BCHabnut Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Welp. We didn't get vrbada and stralman. But the team does appear more balanced than it did last year. Let's see how it all plays out now. Go Habs go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Thank god we didn't shell out $5m for 20 goal scorer and Stralman is another I would need to just look up to find out who the heck he even is, and he got big $$ also didn't he, so thanks but no thanks. But GMs are desperate to sign anyone to fill holes I suppose and if have 'spare' cap room, they go nuts. Simply couldnt imagine team salaries without idiotproofing salary caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForumGhost Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Vrbata has been a great player, but a 5 mil per season player? You could maybe make that argument a few years ago, but at 33 years old, I don't see his production getting an better (to say the least). I still think we need a more offence up front, but I consider this a bullet dodged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IN THE HEARTS OF MEN Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 You watch the Kings, and their possession game, and it's hard not to envy it. But, beware. Nothing last forever, especially systems play in sports. How good did tika-taka look for Spain this month? Teams eventually adjust, much like they did versus the Bruins, with the shot blocking (and a lot of help from Price). I am happy to see the Habs (finally) following the trends of the league. tiki taka didn't work not because of the system being founded but the players not executing.... casillas has been bouncing in and out of the line up due to form, pique is older and lost a step, they lost their captain and defensive anchor in the back in puyol, Xavi has dropped considerably just to name a few! even their golden ball'er ineista wasn't in form and hasn't been for close to 2 years... they have essentially had the same team since 2008 and failed to introduce new fresh players to their system which in turn has caused their demise. not their system. tiki taka or tic tac toe in soccer simply means "keep away" or possession soccer which never goes out of style when executed..... much like the counter attack or rope a dope.... is montreal trending to a possesion team like the bruins or kings? i don't think so... their moving to a high tempo transition speed game much like chicago or the teams of past glory... strong goaltending, shot blocking, crisp first pass transition from the defence and speed. while getting bigger they certainly aren't trading speed for size! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Sure in a perfect world could of added a sniper, but upgraded offense/puck-moving in top4 addition of Gilbert (at cost of some more shots/goals on Price) and also PAP is more offensive/bigger than Briere. And if Eller, Galchenyuk, Subban keep improving might be enough offense, or at least upper 1/2 of league maybe? And Beaulieu-Tinordi can train hard/strengthen and be improvement on Murray/Boullion we may in great shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 didnt vrbata go to Tampa a few years back a really suck it up? them he went back to Phoenix and played great again. I would stay away from him, I didn't want him in the first place Not really. He played all of 18 games in Tampa, and managed only 6 points in that time, but that's not long enough to know what he'd have done. (See Desharnais' start to this season, or Pacioretty's frequent scoring droughts followed by insane streaks.) His wife was pregnant and having severe complications and he was rather distracted, and received permission to go back to Europe and managed 17 points in 18 games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 Leafs sign Petri Kontiola, one of the better Euro free agents out there. That's a high risk/high reward signing. I found an interview with Joey MacDonald and since his signing doesn't have its own thread, I'll note this here: “I’m going to try to make that jump,” said MacDonald in Wednesday’s interview with The News. “I know I played 30 some games at the NHL level with Calgary (over two seasons), so I’m still able to compete at that level. They have Price and Tokarski, but he (Tokarski) hasn’t played a lot in the NHL and he’s on a two-way contract to start out, so we’ll look at things more once we get to camp.” A bit later in the article, he notes that the Habs reached out to him early in the interview window. This is me reading between the lines a bit but given that they went after him that early and him only mentioning Price/Tokarski, perhaps the plan is to deal Budaj. If so, they may have to act sooner than later as the number of backup jobs around the league is dwindling fast. http://www.ngnews.ca/Sports/2014-07-02/article-3784509/MacDonald-signs-one-year-contract-with-Canadiens-organization/1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 What might he (Budaj) be worth, 5th rounder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine of Loving Grace Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 What might he (Budaj) be worth, 5th rounder? I think if he was worth a draft pick we would have unloaded him already. I'm betting we will take a contract back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I think if he was worth a draft pick we would have unloaded him already. I'm betting we will take a contract back. Budaj for Lecavalier. RDS would explode... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I think if he was worth a draft pick we would have unloaded him already. I'm betting we will take a contract back. probably correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 If so, they may have to act sooner than later as the number of backup jobs around the league is dwindling fast. http://www.ngnews.ca/Sports/2014-07-02/article-3784509/MacDonald-signs-one-year-contract-with-Canadiens-organization/1 A quick scan of every team's backup position makes me think Budaj could go to: New Jersey Columbus Nashville Winnipeg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Price (no relation) Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Winnipeg signed a backup today I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 A quick scan of every team's backup position makes me think Budaj could go to: New Jersey Columbus Nashville Winnipeg I'd cross off Columbus and Nashville from that list. Both teams re-signed their backups from last year already (McIlhinney and Hutton, respectively). I'd add Toronto (someone will replace Reimer) and maybe Minnesota given Harding's health issues and Backstrom forgetting how to stop a puck last year. Knowing that Reimer will likely fill one of the vacancies and with the likes of Brodeur, Thomas, and Bryzgalov still out there, the window to move one of the two (Budaj or Tokarski) is quite narrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trizzak Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I'd cross off Columbus and Nashville from that list. Both teams re-signed their backups from last year already (McIlhinney and Hutton, respectively). I'd add Toronto (someone will replace Reimer) and maybe Minnesota given Harding's health issues and Backstrom forgetting how to stop a puck last year. Knowing that Reimer will likely fill one of the vacancies and with the likes of Brodeur, Thomas, and Bryzgalov still out there, the window to move one of the two (Budaj or Tokarski) is quite narrow. Thing about Budaj over Brodeur, Thomas and Bryzgalov is that Budaj is universally considered a model teammate and great backup goalie. Those guys still think they should be starting goalies. Plus 2 of them are flipping nuts. Budaj, aw shucks and gee golly gosh, he just wants everyone to get along! And the only thing that seems to cause him mental anguish is the possibility of two teammates bringing the same dish to the team potluck. Budaj for an AHL project player. Book it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC21 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Thing about Budaj over Brodeur, Thomas and Bryzgalov is that Budaj is universally considered a model teammate and great backup goalie. Those guys still think they should be starting goalies. Plus 2 of them are flipping nuts. Budaj, aw shucks and gee golly gosh, he just wants everyone to get along! And the only thing that seems to cause him mental anguish is the possibility of two teammates bringing the same dish to the team potluck. Budaj for an AHL project player. Book it. Exactly. If Brodeur signs with a new team I could see Lou taking Budaj for a 2nd tier prospect to backup Schneider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I've mentioned this guy before and I'm not sure why he hasn't been given a solid shot in the show. Jerome Samson has torn up the A from the beginning, why not give a guy like him a shot at camp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 5, 2014 Author Share Posted July 5, 2014 I've mentioned this guy before and I'm not sure why he hasn't been given a solid shot in the show. Jerome Samson has torn up the A from the beginning, why not give a guy like him a shot at camp? He'll get a deal somewhere. He has had his NHL chances before (Carolina and Winnipeg aren't overflowing with talent) and hasn't done a whole lot with them yet. That said, he's very high on my signing list as he's the type of winger that Hamilton desperately needs. He wouldn't have a chance at making the Habs out of camp though. It's also worth noting that Samson has spurned Montreal at least once before in the past back when he was younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stogey24 Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 He'll get a deal somewhere. He has had his NHL chances before (Carolina and Winnipeg aren't overflowing with talent) and hasn't done a whole lot with them yet. That said, he's very high on my signing list as he's the type of winger that Hamilton desperately needs. He wouldn't have a chance at making the Habs out of camp though. It's also worth noting that Samson has spurned Montreal at least once before in the past back when he was younger. Yeah, he'd look good in Hamilton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovett's Magnatones Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 tiki taka didn't work not because of the system being founded but the players not executing.... casillas has been bouncing in and out of the line up due to form, pique is older and lost a step, they lost their captain and defensive anchor in the back in puyol, Xavi has dropped considerably just to name a few! even their golden ball'er ineista wasn't in form and hasn't been for close to 2 years... they have essentially had the same team since 2008 and failed to introduce new fresh players to their system which in turn has caused their demise. not their system. tiki taka or tic tac toe in soccer simply means "keep away" or possession soccer which never goes out of style when executed..... much like the counter attack or rope a dope.... is montreal trending to a possesion team like the bruins or kings? i don't think so... their moving to a high tempo transition speed game much like chicago or the teams of past glory... strong goaltending, shot blocking, crisp first pass transition from the defence and speed. while getting bigger they certainly aren't trading speed for size! None of the other teams are playing tika-taka, but you make a good point. I've been rooting for la furia roja since Zubizaretta, and what a shame this Cup was. They'll reboot in time to contend for Euro 2014. Sad to see Casillas reduced to the status of Red Light Racicot in two years time.Diego Costa was a punchline, they had enough talent to put out a better team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Parros was dealt for on July 5th last year, so wonder if Goon signing season will be this week? Who will be the next Ogie Ogilthorpe-type for Habs? Kassian, Barch, Konopka, Rupp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habs rule Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 None of the other teams are playing tika-taka, but you make a good point. I've been rooting for la furia roja since Zubizaretta, and what a shame this Cup was. They'll reboot in time to contend for Euro 2014. Sad to see Casillas reduced to the status of Red Light Racicot in two years time. Diego Costa was a punchline, they had enough talent to put out a better team. God I hate soccer, I really did not understand much of what was in that post, how about we stick to hockey. I thought tik taks were a candy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DON Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I don't hate soccer and even if got no money a kid can still play it. But zero interest neither. Would Konopka be a good goon to sign, he is very good at faceoffs also, if I remember correctly. So he could swap out with Malhotra once in a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlbalr Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Would Konopka be a good goon to sign, he is very good at faceoffs also, if I remember correctly. So he could swap out with Malhotra once in a while He is a faceoff specialist. However, he has a 20-game suspension to serve so whoever signs him is playing with a 22-man roster for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeLassister Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Do we know who's in the lead in the UFA pool Brian ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.