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Post by CentreHice on Feb 12, 2008 9:54:33 GMT -5
Leaving the team alone and letting it develop as it is (from the draft table and farm)....is resigning yourself to the fact that, beyond the potential of Price, we won't have any game-breaking superstar leadership on this team for the forseeable future.
In the age of more parity than ever before, part of having solid potential on the farm is using it to acquire proven talent to put you over-the-top.
Gainey's done it before: Balej for Kovalev. It didn't put us over-the-top....but imagine us without Kovalev. Last season excluded, he's been the most exciting/dangerous Hab forward since Lafleur. A game-breaker.
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Post by Marvin on Feb 12, 2008 10:47:03 GMT -5
Regarding the 'potential of Price', I'd love to see this kid shine, but let's be honest here, is he ready for the NHL? I don't think so. I've seen more from the Kostitsyn brothers and Plekanec to keep me optimistic about the future.
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 12, 2008 11:07:13 GMT -5
Let me say that I'm not against a trade. However, I don't think that Montreal has the depth such that adding a highly talented player via trade is going to make the team considerably better. If Higgins+O'Byrne+pick for Hossa had happened, we still have a two-line team with a considerable drop-off in talent once you get down to the bottom 6. Not to mention the defensive depth.
I still believe that we need to develop depth -- and it's happening, though the offensive depth seems to be stalling -- but the promise of O'Byrne, Valentenko and me still believing that Emelin will come over we could have an exceptionally talented top 6 defensive corps as soon as next season.
My management strategy for the next 8 months:
If we can acquire a Hossa (since he seems intent on re-signing wherever he eventually gets traded)without severely damaging the roster, I'd do it. If we can acquire a stalwart 2nd pairing defenseman without crippling the team, I'd do it.
Short of that, I'm looking toward free agency. If we concentrate on adding offense (and sorting out the impossible goalie situation) during the UFA period, and stay pat on defense by only signing a 6/7 defenseman-type or re-signing Streit to the right deal. Another Brisebois, but without the connections to Gainey & Carbo to feel like they have to play him. The goal needs to be to develop an equally effective second line, and a third line that can contribute a bit more. If Lats-Chipchura-Sergei is it, then so be it, but I'd like to acquire a veteran to pair up with one or two of them.
Come UFA, I'd still be targeting Hossa if he's available. I truly feel that of the $7M players around, he'd be one of the better values because he's such a complete player. Then again, I've had a crush on him for a long time, so take it with a grain of salt.
edit: Listen, I know that many of you guys are older than I am so I probably have more tempered expectations. I don't truly expect the Habs to make the Cup Finals more than their share, which is once every 15 seasons. That being said, 15 seasons is coming up and I'm beginning to get impatient.. just not enough to ruin the development that's going on. I truly believe (maybe it's the inner homer in me) that this team is and will be exceptional sooner than later. Maybe not as talented as Ottawa or Detroit, but a perennial contender like SJ (minus the Thornton-type) or like what Vancouver was pre-Bertuzzi. Trades are both the most exciting and feared transactions in the NHL, because they have such a possibility of backfiring that I'm afraid of making the wrong move.
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Post by franko on Feb 12, 2008 14:19:01 GMT -5
If Higgins+O'Byrne+pick for Hossa had happened, we still have a two-line team with a considerable drop-off in talent once you get down to the bottom 6. Not to mention the defensive depth. Most successful teams seem to be two-line teams, with third and fourth lines that kick in occasionally. We seem to be a one-line team with three lines that are hard-pressed to kick in points. A strong second line would take the pressure/emphasis from our number 2 1 line . . . and we’d be much better off. I’ve given up on the UFA route. BG has, it seems, tried to throw money at UFAs but they refuse to grab at it. Therefore, we need to pry the necessary parts from other teams before they become UFAs (a couple of years before would be great). Then we might have a shot at re-signing them, a la Kovy. So why wait until the end of the season and hope for the best? Make a trade now! OK, youngster, you listen!  Do you think Edmonton or Calgary fans or Ottawa are saying “we’ve had our turn, it’s someone else’s”? I don’t think so! [/ huge sarcasm] Once you’ve had a taste you want more. And more And MORE! Realistically, I know that this “new NHL” precludes near-dynasties . . . but that doesn’t mean that we should not be a competitive team. And we haven’t been. And if we are now it’s just barely. So yes, I’d like a Cup run more often than once every fifteen years. Heck, I’d like to be in the hunt every year, not striving just to make the playoffs. Not guts, no glory. Sammy Pollock was successful because he took risks. The Habs were successful because he did. BG and this edition of the Habs won’t be unless they do. And if they don’t, we’re in for another 15 years of more of the same. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 12, 2008 14:23:00 GMT -5
We are a mid ranged semi contender now. Spoken like a true technician. cheers. |
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Post by HFTO on Feb 12, 2008 16:40:03 GMT -5
Great deal for Ottawa but they are in a different stratosphere from the Habs up front and on the back end.A guy like Stillman would have less of an impact here.I'm changing my mind back to having the Habs sit tight and stock pile for another year and guage the development next year,though the big risk is the play of Kovalev who may never be better?A tough call?
HFTO
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Post by Cranky on Feb 15, 2008 1:06:17 GMT -5
Which gets back to BG riding it out. That's not managing. Who was it that said may as well let Timmins draft and avoid a GM [c'mon -- I read it but I'm not going to search every thread for it ;D] It was HA. Why do I remember? He pays me to do so. Not well, but I'm a UFA at the end of this season and I want at least a time share of HA's hurdy gurdy girls in order to watch his back. Good job Seventeen. Franko, frankly, I'm disappointed. I work hard to make my limited mental resources pop out coherent thoughts and yet, you forget them all too easily.  If standing pat and letting the kids develop is the ONLY course then GG might as well fire Gainey, give more money to Timmins and put Youppi as GM. |
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