Komisarek the Cruncher
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Posts posted by Komisarek the Cruncher
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According to Spector's, the race is now between Kirk Muller (who as confirmed having talked to Carbo), Mario Tremblay (played golf with Carbo last week) and Larry Robinson (was with Carbo last week-end).
I still say go Kirk. Would be nice to see him behind the bench.
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Once Huet took charge, we, as a team, became one of the better team in term of having some
of the lowest number of goals being scored against us per game in the league.
Those stats belong to Huet, the D and the forwards,.....it belong to the team,...has Huet kept repeating.
This is where we stood at the end of last season defensive wise.........while our offensive total goals production was pretty much on par with our Conference's lowest scoring teams.
Personally I feel that I will get bored next year with the team if they keep on being a marginal offensive threat in a ligue (newNHL) where talent and the scoring depth of a team is the way to go.
I was reassured yesterday when it was confirmed that BG will be trying to get his hand
on an offensive forward this summer.......less reassuring is the fact tha UFAs forwards are in low numbers.
Now is fantaisia time if you allow me.
Gainey get big right handed center Lang from Detroit in exchange of Aebisher-Zednick.
Gainey get Parrish as a UFA left winger......shoot right also.
The team would look like that next season:
Parrish, Lang, Kovalev
Higgins, Koivu, Ryder
Perezhogin, Plekanec, Kostitsyn
Murray, (Bonk or Lapierre), Begin
Both being right handed they would be killer during power plays converting passes from off-winger Kovalev.
Parrish is pretty much like Ryder but feistier and a faster skater....cost 3,800.000 ?
Lang is 35 and a great all around offensive center. Contract is one year left at 3,800.000
This team I believe would possess a killer power play, great scoring depth and speed.....and would be a cup
challenging team.
Lang could also be signed on a year per year basis making him even more interesting.
Not the case for Parrish but since all our forwards are left handed and any of our futur prospects are also left handed.....it would be wise and more effective to keep one right handed shooter for the long run.
Mostly thought,...I believe BG will aim for Arnott.
I like it, except I prefer having Arnott then Lang. Keep those same lines, but put Arnott instead of Lang. Lang at 3.8M$ vs. Arnott at ? I expect him to sign at 5M$ about. Before people say its too much, don't forget that there are not that many good UFA forwards available and that teams will be fighting to get them.
Can we afford both, probably not unless we max out the cap, which BG won't do.
Also, Aebi and Zednick is overpaying for 35 year old Lang. Just Aebi is overpaying. A #1 goalie for an old center who's production is declining is a bit expensive.
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Why Begin for a million dollars? He may not be that good but the fact is that our team without Begin is not near as good as our team with Begin and that difference is more than a million dollars' worth, I think. Yes, Koivu is overpaid but without him we would have to restart building our team and redo all the dark ages - our team just simply cannot compete without him. So he deserves the extra money. Kovalev gets too much money but without him, our team just lacks the skill and offensive firepower that it needs. Sometimes you have to overpay your stars because they have more value to the team than just goals and assists.
And Gainey being generous wiht his contracts may help out in the long term. Players don't like dealing with cheap lowballing GMs and may leave the team for another one with a GM who doesn't do small talk. The organization getting respect from the players is very important in creating a family environment.
I also tought that Koivu was overpaid at first, but with the cap going up and all the huge $ contracts being signed lately, Koivu doesn't sound overpaid anymore.
As much as I like Richards, Koivu at 4.75M$ is a better bang for your $ then Richrads at 7.8M$. In other words, I prefer Koivu and Huet (assuming he will make 3M$) then just Richards on my team. In fact, I expect Huet to be at 2M$, so thats Koivu, Huet and Begin vs. Richards, easy choice to make.
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I'm 100% positive that they are not brothers.
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Good job. I have a better idea about the type of players they are for some of them.
I can't help my self but to think that the Habs will name somebody we were not expecting, and like Price last year, most of us will go
:?- 
as our first reaction. I know I was not happy about Price the day of the selection, but after researching on him and taking the time to think about it, I was quite glad with the pick. And now, with Theo's departure and Huet about to sign for a few years (hopefully), that pick never looked better.
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Here's my breakdown.
Huet is positionally sound which is great but isn't very fast.
Aebischer isn't much focused on positioning but is damn fast.
Danis is a combination of positioning and speed that is waiting to be developed.
What's the way to go? Who freakin' knows except Bob.
Honestly, the positionally sound goalie is better then the reflex goalie. The reflex goalie will pull that amazing game once in a while that the other won't, but overall over the lenght of a season, the positionally sound goalie will bring you much more then the other one.
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Also, I don't know why Legwand's name keeps poping up in this site's threads, the guy is a group II restricted free agent, not available, unless we trade for him.
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Not what we need and not what BG is looking for. If we trade a D to acquire a forward, then yes, Danny Makov would be a good acquisition, but unless we trade a D, there's no place for him on this team.
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Here's my breakdown.
Huet is positionally sound which is great but isn't very fast.
Aebischer isn't much focused on positioning but is damn fast.
Danis is a combination of positioning and speed that is waiting to be developed.
What's the way to go? Who freakin' knows except Bob.
Its more then that. With all the player interviews, you can tell that they are confident with him in net. We are not in the dressing room, the guy must bring something to the table that others don't, he as that calming effect on people, doesn't get rattled for anything. Like I said, Koivu was quite direct when he said that signing Huet was the most important thing for this team, and that's at the end of the season when Aebi was with the team. I think it speaks loudly about the importance of Huet for this team.
Besides, its better to sign Huet and have Aebi as an asset to trade away to upgrade another position then leeting Huet go and staying with Aebi.
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Insulting people well, thats just not nice....well borderline insult.
Montreal is a top 5 team in "D" with Huet in net means good goaltending, not necessarily good "D". (Not sure if that is how you wanted to word it)
I do like to talk about defence and if you wish to not participate in my posts, then just ignore me. Simple problem solved. I do like your posts as you are very informative with your hockey knowledge and contracts and will continue to read them.
Outside of Elias and Arnott, I don't think there really is a top forward available with imediate impact for the Habs. I like Legwand and players that are more cap friendly while developing the young forwards. Peca maybe for a playoff run as he is not a serious offensive threat.
The young guys with more playing time will produce more offense.
Borderline insulting? All I said was that some were way out in the outfield which is a colourful way of saying they're were flat out wrong. Never meant to insult anyone. Why is saying that your wrong insulting? Its a fact.
Anyways, sorry for those who took it the wrong way. I guess some are more easily offended then others, I don't mind admitting I'm wrong if proven wrong. I will try to be more careful next time.
As for Huet and top five D, it goes hand in hand. Doesn't matter how good the goalie is, if he doesn't have a reliable D in front of him, he won't have great stats like Huet did, Khabibulin can confirm that one. Yes I meant that our D is understated and yes its reliable, but not great. A reliable D with a good goalie like Huet gives you a good team D.
I don't want to ignore your posts, I did talk about D in my previous posts, but we BG mentionning that is priority was with a UFA forward and upgrading offense, not a D, I tought that switching the topic towards forwards was more appropriate. Somebody started a thread about Danny Markov when BG just mentionned that offense was is priority, I'm not a big fan of talking about something that will definetly not happen (when its been confirmed by BG), especially when there is plenty of forwards to talk about.
I agree with the young guys generating more offense next year, but BG flat out said that he will be looking at signing a UFA forward to help the offense. It can definetly be a cap friendly guy that contributes by adding depth, thus improving the quality of our top 3 lines we send out every night. Replacing Ribs by almost anybody will be an upgrade for the 2nd line. Pleky would do a better job. I'm just puzzled as to whom BG is interested in with the limited quality UFA forwrds available. My gut says that he is very interested in Arnott.
Let the rumors begin.
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Anybody heard the finacial terms for Downey and Murray?
I'd have to say around $600,000 for Downey and Maybe around $700,000 to $750,000 per season for Murray?
At the most, probably a little less less, Dawney is more like league minimum, $500,000 top and Murray was not eligible for arbitration, so probably more like $600,000.
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I think Huet is one of those late bloomers, like Kiprussoff. Not saying that he's as good as him, but I think he will do a fine job. He brings a calm confidence to the team. If captain K said that it was BG's #1 priority to bring him back, he must be a good influence for the team.
I agree that the Aebi might be back talk is like the Biron might be back talk, ya right. They only say that to not have their hands forced by the other teams.
In the RDS article, they talk of a 2M$/year contract for Huet, at that price, I say sign him and Danis and get rid of Aebi and invest in a scoring forward.
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For all the discussions that went on in this thread, like I was trying to clearly explain, as it was obvious that this was the #1 Habs need, BG went on record yesterday (go see RDS article) that he is looking for a forward on the UFA market, not a D. I still don't understand that some of us had to justify this obvious need to some of you.
All of you dreaming of a big D are way out in the outfiled, ain't gonna happen, as offense is clearly our #1 problem, not D. We were top 5 in D with Huet in net.
He also wants to resign Huet and Bouillon (that was also obvious) and he clearly said that its time for Bulis to go look somewhere else to make room for the young guys
Apparently, he also was very evasive about Ribs future, which means be-bye
Now lets all drop the available UFA D talk and lets concentrate on the available forwards.
Selanne (will probably resign with Anaheim, but would be nice)
Marc Savard (too small and too $ for what he brings)
Arnott
(how many times did BG mention he wanted a big rright handed center, Kovy and Arnott with Kost or Perez would be a nice line)Sakic (only in a million years)
Shanahan (not exactly what we need, getting old but would be a nice addition if not too expensive)
Samsonov (another small forward who often gets injured, no thanks)
Peca (horrible offensive stas in the last three years, I'd rather pass, but still an upgrade on Ribs)
Parrish (another Ryder type player?)
Elias (would be nice, but doesn't fill our center need and 8M$ is a lot for 1 player)
Langenbrunner (would be a nice addition)
Straka (reconnecttion with Kovy could be nice, but always injured, small and disapears in the playoffs)
Alyn McCauley (better then Ribs, but not all that great)
Anson Carter (depends at what price, but would ba a nice addition)
Those are the most interesting ones, there are others of lesser quality. Maybe BG will trade for a center and sign a depth addition as UFA?
Interesting summer coming up.
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Well, whoopty doo. I know its not supposed to be called but it has been and thats my main problem. It's happened twice for Blake against Edmonton and Nashville respectively, I saw Liles get it called on him a few times and a couple times against Skrats. A couple of those times, we lost the game because of the ensuing powerplay. I saw it once at the Flames/Red Wings game I was at too (and I know for a fact it went off the glass, I caught the damn puck). I know I've seen it more then that but those are just a few occasions where I remember it happening.
I don't know if you're making up all these incidents, but it can't happen that often for the simple reason that its physicaly almost impossible to hit the glass and have the puck go over it?
The only times that can happen is if the puck is turning 360 degrees on its self and it the top (and I mean top) part of the glass so that the turning momentum of the puck keeps it going forward and not bounce back toward the opposite direction and how often does that happen....
The rule is good, fair for both sides and contributes to the new offense in the league. Allowing to dump the puck over the glass like before would slow the pace down again and would reduce the number of goals in the league. Sorry I like the new offense and I don't want the old boring NHL back.
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Obviously we disagree -so be it?
Nerves on TV make people much different than in real life - his knowledge has nothing to do with whether he wired for non stop action or as boring as grass growing in a cemetery. You have a certain perception of him that I 'm not about to change = your choice!
Personally I don't get the show 110%(or whatever it is?) so I can't argue as to the validity of your opinions based on those shows. Have heard him a few times on TV and haven't seen that profound lack of knowledge you have noted. When I've heard him, he's always been well informed and seemed to know the fine parts of the game better than you or I ever will.....
Met him once at a card signing and he seemed very easygoing/relaxed? however that in itself does not translate to being a poor coaching choice. By that grounds Gainey should not be as good a hockey man as he is, cause he could bore the socks off a corpse......
As an offensive consultant he wouldn't be there to deal with other players in the league, just to instruct the Habs players. As I said though, this isn't about to happen so we'll never really get a chance to prove which of us is right!
OK. Being boring/relaxed doesn't make a bad coach, the reason why I say he would not be Carbo's choice is because Carbo went on record that the #1 criteria is was looking for in his new coach would be someone highly motivated and energic that can crank up the troops, and Bossy doesn't fit that criteria.
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Good analysis, but I don't agrre that Fedorov brings as much as Koivu. Captain K is superior, a future all famer doesn't mean that he's still good. Put Koivu on that line and he would do a much better job then Fedorov.
I think that the Habs second line is superior. Kovalev by himself just makes it superior. Brule is a promising kid, but far from having proven anything. Besides, I know BG will get us a much beter center then Ribs.
Same for the 3rd line. We probably have Kost or Perez droping on that line from not making the 2nd line. Not a whole lot better, but better.
Markov is superior then Foote. Foote is no longuer the great player he was. He's going to turn 35 this summer and had a -16 rating this year vs. +17 for Markov.
Bouillon is superior to Westcott. If it wasn't for is injury at the end of the season, Bouillon would have finished in the top 10, maybe even top 5, in the league for block shots and hits, Westcott doesn't bring that much to the table.
We are not that much superior, but we are at every position.
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1/ That fact he's been out of the NHL would probably actually work to his advantage in the new NHL if he were actually even being considered at all. There are a lot of present coaches who haven't fully adapted to the new NHL because they are stuck in their preconceived systems and strategies based on the old guard philosphies. New blood with new ideas for a new NHL. But it ain't going to happen so no use debating this any further.
2/ So I guess you are an expert on TV appearance psychology - he has no energy because he looks boring on tv. I didn't prove your point in any shape or form, except in your own mind because that it was you perceive him to be.
He always was a droll and meticulous interview, even in his playing days. He hasn't changed any.....
He never did appear to be excited by very much and still doesn't give that aura off on tv. I don't know him personally so I can't make a comment if he's the same in person. Maybe you have and can say that for sure, not just based on what you think he appears to be.....
3/ I've heard Bossy several time, so don't tell me what I think of his comments. I've listened to many of comments, and the fact he has been a spokesman for hockey programs across Canada at various times give him more credibility than you choose to give him. Many don't like his safety/fair play oriented leanings as he's been associated with programs like the current Chevrolet Safe & Fun campaign. Having withdrawn himself from the game and the alumni games he has been noted for being outspoken about problems with our game at times. Is he always right - no! Is he always wrong - no(but you seem to think he is!)
I never suggested he would be a good head coach - just some one who could teach the offensive oriented players how to be that much better at it.
By your argument then I guess Gretzky will never be a good coach as he was just loaded with natural born talent? Yes - most superstars are lousy coaches, but not all superstars are bad coaches. Most don't gravitate towards it because they haven't got what it takes to be a good coach, for a host of reasons that go far beyond the natural talent aspect.
4/ I don't think that I'm talking about him as an assistant coach - but more a roving offensive team consultant.
Point is though this isn't about to happen so it is moot to discuss a fantasy I happened to mention.....
He's not about to become part of their staff, so case closed!
1) We agree to disagree.
2) Being energic doesn't disapear on TV? You either are or not and he's not, case closed on that one. Don't need to know someone personally to know that. Its quite easy to say who's energic for anybody who appears on TV as often as he does. After seeing them a few times, you know if they're energic people or not, how complicated can that be to understand?
3) As for his comments, the guy would say things like "the Sharks of Anaheim" or the "the guy, what's his name, they have who's a good scorer" while talking about the best players of other teams, in fact top players in the league. He doesn't follow NHL anymore, he doesn't even no the teams and players properly. He may know the technical side of hockey, but his overall knowledge of today's hockey is very weak. That's what I meant and that would make him a lousy coach. How can you coach and not know the players in the league?
4) Could be usefull but won't happen.
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I think there is a little over reaction to the rule. How can a ref tell if it was shot out on purpose or not? They do not have our advantage of being an armchair referee and this is not always easy to tell. This is why the rule was set in as the Refs do not have every angle or video review.
They could not even call Justin Williams for obvious high sticking calls on Koivu and Markov and there are 2 sets of eyes watching the play.
Players have no need to shoot the puck that high when in trouble.
I would like to add that line referees are also allowed to call high sticking penalties, so four sets of eyes missed those penalties.
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The Habs easily have a better team than Columbus. More depth on Defense, and more depth and talent up front. While Montreal doesn't have anyone that can match Rich Nash, and probably Zherdev (we'll wait and see with Kostitsyn), Columbus's offense falls off drastically after that. Montreal can generally roll 3 + line each night.
I would say that Kovalev can match Zherdev, in fact, I prefer Kovalev. But your right, we have more depth at all positions, and they don't have a Markov to match us at D like we don't have a Nash.
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I highly doubt Montreal is going to trade Souray. With McCabe signing in Toronto for close to $6 Million, Souray is a relative bargin at $2.35 Million. Had he had to renew his contract thisyear, he could probably command over $4 million now thanks to McCabes insane contract, nevermind the no trade, no waive clause.
Souray at $2.35 Million has become sort of indespensible. He'll score between 12-15 goals and 35 to 40 points. He logs major minutes and plays all situations. If Montreal traded him, there really wouldn't be an effective way of replacing him, economically. Kuba, Mitchell, Kaberle, Kubina, Markov....all their values just went up because Toronto is so ######ing stupid. They'll all can easily ask for $4 + million each now, whereas last year that would have gotten you Adrian Aucoin, who I would easily take over any of those 5.
Just another reason to hate Toronto.
I agree, I don't want to trade Souray, it was meant it the sens "if" we trade Souray. To get a good forward via trade, we might have to include him in a trade. If we have to for a very good center, then I would trade him. He's easier to replace then finding a good center.
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I'm not sure I'd want Spacek and Witt on my team but I'd be very happy with any of the others.
They're not my favourites either, but assuming we trade Souray, it's not a guaranytee that we will ba able to sign any of the others, and we could end up having to settle for one of them, and they're not that bad. Better defensively then Souray at least.
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Regarding Columbus:
kaos: The organization is thrilled with LeClaire's developement this season. After the Olympic break, despite injuries to Foote and other defenseman, he put up a decen 2.64 GAA with a stellat .925 SV%. On the season, his numbers were actually better than those of Denis. I love Marc Denis, but LeClaire is not far from being the #1 goalie. They will start the season with a rotation, but LeClaire will be getting the majority of the starts.
Komisarek the Cruncher: If you think the Blue Jackets are not a playoff team, then I am curious as to what you think of the Habs' chances next season. With Nash healthy for a full year, Zherdev with a full season under his belt, and Fedorov growing with his new team, that is an extremely dangerous first line. Brule showed great skill, so if he can stay healthy he will be dangerous. They have a good 3rd line who can fly and play both ways. If they can find a LW (perhaps Alex Picard) to play with Brule and Vyborny, this team is going to score goals.
On defence, they've got Foote, Berard, Hainsey, Klesla, Suchy, and Westcott. The first four are quite good, and I compare Westcott to Boullion: not many people know about him, but he gets the job done. If they can bring in a UFA or if Aaron Johnson is ready to replace Suchy, they have a solid defense.
The Blue Jackets were supposed to contend last season, but Nash's injury led to the team getting off to an awful start. Once he was healthy and in playing shape, they were an above .500 team. I think they should be able to grab up a 7 or 8 seed next season.
Unless the Habs make some upgrades, I think the same thing about them.
I was talking about this year for Columbus (the team didn't make the playoffs, it wasn't the goalies fault who did a decent job), not about next year and their future. The team was not ready to burst out and make the playoffs this year, but I agree, they have a decent chance next year, but it won't be easy. I agree with most of your comments except Fedorov, yes he can contribute, but just a little, I would not mention him as a plus for the team, like Ribs can contribute a little, but I would not mention him a plus for the team.
Personnaly, I think that Habs have a better team then Columbus, so yes I think that the Habs will easily make the playoffs next year.
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I think the chances of him coaching anywhere are absolutely zero, but his age is absolutely irrelevant.
50 years old is nothing for a coach or manager in the NHL. His age isn't a factor.......
I think that he's just interested in coaching? As for judging his energy level based on some TV appearances?
Watch Gainey on TV sometimes and you'd think he just came from a funeral based on the way he acts/talks.
He's not exactly Mr. High Energy......
Bossy's a lot smarter hockey man than anyone on this board - myself included first on that list!
Not going to be a concern though as it isn't very likely to happen......
1) Being 50 does matter because he hasn't been involved in hockey since he retired, which means a long long time. I retired player who is 40 and out of hockey means he hasn't been out for long. How can someone come in and coach after being out of hockey for so long. The game as changed completely. Yes being 50 is not old for a coach, it was meant in the sense that he has been out of hockey for too long to come in as a coach in the NHL just like that.
2) As for his energy, well guess what, BG is not energic, just like Bossy. He would not be what Carbonneau would be looking for, and this is quite obvious. A person his or not energic, it shows everytime, wheter you are on TV or not, why do I even have to explain this, its basic. Thanks for proving my point with your own counter argument.
3) As for Bossy being a smart hockey man, sorry, you obviously never watch him and his dum comments on 110%, because you would not be saying this. The guy is a joke. Good players are most of the time very good because its natural to them, not because they are smart hocker man. Most coaches were average players in their days (if they even played in the NHL), not super-stars. They are guys who studied the game, it was not natural to them like the super-stars. How many great players tried as coach and were horrible, the vast majority that tried.
4) Bossy would be a terrible addition to the coaching team.
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My pleasure guys
I guess that my Chartered Accountant background and dealings with these types of contracts and escrow agreements makes easy for me to understand it.
If any of you have a question, don't hesitate to ask, this is right in my field of expertise.
Here's more info:
The rumors of the players wanting a lower cap this year (more around 43M then 46M) is to lower the escrow because a lower cap would almost guarantee the players of being able to cash their full salaries next year, therefore the league would lower the escrow % (it was 15% this year) retained on their paycheck, therefore the players would be getting more cash everytime they get paid, instead of having to wait until the end of the summer to collect it.
Expect this to be a major factor (interest earned on that extra cash at their salaries can be quite a big amount) in determining the cap this year. I expect the cap to be between 42 and 44 top, not the potential rumors of 46.
Which Free Agent Would You Sign?
in Habs & Hockey Talk
Posted
I like the Prospal-Arnott-Kovalev line, that would be nice.
Prospal-Arnott-Kovalev
Higgins-Koivu-Ryder
Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Perezhogin
Begin-Bonk-Murray
Those would be very nice lines for next year. What an improvement on this year.
In return for Aebi, I'd rather get something that will be usefull for a few years (Prospal) instead of a Lang who probably as 1 or 2 years left in him (and only one year left on his contract), and at a declining production on top of it.
As for the left wing, I'm not sure what BG as in mind with Higgins, Perezhogin, Kostitsyn and Latendresse being able to play there. I don't know if he intends to get an experienced LW? Besides, he would be for 1 year as the 4 others mentionned will be ready for sure in 2 years.