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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 17:02:01 GMT -5
The Wiz was a healthy scratch for Columbus' last game. There's been a lot of speculation about most of the Jackets defense being available. His cap hit is $5.5 million, but he'll make $5 million next year and $3 million in the final year. Yes, we need offense up front. But, if the Jackets took Gilbert back would you do the deal? James would add another shooting defender to our PP. Skates well. Strong physically. Can put up points. He's a rhd. Does get out of position to make hit from time to time. Markov-Subban Beaulieu - Wisniewski Emelin - Gonchar Tinordi - Weaver Obviously Tinordi would go back down until the playoffs, but that wouldn't be a bad 8 to go with come the time of expanded rosters. Gonchar can play both sides and he mentors. Would Beau and Wiz be too much of an adventure? Wiz didn't play particularly well Saturday night. Could be like Eller and the trade whispers are getting to him. He was in the Norris conversation for a while last year. |
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Post by Disp on Feb 23, 2015 17:07:39 GMT -5
Always liked Wiz, he's a character and he played well for us.
I want no part of Kessel. I don't think you win with guys like that. By that I mean one-dimensional guys that take up a large portion of your cap. I think the character issues are overblown a bit.
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Post by Polarice on Feb 23, 2015 17:15:22 GMT -5
Looking at the UFA trade bait out there and there isn't one player that makes us a better team. Other than adding a little playoff depth I see no need to add any of them.
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 18:07:30 GMT -5
The UFA market this Summer is dreadful. Finding that scorer is going to have to come via trade.
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Post by CentreHice on Feb 23, 2015 18:26:09 GMT -5
#1 centre. Staal…short-term solution. Perhaps another strong year after this one. Is he enough to capitalize on a career year for Price? Huberdeau. Don't know if he can help get us to the Finals this year, but he's young…and nothing but promise for the future. Either one will cost us….but if I had to pick best probable return on investment…it's likely Huberdeau. Regardless, we sure could use a "Bobby Smith"--who cost us two solid roster players (Keith Acton and Mark Napier) and a draft pick, which turned out to be Ken Hodge, Jr. Who are our Acton and Napier?  Then again, I just can't see Florida giving up a big part of that young core. |
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 18:43:40 GMT -5
I look at the group we have, and I don't think it's prudent to just side idly by. Said it before, Price will be 28, Max will be 27, Subban is 25. That's your core group. The Gals are the only ones you could go out and trade for a Huberdeau and wait IMO. Price has maybe 6 years before things slow down. As it stands, we can't predict if he'll ever put up quite the numbers he has this year. We can hope, but we've seen how up and down the goalie position is. Then there's injury. We saw what that could be like last year. No Price and an offense that went drier than the Sahara make for a bad combination. We need more goals. We need another guy who's good for 30 plus annually on top of what we have. In other words, I don't think it's necessarily enough for the Gals to turn into 25-30 goal men. We need to add TO them.
Pacioretty-Desharnais-Galchenyuk (if the rw experiment holds)
Gallagher-Plekanec-Simmonds
Sekac-Eller-Prust
Bournival-Malhotra-Weise
No elite center in that group yet, but there's goals in it. Could switch Simmonds and Galchenyuk.
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Post by GNick99 on Feb 23, 2015 18:53:29 GMT -5
#1 centre. Staal…short-term solution. Perhaps another strong year after this one. Is he enough to capitalize on a career year for Price? Huberdeau. Don't know if he can help get us to the Finals this year, but he's young…and nothing but promise for the future. Either one will cost us….but if I had to pick best probable return on investment…it's likely Huberdeau. Regardless, we sure could use a "Bobby Smith"--who cost us two solid roster players (Keith Acton and Mark Napier) and a draft pick, which turned out to be Ken Hodge, Jr. Who are our Acton and Napier? Then again, I just can't see Florida giving up a big part of that young core. Hockey trades like Bobby Smith are rarely made today. Teams want picks and prospects to move big contract player. |
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 19:04:51 GMT -5
PAP and DD.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 23, 2015 19:48:57 GMT -5
I think you have to concentrate on improving the centre position. Gotta have that strength up the middle.
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 19:55:22 GMT -5
I think you have to concentrate on improving the centre position. Gotta have that strength up the middle. The flip side of that is the Pens. Yes, they have a cup, but it's getting increasingly difficult for them to compete. The big reason is so much tied up in two #1 centers that they've had real issues supplying quality wingers to one of them. Sid's had serious issue with chemistry in particular. The message is: it's great to have fantastic centers, but you've got to have guys that can finish. We've got good play makers. We need more Paciorettys. |
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Post by seventeen on Feb 23, 2015 20:10:59 GMT -5
The Pens should have traded one of their big two a while ago. All they need is one, and what they could have gotten for Malkin would have really deepened their team.
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Post by franko on Feb 23, 2015 20:16:44 GMT -5
talk that if the Pens don't do well this post-season that one of the big two might be on the block . . . and it won't be Crosby.
methinks they have the Pennsylvania disease, and that they are stuck with their problem (Fleury) for the foreseeable future.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 23, 2015 20:30:25 GMT -5
I don't have the solution for goal scoring, but I don't think Kessel would be a good fit in Montreal ... he doesn't seem to be the kind of character guy Bergevin looks for ... I remember Wiz playing in Montreal before and he was okay ... not sure what else, other than a bullet from the point, he brings to the table ... Huberdeau would be a good acquisition but probably expensive ... he might help in scoring, I really don't know ... they'd probably sell a lot of Hubereau jerseys though ...
Cheers.
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Post by blny on Feb 23, 2015 21:46:48 GMT -5
I was never really all that impressed by Huberdeau, and that goes all the way back to junior.
He's had ample opportunity in Florida and hasn't really done anything to get noticed outside of his own market. When's the last time the hockey world said "did you see what Huberdeau did?" He's not terribly big at 6'1 and 190. He's listed as a LW, which doesn't exactly address a glaring need. IMO he's a play maker from the wing. He'll be a nice piece, but no one you build around. Bjugstad on the other hand ... either him, or Ekblad, or Gudbranson. Those guys I would move assets for. Panthers won't be parting with them though.
Wiz combines a number of nice assets, mostly offensive in nature. Shooter, decent passer, good skater, agile/mobile. He plays bigger than his 5'11 height because he's 208lbs. He hits hard, and will drop the gloves. Like Emelin, he can fall into the trap of leaving is position for the hit. We do have responsible, back checking forwards though and that can make up for aggressive d.
It's fair to question how good a fit Kessel would be. On the one hand, he's a dynamic player with a great shot and great speed. On the other hand, he's not a good player without the puck, will not take hits to make plays, and has question marks about his character and commitment level. Montreal could make those negatives worse. Or, it could rejuvenate him. Playing with one of his closest off ice friends in Subban could get him to buy in. He has had 5 30 goal seasons in 8 seasons. His first two seasons in Boston, and the lockout year, were when he didn't. Statistically, he's shown up for the playoffs producing at basically a ppg level. Given the type of game Montreal is capable of playing, and their transition style offense, if he can even remotely be responsible defensively I think he CAN fit in. I'd say Lupul was far worse defensively. Best centers he's played with are a toss up between Grabovski, Bozak, and Kadri. We can beat that.
It's one time, were I GM, that I'd want to speak to the player and get a sense of what he's really like. Subban would be able to provide accurate input as well. If all concerns are taken care of, all questions answered to satisfaction, and the price was right, I'd consider pulling the trigger. His age fits right into the wheelhouse of our core group.
2015 first, Scherbak, PAP, Allen, and a third next year for Kessel and the Leafs eating $1.5 million of his cap hit for the life of his deal. They get another first this year. They get a top notch forward prospect with huge upside (and let's face it, offering up anyone else aside from maybe McCarron won't get it done). PAP and Allen are necessary cap dumps. The third is for taking the cap dumps, or taking almost all of a big contract off their books. Kessel at $6.5 million cap hit is a pretty easy pill to swallow.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 23, 2015 23:46:51 GMT -5
Makes sense to me. And you have to think that if it doesn't work out, you could flip him for perhaps not as much, but enough so that the experiment won't have cost that much.
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Post by GNick99 on Feb 24, 2015 4:17:12 GMT -5
2015 first, Scherbak, PAP, Allen, and a third next year for Kessel and the Leafs eating $1.5 million of his cap hit for the life of his deal. They get another first this year. They get a top notch forward prospect with huge upside (and let's face it, offering up anyone else aside from maybe McCarron won't get it done). PAP and Allen are necessary cap dumps. The third is for taking the cap dumps, or taking almost all of a big contract off their books. Kessel at $6.5 million cap hit is a pretty easy pill to swallow. I wouldn't make that offer for Kessel. I'd make a good offer but not include Scherbak. I'd offer #1 pick, Fucale, Tinordi, PAP for Kessel? That's 3 good assets...fair offer. I doubt Toronto accepts though as they likely trade him in the summer. When teams have more caproom and know where they will be drafting. Kessel surrounded by talent we have in Montreal should thrive. I think what happened in Tornoto is they paid so much for him and he kind of have introvert personality. Can't really deal with the media being the man. |
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Post by blny on Feb 24, 2015 6:56:23 GMT -5
2015 first, Scherbak, PAP, Allen, and a third next year for Kessel and the Leafs eating $1.5 million of his cap hit for the life of his deal. They get another first this year. They get a top notch forward prospect with huge upside (and let's face it, offering up anyone else aside from maybe McCarron won't get it done). PAP and Allen are necessary cap dumps. The third is for taking the cap dumps, or taking almost all of a big contract off their books. Kessel at $6.5 million cap hit is a pretty easy pill to swallow. I wouldn't make that offer for Kessel. I'd make a good offer but not include Scherbak. I'd offer #1 pick, Fucale, Tinordi, PAP for Kessel? That's 3 good assets...fair offer. I doubt Toronto accepts though as they likely trade him in the summer. When teams have more caproom and know where they will be drafting. Kessel surrounded by talent we have in Montreal should thrive. I think what happened in Tornoto is they paid so much for him and he kind of have introvert personality. Can't really deal with the media being the man. I basically posted what would be a final offer. Best offer; what I see Toronto viewing as the best value from our list. Fucale and Scherbak may have equivalent value, but I think they'd covet Nikita more and focus on him. He'd be tough to give up, but for a guy with 5 thirty goal seasons, and more to come, I would. They've got a quality center prospect in Nylander. The idea of him playing with Scherbak would interest them I'm sure. At this point, Tinordi is more valuable to us than anyone else. Were he offered up, right now, I'm not sure he'd garner even a second in return. |
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 24, 2015 7:54:57 GMT -5
The ONLY concern I would have with Kessel is in the dressing room. Will there be problems with him, the coach, the media, the other players, etcetera? On the ice, regular season AND playoffs, I think he would be a tremendous fit. Never mind the regular 30 goals, the guy has been a Top Ten scorer in the league for the last three seasons (coming into this year). TOP TEN! When was the last night we had a player in the top 20? Top 30?? I'm not being sarcastic, it's a legitimate question. Who was the last player we had to crack the top 30 in scoring?? And he's doing that with Tyler Bozak as his center. Tyler Bozak!!! Put him with Plekanec and Galchenyuk and watch the fireworks!
I also don't think we need to worry about his defensive liabilities. To begin with I think they're overblown somewhat. No, he won't win the Selke, but that's not what you would be getting him for. With Price in nets I think we can afford to have one winger be more offensively orientated than others, in my opinion.
Now having said that you have to worry about the whole chemistry thing, and whether or not he is in fact a "coach killer". I do NOT see him and Therrien getting along well, and what effect will that have on the dressing room? Any head butting between the two will be blown up in the media, and players may be forced to take sides. Which isn't good. Or guys like Sekac and Galchenyuk could start thinking it's okay for them to "pull a Kessel". I think they're stronger mentally than that, but you never know.
It's a really tough call, assuming Toronto would even trade him here. We could certainly use his offense though.
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Post by Skilly on Feb 24, 2015 10:43:33 GMT -5
The ONLY concern I would have with Kessel is in the dressing room. Will there be problems with him, the coach, the media, the other players, etcetera? On the ice, regular season AND playoffs, I think he would be a tremendous fit. Never mind the regular 30 goals, the guy has been a Top Ten scorer in the league for the last three seasons (coming into this year). TOP TEN! When was the last night we had a player in the top 20? Top 30?? I'm not being sarcastic, it's a legitimate question. Who was the last player we had to crack the top 30 in scoring?? And he's doing that with Tyler Bozak as his center. Tyler Bozak!!! Put him with Plekanec and Galchenyuk and watch the fireworks! Maximillian Kolenda Pacioretty - currently 6th in goals, 20th in points, and 1st in plus-minus. ALL currently better than Kessel. (And Emm_Kay is doing it with DD ... who is behind Bozak in production) My biggest beef in acquiring Kessel is where does he fit? Let's not forget that Phil Kessel was asked by Randy Carlyle to play the other wing (I believe they wanted him to play his natural side for defensive reasons, but Kessel wanted his off wing for the one timers ... or vice versa) But Kessel flat out refused. Some reports suggest that Kessel actually said he wouldn't play if that was the plan. Then Shanahan asked him, and he again said no ..... So if these are true, Kessel would appear to have his own picture of where he wants to play. Will he come to Montreal and slide into a diminished role willingly? Yes, I said diminshed. If we are acquiring Kessel for the first line, then I think it is a waste of time. There is only one puck, and only so many shots to be taken. Our first line is not the problem. I realize we now have Dale Weise on the first line, but in my opinion that is not the hole. We can slide others into that hole seemlessly, and no matter who we put there, the first line has produced.. I agree with you that Kessel would need to go on the second line, or maybe even the third line. And his PP time? Well we know Therrien likes to use set lines, so DD-MP. I'm not sure Kessel could handle second PP unit time. Every story about Kessel seems to ring that he is a "me" first guy .... We do need another goal scorer. I'm hoping that for the price Toronto wants for Kessel, other teams get interested in talking about their players. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 24, 2015 15:10:09 GMT -5
I hope the rumours about Lupul are just that. The Berg seems to actually trade for players that are not typically the names that are being bantered about in the speculative trade twitter-sphere.
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Post by Disp on Feb 24, 2015 15:50:01 GMT -5
Lupul is made of glass. I wouldn't make a move for him. Somebody probably will though.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 24, 2015 16:51:20 GMT -5
They always seem to be a surprise, don't they? Smith-Pelley not mentioned once. Last year Vanek wasn't considered at all. Weise was no no one's radar. It's almost like he deliberately avoids anyone being rumoured, so that's good for the guys who dislike Lupul, Kessel etc. The one thing I'm worrying about (just a little) is that Berg is kinda, almost, sorta, trigger happy. He makes a lot of moves and I'd be happier if he made fewer. He can change the coach anytime, though. |
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Post by blny on Feb 24, 2015 18:33:44 GMT -5
I'm getting the feeling he doesn't like the market of offensive players that may be available. In lieu of adding goals, he's looking to perhaps be as hard to play against as possible.
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Post by seventeen on Feb 24, 2015 18:58:38 GMT -5
I can see that, blny, but on my list of players on the Habs who are easy to play against, Sekac would not have been near the top. In the big picture this deal is fairly minor and isn't going to change the team much one way or the other. It gives up some offensive upside for some more hitting.
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 24, 2015 19:57:31 GMT -5
MB is in Chicago tonight watching the Hawks v Panthers. I wonder who he is looking at.
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 24, 2015 19:59:01 GMT -5
I'm getting the feeling he doesn't like the market of offensive players that may be available. In lieu of adding goals, he's looking to perhaps be as hard to play against as possible. Interesting point blny. that never occurred to me. I have been focused on us getting more scoring. |
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Post by blny on Feb 24, 2015 20:59:59 GMT -5
I'm getting the feeling he doesn't like the market of offensive players that may be available. In lieu of adding goals, he's looking to perhaps be as hard to play against as possible. Interesting point blny. that never occurred to me. I have been focused on us getting more scoring. Ideally, I truly think he would like to. But, if the asking prices are to be believed at this point, some are astronomical. If he can't make the hockey trade he'd prefer ... there's no doubt DSP will add physicality to the line up. If he can't find offense, he can find sand paper. If nothing else, maybe it makes a little more room out there for the guys we do have. |
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Post by Willie Dog on Feb 24, 2015 21:22:47 GMT -5
Interesting point blny. that never occurred to me. I have been focused on us getting more scoring. Ideally, I truly think he would like to. But, if the asking prices are to be believed at this point, some are astronomical. If he can't make the hockey trade he'd prefer ... there's no doubt DSP will add physicality to the line up. If he can't find offense, he can find sand paper. If nothing else, maybe it makes a little more room out there for the guys we do have. I hope the sandpaper rubs off on the other guys and not the other way around |
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Post by GNick99 on Feb 25, 2015 11:48:46 GMT -5
Ideally, I truly think he would like to. But, if the asking prices are to be believed at this point, some are astronomical. If he can't make the hockey trade he'd prefer ... there's no doubt DSP will add physicality to the line up. If he can't find offense, he can find sand paper. If nothing else, maybe it makes a little more room out there for the guys we do have. I hope the sandpaper rubs off on the other guys and not the other way around If Bergs can't find offense this deadline he should look at giving somebody on the farm the opportunity. A prospect who is having a good year, call them up near end of season. We achieved success before this way, Claude Lemieux, Chelios, Erc Desjardins, Dryden, to name a few. |
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Post by Gogie on Feb 25, 2015 12:11:05 GMT -5
I hope the sandpaper rubs off on the other guys and not the other way around If Bergs can't find offense this deadline he should look at giving somebody on the farm the opportunity. A prospect who is having a good year, call them up near end of season. We achieved success before this way, Claude Lemieux, Chelios, Erc Desjardins, Dryden, to name a few. Charles Hudon? |
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