GDT Game #35 Habs at Florida 1:00pm Sat. Dec. 28

[tomh009]

15 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Both will be good players.  Almost no player is ready for that level of defensive responsibility as a rookie.  If they dont re-sign evans, a vet centre will be needed.

Keep Dvorak on a (cheap?) short-term contract?

[xXx..CK..xXx]

I’m thinking and hopeful they’ll resign Evans. He was a member of the cup run and is constantly very intent on learning and bettering himself which the organization will love. I saw some footage of him during a team meeting and he was locked in on the video they were going over. Great 3rd/4th liner, awesome on the PK and perfect age. I’m happy if he stays.

[DON]

13 or so minutes left in 3rd, Matheson has all day next to his own net and fires a pass straight to a Panther in middle of ice, just makes you shake your head. Then at other end of ice he has 4 shots and seems such a smart player.

[GHT120]

21 minutes ago, DON said:

Who are you thinking replaces them on the PK and at centre in October; Beck, Kapanen?

Sans extensions, "next season" is not a reason to keep them at this season's trade deadline ... no guarantee they re-sign.

 

I don't see either as part of the team outside two years at most, and I doubt either player is interested in such a short-term deal with a team friendly AAV that allows for building for the future.

[DON]

Habs is tied 24th place overall, 19th in goals/game... better.

[alfredoh2009]

Dobes had an excellent game. And the team played great, many players deserve praise.

 

Sorry if I repeat what other posted, but I wanted to say that Xhekaj played the type of game I hope he lays game-in game-out, rinse/wash/repeat : physical, clearing the net, killing plays in the neutral zone, not commuting out of position and being disciplined.

The tustle was needed to give Dobes space and keep his focus.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

9 minutes ago, DON said:

Habs is tied 24th place overall, 19th in goals/game... better.

 

They've been a much better team since (a) the 'system' kicked in in early November and (b) Laine arrived. A lot closer to the competitive-for-the-bubble team many of us thought they had a chance to be in September.

 

23 minutes ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

I’m thinking and hopeful they’ll resign Evans. He was a member of the cup run and is constantly very intent on learning and bettering himself which the organization will love. I saw some footage of him during a team meeting and he was locked in on the video they were going over. Great 3rd/4th liner, awesome on the PK and perfect age. I’m happy if he stays.

 

It's all down to price and term, isn't it? We all WANT Evans re-signed, but not at any price.

 

17 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

Sans extensions, "next season" is not a reason to keep them at this season's trade deadline ... no guarantee they re-sign.

 

I don't see either as part of the team outside two years at most, and I doubt either player is interested in such a short-term deal with a team friendly AAV that allows for building for the future.

 

Next season does matter. We want a team and a culture on an upward trajectory. Not a Buffalo, and not relying on a magic switch that suddenly flips such that the team instantly knows how to win once everything is 'ready' on paper.

 

The shot totals today flattered Florida. Commandant is right, most of their chances came from the outside. The D did an excellent job of boxing out the slot and preventing repeat cracks at Dobes. On the other hand, you have to hand it to Dobes, he did a diligent job of smothering the puck to prevent rebounds, and frankly he radiated calm and confidence. Very good start for him, not just on the scoreboard, but in terms of his actual play.

 

Until today I thought Dobes was "DOBBS" not "DO-BESH." D'oh.

 

Dach got King Kong off his back - dare we hope he has a great second half?? 

[dlbalr]

2 hours ago, TurdBurglar said:

This Armia - Evans - Heineman line may be one of the best 4th lines in the league.  It kind of makes you want to re-sign Armia if there's plans to keep Evans.

 

How much money can they afford to spend on a fourth line though?  All three of them need new deals (Heineman's an RFA).  Even if you get Armia at a small cut, Heineman will offset that with his raise and Evans is more than doubling his current price tag.  All of a sudden, you're looking at a trio that could push $9 million.  That's pricey for a fourth line, even with the cap going up.  If they keep playing this well though, it's something they're going to have to look into.

[GHT120]

5 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Next season does matter. We want a team and a culture on an upward trajectory.

Didn't say it wasn't ... but without extensions before the deadline there are no guarantees Evans or Armia are back anyway ... so best to optimize their value at the deadline and start planning to fill their critical role (PK) in free agency from amongst reasonably priced veterans.

[GHT120]

9 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Until today I thought Dobes was "DOBBS" not "DO-BESH." D'oh.

 

 It's the " š " that leads to the "besh" pronunciation.

[GNick]

Must been great game to watch. Dobes makes his appearance in NHL and Dach looked like his old self

[TurdBurglar]

2 hours ago, dlbalr said:

 

How much money can they afford to spend on a fourth line though?  All three of them need new deals (Heineman's an RFA).  Even if you get Armia at a small cut, Heineman will offset that with his raise and Evans is more than doubling his current price tag.  All of a sudden, you're looking at a trio that could push $9 million.  That's pricey for a fourth line, even with the cap going up.  If they keep playing this well though, it's something they're going to have to look into.

That's the big question.  If you can get all 3 around $6m total, it's well worth it.  That's not realistic though.  You're right, Evans will get $3.4m+ himself.  Armia may settle for around $2m, but probably not with Montreal, I believe his turbulent career here will make him want to settle for less than an offer from Montreal somewhere else. Heineman is the only player that should get an extension around the $2m mark.

 

Evans' and Armia's extensions will be overinflated due to this season, but all you have to do is look back to the previous 2 years to see they are still just 4th line players having a good year and that's not going to be repeatable.  Somebody will over pay them, and I don't want that to be Montreal.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Let Armia walk, but see if you can keep Evans.

[tomh009]

1 minute ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Let Armia walk, but see if you can keep Evans.

But if Evans won't stay, should they try to keep Armia? Many permutations to this game ...

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I missed the entire third period and I laughed when I checked the box score and saw Evans scored another shorty and Caufield scored in the third too. 
 

Both Dach and Newhook really needed those goals and assists. Hopefully the second half of the season is good for both 

 

Dobes must be over the moon. Let’s see if he can play this well consistently. 
 

Evans’ trade value is growing 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

It’s been a while since Dach and Newhook were near the top of the stat card. 
 

Hutson is something else 

 

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

1 hour ago, tomh009 said:

But if Evans won't stay, should they try to keep Armia? Many permutations to this game ...

 

Armia’s 31, so IMHO there’s little point in keeping him only to watch him decline. I tend to see him as a deadline deal, and his strong play this season will make him a desirable asset as GMs generally have orgasms over guys like him when arming for the playoffs - although it’s a pity MB isn’t GMing somewhere, since he would be guaranteed to overpay.

[Butterface]

42 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

 

Armia’s 31, so IMHO there’s little point in keeping him only to watch him decline. I tend to see him as a deadline deal, and his strong play this season will make him a desirable asset as GMs generally have orgasms over guys like him when arming for the playoffs - although it’s a pity MB isn’t GMing somewhere, since he would be guaranteed to overpay.

 

🤣🤣MB is whispering in Rob Blake’s ear and King’s fans are crapping themselves. 🤣🤣.

Armia is going to Dallas or Washington for a 4th…. Maybe LA 🤣🤣

 

[hab29RETIRED]

8 hours ago, tomh009 said:

Keep Dvorak on a (cheap?) short-term contract?

I'd rather try and get Evans for under $3m for 3 to 4 years.

[hab29RETIRED]

3 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

 

Armia’s 31, so IMHO there’s little point in keeping him only to watch him decline. I tend to see him as a deadline deal, and his strong play this season will make him a desirable asset as GMs generally have orgasms over guys like him when arming for the playoffs - although it’s a pity MB isn’t GMing somewhere, since he would be guaranteed to overpay.

I don't want Dvorak back for sure. Armia only if it's under $1.5m. I'd give $3m to Evans.  O guarantee hat Beck and Kapanan will be ready or as effective on the PK even in two years, let alone next year. Evans has always worked his ass off. Dvorak and Armia don't always show up.

[alfredoh2009]

10 hours ago, dlbalr said:

 

How much money can they afford to spend on a fourth line though?  All three of them need new deals (Heineman's an RFA).  Even if you get Armia at a small cut, Heineman will offset that with his raise and Evans is more than doubling his current price tag.  All of a sudden, you're looking at a trio that could push $9 million.  That's pricey for a fourth line, even with the cap going up.  If they keep playing this well though, it's something they're going to have to look into.

 

Petry and Allen are coming off the books and with Dvorak not returning there will be enough money to double Evans salary. To me the issue will be term. I would like 2 or 3 year deal but no more. I think that he may just go to his hometown if he wants to give a discount to anyone. Win a cup there.

 

I would retain salary on Dvorak and Armia at the trade deadline in order to get the best possible return for them. To a playoff-bound team that will make it more attractive.

 

So, Heineman-Evans and either Kapanen or Beck at wing would be my 4th line to start next season.

 

[tomh009]

5 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said:

I'd rather try and get Evans for under $3m for 3 to 4 years.

The Dvorak option was in the case we CANNOT sign Evans to a reasonable deal.

[hab29RETIRED]

2 hours ago, tomh009 said:

The Dvorak option was in the case we CANNOT sign Evans to a reasonable deal.

I'd pass on Dvorak regardless. He's been a disappointment. Even at a discounted rate, work effort is not consistent. You need that from a 3rd/4th liner. 

[Commandant]

17 hours ago, tomh009 said:

Keep Dvorak on a (cheap?) short-term contract?

 

Id let him walk and find something else in free agency.

[Butterface]

The only guy I have interest in is Evans and that is only if he gives us a tradable contract.

 

That means he is paid a reasonable amount for the position he will play on our team or anyone else’s team and that his term won’t cause too much of a risk and that he doesn’t have a partial no-trade or a full no-trade clause.

 

We have the room for him for a short while. If we want it for longer there are costs. Costs like trading out a cheaper, younger player that could reasonably do his job or not signing another player down the road who might be as or more important to the team.

 

If you start combining an Evans extension with an Armia extension these dilemmas increase.

A Dvorak signing is useless even if we don’t sign Evans. Dvorak couldn’t find mouse ears in Disneyland let alone the back of the net in the NHL.
 

Armia plays peek-a-boo with the stats card too much to trust him on any length of contract beyond a one year. He’s playing great now, but how many times have we been able to say this over the lifespan of 3 contracts with him here ?

 

Heineman is a no brainer. Sign him. He can play up and down the line up, puts in an effort and has a great shot.

 

We can’t keep everyone. It’s a 23 man roster with a salary cap. You have to cycle out contracts to keep from going over the cap. Sometimes you lose solid players because of their cap hit. You willfully lose those players with the expectation that other players that are more important will be given raises at later dates that allow you to keep them because you sacrificed players like Armia or Evans.

 

It’s not easy to say good bye. But that’s the league we play in.