|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 6:58:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 2, 2016 8:10:29 GMT -5
The STAMKOS "COUNTDOWN TO FREE AGENCY" CLOCK on TSN1050's home page is hilarious….but not unexpected for a media who's been told by Babcock to back-off on Leaf criticism while he works his magic.
Gotta keep up the hype….
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Feb 2, 2016 8:17:15 GMT -5
This is laughable ... more so if he thinks they are good enough to actually consider rentals.
It's as if he never heard the phrase "sign and trade".
I was always pessimistic about how the team was run, and shook my head time after time as he brought in 3rd and 4th liners to applause from the masses. But now I'm convinced that the team is in the wrong hands. Four years ago this team was on the verge of being a contender. Now its a pipe dream to even make the playoffs. Yeah, bravo Marc Bergevin, bravo
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Feb 2, 2016 8:51:10 GMT -5
This is laughable ... more so if he thinks they are good enough to actually consider rentals. It's as if he never heard the phrase "sign and trade". I was always pessimistic about how the team was run, and shook my head time after time as he brought in 3rd and 4th liners to applause from the masses. But now I'm convinced that the team is in the wrong hands. Four years ago this team was on the verge of being a contender. Now its a pipe dream to even make the playoffs. Yeah, bravo Marc Bergevin, bravo Yep…it's been finally driven home this season….we've been artificially propped up by Price. The jig is up. 32 games left. 64 pts. of which to get 47 to reach last year's cutoff point of 97. 23-8-1. With no Price for at least another month. No Price, No Dice…..
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2016 9:39:13 GMT -5
The STAMKOS "COUNTDOWN TO FREE AGENCY" CLOCK on TSN1050's home page is hilarious….but not unexpected for a media who's been told by Babcock to back-off on Leaf criticism while he works his magic. Gotta keep up the hype…. Are they going to keep that stupid clock going for another 5 months. Dumb
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 9:44:55 GMT -5
The talk about Reimer - spawned by a suggestion from Farber is laughable. I wouldn't even do it if they took Scrivens back (both UFA at the end of the year). I'm not interested in spending what it would take to keep Reimer on after the season. His cap hit is $2.3 million, and that's too much for a back up.
As for rental pick ups, I think Marc is right this year not to be in the market for rentals. I think such a statement, which he hasn't definitively made - it's really just Bob talking, would be as close as you'd get to Bergevin admitting the season is lost. He's gone down the rental road before, and it made sense when he did. It doesn't make sense now.
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2016 9:48:11 GMT -5
This is laughable ... more so if he thinks they are good enough to actually consider rentals. It's as if he never heard the phrase "sign and trade". I was always pessimistic about how the team was run, and shook my head time after time as he brought in 3rd and 4th liners to applause from the masses. But now I'm convinced that the team is in the wrong hands. Four years ago this team was on the verge of being a contender. Now its a pipe dream to even make the playoffs. Yeah, bravo Marc Bergevin, bravo Yep…it's been finally driven home this season….we've been artificially propped up by Price. The jig is up. 32 games left. 64 pts. of which to get 47 to reach last year's cutoff point of 97. 23-8-1. With no Price for at least another month. No Price, No Dice….. It's as if he doesn't care. I was listening to Mike Farber yesterday. He's as mystified as we are with Bergevin's Emperor Nero act. Start with the goalies. He waited too long & then he gets an AHL player. Why hasn't he gone after a decent UFA goalie like Ward or Reimer? If I was a skater on watching Condon & Scrivens let me down every game I'd have trouble caring too. His inaction has taken the heart from the team & wasted another season. IT gives me the impression that he doesn't GAS. I'm no fan of Therrien but how can you win in the NHL with AHL netminding. The other thing that bugs the crap out me is this secrecy. Just tell people what's wrong with Price. This aura of mystery coupled with the ever changing return dates makes the team look like they don't know what they are doing. Jeez, Price & his wife will have that April 30th baby before we ever see him on the ice again.
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2016 9:51:25 GMT -5
The talk about Reimer - spawned by a suggestion from Farber is laughable. I wouldn't even do it if they took Scrivens back (both UFA at the end of the year). I'm not interested in spending what it would take to keep Reimer on after the season. His cap hit is $2.3 million, and that's too much for a back up. As for rental pick ups, I think Marc is right this year not to be in the market for rentals. I think such a statement, which he hasn't definitively made - it's really just Bob talking, would be as close as you'd get to Bergevin admitting the season is lost. He's gone down the rental road before, and it made sense when he did. It doesn't make sense now. I think he waited too long to get a goalie & then got the team a minor leaguer. If he had acted sooner on a goalie pick up they wouldn't be sunk like they are now. The salary might be high but he wouldn't be the backup - he would be the starter for the rest of the season. What's wrong with picking up a UFA veteran & then letting him walk at the end of the season?
|
|
|
Post by franko on Feb 2, 2016 10:22:05 GMT -5
The STAMKOS "COUNTDOWN TO FREE AGENCY" CLOCK on TSN1050's home page is hilarious….but not unexpected for a media who's been told by Babcock to back-off on Leaf criticism while he works his magic. Gotta keep up the hype…. Are they going to keep that stupid clock going for another 5 months. Dumb tick tick tic for the click click click
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on Feb 2, 2016 10:38:05 GMT -5
It's as if he never heard the phrase "sign and trade". How often does this happen in the NHL? Ever?
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 11:14:28 GMT -5
The talk about Reimer - spawned by a suggestion from Farber is laughable. I wouldn't even do it if they took Scrivens back (both UFA at the end of the year). I'm not interested in spending what it would take to keep Reimer on after the season. His cap hit is $2.3 million, and that's too much for a back up. As for rental pick ups, I think Marc is right this year not to be in the market for rentals. I think such a statement, which he hasn't definitively made - it's really just Bob talking, would be as close as you'd get to Bergevin admitting the season is lost. He's gone down the rental road before, and it made sense when he did. It doesn't make sense now. I think he waited too long to get a goalie & then got the team a minor leaguer. If he had acted sooner on a goalie pick up they wouldn't be sunk like they are now. The salary might be high but he wouldn't be the backup - he would be the starter for the rest of the season. What's wrong with picking up a UFA veteran & then letting him walk at the end of the season? Earlier in the year? Sure, though dealing within the division for Reimer would have likely cost more than he's worth. Now? Not interested. Going beyond this year? Definitely not. $2 million plus is too much for a back up on a long term deal.
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on Feb 2, 2016 11:26:40 GMT -5
I think he waited too long to get a goalie & then got the team a minor leaguer. If he had acted sooner on a goalie pick up they wouldn't be sunk like they are now. The salary might be high but he wouldn't be the backup - he would be the starter for the rest of the season. What's wrong with picking up a UFA veteran & then letting him walk at the end of the season? Earlier in the year? Sure, though dealing within the division for Reimer would have likely cost more than he's worth. Now? Not interested. Going beyond this year? Definitely not. $2 million plus is too much for a back up on a long term deal. The first time Price got hurt was October 29, at which time people thought he was coming back. And indeed, he did, coming back on November 20th. He got hurt again (or re-aggravated his injury) on November 25th. Reimer suffered an "undisclosed" injury November 23rd. He came back December 03, played one game, and then missed the next eight with a groin injury. He came back December 29th, re-aggravated his groin, and did not play again until January 7th. So I'm not sure when Bergevin was supposed to have traded for Reimer. While he was injured? Or as soon as he came back? I would loved to have heard the howls of protest when Bergevin traded for a guy who had missed 14 of 16 games with a groin injury. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but when Price went down Reimer was not an option, and when he came back it was a risky one at best. And it wouldn't have happened until less than a month ago anyways, as Reimer was hurt until January 7th. I like Farber, but this is lazy journalism. Reimer was never a real option.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 2, 2016 11:32:44 GMT -5
Wasn't that Billy-Ray Valentine ... I don't blame Marc Bergevin for not pulling off a deal right now ... he's not exactly dealing from a position of strength ... the other GMs probably know this and I can't see them interested in helping the Habs get back on track ... that's just me, though ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 11:37:27 GMT -5
Earlier in the year? Sure, though dealing within the division for Reimer would have likely cost more than he's worth. Now? Not interested. Going beyond this year? Definitely not. $2 million plus is too much for a back up on a long term deal. The first time Price got hurt was October 29, at which time people thought he was coming back. And indeed, he did, coming back on November 20th. He got hurt again (or re-aggravated his injury) on November 25th. Reimer suffered an "undisclosed" injury November 23rd. He came back December 03, played one game, and then missed the next eight with a groin injury. He came back December 29th, re-aggravated his groin, and did not play again until January 7th. So I'm not sure when Bergevin was supposed to have traded for Reimer. While he was injured? Or as soon as he came back? I would loved to have heard the howls of protest when Bergevin traded for a guy who had missed 14 of 16 games with a groin injury. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but when Price went down Reimer was not an option, and when he came back it was a risky one at best. And it wouldn't have happened until less than a month ago anyways, as Reimer was hurt until January 7th. I like Farber, but this is lazy journalism. Reimer was never a real option. Good research BC. Should forward that along to Farbs
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 11:38:16 GMT -5
Wasn't that Billy-Ray Valentine ... I don't blame Marc Bergevin for not pulling off a deal right now ... he's not exactly dealing from a position of strength ... the other GMs probably know this and I can't see them interested in helping the Habs get back on track ... that's just me, though ... Cheers. Video quality is horrible, but ... When it comes to Markov, Plekanec, Eller and Desharnais, the value comes from clearing space. I'd be willing to take a contract back if it was someone signed that can score, but might be a little older than DD/Eller/Pleks. Otherwise, clearing cap space is the priority over the assets coming back.
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2016 12:00:49 GMT -5
Earlier in the year? Sure, though dealing within the division for Reimer would have likely cost more than he's worth. Now? Not interested. Going beyond this year? Definitely not. $2 million plus is too much for a back up on a long term deal. The first time Price got hurt was October 29, at which time people thought he was coming back. And indeed, he did, coming back on November 20th. He got hurt again (or re-aggravated his injury) on November 25th. Reimer suffered an "undisclosed" injury November 23rd. He came back December 03, played one game, and then missed the next eight with a groin injury. He came back December 29th, re-aggravated his groin, and did not play again until January 7th. So I'm not sure when Bergevin was supposed to have traded for Reimer. While he was injured? Or as soon as he came back? I would loved to have heard the howls of protest when Bergevin traded for a guy who had missed 14 of 16 games with a groin injury. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but when Price went down Reimer was not an option, and when he came back it was a risky one at best. And it wouldn't have happened until less than a month ago anyways, as Reimer was hurt until January 7th. I like Farber, but this is lazy journalism. Reimer was never a real option. Doesn't have to be Reimer but someone with experience & maybe an expiring contract that can carry the starting load. Cam Ward may have been an option when Carolina was below them in the standings but that's passed. I don't think it's lazy journalism - he's suggesting names of the types of players that could have been pursued. I think Bergevin waited too long to plug the hole in net. He started with a rookie & the guy that rookie beat out. Now it's the rookie and an AHLr.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 2, 2016 12:05:14 GMT -5
Earlier in the year? Sure, though dealing within the division for Reimer would have likely cost more than he's worth. Now? Not interested. Going beyond this year? Definitely not. $2 million plus is too much for a back up on a long term deal. The first time Price got hurt was October 29, at which time people thought he was coming back. And indeed, he did, coming back on November 20th. He got hurt again (or re-aggravated his injury) on November 25th. Reimer suffered an "undisclosed" injury November 23rd. He came back December 03, played one game, and then missed the next eight with a groin injury. He came back December 29th, re-aggravated his groin, and did not play again until January 7th. So I'm not sure when Bergevin was supposed to have traded for Reimer. While he was injured? Or as soon as he came back? I would loved to have heard the howls of protest when Bergevin traded for a guy who had missed 14 of 16 games with a groin injury. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but when Price went down Reimer was not an option, and when he came back it was a risky one at best. And it wouldn't have happened until less than a month ago anyways, as Reimer was hurt until January 7th. I like Farber, but this is lazy journalism. Reimer was never a real option. Mentioned it before, but I would have asked about Jonathan Bernier ... it would have cost Marc Bergevin a bit more (divisional thing, etc), but Bernier would have been (a bit) better than what we have now ... still, having said that, I supported Bergevin when he said he'd wait this out but I don't think he anticipated a meltdown ... no way anyone saw this coming and, in retrospect, I can't see Bernier making a big difference, anyway ... the lack of NHL level goaltending is only one of the problems Bergevin is faced with now ... he has Zachary Fucale in St John's and they have Michael McNiven playing for the Owen Sound Attack (OHL) ... they're in the system, but they're also a few years away from making it in the show (IMO, anyway) ... he needs scoring, he needs a big centre and he needs to address the RW, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Berg draft another goaltender somewhere in this year's draft ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 2, 2016 12:08:09 GMT -5
Bergevin's lack of results speak for themselves, but I'm not ready to trash him yet. Still waiting for him to make his (ahem) mark. The pickups of 4th line players is what any GM can do at any time. I'm glad, though, that he hasn't lost patience enough to pull a Houle and trade away our best assets for journeymen.
I still think they (Therrien) panicked and brought Carey back too soon the first time, but Price will never admit that and the coaching staff certainly won't think it.
Berg's greatest mistake(s) so far is his choice of coaches in Montreal and the farm team. Any number of weaknesses on the team can be traced right back to that. It's culminated this year, but we can probably pull up posts from Therrien's second year which highlight the same problems we're facing today.
I think it's fair to criticize Berg for those choices, but now he's in a bind. Reimer? Really. No one can afford a $2.5MM backup unless they're paying their A goalie $3MM and that's not much of a goalie. Berg has realized the season is lost. He simply can't look like he's tanking. If we had a chance, would he really be keeping Therrien? If I'm wrong on these assumptions, then its time to get rid of Bergevin as well. I'll wait till April 10th to see what his choices are. Until then, keep hoping for a chance at Gauthier or Dubois, or if we're really lucky, one of the top 3 guys.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 2, 2016 12:19:39 GMT -5
Wasn't that Billy-Ray Valentine ... I don't blame Marc Bergevin for not pulling off a deal right now ... he's not exactly dealing from a position of strength ... the other GMs probably know this and I can't see them interested in helping the Habs get back on track ... that's just me, though ... Cheers. Video quality is horrible, but ... When it comes to Markov, Plekanec, Eller and Desharnais, the value comes from clearing space. I'd be willing to take a contract back if it was someone signed that can score, but might be a little older than DD/Eller/Pleks. Otherwise, clearing cap space is the priority over the assets coming back. Video ... I have a box full of VHS tapes downstairs ... some of them pertain to the Habs and I have to get them burned onto DVDs ... lots of history going right back to '93, the hiring/firing of Houle/Tremblay and up ... as for the team, the only thing I can tell you is that the problems with them run far deeper than just goaltending ... the team needs a heart transplant and bringing in a rental won't provide that unless his initials are Steven Stamkos ... the only other thing I can think of that would have an immediate impact is firing Michel Therrien ... don't know if that, alone, would solve all of their woes, though ... Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by habsorbed on Feb 2, 2016 13:11:14 GMT -5
Is Price's salary while injured going towards the cap? If not then the salary for the backup at 2.5 is a wash. Unless Molson just wants to grab the money. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my recollection of our demise in the 90s was that ownership (Molson) was not prepared to spend money with the big boys (TO, Phil, Col) in the pre cap era.
As for MB, is there an easier task for a GM than to tank? Lowe and Tambellini made a career out of it. Every year taking the all smiles photo with the top draft pick and selling hope. Never knew what they were smiling about. If you're taking a photo with the first overall pick it is because you are a failure, unless you were just hired. No doubt MB can't say he's tanking due to league rules and then the fan base can also tank and stop showing up. But again, the more I look at MB the less respect i have for him.
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on Feb 2, 2016 13:12:12 GMT -5
I guess my point is that it’s easy to toss out names, but when it’s your actual job to make the trades you sort of have to look at the details. And so while Farber can say “Reimer” all he wants, in the real world Reimer was not available to trade for, even if Bergevin wanted to.
As for Ward, hindsight again is 20/20, but on November 25th, when Price got hurt Ward;
• Had a $6.3 million cap hit, which I’m not even sure they could have taken on without sending salary back • Had a .907 save percentage
For comparison’s sake, on November 25th Condon had a .916 save percentage. And of course was making ten times less money.
And it’s not like Ward turned it around either. By January 1st his save percentage had dropped to .900, despite the fact that the Hurricanes were playing well and winning. To say nothing of the fact that last year his save percentage was .910, and the year before that a terrible .898. So its' not like this year was a blip - he's been mediocre to outright bad for some time now.
So we would have been trading for a UFA with a $6.3 million cap hit, who had, and continued to have, worse numbers than the guy he would be replacing.
As for Bernier he comes with a $4.15 million cap hit for this year AND next year, and his numbers too were terrible. On November 28th he was sitting there with a .888 save percentage and had yet to win a single game all year. He would subsequently miss the next five games with an injury and then get sent to the minors. Again, we’d be trading for a guy with a bigger cap hit and worse numbers who at that point hadn't even won a game.
|
|
|
Post by BadCompany on Feb 2, 2016 13:16:45 GMT -5
Is Price's salary while injured going towards the cap? If not then the salary for the backup at 2.5 is a wash. Unless Molson just wants to grab the money. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my recollection of our demise in the 90s was that ownership (Molson) was not prepared to spend money with the big boys (TO, Phil, Col) in the pre cap era. It's not quite that simple. Price's salary wouldn't have counted towards the cap while he was on IR, but the second he came back they would have to get back under. And not only that, back under by the amount they had OVERSPENT with the extra $2.5 million. So in effect instead of working with a $70 million cap (or whatever it is, I forget), they would have to work with a $67.5 million cap. At the end of the day they are only allowed to spend $70 million on roster players. This is why teams like the Penguins and Flames had to play with five defensemen down the stretch in recent year - because of all the injuries they had once those players came back they had to cut. IR is really only "helpful" if the player is lost for the year. In that case they can replace his salary because the injured player is not on the roster.
|
|
|
Post by blny on Feb 2, 2016 13:34:53 GMT -5
Is Price's salary while injured going towards the cap? If not then the salary for the backup at 2.5 is a wash. Unless Molson just wants to grab the money. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my recollection of our demise in the 90s was that ownership (Molson) was not prepared to spend money with the big boys (TO, Phil, Col) in the pre cap era. As noted, his salary while on IR doesn't count to cap. It's a principle thing though. I don't like the idea of having that much invested in a goalie who isn't going to play 20 games most of the time. As long as Montreal has a goalie making $6.5 million or more, having another one making $2.3-$3 million is just too much of the cap.
|
|
|
Post by Boston_Habs on Feb 2, 2016 13:49:37 GMT -5
I guess my point is that it’s easy to toss out names, but when it’s your actual job to make the trades you sort of have to look at the details. And so while Farber can say “Reimer” all he wants, in the real world Reimer was not available to trade for, even if Bergevin wanted to. As for Ward, hindsight again is 20/20, but on November 25th, when Price got hurt Ward; • Had a $6.3 million cap hit, which I’m not even sure they could have taken on without sending salary back • Had a .907 save percentage For comparison’s sake, on November 25th Condon had a .916 save percentage. And of course was making ten times less money. And it’s not like Ward turned it around either. By January 1st his save percentage had dropped to .900, despite the fact that the Hurricanes were playing well and winning. To say nothing of the fact that last year his save percentage was .910, and the year before that a terrible .898. So its' not like this year was a blip - he's been mediocre to outright bad for some time now. So we would have been trading for a UFA with a $6.3 million cap hit, who had, and continued to have, worse numbers than the guy he would be replacing. As for Bernier he comes with a $4.15 million cap hit for this year AND next year, and his numbers too were terrible. On November 28th he was sitting there with a .888 save percentage and had yet to win a single game all year. He would subsequently miss the next five games with an injury and then get sent to the minors. Again, we’d be trading for a guy with a bigger cap hit and worse numbers who at that point hadn't even won a game. I agree. People want to blame Bergevin for not acting sooner, but it's hard to do that. This bad run just wasn't in the plan, even with the injury to Price. Looking back I don't think I would have acted differently - i.e. try to bridge the injury gap internally and avoid making a trade and/or taking on a contract. Berg was starting with a team that in the past 3 years had won 2 division titles , 3 playoff rounds, and started the season 9-0. We even played well for a good stretch after the Price injury until the wheels came off. But now the wheels are off, so the larger question is WHAT NOW? Playing .500 hockey would be a considerable improvement for this team, but nowhere near good enough to get back in the conversation. I don't advocate a full salary dump, even if it were possible, but barring a 10-3 record in February the smartest thing Berg could do is tacitly "give up" on this year and do his best to reload for next year. Find a team looking for more depth on D and is willing to take a contract like Emelin, or a team looking for a versatile C and doesn't mind Plekanec at 2 more years and $6m, or 1 more year of DD at $3.5m. The question for Berg is what does his winning team look like? I'm sure he thought that included Pleks, but does he still feel that way? Is this all really just about the long-term effects of missing Price? If Berg believes that, then he will quietly endure the rest of season and come back next year with the same team. And it really will be the SAME TEAM, since everyone but Weise and Gilbert is under contract through next year.
|
|
|
Post by habsorbed on Feb 2, 2016 13:58:11 GMT -5
Is Price's salary while injured going towards the cap? If not then the salary for the backup at 2.5 is a wash. Unless Molson just wants to grab the money. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my recollection of our demise in the 90s was that ownership (Molson) was not prepared to spend money with the big boys (TO, Phil, Col) in the pre cap era. As noted, his salary while on IR doesn't count to cap. It's a principle thing though. I don't like the idea of having that much invested in a goalie who isn't going to play 20 games most of the time. As long as Montreal has a goalie making $6.5 million or more, having another one making $2.3-$3 million is just too much of the cap. Anyway you slice it, picking up Scrivens was a bad move. Paying him almost $2 million when he has never been any good was plain stupid. MB should have gone on the cheap and stayed with the entry level guys, or he should have gone all in and got the best goalie available who would not be on the payroll next year. But leave it to MB to kiss his sister, again.
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Feb 2, 2016 14:11:57 GMT -5
I guess my point is that it’s easy to toss out names, but when it’s your actual job to make the trades you sort of have to look at the details. And so while Farber can say “Reimer” all he wants, in the real world Reimer was not available to trade for, even if Bergevin wanted to. As for Ward, hindsight again is 20/20, but on November 25th, when Price got hurt Ward; • Had a $6.3 million cap hit, which I’m not even sure they could have taken on without sending salary back • Had a .907 save percentage For comparison’s sake, on November 25th Condon had a .916 save percentage. And of course was making ten times less money. And it’s not like Ward turned it around either. By January 1st his save percentage had dropped to .900, despite the fact that the Hurricanes were playing well and winning. To say nothing of the fact that last year his save percentage was .910, and the year before that a terrible .898. So its' not like this year was a blip - he's been mediocre to outright bad for some time now. So we would have been trading for a UFA with a $6.3 million cap hit, who had, and continued to have, worse numbers than the guy he would be replacing. As for Bernier he comes with a $4.15 million cap hit for this year AND next year, and his numbers too were terrible. On November 28th he was sitting there with a .888 save percentage and had yet to win a single game all year. He would subsequently miss the next five games with an injury and then get sent to the minors. Again, we’d be trading for a guy with a bigger cap hit and worse numbers who at that point hadn't even won a game. I agree. People want to blame Bergevin for not acting sooner, but it's hard to do that. This bad run just wasn't in the plan, even with the injury to Price. Looking back I don't think I would have acted differently - i.e. try to bridge the injury gap internally and avoid making a trade and/or taking on a contract. Berg was starting with a team that in the past 3 years had won 2 division titles , 3 playoff rounds, and started the season 9-0. We even played well for a good stretch after the Price injury until the wheels came off. But now the wheels are off, so the larger question is WHAT NOW? Playing .500 hockey would be a considerable improvement for this team, but nowhere near good enough to get back in the conversation. I don't advocate a full salary dump, even if it were possible, but barring a 10-3 record in February the smartest thing Berg could do is tacitly "give up" on this year and do his best to reload for next year. Find a team looking for more depth on D and is willing to take a contract like Emelin, or a team looking for a versatile C and doesn't mind Plekanec at 2 more years and $6m, or 1 more year of DD at $3.5m. The question for Berg is what does his winning team look like? I'm sure he thought that included Pleks, but does he still feel that way? Is this all really just about the long-term effects of missing Price? If Berg believes that, then he will quietly endure the rest of season and come back next year with the same team. And it really will be the SAME TEAM, since everyone but Weise and Gilbert is under contract through next year. No one plans for a bad run but you should be prepared. That's why Bergevin & his assistants & his crew of scouts earn big dollars. Shouldn't you be prepared for the worse case scenario. Price came back from the Olympics with an injury. Didn't anybody in the room say we need better insurance than a rookie netminder. When Buffalo lost Lehner in the season opener Tim Murray decided to stay within the organization. But the outlook is different in Buffalo. A year of Eichel, Reinhart etc development is not a lost year for the Sabres. Giving up on the season in Montreal after all the promise at the beginning - really? Another year of the primes of Pacioretty, Subban etc is lost. He's dealing from a position of weakness now due to the injuries and the contracts that guys like Emelin & Plekanec have. Good luck getting a reasonable return for those guys.
|
|
|
Post by Boston_Habs on Feb 2, 2016 14:27:35 GMT -5
With respect to Emelin and Plekanec, I'm fine with a return of picks and cap space. That's $10m right there. Enough for a full court press on Steven Stamkos.
And maybe we pull an Edmonton at the lottery and grab Auston Matthews!
Now THAT's a rebuild.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 2, 2016 14:34:31 GMT -5
You can't mitigate every possibility. You can make backup plans for the highest risk situations, but the salary cap handcuffs you from covering every possible thing that can go wrong. In some areas you just have to have a deep farm system, or hope for the best. Neither happened in our case, or rather, the guy with the baton isn't using what Bergevin has delivered in the most effective way.
Andrighetto is up with the team, but not dressed. He's a scorer. We can't score. Instead we play Devante Smith-Pelley. IMO, that's criminal. Helps us with that draft pick, though. Jeeze, if Bergevin has any brains at all, he must be grinding his teeth into oblivion watching Therrien abuse that line-up.
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Feb 2, 2016 14:35:51 GMT -5
With respect to Emelin and Plekanec, I'm fine with a return of picks and cap space. That's $10m right there. Enough for a full court press on Steven Stamkos. And maybe we pull an Edmonton at the lottery and grab Auston Matthews! Now THAT's a rebuild. I'm with you. Might be tough to get anything better than 5th rounders, but the CAP space would be worth it.
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 2, 2016 15:41:42 GMT -5
As for Bernier he comes with a $4.15 million cap hit for this year AND next year, and his numbers too were terrible. On November 28th he was sitting there with a .888 save percentage and had yet to win a single game all year. He would subsequently miss the next five games with an injury and then get sent to the minors. Again, we’d be trading for a guy with a bigger cap hit and worse numbers who at that point hadn't even won a game. Didn't know we'd be looking at goaltenders on or about November 28th ... at the time the Habs hadn't imploded so I'm not so sure Jonathan Bernier, or any other goaltender for that matter, would have been an option at that point ... Bernier's game went south, sure, and he was subsequently demoted to the minors; however, he did post 3 shutouts in 4 games avec les Marlies ... he played extremely well upon his return to Toronto ... he was shelled a couple of times, okay, but he's 5-2-2 since returning from the AHL ... his save percentage is still .889% but his GAA has improved to 2.68 from 3.09 and he has a shoutout, too ... besides, as I was saying earlier, it probably wouldn't matter who they bring in now, things won't improve a whole lot ... they'll be coming into a shooting gallery in Montreal and there aren't too many goaltenders who can bail out their team like Carey Price can ... Cheers.
|
|