryder. A goalscorer that with the right center could hit the 50 goals in one season if things click. - Christopher Higgins. Where to play him? Center at the third line? First och second line winger? I don't know, but it's nice to have such a young player that so versitaille. - Plekanec is my choice as a third line center. - Alexander Perezhogin should get a shot at a offensice line and with Plekanec you have an interesting combo. The third payer in this formation could be the key. It would be tempting to try Murray here but I think that maybe it would be a good thing to have... - Steve Begin here. A player that leads by example. I also think it would be good to separate Steve Begin from... - Garth Murray. A true grinder that could be the new Begin. Still young with some offensive upside. - Radek Bonk. The highest paid fourth line center in the NHL. But hif he will be capable of shutting down the other teams stars and play on the PK it will be worth it. - Andrei Kostitsyn. Give him time on the fourth line and use his speed to counter attack when the fourth line is on the ice. On defence the Habs have an interesting situation. All of our key and core players are having a contract year. Souray, Markov and Rivet will all be free agents after this season. - Markov is the best defenceman in my eyes. and with the improvment of... - Craig Rivet the Habs have a solid first pair. - Souray is a factor on the powerplay and his shot is valuable. Continue to play him with... - Komisarek and the Habs have a bonecrushing pair as their second. - Boullion was given a raise and has impressed. - Dandenault should have thats last spot. And finaly. Cristoball Huet is the number one. Period. Danis is my choice as a backup. This would give: (Zednik) - Koivu - Ryder Higgins - Ribeiro - Kovalev Perezhogin - Plekanec - Begin Murray - Bonk - Kostitsyn Markov - Rivet Souray - Komisarek Dandenault - Boullion Huet Danis As you can see there's two players that has been left out. Zednik and Aebischer. Zednik is a UFA after this season and packed with Aebi it could get us a first line winger in return. Simon Gagne would be the dream, Jere Lehtinen the semi-dream, Eric Daze a risk, Nicolai Zherdev a fair deal (throw in a pick here) and Boyd Devereaux a possibility.

I don't know. They just signed Ribs and gave him a raise.

I think Bonk would be great if... ... His contract was about half of what it is. ... His offensive production would be a bit higher. ... He could use his size more.

I don't want Shanahan in Montreal. I'd like to see a young guy get that spot or someone that the Habs could use in the future. How long has Shanahan left? One or two years?

It could also be that Jan Bulis is the kind of player that managers sign last. He won't have an "impact" on any team. Just a good second or third line winger.

Jan Bulis played for the Czech Republic national team and had a four goals game and nobody has show any interest? I thought Jan Bulis had his best years ahead of him?

So Ribs are in. Then I'll cheer for him. Go Ribs Go! I'll hope he deke Arnott out in the stands next time they face each other.

I have no experience of beeing a General Manager in the NHL, but at least I think this is worth looking at. I don't know how many draftpicks a team has to use before a guy like Simon Gagne comes around.

Simon Gagne is one of few players I would consider to be worth 4 first rounders. He has a lot of potential. Almost a franschise player and in my book a first line leftwinger is what the Habs are missing in order to be a contenders. He's also young and he's local. Great ethic and will only get better. I think the Habs are deep in prospects and missing a firstrounder in four years hurts, but the payoff could make it worth it. But in the end it all depends on two things. Can the Flyers afford him and does he want's to play in Montreal?

Tanguay? Demitra? I disagree. I think that Montreal have equal quality in a season or two when Plekanec, Higgins and Kostitsyn have learn/adapt to play in the NHL. Therefore a first line winger, a second line center or a top defenceman would be the only upgrade Gainey could do. Sure, Tanguay would improve the team in a short perspective but he would at the same time tale valuable time from prospects. A guy like Gagne, or as we discussed earlier, Lecavalier would boost the team to a new dimension and that type of talent is hard to find. And even harder to find within the system. I doubt the Flyers would let Gagne go, but don't rule out the possibility. The Flyers was regarded as the best team along with the Sens before last season started. How they did? Well, you should know by now. Knuble, Forsberg and Gagne was the most important players for Philly and with Forsberg out to new year the Flyers might have to think new. Anyway, Simon Gagne would be the ULTIMATE addition.

What the Canadiens lack might be found within the organization. Maybe it's time for Latendresse? Maybe Perezhogin, Kostitsyn and Plekanec will take another step forward? Maybe even Chipchura and Locke could get a spot. It could be the season when everything comes together. The only deal I want made is David Aebischer. Trade him fast. Cristoball Huet showed last season that he's the guy to go with. Yann Danis is ready for the backup role and Carey Price is in the system. Radek Bonk is another player Im uncertain on. But he did end the season well and even if his contract is huge I'll give him a chance before I start calling for his head. Bulis, Zednik and Sundström are alos on their way out. Or do they keep Zednik? I think both Bulis and Zednik has helped this team a lot but I do think it's time to move on. Maybe bundle them again? Im I insane when I suggest that Washington could use them? Washinton has some interesting young defenceman like Mike Green, Steve Eminger, Shaone Morrisonn, Ivan Majesky (Not THAT young but good anyway), Nolan Yonkman and Louis Robitaille. And finaly... Simon Gagne are looking for a raise. Maybe this is when Bobby Clarke´s all recent signings comes back and bites him in his rear? If the Flyer won't afford Gagne I think Gainey have to bid. Even if it would cost him up to five draft picks. So in my dreams the Canadiens would look like this: Gagne - Koivu - Ryder Higgins - Ribeiro - Kovalev Plekanec - Bonk - Perezhogin Murray - Begin - Kostitsyn Markov - Rivet Souray - Komisarek Eminger - Boullion Huet Danis

Swedish media suggest that Jan Bulis could play in Sweden next season. http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/sport/story/...,798031,00.html Scroll down to Luleå and that say that it's a hot rumour.

Fanpuck, maybe you'll have to sniff better or just read between the lines... I'm not sure that staying in Montreal is the best thing for Ribeiro nor the Canadiens. Maybe Ribeiro could blossom to a star in another city? Maybe Arnott would have been a better fit for the Habs. But Ribs are here and Arnott went to Nashville. Not much to do about it right now.

This is Canadiens fan in a nutshell. I like Ribeiro, but since "everybody" was calling for his head I tought that it was set. But maybe it's not. On the top of my wishlist is a top six winger. Not a center to replace Ribs. Maybe it will come true?

We still has David Aebischer that could be worth some. Detroit are still looking for a goalie but what could they be willing to pay? I'll doubt the let Niclas Kronwall go... Other teams that could be interested are the Blue Jackets, the Blues and Florida Panthers.

Bertuzzi has left the building and I don't think that there's a secret that Marcus Näslund has played his best hockey with Bert on his side. Still, Marcus Näslund is the player that has scored the most goals of all players in the NHL this centrury. And goals are what the Habs could have more of. Anson Carter and the Sedin has taken more responsibillity and maybe the Nucks feels that their Captain could be expandable. Problem is: What could the Habs offer?

It's a rumour. Could be true, could be not. Anyway, Tampa needs a goaltender. I think everybody realize that. Without a solid number one they didn't even get into the playoffs. And they must dump one of their Big 3. Richards are probably untouchable. Im Surprised that they rank Lecavalier ahead of St Louis. I think this would improve the Habs a lot and at the same time is makes someone else expandable. If this goes through, maybe a prospect winger could leave for a better centerman?

Ithink both Vandermeer and Ivanans was signed in the first place just as a insurance. Nobody knew how the new rules would affect the game and since both was the only pure goons it was at the time a cheap sollution. Downey Begin can play hockey too. I wish the both good luck and maybe Ivanans can get faster and earn a NHL spot elsewhere. Maybe that goes for Vandermeer too?

You're probably right. I just wanted to get the thread started...

Andrew Archer, Leauge Minimum Francis Bouillon, 0.9 Million Jean-Phillipe Côté, Leauge Minimum Pierre Dagenais, Not a nickle Yann Danis, 1 Million Jonathan Ferland, Leauge Minimum Chris Higgins, 1.9 Million Raitis Ivanans, Nada Mike Komisarek, 2 Million Olivier Michaud, Leauge Minimum Duncan Milroy, Leauge Minimum Alexander Perezhogin, 0.9 Mike Ribeiro, 1.8 Million Michael Ryder, 2 Million

Great draft by the Habs. I think Fischer, White, Maxwell and Carle all could have been drafted in the first round. Montreal claimed them.

Jamie Langenbrunner is a great hockeyplayer. But I wish the Habs get someone better. A center and perhaps a leftwinger. Right now I dream of Vincent Lecavalier but Arnott might be closer to becoming reality.

Just a question. Why do people speculate about Kenny Jönsson?! He plays for Rögle BK in the Swedish second division and won't leave. He plays for his hometown and has allready turned down a lots of millions just to do so...

1. Niklas Lidstrom - Detroit Red Wings 2. Zdeno Chara - New York Rangers 3. Patrik Elias - New Jersey Devils 4. Joe Sakic - Colorado Avalanche 5. Jay McKee - Toronto Maple Leafs 6. Marc Savard - Atlanta Thrashers 7. Teemu Selanne - Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 8. Kenny Jonsson - Rögle BK 9. Rob Blake - Detroit Red Wings 10. Wade Redden - Ottawa Senators 11. Ed Jovanovski - Vancouver Canucks 12. Brendan Shanahan - Detroit Red Wings 13. Teppo Numminen - Phoenix Coyotes 14. Jason Arnott - Montreal Canadiens 15. Bryan McCabe - Toronto Maple Leafs 16. Dwayne Roloson - Edmonton Oilers 17. Martin Gerber - Carolina Hurricanes 18. Sergei Samsonov - Edmonton Oilers

And the rest of the world cares more about what's happening in Germany.