kaos

They fired 4 European scouts, 1 quebec league scout and 1 US scout. Two other US scouts kept there jobs. Does this mean we see another heavy dose of American highschool and college level players drafted this year, ala FIsher, McDonaugh, Paccioretty, Komisarek, Higgins, Kristo, ect.,ect.... Another interesting point is that when teams are looking to cut costs and save money, one of the first things to get cut are the scouting deptarments. And usually 10 years down there road they realize how bad they crippled their organization. Read into the Toronto Blue Jays over the past decade.... they have just recently invested heavily into their scouting departments as they realize that philosophy does not work.

Partake in any of the looting?

The Gomez fight was really the turning point. Washington really started taking it to Montreal after that. Great trade for Washington. Poti for Gomez. Montreal was effectively down to one line after that.

With Gainey out of the way, there is nobody left to protect Price. If Montreal makes a deal, I bet dollars to donuts hes the first to go.

It was nice that they "let him stand down" instead of just firing him. Not sure if Gauthier is the long term solution. Hopefully they find the best GM for the job and not just the best billingual person for the job. Too bad Sam Pollock is dead? There was a real GM.

Wouldn't that be Gainey?

Exactly. He did want out of Atlanta and he did rebuff all offers. I think he thought he was being classy by not asking for a trade. You dont just say after being traded that its great to finally play for a 1st class organization....there were problems there. Yes I do beleive he wants to be paid handsomely, however, I dont think he things he can get more than Ilya Kovalchuk. He simply wanted out. Really, what moron turns down $100 million dollars. Nobody will offer him that again. Except maybe Atlanta in the offseason, if hes not signed long term by then

Its too bad Gainey couldnt have aquire Kovalchuk. Doesnt look like it owuld have cost the Canadiens a whole lot. If you compare what the Devils gave up, Montreal maybe has to surrender Josh Gorges (JOhn Oduya), Max Pacioretty (Nik Bergfors), Matt Dagostini (Patrice Cormier) and maybe a 1st or 2nd round pick. Or something similiar. All for a guy who would not only greatly add to Montreals firepower, but would probably make Scott Gomez a lot better. As well. Everyone knows Kovalchuk wanted out of Atlanta and that the only reason he spurred their ridiculous contract offers of 12 years $100 million and 7 year $70 Million. Kovalchuk even stated in an interview today that he was happy to now be playing for a 1st class organization for the 1st time in his career. He knows hes not worth more than Ovechkin or Crosby and knows that hes gonna have to settle for around $8 to $8.5 million per year. I think alot of teams are kicking their own asses for not getting this deal done. Even if he is just a rental.

This team fuc.king sucks. From top to bottom this team smells. It makes me want to puke. Its so soft. So many perimeter shots. Does anybody but Pouliot go to the front of the net? No heart. Martin and his defensive system is a fuc.king joke. Bob Gainey needs to resign or be fired. Come on, Scott Gomez? Are you fuc.king kidding me? Mr I have 35 points in 52 games. Wtf? I dont even care about Higgins and McDonaugh, as they dont seem to be panning out, although McDonaugh still has time, but is struggling playing college hockey. But the hugmonous cap hit alone will hurt this team for another 3 to 4 years before they can buy him out and get rid of him. Price is failing to develop Nobody can score no heart nobody going to the net. No help in Hamilton. The cupboards are bare with the exception of maybe Subban and he cant even get a callup. The bright side? Maybe trading Halak? Can you consider that an upside? Maybe trading Price? Its a plus now, but hes still young and what if he develops elsewhere? How bad does that look later? Can you get anything for Gionta? Might look good for a Stanley Cup contender. Hes been there before Tomas Plekanec. Playing very well this year. Kinda streaky. Dissapears in the playoffs. Contract year. Big raise due. Can he keep it up? Deal him Mike Cammalleri. Streaky one dimensional player. Deal him. Anderi Markov. Teams best defensman who has struggled this year. Pretty nice cap number, could bring alot back in a trade. I say, blow up the team. Get what you can in picks and prospects, tank the year and shoot for Sequin, Hall or Fowler. Rebuild again. This just isnt going to work. It hasn't worked in Montreal for almost 20 years now. Lets suffer for a few years, hiring some good people ( the best people regardless of whether they speak french or not) to rebuild this organization, and do it properly

Finally somebody shows some heart. Way to go Andrei Markov. My faith is somewhat restored. Hopefully this lights a fire under Carey Prices ass. Play him tonight Martin. Betcha Price records a shutout.

I believe hes the next Patrick Poulin. High first rounder, who will never be the big scorer he was suppose to be and ultimatley will keep his NHL job as a 3rd or 4th liner, because somebody will always want to try and unleash the potential that he once had.

And you need a salary dump as well to fit in Frolov's contract

Gainey cant trade Plekanec. Not just because of the holiday freeze, but also because Montreal apprears to be getting hot. Markov is back. Gionta should be on his way, and Montreal has won 3 straight. No way Gainey will rock the boat and mess with the teams chemistry that is just now seeming to mesh. So Gainey probably tries to sign him. If he does, he probably now overpays, considering he probably could have had him for less last season than he could now. Or Plekanec walks at the end of last season for $5 + million

No way can Montreal can use Savards contract as a comparable. ITs worth $14 million for the first 2 years ($7 million per year) and then $14 million over the last 5 years ($2.8 Million). Basically they are paying him for the first 2 years what hes probably worth, then giving him extra money over the next 5 years so they can spread the money out for salary cap purposes. For the fourth and 5th years I would be willing to bet that he wont even be playing in Boston or maybe even the NHL considering he will be almost 40 years old. So how are you suppose to compare that? Are you suppose to give Plekanec $7 Million a year? Everyone knows that Montreal overpays for their players. Theres noway Plekanec is not staying in montreal for less than $5 Million a year if its a 3 year or less deal. The only way its for less money per year is if Montreal gives him a contract like the 7 to 10 year contracts others clubs are giving out. ie. Michael Richards, Rick Dipetro, Bryan Campbell, Marian Hossa etc.

I'm not that terribly upset by the weak (unlucky) goal on Price. It was more bad luck than anything. Think how many things had to go wrong for that goal to go in. Its a high shot, going over the net. He doesn't quite get all of it with his glove. Which is just relfex. Comes down off the post and off his leg and into the net. Its not a weak goal, as much as an unlucky goal. However after saying all that, Careys glove is weak. He needs to do some major work on his glove hand. I'd say the real story is the lack of offence by the Montreal Forwards. Nobody wants to go to the net. Seems Latendresse is doing fine in Minnesota. Popping goals. Why cant any coach, Gainey, Carbonneau, Martin, Julien etc, get these assholes to go to the net and stand there? I dont think the Latendresse trade worked. It hasn't motivated people properly. Not sure it would help at all if Gionta came back. I'd say if Philly is at all interested in Halak, and the reports out of Philly are true that Jeff Carter might be available then the Habs should really consider making an offer. Maybe Halak and Andrei Kostitsyn for Jeff Carter. Kostitsyn was taken 1 place ahead of Carter in the same draft year, and Halak is better than any goalie Philly has had since Ron Hextall. Maybe throw in a mid round draft pick as well. Not sure what Carters cap hit is, but it would have to be similar to Kostitsyns, if not a bit more.

Interesting view from Michael Farber who says while its nice that Montreal celebrates its past, it should be looking to its future. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...nial/index.html

Gainey turned a 1st Rd pick 18th overall into a 4th round pick. And they could have had Zajac or Wolski instead. Everybody knew they should take Wolski. Everybody knew that Chipchuras skating was not NHK worthy. Everybody knew that Chipchura would never be anything better than a 3rd line centre at best. Just terrible management

Nice shit analogy Randy

A trade of one teams junk man for another teams junk man. Habs give up a little bit of toughness. Habs save a little bit of salary. Not much else to say.

87 pts 9th place in the east 82 GP 39 Wins 34 losses 9 OT/SOL losses Carey Price GP 59 W 28 L 26 SOL/OT 5 GAA 2.80 Jaroslave Halak GP 23 W 11 L 8 SOL/OT 4 GAA 2.76 GP G A PTS Gomez 76 20 45 65 Cammalleri 78 28 37 65 Gionta 79 25 35 60 Plekanec 80 23 34 57 Markov 77 12 40 52 Kostitsyn 79 25 18 43 Latendresse 80 18 19 37 S Kostitsyn 67 15 19 34 Pacioretty 70 15 15 30 Spacek 74 8 20 28 Dagostini 58 9 10 19

If Cheechoo cant put up points playing with Marleau and Thornton, then theres no point in him coming to play with Gomez and Plekanec in Montreal.

$850,000 is the rookie max without bonuses, which is why Carey Prices cap hit is $2.2 Million Bob paid Latendresse the rookie max even though he was a 2nd rd pick. Something he didnt have to do and probably should not have done, but they were desperate to get a french speaking player into the lineup, for somebody the fans could cheer for. ITs arguable that Latendresse has been overpaid a bit for what hes accomplished so far. .

Mara wont make anybody forget about Komisarek. There is a reason Mara has been on 5 different teams now. Hes never lived up to his potential. Howver he is still youngm and might still be coming into his own. I do like this signing and I like him alot better than either Brisebois or Boullion. ITs an upgrade Anybody know what he signed for? He played for Boston for about $2 million last year

I'd rather have people mispelling his name, then have to read the nicknames people come up with on here. I'd rather see Camalari, Cammalleri, Cammalleri, Camaro, etc, then Camy, Kovi, Komi, etc, etc, etc. Thats annoying. Its not like you know the guy and hes your best buddy. And its not that hard to type his name fully, regardless of whether is spelled right or not

Salary cap getting kinda tight for more moves