Official Off Season Thread

[bombTHEice]

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.

And what about guys who've lots of problems in their own zone and only can rely on their offencive skills (ala Ribeiro & Co.)?

There are specialists on both sides and a team needs both of them. Not everyone is a good two-way forward, it's as simple as that.

[InsaneHABSfan]

And what about guys who've lots of problems in their own zone and only can rely on their offencive skills (ala Ribeiro & Co.)?

There are specialists on both sides and a team needs both of them. Not everyone is a good two-way forward, it's as simple as that.

Very nicely said!

I think many here (including me) had the wrong perception of Bonks abilities when traded to Montreal. Montreal's experiment with Bonk was to have a BIG centre to take on other teams BIG centre defensively (I thought he was going to be a scorer). He was not acquired to put up 100 points. You have to seriously ask yourself how he could perform this feat considering Montreal did not even have an 80point player this year.

If you just forget Bonk's salary, then expectations would not be so high. I too understand that it sometimes looks like he is a big useless log on the ice. Watching him in the corners with one or two guys on him frees up another player in front of the net. Maybe this year he will be a little better offensively if Montreal sets up 3 good offensive lines. I was dissapointed in Koivu too, but he is the captain and a fearless leader which makes me want to watch him play. No player is perfect, they just have to work hard and there will be rewards in the playoffs.