dlbalr

1-0 Aeros on a PPG off of Conboy's 2nd penalty of the 1st period. All Houston so far.

The game hasn't even started yet and the discussions are already going on about bad ice conditions. I think that's a new record for earliest reference.

Though I'm too lazy to update the 1st post anymore, I have updated the StatTracker to input Diaz's game-by-game stats.

From doing some digging, he was one of the highest paid players in the NLA last year, making about 600k. That suggests to me he may not be signing for cheap here. From listening to his agent on CJAD (I've linked it on the site), he speaks 4 languages: French (some), German, Spanish, and English.

Yep, the bonuses can go off once unattainable. However, of those you mentioned, only the ASG appointment would ever come off during a season. Anything that is number-based (points, PIMS, blocks, etc) other than GP stay on the cap all season as they're forever hypothetically attainable. A player could be 23 points shy of a bonus with 1 game to go but hey, it's still mathematically possible so it stays on the cap. The Habs can't really afford to go overboard on the bonuses here.

Actually, the Habs already lost the pick. The conditions were that if he played half the playoff games (provided the Habs made the playoffs), they'd lose the pick. There were a few other contingency conditions if the Habs traded the pick too, it was a little over the top considering it was a 5th round pick they were fighting over.

<p align="center"> <img border="0" src="http://theahl.com/files/cc2011_500.jpg" width="425" height="500"><br> </p> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <p align="center"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105019%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"></p> <p>44-27-9, 1st North</td> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105022%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"> <p>46-28-6, 2nd West</td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Projected Lines:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Dawes - Boyd - Palushaj</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Russell - Engqvist - Wyman*</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Conboy - Dumont - White</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Schultz - Masse - Bonneau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Henry - Petruic</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">St. Denis - Klubertanz</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Nash - Carle</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">MacIntyre</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="19"> <p align="center">Mayer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="20"><i>Scratches:</i> Stejskal, Avtsin, Zanette, Delmas, Urquhart </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"><i>Injuries:</i> Sanford, Bisaillon, Bishop, Fortier</td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="267"> <tr> <td align="center">DiSalvatore - O'Sullivan - Rau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Earl - Wellman - Almond</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Gillies - Peters - Ortmeyer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Bulmer - McMillan - Palmer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Noreau - Scandella</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Spurgeon - Bagnall</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Falk - Prosser</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Hackett</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">Tordjman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> Fraser, Penner, Lofquist, Jobke, Fredheim, Cuma, Foucault, Campbell, Morency, Buck, Kassian, Broda, Daoust</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> Unknown</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Scoring Leaders:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Nigel Dawes (9)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Colton Gillies (6)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Klubertanz/Palushaj (8)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Maxim Noreau (7)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Nigel Dawes (14)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Patrick O'Sullivan (10)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> 3 tied with (+5)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> 3 tied with (+5)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Alex Henry (30)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Robbie Earl (14)</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Game Info:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><b>Puck Drop:</b> 8:35 PM EST</td> <td width="155"><b>TV: </b>N/A</td> <td width="155"><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://cham.player.amri.ca/">CHAM</a></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Other Notes:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center">I had read somewhere that Wyman got hurt sometime in the overtime last game so he may not be available. As usual, the Houston line are a complete guess on my part.</td> </tr> </table>

Yep, both were recalled by Hamilton on Wednesday.

Yes. The kicker is this year though, they'll sit on the cap at the start of the year and not be added on afterwards. If he were to get the max deal (I'd be stunned and probably quite upset if he would), his starting cap hit would be $3.84M. So when you're trying to figure out how much the Habs have to spend this offseason, you'll have to take his (and anyone else with bonuses) full cap hit into effect.

As he was a 2004 draft pick, I don't have the exact numbers as the CBA started in 2005 (and I only have a copy of the current one). I think 2005 had the same numbers as 04 though which would mean a base salary of $850k as a max with his AHL salary coming in at $62,500. The bonuses is where it gets iffy as the old CBA allowed them a lot more than the current one does so I know the numbers I have are iffy. I think the $3.84 million which was reported on a Russian site is actually accurate, representing a 24% rollback of $4.75 million which I seem to remember was a rookie max years ago. Unfortunately, I don't have contract data going back that far I don't think so I can't confirm. So $850k and $3.84 M are as close to the magic numbers as I can give you. Edit: Upon further research, I'm seeing $984,200 as a 1st year salary for several picks from the 2004 draft. So perhaps that's the number, not $850k. That makes sense too as that also would be scaled back 24% (from $1.2 mil).

It ain't going to be a cheap contract, that's for sure. Though he surely won't get the 3.75+ million some were reporting today, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he gets half of that. Also, no entry-level deal can be a 1 way pact, that's why it's called entry level. Without the bonus cushion next year, those bonuses will count against the upper limit. What's the difference? This year, the Habs could spend up to $59.4 million in salaries (cap hit - bonuses). Next year (assuming the same cap for this example), they can spend up to $59.4 million in cap hit (all bonuses included in that figure).

As we've done for the last 2 rounds, here is where we can discuss the upcoming 3rd round matchup. The schedule: May 13: Game 1 in Houston May 15: Game 2 in Houston May 17: Game 3 in Hamilton May 18: Game 4 in Hamilton May 20: Game 5 in Hamilton May 22: Game 6 in Houston May 24: Game 7 in Houston HW Preview/Mailbag: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2482

Many have come, most of them have gone as a lot of series are one-and-dones since there's no patience anymore. Scripted shows are quickly being dropped for cheaper 'reality' shows. Other networks better have some decent new ones next year...

Fox...I'm not too happy with you right now. I watch 3 primetime shows on there and they all got cancelled late last night. In their place go spinoffs and more lame teenage comedy attempts. Oh, and 3 more hours of Simon Cowell, as if 1 singing show on that network isn't enough. American TV, how much more can it be dumbed down?

Of note, the Admirals had 3 players sent down from Nashville today so they may have a little extra push. If you're like me and just had to hear the goal call (on another note, thumbs down to 820 CHAM for not even mentioning the score in the morning news let alone playing the clip...), here are the highlights: http://www.hamiltonb...&autostart=true If you have a slowish internet connection, it will take a while to load though. It's been 10 minutes since I started loading the file and I still haven't heard the call yet. Watch for Petruic right before the clip ends.

Derek really doesn't like Koharski. I can't say I blame him. Heading to double OT now.

Overtime in Game 7...where have I seen this before?

Finally, the Bulldogs score!! Dawes scores to tie it at 1! Assists to Palushaj and Petruic. Shots now 28-10.

And another dumb penalty for Hamilton...when there was a delayed penalty on the Moose no less. Still 1-0 Manitoba after 2, shots are 24-10 Hamilton though.

Conboy takes a dumb penalty which quashes Hamilton's strong momentum. Lousy timing.

$2 million dollars. That's a somewhat notable difference, the Molson's don't exactly have infinite funds here. You wouldn't necessarily need another cap compliant move. Salvador's career is likely over with a concussion, he'll just be LTIR'ed by whoever has him.

1-0 Manitoba after 1. A good start for the Dogs but they struggled in the 2nd half of the period.

<p align="center"> <img border="0" src="http://www.habsworld.net/isource/albums/pics/10002/Moose_Bulldogs_banner.JPG" width="505" height="145"><br> </p> <table align="center"> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105027%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"> <p>43-30-7, 3rd North</td> <td align="center" width="250"> <img src="http://theahl.com/-r105019%20:%20ham09_500.jpg" border="0" width="248" height="30"> <p>44-27-9, 1st North</td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Projected Lines:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center">B. Sweatt - Rosa - Shirokov</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Jaffray - Schroeder - Clark</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Bolduc - Bliznak - Desbiens</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Weller - Murray - Volpatti</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Flood - Sauve</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Baumgartner - Tanev</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Connauton - Ramsey</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Lack</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center">Weiman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Scratches:</i> Rai, Schneider, Rypien, Seabrook, Parent, Polasek, Christie</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><i>Injuries:</i> Perrault, L. Sweatt, Parent</td> </tr> </table> </td> <td align="center" width="250"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="267"> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Dawes - Boyd - Palushaj</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Russell - Engqvist - Wyman</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Conboy - Dumont - White</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Schultz - Masse - Bonneau</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Henry - Petruic</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">St. Denis - Klubertanz</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">Nash - Carle</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19">MacIntyre</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="19"> <p align="center">Mayer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="20"><i>Scratches:</i> Stejskal, Avtsin, Zanette </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="19"><i>Injuries:</i> Sanford, Bisaillon, Bishop, Fortier</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Scoring Leaders:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Rosa/Shirokov (6)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Goals:</b> Nigel Dawes (8)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Marco Rosa (10)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>Assists:</b> Kyle Klubertanz (8)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Marco Rosa (16)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>Points:</b> Nigel Dawes (13)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> Chris Tanev (+8)</td> <td width="33%" align="center" bgcolor="#EAEAEA"><b>+/-:</b> Engqvist/Wyman (+5)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Garth Murray (40)</td> <td width="33%" align="center"><b>PIMS: </b>Alex Henry (30)</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b> Game Info:</b></font></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td width="186"><b>Puck Drop:</b> 7:30 PM EST</td> <td width="155"><b>TV: </b>N/A</td> <td width="155"><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://cham.player.amri.ca/">CHAM</a></td> </tr> </table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="500"> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Other Notes:</b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="33%" align="center">Both Desbiens and Murray are eligible to return from suspension tonight though there's no word about lineup changes for either side yet. The Moose are looking to win their 2nd straight Game 7 on the road while Hamilton is looking to avoid losing their 2nd straight Game 7 at home. </td> </tr> </table>

There was no life in the 3rd until the last minute for Hamilton and it cost them, they fall 1-0. Game 7 is tomorrow. Due to work, the GDT won't be up until just before game time. http://theahl.com/st...game_id=1008615

Moen doesn't need to be re-signed, he's under contract for next year already.