Official Off Season Thread

[The-Habby2919]

what about trading souray, zednik and ribeiro for a 1a or 1b centre and then signing a defenseman

or souray zednik and aebischer

i mean do we need a centreman or do we need souray???

not that i have a real problem with the guy, other than he cant play one on one, he does bring many things to the table but for souray zednik and aebi, we could really get something that could change the offensive outlook of this team and thats what the habs really need

Zednik for Lang would solve our need of a 2C, but with Souray and Aebi? Thats quite a bit in my opinion. Maybe if it gave us Richards in return.

:hlogo:

[fromage]

I've heard some bad tings about Arnott. Apparently, the fans in Dallas are praying for the day he leaves and he's their whooping boy. I wonder what we'd say about him if he ever landed himself here.

We do the same with everyone on the team...

[thehabbit]

if we do get lang for zednik then.....

i say trade aebi ribeiro and souray for a real number one d or a top flight winger and sign either the winger or a good dman with the rest of the cash

[shortcat1]

off season for us and off-topic too...

sens are playing tonight (down 3-1).... go Sens go and take out those pesky Sabres.

:king: :hlogo: :king:

[MAK]

off season for us and off-topic too...

sens are playing tonight (down 3-1).... go Sens go and take out those pesky Sabres.

:king: :hlogo: :king:

no way, man

ottawa doesn't have personality.

buffalo is my kind of team: no real superstars, a great goalie, 4 well balanced lines, grit ,offensive skills, they block shots.

geez, how good would this team be if they had a legit pp QB

i would love to see buffalo against san jose or edmonotone

Edited May 13, 2006 by marky_and_komi

[habsrock_6]

What about rob blake? no one seems to be talking about him, and he's big, right handed, top defencemen. If colorado doesnt retain him, he would be a great fit with the habs. imagine souray and blake on the PP, no one in the league would be able to stop their shots. i htink it would be a great signing.

[HABBER-oooooKNOWS]

Much like Ryder and Ribeiro before him I see Gainey giving him a 1 year deal for around $2 Million. This is to find out if he's for real or not. He he plays well next year, at about the half way point, they'll do a long term extension.

For him to go from $456,000 to $2 Million is a 340% increase in pay. Thats for more than any of us will ever see.

All these quotes seem realistic and make perfect sense. .........BUT.........if another team comes after him.

The numbers can inflate very quickly. With him being a free agent, and knowing teams are going to go after him, Gainey needs to make him feel like he's getting top dollar for his situation.

3 to 3.5 million will probably avoid any bull-shit.

[smon]

i'm guessing something like 2yrs, $5M.

[MaidstoneHabsFan]

I think Bob Gainey should do all he can to bring in Brad Richards. He is the exact playmaker to suite Alex Kovalev perfectly. Trade David Aebischer, Michael Ryder, and Prospect or First Round Pick for Richards.

Kostsitsyn-Richards-Kovalev

Higgins-Koivu-Perezhogin

Latendresse-Plekanec-Zednik

Murray-Bonk-Begin

Markov-Komisarek

Souray-Rivet

Bouillon-Dandenault

Huet

Danis

I'm loving the influx of young talent mixed w/ the veteran leadership we have. Things are looking good in habland.

[ch_nl]

Ryder and Aebischer is to much if you ask me.

Aebischer should be worth more if you consider what goaltenders was worth at the trading deadline. Ryder has just completed his second season and has still time to develope.

Aebischer, Zednik and a pick is more fair.

[Fanpuck33]

First of all, Tampa has stated that they will keep their Big Three together.

Second, Tampa would never in their right mind trade Richards for Aebi and Ryder. Richards is the best player on their team. It will take more than a goalie and an inconsistent scorer to net a Conn Smythe winner. If you look at the beginning of this thread, people don't think they would even trade Richards for Aebi, Souray, and Ribs.

[InsaneHABSfan]

First of all, Tampa has stated that they will keep their Big Three together.

Second, Tampa would never in their right mind trade Richards for Aebi and Ryder. Richards is the best player on their team. It will take more than a goalie and an inconsistent scorer to net a Conn Smythe winner. If you look at the beginning of this thread, people don't think they would even trade Richards for Aebi, Souray, and Ribs.

This is a good thread and the above comment from Fanpuck33 is very accurate. You cannot get Richards without giving up equal value. I sort of chuckled at what people were offering here as I thought I was on a Leaf board. Instead of trading everyone, the Habs should look at letting UFA players go that just did not pan out. The core is good and the farm team has a centre that should make the team. (Chipchura)

If the Habs are SERIOUS about building a contender compared to the old Gainey days it must be done at the draft and raiding younger players from other teams. There is a Centre on Nashville by the name of David Legwand who has 207 points in 388 games, is big(6'2") and has made a name for himself in a non-hockey market. He only played 44 games this year due to a leg injury but this should not be an issue. I believe he is UFA 26 years old but would be easier to trade for if he is RFA as Montreal has Lots and Lots of assets. Signing Huet then sign and trade Abby to a team for a good draft choice or young defenseman would also be reasonable.

Possible players Montreal could obtain(Only 1 or 2 guys from list):

Marc Savard- Atlanta (Total Offense)

David Legwand- Nashville (Power play, good defensively, YOUNG!)

Jarkko Rutu- Vancouver (Why not he gets under everones skin)

Ed Jovanovski- Vancouver (good defenseman everyone wants)

Cory Sarich- Tampa (Good Defenseman)

Wade Redden- Ottawa (Another Good defenseman everyone wants)

I am a Colorado fan but a habs fan also from long ago.

-Jeff

[KEEP26]

TRADE RYDER..THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU SEE FANS ASKING TO TRADE THERE LEADING SCORER..SOME PEOPLE SHOULD SHAKE THERE HEAD..

[CerebusClone]

Possible players Montreal could obtain(Only 1 or 2 guys from list):

Marc Savard- Atlanta (Total Offense)

David Legwand- Nashville (Power play, good defensively, YOUNG!)

Jarkko Rutu- Vancouver (Why not he gets under everones skin)

Ed Jovanovski- Vancouver (good defenseman everyone wants)

Cory Sarich- Tampa (Good Defenseman)

Wade Redden- Ottawa (Another Good defenseman everyone wants)

I'd be fine with any of those players except for Savard and Sarich. We don't really need a Sarich type player, unless maybe to replace Souray if he was traded (in that case I think we would need someone better than Sarich), and Savard is so over-rated; if he's stupid enough to sign away from his perfect situation in Atlanta just to get a few more bucks, he'll be the top contender for the flop of the year (Chara being a close runner-up).

Other good players (UFAs) that we could use: Arnott, Salei, Briere (maybe we could sign the Briere-Dumont duo), Peca (if we believe Plekanec can be a number 2), and I'm sure I'll think of a few more after I press "Add Reply".

[InsaneHABSfan]

I'd be fine with any of those players except for Savard and Sarich. We don't really need a Sarich type player, unless maybe to replace Souray if he was traded (in that case I think we would need someone better than Sarich), and Savard is so over-rated; if he's stupid enough to sign away from his perfect situation in Atlanta just to get a few more bucks, he'll be the top contender for the flop of the year (Chara being a close runner-up).

Other good players (UFAs) that we could use: Arnott, Salei, Briere (maybe we could sign the Briere-Dumont duo), Peca (if we believe Plekanec can be a number 2), and I'm sure I'll think of a few more after I press "Add Reply".

Savard would effectively improve the offensive output. I am not sure about his defensive liabilities because I did not see much of him this year. If he could be signed for ~$2mil per season OK. But we know some team would pay him lots of $$$$. Sarich is the same if he is at a reasonable $ value then you have to look.

Montreal should seriously look at Redden like every team because he is young which fits the current roster. Arnott is older and may fit in at the second centre position but I would be wary of a long term contract. Whatever Montreal does in the offseason, I hope they don't mess with the speed they have.

I would hope Tomas Plekanec would get a shot at the #2 centre position because this guy is the real deal. WoW am I impressed with him! This is a good hockey team that finished with 93 points and should be better next year. I expect teams like the Leafs to take a step backwards to rebuild/reload.

[CerebusClone]

Savard would effectively improve the offensive output. I am not sure about his defensive liabilities because I did not see much of him this year. If he could be signed for ~$2mil per season OK. But we know some team would pay him lots of $$$$. Sarich is the same if he is at a reasonable $ value then you have to look.

Montreal should seriously look at Redden like every team because he is young which fits the current roster. Arnott is older and may fit in at the second centre position but I would be wary of a long term contract. Whatever Montreal does in the offseason, I hope they don't mess with the speed they have.

I would hope Tomas Plekanec would get a shot at the #2 centre position because this guy is the real deal. WoW am I impressed with him! This is a good hockey team that finished with 93 points and should be better next year. I expect teams like the Leafs to take a step backwards to rebuild/reload.

I don't like nor trust Marc Savard. The guy has always been known to be a cancer, and he'll be demanding a lot of money because he just had one huge career year playing with the likes of Kovalchuk, Hossa, and Kozlov on powerplays. He's the kind of guy that Carbo and Gainey would hate.

I like Plekanec also, but he can get some good wingers on the third line as well. For example, I could really see a Latendresse-Plekanec-Ryder line hitting it off well, so signing a guy like Arnott doesn't mean that Plekanec cannot get good wingers and more responsibilities. I think we'll need 3 good offensive lines to be competitive, and unless Chipchura impresses at camp, we'll need Plekanec on the 3rd line.

[MAK]

wel already have 3 offensive lines

plekanec-higgins- and perezhogin have all gaineds nhl experience

and kostitsyn's ready an dwe have lapierre who'll be 1st call up

given the fact that zednik- aebischer and ribeiro could be traded for some offensive players and that gainey said he would try to bring free agents in...

we will have an offensive team

[CerebusClone]

wel already have 3 offensive lines

plekanec-higgins- and perezhogin have all gaineds nhl experience

and kostitsyn's ready an dwe have lapierre who'll be 1st call up

given the fact that zednik- aebischer and ribeiro could be traded for some offensive players and that gainey said he would try to bring free agents in...

we will have an offensive team

Once Koivu went down, the team generated ZERO offense. We don't have 3 good offensive lines yet. Granted that Higgins, Plekanec, and Perezhogin have gained experience, and should be expected to increase their production (although I don't see Higgins scoring much more than he did), we still need another center, and some help at the wing positions. Hopefully, Kostsitsyn and Latendresse (I really doubt he'd get a contract after camp) could step in to replace Zednik and Bulis, but we have no one good to play center after Koivu and Plekanec.

[habschris]

I agree Cerebus, the habs still need a center, whether they look for an offensive center or a quality 3rd line center like Peca. Pleks is the wild card as to what kind of center to get. Paired with Kovalev and Perez could be a solid #2 line. With the addition of A Peca (example) Kostitsyn can play on the 3rd line with Murray leaving the fourth line Begin Bonk Downey / Lapierre. This is assuming (which i hope) the following players are no longer here through a trade or just not being resigned. Sundstrom, Ribiero, Zednick, Bulis. I know every one on the board wants Bonk gone but i don't see that happening, he is the only center currently with size and defensively was very good the second half of the year.

Also i think either Rivet or Souray can be replaced by a top notch D man. Komisarek Markov, Dandy Bouillon Cote are solid 3-6 Dmen. They need to get a D to move the puck and skate.

Goatending either Aebi or Huet will be back. definitely 1 will be moved with Danis backing up.

[InsaneHABSfan]

Not sure Kostsitsyn and Latendresse will make the team. What will happen to Chipchura if he does not get a shot? I bet Bob Gainey already has his target free agents in mind and is looking at younger free agents to go with the core. As far as trades, Zed, Bonk etc will generate nothing of real value in return. I think Bonk will stay because of the $$$ factor and hope he has a good year.

Zed will probably be a throw-in with Abby once Huet is signed. Zed does have speed and is a strong guy so he might have some value to a club like Philly or Toronto that have to tilt their rinks when they go on offense. I am just glad to be on this board to see what everyone else thinks as it is an exciting time for the team with the most Stanley Cups.

[CerebusClone]

Not sure Kostsitsyn and Latendresse will make the team. What will happen to Chipchura if he does not get a shot? I bet Bob Gainey already has his target free agents in mind and is looking at younger free agents to go with the core. As far as trades, Zed, Bonk etc will generate nothing of real value in return. I think Bonk will stay because of the $$$ factor and hope he has a good year.

Zed will probably be a throw-in with Abby once Huet is signed. Zed does have speed and is a strong guy so he might have some value to a club like Philly or Toronto that have to tilt their rinks when they go on offense. I am just glad to be on this board to see what everyone else thinks as it is an exciting time for the team with the most Stanley Cups.

My best guess is that Kostsitsyn will start the year in Montreal, Latendresse will be sent back to the minors, and we'll see both Chipchura and Lapierre later on after some time in Hamilton. Personally, I'd rather see all these guys in the lineup instead of guys like Bonk and Zednik that let us down this season and who bring nothing good to this organization; we won't go anywhere with these guys so why waste more time and money on them?

[InsaneHABSfan]

My best guess is that Kostsitsyn will start the year in Montreal, Latendresse will be sent back to the minors, and we'll see both Chipchura and Lapierre later on after some time in Hamilton. Personally, I'd rather see all these guys in the lineup instead of guys like Bonk and Zednik that let us down this season and who bring nothing good to this organization; we won't go anywhere with these guys so why waste more time and money on them?

You make an interesting observation about Chipchura and Lapierre. Would it not be funny if Bonk and Zed were eventually demoted to Hamilton to be replaced by the two younger players?

Chipchura may not be the fastest guy in the world but he is a winner with a winning attitude. If he starts out in Hamilton I will have to go see him play in a Bulldogs uniform.

[Fanpuck33]

Personally, I'd rather see all these guys in the lineup instead of guys like Bonk and Zednik that let us down this season and who bring nothing good to this organization; we won't go anywhere with these guys so why waste more time and money on them?

I will agree that Zednik no longer brings anything to the team, because we have better scoring forwards and his defensive play is not that great.

With Bonk, however, I am sick of the criticism against him. He was not brought in to score goals and put up a lot of points. He was brought in to provide size and defence. He did both quite well, as we was a mainstay of the team's penalty kill. He struggled for the first half of the season playing with a bad groin, which ended up being torn. You can't expect a guy to produce on one leg. Once he was recovered, his defensive play was very strong, which is what is called for from a 3rd liner.

Would we have liked more offense for him? Sure. Would Gainey have liked more offense? Sure. I'm sure even Radek himself would have liked to produce more. Thing is, he was not brought in to be an offensive force. I am more than happy with him as our center on the third line and I expect that his complete lack of offense this season was simply an aberation.

Main point: He did not exceed Gainey's expectations, meaning he didn't live up to the expectations of the fans, whose expectations were far greater than Gainey's.

[CerebusClone]

I will agree that Zednik no longer brings anything to the team, because we have better scoring forwards and his defensive play is not that great.

With Bonk, however, I am sick of the criticism against him. He was not brought in to score goals and put up a lot of points. He was brought in to provide size and defence. He did both quite well, as we was a mainstay of the team's penalty kill.

Bonk is a lazy, gutless wonder who plays with no drive or passion whatsoever; you don't win with guys like that. We were so happy to get rid of Juneau because of his lack of offense, but we replaced him with a more expensive guy that hardly produced more. Besides, his 2.5M salary could be the difference between being able to afford a Redden-type player (just an example, he'll probably remain a Sens) or settling for a bum like Danny Markov, or signing a Arnott-type player or being stuck with a Koivu-Plekanec-Bonk trio of centers that won't take us anywhere.

Personally, I would much rather let Chipchura graduate earlier than expected than bringing back a useless bum "defensive" player like Bonk... a monkey could become a defensive specialist, it just means you can't play offense, but you know how to dump a puck.

[koivu-11]

Bonk is a lazy, gutless wonder who plays with no drive or passion whatsoever; you don't win with guys like that. We were so happy to get rid of Juneau because of his lack of offense, but we replaced him with a more expensive guy that hardly produced more. Besides, his 2.5M salary could be the difference between being able to afford a Redden-type player (just an example, he'll probably remain a Sens) or settling for a bum like Danny Markov, or signing a Arnott-type player or being stuck with a Koivu-Plekanec-Bonk trio of centers that won't take us anywhere.

Personally, I would much rather let Chipchura graduate earlier than expected than bringing back a useless bum "defensive" player like Bonk... a monkey could become a defensive specialist, it just means you can't play offense, but you know how to dump a puck.

You know nothing...defensive specialists are specialists , they know where to go , they know where to be they know how long to hold the puck in there zone. They block shots, i agree that bonk is wayyy over paid but he plays what he is givien and the amount of ice time. And if you think bonk is a lazy bum that doesnt do anything for the team and you think monkeys can become defensive spcialists.Well then im sure u feel the same way about begin right?