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Post by CentreHice on May 29, 2014 22:02:13 GMT -5
Finally, a sound foundation to build upon.
The near future looks good.
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Post by Disp on May 29, 2014 22:13:55 GMT -5
We have holes on d.
Markov isn't worth the money he wants.
Gorges is a good 5-6 pker.
BooBoo, Murray and Weaver are filler types.
If NB is considered more game ready than Tinordi, we are in for some major growing pains.
PK is obviously fine and Emelin is pretty solid.
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Post by CentreHice on May 29, 2014 22:14:10 GMT -5
Weise is a gimme to re-sign.
Budaj and Pleks....trade at the draft.
In terms of height....the only two shorter players I want to see next season are Gallagher and DD.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 29, 2014 22:35:57 GMT -5
Right on ... have to find out what Subban is asking for ... would look at Matt Moulson ... Markov, yes ... Weaver and Weise, yes ... hard to say who's gone ... who's staying ... the team could look totally different next year ... might just work out that way ... Edit: I really like the direction the team is going ... I'd say Bergevin might be just a bit ahead of schedule ... looking forward to golf this summerr and training camp in Septemper ...
Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on May 29, 2014 22:48:58 GMT -5
___________-DESHARNAIS-PACIORETTY GALLAGHER-GALCHENYUK-_________ ____________-ELLER-PRUST BOURNIVAL-WHITE-WEISE
(MOEN?? PARROS??)
GORGES-SUBBAN MARKOV??-EMELIN TINORDI-BEAULIEU
(WEAVER?? PATERYN??)
PRICE-TOKARSKI
=============================================================
GONE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER: GIONTA, BRIERE, BOUILLON, BOURQUE (capitalize on his playoffs at the draft), PLEKANEC (look to move at the draft...playoff soft), MURRAY, BUDAJ.
VANEK??? All depends upon how much he wants....and whether or not MB can get him the support he needs. Can always use a sniper. Pacioretty could use that support, too...because he's certainly not the gritty, power-forward, warrior type. We need a "Todd Bertuzzi in his prime" type of player but I'd settle for another Weise-type.
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Post by sergejean on May 29, 2014 23:05:16 GMT -5
I don't think I'll ever forgive Gainey for giving away McDonagh but obviously we have to move on and find a way to upgrade our defense. We should insert Beaulieu and Tinordi into our line-up next year in replacement of Gorges and Bouillon. I would keep Subban, Markov, Emelin, Beaulieu, Tinordi and Weaver. Not sure if any good ufa defenseman is available but a solid number two or three is needed.
Galchenyuk should be moved to center. Keep Desharnais, Pacioretty, Gallagher, Eller, Galchenyuk, Weise and Bournival and see what you can get for Prust, Bourque, Plekanec, Moen and Briere. Let Gionta and Vanek walk away.
In goal it's easy. Price is the man and Tokarski seems like an improvment on Budaj. Try trading Budaj.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2014 23:18:45 GMT -5
Oh lord.
Do not read the comments of any post-game reports you find on TSN or canadiens.com. It's littered with angry Bruins fans and Leafers who apparently have nothing better to do.
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Post by Disp on May 29, 2014 23:21:45 GMT -5
I know we all love what Toker did, but there is only one net. He obviously made a good impression . I wonder how much he'd bring?
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Post by habsorbed on May 29, 2014 23:35:48 GMT -5
I know we all love what Toker did, but there is only one net. He obviously made a good impression . I wonder how much he'd bring? It's worth checking out his value. No point in having him as a back up as he won't get enough playing time to develop as a 24 year old and Price is our man for the foreseeable future. We also have Fucale in the pipeline. Can't see Tokarski's stock getting any higher unless Carey gets hurt in which case disaster has struck.
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Post by habsorbed on May 29, 2014 23:46:12 GMT -5
Gionta has played his last game as a Hab. He did well but time to move on. Who will be our next captain? If we're looking at the current alternates, not sure Markov or gorges will be around. I suspect Gorges will be kept as he's a good utility player but can't give him the 'C'! Markov's never wanted the 'C' anyway. Need an impact player to wear it. Max? Or is he too streaky?
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Post by habsorbed on May 29, 2014 23:51:36 GMT -5
If Vanek is not injured i have no interest. I don't care how good he might be in the regular season. This is about winning Cups which means showing up in the post season. To be demoted to the 4th line and playing less than 10 minutes a game when it's really counts sums it up. Some GM will pay big bucks for that but hopefully not MB.
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Post by PTH on May 30, 2014 0:17:18 GMT -5
My plan for the summer: -Must Keep: Price, Pacioretty, Desharnais, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Subban, Emelin
-Should keep: Weise, Eller, Bournival, Prust, Tokarski
-No real choice for keeping: Bourque, Gorges, Brière, Moen
-Keep if can be signed at an acceptable cost: Vanek, Weaver, White, Markov. In Markov's case it's length more than salary that would worry me. I'd keep Gionta just one more season at a reduced salary, if possible.
-Add next season: Beaulieu and Tinordi in our top 7 D, and move Galchy to center. He needs the puck the way a playmaking scorer gets it, not the way a winger gets it. All 3 moves will hurt short-term but are needed if we're to be a stronger team next playoffs.
-Trade: Plekanec... isn't as critical as he used to be. Let go: Budaj: Don't try and maximise return, just send him somewhere for a soft landing... a popular vet shouldn't be just dumped, he should be sent somewhere that should work for him, not sent to whichever bottomfeeder needs to reach the cap floor. How you treat veterans has an impact on other players.
Let Bouillon go, though he's a backup plan if either Weaver or Markov walk.
Murray is gonzo, and really doesn't have the footspeed (or the hands) for this league anymore.
Parros should retire. ---
The tough calls are going to be White (gotta think current management isn't impressed, given he didn't get a single playoff game), Gionta, Vanek, Markov, along with what to do with Moen and Plekanec. Of course, signing Subban is a no-brainer, but what kind of contract he signs will also be important.
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Post by Cranky on May 30, 2014 1:16:39 GMT -5
I have always supported Pleks but now, he has reached an unaccptable level of not stepping up. He is no better then a utility plauer.
Vanek has no role to us at what he think he os worth. 50or so points is not worth several million.
Gionta use to be a warrior but now is done. Dont want him to take a kids place for whatever declining role he will have.
SIGN Weise and Weiver. Weise is a no brainer and Weiver is a warrior and backup.
Moen is done.
Booboo is done.
Briere is done.
Murray is overdone.
Sign the rest. We need to fill two spots on defence and see if there is at least ONE forward that will move up at camp.
Three kids playing regular and decent plus the rest....and we are back here next year.
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Post by seventeen on May 30, 2014 1:47:47 GMT -5
Never a good idea to say or do anything when one's emotions are still very high or very low. On one of the radio/tv sports talk shows this week they interviewed Terry Ryan. The Habs first rounder Terry Ryan from 1995. He has published a book, I gather, based on journal notes he took during his hockey career. Not terribly interesting to me, except for one segment where he talked about Michel Therrien, who was his coach, probably just before MT took over the Habs head coaching job. I found that Ryan was indeed on the roster of the Fredericton Canadiens in 98/99. He scored 43 points in 55 gamers and had 189 PIM. He liked Therrien and thought he was a good coach, but also had reservations about his 'tactics' as he called them. Not his game tactics, but how he dealt with players. He quoted an example where Ryan had a great game (a goal, fights, a star of the game) and then Therrien didn't dress him in the next game. He told Ryan it was because he wanted to see what other players could give the team. He toyed with players and his reasoning, according to Ryan, was that he could. It was intimidation, pure and simple. Strangely enough (in hindsight anyway), Ryan says he wasn't mad at him, it was just Therrien's way of coaching and trying to get the most out of players.
In this and age, I can't see that being a productive way to coach. Has he learned or is he still doing it? Anyone noticed how Tinordi's been treated this year? It smacks of the same style.
Therrien isn't going anywhere, I understand that, especially when MB was considering an extension. We have seen the results of lack of long term planning, though, and Montreal's depth was sorely tested in this last series. It looked like we were deep enough, but Emelin's injury meant we had to play an inexperienced dman and an over the Hill dman when we could have done better at developing options earlier in the year. But, MT could and he did, toy with Tinordi and to a lesser extent, Beaulieu. I don't know what it will take to sell me on him. Maybe never, maybe a Stanley Cup.
I have to think the team was just finally worn out, though, meaning we need to give Therrien better options. More on that in the next few days after logic re-enters the frame. It was a good run and MT and the boys deserve congratulations and credit for what they managed. The Leaf and Bruin fans can now crow all they want but we can still finger them with the fact we got a lot farther than they did this year. And we're on the way up. In what direction are they heading?
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Post by Douper on May 30, 2014 6:55:20 GMT -5
Give the reigns to the kids.
Patches Desharnais _________ _______ Galchenyuk Gallagher Bourque Eller Weise Prust ________ Bournival
PK Tinordi Emelin Markov Gorges Beaulieu Weaver--Pateryn
Price Tokarski/Budaj
I think De La Rose should get a serious look with Galchenyuk and Gallagher.
Not sure if Statsny plays wing or just centre. He could be interresting.
Vanek, Matt Moulson, Radim Vrbata...There's not much out there.
I am sure there will be a few takers if Pleky gets placed on the market. Bergevin would need to get something REALLY GOOD or else keep him till the deadline.
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Post by BadCompany on May 30, 2014 7:26:54 GMT -5
Just want to say two things, before I formulate my epic off-season game-plan that Bergevin will no doubt follow word-for-word:
* Gotta be careful when it comes to getting rid of too many players. We were relatively healthy this year, so our depth wasn't too tested. We had the depth, but it also wasn't too tested. You never know what could happen over the summer, or who will surprise in training camp (Bournival!) but right now it looks like our forward pipeline is rather bleak. De La Rose and maybe Andrighetto (another smurf) are the two best options, what with the stunning and only slightly less stunning collapses of Louis Leblanc and Gabriel Dumont respectively. And neither De la Rose nor Andrighetto have played an NHL game yet.
* I am not one, nor have I ever really been one, to think that Tomas Plekanec has a lot of trade value. A small, 50 point center who tends to disappear in the playoffs? Sure, he's good defensively, but not so good as to be a Selke candidate. And I don't think he'll ever be a Selke candidate with his rather poor face-offs skills. So I wouldn't expect the moon in a trade for him. Maybe something like Bryan Bickell and a pick would be my expectation. Low, in other words. But that's just me.
EDIT:
Just looking for some "comparable" players to Plekanec, in terms of position, age, production, defensive reputation, and to a lesser extent size.
Plekanec: 43 points, 31 years old
Valteri Filppula: 58 points, 30 years old Jussi Jokinen: 57 points, 31 years old David Legwand: 51 points, 33 years old Mike Fisher: 49 points, 33 years old Ollie Jokinen: 43 points, 35 years old Martin Hanzal: 40 points, 27 years old
And a few others... I'll let somebody else do the advanced-stats comparisons.
Not exactly a murderer's row of must-haves, right? Now that isn't to say that I don't think Plekanec is the best of that lot... but maybe we're just overrating him here. Are teams going to be lining up for the above guys? If not, how much longer is the line going to be for Plekanec?
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Post by blny on May 30, 2014 7:34:00 GMT -5
CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER CapGeek Armchair GM Roster FORWARDS Max Pacioretty ($4.500m) / David Desharnais ($3.500m) / Brendan Gallagher ($0.685m) Thomas Vanek ($7.500m) / Alex Galchenyuk ($0.925m) / Blake Wheeler ($5.600m) Michael Bournival ($0.660m) / Lars Eller ($1.500m) / Dale Weise ($0.788m) Brandon Prust ($2.500m) / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / Travis Moen ($1.850m) Daniel Briere ($4.000m) / DEFENSEMEN Josh Gorges ($3.900m) / P.K. Subban ($8.000m) Andrei Markov ($5.000m) / Alexei Emelin ($4.100m) Nathan Beaulieu ($0.925m) / Jarred Tinordi ($0.870m) GOALTENDERS Carey Price ($6.500m) Peter Budaj ($1.400m) BUYOUTS Tomas Kaberle ($0.000m) Rene Bourque ($1.667m) Scott Gomez ($0.000m) ------ CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter) (estimations for 2014-15) SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $67,869,167; BONUSES: $3,257,500 CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $3,230,833
Oddly enough I'm emotionally even keeled today. Disappointed it's over, but pleased with a good season.
I still feel Plekanec needs to be moved. I don't think we miss much going with DD, Galchenyuk and Eller. We can PK by committee, and a full season of Galchenyuk at center (with his buddy Gallagher and added secondary scoring) will net 50 points from the position I think. Identify a team in need of a veteran do-it-all center and either trade for pick and prospect or the secondary scoring from the wing we need.
I don't trust Bourque to give us a 25 goal season next year, so he's bought out.
There's no replacement in the system for Markov. Beaulieu isn't ready for that much. There isn't a better UFA option - unless you think a 2 years older Dan Boyle is a better fit (he won't be re-signing with San Jose). Bridge with Markov for 2 years.
Weise stays. Qualify him. If he picks up where he left off, and I think he will, negotiate a longer term deal after Christmas.
Weaver stays. He's a third pair, pk, warrior. I'd offer a one year deal for the $1.5 million Francis got, or a 2 year deal at the $1.1 million he made this year. He anchors the third pair with Tinordi and Beaulieu rotating in and out.
It would appear Moen was hurt. He wasn't practicing to my knowledge. He's got 2 years left at $1.85 million. Not great. See if there's a market. If not, I'd either buy him out or "Pronger him" (LTIR for the remainder of his deal). Out of the picture, it would allow Bergevin to get a more capable 4th line center (as White is not the answer and neither is Briere). A guy like McClement would fit. He wins a ton of face offs, and was a serviceable penalty killer for the Leafs too.
Briere - what to do. He managed to get his points in limited action, but he's a liability. Buying him out doesn't get us any cap relief, so he's the 13th forward.
The more I think about it, the more I'd try and move Gorges. I think if anything, the Rangers exposed the fact that we're physically short on D. We weren't able to keep them to the outside enough. Not easy to find big mobile guys. If Berg felt that Tokarski availed himself well enough, and there was buzz in the market, I'd trade him and Gorges to get that bigger mobile guy. Budaj won't fetch much on the market, and he's still a serviceable back up. When his contract is up he shouldn't be hard to replace. Gorges is a shot blocking machine and hard worker. I don't know if Gorges was playing hurt, but 2 own goals in this series and 3 overall in the playoffs. Too much. Addressing needs on D won't be easy regardless. Getting someone big and mobile will cost as much as Markov. In reality, we may have to wait until the deadline next year to make that sort of move, then address more permanently when Briere comes off the books.
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Post by Disp on May 30, 2014 8:06:26 GMT -5
Yup, bigger, more mobile defence. Easier said than done.
I don't understand why Tinordi didn't get a look. He looked like he was ready to step in last year, this year, nada. The coaches obviously felt NB is ahead of him, but watching him last night didn't give me a whole lot of confidence in him. Maybe Tinordi is injured?
Emelin has his warts, but he can close off most guys along the wall. So can PK, and Gorges to a lesser degree. The rest of them not so much. Makes a big difference if you can eliminate them and move the puck the other way quickly. We saw last night what happens if you can't do that and try to move the puck while a team is setup defensively. Damn near impossible.
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Post by jkr on May 30, 2014 8:33:38 GMT -5
Oh lord. Do not read the comments of any post-game reports you find on TSN or canadiens.com. It's littered with angry Bruins fans and Leafers who apparently have nothing better to do. This is more anti Montreal/anti French etc than anything else. People seem to troll the web looking for anything negative about the city or Quebec in general. Anonymity, unfortunately, gives people the ability to vent their bigotry with comments they wouldn't have the courage to make if they saw you face to face. I know some sites require that you use your Facebook account to comment. I think that they feel if you put your name/picture beside the post it will be a little more tempered. Sadly, that's not true. I shouldn't be surprised but thre is a lot of hate/ignorance/misinformation out there that people are happy to spread. Pathetic really.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 30, 2014 9:02:12 GMT -5
Still letting the disappointment sink in. Lots of floaters I don't like but prefer to look forward to potential improvements than vindictive run the asshlle out of town knee jerk reaction. Meet to improve goal scoring, snipers apply here. Speed on defense needs upgrade, goaltending is solid. Rangers showed what can de accomplished with enthusiasm instead of talent and potential. A few more Gallaghers wouldn't hurt.
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Post by CentreHice on May 30, 2014 9:07:19 GMT -5
If not for Tokarski, Bourque doesn't even get a chance for a Game 5 hat-trick. Over-relying on goaltending because of inept dzone coverage/talent/strategies still exists…although to a lesser degree. L.A. or Chicago would've doubled that exposure.
I'll wait til the injury report comes out….but there are a few players in whom I was very disappointed vs. the Rangers.
Chief among them….Pacioretty….so easily neutralized with little push back. If he was healthy…that suggests he'll never bring that aspect to his game. i.e. put the team on his shoulders and battle. Nope…he's a lot closer to Vanek than he is to Subban in that regard. Need a big forward for Max.
Related to that….I still don't think Desharnais can be our #1 centre if a Cup Final is in the cards. 2nd line centre, fine.
Who else has a #1 centre who's 5'7"? The guy's all heart, vision, and smarts…but again, when push comes to shove. he's pushed and shoved. And if he can't get the puck to Max…poof….#1 line neutralized.
Our franchise's statute-of-limitations has to run out on our stature-of-limitations.
=================================
That said…perhaps this run makes acquiring some necessary pieces much easier than it's been in the past.
Players want to come to a winning atmosphere.
Our window is opening.
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Post by Polarice on May 30, 2014 9:32:34 GMT -5
I'm not interested in bringing Markov, Georges, Moen, Briere, Cube, Murray back, I may even let Pleks go if we got something good in return.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2014 9:33:28 GMT -5
Preaching to the choir, CH, regarding our goaltending. Rely on them to make saves and hang on for dear life. We've done that much less than in recent years, but during times of adversity we've needed goaltending to step it up while everybody else watched.
I liked what I saw from Beaulieu, though he's still a work in progress. Tinordi needs to be a regular next season. I'd bring back Markov if it's in a diminished role, and we still don't have enough pure goal scorers not to consider Vanek.
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Post by Gogie on May 30, 2014 9:39:43 GMT -5
If not for Tokarski, Bourque doesn't even get a chance for a Game 5 hat-trick. Over-relying on goaltending because of inept dzone coverage/talent/strategies still exists…although to a lesser degree. L.A. or Chicago would've doubled that exposure. I'll wait til the injury report comes out….but there are a few players in whom I was very disappointed vs. the Rangers. Chief among them….Pacioretty….so easily neutralized with little push back. If he was healthy…that suggests he'll never bring that aspect to his game. i.e. put the team on his shoulders and battle. Nope…he's a lot closer to Vanek than he is to Subban in that regard. Need a big forward for Max. Related to that….I still don't think Desharnais can be our #1 centre if a Cup Final is in the cards. 2nd line centre, fine.
Who else has a #1 centre who's 5'7"? The guy's all heart, vision, and smarts…but again, when push comes to shove. he's pushed and shoved. And if he can't get the puck to Max…poof….#1 line neutralized.
Our franchise's statute-of-limitations has to run out on our stature-of-limitations. ================================= That said…perhaps this run makes acquiring some necessary pieces much easier than it's been in the past. Players want to come to a winning atmosphere. Our window is opening. We have our number one centre - Galchenyuk. Just waiting for it to happen (which should be next season).
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Post by Boston_Habs on May 30, 2014 9:42:26 GMT -5
This is a tricky summer for Marc Bergevin. We're back to the annual quest to find around 240 goals and I'm not sure we can get there.
We are probably losing Vanek and Gionta who combined for almost 50 goals last year on a pro-rated basis. And let's be real about the fact that we became a MUCH better team when we acquired Vanek. Before that we were one of the WORST even strength teams in the league. Among the worst Corsi teams. People seem very casual about letting Vanek walk, which he may anyway, but the REGULAR SEASON MATTTERS! Production over 82 games matters! Does Lars Eller's 13 points in 17 playoff games make you believe he can be a 60-point guy next year after being a huge disappointment during the regular season? I'm certainly not convinced. Can we replace Markov's 40 points if we lose him?
So I would still go hard after Vanek, but I wouldn't go past 5 years. Failing that, we will have a serious problem finding offense. Same with Markov, although I'd love a 2-year deal with him. Just "going with the kids" isn't enough. I want to see another 100-point team next year.
I would also explore trades: I would deal any of Plekanec, Eller, Tinordi, Beaulieu in the right deal. I would love to unload Bourque and/or Briere but we are probably stuck with them.
You can pretty much pencil Boston in for around 50 wins and 100+ points. They are that solid. But I think there is enough uncertainty around this roster that I'm just not sure what we will look like next year or if it will be good enough to beat the Bruins again.
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Post by franko on May 30, 2014 10:22:40 GMT -5
I'm not interested in bringing Markov, Georges, Moen, Briere, Cube, Murray back, I may even let Pleks go if we got something good in return. I expect Markov for 2, Briere because we have him for another, and Gorges [we have him for 3 more] back. If the Cube is back I'll gag -- let the guys move up from the A, let Tinordi play!!!
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Post by BadCompany on May 30, 2014 10:45:28 GMT -5
This is a tricky summer for Marc Bergevin. We're back to the annual quest to find around 240 goals and I'm not sure we can get there. We are probably losing Vanek and Gionta who combined for almost 50 goals last year on a pro-rated basis. And let's be real about the fact that we became a MUCH better team when we acquired Vanek. Before that we were one of the WORST even strength teams in the league. Among the worst Corsi teams. People seem very casual about letting Vanek walk, which he may anyway, but the REGULAR SEASON MATTTERS! Production over 82 games matters! Does Lars Eller's 13 points in 17 playoff games make you believe he can be a 60-point guy next year after being a huge disappointment during the regular season? I'm certainly not convinced. Can we replace Markov's 40 points if we lose him? So I would still go hard after Vanek, but I wouldn't go past 5 years. Failing that, we will have a serious problem finding offense. Same with Markov, although I'd love a 2-year deal with him. Just "going with the kids" isn't enough. I want to see another 100-point team next year. I would also explore trades: I would deal any of Plekanec, Eller, Tinordi, Beaulieu in the right deal. I would love to unload Bourque and/or Briere but we are probably stuck with them. You can pretty much pencil Boston in for around 50 wins and 100+ points. They are that solid. But I think there is enough uncertainty around this roster that I'm just not sure what we will look like next year or if it will be good enough to beat the Bruins again. I agree 100%. I'd bring back Vanek, assuming the cost isn't astronomical. Six years $36 million? I'd do it. If it's not Vanek, then it has to be somebody like him. Somebody capable of scoring 25+ goals. And that's on top of the 25+ goals I'm adding in any hypothetical Beaulieu trade for a 2nd line winger. Remember how the dynamic of this team changed once Vanek was added? He didn't have a great playoffs, that's for sure, but the whole team changed down the stretch when he was added to the top line. It pushed everybody else down into more logical spots and just made the whole team better. He was a first line winger for us. He needs to either be brought back, or replaced with another first line winger. We've tasted the Kool-Aid, you can't take it away now. I'd also bring back Gionta, assuming he'd be willing to take a rather drastic pay-cut. Something in the two years, $6 million range. He's still the captain, and this team is being praised to high-heaven for it's character. If you can't give the captain credit for that then what is the point of naming captains? He's also got to be willing to transition to a 3rd line role of course, but I think he's willing to do that.
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Post by Tankdriver on May 30, 2014 11:12:07 GMT -5
Vanek is getting 7.5+ per year on the open market. I'd do 5 at 38 million
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Post by Boston_Habs on May 30, 2014 11:36:15 GMT -5
We've tasted the Kool-Aid, you can't take it away now. Amen, brutha! That's what success does. The good news it was a great run. The bad news, at least for Bergevin, is that the natives are even more hungry now after this playoff run. In 2010 I think we all knew that conference finals team wasn't that good. Geoff Molson even said just that. But next year is different. There can be no backsliding, "no excuses" like the sign in the locker room from 24CH. It will be Year 3 of the Bergevin regime - just the time when you expect to see the solid foundation of a perennial contender. We have some nice pieces, but we stand to lose some as well. Berg needs to make sure we are right back in the mix next year. And I mean contenders, not just let's hope we can beat out the Leafs, Sens, and Bolts for the last playoff spots. I want to be pushing Boston for the division title. "A player. Or nothing." (Gordon Gekko, Wall Street)
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Post by BadCompany on May 30, 2014 11:37:53 GMT -5
Goalie plan?
Obviously Price is the number one, despite what any tin-foil wearers might suggest. But what happens behind him?
The knee-jerk reaction is to trade Budaj, and that may very well happen. But there is very little value there, so anything more than a 5th round pick would have to be considered an excellent return. And that's not saying much. He would have more value to us as a backup than any 5th round pick would. He's proven to be a GREAT locker room guy, and somebody who can play 15 NHL games without too much trouble.
But then what to do with Tokarski? Despite the playoff heroics I'm not sure his trade value is all that much higher. How much would you give for a five-game wonder? Maybe you can boost that value up to a 3rd round pick, but even then is it worth it? What about a 2nd rounder? I'd probably pull the trigger on that, but I don't know if that deal is out there. But Tokarski has to go through waivers next fall, does he not? That certainly complicates things. I don't think there will be a lot of teams looking for a backup goalie on the waiver-wire, but all it takes is one. One team to have a guy go down to injury in training camp and you're looking at losing Tokarski for nothing. So do you keep him? Do you want a 24 year old goalie playing only 15 games or so next year? Perhaps less? Maybe if you're grooming him to be a career backup, but otherwise you want him playing. He'd be better served playing 50 games in the AHL, no? But how do you get him there? Do you take the calculated gamble that teams aren't going to wait until next fall to fill their goaltending positions via the waiver-wire and try to slip him through? This will be interesting to watch.
What happens in Hamilton will obviously depend on what happens with Tokarsi. If he makes it to the Bulldogs then he and Mike Condon form an impressive duo. If not, then I think they sign a veteran, perhaps somebody like Dubnyk again, to play with Condon. As good as Condon looked in the ECHL I'm not sure expecting him to play 65 AHL games next year is a good plan. If he seizes the opportunity and runs with it then great, but I don't think you should expect that. I'd prefer to have another capable AHL goalie there.
Fucale stays in junior. I think there will be a lot of internet GMs out there who will shop him - myself included at times - but the best move is probably just to keep him around for a while. Unless he's the dealbreaker in a mega-deal I see no reason to throw him into any trade just for the sake of throwing him in. If Bergevin can get Tokarski to the Bulldogs they have a nice line of succession going:
2014-15: NHL: Price/Budjaj AHL: Tokarski/Condon Junior: Fucale
2015-16: NHL: Price/Tokarski (Tokarski's one-way deal kicks in here, just as Budaj's ends) AHL: Condon/Fucale Junior: Some draft pick
2016-17 NHL: Price/Condon (Tokarski's deal ends here) AHL: Fucale/some draft pick (Fucale should be ready for #1 AHL duties by now)
2017-18: NHL: Price/Fucale (first year for Fucale, mainly as a backup, after two years in the AHL)
2018-19: Fucale??? Price's contract ends here, so you know if he costs too much or we need the room, or he sucks… well, we've groomed a potential #1 to replace him!
Of course no plan actually survives first contact with the enemy, but doesn't that look good?
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