The Chicoutimi Cucumber Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 (edited) This may seem like a bizarre question, but Bonk is generally viewed as overpaid; he'll be a UFA this summer; and most seem to assume that he'll be gone, given the need to resign the D, and so forth. However, Bonk seems to have become our secret weapon and a major anchor among our forwards. Everyone assigned to play with him seems suddenly to improve - witness, now, Samsonov, all of a sudden transformed into a little buzzsaw out there. He IS the checking, two-way C we've needed for years and is in a perfect situation in Montreal, where he's being used precisely as he should be (unlike in Ottawa). The standard thinking is that Pleks is the replacement, but Pleks is a different kind of player - faster and shiftier but not as robust, and it's doubtful whether he has that knack of making others better. Thoughts? Edited February 2, 2007 by The Chicoutimi Cucumber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 if he agree to sign for a little less, let me say around 1,8 our 2 mils during 2 seasons, i will be happy. If he ask for a raise... sorry but let him go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilan Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 if he agree to sign for a little less, let me say around 1,8 our 2 mils during 2 seasons, i will be happy. If he ask for a raise... sorry but let him go. Frankly, i think he's earning his salary. look at the dudes running this team - carbo, gainey, jarvis. they all appreciate sound defense and want to build a team around it. i wouldnt be surprised if they try hard to keep him (maybe even north of 2 mil). penalty kill is so crucial in the new NHL. he would be very, very tough to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athlétique.Canadien Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 In todays NHL getting a player of Bonk's calibre is not easy at under 2 million a season regardless of what performance they instill. If we ship him out I hope Chippy is ready to go. Gainey will know what to do :hlogo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShortHanded Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Frankly, i think he's earning his salary. look at the dudes running this team - carbo, gainey, jarvis. they all appreciate sound defense and want to build a team around it. i wouldnt be surprised if they try hard to keep him (maybe even north of 2 mil). penalty kill is so crucial in the new NHL. he would be very, very tough to replace. I'd have to agree. At least one of Bonk or Johnson needs to stay, and if it's only one, I'd keep Bonk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsmith Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Bonk's making 2.4 or so now. I can't see any reason he'd make less next year, based on his play this one. He's worth every cent, and as far as I can tell he's pretty happy. He had a rep as a dressing room cancer in Ottawa but we've heard no complaints from or about him in Mtl. I think the way Bob stood up for him all last year made him feel valued by the organization. Peca got 2.5 in Toronto. I'd say that's about the right rate for a premium checking center who isn't going to get 20 goals. I'd keep him for that ballpark, happily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 If the Habs are unable to find a #2 center, Bonk will be back. If the Habs can find someone to fill the role of 2nd Center, then Plekanec will fill Bonk's spot on the 3rd line. Though, they would have to find the center before the trade deadline because the Habs wouldn't want to risk losing Bonk to another team while they attempt to sign a UFA in the offseason at the same time. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Habs have Kyle Chipchura in Hamilton. Though, he'll likely need at least another half-season in the AHL next season, so even if the Habs were to sign Bonk, it would be a short-term deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRvInA Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 I agree ... people are going Bonkers over Mr Bonkers I for one think he would happily sign for Mtl at (4 - 4.5 Mil) for two years.. what I dont know is what his WIFE and family want>... I think she would preffer to go to the states,... I dont know why but Im getting that feeling! and to counter that it would take 3 Mil per year or more. one thing for sure Bonk and Johnson are not going to be traded before deadline unless to get that no2 centre so we will lose at least one in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromage Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 They bought a house here.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRvInA Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 They bought a house here.. today if you dont buy a house your basicaly throwing money away in rent! and besides if u have money buy property... Im sure bonk has made money that property probably went up in value at least 3% since he bought it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Bonk is an above average player that specialises in a pk/forchecking role so I dont see why he would not deserve an above average salary in the 2.25-2.5 mill range. I would say also offer him a 300k-500k performance bonus at 50 points that if he could earn if he regains the scoring touch he seems to have lost a little of during the lockout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafikz Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PB Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 (edited) The remaining of the season will exposed what this team is all about.........failure to qualified for the playoffs,....qualifying but getting dumped in the first round......or going strong and further,....all of this will be necessary before assessing the UFA situations of the marginal cases, (unlike Markov for exemple). Teams within the new CBC are pushed to invest in their youths and make room for them........Bonk would be in the way even if he was willing to sign for a year only.......but anyhow that is something I am convinced he would never be interested in. Edited February 2, 2007 by PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smon Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 Well, let's not get carried away here. If Bonk will sign for around 2M, he's worth it. If he wants more then he really isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromage Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 (edited) today if you dont buy a house your basicaly throwing money away in rent! and besides if u have money buy property... Im sure bonk has made money that property probably went up in value at least 3% since he bought it! but its a pain in the ass moving your entire family all over god's green acres. i'm sure bonk would like to stay in Montreal. He has fathered a child here. Edited February 2, 2007 by fromage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5. GO HABS GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5. GO HABS GO! there is no way they will both sign for next year, we have to make cap room for 2 of our 3 UFA defense and Higgins, Perez and Plex are RFA... With the salary cap, we can't affort these guys over 2 mils each... sorry but it is THEM or A good center... I'd go with a good center player... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze53 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 this one is easy for me. Bonk and Johnny need to stay. They have provided more offense, defense on PK and SH and have great chemistry 5 on 5. GO HABS GO! Exactly, I couldn't have said it better myself bro We need to keep our key players and to me Bonk is one of them just like Koivu, Kovalev etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 For some reason I do not believe he will be back next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoRvInA Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 as of february 2 games.. player of the month is BONK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbhatt Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 We definitely can't afford to lose Bonk. The more I watch, the more I think it's worth giving him the raise it takes to keep him with the Habs. Cuttting loose Rivet, trading Perezhogin, and handing Bonk a piece of the savings would be a great move in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch_nl Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Right now Radek Bonk is one of the most important player to the team. I hope he will accept a cut i salary and stay another year. I don't think that Plekanec will take is role but maybe Chipchura. And with so many key players becoming UFA at season end the Habs of 2008 might look very different, but Im confident we will see a better team next season even if Bonk, Aebischer and Souray might be gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalhabs Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 I hope they raise the salary cap next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan24 Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 I can't see Bonk coming back next season....but for the time being he is doing an amazing job for the team. He will be a big part of any success they have in the playoffs.....If they make it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 This is how I see it... Johnny & Bonk Stay; Everyone else who does not shape up and start playing with heart is on the chopping block/trading block either this season or next! Either way I'm confident that we will be fine as soon as the team builds some chemistry and our scorers and playmakers who are being paid to be SO; start acting like they can! As for as I'm concerned no one is free from a TRADE or CUT (except for Bonk & Johnny); from Carbo to Gainey; coaching and managements patients is wearing out! Don't be surprise if there is a big shake up! GO HABS GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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