|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 14, 2015 12:30:07 GMT -5
Eric Staal is the perfect rental with one year leaft at $8.25 million and will most certainly be moved next year, but probably not until the deadline when the demand will be strongest. That said, he'd be a nice upgrade to our top 6. Still only 30 years old but a lot of miles on the odometer. Would Carolina take a package sooner rather than later? Would you want to give up decent assets for 1 year of Eric Staal? Factors regarding Eric Staal ... first, would he leave Carolina ... Marc Bergevin would have to convince him that Montreal would be the place to win a Cup ... secondly, it would mean a big difference in what he sees in his paycheques ... Staal would be taxed at a different rate and he'd actually lose money by going to Montreal ... however, if it meant a legit shot at a Cup (and he wanted to come to Montreal) I'd say, yes, we'd have to bring him in ... I don't know what package would get it done, but he's be a perfect mentor for Alex Galchenyuk, who I'd slot in as our No.2 centre ... I'd move him onto the top line if Staal were to depart the following year ... again, it's all up to Staal ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by habernac on May 14, 2015 12:38:55 GMT -5
"I just have to be prepared wherever I play . You have to be the best you can be" @agally94 #GoHabsGo
MT,just put him at centre already. Let him play in all situations. Let him fail, learn from his mistakes. Just let the boy play.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 14, 2015 12:53:02 GMT -5
Our last 3 playoff series all went 6 games….quite a few similarities in those 3 games…in terms of shots for, goals for, and PP ineptitude.
All 3 on the road.
vs. the Rangers
Outshot 32-18.
0-2 on the PP.
0 goals scored.
Lose 1-0.
vs. Ottawa.
Outshot 43-20.
0-1 on the PP.
Scored 1 goal that really mattered. Won 2-0 (empty net).
==============================
vs. Tampa Bay
Outshot 28-19.
0-2 on the PP.
Scored 1 goal with 5 or so minutes left….trailing 3-0 at the time.
Lose 4-1.
==============================
Two goals in our last three Game 6s….0-fer on the PP…..and a shot total average of 19.
Is it any wonder we were eliminated twice? Without Price standing on his head in Game 6 vs. Ottawa, we'd have been heading back for Game 7….and all bets are off after being up 3-0.
==============================
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on May 14, 2015 12:53:26 GMT -5
I'm not sure we have the luxury of waiting to improve. Other teams will undoubtably improv or attempt to improve on paper this summer. If we stay at status quo, we will no longer be in the top three comparatively speaking. Personally, I'm not sure we are top three now. Pittsburgh had an off year, Boston had an off year. We are more around top 4-5 in the conference as is.
If we wait until the deadline, then the prices just went up. I'd prefer we get "better" or more precisely, make a move prior to this season starting.
As I said earlier, and BH re-iterated, Price had an extrordinary season. A small dip in that performance will mean about 20 extra goals scored against us. 20 goals? That's nothing you say? Well, an extra 20 goals would drop us from first in the conference (1st in the entire NHL) to 9th in the conference (17th in the entire NHL). The trade deadline is roughly 75% of the season gone, so at the trade deadline it would be about 15 extra goals against. Last year, prior to the trade deadline, we were 15-6-5 in one goal games. Add 15 goals against. We were invovled in 31 games prior to the deadline where we only scored 2 goals or less. In those 31 games we went 12-16-3. Add 15 goals against.
It doesn't sound like much. But if we wait, then we could be conceivably out of it prior to the deadline and not only be facing higher player values, but in a position of weakness, with a GM feeling the pinch that his 5 yr plan is crumbling. That being said, the last two times the Habs made a deadline splash (Kovalev and Vanek)it was when we were barely scraping our way into the playoffs, so what do I know?
I also don't think that we can count on Pacioretty scoring 35+ every year. When you think about it, what Pacioretty did last year was remarkable. 37 goals, and only 7 on the Powerplay. Sure he could have gotten close to 50 if we had any semblance of a PP; even the previous season when our PP was pretty good, he only scored 10 out of 39 on the PP. Our PP will not boost his stats, just on the way we run a PP .... point shot , point shot, point shot. While Galchenyuk might be the key, ..., Pacioretty may be the lock. We will need BOTH performing to exceptional statistical standards. And I dont see both getting 30+. We still need that other player.
|
|
|
Post by blny on May 14, 2015 13:19:42 GMT -5
With a good center, and added scoring, it should mean more scoring opportunities for Max. Get him that center and he'll pot 40.
|
|
|
Post by habsorbed on May 14, 2015 13:26:33 GMT -5
I think we are kidding ourselves if we think Pleks and DD are going to improve. We have seen their best and it isn't good enough to contend for a cup. Can the others on the team improve enough to make us better and compensate for no top centre. The answer is a resounding "NO!". Centre is too critical a position to allow it to be mediocre and hope for a Cup. We have no PP and no legitimate top line without a top line centre. It's unrealistic to think Chuck will fill that void next year given his recent play and his lack of experience at centre (thanks MT). Get a top line centre!
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on May 14, 2015 13:38:44 GMT -5
During the player exit interviews Petry said that staying in Montreal was he first priority.
|
|
|
Post by Disp on May 14, 2015 13:48:04 GMT -5
During the player exit interviews Petry said that staying in Montreal was he first priority. Sweet! Does he want to stay for less money though ?
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 14, 2015 13:56:16 GMT -5
I'm not sure we have the luxury of waiting to improve. Other teams will undoubtably improv or attempt to improve on paper this summer. If we stay at status quo, we will no longer be in the top three comparatively speaking. Personally, I'm not sure we are top three now. Pittsburgh had an off year, Boston had an off year. We are more around top 4-5 in the conference as is. Pittsburgh was destroyed by injuries, so I can see them rebounding next year ... Boston is already in panic mode, and in my opinion, they're not that far away from being a mess ... both Ottawa and Florida will be better next year and Tampa won't be going anywhere ... having said all of that, I had great expectations for this team, but about two months ago I thought those expectations got a lot harder ... scoring goals was, and remains, a huge problem and had Price gone down I honestly thought we had a chance at missing the playoffs entirely ... Give him a big, No.1 centre and we'll see what he can do then ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on May 14, 2015 15:06:10 GMT -5
I don't believe that the need for a good centre (I don't care if they're big or small - we wouldn't turn down Tyler Johnson) is a surprise to the Canadiens management. The sticking point is that acquiring them costs more than they've been willing to pay, so far. These last two series may have changed their minds. We were good and lucky in 2007 to draft PK and Patches and along with Price, they are the obvious core and they are now at their prime. Can we add that missing piece and surround them with enough quality to go all the way?
Staal is interesting because he won't cost as much as Malkin (but we won't get as much either). His contract is a double edged sword. It's only for one more year, which may be good because his CAP hit disappears after a year, but it may be bad because if he does indeed meet expectations, but we fall short, he has to be re-signed which may raise more CAP issues. Malkin is great and plays well in the playoffs too, but has been injured and may cost some immediate pieces we would rather not lose (Galchenyuk, Beaulieu). It's certainly worth kicking the tires on both. (Why exactly does one kick tires on a car anyway? It tells you nothing and hurts your toe).
Dis, I agree that Pittsburgh is going to be tough next year. Maatta, Pouliot, Letang, Scuderi, Martin, Lovejoy and Ehrhoff are a pretty good set of defensemen. They were indeed decimated by injuries. Boston I'm not worried about either. Chara is on the downslope, Bergeron will be a year older and there's very little character on Lucic and Marchand. Boston will perform about the same next year as this, or slightly worse (I hope).
There are many good teams, though, and if we're going to compete, I suspect some 'future' is going to be the cost. It's so important for Timmins to hit a few more home runs. It's tough to do, but that's the only way good teams stay competitive. I'm very curious to see how Martin Reway's game translates to the pro ranks. He's a smaller guy, but is a good skater and his hockey IQ and vision are in the top decile IMO. I can easily see him replacing Plekanec by 2017. Will he get a chance next year,(assuming he impresses)? There are always surprises, so I hope he's one of them, along with McCarron. The average of their heights and weights is around 6'1", 204. That's ok, isn't it?
PS. I forgot about Jeremy Gregoire (Mike Keane type but better scorer). He's 20 and s/b on the St John's team next year.
|
|
|
Post by franko on May 14, 2015 15:29:05 GMT -5
Pittsburgh was destroyed by injuries, so I can see them rebounding next year ... Boston is already in panic mode, and in my opinion, they're not that far away from being a mess ... both Ottawa and Florida will be better next year and Tampa won't be going anywhere ... I expect Columbus to be in the fight too.
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on May 14, 2015 15:42:08 GMT -5
Martin Reway is 5'8, 170 lbs .... Another smurf? No thank you. Not unless he puts up 80points and I don't see that
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on May 14, 2015 15:46:50 GMT -5
I think we under estimate the Bruins.
The almost made the playoffs with their #1 player playing only 47 games, and their #1 defenseman missing 20 games.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on May 14, 2015 16:35:43 GMT -5
Martin Reway is 5'8, 170 lbs .... Another smurf? No thank you. Not unless he puts up 80points and I don't see that Pessimist.
|
|
|
Post by Willie Dog on May 14, 2015 20:15:06 GMT -5
Eric Staal is the perfect rental with one year leaft at $8.25 million and will most certainly be moved next year, but probably not until the deadline when the demand will be strongest. That said, he'd be a nice upgrade to our top 6. Still only 30 years old but a lot of miles on the odometer. Would Carolina take a package sooner rather than later? Would you want to give up decent assets for 1 year of Eric Staal? Factors regarding Eric Staal ... first, would he leave Carolina ... Marc Bergevin would have to convince him that Montreal would be the place to win a Cup ... secondly, it would mean a big difference in what he sees in his paycheques ... Staal would be taxed at a different rate and he'd actually lose money by going to Montreal ... however, if it meant a legit shot at a Cup (and he wanted to come to Montreal) I'd say, yes, we'd have to bring him in ... I don't know what package would get it done, but he's be a perfect mentor for Alex Galchenyuk, who I'd slot in as our No.2 centre ... I'd move him onto the top line if Staal were to depart the following year ... again, it's all up to Staal ... Cheers. Stall, aGal, Eller, Mitchell... pretty darn good down the middle and we got some size too. Trade Pleky and put DD on the wing, he was good on the wing imo. The following year Stall is gone we have aGal, Eller, DD, Mitchell... still good down the middle and by moving DD back to centre and PAP is gone and this opens spots for McCarron and Scherbak. Plus with stall and pap gone free up about 12 mill in space.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:06:01 GMT -5
Bergevin Year-End Presser on now. Friday, 10:05 am.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:18:24 GMT -5
(paraphrased) (My comments in brackets)
Mentioned the "posts" they hit vs. Tampa. (who cares? find some finish!)
We finished second overall, so the boys did a great job.
My job is to make this team better….would I love to have a 25-30 goal guy? Of course, but they're not out there. (not sure I buy that).
Scherbak, Hudon…hopefully one of these guys will rise and take that spot.
Very happy and pleased with Petry. He will be a priority.
PP coach…will you bring in a specialist to help with that? First of all, our PP did struggle….finished 23rd in the league. (joked around that it rose to 15th in the playoffs, but there were only 16 teams). We'll meet with the coaches next week and find solutions. (empty comment. They've no doubt talked about it all year.)
Galchenyuk…centre? Well, I didn't put a time limit on that. Time will tell. I think he's more comfortable on the wing….but right now, I can't tell you when he will be a centreman. (Thanks for nothing on that front, MB).
When Alex was drafted, you talked about him being the centreman you needed.
Well, being a centreman is the hardest position because you have to work with your defenceman down low….but at the end of the day, the way he plays, he is telling us where he should play. (BS!!) When he was at centre, working down low, it wasn't working. It might work in the future, I don't know. He had 20 goals, so for a 3rd year pro, he's going in the right direction.
(More to come. Not getting a lot out this one at all.)
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:25:42 GMT -5
What about losing in the second round this year after going to the third round last year?
There's such a fine line in this league.
Look at the Bruins. President's Trophy last year….no playoffs this year. The Kings….Cup champs last year….no playoffs this year. (Win a Cup, then we'll talk about regressing, MB!)
I feel our team is a good hockey team. Still pretty young. Next year, our first goal is to make the playoffs. We're gonna keep building, keep drafting well, keep developing players.
(Still nothing about how integral Price was in their success this year….or maybe I missed it in the first couple of minutes.)
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on May 15, 2015 9:31:56 GMT -5
Wow! Sounds like they don't see Galchenyuk as a center - at all! Even referencing Sarnia, and how they put him on the wing too.
Cue the hysteria.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:32:08 GMT -5
You need a #1 centre.
My reality might not be the same as the PlayStation I play at night. It's not that easy.
To get that top centre would be great….but I don't see them getting traded. Everybody's looking for players like that…but they're not available.
If such a player isn't available, then how do you not develop Galchenyuk at centre?
Because we're trying to win hockey games. So far he hasn't shown he can be a top centreman in the league. (Right….14 games in which you went 10-3-1….put up something like 9 or 10 pts….not good enough…..whatever.)
Chucky might never be a centreman….and right now he doesn't look like he will be…..he might be. When he was in Sarnia, he was put on the wing, too. (But that was so he could play with Yakupov. Nice try on the dodge.)
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:32:57 GMT -5
Wow! Sounds like they don't see Galchenyuk as a center - at all! Even referencing Sarnia, and how they put him on the wing too. Cue the hysteria. Get ready for more DD and Pleks….which means I won't be watching.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:37:32 GMT -5
If Galchenyuk isn't in your centre plans, how comfortable are you with DD and Pleks as your top centres?
Regular season, these guys did a fantastic job….in the playoffs we came up short. (As you have every year with those two as your top centres.)
Everybody wants that big and strong centre…..but they're not available.
(The PlayStation joke again. Something about making a trade last night on PlayStation and the other GM calling him this morning and cancelling the deal. Not that funny the first time. And a little too comfortably flippant, considering our futility down the middle.)
Slowly but surely in the right direction. (Standard answer.)
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 9:42:59 GMT -5
Tinordi?
Tinordi didn't take a step back. But Pateryn and Beaulieu took a step forward. Some players take more time….but he's still a part of this team going forward.
(I've heard all I need to hear…..mostly fluff. He's happy with the direction….happy with the coaches. Resigned to the notion that we won't have a big, strong centreman next year. And I really don't appreciate the flippancy….sounds too comfortable. IMO, Price is making them ALL look better than they are.)
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on May 15, 2015 9:57:25 GMT -5
Sounds like he really loves Petry and Mitchell, and will do everything he can to get them back. Interestingly, he even mentioned the positive Corsi numbers we had in the playoffs, numbers he had been very dismissive of before acquiring Petry. I don't think it means he "saw the light" but I do think that he recognizes, and has perhaps always recognized, the value of it. Just didn't have the team to play that way.
Malhotra, Gonchar and Weaver not coming back (no surprises there).
EXTREMELY defensive of Michel Therrien.
The big talking point will be the "Galchenyuk-may-never-be-a-center" thing.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 15, 2015 9:57:26 GMT -5
Wow! Sounds like they don't see Galchenyuk as a center - at all! Even referencing Sarnia, and how they put him on the wing too. Cue the hysteria. I heard that and a lot of what CH referred to, as well ... someone asked about Therrien and whether he was the right guy moving forward ... I think Bergevin endorsed him, but in sort of a roundabout way ... wish my French was better ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 10:05:24 GMT -5
The big talking point will be the "Galchenyuk-may-never-be-a-center" thing. It's all about his work down low with his defence….of course….Therrien stresses defence first. But can't that aspect be taught at the pro level? He has experience playing centre in Jr. He knows what it entails. And he played it well enough to be drafted by Bergevin with the hopes he WOULD be our future #1 centre. He was not drafted at #3 overall to be a winger. I just don't get it. Also, Bergevin saw no reason to change anyone on the coaching staff. Maybe he doesn't want to throw Lacroix under the bus publicly….but that comment also doesn't bode well going forward. So, get ready for another putrid PP next year if Lacroix stays. EDIT: Just heard Marinaro comment that Bergevin said, "Our PP showed zip and created momentum in the Tampa series…."
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on May 15, 2015 10:17:24 GMT -5
The big talking point will be the "Galchenyuk-may-never-be-a-center" thing. It's all about his work down low with his defence….of course….Therrien stresses defence first. But can't that aspect be taught at the pro level? He has experience playing centre in Jr. He knows what it entails. And he played it well enough to be drafted by Bergevin with the hopes he WOULD be our future #1 centre. He was not drafted at #3 overall to be a winger. I just don't get it. Also, Bergevin saw no reason to change anyone on the coaching staff. Maybe he doesn't want to throw Lacroix under the bus publicly….but that comment also doesn't bode well going forward. So, get ready for another putrid PP next year if Lacroix stays. In a way Bergevin was damned if he did, or damned if he didn't, no matter what he said about Galchenyuk playing center. He didn't close the door on the idea completely, just pointed out that it's not set in stone. So what would have had happened had he of said "yes, Galchenyuk will be playing center next season?" Wouldn't the next 12 questions have been about what he plans to do with Eller/Plekanec/Desharnais? As for the coaching staff, we'll see what happens. For all we know Lacroix will have other duties, and somebody else will be taking over the powerplay. I've said it quite a few times, but our home powerplay was rather good, and our penalty killing was also good (and with Plekanec and Pacioretty actually dangerous). So our special teams weren't a TOTAL disaster. Just a major one.
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on May 15, 2015 10:24:53 GMT -5
Aside from the Galchenyuk issue, just heard Marinaro make a good point: Bergevin's not going to call out players and coaches, because they're assets to him. You can't publicly slam assets if you ever plan to move them. So we're maybe not hearing what he really thinks. He has to show support for his coach….especially after a second-overall finish…no matter if it was on Price's back.
Yep….I'm looking forward to the entry draft….and July 1. Bergevin usually surprises us.
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on May 15, 2015 10:38:58 GMT -5
And who might that somebody else be: Jodoin sitting up in the rafters…..or that great PP tactician, J.J. Daigneault? That is our current coaching staff which, apparently, won't be changed. RE: the Galchenyuk centre question. MB left the door open a crack….that's all. It was 95% that Galchy will be a winger. Which means he agrees with Therrien's assessment. The problem with that? Galchenyuk's centres going forward will be DD or Pleks. Perhaps Eller. Good luck…. ============= As far as no big, strong, skilled centres being available. Um….Seguin….Spezza….Dallas got both of them. Was the cost too high….or was Bergevin asleep….OR did he not want to take the chance on making Ottawa and/or Boston better? Spezza had 66 points the year he was traded, and last year had 62 playing on one of the highest scoring teams in the league. For comparison's sake, Plekanec had 60 points last year. Spezza also has a $7.5 million cap hit. Is he still a true, "Big #1 Center?" Not with those numbers, and not with that cap hit. Seguin spent most of the year playing wing. In fact, left-winger Jamie Benn took more faceoffs than Seguin did. It is also highly unlikely that either Ottawa or Boston would have traded either player to Montreal. Dallas also missed the playoffs with those two "#1 Centers" and was eliminated in the first round the year before last.
|
|
|
Post by franko on May 15, 2015 10:47:19 GMT -5
and I would have hated to see Spezza in Montreal. put pressure on him and he folds. hit him and he goes on the IR.
|
|