Permanent Rumour Thread

[BCHabnut]

Ok, but the idea of giving Plex 25 million, over 5 years, which he'll probably get this summer, scares me. That's over 12 million per season, for our top two centers. And Plex is not getting it done, and looks even smaller than usual, when the going get's tough. At some point, they're going to have to address the small forward issue. I think he recorded one shot, and one hit yesterday, that's it.

Plek is second in scoring in the playoffs for the Habs. Without his contributions, we wouldn't have made it through DC. He is up against Crosby a lot, and Cammie has no defensive ability, so he can't play hard offensively. I agree that I would like to see more out of him this series, but I think overall he is doing much better than he was 07/08

[nikohab]

Does anyone know anything in regards to rumors that Iginla will likely be traded and that the likely destination would be montreal ? Now that would ge a great line Iginla- cammellari-Moen !

[dlbalr]

Does anyone know anything in regards to rumors that Iginla will likely be traded and that the likely destination would be montreal ? Now that would ge a great line Iginla- cammellari-Moen !

The Habs cannot afford his salary unless a player like Gomez or Gionta went the other way. Considering neither are likely to be dealt (and neither are Calgary-type players), there's 0% chance of it happening.

[Habsy]

Plek is second in scoring in the playoffs for the Habs. Without his contributions, we wouldn't have made it through DC. He is up against Crosby a lot, and Cammie has no defensive ability, so he can't play hard offensively. I agree that I would like to see more out of him this series, but I think overall he is doing much better than he was 07/08

I'm looking at it from a salary cap and size perspective. He's small, and looks even smaller during the playoffs. Do we lock him up, at the big number he's likely to get? Or spend that money somehwere else. I like all our players, it's certainly not personal. Same for Bergeron, I'd love to keep him, as a power play specialist. Not sure if we can with the cap.

[nikohab]

Can anybody explain what's wrong with Pouliot? He hasn't scored in over 30 games and counting. As for LaPierre we must give him a significant raise unlike the raise that Bob Gainey gave him and Latendresse last year. One last note P.K Subban has logged 29 minutes of play against pittsburgh so I hope that our staff and management does not ruin him as they've done with Pouliot. :hlogo:

Edited May 11, 2010 by nikohab

[KEEP26]

Can anybody explain what's wrong with Pouliot? He hasn't scored in over 30 games and counting. As for LaPierre we must give him a significant raise unlike the raise that Bob Gainey gave him and Latendresse last year. One last note P.K Subban has logged 29 minutes of play against pittsburgh so I hope that our staff and management does not ruin him as they've done with Pouliot. :hlogo:

how as the staff and management ruin pouliot?

[kenadian]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=35...e=nhl-canadiens

Why does Lapierre deserve a big raise? For showing up for a couple shifts during the playoffs?

[Chris]

Exactly, it's not like you can't find a RH grinder for your 3rd or 4th lines for cheap. There are dozens of them out there.

Lapierre has shown maybe 1 in 10 games throughout the year. Not really raise worthy, in most jobs that kind of performance would get you fired.

[Wamsley01]

Just when you think that you have everything sorted out a dumb GM throws a wrench in the mix.

http://www.defendingbigd.com/2010/5/11/146...ose-to-lehtonen

A 500K raise for Kari Lehtonen over 3 seasons? Jesus, I understand he was a UFA, but come on.

The guy has played an average of 43 games per season during his career, he has been injured every

season (outside of 2007) and over the last 2 seasons has put up a .911 SV% and close to 3 GAA.

If that doesn't garner a pay cut, what does?

What the hell is Halak going to get in arbitration if he got $3.5M per?

Get ready for a $5M per season contract for Halak after this playoff run. Price still has zero leverage

so I don't think this will really affect his contract badly.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Wamsley01

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Just when you think that you have everything sorted out a dumb GM throws a wrench in the mix.

http://www.defendingbigd.com/2010/5/11/146...ose-to-lehtonen

A 500K raise for Kari Lehtonen over 3 seasons? Jesus, I understand he was a UFA, but come on.

The guy has played an average of 43 games per season during his career, he has been injured every

season (outside of 2007) and over the last 2 seasons has put up a .911 SV% and close to 3 GAA.

If that doesn't garner a pay cut, what does?

What the hell is Halak going to get in arbitration if he got $3.5M per?

Get ready for a $5M per season contract for Halak after this playoff run. Price still has zero leverage

so I don't think this will really affect his contract badly.

Wow. What the hell are we going to do? If 5 million is realistic then we are screwed. The only way to resign Plex is to dump or buy out Hammer. How are we going to find the cap space to add this kind of salary on top of Plex?!

I had been worried that the Habs were going to get an offer sheet to one or both of our goalies now it may be best if Halak does sign a high priced offer sheet!

Gauthier is in a loose, loose situation here. Short of a miracle trade we are in trouble.

[Wamsley01]

Wow. What the hell are we going to do? If 5 million is realistic then we are screwed. The only way to resign Plex is to dump or buy out Hammer. How are we going to find the cap space to add this kind of salary on top of Plex?!

I had been worried that the Habs were going to get an offer sheet to one or both of our goalies now it may be best if Halak does sign a high priced offer sheet!

Gauthier is in a loose, loose situation here. Short of a miracle trade we are in trouble.

Either way, Hammer is gone.

I have looked at the numbers and they can keep both with only losing Moore and Hammer.

It would require a league minimum 4th line though and Pacioretty back up on the 3rd line.

They can also create more space by dealing AK, but then it leaves a hole on the top line

which would need to be filled. This would be the only scenario where Price's cheap contract

would be dealt, in a package with AK46 for an elite top line RW who makes $5M or less.

This off season is going to be critical in the future of the Canadiens and whether they can maintain

this playoff momentum and become elite or drop back to the pack like the Oilers after 2006.

[thib46]

Either way, Hammer is gone.

I have looked at the numbers and they can keep both with only losing Moore and Hammer.

It would require a league minimum 4th line though and Pacioretty back up on the 3rd line.

They can also create more space by dealing AK, but then it leaves a hole on the top line

which would need to be filled. This would be the only scenario where Price's cheap contract

would be dealt, in a package with AK46 for an elite top line RW who makes $5M or less.

This off season is going to be critical in the future of the Canadiens and whether they can maintain

this playoff momentum and become elite or drop back to the pack like the Oilers after 2006.

The Kostitin brothers can both go, do not care if they do better elsewhere. I believe Hamilton has a couple of players who are showing scoring skills and could be brought up. As far as Lappierre, it has been brought out that he has had an ankle injury for the better part of the year and only in April did he finally get better. I do not have a problem with a slight raise for this player, he wants to play in Montreal and he definitely fits 3rd or 4th line effort. Montreal needs not go out and spend for someone outside the organization unless the player is too good to pass on.

[Habsfan]

Either way, Hammer is gone.

I have looked at the numbers and they can keep both with only losing Moore and Hammer.

No doubt about it, we'll have to trade hamrlik away. He's just too expensive. Do we really need to trade Moore. I'm really starting to like this guy. I find that he and lapierre are a good match. Throw in Moen or Pyat and you have a decent 3rd line!

It would require a league minimum 4th line though and Pacioretty back up on the 3rd line.

I think it's a given that Pacioretty will be back with the Habs next year.

As far as Halak is concerned, If some other team offers him 4.5 or 5 million$, then I say you let him go and you take the 3 or 4 1st round picks...then again, if by some miracle our boys actually win the cup with Halak this year, then I say you sign him to a long term deal and trade Price!

[huzer]

Do we really need to trade Moore. I'm really starting to like this guy. I find that he and lapierre are a good match.

Well, first we'd have to sign him. Moore is a UFA.

[Chris]

Yea, i would definitely keep Moore. I think a deal is done, Martin has coached him twice

Players who are goners in my book are

Darche

MAB I could live with a small contract as #13 forward or #7 D

Hamrlik can be moved, especially only 1 year left on deal

Kosty Bros

1 goalie- In a cap age you can't have 6-8 mill wrapped up on 2 goalies

Pleks- can't afford him he'll be offered more then 5 mill.

What needs to come back or replaced

2 top 6 guys

1-2 grinders with size and grit (fighter)

White i believe makes it. Pacioretty maybe could use 1 full ijury free year in Hamilton

I think the D is set

O'Byrne markov

Subban Spacek

Gill Gorges

Carle maybe #7

[Chris]

I forgot Mara, he is also gone

[Wamsley01]

Yea, i would definitely keep Moore. I think a deal is done, Martin has coached him twice

Players who are goners in my book are

Darche

MAB I could live with a small contract as #13 forward or #7 D

Hamrlik can be moved, especially only 1 year left on deal

Kosty Bros

1 goalie- In a cap age you can't have 6-8 mill wrapped up on 2 goalies

Pleks- can't afford him he'll be offered more then 5 mill.

What needs to come back or replaced

2 top 6 guys

1-2 grinders with size and grit (fighter)

White i believe makes it. Pacioretty maybe could use 1 full ijury free year in Hamilton

I think the D is set

O'Byrne markov

Subban Spacek

Gill Gorges

Carle maybe #7

The majority of teams have $6M wrapped up in goaltending. There are 14 goaltenders signed to $5M+ contracts, add in

a minimum backup and that is 14 teams spending at least $6M on goaltending. Add in the Isles and Canes and you are over

half the league.

The only playoff teams that aren't spending close to $6M are:

Ottawa at $4.3M

Philadelphia at $2.5M

Montreal at $3M

LA at $2.6M

Detroit at $2.2M

Colorado at $3M

Out of those 6 teams, the Habs and Avs are the only ones who have good goaltending and Anderson will be up for a big

raise after next season.

The Hawks have $6.5M invested in their crease, the Sharks $6.3M and the Pens have $5.6M.

It is nonsensical to trade Price based on his cap number. If Halak gets $5M per season and Price doubles his salary to $1.5M

(the $2.2M number represents entry level bonuses, most of which he missed this season) then the Cap number is $6.5M.

If you trade Price for a veteran backup in the Biron/Lalime mode you are looking at $6M per. Either way you are hitting the

$6M threshold that you say cannot work in a cap world.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Wamsley01

[Wamsley01]

The Habs could ice the following and squeeze under the cap

Cammalleri, Mike (6) Plekanec, Tomas (5) Kostitsyn, Andrei (3.5)

Pouliot, Benoit (1.5) Gomez, Scott (7.3) Gionta, Brian (5)

Moen, Travis (1.5) Lapierre, Maxim (1) Pacioretty, Max (875)

Darche, Mathieu(500) League Min (500) White, Ryan (850)

Markov, Andrei (5.7) O'Byrne, Ryan (942)

Subban, P.K. (875) Spacek, Jaroslav (3.8)

Gill, Hal (2.25) Gorges, Josh (1.1)

Halak, Jaroslav (4)

Price, Carey (1.5)

Weber, Yannick (875)

Maxwell, Ben (850)

League Min (500)

Laraque buyout is 750k and Hamrlik would have to be traded. That would put the total at 56.5M.

The Habs could package Price/AK for an elite forward, but it wouldn't change the cap crunch of having to use

8 entry level/minimum contracts. If they deal AK46 they could resign Moore and Metropolit and leave a first line

void.

Look at those numbers and try to figure out the benefits of dealing Price. They can't take back any salary that will

land them an elite forward outside of a package deal that involves them dumping Spacek or one of the core players.

To deal Price would require a player like Giroux in return, that way they can fill the AK void at minimal cost and slide

a Biron level backup in place of Price.

When one of the mainstream media members takes the time to present this type of scenario as well as the cap number

that would come in return for Price, then I will buy the Price is gone talk. They are talking out their ass right now.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Wamsley01

[Chris]

Well i stand corrected, apparantly you can pay that much. I didn't realize some of those goalies contrects were so high.

[Habsfan]

The Habs could ice the following and squeeze under the cap

Cammalleri, Mike (6) Plekanec, Tomas (5) Kostitsyn, Andrei (3.5)

Pouliot, Benoit (1.5) Gomez, Scott (7.3) Gionta, Brian (5)

Moen, Travis (1.5) Lapierre, Maxim (1) Pacioretty, Max (875)

Darche, Mathieu(500) League Min (500) White, Ryan (850)

Markov, Andrei (5.7) O'Byrne, Ryan (942)

Subban, P.K. (875) Spacek, Jaroslav (3.8)

Gill, Hal (2.25) Gorges, Josh (1.1)

Halak, Jaroslav (4)

Price, Carey (1.5)

Weber, Yannick (875)

Maxwell, Ben (850)

League Min (500)

Laraque buyout is 750k and Hamrlik would have to be traded. That would put the total at 56.5M.

The Habs could package Price/AK for an elite forward, but it wouldn't change the cap crunch of having to use

8 entry level/minimum contracts. If they deal AK46 they could resign Moore and Metropolit and leave a first line

void.

Look at those numbers and try to figure out the benefits of dealing Price. They can't take back any salary that will

land them an elite forward outside of a package deal that involves them dumping Spacek or one of the core players.

To deal Price would require a player like Giroux in return, that way they can fill the AK void at minimal cost and slide

a Biron level backup in place of Price.

When one of the mainstream media members takes the time to present this type of scenario as well as the cap number

that would come in return for Price, then I will buy the Price is gone talk. They are talking out their ass right now.

As usual, great post Wamsley. Just wanted to point out that Andrei's salary is 3.25 million, not 3.5.

[BTH]

The Habs could ice the following and squeeze under the cap

Cammalleri, Mike (6) Plekanec, Tomas (5) Kostitsyn, Andrei (3.5)

Pouliot, Benoit (1.5) Gomez, Scott (7.3) Gionta, Brian (5)

Moen, Travis (1.5) Lapierre, Maxim (1) Pacioretty, Max (875)

Darche, Mathieu(500) League Min (500) White, Ryan (850)

Markov, Andrei (5.7) O'Byrne, Ryan (942)

Subban, P.K. (875) Spacek, Jaroslav (3.8)

Gill, Hal (2.25) Gorges, Josh (1.1)

Halak, Jaroslav (4)

Price, Carey (1.5)

Weber, Yannick (875)

Maxwell, Ben (850)

League Min (500)

I think you forgot about Pyatt. We should be able to afford him.

Out:

Hamrlik

Moore

Metropolit

Mara

SK

In:

Subban

Improved Pacioretty

EDIT: By the way, guys, the rumour is that SK went to Martin the other day and basically said "If you aren't going to play me, can I at least go to the World Championships and play for Belarus?" So Martin told him to stay home and he didn't accompany the team to Pittsburgh. *sigh*

Edited May 12, 2010 by BTH

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I'm not sure what team would want the Hammer at his salary. I suspect a buyout not a trade.

We can trade AK but who replaces him? We have nobody in Hamilton to truly take his spot.

Wamsley has made a plausible roster for next season but our 3rd and 4th lines are weak.

It is dumb to trade Price.

We will never be able to trade the Spaceman.

I believe that we need to keep Max Pac in Hamilton for at least another year.

If Plex leaves who replaces him?

MAB is one of the worst Dmen to ever wear a Habs uniform. I don't want him back.

Gauthier has an impossible task.

I agree that this off season is one of the most important in a long time.

[KEEP26]

heres the info i got today...there was a trade for price to tampa..100% sure on this one..the deal was sh*t can because of problems with tampa owner ship..

[Wamsley01]

heres the info i got today...there was a trade for price to tampa..100% sure on this one..the deal was sh*t can because of problems with tampa owner ship..

It was for Vinny. Pleks+Price.

[lazy26]

It was for Vinny. Pleks+Price.

lol. And to think that we've got cap problems now!