KoZed Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 News from the Gazette: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...4f-3bdd87a81ed1 Could it be that Gainey is too busy working a trade to think about contracts? And/or could this involve Saku for fear of losing him over money this summer? Brings a whole different issue in the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koivu-11 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 The habs would sign him because 10 years with a franchise and beening your best player even with someone getting paid 4.5 million......I see him signing a 5yr long contract at goof price.And hes our capitain... Don't bring up the thornton thing lol i was aware of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olematelot Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I don't think Saku will be going anywhere, however we do have a habit of trading captains in recent years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les_glorieux Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 He will stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mont Royale Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I don't think Saku will be going anywhere, however we do have a habit of trading captains in recent years. Trading captains has been done under previous regimes. I believe and trust Bob will be different. Anybody can and potentially should be traded if they're not bringing it every night. Koivu is all heart, and lots of skill besides. That isn't easy to find. Bob will find a way to keep him in Montreal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobRock Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 It would be rather foolish to just assume that Saku will automatically return to Montreal after this year. But I wouldn't read anything into the fact that there's no negotiations taking place now when you consider that I don't think it's a priority for Koivu either. I'm pretty confident that Gainey knows what Koivu brings to the club, both in the dressing room and on the ice. He's going to see what offers are going to come across his desk. He knows what he has in Montreal, but I'm sure that he wants a shot at Cup in what will probably be his last few seasons in the NHL. Who knows, maybe he'll shock everyone and go back to Finland. In many cases, both parties agree not to negotiate during the season because of the distraction that it inevitably becomes later in the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombTHEice Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Koivu playing for another NHL team than the Canadiens? Can't really imgaine it ... I think Koivu always signed 1 year contracts in the last couple of years and I'm sure Gainey will find a way to keep his best player. He's the heart of the team, we simply need him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Minister Koivu Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I think Gainey wants to make Ribiero captian. He is the best center in the game. :puke: Saku Koivu is the most underated player in the league. Koivu is Gainey's wet dream of a player. All heart and skill game after game. Screw Martin and Harper, Koivu for prime minister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Uh, Kozed.. I actually thought that Saku publiclly, and emphatically, saying that he wants to stay in MTL was good news. I imagine, read hope, that Bob will get something done before seasons end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komisarek the Cruncher Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I'm sure Koivu is going to stay and I want to keep him, but only at a fair price. Don't care if he's the heart and soul of the team, can't afford to overpay a player with the new cap rules. A long term contract (3 to 5 years, he's already 31 years old) for 3.5M$ per year would be nice. Love the guy, but he's always injured, so I wouldn't pay him much more then that, especially that he would be 35-36 years old at the end of a 5 year contract. I read an article earlier this season where he mentionned that he wants to stay in Montreal for many reasons: 1) its is home away from home 2) Montreal's weather is like in Finland 3) as a very strong involvement in the community (cancer foundation, etc.) 4) feels that he owes something to the team for their support and medical attention for his cancer 5) the fans love him (he never gets booed or bashed in forums/media) 6) the Habs have always been is favorite team Yes he could probably get more as UFA then 3.5M$/year, but I'm sure he would stay at a discount, as long as its not too much. Not sure he would be getting a 4-5 yer deal as a UFA.... There are not that many good UFA centers available this summer. I think Jokinen is the most important one. I wouldn't mind getting both (it also means bye bye Ribeiro), having a pair of Fin centers would be cool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Yeah that would be nice. Koivu would be even more likley to stay if the Habs could secure another Fin to play on this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzer Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I bet Minnesota's weather is like Finland too. Niedermayer took less money to play with his brother in Anaheim, what's to say Koivu wouldn't do the same if the opportunity arose in Minnesota? Every player says the same thing when a contract is expiring "I want to stay here"...we'll see if it happens or not. That line is almost as common as a GM telling a player "I'll never trade you". Haha...I still recall how badly Muller felt after being dealt to the Isles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazy26 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Koivu is NOT going anywhere! I won't stand for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olematelot Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 As far as his health goes he's been relatively injury free since he came back from the cancer. Although I may be wrong I think his recent injury was the most signifigant he's had in a couple of seasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smon Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 People mention Minnesota all the time. Of course the bros would like to play together, but they're not stupid. They realize that this is a business. If Montreal will give him what he wants in terms of money, he'll stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nojo Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 I read an article earlier this season where he mentionned that he wants to stay in Montreal for many reasons: 1) its is home away from home 2) Montreal's weather is like in Finland 3) as a very strong involvement in the community (cancer foundation, etc.) 4) feels that he owes something to the team for their support and medical attention for his cancer 5) the fans love him (he never gets booed or bashed in forums/media) 6) the Habs have always been is favorite team I was watching a tv sports program in french. They brought up the fact that " Koivu has never made an effort to learn french" I suppose that was the only time I have heard anything negative against him in the media. I think it's quite clear that Koivu is the heart of this hockey team, he motivates through his skilled work effort, he scores points, hits opposing players (not much of that in Mtl), sticks his nose in the corners and in front of the net. Mtl would not be in any playoff hunt without this guy on the team. Sign his ass as soon as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 of course, i'd rather have him stay in montreal but the idea of him going to minnesota to be with his brother for a few years isn't all that unbearable for me. if he'd be happy with that then good for him. of course, again, i'd rather that he stayed with montreal and finish his career here but, if this hypothetical minnesota trade takes place, i trust that gainey will make the best of the deal. who would i like? gaborik is a technicolour dream or zyuzin or foster or kuba or schultz + a prospect (o'sullivan or thelen) would also be bordering on a technicolour dream but more feasible. i have an emotional tie with alex henry... i taught him in timmins when he was in primary school but i don't believe he would be a good acquisition for montreal. :king: :hlogo: :king: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 If Koivu goes to Minny I think it will be during the summer and Montreal will get nothing for him. Gaborik would be awseome though he is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komisarek the Cruncher Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Forget Minnesota, they already have Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Mikko Koivu and their #1 prospect is center Patrick O'sullivan, a top notch scorer and prospect. Why would they sign Saku? To play on the 3rd line? Where would O'sullivan play...on the 4th line? That's really good to develop a top prospect Sorry, but Saku in Minnesota ain't never gonna happen. Unless BG doesn't want him back, which I doubt, there's no way in hell that he won't be back..as long as its for a reasonable price. The fact that he's injury prone makes him less attractive for the other teams, which is good for us. Out of the many UFA available, why would a team who has no history with a player invest millions in that injury prone player. These guys are only picked up towards the end of the UFA market by desperate teams at a fairly low price...like the Rangers with Straka...the Bruins with Zhamnov, etc. All very good players that are injury prone. If I was a GM of any other team then the Habs, I would not sign Saku unless it was at a good discount, say 2.5M$/year. Jokinen will get a lot more attention then Koivu... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larek Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 (edited) Koivu important player with HABS But no way does Gainey give him a five year contract after this year unless gainey had a crosby type player drop down from wherever. No one is going to get a 5 year contract especially an injury prone vet. i can see a 2 year with an option at most Edited January 11, 2006 by larek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinster Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Keep Saku. The "team" play of the Habs has been very low this year, we need this guy not for his goals and assists (though we'll take them and more) but for his lead by example attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huzer Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 People mention Minnesota all the time. Of course the bros would like to play together, but they're not stupid. They realize that this is a business. If Montreal will give him what he wants in terms of money, he'll stay. My point was NJD offered Nieds the max salary and he took less to play with his brother. If Saku really wanted to, and Minny offered, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go there. He did come back too early from his last injury to play that game against his bro with the parents in attendence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mont Royale Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Uh, Kozed.. I actually thought that Saku publiclly, and emphatically, saying that he wants to stay in MTL was good news. I imagine, read hope, that Bob will get something done before seasons end. I agree. Kozed, can you change the title of this thread? Last season... last days?!? Ugh! Every time I see that, I get uneasy. The thread title is way too alarmist compared to the content of the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habscout Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 I've always wondered why the Habs have not tried to draft an offensive Finnish forward with the hope that someday he would play on the same line as Koivu. I'm very confident that Koivu will resign with the Habs. The current trip of Bob Gainey & Habs 'Capologist' Julien Brisebois to Denver is likely a chance to visit George Gillette to discuss, among other things, starting to put together the groundwork for a new contract proposal to Koivu. I'm also certain that Gillette wanted a chance to discuss the state of the team with Gainey since they're practically at the mid way point of their season. Yeah that would be nice. Koivu would be even more likley to stay if the Habs could secure another Fin to play on this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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