Mr. Nasty

I went with Halak as well...but even if he has a superb camp...I see him having to strut his stuff in the AHL some more.

Byrz should be traded after that comment. You just don't say these things to the press. I am sure Burke isn't too happy with him today. English link: http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic...YZGALOV-COL.XML

Biron will be traded. He has requested it. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=171177&hubname= Florida, St. Louis and Detroit are the 3 teams that are looking for goaltenders right now with Biron, Abby and Legace as the 3 most readily available. Throw Belfour and Hasek in the mix too.

Speaking of Ivanans...he signed a 1 year contract with the Kings today.

Does Danis have to clear waivers to be demoted if he doesn't make the team?

Great, they must have liked Jancevski when he played with the Bulldogs as property of the Dallas Stars.

This has had rumblings for a few days...Team 990 reported it last night. We will see if any credible sites pick this up.

again, only one forward was added to the team yesterday with the loss of Zednik. The Habs played with 2 extra forwards all year last year and lost 2 with Bulis and Sunstrom leaving. Samsonov replaces Zednik Johnson replaces Bulis Kostitsyn replaces Sundstrom If the Habs are still in the market for a power forward then I expect 1 forward to be traded along with Aebischer. (IMO one of either Ribeiro or Perezhogin)

updated again. 20 players signed at 38.6 million. Estimated payroll of 41.5 million with Aebi included.

I don't think there is too many forwards. They only added 1 with 2 positions open. Kostitsyn is still with the big club. You have to have a couple guys that can take on roles when players are injured or in the dog-house.

Yeah I agree with that line-up...but man...this team would be complete if they upgraded Ribeiro...then I would be very happy. 3 skilled scoring lines with defensive capabilities (well except for the first line) and some bangers to finish it off.

yeah, it is probably more than 4 million because the supposed front-runner was Detroit with 11.5 million over 3 years. Of course this was from the "code" who I no longer trust since he first said the Johnson trade was false and Samsonov was going to sign with Detroit or Edmonton if they matched the offer.

This replaces Zednik on the scoring line.

Hooray, this day makes up for a miserable week.

Johnson can play on the pk too...which was needed with both Bulis and Sundstrom leaving.

"Code" says the Johnson rumour is bogus.

For cap purposes, the salary on the cap is averaged out for the length of the contract. If a guy gets paid 5 million in year 1 and 3 million in year 2, the salary (for cap purposes only) is 4 million each season.

IMO, yes Remember that the top line in Detroit was Shanahan-Datsyuk-Zetterberg. I believe Lang will play better with Kovalev than Ribs. heck I would even put Ribs to the wing on that line but would rather allow Kostitsyn to play there. I wouldn't break up the Ryder-Koivu-Higgins line. Not sure but I think it was Holmstrom and Yzerman/Samuelsson. We need a wings fan

yep and Code said that the offer was Zednik but Detroit was asking about Aebi...could be made up but I doubt it. FYI LA is considering making an offer for Lindros...but nothing past that.

Apparently St. Louis recently offer Legace a contract. But that could be another destination for Aebi.

HTR is not the only source for Aebi to Detroit as "The Code" said the same thing; otherwise I would have ruled it out also. Zednik and Aebischer are a couple names rumored being offered for Lang. Hopefully another player comes to Montreal as well. Aebischer is still an RFA and has not re-signed a contract yet (or picked up the option).

Firstly, I do not blame Gainey for not being agressive enough with Shanahan. He offered him 1 million more than the Rangers. Secondly, Bulis is not with the team anymore. He is an unrestricted free agent. I too am anxious for him to sign someone but only Samsonov is an upgrade over any of the young players IMO. Sykora wouldn't hurt but he is far from a marquee addition. BG will not make an offer sheet for Gagne... also I don't think a back-up goalie and a 3rd line player will be enough for Clarke to trade Gagne...if he does put him on the market expect many teams offering quality for him.

even if a trade cost them a few million more they would still be under the salary cap by a few million. There is still a lot of room. Gainey said yesterday that they have money to spend...they just want to spend it wisely.

Below is a link to a breakdown of the Habs salary commitments at hockeyanalysis. As it stands now, the Habs have 21 guys signed and a payroll of 39.25 million. Players not yet signed are Ryder and the prospect that will fill the last roster spot. Given a rough estimate of signing Ryder (2-2.5) and the prospect at 800k the Habs will have a current salary commitment of roughly 42-42.5million. Subtract roughly 1.4 million if Aebischer is replaced with Danis. http://hockeyanalysis.com/?page_id=329 Salary Cap Commitments 2006-2007 C Saku Koivu 4,750,000 RW Alexei Kovalev 4,500,000 LW Sergei Samsonov 3,525, 000 G Cristobal Huet 2,875,00 D Craig Rivet 2,565,000 C Radek Bonk 2,394,000 C Sheldon Souray 2,242,000 C Mike Ribeiro 1,900,000 RW Mike Johnson 1,900,000 G David Aebischer 1,900,000 D Francis Bouillion 1,877,000 D Andrei Markov 1,750,000 D Mathieu Dandenault 1,725,000 C Steve Begin 1,000,000 D Mike Komiarek 946,900 LW Christopher Higgins 673,000 LW Alexander Perezhogin 627, 000 C Mark Streit 600,000 C Garth Murray 575,000 RW Aaron Downey 475,000 C Tomas Plekanec 450,000 Totals 39,249,900

Code also said the talks between Montreal and Detroit are getting serious to acquire Lang. No names mentioned going the other way.