DON

They can settle tomorrow and avoid arbitration or is deadline like noon on Friday?

Unbelievable player, is more like the 25 goals in 37 games guy in Tampa, or even Pavel Bure in his prime. Does Subban show what he may become, sure and he is super at times. And if he could work the PK, defend better, be a leader and hit like a Rob Blake, he would be 'unbelievable' (or more like Larry Robinson). Like I said, he is super at times and I think he could easily be a hall of famer if has a long career, but still 10-15 seasons from that. But don't care, I just don't like 7+ year deal. What is wrong with 6 or 5, that is a frickin long time; 5 x 82 games = a lot of wear and tear.

I see several teammates like Tinordi, Subban and Beaulieu invited to Prust golf tourney, cause all southern Ontario dudes I iassume. Also PAP and one Mr. Rene B. (maybe a caddy?) on list of NHLers attending.

SO they have already saved $5m last year and you are arguing he will make $8m more because of bridge deal, what difference does $3-4m make over 8 years with cap rising all the time. He will get a boatload and if is $7 or 8.5/per makes little difference to me, but am leaning towards favouring a longer term deal (not 8 years though, I wouldn't give anyone that).

Too bad going short, but Plekanec had same question marks at took a $2.75m/1 year deal before hitting the big time. So, a $2.5-2.75 for one year wont kill him, but would of liked to see a 4 year deal. But not my $$, so Go Larry Go, squeeze Molson for all he's worth and hope he gets his $3.1.

Always pickin on me! (But, I know you will be right there to help me get the Christy Clark for PM bandwagon going, so its all good!)

Sorry, no... not even close to done bashing Bourque. If he pulls a DD and actually produces, or even if gives an honest effort consistently, then I will give him a break.

Yes the one blemish on lineup is Rene. If he would just put forth an honest effort, he can be a useful player, but even when he sucked for longest time, when interviewed he would said 'I am not playing too bad', which seems to be the main problem, he sees himself as a valuable player even when coasting back and forth and contributing very little. But, overall I don't mind the lineup at all.

Ahh Engles smengles! I like that B. La Rose character, he seems to know his stuff (which is quite something for an upper Canadian)!

I guess is good to see him sign? Habs arnt near 50 contract limit eh? And going back to junior, would he even count against that?

How many players can they stick on Wheeling team? They only had a couple last year didn't they?

I would add; Duchene, MacKinnon, Nugent-Hopkins, Backes, Monahan, Eakin, Backstrom, Granlund, Johansen, Carter, Bjugstad and likely missing a couple other dynamic centres that are/will be all-stars. So I think most teams do have an all-star calibre centre, but Habs don't. Eklund says 'Big Forward" coming to Habs from Sharks!!!! SO maybe Jumbo Joe coming?)

So many (most) think Sekac will be in opening night Hab roster. Where does that leave de la Rose? Hamilton, SHL or can 2 rookie forwards possibly crack roster? Zero or very very slim chance?

Thanks, but I don't need to anymore he has retired. And I have nothing bad to say about his latest job with Habs.

And if Galchenyuk were to play wing all year, you think that would really be a bad thing? Because you know injuries or situations (blow out games) will allow him to get some trail runs there, so slot him at wing and play it by ear. What is the big rush?

I saw list of invites and seemed like a lot of higher profile names than Gregoire, I didn't figure out how many 'locks' there are but odds must be slim he makes Canada team. I know will depend on how his first 1/4 of season goes and how many bottom six forwards fit better than he does. Watched the replay of 2009 WJC game and seems were one pile of players who never developed into NHLers. I wonder what % of Team Canada juniors typically make it in NHL? about 50%?

I think the rope you talk of is just armchair GM noose. don't think Mgmt is as down on him as many seem to be. We should find out whats what with Eller by end of week arbitration date. I would like to see a 4 year- $12m deal (but just a wild stab, realistic??)

Plekanec 676 games as a Hab, 176 goals, so avrage 21goals/year, but never a 30 goal scorer. In 48 game season in 2012-13, he was on a 56point pace, for those who say he is fading and 20 goals again this year, on a bottom ten scoring team. I just think so many fans undervalue him, or just seems that way to me.

Well, in the fall I suggested 80 points/100PIMs for Gregoire, which you rightly said 80points "would be a shocker." But >1PPG (in both reg season & playoffs) with 69points and 84PIMs, still a nice year and maybe this year he can hit my wishful thinking 80point target? And again he was almost youngest kid in draft, so am pulling for him to continue to improve.

We been through this before up till the 80s and I really don't care one way or other. Plane being shot down terrible and bit creepy to discuss with trivial entertainment crap like hockey visa issues. The circus will go on just fine either way, don't worry.

I didn't know or care about contract, it was 100% his defensive play that pissed me off. If cant defend should be a forward, or flipping burgers at McDonalds.

Pretty sure, Lapointe was quoted as saying he didn't want the constant travel/ to be more involved, due to family reasons and was happy exactly where he is.

Gregoire, still an 18 year old, was invited to Can World Junior camp this summer, but long shot to fill a bottom six role no doubt. Gregoire has had back to back solid playoff performances and will be interesting to see how he does next year, will he keep improving and rip it up in the Q, or put up similar #s as this year. I think he is similar to Vail (who was just let go) and a 2 way centre? But have seen very little of his play, just guess.

But, if a forward has a choice whos corner to dump puck into, Tinordi will have a target on his back. Till he can prove he can move it out of zone without turning it over. He was even getting pushed around by average sized NHLers last year (and definitely couldn't handle Lucic/Hartnell-type forwards), so a lot will depend if he is stronger on his skates this fall.

I think (to just name a few) Mantha, Teravainen, Pokka, Fasching, Eichel, Ristolainen, Zadorov, Pouliot, Forsberg and about 20 others were better than Reway. Who was super on the PP and offensively (which is only 1 end of rink), but that is it, did he backcheck hard/consistently? Not a chance. Which was my only criticism of his play, he is skilled and good on offense, no question. But, who was one of best forward defenders & PK guys in tourney, on wonky ankles, Lehkonen. That is why I think the small Finn (Koivu Jr?), would be ahead of Reway on my list. (just my opinion)