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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 1, 2014 11:48:04 GMT -5
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Post by GNick99 on Jul 1, 2014 12:12:14 GMT -5
Must be White's replacement
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Post by Anardil1 on Jul 1, 2014 12:16:05 GMT -5
Must be White's replacement Absolutely. A much more complete player. Bigger, better skater, and best of all, consistently among the top face off centres in the NHL. I like this signing.
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Post by seventeen on Jul 1, 2014 12:19:26 GMT -5
We're going to be blocking a lot fewer shots because Malhotra will win a draw and we'll ice it instead. He had some problems with the canucks for a couple of years after his eye injury, but came back big last year. I agree, good pickup.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 1, 2014 12:22:44 GMT -5
A veteran character guy who has lived through some adversity. A good faceoff guy who might replace some of the character that left with Gorges.
Cheers.
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Post by UberCranky on Jul 1, 2014 12:43:38 GMT -5
Malhorta signing is passable. He wont make an impact nor hurt us. Biggest up is his faceoffs. Seven percentage points over Eller is not "amazing".
A mehh signing.
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Post by PTH on Jul 1, 2014 12:53:46 GMT -5
A White replacement. 8 years older though, so not a long-term solution.
We should have gotten him for Rucinsky about 8 years ago and then made him a long-life Hab, and avoided all this employee turnaround...
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Post by habsorbed on Jul 1, 2014 13:09:23 GMT -5
He's also a real character guy! Everywhere he's gone he's loved by his team-mates and fans. Just a straight shooter and honest worker. Great 4th liner and good on PK. His eye injury caused problems but i gather he has learned to play with partial vision. The way the Canucks (Gillis) treated him was shameful - may have caused that team's demise the last couple of years. No one likes seeing a 'brother' treated like that. Glad to have him.
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Post by drkcloud on Jul 1, 2014 13:10:34 GMT -5
Better on faceoffs MUCH softer than White. Gets pushed around imo
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Post by seventeen on Jul 1, 2014 13:47:54 GMT -5
Malhorta signing is passable. He wont make an impact nor hurt us. Biggest up is his faceoffs. Seven percentage points over Eller is not "amazing". A mehh signing. But he was probably up against much better face-off guys as he would be the prime PK'er and defensive zone specialist.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jul 1, 2014 15:17:40 GMT -5
I'm with seventeen on this... very different setup... White had tons of character and a good faceoff man, but not so quick and a bit of a loose canon sometimes... Malhotra is as steady as you can be... PTH had me laughing... I remember talking Malhotra on this board a long time ago...
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Post by habsask on Jul 1, 2014 15:41:10 GMT -5
I agree with 7teen & Doc on Malhorta- he adds something important. Faceoffs win or lose a few games each year, enough to make a difference. Plus he's big, a solid player and level headed. What's not to like for a 4th line center?
These kinds of moves when looked at in isolation may not seem that impressive but when you look at them as part of the whole, the whole looks better.
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Post by UberCranky on Jul 1, 2014 15:55:30 GMT -5
The point is that he will neither hurt nor help much. Sure it's better then the guy in the pressbox BUT, if we want to be contenders, we need more then mehh.
If we are going to get bottom six fillers, then Weise's beet Malhorta's every time.......and twice on Canada Day. Those are the kind of guys that win games when the top lines are struggling to keep their sox on. They also win Cups.
Don't get me wrong, I like Malhorta but I think he's getting too old for the energy and rough games. BUT, if we get better options (hello DLR), he can always be disposed off on waivers or for a 6th.
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Post by blny on Jul 1, 2014 15:59:39 GMT -5
Is Dom Moore at twice the hit a better option? I'm not convinced. Manny will come it, and win face offs. Our possession stats will go up as a result. He's a guy that will lighten the special teams load on whoever the other 3 centers are.
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Post by jkr on Jul 1, 2014 16:08:29 GMT -5
I'm with seventeen on this... very different setup... White had tons of character and a good faceoff man, but not so quick and a bit of a loose canon sometimes... Malhotra is as steady as you can be... PTH had me laughing... I remember talking Malhotra on this board a long time ago... Don't make me bring up Angelo Esposito
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Post by habsask on Jul 1, 2014 16:11:04 GMT -5
Gotta keep in mind HA that Malhorta is on a one year contract. Bergevin is smart enough to know that this Habs team is very unlikely to be ready to win a Cup in 2014/15. So Malhorta is another small upgrade until somebody from the farm is ready to do the job with more energy & rough stuff as you say. I keep thinking that when there is criticism of Bergevin on a particular signing or move that folks are just focusing on the specific player's talents or lack of without regard for next seasons', and the long term, Cap situation. Putting a lineup together gets a lot harder when one considers that and the fact that Bergevin, while making progress, still has a lot of work to do to repair the decade or more of screw ups by Habs management before him. This team won't be ready until there is a regular infusion of young talent each year from the farm system which isn't happening yet and I think Bergevin is right in not rushing young players onto the roster when they're not ready thereby ruining them. Just saying..... Besides you just like to grumble..... PS: Just think where our defence would be now if we still had McDonagh.
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Post by UberCranky on Jul 1, 2014 16:12:45 GMT -5
Moore is no answer nor is Pouliot. More like examples of what stupid signings look like.
At this point, Vrbata would be a nice signing as it pushes one of the "top six" a bit downward. Hemsky would of been nice addition with reasonable FA money but. Both would make us contenders and along with PAP would more then make up for Vanish and Gionta.
The big upside is that we are not crying and trying to justify a stupid singing. The Berg has it under control........
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Post by UberCranky on Jul 1, 2014 16:20:42 GMT -5
Gotta keep in mind HA that Malhorta is on a one year contract. Bergevin is smart enough to know that this Habs team is very unlikely to be ready to win a Cup in 2014/15. So Malhorta is another small upgrade until somebody from the farm is ready to do the job with more energy & rough stuff as you say. I keep thinking that when there is criticism of Bergevin on a particular signing or move that folks are just focusing on the specific player's talents or lack of without regard for next seasons', and the long term, Cap situation. Putting a lineup together gets a lot harder when one considers that and the fact that Bergevin, while making progress, still has a lot of work to do to repair the decade or more of screw ups by Habs management before him. This team won't be ready until there is a regular infusion of young talent each year from the farm system which isn't happening yet and I think Bergevin is right in not rushing young players onto the roster when they're not ready thereby ruining them. Just saying..... Besides you just like to grumble..... PS: Just think where our defence would be now if we still had McDonagh. I didn't say I hate the signing, I said that it's mehh.... I don't think we are that far away from contenders. Our first priority is to build a much tougher defense to play against. That is hopefully happening internally and again, hopefully will be much better and tougher in the next playoffs..Our second issue is to improve scoring. That has to be addressed either with another home run player, which is not going to happen in FA, or with incremental top 6 (Vrbata), or with more from the bottom 6. To some extent, a really good bottom six can have an impact. As an example, someone like Stajan.
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Post by blny on Jul 1, 2014 16:46:34 GMT -5
Boyle just signed in Tampa for 3 years and $6 million. It's roughly where I thought he'd fall in cap wise. He's been up and down over the years. Maligned and revered. We'll see if he can find any of the offense he once displayed in NYC. I have my doubts. I think Malhotra will bring enough of what Boyle or Moore bring for a fraction of the price.
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Post by stoat on Jul 1, 2014 21:36:59 GMT -5
Better on faceoffs MUCH softer than White. Gets pushed around imo Malhotra is the player Therrien would put on the ice to take faceoffs in the Habs end after a White goes to the penalty for no logical reason. White was not a favorite of mine. I don't care if Malhotra is as soft as whipped cream, I'd rather have him.
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Post by habsask on Jul 2, 2014 0:29:10 GMT -5
Gotta keep in mind HA that Malhorta is on a one year contract. Bergevin is smart enough to know that this Habs team is very unlikely to be ready to win a Cup in 2014/15. So Malhorta is another small upgrade until somebody from the farm is ready to do the job with more energy & rough stuff as you say. I keep thinking that when there is criticism of Bergevin on a particular signing or move that folks are just focusing on the specific player's talents or lack of without regard for next seasons', and the long term, Cap situation. Putting a lineup together gets a lot harder when one considers that and the fact that Bergevin, while making progress, still has a lot of work to do to repair the decade or more of screw ups by Habs management before him. This team won't be ready until there is a regular infusion of young talent each year from the farm system which isn't happening yet and I think Bergevin is right in not rushing young players onto the roster when they're not ready thereby ruining them. Just saying..... Besides you just like to grumble..... PS: Just think where our defence would be now if we still had McDonagh. I didn't say I hate the signing, I said that it's mehh.... I don't think we are that far away from contenders. Our first priority is to build a much tougher defense to play against. That is hopefully happening internally and again, hopefully will be much better and tougher in the next playoffs..Our second issue is to improve scoring. That has to be addressed either with another home run player, which is not going to happen in FA, or with incremental top 6 (Vrbata), or with more from the bottom 6. To some extent, a really good bottom six can have an impact. As an example, someone like Stajan. Guess we have a different understanding of mehh....I look upon it as a pejorative term. But that's irrelevant as we seem to agree on the important bits of what's going on although I think we are further away from a Cup team than you do. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Habs do less well next season actually as a couple of big things went right for them this past year- almost no major injuries to key players until Price got knocked out. And that sweep of Tampa which I think would have been a toss up if Bishop had been playing. But we'll see. I'm still looking at 3 more years until the next golden age starts.
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Post by seventeen on Jul 2, 2014 0:53:38 GMT -5
I didn't say I hate the signing, I said that it's mehh.... I don't think we are that far away from contenders. Our first priority is to build a much tougher defense to play against. That is hopefully happening internally and again, hopefully will be much better and tougher in the next playoffs..Our second issue is to improve scoring. That has to be addressed either with another home run player, which is not going to happen in FA, or with incremental top 6 (Vrbata), or with more from the bottom 6. To some extent, a really good bottom six can have an impact. As an example, someone like Stajan. Guess we have a different understanding of mehh....I look upon it as a pejorative term. But that's irrelevant as we seem to agree on the important bits of what's going on although I think we are further away from a Cup team than you do. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Habs do less well next season actually as a couple of big things went right for them this past year- almost no major injuries to key players until Price got knocked out. And that sweep of Tampa which I think would have been a toss up if Bishop had been playing. But we'll see. I'm still looking at 3 more years until the next golden age starts. Your points are exactly why I'm glad Berg isn't standing pat and has actually made a lot of changes. They are methodical changes. We continue to get bigger, we continue to get faster. Gilbert is faster and bigger than Gorges. Malhotra is bigger and faster than White or Prust and can win face-offs with the top guys in the league. Parenteau is bigger and hopefully faster than Briere. If MB is able to boot Bourque into the endzone, I'll then light a dozen votive candles to his good health and welfare.
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Post by habsask on Jul 2, 2014 11:05:25 GMT -5
Guess we have a different understanding of mehh....I look upon it as a pejorative term. But that's irrelevant as we seem to agree on the important bits of what's going on although I think we are further away from a Cup team than you do. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Habs do less well next season actually as a couple of big things went right for them this past year- almost no major injuries to key players until Price got knocked out. And that sweep of Tampa which I think would have been a toss up if Bishop had been playing. But we'll see. I'm still looking at 3 more years until the next golden age starts. Your points are exactly why I'm glad Berg isn't standing pat and has actually made a lot of changes. They are methodical changes. We continue to get bigger, we continue to get faster. Gilbert is faster and bigger than Gorges. Malhotra is bigger and faster than White or Prust and can win face-offs with the top guys in the league. Parenteau is bigger and hopefully faster than Briere. If MB is able to boot Bourque into the endzone, I'll then light a dozen votive candles to his good health and welfare. Concur fully Seventeen. Methodical- yes, which indicates a plan and one for a Cap constrained NHL something one never had the feeling Gainey/Goat ever figured out. Lighting votive candles....like that, count me in.
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Post by UberCranky on Jul 2, 2014 12:15:44 GMT -5
Your points are exactly why I'm glad Berg isn't standing pat and has actually made a lot of changes. They are methodical changes. We continue to get bigger, we continue to get faster. Gilbert is faster and bigger than Gorges. Malhotra is bigger and faster than White or Prust and can win face-offs with the top guys in the league. Parenteau is bigger and hopefully faster than Briere. If MB is able to boot Bourque into the endzone, I'll then light a dozen votive candles to his good health and welfare. Concur fully Seventeen. Methodical- yes, which indicates a plan and one for a Cap constrained NHL something one never had the feeling Gainey/Goat ever figured out. Lighting votive candles....like that, count me in. HALLELUJAH BROTHERS! HALLELUJAH! It's so nice to see a Habs GM who has a plan and has the devious/balls/focus/icecold to carry it out. BTW...I cornered the market in votive candles. Do landslide business every September on Laff fans praying for a playoff spot. Yup......
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Post by Willie Dog on Jul 2, 2014 13:10:31 GMT -5
MB is a smart guy and so is geoff molson. Imo molson watched what bg/pg did and realized a change was needed and he went out and got the best available man for the GM job. MB was very fortunate that we had some prospects in the pipeline and on the team. He had pk, carey, patches and he is building this team to play against anyone in the league. To me the western road swing this year will give us an indication how he is progressing. I for one like the moves MB has made and the change in culture and leadership.
Also it looks like MB is building the team his way and imo MT has to use the players MB signs. Who would have thought at the start of last season the gio gorges murray boboo and white would be gone at the end of the season?
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Post by habsask on Jul 2, 2014 13:31:23 GMT -5
MB is a smart guy and so is geoff molson. Imo molson watched what bg/pg did and realized a change was needed and he went out and got the best available man for the GM job. MB was very fortunate that we had some prospects in the pipeline and on the team. He had pk, carey, patches and he is building this team to play against anyone in the league. To me the western road swing this year will give us an indication how he is progressing. I for one like the moves MB has made and the change in culture and leadership. Also it looks like MB is building the team his way and imo MT has to use the players MB signs. Who would have thought at the start of last season the gio gorges murray boboo and white would be gone at the end of the season? Both good points Willie D. No team is successful unless it has good ownership that understands how things should be done. Molson showed he's a quick learner. As for MT yup- too many teams where the coach decides who the players are. In the great majority of such cases it doesn't work as there's a basic conflict of interest- coach wants to win_now_and the GM needs to take a more calculated longer term view.
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Post by seventeen on Jul 2, 2014 14:10:44 GMT -5
Concur fully Seventeen. Methodical- yes, which indicates a plan and one for a Cap constrained NHL something one never had the feeling Gainey/Goat ever figured out. Lighting votive candles....like that, count me in. HALLELUJAH BROTHERS! HALLELUJAH! It's so nice to see a Habs GM who has a plan and has the devious/balls/focus/icecold to carry it out. BTW...I cornered the market in votive candles. Do landslide business every September on Laff fans praying for a playoff spot. Yup...... So that's why prices have gone through the roof. I'll expect you to be Generous with a capital G when Bourque is moved on to other pastures.
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Post by Polarice on Jul 2, 2014 14:46:08 GMT -5
I would like to think that MB and MT have the same plan, both guys are continuously talking about what type of players they are looking for. There is no sense signing a player that the coach won't use properly like DB.
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Post by christrpn on Jul 2, 2014 17:25:37 GMT -5
MB's reluctance to sign vets to long term deals through the UFA rout tells me that he is just waiting for all those picks tu make it to the NHL. Once he has an Idea as to what HIS team can bring to the table, then we can see a BIG move to acquire that E.Kane type player. We would be calling for his head if he just let things go until his draft picks made it to the NHL.
Weaver-1 yr Gilbert-2yrs Markov-3yrs Malhotra-1yr PAP-2yrs left so in apprx 2-3yrs his young guns will have had plenty of either NHL or AHL experience. The wings don't play a rookie unless he has at least 200 games of pro experience. I'm VERY glad with the approach MB has taken. Careful deliberate moves, enough to make us somewhat happy alls the while improving this team in the long run
My hats off to him.....
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