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Post by CrocRob on Feb 20, 2008 16:11:45 GMT -5
Pretty self-explanatory. Of the players we've been rumoured to be interested in, and taking into account a reasonable return, rank the players in terms of your desire to acquire them. The players are: (I'll add them if I forgot someone) | Player | Approx. Cost | | Hossa | Higgins, 1st, Emelin | | Sundin | Forsberg-esque
(Parent, Upshall, 1st, 3rd) | | Tanguay | Ryder + 1st | | Jokinen |  | | Richards | | | Marleau | | | Prospal | | | Havlat | |
Personally, the order is: 1. Hossa : Biggest impact player available. 2. Jokinen : Leadership questions make trading leadership for him a no-go 3. Havlat : A risk, but he's a gamebreaker 4. Tanguay : Decent risk/reward 5. Prospal : The only player I'd be interested in as a true rental 6. Sundin : Don't like the idea of giving tangible assets to the Leafs 7. Marleau : Worried about his upcoming contract 8. Richards : Worried about his current contract |
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Post by jkr on Feb 20, 2008 16:25:42 GMT -5
I share your misgivings about Sundin, especially if he is just a rental. The idea of giving Toronto top prospects that play against the Habs 8 times a season scares me. I really like the idea of getting players that are signed beyond this season.
That's why my top choice is Olli Jokinen. He is a top flight centre, something this team really needs to think about acquiring and he is under contract. Because he is only 29 & is signed until 2010 at around 5 million, he will be expensive.
Next on my list would be Tanguay. I can't believe BG could get him for a UFA & a pick. Sutter did that kind of deal last year with Boston when he gave up players under contract for UFAs (Stuart, Primeau). I don't know if he would do that again.
In the past Gainey has seemed reluctant to touch his roster significantly. I think back to his Dallas days when he gave up a young Iginla to get Niewendyk (sp?) or even the Kovalev deal. That's one reason why I don't take the Sundin rumors all that seriously. The Leafs price is too steep.
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Post by Andrew on Feb 20, 2008 16:39:31 GMT -5
1. Hossa : No deal unless it hinges on a multi-year extension
2. Tanguay : Make it happen (if the rumoured Ryder + Pick is the asking price)
3. Jokinen : I think Jokinen would have the biggest impact on our team. The question is, would he or Koivu be comfortable playing wing?
4. Prospal : For sure if the price is reasonable.
5. Marleau : Not interested. I don't think he's a great leader or that great of a player.
6. Richards : Tough call. I've always really liked Richards, but his numbers over the last two years have been poor for his salary (and + / - has been terrible). I still can't get that Conn Smythe performance out of my head, however. Given his contract we'd be guaranteed to not be players in the UFA market for a while.
7. Havlat : No deal. The guy injured his shoulder shoving someone in a scrum.
8. Sundin : No chance. I have no interest in facing a Sundin / Higgins / Stamkos line next year (or something to that effect). And if Sundin is as true blue as he says he'd probably fake an injury or half-ass it in the playoffs.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Feb 20, 2008 17:41:30 GMT -5
1- Richards. IMO this guy is a franchise player burried in a bad setup. Our center line has been (ans still looks) weak (even in the farm), this guy would turn this around instantly. As a plus, he can speak french, is a true class act and plays a sound 2-way game which make him an icon in Montreal.
2- Hossa. The ultimate firepower. Would turn any line into a dangerous line and any linesmate into stars.
3- Jokkinen: A true first line center with all the bells and whistles. I don't see him as a franchise player but he'd be a welcom addition nonetheless.
4- Marleau: A poor man's Jokkinen. Can be a first line center but IMO misses that fire/nasty/physical edge that Jokkinen has.
5- Tanguay: For Ryder and a 1st you can't go wrong.
The rest I wouldn't do.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 20, 2008 18:00:21 GMT -5
Not in any order:
1. Hossa: if he can be locked up into a long-term deal then it will be expensive both financially and asset-wise. If the asking price is Higgins, Emelin and a 1st, yes.
2. Sundin: no.
3. Tanguay: I honestly don't understand the hype over Tanguay. He's played with some excellent line mates everywhere he's been. I'm not sold on him.
4. Jokinen: Well, if Hossa will be expensive, Jokinen will probably be out of this world. He's one of the players on the list who can replace Koivu if and when he decides to leave. I don't know what combination of players/picks it would take but it would be way up there.
5. Richards: An impact player for sure, but is he worth the price tag? No, I don't think so. However, he's another centre who can replace Koivu if need be.
6. Marleau: no.
7. Prospal: Not sold on him either. He's playing on TB's top line. What happens to Prospal if Lecavalier and St Louis aren't there?
8. Havlat: Like Mike Ryder it's too bad he couldn't have put up decent numbers because he's not worth the price tag right now either. Mind you, he'd be our most talented player next to Kovalev. If he can be had cheaper than what's being asked, I'd gladly take the risk.
One type of player we haven't discussed in a few days is that experienced faceoff specialist. My picks:
1. Sergei Federov: (thanks BC) Though moving him out of Columbus would be difficult seeing how the Blue Jackets are still in the hunt.
2. Chris Gratton: Big, tough and excellent on faceoffs (I think he's a lefty though).
Cheers.
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Post by jkr on Feb 20, 2008 18:28:27 GMT -5
1- Richards. IMO this guy is a franchise player burried in a bad setup. Our center line has been (ans still looks) weak (even in the farm), this guy would turn this around instantly. As a plus, he can speak french, is a true class act and plays a sound 2-way game which make him an icon in Montreal. 2- Hossa. The ultimate firepower. Would turn any line into a dangerous line and any linesmate into stars. 3- Jokkinen: A true first line center with all the bells and whistles. I don't see him as a franchise player but he'd be a welcom addition nonetheless. 4- Marleau: A poor man's Jokkinen. Can be a first line center but IMO misses that fire/nasty/physical edge that Jokkinen has. 5- Tanguay: For Ryder and a 1st you can't go wrong. The rest I wouldn't do. With Richards' big contract I wonder about the price tag. Would Tampa take less for him then Florida would want for Jokinen because Feaster needs to rid himself of that deal? |
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Post by franko on Feb 20, 2008 19:09:31 GMT -5
7. Marleau : Worried about his upcoming contract Marleau's locked up until 2010. 1. Hossa 2. Jokinen 3. Tanguay 4. Prospal : meh 4. Marleau : change of scenery would do him good 6. Richards : not worth his current contract 7. Havlat : made of eggs 8. Sundin : "Don't like the idea of giving tangible assets to the Leafs" says it all, especially as he'll be going back to them. Methinks he's off to the west. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Feb 20, 2008 19:45:09 GMT -5
With Richards' big contract I wonder about the price tag. Would Tampa take less for him then Florida would want for Jokinen because Feaster needs to rid himself of that deal? 7.8 sure is a hefty price but Richards hit the NHL with 2 straight seasons of more than 60 pts, following by 4 of over 70 pts (including one of 91)... and he's only 27 so you can acutally build on him... How long has it been since we've had that kind of production at such an early age in Montreal? If Richards was to hit the UFA market he would not get any less than his current contract IMO. I'd take him, and his salary, anytime. |
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Post by seventeen on Feb 21, 2008 1:10:26 GMT -5
I would too, Doc. I've always liked Richards as he elevates his game when everything's on the line. I think you could mitigate that contract with an extension at a lower number. I can't seem to find out what his contract length is. Darn.
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Post by PTH on Feb 21, 2008 1:20:24 GMT -5
Well, I think it's just too hard to rank them when we don't know the cost. It's so hard to figure out a reasonable price ahead of time....
I'd love to get Sundin, but I think the price will be too steep.
Hossa IMO is an option only if re-signed.
Tanguay ? I'd worry about giving up a 1st for a guy who's only signed for one more season, especially since style-wise he's not a good fit (we need shooters....)
Jokinen I think will be too expensive, because he's sooooooo attractive contract-wise.
Richards should be a real option, given how he's expensive..... plus we need help at center, badly.
Marleau.... I've heard too much talk that he's soft.
Prospal ? No way in Hell do I ever want him in the CH. This is the guy who called Brisebois a "f-----ing frog" back in Ottawa. I won't have racist filth in my team.
Havlat - signed for one more season but brittle.... if he's being moved because Chicago wants Cap room, sure, but I wouldn't want to overpay for him either.
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Post by franko on Feb 21, 2008 9:37:33 GMT -5
I would too, Doc. I've always liked Richards as he elevates his game when everything's on the line. I think you could mitigate that contract with an extension at a lower number. I can't seem to find out what his contract length is. Darn. 7.8M cap hit; signed to the end of the 2010-11 season. |
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 21, 2008 10:42:03 GMT -5
7. Marleau : Worried about his upcoming contract Marleau's locked up until 2010. That's what I'm worried about, the contract value and length. Marleau has been terrible this season. |
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Post by franko on Feb 21, 2008 11:10:40 GMT -5
Marleau's locked up until 2010. That's what I'm worried about, the contract value and length. Marleau has been terrible this season. Ah . . . I misunderstood "upcoming". If Kovy can go to mediocre to amazing, so can Marleau. |
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Post by jkr on Feb 21, 2008 12:25:34 GMT -5
With Richards' big contract I wonder about the price tag. Would Tampa take less for him then Florida would want for Jokinen because Feaster needs to rid himself of that deal? 7.8 sure is a hefty price but Richards hit the NHL with 2 straight seasons of more than 60 pts, following by 4 of over 70 pts (including one of 91)... and he's only 27 so you can acutally build on him... How long has it been since we've had that kind of production at such an early age in Montreal? If Richards was to hit the UFA market he would not get any less than his current contract IMO. I'd take him, and his salary, anytime. I think what I find most attractive is that he is a centre. This team needs a transition plan. Koivu is 33 & has a lot of mileage. Richards has been playing with plumbers this year & also playing through mononucleosis. He still close to 25-30 minutes a game. And he has a Cup ring & the Conn Smythe Trophy - beating out Lecavalier, St. Louis, Iginla etc. I still remember the shoot out loss to Tampa earlier this season. Tampa had played the night before & Richards couldn't finish the game because of injury. Due to delays, the Lightning didn't get to Montreal until 4AM. Richards played almost 30 minutes including the last 1:45 of OT while his team was shorthanded. Then he scores the SO winner. The guy is an absolute horse & exactly what this team needs. |
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Post by jkr on Feb 21, 2008 12:28:06 GMT -5
I would too, Doc. I've always liked Richards as he elevates his game when everything's on the line. I think you could mitigate that contract with an extension at a lower number. I can't seem to find out what his contract length is. Darn. has him signed through 2011. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 21, 2008 12:43:20 GMT -5
7.8 sure is a hefty price but Richards hit the NHL with 2 straight seasons of more than 60 pts, following by 4 of over 70 pts (including one of 91)... and he's only 27 so you can acutally build on him... How long has it been since we've had that kind of production at such an early age in Montreal? If Richards was to hit the UFA market he would not get any less than his current contract IMO. I'd take him, and his salary, anytime. I think what I find most attractive is that he is a centre. This team needs a transition plan. Koivu is 33 & has a lot of mileage. Richards has been playing with plumbers this year & also playing through mononucleosis. He still close to 25-30 minutes a game. And he has a Cup ring & the Conn Smythe Trophy - beating out Lecavalier, St. Louis, Iginla etc. I still remember the shoot out loss to Tampa earlier this season. Tampa had played the night before & Richards couldn't finish the game because of injury. Due to delays, the Lightning didn't get to Montreal until 4AM. Richards played almost 30 minutes including the last 1:45 of OT while his team was shorthanded. Then he scores the SO winner. The guy is an absolute horse & exactly what this team needs. Be careful what you wish for ... Well, this is it though. I know Mike Ryder's status as well, but the guy is obviously contributing and is well-respected in the dressing room. Richards seems to have the desire to play full out all of the time. If Gainey can pull this off, or another impact trade, without touching the existing roster, then he'll be a genius. Good luck Bob! |
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