Latest on the Canadiens, Wild, Flyers and Red Wings.
Can the Canadiens find a first-line center?
RDS.CA: Francois Gagnon notes Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin expressing the difficulty in landing a first-line center via trade. While Bergevin claims the last major center to be acquired in a trade was San Jose trading for Joe Thornton, Gagnon points out the Dallas Stars in the past two years acquired Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. He suggests Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin could be available if the Penguins decide to restructure their roster to remains among the NHL’s elite team, though he also acknowledged it would be difficult to acquire Malkin. Gagnon also acknowledges it won’t be easy for Bergevin to find that elusive top-line center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, the Stars acquired Seguin and Spezza, but only because the circumstances worked in their favor. For starters, at the time of the Seguin trade he was considered a promising player who had yet to reach his potential amid rumors he enjoyed the nightlife too much. The move was a bit of a gamble on the Stars part, though it did pan out better than expected. As for Spezza, there was only a limited number of teams he was willing to accept being dealt to, and the Stars just happened to be on his list.
Yes, Malkin would definitely address the Habs need for a first-line center. He would also address that need for at least a dozen other NHL clubs. Perhaps the Penguins will one day try to move Malkin, but they very clearly stated their intent to keep him several weeks ago and I see no indication they’re changing their minds.
While Bergevin was merely stating the obvious when using his Playstation analogy about the difficulty of acquiringa first-line center, that doesn’t mean he won’t try. He’s a GM who usually plays his cards close to the vest, as he demonstrated with his acquisitions of Thomas Vanek and Jeff Petry. Bergevin will shop around for a top center but it remains to be seen if he can find one.
Could the Edmonton Oilers trade Nail Yakupov this summer for a defenseman?
Yakupov for Spurgeon?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance noted the Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson suggesting the Oilers offer up winger Nail Yakupov to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Jared Spurgeon. While noting Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has been bold in trading young players before when GM of the Boston Bruins (Phil Kessel, Tyler Seguin), he could be more restrained after Seguin blossomed in Dallas.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Michael Russo reports the basis of Matheson’s suggestion was an e-mail discussion between the two speculating over possible deals between the Oilers and Wild to address their respective needs. Russo points out there are no sources for this as it was merely two hockey writers chatting about what could make sense for both clubs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Chiarelli will try to bolster his club’s defense via trade or free agency this summer. If he intends to draw upon his depth in talent young forwards, Yakupov seems the likely candidate. We should have a clearer picture of Chiarelli’s plans, and if the Wild could be part of it, in a little over a month’s time, when the playoffs are over and the draft weekend approaches.
Updates on the Flyers.
CSNPHILLY.COM: Tim Riday recently responded to reader questions over the offseason plans of the Philadelphia Flyers. When Flyers GM Ron Hextall would like to add a skilled winger, preferably at left wing, to play on the club’s top line, Riday notes there’s not many options available via trade or free agency to address that need. “Left wingers Erik Cole, Scottie Upshall, Curtis Glencross, Sean Bergenheim and Matt Beleskey are all set to become free agents. The top FA right wingers include Martin St. Louis, Michael Ryder, Joel Ward, Justin Williams and Drew Stafford,” write Riday, who suggests their best option could be giving Michael Raffl a shot on the top line next season. Regarding Vincent Lecavalier, Riday acknowledges he’s a prime candidate to move because of the Flyers’ need to shed salary, but doubts there will be many suitors for the fading star.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hextall’s priority is to make room for one or two of his promising young blueliners next season. He’ll have an easier time trying to move Luke Schenn or Nicklas Grossmann than Lecavalier, whose contract and declining skills makes him very difficult to trade. If Hextall does go shopping for a scorer he’ll either have to move one of his good salaried players or pursue a more affordable option. I concur with Riday that Hextall’s best option could be Raffl.
What will the Red Wings do with Weiss?
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan recently reports the Detroit Red Wings must decide in the next four-to-six weeks if Stephen Weiss ($4.9 million per season) remains part of their plans for next season. If he doesn’t, they’ll either have to trade him (which could involve retaining part of his remaining salary) or a contract buyout. The buyout period is June 15-30.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Weiss was rumored to be part of the Wings trade-deadline pitch for Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Dion Phaneuf. They could try offering him up again for Phaneuf, or in another deal involving a swap of toxic contracts. Otherwise, their best course of action is a buyout.
I think this is the summer Montreal finally gets a superstar centre for Emelin and Tinordi.
You’re joking right? Emelin or Tinordi? LMAO
If I had a superstar to trade I’d be asking a lot more then those two.
if the insinuation is malkin, it’ll be along the line of fucale, boullieau, mccarron, two firsts for him. two 4-7 dmen wont do it
From where and for who?
I don’t think its as easy as just deciding you want one. It would be nice if it was.
Canadiens should be on the lookout for a 1st line C, but don’t hold your breath. It has little chance of materializing. Price made the team look much better than it is. Unsourced GMs considered this years Canadiens closer to 8 seed than 1-2 seed if another starting goalie. Even Therrien called them pretenders and not contenders. Montreal needs to keep all their good prospects, both on D and forward. They are not near winning the cup with this particular team. Therrien exhausted all avenues in match situations but was still a distance away. He can’t get more from current team but must develop more talent to even out minutes and have threats from more places. The team would be even farther away if trading away good prospects for a single player.
unsourced gms!! lmao!!
hehe. 😀 glad to be of service!
With the number of “damn – I wish I didn’t have it” contracts held by teams like Detroit and Philadelphia (and they’re not alone), it would take deals made in heaven to see any of these move in the off-season (and certainly GM of the Year consideration for any GM that pulls it off) based mainly on cap considerations. In descending order based on the $/term (only those with more than 1 year left) here are some I think fit that category:
Toronto: Kessel – $8 mil to 2021-22; Phaneuf $7 mil to 2020-21; Lupul $5,250,000 to 2017-18;
Carolina: Semin $7 mil to 2017-18;
San Jose: Thornton – $6.750,000 to 2017-18; Marleau – $666,666, 667 to 2017-18;
Minnesota: Vanek – $6,500,000 to 2016-17;
L.A.- Rihards $5,750,000 to 2019-20;
Florida: Boland – $5,500,000 to 2018-19;
Columbus: Clarkson – $5,250,000 to 2019-20;
Philadelphia: MacDonald – $5 mil to 2019-20; Lecavalier – $4,500,000 to 2017-18;
Detroit: Weiss – $4,900,000 to 2017-18;
New Jersey: Clowe – $4,850,000 to 2017-18;
Pittsburgh: Scuderi – $3,375,000 to 201617;
Ottawa: Greening – $2,650,000 to 2016-17.
Not saying none of these will move – and some may even be bought out if possible – but with that many which teams would love to see gone and so many teams snug against the cap as it is, it will take a magician.
I kinda see it another way, I do agree those are some big contracts that would be impossible to swap 1 for 1 for a good deal but I think there are some savy GMs that could make use or take advantage of bad deals simply because there are so many of them, sure after a year like they had last year guys like Kessel Phaneuf Vanek and some of the others look impossible to move, but lets face it alot of those guys got overpaid for a reason, maybe a GM of say nj who needs scoring thinks a guy like avanek helps and if he can get rid 8f a contract like Clowe and another smaller 9art it acts kinda as a buffer to the deal, just an example not daying something like that happens but as y8u pointed uot there are n8w sooo many 8f these deals and so few quality UFAs it could actually stimulate some trades that were n8t really available prior.
this is foolish. teams will bid for kessel, phaneuf and thorton. clarkson already was traded so thats not right (as crazy as that was). gomez was one of the worst contracts in history and he was moved. while i agree some contracts are horrible and unimaginable but unmoveable? you are wrong. teams would line up to get thorton if he were available. phaneuf and kessel will get traded with a crap contract maybe coming back. should nonis get GM of the year for getting rid of clarkson’s contract?
Should Nonis get GM of the year for that deal?? If he had thought of it, perhaps. But it was Jarmo Kekalainen who pointed out TO Nonis the advantages (financially) to both teams. Unless there’s another Horton kind of uninsured contract floating around, I seriously doubt anyone takes Clarkson at that price and term. Sure teams would bid for Thornton – but he’s made it clear he’s NOT going to wave his no-trade/no-movement clauses to leave San Jose (same with Marleau). But that doesn’t change the fact that SJ considers them both financial hindrances to improving them roster.
You may be right about Kessel and Phaneuf finding new homes this summer – but I wouldn’t advise holding your breath. We’ll see.
matty nonis gm of the year and his team fires him?? lmao the only thing he did with clarksons trade was get a guy whose contract is equally as bad but probably will never play again clb made that trade not nonis
in no way did i mention that i believed nonis should win gm of the year. i simply argued georges point
@George, ya ya we get it, you are not a Kessel fan. But the truth is there are many teams who would like to have him, he will net a good return for the Leafs and no he is not grossly overpaid. He has the kind of talent that with a change of scenery he could very well finish in the top 10 in scoring this year and top 5 in goals. He may very well be the only player of that calibre available. He is just entering his prime. You mention his conditioning a lot – if that’s an issue it hasn’t altered the fact that he has explosive speed off the rush. You may have selective memory, it seems to me he has lit up the Sens on multiple occasions. His defensive effort has been lacking but that can be taught, you cant teach scoring touch. The Leafs aren’t regretting his contract, they are rebuilding and need younger assets. There will be plenty of teams interested.
There may be a “bad” contract coming back simply because the kind of team that could most use him would be a contending team that is probably close to the cap. The Leafs cam afford to take back contracts in exchange for futures because their horizon is 3-4 yrs off.
co…we know your love of kessel but do you really think there is a lot of teams interested in kessel?? never reached 40 very one dimensional conditioning is a factor he might be able to skate fast towards the opposing goalie but coming back he is winded all for 8million?? I don’t think there are as many teams as you think
I don’t think you acquire phil kessel to kill penalties. That being said there are 29 other gms who would like to update their clubs and kessel is one of handful of players who represent an upgrade in skill, the free agents being basically all depth players. 40 goals? How many players who have reached 40 goals are on the marjet? Think Kessel with Ovie and Backstom. That would be the most dangerous line in the league.
Frankly I’m pissed with Kessel for giving up this past season. But I still recognize, like real hockey people do that he’s a rare talent. If you want an analogy think of when Jeff Carter was traded from Columbus to LA. People said his contract was an albatross. He had injury issues, there were questions about his commitment, he was thought of as a one-dimensional scorer. No one says that anymore. Being part of a winning team does that.
Ok I’ll stop writing now.
You’re right. I’m not a Kessel fan. Just as I’m not a Crosby, or Stamkos or Tavares “fan” to use just 3 examples. But my view on Kessel isn’t based upon his lack of offensive ability. IF he was making that kind of money with 3 years to go, then yes, they’d be lined up to take him in a deal. BUT he has SEVEN more years at $8 mil per and that is what I see as causing caution in the minds of other GMs. His lackadaisical approach to conditioning is not exactly a secret and while that may not hinder him for the next couple of years (he’ll be 28 next October) I think most GMs are calculating what might happen once he hits his early 30s and the proverbial brick wall. I know some will take exception to the fact I keep comparing him to Dany Heatley. But the fact is, Kessel has never even come close to Heatley’s early success (successive seasons of 50, 50, 41, 39, 39, 26, 24 goals) and when he hit 31 years of age his lack of attention to conditioning stopped him cold. He’s now in the AHL at age 34. What many GMs are probably wondering is, what will I have on my hands at an annual cap hit of $8 mil and still with 3 or 4 years to go?
Apples to oranges George. There were 5 players who scored 50 goals the year Heatley did. 12 scored 40. Kessel has 5 30+ goal seasons. Equally dominant on a weaker team. Kessel is 27. He still has at least 3-4 30 goal seasobs in him. I think you can worry about seasons 6-7 later. Frankly by that time tha average salary is likely to be up around 4-5 mil anyway. He’s not going to team like OTT anyway but to a team with money to spend contract will not be an issue.
And there it is folks. The irrational “Ottawa Paranoia” seemingly a fatal disease amongst certain of LeafsNation. What the hell does Ottawa have to do with the equation? Murray would want Kessel – even if a trade there was possible – like he needs a hole in the head. He’s a one-dimensional skating Pilssbury doughboy who will “fat” himself out long before he reaches 4 more “30+ goal seasons.” Even the American World Hockey team didn’t want that One-Way Wonder on their team. There ya go – that make you feel better about my perceived “anti-Kessel” stance so that now you can put everything I said down to simple dislike? Jaysus, get a life.
Get real George, listen to yourself. You clearly hate the Leafs, and hate “pillsbury dough boy” Kessel just admit your bias. You feel obliged to comment ever time Toronto is mentioned. You even bring up Toronto names so you can slam them. Thank you so much for contribution. Fact is we will all take it with a heaping of salt. I dont think you Ottawa trolls even like your team more than you just hate Toronto. I say most of the League would gladly have Kessel on their team regardless of his defensive shortcomings to date because he is one of the most talented and productive right wingers in the game and talented players who can produce are in very short supply in this nhl. I know you feel differently. I guess time will prove one of us wrong.
And the sarcasm went “whoosh” – right over your head. I will try and state it in simple terms – I – Do – not – hate – the – Leafs – or – Kessel. In fact I am totally indifferent to them. What I voice my opinion on is repeated suggestions that teams will be lining up to take on three of the worst contracts in Leafs history – Kessle, Phaneuf and Lupul – at a time when teams that could find room for their talents are either smack up against the cap limits or are rebuilding themselves and want no part of albatross contracts that they then would have trouble moving if they don’t pan out. In other words, the term risk factor. PERIOD. There was an underlying reason why Nonis lost his job, you know.
Looking at the crop of FA’s it does seem that the cupboard is extremely bare. Going to be most likely a trade frenzy come draft day. I’m Impressed that GM Nill did manage to get two top line centers with Seguin and Spezza in back to back offseasons. I think GM Bergevin will pull off a blockbuster type to fill that top line.
I like draft day but it’s not as interesting anymore as teams have pretty much stopped trading 1st rounders. That eliminates most blockbuster deals of the past. Also the cap hinders movement. But maybe we’ll have interesting trades anyway. Still hoping for it.
It seems that with the cap growth slowing and some big long term contracts being up, the power balance shifts as teams previously possessing talent on moderately priced contracts can’t keep them all going forward. It will be interesting to see the power balance in the league as some teams loose elite talent while others keep theirs plus adding some. The window for winning in todays NHL is much narrower than previous eras. It’s almost getting to be as bad as gunning for the playoffs and hoping for the best…almost. The parity has made all player transactions very interesting. Even the minor ones.
Denne, you hit the hammer on the nail.
With the new nhl:
Lets say youre bottom of the league…it will take you 5 years to acquire and if lucky build a core group. It will then take another 5 years to gain playoff experience and fill holes vets to contend…
Two new Major problems, no one is trading good players (as you said) and by the time you do make a run (your in salary cap issues and probably need to change right when your ready to contend)
I mean unless your chicago / LA / other, your chances are 3 in 30 to win or at least be in finals.
That means 27 other teams that follow the new NHL rebuild and draft model will fail anyways unless your rebuild or luck is precise.
You have just as much luck trading picks for vets each year.
Draft Schmaft! Odds are the same really (very bad).
Dumb owners
Yeah, it’s interesting how it all has developed.
LA has had this window of opportunity that has seemed could go on forever, but it won’t. Already the salary of Richards has handcuffed their GM a little bit to retool for another legit stanley cup run. Also the window is NOT as wide as people think. It isn’t completely tied into players age/ability like previous eras, but their contracts as well. Kopitars contract is up for next summer (2016). He will break the bank on that one. That will domino LA to decimate their roster even more for elite talent, while replacing with unproven cheaper talent that may or may not perform. All the while, Richards contract might still be an albatross, hampering needed additions for the GM.
Soon Kane, Toews are on their new contracts ($10.5M). That and Seabrooks contract coming up make for interesting watch. Something must give if you don’t want to be too top talent heavy. Vermette is probably leaving as well. Is Sharp on the trade block? These guys can be resigned but that will push others out. This will all have negative effects on the Blackhawks roster. Additionally, Hossa isn’t getting any younger (36y/o). When does he slow down? Will Chicago really be the measuring stick of NHL 2017-18?
Chiarelli finding a defenseman through free agency? Oilers need a top defenseman, not another 5-6 dman playing key minutes. That will require the Oil trading one of their young players.
Exactly. And he won’t bring in an ace by dangling Yakopov – even with a draft pick included. He’s going to have to deal at least one of his $6 mil dollar men.
And just as an aside, for those defending Yakopov as a valid # 1 who “will blossom” – in 192 nhl games he has 42 goals or an average of 0.2 goals per game. A former # 1 named Alexandre Daigle had 67 goals in 263 games played for an average of 0.3 goals per game. And we all know where his career went.
George… yak might not be a valid #1 but he can and will score goals in the nhl comparing him to daigle isn’t a good comparison
Harder to score in todays game. Still don’t think Yak will ever become a great player.
Based on the stats so far, it most certainly is. And will remain so until he shows otherwise. Don’t forget that Daigle was the UNANIMOUS # 1 in his draft year after dominating the Q – Ottawa just happened to be the one picking first. Much like when the Habs took Wickenheiser in his draft year after dominating the WHL. As Forest Gump allegedly colined – “s*&t happens.”
I agree Yak has been less than impressive. But he was wise and signed a beautiful two year contract that will be very compelling to a contending team. Yak + a 1rst round pick may convince a team like Chicago who needs to drop salary to part with a D man. Or a team like Ottawa to part with a goalie. Will Seabrook bring in more than that. Can Ottawa offer what the oilers want? Maybe, Maybe not, but those two teams are pretty much opposite ends of a spectrum and I can see them both being interesting in Yak + a 1rst round. Therefore I can see alot of teams interested in that. However his deal also allows the oilers to hang on to him and I expect if Yak is traded it would be attached to a pick and a great return or he isnt’ going anywheres.
Chiarelli won’t trade Yakupov until his value is up. That means keeping him through at least the first half of next year, probably the whole year. When teams see value in Yaks and offer accordingly, Chiarelli will pull the trigger. Not until then.
denne… that makes no sense so when yak starts scoring and his contracts at 2.5 million then he trades him???
Yeah, Chiarelli might end up keeping him. But I believe a likely scenario is Yaks will score in bunches while being inconsistent during 82 games. That will still mean that he’s disposable while having intrinsic value. Chiarelli will get a better return by showcasing Yaks more and waiting to pull that trigger.
What I was trying to say, I believe that Chiarelli and other GMs like Yaks but Oilers needs in other areas will eventually force him out. Just my opinion on it.
yak for phaneuf
Perhaps. What puzzles me is that a player like J Petry was abysmal in Edmonton and now considered as a fine “top 4” D-man. Oilers are seeking “top 4” D but already had that player and it was far from great. There are bigger problems than just player personnel in Oiler land. If trading for another “top 4”, that would probably end in the same problems if not handling him differently. Let’s hope the new organization and coach can get the players closer to reaching their potential.
ARrRRGGTGG!!!! Petry wasn’t abysmal on the Oilers. I am on record of saying he looks like a good Defensmen struggeling on a bad team. I always said Petry was a good Defensemen. It is no surprise in front of a Vezna Goolie and on a confident team he would excell.
Hehe 🙂
I also knew Petry was a good defenseman. If looking objectively, sure. But was he playing well for Oilers? No, he was under the ice many games I watched them. Bad mistakes and looked lost/had given up. Both statements are true. Reality is the darnest thing. I just realized it’s not black and white. Hallelujah!
I think Edmonton can get at least 1 Dman with out moving any of their young forwards today.
Again I raise Pittsburgh’s 1st for Spurgeon. That & a borderline prospect should entice Fletcher as Minnys Cap issue is coming to bare fast. They can sneak in under the cap for 2015-16 but in 2016-17 someone has to go.
With Suter, Brodin, Scandella & Dumba, Minny can afford to move Surgeon who has 1 year left on his current contract but then is an RFA that will command a significant raise.
What seriously. you realize that kind of talk is not allowed in this forum. LOL
This was the calendar year four seemingly ageless hockey players just aged. RIhP (rest in hockey peace) A Markov, Z Chara, M StLouis, D Boyle. Long live the new ageless king, Jaromir Jagr.
you forgot dion and phil the downward spiral has begun with there inflated contracts
It was more pointed towards players that are old but have consistently played beyond their age (i.e. old but hasn’t look aged until now). Dion and Phil is not applicable. They are way too young. Their situation is they just suck. 😉
lol
Phaneuf and Kessel for Markov
Toronto wins cup
FU!
FU! Felix Unger?
The Habs need to shake things up and get elite Centre. Long shot but go to nyi who need wingers cause there prospect pool is thin and Habs can give it up. Mtl: taveres and delcole
Nyi: patches,pleks/eller/dd, Hudon,renway/liekinon/andridhetto,beaulieu/tin orde. Can throw in fucale picks to get it done.They get NHL players to put in line up right away and fill the wing prospect pool with good NHL ready players. This should be Habs gm big move and patches goes home to new York cause he doesn’t show up when it counts for Habs.
More realistic is go to sj for Logan couture, sj have talked of trading him and he would be a better Centre then what Habs have now
It’s easy to theorize but to get two GMs to pull the trigger on such a major deal involving so many players and salary is virtually impossible. These blockbuster trades seldom happen. It’s much easier to conduct a 1 for 1 trade or similar. It’s hard to evaluate overall assets and make salaries work otherwise. To illustrate; The biggest trade in recent memory, Kane-Bogosian deal was really two separate deals and not one giant one. Both Cheveldayoff and Murray alluded to that. (Bogosian for Myers, Kane for the rest) It was made at the same time so it appeared like one huge transaction.
Outside Playstation it’s impossible to get the other teams’ value for your teams garbage. It’s not like a trade meter where you can add and add and add until the other GM ok the deal. No no1 C is available I know of. Closest thing is maybe J Thornton could be had? 🙂 Funny someone didn’t call Bergevin on that during the press conference since Thornton was mentioned.
It was a long time ago Couture was available. He hasn’t been available since his strong playoff performance 2013.
To say what mtl was given up is garbage is completely dumb. Patches has been top4- 5 goal scorer in league last few seasons with the best contract (4.5 for 4 years). Mtl would give up a lot but it fills all the needs of nyi for prospect pool. They would only take on 3 contracts that are not crazy. Buy again it’s a long shot and something mtl should look at cause they have a lot of young good prospects that look certain for nhl where nyi dont
Sorry, didn’t get that ‘Patches’ was Pacioretty. You named your whole team there. Well, I consider those proposals very far fetched anyhow. No no1 center stud is available unfortunately. Once a no1 C develops, teams never let them go. The best you could hope for is Galchenyuk at C, then sign a no2 center, perhaps like Vermette. Galchenyuk, Vermette, Plekanec would be fine down the middle. But Canadiens are additional players away from contending.
If the Habs are not going to make a big trade and just a small adjustment trade on offense then they should lock up the d core for years to come and make trades and draft focusing on offense.
1st lock up petry as 3rd d
and go trade for OEL(since they want 1st pick next year for home boy mathews)
Or
Josi from Nashville as Nash needs offense and set on d.
That way you get rid of Markov and emilin and have one of the best d core in the NHL with
Josi subban
Bealieu petry
gilbert/tinord pateryn
price
It’s a young talented d core with good contracts that have at least 6 years of playing together with price behind them. This d could get you to cup finals and gives Habs a good 3 years to find that big offensive piece to put them over the top. Since Habs are focused on d first strategy.
Who would you trade for those 2 ? Habs fans, lol
Maybe you should go back to school and learn to read! It says one of the two, and Habs could get josi + for patches alone. Topical no knowledge post of someone who just hates on Habs I guess, I never said I was a Habs fan did I. So the laugh is on you for your dumb post wtv fan you are lol
Bob, IMHO the best thing the Habs could do would be changing coach to someone that would lean towards developing their youth movement. I’m suggesting this since you can’t solve this in a trade.
Therrien has exhausted all avenues in Montreal. There’s no upside to his method from here. Therrien came as close as he could, riding a mega goaltending performance. Canadiens are several impact players from winning the cup. They are not one player away. Even Therrien alluded to this and he called themselves ‘pretenders’. Canadiens would need a whole youth movement, moving the club to greater heights. Therrien wouldn’t be helpful for such needs with the way he coaches. He’s coaching like it’s no tomorrow. That’s fine and all, but the GM must make sure a longer perspective is fulfilled. When does coaching get counter-productive to the longer goal?
I just don’t see progress enough from Canadiens roster youth. They are needing more from them (both roster + call-ups). It would be nice to come to a position where ice time is more balanced among top three lines. All while avoiding a stark performance drop-off, which is not possible at the moment. It would relieve pressure on Subban, Markov, Pacioretty and so forth – the ones Therrien currently over-exhaust. Letting a prime prospect like Galchenyuk learn at C position for greater durations would likely pay off in time. An internal option for a no1 C makes sense since there is no option on the trade market. Signing a top 4 D-man would help so their top pairing doesn’t have to play the whole game.
You won’t solve this with one big trade. Canadiens need to keep every prospect they currently have (grow within) + add to it. There’s much work still left for Bergevin.
Of course your right, it’s clear for all to see that the coach and his dumb plan is the problem but since gm said he backs the coach and the team is defense first why not go and get a top d like josi so it’s locked up for years. Since Habs arnt developing tier prospects well enough and given a chance, they could trade away some as they have a deep pool of good nhl ready prospects.
Look at Nashvilles expiring contracts for their top 4 D. A trade will not be imminent until NEXT off-season, just before the new contract extensions will kick in.
Yeah, the more I think about it, it will really hurt Canadiens down the line to keep Therrien as coach. His methods do not benefit development for creative young forwards. Canadiens need scoring and better center depth. Therrien must patiently develop NHL scoring talent or he will throw away some of Price’s best years. It’s not smart for Bergevin to keep Therrien while so many good coaches are available right now. The timing would be quite good for a coaching change in Montreal.
Sheldon Keefe to coach leafs? Heckuva an OHL junior mgt team the leafs have!
What to do with Weiss all hinges on where Babcock will be coaching next season. If he is back with the Wings they have to get rid of him (along with Kindl, Smith, Jurco ect…) as he doesn’t like them and will never put them in a position to earn their contracts or even just get better. If Babcock leaves then they can keep those guys and they might actually contribute more and gain some value.
For all the talk about how great Babcock is, he sure is stubborn like nobody else and will try to hammer a square peg into a round hole until it either fits or breaks and becomes worthless. He has done that with plenty of players and continues to do so. Personally I hope he moves on from Detroit and Blashill takes over.
“While Bergevin claims the last major center to be acquired in a trade was San Jose trading for Joe Thornton, Gagnon points out the Dallas Stars in the past two years acquired Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza.”
Sneaky little frenchie, circumventing contract tampering like that
Thorton to Montreal?
Wow typical dumb asses
Since 3 years ago, sitting at 27th? overall, Montreal drafted Galchenuk and signing bergevin and therrion…
From there made it to 5-8th? made playoffs, (won 1 round then price got smashed)
Then this year made top 5 teams in league with price and vezina talk) and won 1 round again)
Now media (montreal and all others) want big changes….idiots
Maybe you should watch hockey and how the Habs play. They ran out of steam cause the coach plays dumb and chase when they don’t have the players for it. And it’s all the media and hockey experts that say this cause its clear to see. It is living in the past with that system as Habs are a fast transition team on ice. It is boring hockey which ppl don’t like and have stopped watching. More importantly is the youth players don’t get a chance for one mistake and they are in the press box. Some players don’t like him as he has clear favorites that he goes to while not playing the ones that should be playing like galchenyuk. He has a good record but he clearly won’t take a team to the cup finals and won as he is out coached and refuses to change or adjust the system during the game. Relying on price and trying to score 1 goal is not smart hockey. Think he will be fired after next season as he will lose the room but all the great coaches will be taken by then and Habs will lose out.
This talk of him great with youths cause look what he did in pit is a joke as if Crosby and malkin needed him to be the superstars they are. He is so arrogant he never takes the blame thinking he is the best and blames the players all the time. He runs scared from questions as he has not talked to the press. OK record but never a Stanley Cup winner as he can’t be smart enough to change things up mid game and try different things
Wouldnt expect you to understand hockey as you say your assbackwards. Results dosent mean there isnt bad hockey as results don’t show the big picture and how one plays. The only reason they had great year was cause price had his best ever and the coach shouldn’t be given credit for that just like credit for developing Crosby malkin. He is lucky to have the players to save his assistant and make him look good