Would you break the bank for Briere ?

[Doc Holliday]

Bertrand Raymond was talking about it yesterday during the game. Since Briere will be a UFA next summer should the HABS try everything in their power to bring him in ?

Personally I think Briere would be a perfect fit. Beyond the fact that he is a local guy, he is the kind of hard working, aggravating character player that Montreal fans love. Personally I hope we don't let this one go by.

[Skilly]

I'd have to weigh the options .... Briere is an expensive little guy.

[jkr]

Saw him yesterday on the tube doing a commercial for a men's shop in Buffalo. He may not want to leave now that he's a TV star. ;D

[habmeister]

i think he's worth 4 max. he's a good player, but i don't believe he is a great leader. i'd take saku over him.

[franko]

Really depends on how big the bank is, no?

He's good -- I'd like him. But he's a piece of the puzzle, and if he costs too much and we lose other important pieces because of it we're no further ahead.

A definite maybe, but that's about it.

[BadCompany]

habmeister said:

i think he's worth 4 max. he's a good player, but i don't believe he is a great leader. i'd take saku over him.

Briere is already making $5 million, so he ain’t going to go down to $4 million…

I think he’ll get a Brad Richards type $7 million contract, from some team looking for a home run. If it isn’t Buffalo, I am sure there will be more than enough teams to drive up the bidding for him. Atlanta comes to mind, assuming they want to pony up the cash. Philadelphia and Toronto would be other teams quite happy to overpay, I’m guessing.

He’d be a nice fit, but with our cap situation, and the fact that we still have to sign the Big Three, Bonk, Johnson, Komisarek, Higgins, Perezhoghin and even Plekanec… I’m gonna guess there won’t be enough room to get Briere.

[Doc Holliday]

badcompany said:

I’m gonna guess there won’t be enough room to get Briere.

If you sign Briere, you indeed have to make some choices. While Bonk and Johnson are playing mighty fine 2 way hockey, with Perezhogin, Plekanecs, Lapierre, Begin, Chipchura, etc... we're not missing 2 way players with good upsides. Would you trade Bonk/Johnson for Briere? Personally I would.

[franko]

docholliday said:

Would you trade Bonk/Johnson for Briere? Personally I would.

It's going to take a lot more salary cap room than those guys. Bonk, Johnson, Sammy, plus "?" [help me out, Skilly] = the 8.5-9M that would be needed (Briere plus 3 or 4 guys as minimum salary to fill in the balnks).

A nice dream . . . I'd like him, even ifhe is overpaid.

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

[Doc Holliday]

franko said:

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

That's the thing.

Briere has a fireball, arrogant style that will please the fans even in moments where he's not producing. He's a offensive center (which we're painfully lacking), he's a leader, he's got character, he's a local guy, he's a gentlemen, etc... I would definitely be ready to pay Lecavalier type money (6-6.50) to secure this guy long term here. If the HABS want him, they can make room and if they haven't already sent feelers out to him, they're sleeping on the job.

[Skilly]

franko said:

docholliday said:

Would you trade Bonk/Johnson for Briere? Personally I would.

It's going to take a lot more salary cap room than those guys. Bonk, Johnson, Sammy, plus "?" [help me out, Skilly] = the 8.5-9M that would be needed (Briere plus 3 or 4 guys as minimum salary to fill in the balnks).

A nice dream . . . I'd like him, even ifhe is overpaid.

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

If we are looking at Brad Richards type of money ... around 7 million. Then it is going to take Bonk (2.394), Johnson (1.786) + Samsonov (3.525). Then we have to add the salary of two third line players ..... Chipchura/Grabovski (we hope) and Kostitsyn ... and thats only if we want to go with a scoring third line ... we don't have a Johnson in our system and he is what is making Bink click now ... getting rid of Johnson is a bad move IMO.

I know some will say Lapiere can slide in to the third line, .... we will see on that ... at best we will have a patchwork quilt third line of Pleky-Kostitsyn-Perezhogin ..... and I dont like that third line just yet ... way too green as we say here.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

skilly said:

franko said:

It's going to take a lot more salary cap room than those guys. Bonk, Johnson, Sammy, plus "?" [help me out, Skilly] = the 8.5-9M that would be needed (Briere plus 3 or 4 guys as minimum salary to fill in the balnks).

A nice dream . . . I'd like him, even ifhe is overpaid.

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

If we are looking at Brad Richards type of money ... around 7 million. Then it is going to take Bonk (2.394), Johnson (1.786) + Samsonov (3.525). Then we have to add the salary of two third line players ..... Chipchura/Grabovski (we hope) and Kostitsyn ... and thats only if we want to go with a scoring third line ... we don't have a Johnson in our system and he is what is making Bink click now ... getting rid of Johnson is a bad move IMO.

I know some will say Lapiere can slide in to the third line, .... we will see on that ... at best we will have a patchwork quilt third line of Pleky-Kostitsyn-Perezhogin ..... and I dont like that third line just yet ... way too green as we say here.

I agree. Tampa has paid huge salaries to a few players and they have dropped in the standings ever since.

[Toronthab]

franko said:

docholliday said:

Would you trade Bonk/Johnson for Briere? Personally I would.

It's going to take a lot more salary cap room than those guys. Bonk, Johnson, Sammy, plus "?" [help me out, Skilly] = the 8.5-9M that would be needed (Briere plus 3 or 4 guys as minimum salary to fill in the balnks).

A nice dream . . . I'd like him, even ifhe is overpaid.

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

HAAHAAHAHAAAA! Too good HA!

[Anardil1]

docholliday said:

franko said:

But then again, what is overpaid (other than any Leaf d-man?).

That's the thing.

Briere has a fireball, arrogant style that will please the fans even in moments where he's not producing. He's a offensive center (which we're painfully lacking), he's a leader, he's got character, he's a local guy, he's a gentlemen, etc... I would definitely be ready to pay Lecavalier type money (6-6.50) to secure this guy long term here. If the HABS want him, they can make room and if they haven't already sent feelers out to him, they're sleeping on the job.

Actually Doc, I think the real question should be: Does Briere want the Habs? We've seen far too many examples of elite offensive UFAs choose to go elsewhere even after getting better offers from Mr. Gainey. He even said that Samsonov has plan D or E. Also, more importantly, let's wait and see if Briere even becomes a free agent.

[princelh]

In Buffalo, they play a four line game. Briere is just one, in the many weapons that the Sabres have. Give him more ice time and he may produce more points, if he decides to move to another team.

[Skilly]

princelh said:

In Buffalo, they play a four line game. Briere is just one, in the many weapons that the Sabres have. Give him more ice time and he may produce more points, if he decides to move to another team.

After the way he pitched-forked Ovechkin .... he can stay in Buffalo for all I care. Lack of class. And he will get away with it too ... if that was Downey spearing someone he'd get 5 games at least.

I guess in the NHL, two wrongs do indeed make a right.

[franko]

skilly said:

princelh said:

In Buffalo, they play a four line game. Briere is just one, in the many weapons that the Sabres have. Give him more ice time and he may produce more points, if he decides to move to another team.

After the way he pitched-forked Ovechkin .... he can stay in Buffalo for all I care. Lack of class. And he will get away with it too ... if that was Downey spearing someone he'd get 5 games at least.

I guess in the NHL, two wrongs do indeed make a right.

Didn't see it. I take it . . . retribution?

[Skilly]

franko said:

skilly said:

After the way he pitched-forked Ovechkin .... he can stay in Buffalo for all I care. Lack of class. And he will get away with it too ... if that was Downey spearing someone he'd get 5 games at least.

I guess in the NHL, two wrongs do indeed make a right.

Didn't see it. I take it . . . retribution?

It was indeed retribution.

Ovechkin and another Buffalo player were over in the corner by the boards but behind the goal line. Briere skated behind his teammate so Ovechkin couldn't see him and then he swept past his teammate (sort of a pick play) and jabbed Ovechkin right in the stomach with his stick.

Ovechkin got up and went after Briere to settle it once and for all .... got him along the boards and looked like he wanted to fight. But typical Briere wouldn't go, cowered away and got his teammates to pull Ovechkin away.

That kind of player I want nowhere near this team.

[jkr]

skilly said:

princelh said:

In Buffalo, they play a four line game. Briere is just one, in the many weapons that the Sabres have. Give him more ice time and he may produce more points, if he decides to move to another team.

After the way he pitched-forked Ovechkin .... he can stay in Buffalo for all I care. Lack of class. And he will get away with it too ... if that was Downey spearing someone he'd get 5 games at least.

I guess in the NHL, two wrongs do indeed make a right.

I don't condone it but this is the way smaller players have defended themselves against bigger players & cheap shots for years. The stick is their equalizer. It may be wrong but it will make Ovechkin think twice before he carelessly shoves someone into the boards from behind.

And if the Habs have a chance to land Briere for a reasonable price this won't even enter into their minds. In fact most teams will think that move was a plus.

As an aside, when was the last time someone was suspended for spearing. It's a nasty move but I rarely even see someone even get a penalty for it.

[franko]

jkr said:

And if the Habs have a chance to land Briere for a reasonable price this won't even enter into their minds. In fact most teams will think that move was a plus.

Whoever on CBC was suggesting minimum of $25M over 5 years . . . more if there is a bidding war. Maybe is Sammy plus is moved . . .

[Doc Holliday]

jkr said:

I don't condone it but this is the way smaller players have defended themselves against bigger players & cheap shots for years. The stick is their equalizer. It may be wrong but it will make Ovechkin think twice before he carelessly shoves someone into the boards from behind.

And if the Habs have a chance to land Briere for a reasonable price this won't even enter into their minds. In fact most teams will think that move was a plus.

As an aside, when was the last time someone was suspended for spearing. It's a nasty move but I rarely even see someone even get a penalty for it.

Agreed.

Briere is not a dirty player by any stretch of the immagination but he gave Ovechkin something to ponder. He didn't knee him, high stick him in the face or charge him with a blow to the head. He hurt him but didn't injure him. At his size vs Overchkin, if he would have tried to fight him, he would have looked silly at best. 2 wrongs doesn't make a right, but if player like Briere don't wanna become player like Perreault, they must not let this kind of thing go unpunished.

[seventeen]

Neither guy is dirty, though Ovechkin was certainly laying out some heavy clean hits yesterday against the Rangers. Would I love him on our team....maybe on a line with Briere.

Sorry, the doctor has said the hallucinations will go away.

[Skilly]

docholliday said:

jkr said:

I don't condone it but this is the way smaller players have defended themselves against bigger players & cheap shots for years. The stick is their equalizer. It may be wrong but it will make Ovechkin think twice before he carelessly shoves someone into the boards from behind.

And if the Habs have a chance to land Briere for a reasonable price this won't even enter into their minds. In fact most teams will think that move was a plus.

As an aside, when was the last time someone was suspended for spearing. It's a nasty move but I rarely even see someone even get a penalty for it.

Agreed.

Briere is not a dirty player by any stretch of the immagination but he gave Ovechkin something to ponder. He didn't knee him, high stick him in the face or charge him with a blow to the head. He hurt him but didn't injure him. At his size vs Overchkin, if he would have tried to fight him, he would have looked silly at best. 2 wrongs doesn't make a right, but if player like Briere don't wanna become player like Perreault, they must not let this kind of thing go unpunished.

And the same can be said for Ovechkin .... he can not let a dirty spear to the mid-section go unpunished. And the circle continues. The only problem is that when Ovechkin goes looking for retribution he will flatten Briere, whether clean or dirty (more likely it will be a clean one though) ... then Brashear and Gaustad (or someone) will pick up the pieces.

If Briere can not run with the bulls, he shouldn't be playing with the horns .....

[jkr]

skilly said:

docholliday said:

Agreed.

Briere is not a dirty player by any stretch of the immagination but he gave Ovechkin something to ponder. He didn't knee him, high stick him in the face or charge him with a blow to the head. He hurt him but didn't injure him. At his size vs Overchkin, if he would have tried to fight him, he would have looked silly at best. 2 wrongs doesn't make a right, but if player like Briere don't wanna become player like Perreault, they must not let this kind of thing go unpunished.

If Briere can not run with the bulls, he shouldn't be playing with the horns .....

If Ovechkin's hit had been clean I don't think he would have gone after Ovechkin the way he did.

Briere can run with the bulls, he just doesn't want to run with bulls that hit from behind.

[Skilly]

jkr said:

skilly said:

If Briere can not run with the bulls, he shouldn't be playing with the horns .....

If Ovechkin's hit had been clean I don't think he would have gone after Ovechkin the way he did.

Briere can run with the bulls, he just doesn't want to run with bulls that hit from behind.

I am talking about after his spear. Ovechkin went to fight him, Briere backed away and Gaustad made sure Ovechkin didnt get to Briere. Ovechkin will level him again, with a good clean hit (hopefully) ...and Ovechkin is the type of player that will not forget and will not wait on Brashear. He will get Briere back ... and he can do more damage than Briere.

[blny]

I'd consider it, but with pressing matters on the blueline to take care of I doubt he's in the budget. If the solution can't be found within, then it will be more on the cheap. I don't see a Briere-esque move until Koivu is gone. I don't see Saku going anywhere until he retires.

[franko]

You know, I think you've hit it bang-on. We need to shore up the D before we do anything else. As ______ (can't remember who and too lazy to start searching yesterday's posts) and others have said, it starts from the goal out. I think that area of the team is set. Huet is doing his job (OK, more than doing his job the way these guys have been playing), and our future is readying itself in the minors. No worries there from the looks of it.

However (warning: here it comes again), until our d-corps (and sometimes I want to add an "e" to the end of that -- our corpse) learns to clear the front of the net, and more glaringly, the puck from the zone, on a consistent basis -- oh, and the occasional tape-to-tape pass to a skating forward (but that is another matter for another day) we will continue to struggle.

So forget Briere. He isn't the one missing ingredient. Get the D set and and that will set us up for less heart-attack inspiring play.

And bring Cote up.

[blny]

To play Devil's Advocate it takes more than defencemen to clear the puck. It takes commitment from wingers to assume the position on the boards to help get the puck out. It's beyond hard for a dman to simply get the puck out without icing it. If you want to get a decent breakout then you definitely need the support of wingers being back to help, and holding a spot on the boards.

[franko]

True. But how many times have we seen our d shoot the puck right at or into an opposing forward playing the boards (which I guess speaks to a poor break-out play)? How many times have passes been flubbed -- or put directly on the stick or an opposing player? Not saying it is all the fault of our d -- just that our d needs to improve. Even the [gasp] Oilers of the 80s learned that without d you are going nowhere come playoff time.

[blny]

I'm not saying our defense is without fault. Just that with increased emphasis on forechecking, and calling players for impeding a forecheckers progress, players need to be in position to receive passes. The Habs have been bit as much as anyone by accidently putting the puck over the glass while trying to clear the zone. I do see players firing the puck the wrong way around the boards sometimes, and that comes down to communication. Someone, whether the goalie, or a winger, needs to help. They need to communicate which way the puck should be fired.


Scenario: Dman moves puck up the boards to winger. Winger angles the puck either out of the zone or over into open ice where the centre picks it up and skates out. It's routinely the most efficient way to get the puck out. The Canadiens do employ this method, but it requires a commitment from people to be in position. You can't always skate the puck out through the minefield.

[Doc Holliday]

I'm with BLNY on this. Our forwards offer very little support to our D when they gain possession, they all fly away. We have 8 NHL caliber dmen, our top 3 is among the very best in the league and we have plenty of decent support dmen to complement them well.

That being said, I'd agree that replacing Souray and/or Markov would be the #1 priority next summer if either leaves.

Hopefully Gainey will have solved our center problem this year so we have one less thing to worry about next summer.