dlbalr

Vokoun to Washington for 1 year and 1.5 mil. Now that's a bargain, even better considering what they got for Varlamov yesterday.

He still provides a bit of physical play and is responsible defensively, something this team lacks. Stalberg is the antithesis of Moen, doesn't hit or backcheck. His strengths are different which could make him appealing...provided they sign a replacement for Moen.

Richards gets $24 million in the first 2 years of the deal. Buffalo opened up a whole new can of worms with their Ehrhoff deal. Ian White to Detroit, 2 years, $5.75 M total. Another move that makes a lot of sense.

He's the type of player I could see the Habs looking at on a two-way deal, a veteran who can play in Hamilton (assuming he clears waivers) to start but brings some intangibles that could come in handy should injuries arise midseason.

I think Frolik would be a better fit personally. Stalberg has speed to burn but after his great debut with the Leafs last year, he has fizzled quite a bit. His point production was only a few better than Moen. Frolik is a little more proven, still young, decent size, and can play C. Martin also is familiar with him having had him in Florida. That said, I can't see Chicago doing that straight up unless Frolik's asking for too much money. $$ wise, Stalberg would save the Habs a bit as I don't see him commanding $1.5 mil like Moen.

Great acquisition? Hardly. Consider this, the Jets, a non-playoff team for several years, deemed him unworthy of a QO of less than $700,000. There was probably a reason for that. Here's my guess as to what it is: In his final 31 games of the season, he had 2 goals. From March 1st through to the end of the season (17 games), he was a plus player a whole 1 time, while going a cumulative -11. He had a great start to the year but from about January on, he played at the level of a minor leaguer. His size and age makes him intriguing as a 4th liner, new team, new fit, yadda yadda but this is not anything to get overly excited about.

There's no way I'm giving Handzus, a 30-40 point C, Cole type money. He has slowed down a lot in recent years. I like him at the 2.5 he got, not much more though as his ideal role now is probably a 3rd line C.

It was an interesting idea but he is off to Lugano of the Swiss league. He certainly would have fit the bill of a veteran 4th line C though.

Don't fall into the trap of the Habs have x amount coming off the books which will be enough to re-sign Price and Subban. They have 5 UFA's, some of that money will be earmarked for them as well (or replacements). Eller and Yemelin will be RFA's as well and may very well be due raises. Also, the cap isn't going up next year, it will be going down after a hard fought CBA where the owners will fight to either drop the NHLPA's 5% escalator or drop the percentage of revenues that the players get. After yesterday's spending spree, I'm more sure of that now than ever. The Canadian dollar is also down a decent amount already from last year, that too will send the cap back down a bit.

It sounds like he gave every indication early on that he was planning to stay out West. Whether the Habs found that out by contacting him directly, hard to guess.

Here's my list of AHL goalies I think could be interesting: Drew MacIntyre Cedrick Desjardins Tyler Weiman Nolan Schaefer (and I'm a little leery putting him here) Martin Gerber is also an option but I'm not sure he sticks around for another year in North America to play AHL hockey. At this point, they may hold hope that someone like McElhinney strikes out in getting a 1-way contract and opts to take a TW deal, the same way we got Sanford originally. If they go for a cheap option, Mike McKenna, Nathan Lawson, and Matt Climie stand out as '105 guys.'

Handzus to SJ, 2 years, $2.5 mil per. I like that deal. And now Bergenheim to where else, Florida. 4 years for a guy who had 2 good months, $11 mil is ugly too. Kinda reminds of Joel Ward but at least Ward was consistently decent over the last couple of years. Fedotenko re-signs in New York, 1 year, $1.4 mil. Decent deal there.

Looks as if the Habs went way higher than anyone else here (similar tactic as to what they did with Gionta and to a lesser extent, Cammalleri). Carolina went up to $4 mil per year (shorter term) just before the deal with Montreal was done, highest I've seen listed as offered from the various teams who also tried to get him. Interestingly enough, the Habs' first call right at 12 was to Cole's representation.

Confirmed that there is some form of NTC in the contract (not an NMC though).

He won't unless he is going to play on an offensive line, not sure he can with the roster as presently constructed. It probably would be best for him to start in Hamilton, let's see how he fares now as the focal point individually on the offence, instead of as a member of the focal trio. If he can put him similar numbers with less help, then he'll be ready.

I don't think he'll be back, it'll be a money issue. The Habs took on MacIntyre's one way deal more or less out of desperation when Sanford went down but now that there are other options, they'll probably looking to spend $200k or so as they have been on Sanford. If MacIntyre is willing to take that, then maybe they bring him back but at this time, I don't think he is.

There will be one, of that I have no doubt. Perhaps not a full NMC but some sort of modified NTC at the very least. Any notable UFA today will get one.

Probably looking at a veteran bottom six guy right now, possibly 2 if there are concerns about the health of Eller heading into the season. Beyond that, not too much left to do unless they can land a top-6 forward and then work backwards. Plus of course, 3-5 signings for Hamilton.

My immediate thought when I read that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdoF_j9u59U&NR=1 (Just replace Springfielders with Boucher...)

Another Bulldog moves on, Wyman to Tampa on a two-way deal.

I don't think the Habs were ever 'in'. Sure, they sent a representative to talk to him in person but their presentation was very short compared to others. I think they threw their hat in the ring, were politely told that Richards was going another direction, so they turned their focus to Cole.

Wide variety of players there, a proven vet who'll likely cost beyond what the Habs can afford, an RFA that went unqualified, and an aging d-man holding on to an NHL job by a thumbnail.

He was one of the better options out there actually, especially since the Habs have been going for high end AHL veterans which there aren't many of this time. Last July 1, Sanford did the same thing, tested the market before re-signing, I figured the same was going to happen this time.

Sanford to Columbus, thought he'd wind up back with Hamilton next year. Interesting development.

Fleischmann to Florida for the same deal Cole got. I'm starting to feel better about this Cole deal every minute now. I've lost track on how many guys have signed with/been traded to Florida today, they've been busy. Edit: Here's who they've signed/acquired: Forwards Fleischmann Versteeg Goc Upshall Defence Jovanovski Yonkman Goalie Theodore