DON

I still don't understand why bother to sign now, when still have 2 years still to get signed? More as a confidence booster or something? Goalie seem so hard to project future success, but I guess is a good signing?

Maybe Diaz will be the one to get a huge raise by being paired with #79, if he can return to pre-concussion form. $1.2m for a 50 point d-man would be a bonus. Maybe he will have same type breakout Mark Strait did, that I had once hoped for Weber (lumping the Swiss d-men I know, but seem quite comparable). I don't fear Pacioretty will really care who is his centre, both Eller and Plekanec are super options for him. I also don't think Parros is overrated, most agree what he will bring and he seems comfortable with his likely spot-time role. But he is for sure a PR friendly character, with the Lanny MacDonald like upper lip, "fancy" education background and seems most goon-types tend to be good teammates to have around.

agree 100% Murray is simply a type of player the Habs haven't had since maybe Souray? Gill was big, a bit physical and seemed well respected (and expect him to be a d-coach somewhere soon, based on..nothing but he seems coachworthy); but if had to drop the gloves to stand up for, say Gorges, he simply was not real keen on it. And Habs glaring weakness was PK% and Murray blocks shots, clears front of net, so he may be a super pick-up as long as he play smart, as Gill did, and play to his strengths.

Will be interesting to see where Dumont and Blunden start the season, pressbox or AHL? I think Dumont may have to clear waivers to go to AHL? Would another team pick him up? He is a gritty young player with some potential. Most teams must monitor "extra" NHL roster players likely to be waived I assume?

Will Penalty Kill be much improved, or even be average? Will health of top 4 d-men over 82 games be a big issue? Can Tinordi make top 6, have an impact and play 20 minutes/game ( a la Jonas Brodin)?

Sounds like he has looked good-very good so far, with the young kids; but couple pre-season games may be telling? I think little doubt he will start in AHL, but I also am curious where he may be in depth chart come Nov-Dec. Will he adapt to small rinks, more physicality and is his defense NHL calibre?

I don't think anyone craps on Crisp for his game as a goalie, when he got congrats from the opposition as well as his own team and most see it as a good thing for him to step up when his team needed someone to bite the bullet and get shelled. I was disappointed because it seemed the 2nd dumb goon pick by Timmins and I never heard of him before; when a Kujawinski, Hayden or Bjorkstrand seemed a smarter choice @71. Maybe he will be another smart choice by Timmins and staff, I think the biggest thing holding most big guys back is lack of foot speed and time will tell if he can keep up at pro level?

Plekanec or Gorges, flip a coin.

How is Pateryn's mobility? Holland/Bournival/Ellis/Beaulieu appear bigger/stronger this year? Has Beaulieu's defense or decision making improved? Anyone stand out as "most improved" from last year's camp? Duffy or Nystrom likely to crack Bulldog roster? How does Nygren's defense seem? Better than a MAB? Is he a strong skater? Is Thomas the most "NHL ready" top six injury call up?

Dont think NCAA players can attend, can they? Vail seems to be underachieving since having a very good start to year in OHL season last year. And maybe just are too many other good prospects for him to suit up for pre-season games?

Markov used to play 24 minutes/game and overall he played at an All Star level, but it was moving puck and his vision that is his strong suit not defense. But he is a forward turned d-man so no surprise his defense is only what I might call average in his own end. But no way should anyone compare his game to a first ballot hall of fame d-man like Lidstrom. We hope Beaulieu and Dietz may end being very similar puck moving d-men, but, both will have a bit more edge to their game.

Yes would be nice to see Beaulieu make the roster, but; Gorges has to play top 4 minutes and he couldn't carry Beaulieu for 20+minutes and cover up for his defensive gaffs. Beaulieu will get there, but still needs to improve play in own end. Offense from the back end is not missing from current top six, but defensive coverage is more a concern with Subban still learning, Gorges, Boullion and Diaz being smallish, Yemelin out and Markov, while plays a very smart game, has never been real strong in own end.

I cant even recall Thomas in draft, heard of him before trade, nor seen play. Will be curious to see how he, Nystrom, Duffy and Andrighetto (sp?) can add to Hamilton's offense?

I see Kristo is noted as one of top Ranger prospects (#2 by one) while Thomas is only 15th to 20th for Habs. Is the Ranger system that thin, the Hab prospect pool is really that deep. Or the 2 teams have a big difference of opinion on the 2 prospects?

That one play just sort of stuck out, Galchenyuk looked like he knew he was gonna be hit hard to get the puck and wanted no part of it. But, no big deal at all, he was teenager vs I think was the Leafs, in a big physical game. I would assume he comes into camp a bit bigger, play a Pacioretty type game and will have a fine year.

Yes, always seems to be the case, I remember whether it was Johnathan, OReilly, or Jay Miller, the Habs had to dress at least a couple players with questionable skills. And no wonder Prust had a big smile when asked about Parros signing, am sure he would approve of Murray one as well. He seemed to play last part of season with separated shoulder and that combined with Yemelin injury seemed to be a big factor, Galchenyuk seemed quite intimidated in one game, cant remember which one it was?

if u r referring to my reference to Big Hal, you got it backwards.

Murray hardly fights nor take many penalties, heard almost identical stuff you are saying about footspeed when Gill was signed. How can an already slow guy suffer a serious decline in speed? Concussions from fighting are small percentage, but I do agree fighting should be banned, but it sells and the owners know that, same reason WHL president wants no part of banning fighting. Is Murray smart enough to not pinch nor try and stand up at blueline and play to his strengths? I don't know, never watched San Jose nor paid Murray much attention before? Other than when other players bounced off him or he steamrolls someone. But I think Bergevin and Dudley have a good idea of his capabilities.

Laurant Brossoit is their top goalie prospect isn't he, and should of been Canada's junior goalie last year? And not sure that Flames are weak drafting are they? With the 3 1st rounders they got this year, smart trade to drop a few spots last draft, Sven Baertschi the year before that, should add another pick or 2 for Cammalleri and likely will have a fairly high 1st round pick again next year, so they seem to be turning things around?

got to agree and really like signing, basically a much bigger tougher Bouillon, albeit with the speed of a Rick Green, which is fine by me and very low risk and Mr. Price should love having more grit post whistle. Even Chara gets turned inside out by smaller quicker players, is price you pay for size.

Can never have enough d-men. Markov, Bouillon and Murray all will likely be gone next year. Habs weakest spot now seems to be 1 too many small top forwards. But may need to toss in d-prospect with DD to get back a bigger top 9 forward upgrade? But am fairly satisfied with present roster and Bouillon/Murray contracts would be easy to move/waive/sit in pressbox I think, if Tinordi and Beaulieu shine in Hamilton in the fall?

Not sure you even want to set Tinordi up to possibly fail, which is chance you take playing him 20+minutes/night. And if speed is an isue, Pateryn is more mobile and likely more NHL ready right now than Tinordi anyways. Just dont see the need for any AHL d-man with or without Yemelin, with Murray on-board now.

Markov, Subban, Gorges, Diaz, Yemelin, Murray/Bouillon seems a good amount? And if Pateryn or Tinordi show enough and grab the #6 slot, that shouldnt be a problem, or will be a good problem for Habs.

The average team used 10 d-men last year, in just a 1/2 season, so for those who want Tinordi's jersey in the rafters already, there is no question that the best couple of Hamilton's d-men will get a shot and there is little question that Tinordi will get a call up sometime. But, if not on roster right out of camp, no big deal as large defensive d-men have the most to learn (of the skaters). Gill took years to figure out how to play to his strengths and Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn likely started too early and were asked to do too much. And maybe Tinordi was at development camp with all the kids and new draft picks for a reason? And his stage of development might be a big reason Bergevin called on Murray?

Like the Murray signing, seems a good no-frills veteran player and at a super price. A Craig Ludwig-type can be useful and was missing from this group. This move should lessen the need to hurry Tinordi along to fill the physical role. I agree 25 minutes/game in Hamilton till new year should be good for his development. Pateryn, Dietz, Nygren, Beaulieu and Ellis should all benefit from having Tinordi play with them.